Cherokee County Communications Director Wins National Award During the recent National Information Officers Association’s (NIOA) Annual Conference, Communications Director Erika Neldner was awarded first place for Top Graphic Design Product. This prestigious recognition was in a highly competitive category, with more than 120 entries for the awards and more than a dozen submissions for the graphic design category.The NIOA Annual Conference attracts attendees from public safety and administrative agencies across the nation to encourage stronger media relations by providing educational information, training opportunities, and regional support for information officers.Neldner’s winning design was created for the 2023 Safety Superhero Day event. Tasked by the Fire Marshal’s Office to develop an event brand, she crafted a comic-book-themed design under the tagline "Not All Superheroes Wear Capes." This creative approach featured stock art graphics representing firefighters, EMTs/paramedics, police officers, and sheriff's deputies.
New Love Where You Live Initiative Is Live Love Where You Live is a heartfelt community initiative that celebrates the people who make Cherokee County a special place. Through a series of videos, residents share their personal stories, highlighting the strong sense of community and the reasons they love living in Cherokee. The initiative not only showcases the unique spirit of the county but also gives back to the community. Profits from the sale of specially designed T-shirts will be donated to local nonprofits, further supporting the compassionate actions that define the Cherokee County community.New videos will be posted to YouTube.com/@cherokeegagov on the first and third Fridays of each month.
Long Swamp Recreation Area Will Focus on Preservation, History, and Fun The creation of the Long Swamp Creek Recreation Area, located off Highway 372 in Ball Ground, is underway. The passive recreation park is part of the Northeast Cherokee Parks Master Plan and is situated where Long Swamp Creek meets the Etowah River.Cherokee County purchased the property in September 2019 for about $600,000 using the voter-approved SPLOST funding. Through the planning process, several public input meetings were held, and historians, the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, and historical documents including the Wauchope 1966 and Edwards-Pittman 2012 archeology studies were consulted. When completed, the project, which focuses on the preservation of both land and history, will feature the county’s first archery range, a kayak launch at the confluence of the Etowah River and Long Swamp Creek, primitive campsites, and an educational center featuring information and activities about the site and the Native American history of the area. It will also feature opportunities for residents to fish, view wildlife, and trail walk.Phase one encompasses the archery range, kayak launch, infrastructure, and restrooms. It is expected to be completed in about a year. Phase two will focus on the primitive campsites, a complete renovation of the existing home, additional restrooms, Native American interpretive and educational signage, open lawns, and picnic tables. Phase two is expected to be started in 2027. For more information about the project, visit PlayCherokee.org.
Cherokee County School District Announcements 09-24 River Ridge HS Senior Named Gatorade Player of the YearChris Asbridge is the 2023-24 Gatorade Georgia Boys Soccer Player of the Year, and he’s the first honoree for the sport to be chosen from River Ridge. A midfielder and forward, Asbridge helped lead the Knights varsity soccer team to a 21-1 record and the Class 6A state championship earlier this year, earning him the Region 6-AAAAAA Player of the Year award. So far, he has earned 25 goals and 13 assists in his high school varsity soccer career. The award recognizes not only outstanding athletic excellence but also, “high standards of academic achievement and exemplary character demonstrated on and off the field.” A member of the Student Athlete Leadership Team (SALT), Asbridge volunteers as an elementary school mentor and youth soccer coach as well as with his church.—————————————————Woodstock HS Student Earns National Video Production ScholarshipSenior Kai Schutlz earned the $5,000 Game Day Excellence Scholarship from Formetco Sports, which produces technology including the video LED scoreboards used for school football games and other events. The award was presented at the company’s summer learning program for students who run video scoreboards or participate in other school video, AV, &/or social media initiatives. As part of the honor, Schutlz will serve as the Formetco Connect Student Engagement Ambassador for the next school year to share his feedback with the company and his expertise with other high school students. —————————————————Dean Rusk MS Choral Group Selected for Statewide EventThe Dean Rusk MS Chorus, led by teacher and choral director Joseph Salter, will perform at the Georgia American Choral Directors Association Fall Conference next month at Kennesaw State University. Only four middle schools were selected to perform at this event, which is attended by music educators from across the state. The chorus also earned a grant, the only one awarded in the state, to commission a new piece of music that will be premiered at the concert.—————————————————Schools Win State Honors for Excellence in EducationAvery ES and Bascomb ES have won the prestigious School Bell Award from the Georgia Association of Elementary School Principals. The association presents the School Bell Award to no more than 10 schools in Georgia each year in recognition of outstanding curriculum and organizational leadership initiatives. It’s a rare feat to see two schools from the same school district honored in one year. Avery ES, led by Principal Dr. Lisa Turner, earned the award for its “You Are Loved” campaign. Bascomb ES, led by Principal Dr. Carolyn Daugherty, earned the award for its Bascomb Behavior Teams initiative.—————————————————Students Win Gold in Summer Special OlympicsCherokee County Special Olympics’ flag football team won gold at the Summer Games, and numerous students earned gold for individual swimming, tennis, and track and field events. Congratulations to the following gold medalists: FLAG FOOTBALLAiden Bailey, Creekview HS; Charlie Holderness, Creekview HS; Jamie Hunt (coach), Clayton ES; Wynn Murray, Mill Creek MS; Joey Sarrica, Transition Academy; Cody West, Transition AcademySWIMMINGLevel A Aquatics: Stevie Eifert, R.M. Moore ES STEM Academy, 10 M Assisted; Alex Kozlowski, Dean Rusk MS, 15 M Walk; Sahasra Rajesh, Hickory Flat ES, 10 M Assisted; Bryton Rawlings-Peterson, Woodstock HS, 10 M Assisted; Colton Wagener, Liberty ES, 10 M Assisted, 15 M Floatation; Christopher Yancy, Transition Academy, 10 M Assisted, 15 M Unassisted Level B/C Aquatics: Xavier Baldonado, Sequoyah HS, 50 M Freestyle; Del Cannon, Transition Academy, 25 M Freestyle; Sean Ela, Mill Creek MS, 25 M Freestyle; Nicole Fox, Transition Academy, 50 M Freestyle, 25 M Backstroke; Davis Kohl, Tippens EC, 50 M Freestyle; Brayden Mays, Dean Rusk MS, 25 M Freestyle, 25 M Backstroke; Nicolle Valle, Etowah HS, 25 M Freestyle; Merritt Wilson, Transition Academy, 25 M BreaststrokeSenior Unified Relay: Xavier Baldonado, Sequoyah HS; Del Cannon,Transition Academy; and Unified Partners Leia Lankford, Woodstock HS and Brayden Spivey, Cherokee HSSenior Traditional Relay: Andrew Barnes, Sequoyah HS; Nicolle Valle, Etowah HS; Merritt Wilson, Transition Academy and Remy Wilson, Woodstock HS TENNISUnified Doubles: Brody Wright, Transition Academy and Unified Partner Aven Wright, Cherokee HSTRACK & FIELDMatthew Bek, Transition Academy, Turbo Javelin and Lyric Welch, Liberty ES, 100M and Turbo Javelin
Cherokee County Sets New Millage Rate Following three public hearings, the Cherokee Board of Commissioners set the total 2024 millage rate, which provides funding for eight of the 36 Sheriff’s Office vacancies, 13 firefighters and a fourth Fire & Emergency Services battalion chief, and unfunded state mandates for elections, public safety technology previously paid for with grant funds, and expanded services for the recycling center.The Board set the Maintenance and Operations millage rate at 5.153 mills, the Fire rate at 2.888 mills, and the Parks Bond rate at 0.270 mills. The approval also includes adopting the Board of Education approved millage rates of 16.45 for School Maintenance and Operations and 1.5 mills for the School Bond.The total tax change for a home valued at $487,500 with a standard $5,000 homestead exemption is $52.44 for the year. Homestead properties that have accumulated additional homestead exemption savings via the floating homestead exemption will see a lesser financial impact. The floating homestead exemption applies to the county M&O rate. For more information, visit CherokeeCountyGa.gov.
City of Canton Comprehensive Citizen Survey Results More than 1,250 respondents shared their thoughts on high-level topics such as the overall direction of the City of Canton, resident amenities, direction of growth, public safety, City staff performance, and communications. The information is being processed and the complete results will be communicated soon. Citizen engagement and feedback are critical components in improving the effectiveness of Canton’s Roadmap for Success, a 15-year plan that continues to evolve based on the priorities defined by Canton’s residents and businesses.• Positive Progress Based on the results, 74% of Canton citizens agree that the city is heading in the right direction — a continued sign of positive progress. Citizens also shared constructive feedback regarding some concerns and frustrations, most of which focused on growing pains such as traffic and overcrowding. Most comments expressed a great deal of satisfaction with Canton’s small-town charm, recreational areas, community events, increased dining and restaurant options, and the extensive efforts to revitalize downtown Canton. When it comes to preserving the character of our city, residents support the continued protection and enhancement of the Etowah River, more outdoor gathering and dining spaces, improved downtown walkability, and additional sidewalks and trails throughout the city. • Ongoing Initiatives Areas of concern focused on traffic and transportation, housing and population density, and general issues about growth. The City of Canton has many ongoing initiatives to address residents’ primary concerns including its recently completed Citywide Master Transportation Plan, a new Downtown Master Plan, a Parks and Recreation Master Plan, recent updates to the Zoning Map and Unified Development Code, and the continued implementation of the goals and tactics in Canton’s roadmap. • #TheCoolestSmallTownInAmerica The majority of Canton citizens approve of and are enthusiastic about the direction the city is heading, as City staff and citizens work together to create the Coolest Small Town in America. “While many factors prevent the significant restraint of the growth patterns in Cherokee County and the region in general, it is imperative to engage our residents and businesses in our ongoing efforts to improve the quality of life for all who enjoy living, playing, working, and serving in Canton,” said Canton’s Mayor Bill Grant.
Nominees Sought for Leadership Cherokee The Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce is currently accepting nominations for the Leadership Cherokee Class of 2025. Leadership Cherokee boasts more than 710 graduates since the program’s inception in 1987. “A community engagement program, Leadership Cherokee produces experienced leaders for business, civic, and political roles in our community,” shared 2024 Chamber Board Chair Eric Rein.Leadership Cherokee aims to expand participants' knowledge and appreciation of Cherokee County. “Monthly programs for the Leadership Cherokee Class of 2025 will focus on a variety of topics such as education, justice, infrastructure, public safety, healthcare, government, tourism, social services, and economic development,” announced 2025 Leadership Cherokee Chair Tracey Satterfield Martin.Nominations for the Leadership Cherokee program will be accepted through October 1, 2024. Based upon the number of applications submitted, the Chamber will determine the number of candidates to be interviewed. The class, which varies in size each year, will be chosen in November. The program runs from January to September 2025 and costs $1,100 for Chamber members and $1,350 for non-Chamber members. For further information regarding Leadership Cherokee or to receive a nomination form, please call 770-345-0400 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Transportation Funding for Cherokee County Projects Transportation projects in Cherokee County received a funding boost as part of a $1.5 billion investment in transportation statewide. The Georgia Department of Transportation announced selected projects for funding infusion from Gov. Brian Kemp and the Georgia Legislature’s approval of an amendment to the FY2024 state budget.The State allocated $7.5 million for operational and capacity improvements to Highway 140 in North Fulton and Cherokee counties, with the funding slated for preliminary engineering; about $4.4 million for right-of-way acquisition for the Ball Ground Bypass project; and $1.2 million for improvements to the Cherokee County Regional Airport.For more information on the State’s project advancement efforts, visit SSF-GDOT.HUB.ARCGIS.com.
Banners for the Brave Is Accepting Applications The City of Canton wants to honor and remember those who bravely served our country. Banners for the Brave was launched last year and is a program that gives recognition to veterans to thank them for or remember their service.Veterans in the program will have their photo, name, branch of service, rank, &/or war in which they served featured on sponsored banners. Retired or honorably discharged members of the United States Armed Forces who reside in the city of Canton or resided in the city of Canton and are now deceased are eligible for the program.The City has designated the use of 60 light poles located throughout the downtown Canton area for Banners for the Brave. Available space is determined on a first-come, first-served basis among qualified applicants. All banner locations shall be determined solely by the City. Banners will be installed and displayed for approximately one month leading up to Veterans Day (approximately October 7-November 13, 2024).Individuals or organizations may sponsor the banners. Each banner is $100 (including production, installation, and removal) or $25 to rehang the banner if you participated last year. Applications will be accepted through September 12, 2024.
Bradshaw To Lead SPLOST Roadway Program Patrick Bradshaw began his new role as SPLOST Roadway Program director on July 25. He was selected for the role previously held by Jim Wilgus, who retired in May.The SPLOST Roadway Program director is responsible for the delivery of all capital roadway and related infrastructure projects in the SPLOST program. SPLOST (Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax) funding is generated by a 1% voter-approved sales tax.Bradshaw brings nearly two decades of transportation planning experience to Cherokee County and is well-versed in processes for securing federal and state funding for roadway projects.“Patrick’s decision to accept the position is exceptionally beneficial for Cherokee County,” said Community Development Agency Director Brantley Day. “We are fortunate to have a professional of his caliber to manage our SPLOST Roadway Program. He understands the importance of planning for projects and implementing programming while being a good steward of the SPLOST funding.”Bradshaw said he wants to ensure Cherokee County’s SPLOST Roadway Program is efficient and that the County maintains what it has and keeps roads in good repair. His plans align with the Board of Commissioners’ intentions to enhance the County’s repaving plan to a more frequent 25-year cycle, if funding allows. Bradshaw holds a Master of City and Regional Planning degree from the Georgia Institute of Technology and a Bachelor of Science in Urban Policy Studies degree from Georgia State University.
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