Atlanta
Commissioner makes key staff appointments
Commissioner Frank Berry introduced key members of his staff who will continue to support the next phase of growth for the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities.
Judy Fitzgerald will serve as Deputy Commissioner of Programs and Jeff Minor will serve as Deputy Commissioner and Chief Operating Officer of the agency. Both Fitzgerald and Minor join DBHDD with 50 years of combined service in state government and mental health.
Kenneth Musisi
CLAYTON
Records from schools in chief investigation
State investigators asked the Clayton County school district for six years of payment records made to Clayton County police Chief Greg Porter before he was put in charge of the force and assigned officers to public schools.
The request came a day after Georgia Bureau of Investigation agents seized records from Clayton County concerning payments to Porter and his brother, Robert, or consulting firms for monitoring participants in a court DUI program.
According to search warrants executed on Thursday, the GBI took time sheets, records of reimbursements for travel and training, travel expense reports and “non payroll related checks.”
In 2009, then-deputy police chief Greg Porter held a part-time job monitoring those in the court-ordered DUI program by ensuring curfews observed and by conducting random alcohol tests. Rhonda Cook
Cobb
Marietta picked for recycling challenge
Marietta is one of 50 communities from around the country selected to participate in a recycling competition that could add $100,000 to the city’s conservation efforts. The city with the most residents reporting their recycling efforts will win the six-month, SC Johnson Green Choices Recycling Challenge through Dec. 31. Information: www.recyclebank.com/greenchoices. Tucker McQueen
Gwinnett
Parks foundation raising funds
Gwinnett County Parks Foundation announces their 25th anniversary campaign, “Time to Fund pLaY” designed to raise money for scholarships and park enhancements. Residents are encouraged to donate $25. Receive a commemorative decal and special mention in the Gwinnett LIFE program guide for each tax-deductible donation. www.gwinnettparksfoundation.org. Karen Huppertz
Forsyth
Forsyth United Way kickoff set for two events
The United Way of Forsyth County holds a dual-event kickoff breakfast at 7:30 a.m. Sept. 7 at the Forsyth Conference Center, 7745 Majors Road, Cumming. It marks the start of the 2013 fundraising campaign, during which volunteers will tackle projects at various non-profits. Info: www.UnitedWayForsyth.com
Mark Woolsey for the AJC
Fulton
Johns Creek festival upcoming
Johns Creek’s fourth annual Fall Family Festival is 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sept. 8 at Newtown Park’s main soccer field, 3150 Old Alabama Road. The free event features moonwalks, a giant slide, an obstacle course, carnival games, music, food, and arts and crafts. Also included is the final farmers market of the season. MICHAEL ALPERT
