Sandy Springs Hires Fire Chief
Jack K. McElfish is Sandy Springs' first fire chief. A chief since 1981, McElfish has served Richmond, Va.; Wallingford, Conn.; Clayton County, and Gwinnett County. He has a master’s degree in public administration and fire science, and was among the country’s first 15 recipients of the Chief Fire Officer (CFO) designation. As the Clayton County chief, his responsibilities included servicing Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.
Read more about the new Sandy Springs fire chief here.
City Launches Comprehensive Plan
The Citizen Advisory Committee began work on the City's Comprehensive Plan during its first meeting on July 24. The plan, which must be completed by December 2007, will include a Transportation Master Plan and a Master Plan for Recreation and Parks. The City is required to give the state a comprehensive plan in order to receive regional, state and federal grants for projects. The Comprehensive Plan is designed to exceed state standards.
Click here for the complete news release.
Move Over Sandy Springs: New Cities Coming
Sandy Springs' days as Georgia's newest city are numbered. On July 18, voters approved proposals to create the cities of Johns Creek and Milton in northern Fulton County. The incorporation of the two cities will become official Dec. 1. According to the Associated Press, about 20,000 live in the largely rural Milton and 63,000 in Johns Creek.
Transportation Plan in the Works
Sandy Springs has begun preparing its Comprehensive Transportation Plan, which is aimed at streamlining traffic and improving citizens' quality of life. It will include provisions for vehicles, bicycles and pedestrians. The City's goal for completing the plan is the fall of 2007. Input from public meetings, along with the work of City staff, a Citizens Advisory Committee and a transportation planning consultant, will go into the plan's creation. It will contain a list of projects and an implementation plan, which will address congestion “hot spots.”
Click here to access the complete news release.
Roads Top ‘Most-Congested’ List
Four Sandy Springs roads are among the most congested in metro Atlanta, according to the Atlanta Regional Commission (ARC). Data from 2005 show Riverside Drive and Dalrymple Road, from Mt. Vernon Road to Roswell Road, are tied for the top spot. Johnson Ferry Road, from Abernathy Road east into DeKalb, is the 11th most-congested road. Abernathy Road and Perimeter Center West from Johnson Ferry Road east into DeKalb is 24th; and Mount Vernon Road/Spalding Drive from Dunwoody Club east into Gwinnett, is 26th. The Sandy Springs Capital Improvement Plan will address several of these traffic hotspots.
For more information, click here.
Recreation and Parks Sets Program Schedule
The first program schedule of recreational activities offered by the Sandy Springs Recreation and Parks Department is now available. Some of the upcoming fall programs include youth soccer, basketball, volleyball, football, cheerleading, ballet and hip hop dance, tiny tykes and sportykes, preschool, artistic and rhythmic gymnastics, adult volleyball leagues, karate, tennis and zumba. A preschool indoor track meet for ages 4-6 will take place Saturday, Oct. 14. Open registration begins Aug. 7.
For more information, download a PDF version here or call 404-252-6310.
Council Meeting Dates
The next Sandy Springs City Council is meeting at 7 p.m. on Aug. 15 at City Hall. Regular City Council meetings are scheduled for the first and third Tuesday of each month, with work sessions on the second Tuesday of each month.
To access an online calendar of all governmental meetings, click here.
Atlanta to Work on Water Issues
The City of Atlanta Bureau of Water has launched a new effort to work through and resolve its backlog of customer issues in Sandy Springs. Citizens who have problems related to water service are asked to call 404-658-6500. For tracking purposes, the Bureau prefers that citizens call from their home phones.
To visit the Atlanta Bureau of Water, click here.
Turtle Assumes Post at Police Department
Citizens joined City officials at the Police Department for the unveiling of a Sandy Springs Town Turtle on Aug. 2. Part of the Sandy Springs Society's Town Turtles project, the statue is one of 75 turtles around town that individuals and groups have sponsored. Resident Bruce Weiner donated the Police Department turtle, which will remain outside the building.
Read more about the Police Department turtle here.
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