MILTON COPS RECOGNIZED FOR DUI ENFORCEMENT

Milton Cops Recognized for DUI Enforcement.

The advocacy group Mothers Against Drunk Driving recently recognized two Milton police officers for their combined 85 DUI arrests in 2009.

Officers James Hickerson and Nathan Allen were among dozens of officers across the state noted for their contribution to MADD's mission: stopping drunk driving.

Hickerson received the group's "Silver Pin" for his 52 DUI arrests in 2009. He is one of only 96 officers in the state to receive this award, which is given to law enforcement professionals who make between 50 and 99 DUI arrests.

Allen received a "Bronze Pin" for his 33 DUI arrests. He was one of 223 officers state-wide who received the award for making between 25 and 49 DUI arrests.

MADD's Golden Shield Honor Award also memorialized Adam Stephens of Milton, who was killed in May 2009 in an alcohol related crash while on a city road.

FIRE HYDRANT MAINTENANCE MAY DIRTY WATER

Milton Fire Chief Robert Edgar would like to alert residents the department's semi-annual fire hydrant maintenance may cause sediment to appear in their water.

Edgar said the city-wide maintenance effort will last into mid-April. During testing, firefighters flow the water in the hydrants until it runs clean.

Depending on hydrant placement in the water main system, this may inadvertently cause sediment to be loosened in the lines. As a result residents may see temporary discoloration in water coming from their faucets, showers, washing machines or dishwashers, said Edgar. If this happens, please call the City of Milton at 678-242-2570. 

MORRIS RD. RECONSTRUCTION TO BEGIN APR. 5

A major Morris Road reconstruction project will begin Apr. 5 announced City of Milton Public Works Director Carter Lucas this week.

The project, which has been long-delayed because of more than five months of continued inclement weather, is expected to last three weeks, said Lucas. The road will remain open during that time, but be restricted to one lane in each direction.

"Motorists are encouraged to use alternate routes if possible during the construction period," said Lucas. "But if they must drive through the construction zone, use extreme caution and please drive slowly."

Lucas said Morris Road will undergo a "full depth reclamation," which in layman's terms means that crews will tear up the old road and lay down a new one.

Morris Road was the No. 1 priority in the city's pavement management plan approved last year by City Council. The $571,248 contract for the project is to be carried out by CW Matthews Construction.

CITIZENS ACADEMY FLYING HIGH

Students in Alpharetta's Public Safety Citizens Academy got an inside look at how trauma patients are transported via air on Saturday, March 27, as Air Rescue One dropped down to pick up a "patient."

The crew from Atlanta Medical Center explained the operation of the helicopter, what life support systems are on board, how long the flights typically last, among other aspects of the job. The class was part of a 12-week program offered by the Alpharetta Department of Public Safety.

"I thought it was pretty cool. We got to see how they operate," said student Gaylain Fife, of Alpharetta. "They showed us the inside and the engine. I was more interested in the engine and the mechanics of the helicopter than anything else."

On Wednesday, March 31, students will become familiar with the operations of the SWAT team, as they witness the deployment of various non-lethal weapons and tactics used to save lives. They have already learned how criminal cases are investigated and how victims of car wrecks are removed with the help of the Jaws of Life.

Perhaps most exciting will be the opportunity to practice shooting on a state-of-the-art Firearms Training Simulator, the same machine on which officers train.

"I loved every class, every minute of it," said Alpharetta resident Debra Stewart who attended the academy last year. "I got to know the work they do and see how they love their jobs and witness the dedication."

Ride-alongs are part of the academy, as students must accompany firefighters and officers on the job to complete training.

RECYCLEBANK EXPANDS REWARDS-FOR-RECYCLING TO ALPHARETTA

RecycleBank joined officials from Republic Services, Inc. this week to announce an expansion into Alpharetta. RecycleBank is a rewards program that motivates people to engage in greener behaviors, like household recycling, by rewarding them with points that are redeemable at local and national retailers, restaurants, pharmacies, grocers, and more. Working with Republic, RecycleBank is expanding citywide to 15,000 households in Alpharetta.

This month, Republic delivered new 65-gallon recycling carts to residents. With the new program comes a new way to recycle—single stream—in which all recyclables go into one container. No more sorting. When residents recycle, the amount of refuse is recorded by route and converted into points which get credited to that route's participating recyclers. RecycleBank members earn five points for every two pounds of waste recycled and up to 450 points a month. Every 10 points equal up to $1 in reward value, and active members can experience a potential savings of at least $100-200 a year—true value in these difficult economic times.

Points can be used to "shop" for rewards from hundreds of businesses, including local merchants, in more than 20 categories. There is also an option to donate points to local school environmental programs.

After activating their RecycleBank accounts, residents can log on to www.RecycleBank.com or call 1-888-727-2978 to redeem rewards. Similar to frequent flier programs, the more a family recycles, the more RecycleBank points each household earns.

WILEO ROAD CLOSED APR. 7-9

Willeo Road will be closed to thru traffic at the bridge between SR120/ Roswell Road/Marietta Highway and Timber Ridge Road beginning Wednesday, Apr. 7 through Friday, Apr. 9.
The road must be closed so that crews can make repairs to the sewer system that was damaged by the September 2009 floods.
Variable message signs will be placed in the area alerting motorists of the closed road and the detour around the construction.

DEMOLITION AT BULLOCH HALL

Bulloch Hall's non-profit board, Friends of Bulloch, Inc., made way for the "new" by tearing down the "old this week by demolishing the 1947 Tony Wing Cottage. Since 1978, when the City of Roswell bought Bulloch Hall, this building has been used as staff offices.
The long-range plan is to recreate the service yard just as the Bullochs knew it in 1839. Over the last 13 years, money from Friends of Bulloch's Magnolia Ball helped make that dream a reality. The board has accomplished the reconstruction of two privies, two wells, a slave cabin and a summer-house. This June the second known slave cabin will be reconstructed.
On June 5, Bulloch Hall is celebrating the 25th annual Magnolia Ball on the grounds of this beautiful Greek Revival home where President Theodore Roosevelt's mother grew up.
Friends of Bulloch President, Bill W. Gray, Magnolia Ball Chair, Peter Abreu and Fund-raising Chair, Bob Hagan, are looking forward to this year's ball to begin raising funds to reconstruct the Carriage House which will complete all known outbuildings at this historic site.
This elegant tented black tie affair includes a silent and live auction, candlelight dinner and dancing the night away to music by Macon Georgia's "Grapevine."
President Theodore Roosevelt has also promised to make an appearance at this special event!

NEEDS TO BE MET ON ROSWELL DAY OF HOPE
By Helen Borland / Staff

This Saturday, Apr. 17 will be the "Roswell Day of Hope" by declaration of Mayor Jere Wood.  On that day, more than 1,000 dedicated volunteers will provide free groceries, health and dental screenings, haircuts and other services to support families in need and unite the community efforts and organizations that serve them. The venue is City Hall, 38 Hill Street, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wood encourages all community organizations, churches, businesses, and citizens to support and participate in solidarity with the less fortunate citizens of Roswell.