County by county news for Saturday

Classes will meet 6 p.m.-9 p.m. Wednesdays and on one Saturday. Participants must be 18 or older.

Applications are available online at www.smyrnacity.com. Tucker McQueen for the AJC

Marietta appoints board members

The Marietta City Council has appointed Brenda McCrae, Ward 5, to the city’s planning commission for 3 years and the Civil Service Board. James Tarvin was appointed to Post 3 of the Civil Service Board. The planning commission reviews and recommends zoning ordinances and the Civil Service Board is an appeals board for fire and police department staff below the rank of deputy chief. Information: www.mariettaga.gov. Tucker McQueen for the AJC

Special needs school hosts open house

MDE School, 1517 Johnson Ferry Road, Marietta, will host a public Open House 7 - 9 p.m. Jan. 21 so the community has the opportunity to see the work going on there. There will also be a special needs resource fair offered that same evening with vendors from the special needs community offering information about other resources in the Atlanta area. Information: 770-971-4633 or www.mdeschool.com. Arlinda Smith Broady

Austell board elects leaders for 2014

The Austell Planning and Zoning Commission voted recently for Bill Foster to serve another one-year term as chairman and for Diane Evans as vice-chairman.

Other members are Don Foster, Julie Lemaster, Sara Parker and Curtis Stanfield. Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC

Registration open for Mableton classes

Registration is open for winter classes at the Mable House Arts Center, 5239 Floyd Road, Mableton.

Activities for adults include pottery classes and workshops, jewelry making, photography and drawing. Youth classes involve performance, theater, music, painting, drawing and pottery.

Registration: 770-819-3285.

Information: mablehouse.org. Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC

Councilman pays Marietta for legal fees

Marietta City Councilman Philip Goldstein has paid the city $50,000 for legal fees ending his three-year legal battle to build a five-story building on the Marietta Square. The council approved a policy in 2011 to seek fees for lawsuits that are determined frivolous or litigious. Marietta was awarded $47,000 a year ago in Cobb Superior Court after the city sued Waleed Jaraysi for legal fees. His attorney paid $10,000, but Jaraysi still owes $37,000, Marietta attorney Doug Haynie said. Jaraysi sued Marietta in 2005 after the city halted construction of a wedding hall he was building on South Marietta Parkway. Tucker McQueen for the AJC

GWINNETT

Time running out for comments on 2014 budget

Gwinnett Commission Chairman Charlotte Nash formally presented a proposed $1.5 billion budget for fiscal year 2014 to the Board of Commissioners during a briefing on November 19. After a public hearing and period for public comment, commissioners will vote on the budget proposal during their first meeting of the year on January 7.

Residents have until Tuesday, December 31 to submit comments online via a form on the county’s website: www.gwinnettcounty.com. Karen Huppertz for the AJC

Peachtree Corners run to benefit nonprofits

Peachtree Corners will host a Christmas Run 10K and 5K run/walk at 9:15 a.m. today at Christ the King Lutheran Church, 5575 Peachtree Parkway. Registration begins at 7:15 a.m.

Proceeds from the race will benefit more than 10 Peachtree Corners nonprofits.

Search Peachtree Corners 2013 Christmas Run online or call 404-448-4701. Karen Huppertz for the AJC

Recycled Christmas trees become mulch

Suwanee is once again participating in the Gwinnett Clean and Beautiful Bring One for the Chipper program to transform Christmas trees into mulch for parks.

Last year, Suwanee mulched 1,419 Christmas trees with all mulch used in Suwanee parks. Undecorated, unadorned real Christmas trees may be dropped in a designated area at Sims Lake Park through Jan. 18. Volunteers will be on hand to assist with tree disposal and to provide free seed packets 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Jan. 4.

Information: www.suwanee.com. Karen Huppertz for the AJC

Kudos and support available for veterans

Hearts for Veterans meets to support the achievement of veterans, answer questions and assist with filling out VA claims 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. each Monday and Wednesday at the Buford Human Services Center, 2755 Sawnee Ave., Buford. Information: 404-834-9784. Karen Huppertz for the AJC

Peachtree Corners business leaders meet

The Peachtree Corners Business Association will hold a 2014 New Year Kick-Off Meeting 7:30 to 9 a.m. Jan. 10 at the Peachtree Corners Hilton.

Keynote speaker will be Dr. Dan Kauffman, President and CEO of Gwinnett Chamber.

Advanced registration required at www.peachtreecornersba.com.

Information: send email to membership@peachtreecornersba.com. Karen Huppertz for the AJC

Library system hires new director

The Gwinnett County Public Library board has appointed Charles Pace as the county’s new library director. Pace will receive a $125,000 annual salary, replacing Nancy Stanbery-Kellam who was removed from the position in June.

Pace is expected to bring experience raising funds and building new branches to Gwinnett.

Information: www.gwinnettpl.org.  Karen Huppertz for the AJC

NORTHSIDE

Accreditation group honors Northside Hospital

The Northside Hospital campuses in Cherokee and Forsyth counties have been recognized as a Top Performer on Key Quality Issues by the Joint Commission. Specifically, Northside was lauded for measures to improve heart failure, pneumonia and overall surgical care.

The commission accredits U-S hospitals and health care programs. Mark Woolsey for the AJC

Early voting today in special election

Voters in two counties will be able to cast ballots today (Saturday) in the Jan.7 special election for the Ga. House District 22 seat.

In Cherokee: 8:30 a.m.- 5 p.m. at the Cherokee County Elections Office, 400 E. Main St., Canton.

In Forsyth: 9 a.m.- 4 p.m. at the Forsyth County Administration Building, 110 E. Main St., Cumming and at the Midway Park Community Building, 5100 Post Road, Cumming. Mark Woolsey for the AJC

Forsyth to test for detention officers

The Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office will administer a detention officer entrance exam 9 a.m. Jan. 16 at the county Public Safety Center, 3520 Settingdown Road, Cumming. Applicants must be at least 18, with a high school diploma or GED, and no felony convictions.

Application deadline: Jan. 13.

For a complete list of requirements, exemptions and to download an application: forsythsheriff.org. Mark Woolsey for the AJC

Senator announces page contest winners

State Sen. John Albers, R-Roswell, has announced the winners of his 2014 Senate Page Video and Essay Contest. Grand prize winner Katia Gerasimenko, a 10th-grade student at Centennial High School, will serve as Senator of the Day for Albers in the upcoming session.

She and five other winners will also serve as senate pages for the session beginning in January. Mark Woolsey for the AJC

Alpharetta seeks five street names

Alpharetta city officials want the public’s help naming five downtown streets that are part of the developing City Center project. Names should reflect the history, character or essence of downtown or the community as a whole. Streets can’t be named for the living.

For a depiction of the streets and to submit suggestions: www.alpharetta.ga.us.

The 22-acre, multi-use project is set for completion in the summer of 2014. Mark Woolsey for the AJC

Art exhibit on display at library

An ongoing artwork display in a variety of styles and mediums, produced by members of the new Alpha Arts Guild, an organization for North Fulton-based artists, is on display at the Alpharetta Branch of the Atlanta-Fulton Public Library System, 238 Canton St.

Information: 770-740-2425. ARLINDA SMITH BROADY

ATLANTA

Operation P.E.A.C.E. awarded grant

Atlanta City Councilmember Kwanza Hall joined Hyatt Regency Atlanta recently announced a grant award to Operation P.E.A.C.E. (Positive Education Always Creates Elevation), a nonprofit which provides after school and summer programs to youth in District 2’s Old Fourth Ward community. The $12,000 grant is one of 26 grants awarded to non-profits nominated by Hyatt hotels in communities around the world as part of Hyatt Community Grants.

Information: www.hyatthrive/philanthropy.com Arlinda Smith Broady

Senior center hosts New Year’s Eve event

The Helene S. Mills Senior Multipurpose Facility, 515 John Wesley Dobbs Ave., SE will host a New Year’s Eve Celebration noon to 2 p.m. Dec. 31. The program will include food, fellowship and entertainment. Information: 404-523-3353. Arlinda Smith Broady

City wins neighborhood revitalization grant

The city of Atlanta won a $25,000 grant to launch neighborhood revitalization efforts. Atlanta is one of 23 cities nationwide to receive a Cities of Service Impact Volunteering Fund grant from Bloomberg Philanthropies.

The money will go toward creating a community-wide volunteer program to clean up neighborhoods and plant trees and flowers. Katie Leslie

Morehouse receives $5M research award

The Morehouse School of Medicine has received a five-year, $5 million award to conduct research into treating neurological disorders.

The award, from the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, will also help increase diversity in the neuroscience research industry by establishing a collaborative bachelor’s and master’s degree program in neuroscience among the Atlanta University Center institutions of Morehouse and Spelman college and Clark-Atlanta University. . Janel Davis

DEKALB

County hosts ‘Bring One for the Chipper’

DeKalb County Sanitation and Keep DeKalb Beautiful ask homeowners to recycle their trees through curbside pickup on regular collection day, or by drop-off at the Seminole Road Landfill, 4203 Clevemont Road, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. Mon. – Fri. and 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. Saturday. Trees more than 7 feet long must be cut in half. Christmas lights and ornaments must be removed. Trees that cannot be cut down to 4-feet or less can be taken directly to the Seminole Landfill for composting.

Information: 404-371-2654 or kdb@dekalbcountyga.gov. Arlinda Smith Broady

Downtown trees get makeover

Throughout next week Decatur’s roughly 260 downtown trees, or all those in tree wells lining the area’s commercial development, will get their annual fertilizing, pruning and pest-control treatment. Some are as old 35 years, but the majority of the maples, oaks, and elms were planted between 1996 and 2006 when the initial streetscape program was implemented. Total cost for the maintenance is $18,200. Bill Banks for the AJC

Brookhaven working to fix zoning errors

Brookhaven is auditing its citywide zoning map, which is missing several changes DeKalb County made before the city began operations last year.

The city blames the county for inconsistencies, though county officials say they do not map zoning for individual parcels. The city is reviewing each parcel and will create a new zoning map to adopt next year. April Hunt

Briarcliff would be financially feasible city

A city of Briarcliff could provide services for 90,000 residents in DeKalb County without a tax hike, according to a new University of Georgia study.

The would-be city would generate about $54.4 million in revenue and need about $37 million to pay for parks, police and public works services.

Those projections include revenue from the Northlake Mall area, which is hotly disputed by two other proposed cities, Lakeside and Briarcliff.

The borders will need to be defined before state lawmakers move on proposals to allow incorporation votes. April Hunt

Cityhood financially sound for Tucker

A Georgia State University study has determined the proposed city of Tucker could provide services without a tax hike for residents. The study found the would-be city of 63,000 would generate about $16.6 million in revenue and need about $13.3 million to pay for parks, police and other services.

Those projections include revenue from the Northlake Mall area, which is hotly disputed the proposed cities of Briarcliff and Lakeside.

Information: www.tucker2014.com. April Hunt

State of county business focus of event

Tickets are on sale for the DeKalb Chamber of Commerce’s annual state of county business event in January.

The lunch will be held Jan. 23 at the Emory Conference Center on Clifton Road. Tickets are $40.

Information/tickets: 404-378-8000 or www.dekalbchamber.org. April Hunt

SOUTHSIDE

McDonough hosts 2014 Geranium Drop

McDonough Hospitality and Tourism will host their annual Geranium Drop on 8 p.m. on New Year’s Eve and ending at 1 a.m. New Year’s Day on the McDonough Square.

There will be vendors, great entertainment by The Wheels and others, dancing, food, deals at local restaurants, and of course, the Geranium Drop as the countdown to midnight begins.

Attendees may bring chairs and blankets to this family-friendly event. Arlinda Smith Broady

Registration open for baby-sitting course

Piedmont Fayette Hospital will offer a baby-sitting training course from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Jan. 18 at its Medical Building at 1279 Hwy. 54 West in Fayetteville.

The registered program is for teens age 11 and up, offering instruction in CPR, first aid, child safety and more.

The $45 fee includes materials.

Information: 770-719-5815 or email maria.lepage@piedmont.org. Jill Howard Church for the AJC

Zoning appeals board has opening

The Fayette County Zoning Board of Appeals has an open position for a volunteer member.

Members of the board serve three-year terms and meet monthly to hear and decide challenges to decisions made by the county zoning administrator.

Applications, available from Floyd Jones at fjones@fayettecountyga.gov or by calling 770-305-5102, are due Jan. 10. Jill Howard Church for the AJC

Stockbridge chosen for Main Street Start-up

Stockbridge is one of 19 cities in Georgia selected recently by the Department of Community Affairs to join the Main Street Start-up Program, which provides technical assistance to cities looking to improve their downtowns.

These cities will vie for $1.8 million in available local downtown program funding, according to city officials. Information: www.cityofstockbridge.com. Monroe Roark for the AJC

Clayton Water Authority to raise rates

Residential and commercial users of Clayton County Water Authority will ring in the new year with higher rates.

All users will see a 5 percent hike in water and sewer base rates and a 5 percent increase in usage charges beginning Jan. 1.

The new rates will be reflected in February’s bill.

The increase means a $2.21 increase to the water and sewer bill of the average customer who uses about 4,000 gallons a month. Tammy Joyner

Fayette partially restores teacher pay

Fayette County teachers and staff who were furloughed for two days this school year will have part of their pay reinstated as of February.

The Board of Education voted unanimously last week to amend this year’s budget and allocate $1.2 million of its projected $21 million fund balance to restoring the furlough pay for the second half of the year. Jill Howard Church for the AJC