ARTS & COMMUNITY
D
Progress 2016
simply the best.
Inside: Business & Industry • Government & Education • Health & Recreation
2D | FORSYTH COUNTY NEWS | forsythnews.com
SUNDAY, MARCH 27, 2016
About this section
About the cover
The titles and rankings seem to come in droves each year. From health and wealth to education and youth, most Forsyth residents know the county is at the forefront of north Georgia and the state in various factors that help shape quality of life. These factors — which residents embrace and have come to expect — carry their share of numbers. Indeed, politicians and others are fond of touting such statistics. With that in mind, the staff of the Forsyth County News contacted government and school officials, business owners and public safety personnel to compile some interesting and easy-to-read figures from the past year. For example, consider that in 2015: • The county’s population topped 204,300 and its median household income was $87,657. • There were 2,863 babies born at the Northside Hospital-Forsyth Women’s Center. • The fire department answered 13,283 emergencies. • ’cue Barbeque sold 45,000 pounds of pork. If that piqued your interest, join us in the pages of Progress 2016 as we go explore various Forsyth County topics.
CDA has been a leader in dance education for over 10 years in the Forsyth, Dawson and north Fulton areas. Committed to teaching only the highest quality in dance as well as implementing a Personal Development program into each class; CDA has become well known for their expertise in raising successful, confident and determined young people.
Playhouse center of local arts scene From staff reports
The Cumming Playhouse, located inside the 1923 Cumming schoolhouse at 101 School St., is the heart of performing arts and history in Forsyth County. The facility was named to the National Register of Historic Places in 2000 through the efforts of the Historical Society of Forsyth County. The school was the first high school in Forsyth County, issuing the first diplomas to graduates. The facility, which is owned by the city of Cumming, was restored through local 1-cent sales tax revenue in 2004. As a center of history, the facility also houses the Historical Society of Forsyth County and the Col. Hiram Parks Bell Center for Southern
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History and Genealogical Research. As a performing arts venue, the playhouse opened its doors in 2004, providing quality entertainment throughout the season, offering plays, musicals and concerts. Each year, the playhouse provides a wide range of entertainment to thousands of patrons. Everything from concerts and traveling shows to full-scale, main stage plays and musicals grace the historic stage each year. So far in 2016, the venue has presented tribute shows to the classic comedian Red Skelton and to country music rocker, Hank Williams Jr. The playhouse also saw the return of “Mardi Gras,” a variety show featuring local musicians
and comedians, which raises money for Age Well Forsyth. In addition, Daculabased band, The Skillet Lickers, presented its show, “Country Music Down Yonder,” which highlights the contributions of the group, founded in 1923, to the history of country music. Fans of the classic television series, “The Andy Griffith Show,” enjoyed two sold-out performances of “Mayberry Moments.” This show featured two stars from the 1960s classic program, as well as a tribute performance of e v e r y o n e ’s f a v o r i t e Mayberry deputy. There is still plenty more to come in 2016 at the playhouse. The well-known See PLAYHOUSE | 3D
Seats in the Playhouse
770-889-2521 Available 7 days a week 307 Pilgrim Mill Road Cumming Ga 30040
Serving Forsyth and the surrounding community for over 30 years.
Dr. McGruder • Dr. Sewell Dr. Vavilapalli • Dr. Haezebrouck Dr. Sutphin • Dr. Yu
www.crestviewah.com
275
Photo by Paul Dybas
Shows since opening in 2004
forsythnews.com | FORSYTH COUNTY NEWS | 3D
SUNDAY, MARCH 27, 2016
16,000 FROM 2D
Playhouse Broadway musical, “My Fair Lady,” hits the stage April 28 to May 22 under the direction of City of the South Theatre. “Leader of the Pack,” which was nominated for the 1985 Tony for Best Broadway Musical, will be presented by RISPA, the group that brought “CATS” to the playhouse in 2015. “Leader of the Pack” runs
1923
Year the old Cumming Public School, which today houses the playhouse, was built
Theater-goers in 2015 July 21-Aug. 14. This fall, the playhouse’s most popular show, “Smoke on the Mountain,” returns, followed by a special Christmas edition of the “Georgia Senior Follies.” “Smoke on the Mountain” will be presented Sept. 22-Oct. 16, and “Georgia Senior Follies Christmas Extravaganza” will run Nov. 17-Dec. 4. Numerous concerts will also be featured various weekends through the end of the year. These include performances by
the Cumming Playhouse Singers, Frances Mooney and Fontanna Sunset, the Forsyth Philharmonic, the North Georgia Barbershop Singers and “Classic Nashville Roadshow,” featuring Jason Petty and Katie Deal, daughter of Gov. Nathan Deal. For more information about upcoming shows and to purchase tickets, go to www.playhousecumming.com.
Year of last graduating class from Cumming Public School
Year the city of Cumming acquired the building from the Forsyth County Board of Education
1955
2000
Upcoming shows at the Cumming Playhouse • March 31 — Cumming Playhouse Singers “And All That Jazz” • April 8-10 — Ozark Jubilee from Branson, Mo. • April 28-May 22 — “My Fair Lady” Broadway Musical • June 4 — Frances Mooney and Fontanna Sunset • July 21-Aug. 14 — “Leader of the Pack” Broadway Musical • Aug. 27 — “Classic Nashville Roadshow” • Sept. 22-Oct. 16 — “Smoke on the Mountain” Broadway Musical • Nov. 17-Dec. 4 — Georgia Senior Follies “Christmas Extravaganza” • Dec. 9 — Forsyth Philharmonic Christmas • Dec. 11 — “Christmas Classics” • Dec. 16 — Cumming Playhouse Singers Christmas • Dec. 17-18 — North Georgia Barbershop Singers Christmas For more information, go to www.playhousecumming.com.
The Cumming Playhouse proudly presents... My Fair Lady This show is presented by City of the South Theatre under the Direction of Anthony Smithey
April 28 - May 22, 2016
Thursday, Friday & Saturday 8PM Sunday 3PM This Lerner and Loewe 1957 Tony Award-winner for Best Musical is based on George Bernard Shaw’s 1913 play “Pygmalion” and is the basis for the 1964 Academy Award-winning film starring Audrey Hepburn and Rex Harrison.
The Cumming Playhouse Singers
Kruger Brothers Benefit Show Honoring Kathy Jolly & Benefiting Literacy of Forsyth
March 31, 2016
Saturday 3PM & 8PM
“And All That Jazz” Thursday 8PM
April 2, 2016
Ozark Jubilee From Branson Missouri to the stage of the Cumming Playhouse
April 8-10, 2016
Friday & Saturday 8PM | Sunday 3PM
101 School Street Cumming, GA 30041
770.781.9178
For a complete listing of shows or to purchase tickets, visit
www.playhousecumming.com
4D | FORSYTH COUNTY NEWS | forsythnews.com
SUNDAY, MARCH 27, 2016
Helping animals focus of the humane society Statistics at a glance
By Vicki Rennick
For the Forsyth County News
The Humane Society of Forsyth County is dedicated to finding loving homes for cats and dogs, educating pet owners and reducing pet over-population. We are one of the true no-kill shelters in the area. We also give back by educating and enriching the community, in regards to our “no-kill” mission. It is our dream to create a “no-kill community.” We had a tremendous year in 2015 in all aspects
• Animals adopted 1,451 • Dogs 920 • Cats 531 • Spay and neuter assistance program 72 • Rabies and microchip clinics 700 • Humane Hearts Therapy Dogs 1,100 visits
of our programs. We celebrated our 40th anniversary, adopted out our 20,000th animal and were named the best place to volunteer in the “2016 Best of Forsyth.” In addition to our animal rescue and adoption program, we also offer several other important services to the communi-
920
Dog adoptions
ty. • Spay and neuter assistance program is available to low-income pet owners. We offer vouchers redeemable at participating local veterinarians. • Rabies and microchip clinics, which provide affordable vaccinations for the most common health needs, as well as low-cost microchip services to help ensure the safety of pets. • Humane Hearts Therapy Dogs, where our 44-dog/owner teams make visits to schools, libraries, elder care facilities and special events. Their loving and gentle presence enriches everyone they meet within the community. Every dog/ owner team undergoes a rigorous certification process to be in this program. The humane society has been able to positively affect many lives in 2015. It could not exist without financial support and the tireless efforts provided by an army of volunteers and small paid staff. We are a private, independent 501(c)(3) non-
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Cat adoptions profit animal shelter; which means we receive no funding from state or local governments, including Forsyth County. We exist exclusively through the generosity of residents and partnerships with local businesses. The HSFC Thrift Store, which supplies donated items at reasonable prices to the community in order to assist in the caring of animals, also is a source of support. For more information about the society, its programs and how to get involved, please contact info@forsythpets.org or call (770) 887-6480. The society is at 4440 Keith Bridge Road in north Forsyth. Vicki Rennick is the vice president of the Humane Society of Forsyth County’s board of directors.
1,451
Animals adopted
700
Rabies and microchip clinics
1,100
Visits by Humane Hearts therapy dogs
CUMMING AQUATIC CENTER
1,600 Memberships/ passes sold
100 3,850 27
Staff employed in summer 2015
Group swim lesson registrations
Meets/tournaments
23,000
1.1 million
Group swim lessons taught
Gallons of water in the three pools
FORSYTH COUNTY
WOMEN’S CLUB
Whether you are a newcomer to the Forsyth County area or have lived here a while and finally have time to get out and socialize - FCWC is the best way to meet new friends and get involved in fun activities and interesting groups.
We invite you to join us at the next monthly luncheon held on the 3rd Thursday of the month at 11:00, cost is $22 For more information visit our website www.Forsythcountywomensclub.net or contact us at forsythcountywomensclub@gmail.com
These events are held at:
Windermere Golf Club 5000 Davis Love Drive, Cumming, GA 30041. To make your reservation contact us via email at FCWCReservations@gmail.com
forsythnews.com | FORSYTH COUNTY NEWS | 5D
SUNDAY, MARCH 27, 2016
Studies: Retirees, millennials high on Forsyth County ranks high for both By Kayla Robins
krobins@forsythnews.com
Studies often have shown that Forsyth County is among the tops in Georgia for schools, outdoor recreation, affluence and health. To go along with those accolades, the area has also been declared a hot spot for two groups on opposite ends of the age spectrum. Forsyth is expected to be one of the top housing markets in the nation for millennials this year. On the other hand, a separate study ranked Cumming as one of the best places in Georgia to retire.
CoreLogic used its Propensity to Purchase (PP) index that considers 70 characteristics for housing demand in its analysis. It rated Forsyth as the No. 6 county in the nation for millennial housing demand, with Douglas County in Colorado, which includes part of the Denver area, to be No. 1. “A majority of the characteristics suggest that millennials are more likely to buy in counties that have a strong and prospering economy,” said Bret Fortenberry, a staff scientist with CoreLogic. “Additionally, millennials are more likely to buy where they are making more money, indicating that areas with an improving job market are where this demographic is more inclined to buy.” Three counties in Virginia and one in Indiana ranked high-
er than Forsyth, which had a 98.5 percent rank in the PP index. “There’s been so much focus that [local] millennials want one thing — to live inside the perimeter and have immediate access to MARTA,” said James McCoy, president and CEO of the Cumming-Forsyth County Chamber of Commerce. “And that is incredibly unfair to say that an entire generation wants one kind of life. “What it overlooks are the millennials that are extremely interested in the outdoors.” McCoy pointed to Lake Lanier, the Chattahoochee River, Sawnee Mountain, the Big Creek Greenway and the county’s parks as main draws for recent college graduates and those in their 20s. As for retirees, Forsyth has its attributes as well.
According to a study by SmartAsset, several regional factors were examined that affect the quality of life for a retiree: taxes rates; the number of doctors’ offices; recreation and retirement centers per thousand residents; and the numbers of seniors in each area as a percentage of the total population. Cumming ranked No. 7 in the state on this list, down one spot from last year and behind Snellville, Fayetteville, Austell, Buford, Marietta and Loganville. McCoy said the amenities offered in Forsyth and the exemption on property taxes for anyone 65 or older are draws. “Families are now moving closer together. In my neighborhood, and even on my culde-sac, we have two families where the grandparents live in another part of the neighbor-
hood, and none of them are f r o m G e o rg i a ,” h e s a i d . “They’re retiring here to be close to their grandkids and family.” Both groups have an economic benefit to the county, according to McCoy. “Retirees typically have a lot of expendable income, and they use very little resources,” he said. “They don’t have kids in school. And other than that, it’s just health care. But they’re using that and paying for that.” Of millennials, McCoy said those moving to Forsyth tend to be well-educated and involved in “things that require creativity and innovation.” “Many are involved in technology companies,” he said. “A vast majority are more interested in innovation and exploration and creativity than previous generations have been.”
FORSYTH COUNTY SENIOR SERVICES
3,600
176
5,814
Hikes completed by members of the Hearthstone Hikers Club on trails across north Georgia
Dips in the pool at Hearthstone Lodge
67,000
Gallons of water in the heated and covered 88-degree pool at the lodge
800
Gifts donated/delivered by the community for the Holiday Gift Angels program
Meals donated through the home-delivered meals holiday gift certificate program
428
People who attended concerts and events at Sexton Hall
Seniors who went on day trips
July 3rd & 4th
Independence Day Festivities
July 3rd - Street Dance • Food & Craft Vendors Childrens’ Activities 6 pm - 11 pm Fireworks 9:30 pm at Fairgrounds July 4th - Annual Steam Engine Parade @10 am
September 2nd - 4th
IPRA (International Professional Rodeo Association) World Championship Rodeo
Friday & Saturday 8 PM • Sunday 7 PM Admission: 13 & up - $15.00, 5 - 12 - $10.00 4 & under - FREE, Seniors 65+ $10.00 7 Event Rodeo includes: Bull Riding, Barrel Racing, Steer Wrestling, Saddle Bronc Riding, Bareback Riding, Calf & Team Roping
1,206
Note: Numbers are for 2015
October 6th - 16th
Cumming Country Fair & Festival
Mon- Thurs 4 pm - 10 pm • Friday 4 pm - Midnight Sat. 10 am - Midnight • Sunday 12:30 - 9:00 pm Admission: Adults - $7.00, Students 5 - 18 - $3.00 4 & under - FREE Parking - $5.00 Advance Tickets Available Sept. 1st - 30th Adults - $5.00, Students 5-18 $2.00
Free Concerts & Shows with Paid Admission
Heritage Village • Indian Village • Working Exhibits Cotton Gin • Sawmill • Sorghum Mill • Cider Press Blacksmith • Grist Mill • Quilters • Schoolhouse Churches • Doctor’s Office • Dentist’s Office Barber Shop • Post Office • General Store • Printing Press • Midway Rides • Daily Ground Acts • Petting Zoo & Local Entertainment • Grand Concert Lineup
6D | FORSYTH COUNTY NEWS | forsythnews.com
SUNDAY, MARCH 27, 2016
Ages 2 & Up!
www.cummingdan
3 Convenient Cum
419 Tribble Gap Road • 1676 Bu
Over 12 Years of Instructional Excel
Owner / Artistic Director Niki Jernigan-Watkins
forsythnews.com | FORSYTH COUNTY NEWS | 7D
SUNDAY, MARCH 27, 2016
Summer Programs Enrolling NOW! Fall registration begins May 1st! FIRST MONTH FREE! (Up To $50 Value)
Must present coupon at time of registration. Valid only for new registrations and certain stipulations may apply.
OFFER EXPIRES 5/31/16
nceacademy.com
mming Locations!
uford Highway • 230 Elm Street
llence!
DANCE, VOICE & THEATER CLASSES FOR ALL AGES! 770-781-4922
www.facebook.com/cummingdanceacademy
8D | FORSYTH COUNTY NEWS | forsythnews.com
SUNDAY, MARCH 27, 2016
THE PLACE OF FORSYTH COUNTY
186
$175,529
Backpacks with supplies collected and distributed
Spent on food bags and boxes for distribution
322
Winter coats, hats, gloves and scarves collected and given out
1,800
Holiday House gift drive collection total
$27,930
Spent on Thanksgiving and Christmas food in excess of normal food donations
1,842
Volunteers (includes Holiday House volunteers)
4
Part-time employees
10
Full-time staff
UNITED WAY OF FORSYTH COUNTY
Organization expands its work for supporting needs of the community For the Forsyth County News
The year 2015 brought together nearly 5,000 investors to support more than 60 nonprofit organizations and programs that provided direct services to residents throughout Forsyth and Dawson counties. Their investment of $1.226 million created more opportunities in the impact areas of education, financial stability, health and basic needs. All of these areas play a key role in building a good, quality life. In 2014, United Way of Forsyth County began the planning stages of its new strategic plan to expand community impact focus. Throughout 2015, United Way started working with community partners — nonprofits, the school system, local government, churches and community volunteers — to identify the root causes of problems that face our community. It then began collaborating on ways to create long-term, sustainable solutions. In the basic needs impact area, a need was identified for “resource sharing” between nonprofit partners within the community. Through an online program called Charity Tracker, the school system, nonprofits, churches, etc. can share information about any resources available to help individuals or families. Food, one of the most
basic needs, continued to be addressed. With the help of 660 community volunteers from local corporations, small businesses, civic clubs, schools and churches, 100,000 dried, ready-to-eat meals were packaged for distribution to 10 local food pantries through the 14th Annual Day of Caring. Volunteers also participated in projects at local nonprofits throughout Forsyth County. In May 2015, United Way also joined with the Cumming Post Office for the 23rd Annual Letter Carriers’ Food Drive, which collected 20,000 pounds of food that was distributed to 15 food pantries in the county. Initiatives within the financial stability impact area saw an increase in activity. In partnership with the AARP Tax Aide Foundation, the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program provides free income tax assistance to assist low- to moderateincome families (those earning $54,000 or less) and those individuals 60 years and older. Last year, 102 tax returns were prepared, refunding more than $92,700 to taxpayers and deterring the preparation costs that can take a bite out of the income they need to support themselves and their families. United Way’s Workforce Housing Committee has also moved forward with its work, advocating for affordable housing options for teachers, firefighters,
police officers and other employees in the community. Under the education impact area, a Mentoring & Tutoring Committee was formed to identify areas where it could work to increase the number of mentors and tutors for academically at-risk students. After some discussion and research, the committee decided that for many high school students, tutoring outside of school hours was not an option due to transportation barriers. Knowing that extra instructional time provides students the opportunity to catch-up or stay on track to graduate on-time, the committee came up with the idea of having a “late bus” for students at North Forsyth High School. By providing this transportation alternative, students would be able to get extra instructional time, allow them to attend club meetings, participate in sporting activities, ROTC, etc. Now known as the “Raider Ride,” an average of 14 students are taking advantage of the program o n Tu e s d a y s a n d Thursdays. In 2015, with the help of Publix Super Markets, local businesses, churches and community organizations, United Way’s Stuff the Bus event collected more than 46,000 school supply items during the months of June and July. These items benefit children and youth in Forsyth County Schools. United Way of Forsyth
File photo
Volunteers from local corporations, small businesses, civic clubs, schools and churches, helped package 100,000 dried, ready-to-eat meals for distribution to 10 local food pantries through the 14th Annual Day of Caring.
County is continuing this work in 2016 and is also moving forward with identifying needs within the health impact area. Last year, United Way became the fiscal agent for a federal grant the Forsyth County Drug Awareness Council received. This program is committed to educating, advocating and empowering the community to prevent substance abuse across the life-span in Forsyth County. Through the 7th Annual Give Kids A Smile Day, 75 children received dental services from three dental practices volunteering to help the children and youth who were in need of services. United Way’s mission is to improve lives in the community by mobilizing the caring power and spirit of residents.
On the Net
At a glance The following is a breakdown of 2015 United Way of Forsyth County funding by impact area: • Financial stability: $36,018 (1,048 Lives) • Basic needs: $211,366 (24,254 Lives) • Health: $269,193 (16,092 Lives) • Education: $688,594 (30,239 Lives) • Donor designations made outside Forsyth County: $21,371 • Total investment: $1,226,542 Source: United Way of Forsyth County
The organization does this by bringing together donors, volunteers, community leaders, large and small businesses and many others to find ways to meet the most crucial needs. By coming together, they were able to make a significant impact on the lives of more than 71,600 Forsyth and Dawson County residents in 2015.
Thank you to everyone who continues to give back to this great community we call Cumming a n d Fo r s y t h C o u n t y through United Way. Your time, financial resources and sheer dedication make it the best place in Georgia where all people have the opportunity to engage, thrive and achieve a better quality of life.
To find out more about United Way of Forsyth County, go online at www.UnitedWayForsyth.com. You can also find us on Facebook at UnitedWayForsythCountyGA, Twitter @UnitedWayFCGA and Instagram @UnitedWayForsythCounty
SUNDAY, MARCH 27, 2016
forsythnews.com | FORSYTH COUNTY NEWS | 9D
10D | FORSYTH COUNTY NEWS | forsythnews.com
SUNDAY, MARCH 27, 2016
167,827
Record total attendance
Best known for fair, Cumming venue also home to much more From staff reports
The Cumming Fairgrounds helps keep local traditions alive. From its signature eve nt , the Cumm in g Country Fair & Festival, to the early-1900s heritage village maintained year round, administrator Dave Horton says the venue offers family-oriented fun. The annual fair, which takes place in October, was the first event at the fairgrounds, starting in 1995 as a six-day event. The festival has since expanded to 11 days, featuring well-known musical acts, a variety of performance groups and the traditional rides and games galore. “It’s just a great gathering place for the community,” Horton said. “It’s like a homecoming. You see people you haven’t
seen in a year or several years, and you meet a lot of new folks.” The 19th annual fair in 2013 saw record-breaking numbers. Horton said the event, which drew more than 167,600 people, “smashed” the previous attendance record, set in 2012. That number was about 141,000. The 2014 fair had a few days of weather concerns, but still posted 154,406 for attendance. The 21st annual fair in 2015 had just one day of rain and posted a new attendance mark at 167,827. The 2016 fair is slated for Oct. 6-16. Besides the Cumming Country Fair & Festival, the fairgrounds also provides a wide range of other activities and events throughout the year. The schedule each year stays about the same, from the fireworks display and
steam engine parade in July to the Christmas celebration in December. The fairgrounds, also puts on an IPRA Championship Rodeo over Labor Day weekend. The city of Cumming also presents the Taste of Forsyth, which is held on Easter weekend at the fairgrounds. The event offers visitors the chance to sample a wide range of food at a low cost. T h e popular event invites restaurants from across the county to share samples of their dishes. Outside groups also use the fairgrounds venue for charity events, such as Relay for Life, Ride for Kids Motorcycle Ride or other community gatherings, such as church-sponsored car shows. Each November, the fairgrounds is the site of what is fast becoming one of the largest professional
31,002 Single-day attendance record
barbecue competitions in the nation. The National BBQ Cup: Que ‘N’ Cumming was first presented in 2011. From 2012 to ’14, the event grew in size and popularity, with more than 100 professional and 50 amateur teams from across the country competing and about 15,000 spectators attending each November to sample world-class ’cue. The cup is always held t h e w e e ke n d b e f o r e Thanksgiving. The North Georgia Quarter Midget Association plays host to 16 to 17 races for competi-
26
Number of acts
Check out the full schedule of Cumming fairground events at: www.cummingfair.net.
grounds, Horton said, bring in revenue to the local economy. Fairgrounds staff members work year round to keep the area well maintained and continue to plan for big events. The annual fair involves a full year of preparation to bring in a variety of acts and entertainment for the families visiting the fair.
Pounds of cotton going through the gin
Cable lift buckets
Chainsaw carvings for auction
On the Net
21,000 32
120
34
tors ages 5 to 16, when the fairgrounds isn’t otherwise being used, Horton said. In July 2013, the site welcomed the associat i o n ’s Q M A E a s t e r n Grands championship, drawing thousands of people. In 2015, the NGQMA held a National USAC race. The Bill Thomas Raceway at the fairgrounds has held national tournaments in the past, with some former competitors growing up to become NASCAR drivers. The races, like most of the events at the fair-
50
Bales of cotton ginned
Height in feet of highest lift support pole
18
1,680
Native American educators
Length in feet of cable lift
Midway United Methodist Church 5025 Atlanta Highway | Alpharetta
Easter Sunday: March 27th 7:00am | Sunrise Service 8:30am | Midway Chancel Choir & Brass Accompaniments Historic Chapel
9:45am & 11:00am | Service with Praise Band & Vocalists Sanctuary of Main Building
Easter Egg Hunt | 11:00am & Noon
40
Rides at fair
Coming Soon...
Spring BBQ Sale | April 29th - 30th Vacation Bible School | June 6th - 10th
770-475-5230 | www.midwayumc.org
forsythnews.com | FORSYTH COUNTY NEWS | 11D
SUNDAY, MARCH 27, 2016
176,935
KEEP FORSYTH COUNTY BEAUTIFUL
101,242 Christmas trees recycled
Weight in pounds of electronics collected in 2015
775,120
since 1994
Weight in pounds of electronics recycled since the first event in fall 2004
712,782
Pounds of electronics collected between March 2010 and December 2015 at the county’s three recycling centers
41
Adopt-A-Stream certification workshops held in 2015, resulting in 1,370 certifications
22
Years since the first Christmas tree recycling event
2,304.5
3,380
Christmas trees collected in 2015
mountainlake.tv
Gallons of paint collected at the first paint recycling event last fall
12D | FORSYTH COUNTY NEWS | forsythnews.com
SUNDAY, MARCH 27, 2016
Let Us Spoil You!
Come See
Why Fresh is the Best!
Voted Best SEAFOOD
RESTAURANT in Forsyth!
Over $2 Million Raised for Community Charities Over 2,911,273 Meals Served
Sunday Brunch 11:30-2:00
WEEKLY SPECIALS
Lobster Rolls Served Daily Mon - Fried Oyster Caesar Salad Tues - Chef’s Choice Wed - Chef’s Choice Thurs - Prime Rib Fri - BBQ Beef Bones (Philly & French Dip @ Lunch)
Private banquet rooms available r On You y Birthda with ID
$10 Off Lunch, $15 Off Dinner Call Ahead Seating
1/2 Price Bottle Wine Wednesday & Thursday
365 Peachtree Parkway Across from The Collection
770.886.0100
NormansLanding@bellsouth.net
Visit Our Website: www.NormansLanding.com
BUSINESS & INDUSTRY
E
Progress 2016
simply the best.
2E | FORSYTH COUNTY NEWS | forsythnews.com
SUNDAY, MARCH 27, 2016
204,302
Forsyth County’s population
Photo by Micah Green Forsyth County News
Forsyth market a blend of family living, retiree opportunities By Jennifer Morrell
For the Forsyth County News
It’s no secret that home sales in Forsyth County are climbing steadily, and for good reason. A sought-after public school system, low property taxes and an accessible and convenient location off Ga. 400 and near Lake Lanier make it desirable for home buyers of all ages. “Forsyth has so much to offer an active family,” said Tana Brewster, associate broker and real estate agent with Palmerhouse Properties. “ M a ny bu y e r s a r e attracted to the huge appeal of our schools and their rankings. We have lower taxes than Fulton [County], tons of recreational and public parks and the beautiful Big Creek Greenway that offers several miles of trails for hiking, biking, running or walking.” The Buckles family couldn’t be more pleased with their decision to move to Forsyth last summer. “A friend of mine moved here and spoke highly of the schools,” said Andrea Buckles, who
conducted her own housing research. “We are in a great location off Evans Road. We enjoy the shopping, the low property taxes and the parks.” The Buckles family includes two children, ages 11 and 4, who are enjoying their respective schools. She and her husband appreciate the proximity to activities and entertainment in the metro Atlanta area. The reasons for the notable growth Forsyth h a s ex p e r i e n c e d a r e strong and varied:
Retiree retreat A noticeable trend in Forsyth is the ranch floorplan as seniors who want to avoid stairs seek out this type of home. “Residents receive a tax break at age 65 in Forsyth County based on age o n l y, i n c o m e l e v e l doesn’t matter,” said Stacy Easley with Harry Norman Lake Lanier. “ O n c e t h ey fi l e f o r exemption, the tax drop is significant, close to 75 percent.” Bruce and Sharon Barnes of Illinois are hunting for a home in Forsyth to enter their
retirement years. The couple is ready to move upon finding the perfect ranch-style home with plenty of storage space. Easley has shown the Barnes homes in Forsyth during every season of Georgia weather. “We are looking to move to warmer weather, and we like the shopping, available, housing and the tax breaks in Forsyth C o u n t y,” s a i d B ru c e Barnes, 60. He added that his wife likes the relaxed atmosphere and nearby mountains. Both are fans of the lake. “Having a hospital nearby is a plus,” Barnes said. “As you get older, hospitals are one thing on the checklist. You want good medical facilities nearby.”
approval. The county has ample restaurants and shopping, along with access to Ga. 400 and Atlanta, the north Georgia mountains and Lanier.
Rentals “For the last few years, investors have had a strong pool in the rental market,” Brewster said. “With homes having increased in value and less foreclosures happening, rentals are fewer than in the previous couple of years. Many investors are
now selling as the market has improved significantly in Forsyth.”
Lake Lanier Sales are active again, but the lake is not as strong when compared to the county’s overall market. “Lake Lanier is finally doing better than it has in several years,” Brewster said. “Most buyers are still trying to find a deal on the lake. However, it’s hard to really find a newer home at an average price point.
“Luxury lake sales have seen a significant uptick in sales in 2015, with shorter days on the market.”
Great outdoors Fo r s y t h h a s a d d e d value via the significant investments the county in city of Cumming governments have made in outdoor spaces. The Big Creek Greenway is a popular draw, but the county also offers places for outdoor See FORSYTH | 3E
Family life In addition to a topnotch school system, families often prefer to live in communities with standard amenities that include tennis courts, swimming pools, a clubhouse and playgrounds. In January, 967 home sites were put before commissioners for
Veterans 2010-14
Housing units
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Median value of owner-occupied housing units
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Households 2010-14
Note: Numbers are for 2014, the most recent year for which figures were available.
About the cover Scott’s Auto Center is a locally owned and operated auto repair source in Cumming. Scott’s was named “Best of Forsyth” for Aftermarket Auto Repair in 2015 and 2016. Photo by Micah Green Forsyth County News
Corporate Square 351-A Dahlonega St. | Cumming, GA 30040
770-887-3720
forsythnews.com | FORSYTH COUNTY NEWS | 3E
SUNDAY, MARCH 27, 2016
Area economic expert ‘bullish’ about future By Kelly Whitmire
kwhitmire@forsythnews.com
Frank Norton Jr. believes in Forsyth County. “I’m bullish about Forsyth, and about your future,” said Norton, an area real estate and economic expert. “You have so much going for you. You have position, you have strength, you have geographic position. You have a tax base. “If you look at the [return] of what I pay in taxes and what I get here, it’s amazing. You have school test scores that are the envy of the entire Southeast.” Norton, chairman and CEO of the Gainesville-based Norton Agency real estate and insurance firm, was the keynote speaker Jan. 26 during the annual Economic Outlook Breakfast organized by the Cumming-Forsyth Chamber of Commerce. During his presentation at the Lanier Technical College Forsyth Conference Center, Norton mentioned the county’s countless amenities, but also encouraged its leaders and residents to look toward the future. Norton drew on data from the Norton Native Intelligence report for 2016, the 30th forecast made by his company. It covered not only Forsyth, but several northeast Georgia counties. One issue Norton said he believes the area will face is affordable housing. “I talk about affordable housing in the context of metro Atlanta, with $175,000 average,” he said. “This affordable hous-
ing problem is going to affect you. If we lose affordable housing in Dawson and Cherokee and Gwinnett and Hall, where are your teachers — who you have probably already lost and are Norton commuting in — going to live?” According to Norton, homes under $175,000 could be gone 2020 and town homes in that range could follow by 2023. He also said home building was finally bouncing back from the economic downturn. “We are headed back up. We sold more houses in metro Atlanta in 2015 than in 2007,” Norton said. “We aren’t to 2006, when we had the crazy money out there, but we are selling more houses.” Also looking toward the future, Norton said Forsyth should be getting ready for even more growth. Projections show the county could have half a million residents by the 2040s. “I’ve been thinking about size … what is this county going to be like at 500,000 people? We need to understand and blueprint life at 500,000 people,” he said. “We really need to blueprint because we need to have water. “We need to be building infrastructure and we need to be building water resources and transportation resources for 500,000 people. I don’t want this to be a shout in the dark. I want this to be an active conversation.”
CITY OF CUMMING CENSUS
5,615 Population
FROM 3E
Forsyth activity and vibrant parks, welldesigned facilities and fields. The Cumming Aquatic Center offers year-round swimming opportunities.
Mixed use
Outlook
On Feb. 5, officials broke ground on what is being billed as Forsyth’s first work-play-live community, Halcyon. The $ 3 7 0 m i l l i o n m i xe d - u s e development will sit on 130 acres at McFarland and Ronald Reagan parkways, just off Ga. 400 in south Forsyth. Plans call for 690 residential units that will include luxury rental apartments, restricted apartments, for-sale cottages, town homes and single-family homes. Halcyon will appeal to anyone who wants a walkable community with access to jobs, retail, entertainment and the greenway without g e t t i n g i n a c a r, s a i d Pa t r i c k Leonard, principal with RocaPoint Partners. “In addition to the additional tax
As the second-fastest growing county in Georgia and the seventhfastest growing county nationwide, Forsyth’s home appreciation has increased by 16.2 percent year over year. While buying in Forsyth is a hot trend at the moment, the county actually is struggling with a lack of available housing. “Our inventory is incredibly low in Forsyth,” Brewster said. “We need more homes to support the buyers. We also need to educate people that their home values may have increased, and it might be the best time to sell before rates move up.”
FORSYTH COUNTY CENSUS
91.6%
People with a high school degree or higher for those age 25 or older
30.3
337
Mean travel time to work in minutes for workers ages 16 or older
Veterans 2010-14
1,892 $169,700
base, this village will serve as a gateway focal point into this growing section of Forsyth County,” he said. “The greenway will be expanded with a new trailhead, parking and bathrooms integrated into the community.”
$87,657
Median household income Note: Numbers are for 2014, the most recent year for which figures were available.
Households, 2010-14
Median value of owner-occupied housing units, 2010-14
82.1%
Thank You for voting us #1 in Forsyth!
People with a high school degree or higher for those age 25 or older
23.3
Personal Injury Lawyers in Cumming, Georgia
Mean travel time to work in minutes for workers age 16 or older
Committed to fighting for our clients’ rights
$42,414 NEW
Median household income
NEWS | FORSY NTY TH OU
2016
.COM WS NE
FORS YTH C
Note: Numbers are for 2014, the most recent year for which figures were available.
BEST OF FORSYTH R
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IC
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• Auto Accidents
• Inadequate Security
• Back/Neck Injury
• Motorcycle Accidents
• Brain Injury
• Pedestrian Accidents
• Construction
• Premises Liability
• Accidents
• Product Liability
• Dog Bites
• Slip & Fall
• Dram Shop Act
• Tractor Trailer
• Drunk Driving
• Accidents
• Accidents
• Wrongful Death
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4E | FORSYTH COUNTY NEWS | forsythnews.com
SUNDAY, MARCH 27, 2016
Many highlights in 2015 for chamber Economic opportunity for all organization’s priority By Bruce Hagenau
For the Forsyth County News
Economies are built upon relationship and leadership. The Cumming-Forsyth County Chamber of Commerce plays an integral part in facilitating those relationships and fostering strong leaders. We are the sole economic development entity in the community. The chamber acts as an avenue to channel the incredible collective resources of great business people to create economic opportunity for all. That opportunity is what makes this community remarkable and sets it apart from so many places around the world. I am honored to serve as chairman of the chamber’s board of directors during such an exciting time. In 2015, the organization gained more than 200 new members and 13 new Chairman’s Cabinet members, our highest level of investors. Forsyth County’s unemployment rate has decreased to 4.9 percent, in comparison to the state unemployment rate of 6.9 percent. Twelve companies announced the creation of more than 540 new jobs and nearly $40 million dollars in new capital investment in 2015. This type of success is critical to helping balance the property tax base in Forsyth between residential and com-
mercial. Having a more balanced property tax base will help support continued improvements in our infrastructure and educational facilities. The chamber holds hundreds of events weekly, monthly and annually to promote networking. Those include Member Power Networking Lunches, Business After Hours and Women Who Mean Business events. In August, the Business Advancement Resource held the Business Expo with more than 400 attendees. In 2015, the BAR assisted more than 800 small businesses by providing classes, roundtable discussions, business coaching and mentoring. The chamber’s director of tourism attended three key tradeshows last year to promote local venues to organizations that bring amateur sports tournaments and festivals to our community. From these tradeshows, nearly 30 new leads were secured in the sports market alone. With these events come hotel room reservations. In 2015, the chamber secured more than 8,100 hotel room nights through these events. In 2016, you can expect to see the chamber announcing new collaborative initiatives with our partners to better serve entrepreneurs, startups and even local craftsmen and women.
The chamber will also be more competitive in recruiting commercial films to our community. In addition, we hope to complete the certification of the vote to approve the South Forsyth Community Improvement District. There are some in our community who do not share our belief that new jobs and business growth are good for our community. The reality is that Forsyth and neighboring counties will continue to grow. The challenge is to manage this inevitable growth in such a way that it creates opportunities for all. This is an exciting and pivotal time in our history. Together we can ensure that Forsyth County continues to be the premier community in the country to live, work and play. Bruce Hagenau is chairman of Cumming-Forsyth County Chamber of Commerce.
8,007
About Founded in 1952, the Cumming-Forsyth County Chamber of Commerce is the community’s leading advocate and champion for business. Its primary objective is to create a climate of growth and success in the community. By leveraging the support, talent and resources of its members, the chamber is one of the leading organizations helping to improve the economic vitality and quality of life for everyone in the community. For more information, contact the chamber at (770) 887-6461.
NORTHSIDE HOSPITAL-FORSYTH CONSTRUCTION
3
Businesses in the county
98,289 4.1% Number of jobs
Unemployment rate
Floors being added
65,000
Additional square feet
16
New inpatient beds
At least 50
Additional observational beds
Photos by Jim Dean
Oaks at Post Road
Assisted Living & Memory Care 3875 Post Road | Cumming, GA 30040
770-886-2630
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2016
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forsythnews.com | FORSYTH COUNTY NEWS | 5E
SUNDAY, MARCH 27, 2016
Sawnee EMC powering Forsyth for decades members by enhancing the quality of life through active support of community developments and identifying and serving the member’s energy needs.” The Sawnee EMC board of directors and staff will continue to remember their heritage and perform under the best sense of cooperative values and beliefs.
Dedicated, dependable, and world class service … these are just a few of the words used to describe the local electric cooperative, Sawnee EMC. With the stroke of his pen, and a unique vision for our country’s recovery from the Great Depression, Franklin D. Roosevelt signed an executive order in 1935 that established the Rural Electrification Administration. As an integral part of his “New Deal,” the administration provided low-interest loans to groups of rural Americans who wanted to form local memberowned electric companies called “cooperatives.” These cooperatives had one purpose — to get much-needed electricity into the unserved rural farming areas where, at the time, “for profit” utilities had refused to extend electric service. Three years later, on July 16, 1938, a few local visionaries successfully incorporated the Forsyth County Electric Membership Corporation in Cumming. It was one of the first EMCs in the state. Then on June 22, 1939, the first switch was thrown to energize 168 miles of power line that served about 750 homes in Forsyth and portions of three other neighboring counties. They all received electric power for the first time. By December 1940, the service area had grown to more than 1,500 members. In August 1950, the members unanimously voted to change the name of the Cooperative to Sawnee Electric Membership Corporation. The name “Sawnee” was chosen because of the proximity to beautiful Sawnee Mountain, near downtown Cumming. For more than 78 years, Sawnee’s mission to provide reliable electric service at affordable rates has never wavered. Sawnee exists “to serve the changing needs of
My how things have changed … Sawnee EMC, a not-for-profit electric cooperative, now provides electricity to more than 165,600 accounts within its seven-county service territory. As outlined in the Georgia Territorial Electric Service Act, which was passed by the Georgia Legislature in 1973, Sawnee EMC serves parts of seven counties including Forsyth, Cherokee, Dawson, Fulton, Gwinnett, Hall and Lumpkin. Sawnee is the 11th largest cooperative in the United States and maintains more than 10,546 miles of distribution line. Each day, Sawnee EMC staff members field about 1,200 phone calls and Sawnee’s control center is staffed and in operation 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Sawnee operates an Advanced Metering Infrastructure system. This modern, two-way meterreading system, uses a series of towers and collectors to monitor and read its electric meters. These meters give Sawnee members the ability to view their detailed energy data to better assist them in managing and evaluating their daily electric use. (www.sawnee.com/usage) This innovative system also provides many other cost-saving benefits to the members. Members can view, and take advantage of, many Sawnee EMC services at its corporate Web site located at www. sawnee.com. Tasks such as paying a bill online, starting and stopping service, free energy evaluations can be done on the website.
Members can also learn about free services and rebates offered by Sawnee, as well as education programs for youth, Operation Round Up, Green Power EMC, and Solar. For members on-the-go, there is also a FREE mobile app for their mobile devices. Finally, as a value-added service, Sawnee EMC also offers low natural gas rates through their relationship with True Natural Gas. Please note: When establishing new service with Sawnee EMC, there is a one-time $40 connection fee and a $5 membership fee. A deposit may be required based on an applicant’s credit history and the type of service needed.
Offerings Sawnee EMC offers many products and services to help members save electricity and money: • Natural gas • In-home energy audits (free to members) • Sawnee EMC Mobile App • Energy efficiency tips published in a monthly newsletter • Energy saver books free upon request • Free, do-it-yourself energy conservation videos and DVDs • Clean, environmentally friendly, green power • Energy-saving load management switches • Rebates and incentives to make homes and businesses energy efficient • Sawnee Foundation Youth Scholarship Program • Washington DC Youth Tour • Facebook and Twitter
Directions
Source: Sawnee EMC
Sawnee EMC’s corporate campus is located at 543 Atlanta Highway in Cumming. Office hours are 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Friday. From Ga. 400, take Exit 14 (Hwy. 20). Go west 1/2 mile to Hwy. 9 and turn right. The office is on the left at 543 Atlanta Hwy.
Contact: Sawnee EMC at (770) 887-2363 from 7 a.m.9 p.m. Monday-Friday and 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday. The e-mail address for general inquiries is customerservice@sawnee.com and the corporate website is www. sawnee.com.The mailing address is P.O. Box 266, Cumming, GA 30028.
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6E | FORSYTH COUNTY NEWS | forsythnews.com
SUNDAY, MARCH 27, 2016
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forsythnews.com | FORSYTH COUNTY NEWS | 7E
Forsyth’s First & Only Independent Certified Hybrid Service Center!
8E | FORSYTH COUNTY NEWS | forsythnews.com
FOOD
SUNDAY, MARCH 27, 2016
45,000
Pounds of pork sold by ’cue Barbecue
374 800
Restaurants in the county
Inspections, if not more
5,000
Portions of salmon served last year by Tam’s Backstage (includes catering) Note: Figures are from 2015 and do not include city of Cumming and may not be exact due to fluid openings and closings.
Lanier Technical College enters 2016 on wave of strong, steady enrollment, area recognition For the Forsyth County News
Lanier Technical College, a unit of the Technical College System of Georgia, serves as the leading workforce development resource for Forsyth, Dawson, Hall, Lumpkin, Banks, Barrow and Jackson counties by providing higher education and career-technical education programs leading to associate of applied science degrees, diplomas, and technical certificates of credit. The college also provides customized business and industry training, economic development services, continuing education for technical and professional development and adult education services. The college’s mission can be summed up in two words — “workforce development.” With a placement rate of 99.9 percent, the college’s motto, “Great Careers Begin Here,” comes true every day. Lanier Tech’s five campuses are conveniently located throughout northeast Georgia and offer 155 programs of study including 31 associate degree programs, 38 diploma programs, and 86 technical certificate of credit programs. Programs are available in allied health, business and computer technology, industrial and technical studies and public and professional services. More than 40 highdemand programs of study are offered through traditional, online and hybrid classes. The college is currently accepting applications for the summer 2016 semester, which begins May 17. Lanier Tech is a leader among Georgia’s technical colleges having been named the Technical College of the Year in 2014. Faculty members from Lanier Tech were named as the Rick Perkins Instructors of the Year in 2014 and 2015. Lanier Tech is also home to the 2016 Exceptional Adult Georgian in Adult Literacy, or EAGLE, Adult Education Student of the Year. In September, construction will begin on a new modern campus to replace the current campus in Oakwood.
L a n i e r Te c h n i c a l College’s Forsyth campus, a 120,000 square-foot facility on 49 acres with more than 800 enrolled students, is an educational provider of high-demand programs of study in health care, computer technology, business technology, public safety and professional services. In June, the Lanier Tech’s Physical Therapist Assistant program, based on the Forsyth campus, will graduate its first class of students. After completing a rigorous two-year program, these 16 students will enter the work force in positions paying more than $50,000 per year, working in a variety of settings including hospitals, physical rehabilitation clinics, nursing homes and home health care sites. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, PTAs in north Georgia earn an average salary of about $57,000 per year, with job openings expected to increase by 46 percent between 2010 and ’20. Applications for admission to the third class of students will be available in July. The Forsyth campus also received recognition when Amy O’Dell, director of the interiors program, was named the Rick Perkins Instructor of the Year for Lanier Tech. As the college winner’s, O’Dell advances to state competition in Atlanta in April. In fall 2015, Lanier Tech enrolled 290 Move on When Ready students, with the Forsyth campus having the most students. The program provides for students who are dual credit enrolled at a participating eligible public or private high school, or home study program in Georgia, and a participating eligible postsecondary institution in Georgia. These students take postsecondary coursework for credit towards high school graduation or home study completion and postsecondary requirements. Beginning last fall, the program is offered during all terms of the school year — fall, spring and summer semester. Students that participate in MOWR will receive high school credit and college
credit simultaneously while attending college classes on the college campus. Students may complete either general education courses for transfer to a fouryear university and/or occupational courses leading to an associate’s degree or other award at Lanier Tech. The college’s Forsyth Conference Center continues to expand services. In 2015, this 14,000-squarefoot facility played host to 73,000 patrons during 380 events. The facility was named Best Event Center in the 2016 edition of Best of Forsyth. The center can be configured to hold a single large meeting, many small gatherings or a combination of both. It offers a wide range of services, including audiovisual, wireless Internet, video conferencing, laptop rental, and other services for area businesses and other guests. For weddings and social events, the center offers flexible options to meet community needs in an elegant, affordable setting. Upcoming events at the center include the Forsyth County Senior Expo from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. April 2. On April 12, the college’s interior design students will showcase their work in a portfolio show from 6 to 8 p.m. The college and the Cumming-Forsyth Chamber of Commerce are sponsoring a “Food Trucks ‘N Forsyth” from 5 to 8 p.m. every third Monday from April to July in the upper parking lot. The dates are April 18, May 16, June 20 and July 18. Come enjoy family fun with balloon rides, musical entertainment and different food trucks each month. From April 11-30, the college’s horticulture program will hold a plant sale, offering a wide variety of beautiful and healthy plants. The 2016 plant sale features an exceptional selection of herbs and scented geraniums.
At a glance LanierTechnical College’s Forsyth Campus is located on Ronald Reagan Boulevard, just south ofThe Collection at Forsyth shopping mall, off Ga. 400 at Exit 13 (Peachtree Parkway/Highway 141). For more information, call (678) 341-6600 or visit www.laniertech.edu.
forsythnews.com | FORSYTH COUNTY NEWS | 9E
SUNDAY, MARCH 27, 2016
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10E | FORSYTH COUNTY NEWS | forsythnews.com
SUNDAY, MARCH 27, 2016
LAKE LANIER
160 feet
Depth of Lanier at its deepest point when lake is at full pool
1,077.2
Feet above sea level — highest level the lake has reached, which was in April 1964
192
Height in feet of Buford Dam
1,050.79 Feet above sea level — historic low level of lake, reached on Dec. 26, 2007
70
Years since Congress authorized the construction of Buford Dam and Lake Lanier
700
Number of families whose land became Lake Lanier
10,300
Estimated number of docks on Lake Lanier
692
Miles of shoreline
SUNDAY, MARCH 27, 2016
forsythnews.com | FORSYTH COUNTY NEWS | 11E
12E | FORSYTH COUNTY NEWS | forsythnews.com
SUNDAY, MARCH 27, 2016
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2F | FORSYTH COUNTY NEWS | forsythnews.com
SUNDAY, MARCH 27, 2016
Master command station
A look inside the new Forsyth County Jail By Kayla Robins
krobins@forsythnews.com
About six months after the new Forsyth County Jail opened, inmates and employees have settled in to the high-tech security facility in downtown Cumming. The Forsyth County News recently toured the jail, which is connected via a bridge-way to the n ew Fo r s y t h C o u n t y Courthouse on the other side of Maple Street. The structures, as well as two parking decks downtown, were built using the first $100 million of a 1-cent sales tax program voters approved in November 2011. Security is an overarching theme throughout the floors and b e t w e e n t h e va r i o u s rooms in the building, from booking cells to the medical clinic to the maximum security cell blocks. “ T h e bu i l d i n g wa s designed so that there’s always a shelter in place. If something happens in pod No. 1, we can lock it down and move everyone to another one,” said Forsyth County Sheriff’s Capt. Chuck Smith. The Sept. 11, 2015, opening concluded a
multi-year process that saw construction begin in July 2013. Originally slated to open in April 2015, a rock deposit in nearby water and sewer lines slowed construction. The courthouse opened in March across from the old one, which is now home to the sheriff ’s office headquarters and Probate Court. The jail opening continued to be pushed back in order to complete training for the staff at the new facilities and transporting equipment and inmates. The 608-inmatecapacity jail was built, Smith said, to be expandable in the future. It currently houses nearly 320 inmates. Those arrested by Cumming police are also housed in the jail. It was estimated the c u r r e n t fa c i l i t y w i l l reach capacity by 2025, at which time another tower can be built where the parking lot was recently completed along Ve t e r a n s Memorial Blvd. The laundry room and kitchen have space for additional large devices. C u r r e n t l y, 1 0 8
employees work in the jail, Smith said, including 94 sworn officers and 14 civilians.
Booking The booking and intake staging area contains a number of d i ff e r e n t c e l l s , f r o m air-filtration-isolated ones that can house someone with an airborne virus to padded cells that can hold someone who is upset or actively dangerous to themselves or others. Everything that has to do with intake surrounds the property room, which is where inmates’ belongings are held while they remain in jail. Inmates are brought into the booking room and medical clinic through different halls, depending on whether they have been checked for contraband.
Cell pod with day area/cell Each regular pod can hold 64 inmates, with four inmates sharing each cell. Pods have a common area that includes tables, an outdoor, covered rec-
Booking
reation area and showers. Half of the pod’s inmates are let into the common area at a time. Inmates are allowed visitation by video in the common area, too, as well as a multi-purpose room, where lawyers can meet with their clients.
Dentist and medical exam rooms All medical procedures are done in the jail unless an inmate requires an emergency room or surgery. Medical staff is on duty around the clock.
Front entrance and information/records Visitors enter the jail from Veterans Memorial Boulevard, where they can attend video visita-
Front entrance
Cell pod
Dentist exam room
About the cover One of the fastest-growing segments of the freshman class at the University of North Georgia (UNG) is high school students who are taking advantage of the state’s Move on When Ready program, which allows high school students to earn high school and college credit simultaneously and covers most expenses, including tuition, fees and textbooks. Dual-enrolled students must meet the same GPA and entrance exam requirements as all UNG freshmen; however, dual-enrollment courses don’t count toward hours for HOPE Scholarship eligibility. Photo by Micah Green
Maximum security
tions, deposit cash into an inmate’s commissary and request public records.
where weapons are not allowed.
Master command
Maximum security
Deputies in the master command room control and see everything that goes on in the jail and can shut down sections in an emergency. All cell doors are controlled electronic a l l y. M a s t e r c o m mand in the jail can l o c k d ow n a n d t a k e c o n t r o l o f t h e c o u r thouse if something were to happen there, including shutting down the bridge between the two. Floors are color- and number-coded to make it easier to discern each. Doors outlined in red distinguish rooms
Maximum security is separated from the regular pods and has an additional barrier of safety in place. Pods surround a central command center that can see everything at one time. While a deputy has a desk inside the common area of the regular pods, maximum security pods are controlled indirectly to minimize contact and possible altercations. One pod contains a super-max pod within it so inmates can be separated with their own tables while not having to leave the pod.
forsythnews.com | FORSYTH COUNTY NEWS | 3F
SUNDAY, MARCH 27, 2016
FORSYTH COUNTY GOVERNMENT Your Community. Your Future.
Forsyth County is proud to be the Healthiest County in Georgia! Visit a Forsyth County park today to see why healthy living is defined here. Enjoy hiking trails, dog parks, recreation centers and more. Plus, more new parks are under construction! Forsyth County government is pleased to provide great parks, quality services, outstanding amenities and top-notch public safety, all while maintaining taxes among the lowest in metro Atlanta.
Connect with us! Connect with Forsyth County government today and be a part of our community’s future. Visit us online at forsythco.com, tune in to TV Forsyth, get social with us on Facebook and attend county government meetings.
Forsyth County government works every day to make our community the best it can be, today and in the future. It is the mission of the county’s elected officials and employees to provide effective, professional public service with integrity and a commitment to excellence. Thank you for the opportunity to serve you.
2016 Forsyth County Board of Commissioners
R.J. (Pete) Amos
Brian R. Tam
Todd Levent
Cindy Jones Mills
Jim Boff
District 1 Commissioner Chairman
District 2 Commissioner Secretary
District 3 Commissioner
District 4 Commissioner Vice Chairman
District 5 Commissioner
Forsyth County Board of Commissioners | 110 E. Main Street, Suite 210 | Cumming, Georgia 30040 | (770) 781-2101 | (770) 781-2199 fax forsythco.com | TV Forsyth - Comcast Channel 23 and AT&T Channel 99
4F | FORSYTH COUNTY NEWS | forsythnews.com
SUNDAY, MARCH 27, 2016
FORSYTH COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE
200
5
K-9s employed by sheriff’s office
Narcan doses carried by deputies to be used to reverse overdoses
2
Lives saved by sheriff’s deputies with Narcan
72
412 Employees
Civilian employees
340
355
Sworn deputies
Students who completed the CHAMPS program that launched in 2015
96
50
AED devices carried by deputies
1
Life saved by deputies with AEDs
Pinecrest preparing committed leaders
For the Forsyth County News
Pinecrest Academy is a college preparatory, private Catholic school serving students from PreK3 through 12th grade. Founded in 1993, the school moved in 1997 to its permanent campus on Peachtree Parkway in southern Forsyth County. From its initial beginnings as just a Lower School, the beautiful 68-acre campus has grown over the years to include a high school and middle school (with gender-specific classrooms), a beautiful free-standing chapel and two gymnasiums — a modern upper school gym and a full-size gym for the lower school, completed in 2011. In addition, the campus includes three athletic fields. The current enrollment at Pinecrest is 811 students. It has been recognized as a Cardinal Newman Society School of Excellence for nine consecutive years, and in September 2014 was named a 2014 National Blue Ribbon School. The school’s mission is to prepare students to become committed Christian leaders, eager to transform a global society. Pinecrest provides an atmosphere of academic rigor and critical thinking, while offering personalized attention in a Christ-centered environment of faith and reason. The mission is accomplished in a gender-specific environment on a co-educational campus. We challenge our students to identify and use their gifts in service to others. Recognizing the parent as the primary educator of the child, our mission embraces the entire family. We provide a safe, moral and spiritual environment, which leads to positive peer groups and joyful, caring, confident students. In addition to a rigorous academic curriculum, Pinecrest offers an excellent fine arts program, including visual and performing arts, band and chorus. Our Symphonic Band played, by invitation, at Carnegie Hall in April 2012, and our art students have received numerous awards, including the prestigious Silver Key award in the 2014 National Scholastic Art Competition. Pinecrest introduced Project Lead the Way in 2013, a STEM program offered
in the middle and high schools, and launched PLTW in the Lower School during the 2014-15 school year. The class of 2015 (66 students) was offered $3.6 million in college scholarship awards from 73 colleges and universities, and two current seniors have been named National Merit Scholarship Finalists for 2016. In addition, Pinecrest’s average ACT scores have been consistently higher than those in the state and in the nation since 2009, and its Advanced Placement test averages have been consistently and dramatically higher than both. The class of 2016 will be the 10th graduating class from Pinecrest’s high school. Pinecrest offers a complete complement of varsity and recreational sports, debuting a varsity wrestling program this winter. The varsity football team won its first region championship since joining the Georgia High School Association in 2010, and enjoyed home field advantage for the state championship playoffs in 2015. The team advanced to the quarterfinals, finishing eighth in the final Score AJC poll. The dedicated and highly qualified teaching staff meets state and SACS requirements, and more than half of the members have advanced degrees. Pinecrest is fully accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools and the Southern Association of Independent Schools, and holds membership in the College Board and the National Association for College Admission Counseling.
Citizens Law Enforcement Academy graduates
24
Community or educational programs
Lanier Place Lanier Place, our senior living community, is known for being warm, inviting, and active. We develop individual care plans to meet the needs of each resident, and a full-time registered nurse is available 24 hours a day to provide clinical oversight and coordination of care. Our residents engage in a variety of activities, such as tai chi, bingo, pool, cards and board games, and yoga. We also offer four church services per week, weekly performances by musical groups, and shopping, dining, and entertainment outings. For senior living in Cumming, Georgia, schedule a visit at Lanier Place today.
Care Levels Personal Care • Alzheimer’s, dementia & memory care Respite Care • Short-Term Stay • Urgent Placement
For more information or to schedule a tour Call (770) 888-1114
Contacts For more information or to schedule a tour of Pinecrest Academy, call (770) 888-4477 or visit www. pinecrestacademy.org.
Administrators • Ed Lindekugel, headmaster and high school principal, elindekugel@ pinecrestacademy.org • Denise Cress, middle school principal, dcress@pinecrestacademy.org • Madeliene Flanagan, lower school principal, mflanagan@ pinecrestacademy.org
440 Tribble Gap Road, Cumming,GA30040 (770) 888-1114 • www.enlivant.com
forsythnews.com | FORSYTH COUNTY NEWS | 5F
SUNDAY, MARCH 27, 2016
City of Cumming
City of Cumming…Heart of Forsyth County Many amenities that make life in this community great lie within the City of Cumming, the heart of Forsyth County. Lanier 400 Ribbon Cutting
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There is a long-standing tradition of enriching the lives of the residents of Cumming and Forsyth County through city government, and that tradition continues in 2016. Cumming A quatic Cent er
The Brannon-Heard House
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New Recreation Facility A new 27,000-square-foot, multi-purpose recreation building at Cumming City Park, 410 Pilgrim Mill Road, was opened for classes in late February. The new facility features two large dance studios, a spacious art room, and an exercise studio with elevated platform. There’s also plenty of storage and office space for staff. In the coming weeks, crews will be finishing the remaining work on the building, which includes exterior landscaping and interior of the second half of the building. This section features a 4,900-square-foot gathering space that can be used in its entirety or divided into smaller sections. City leaders hope to have a dedication ceremony for the new Recreation Building by the end of April. Old Building Gets New Purpose With the opening of the new Recreation Building at City Park, the Cumming City Council recently approved a lease with Creative Enterprises, LLC for the old Parks & Recreation office. The Lawrenceville-based nonprofit works with adults with mental and physical disabilities to provide them with opportunities to work, learn new skills, and socialize with one another. Creative Enterprises will be leasing the old Recreation & Parks facility, located across Pilgrim Mill Road from City Park, for $1 a year to provide a satellite program for disabled adults in Cumming and Forsyth County.
3 192
Cumming Country Fair
in Cumm
From the fall fun of the Cumming Country Fair & Festival… To summer afternoons splashing at the Cumming Aquatic Center… To evenings of top-notch music and theatre at the Cumming Playhouse…
Cen t
er
Cumming Recreation Center
Lanier 400 Parkway Extension City leaders dedicated Lanier 400 Parkway with a ribbon cutting ceremony on March 1. The new roadway extends the old Lanier 400 Parkway, which previously only covered a few hundred feet from Bald Ridge Marina Road to the entrance of the Forsyth County Juvenile Court. Thanks to the extension project, the road now continues all the way through to Pilgrim Mill Road. The road, which lies on the west side of Ga. Hwy. 400, is easily accessible from Exits 15 and 16. Leaders believe it will be a great location for new businesses, as well as the Board of Education’s new Alliance Academy. The City sold the Board of Education some 23 acres of property on Lanier 400 Parkway for this project, which is slated to open in 2018.
Learn more about the City of Cumming, the heart of Forsyth County, at www.cityofcumming.net Congratulations to the Cumming Fairgrounds, Cumming Playhouse, and Cumming Recreation and Parks Department for earning various “Best of Forsyth” recognitions by Forsyth County News readers! If you haven’t checked out all that the City of Cumming has to offer, you should soon!
BEST OF FORSYTH
City of Cumming H. Ford Gravitt Mayor
Lewis Ledbetter Councilman
Quincy Holton Councilman
Charles Welch Councilman
Christopher Light Councilman
Linda Ledbetter Councilwoman
6F | FORSYTH COUNTY NEWS | forsythnews.com
SUNDAY, MARCH 27, 2016
SUNDAY, MARCH 27, 2016
forsythnews.com | FORSYTH COUNTY NEWS | 7F
8F | FORSYTH COUNTY NEWS | forsythnews.com
SUNDAY, MARCH 27, 2016
Schools strive for excellence By Jeff Bearden
For the Forsyth County News
Forsyth County Schools is proud to be one of the top districts in Georgia and the United States. Our success has been accomplished through dedication to our mission and a commitment to continuous improvement through the cooperative efforts of all stakeholders. Forsyth County Schools is home to 44,742 students in 35 schools — 20 elementary, nine middle and six high schools, which includes iAchieve Virtual Academy, a sixth-12th grade online school. As the seventh largest of 180 school districts in Georgia, Forsyth has the state’s highest average ACT composite score and the highest SAT score in metro Atlanta among county school districts, as well as the top ACT score for districts that tested at least 500 students. In addition, Forsyth County Schools maintains the highest graduation rate, 94 percent, among Georgia’s large school districts and among metro Atlanta’s county school districts. The school system also maintains the lowest millage (tax) rate and per pupil expenditures in metro Atlanta. The path to greatness is outlined in the district’s strategic plan, which was created with input from students, staff and business and community members. The plan focuses on the needs of our primary customer, the individual student. The strategic compass for the plan is the learner profile,
Bearden
which is an advanced profile that describes the attributes of students attending and graduating from a Forsyth County
school. With these academic skills and personal characteristics, students are college and career ready. New schools Brandywine Elementary and DeSana Middle will open in August. In addition, phases of construction at Forsyth Central, Lambert, North Forsyth and South Forsyth high schools, as well as South Forsyth and Riverwatch middle schools, will open this fall. Construction projects across the county, including West Forsyth High, will continue up to 2018 as part of the 2014 bonds. In August 2018, the district will open Denmark High and the Alliance Academy for Innovation of CummingForsyth County, which will provide ninth-12th grade, secondary and continuing education. Forsyth County Schools is excited for the opportunities that are before us, and it looks forward to working collaboratively to serve all in the county by providing quality learning and superior performance for all.
FORSYTH COUNTY SCHOOLS
94%
72.8%
District pass rate for 2015 AP exams, ninth-12th grades
2400 3
Highest SAT score
New schools under construction
44,479
Jeff Bearden is superintendent of Forsyth County Schools.
Online Forsyth County Schools invites residents to stay connected by visiting its website, www.forsyth.k12.ga.us, following on social media (@FCSchoolsGA on Twitter, @FCSchools on Facebook, and @ForsythCoSchoolsGA on Instagram), and to download the updated mobile app, Forsyth County Schools GA.
Graduation rate
Total enrollment at end of 2015
1,577 655
Average SAT score
Smallest school as of most recent enrollment, Midway Elementary
2,953
Largest school as of most recent enrollment, Lambert High
19
Schools under construction or receiving additions/ modifications projects
Note: Numbers are from 2015
Pinecrest AcAdemy Summer Camps
Pinecrest Academy’s Summer Camps build Virtue, Confidence and Friendship, while teaching new skills in a fun environment. PreK4 through High School View our online brochure and register today at www.PinecrestAcademy.org Football • Soccer • Babysitting Boot Camp • Drama Camp • Video Game Maker and Robot Camp • Driver’s Ed • Summertime Fun Camp • Spanish • Basketball • Musical Theatre • LEGO Camp • History Camp • Clay Camp • Craft Camp • Band Camp • CSI Camp • Volleyball • Karate • Odyssey of the Mind • SportsLeader Triathlon Training Camp • Engineering 101 • Young Scientist • Jr. Chemist • Emergency Veterinarian • and more!
955 Peachtree Parkway, Cumming, GA 30041 770-888-4477 • pinecrestacademy.org XXX_X_pincreastAcademy033014_Prog
405 Peachtree Parkway, Ste. 165 Cumming, GA 30041
770-887-4572
forsythnews.com | FORSYTH COUNTY NEWS | 9F
SUNDAY, MARCH 27, 2016
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10F | FORSYTH COUNTY NEWS | forsythnews.com
SUNDAY, MARCH 27, 2016
TEACHERS IN FORSYTH COUNTY SCHOOL SYSTEM
319
New educators for 2015-16 school year
16 5 48
4,517
States those educators came from
FCS employees
Married couples who are new educators
43
New educators coming from other school systems in Georgia
Recent college graduates among new educators
All local elementary schools among top 100 in Georgia By Kayla Robins
krobins@forsythnews.com
All 20 elementary schools in Forsyth County are among the top 100 in recent rankings released by Niche. The website produces insight into neighborhoods, school districts and colleges to help families make decisions on where to live. The rankings included best public schools and districts in Georgia. While Buford is home to the best elementary school in Georgia, according to the study, and the next top five are in Decatur, seven from Forsyth are in the top 20 and 14 are in the top 50. They are all in the top 100, with the lowest
being ranked 62. Grades for school-level rankings took into account factors such as the strength of academics, quality of teachers, diversity and overall quality of the school district. Officials and those involved in the local school system have said on numerous previous occasions that it is one of the best in the country. As a system, Forsyth County Schools was named the fifth best district in Georgia, behind Buford City, Decatur City, Oconee County and Calhoun City. District rankings were based on the same factors as the schools were graded on, as well as student and parent reviews.
Following are the rankings for elementary schools: • Cumming: 7 • Whitlow: 8 • Johns Creek: 11 • Daves Creek: 12 • Shiloh Point: 14 • Settles Bridge: 17 • Midway: 20 • Mashburn: 21 • Sawnee: 22 • Chestatee: 23 • Chattahoochee: 25 • Big Creek: 28 • Coal Mountain: 32 • Brookwood: 46 • Silver City: 55 • Kelly Mill: 58 • Vickery Creek: 59 • Sharon: 60 • Matt: 61 • Haw Creek: 62
All nine middle schools in Forsyth County were ranked between 3 and 28 as follows: • Otwell: 3 • Piney Grove: 4 • Little Mill: 5 • Lakeside: 7 • Liberty: 15 • Riverwatch: 17 • South Forsyth: 18 • Vickery Creek: 19 • North Forsyth: 28
Four of the five public high schools were placed in the top 100, with the fifth coming in at 136. Their rankings: • Lambert: 4 • South Forsyth: 8 • West Forsyth: 49 • Forsyth Central: 79 • North Forsyth: 136
Collaboration drives UNG Located in Forsyth County, a hub for global commerce and international trade, University of North Georgia’s Cumming campus produces leaders able to compete in a global economy. Students have easy access to the wide range of amenities that living close to a big city provides, while studying in a smaller campus environment. This campus is particularly convenient for students interested in dualenrollment, as well as for adult-learners looking to begin a new degree program. The dual enrollment program for high school students at UNG’s Cumming campus, known as Move on When Ready, has tripled in size since the campus opened in 2012. It topped more than 150 students this fall. “Our Cumming campus is a tremendous example of collaboration between the University System of Georgia, government officials and community leaders to expand opportunities for higher education in this r e g i o n ,” s a i d U N G President Bonita C. Jacobs. “The campus represents the culmination of many years of effort with the city of Cumming and various Forsyth County civic leaders to bring a university presence to the area. The combination of price, functionality, attractiveness and partner collaboration has
established a new template for how to provide higher education in areas that are underserved.” The state’s Move on When Ready program allows high school students to earn both high school and college credit by taking college courses. A high school student who begins taking courses in his or her junior year could enter college as a sophomore, saving a year of time and college tuition. Jason Pruitt, executive director of the Cumming campus, has watched the program grow from 44 students in 2012 to more than 150 students in 2015. In addition to dual enrollment, two UNG graduate programs are also based on the Cumming campus: the Cottrell MBA program and the master of arts in teaching. Due to program and enrollment growth of the MBA program and continuing education and professional development courses, UNG leases 10,000 square feet of space in Cumming City Hall. “The Cottrell MBA program is designed for working professionals seeking to enhance their career opportunities,” said Donna Mayo, dean of the Mike Cottrell College of Business. “By moving the MBA program to the Cumming City Hall location, it allows us to be in a very professional setting with closer access to businesses in the surrounding area.” The space that the MBA
and Continuing Education programs vacated on campus is being developed into a Student Resource Center that will house academic advising and writing and math tutoring labs. “We are also adding a geology lab this summer and will be offering geology, geography and GIS courses for the first time this fall,” Pruitt said. To maintain and strengthen community engagement, UNG Cumming has also formed a campus community leadership council that works closely with university leaders to focus on a number of initiatives centered around the themes of workforce readiness, access to education, and partnerships and collaborations. The UNG Cumming Campus Community Leadership Council includes leaders from the Forsyth County commission, Cumming-Forsyth County Chamber of Commerce, Northside Hospital-Forsyth, Georgia Power, Forsyth County Schools, Siemens, several state representatives and the mayor of Cumming. With more than 17,000 students across its five campuses — Blue Ridge, Cumming, Dahlonega, Gainesville and Oconee County — UNG is one of the largest public universities in the state. It offers more than 100 programs of study including certificates, associate, bachelor’s and master’s degrees, as well as professional doctoral
programs. UNG was ranked 16th among public regional universities in the South in U.S. News & World Report’s 2016 edition of Best Colleges. UNG is one of six senior military colleges in the United States and is designated as a University System of Georgia leadership institution and as The Military College of Georgia.
923
Fall 2015 enrollment at Cumming campus
17,289
Fall 2015 total enrollment Online: For more information on the University of North Georgia, go online at ung.edu.
forsythnews.com | FORSYTH COUNTY NEWS | 11F
SUNDAY, MARCH 27, 2016
Study: Cumming among most educated in U.S. By Kayla Robins Staff writer
‘It creates a very vibrant economy. Folks who have higher education levels tend to make more money, and therefore they’re also spending more money.’
Forsyth County often fares well in studies. The area is known to be consistently named among the wealthiest and healthiest in the state and nation, so the most recent distinction likely will James McCoy come as little surprise to President, CEO chamber most residents. Cumming is the 41st cated city looks like, we most educated place in feel that many of these the United States, accord- rankings are missing out,” ing to a recent study by the study reports. Degree Query. “Many of America’s Almost always boast- most educated places ing high levels of eco- don’t fit into individual nomic opportunity, entre- cities within a certain size preneurship, cultural range, but are rather comofferings, successful prised of dense clusters of schools and quality of interconnected towns, life, these most-educated often the suburbs of largareas — 50 of them were er metropolises.” listed in the study — are Cumming, identified as said to be the “nicest.” a commuters’ satellite “While there are a city of Atlanta, houses number of rankings on “most of the 116,454 peothe topic online that all ple over age 25” living in contribute their own Forsyth County. The area glimpse into what an edu- covered refers to anyone
Behind the Scenes Hard Hat Tours
with a Cumming mailing address, not just those who live within the city limits. Of those people, 43.8 percent hold a bachelor’s degree or higher, according to the study. “It’s the primary driver, I think, in what sustains us as a community economically,” said James McCoy, president and CEO of the CummingForsyth County Chamber of Commerce. “The folks who are highly educated, who are here, are willing to contribute to make the invest-
ur To
The Villas at Canterfield
ment that’s needed to keep this a really highquality-of-life place to live.” Other contributing factors in the study were the area’s six high schools — including the online i A c h i eve Vi r t u a l Academy — and a U n ive r s i t y o f N o r t h Georgia campus; the Georgia Department of Labor and franchise stores for Pizza Hut and Petsmart as top employers; and being the county seat for the wealthiest county in Georgia. “ I t c r e a t e s a ve r y vibrant economy. Folks who have higher education levels tend to make more money, and therefore they’re also spending more money,” McCoy said. “The kind of companies we attract tend to look for a higher education level in their employees … People want to be in a place where there’s
prosperity.” As the study noted, many Cumming residents commute to work in larger nearby cities — Alpharetta, Atlanta and Duluth — encompassing cultural offerings in those areas, too, “as well as Lake Lanier, a popular summer destination for fishing and other watersports. Cumming is also home to many small-town, annual events and festivals, including the county fair, a farmer’s market and a rodeo.” “Communities are a system,” McCoy said. “All of these things that we enjoy in our community, from the parks and rec to a phenomenal hospital and a great health care system, or whether it’s the huge investment that is being made in improving our transportation structure, and world-class schools that have world-class results
a n d wo r l d - c l a s s s t u dents with world-class teachers and administrators, it’s what the community expects and is willing to invest in.” That willingness to invest must come from all levels, he said. “From electing public officials who support the growth and investment of our schools and parks and rec and roads to our SPLOST initiatives,” he said. “We’ve passed every [1-cent sales tax] initiative this community has put forth, and this community voted by 64 percent to increase its taxes to pay for better transportation.” Other Georgia areas ranked in the study were Marietta at 42 and Atlanta at 24. Arlington, Va., held the No. 1. spot. For the full study, visit degreequery.com.
! ow N
Kathy Jolly Benefit Concer Kathy Jolly Benefitfor Concert Kathy Jolly Benefit Concert for Literacy Forsyth for Literacy Forsyth Literacy Forsyth
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The Kathy Jolly Benefit Concert Committee is selling the remaining Forsyth. tickets to the Kruger Brothers Concert to raise funds for Literacy The Jolly Benefit Concert Committee is selling TheKathy Kathy Jolly Benefit Concert Forsyth. Kathy volunteered many hours helping adults improve their lives to thethrough Kruger Brothers Concert to raise funds f and thosetickets of their families literacy. Sheremaining loved bluegrass Committee is selling the Kathy many hours helping adults improve their lives music.volunteered Her husband, Bob asked the City of Cumming to invite Forsyth. tickets to the Kruger Brothers and their families literacy. Shethrilled loved bluegrass one those of herof favorite groups through to perform. We are to be able Concert to raise funds for music. Her husband, Bob asked the City of Cumming to she invite to honor her work by combining two things that were so much a part of Literacy who was. volunteered many helping adults improve one of herKathy favorite groups to perform. Wehours are thrilled to be able Forsyth. to honorare her$50.00 work by combining two things that were much a part of who she was. She loved Tickets each, half ofand which will be donated Literacy Forsyth. those of theirsotofamilies through literacy.
music. Her husband, Bob asked the City of Cumming t
Kathy volunteered manyForsyth. hours Tickets half ofatwhich be donated to Cumming. Literacy Tickets are can$50.00 only beeach, purchased First will Baptist Church of one of her favorite groups to perform. helping adults improve their lives We are thrilled For further ticket information, call the Church Office at 770-887-2428. Tickets can only be purchased at First Baptist Church of Cumming. to honor her work by combining two things that were so much a part of wh and those of their families through literacy. She loved For further ticket call the Church Office at 770-887-2428. Thank you for information, your support!
bluegrass music. Her husband, Bob asked the City of Tickets $50.00 each, of which will be donated to Literacy Forsyth. Thank you are for your support! Cumming to invite one half of her favorite groups to perform. We are thrilled to be able to honor her work by combining Tickets can only purchased of Cumming. two things that be were so muchataFirst partBaptist of whoChurch she was. For further ticket information, call the Church Office at 770-887-2428. Tickets are $50.00 each, half of which will be donated to Thank for your support! Literacyyou Forsyth. Tickets are $35.00 each for groups of 20 or more. Tickets can only be purchased at First Baptist Church of Cumming. For further ticket information, call the Church Office at 770-887-2428.
12F | FORSYTH COUNTY NEWS | forsythnews.com
SUNDAY, MARCH 27, 2016
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2G | FORSYTH COUNTY NEWS | forsythnews.com
SUNDAY, MARCH 27, 2016
Northside Hospital-Forsyth expanding
For the Forsyth County News
Northside Hospital is one of the most respected and fastest growing health care organizations in the Southeast, and Northside Hospital-Forsyth is no different. In the 14 years since Northside purchased the Cumming hospital, it has seen tremendous growth in services and its presence in the community. That growth doesn’t seem to be slowing down anytime soon. Today, the 1-million-squarefoot Northside HospitalForsyth medical campus has more than 2,600 employees and 2,400 physicians. It includes the 231-bed hospital, a Women’s Center, an advanced surgery tower and four medical office buildings. The hospital saw more than 400,000 patient visits last year across a full range of medical services. Construction is under way on three additional floors to the hospital, which will bring its inpatient bed count to 247 and the total number of beds, including observation, to 330. These additional floors should be operational in October. The hospital continues to expand and enhance its services to keep up with the growing health care needs of the community. New advances in technology enable Northside to lead
medical innovation and focus on the best possible patient care. Cancer patients have access to leading-edge care with Gamma Knife® Perfexion™ technology, now available at Northside Hospital-Forsyth’s newly renovated and expanded Cancer Center. The technology offers the latest treatment for malignant and benign brain tumors and functional and vascular disorders. For patients with brain tumors, this means they can undergo a non-invasive form of brain surgery without surgical risks, a long hospital stay or subsequent rehabilitation. “The addition of Gamma Knife® Perfexion™ unit to the Neuro Oncology program at the Northside Hospital Cancer Institute is a significant benefit to hundreds of patients requiring treatment of both benign and malignant brain lesions in the north Georgia and metro Atlanta area,” said Peter Possert, medical director of Northside’s Gamma Knife Program. Northside Hospital-Forsyth’s new Surgical Care Center is scheduled to open in May. The center will have two dedicated, women-only GYN and breast care operating rooms, offering patients privacy and comfort. Northside also leads in surgical care, performing more minimally invasive robotic-assisted
On the Net
Follow @NorthsideHosp on social media, and for more information visit northside. com.
procedures than any other hospital in the Southeast. The hospital recently became the first hospital in Georgia to use the Medrobotics Flex® Robotic System. It is the first and only robot-assisted surgical platform with a flexible scope cleared by the FDA for use during transoral procedures (performed via mouth). The technology employs a unique, flexible, robotic scope that precisely moves through the body’s natural twists and turns. Once the surgeon reaches the desired vantage point, the scope becomes rigid to form a stable surgical platform. Sanjay Athavale, ENT surgeon, performed the first surgery at Northside using the new technology. “The throat is not a straight line,” Athavale said. “The flexibility of the camera with the working arms at the end allows me to access everything from the patient’s lips to the larynx with much greater ease.” The Northside Hospital Heart and Vascular Institute’s boardcertified cardiologists and vascular surgeons, working alongside cardiovascular trained
2,400
231
Patient beds
Physicians
2,863 Births
nurses and technologists, are experts in diagnosing and treating heart disease. The local hospital was the first in metro Atlanta to earn Advanced Certification in Heart Failure from The Joint Commission. It also earned the American Heart Association/American College of Cardiology Foundation’s Get With The Guidelines® 2015 Heart Failure Gold-Plus Quality Achievement Award for the diagnosis and treatment of heart failure patients. “These advanced certifications provide us the opportunity to highlight the exceptional heart failure care Northside Hospital-Forsyth provides,” said Patricia Tyson, director of the Northside Hospital Heart and Vascular Institute.
55,965 ER visits
2,600 429,000 10,255 Employees
Patient visits
Surgeries
“I couldn’t be more proud of our team of physicians, nurses and staff, who continually strive to advance our care even further each and every day.” Northside Hospital-Forsyth is committed to balancing clinical excellence with high-quality, compassionate care. In addition to the advanced certifications in heart failure, the hospital has been recognized by The Joint Commission for health care excellence with specialty certification in treating pneumonia, hip/knee replacement and stroke patients, and the hospital’s Bariatric Surgery Program received recognition from the American College of Surgeons’ Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement Program.
About this cover Northside Hospital is the first and only hospital in Georgia with a Magellan Robotic System, but is also leading the way in several other avenues of robotic surgery. They are ranked in the top 10 percent in the U.S. and the leader in the Southeast for total robotic procedures performed. Dr. Siddharth Patel performs a robotic vascular surgery last year. Photo by Micah Green
Note: Figures are from 2015
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1800 Northside Forsyth Drive | Suite 460 Cumming, GA 30041
1800 Northside Forsyth Drive Suite 350 | Cumming, GA 30041 81 Northside Dawson Drive Suite 305 | Dawsonville, Ga 30534
(770) 886-3555
www.cummingpediatricgroup.com
forsythnews.com | FORSYTH COUNTY NEWS | 3G
SUNDAY, MARCH 27, 2016
HEALTH DEPARTMENT
2,571
Flu shots given for 2015-16 flu season
25
19,063 8,031
Employees at the Forsyth County Health Department
Immunizations
17,534 65,958
Environmental services (includes sewage management, plan and subdivision reviews, water samples, rabies investigations)
Visits
9,599
Unique clients served in 2015
Clinic services
Children’s at Forsyth specializes in care for kids For the Forsyth County News
Picture it: It’s late in the afternoon, and your child falls off his bike. You fear his arm may be broken. And his pediatrician’s office is closed. What are your options? You need a place that’s open nights, weekends and holidays. No appointment necessary. And a place where lab and X-rays can be done during the same visit to quickly diagnose your child and that information can be sent to his doctor. It’s called urgent care and Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta ha s convenient l o catio n s throughout Atlanta for quick access to pediatricians who specialize in caring just for kids. Common reasons for a visit include: minor cuts that need stiches, broken bone*, fever for children older than two months and flu. Unlike retail clinics, Children’s Urgent Care Centers always have doctors and nurses who are specially trained to treat children from babies to teens.
To help patients and families spend less time in the waiting room, we now offer online scheduling at Children’s at Forsyth Urgent Care Center. This allows families to select an arrival time that’s convenient, enabling them to get in line before they leave the house. We accept walk-in patients during business hours at all of our Urgent Care Centers. Visit choa.org/urgentcare for more information. Choosing the right place to take a sick or injured child can be confusing. Use the key below to help choose when to visit a primary care provider, urgent care or the emergency department. Primary care • Best place for regular care • When you have questions about your child’s health, call his doctor • Visit during weekdays and by appointment for: — Well-child checkups — Physicals — Flu shots and other vac-
cines — Common illnesses and minor injuries Urgent care center • When a pediatrician isn’t available • For minor injuries and illnesses • Open when a primary care doctor’s office may be closed, including nights, weekends and holidays • No appointment needed Emergency department • For serious injuries or illnesses • Open 24 hours a day, seven days a week • No appointment needed If you think a child’s illness or injury is life-threatening, call 911. From mending broken bones to treating colds, the pediatric team at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta is dedicated to making kids better today and healthier tomorrow. While other health care facilities may offer pediatric care,
At a glance Children’s at Forsyth The Collection at Forsyth 410 Peachtree Parkway, Suite 300 Cumming, GA 30041
pediatrics has been the sole focus of Children’s for more than 100 years. Founded in 1915 with two rented cottages, Children’s has grown to three hospitals and 28 neighborhood locations throughout metro Atlanta, including Marcus Autism Center. Children’s serves kids from all 159 counties in Georgia and has more than 870,000 patient visits each year. It is recognized as one of the top pediatric health care institutes in the country by U.S. News & World Report. *If bone is coming through the skin, child should go to the emergency department.
Services at Children’s at Forsyth include: • Diabetes and endocrinology • General surgery (outpatient clinic) • Neurology • Neurophysiology (EEG) • Nephrology • Orthotics and prosthetics • Radiology (lab and X-ray) • Rehabilitation services • Specialty care • Sports medicine • Urgent care
In case of an urgent concern or emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department right away. This is general information and not specific medical advice. Always consult with a doctor or healthcare provider if you have questions or concerns about the health of a child.
260 Elm Street, Cumming, GA 30040
770.887.1670
You’ll Like Our Prices. You’ll Love Our Service. Our pharmacists are Board and Immunization Certified, and have over 30 years combined experience and service in our community.
Office Hours: Monday-Friday | 8:00am-6:30pm (closed from 1:00-1:30pm for lunch)
Saturday | 9:00am – 1:30pm
www.ghms-inc.org/pharmacy
At Champion Physical Therapy, we are dedicated to helping our patients return to a level of performance they were achieving prior to their specific injury. We strive to provide individualized care while treating the cause, not just the symptom. Champion Physical Therapy is a privately owned physical therapy clinic focusing on Orthopedic and Neurologic recovery. The staff is made of a skilled veteran therapists who have been providing the best of care in the Northern Georgia area. In 2007, Matt Foltz, CEO opened Champion Physical Therapy after working 10+ years for a healthcare conglomerate before opening his independent practice. The first main clinic was established in Cumming, GA. In 2010, Matt Foltz opened his second clinic in Alpharetta, GA. Together, these two clinics provide a great resource to the Forsyth area. Because of his previous healthcare and community connections, Mr. Foltz was able to hand pick highly skilled therapists from the area with a vast array of skills that compliment one another. The staff of Champion Physical Therapy functions as a team unit to improve patient treatment outcomes.
770-205-3939
540 Lake Center Parkway, Suite 107 | Cumming
www.championpt.net
4G | FORSYTH COUNTY NEWS | forsythnews.com
SUNDAY, MARCH 27, 2016
FORSYTH COUNTY FIRE DEPARTMENT
12,455 Square footage of Fire Stations 6 and 8
156
Firefighters in the fire stations among three shifts
14,967
13,283 32 718 5,918
Emergencies answered
Apparatus dispatched to emergencies
Support, administrative and fire marshal personnel
5 minutes, 59 seconds Average response time FORSYTH COUNTY 911 CENTER
210,588
Plans reviewed for new construction by the fire marshal’s office
Building inspections by the fire marshal’s office
Cumming Dental Associates 1200 Bald Ridge Marina Rd., Ste. 200 (Located at Exit 15 across from Costco)
Cumming, Georgia 30041
770-781-8650 www.cummingdental.com
Emergency calls made in 2015
38
Full-time employees (includes administration)
75,209 911 calls made
(includes landline, wireless and voice over. The remaining calls came through non 911 lines, including alarm monitoring systems, self-initiated, traffic stops, etc.)
18,832
Calls in the busiest month of 2015, which was July Note: Numbers are for 2015
NEW PATIENTS WELCOME EMERGENCY CARE
• Cosmetic & Whitening Services • Orthodontics / Braces • Root Canals • Crowns / Bridges • Dentures • Implants / Mini Implants • Oral Medication for Anxiety • Nitrous Oxide / Laughing Gas • Oral Surgery / Wisdom Teeth • Botox/Dermal Filler • TMJ Treatment • Most Insurance Accepted
Dr. Kevin Short Dr. Susan Kramer Dr. Susan Swain Dr. Teresa Esker Dr. Blake Upshaw Dr. Alexandra McTier Dr. Javid Yavari (Orthodontist)
$99
Take-Home Teeth Whitening System
Care Credit® Financing
forsythnews.com | FORSYTH COUNTY NEWS | 5G
SUNDAY, MARCH 27, 2016
FORSYTH COUNTY FIRE DEPARTMENT
30
Front-line fire apparatus and special operations vehicles
17,900
Gallons of water carried by fire apparatus
1,649
Length in feet of all ladders carried by apparatus
9.25
Length in miles of hose carried by apparatus
52,660
Fire-based training hours conducted and received by department personnel
4,288
Medical emergency-based training hours conducted and received by personnel
56,948
Training hours conducted and received by department personnel
188
Authorized personnel
6G | FORSYTH COUNTY NEWS | forsythnews.com
SUNDAY, MARCH 27, 2016
We’re honored
It’s an honor to be recognized as the nation’s l Look a little closer and you’ll discover that North treats more breast and gynecologic cancer than Northside for our expertise, they also know Visit us online at
SUNDAY, MARCH 27, 2016
d to serve you
leading hospital for maternity and newborn care. hside performs more surgeries and diagnoses and any other hospital in Georgia. While people choose w us for our exceptional compassionate care. www.northside.com
forsythnews.com | FORSYTH COUNTY NEWS | 7G
8G | FORSYTH COUNTY NEWS | forsythnews.com
SUNDAY, MARCH 27, 2016
Forsyth retains rank as state’s healthiest county By Kayla Robins
krobins@forsythnews.com
For the fourth year in a row, Forsyth has been ranked the healthiest county in Georgia. The County Health Rankings, a study conducted annually by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute, placed Forsyth at the top of the list that examined factors including quality and length of life. Those two factors determine a county’s health outcomes ranking, while a health factors ranking includes statistics on health behaviors — smoking, obesity, drinking, etc. — access to clinical care, social and economic factors and physical environment. The last category includes air pollution, long commutes and driving alone to work. “It shows where our priorities are, in quality of life,” said Brian Tam, Forsyth County commissioner for District 2 in south Forsyth. “The county has tried to do its job with regard to amenities and recreational entities, the greenway, fields, the trail systems we have … They are amenities that will last for generations.” Forsyth’s top ranking also was due to factors such as low rates of premature death and the amount of people reporting their physical and mental health as poor. The higher-ranked counties mostly fell in the metro-to-northeast Georgia region, with Oconee, Fayette, Harris and Gwinnett counties filling out the top five. Among Forsyth’s neighbors, Gwinnett was the closest, followed by Cherokee at sixth, Dawson 13th, Hall 14th and Fulton 25th. Forsyth recorded 4,200 premature deaths in 2015, compared to the statewide average of 7,300. While the state average of people saying they were in poor or fair health was at 17 percent, just 12 percent did so in Forsyth. Along those same lines, 7 percent of Forsyth’s babies were born with a low birthweight, while the Georgia average was 9 percent. “[The ranking] speaks to the quality of our health care system even more so,” Tam said. “Northside is just second to none, as well as Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta. [Northside has] continued to expand as our population has expanded.” From the outside looking in, from the
top administration levels of the hospital, and even from Ga. 400, the growth of the local hospital is evident. “Northside Hospital-Forsyth has undergone near-continuous construction since Northside purchased the hospital in 2002,” said Lynn Jackson, administrator of the Forsyth location. “Now we’re adding three additional floors, which will increase our inpatient and observational beds.” Jackson said those additional floors should be operational by October. However, she noted there is always room to improve. Forsyth County came in third in health factors behind Oconee and Fayette counties. “Thirteen percent of Forsyth County residents smoke, one in five admits to being physically inactive and more than a quarter are obese,” Jackson said. “Those are never good numbers, no matter where we place on the list.” Cherokee County came in sixth in this category, while Dawson came in 15th, Hall in 25th, Gwinnett in 11th and Fulton in seventh. Forsyth still remained above the state average in most of these categories. While 21 percent of Georgia residents reported being uninsured, 14 percent of Forsyth residents did. And the county generally has a higher high school graduation rate, fewer children in poverty and less violent crime than most of the state. However, Forsyth did come in 146th out of 159 in physical environment, with all of metro Atlanta ranking in the 100s and worse. Most — 80 percent — of Forsyth residents drive to work alone, just more than the state average of 79 percent, and 48 percent have a long commute, compared to 39 percent statewide. “As health care providers, we are constantly challenged with how to reach patients and encourage them to make changes that support healthy living,” Jackson said. “We offer smoking cessation classes and screenings for cancer, heart disease and stroke at the hospital throughout the year. Our mobile mammography van, corporate health fairs and other community partnerships increase the convenience of health care, allowing us to take our services to the community.”
Cumming
FORSYTH COUNTY PARKS, RECREATION DEPARTMENT
35 plus Miles of trails
22 2,690 72 75 31 28 20 3 81 12 187,297 Parks
Total park space
Full-time employees
Athletic fields
Picnic pavilions
Tennis courts
Playgrounds
Recreation centers
Scoreboards in county parks
Synthetic turf fields
Rec center pass visits in 2015
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Forsyth County Family YMCA Youth Development: Nurturing the potential of every child and teen. We believe that all kids deserve the opportunity to discover who they are and what they can achieve. Healthy Living:
• Youth/Adult Private Swim Lessons • Adult/Family Swim Times • Diving Team • Water Exercise Classes • Birthday Parties • Youth Swim Teams • Silver & Fit® • Healthways SilverSneakers® Fitness Program Provider
201 Aquatic Circle, Cumming, GA 30040 770-781-1781 • cac2@cityofcumming.net www.cummingaquaticcenter.com
Improving the nation’s health and well-being in communities across the nation, the Y is a leading voice on health and well-being.
Social Responsibility: Giving back and providing support to our neighbors.
Why It Matters: We believe that all people, especially children, deserve and equal chance to reach their full potential. Swim for Life: We believe swimming is a life skill and all children should have access to water safety classes and basic swim lessons. The YMCA offers scholarship assistance for swim lessons based on income qualifications. Inspiring Teen Leaders: A community service volunteer program for High School Students.
6050 Y Street | Cumming, GA 30040
Community Impact: We are uniquely defined by our free signature exercise support program, THE COACH APPROACH®
impacting over 5,000 lives by enhancing overall health and well-being. At no additional charge, you will be paired with a YMCA personal wellness coach who will help you work through your exercise-related challenges.
Youth Fit 4 Life: Battling Childhood Obesity. Youth Fit 4 Life is designed to provide a fun after-school exercise program that helps children develop healthy nutrition & physical habits. We will serve over 500 elementary students this year.
770-888-2788 fcy.ymcaatlanta.org
forsythnews.com | FORSYTH COUNTY NEWS | 9G
SUNDAY, MARCH 27, 2016
FORSYTH COUNTY PARKS, RECREATION DEPARTMENT
7,997
Shady Grove Campground visitors
115
Campsites at Shady Grove Campground
50,712 19,190
Sawnee Mountain Preserve visits
Youth athletic participants Note: Numbers are for 2015
7,944 4,948
4,051 3,420
Spray pad visits
Recreation class participants
Summer camp participants
Adult athletics participants
10G | FORSYTH COUNTY NEWS | forsythnews.com
SUNDAY, MARCH 27, 2016
FORSYTH COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS
574
Male athletes at North Forsyth, most in the county
4,417
Athletes, 2014-15 school year
2,667
Male athletes (60.4 percent)
210
Female lacrosse players, most of any girls’ sport in the county
1,750
Female athletes (39.6 percent)
forsythnews.com | FORSYTH COUNTY NEWS | 11G
SUNDAY, MARCH 27, 2016
FORSYTH COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS
Region titles won by local high schools, 2014-15
13
659
Football players, most of any local sport
430
Female athletes at Lambert, most in Forsyth
988
Athletes at Lambert, most in the county
3
State championships won by local high schools, 2014-15
12G | FORSYTH COUNTY NEWS | forsythnews.com
SUNDAY, MARCH 27, 2016
Dr. James R. Morrow
Dr. Cheryl McGowan
Morrow Family Medicine is proud to announce the opening of our new Milton location this April! We look forward to serving our new patients in South Forsyth and North Fulton with the same care and trust you have come to expect.
New Office - Milton 12970 Highway 9 | Milton, GA 30004
Cumming
1400 Northside Forsyth Drive, Suite 200 | Cumming, GA 30041
(T) 770.781.8004 (F) 678.679.4053
www.MorrowFamMed.com “We will always do our best to continue to earn your trust.”