Lemonade Day Winners Announced Lemonade Day Winners AnnouncedOn August 6, the Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce held Lemonade Day Cherokee County 2022. The well-established global national youth entrepreneurship program taught the participating students in 3rd-5th grades both leadership and business skills by encouraging them to launch a lemonade stand. On the morning of the event, 78 students working individually or in teams were registered to participate with four choosing to construct their stands at Cherokee Recreation & Parks. Participants at Cherokee Recreation & Parks in Woodstock were judged on Best Tasting Lemonade and Best Overall Lemonade Stand. Winners received cash prizes. Best Tasting Lemonade First Place - Main Squeeze Lemonade, invented by sisters Emma Shellhouse and Isabelle AbleySecond Place - Ella Richmond and Elizabeth McCloskey with Strawberry Sisters LemonadeThird Place - Rosemary, Love, & Lemons, operated by Alyssa SweatlandBest Overall Lemonade Stand - Lemmy’s Lemonade, created by brother/sister duo Ryan and Melinda Tran The Youth Entrepreneur of the Year will be awarded later this fall, as students who participated in the event must complete their business plan recaps, which will then be evaluated to determine the winner.
School Board To Sell Property to County Government Cherokee County School Board approved an intergovernmental agreement and memorandum of understanding to sell two properties to county government. This agreement allows both sides to proceed with the sale of the former Tippens ES in Canton as well as unused acreage on Hunt Road near Clark Creek ES STEM Academy.The school district discontinued full time use of the former Tippens ES building when the Tippens Educational Center program relocated to the former ACE Academy building in Holly Springs. Since then, the building has been used for community service needs such as a storage and distribution site for charitable programs. The Hunt Road property, encompassing 14.66 acres, was purchased for the construction of Clark Creek ES but wasn't used. The sites will be sold to the county for $600,000.“The county government is a longtime partner in our efforts to serve our community,” Superintendent of Schools Dr. Brian V. Hightower said. “As with the recently reopened historic Hickory Flat school gym, which the county government restored for community use, we anticipate that both of these sites will be put to good use for the betterment of our community.”
Canton Police Names Uniform Patrol Bureau Commander Canton Police Chief Stephen Merrifield announced the promotion of Lt. John Lummus to the position of police captain, Uniform Patrol Bureau commander.Capt. Lummus has 25 years of law enforcement experience with his last year serving as executive lieutenant to the Office of the Chief of Police. He also served as the assistant Uniform Patrol Bureau commander, Office of Professional Standards sergeant, and Uniform Patrol sergeant. In addition, he possesses Georgia P.O.S.T. Intermediate Certification and Advanced Certification and is a FBI Leadership Trilogy graduate.
Historic Canton Theatre Receives Award American Towns Media has named the historic Canton Theatre to the 10 Best Historic Theaters in Georgia. Canton City Manager Billy Peppers congratulated Canton Theatre Director Kristin Norton Green for the honor, as her initiatives have brought the Theatre to life in the City of Canton.
Canton Rotary Club Welcomes New President and Awards Rotarian of the Year The Rotary Club of Canton recently celebrated its past year of accomplishments and the passing of the gavel to its new president.Greg Elder, vice president of client services for MUST Ministries, who served as club president for the past year, passed the gavel to new President Nicole Lawson, northwest regional director for United Way of Greater Atlanta. Lawson will be joined in leadership by President-Elect Francisco Javier Lozano, Treasurer Marcie Smith, and Secretary Lori Flink. Also serving on this year’s Board of Directors are Ashton Banks, Clark Cordner, Lynn Epps, Evan Ingram, Billy Peppers, and Rommel RitaRita.The Rotarian of the Year Award, also known as the Coxe Award, was presented to Marcie Smith, executive director of The Children’s Haven. Smith was thanked for her work on the club’s family of Rotary and public image committees. The club, which is Cherokee County’s oldest civic club, offers members the opportunity to attend meetings at noon each Tuesday at the Northside Cherokee Conference Center (1130 Bluffs Parkway, Canton) to learn more about their community, participate in service projects, and enjoy networking and fellowship. Its motto is “Service Above Self.” For more information, visit TheRotaryClubOfCantonGa.org.
Canton’s Notable Transportation Initiatives In all cities, big or small, transportation is a vital part of the infrastructure, and that is why it is prioritized in one of the City of Canton’s eight tenets in its Roadmap for Success. While Canton’s Transportation Master Plan is a work in progress, the City is not waiting for it to be completed to address opportunities to improve how Canton moves forward. Some notable initiatives include:The current traffic light construction at Teasley MS, a much-needed solution on Reservoir Drive.A design plan for a West Main pedestrian connection from downtown to the Mill on Etowah is in progress.The City has applied for a grant from the Appalachian Regional Commission to construct a pedestrian bridge and a canoe/kayak put-in/take-out location across from the Mill on Etowah to connect the new Etowah River Trail extension to Boling Park back into downtown via the upcoming pedestrian corridor on West Main Street.
Be Pro Be Proud Drills Down the Skilled Trade Shortage Be Pro Be Proud Georgia, an initiative that promotes 15 of Georgia’s most in-demand skilled professions through a hands-on mobile workshop and interactive website, visited 43 cities across the state of Georgia during the 2021-2022 school year.The initiative’s gamified stations allow students to see what it’s like to get behind the wheel of an 18-wheeler, assemble a PVC pipe, analyze human anatomy through augmented reality, bind metal through a virtual welding experience, explore a career in linework behind the lens of an Oculus VR headset, discover robotics and automation, and test hand-eye coordination through an engaging skills challenge. As part of the tour, middle and high school students are given the opportunity to “join the movement” to be connected to training and potential employers that need new employees to replenish the diminishing workforce. Of the 13,532 students who toured, nearly 75% (10,129) joined the movement and expressed their career plans; these numbers include students from Cherokee County high schools. For the 2021-2022 school year, nearly 60% of these students said they plan to pursue a career in the skilled professions or technical training after graduation. Four new partners joined Be Pro Be Proud Georgia this year including American Home Shield, Georgia Northwestern Technical College, Select Cobb, and Wellstar Health System. Wellstar Health System is Be Pro Be Proud’s first health care partner, a field that is projected to grow more than 10% over the next decade. Since 2020, Be Pro Be Proud has hosted nearly 24,000 visitors on the mobile workshop across 43 counties and 238 tour stops. In addition to identifying the state’s top skilled professions, the initiative provides robust training resources – offering a comprehensive list of Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG) training programs. Through partnerships with state agencies, local industry, and higher education entities, Be Pro Be Proud is effectively working to connect students across the state to high-demand careers, replenishing essential jobs vacated by the retiring workforce. To view upcoming tour dates, visit BeProBeProudGa.org.
Cherokee Deputies Receive Salary Increase The Cherokee Sheriff’s Office (CSO) has increased its pay for sworn positions by nearly 20%, making it one of the leading sheriff’s offices in the metro area for law enforcement pay. The Cherokee County Board of Commissioners approved a 7% increase plus a flat $5,000 to POST-certified positions, making the salary scales more competitive in an increasingly competitive market. The starting salary for an uncertified deputy is $50,243 with excellent benefits, pension with a county match, paid uniforms and equipment, and programs for incentive pay.“The Cherokee Sheriff’s Office is currently competing with every law enforcement agency in the state for qualified deputies. The commissioners’ decision to approve a 7% COLA and $5,000 increase in pay for deputies will not only help us attract new applicants to fill our 63 vacancies, it will also help us retain current deputies,” said Sheriff Frank Reynolds. This is the third year in a row the Cherokee County Board of Commissioners has acted to increase public safety salaries to assist in recruiting quality law enforcement officers to serve and protect the community.Those interested in applying to join the CSO should visit CherokeeGa-Sheriff.org or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Cherokee County School District Announcements Two Elementary Schools Earn Gold Awards From Safety OrganizationBascomb ES and Clayton ES earned the Gold Partner Award from Safe Routes to School in recognition of their efforts to encourage students to walk and bike more while staying safe. The statewide nonprofit organization leads projects and activities to improve community safety, reduce traffic and air pollution around schools, and encourage children to pursue healthy and active lifestyles. It designs programs to improve the health and well-being of children by enabling and encouraging them to walk or bicycle to school. Special Education Staff of the Year Award Winners Announced Four members of CCSD’s Special Education department recently received top honors during the annual Special Education Staff of the Year Awards ceremony: CCSD Occupational Therapist/Physical Therapist of the Year Karen Reeves; CCSD School Psychologist of the Year Dr. Megan Foster; CCSD Special Education Facilitator of the Year Susie Okerblad; and CCSD Speech Language Pathologist of the Year Ashanta Posey. Each winner received an engraved plaque and a $175 Visa gift card.CCSD Wins Seven National Awards for CommunicationsThe National School Public Relations Association annually honors the best publications and electronic media produced by school districts nationwide as part of their communications efforts. The school district earned Merit Awards for Class Act, the annual magazine published at the start of the school year; the annual report, “CCSD Evidence of Success − 10 Amazing Things We've Done in 2021”; the monthly CCSD Connections parent newsletter; and “District Delegate,” the monthly newsletter for CCSD employees. CCSD won Honorable Mention awards for “Financial Facts,” the annual report of budget highlights; “First Day Facts,” the annual report of back-to-school highlights; and for its annual Teacher of the Year school winner profiles.The Office of Communications is made up of Chief Communications Officer Barbara P. Jacoby, Supervisor Carrie McGowan, Coordinator Penny Dempsey, and Administrative Assistant Anne Reed.Woodstock HS Grad Named Gatorade Player of the Year Will Sumner, who will be attending the University of Georgia, was named the 2021-22 Gatorade Georgia Boys Track & Field Player of the Year. He now advances to Gatorade’s national competition. The award recognizes not only outstanding athletic excellence, but also “high standards of academic achievement and exemplary character demonstrated on and off the field.” Among Sumner’s honors have been winning the 400-meter dash at Georgia’s Class 7A state meet with a personal best time of 45.78, setting a new state record in the event, and leading Woodstock’s team to win the 4x800 meter relay and fourth place overall. Winner of the 400 at the Brooks PR Invitational, Sumner’s personal best time in the 800-meter event this spring was No. 2 in the nation, No. 3 in U.S. prep history, and only 0.08 seconds behind the national record. Beyond his amazing athletic successes, he also graduated with a 3.78 GPA.Woodstock HS Earns National Award for Charitable SpiritWoodstock HS has earned the Spirit of St. Jude Award from Varsity Brands in recognition of its support of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, which is a major recipient of the company’s philanthropy. The Spirit of St. Jude award, named for the research hospital focused on children’s cancer and other life-threatening pediatric diseases, honors schools and school districts that engage the majority of their students in fundraising for the charity. Woodstock HS raises funds for the hospital through many activities, including the annual cross-town rivalry football game versus Etowah HS that both schools use as a St. Jude fundraiser. Last school year’s game raised $12,200 for St. Jude. CCSD schools have raised funds for St. Jude for the last six years, with $67,000 donated last school year for a total of more than $400,000 given since 2016.As part of its prize from Varsity Brands, Woodstock HS will receive a $3,000 award, which the school announced it would donate back to St. Jude.Etowah HS JROTC Instructor Wins National HonorAir Force Junior ROTC Lt. Col. (Ret.) Stephen Bergey has been named the 2022 Overall AFJROTC Instructor of the Year. He was selected as the best out of more than 1,900 AFJROTC instructors worldwide. This honor follows several prestigious recognitions recently earned by Etowah HS’s AFJROTC program. Lt. Col. Bergey is lead instructor for the program, which is supported by fellow instructor Technical Sgt. (Ret.) Ciarra Malto.Etowah HS Grad Earns Local ScholarshipClass of 2022’s Ella Daugherty, who will be attending the University of Georgia, is the winner of the 2022 East West Bank $2,500 Scholarship. A committee of retired educators selected Daugherty as the winner from a pool of outstanding applicants. During her time at Etowah, Daugherty served in many leadership roles including as president of National Honors Society, president of Key Club, and as a member of the Beta Club leadership team, Student Government, National English Honors Society, and Mu Alpha Theta math honors society. Cherokee HS Senior Wins Maritza Mott ScholarshipAdriana Chavez-Mejia earned the $1,000 memorial scholarship, which is open to one graduating senior and awarded based on an application, essay questions, and references. The first in her family to attend college, Chavez-Mejia plans to study digital marketing at the University of North Georgia to pursue a career as a marketing manager. Adriana served as manager for Cherokee HS boys’ lacrosse team, worked at a local daycare, and has volunteered at her church’s food pantry. Hasty ES Teacher Earns International Art Education HonorLisa Spence, the art teacher for Hasty ES Fine Arts Academy, has been named a Crayola Creativity Ambassador by the National Art Education Association and Crayola Education. Only 75 teachers worldwide were selected for the recognition, which provides honorees with professional learning, resources, and support to cultivate creativity in their classrooms, schools, and communities. Selection was based on educators’ resumes and responses to questions about building creative capacity through teaching and leadership.Sequoyah HS Grad Earns National Scholarship Class of 2022’s Xander Riddle, who will be attending the University of Georgia, won a $10,000 Exceptional Youth Scholarship from the Foundation for Global Sports Development, which is awarded to only 10 students nationally each year. In addition to demonstrating their dedication to community service, volunteering, and mentoring, honorees also must achieve an outstanding academic record and submit a personal essay. Riddle graduated in the top 5% of his class, completing more than nine AP college-credit courses and earning the AP Scholar with Honor designation, three National Latin Exam awards including a summa cum laude honor, an academic letter, and the UGA Merit Scholarship. Middle School Writing Contest Winners AnnouncedShelby Gibbs of Freedom MS won the seventh-grade division for her historical fiction children’s book, The Unseen Heroes of 9/11, and Hadley Duncan of Creekland MS won the eighth-grade division for her short story, “Cold Cost,” in the 2022 Middle School Writing Contest organized by CCSD’s Office of Curriculum & Instruction. The entries were written by students as part of the seventh-grade children’s book and eighth-grade sci-fi/dystopian rigorous curriculum design units taught in all middle school English language arts classes. The contest was designed to showcase the excellent instruction by writing teachers and the outstanding student writing taking place in CCSD schools.
Board of Commissioners Approves Advertising Lower Millage Rate The Cherokee County Board of Commissioners (BOC) approved advertising a proposed millage rate for the 2023 fiscal year, which reflects a reduction in the current millage rate to fund the county’s 2023 budget.The advertised rate for maintenance and operations is 4.995, down 4.2% from the current millage rate of 5.212 mills. One mill is equal to $1 per $1,000 of assessed value. A property’s assessed value is 40% of its fair market value. The BOC cannot approve a rate more than the one that is advertised. “Homeowners who have a homestead exemption will see at least a 4.2% decrease in the county maintenance and operation tax,” said Chairman Harry Johnston. “For that portion of the tax bill, those properties are protected from any increase in property value assessments. Their exemption amount automatically increases to keep their net taxable value the same.” As far as non-homestead properties are concerned, the county maintenance and operation tax will increase by the same percentage as its increase in property value assessment, minus the 4.2% rollback of the millage rate. For the average of all properties combined, the advertised rate represents an 8.4% increase from the state-calculated rollback rate of 4.609 mills. This will be the 11th consecutive year the BOC has not increased the millage rate. In the last eight of 10 years, the Board has reduced the millage rate.The BOC also is considering lowering the fire district millage rate to 2.984 mills, down from the current rate of 3.292 mills. The fire district budget, which is funded by the fire district millage rate, is estimated to total about $46 million and would fund 11 new positions and a 7% cost-of-living increase for fire personnel and staff.The Finance Department is recommending the parks bond millage rate be rolled back to 0.354 mills, down from 0.434 mills. The BOC does not control the school district tax rate, or any millage rates set by local city jurisdictions.
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