Cherokee County Finance Receives Prestigious Award For the fifth year in a row, Cherokee County has been recognized by the Georgia Finance Officers Association (GFOA) of the United States and Canada for its excellence in budgeting. Cherokee County earned the Distinguished Budget Presentation Award given by the GFOA, which reflects the commitment of its governing body and staff to meeting the highest principles of governmental budgeting. To qualify for the award, Cherokee County had to satisfy nationally recognized guidelines. Administrative Services Agency Director Stacey Williams lauded the work of the finance team, especially Planning and Analysis Manager Ariana Freimuth, who is responsible for compiling the extensive document submitted to the GFOA. The award also includes a Certificate of Recognition for Freimuth.The GFOA advances excellence in government finance by providing best practices, professional development, resources, and practical research for more than 21,000 members and the communities they serve.
Canton Youth Completes Successful Reign as Miss Georgia “Small but Mighty” certainly describes 10-year-old Canton resident Tia DiMartino who is ending her reign as Miss Georgia for the National American Miss (NAM) organization this month when she crowns her successor. The NAM organization is one of the largest youth pageant systems in the world, and it focuses on building confidence in young women. DiMartino caught the judges’ attention during her personal introduction, interview, and evening gown competitions. She stood out as being a young leader through her creation of “VolunteerKid,” which aims to inspire youth volunteerism. She also won the talent and actress competitions for Georgia. After being crowned Miss Georgia, she went on to place in the Top 10 at NAM Nationals in Orlando last November. DiMartino has big plans to continue competing in the NAM system and to continue to advocate for youth volunteerism through her website, VolunteerKid.org.
City of Canton Special Project Updates Laurel Canyon and Amos Road Booster Pump StationsIdentified as part of the City’s water master plan, these projects will enhance water distribution services in the northern part of Canton. This is Canton’s greatest range of topographies, and the booster pumps assist in making sure there are not low-pressure areas. These projects are on schedule. The new pump station building for Laurel Canyon recently arrived and was placed on site. Part of the Amos Road project included the installation of two new valves. Harmon Park ImprovementsThis project includes upgrading facilities at Canton’s oldest recreational fields including a rebuild of bleachers, roof and siding replacements, new picnic tables, playground improvements, and new efficient fixtures in the restrooms. This project will be completed this summer.Etowah River Trail WestwardThe connecting trail project between Heritage Park and Boling Park continues. This project includes an upgrade to the sewer line in this stretch. As the sewer line is installed, a new trail will be built within this easement area. The line installation is completed at Heritage Park. Trail repairs in that area of Heritage that were disrupted are being made, and sod will be installed. The pad for the outdoor plyometric gym will be poured, so that this new amenity can be installed.Water Pollution Control PlantWork continues on the upgrade to the Water Pollution Control Plant (sewer) near the entrance of Boling Park. Concrete pours for new basins are occurring. This project is a $65 million investment, taking the City from a treatment capacity of 4-million gallons per day to 6-million gallons per day.
Be Pro Be Proud Georgia Announces $600,000 Funding Commitment Be Pro Be Proud Georgia – a comprehensive initiative that connects students throughout the state to high demand, high paying careers – recently announced it is the recipient of a $600,000 grant from The Marcus Foundation. The Foundation’s commitment represents Be Pro Be Proud Georgia’s largest investment to date.Launched in July 2020, Be Pro Be Proud Georgia brings awareness of the skilled professions directly to students through an interactive mobile workshop and website that features 15 of Georgia’s most in-demand professions along with statewide training programs and companies looking to hire talent. Since its launch, Be Pro Be Proud Georgia has hosted more than 9,600 students with 51 tour stops. The Marcus Foundation’s generous two-year investment will help Be Pro Be Proud continue to attract talent to Georgia’s high demand industry sectors and change public perception about these valuable careers. To learn more about this initiative, visit BeProBeProudGa.org.
Johnson Honored as Distinguished First Responder of the Year The award was presented to Johnson during National EMS Week, which recognizes the contributions of those who work on the medical front line. Northside Hospital Cherokee honored Johnson at an outdoor event on the ambulance ramp at the hospital. The plaque will be placed in the EMS lounge.
CCWSA Coloring Contest Winners Cherokee County Water and Sewerage Authority is pleased to announce the winners of the Drinking Water Week coloring contest. “There When You Need It” was this year’s theme. The contest was open to kindergarten through third grade Cherokee County students. Out of almost 1,000 entries, winners for each grade plus two honorable mentions were awarded:Kindergarten: Avery Clanton, Johnston ES1st Grade: Mauvick Carlson, Arnold Mill ES2nd Grade: Rylee Morris, Clayton ES3rd Grade and Grand Prize: Riley Turner, R.M. Moore ES2nd Grade Honorable Mention: Felicia Untung, Johnston ES3rd Grade Honorable Mention: Grace Hanner, Ball Ground (homeschool)
CCSD Students Selected for Georgia Governor’s Honors Program The four-week summer instructional program at Berry College for rising high school juniors and seniors is designed to provide students with academic, cultural, and social enrichment “necessary to become the next generation of global critical thinkers, innovators, and leaders.” Students live and study on the campus from June 20-July 17.Students apply for a specific area of study and are screened and interviewed locally and at the state level as part of the selection process for the prestigious program.The Cherokee County School District (CCSD) students selected for this honor, with their area of study noted, are Cherokee HS’s Sarah Liebert – music, Douglas Mwangi – music, Bradon Velueta – mathematics, and Carly Waugh – music; Creekview HS’s Kylie Buchanan – science and Phoebe Feibus – music; Etowah HS’s Bryanna Cali – music and Ryan Lofland – music; River Ridge HS’s Isabella Espinal – dance, Ava Henager – music, and Madison Park – music; Sequoyah HS’s Lily Carras – communicative arts, George Chemmala – mathematics, and Taryn Mareau – communicative arts.
Jerry R. Griffin Excellence in Public Service Award Announced Cherokee County Manager Jerry Cooper was presented the Association of County Commissioners of Georgia's (ACCG) Jerry R. Griffin Excellence in Public Service Award at his recent retirement ceremony. “It was an honor to receive the Jerry R. Griffin Excellence in Public Service Award,” said Cooper. “I have been blessed to have the opportunity to work with outstanding chairmen and commissioners, agency directors, employees, and community leaders, who for 20 years have made Cherokee County a great place to live, work, and raise a family.”Created in honor of ACCG’s previous executive director who served as the association’s leader for more than 23 years, the award recognizes an individual who has worked toward achieving a lasting positive impact on his or her community.Cooper has served as Cherokee County manager for 20 years. Prior to his time with the county government, he served as the city manager for Woodstock. He is credited with keeping Cherokee County’s tax burden the lowest in the metro-Atlanta region as well as doubling the parks and green space, enhancing fire and emergency services, and helping Cherokee achieve the lowest crime rate in the metro-Atlanta region.Cooper is also commended for completing numerous projects to provide services to residents as well as assisting with the allocation of funds for the Cherokee County Regional Airport expansion and the Cherokee County Development Authority for the development of the Circle 75 Industrial Park.
Cherokee Chamber Announces Award Winners The Chamber of Commerce presented the 46th Annual First Citizen of Cherokee County recognition to longtime resident Jim Lindenmayer. Additional accolades went to Killian Automotive, 2021 Small Business of the Year; In Harmony Pediatric Therapy, 2021 Excellence in Customer Service Award winner; and Cherokee FOCUS, Nonprofit of the Year. Out-of-town judges chose all recipients. Jay Street with ASC Group received the Chairman’s Council Joan McFather Volunteer of the Year Award since he best exemplified ongoing dedication 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 Chamber also announced this year’s Top 10 in 10 Young Professionals To Watch, which recognizes residents under age 40 who are considered to be Cherokee County’s up-and-coming leaders over the next 10 years.Top 10 in 10 Young Professionals To Watch: Jeremy Adams, assistant principal and athletic director, Cherokee High School; Anna Teal, owner, Teal Marketing, LLC; Lindsay Bowley, coordinator of recruitment, Cherokee County School District; Elizabeth Lanier Evans, clinical nurse manager, Northside Hospital Cherokee; Robert Capovilla, founding partner, Capovilla and Williams. (Back Row, L-R): Angela Glowcheski, deputy director, Sequoyah Regional Library System; Brian Albrecht, president and CEO, Credit Union of Georgia; Christopher Brazelton, executive director, Elm Street Cultural Arts Village, Inc.; Coty Thigpen, assistant city manager, City of Woodstock; Savannah Holcomb, school library media specialist, River Ridge High School.
Welcome to Sunnyside! Driving along Marietta Road in south Canton, you may have noticed bright new welcome signs. As development is shifting from downtown to the river, it is important that the entry point to the city along Exit 16 is attractive, clean, safe, and moving forward. The City is working hand-in-hand with the council and the neighborhood to help drive economic investment into the Marietta Road area, known to many as Sunnyside. This will include opportunities for commercial and residential investment, activation of public park space, improvement for transportation and infrastructure, and community pride. Learn more at CantonGa.gov/government/departments/community-development/sunnyside.
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