North Fulton Community Charities Is Collecting Warm Coats North Fulton Community Charities (NFCC) is collecting new and gently worn coats and jackets as well as accessories such as hats, scarves, and gloves for children and adults for its annual warm coat drive. Last year, NFCC distributed 1,892 items including coats and accessories. “COVID-19 has forced us to change our procedures and safety protocols, but it hasn’t changed the fact that families in our community still need warm coats, as we head into winter,” said NFCC Community Events Manager Jacquie Tracy. “For 26 years, NFCC has been providing for those in need with our warm coat program. It is a small way we can make a big difference to our neighbors who especially need our help this year.” The community is invited to donate at the NFCC distribution site (310 North Point Parkway Circle in Alpharetta) November 2-4 from 10:00am-1:00pm or 2:00pm-5:00pm. Additional ways to volunteer and donate, including a new Target registry, are available on the holiday page at NFCCHoliday.org. The coat drive is the first of many holiday programs NFCC hosts. Other holiday programs include the Thanksgiving food drive in November, sponsored families and Santa Shop in December, and holiday baskets for local senior residents in November and December. For more information on the holiday programs, including ways to donate and volunteer, visit NFCCHoliday.org.
Roswell High School Named One of Georgia’s Top High Schools Roswell High School is ranked seventh in Fulton County Schools, 22nd in metro Atlanta high schools, 28th within Georgia, and 897th in the United States. The U.S. News and World Report recently announced the top national schools in its list of best high schools. Criteria for ranking includes graduation rates, college preparedness, and students’ performance on state-required tests. For inclusion on this list, data is evaluated on more than 24,000 public high schools in 50 states and the District of Columbia. Schools were ranked on six factors based on their performance on state assessments and how well they prepare students for college. “I am very proud of our hardworking students and the faculty and staff that go above and beyond every day. It takes all of us working together to earn this recognition,” said Principal Robert Shaw, Ed.D.
Roswell’s Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan Recognized for Outstanding Public Involvement Roswell’s Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan has been recognized by the Georgia Planning Association (GPA) for its public outreach efforts including a robust online survey, citizen stakeholder committee, and tactical (in-field) intercept surveys with its citizens. The survey initiative reached residents who typically do not get involved in the City’s planning process. This extra effort was critical in developing the Plan’s recommendations and gaining buy-in from residents. “Getting input from our residents and listening to their needs is always a priority for the City of Roswell,” said Mayor Lori Henry. “Public input is critical for the success of projects such as our first-ever Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan. We are excited that the Georgia Planning Association recognized the Transportation Department for all the effort that went into the public engagement phase. Because our residents were involved, I know the plan is going to be a great success for our community.” The GPA is the Georgia Chapter of the American Planning Association. Each year, it recognizes outstanding work in the planning field. The Outstanding Public Involvement award recognizes an initiative where a region or community involves the public in a planning activity above and beyond the minimum state or local requirements, and where that involvement contributes to the final product. To learn more about the Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan, visit RoswellGov.com/bikeped
Fulton County Library System Launches PAPER for Online Learning Earlier this year, Fulton County Library System launched a variety of new digital resources to enhance an already extensive digital library experience. Popular digital resources launched earlier this year included Lynda.com, Kanopy, and Creative Bug. More recently, the library system launched Paper.co, a free, online tutoring service for Fulton County residents and library card holders. Through Paper’s remote learning platform, students are provided unlimited 24/7 access to online tutoring in any subject from a fully vetted Paper educator as well as essay review with annotated feedback within 24 hours. Through Socratic instruction methods, students are guided through concepts to find the answers on their own. With many districts continuing to teach children through remote learning, the need for flexible and personalized online support for students has only increased. In partnering with Paper, the Fulton County Library System is helping to close the divide between those who can afford private tutoring and those who cannot. To access Paper.co, visit FulCoLibrary.org/digitallibrary or go to Paper.co to register for this exciting new resource.
Roswell Maintains Same Property Tax Rate for 2021 For the third year in a row, the City of Roswell’s property tax rate (millage rate) for fiscal year (FY) 2021 will remain at 4.955 mills. Roswell City Council voted to adopt the millage rate during the special called meeting of the mayor and council on Monday, Aug. 31. The 4.955 millage rate includes a Maintenance & Operations (M & O) component of 4.705, which goes toward supporting the City’s General Fund services and programs such as those offered by Public Safety, Fire, Recreation and Parks, Transportation, and other departments. The City’s Debt Service accounts for 0.250 of the rate and is applied to the City’s bonded indebtedness, low-rate loans for special projects that have been approved by voters during previous referenda. Out of the total property tax that Roswell residents pay each year, City taxes are equal to approximately 15% of their total bills. Taxes paid to Fulton County Schools and Fulton County account for approximately 54% and 31%, respectively. For more information about the millage rate and Roswell’s FY 2021 Budget, visit RoswellGov.com/budget.
Sen. John Albers Recognized by Georgia Association of Chiefs of Police Sen. John Albers recently was recognized by the Georgia Association of Chiefs of Police (GACP) for his work as chairman of the Senate Public Safety Committee during the 2020 Legislative Session to support Georgia’s public safety officers. “It was a great honor to be recognized by the Georgia Association of Chiefs of Police,” said Sen. Albers. “This critically important partnership keeps our communities and families safe. Please join me in supporting and thanking our first responders!” Butch Ayers, executive director of GACP was proud to recognize Sen. Albers for his support for law enforcement in Georgia. “His efforts in the Senate Public Safety Committee and on the Senate floor have helped support Georgia’s law enforcement agencies, which, in turn, helped make Georgia a safer place for everyone,” said Ayers. The GACP is based in Atlanta and is the largest professional association for law enforcement administrators in Georgia. The Association’s goals are “to promote cooperative, professional relationships throughout the state; to evaluate the standards of police institutions and the profession; to offer quality training and continuing education for administrators; and to provide opportunities for police executives to exchange information and experiences.” For more information on the GACP, visit GaChiefs.com.
Take Roswell’s “Come Back Safely” Pledge The health and safety of everyone who lives, works, and visits Roswell is a top concern, as the City of Roswell does its part to slow down the spread of COVID-19. Keeping each other healthy is a shared commitment. Helping local business owners, employees, residents, and visitors remember that mutual obligation and commitment to each other’s health is the idea behind the “Come Back Safely” pledge, a collaboration among the City of Roswell and its economic development and tourism partners, Roswell Inc and Visit Roswell. “The Come Back Safely pledge is a promise that anyone who lives, works, and plays in Roswell can make to assure their neighbors and the broader community that they will take necessary precautions like washing or sanitizing hands, following physical distancing guidelines, wearing face coverings/masks, and staying home when feeling ill,” said Roswell Mayor Lori Henry. “By communicating a shared responsibility and commitment to safety and compliance, we can work together to help cultivate a greater sense of care and confidence in public environments.” Businesses and organizations can download the pledge toolkit, which includes a pledge badge graphic, downloadable flyers and posters, and other promotional elements to let their guests know that they have taken the pledge and are serious about their commitment to safety. Residents and other individuals can also take the pledge and then download the pledge badge to share their commitment with their friends and family on social media. For more information and to take the pledge, visit RoswellGov.com/ComeBackSafely.
Milton’s New Public Safety Complex Nearly 14 years after the City’s founding, Milton’s Police Department (MPD) and Municipal Court are in their own spacious, state-of-the-art, City-owned location. Milton’s new two-building Public Safety Complex project was finished on time and on budget. MPD, Municipal Court, and the Milton Fire-Rescue Department’s administration moved into the new Public Safety Complex last month, and firefighters also began operating out of the new Station 44, which adjoins the administration offices. Until last month, the Milton Municipal Court and Police Department had worked out of rented office suites off Deerfield Parkway, which wasn’t designed explicitly for law enforcement and, thus, came with limitations. Their new location has features like an evidence room, showers, plenty of natural light, and much more. “This facility truly reflects the professional police services that we strive to provide our citizens each and every day, and we so look forward to sharing this space with our community in the years to come,” said MPD Chief Rich Austin. Across the parking lot closer to Highway 9 sits the new Fire Station 44, which contains an expansive kitchen and living room, personal bunk rooms, an exercise room, and bay. The Public Safety Complex was made possible by Milton taxpayers as well as elected officials reflecting citizens’ priorities.
Milton Firefighters Seek Support for Virtual Muscular Dystrophy Association Boot Drive Every year, Milton firefighters hit the streets with boots in hand, asking generous citizens to chip in a few dollars or even loose change for the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA). No surprise, this year is different due to the COVID-19 pandemic. What hasn’t changed is the Milton Fire-Rescue Department’s earnest commitment to support the MDA. This time, however, citizens won’t be asked to deposit their dollars and dimes in a rubber boot. Instead, they can donate online and by phone. “Our firefighters look forward to the MDA Boot Drive every year. While that can’t happen now, Milton Fire wants to do its part to support this great cause,” said Milton Fire Chief Robert Edgar. “And to make a difference, we need our citizens to step up — just as they have, time and again — to help.” Want to join the campaign and change the lives of those with MDA? Visit FillTheBoot.DonorDrive.com/team/cityofmiltonfd, then click “Support Us.” Money raised supports the MDA, which uses it to: Fund research for new treatments Support MDA Care Centers Send children to MDA summer camp For more information about the Muscular Dystrophy Association, visit MDA.org.
City of Roswell Seeks Resident Input on 2040 Plan The City of Roswell is in the public input stage of its 2040 Comprehensive Plan, which is a high-level planning document that seeks to unify the direction and policy of economic development, housing, transportation, natural resources, land use, and green space. The plan will also create visions for some locations throughout the city, so they will better fit market conditions. It all comes down to what residents want in their city, and its never been easier to provide input. Through a series of online meetings and an online portal, the City will collect resident input on what needs to change and what should stay the same. The online portal allows residents to place pins on a map of the City and give their opinions of what is good, bad, and how it should change. The Citys consultant, Pond and Company, will collect this input and formulate a plan for the future in collaboration with City of Roswell staff. Every five years, the City updates maps using residents feedback, which then become the basis for future land use and planning. Roswells plan was last updated in 2016. This is an opportunity to have a say in what your community will look like in the future, said Jackie Deibel, Roswells planning and zoning director. We want residents to give us their input on how they want Roswell to look in 20 years. Visit RoswellGov.com to learn more about the 2040 Comprehensive Plan and upcoming meetings, as well as ways to get involved.