Cherokee County School District Announcements Students Selected for Governor's HonorsThe statewide summer honors program for Georgia’s top rising high school juniors and seniors offers four weeks of college-level instruction at Georgia Southern University in Statesboro. Students are selected based on overall excellence in academics, extracurricular activities, and leadership as well as exceptional skills and talents in a specific area of study. Those tapped for the competitive program receive academic instruction in a specific area of study as well as cultural and social enrichment focused on helping them become the “next generation of global critical thinkers, innovators, and leaders.” Etowah HS- Alexis Cua, Engineering DesignWoodstock HS - Katie Bean, Visual Arts; Caroline Toole, Communicative Arts__________________Five Students Advance to State Writing Competition The annual Young Georgia Authors Writing Competition is open to students in grades kindergarten through 12 and provides an opportunity for schools to encourage writing in a variety of genres. Each CCSD school submits a top entry for each grade level to compete at the district level. District first-place winners then advance to the regional North Georgia Regional Education Service Agency contest for the opportunity to compete statewide.These CCSD students won first place in the regional competition and are advancing to the state competition: Grade 1 - Eve Alsobrook of Clayton ES for “The Lost Dog”Grade 2 - Wren Argo of Boston ES for “My Sport in Time”Grade 5 - Elli White of Clark Creek ES STEM Academy for “Reflection Collection”Grade 8 - Ellie Cosgrove of Woodstock MS for “Excerpt from ‘To the Stars’”Grade 9 - Monica Ramirez of River Ridge HS for “I Admire the Leaves”__________________Whitney Morberg Named 2024 Counselor of the Year An 18-year school counselor and three-time Innovation Zone Counselor of the Year award winner, Morberg has served at Etowah HS for the past decade. She’s known for her expertise in guiding students to college acceptance and scholarship wins, but she’s equally known for her efforts to provide students access to career success (even coordinating students’ transportation to advanced training programs and assisting with applications), and her ability to support students experiencing emotional or mental health crises. She also serves on CCSD’s crisis team made up of the district’s most experienced counselors and uses her extensive training to respond to schoolwide crises, such as the death of a student or teacher, as well as to crises in individual students’ and colleagues’ lives.
Burn Ban Now In Effect Each summer, an outdoor burn ban takes effect in 54 Georgia counties including Cherokee County. The burn ban is in effect from May 1-September 30, 2024. The ban prohibits citizens and businesses from burning yard- and land-clearing debris during this period. This is in addition to the rule that prohibits the burning of household garbage, which is never allowed in Georgia.More information can be found on the Cherokee County Fire & Emergency Services website at CherokeeCountyFire.com.
Marshal's Office Reorganizes With New Chief Marshal and Deputy Chief Marshal After celebrating 30 years with Cherokee County, Chief Marshal Jamie Gianfala has retired, and former Public Services Agency Director Dana Martin has become the new chief marshal, overseeing the Public Services Agency. Former Marshal’s Office Capt. Dwayne Casteel was promoted to deputy chief marshal of the Marshal’s Office.“Having served Cherokee County for 30 years, I have been fortunate to witness its growth and contribute to its success. I am grateful for the opportunities and experiences that have shaped my professional journey,” Gianfala said. Following Chief Gianfala’s retirement, the Marshal’s Office structure has undergone a reorganization to enhance enforcement efforts countywide. The Public Services Agency director position was eliminated with the role and its duties being assumed by the chief marshal, and two new deputy marshal positions were added with no increase to the department’s budget. One deputy marshal will be assigned to the Code Enforcement Unit, and one will be assigned to the Truck Compliance Unit. Truck Compliance is the newest unit, which focuses on truck traffic across the county to ensure loads are covered and trucks stay on marked truck routes. The mission of the unit is to decrease traffic crashes and incidents related to debris coming from trucks not properly covered and to help minimize litter on Cherokee County’s roadways.Chief Marshal Martin will oversee the Marshal’s Office, E 9-1-1, Emergency Management, Animal Shelter, Probation Services, and Radio Technology. Martin has nearly 30 years of experience in law enforcement. Deputy Chief Marshal Casteel will manage the Marshal’s Office's daily operations. Casteel has 23 years of experience working in both the Animal Control and Code Enforcement units.
Over $50,000 Awarded to Local Entrepreneurs The Cherokee Office of Economic Development (COED) awarded more than $50,000 to their first LaunchPad Bootcamp Series graduates, with more opportunities to come.The first LaunchPad Bootcamp Series kicked off in January with 14 participants. The free four-week series comes as a partnership between COED and Kennesaw State University’s HatchBridge Incubator. It is designed to guide emerging Cherokee County entrepreneurs in launching their business ideas or new products to help them grow in Cherokee’s entrepreneurial space.Each participant had the opportunity to earn up to $5,000 to advance their venture. Out of 13 graduates, 11 were eligible to apply for the mini grant. COED awarded $51,935 among those 11 for its inaugural session, funded by the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) distributed by the Cherokee County Board of Commissioners.Each week, participants researched, refined, and prepared their ventures for launch. Participants walked away from the series with an idea deck, business model canvas, and go-to market. To be eligible for funding, applicants had to complete the full four-week series and all assignments, be a resident of or have a business located in Cherokee County, and submit a completed mini-grant application. COED is collaborating with HatchBridge Incubator, a service born from Kennesaw State University that helps grow startups in the Atlanta suburbs. HatchBridge also offers a coworking space to help entrepreneurs kickstart their ventures. Learn more at HatchBridge.com.This program is offered as part of COED’s Fresh Start Cherokee initiative, which aims to create a culture of entrepreneurship in Cherokee County. Visit FreshStartCherokee.com to learn more.
Cherokee E 9-1-1 Named Call Center of the Year During the recent Georgia Emergency Communications Conference, the Cherokee County E 9-1-1 team was bestowed the 2024 Call Center of the Year in Georgia. The conference is a joint effort of the Association of Public Safety Communications Professionals (APCO) and the National Emergency Number Association (NENA). The Call Center of the Year Award recognizes a 9-1-1 Center in Georgia that exhibits professionalism, leadership, innovation, and service to not only the community it serves but also the region and state.
Lt. David Miller Recognized at GEMSA Awards Reception The 2024 Georgia Emergency Medical Services Association (GEMSA) Awards Reception honors the remarkable dedication of EMS professionals committed to serving their communities selflessly. Cherokee County Fire & Emergency Services' Lt. David Miller received the esteemed Tim Peebles Champion of Children Excellence & Advocacy Award. This accolade pays tribute to the legacy of Capt. Tim Peebles, a longtime advocate for delivering top-tier prehospital care, particularly focusing on the prevention of injuries and illnesses in children. Peebles dedicated his efforts to safeguarding the future generation of Georgia, exemplifying excellence in training, patient care, public education, and advocacy. This award acknowledges individuals or groups who embody Peebles' commitment through their innovative ideas, actions, and goals to pursue and reinforce the exceptional benchmarks he established.
New Vehicle Tag Renewal Kiosk in Macedonia Tax Commissioner Denise Mastroserio worked with the Georgia Department of Revenue and Kroger to receive approval for a new kiosk location (Kroger at Woodmont Village, 8020 Cumming Highway, Canton), making it more convenient for residents to renew their tags.“Commissioner Steve West and I have discussed adding this additional kiosk for the residents in communities including Macedonia, Free Home, Lathemtown, and Buffington, so they do not have to travel to Canton to renew their vehicle registration,” Mastroserio said. “The kiosk is available for use anytime Kroger is open.”To use the kiosk, users must scan their vehicle registration renewal letter or driver’s license or have their tag number handy to enter it into the system. To use the tag number option, you must have the last four digits of your VIN. Credit and debit cards are accepted for payment. A $4.95 fee applies.
Progress Update on Canton's Roadmap for Success Following the conclusion of the most recent City Council Retreat (March 15-17, 2024), City Manager Billy Peppers provided a review of the City’s progress on the Canton Roadmap for Success, which was adopted in late 2020. The work on programs, projects, and policies is outlined under each of the eight tenets outlined in the roadmap. Visit CantonGa.gov/government/city-manager for a complete list of all monthly operations reports, or scan the QR code to read the full details of the Roadmap for Success update:
City Finance Department Earns Accolades The Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada (GFOA) has awarded the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting to the City of Canton for its annual comprehensive financial report for the fiscal year that ended September 30, 2022. This was the 23rd consecutive year that the City has achieved this prestigious award. To be awarded a Certificate of Achievement, a government must publish an easily readable and efficiently organized comprehensive annual financial report. This report must satisfy both generally accepted accounting principles and applicable legal requirements. It is the highest form of recognition in governmental accounting and financial reporting, and its attainment represents a significant accomplishment by a government and its management.
Cherokee County School District Announcements New Class of Educators Inducted Into Hall of FameThe CCSD Educators Hall of Fame recognizes retired educators who made significant contributions during their careers in CCSD and left lasting positive impacts on the lives of students, colleagues, and the community. The Class of 2024 inductees are Letitia Cline, Marguerite Cline, Jackie Hopkins, Pete Jones, and the late Lee R. Tippens. Superintendent Davis Begins Her New RoleDr. Mary Elizabeth Davis, CCSD’s freshly hired superintendent of schools started her new role last month by visiting schools and meeting students, teachers and staff, families, and community partners.“My commitment to education extends beyond a career choice — it is a profound dedication to creating environments where students thrive, educators are empowered, leaders excel, support staff make significant impacts, and families confidently invest their trust,” said Davis in her statement to the community upon accepting the position. New Class of Educators Inducted Into Hall of FameThe CCSD Educators Hall of Fame recognizes retired educators who made significant contributions during their careers in CCSD and left lasting positive impacts on the lives of students, colleagues, and the community. The Class of 2024 inductees are Letitia Cline, Marguerite Cline, Jackie Hopkins, Pete Jones, and the late Lee R. Tippens.