News

Any Road Will Get You There - Unless You’re Stuck in Traffic

liz.flowers — Wed, 04 Feb 2009 09:59:19 -0700

If you’ve been thinking about adding to your I-Tunes music collection or expanding your books on tape library because of the increased amount of time spent on your daily commute, 2009 might be the perfect time.

It’s not clear whether state leaders will be able to get their arms around the gigantic state budget shortfall, but it is clear that local governments are feeling the pinch and are becoming creative in solving transportation and infrastructure project delays.

Wedding Alliance of N. GA Makes Donation to AHS

liz.flowers — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 06:45:41 -0700

The Wedding Alliance of North Georgia donated $1,500 in December to the Alpharetta Historical Society (AHS).

Funds were generated from vendors who participated in the inaugural Fall Wedding Expo held October 19, 2008, at the Mansell House and Gardens in Alpharetta.

Forsyth Hosts 7th Annual Senior Expo

liz.flowers — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 06:29:05 -0700

The seventh annual Forsyth Senior Expo will be held Saturday, Feb. 21 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Forsyth County Central Park Recreation Center. Senior citizens, along with their families and friends, wanting to learn about products and services of interest for now and for the future are invited to attend the event.

Expo exhibitions will include health care, housing, finance, safety and security, recreation and travel, end-of-life, non-profit institutions and local, state and national agencies. Free health screenings for blood pressure and vision will be available.

Forsyth County Fire Department Promotes Four to Rank of Lieutenant

liz.flowers — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 18:49:21 -0700

In a promotional ceremony held January 16 at the Forsyth County Public Safety Complex, the Forsyth County Fire Department promoted four of its finest to the rank of lieutenant.

Lucas Henderson, Joseph Smith and Marlin Thompson were all promoted from the rank of firefighter/EMT to lieutenant. Henderson joined the Forsyth County Fire Department in 2004; both Smith and Thompson joined the department in 2003.

Debora Lindstrom, who began her career with the Forsyth County Fire Department in 2002, was promoted from fire inspector to the rank of lieutenant.

Bariatric Support Offered at Northside

liz.flowers — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 18:45:07 -0700

Northside Hospital understands that patients, who undergo weight-loss surgery, sometimes need help keeping the weight off. It is for this reason that Northside has expanded its aftercare support program to include a new, long-term Bariatric Surgery Support Group.

Shafer’s Waste Reduction Act Passes Out of Committee

liz.flowers — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 18:30:21 -0700

Johns Creek Sen. David Shafer presented Senate Bill 1, the “Waste Reduction Act,” which would implement a system of zero-based budgeting for state government.

“The fundamental problem with Georgia’s budget process is that rather than starting from zero, it begins with the assumption that all current state spending should automatically be carried over,” said Shafer. “The General Assembly spends the entire session debating how much extra to spend in the upcoming year and not looking at programs that were approved years or decades earlier.”

GA’s Infrastructure Woes Could Lead to Further Economic Downturn

liz.flowers — Sat, 24 Jan 2009 10:34:24 -0700

With Georgia ranked among the top 10 for mortgage foreclosures, unemployment claims up 174 percent from the previous year and state leaders trying to figure out how to close a $2.8 billion dollar state budget gap, a funding crisis may well turn into a years-long financial catastrophe. It could hammer the state’s ability to attract and maintain business for the year to come.

Alpharetta City Council Jan 20 Re-Cap

liz.flowers — Sat, 24 Jan 2009 09:34:36 -0700

This summary is provided as a convenience and service to the public, media and staff. It is not the intent to record proceedings verbatim. Any reproduction of this summary must include this notice. Public comments are noted as heard by Council, but not quoted or paraphrased. This document includes limited presentation by Council and invited speakers in summary form. This is not an official record of the Alpharetta City Council Meeting proceedings. Official Minutes are recorded and available for review.

COUNCIL MEETING SUMMARY

I. CALL TO ORDER

United Nations-Backed Conference Coming to Atlanta

liz.flowers — Sat, 24 Jan 2009 09:29:07 -0700

The Istanbul Center, Kennesaw State University and the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations Secretariat (UNAOC) will host on Jan. 29−31 the first United Nations Alliance of Civilizations International Conference dedicated to the examination of Turkey’s unique role in promoting world peace and eradicating extremism.

Miracle League Recognized in Forsyth

liz.flowers — Sat, 24 Jan 2009 09:18:55 -0700

The Forsyth County Parks and Recreation Board recognized the Miracle League Board members for their assistance with the construction and management of the Miracle League field.

Parks and Recreation Director Jerry Kinsey and Parks and Recreation Board Chair Charlotte Gardner thanked the Miracle League Board for their dedication and commitment, noting the success of the project.

The Miracle League field opened at Coal Mountain Park in April 2008.

Pictured left to right in the attached photo: