CMYK Thursday, November 6, 2014
features
4B
Citizens learn about town with special offering
By DEBBIE PURVIS
dpurvis@clickthepaper.com
If you are curious about how your town operates then the Braselton Citizen’s Class is an informative, educational class that shares with the students “How a Town Works.” It is an interactive class where the students learn, but also can ask questions. It is a mindopening experience that shows how a small town like Braselton is on the rise. Braselton Town Manager Jennifer Dees conducts the class. Each class can have at least 10 citizens and, starting in March/April 2015, Jennifer will send out press release and post on the Internet how to sign up for the class. Oct. 16 was our last class and we will have graduation in early November. Each member is given a black binder with the itinerary of what topics will be covered each month (The meetings are from May through October and ours were on the third Thursday of each month from 6-8 p.m) It all started back on May 15, when eight of us signed up for Braselton Citizen’s Academy. My fellow classmates were Indria Bashley, Mark Kriegel, Tom McMurdo, Peg Sheffield, Michelle Comfort, State Sen. Frank Ginn, Troy Purvis and myself (Debbie Purvis). Below are the topics we learned about. May 15 - Administration & Finance (Short history of the town, how a city is created; population changes, demographic information, breakdowns by county; forms of government, elections, voting district maps; quorums, minutes, notice of meetings, executive sessions, open records; City of Ethics- Who does it apply to; department heads and what they represent; Funds -What each do and where their revenues come from, Restricted vs. Unrestricted Revenues, General Fund Revenues and where we get them from, how the Town of Braselton budgets and what the process is; and How we keep on track. June 19 - Public Works – When the Public Utilities & Public Works Departments were established, the responsibilities associated with Administration - Policy and Procedure, Budget Preparation & Administration, Evaluation of Public Works activities and Project Management. Engineering - Plan Review, Document Storage, Construction Inspection and Fats, Oils and Grease Program. Water - System operating under State permit, Production & Purchased Water, System Samples, Distribution System and Operator Certification. Wastewater - System Operating under State permit, Advanced Wastewater Treatment, Laboratory, Collection System, Industrial Pretreatment Program, Reuse System and Operator and Laboratory Analyst Certification. Storm Water - Collection System, Regulations & Town/Private. Roads - Maintenance, DOT, Evaluation and Public/Private/County/State. Parks - Town Park, Riverwalk, Mulberry Park and Town Green. Building and Grounds - Town Facilities, Leased Property and Town Owned Property. July 17 - Police & Court - Police Department Overview. Organizational Structure: Chief of Police- Terry Esco; Assistant Police Chief - Lou Solis Jr.; Detectives; Cpt., Mike Steffman, Sgt. Ronnie Kilburn, Patrol - Commander Cpt. Mike Steffman, Lt. Rob Holtt; three Sergeants; five officers, DEA Liaison – Lt. Chris Richards; and Administrative Assistant - Rhonda Lundsford.
Responsibilities within Braselton Police Department are: Patrol - Stops, Arrests, Reports and Training; CID - Cases, Arrests, Reports and Training; DEA Liaison - Cases and Training; State Certification - Records, Evidence Room, Reports and Training Records. The class was given a tour around the police department, vehicles (AEDs in each vehicle), Weapons and training required. Next Dawn Farris, Clerk of Court, spoke to the class about Braselton Municipal Court. Dawn shared information about the Georgia Court System, Municipal Court and its jurisdiction. She also highlighted Court Personnel, Municipal Court Citations - GSP, MCCD, BPD and Code Enforcement, What is the Primary Role of the Municipal Court Judge, Prosecutor’s Role, Clerk of Court’s Role, Braselton Municipal Court’s Caseload and the Court Schedule. Aug. 21 - Braselton Library Sept. 18 - Planning & Development - Staffers include Director - Kevin Keller, Building Inspection - Randy Batey, Erosion & Sedimentation Control Inspections/ Environmental Specialist - Yvette Wise and Code Enforcement - Bruce Davis. Department Mission Statement - To manage community change in both the short and long term with regard to land use land development, building construction/renovation, and code enforcement so that a positive environment that is productive and beneficial to all citizens of the Town of Braselton is maintained. At the session on zoning, the topics included how zoning is determined and who to contact regarding Residential, Commercial and Industrial Zoning. Oct. 16 - Economic Development, Authorities, Boards, Agencies and Special Events (acronyms and what they stand for) were highlighted. PC = Planning Commission ZBA = Zoning Board of Appeals URA = Urban Redevelopment Agency DDA = Downtown Development Authority BVBA = Braselton Visitors Bureau Agency EB = Ethics Board CID = Community Improvement District TAD = Tax Allocation District Jennifer Dees shared with the class all of the festivals/events that the Town of Braselton offers every year and how to volunteer. She shared the new events scheduled for 2015. Amy Pinnell, DDA Director, shared a video about being a part of Main Street including what it takes and how to go about becoming a part of the national program which is through the Georgia Department of Community Affairs. Dees also shared the plans and stages for Town Green that is currently under way as well as noting the new businesses that are coming to our area (such as Bojangles on Highway 53), the widening of Highway 53 and other plans for road improvements. If you are really interested in learning about the town you live in, then I would urge you to be a part of the 2015 Braselton Citizen’s Class. Dinner is provided for each class from the local restaurants. You also get to meet some wonderful people that are residents or own a business. Once you become a part of the class, you will suggest it to everyone you see. All our class members enjoyed the class. We had some good laughs and also learned about our fellow students. It is sad that the classes are over but I am so glad I signed up.... You should, too.
never the Rock
Photographer Sarina Roth celebrates 9th anniversary at reception Farah Bohannon The Paper
Sarina Roth presented Mel Harris with a framed photo of a University of Georgia mascot during the recent anniversary celebration event which involved ambassadors and staffers of the Jackson County Area Chamber of Commerce and more celebrating with Roth (middle). She themed the event “Praise God from whom all blessings flow.” See more scenes at ClickThePaper.com By FARAH BOHANNON
fbohannon@clickthepaper.com
Sarina Roth, owner and photographer at Never the Rock Photography, marked nine years of business on Oct. 9 and celebrated with a gathering at Higher Grounds Coffee House. Roth is a unique business owner because she is not someone who simply takes photographs for others — she captures God’s beauty. In a recent trip to the Florida panhandle, Roth said she saw some of the most beautiful sunrises and sunsets in her entire life. She said she posted the photos onto Facebook and received several comments that stated how wonderful her photos are and what a photographic eye she has. Roth explained that all the glory and praise for the gorgeous skies should go to God — she just took the photo of it. She also has donated thousands of dollars in time, products and services to many charitable community events, Christian organizations, welfare benefits and humane society fundraisers. Roth said she was thrilled to celebrate with some of her closest friends as well as the Jackson County Area Chamber of Commerce. “I am happy with the turnout and feel so blessed to have so many wonderful supporters,” said Roth. The party began with mingling and snacking — there were double chocolate cupcakes, cheese, crackers, fruit, sparkling cider, and glasses of refreshing cucumber water. Within the first half hour, Roth was so excited
to draw names out of a bucket to give out her door prizes which included several Never the Rock Photography coffee mugs, Madison and Vine soap gift bags, bedazzled Never the Rock Photography T-shirts and a very special grand prize — a framed photo of the UGA bulldog. Roth’s friend, Mel Harris was the lucky winner. Everyone else who attended received a door prize which was very exciting for everyone. The theme of Roth’s anniversary party was “Praise God from whom all blessings flow” which she said she hopes is apparent in her life as she celebrates this milestone. “God has given us a beautiful palette to work with,” said Roth. “To Him be all the glory. It has also truly been a joy and honor to serve Jackson County.” Never the Rock Photography is available for lifestyle portraits, com-
mercial art, headshots, children/ infant photos, magazine covers, real estate, pet portraits, framed art, note cards and award-winning originals. It was established in 2005, but Roth has been utilizing her camera for years and years before that. She was inspired by her loving grandparents who traveled around the world — they shared stories and photos with her as she grew up which inspired her to document all types of beauty as both a passion and a career. Never the Rock Photography has been named the “Business of the Month” by the Braselton branch of Community and Southern Bank located on Highway 211. Her business will be spotlighted in the bank during the month of November. For more information about Never the Rock Photography, visit www.nevertherock.com and see more scenes of the event at ClickThePaper.com
Jackson County fundraiser to spotlight Baldwin and Wilbanks Enjoy great music and dance? Delicious food? Friendly competition? Then Dancing with the Stars – Jackson County Style! is your kind of event! On Saturday, Jan. 31, at the Jefferson Civic Center, four dance teams will vie for the coveted Mirror Ball trophy. Our first featured contestant is Rick Baldwin. After repeated requests from the Jackson County Arts Council, Rick finally agreed to dance in this year’s competition. “I’ve never danced before,” said Rick, “and Emily, my instructor is going to have a real challenge this year!” An electrical engineer, Rick coordinates Engineering and Operations for the Jefferson District of Jackson EMC. He and his wife, Tracy, have two sons, Joshua and Timothy. Emily Wilbanks courageously agreed to teach Rick how to dance. She has had lots of practice, besides teaching ballet, tap and jazz at Claudia’s Dance Academy in Flowery Branch. She taught Andy Garrison how to do a mean East Coast Swing at last year’s Dancing with the Stars.
Dancing with the Stars is Jan. 31 in Jefferson Emily earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance Performance at Brenau University and has performed with the Brenau Dance Ensemble and the Gainesville Ballet. Rick and Emily will be dancing to support Lindsay’s Legacy Mentoring, a friendship based, in-school mentoring program. You can support Rick and Emily by “voting” for them. One dollar equals one
vote and one half of all of the money raised will go to Lindsay’s Legacy and the other half will support the JCAC’s free student art show, Celebrate the Arts. You can vote by mailing a check to JCAC, P.O.Box 598, Jefferson, GA, 30549 going to our website at www.jacksoncountygaarts. com or just hand Rick or Emily your donation. Other competitors will be contestant Jeff Grant
dancing with Paige Smart for Family Connection; contestant Brenda Martin dancing with Kenny Caldwell for St. Paul First Baptist Church; and contestant Angel Tuggle dancing with Taylor Zuercher for the Harold S. Swindle Public Library. Check out the Facebook page, Dancing with the Stars – Jackson County Style! to see more pictures and details of the event.