The Henry County Update - Newsletter

June 6, 2014

BOARD OFCOMMISSIONERS

Regular Meetings June 17th - 6:30 PMJuly 15th - 6:30 PM

Meetings held at:Administration Building

Community Room140 Henry Parkway

McDonough, GA 30253

Regular Commissionmeetings will air Fridays,Saturdays, Mondays and

Wednesdays onHenry TV Channel 180 andAT&T U-Verse Channel 99,

at 9 a.m. & 7 p.m.

1the henry county update

Board of Commissioners Recognize Special Athletes The Henry County Board of Commissioners recognized three Henry County Special Olympic athletes and their unified partners with a proclamation at the June 3 regular Commission meeting, congratulating them on the honor of being chosen to compete nationally. The athletes are only three of 12 athletes selected from across the state of Georgia to participate in the National

Special Olympics, to be held on June 14-21, 2014 in Princeton, New Jersey. The athletes are Melissa Dodgen for Bocce, Tarcia Keys and her event partner Davina Ford for Bowling, and Brittney Hagelthorn and her event partner Mandy Conner, for Tennis. They have been preparing since it was announced last year that they qualified to compete in the 2014 National games.

The Henry County Board of Commissioners recognized three Henry County Special Olympics athletes at the June 3 regular Commission meeting. Pictured in front row (l. to r.) Unified partner Davina Ford, Tarcia Keys, Brittney Hagelthorn and Melissa Dodgen; second row (l. to r.) Chairman Tommy Smith, District V Commissioner Bruce Holmes, District II Commissioner Brian Preston and District III Commissioner Gary Barham; third row (l. to r.) District IV Commissioner Reid Bowman and District I Commissioner Bo Moss.

henrycounty-ga.org

June 6, 2014

Boy Scouts to Hold Flag Retirement Ceremony

Boy Scouts of America, Troop 61 in McDonough, will be holding a flag retirement ceremony on Saturday, June 14 at 10 a.m. at the Veterans Wall of Honor at Heritage Park in McDonough. According to the U.S. Flag Code, “the flag, when it is in such condition that it is no longer a fitting emblem for display, should be destroyed in a dignified way, preferably by burning.” Residents are welcome to drop off flags in disrepair, or that have become worn, torn, faded or badly soiled and in need of retirement, to the Henry County Veterans Museum, located in the red barn at Heritage Park in McDonough.

The public is cordially invited to attend the flag retirement ceremony on the morning of June 14, 2014 at 10 a.m.

Boy Scouts hold a flag retirement ceremony last year at the Veterans Wall of Honor in McDonough.

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Animal Care & Control’s “Operation Cool Down” is Heating Up

With warm temperatures already upon us, Henry County Animal Care & Control is once again stepping up patrols to be on the lookout for pets left in hot cars. Too often, beloved pets are left in dangerous situations where owners leave them locked inside of their vehicles during the heat of the day, while they stop by a store or restaurant or run other errands. To combat this distressing trend, Henry County Animal Care & Control is bringing back the program they launched three years ago, known as “Operation Cool Down,” and will be employing Oscar, the Hot Dog mascot, to remind people not to leave their pets in hot vehicles. Any animal that is found unattended in a vehicle, that is in distress, will be removed from that vehicle by Animal Care and Control officers by whatever means necessary, as permitted under Henry County Ordinance. Violators of the ordinance may face fines up to $1,000 or 60 days in jail. According to Supervisor Vince Farah, Henry

County Rabies Control Officer, every year his department receives several calls regarding pets left in hot cars. He said that the temperature inside a car on a hot day spikes higher than what the barometer reads on the outside, for example, on a 90-degree day, temperatures inside a car can quickly reach up to

120 degrees. Farah said officers from Animal Care & Control will be patrolling parking lots for animals that are left in vehicles and they won’t be giving warnings, they will be writing citations. Officials at Henry County Animal Care and Control advise

residents to keep their pets at home if their pets cannot be with them at all times. Experts say that a dog naturally has a higher body temperature than a human and that leaving them in a hot car could be deadly. In addition, owners should make sure that their pets have a constant source of clean, drinkable water at all times and have adequate shelter from the heat. For more information about Henry County Animal Care & Control, please visit www.hcacc.org.

henrycounty-ga.org

June 6, 2014

Evidence Retention and Inventory Control Accountability or “E.R.I.C.A.” grant application seeks public comment The Henry County Police Department is applying for a grant of $27,728.00 under the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Formula Program: Local Solicitation, CFDA 16.738, to support the project entitled “Evidence Retention and Inventory Control Accountability” or “E.R.I.C.A.” The Henry County Police Department seeks to maximize the effectiveness of JAG funding at the local level by automating and streamlining records and retentions systems in the Property & Evidence and Quartermaster functions within the Police Department. If awarded, items purchased under grant funding will incur no expenses charged to the taxpayers. This is a 100 percent federally funded initiative. The Henry County Property and Evidence Unit, part of the Criminal Investigations Division, is tasked with the safe and secure storage of thousands of articles of property which are submitted to the unit as evidence for criminal cases or for safe keeping by officers of the Henry County Police Department. Property with evidentiary value for criminal prosecution is held until after disposition by the courts for the criminal case for which it was collected. Periodically, officers will respond to and collect “found property” for which the owner cannot be located or for which the owner wished to relinquish temporary control. Both types of Property must be logged, categorized, labeled, stored, and recorded for retrieval. Sgt. Keith Shumate supervises three Property and Evidence Technicians in the Unit which maintains audit certification through the agency’s State Certification designation from the Georgia Association of Chiefs of Police. The Henry County Quartermaster Unit, part of the Support Services Division, is tasked with support and field services to members of the Department. The QM manages all police equipment and uniform

inventory; provides a first point of contact to equipment and uniform vendors; maintains all administrative supplies and warehouse; prepares requisitions for all department equipment and supplies; assists in equipping department vehicles and communications gear; and tests and evaluates new equipment. The Quartermaster Unit serves as a liaison to the in-house financial administrator and the county purchasing office in order to maintain control over incoming and outgoing equipment and supplies. The “E.R.I.C.A.” grant will request funds to purchase an automated barcode or RFID system to manage and track any property and evidence including physical property, digital pictures and video. This tracking system will create an unalterable and airtight chain of custody record extending from the crime scene, to the lab, to the court room and to final disposition. It will also be used to streamline the Quartermaster

Continued on Page 7

Property and Evidence Custodian Lori Jackson confirms the serial number on a gun being entered into evidence.

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Special Olympics Torch Run Brightens Lives of Athletes

On May 28, 2014, the Henry County Police and Sheriff’s Department along with several Special Olympic athletes participated in the Law Enforcement Torch Run 2014. This is the 6th year for this run in Henry County and the wonderful acts of service these officers provide help to assist over 24,000 athletes a year throughout the state of Georgia. Henry County Special Olympics appreciates the continued support from local law enforcement.

The Henry County Police Department is now using YouTube! The purpose is to work in partnership with

our citizens in solving and reducing crime.

www.youtube.com/user/HenryCountyPoliceDpt

henrycounty-ga.org

The 8th annual Geranium Festival Wheelchair Tennis Tournament is scheduled to take place at Richard Craig Park in McDonough, beginning Friday, June 13 and running through Sunday, June 15. The tournament has been increasingly successful for the past several years and was named the 2011Wheelchair Tournament of the Year by the United States Tennis Association (USTA) Georgia and in 2010, was named the 2010 USTA Southern Wheelchair Tournament of the Year by the United States Tennis Association Southern Section. The tournament is being sponsored by the Henry County Parks and Recreation Department as well as the Atlanta Lawn Tennis Association (ALTA) and is a USTA sanctioned wheelchair tennis tournament. The event is one of five tournaments in the Georgia Grand Prix Wheelchair Tennis Series. The annual wheelchair tennis tournament attracts players from around the country who compete in several divisions, including Men’s A, B,C and D singles and doubles, Women’s A singles and doubles, Quad A singles and doubles and Junior A. Matches begin on Friday afternoon, and continue all day Saturday and Sunday beginning at 9 a.m. The theme of the annual tournament is “Servin’ it up Southern Style” and that is exactly what Henry County’s own Henry Havoc Wheelchair Tennis Team will do this year, with members Harlon Matthews, Don Carnrike, Harold Young, Jerry Vaughan, Buddy Mays, Skip Chapman and Donna Chapman. The objective of the wheelchair tournament is to create sporting opportunities for youth and adults with physical disabilities in order to promote physical activity

and healthy lifestyles. For some, the perception is that those who are relegated to a wheelchair have severely limited options. But Harlon Matthews, a Therapeutic Recreation Specialists with Henry County Parks and Recreation Department, said fans can expect to see incredible tennis. “This year’s tournament is as exciting as ever; it is so hard to believe that this is the eighth year of our tournament and every year it gets better and better. I would

like to personally thank every partner who has supported us over the years, and to the new partners who enhance the professional and personal feel that the Geranium Festival wheelchair tennis tournament offers to every player,” said Matthews. “This year I would like to encourage more Henry County residents to come out and watch the incredible competition provided by the players who are traveling from all across Georgia, Alabama,

Florida, Tennessee, and North and South Carolina, to help make all of the players feel right at home in our wonderful county.” Matthews himself has been playing since 2001 and has headed up Henry County Parks and Recreation’s Wheelchair Sports Division since 2004. He has been recognized on numerous occasions for his dedication to Therapeutic Recreation programs, and in 2011 was named Clinician of the Year by the Professional Tennis Registry. For more information on this year’s Geranium Festival Wheelchair Tennis Tournament, contact Matthews at [email protected] or 770.288.7293.

Last year’s Geranium Festival Wheelchair Tennis Tourna-ment was a smashing success. Pictured (l. to r.) are tourna-ment referee Denise Hanson, player Veronica Grove and Tournament Director and player Harlon Matthews.

June 6, 2014

Geranium Festival Wheelchair Tennis Tournament Scheduled for June 13-15

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Commissioner Bruce Holmes To Be Featured Speaker at Business Forum

Henry County District V Commissioner Bruce Holmes will be one of several featured speakers at the Atlanta Business League’s Business Power Forum, to be held on Tuesday, June 17 at 5:30 p.m. at the Eagles Landing Country Club. Joining Holmes will be several business leaders in Henry County, as well as Dr. Gregory Daniel, CEO of Nidus Development, which is set to develop a medical and retail complex in the north end of Henry County. Holmes and the other speakers will discuss the inviting and progressive business climate in Henry County as well as upcoming business opportunities.

The ABL Business Power Forum is held the third Tuesday of every month and is an informative event where attendees are given the opportunity to learn from entrepreneurs, CEOs, corporate executives and leaders of civic and government organizations. For more information, please visit http://www.cvent.com/events/abl-business-power-forum-june-2014/event-summary-32e3e6c2857948d5be849eb6a88d8005.aspx. Eagles Landing County Club is located at 100 Eagles Landing Way, Stockbridge, GA 30281.

function in terms of cataloguing, storage, and issuance of equipment and supplies. Installation, training, annual maintenance for the life of the grant, and auxiliary supplies (ink ribbons, labels, etc.) will round out the requested items and services of this initiative. Submission deadline for this grant application is June 10, 2014. A public comment period, as required in the official solicitation, allows citizens to inquire about the proposed program, and to voice comments or suggestions. The Henry County Police Department’s grant administrator, Kimberly Monast, is available for questions or comments at 770-288-8133 or at [email protected]. After June 10, a copy of the application can be viewed in-house by scheduling an appointment with Ms. Monast during regular business hours, or by requesting a copy be provided to you via email, postal mail, or direct pick-up. The Henry County Police Department and Henry County Board of Commissioners maintain strict financial stewardship of federal and state grant award dollars and welcome your inquiry.

E.R.I.C.A. from page 4

henrycounty-ga.org

June 6, 2014

Henry County Government Television Now on Charter Cable Channel 180 Henry County’s Government Access channel, Henry Television, previously Henry TV14, made the move to Charter Cable channel 180 on May 28, 2014, as the result of Charter moving to an all-digital format and having to reorganize and restructure certain channels. The new channel name is Henry Television, and be known as Henry TV. Although the channel has changed, what will remain the same is the outstanding, original programming and extensive coverage of Commission meetings that viewers have come to rely on. The station will maintain its current coverage of the Henry County Commission meetings and the Zoning Advisory Board meetings, as well as original programming such as the Commissioner-based talk show Henry Insider and Garden Delights, a cooking

show produced in collaboration with the Henry County Extension Office.

Henry Television, also located on AT&T U-verse channel 99 and available on-demand on the county’s website, is also sporting a new logo, dropping the number 14 from its name. Henry Television was launched in 2007 to provide direct, non-

editorial information to the citizens of Henry County concerning the operations and communications of the County government, and is operated and maintained by the Henry County Communications Department. For more information on Henry Television and its programming, please visit www.henrycounty-ga.com/Communications/HenryTV.shtml.

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Commissioners Adopt $127.4 Million Budget

During a called meeting on May 22, the Henry County Board of Commissioners adopted a balanced General Fund Budget of $127,433,480 for the FY2015. County manager Jim Walker presented this year’s budget, highlighting both the revenues and expenditures. Included in this year’s $127.4 million budget is $500,000 for a new accounting system, to replace the antiquated system that has been in use for several years, as well as $493,737 to maintain and repair county-owned and operated facilities. Also included in the budget is approximately $850,000 for requested new positions and $25,000 toward the Comprehensive Transportation Plan/Greenspace for Planning and Zoning. “I’m encouraged that the Commissioners choose to make much-needed investments in our county workforce and infrastructure,” said Walker. This year, Henry County Commissioners also elected to include $1.3 million to provide a two percent across the board salary increases for County employees, which will take effect at the start of the new fiscal year beginning on July 1, and an additional two percent increase for specific public safety employees to take effect on January 1, 2015. Up until last fiscal year, employees had gone without any salary increases for the previous six years. “I’m very pleased with the budget process this year, and we designed it so we would collect the same amount of property tax as last year,” said Henry County Commission Chairman Tommy Smith. “We as a Board, placed a lot of emphasis on public safety, which is of the highest priority, and we continue to be fiscally

responsible while at the same time, providing excellent service to citizens.” This year’s budget also includes an expenditure of $466,675 to cover 25 percent of an increase in employee medical insurance premiums. Last year, Commissioners were able to fully absorb a 16 percent increase however, due to continued rising health care costs, this year the County will pay 25 percent and employees will be required to pick up the remaining portion of the medical insurance premium increase. As an additional cost-saving measure, County officials also made the decision to change insurance carriers. In a related healthcare measure, to assist employees and the County with saving money, the new medical insurance provider will also offer an onsite wellness coach to assist employees who are interested in making healthier lifestyle choices, by offering resources and advice on how to meet their wellness goals. For complete information on the FY2015 budget, please visit www.henrycounty-ga.org.

henrycounty-ga.org

June 6, 2014

A Huey Helicopter arrived at the Heritage Park Veterans Museum

The Vietnam era UH1 Huey Helicopter arrived at the Heritage Park Veterans Museum on Monday, May 12, 2014. It was officially dedicated on Memorial Day immediately after the Memorial Day Ceremony at the Wall of Honor. The war bird was dedicated to Warrant Officer 2 Melvin C. Rebholz who flew medivac helicopters in Vietnam. Members of the Rebholz family were on hand for the dedication.

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Memorial Day Service at Heritage Park’s Veterans Wall