October 2025 Community Life - Canton November Ballot Items for Cherokee County Voters’ ConsiderationCherokee County voters will have the opportunity to make their voices heard about the following items on next month’s ballot.Senior School Tax Exemption Extension Cherokee County voters will have the opportunity to expand the senior tax exemption for school tax to surviving spouses. The Board of Commissioners unanimously approved a resolution to request the election superintendent place a referendum required by HB771 on the November 2025 ballot.Currently, suppose each spouse is on the property deed of their primary home. In that case, both need to be on the homestead exemption application, which provides for the senior school tax exemption for those who qualify. If the spouse who qualifies passes away, the surviving spouse must reapply and meet the five-year homestead exemption requirement.If approved by voters, the change would keep the senior tax exemption in place for the surviving spouse.Chairman Harry Johnston indicated a similar issue affects the county’s homestead freeze and asked county staff to begin looking into legislation extending it to surviving spouses in the next legislative session. That measure, if approved by the General Assembly, also would have to be approved by voters.T-SPLOST ReferendumVoters will have the opportunity to vote on a 1-penny sales tax strictly for transportation. The Board of Commissioners unanimously approved an intergovernmental agreement and a resolution calling for the referendum on September 2. Every municipal governing body approved intergovernmental agreements, showing their support for the measure.A six-year Transportation Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (T-SPLOST) is expected to yield over $445 million to be divided among unincorporated Cherokee County and its seven cities. Unincorporated Cherokee County’s total is expected to be 61.8% or $290 million. Woodstock would be allocated 14.7%, and Canton would receive about 13.6%. Holly Springs would receive 7.7%, Ball Ground would get 1.2% of collections, while Waleska would get 0.38% and Nelson 0.34%. The IGA allocates $15,000 to the City of Mountain Park.Sales tax is a consumption-based tax that spreads the cost among nonresidents and residents. It is estimated that about 30% of sales tax is paid for by visitors to the county.A 1%, or 1-cent, sales tax would provide funding to bring over 75 county transportation projects from start to finish, including design and engineering, right-of-way acquisition, and construction. The full list includes 54 projects for municipalities and several joint county/city projects. Many projects are geared toward alleviating traffic, replacing substandard bridges, and improving intersections, traffic patterns, and road surfaces.Countywide, a T-SPLOST would greatly expand the in-house and contracted repaving program. Paving can only be done in 55-plus-degree dry weather, which limits certain times of the year. Additional funding for these resurfacing programs would expand the county’s resources to resurface more roads in that short timeframe.__________________________________________Historic Preservation Gala Breaks Fundraising Record, Honors Preservation Champions History Cherokee’s annual Historic Preservation Awards Gala set a new fundraising record, raising $27,275 to benefit the Cherokee County History Center. The sold-out event at The Timbers on Etowah brought together more than 200 community leaders and residents to celebrate the organization’s 50th anniversary and recognize the 2025 preservation award winners and volunteers.Lifetime Achievement HonoreeThe Judson A. Roberts Lifetime Service Award was presented to Nell Galt Magruder for her lifelong dedication to preserving Cherokee County’s heritage. Magruder’s family has deep roots in Canton — her great-great-grandfather, William Grisham, helped found the town and built the home where she still resides, constructed in 1841. Throughout her life, she has supported numerous preservation initiatives, including saving the original 1914 Canton High School, chairing the city’s Sesquicentennial Celebration in 1983, and donating a generous naming gift to the History Center, where Gallery Two honors her family legacy.Volunteer of the Year was awarded to Marjorie Boeshans for her extraordinary service to History Cherokee’s mission.Preservation Partner Awards were presented to the Cherokee County Airport and Reinhardt University for their stewardship of historic resources.2025 Preservation Award Winners• City of Canton - for continued preservation of the 1910 Canton Theatre, including recent façade restoration in partnership with the Fox Theatre and Fox Gives.• Cherokee County, Cherokee County Recreation and Parks - for the Long Swamp Creek Park project in Ball Ground, a site of major Native American significance acquired in 2019 for archaeological preservation.• City of Holly Springs - for the restoration of the c.1870 Hardin House, now serving as offices for Cherokee Focus, which is a nonprofit supporting local children and families.Other Honorees• Phillips House (Canton, 1920) - Perry and Belinda Phillips, for maintaining its original Craftsman features.• Meriweather House (Canton, 1929) - Judy Meriweather, for a meticulous renovation uncovering original features such as a double-sided fireplace.• Gayton House (Waleska, 1952) - Josh Gayton, for preserving family history and original elements.• The Farmhouse at New Ground Farm (1910) Kevin and Gwen Williams, for transforming the property while honoring its past.• Historic Ball Ground School - Lee and Brittani Lusk, for renovating the 30,000-square-foot former school into a coworking space, now known as The Elm.__________________________________________Youth Sports Champions Honored and Barnett Park Field DedicatedThe Cherokee County Board of Commissioners recently presented a proclamation recognizing the positive impact of youth sports, which provide valuable opportunities for leadership, teamwork, and sportsmanship. Commissioners also recognized the commitment of volunteer coaches and directors who give their time and talents to support thousands of young athletes across Cherokee County.Championship Teams Honored:• CHILL Woodstock High School Team, Metro Atlanta Roller Hockey League State Champions• CHILL Woodstock Middle School Team, Metro Atlanta Roller Hockey League State Champions• 5U Canton Noles Baseball Team, Braves Country B-State Champions• 7U Canton Stingers Baseball Team, Braves Country Champions• 12U Georgia Power Gold-Chapman Softball Team, USA Softball National Champions• 14U Cherokee Youth Girls Flag Football Team, Georgia Recreation and Park Association State ChampionsIn addition to recognizing the championship teams, commissioners also passed a resolution proclaiming Field 1 at Barnett Park as Dan Carmichael Field, honoring Carmichael’s decades of service to local athletics.For more information on Cherokee Recreation and Parks’ youth sports programming, visit PlayCherokee.org.__________________________________________City of Canton Communications Team Receives National AwardThe City of Canton Communications Team of Jacky Cheng, Lauren Johnson, and Mike Loizou, along with freelance graphic designer Katie DiGiovanna, received the top national award from 3CMA (City-County Communications and Marketing Association) for Best Printed Publication for the City’s “2024 Year in Review.” There were more than 1,150 nomination entries across 37 categories represented by 365 organizations from 35 states and Canada.City of Canton Communications Team Receives National AwardThe City of Canton Communications Team of Jacky Cheng, Lauren Johnson, and Mike Loizou, along with freelance graphic designer Katie DiGiovanna, received the top national award from 3CMA (City-County Communications and Marketing Association) for Best Printed Publication for the City’s “2024 Year in Review.” There were more than 1,150 nomination entries across 37 categories represented by 365 organizations from 35 states and Canada.__________________________________________Cherokee County School District AnnouncementsPerforming Arts Programs Begin New Season All CCSD schools, as well as the districtwide Academy Street Theatre Group program for elementary through high school students, present a variety of performances throughout the school year. Performing arts programs, which vary per grade level and school, include band, chorus, orchestra, and theatre. Some performances will have advance ticket sales online. For ticket sales information, please contact the school directly. Times and dates posted in the CCSD performing arts calendar are subject to change, and the calendar is regularly updated.Please scan the QR code for this season’s performance calendar.Special Education Parent Mentor Appointed to Statewide RoleJo Ellen Hancock, who has served as Cherokee County School District’s special education parent mentor facilitator since 2005, has been appointed by Gov. Brian Kemp and sworn in to serve on the State Rehabilitation Council. She is a longtime advocate and leader in special education, behavioral health, and community engagement. In her role on the Council, she and other appointed members collaborate with Georgia Vocational Rehabilitation Services leaders to develop plans for services and make recommendations to help people with disabilities achieve employment and independence. River Ridge HS Career Pathway Teacher Earns National RecognitionCallie Davis, who leads River Ridge HS’s Career Pathway Healthcare Science program for diagnostics: clinical laboratory science, has been named a national ambassador for the National Consortium for Health Science Education for this school year. Only 10 teachers nationwide were selected for this honor, which supports the National Health Science Association’s health science education and awareness efforts. Additionally, Davis was recently honored by the statewide Healthcare Science Technology Educators Association as its educator of the month. A 20-year educator, Davis has taught science for 14 years and healthcare science for six years since making the switch from her first career as a medical technologist. In March, the Career Pathway program she leads at River Ridge HS achieved Healthcare Industry Certification, which recognizes high school programs that meet rigorous standards set by industry experts – it’s the first program of its kind in Georgia to earn this recognition.
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