March 2025 Community Life Canton CCFES’s Robinson Named Georgia Fire Chief of the Year Cherokee County Fire & Emergency Services Fire Chief Eddie Robinson received the prestigious honor at the Georgia Association of Fire Chiefs (GAFC) 53rd Annual Firefighters Recognition Day at the Georgia State Capitol, an event that recognizes outstanding individuals and contributions to Georgia’s fire service.This distinguished award is given annually to a fire chief who has demonstrated exceptional leadership, commitment, and service to their community, the fire service profession, and the state of Georgia. Chief Robinson stood out among the state’s top fire leaders for his ongoing dedication to improving fire and emergency services, his innovation in public safety, and his tireless efforts to advocate for his team and the community.————————————————Cherokee Board of Commissioners Retreat HighlightsOn January 27-28, the Cherokee County Board of Commissioners and several county staff members retreated to History Cherokee in downtown Canton to discuss the current and future endeavors of the county government. Several members of the public also attended portions of the retreat.Finance kicked off the two-date retreat with a financial update, as staff enters the budget-planning season. CFO Jimmy Marquis also touched on inflation trends and the five-year outlook. Several key factors will determine the county’s revenue stream, as inflation fluctuates and House Bill 581 takes effect. HB 581 “provides relief and clarity to taxpayers by offering a statewide floating homestead exemption, an optional sales tax to further offset property taxes, and property tax process forms,” (Legis.Ga.gov). While it will not impact the general fund because unincorporated Cherokee County has had a floating homestead exemption since 2008, the Fire Fund will be affected by the statewide floating homestead exemption that took effect January 1.Marquis indicated to the Board that despite budgeting to use $12.4 million in reserves for FY2024, pre-audit figures show only using $5.1 million, keeping the county’s general fund reserves healthy at $69 million (5.5 months of operating costs). The Fire Fund reserves are $10.6 million (2.47 months of operating costs).Marquis also provided an update on American Rescue Plan Act projects. Cherokee County was awarded $50.2 million, and 93% of projects are complete. The projects in progress include renovating the former Arts Center in downtown Canton for judicial services ($3.4 million) and $36,109 for surveillance system upgrades for the Justice Center and Sheriff’s Office.The FY2025 budget, passed last October, absorbs salaries for positions created for the judicial sector and squad pay for paramedics on ambulances.———————————————2025 First Citizen of Cherokee County Named The Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce that John W. Blend, III, has been named the 50th recipient of the First Citizen of Cherokee County award. A trailblazer in capital formation and entrepreneurial activities, John's influence reaches far beyond Cherokee County. He is a recognized thought leader in capital formation in regulated markets and has spoken on behalf of prestigious institutions like Goldman Sachs, The Edison Institute, and the Stanford Business School.In 1982, John and his wife, Connie, purchased a farm in Waleska. In 1991, the Blend’s embarked on a transformative journey, dedicating the farm to God's work. This pivotal dedication became the cornerstone for the inception of the Goshen Valley Foundation, the guiding force behind Goshen Valley Boys Ranch.The Goshen Valley Foundation has evolved to encompass a broader spectrum of care through multiple programs for foster youth and at-risk families. Under Blend’s visionary leadership, this foundation has blossomed into a beacon of hope for those most at-risk in our community, receiving widespread recognition from national and state associations for its outstanding contributions to foster care outcomes.Blend's dedication to child welfare extends beyond Goshen Valley. He has served as the president and chair of Together Georgia, a statewide association of over 100 leading local and national child welfare providers. Under his leadership, Together Georgia became a vital voice advocating for child welfare reform. Blend has also served as vice president and treasurer of the Georgia Association of Homes and Services for Children and has been involved with the Cherokee County YMCA Board of Directors, contributing to the community’s well-being by supporting programs and initiatives that promote health, wellness, and community development. His involvement with the YMCA underscores his dedication to the holistic growth of individuals and families within Cherokee County.The title of First Citizen of Cherokee County is bestowed upon a resident who has resided in the county for a minimum of five years and has shown significant meritorious service to his/her community through family, civic, and/or religious involvement. A panel of out-of-town judges reviews the accomplishments of each applicant. The winner is chosen based on merit.———————————————————Welcome Cherokee Office of Economic Development’s New President After serving the Cherokee Office of Economic Development (COED) for over 15 years, Cherokee County native Heath Tippens is the organization’s new president.After two years with Wells Real Estate Funds as an investor relations specialist, Tippens began his career at COED as a project manager in 2009. He advanced to senior project manager and has served as vice president since 2018. Tippens has been intricately involved in real estate transactions including much of the development work at Cherokee 75 Corporate Park, The Bluffs, and the future Canton Corporate Park. He has also served in a leadership role at COED with the management of existing industry programs as well as the comprehensive initiatives under Cherokee By Choice, Inc.———————————————Canton City Council Approves CAPS Unit for Police Department A new unit will soon be joining the Canton Police Department following a recent final approval by the Canton City Council. Canton Ambassadors for Public Safety (CAPS) will start in early summer as a new initiative for community support. “Through this program, civilians will be hired and trained to help provide needed services including taking reports for nonviolent and nonemergency type calls," said Chief Marty Ferrell. Charged with patrolling parks and trails, assisting with nonviolent reports, helping direct traffic, participating in special event operations, and working private property claims, the CAPS unit will be a force multiplier for the sworn officers at Canton Police Department. “These positions will allow individuals interested in the area of law enforcement who might not yet meet the age for the academy to get involved in meaningful work," added City Manager Billy Peppers. "Having additional staff patrolling parks and other community gathering spaces will improve safety." Applications for these positions are now open, and new employees will have an 8-week training period. If interested, please visit CantonGa.gov/careers for more information. -------------------Teen and Young Adult Job Fair Set for April 21 The fourth annual Teen and Young Adult Job Fair will be held on Monday, April 21, from 4:00-6:00pm, in Canton City Hall. Teens 15+ and young adults (college-age) are invited to attend to meet with businesses and organizations looking to hire for part-time, seasonal, full-time, and internship positions. If you represent a business or organization looking to hire and would be interested in participating in this event, please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. before April 11.———————————————————————Mayor Bill Grant’s 2025 State of the City AddressRecently, Canton celebrated its 190th anniversary. Thus, the city’s bicentennial will coincide with the timeframe that the City of Canton’s original 15-year Roadmap for Success will be realized."By staying our course informed by our Roadmap, keeping our wits about us by sharpening our focus, and continuing to be accountable to our taxpayers and community, we will allow Canton to flourish with even more substantial results that will benefit future generations — including our city’s youth who will choose to live in or return to Canton to raise families, start new businesses, and perhaps even decide to become public servants because we inspired them with a positive example,” said Mayor Grant."By staying focused on a 'quality over quantity' strategy for innovative, responsible growth, we will continue to attract businesses and innovative projects that reflect the needs and services desired most by our residents. And with an ongoing, steadfast commitment to a nonpartisan approach to local government, as defined by our City Charter, let’s embark upon a decade-long march to Canton’s bicentennial – guided not only by a thoughtful and informative Roadmap but also by a growing desire to take a path less taken in these tumultuous times. A path that illuminates our way with kindness, tolerance, respect, and support for all,” Mayor Grant continued. “And as we continue to work together to take Canton forward, let’s share radical pride in having the undeniable privilege of living, working, playing, and serving in the Coolest Small Town in America."—————————————————Rotary Club of Canton Honors Two for Career ExcellenceThe club presented the Robert S. “Bob” Stubbs II Guardian of Ethics Award to Rebecca Johnston and the Lee Arrendale Vocational Excellence Award to Francisco Lozano. The honorees now will be nominated for Rotary regional recognition.Johnston, who has worked in local media for more than 30 years, was honored for the integrity she modeled throughout her career and civic service. Her career in local media has included serving as managing editor of and longtime columnist for the Cherokee Tribune, general manager of WCHK and WNSY radio stations, general manager for the Prestige Vision news channel, and feature writer for multiple publications. She earned numerous state honors for excellence in news writing, column writing, and broadcasting, and wrote the comprehensive local history book, Cherokee County: A History. Her extensive community service has included more than 26 years with the Rotary Club, including a term as president, and dedicated service to numerous organizations including History Cherokee, Service League of Cherokee County, Canton Downtown Development Authority, Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce, Cherokee Arts Council, Cherokee CASA, Reinhardt University, and Heritage Baptist Fellowship Church. Lozano has worked for Arylessence fragrance and flavor company since 2015, advancing in roles focused on business intelligence, analytics, and regulatory compliance. He began a perfumery apprenticeship in 2019, the same year he became a naturalized American citizen. This year, he was inducted into the American Society of Perfumers, a prestigious professional organization. He first became involved with the Rotary Club of Canton while a Reinhardt University student through the Georgia Rotary Student Program. He served as the club’s president last year. Lozano also is an active volunteer in community organizations including The Children’s Haven and is a member of the Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce’s Leadership Cherokee Class of 2025.For more information about the Rotary Club of Canton, visit TheRotaryClubOfCantonGa.org.—————————————————————Cherokee County School District AnnouncementsCongratulations 2025 CCSD Reading Bowl WinnersThe annual event for students in grades 4-12 is a timed competition to encourage reading, develop reading comprehension skills, and offer a fun extracurricular academic opportunity. The competition includes two divisions, elementary and middle school, and features questions from books selected by a CCSD committee of educators. Woodstock HS Student Selected for 2025 All-State Art SymposiumWHS junior Eileen Uribe Parra is one of only 54 Georgia high school student artists selected for the competitive program, which was held at Piedmont University. The symposium included workshops, juried exhibitions, and other special events to provide high school student artists with opportunities to develop their artistic skills. Artwork by hundreds of students is entered into the competition each year by their art teachers. Uribe Parra’s WHS art teacher is Lori Thompson. Eileen Uribe Parra holds a piece of her artwork.Etowah HS Teacher Wins Top Career Education AwardAerospace science instructor U.S. Air Force Sgt. (Ret.) Ciarra Malto has been named the Georgia New Teacher of the Year for Junior ROTC programs by the Georgia Association for Career and Technical Educators. Only one teacher who has shown outstanding success in her or his first three to five years in education is honored for each career education program area each year. Malto now advances to be considered for the overall New Teacher of the Year honor, which will be announced at the organization’s annual conference in June.Joining Etowah HS in 2021, Sgt. Malto retired from her military career as the aircraft section chief for bomber maintenance at Edwards Air Force Base in California. In addition to teaching classes, she is the head coach of the Etowah JROTC riflery team, currently ranked first in the Area 10 region, and oversees various other JROTC activities. Sgt. Malto also cohosts a summer leadership camp at Georgia Military College attended by JROTC students from programs across the southeast United States.CCSD Students Win Gold in State Special OlympicsCherokee County Special Olympics basketball, bowling, and pickleball student-athletes earned gold medals at the State Winter Indoor Games recently held in Cobb County. CCSD Adapted PE teacher Ben Farist is the Cherokee County Special Olympics coordinator.Congratulations to these gold medalists: BasketballBasketball Skills - Remy Wilson, Woodstock HSTraditional 5 v. 5 Basketball - Audric Agbavon, Transition Academy; Gia DiGregorio, Creekview HS; Charlie Holderness, Creekview HS; Alan Miller, Sequoyah HS; Alex Miller, Sequoyah HS; and Leland Wilson, Creekview HSBowlingRamp Bowling - Bryton Rawlings-Peterson, Woodstock HSSingles Bowling - Nicole Fox, Transition Academy; Sammy Grugan, Transition Academy; Davis Kohl, Tippens EC; Mary Ann Maloney, Transition Academy; Greyson Teague, Transition Academy; Madison Wolff, Transition Academy; and Billy Zambrano, Creekview HS Pickleball - Josh Womack, River Ridge HSCreekview HS Educator Earns Statewide Music Teacher of the Year AwardChoral Director Scott L. Martin received the Georgia Music Educators Association’s Music Teacher of the Year award. It is the highest honor awarded by the association and is presented annually to only one music educator of the more than 3,000 statewide.Currently in his 27th year of teaching, Martin has led his choral students to multiple performances at Georgia Music Educators Association (GMEA) conferences as well as state and regional American Choral Directors Association (ACDA) conferences. He is a member of GMEA, ACDA, and the National Association for Music Education. Martin is also an adjudicator for the GMEA Choral Performance Evaluation, past Georgia ACDA Repertoire and Resources Chair for high school choirs, and past GMEA State Choral Chair. He regularly is invited to conduct various honor choirs across the state, serves as artistic director and principal conductor of the Cherokee Chorale community choir, and is cofounder of Orpheus Men’s Ensemble of Georgia, a choir comprised of music teachers and church musicians. Martin will make his Carnegie Hall debut in June 2026, conducting Elaine Hagenburg’s “Illuminare.”
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