Rep. Tom Price (R-GA) issued the following statement after finalizing plans for a small business forum to be held on Wednesday, August 26, 2009, at the Roswell Area Park Recreations Center. 

“America’s small businesses are the job creation engine of our economy,” said Rep. Price. “Over half of all people in the non-governmental workforce are employed by small businesses.  Recovery will not occur without creating an environment that will allow opportunity to flourish.  To help spark the entrepreneurial spirit in our area, I am pleased to host the Sixth District Small Business Forum.” 

“The purpose of this forum will be to provide information and assist business owners and local governments from across our district with keys to success in our current economy, as well as to offer tips on grant writing and the availability of various grants. We are excited about this great opportunity and hope to see many folks come out and join us.”

If you wish to attend this forum, please RSVP by e-mailing Kyle McGowan at kyle.mcgowan@mail.house.gov or by calling Rep. Price’s district office at (770)565-4990. It will take place from 9:30-11:30 AM at the Roswell Area Park Recreation Center’s main building located at 10495 Woodstock Road in Roswell.

Hazardous Waste Collection

You may not know it, but you have a potentially serious hazardous waste situation on your hands. What do you do?

The City of Johns and Keep Johns Creek Beautiful will hold a household hazardous waste collection day on Saturday, Aug. 29 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the parking lot of the Home Depot, 5950 State Bridge Road. You can bring up to 8 gallons of hazardous waste including paints, solvents, aerosols, herbicides, pesticides, mercury, batteries and electronics. TVs, propane cylinders and fire extinguishers also can be disposed of for a small fee ranging from $10 to $25.

This free event is open to Johns Creek residents only and participants must preregister. Registration forms are available on the City and KJCB Web sites as well as Johns Creek City Hall, 12000 Findley Road, Suite 400.

Storing these materials poses a threat of explosion or fire and creates a hazard for children and pets, said City Manager John Kachmar. You cannot dispose of this waste with regular trash because of the danger it causes for sanitation workers. Dumping them is hazardous to our drinking water quality and wildlife.

“People don’t realize just how many potentially dangerous chemicals are used in our homes and yards every day,” Kachmar said. “This event is a chance to dispose of them properly.”

In addition to providing residents an environmentally safe and economic way to dispose of their dangerous materials, the city manager notes, the event also serves as a means to educate the public about how to avoid buying hazardous household materials in the first place.

For more information about the event, contact Kathy Reed at Keep North Fulton Beautiful, 770-551-7766 or kathyreed@keepnorthfultonbeautiful.org or visit www.JohnsCreekGA.gov.

City considering property tax millage rate for 2009    

                                                
The City of Johns Creek is currently in the process of establishing its 2009 millage rate. Because the city was not incorporated until Dec. 1, 2006, it cannot publish a five-year history of its tax digest, property tax revenues, and millage rate as is normally required. However, the city has published the information that is available for 2007, 2008 and 2009.

Each year the Fulton County Board of Tax Assessors is required to review the assessed value for property tax purposes of taxable property in the county. When the trend of prices on properties that have recently sold in the county indicated there has been an increase in the fair market value of any specific property, the Board of Tax Assessors is required by law to re-determine the value of such property and adjust the assessment. This is called a reassessment.

As a result of reassessment, the total amount of property tax collected by the city under the current millage rate is expected to decrease by 2 percent. This decrease does not include additional tax revenue generated by new construction and improvements to property.

Before the City of Johns Creek sets the final millage rate for 2009, three public hearings will be held to allow the public an opportunity to express their opinions. All concerned citizens are invited to attend and participate in the public hearings, which will be held at Johns Creek City Hall Council Chambers, 12000 Findley Road, Suite 300, at the following dates and times:

·        First public hearing                    Monday, Aug. 24, 11:30 a.m.

·        Second public hearing               Monday, Aug. 24, 6 p.m.

·        Third public hearing                   Monday, Sept. 14, 7 p.m.

Action to adopt the final millage rate for 2009 is scheduled to take place at the Council meeting on Monday, Sept. 14, which begins at 7 p.m.

For more information, please visit www.JohnsCreekGA.gov.

Milton Student Receives $8,000 Scholarship from the UPS Foundation

Michael Heider, age 18, a recent graduate of Milton High School in Milton, Georgia, has been chosen as one of the 134 winners of a James E. Casey Scholarship, an annual award presented by The UPS Foundation, the charitable arm of UPS. The scholarships are awarded to children of UPS employees.

James E. Casey scholarships range from $8,000 to $24,000 over four years of undergraduate study. Winners are determined through a nationwide competition conducted by the independent National Merit Scholarship Corporation.

Established in 1964, the James E. Casey Scholarship is named for one of the founders of UPS. The small Seattle, Washington, messenger service he started in 1907 along with several other teenagers has become the world’s largest package and express delivery company.  More than 3,118 James E. Casey Scholarships have been awarded, totaling more than $33 million, since the inception of the program.

In 1998, UPS opened the program to children of part-time UPS employees. As a result the company will award 25 scholarships to these students, in addition to the 109 scholarships for children of full-time employees.

“Higher education is critical to our young people, our company and our community,” said Ken Sternad, President of The UPS Foundation. “We are proud that these scholarships will help the children of UPS employees realize their educational dreams.”

Michael, son of Tracy and Jim Heider of Milton, will attend the University of Georgia beginning this month. His father is employed as a Vice President of Sales at the UPS facility in Atlanta, Georgia.

Michael graduated 12th in a class of more than 500 students with a grade point average of 4.0. He was a member and officer of the National Honor Society and also a member of the National French Honor Society. He was selected to represent his school at Boys State. During high school, he played on the Varsity basketball team and often tutored struggling middle school and high school students.

Story Time with Koo Koo Bear

Join us August 27, 2009 at KooKoo Bear Kids in Roswell for Story Time with Author Mary Ann Rodman who will read and sign her book “A Tree for Emmy,” the humorous and touching story of a headstrong little girl and the unusual object of her affections.

“A Tree for Emmy” is a lively and spirited, Emmy loves all kinds of trees, but the fuzzy, pink mimosa tree in Gramma’s pasture is her absolute favorite. When her birthday comes around, Emmy knows exactly what she wants: a mimosa tree of her very own. But the grown-ups around her don’t really share Emmy’s enthusiasm for the wild tree they consider a nuisance. As fall approaches, Emmy’s dream is brushed aside. Autumn leaves fall and seeds scatter, but no mimosa trees come up for sale. Crushed and angry, Emmy flees to Gramma’s house to work out her frustration. When she retreats under the beautiful mimosa tree, Emmy finds a special birthday surprise!

When: Thursday August 27, 2009

Time: 10:30 am, 1:30 pm and 3:00 pm

Where: KooKoo Bear Kids Store

Phone Number: (770) 771-5665

Address: 12060 Etris Road Roswell, Ga 30075

For more information, visit www.kookoobearkids.com.

Mount Pisgah Presents AGAPE!

The Worship Ministries at Mount Pisgah United Methodist Church will present Agape – A Glory and Praise Experience on Sunday, August 23 – 6:30pm in the Mount Pisgah North Campus Sanctuary. This event is presented as part of Mount Pisgah’s continuing community musical events.

The evening of praise and worship will include Mount Pisgah’s’ 150 member voice choir, its 30 piece orchestra, many stunning solo performances and spectacular lighting with special effects. The musical theme features a contemporary blending of hymns and new worship songs and has a wide-ranging appeal. Those attending this exciting worship event are encouraged to participate in the worship and praise. AGAPE is free to all and a nursery will be available.

The Mount Pisgah music ministry, under the direction of worship leader Reverend Scott Harlow, has maintained a wonderful tradition of musical excellence. “The team has worked hard on this event, to provide a most memorable experience,” says Harlow. This talented group presents the community each year with the stunning and moving North Atlanta Christmas Festival program in addition to their weekly top tier Sunday worship offerings at Mount Pisgah.

For more information about Agape’09, or for a listing of events and directions, visit www.mountpisgah.org.