Farm Bureau Seeks Entries for 2024 Middle School Bookmark Contest Middle school students are invited to enter the 2024 Georgia Farm Bureau Middle School Bookmark Contest. The state winner will receive $150, and 10 district winners will each receive $100. The Cherokee County Farm Bureau encourages students to enter the contest, which is open to all public, private, and homeschooled students in grades 6-8. Participating students will be given a blank bookmark and asked to draw a picture that depicts some aspect of Georgia agriculture. Students may use crayons, markers, or colored pencils to create their bookmarks. Drawings will be judged on artistic merit as well as how well the artwork represents modern agriculture found in Cherokee County or Georgia. Students may enter the contest in the county in which they live or attend school but not both counties. Only one entry per person. For more information, visit GFB.Ag/contests or call the Cherokee County Farm Bureau at 770-479-1481 for an official entry form and contest rules. All entries must be received at the Cherokee County Farm Bureau office by February 10, 2024.
Fire Department Receives Grant for Car Seats Safe Kids Cherokee County, led by Cherokee County Fire & Emergency Services (CCFES), was awarded the 2024 Car Seat Mini-Grant by the Georgia Department of Public Health, Injury Prevention Program. Through the Mini-Grant, Safe Kids can provide car seats and education to financially eligible families in Cherokee County. This program is funded by the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety to help ensure Georgia’s children are safe while riding in motor vehicles.Since 2007, the education, car seats, and booster seats provided through the Mini-Grant prevented serious injury or death and saved over 425 of Georgia’s children who were involved in crashes. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, car seats reduce fatal injuries by 71% among infants and by 54% among children ages 1 to 4 years in passenger cars. Car seats offer the best protection for children in the event of a crash, and they are most effective when installed and used correctly. Nearly 3 out of every 4 car seats are not used properly, placing children at unnecessary risk.Safe Kids Cherokee County educates parents and caregivers on how to properly install and use car seats, offers car seat inspections, and provides car seats and booster seats to financially eligible families. For more information about the Safe Kids Cherokee County car seat program, visit CherokeeCountyFire.com.
Share Your Feedback for Canton’s Parks & Rec Master Plan The City of Canton wants your feedback during the development of its Parks & Recreation Master Plan. A short online survey is offered in English and Spanish, and it can be completed in 10 minutes or less on your phone, tablet, or desktop computer. Questions cover everything from what you like and don't like, what is working, what needs improvement, and things you would like to have now or in the near future. Your input will help shape the best outcome for Parks & Recreation in the City of Canton. The survey can be found at SurveyMonkey.com/r/CantonParks.
Water Pollution Control Plant Administration Building Dedicated The City of Canton recently dedicated the newly constructed administration building at the Water Pollution Control Plant. City Council, staff, and the plant's construction team gathered to officially open the building with a ribbon cutting and plaque dedication. The administration building, which sits on the front corner of the plant and at the entrance to Boling Park, is a little over 3,000 square feet. This state-of-the-art facility features a 550-square-foot laboratory, central SCADA system, office space, conference and training room, storage, and a break room. Phase I of the Water Pollution Control Plant expansion is expected to be completed early this year.
Rotary Club of Canton Bestows Lifetime Achievement Award Care, compassion, and commitment describe a prominent member of the Cherokee County community. The Rotary Club of Canton recently presented its Lifetime Achievement Award to Marguerite Cline.The plaque presented to Cline reads, “In recognition of your outstanding leadership and amazing heart for service. You are an inspiration to all of us.” The award presented by Rotary Club President Francisco Lozano and past President JoEllen Wilson marks the first time in 10 years an individual has been recognized.Cline spent more than 50 years making an impact on her community. After teaching elementary students for 20 years, she became the first and only woman to serve as superintendent in Cherokee County, the first woman to be elected mayor of Waleska, and the first woman elected chairman of the board at the Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce.
Cherokee Recreation and Parks Wins Statewide Awards Cherokee Recreation and Parks was recently honored with awards at the Georgia Recreation and Park Association’s Annual Conference, which drew attendees from park agencies in cities and counties throughout the state. Of the awards received, Cherokee Recreation and Parks earned Outstanding Program for TRopical Night at the Oasis at the Cherokee County Aquatic Center. The program is designed for individuals with special needs and includes a night of swimming, games, and fun at the aquatic center’s indoor recreational pool. “We are very honored to have received this award,” said Cherokee Recreation and Parks Director Jay Worley. “We have accomplished so much this year, and it is all in part to our hardworking staff who continue to take on new projects with excitement and enthusiasm.” Additionally, Yvonne Curtis was named Volunteer of the Year. Curtis volunteers for Cherokee Recreation and Parks’ Youth Athletics Programs, specifically Georgia Academy Baseball where she serves as the team visibility committee chair, ensuring the organization’s presence across multiple platforms.
Cherokee Fire Celebrates 50 Years of Service On December 8, 1973, the Oak Grove Volunteer Fire Department was established. Three years later, it became the first career fire department in unincorporated Cherokee County and has grown into what we know today as Cherokee County Fire & Emergency Services (CCFES). Nearly 300 fire department members, retirees, and friends of the fire service recently came together to celebrate CCFES’s 50th Anniversary. The event included a welcome message from Deputy Chief Kevin Lanier, presentation of the colors by the CCFES Honor Guard, invocation by Chaplain Dana McPherson, testimonials by citizens impacted by CCFES over the years, remarks from Cherokee County Board of Commissioners Chairman Harry Johnston, keynote speaker introduction by Deputy Chief Shane West, and an address by Fire Chief Eddie Robinson. The keynote speaker, Sean Georges, was invited to talk at this event due to his wealth of leadership knowledge and his personal life experiences that led him to have a great appreciation for public safety professionals. Georges spent several days before the event participating in a ride-a-long with the firefighters of CCFES. He opened his speech by saying “I am amazed by these men and women.” He added, “They are professional at the highest level.” During his address, Georges emphasized that leaders have a sacred responsibility to serve their teammates in the direction of a shared mission. He told the story about how his daughter’s life was saved by first responders who met their responsibility to lead as a team, stayed mission-focused, and had the audacity of belief. After Georges’ speech, Fire Chief Eddie Robinson recognized the fire department retirees in the audience as well as past and present elected officials, public safety agency directors, and the county manager. Chief Robinson closed out the event by reading the names of the Cherokee County firefighters who served in CCFES and are no longer with us. “Tradition has it that in the early days of firefighting, a company would receive an alarm by ringing in a code. The alarm code 5-5-5 would signify a company returning home to quarters,” said Robinson.Robinson invited everyone to stand and hold hands, as he rang a bell in the 5-5-5 sequence. A video highlighting the event can be viewed at Youtube.com/@CherokeeCountyFire.
Cherokee Area Transportation Receives Perfect Triennial Review Score The Cherokee Area Transportation System (CATS) recently celebrated receiving a clean 2023 Triennial Review from the Federal Transportation Administration (FTA). The triennial review process for transportation is a rigorous and thorough assessment that evaluates various aspects of transit agencies’ operations. This assessment spans multiple areas, ensuring compliance with federal regulations, safety protocols, and operational standards.“The review process typically covers a three-year period,” said CATS Director Greg Powell. “In our case, it was extended to four years due to the disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. This adjustment allowed for a more comprehensive examination of CATS’ performance and adherence to standards.”During these evaluations, the FTA examines categories including but not limited to ADA compliance, procurement procedures, drug and alcohol policies, and vehicle maintenance. Each area is analyzed to ensure that transit agencies adhere to set guidelines and maintain high standards in their operations.Interdepartmental collaboration was key to the evaluation’s success. Several county departments that included Procurement, Finance, Risk Management, Fleet Maintenance, and Property Maintenance worked in contributing their expertise and efforts to facilitate a successful review process, ensuring that CATS met the necessary standards and requirements.To learn more about CATS, visit CherokeeGa.com/transportation.
Lt. Kennedy Recognized by Georgia Smoke Diver Association The Georgia Smoke Diver Association recently recognized Robbie Kennedy, a lieutenant with Cherokee County Fire & Emergency Services (CCFES), for his exceptional commitment and contributions to the association. The association is a nonprofit organization that is known for providing advanced firefighter training through a program titled Georgia Smoke Diver Course.Lt. Kennedy attended and completed the Georgia Smoke Diver course in 1992. Since becoming a Georgia smoke diver, he has demonstrated dedication to the program, and fire service in general, by returning semiannually to assist with instructing students and staffing the program. About 10 years ago, he began cooking all meals for the students, instructors, and dignitaries through his catering company, which equates to preparing approximately 160 meals a day during the week-long course.Lt. Kennedy currently serves as a training officer for CCFES and has also served as a career firefighter since 1999. Before working as a career firefighter, he served as a volunteer firefighter for the Hickory Flat Volunteer Fire Department.To learn more about the Georgia Smoke Diver Association, visit GeorgiaSmokeDiver.com.
When It Rains, It Pollutes — Protect Our Stormwater Stormwater runoff is rain that flows off streets, rooftops, and lawns, and it carries pollutants such as oil and grease, lawn fertilizers, chemicals, pet waste, litter, and other contaminants into our waterways. These pollutants are harmful to people, animals, and aquatic life. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency estimates that 80% of water pollution is caused by stormwater runoff. What can you do to help?Never dump anything on the streets, down a storm drain, or into a drainage ditch.Clean up after your pet in your yard, on walks, and in parks. Canton Parks & Recreation provides pet waste stations in all its dog friendly parks.Always check your vehicles for leaks and repair them.Support Keep Cherokee Beautiful and other programs by throwing litter in its proper place. Questions? Reach out to Public Works by calling 770-720-7674.
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