A Message from
Mayor Joe Jerkins
I am pleased to report that
during 2002, we have worked for you to expand services and
facilities for the City of Austell. Just as we are
meeting the current needs of our community, we are also
planning for the future.
We are looking forward to continued stability in Austell and
anticipate the exciting changes that are taking place in
our City.
On behalf of all the City Council members and the City employees,
let me wish each of you a very Merry Christmas and a
healthy and prosperous New Year.
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New Fire Station
For years the City of Austell has maintained an extremely good fire
rating, and our Fire Department has one of the fastest
response times in the State. Our new fire station
will help us maintain our rating as well as the standard
of service expected by our community.
The 7,600 square foot facility, which will be fully manned, will
also house administrative offices, living areas and three
bays. We look forward to opening the new fire
station early in 2003.
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Attorney
David Darden Leaves City Post
David Darden has been our City Attorney since 1989 and he has done
an excellent job representing Austell. Since he was
elected State Court Judge earlier this year, as of January
1, 2003, he will no longer serve as our attorney. We
wish him well as he takes on a new challenge.
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LCI
Grant Will Bring Change to Downtown
Austell received an LCI grant from the Atlanta Regional Commission
(ARC) to begin revitalization projects in our downtown
area.
The Livable Centers Initiative program is intended to reduce
reliance on automobiles, decrease air pollution and create
downtown areas that are more "livable" and user friendly.
Three public meetings have been held since midsummer to give
Austell's citizens an opportunity to become involved in
this project. A local steering committee comprised
of City officials, downtown merchants and property owners,
civic club representatives and volunteer citizens is
working with the LCI consulting team of landscape
architects, planners and transportation engineers to
identify methods of making Austell's Central Business
District an active town center.
Improvements to existing parking as well as streetscape
improvements are primary goals of the plan. New
sidewalks, pedestrian-scale light fixtures and hardwood
trees are proposed throughout downtown and a tree-line
median for Veterans Memorial Highway are slated to be
among projects that will be implemented. Federal and
state highway grants, along with local matching funds, can
be used for these improvements. Future streets in
the projects will include Jefferson Street, Love Street,
Broad Street, and Austell-Powder Springs Road.
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A Change at Frog Rock
Recognizing the need for more greenspace, the Austell City Council
voted to purchase fifty-three (53) acres of land that
surrounds the old Frog Rock golf course on Veterans
Memorial Highway.
Plans are being developed to transform the fifty-three (53) acres
into a well planned, landscaped multi-use facility.
Our community can rediscover a wonderful recreation area
which was enjoyed by generations before them.
Since the land for the planned development is located in the
portion of Austell that is within Douglas County, the
Douglas County Commissioners agree to contribute $491,000
of their L.O.S.T. (Local Option Sales Tax) funds toward
the $900,000 purchase price. This project is an
excellent example of governments working together to
benefit everyone.
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Threadmill Complex
Update
The concept of government and private enterprise occupying the same
facility has been very well received. Leasing
agreements are far ahead of our expectations within the
business and professional community.
Currently, the following City, County, and State government offices are
operating in the Threadmill Complex:
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Austell Government |
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Office
of Mayor, City Clerk, Community Development and Public
Works Departments, Court Services and Municipal Court
Room |
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County Government |
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Sheriff's Office, Station A |
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State
Government |
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North
Central Georgia Law Enforcement Academy and Peace
Officers and Standards Training Council |
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Private Enterprises |
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Agua
Environmental, Inc., Austell Business Association,
Rhonda Breaux (Attorney), Bella Dia (day spa),
Crawdaddy's Cajun Station, Flexivan, Global Solutions
(embroiders), Grace Family Chiropractic, Healthcare
Partners, K.T. Trophy Design, Salon Rouge, D. Kent
Shelton (Attorney), Sibley Realty, Trac Lease, Taygee
Computers and Video Productions |
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Georgia State Bank will open a branch office very soon
and the Sweetwater Valley Branch of the Cobb County
Public Library System will move into the Complex early
in 2003. More than a dozen additional businesses
are under contract and will open offices within the
next six months.
As a service to the community, we are providing office spaces for
our State Representative and State Senator, our United
States Congressman and United States Senator as well
as our County Commission members.
The decision of the Mayor and City Council to purchase and renovate
this historic old building will have a positive impact
on the economy of our City and the entire South Cobb
area for decades to come. Austell will continue
to be the City our citizens love to call home.
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Austell's Web Site is User Friendly!
Our award-winning web site is regularly updated and provides a wide
range of information about the City of Austell.
The most current new topics are featured and there are
links to other governmental agencies and places of
interest.
General questions regarding job openings, water bills, garbage
collection, municipal Court and City departments can
be answered online. Your comments are welcome.
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Lighting of the
Great Tree
Austell is becoming known as the City of Lights. Garlands of
lights, images of carolers, trees, reindeer and
snowflakes sparkle each night from the lighting of the
Christmas tree until the New Year. For a brief
time, the City of Austell is transformed into a winter
wonderland.
Children of all ages enjoy the tradition of welcoming Santa as he
comes to town riding on the North Austell Express.
Each year, the Great Tree is more spectacular than the
year before! The City comes alive with white
twinkling lights, everyone sings Christmas songs and
the children visit with Santa.
Everyone is welcome to enjoy the refreshments and
entertainment! Come join us on Friday, December
6th at 6:00 PM.
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Water Rate
Increase Expected
Beginning January 1, 2003, there will be an increased cost for
water and wastewater per thousand gallons. The
new rates will appear on utility bills in February
2003.
The increase is necessary because of the cost to meet more
stringent State and Federal standards. We also
must maintain the capacity to meet the City's current
and future requirements. We are clearly
committed to protecting our environment and meeting
the needs of our service customers.
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Recycle Your
Christmas Tree
Recycled trees will be chipped into mulch and used for public
beautification projects. Bring trees to Legion
Park between 9:00 AM and 4:00 PM on Saturday, January
4, 2003, or to the Public Works maintenance facility
located at 5000 Filter Plant Road from January 6, 2003
through January 10, 2003 from 8:00 AM until 5:00 PM.
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