April 24, 2015

BOARD OFCOMMISSIONERS

Regular Meetings May 5th at 9:00 AM

May 19th at 6:30 PM

Meetings held at:Administration Building

Community Room140 Henry Parkway

McDonough, GA 30253

Regular Commissionmeetings will air Fridays,Saturdays, Mondays and

Wednesdays onHenry TV Channel 180 andAT&T U-Verse Channel 99,

at 9 a.m. & 7 p.m.

1the henry county update

Senior Services Hosting 21st Annual Miles for Meals Walk

The Miles for Meals Walk is striding into its 21st year of helping Senior Citizens in Henry County, and for more than two decades, has been held to help provide area senior citizens with hot meals and in-home services. It is the single largest fundraiser organized by the Henry County Council on Aging to benefit Henry County Senior Services’ various programs. The annual event takes place at Heritage Park on Saturday, May 2, 2015, at 10 a.m. at the Jason T. Harper Event Center. Walkers of all ages are encouraged to come out for this long-standing community tradition. Every dollar raised by the Miles for Meals Walk stays in Henry County to assist local senior citizens, with the funds helping to provide critical services, such as

hot, nutritious meals through the Meals on Wheels program, nutritional supplements and in-home health services. In addition to providing much needed meals and services, the Meals on Wheels program offers one important side benefit: a way to ensure that these seniors are checked on regularly by a caring volunteer. The one-mile route will take participants on a leisurely walk through Heritage Park. Registration for this family-oriented event begins at 9 a.m., with the actual walk to commence at 10 a.m. Water will be available throughout the morning, and lunch will begin immediately following the walk. All walkers get a free t-shirt and meal ticket for lunch included with their $25 donation, and a swag bag

Walkers warm up at last year’s Miles for Meals walk held every first Saturday in May.

henrycounty-ga.org

With warm temperatures just around the corner, Henry County Animal Care & Control is once again stepping up patrols to be on the lookout for pets left in hot cars. Too often, beloved pets are left in dangerous situations where owners leave them locked inside of their vehicles during the heat of the day, while they stop by a store or restaurant or run other errands. To combat this distressing trend, starting on May 1, Henry County Animal Care & Control is bringing back the program they launched four years ago, known as “Operation Cool Down,” and will be employing Oscar, the Hot Dog mascot to remind people not to leave their pets in hot vehicles. Any animal that is found unattended in a vehicle, that is in distress, will be removed from that vehicle by Animal Care and Control officers by whatever means necessary, as permitted under Henry County Ordinance. Violators of the ordinance may face fines up to $1,000 or 60 days in jail. According to Supervisor Vince Farah, Henry County Rabies Control Officer, every year his department receives numerous calls regarding pets left in hot cars. He said that the temperature inside a car on a hot day spikes higher than what the barometer reads on the outside, for example, on a 90-degree day, temperatures inside a car can quickly reach up to 120 degrees. Farah said officers from Animal Care & Control will be patrolling parking lots for animals that are left in

vehicles and they won’t be giving warnings, they will be writing citations. “With more than 160 days of hot weather on average, we will be out daily to ensure that pets are not left in hot cars to suffer and possibly die,” said Farah. Officials at Henry County Animal Care and Control advise residents to keep their pets at home if their pets cannot be with them at all times. Experts say that a dog naturally has a higher body temperature than a human and that leaving them in a hot car could be deadly. In addition, owners should make sure that their pets have a constant source of clean, drinkable water at all times and have adequate shelter from the heat. For more information about Henry County Animal Care & Control, please visit www.hcacc.org..

April 24, 2015

Animal Care & Control’s “Operation Cool Down” is Heating Up

The Henry County Police Department is now using YouTube! The purpose is to work in partnership with

our citizens in solving and reducing crime.

www.youtube.com/user/HenryCountyPoliceDpt

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Miles for Meals from page 1

with donated goodies. Groups and individuals who raise the most money will be given special recognition at the event. This year’s event will also be more family-friendly, with more activities for the kids. According to Ann Marie Quincey, coordinator for this year’s walk, organizers wanted to incorporate more family-friendly events, especially for the children. “The walk is a family affair and we want to have something for everyone,” said Quincey. “We want families to participate, from the youngest to oldest and make great memories year after year.” To add to the festivities there will be a special kid zone area with balloons, a clown, face painting, crafts and a fishing booth where the little ones can ”fish” for prizes. Also this year, Chick-fil-A will be providing a delicious picnic lunch.

Last year the walk raised approximately $50,000 to help area seniors, and all of the money raised here, stays her. Quincey said she hopes to meet or beat that goal and that Senior Services staff have been finding creative ways to raise even more money for Miles for Meals, with fun-themed days where staff members each pay a $1 to dress up. This past month, some of the money-making themes included crazy hat day, Hawaiian luau and PJ day. The Jason T. Harper Event Center is located in Heritage Park, 101 Lake Dow Road, just off Highway 81 East in McDonough. For walker envelopes and information, or to sponsor the event, please call 770.288.7010 or email aquincey@co.henry.ga.us. For more information on Henry county Senior Services, please visit www.henrycounty-ga.org/seniorservices.

Crazy hat day brought out some interesting creations at the Heritage Park Senior Center.

Proceeds from Crazy Hat Day help add to the Miles for Meals fundraiser.

henrycounty-ga.org

April 24, 2015

Harlon Matthews Honored with National Award

Henry County Therapeutic Recreation Specialist Harlon Matthews has been selected as the 2014 Brad Parks Award winner by the United States Tennis Association, and was presented with the prestigious award during the USTA Annual Meeting, held April 11-13, 2015, at the Boca Club and Resort in Boca Raton, FL. In a recent letter, from Curt Bender, Chair of the USTA Wheelchair Tennis Committee, Bender wrote “You have given outstanding service to wheelchair tennis for many years, and the USTA is very proud to recognize your achievements.” Established in 2002, the Brad Parks Award recognizes outstanding contributions the game of wheelchair tennis and named after Brad Parks, a pioneer of wheelchair tennis and the first wheelchair tournament champion, who was a trailblazer in the development of wheelchair tennis around the world. The award is presented to an individual or group that has provided opportunities to wheelchair players through the development of programs promoting wheelchair tennis at the sectional or national level. Matthews is the chair of the USTA Southern Wheelchair Tennis Committee, and in the past he has served two terms on the National Wheelchair Tennis Committee. In 2013, Matthews was named the Professional Tennis Registry (PTR) Wheelchair Professional of the Year. He is also a coach, clinician and wheelchair sports athlete. “Everything I do is straight passion. The biggest reward is seeing people with disabilities move ahead in life,” said Matthews. “That’s worth more than any award, but being recognized makes it very special, real sweet. I’m in awe of this honor and it empowers me to do even more things.”

Harlon Matthews with the Brad Parks Award he accepted at the 2015 USTA Annual Meeting.

USTA Awards Committee Chair Nancy Alfano, Harlon Matthews and Katrina Adams, Chairman, CEO and President of USTA Na-tional, at the USTA Annual Meeting where Matthews was awarded the Brad Parks Award.

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Commissioners Recognize Crime Victims’ Rights Week With a Proclamation

Notices of Property Value to be Mailed April 17

The Henry County Board of Commissioners recognized the 2015 National Crime Victims’ Rights Week, observed from April 19 to 25, with a proclamation at the April 21, 2015 regular Commission meeting. Each year, the Henry County District Attorney’s Office, along with the Henry County Solicitor’s Office and other Henry County agencies join together to host activities in recognition of National Crime Victims’ Rights Week. On Thursday, April 23 there will be a Community Awareness and Networking Event from 6:30-7:00p.m. and the 13th Annual Memorial Service honoring and remembering victims of crime and their families and recognizing outstanding services provided to victims of crime by law enforcement and other public servants from 7:00-8:00 p.m. at Shiloh Baptist Church, located at 262 Macon St., McDonough, GA. For more information on Victims Services, contact Lorraine Bunn, Victim Services Director with

the Henry County District Attorney’s Office, at lbunn@co.henry.ga.us.

Charles Reddoch, Henry County’s Chief Appraiser, wants property owners to be aware that Real Estate Notices of Value for 2015 are being mailed to owners on April 17, 2015. Many property owners will see an increase in appraised value because of the increase in the real estate market during 2014. The Assessors are required by Georgia Law to respond to the real estate market when it goes up or down. As the market decreased in prior years, the Assessor’s Office responded with lower appraised values. With the market going up, the appraised values are also going up. The Assessment Notice will reflect an estimated tax bill. This estimate is based on current values and

last year’s millage. The final millage is subject to change when the Henry County Board of Commissioners, Henry County Board of Education and individual cities establish their 2015 millage. “When the real estate market took the downturn, we responded with lower appraisals. The market is on the rise and we are required to respond with higher market values. We respond to the market and report the market; we don’t make the market,” said Reddoch. The 2015 Notice of Value will also be available online beginning April 20, 2015 at www.qpublic.net/ga/henry as well as through the County’s website at www.henrycounty-ga.org.

Commission Chairman Tommy N. Smith presents the Crime Vic-tims’ Rights Week Proclamation to Solicitor General John “Trea” Pipkin, surrounded by Henry County District Attorney Jim Wright, victim advocates and the Henry County Board of Commissioners.

henrycounty-ga.org

On Wednesday April 15, 2015 Henry County Police Chief Keith Nichols presented Officer Bruce LaBier with a Certificate of Appreciation from the Henry County Board of Commissioners for Officer LaBier’s generosity and service to the citizens of Henry County. Earlier in the year, Officer LaBier performed security for a local dental office during a dental charity event and donated his payment for security services back to the charity program.

HCPD officer recognized for his generosity to citizens

April 24, 2015

Officer Bruce LaBier was recognized for his generosity and service to citizens with a Certificate of Appreciation from the Henry County Board of Commissioners, presented to him by Deputy Chief Mark Amerman and Chief Keith Nichols. Pictured (l. to r.) are Deputy Chief Amerman, Officer LaBier and Chief Nichols.

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Henry County Police Officers and supporters participated in a 5K event “Run to Remember” on Saturday, April 11, 2015 at Echols Ranch in McDonough, in honor of fallen Officer Chuck Haist, whose tragic end of watch was February 16, 2005.

The event was hosted by Get Set Grow and proceeds will go to benefit the local Georgia Chapter of Concerns of Police Survivors (C.O.P.S) and the HCPD Bereavement Fund.

Memorial Run Honors Henry County Officer

Officer Bruce LaBier was recognized for his generosity and service to citizens with a Certificate of Appreciation from the Henry County Board of Commissioners, presented to him by Deputy Chief Mark Amerman and Chief Keith Nichols. Pictured (l. to r.) are Deputy Chief Amerman, Officer LaBier and Chief Nichols.

henrycounty-ga.org

E-911 Staff Recognized by BOC for Awards Honor

The Henry County Board of Commissioners, along with EMA Director Don Ash, recognized several members of the E-911 Department for honors at the 7th Annual Emergency Communications Conference Awards Banquet, held last month.

Danielle Hohenstein was named the 2015 GECC Communications Officer of the Year and Stan Jones was honored with the 2015 GECC Award of Excellence.

Several members of the department also received nominations, and they include Amanda Maddox for the 2015 GECC Supervisor of the Year, and the Henry County E-911 Evening Watch Team for the 2015 GECC Team of the Year, whose members include Jessica Brogdon, Danielle Hohenstein, Michelle Lunsford, Steve Rodriguez, Katherine Scott and Laloni Smith.

April 24, 2015