Henry County Update - Newsletter

December 10, 2019

Board of

Commissioners

County and State Officials Meet for Legislative Luncheon to Discuss Priorities for the Upcoming Session

Regular Meetings November 17th, 6:30 p.m.

January 7th, 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.

Legislators and county and city officials enjoyed lunch and legislative priority conversation. Pictured in the first row (l. to r.) GA Rep. El-Mahdi Holly; District I Commissioner Johnny Wilson; District IV Commissioner Vivian Thomas; GA Rep. Karen Mathiak; Chair June Wood; District III Commissioner Gary Barham; Stockbridge Councilwoman Neat Robinson; Leah Brown, Director of Established Industry with the Development Authority; County Manager Cheri Hobson-Matthews; and Stockbridge Manager Randy Knighton. Second row (l. to r.) SPLOST V Committee Chair Clayton Carte; GDOT Board member Dana Lemon; GA Sen. Emanuel Jones; GA Rep. Demetrius Douglas; Henry County Tax Commissioner Michael Harris; County Transportation Planning Director Sam Baker; and Deputy County Manager Brad Johnson.

The Henry County Board of Commissioners held a legislative luncheon on December 3 with several members of the county’s local delegation to discuss legislative priorities for the upcoming session. Items discussed included home rule on building restrictions, annexation legislation, franchise fees, and transportation improvement projects. State officials also discussed the need for collaboration and communication and the importance of the upcoming Census 2020.

Henry County Commission Chair June Wood led the meeting and gave a brief overview of Henry County and outlined several priorities for state officials to consider in the 2020 legislative session. Commissioners and state officials each gave brief words in discussing priorities, echoing the importance of communication and collaboration.

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December 10, 2019 Published by Henry County Communications & Public Information Department Henry County Government

Editor Melissa Robinson

Graphic Designer Meredith Butler

Layout Designer

asphalt budget. Applications will be reviewed by GDOT after January 1, 2020.

Meanwhile, citizens can report potholes or other quality-of-life issues and request county services through Henry County’s SeeClickFix application. With this free mobile app and web tools, citizens are able to connect with Henry County staff through pictures, videos and specific descriptions to log concerns or report issues.

The SeeClickFix mobile app is available for download in Android’s Google Play Store and iPhone’s App Store. In addition to the mobile apps, citizens can send reports to Henry County’s website at henrycountyga.com/seeclickfix.

Melissa Robinson Meredith Butler

Contributors Melissa Robinson Erika Richards

Board Approves LMIG Resolution

Several county roads and bridges are on the list for improvement through Georgia Department of Transportation’s Local Maintenance and Improvement Grant (LMIG) after the Henry County Board of Commissioners’ approval to submit the LMIG application to GDOT. The action came at the December 3 Commission meeting.

The resolution states that GDOT would like to assist the county in the resurfacing of various county roads and other LMIG permitted activities and will grant Henry County approximately $2.3 million. The grant requires a 30 percent match or $710,723 from the county and funds will be allocated through its DOT

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County Hires Transportation Planning Director

Henry County is pleased to announce that Sam Baker has joined county government as its new Transportation Planning Director.

Baker started in his new role last week and will be responsible for managing the County’s transportation planning program and implementing transportation projects from conception to construction in coordination with various partners in the federal and

state governments, the county’s four cities, and the Atlanta Regional Commission.

Baker has 16 years of transportation planning experience, and prior to joining Henry County, he had been a transportation planning manager with the Gainesville-Hall Metropolitan Planning Organization in Hall County, GA. He also worked as a planner for the Georgia Department of Transportation, the Georgia Department of Community Affairs and Missoula County in Missoula, MT.

Baker holds a bachelor’s degree in architecture and a master’s degree in city and regional planning from Ohio State University. Additionally, he holds an MBA from Kennesaw State University. Baker is also a member of the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP).

County Manager Cheri Hobson-Matthews said she is excited to have Baker on board and credits the Board of Commissioners for approving the muchneeded position.

“Sam comes with a wealth of experience and a proven track record of implementing proactive transportation programs,” said Hobson-Matthews.

“We look forward to having a dedicated expert in our transportation division to work with the Georgia Department of Transportation, and our city and regional partners, to address and find solutions for the challenges we face as a growing county.”

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December10, 2019 Henry County Employees Honored by Commissioners and GRPA

Henry County employees were recognized at the December 3 BOC meeting for Georgia Recreation and Parks honors. Pictured in the front row (l. o r.) District IV Commissioner Vivian Thomas; District II Commissioner Dee Clemmons; Erika Richards with the Public Information Department; Shane Massey with Parks and Recreation; Brandi Dailey with Parks and Recreation; and Chair June Wood. Second row (l. to r.) District III Commissioner Gary Barham; District I Commissioner Johnny Wilson; and District V Commissioner Bruce Holmes.

Henry County Parks and Recreations Program Coordinator Michelle Dunn accepts the GRPA Award on behalf of Coach Ty Bryant. Pictured (l. to r.) District IV Commissioner Vivian Thomas; GRPA Secretary /Treasurer T. J. Imberger; District II Commissioner Dee Clemmons; Michelle Dunn, Maggie Bryant; Chair June Wood; and District V Commissioner Bruce Holmes. Second row (l. to r.)

District III Commissioner Gary Barham; and District I Commissioner Johnny Wilson.

The Henry County Board of Commissioners recognized several employees for honors they received from the Georgia Recreation and Parks Association (GRPA) for their contributions to the community and to the field of parks and recreation.

Shane Massey with the Parks and Recreation Department won the Operations Network Award; Meredith Butler with the Public Information Department won the Publication Award; Brandi Dailey with the Parks and Recreation Department won the State Service Award for 20 years of service; and Coach Ty Bryant

won the Athletic and Aquatics Outstanding Volunteer Award.

Ty Bryant passed away in 2018 but the award was presented posthumously to her widow Michelle Dunn and daughter Maggie Bryant by GRPA Secretary/ Treasurer T. J. Imberger, who took an opportunity during the presentation to detail Ty’s extensive volunteer activities and her positive impact on so many who were involved with parks and recreation sports and activities.

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Commissioner Dee Clemmons to Host 3rd Annual Fill the Bus Celebrity Basketball Game

Sit courtside at District II Commissioner Dee Clemmons’ third annual Fill the Bus Celebrity Basketball Game featuring the Warriors of the Concrete on Saturday, December 14 at Dutchtown High School.

Doors will open at 2 p.m.

The price of admission is $10 with an unwrapped toy or $15 without. Proceeds from the fun-filled Fill the Bus toy drive will go to underprivileged children and local families and the March of Dimes this holiday season.

Celebrity special guests Wingo of Jagged Edge,

top music executive Kim Smith-Dockery and Slim of 112 will be in attendance along with Love and Hip-Hop stars Shooter and Tabius Tate, NBA pro Josh Powell and international basketball player Alexia Adams, just to name a few.

Dutchtown High School is located at 149 Mitchell Road in Hampton.

To purchase your ticket please visit, celebritybaskball-game.eventbrite.com.

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December 10, 2019 BOC Approves Public Safety Purchases

The Henry County Police Department will add three Ford Explorer vehicles to its fleet after the approved purchase from the Board of Commissioners at the December 3 Commission meeting.

The three pursuit utility vehicles will be used for the department’s HEAT Unit and will be purchased from Legacy Ford of McDonough in the amount of $110,828.64. Funding for the vehicles will be allocated from the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety grant.

The Board also approved two related resolution including a bid award to ProLogic ITS, LLC. in the amount of $10,480 and a bid award to Scan Technology

Inc. in the amount of $128,950 for the purchase of fleet vehicle equipment; and a bid award to GT Distributors in the amount of $68,350 for the purchase of body armor.

Funds are available in the Federal Seized account to purchase the vehicles and the body armor project is accounted for through HCPD’s budget.

For more information on the Henry County Police Department visit henrycountypolicedepartment. com and for more information on Henry County’s Procurement Department, visit henrycounty-ga.com/ purchasing.

Enjoy Outdoor Ice Skating at Nash Farm Park

Nash Farm Park has been transformed into a Winter Wonderland with an outdoor ice skating rink.

Rain or shine, warm or cold, District II Commissioner Dee Clemmons invites everyone out to Ice Days Outdoor Ice Skating Rink at Nash Farm Park in Hampton.

Admission for ice skating is $10 per skater which includes rental skates, if needed, and a two-hour skating session. No reservations are required and both credit and debit cards are accepted.

The ice skating rink is open from now through February 23, 2020.

The rink is closed to the public on Mondays and Tuesdays for special events and open on Wednesdays and Thursdays from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.; Fridays from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.; Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Sundays from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Nash Farm Park is located at 100 Babbs Mill Rd in Hampton.

For more information on ice skating at Nash Farm Park, please visit icedays.com/nashfarms/.

Follow us on Facebook: facebook.com/HenryCountyBOC

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Board Recognizes Retired Employees

Seven Henry County employees were recognized by the Henry County Board of Commissioners upon the occasion of their retirements at the December 3 Commission meeting.

Henry County Deputy Manager Brad Johnson made the presentation recognizing Paul Rowan, who is retiring from the State Court with 14 years of service; Michele “Shelly” Gardner is retiring from the State Court with 13 years of service; Lt. Gamalier Brownlee is retiring from the Henry County Sheriff Department with 27 years of service; Nancy “Star” Harrison is

retiring from Superior Court with 28 years of service; Lt. James Burch with the Police Department is retiring after 17 years of service; Deputy Thomas Baldwin with the Sherriff’s Office is retiring with 17 years of service; and Debra Kilgore is retiring from the State Court after 11 years of service.

Brownlee, Harrison and Burch were recognized during the meeting for their long-standing careers with the county.

For more information on Henry County, visit henrycounty-ga.com.

New Henry County employee retirees are recognized by the Board for their many years of service to the county. Pictured (l. to r.) first row: District IV Commissioner Vivian Thomas, District II Commissioner Dee Clemmons, Nancy Harrison, Lt. Gamalier Brownlee, Deborah Killgrore; Second row: District III Commissioner Gary Barham, District I Johnny Wilson and District V Bruce Holmes.

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December 10, 2019 American Legion honors Henry County employee

Henry County Parks and Recreation employee and veteran Jim Joyce was honored this afternoon by the American Legion for his tireless efforts and work on behalf of veterans. Nicole Clapp, the National Leader of the American Legion Auxiliary, is in Georgia to visit every county on behalf of the organization and was present at the American Legion located on Mt. Zion Rd. in Stockbridge to honor Joyce for his work with veterans. Members of the Mt. Zion American Legion and Auxiliary hosted the event, and Henry County Chair June Wood and Stockbridge Mayor Anthony

Ford presented Joyce with a Certificate of Appreciation and thanked him for his service.

Joyce is a facilities coordinator with HCPRD and operates the Heritage Park Veterans Museum.

Joyce works with various veterans’ organizations, including the American Legion and Vets Connect to assist veterans in receiving assistance and finding resources. He also plans several military and veteran recognitions throughout the year at the Henry County Veterans Wall of Honor.

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Community Cares Christmas Toy Shop Brings Christmas Joy to County Children

Henry County children will enjoy their Christmas holiday this year thanks to Henry County and Connecting Henry’s Community Cares Christmas Toy Shop that took place on December 5 and 6 at Henry County’s Emergency Operations Center (EOC) in McDonough.

The EOC was transformed into Santa’s magical toy shop which helped provide Christmas gifts and other resources to families and more than 700 children in need this holiday season.

Henry County employees who volunteered at this event did everything from setting up the toy shop,

to acting as personal shoppers and hosts. Volunteers spent hours creating a one-of-a-kind toy shop resulting in an enchanted experience. Employees, along with local churches, civic organizations and individuals donated both time and money to make Christmas brighter this year for area children.

Connecting Henry serves clients year-round and donations are always welcome and appreciated.

For more information or to donate, log on to at connectinghenry.org, call 770-288-6221 or email connhenry@co.henry.ga.us.

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