Woodstock City Council Appoints New City Clerk Last month, Mayor Michael Caldwell read a resolution that appointed Administrative Services Director Robyn Adams as Woodstock’s new city clerk. The City Council adopted the resolution by a 6-0 vote.In Woodstock, the city clerk is a charter role appointed by the City Council. Responsibilities include keeping records of the proceedings of the City Council and maintaining all records and documents of the City’s affairs. Adams joined the City of Woodstock in January 2023 as manager of Grants and Administrative Services. Her new title will be city clerk/administrative services director. As administrative services director, Adams supervises the work of the deputy city clerk, the grants manager, municipal court services, and utility billing.
Announcing Visit Woodstock GA Event Dates for 2024 First, two new shopping events have been created: the Valentine Bingo Card Event, which runs February 1-14, and the Lottery Scratch-Off Discount Card Event in August (specific dates TBD). The 2024 Pub Crawl Series, featuring food and drink specials at downtown food establishments, is as follows: • February 10 - Mardi Gras• May 4 - Cinco (Quatro) de Mayo• July 6 - Independence Day• October 5 - OktoberfestVisit Woodstock’s Family Fun Night Series will return on the third Thursday of each month, May through August. These family-friendly theme nights include fun activities planned throughout downtown and culminate with a movie on the Woodstock Arts Event Green. In the Spring Sip + Shop on March 21 and the Holiday Sip + Shop on November 21 events, visitors to downtown Woodstock can enjoy specials and goodies offered by retailers and food establishments. Visit Woodstock GA also offers a Walking Tour Series — fun, informational, small group tours focused on a particular topic of interest such as history, trail system information, or architecture/development. The tours are scheduled for the fourth Thursday of the month, April through October. For foodies, Taste of Woodstock will return to the Woodstock Arts Event Green and Market Street on September 12. This annual event brings Woodstock restaurants to one space to highlight their cuisines by offering small bites. The outdoor Farm. Fresh. Market. will also return for its 11th season in Woodstock. It will run every Saturday from April 22 through December 28. For up-to-date event information, please check VisitWoodstockGa.com.
Cherokee County School District Announcements Career Education Teacher HonoredSequoyah HS teacher Casandra Hembree, who leads the school’s Work-Based Learning (WBL) program, received the Outstanding Achievement in Career Awareness and Exploration Award from the Georgia Department of Education (DOE). The award was presented at the Georgia DOE’s WBL and Youth Apprenticeship Conference at which Hembree also was recognized for completing the department’s Top Gun Training for WBL teachers. The WBL program allows high school students to earn school credit while working in a job related to their Career Pathway studies.Superintendent Earns Prestigious Educational Leadership AwardSuperintendent of Schools Dr. Brian V. Hightower recently was presented with the inaugural Dr. Gregory E. Arnsdorff Servant Leadership Award by the international educational accreditation agency Cognia. The award is named for the late Dr. Arnsdorff who served as senior director of client services for Cognia until his passing. The special honor was presented to Dr. Hightower at Cognia’s recent Impact Conference in Atlanta. The new award honors longtime outstanding service by an educational leader on behalf of Georgia’s students and families.Sequoyah HS Sets New Record for Music ProgramThe Sequoyah HS chorus saw a record 23 students selected for All-State Chorus. Students must audition for the elite choral program, which will be presented by the Georgia Music Educators Association in February at The Classic Center in Athens. Choral Director Joshua Markham said the achievement is a major accomplishment for the individual students and the program.Selected students are Max Aaron, Asher Bennett, Braylee Bryant, Sofia Castillo, Elena Dagostino, Teagan Durham, Paige George, Alex Gilliam, Kaitlyn Hartman, Lizzie Hatch, Blythe Hilliard, Parker Ingram, Emma Jira, Andrew Latimer, Matthew Lorenz, Madeleine Markham, James Markham, Ben Offenberg, Derik Pedro-Espinoza, Adrian Perez Arciniegas, Sasha Sins, Lily Ward, and Dakota Youngblood.Creekview HS Student Wins First Place in Statewide Spelling Quiz BowlAs part of the Georgia Career and Technical Instruction program’s Fall Leadership Conference, students from across the state participate in academic, career readiness, and leadership skills events including quiz bowl competitions on core academic topics. Creekview HS sophomore Thomas Wang earned first place in the statewide spelling quiz bowl. A member of the school’s Emerging Leaders program, Wang additionally entered the conference’s “Activate Dreams” T-shirt design competition.River Ridge HS Students Earn Honors at Statewide Career Skills CompetitionThe River Ridge HS SkillsUSA chapter earned the Chapter of Excellence Award at the Georgia SkillsUSA Fall Leadership Conference. The award recognizes career education programs that demonstrate exceptional integration of personal, workplace, and technical skills into their activities to prepare students for future success.Aidan Nemec, an honors student in the Career Pathway program for Audio Video Technology and Film, earned the Statesman Award at the conference. The award is the highest individual honor bestowed upon students at the state level. It recognizes students who have completed career leadership training and demonstrate outstanding leadership skills.Woodstock HS Student Wins First Place in State Academic Quiz BowlAs part of the Georgia Career and Technical Instruction program’s Fall Leadership Conference, students from across the state participate in academic, career readiness, and leadership skills events including quiz bowl competitions on core academic topics. Woodstock HS senior Owen Markette earned first place in the statewide social studies quiz bowl, which focuses on early American history. Active in the school’s JROTC program, Markette’s plans after graduation are to attend college, enter the military as an officer, and pursue a career as a drone pilot. Carmel ES Named a State Distinguished SchoolCarmel ES ranked among the top 5% of highest-performing Title I schools statewide to earn this recognition. The award honors students’ performance on the English language arts and math sections of the Georgia Milestones test. Title I schools serve communities with higher rates of students receiving free or reduced-price meals due to family income levels. Carmel is led by Principal Kim Hagood.Teams Excel at National JROTC CompetitionAt the recent Raider National Championships, the Etowah HS Air Force JROTC team won the Master Division Mixed Team National Championship, and team member Austin Brice was named No. 1 Raider. The River Ridge HS Air Force JROTC team won the Challenge Division Male Team National Championship. The multi-event military-style athletic competition includes a 4K run, half-mile physical fitness test, rope bridge test, and the gauntlet (a half-mile obstacle course).
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.
City of Woodstock Bond Ratings Upgraded Last month, Moody’s Investor Service upgraded the City of Woodstock’s issuer and general obligation limited tax ratings from Aa2 to Aa1. This upgraded rating will be applied to existing bonds including the Downtown Parking Deck Project. Moody’s cited Woodstock’s years of surplus operations that have materially improved reserves, its economic growth that continues to strengthen its wealth and income metrics, and its maintenance of consistently low long-term liabilities as factors leading to the upgrade.Also, S&P Global Ratings raised Woodstock’s long-term and underlying rating on general obligation debt from AA to AA+. S&P Global upgraded Woodstock’s debt rating because of the municipality’s “improving economic metrics, given overall tax digest growth and price appreciation” as well as “sustained reserve levels due to consistent positive budgetary performance” and “improving debt profile.”Having earned an Aa1 rating with Moody’s and an AA+ rating with S&P, Woodstock joins the ranks of other Georgia cities such as Atlanta, Decatur, and Savannah. These improved ratings will also lower the costs of bonds to be acquired in 2024 for the construction of Little River Park. To learn more about the City of Woodstock’s financial stewardship through budget excellence and fiscal responsibility, visit WoodstockGa.gov/finance.
Cherokee County School District Announcements 12-23 National Signing Day for Student AthletesFifty-four student athletes recently signed commitment letters to compete at the college level. The students were honored with ceremonies at their high schools to celebrate their signings of National Letters of Intent. This National Signing Day was the earliest day on which high school seniors could sign a binding commitment to play competitive college sports other than football.Congratulations to participating student athletes at the following schools in Woodstock:Etowah HSDimitri Angelakos, Baseball, Georgia Tech; Danielle Bailey, Softball, Kennesaw State University; Oliver Bandy, Baseball, Hillsborough Community College; Katie Callaway, Soccer, University of Utah; Alexis Castle, Soccer, Jacksonville State University; Cara Holland, Softball, Berry College; Caleb Hughes, Baseball, University of Southern Mississippi; Camdyn Magrosky, Soccer, Jacksonville State University; Jake Zehner, Baseball, Florence Darlington TechRiver Ridge HSAmanda Fulton, Softball, Western Carolina University; Matthew Lipcsey, Baseball, St. Johns River State College; Bella McKinney, Lacrosse, Coker University ; Scotty Milbourn, Baseball, Coastal Alabama Community College; Caroline Moon, Volleyball, Brevard College; Kaitlyn Mulligan, Lacrosse, Coker University; Brelyn O’Hearn, Softball, University of North Carolina at Charlotte; Ethan Osada, Baseball, Kennesaw State University; Avery Parker, Soccer, Mercer University; Emma Porterfield, Lacrosse, Mars Hill University; Allie Sweet, Volleyball, University of North Carolina Greensboro; Chandler Thiel, Baseball, University of North Georgia Woodstock HSDakota Beasley, Lacrosse, Newberry College; Oz Eckard, Baseball, Lenoir Rhyne University; Brooks McKenna, Baseball, Samford University; Kevin Maurer, Baseball, U.S. Naval Academy; Roy Shewmake, Baseball, Maryville College; Caden Tuck, Baseball, Wallace Dothan Community College; Mylon Uribe, Baseball, Albany State University; Brooklyn Walker, Lacrosse, Converse UniversityCongratulations to participating student athletes at the following schools located in Canton: Cherokee HSShealyn Baker, Soccer, University of West Georgia; Jackson Bradfield, Baseball, Kennesaw State University; Marissa Davis, Lacrosse, Young Harris College; Seth Grogan, Cross Country, Auburn University at Montgomery; Emma Harlow, Softball, Lagrange College; Reagan Horton, Soccer, Reinhardt University; Alley Jones, Lacrosse, Shorter University; Elyse Kresho, Softball, University of Oregon; Sophie Lyen, Beach Volleyball, University of South Carolina; Riley Simmons, Basketball, University of South Carolina-Aiken; Toni Warren, Basketball, Wofford College Creekview HSChris Aiello, Lacrosse, University of Alabama in Huntsville; Yasmine Arriola, Lacrosse, Liberty University; Tristan Brady, Softball, Truett McConnell University; Abbie Burkett, Softball, Young Harris College; Jack Burns, Baseball, Georgia Highlands College; Karina Harrington, Lacrosse, Palm Beach Atlantic University; Alec Hotaling, Baseball, Auburn University at Montgomery; Jake Hughes, Lacrosse, University of Alabama in Huntsville; Victoria Kjaerulff, Swimming, Georgia Southern University; Sydney Neff, Softball, Thomas University; Emma Pethel, Soccer, Northwestern State University; Christina Warren, Lacrosse, Winthrop University Sequoyah HSAbby Cleveland, Lacrosse, Mars Hill University; Catherine McCrobie, Lacrosse, St. Leo University ------------------------ Etowah HS Senior Named Semifinalist for National HonorIxchel Avila is one of only 1,500 high school seniors nationwide selected as 2023-2024 Coca-Cola Scholars Program semifinalists. She is one of only 37 seniors selected from Georgia.Semifinalists were chosen from more than 103,800 applicants based on academic excellence, leadership, and service demonstrated in school and community activities. Ixchel now advances to the next stage in the review process to be named a Coca-Cola Scholar. The organization will name 250 regional finalists, with 150 becoming Coca-Cola Scholars and receiving a $20,000 college scholarship funded by the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation. ------------------------Woodstock MS Assistant Principal Honored With National Recognition Dr. Chad Flatt was recently celebrated in Washington, D.C., as a National Distinguished Principal by the National Association of Elementary School Principals. The award recognizes one exceptional middle or high school principal from each state who has excelled in meeting the academic and social needs of all students and establishing strong ties with parents and local business organizations. Dr. Flatt, a 23-year educator who joined CCSD this school year, was named the Georgia winner in May for his success as principal of Pickens Junior High School. He and 36 other honorees from across the country participated in two days of events at The Willard InterContinental in Washington, D.C., to share best practices, culminating in an awards banquet to honor their accomplishments.