Henry County Update - Newsletter

MARCH 23, 2018

Board of

Commissioners

Commissioners Recognize Sorority’s 110th Anniversary

Regular Meetings April 3, 2018 9:00 a.m.

April 17, 2018 6:30 p.m.

Workshop Meeting Mar. 27, 2018 9:00 a.m.

Meetings held at: Administration Building Community Room 140 Henry Parkway McDonough, GA 30253 Regular Commission meetings air daily on Henry TV Charter Channel 180 and AT&T U-Verse Channel 99, at 9 a.m. & 7 p.m.

Members of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority (Psi Alpha Omega Chapter) accepted a proclamation at the March 20 Commission meeting from the Henry County Board of Commissioners in honor of the sorority’s 110th anniversary.

The proclamation detailed the recent philanthropic activities of the sorority and its local Chapter in serving the Henry County community and congratulated the organization on its 110th anniversary.

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March 23, 2018 Published by Henry County Communications & Public Information Department Henry County Government

Editor Melissa Robinson

Graphic Designer Meredith Butler

Board Awards Bid for West Village Parkway Project

The Henry County Board of Commissioners approved a resolution awarding Stewart Bros., Incorporated the contract for full reclamation and resurfacing of West Village Parkway. The action came at the March 20 Commission meeting.

The project cost is $321,878.65 and will be funded through SPLOST IV which was approved by voters in 2013.

For more information on any SPLOST project, visit henrycounty-ga.com/SPLOST.

Layout Designer Melissa Robinson Meredith Butler

Contributors Melissa Robinson Erika Richards Kevin Williams

Board Approves District I Zoning Advisory Board Appointment

The Henry County Board of Commissioners approved the appointment of Michael Barr as a District I representative to the Henry County Zoning Advisory Board. The action came at the March 20 Commission meeting.

The ZAB is comprised of 6 members appointed from each district and makes recommendation to the

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Henry County Board of Commissioners for adoption, regulation for the land within the county and the regulations that may be adopted.

Barr’s term is to expire on December 31, 2018.

For information on the Planning and Zoning Department, please visit henrycounty-ga.com/PandZ.

Commissioner Bruce Holmes Addresses the Council for Quality Growth

District V Commissioner Bruce Holmes was the guest speaker at the Council for Quality Growth’s luncheon held on March 21 at the Henry County Administration Building.

Holmes gave a presentation on the importance of economic development and attracting millennials to Henry County through a knowledge-based economy and attracting high tech, bio tech, and financial sector

jobs to the area.

Holmes also described his vision and efforts in District 5 over the past eight years and answered questions from the audience.

To view the complete presentation, visit www. henrycounty-ga.com/district5 where the presentation may be viewed at the bottom of the page.

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March 23, 2018 Board Approves Grant Application for Veterans Treatment Court Funding

The Henry County Board of Commissioners approved the County’s Accountability Court Program to make application for a grant from the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council for Fiscal Year 2019 to help fund the Adult Felony Court Program, the Mental Health Court Program and a new Veterans Treatment Court Program.

A Veterans Treatment Court would provide a program and practices for individuals who have struggled with life after serving in the United States military. Research has shown that practices learned in similar programs have proved to reduce recidivism in the local community, save taxpayer dollars, increase safety and improve the quality of life.

District IV Commissioner and veteran Blake Prince shared how much county residents would save once the Veterans Treatment Court is implemented and his eagerness to get the program started.

“It cost the Henry County tax payer about $20,000 to put a person in jail for a year. It cost $2,600 to put a person in Veteran Treatment Court,” said Prince. “We have mentors standing in line ready to go, we’ve got veterans in jail who need help and they can’t get help if they are in jail.”

The program will enable participants to get their lives back and to be productive citizens through

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case management, stabilization, treatment and skills enhancement under the Accountability Court System.

Many veterans were in attendance to support the action and guests from a Cobb County Veterans Court addressed the Board to share a testimony in the success of the program there.

Disabled veteran and graduate of the Cobb County Veterans Court, Anthony Hood, said he was released from duty with a number of complications that did not get treated right away, which led him to self-medicate to cope with everyday stresses.

“I think this Veterans Accountability Court is a good program for Veterans who are lost. To have somebody walk with you when you are changing your life and you are struggling or have issues and not judge you makes a big difference,” said Hood.

“I’ve been sober now for two years, four months and 15 days after drinking and using drugs for 40 years. I am still suffering with illnesses from my military career but my health is manageable and now I have resources.

I don’t know where I would be without the Veterans Accountability Court program.”

Before the resolution was approved, Commissioners lauded Prince for taking the lead on implementing this program for the county.

DA collecting donations for domestic violence victims

The Henry County District Attorney’s Office is collecting donations for domestic violence victims in honor of National Crime Victims’ Rights Week.

District Attorney Darius Pattillo and his team are collaborating with Haven House, Henry County’s domestic violence shelter, to collect non-perishable food items and hygiene products for local victims.

“Survivors of domestic violence often leave everything they own to escape their abusers. These small items can be a life line for a family starting over,” Pattillo said. “We are asking other agencies to partner with us and contribute items to help members of our community.”

Gift-wrapped donation boxes have been distributed to various agencies throughout the county.

The deadline for donations is April 11. The District Attorney’s staff will then package and deliver the donations to Haven House.

The donation drive is part of the District Attorney’s Office’s commemoration of National Crime Victims’ Rights Week. The week, which runs from April 8-14, is a national movement to promote the rights of and services for victims of crime.

Below is a list of donations needed by Haven House:

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Peanut butter Jelly Canned soup (pop top is preferred) Crackers Canned tuna/chicken Spaghetti sauce Spaghetti noodles Macaroni and cheese Rice Breakfast cereal Baby wipes Over-the-counter pain relievers Deodorant Disposable razors Laundry detergent Hand soap Household cleaners Lysol spray Trash bags Toilet tissue Paper towels Copy paper

For more information or to find out how to help, contact da@co.henry.ga.us.

Media contact:

Megan L. MatteucciAssistant District Attorney and Public Information Officercell 404-217-9994 mmatteucci@co.henry.ga.us

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March 23, 2018 HCWA Celebrating Fix a Leak Week to Help Customers Save Water and Money

The Henry County Water Authority is celebrating the annual Fix-a-Leak Week from now through March 23 between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. at the Henry County Water Authority’s Customer Service lobby.

This event is designed to help customers save water and money on their water bill by addressing household water leaks. HCWA employees will provide displays and demonstrations during the week, covering topics such as leak detection within the HCWA system, tips on how to find and fix leaks around the house, and insight on how to read your bill to identify consumption spikes that may be due to leaks. In addition, the Authority will give away water conservation kits, while supplies last, and advise customers on the benefits of water efficiency/WaterSense appliances/products.

Some of the common sources of household leaks include: Toilets Shower Heads Faucets Outdoor Spigots Sprinkler/Irrigation Systems Water Lines Appliances Other sources

Fix-A-Leak Week is a national event of the U.S. henrycounty-ga.org

Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) WaterSense Program, which is a brand to promote a waterefficiency and wise water use message for consumers.

EPA has designated the HCWA as a WaterSense Promotional Partner. By promoting the value of water, the WaterSense Program helps consumers make wise choices regarding their water use and the availability of water-efficient products.

For more information, contact the HCWA at 678-583-3810, or log onto www.hcwa.com or www. epd.gov/watersense.

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March 23, 2018 Enjoy Easter Sunday Sunrise Service on April 1

Henry County would like to invite all of the community to gather for worship at a sunrise service on Easter Sunday, April 1, 2018.

“There is a community sunrise service for Easter that several of the preachers are holding so if anyone is looking for a place to worship on Easter Sunday morning please come out to Nash Farm Park,�

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said District II Commissioner Dee Clemmons who spearheaded the event.

The service will be held at Nash Farm Park and begin at 7 a.m.

Nash Farm Park is located at 4367 Jonesboro Road in Hampton.

Commissioners Recognize National Child Abuse Prevention Month with a Proclamation

The Henry County Board of Commissioners recognized the month of April as National Child Abuse Prevention Month with a proclamation at the March 20 Commission meeting.

Board members from Prevent Child Abuse Henry County were in attendance to accept the proclamation and invite the public to the Turn Henry

Blue Pinwheel Vigil to be held on March 29 beginning at 6:30 p.m. at the McDonough Municipal Courthouse, located at 40 Lawrenceville St. in McDonough.

The Pinwheel Vigil is an annual public observance to promote awareness for the prevention of child abuse.

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