Highlights from the Mayor's State of the City Address

2016 continued to build on the successes we have had as a city over the past decade. Our downtown continues to be recognized as a model across the state of Georgia and the southeast. We continue to be recognized as a great place to “live, work and play.”

In 2016:

• We acknowledged our first 30-year employee — Sgt. Robert Bryant in the Fire Department.
• Construction of the Northside Hospital-Cherokee Amphitheater was completed in November. This new facility, which was funded by SPLOST and Impact fees, will be the flagship of Woodstock Parks and Recreation for years to come. Additionally, our Senior Center’s membership grew by 116 new members, and construction of the Rubes Creek Trail was completed.
• The Finance Department received the Government Finance Officers Association Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting for the 23rd consecutive year. In addition, we were awarded the Distinguished Budget Award for 2016; this is the first time Woodstock has received this award since 1998.
• For the 4th year in a row, Woodstock won the Mayor Recycling Challenge.
• The Woodstock Fire Department responded to 5,497 calls for service. Fire personnel also reached over 41,500 people through various outreach efforts, including performing fire alarm blitzes at the Cottages of Woodstock and The Willows Senior Living Community.
• Woodstock Public Works Department restriped over 5.2 miles of roadways, completed the resurfacing and curb installation on Dobbs Road, completed the addition of an 8’ sidewalk, with curb and gutter, on Dupree Road, between Reeves Street and Goshen Lane, and constructed the Trolley Stop at City Center. Parking lot expansions also took place at various locations. The Stormwater Division was awarded the 2016 Governmental Partnership Award from Rivers Alive for the Annual Little River Stream Clean-up effort.
• Downtown Woodstock and our partners hosted over 220 events attended by over 110,000 people.
• The Community Development Department stayed busy in 2016, permitting a wide array of residential and commercial projects.
• The Woodstock Police Department responded to 34,000 calls for service. During the year, officers conducted 1,307 foot patrols and numerous bike patrols to promote more direct citizen-officer contact. The Department also participated in 133 community and other special events.

These items really only scratch the surface of the things that were accomplished in 2016. It’s easy to hit the high points, but we shouldn’t lose sight of what is accomplished on a daily basis.  In closing, I would like to leave you with a quote from Former President Abraham Lincoln, “I do the very best I know how — the very best I can, and I mean to keep on doing so until the end.”

Mayor Donnie Henriques delivered the State of the City address at the City Council meeting on January 23, 2017. The full version is available for viewing at WoodstockGa.gov under Government — Mayor and Council.

Here’s to a successful 2017!