County by county news for Wednesday

The recommended general fund budget of $47.5 million proposes neither a tax increase nor layoffs and furloughs. It is $522,460 smaller than the current budget because of cutbacks on purchases and a hiring freeze in effect the last three years. There are 40 open positions that will remain unfilled, but officials say there have been no service reductions.

The meeting is at 7 p.m. at City Hall, 205 Lawrence St. Ty Tygami

Board member skips vote on new school chief

Cobb school board member David Banks did not attend Sunday’s special called meeting to finalize the contract of new superintendent Michael Hinojosa, but had he been there, he would have voted no, according to an e-mail to board chair Alison Bartlett. Banks wrote he could not make the meeting because he was out of town, but objected the special called meeting and said he did not believe the system did due diligence before hiring Hinojosa. Banks wanted the board to hire an in-house candidate. Hinojosa’s contract was approved 6-0. Jaime Sarrio

Grant likely will not save one CCT line

Cobb County’s transit service will receive a $525,395 grant for two of its bus routes, but the money will probably not save one of the routes slated to be cut. The money, for routes 30 and 35, will likely be used for the operation of route 30, the CCT director said. CCT is proposing cutting three bus routes — 35, 65 and 70 — to save $2.4 million, and increasing fares to generate an additional $1 million. Commissioners will vote on the changes June 28. Janel Davis

Court says Marietta can raze building

The Georgia Court of Appeals has decided Marietta can demolish a dilapidated building on South Marietta Parkway near Interstate 75. Marietta city attorney Doug Haynie said the building’s owner, Waleed “Lee” Jaraysi, has 10 days to ask the Court of Appeals to reconsider. If denied, he go to the Georgia Supreme Court. Jaraysi’s problems with the city started six years ago when he started work on a 24,000-square foot office building three times the size the city permitted. Tucker McQueen for the AJC

Austell council OKs $6.2 million budget

Austell City Council members unanimously approved Monday night the city’s nearly $6.2 million budget that takes effect on July 1. No tax increases or contingency fund are included, said the city’s Finance Director Denise Soesbee. For the city’s nearly 100 employees, there are no layoffs, raises or furloughs. Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC

Children at Whitaker Park get some shade

Because of a parks bond approved by voters two years ago, children on the playground at Marietta’s Whitaker Park won’t have to bear the sun’s glare.

The city recently installed a shade structure at the playground, paying for it with proceeds from the $25 million parks bond approved in 2009.

Next up, low-level lighting along a walking trail in the park, at 1540 Holcomb Lake Road. Ty Tagami

GWINNETT

$3.5 million to renovate police headquarters

The Gwinnett Board of Commissioners Tuesday agreed to spend nearly $3.5 million on renovations to the county’s police headquarters. The commission awarded a contract to Cooper and Co. General Contractors.

The company will renovate about 54,000 square feet of space at the headquarters. The work will include replacement of interior walls and floors, plus new plumbing, electrical and other systems. County Support Services Director Steve North said the county will save about $21,000 a year on utilities and rent as a result of the renovation. David Wickert

Gwinnett Tech’s first nursing students

The first graduates of Gwinnett Technical College’s associate degree nursing program will receive their diplomas Thursday. Thirty-one nursing graduates will join more than 550 other Gwinnett Tech students at the college’s commencement ceremony at 7:30 p.m. Thursday at Gwinnett Arena in Duluth.

The college launched the registered nursing associate degree program in September 2009. David Wickert

Family honors 19 Gwinnett valedictorians

Gwinnett County Schools’ 19 valedictorians were recently honored with awards from a local family of valedictorians.

Drs. J.J. and Meena Shah, community leaders and owners of Gwinnett Clinic, a chain of 20 medical centers, recognized each top student with $300.

The Shah Family Award for Excellence, presented through the Gwinnett County Public Schools Foundation Fund, has rewarded the system’s valedictorians since 2006. The Shahs’ three children were all valedictorians of Greater Atlanta Christian School. The youngest, Deep Shah, was a 2008 Rhodes Scholar. D. Aileen Dodd

Lawrenceville man displaced by fire

An man was displaced Tuesday morning after a predawn fire damaged his home on Monfort Road in Lawrenceville.

Firefighters arrived at 4:25 a.m. to find the house engulfed in flames. The blaze was brought under control around 6 a.m. The cause of the fire is still undetermined, said Gwinnett fire Lt. Eric Eberly. The homeowner was not injured. Andria Simmons

Snellville celebrates ‘A New Day’ Monday

Snellville residents, employees and business owners will celebrate Monday evening the City Council’s recent approval of a new Town Center plan.

Council members will be presented with a “Declaration of a New Day” memento at 7:30 p.m. at the council meeting at City Hall.

The Towne Center @ Snellville plan was approved by a unanimous vote on May 2. Information: 770-985-3502 or evanotteran@snellville.org. Joel Anderson

Snellville police to wash cars for K-9 unit

The Snellville Police Department will hold a car wash June 25 to raise money for the K-9 unit. The car wash is scheduled for 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the parking lot of the police department at 2315 Wisteria Drive.

Car washes will cost $5 per vehicle. Joel Anderson

NORTHSIDE

Forsyth school board expected to OK budget

The Forsyth County Board of Education is expected to approve its 2011-12 budget at Thursday’s meeting, then begin to tackle the testy issue of millage rates.

The district has five outstanding bonds and, because of decreased real estate values and property taxes, the current millage rate will not generate enough revenue to make the bond payments, according to school board officials. The meeting is 6 p.m. at the Forsyth County Board of Education, 1120 Dahlonega Highway, Cumming. Jeffry Scott

Johns Creek to decide on Sunday liquor sales

Johns Creek residents will decide whether to allow Sunday liquor sales when they go to the polls this fall. In a 6-1 vote Monday evening, the City Council approved putting the issue on the Nov. 8 ballot. Under the ordinance, liquor stores would be permitted to sell beer, wine and liquor between the hours of 12:30 p.m. and 11:30 p.m. on Sunday. Patrick Fox

Streetscape work to impact Perimeter traffic

Construction on Phase I of streetscape and intersection improvements by the Perimeter Community Improvement Districts, has begun in North Fulton. The nine-month project will include improvements, and lane closures, at the following intersections, Peachtree Dunwoody Road at Northpark Place, Peachtree Dunwoody Road at Costco driveway, Mt. Vernon Highway at Abernathy Road, Mt. Vernon Highway at Crestline Parkway, Mt. Vernon Highway at Northpark Place and Mt. Vernon Highway at Barfield Road. All closures are scheduled to happen at night. Michelle E. Shaw

Forsyth Civil Service Board to meet

The Forsyth County Civil Service Board will hold its regular monthy meeting 10 a.m., Thursday at the Public Safety Complex Conference Room, 3520 Setting Down Road, Cumming. Among the items on the agenda is the case of former planning director Jeff Chance, who continues to appeal his firing last year. The board will also hear updates on Civil Service Policy and Legislation. Jeffry Scott

Flag Day concert in Alpharetta Sunday

The Alpharetta City Band will play a free concert Sunday to celebrate Flag Day. The concert will be held at the Alpharetta Adult Activity Center at North Park, 13450 Cogburn Road, at 3 p.m. This concert is sponsored by the Alpharetta Golden Age Club and the City of Alpharetta Recreation and Parks Department.

Information: 678-297-6140; activeadults@alpharetta.ga.us. Patrick Fox

Milton takes first step developing park

Milton has approved the first stage in developing a new 2-acre park on Birmingham Highway between Crabapple Crossing Elementary School and Northwestern Middle School. The City Council approved a $1,250-contract Monday with Land Surveying Holding Corp. for a boundary and topographic survey.

Under an agreement signed with Fulton County Schools in March, the city gets use of the park providing it makes about $110,000-worth of improvements. Patrick Fox

ATLANTA

APS likely to need interim chief

Atlanta school board members acknowledged Tuesday they will need an interim leader to fill the gap between when Superintendent Beverly Hall leaves June 30 and when her replacement can officially start the job. Who the interim will be -- and how long they will hold the job -- remains to be seen. The board met Monday night behind closed doors to receive for the first time names of top candidates vying for job, but do not expect anyone they hire to be able to start by July 1. Kristina Torres

MARTA stations to showcase sculptures

Six MARTA stations will showcase sculptures by Atlanta artists this month, starting with a kick-off ceremony at Five Points Station on Wednesday.

The sculptures, some of which light up, use synthetic Corian material, and will be on display at Five Points, Peachtree Center, Arts Center, Lindbergh Center, the Dome and Decatur stations.

The installations are entirely funded by C.H. Briggs, a vendor of building materials, according to MARTA. Ariel Hart

Atlanta Streets Alive will be Saturday

The free Atlanta Streets Alive takes place Saturday from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. and June 25 from 4 p.m.-8 p.m. along a 2-mile, car-free loop from downtown to the Old Fourth Ward. The all ages event, which drew about 6,000 participants to its inaugural outing last May, runs on Auburn and Edgewood avenues between Peachtree Street and Boulevard. Info: www.atlantastreetsalive.com. Melissa Ruggieri

2 teachers to train at Library of Congress

Atlanta school teachers Lolita Osborne and Oluremi Awolana have been selected to participate June 13-17 in the Library of Congress Teaching with Primary Sources Summer Teacher Institute.

The two work at Atlanta Public School’s Intown Academy.

The Library of Congress annually invites a carefully selected group of K-12 educators to attend one of its seven Teacher Institutes in Washington. Nancy Badertscher

DEKALB

School board may act

on charter waivers

The DeKalb school board Monday is expected to vote on a waiver to allow Peachtree Hope Charter and The Museum School of Avondale Estates to stay open next year while they work on an application for a five-year charter. A state Supreme Court ruling invalidated the Georgia Charter Schools Commission, which granted approval to schools denied by local school boards. DeKalb Chairman Tom Bowen said the district’s waiver, if approved, would allow the schools to operate until their new application is approved by the school board. Jaime Sarrio

School board approves accreditation fees

The DeKalb school board Monday approved $72,600 to cover annual fees to AdvancED, the Georgia-based company that accredits local schools and districts. The expenditure was included in the 2010-11 budget, and covers the cost of services and support associated with the accreditation process, according to the district. AdvancED is the parent company of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. Jaime Sarrio

DeKalb DA office donates cellphones

DeKalb County District Attorney’s office is donating 216 cellphones to the 911 Cell Phone Bank which distributes them to senior citizens and abuse victims so they can get emergency help when they need it.

The donated phones either came from employees or were phones assigned to the office that are no longer used.

“We are putting these phones to good use when seconds can truly make the difference between life and death,” DA Robert James said. Rhonda Cook

Accounting conference runs through Friday

More than 170 accountants from across the southeast have converged on Dunwoody’s City Hall for the city’s first Accounting Conference for government accountants. Dunwoody finance director Chris Pike said he wanted to “find a way to provide local government accountants with the training we desperately need without incurring the costs often associated with continuing education.” The conference will run through Friday and cover topics including best practices, occupational tax law, and capital assets. Michelle E. Shaw

Ranking mormon official to speak here

Keith B. McMullin, one of the highest-ranking leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, will speak in the metro area later this month.

McMullin is a member of the Presiding Bishopric of the Mormon church. He will speak from 7-9 p.m. for adults only on June 18. One June 19, he will speak from 10 a.m. to noon. Both events will be held at 1947 Brockett Road in Tucker. Shelia Poole

Guardsman named soldier of the year

Georgia Army Guard Spc. Michael Edmunds, an infantryman with Griffin’s Headquarters Company, 2nd Battalion, 121st Infantry, was recently named the unit’s Soldier of the Year for 2011 Edmunds, who also earned the Georgia Commendation Medal, will go on to represent his battalion in the Infantry Brigade Combat Team Soldier of the Year competition later this year. In civilian life, Edmunds is a criminal law attorney from Decatur. April Hunt

SOUTHSIDE

4 Clayton teachers earn master teacher status

Four Clayton County public school teachers have earned the 2011 Georgia Master Teachers certification: Sarah Tate, an 8th grade social studies teacher at Forest Park Middle School; Mt. Zion Primary School teachers Neva Seldon, an augmented Early Intervention Program teacher, and Ave-Maria Tatum, also an EIP teacher and former Clayton district teacher of the year, and Tonya Clarke, a teacher development specialist with the Professional Learning Department who was elevated to serve as an instructional coach. Tammy Joyner

Foreclosure help event June 17

Homeowners at risk of losing their home to foreclosure can meet with their lenders and counselors at a free event this month. The Help for Homeowners event is sponsored by the Obama Administration’s Making Home Affordable Program, mortgage industry representatives and others. The program extends over two days: 11 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Friday, June 17; and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. June 18. Both days’ events will be at the Georgia International Convention Center, 2000 Convention Center Concourse in College Park. Aaron Gould Sheinin

East Point gets new worker evaluation tool

Four employees that report directly to the city council will now be evaluated by a performance tool created by Slavin Management Consultants. The city attorney, municipal judge, city manager and city clerk will be evaluated on a variety of work characteristics and goals accomplished to determine if the employee is accomplishing the tasks of the job. John Thompson for the AJC

Council newsletter to go out in East Point

Residents will soon be receiving bi-monthly updates from the East Point City Council. The Point, a newsletter sponsored by the council, is set to debut this summer. The newsletter will provide residents a more detailed account of what’s going on in the city. John Thompson for the AJC

Peachtree City CVB offers T-shirts

The Peachtree City Convention & Visitors Bureau is helping residents look festive for Independence Day. A new July 4th T-shirt features a golf cart silhouette against a red, white and blue peach amid fireworks.

The shirts are available for $10 each in youth and adult sizes, and can be purchased either at the Visitors Center on McIntosh Trail or at City Hall.

Information: www.peachtree-city.org. Jill Howard Church for the AJC

Peachtree City offers emergency training

The Peachtree City Police Department’s Teen Community Emergency Response Team camp will be July 11-15. Classes are from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. daily in the training room at the police station at 350 S. Hwy. 74 in Peachtree City. TEEN CERT prepares teenagers for disasters and other hazards. They’re trained in fire safety, light search and rescue, team organization and disaster medical operations. Teens must be 13 to 17 years old and a Georgia resident. Classes are limited to 16. Details: www.peachtree-city.org/police or Capt. Pye, 770-487-8866. Tammy Joyner