JONESBORO COMMUNITY NEWS
Volume 25, Issue 3 March 2021
“One Great Community, Many Stories”
Joy B. Day, Mayor jday@jonesboroga.com
Councilmembers: Pat Sebo-Hand, Mayor Protem Bobby Lester Tracey Messick Billy Powell Donya Sartor Ed Wise Ricky L. Clark, Jr., City Manager Tommy Henderson, III Chief of Police Richard A. Godfrey, Asst. Chief of Police David Allen, Community Dev. Director Joe Nettleton, Public Works Director Pat Daniel, Asst. City Clerk Ken Thompson, Finance Director Derry Walker, Code Enforcement Fincher Denmark, Legal Counsel Keith Wood, Municipal Judge Jerry Patrick, City Solicitor City Hall (770) 478-3800 Jonesboro PD (770) 478-7407 NON-Emergency # (770) 477-3550 TIP LINE: (470) 543-2011
Sgt. Christopher Cato Promoted to Lieutenant Dear Citizens, I am writing you today about a very serious problem, not only in our City, but in our community at large. The problem is TRASH and LITTER on our streets and sidewalks. The sight of trash on the byways and vacant lots makes a community look disheveled and as if no one cares. We are working hard to keep Jonesboro clean and beautiful. Please help us by picking up trash in front of your property and vacant lots on a regular basis. Talk to your neighbors, friends, and children about not littering. Want some exercise? Walk your street and pick up litter one afternoon. I recently did just that and was shocked at the amount of litter. I hope you will send me a picture of you “cleaning up” for the Community News! Let’s make a commitment to KEEP JONESBORO CLEAN. See you on the Street! Joy B. Day, Mayor
2021 Jonesboro Map/Resource Guide
Beginning Monday March 8th, Amber Morelock with SE Map Solutions, Inc., along with Jonesboro City Manager, Ricky L. Clark, Jr., will be reaching out to the local businesses seeking support of the 2021 Jonesboro Map/Resource Guide project. Local businesses and industries will have the opportunity to support the publication via advertisement/sponsorship space. These maps will be distributed by the City of Jonesboro as well the sponsors. Over the course of the last few years there have been several updates to our Official City Map, hence the need for the update. These maps / resource guides will be used by visitors, as well as locals daily, and are a very important tool in promoting the area and our businesses. *****AD SIZES AVAILABLE***** 3.15” x 2.15” $385.00 – (you receive 50 Maps) 6.3” x 2.15” or 3.15” x 4.3” $745.00 – (you receive 100 Maps) 9.45” x 2.15” or 3.15” x 6.45” $995.00 – (you receive 150 Maps) Back Flap 3” x 8.5” $1125.00 – (you receive 200 Maps) Back Cover 3.5” x 8.5” $1225.00 – (you receive 300 Maps) Also Available … WALL MAPS 3’ X 4’ $75.00 OR laminated $150.00
New Hires Announced at JPD
Detective Sergeant Chris Cato (JPD) at right, has been promoted to Lieutenant. Lieutenant Cato has served with the department for seven years, beginning as a patrol officer. He has been named Commander of Support Services Command. Congratulations, Lt. Cato!
Pictured (l to r): Officer Darryl Triplett (new hire), Asst. Chief Robert Godfrey, (Feb. 1), Chief Tommy Henderson, Lt. Godreque Newsom (new hire), and Lt Chris Cato.
CITY COUNCIL NEWS - February 8, 2021 Approved: *Purchase of a Police Sergeant Promotion Exam for Police Department *Purchase of Corporal Badges and die cast for Police Department *Purchase and trade-in of firearms for the Police Department *SESAC Music Performance License *Conditional Use Permit for a dance studio at 272 N. Main St. *Proposal from Georgia Power to convert lights at Battleground Park to an Outdoor Lighting LED System. *Appointment of Assistant Chief Richard Godfrey to the Accident Review Committee. -Pinning ceremony was held for Lieutenant Chris Cato. (promotion) -Formal introduction of Assistant Chief Richard Godfrey, Lieutenant Godreque Newsom, and Officer Darryl Triplett. (new hires) Join us for our next meetings in March: MAR 1: Council Work Session MAR 8: City Council For further info, see www.jonesboroga.com
Department of Community Affairs Approves Senior-Only Development in the City One Street Residential’s application for a mixed apartment/duplex “cottage” community southwest of the intersection of North Avenue and North Main Street, approved by the City Council earlier this year, was officially approved by the Department of Community Affairs (DCA) recently in a very competitive process with other developers and communities. The project is tentatively planned to have 57 apartment units in one three-story building and 30 duplex units which will have the look of single residences. The community will be restricted to active seniors 55-plus and will adhere to architectural and other design standards of the recently adopted Active Senior Overlay District in the City of Jonesboro. Also included in the community will be amenities tailored for the senior set. One Street Residential has developments in the cities of Duluth & Johns Creek as well as Peachtree City & Fayetteville. For more information, see www.onestreetres.com.
Get to Know… Maria Wetherington
Get to Know… Mike Boatfield
JPD STATS: January 2020 Citations 565 Warnings 293 Accidents 54 Arrests 29 DUI 9 CID Active Cases 189 Active Warrants 234 Probation, Active Cases 320 Training Hours 178
Maria Wetherington has served as Administrative Assistant since March 2017. Her many duties include issuing business licenses, administering permits, collecting taxes, Human Resources, and working with the Georgia Main Street Program. Maria was born in Valdosta, Georgia, but has spent almost all of her life in Jonesboro. She enjoys spending time on the lake with her family and friends. Maria has been married for 29 years and has two children. She is known for her intellect and dependability. Thank you, Maria Wetherington!
Guest Columnist - Tommy Dupuis I had a great experience as a child being healed by a “Traiteur.” I had a Planter's wart on my foot. My mom was an RN working for Dr. Mims Morgan at the time. Planters warts grow deep into the foot. Dr. Morgan told my mom that I would be on crutches all summer if he cut it out. He recommended a Traiteur in Opelousas (LA). We took a Sunday drive. I was totally unaware of what was happening. We pull into a gas station and the attendant comes out to fill the car. It was summer and naturally I was barefoot. My dad says to show him (the attendant/ Traiteur) my foot. I do so without thinking twice. I didn't notice anything unusual. Later he tanked us up and off we go back home. The wart got progressively smaller each week. After about 4 weeks I woke up one morning to fresh pink skin and no wart. Incidentally, I served in the U.S. Army with an American Indian that said that he had inherited the gift to stop bleeding...
Mike was born at Georgia Baptist Hospital (Atlanta) and grew up in Hapeville. He has worked for the City for seven years and currently drives the garbage truck. Mike is known around the City for his various skills and can do just about any task he is assigned. He and his wife of 22 years enjoy taking their dog for walks and riding him in the truck. Mike is a long time resident of the City, having moved here in 1999. Good work, Mike Boatfield!
City Garden Sign-Up
BAR-B-QUE HERE IN THE CITY!
Plans are underway G for a Jonesboro City Garden. If you are interested in serving on the Committee, volunteering some work time, or in having a space to grow your own veggies and flowers, call or email Samaria McCoy NOW at Smoked Wings/Tips/Shrimp/Fish/Sausage/ Jonesboro Police Department Burgers/BBQ/Fries and More! 1423 Stockbridge Road, Jonesboro, GA (770) 478-7407 or Phone (944) 473-3397 smccoy@jonesboro ga.com JONESBORO
greedymansbbq.com
IN LOVING MEMORY
IN MEMORIAM
Annette Alexander
Roger Grider
IN REMEMBRANCE
(Tommy Dupuis is a city resident, a native of Louisiana and a Vietnam Veteran. Tommy is a raconteur with an interesting background and many stories.. He has worked on oil rigs, managed restaurants, and other diverse pursuits. He and wife Laura, have two daughters, Anna & Mary Katherine.)
What is Irish and is left out all summer?
1939-2021
1945-2021
Anita Clemons 1962-2021
Paddy O’Furniture
In Loving Memory
Pauline Hill 1930-2021
HAPPY BIRTHDAY JACK BRUCE!
“85”
CITY CENTER PLANS MOVE FORWARD
Lofton Lee Hill 1923-2021
Plans are moving forward for the Jonesboro City Center just west of Lee Street Park on Smith Street. The 33,000 square foot building will include Public works news both City Hall and the Jonesboro Police Department. Approved by the ***Garbage Update*** Jonesboro City Council over a period of months, property was assembled during 2019 and 2020. The Art Deco-style building will feature a large New pick-up date atrium separating City Hall and the Police Department. Included in the for the citizens that live in City Hall will be a spacious Community Room able to accommodate 150+ The Grove Subdivision and people, which will also open to the atrium to accommodate a larger crowd. Old Ivy Townhomes. New The expansive windows of the building will face Lee Street Park and will day will be every Tuesday include a clock tower, as well as a gathering place overlooking the park. starting March 6th. The Police Department will feature a new courtroom and a secured sally port for police entry to the building. A squad room, interview and holding Remember rooms, an evidence vault, and offices for all staff and probation services that Public will round out the main features. On the City Hall side, a reception area for Works offers visitors, offices for all staff, record and plan rooms, and a professional large item conference space will enable staff to provide needed services for constitupickup for an additional ents. During the coming months, we will be featuring various element of charge. Contact City Hall for the building to give our readers a “peek” of the Center. Final design docuprices. ments are being completed; groundbreaking is planned for early 2021. (770) 478-3800 WOMEN of JONESBORO
The Community News Jonesboro City Hall
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124 North Avenue Jonesboro, GA 30236
CITY ARCHIVES
COMMUNITY CALENDAR Council Work Session, 6 pm, PD
MAR 3
Design Review Comm., 4:30 pm, CH
MAR 4
DDA, 6 pm, PD
MAR 8
City Court, 8:00 am, PD
MAR 8
City Council Meeting, 6 pm, PD
MAR 14
Daylight Savings Time Begins
MAR 15
Historic Preservation, 5:30 pm, CH
MAR 16
Jonesboro Housing Auth, 6pm 207 Hightower Street
MAR 17
Happy St. Patrick’s Day!
MAR 22
City Court,8:00 am, PD
MAR 22
Beautification Comm., 5:30 pm, CH
MAR 23
Promotions Comm. 4:30 pm, CH
MAR 29
City Court, 8:00 a.m., PD
MAR 32
No such day. Call City Hall for a prize any day in March. (*first 3)
APR 1
April’s Fool Day
Marilyn Turner Eason & George Sligh 1953
The Community News is published at Jonesboro City Hall. Written & Edited by Mayor Joy B. Day. To submit news, email
jday@jonesboroga.com
How can you tell if a Leprechaun is having a good time? He is Dublin-over in laughter!
MAR 1