The City of Woodstock has experienced a historic Renaissance that includes an emphasis on live/work/play development with parks, trails, entertainment, commercial facilities, and a vibrant downtown. Phenomenal success and growth lead to obvious challenges in the provision of infrastructure to support the community. Woodstock Water has met those challenges with a variety of capital improvement projects, including the development of new water sources to ensure the growing supply of high-quality drinking water for decades to come.Woodstock Water has traditionally maintained water supplies from two wholesale providers in Cobb and Cherokee counties. These water sources originate from the Chattahoochee River and Lake Allatoona. The City of Woodstock recognized the advantages of further diversifying beyond those sources to establish a new supply of drinking water from groundwater wells. This diversification plan culminated in 2017 with the construction of five groundwater production facilities. Each production facility pumps groundwater from deep wells and professionally treats the water according to strict Environmental Protection Division guidelines before being added to the distribution network.
Every January, the mayor is tasked with recapping the highlights of the prior year at Woodstock’s City Council meeting in what is fondly known as the “State of the City Address.” This year, the mayor will give this address at the January 28 Regular Meeting of the Mayor and Council at 7:00pm at The Chambers at City Center (8534 Main Street, Woodstock).To give you a preview of what you might hear, here are a few of the exciting things that happened in 2018:
This past September, the City of Woodstock’s mayor and council passed an ordinance to allow personal transportation vehicles and modified golf carts to operate on public right-of-way with a posted speed of 25 mph within City limits. Certain restrictions apply.The ordinance is effective March 1, 2019. Between January 1 and March 1, owners will need to register their vehicles with the Woodstock Community Development Department to be in compliance with the ordinance. Registered vehicles will receive a decal with a registration number assigned to the PTV that must be affixed to the rear fender directly behind the driver. Vehicles operating on private property only are exempt from this ordinance.
The tradition of the Christmas Jubilee Parade began on December 6, 1997, in celebration of the City of Woodstock’s Centennial. The City Charter was granted by the State Legislature on December 8, 1897. We celebrated the Woodstock’s 120th birthday in 2017!An important part of this tradition is the lead entry of the Parade, featuring Mayor Donnie Henriques, along with the Citizen of the Year, Bonny Keheley, who was chosen by Preservation Woodstock in recognition of her efforts in historic preservation for our City.
The date for the Parade is always on the first Saturday in December. Part of this decision was the availability of our high school bands to march in the Parade. The City manager and City Council feel that the marching bands are a very valuable asset to the Parade, and we love being able to showcase their talent.
On Wednesday, October 31, the City of Woodstock is celebrating Halloween with all our younger ghouls and goblins in The Park at City Center, 101 Arnold Mill Road, from 3:00-8:00pm. As a safe alternative to trick or treating, bring the family, and enjoy activities for children of all ages. With activities such as a moonwalk, DJ Ronnie playing some spooky tunes, Tim the Magician, Adam the Juggler, festive games, and the ever-popular stringed apple and pumpkin bowling, this event is sure to be a haunting good time.
Please join the City of Woodstock for their annual Day of Remembrance Ceremony, which will be held on Tuesday, September 11 in The Park at City Center in downtown Woodstock. The Ceremony, scheduled to begin at 6:00pm, will honor and remember the men and women who lost their lives seventeen years ago in the horrific attacks on our country. The men and women who continue to fight for our freedoms including our military, police, and fire departments will also be honored. A limited supply of 9/11 Remembrance lapel pins will be handed out to those in attendance.At the conclusion of the Ceremony, take a few moments to visit Woodstock’s 9/11 Memorial in The Park at City Center. The Memorial features two twelve-foot subway tracks from the subway station beneath the World Trade Center. In 2016, Woodstock was selected to receive the recovered tracks from the Port Authority of New York. City of Woodstock personnel traveled to JFK International Airport in New York, received these artifacts, and brought them back to Woodstock.
The Woodstock Police and Fire Departments are now accepting applications for the fall Citizens’ Public Safety Academy, which is scheduled to begin on Thursday, August 30, 2018.Citizens’ Public Safety Academy is a series of educational classes designed to enhance the understanding of various aspects within the police and fire profession. The program is intended to strengthen the relationship between citizens and the Woodstock Police and Fire Departments as well as spotlight the responsibilities of public safety personnel and the inherent risks associated with these professions.
The Woodstock Police Department, in partnership with other local public safety agencies, will join forces with thousands of communities nationwide for the 35th Annual National Night Out, which will be held on Tuesday, August 7, from 6:00-9:00pm in The Park at City Center (101 Arnold Mill Road).National Night Out is designed to heighten crime and drug prevention awareness, generate support for and participation in local anti-crime efforts, strengthen police and community partnerships, and send a message to criminals that neighborhoods are uniting together to fight crime.
Independence Day is just around the corner. It is a time for parades, food, family, and yes — fireworks. Many families in our area are planning to have their own private fireworks display rather than attending a public display.Each year, the Woodstock Fire Department responds to calls for service as a result of carelessness and/or the improper use of fireworks. In an effort to keep yourself and the people around you safe, please consider the following fireworks safety recommendations from The National Council on Fireworks Safety:
Presented by VisitWoodstockGa.com, this first annual festival will feature a convergence of bacon-flavored food and the downhome sounds of bluegrass music all in one event.
Focusing on the music of north Georgia favorites such as Cedar Hill, Curtis Jones and Primal Roots, The Wiseman Brothers, Frances Mooney and Fontana Sunset, Honeywood, and Blue Road will take to the main stage throughout the day. Festival-goers can browse food and restaurant vendors that will be selling their best bacon creations. These creations will also be sampled by a panel of judges for Bacon & Banjos accolades.
To give the citizens of Woodstock a fun, musical alternative to the Monday “blues,” Woodstock Parks and Recreation Department has created a leisure activity at the Northside Hospital-Cherokee Amphitheater.Music Mondays in May will build on the established and successful Woodstock Summer Concert Series (occurring May through September) and the Brown Bag Concert Series (occurring every Thursday in September).
“Woodstock has demonstrated its love for music any time of day or year,” said Director of Parks and Recreation Preston Pooser. “We already have a beautiful venue, and we felt like a spring picnic with great music would be just the thing for Woodstock.”
Every Monday, 11:00am-1:00pm, the tunes at the Northside Hospital-Cherokee Amphitheater will be cranked up, and all are encouraged to bring their picnic lunch and join in on the fun. Each Monday will feature a D.J. providing music from a different decade.
The City of Woodstock believes that excellent, open communication is essential in encouraging civic engagement. Excellent communication provides a better understanding of each party’s purpose, views, and goals. By fostering an environment where citizens are informed and involved, the City of Woodstock will continue to excel as an ideal city in which to live, work, and play.
We encourage our residents and businesses to “Stay Connected,” and here are some ways you can do just that:
Recently, the City of Woodstock has started “marketing” the fire department. Why would we need to do that? Who benefits from this marketing? Obviously, serving the Woodstock community is a high priority. However, how citizens are served has changed over the years. Of course, emergency calls are still handled, but the list of how the Woodstock Fire Department (WFD) serves in addition to emergency situations has expanded. Here are some examples of how the WFD is now marketed:
In the Fall of 2017, City officials, together with Greenprints Alliance, announced plans for a new park in Woodstock. The yet unnamed park will be located off Trickum Road, on the east side of the city, where limited park and recreation opportunities exist.
It’s the most wonderful time of the year! And Woodstock traditions and events make this time of year even more special for our community. Kick off the Christmas season with Christmas in Downtown on December 1, 6:00-9:00pm. Do some Christmas shopping in downtown Woodstock, as stores stay open late.
There are many veterans who now serve our great city. Their service and sacrifice for the City of Woodstock as well as our country is greatly appreciated. Meet a few of our City of Woodstock veterans:
On Tuesday, October 31, the City of Woodstock is celebrating Halloween with all our younger ghouls and goblins in the Park at City Center, 101 Arnold Mill Road, from 3:00-8:00pm. As a safe alternative to trick-or-treating, bring the family, and enjoy activities for children of all ages. Activities such as a moonwalk, DJ Ronnie playing some spooky tunes, Tim the Magician, Adam the Juggler, festive games, and the ever-popular stringed apple and pumpkin bowling, this event is sure to be a hauntingly good time.A costume contest will take place at 6:00pm. Trophies and prizes will be awarded in the following categories: funniest, scariest, cutest, and best costume.
As the air cools and fall makes its way into the south, it’s a great time to be outside, and enjoy all that Woodstock has to offer its citizens, visitors and guests.
The last concert of this year’s Summer Concert Series will take place on Saturday, September 9, at Northside Hospital-Cherokee Amphitheater as Runaway June takes the stage to close out the series. A country music trio, they bring to the stage a sound that has not been heard by country music fans since the days of the Dixie Chicks. With songs such as “Lipstick,” their music speaks to the modern woman. The show begins at 7:30pm. More information can be found at WoodstockConcertSeries.com/.
The Woodstock Police and Fire Departments are now accepting applications for the fall 2017 Citizens’ Public Safety Academy, which is scheduled to begin on Thursday, August 31.
to your business!