Cherokee Fire Appoints New Deputy Chiefs Last month, Cherokee County Fire & Emergency Services appointed Kevin Lanier to the position of deputy chief of Operations, and Shane West was named the new deputy chief of Support Services. Beginning in 2000, Chief Lanier has worked at several fire stations throughout the county. In 2021, he rose to the rank of division chief, serving as the A-Shift commander. He is also a certified Georgia Chief Fire Officer from the Georgia Association of Fire Chiefs. Chief West has worked for Cherokee County Fire since 1995. He obtained his paramedic license, served as an instructor for both fire and medical education, successfully completed the Georgia Smoke Diver program, received the Georgia Chief Fire Officer certification, and chaired several committees and projects to improve the department’s success.
2021 Partners of the Year, Volunteers of the Year Named CCSD recently honored a Partner of the Year and a Volunteer of the Year for each individual school and center. The overall Partner of the Year and Volunteer of the Year were selected from that pool of 79 honorees.The Laurel Canyon Optimist Club, the CCSD Preschool Centers’ Partner of the Year, was named the 2022 Partner of the Year, and Peter Gleichman, the Hasty Elementary School Fine Arts Academy Volunteer of the Year, was named the 2022 Volunteer of the Year.“We need you. We respect you. We’re so glad you’re with us,” Superintendent of Schools Dr. Brian V. Hightower said, as he congratulated the auditorium filled with outstanding volunteers and partner businesses and organizations. “The time, talent, and treasure you share are valuable beyond measure. We appreciate you and thank you.”
Cherokee Recreation & Parks Commemorative Brick Program Receives Donation Cherokee County employees, who are active duty or retired military personnel, are being honored thanks to a generous donation to the Cherokee Recreation & Parks Commemorative Brick Program. At a recent Board of Commissioners meeting, Will Tomasello and Becky Massave, founders of Legacy Event Management, presented a $4,500 donation to Cherokee Recreation & Parks Director Jay Worley. The donation will be used to purchase bricks for all active and retired military personnel currently employed by Cherokee County and will be displayed at the Cherokee Veterans Park Monument. All proceeds from the program benefit the construction and upkeep of the monument.
Creekview HS Agriculture Program Earns National Award The Creekview HS agriculture program, led by teacher Pauline Benton, is one of only six agricultural education programs nationwide to earn the Outstanding Secondary/Middle School Program Award from the National Association of Agricultural Educators. The award honors agricultural education programs that “have developed and grown to encompass, at the highest levels, all aspects of the agricultural education model – quality instruction, experiential learning, and student leadership development – into their program.” The school’s Career Pathways program in agriculture began seven years ago with a focus on horticulture, but since has grown under Benton’s leadership to include equine science, veterinary science, agriculture electrification and agricultural mechanics, as well as a second teacher, Wyatt Wilkie. The program also has expanded thanks to the construction of a new agriculture science building, approved by the School Board and constructed using Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST) revenue and a state grant.
City of Canton News - Mayor Bill Grant’s State of the City Address On the evening of Feb. 3, Mayor Bill Grant presented his State of the City Address to a large crowd in City Hall and to viewers via livestream. His address recognized the challenges we’ve faced as individuals and as a city, but highlighted all that we have accomplished working together and what we have to look forward to in 2022.“I am proud to report that the challenges of the last 24 months have not slowed down our city’s progress or our goal of becoming the Coolest Small Town in America. With a strategic roadmap in place at the beginning of 2021, our dedicated Council and staff diligently planned our work and worked our plan. We have delivered on old promises and created new aspirations to improve the quality of life for ALL Canton residents throughout our city.“Tonight, the State of our City is more promising than ever, and with an ambitious roadmap in place and a City Council that is never content with resting on its laurels, Canton is fulfilling its true potential.“For me, 2021 was by far the most productive year that I have witnessed in my 8 years of public service. If we reviewed everything we accomplished in our roadmap, we would be here until midnight. As I began to put this list of a few of the more notable 2021 accomplishments together, I realized we need to do a better job of sharing our victories with our residents. I hope you will agree 2021 was successful in moving Canton forward as a great place to live, work, play, and serve.”- City Honored With a Visionary AwardDuring the Georgia Municipal Association (GMA) 2022 Cities United Summit, the City of Canton received a Visionary City Award for the it’s Roadmap for Success initiative. Awarded to nine cities each year — three from each population size group: under 4,999, 5,000-24,999, and over 25,000, the Visionary City Award honors cities that have created positive community change through effective civic engagement and collaboration. “The City of Canton is extremely honored to receive the Visionary City Award from the Georgia Municipal Association and Georgia Trend magazine,” said Mayor Bill Grant. “This prestigious recognition for our City’s forward thinking, collaboration, and civic engagement is a true testament to the exemplary leadership our Council and management team have demonstrated with the creation and implementation of our Roadmap for Success. “While this award is a high honor,” Grant continued, “it is even more gratifying to have other cities and leaders in Georgia contacting us to learn how Canton’s Roadmap and vision can help them move their own communities forward. This is truly leading with success, and we are humbled by this special recognition.”
Leadership and Teen Leadership Cherokee Class of 2022 Announced The Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce its 33rd Anniversary Leadership Cherokee (LC) class as well as its 21st Annual Teen Leadership Cherokee (TLC) class. The 22 members of the LC class were chosen following participation in a nomination, application, and interview process. The class recently traveled to Brasstown Valley Resort for a retreat, during which members participated in both indoor and outdoor team building exercises. Over the next several months, the LC class will participate in a broad range of sessions that will focus on a variety of topics such as economic development, infrastructure, government, justice, education, recreation, tourism, public safety, health care, and social/human services. Following the nine-month program, the LC class will graduate during a ceremony in September. The TLC applicants, all high school sophomores who live in Cherokee County, were asked to submit an in-depth application including their school and community involvement as well as a video answering the question “Why should I be selected for Teen Leadership Cherokee?” After reviewing the applications and videos, local business leaders selected the class.The TLC Class attended an orientation with their parents and a retreat on January 22, which was held at the Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce. The 17 class members have been working to develop a sense of community while discovering the impact of teamwork upon their peers, schools, and county. A graduation ceremony will be held later this month. The mission of Teen Leadership Cherokee is for participants to lead, educate, aspire, and drive themselves, so that they may confidently become our community’s next generation of leaders.For more information on the Chamber and its programs, visit CherokeeChamber.com.
2022 Cherokee County Board of Commissioners Retreat The Cherokee County Board of Commissioners recently took part in a two-day retreat at Barnsley Resort in Adairsville to tackle plans for finances, public safety, roads, and planning and zoning. The Board heard presentations from the finance department, sheriff’s office, fire department, community development, and human resources. Additionally, the Board discussed the upcoming Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST) renewal, as well as courthouse expansion and parking. To read the full report, as well as notes and information from other recent Board of Commissioners meetings, please visit CherokeeGa.com.
Donation Made to Cherokee Senior Services Meals on Wheels Program Cherokee County Senior Services, Trainhopper Disc Golf, and Stand Up For Seniors (formerly known as the Volunteer Aging Council) recently partnered to host the 21st Annual Cold Snake Classic Disc Golf Tournament to raise funds for Cherokee County’s Meals on Wheels program. The tournament was held at Sequoyah Park and drew 143 players from across the state. All proceeds from the event benefit Stand Up For Seniors, which supports the county’s Meals on Wheels program and other programs for local seniors. Tournament Director Mark Sheldon recently presented a check for $5,500 to the organization from funds raised at the event.For more information on Stand Up For Seniors, visit VAC-CherokeeGa.org, or to learn more about the Meals on Wheels program, visit Cherokeega.com/Senior-Services.
Woodstock’s 2022 Summer Concert Series Lineup Announced The Woodstock Summer Concert Series kicks off on May 14, with one concert held each month through September at the Northside Cherokee Amphitheater in downtown Woodstock. Here is this year’s exciting lineup: May 14 Marshall Charloff & Purple Xperience (Prince tribute)June 11 Sister HazelJuly 9 Drew Holcomb and The Neighbors Aug. 13 Black Jacket Symphony performs the Eagles’ Hotel CaliforniaSept. 10 Scotty McCreery
Cherokee Chamber Holds 51st Annual Meeting The Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce reflected on 2021 while announcing 2022 primary goals during the organization’s recent annual meeting. Sponsored by Northside Hospital Cherokee, the event featured Chick-fil-A Foundation Executive Director Rodney Bullard as the keynote speaker. In the changing of the guard, outgoing Board Chair Adam Smith passed the gavel to 2022 Chair Brian Stevens. The following volunteers were recognized for completing a three-year term on the Chamber Board: Dr. Brian Hightower, Cherokee County School District; Melissa Madigan, Truist; Katie Pearson, Northside Hospital Cherokee; Frank Reynolds, Cherokee County Sheriff; and Guillermo Sanabia, Wellstar. Recognized for serving on the Chamber Board for the past four years was Mandy Chapman, Roytec Industries. Immediate past Chair David Simmons, Chattahoochee Technical College Vice President for Facilities, was recognized for his six years of service. These volunteers are beginning a three-year term on the Chamber Board of Directors: Neil Blackman, Corblu Ecology Group, LLC; Mark Goddard, Cobb EMC; Brandon Hartley, AT&T Georgia; Eric Rein, Renasant Bank; Jeff Rusbridge, Dyer & Rusbridge, PC; Jennifer Stanley, Northside Hospital Cherokee; and Jay Street, Automated Solutions Consulting Group, Inc. Among the awards presented was the 47th Annual First Citizen of Cherokee County, which was bestowed upon longtime Cherokee County resident Robert F. Logan (top). Additional accolades went to Lead Edge Design Group, Inc., 2022 Small Business of the Year (middle); Next Step Ministries, 2022 Nonprofit of the Year (bottom); and Professional Benefits Consultants, 2022 Excellence in Customer Service Award winner. All four recipients were chosen by out-of-town judges.The 2021 Chairman’s Council Joan McFather Volunteer of the Year Award was presented to Kendall Jones with MUST Ministries, as he best exemplified ongoing dedication throughout the past year as a Chamber ambassador while contributing dozens of volunteer hours on the Chairman’s Council. This award, bearing the name of longtime Chamber volunteer Joan McFather, has been given in her name since her death in 2019. The mission of the Cherokee County Chamber, a Georgia Certified Chamber, is to promote business and the community while expanding the economy and enhancing the quality of life. To learn more about the Chamber, visit CherokeeChamber.com.
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