County by county news for Tuesday

Smyrna meeting on transit vote today

A public information meeting and presentation on the upcoming regional Transportation Investment Act referendum will be held today in Smyrna. Residents will hear moderated presentations from spokespersons offering different viewpoints on the referendum. Voters in the 10-county regional area will vote July 31 on a 10-year, 1 percent sales tax to raise more than $7.2 billion for regional and local transportation projects. The meeting begins at 7 p.m. in Smyrna City Council chambers, 2800 King Street; also televised on local cable Charter Communications Channel 19. Information: www.smyrnacity.com Janel Davis

Ceremony to hail Floyd Road work

Cobb County officials will hold a groundbreaking ceremony on Thursday for roadway improvements along the south Cobb thoroughfare of Floyd Road in Mableton. Last week Commissioners approved two projects for the road: replacing part of Floyd Road with wider lanes and median from Clay Road to Hicks Road, and sidewalks along a redeveloped part of the road. The projects will cost the county about $495,000. The ceremony begins at 10 a.m. at the Historic Mable House, 5239 Floyd Road S.W. in Mableton. Information: http://dot.cobbcountyga.gov Janel Davis

Webinar teaches about underage drinking

The Cobb Alcohol Taskforce will host a webinar on underage drinking on Thursday to provide families with skills to help keep teens safe.

The webinar will be conducted by the Underage Drinking Enforcement Training Center, and detail the most dangerous days for teenage underage drinking. According to AAA, an average of 399 teens died in traffic crashes during each of the summer months from May to August compared to a monthly average of 346 teen deaths during non-summer months. The webinar runs from 3 p.m. to 4:15 p.m.

Register at: http://www.udetc.org/audioconfregistration.asp Janel Davis

Shelter pairs senior cats with seniors

Cobb Senior Services and Cobb County Animal Control are joining forces to help senior cats find good homes with senior adults. Because casts are relatively easy to care for, they make good companions for the targeted age group. At various summer forums, seniors can learn about the program, as well as, a free dog and cat food program, information on cat ownership and onsite adoptions with pet carriers.

Information: www.communityveterinarycare.org, and at the counties senior centers. Janel Davis

GWINNETT

Toddler found in pool in critical condition

A male toddler was in critical condition late Sunday after being pulled from the bottom of a Gwinnett County swimming pool while his father grilled nearby. Firefighters were called around 8:30 p.m. to the Menlo Creek apartments in the 4300 block of Satellite Boulevard near Duluth, where they found a woman performing CPR on the child, according to Capt. Eric Eberly with the Gwinnett fire department. Paramedics arrived and continued life-saving efforts on the child, who was transported to Gwinnett Medical Center in critical condition, Eberly said. From there, Jaiden was flown to Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta. Alexis Stevens

Lawrenceville chamber fills new post

The city of Lawrenceville has chosen Lisa Sherman, vice president of marketing and public relations at the Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce, to fill its newly created position of Director of Economic Development. Sherman will manage business recruitment, retention and development, according to a news release from the city. Information: www.lawrencevillega.org. or 678-407-6599. Joel Anderson

Suwanee sets qualifying dates

Suwanee has set qualifying dates of June 25 through June 27 for candidates seeking to enter the July 31 special election for an unexpired City Council term. Candidates can qualify at Suwanee City Hall at 330 Town Center Avenue from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. June 25 and June 26 and 8:30 a.m. to noon June 27. The qualifying fee is $270. Joel Anderson

Golf tourney to benefit disabled

The Disability Resource Group (DRG) and Venture Sport Shows have teamed up to host a charity golf tournament June 25 at Summit Chase Country Club in Snellville.

Celebrity athletes from the Atlanta Braves’ Zane Smith to the Atlanta Falcons’ Dewey McClain and others will play.

All proceeds will benefit DRG. Information: 770-622-9344 or http://vssgolf.com/Events.html. Joel Anderson

Gwinnett firefighters honored

State officials have named Gwinnett County fire department’s medical director, Dr. Earl Grubbs, the 2012 Medical Director of the Year and recognized 82 Gwinnett firefighters and paramedics for exemplary service.

The Georgia Department of Emergency Services, Region Three, presented the awards last month.

The firefighter/EMTs and paramedics won CARES (Cardiac Arrest Registry to Enhance Survival) awards for saving 14 lives in 2011.

In a separate ceremony, Gwinnett Rotary Club named Driver Engineer Marne Richards Firefighter of the Year. Andria Simmons

Gwinnett Online signup deadline near

Thursday is the last day to register at Gwinnett Online Campus.

To register, bring a birth certificate and proof of residency to the Norcross campus at 2595 Beaver Ruin Rd., from 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Thursday. For information, call 770-326-8082. Michael Alpert for the AJC

NORTHSIDE

Forsyth commission to take up budget June 26

The Forsyth County Commission is scheduled to discuss its roughly $90 million preliminary FY 2013 budget at its June 26 work session, prior to public hearings on its 7.656 millage rate July 5 and 19.

Revealed last week, the proposed budget includes an estimated 5 percent decrease in tax revenue to about $74 million.

The work session is at 2 p.m. in Forsyth County’s Administration Building, 110 East Main St., Cumming. Michael Alpert for the AJC

Registration begins for fall sports

Milton has opened registration for its fall sports program.

Registration is now open for Hopewell Youth Association baseball beginning Aug. 11; North Georgia Rec flag football for ages 6-11 beginning Aug. 27; Overkill Volleyball for ages 6-18 beginning Aug. 19; YMCA soccer beginning Sept. 4 for ages 4-14; and YMCA soccer mini kickers starting Sept. 8 for 3-4-year-olds. Costs vary for most programs based on age group and residence. Information: Tom Gilliam, 678-242-2519. Patrick Fox

Forsyth GOP to hold candidate debates

The Forsyth County Republican Party is staging a series of July 31 primary candidate debates. The schedule: Forsyth County Board of Commissioners tonight, sheriff and coroner Wednesday night, 7th and 9th district U.S. House next Monday, and state house and senate June 27. Time and location: 6:30 p.m. at the Forsyth County Administration Building, 110 E. Main St., Cumming. Mark Woolsey for the AJC

Johns Creek to hold hearing on millage

Johns Creek’s City Council plans to hold its final public hearing on whether to change its 4.614 millage rate at its twice-monthly meeting July 9, before ultimately deciding on a rate later that night. The meeting will be on the third floor of City Hall, 12000 Findley Road. Michael Alpert for the AJC

Caney Creek park to open

Forsyth County’s Caney Creek Preserve on Caney Road near Brookwood Road is scheduled to open Friday. In addition to walking trails, a playground and dog park, the 63-acre facility will feature an amphitheater and pavilions. Forsyth’s Chattahoochee Pointe, Haw Creek and Old Atlanta parks, the other three of four park sites bought with a $100 million bond in 2008, are scheduled to open in coming weeks. Michael Alpert for the AJC

Creekview students raise money for Habitat

Over 100 students at Creekview High School wrapped up their school year by raising $10,000 to help build a home for a family in need. The money was raised through the Habitat for Humanity Club’s annual donation drive, according to the Canton school. Led by club president Sean Andreassen, vice president Julia Dayoub, and school sponsor Michael Sinco, Habitat students also engaged in other activities, including a leadership camp, building projects, and a campaign to raise awareness. The Habitat home is set to be constructed in the city of Hickory Flat. Edward Mitchell

ATLANTA

Seniors won’t be purged from voter rolls

Seniors in an Atlanta high-rise won’t be purged from Fulton County’s voter rolls. Residents of The Atrium at College Town got letters saying their building no longer exists, prompting a rebuke from state Sen. Vincent Fort. Fulton elections, however, had already sent follow-up letters saying to disregard the notices, Director Sam Westmoreland said.

Westmoreland said he’s checking his rolls against demolitions to prevent illegal voting, and so far has found about 1,200 people who supposedly lived in razed structures. Records erroneously showed the Atrium as demolished. Johnny Edwards

Buckhead joins ‘wayfinding’ signage

Buckhead will join Midtown and downtown Atlanta with uniform “wayfinding” signage, the Buckhead Coalition announced recently. Central Atlanta Progress, a downtown civic group, started the program a decade ago to standardize visitor directional signs and show a relationship between the major Atlanta markets. The Buckhead Community Improvement District is coordinating the installation of new signs in its area; the first nine signs are paid for with a $55,000 partnership grant from the Buckhead Coalition. They will include directions to the Atlanta History Center, the Governor’s Mansion, the AMTRAK Station, Piedmont Hospital, the Buckhead and Lenox MARTA stations, Midtown, and downtown. Jeremiah McWilliams

‘Troubled Waters’ to show at library

“Troubled Waters,” the next movie in the Atlanta-Fulton Central Library’s fifth annual Caribbean Film Festival, will show on Wednesday. The film, from Saint Lucia, deals with the devastating effects of child abuse.

A reception starts at 5 p.m. and the movie shows at 6 p.m., followed by a question-and-answer session. The final film in the series, on June 27, will be “Africa Unite,” a Jamaican documentary about the family of the late Bob Marley. The library is at One Margaret Mitchell Square in downtown Atlanta. Johnny Edwards

DEKALB

‘Slip lane’ to Lake Hearn drive to open

The new “slip lane” onto Lake Hearn Drive from the I-285 east bound off ramp to Ashford Dunwoody Road is scheduled to reopen today, weather permitting, according to the Perimeter Community Improvement Districts.

The old “slip lane” was closed March 6 for construction of Georgia’s first diverging diamond interchange.

The new slip lane allows access to major employers such as Auto Trader, Cox Communications and Crawford and Company, said David Purcell, chief operating officer of the PCIDs, a partner in the DDI project with the Georgia DOT. Patrick Fox

Decatur school board approves budget

Decatur’s school board recently approved its fiscal year 2013 general fund budget of $44,877,055.

This includes paying for 20 new positions, including 18 teachers, reflecting the projected addition of 384 students (a 12 percent growth) for 2012-13.

Superintendent Phyllis Edwards calls this a “conservative budget,” adding that teachers won’t get raises this year but “I don’t see cutting any jobs either.”

She said the biggest challenge in this year’s budget is the dramatic increase in non-certified health insurance, rising from $3,552 to $5,352 per employee. Bill Banks for the AJC

County to hold meeting on youth violence

DeKalb County plans to host a public meeting about youth violence Wednesday at the Atlanta church that was recently the site of two murders. County Chief Executive Officer Burrell Ellis hopes the summit will bring together elected officials, community leaders, religious figures, educators, and young people to combat local violence.

The free event is scheduled for from 7 to 9 p.m., and attendees are invited to bring candles and flashlights to participate in a vigil.

The location is the Victory for the World Church at 1170 North Hairston Road in Stone Mountain. Edward Mitchell

Event to mark refugees’ contributions

Each year the Georgia welcomes thousands of refugees hoping to start new lives.

Now it’s time to celebrate their contributions. Refugee Family Services will host a special event in observance of World Refugee Day from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday at the Clarkston Community Center, 3701 College Ave.

The free event will feature music, traditional dance, games and food. Other sponsors include Catholic Charities Atlanta, the Center for Pan Asian Community Services and the city of Clarkston.

Although the event is primarily for refugees, the public is invited. Shelia M. Poole

County deal to help people with rent

The DeKalb County Commission recently approved a contract with a local nonprofit to help low-income families pay their rent.

The deal calls for the county to pass along $251,000 in federal funds to Nicholas House to help the neediest county residents with rent, security deposits and utility bills.

Information: 404-286-3308 or www.dekalbcountyga.gov/commdev. April Hunt

SOUTHSIDE

Library chief quits for job in Los Angeles

Atlanta-Fulton libraries Director John Szabo is leaving for Los Angeles, where he’ll oversee one of the largest library systems in the world, serving four million people with a $113 million budget. Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa appointed him city librarian on Thursday. Szabo has been Atlanta-Fulton’s director since 2005. He’s leaving in the midst of a $275 million construction program, which will build eight new libraries, fund part of the cost of a new Central Library and touch every existing branch through consolidations, expansions and renovations. Johnny Edwards

Peachtree City to move ahead with dredging

Following public meetings and citizen comments, the City Council of Peachtree City has asked the Fayette County Water Department to move forward with a plan to dredge Lake Peachtree.

Collected sediment will be deposited on Drake Field near City Hall to dry and be hauled away. The process will not begin until after September because of prescheduled lake events, and might be delayed until 2014 to avoid other scheduling conflicts. Jill Howard Church for the AJC

Fayette chamber gets ready to move

The Fayette County Chamber of Commerce plans to move its offices from the historic Old Courthouse to another Fayetteville site by the end of the year. The new space will be in the Waterfall property owned by Chik-fil-A founder Truett Cathy, at the corner of Ga. Highway 54 and Grady Avenue. Chamber President and CEO Virginia Gibbs said the larger location “will accommodate the growth of our membership, and provide the chamber with a prime location that is easily accessible to businesses and the community.” Jill Howard Church for the AJC

Arts Fair is Saturday

East Point’s Cultural Arts Fair is set for this Saturday from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Sumner Park. The event features blues legend Beverly “Guitar” Watkins, a market, bands and artists. The event is free and open to the public. John Thompson for the AJC

Movie night in East Point is Friday

“Puss and Boots’ is this month’s featured movie in the city’s outdoor movie showings. Admission and parking are free, and the movie starts at dusk. The event also offers free activities for kids beginning 60 minutes before the start of the movie. Light concessions are available for purchase. The movie is shown in the Downtown Commons area. John Thompson for the AJC

Aviation museum to hold gala and auction

The National Museum of Commercial Aviation will hold its 4th annual Gala and Silent Auction June 23 at 6 p.m., with dinner at 7 p.m. The evening will feature a gourmet buffet dinner, a program highlighting two major donations and live music. Guests can bid on nearly 80 items in the silent auction, with proceeds benefiting the museum’s youth education and public outreach programs. The event is at the Georgia International Convention Center in College Park. RSVP required. Tickets are $75 a person; corporate table for $1,000. Details: 404-675-9266. Tammy Joyner