Alpharetta Celebrates Opening of New City Hall Mayor David Belle Isle and Alpharetta leaders celebrated the grand opening of the new Alpharetta City Hall with a special ribbon cutting ceremony. The event included a tour of the new facility, which is part of the City Center project. State Rep. Chuck Martin, State Senator John Albers, State Senator Brandon Beach and Fulton County Commissioner Liz Hausmann also were in attendance. The new Alpharetta City Hall is located behind the current facility, at 2 S. Main St. in Downtown Alpharetta, and is approximately 47,000 square feet. It is part of phase one of the City Center project, which features a town plaza/green, 450-space parking deck, and sidewalks and connecting streets. A new Alpharetta Library branch also is scheduled to open on the site this year.
Rodgers Named Roswell Director of Rec & Parks Roswell's Recreation, Parks, Historic & Cultural Affairs Dept. has welcomed Morgan Rodgers as its new director. Rodgers replaces 37-year veteran Joe Glover, who retired this past November. Rodgers has served as assistant director for the past 22 years. Before his tenure as assistant director, Rodgers was superintendent of recreation for the department from 1989 to 1995. Previous to that, he was associate executive director of the Georgia Lockheed Employee's Recreation Club and the superintendent of recreation for the Jekyll Island Authority. He also served in various recreation and parks positions in Georgia and North Carolina. Rodgers earned his bachelor's degree, with honors, in Recreation and Parks Administration from Clemson University. He is a Certified Park and Recreation Professional (CPRP) and a Certified Accreditation Visitor with the National Recreation and Parks Association. "I am very excited to carry on the great work that Joe Glover and others before him started. It is a joy to work for this department, with this staff, and for the people of Roswell," said Rodgers. "I keep saying I have felt like the kid working in the candy store for the past 22 years and now they've just given me the keys."
JLGNF Accepting New Member Applications The Junior League of Gwinnett and North Fulton Counties (JLGNF) is seeking new members for the spring 2015 Provisional Class. Membership in JLGNF is open to all women over the age of 22 who demonstrate an interest in and a commitment to volunteerism. JLGNF's mission is to raise awareness for girls' self-esteem through fundraising events and hands-on activities that positively impact the lives of the young women in its surrounding areas. The service league's new program, "Strong Girls, Bright Futures," includes raising awareness of girls' self-esteem for teen and "tween" girls and working directly with them to strengthen their self-worth. New members of JLGNF are offered the personal joy and fulfillment of making a difference in their local communities and enjoying social opportunities with women from all walks of life. JLGNF has nearly 134 active and sustaining members consisting of CEOs, entrepreneurs, mothers and professional women from diverse backgrounds. Members balance work and home life with volunteer hours to help JLGNF make a difference in the communities it serves. Application deadline is January 17. For more information about joining JLGNF, email Recruiting@JLGNF or visit JLGNF.org.
Johns Creek Releases Smartphone App Johns Creek has released a new "JC Now" smartphone app designed to provide emergency notifications from the City, along with access to interactive maps, news articles, council meeting agendas, social media and contact information. "Johns Creek is very tightly engaged with its public and vice versa. To keep that civic engagement strong, we need to continue to take advantage of technology that gives instant notification of major traffic issues, inclement weather, or other major events," says Senior Communications Manager Rosemary Taylor. The app was custom-built by the City's Geographic Information Systems team, using open-source technology. An earlier beta version of "JC Now" won 1st Place at the 2014 Esri International User Conference in San Diego. "JC Now" is available for both Apple and Android systems. The City of Johns Creek website (JohnsCreekGa.gov) includes a link for download.
Roswell Rain Gardens Offer Innovative Solution to Water Pollution The City of Roswell celebrated the completion of its new rain gardens project, designed to improve the water quality of Crossville Creek, which runs through Roswell Area Park. The City of Roswell targeted areas within Roswell Area Park because many of the park's impervious areas (parking lots) drain directly into Crossville Creek. The creek is included on the Federal Clean Water Act's list of impaired waterways in Georgia for fecal coliform bacteria. "When we found out Crossville Creek was impaired, we knew we had to come up with a way to protect that waterway from further damage," said Alice Champagne, water resources manager for the City of Roswell. "We also wanted to reduce the volume and velocity of stormwater contributing to stream bank erosion and flooding. Rain gardens are called a 'Best Management Practice, or BMP,' in our line of work because they address all those concerns quite effectively. Rain gardens mimic the natural absorption and pollutant removal that happens in a forest, meadow, prairie or other natural area. They're a low-tech, effective, sustainable, and aesthetically beautiful way to safeguard our waterways." Four rain gardens have been created throughout the park: at the entrance road parking lot; pedestrian path near the turf ball field; and at the football field parking lot (in two areas). The total project was just under $200,000, which included a partial grant from the federal government for 55 percent of the cost. Roswell's Water Resources Division will continue to monitor downstream of Roswell Area Park and compare new data to previous data. In addition, rain gardens will be incorporated into future City projects wherever appropriate.
Rotary Club of Johns CreekNorth Fulton Cleans Up Local Road The Rotary Club of Johns CreekNorth Fulton cleaned up a 1.95-mile stretch of Old Alabama Road in conjunction with the recent "North Fulton Day of Service." Through the Adopt-A-Road program, the club is responsible for cleaning up and maintaining the section of road from Medlock Bridge Road to Spruill Road.
Elfaretta Contest Returns to Alpharetta The "Where's Elfaretta?" contest has returned to Alpharetta for the holidays. Elfaretta is hiding out in participating Alpharetta businesses, giving customers a chance to win prizes as they hunt for the little elf. The contest runs through December 18. Customers who find Elfaretta will be entered into a drawing for one of five prizes, which will be presented on January 9, 2015, at State Bank & Trust.
City of Roswells Brechbill Named President of National Organization Julie Brechbill, manager of community relations for the City of Roswell, has been named president of the City-County Communications and Marketing Association (3CMA), a national organization dedicated to best practices in local government communications and marketing. Brechbill has spent 11 of her more than 20 years' experience in government public relations at the City of Roswell, where she oversees the City's website, social media efforts, television station, publications, media relations and public outreach programs. She began her career in government public relations in Palm Beach County, Fla., where she worked in public affairs for 14 years. "We are very pleased that Julie has assumed the 3CMA presidency. Julie is a consensus-builder. Her expertise and extensive knowledge of the challenges facing local government will be essential to meeting the future responsibilities of local governments," said Dick Lillquist, executive director of 3CMA. "Her election reflects the association's ongoing commitment to serving local government professionals with cutting-edge programs and activities." As president of 3CMA, Brechbill will lead the organization in strengthening its network of 700 members, who work in various communications roles within local government or public service across the nation. 3CMA provides an annual conference, regional mini conferences, and many other professional development opportunities to help members foster meaningful government/citizen relationships through innovative communications and marketing techniques. Brechbill earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism with a minor in Political Science from Eastern Illinois University, and a Master of Science in Organizational Leadership from Colorado State University. She has presented at national, state, and regional conferences on a variety of local government communications issues.
Veterans Memorial Walk to be Dedicated November 7 The Johns Creek Veterans Association will hold a dedication and flag-raising ceremony November 7 for the Johns Creek Veterans Memorial Walk entrance plaza located at Newtown Park in Johns Creek. The project, which began two years ago, is expected to be completed in time for the event. "In the past few months, we have made tremendous progress," said JCVA President Wayne Kidd. "The monuments will be ready, the gazebo built, the engraved pavers installed, and the grounds will be landscaped. The community is really coming together to make this happen. The Veterans Memorial Walk is going to be a destination point and something the people of Johns Creek can be proud of." Immediately before the ceremony, which will begin at 1:00 p.m., the JCVA will unveil the black marble monuments focusing on each conflict dating to World War I, Purple Heart recipients, MIA-POWs, and Women in Service. JCVA volunteers will lead walking tours after the ceremony. The ceremony will feature short addresses, patriotic songs, and the first official raising of the flags for each branch of service, plus the national, state and city flags. Light food and drink will be available at Park Place adjacent to the plaza. The 1,800-pound monuments feature engraved photographs and colored war ribbons specific to each conflict. Matching granite benches are planned for each memorial plaza. Visitors can stop for rest and reflection at a gazebo in the center of the four-acre memorial. Each monument plaza is floored with donated pavers, most of which are engraved with the names of the donor's loved one who served, as well as the rank, branch of service and years served. The JCVA is still accepting donations for engraved pavers.
Win a VIP Shopping Experience in Alpharetta CVBs Unwrap the Magic Contest Does your wardrobe need a new look? You could be the lucky winner of a $500 gift card and other prizes with the "Unwrap the Magic" contest, sponsored by the Alpharetta Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB). In addition to the $500 gift card, the lucky winner will receive a free two-night stay at the Embassy Suites Atlanta-Alpharetta and a full day with a personal shopper, Nicole Borsuk. Nicole will review your individual style and offer expert advice during your six-hour shopping spree at Alpharetta's unique boutiques and retail stores. The "Unwrap the Magic" contest runs through December 31 and is open to all legal U.S. residents age 21 and older. Only one entry per person. For complete details, visit AwesomeAlpharetta.com.