County by county news for Wednesday

Last month commissioners approved a 15.7 percent millage increase that helped close a projected $33 million deficit for the 2012 budget, which begins in October. Some service reductions and departmental cuts could continue through 2012 as Cobb deals with declining tax revenues. The hearing begins at 2 p.m. in the commissioner’s meeting room of the county government building, 100 Cherokee St. in Marietta.

Information: 770-528-1000; www.cobbcounty.org Janel Davis

Smyrna council votes not to raise millage rate

The Smyrna City Council voted unanimously Monday night not to raise the millage rate, despite declining revenue. The last time the city hiked the rate was 1991. It decreased the rate during the real estate boom years. The millage rate has held steady at 8.99 mills for the past five years. To generate the same revenue the city generated last year it would have had to hike the rate to 9.66. Jeffry Scott

Marietta OKs Walmart Neighborhood Market

Marietta has given the go ahead for a Walmart Neighborhood Market that will replace a shuttered Food Depot at Bellmeade Shopping Center on Powder Springs Road. The city’s Board of Zoning Appeals granted variance requests for the store that will only sell groceries. The 41,403 square-foot market is expected to hire 80 to 100 people. City manager Bill Bruton said the city is hopeful the new store will encourage new business in the area. Marietta is the first city in Georgia to approve a Neighborhood Market though Snellville is also looking at adding one. Tucker McQueen

New teachers start work today in Cobb

Cobb County is holding a new teacher institute at McClure Middle School until Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Georgia’s second largest school district will start the year with 400 new teachers. Classes begin Aug. 15. Information: www.cobbk12.org Jaime Sarrio

Austell Mayor Jerkins to run again

Austell Mayor Joe Jerkins confirmed Monday night that he will seek re-election to another 4-year term in November.

Other than during his first year of campaigning, Jerkins, who has been mayor for 22 years, said he has had opposition only one time and that was 12 years ago.

This time he said he is not sure whether he will run unopposed.

Jerkins serves the city as not only the mayor but also as the city manager. Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC

Registration opens for Health Expo run/walk

Registration is now open for the inaugural Health Moves 5K Run/Walk and Health Expo to be held at 8 a.m. Oct. 15 at the Life University campus in Marietta. The event is designed to help draw awareness to heart disease, which is a leading cause of death in Georgia and it is 30 percent higher for African-Americans than whites. Registration is $20 through September and $25 after Oct. 1. There will be no on-site registration. To sign-up go to www.healthymoves5K.org or www.active.com. Rich McKay

GWINNETT

Lawrenceville to vote on Sunday alcohol in Nov.

Lawrenceville residents will decide in November whether to allow stores to sell alcohol on Sundays.

The Lawrenceville City Council approved a measure allowing the referendum by a three-to-one vote Monday night. A host of other Gwinnett County cities – including Duluth, Norcross, Sugar Hill and Suwanee – will hold similar votes.

Earlier this year the General Assembly authorized local votes on Sunday alcohol sales in retail establishments after a five-year debate. David Wickert

Inmate charged of trying to hire hit man

A Gwinnett County jail inmate is accused of trying to hire someone to kill a woman he blamed for problems in his life.

Richard Allen Fowler was being held on unrelated charges awaiting transfer to prison when jail officials were tipped off. Fowler was charged on Monday. Andria Simmons

School board to hold special called meeting

The Gwinnett County Board of Education will hold a special called meeting at 6:30 p.m. Thursday to discuss a personnel matter. The board will meet in the executive board room of the Instructional Support Center in Suwanee for a due process hearing for teacher Michael Thomas, whose contract was recommended for non-renewal for failure to maintain teaching certification credentials. Following the hearing, the board will deliberate. They will then share their decision in open session. D. Aileen Dodd

Woman charged with arson at businesses

A Macon woman has been charged with arson for setting fire to two separate businesses in Gwinnett County in May.

Authorities arrested Barbara Ann Stevenson, 48, on Thursday in Macon. Gwinnett fire investigators say Stevenson set fire to the entrance doors at two separate businesses in the same strip shopping center at 5060 Avalon Ridge Parkway in Norcross sometime between May 6 and 9. Andria Simmons

Author Stuart Woods to speak in Norcross

Author Stuart Woods will speak at 7 p.m. Sept. 21 at the Norcross Cultural Arts and Community Center, 10 College St., Norcross.

Woods, the author of dozens of thrillers, including “New York Dead” and “Orchid Beach,” will discuss and sign his books. Books will be available for purchase. Information: www.gwinnettpl.org or call 770-978-5154. David Wickert

Lawrenceville chooses first city manager

The Lawrenceville City Council voted 3-1 Monday to name longtime City Clerk Bob Baroni to the new post of city manager.

The move came shortly after council members approved an ordinance outlining the duties of the city manager, who will oversee the day-to-day operations of the city. Baroni previously oversaw some, but not all, city services.

A majority of council members said Baroni is the logical choice to be the city’s first manager. Councilwoman Katie Hart Smith, who cast the lone dissenting vote, said she favored advertising the job and seeking outside applicants. David Wickert

NORTHSIDE

Milton revises ‘brown bagging’ ordinance

The Milton City Council unanimously agreed to a revision in its code of ordinances allowing “brown bagging.”

The measure, which passed after nearly an hour of discussion, allows patrons to bring their own wine into licensed businesses for consumption. It also provides patrons with the ability to take an open bottle home, provided it is resealed and transported in accordance with the state Open Container Law.

A similar brown-bagging ordinance passed this spring in Alpharetta. Patrick Fox

Cherokee decides to put SPLOST on ballot

The Cherokee County school board voted unanimously to put another 5-year education Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax on the November ballot. The school system estimates the extension of the 1 percent sales tax will generate $155.7 over five years and go towards paying off school bonds through 2033. Jeffry Scott

Road project completion will take longer

The Dunwoody Place widening project, from Roswell Road to Northridge Road in Sandy Springs, will not be completed this month as originally planned. There have been delays during the relocation of utilities associated with the project. Georgia Power has completed the relocation of their facilities and other utilities will be following in order. City staff has requested traffic signal wiring be relocated so other utilities companies can expedite related relocation work. Work is expected to be complete in September. Michelle E. Shaw

Mountain Park to set property tax levy

The Mountain Park City Council will meet at 7 p.m. today to set this year’s property tax levy. The meeting will be at the Community Building at 100 Lakeshore Drive. The city has kept the property tax levy the same over the past five years, despite a drop in value. In the past few years, the north Fulton County city of 526 people has lost more than 25 percent of its taxable digest. Patrick Fox

Alpharetta officers retire with mementoes

The Alpharetta Public Safety Foundation recently honored retired Alpharetta police officer Thomas Southwell by purchasing his city-issued .45-caliber Glock handgun and allowing him to keep it as a memento of his career. The firearm was presented to Southwell along with his police badge. The foundation plans to do the same for all police officers who retire. Firefighters who retire will be presented with their fire helmet. Info: www.apsfoundation.org. Andria Simmons

Canton event to raise money for cancer

Sweet Rides, a non-profit group from Canton, will be hosting a fundraising event at Canyon Burger Company in Woodstock on Friday.

The event will start at 5 p.m. and the money raised will go to 24 Hours of Booty, LiveStrong and Children Healthcare of Atlanta- all organizations that raise money for cancer research. Raffle tickets are $5 for 2 and $10 for 5.

Information visit sweetridesga.org. Elise Hitchcock

ATLANTA

Qualifying starts today for school board post

Qualifying period to fill the Atlanta Board of Education District 2 vacancy will take place today through Friday from 8:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. in the Office of the Municipal Clerk, City Hall, 55 Trinity Ave.

Filing will take place in suite 2700 on the second floor.

The vacancy will be filled in a special election on Nov. 8.

City Council Districts 3 and 4 constitute the boundaries of Board of Education District 2.

Information: 404-330-6500. Ernie Suggs

APD agrees to report on seized assets

The Institute for Justice sent letters Monday to several metro Atlanta police departments demanding they disclose how they use money and assets seized in drug investigations as required by state law.

The Atlanta Police Department has agreed to publicly report how it uses seized assets following a lawsuit brought in March by the Institute, a public-interest law firm based in Washington.

The Institute said it sent letters to 10 Georgia police agencies, including Gwinnett County Police, Douglas County Police and the Lawrenceville Police departments. Steve Visser

LAA to hold school supply giveaway

The Latin American Association will host a school supply giveaway Saturday for needy students. The “Back to School Shopping Event” will be held from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 2750 Buford Highway in Atlanta.

For information: www.thelaa.org. D. Aileen Dodd

Hillside center puts on community fest

Hillside International Chapel and Truth Center will host a community fun fest this weekend at 2450 Cascade Road in Atlanta. Admission is free and open to the public.

The fest, scheduled to begin at 11 a.m. Saturday and 1 p.m. on Sunday, is the second in a series of activities celebrating Hillside’s 40th anniversary.

This weekend’s event will feature entertainment, a marketplace and presentations on health management, wellness and fitness. Gracie Bonds Staples

DEKALB

Disabilities council honors Randolph Spear

Randolph Denny Spear Jr. was recognized Monday for his community service by the Georgia Council on Developmental Disabilities.

Spear, a retired minister from Dunwoody, received the council’s Carl Anthony Cunningham Council Member of the Year award, named after the former council chair who died in 1999. Spear, a parent advocate with an adult daughter with developmental disabilities, received the honor at the council’s Making A Difference Appreciation Ceremony at the Melia Atlanta hotel. Bill Rankin

Parents face Thursday deadline for transfers

Parents of students attending the 22 DeKalb County schools that ranked as not making “adequate yearly progress” have until 4 p.m. Thursday to apply to have their children transferred, if they wish to do so, under the No Child Left Behind Act. Robert Moseley, DeKalb’s Chief Deputy Superintendent, told the Board of Education Monday that 689 students so far have applied for transfer. A list of under performing schools and qualifying transfer schools are listed on the school’s website at www.dekalb.k12.ga.us. Information:678-676-0081. Rich McKay

Ex-officer pleads not guilty to sex charges

A former DeKalb County police officer pleaded not guilty Monday to charges he forced a woman to have oral sex with him, and in another instance offered to let a female motorist out of a traffic stop if she exposed herself to him, Channel 2 Action News reported.

Jeremy Tyrel Reynolds initially was arrested and charged Jan. 29, 2010. He was reindicted May 10 on a single charge of aggravated sodomy and two charges of violation of oath of office. Reynolds was fired. David Ibata

Taste of Chamblee looks for vendors, volunteers

Food vendors and volunteers can still sign up to participate in the Taste of Chamblee, the annual street festival being held in September.

The event will be held from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sept. 17 in downtown Chamblee. Volunteers and vendor information: thogan@chambleega.com. Festival information: www.tasteofchamblee.com. April Hunt

DeKalb Family Fun Day to be Aug. 27

DeKalb Family Fun Day – featuring activities, entertainment and back-to-school supplies – returns on Aug. 27.

The event is from 3 to 8 p.m. at Bransby Outdoor YMCA in Lithonia. County Commissioner Lee May and Project ARM will collect donations of school supplies to hand out during the celebration.

To become a vendor or sponsor: 404-553-5765 or dekalbfamilyfunday@gmail.com. April Hunt

Group seeks public input on Alzheimer’s

The Georgia Chapter of the National Alzheimer’s Project Act will hold a public input session beginning at 11 a.m. Aug. 13 at Dunwoody United Methodist Church, 1548 Mount Vernon Road, Dunwoody.

NAPA is seeking input as to what needs to be included in a national strategic plan to overcome Alzheimer’s disease.

Information: Kathy Simpson at 404-728-6068 or Kathy.Simpson@alz.org. Kenneth Musisi

SOUTHSIDE

Public works department receives honor

Fulton County Public Works has become the first county department in the state to receive the American Public Works Association Accreditation award. The program recognizes agencies that exceed standards in water management, solid waste management, street/sewer maintenance, engineering, building maintenance, storm water drainage, traffic safety, environmental services and vehicle maintenance.

APWA President-elect Diane Linderman will present the award at Wednesday’s commission meeting. Johnny Edwards

Peachtree City community garden OK’d

The sponsors of the Peachtree City Farmers Market are helping another healthy project grow.

Fresh South, Inc. was given approval from the City Council of Peachtree City to raise funds and build a community garden on seven acres off Kelly Drive near Lake Peachtree. The site will be divided into small plots that will be rented to families and businesses.

Future amenities will include a covered pavilion and a picnic area. The group plans to have the garden ready for planting by next April. Details are at www.ptcfarmersmarket.org. Jill Howard Church for the AJC

Henry approves new district map

The Henry County Board of Commissioners approved a proposed new district map Tuesday and will submit it to the Georgia General Assembly for its Aug. 15 special session and on to the U.S. Department of Justice for approval. The new map outlines districts for county commission as well as school board seats. The Henry County Board of Education is expected to vote on the same map within the coming days, according to county government officials. Monroe Roark for the AJC

Eye exams for diabetes offered this week

VSP Vision Care will hold “Eye on Diabetes,” a National Diabetes Awareness campaign focused on the early detection of chronic diseases through eye exams, from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday at the Harriett G. Darnell Senior Multi-Purpose Facility, 677 Fairburn Road N.W., Atlanta.

Free comprehensive eye exams and diabetes and high blood pressure screenings will be offered to low-income, uninsured or underinsured Georgia residents.

Information: Lisa Park, 916-858-5377 Jemea Watkins

Arts center presents ‘Back to Love’

Southwest Arts Center Teen Artists Academy presents the performance “Back to Love” at the Southwest Arts Center Theater and Gallery through Aug. 12.

The original student production’s theme is the need for love whether for family, self or country and community. An art exhibit also opens on the theme.

The academy is a four-week program in the visual arts, music, dance, writing and theater at South Fulton Arts Center, 4645 Butner Road SW, College Park and Abernathy Arts Center, 254 Johnson Ferry Rd.,Sandy Springs.

The free show is 7:30 p.m. Friday; 2:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Saturday. Information: 404-613-3220.

Steve Visser