County by county news for Wednesday

Superintendent Michael Hinojosa recommended to the board to appoint communications director Jay Dillon to handle the district’s open records requests.

The board will vote on the appointment at its next board meeting at 7 p.m. on June 28. Daarel Burnette II

Dowell class wins Rain Barrel Award

A third-grade class at Dowell Elementary School was given the Supreme Rain Barrel Award. The class spent a month this school year decorating rain barrels and learning about the importance of water conservation.

“Both teachers and students showed enthusiasm and creativity in their approach to learning and sharing the value of water conservation,” said Becky Mixon, a spokeswoman for waterSmart, the organization that sponsored the contest.

WaterSmart is a conservation education campain initiated by Cobb County-Marietta Water Authority. Daarel Burnette II

Board make decision on charter school

Cobb County’s school board will decide at its next board meeting whether to grant a charter to Smyrna Academy of Excellence, a charter school that wants to serve South Cobb students. The school’s administrators convinced board members at its last meeting to give them more time to come up with a better financial plan for the school. The board will next meet on June 28 at 7 p.m. Daarel Burnette II

Board expected to renew Walton charter

Cobb County’s school board is expected to renew the charter of George Walton Comprehensive High School at its next meeting. Last week, the superintendent proposed to the board to extend the school’s charter, in existence since 1998. The school has won several academic accolades, which administrators attribute to its charter status. Daarel Burnette II

Cumberland CID board to meet June 29

The Cumberland Community Improvement District board of directors meeting will be at 7:30 a.m. June 28 at Cobb Chamber of Commerce, 240 Interstate North Parkway, Atlanta. Information: Melissa Crook at 770-859-2357. Kenneth Musisi

Rep. Wilkerson to hold meet-and-greet

State Representative David Wilkerson, D-Austell, will host a meet and greet event for south Cobb area county commission and school board candidates on June 27. The six candidates for the District 4 seat on the county commission, and three candidates for the Post 3 seat on the county school board have been invited. The meeting will being with a three minute introduction by each candidate, followed by an informal meet and greet with attendees. The forum begins at 6:30 p.m. at the Ron Anderson Recreation Center, 3820 Macedonia Road in Powder Springs. Information: email: info@wilkersonforcobb.com; visit: www.wilkersonforcobb.com Janel Davis

GWINNETT

Sugar Hill allows wine tasting at Kroger

Sugar Hill, Gwinnett’s third-largest city, joined several others by broadening its package alcohol sales ordinance to allow wine tasting. Kroger supermarkets had sought to host occasional tastings in areas segregated from its sales floor, where guests could sample wines under the guidance of company representatives and potentially guest speakers. For a $100 annual tasting license, in addition to $750 licenses for beer and wine sales, Sugar Hill licensee now can hold tastings up to six times annually for two hours each time, with guests consuming a maximum of four two-ounce samples. Michael Alpert for the AJC

Three tops in National German Exam

Three students from Gwinnett County’s Collins Hill High earned Georgia’s highest scores on the 2012 National German Exam, the school system announced Tuesday. The test is administered nationally each year and assesses students’ knowledge of the German language. The students, who will be honored by the county school board, are: Jennifer Shaffer, a rising senior; Garrett Helmick, a rising junior; and Aaron Krask, a rising senior. Nancy Badertscher

County to host family trivia night

Gwinnett County will host a family trivia night from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. June 29 at the Gwinnett Historic Courthouse, 185 Crogan St., Lawrenceville.

The event will feature pizza, soda, games and prizes. The event is open to those age 4 and up. The cost is $5 per person. Information,: 770-822-5450. David Wickert

Lilburn increasing property tax rate

As part of its $6.3 million fiscal 2013 budget, Lilburn is increasing its millage rate about 4 percent to 4.45 mills, in part due to a nearly 14 percent loss in tax base during difficult economic years 2008-11. Projecting almost $1.7 million in property taxes this year, roughly 27 percent of revenues, the millage increase will raise tax on a $250,000 home about $19. Michael Alpert for the AJC

Author Karin Slaughter to speak July 7

Author Karin Slaughter will speak at 3 p.m. July 7 at the Barnes & Noble at The Forum shopping center, 5141 Peachtree Parkway, Peachtree Corners.

Slaughter a Georgia native, is the author of 12 thrillers. Her appearance will benefit the Gwinnett County Public Library. Customers who mentioned the library from 9 a.m. July 7 through 8 p.m. July 8 will ensure a percentage of their purchases at the store benefit the library. Information: www.gwinnettpl.org or call 770-978-5154. David Wickert

Host families needed for exchange students

The non-profit World Heritage Student Exchange Program is seeking local host families for high school students from Spain, Germany, Thailand, Norway, Taiwan, France, the former Soviet Union countries, Denmark, Italy, Sweden and other foreign countries. More info: World Heritage local area representative Kelly Blake of Lilburn at 770-616-6712 or 1-800-888-9040. Also visit: www.whHosts.com or email info@world-heritage.org. Nancy Badertscher

NORTHSIDE

Milton delays action on apartment complex

The Milton City Council voted Monday evening to delay action on a request by Crescent Resources to build a 256-unit apartment complex on Deerfield Parkway. The 5-2 vote came after several council members questioned whether a high-density residential complex would cost the city more in services than it would deliver in property taxes. City Manager Chris Lagerbloom told city leaders that Milton is developing a land use formula to help determine cost-effective zoning, but the study is not ready. The application will be reconsidered in August. Patrick Fox

Forsyth opens new park on Friday

Forsyth County’s newest park will open Friday with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 1 p.m. Caney Creek Preserve, a new green space passive use park at 2755 Caney Road, features more than 60 acres of undisturbed landscape, walking trails and a play areas.

It is also the new home to the Brookwood Farmers Market, operating Fridays through September.

Acquisition of the property was funded by the Parks, Recreation and Greenspace Bond passed in 2008.

Information: www.forsythco.com Patrick Fox

Registration deadline July 2 for election

Voters have until July 2 to register for the July 31 primary and special election. Forsyth County residents who want to register to vote or change their name/address on the voter registration list can do so at the Forsyth County Voter Registrations and Elections Office, 110 E. Main St., Cumming. Office hours are 8 a.m.- 4:30 p.m. weekdays. Applications are due no later than 4:30 p.m. July 2. Mark Woolsey for the AJC

ZooMobile visits Alpharetta today

Zoo Atlanta’s ZooMobile will visit the Alpharetta Library today, with live animals and a lesson on environmental conservation. Sessions are at 1 and 2 p.m.The next stop at the Alpharetta branch, at 238 Canton St., will be on July 23. For a schedule, go to www.afpls.org. Alpharetta reservations: 770-740-2425. Johnny Edwards

Woodstock adopts 2013 budget

Woodstock has adopted a $30.9 million budget for fiscal year 2013 beginning July 1.The budget is up from this year’s $27.5 million. Chief Financial Officer Robert Porche says the increase is due to a higher water and sewer fund-because of increased costs and needed projects. The budget hikes the planned millage rate from 7.29 to 7.86. With a nearly 5 percent property tax digest decline, however, average citizens should see no changes in city tax bills. Mark Woolsey for the AJC

Holcomb Bridge corridor forum June 26

Roswell’s Transportation Department will hold a final public information forum on its Holcomb Bridge Road Corridor Study at 5 p.m. on June 26. Recommendations for traffic, bicycle and pedestrian improvements along Holcomb Bridge from Warsaw Road to Holcomb Woods Parkway, chiefly Holcomb Bridge’s interchange at Ga. 400, will be addressed. Location: Roswell Holiday Inn, 909 Holcomb Bridge Rd. Michael Alpert for the AJC

ATLANTA

Reed promises rigorous employee evaluations

Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed is pledging to make evaluations for city employees more rigorous.

Reed told reporters on Monday that city employees had been pushed to do more with less after rounds of layoffs in previous years, and said customer service scores are improving.

But perhaps 1 percent of the city’s workers are consistently failing to meet standards and should be sent packing, he said. “Employee evaluations are going to mean something,” Reed said.

“Under-performing employees will not be retained by the city. Every single year, (we will have) robust employee evaluations, and we will act on them every year.” Jeremiah McWilliams

AID Atlanta director to step down

Tracy Elliott, who has served as executive director of AID Atlanta for five years, is stepping down.

Elliott’s resignation was announced Monday by the organization’s board of directors. His last day is June 29.

A search will be held for his successor.

Until then, the agency will be co-led by Jon Santos, director of development; Nicole Roebuck, director of client services; and Neena Smith-Bankhead, director of education and volunteer services. Shelia Poole

Invest Atlanta to move to Georgia-Pacific

Invest Atlanta, the city’s economic development agency, will move its headquarters from an office building near Underground Atlanta to the Georgia-Pacific Center, the skyscraper with the pinkish exterior on Peachtree Street, Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed said Monday.

Invest Atlanta, formerly known as the Atlanta Development Authority, is slated to see its budget rise by a third as it plays a bigger role in trying to attract international companies and investment to Atlanta.

Reed wanted the agency to occupy higher-profile office space. Jeremiah McWilliams

DEKALB

Decatur set to build public works facility

Decatur’s city commission approved a master site plan for construction of a new public works facility, which should begin in late August. The new $10 million construction will wrap around the north and west side of the current 40-year-old building on Talley and Sams Street, more than doubling the space from its present 15,000 square feet to 36,000. Bill Banks for the AJC

Nine graduate with computer training

Nine students are graduating today from a program at the Samuel L. Jones Boys & Girls Club designed to teach under-served youth the skills they need in digital literacy, computer programming and refurbishment.

The program, Digital Connectors, is sponsored by Comcast and One Economy in conjunction with the boys and girls club. After learning the skills, the teens served as volunteer technology ambassadors at community-based organizations and private homes in DeKalb County, helping to improve digital literacy. The club is at 450 East Lake Drive. Nancy Badertscher

Tour set for Wade Walker Park YMCA

A “first look” at the Wade Walker Park YMCA, a joint project between the agency and DeKalb County, has been scheduled for July 7.

The tour runs from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and includes games, entertainment and food at the new 60,000 square foot facility on Rockbridge Road north of Lithonia.

The center is slated to open in August. April Hunt

Seniors nonprofit raises $100,000

Senior Connections, a nonprofit that serves senior citizens in DeKalb and Fulton counties, recently raised $100,000 for its operations at its recent “Senior Prom.”

The group also honored James Miller, CEO of Fidelity Southern Corp., with its 2012 Community Connections award at the event.

All of the money will go to agency services, which range from in-home care and home-delivered meals to classes and trips around the region. April Hunt

Brookhaven group to meet June 26

The Brookhaven Chamblee Home Owners and Neighborhood Business Alliance will hold a monthly meeting at 6:30 p.m. June 26 at Kroger, 3871 Peachtree Road N.E., Atlanta.

Topics to be covered are: the proposed City of Brookhaven, the transportation referendum, family day scheduled for July 21-22 and Kroger Company’s proposed $13 million renovation at the Brookhaven store. RSVP your attendance by June 25 to Kevinhughley5@gmail.com. Information: 404-424-5141. Kenneth Musisi

Medical foundation to distribute grants

The DeKalb Medical Foundation is looking to distribute grants ranging from $500 to $3,000 to qualified non-profit organizations impacting the DeKalb County area. All applications must be turned in no later than June 29, at 5 p.m. Only electronic copies of the application will be accepted. Grant money will be distributed this fall. To obtain an application, e-mail elisabeth.nark@dekalbmedical.org. Information: 404-501-1344. Kenneth Musisi

SOUTHSIDE

County to start talks on divvying LOST revenue

Negotiations on how to divvy up Fulton County’s 1-cent local option sales tax revenues could be starting soon. The county commission could vote today to begin talks with the 14 cities on a new formula, which must be hashed out every 10 years. The process is expected to be tense, with about $200 million per year at stake that can be used to pave roads, hire police and firefighters, keep up parks and reduce property taxes. The formula, based on population, would have most cities gaining millions while Atlanta and some south Fulton cities take hits. Johnny Edwards

Peachtree City police warn against pranks

Police in Peachtree City are investigating pranks occurring on the local path system.

Incidents of water balloons and “silly string” being thrown or sprayed from moving golf carts have resulted in injuries and the issuance of criminal charges. Authorities are reminding residents that such distractions can endanger drivers, passengers and pedestrians.

Anyone witnessing such activity is asked to report it to 770-461-4357. Jill Howard Church for the AJC

Job-training board to meet Thursday

The oversight board for Fulton County’s use of federal job-training funds will meet Thursday to elect officers for the next program year, which starts July 1.

The meeting starts at 9:30 a.m. at Atlanta Technical College, 1560 Metropolitan Parkway, S.W., Atlanta, in seminar room 205, sections A & B of the Cleveland L. Dennard Conference Center. Johnny Edwards

Freedom Celebration 2012 begins Sunday

Freedom Celebration 2012, a celebration of freedom through song and testimony, will be Sunday at Flat Creek Baptist Church, Fayetteville and Monday at First Baptist Church of Newnan. The free event will feature a salute to the Armed Forces. Information: Lee Chitwood at lchitwood@fbcnewnan.org or 770-304-3151. Kenneth Musisi

Fayette board finalizes school budget

Fayette County’s final school board meeting of the fiscal year on Monday resulted in the formal adoption of a new budget and a contract extension for the superintendent.

As it did on June 4 during the preliminary budget vote, the board split 3-2 in favor of adopting a $177 million budget for the coming year. Janet Smola, Terri Smith and Leonard Presberg supported the measure; Marion Key and Bob Todd did not.

However, the board voted unanimously to extend Superintendent Jeff Bearden’s contract through June 30, 2015. Jill Howard Church for the AJC

Henry to hold hearing on airport

The Henry County Board of Commissioners will be hosting a public information open house July 12, from 4-7 p.m. at Hampton Elementary School to discuss the proposed expansion plans for the Atlanta South Regional Airport, formerly known at Tara Field. The public is invited to drop during open house hours to view the project concept and have their questions answered by county representatives. Monroe Roark for the AJC