September/October Newsletter
jared bailey
District 5 September/October 2014 Newsletter
Statesman Quote: “I would rather lose in a cause that will someday win, than win in a cause that will someday lose!”– Woodrow Wilson
This newsletter is intended to keep the residents of District 5 informed about community matters. If you are not receiving this newsletter, please email me at Jared....@athensclarkecounty.com and I will add your address to the list. If you have any questions or concerns about community issues contact me by email or at 706-338-9019.
Dear District 5 Residents-
Here is another installment of news that affects the best district in Athens:
ACC FACTS
· Geographically the smallest county in Georgia.
· Latitude: 33°57’N (About the same as Kabul, Afghanistan)
· Longitude: 83°23’W (About the same as Columbus, OH)
· Average high temperature: 51.6°F (January), 89.6°F (July)
· Average low temperature: 32°F (January), 69.5°F (July)
· Average precipitation: 49.74 inches per year
· Demographics: 65 percent white, 27 percent black, 7 percent Hispanic, 3 percent Asian (2010 Census)
· University of Georgia enrollment: 34,536 (Fall 2013)
· Largest employers: UGA (10,000), Athens Regional Medical Center (3,000), Athens-Clarke County (1,500), St. Mary’s Hospital (1,400), Clarke County School District
COMMUNITY TREE FAIR
The Community Tree Council has organized a Community Tree Fair to be held October 11th from 9:00 AM to Noon at Bishop Park. This is a great opportunity to purchase quality trees at very reasonable prices and take part in some fun activities. There will be Recreational Roped tree climb, games for children, mulching planting and pruning demonstrations as well as a silent auction. For more information go to http://athenstrees.com/programs/tree-fair/ or contact Billy Paugh, Community Forestry Coordinator at 706-613-3561 or Billy...@athensclarkecounty.com. All proceeds to the ACC Community Tree Council.
DOWNTOWN MASTER PLAN PROGRAM
The Federation of Neighborhoods (FOC) will host a program on the Downtown Master
Plan at their next meeting. The October FOC meeting will be held on the
second Tuesday (not the usual first Monday)
of the month, which will be Tuesday, October 14th at 7:30. The meeting is hosted by Cine’ located at 234 West Hancock Avenue.
LEISURE SERVICES
The Leisure Services Department Office of Park Planning is beginning a master planning process for Bishop Park. Please take a moment and complete the Bishop Park Master Plan Public Online Survey and share your thoughts on the future of the park. Additionally, please plan to attend the upcoming kickoff meeting Monday, October 6 from 6:00 - 7:30 p.m. at Oglethorpe Avenue School. For more information, visit http://www.athensclarkecounty.com/6213/Bishop-Park-Master-Plan
MAYOR AND COMMISSION MEETINGS
October 7th - M&C Regular Meeting at 7:00 PM in the Commission Chambers in City Hall
October 14th – M&C Work Session at 5:30 PM in the Planning Department Auditorium
October 21st - Legislative Review Committee Meeting at 5:30 PM in room 303 in City Hall
October 21s – Government Operations Committee Meeting at 5:30 PM in room 103 in City Hall
October 23rd - M&C Agenda Setting Meeting at 7:00 PM in Commission Chambers in City Hall
POLICE
Police Chief Announces Retirement
Athens-Clarke County Police Chief Jack Lumpkin recently announced that he will retire by Jan. 18, he announced today. In the meantime he has applied for the open police chief's position in Savannah. The Chief cited that his decision was based on finances. He wants to be able to help send his two grandchildren to college, and by retiring in Athens, he can draw his pension as well as a salary from another community. If he doesn't get the Savannah job, he intends to work another five years, either in Georgia or on the federal level.
SOLID WASTE
Leaf and Limb Schedule
Sept 29 - Oct 3 - Zone
5
Neighborhoods include, but not limited to: Chadd's Walk, Quailwood, Rosewood,
Rivercliff Estates, Tallassee Oaks, Sedgefield, Hodgson Place, Jefferson
Valley, Saxon Woods, Oconee Heights, Camelot, Cardinal Creek, Westgate, and
Brittany Place
Oct 6 – Oct 10 – Zone 6
Neighborhoods include, but not limited to: Brittany’s Garden, Cherokee Forest, County Corners, Fox Hall Farms, and Hidden Lake
Oct 13 – Oct 17
Neighborhoods include, but not limited to: Springdale, Milledge Circle, Bedgood, Bloomfield, Dearing, Milledge Terrace, University Drive, South Milledge area
Oct 20 – Oct 24
Neighborhoods include, but not limited to: Newtown, Boulevard, East Athens, Hospital, Brooklyn, Rocksprings, and Hancock
Oct 27 – Oct 31
Neighborhoods include, but not limited to: Beechwood, Briarcliff, Homewood Hills, Whitehead Road, Country Club Estates, Knottingham, and Forest Heights Drive
For further information regarding Leaf and Limb collections, including guidelines for pickup, please call 706-613-3501 OR visit www.athensclarkecounty.com and search “Leaf and Limb.”
STORMWATER
Stormwater Staff continued water quality sampling along North Oconee River. Information collected from this sampling will be utilized in the Watershed Improvement Project for the North Oconee Sub-watershed basin. Staff also inspected 14 stormwater management facilities (detention ponds) and provided technical assistance regarding maintenance standards to three property owners/managers.
SUPERIOR COURT
Judicial Council Approves Fourth Judge
The Judicial Council of Georgia, the policy-making body for Georgia’s judiciary, recommended the creation of a fourth judgeship for the Superior Court of the Western Circuit, comprising Athens-Clarke and Oconee counties.
The Judicial Council has forwarded recommendations regarding the need for Superior Court judgeships to the Georgia General Assembly and the Governor annually since 1976. The fourth judge, if the position is approved by the General Assembly, will join the current judges – David Sweat, Lawton Stephens, and Patrick Haggard – in serving Athens-Clarke and Oconee counties. The Superior Court handles all felony matters as well as all types of civil cases and domestic relations cases including divorce and custody matters.
The Western Circuit was eligible for an additional judgeship in 2007, but other circuits had a greater need. If the General Assembly gives its approval, the State would also provide funds for an additional assistant district attorney and public defender. Athens-Clarke and Oconee counties would be asked to provide remaining expenses as needed. For more information, contact Tracy J. BeMent, District Court Administrator, at 706-613-3173 or TJBe...@gmail.com.
TAX COMMISSIONER
Property Tax Deadline is October 20
Every property owner and business owner in Athens-Clarke County should have received a property tax statement and bill by August 30. Anyone who purchased property during 2013 and assumed the responsibility of paying taxes on the acquired property should receive a statement and bill for that newly-acquired property.
Property owners and business owners who do not receive a tax bill by August 30 should contact the Tax Commissioner's Office for assistance. Under Georgia law, bills are mailed to the last known address. Failure to receive a bill as a result of a move or change of address will not exempt a taxpayer from late fees, which are mandated by state law for any bill not paid by the deadline.
The Tax Commissioner's Office can be contacted by phone at 706-613-3120 or in person at the Athens-Clarke County Courthouse, 325 East Washington Street, Suite 250. Office hours are Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Additional information is available on the Tax Commissioner's Office web site at www.athensclarkecounty.com/tc
Your
Commissioner,
Jared Bailey
District 5 Commissioner, Athens-Clarke County Unified Government
145 Marsha Court, Athens, GA 30606
706-338-9019, Jared....@athensclarkecounty.com