Roswell Special Events Honored by the Southeast Festival and Events The City of Roswells Special Events Division cleaned up at the annual Southeast Festival and Events Associations Kaleidoscope Awards, coming away with six awards in six different categories. Roswell won the gold award for Best New Event with the wildly successful Dia De Los Muertos celebration held this past October. The city also garnered the silver award in the Best Sponsor category for Gate City Brewing Company. In addition, the Alive in Roswell website received a silver award, and the Roswell Special Events Facebook page won a silver award in the Best Social Media category. Alive in Roswell also received bronze awards for the Best Festival or Event Video as well as the Best Festival or Event photo. We are so pleased to be recognized for all the hard work and effort that goes into each event, said City of Roswell Special Events Manager Chris Ward. The collaboration amongst our Special Events Division, City staff, and the community has been instrumental in the success of City of Roswell events. The Southeast Festival and Events Associations Kaleidoscope Awards are designed to recognize the highest level of achievement in the festival and event industry throughout the Southeast United States. This years awards included 25 categories, 7 states, and 171 entries from 29 organizations across the Southeast.
Business and Community Leaders Visit State Delegation During GNFCC Day at the Capitol The Greater North Fulton Chamber assembled a group of more than 50 business and community leaders to attend this years GNFCC Day at the Capitol. The group met with north Fulton County senators and representatives to discuss legislative priorities for the community. This was the largest Day at the Capitol to date for the Chamber, which included mayors from Alpharetta, Milton, and Mountain Park. During the visit, the group discussed the new voting process with Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger and met with members of its legislative delegation including Speaker Pro Tem Jan Jones, Senators John Albers and Brandon Beach, and Representatives Todd Jones, Angelika Kausche, Chuck Martin, and Mary Robichaux. The Greater North Fulton Chamber is very appreciative of the community and business leaders who took time away from their business to promote our community needs to elected officials at the State Capitol, said Alan Najjar, GNFCC chairman of the board. The Chamber Government Affairs Committee organizes the annual GNFCC Day at the Capitol as well as the GNFCC Legislative Agenda, which can be found on the Chamber website at GNFCC.com.
Alpharetta Rotary Donates $15,000 to North Fulton Community Charities The Rotary Club of Alpharetta surprised North Fulton Community Charities (NFCC) with a $15,000 check at their recent meeting. The generous donation will help the organization expand its services in the north Fulton community. We are excited and grateful to the Rotary Club of Alpharetta for this generous donation, said NFCC Executive Director Holly M. York. The Alpharetta Rotary has been a dedicated partner in the fight against poverty in our community, and this donation further demonstrates their commitment to help our neighbors in need. The Rotary Club of Alpharetta regularly volunteers to pick up food for the food pantry from a local market in addition to supporting the back-to-school and holiday programs. Alpharetta Rotarians John Hipes and Ted Schwartz both serve on the NFCC board of directors. Through dedication, hard work, and community support, NFCC leads the way in helping the citizens of north Fulton County, said Will Daniel, president of Rotary Club of Alpharetta 2019-2020. The Rotary Club of Alpharetta is proud to donate $15,000 to NFCC, and we look forward to partnering with them for many years to come. Founded in 1983, NFCC serves as a human service agency dedicated to building self-sufficiency and preventing homelessness and hunger for residents in north Fulton in the cities of Alpharetta, Johns Creek, Milton, Mountain Park, and Roswell. NFCC assists families with essentials such as food, rent and utilities, and clothing for short-term emergencies. Adult education classes are also offered at no cost to help create a path to self-sufficiency for clients. NFCC serves nearly 10,000 individuals and 4,000 families each year.
Johns Creek Appoints Ed Densmore as City Manager Last month, the Johns Creek City Council unanimously approved the appointment of Ed Densmore as city manager. Densmore emerged as the top candidate for the position after a nationwide search that began last June when the city hired Strategic Government Resources (SGR), a firm specializing in the recruitment of municipal employees. The mayor and SGR identified Densmore as the final candidate to lead the city in oversight of strategic programs, teams, and services. I am honored that the mayor and City Council have entrusted me to serve as Johns Creeks next city manager, Densmore said. Johns Creek is a unique community with engaged residents, flourishing neighborhoods, and a thriving business sector. I look forward to continuing to be a part of this community in this new role and working with the Citys elected officials, management team, and staff to deliver high quality services. Densmore served as the acting city manager for the past eight months and holds the distinction of being the citys first and only police chief, a role he has held for the last 11 years. As police chief, Densmore launched the Johns Creek Police Department in 2008 and prior to that, he served as police chief for the City of Alpharetta. Densmore holds a B.S. in Criminal Justice from Michigan State University and is a graduate of the Command College at Columbus State University and the FBI National Academy. He will continue as the police chief until a replacement has been selected.
15th Annual Roswell Reads Event Promotes Local Literacy Each year, Roswell Reads selects a book to promote the value of reading, literacy, and lifelong learning through community-wide programs. The organization collaborates with Roswell Library, Friends of the Roswell and East Roswell Libraries, and the City of Roswell.Roswell Reads selected Kim Michele Richardsons book, The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek, for this years program. The novel tells a unique story inspired by the blue-skinned people of eastern Kentucky and the Appalachian Pack Horse Library Project. This Years Events:March 13 - Writing Workshop: The Path to Publication with author Kim Michele Richardson, 1:00pm, Roswell City Hall, Room 220, 38 Hill Street, Roswell. Tickets are $10. March 14 - Literary Luncheon with Richardson, 11:00am, Adult Recreation Center, 830 Grimes Bridge Road, Roswell. Tickets are $20This year, Roswell Reads is partnering with Little Free Library of North Fulton, which shares books, much like the Pack Horse Librarians. At the Literary Luncheon, rather than taking a book home, attendees are asked to bring a book to add to the Little Free Library collection. Specific requests include preschool board or early-reader books, chapter books, young adult/teen books, and adult books by local authors. Visit RoswellReads2020.Eventbrite.com to register for programs or visit RoswellReads.com for more information.
Students Invited To Apply for City of Milton Internship The City of Milton invites students to apply for summer internships as part of a new paid program that offers a far-reaching look at city government.The Comprehensive Internship Program was conceived last summer with help from Milton native Audrey Shannon, who was a summer intern with the City. The new program exposes interns to every aspect of Miltons government. In turn, those same interns work for the City based on both their interests, skills, and expertise as well as individual department needs.The interns duties might include conducting research, acting as a liaison for the City, creating public presentations, assisting with City events or programs, and administrative work. The program will last 10 weeks, and interns will be expected to work 15-20 hours per week.Interns must be 18 years or older and either in college or a recent high school graduate. They are expected to have work or volunteer experience and be proficient in Microsoft Office. To apply, visit CityOfMiltonGa.us/careers/internship. Applications are due by March 9. Interns will be expected to begin work in early June.For additional questions, contact Courtney Spriggs at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 678-242-2533.
GNFCC Announces 2020 Officers and Directors The Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce (GNFCC) recently announced the board members and officers who will lead the organization into the new decade. Alan Najjar, Smith & Howard, is the GNFCC 2020 chair, with Lindsey Petrini, WellStar North Fulton Hospital, serving as chair-elect. James Holmes, BB&T, serves as chair-elect-elect, and Chris Mixon, Synovus, serves as treasurer. New 2020 Board Members(Three-Year Term) Danielle Cheung, Bank of AmericaJohn Herbert, Herbert Legal GroupBonnie Mauldin, The Mauldin GroupTony Parker, Pond and CompanyRalph Pasquariello, Snellings WaltersJai Rodgers, Delta Community Credit UnionWendell Strickland, Strongside SolutionsJim Teel, Goodwyn, Mills & CawoodBrian Whelan, Atlantic Capital Bank The Chamber is proud of its nearly 50-year history of success in providing integral programs and services for its members, said President and CEO Kali Boatright. With this group of passionate leaders, as well as our mayors and former chairs who serve as dedicated ex-officio board members, we are ensured a new decade of success.
GNFCC Gala Award Winners The Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce recently hosted its annual Gala awards ceremony, where attendees enjoyed a black-tie optional event with music, dancing, and dessert stations. The following awards were presented:Pioneer Award Barbara Duffy, North Fulton Community Charities (Retired)Lifetime Achievement Award John Rasper, DeKalb Office Community Service Award Freda Hardage, Northside HospitalGNFCC Volunteer of the Year Award John Herbert, Herbert Legal Group
Introducing the New Milton Business Council The Milton Business Alliance (MBA) recently merged with the Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce (GNFCC) to create the Milton Business Council (MBC), a landmark move that members believe will provide even greater benefits to Miltons business community.The new MBC will be led by Milton business leaders who are passionate about whats happening in the city and excited about the future. The new organization will have its own identity coupled with expertise and support from the GNFCC.The MBA had been run by volunteers since its inception in 2009. Last year, the MBAs board discovered that nearly half its members belonged to the GNFCC. The board decided that uniting with the Chamber could significantly benefit the Milton business community, spurring discussions that led to this merger. We believe the partnership with the GNFCC and the valuable leadership it provides will enable the Milton business community to move to the next level, offering our members more support and services, said Sharon Mays, the leader of the former MBA.The MBA and GNFCC have been working to ensure a smooth transition for Milton business owners.I am extremely excited to work with Milton business owners and Milton City leaders to form a business council that creates real value for its members, said GNFCC President Kali Boatright. I am also humbled that MBA leadership is willing to put their 10-year history of good work into our trust. We are committed to the success of the Milton Business Council, as we move into the new decade.
Roswell High School Celebrates Student Success With Two New Awards Recently, Georgia Governor Brian Kemp announced the 2019 School Awards, and Roswell High School was named a Silver school based on a three-year average College and Career Ready Performance Index (CCRPI) Progress Score that ranks schools in at least the 93rd percentile. The awards are developed by the Governors Office of Student Achievement and approved by the State Board of Education.In addition, the State Department of Education recently released its annual list of schools that are designated as Beating the Odds. According to the press release, a statistical analysis compares a schools actual performance on the CCRPI with the performance of schools across the state with similar characteristics. Schools performing higher than similar schools are labeled as Beating the Odds, and Roswell High School received this honor. In 2019, 36% of schools in Fulton County were given this designation compared to 30% in 2018. Both accolades come on the heels of RHSs recent announcement of several areas of improvement including higher scores by students on the Georgia Milestones Assessments, SAT, and Advanced Placement exams, an increase in the CCRPI score, and a higher graduation rate.I am so proud to be the principal of Roswell High School, and of our continued success, said Principal Robert Shaw, Ed.D. We have not only smart, hardworking students, but also dedicated faculty, staff, volunteers, and community members investing in our students and their well-being.