Woodstock Notes

Members of the local development community recently gathered to learn about current trends and projects relating to transportation in downtown Woodstock and the surrounding area.The event was hosted by City of Woodstock Community Development Department and the Council for Quality Growth, a not-for-profit trade association that works every day to ensure the metro Atlanta region’s regulatory environment supports quality growth and development.

City of Woodstock Police Department and Fire and Rescue have some tips to help keep your loved ones and your property safe in the coming months. Taking the time to think through possible hazardous scenarios related to holiday shopping and trimming the tree can make a big difference.In the weeks before Thanksgiving, replace the batteries in your smoke detectors and go over an emergency exit plan with your family.

The City of Woodstock mayor and council serve four-year terms with staggered elections. Staggered elections mean that the mayor and council seats for Wards 1, 3, and 5 are elected in one election cycle, and council seats for Wards 2, 4, and 6 are elected during the next election cycle. Municipal elections are held in odd-numbered years, two years apart.This year is the election cycle for Council Member David Potts, Ward 2; Council Member Tracy Collins, Ward 4; and Council Member Rob Usher, Ward 6. Each of their terms expire December 31, 2019.

Woodstock Parks and Recreation Department is hosting a health and fitness fair Saturday, September 7, in conjunction with the September AMPED in the Park monthly fitness event at Northside Hospital Cherokee Amphitheater. The fair will take place following the regularly scheduled hour-long AMPED in the Park workout that begins at 8:00am.The AMPED in the Park Fair goes until 1:00pm. There will be fitness demonstrations on the amphitheater stage and a variety of vendors, businesses, and organizations on-site to educate citizens about the wealth of fitness, health, and wellness options available in Woodstock. Health, fitness, and wellness businesses interested in participating should contact amphitheater manager Jamey Snyder. Healthful restaurants and makers of wellness products are also welcomed to participate.

The Woodstock Police Department, in partnership with other local public safety agencies, joins forces with thousands of communities nationwide for the 36th annual National Night Out to be held Tuesday, August 6, 2019, from 6:00-9:00pm in The Park at City Center (101 Arnold Mill Road, Woodstock).National Night Out is designed to heighten crime and drug prevention awareness, generate support for and participation in local anti-crime efforts, strengthen police and community partnerships, and send a message to criminals that neighborhoods are uniting to fight crime.

Woodstock’s journey to go green began in 2009 after receiving stimulus grants for demonstration projects such as the solar panel display at the City Chambers building and the installation of solar hot water heaters at Fire Station #10. These projects, along with adopting the first citywide Sustainability Policy, are among a laundry list of other measures completed by City staff that allowed Woodstock to earn the Atlanta Regional Commission’s Green Communities Certification at the bronze level in 2010 and gold in 2015.The Green Communities Program assists local governments with implementing measures that will reduce their environmental footprint not only within government buildings but throughout the entire city. The resulting successes, much like green energy, have generated their own momentum and created a cycle of expanding efforts and incentives.

As the City of Woodstock prepares for this year’s July 4th celebration, we’ve been looking back at our past Independence Day parades and traditions. Although the way we celebrate July 4th in the City of Woodstock may have changed from year to year, one thing remains the same: Woodstock always shows its down-home patriotic pride.Remember when skydivers used to land in the middle of Main Street just before the parade, or when residents enjoyed hot air balloon rides and go-cart races? How about past grand marshals, including Corky Jones, Don Hatcher, Earl and Linda Mulkey, Chester Reeve, and Lillie Mae Brownlee? Do you recall when the fireworks were displayed at Dupree Park, the old Woodstock Elementary School field, or downtown City Park?

The official July 4th tradition started in 1997 with the celebration of Woodstock’s 100th birthday. Since the city charter was granted in 1897, the Woodstock Centennial Commission planned a year-round 100th birthday celebration, including the building and dedication of Woodstock’s Centennial Park, now called The Park at City Center. In 2015, the event name changed to the City of Woodstock July 4th Spectacular.

Beginning this month, the Georgia Environmental Protection Division (EPD) open burning ban will be in effect for 54 Georgia counties including Cherokee County. This ban has been in place during the summer ozone season since 2005.Citizens and businesses are prohibited from burning yard and land-clearing debris from May 1 through September 30. The open burning ban is in addition to the rule that prohibits the burning of household garbage, which is never allowed anywhere in Georgia.

Ground-level ozone, which is most commonly produced in the heat of the summer, can cause lung inflammation as well as other health problems. Open burning creates particle pollution, which consists of extremely small particles that can increase the risk of a heart attack or stroke.

Now that it is officially spring, we look to warmer days and outdoor fun. Downtown Woodstock has something to offer everyone. After dining at your favorite restaurant or shopping at your favorite store, head over to Northside Hospital Cherokee Amphitheater (NHCA), located on the lower level of The Park at City Center, for an event with family and friends.Designed to be the home of the Woodstock Summer Concert Series, the NHCA hosts a concert every second Saturday evening, May through September. The venue welcomes more than 50,000 folks each year to the concert series, which is in its 22nd season.

The NHCA also offers other activities. “We built the amphitheater to house the summer concerts to be sure,” said City of Woodstock Director of Parks and Recreation Preston Pooser. “But we have tons of fun things going on out there all the time.”

The William G. Long Senior Center is a place where members expand their experiences and enjoy life through daily interactions, activities, special interest classes, and trips. By providing an inviting and comfortable environment for 630 members, the staff strives to make each senior feel welcome and at home every day.Members enjoy many fun weekly activities, especially line dancing, exercise classes, billiards, woodcarving, and various card and board games. An extensive library on site and two computer stations provide members with a place to read, research on the internet, and email friends and family.

The City of Woodstock has experienced a historic Renaissance that includes an emphasis on live/work/play development with parks, trails, entertainment, commercial facilities, and a vibrant downtown. Phenomenal success and growth lead to obvious challenges in the provision of infrastructure to support the community. Woodstock Water has met those challenges with a variety of capital improvement projects, including the development of new water sources to ensure the growing supply of high-quality drinking water for decades to come.Woodstock Water has traditionally maintained water supplies from two wholesale providers in Cobb and Cherokee counties. These water sources originate from the Chattahoochee River and Lake Allatoona. The City of Woodstock recognized the advantages of further diversifying beyond those sources to establish a new supply of drinking water from groundwater wells. This diversification plan culminated in 2017 with the construction of five groundwater production facilities. Each production facility pumps groundwater from deep wells and professionally treats the water according to strict Environmental Protection Division guidelines before being added to the distribution network.

The City of Woodstock has experienced a historic Renaissance that includes an emphasis on live/work/play development with parks, trails, entertainment, commercial facilities, and a vibrant downtown. Phenomenal success and growth lead to obvious challenges in the provision of infrastructure to support the community. Woodstock Water has met those challenges with a variety of capital improvement projects, including the development of new water sources to ensure the growing supply of high-quality drinking water for decades to come.Woodstock Water has traditionally maintained water supplies from two wholesale providers in Cobb and Cherokee counties. These water sources originate from the Chattahoochee River and Lake Allatoona. The City of Woodstock recognized the advantages of further diversifying beyond those sources to establish a new supply of drinking water from groundwater wells. This diversification plan culminated in 2017 with the construction of five groundwater production facilities. Each production facility pumps groundwater from deep wells and professionally treats the water according to strict Environmental Protection Division guidelines before being added to the distribution network.

Every January, the mayor is tasked with recapping the highlights of the prior year at Woodstock’s City Council meeting in what is fondly known as the “State of the City Address.” This year, the mayor will give this address at the January 28 Regular Meeting of the Mayor and Council at 7:00pm at The Chambers at City Center (8534 Main Street, Woodstock).To give you a preview of what you might hear, here are a few of the exciting things that happened in 2018:

This past September, the City of Woodstock’s mayor and council passed an ordinance to allow personal transportation vehicles and modified golf carts to operate on public right-of-way with a posted speed of 25 mph within City limits. Certain restrictions apply.The ordinance is effective March 1, 2019. Between January 1 and March 1, owners will need to register their vehicles with the Woodstock Community Development Department to be in compliance with the ordinance. Registered vehicles will receive a decal with a registration number assigned to the PTV that must be affixed to the rear fender directly behind the driver. Vehicles operating on private property only are exempt from this ordinance.

The tradition of the Christmas Jubilee Parade began on December 6, 1997, in celebration of the City of Woodstock’s Centennial. The City Charter was granted by the State Legislature on December 8, 1897. We celebrated the Woodstock’s 120th birthday in 2017!An important part of this tradition is the lead entry of the Parade, featuring Mayor Donnie Henriques, along with the Citizen of the Year, Bonny Keheley, who was chosen by Preservation Woodstock in recognition of her efforts in historic preservation for our City. 

The date for the Parade is always on the first Saturday in December. Part of this decision was the availability of our high school bands to march in the Parade. The City manager and City Council feel that the marching bands are a very valuable asset to the Parade, and we love being able to showcase their talent.

On Wednesday, October 31, the City of Woodstock is celebrating Halloween with all our younger ghouls and goblins in The Park at City Center, 101 Arnold Mill Road, from 3:00-8:00pm. As a safe alternative to trick or treating, bring the family, and enjoy activities for children of all ages. With activities such as a moonwalk, DJ Ronnie playing some spooky tunes, Tim the Magician, Adam the Juggler, festive games, and the ever-popular stringed apple and pumpkin bowling, this event is sure to be a haunting good time.

Please join the City of Woodstock for their annual Day of Remembrance Ceremony, which will be held on Tuesday, September 11 in The Park at City Center in downtown Woodstock. The Ceremony, scheduled to begin at 6:00pm, will honor and remember the men and women who lost their lives seventeen years ago in the horrific attacks on our country. The men and women who continue to fight for our freedoms including our military, police, and fire departments will also be honored. A limited supply of 9/11 Remembrance lapel pins will be handed out to those in attendance.At the conclusion of the Ceremony, take a few moments to visit Woodstock’s 9/11 Memorial in The Park at City Center. The Memorial features two twelve-foot subway tracks from the subway station beneath the World Trade Center. In 2016, Woodstock was selected to receive the recovered tracks from the Port Authority of New York. City of Woodstock personnel traveled to JFK International Airport in New York, received these artifacts, and brought them back to Woodstock.

The Woodstock Police and Fire Departments are now accepting applications for the fall Citizens’ Public Safety Academy, which is scheduled to begin on Thursday, August 30, 2018.Citizens’ Public Safety Academy is a series of educational classes designed to enhance the understanding of various aspects within the police and fire profession. The program is intended to strengthen the relationship between citizens and the Woodstock Police and Fire Departments as well as spotlight the responsibilities of public safety personnel and the inherent risks associated with these professions.

The Woodstock Police Department, in partnership with other local public safety agencies, will join forces with thousands of communities nationwide for the 35th Annual National Night Out, which will be held on Tuesday, August 7, from 6:00-9:00pm in The Park at City Center (101 Arnold Mill Road).National Night Out is designed to heighten crime and drug prevention awareness, generate support for and participation in local anti-crime efforts, strengthen police and community partnerships, and send a message to criminals that neighborhoods are uniting together to fight crime.

Independence Day is just around the corner. It is a time for parades, food, family, and yes — fireworks. Many families in our area are planning to have their own private fireworks display rather than attending a public display.Each year, the Woodstock Fire Department responds to calls for service as a result of carelessness and/or the improper use of fireworks. In an effort to keep yourself and the people around you safe, please consider the following fireworks safety recommendations from The National Council on Fireworks Safety: