For business owners, 2009 Occupational Tax Certificate Renewals (formerly Business Licenses) are due to the City of Newnan by April 1st. 

Coweta County Commissioners last week unanimously adopted a resolution for an Emergency Operations Plan (EOP) required by Georgia Emergency Management Agency (GEMA). The county and all municipalities are signatories on the EOP that must be in place to be eligible for disaster funding.

Things may have been quiet lately but they are far from resolved. Thomas Crossroads Starship Adult Novelties & Gifts CEO Kelly Rogers will have a mid-April business license appeal hearing in the county commission chambers before members of the Business Occupational Tax Rate and Appeals Committee. In diametric opposition to the county’s position, Rogers maintains that the quantity of sexually-oriented merchandise in the store will be below the 25 percent required by the ordinance in effect when he made the application, thus negating the stipulations of the new ordinance.

A major motion picture, "Zombieland," is scheduled for this weekend to shoot scenes in Newnan for the upcoming horror/comedy starring Woody Harrelson. Filming is scheduled to begin in downtown on Saturday. Shooting will take place on a portion of Greenville Street in the vicinity of East Broad Street and the Court Square. Shooting will also take place at a home on Wilcoxon Street and on LaGrange Street at the railroad overpass.

It will be a needed upgrade to existing emergency services that will cost little but pay big dividends. Coweta commissioners march 17 voted to spend a requested $6,772 to create an emergency operations center in the newly opened 911 Center on Walt Sanders Memorial Drive.

It might not seem like much now, but it could be a significant move for Coweta County government in years to come. Talk that began more than a year ago and resumed last month over having a countywide commission chairman resulted Tuesday in an agreement to form a committee to study the possibility. Though there was virtually no discussion on the matter, each commissioner agreed to provide a name for the committee at the April 7 meeting. Commissioners Paul Poole and Randolph Collins will also serve on the committee. If approved, the move could not occur until the 2010 census numbers are finalized.

Several possibilities for repairing streets in the Martinwood subdivision were batted around by the Senoia City Council Monday night.

Senoia officials are looking at ways to honor longtime resident Jimmy Hutchinson, whose hardware store was a long-time fixture in the downtown area.

Taking ‘dream job’ with FAA in Washington

Citing an offer he couldn’t refuse, Senoia Councilman Keith Harrison announced he would be resigning so he can take a “dream job” with the Federal Aviation Administration in Washington.

Coweta County commissioners agreed with a traffic study along McIntosh Trail in east Coweta linking Sharpsburg and Senoia that recommended a reduction in the speed limit from 55 miles per hour to 45 miles per hour. The change will not go into effect until it is approved by Georgia Dept. of Transportation (GDOT).

It will be a new type of training venue for law enforcement officers. Coweta County commissioners March 17 voted unanimously to approve the construction of a “tire shoot house” that will give officers the ability to move freely while firing in an enclosed training facility at the law enforcement shooting range.

Georgia Clean Air Campaign came to Coweta County Tuesday, with representatives receiving approval from commissioners to inquire if any county employees are interested in the no-cost program.

More than 60 Senoia area residents March 10 heard some of the details of the intent by Florida-based Charter Schools USA to establish a charter school in the city. Representatives held a public information meeting at the Freeman Sasser Building at Seavy Street Park to explain more about the proposal to create a K-8 school to serve up to 800 children. If approved by Coweta County School Board, the school would be Charter USA’s first in Georgia.

A large plot of ground at Wayside Park on U.S. Highway 29 in downtown Palmetto was transformed this week, as students from the University of Vermont spent their spring break helping students from Hill Country Montessori and Palmetto Elementary School’s Jr. Beta Club, along with Serenbe Organic Farms and a number Palmetto residents, to construct a community garden on property adjacent to the city’s community center.

Registration to secure a spot in next year’s limited-space Pre-K classes is ongoing in Coweta County’s elementary schools through March 20.

Coweta County elementary school teams swept the seven-county West Georgia RESA Academic Bowl Finals, held in Carrollton on February 26.

“Landscape Maintenance Week” proclaimed by Coweta County Commission has attracted the attention of nurseries and landscaping companies around the county. Also next week, fees will be waived March 21 at the C&D landfill when depositing yard debris.

Teachers of the Year for each of Coweta County’s 30 public schools have been chosen by their fellow classroom teachers. They will be honored as the county’s top teachers at the April 21 Coweta County Teacher of the Year Program, presented annually by Board of Education and the Newnan Pilot Club.

At their March 10 monthly meeting, the Coweta County Board of Education named new principals for several Coweta County schools which will have openings in the upcoming school year, Sean Dye was named principal of Jefferson Parkway Elementary School; Christi Hildebrand was named principal of Elm Street Elementary School; Vern Mamon was named principal of Winston Dowdell Academy; and Leigh Munson was named Principal of Eastside Elementary School.

The Newnan Fire Department has completed their elevator training. Safety is at the core of the Society’s code for elevators and escalators, appearing right in the title – ASME 17.1 Safety Code for Elevators and Escalators. A17.1 covers all aspects of mechanical and electrical design and includes rules for installation and operation.

UGA Coach Mark Richt was the guest speaker at Christian City’s Night of Hope held at the Georgia International Convention Center on March 5th. Over 600 guests enjoyed inspiring words from Richt about his own life experiences and the joys he and his wife Katharyn have experienced while raising their four children. In 1999, the Richts adopted two children from an orphanage in the Ukriane and are raising them along with their two biological children. The evening was centered around Christian City’s Child Sponsorship Program where you can sponsor a child for less than a dollar a day. Coach Richt received a standing ovation when he announced he wanted to sponsor ten children! Following Richt’s lead, 70 guests signed up to become monthly child sponsors that evening. Sponsorships play a vital role in helping Christian City meet the basic needs such as food, clothing, medical attention and educational costs of the abandoned and abused children who live in the cottages at The Children’s Village.

Two men are in custody and warrants have been issued for others relating to a Tuesday shooting at a Stallings Road residence in Senoia. Two other men at the residence were hospitalized after sustaining gunfire from police at the scene. Georgia Bureau of Investigation is continuing the investigation of the incident in which three Senoia Police, according to policy, were placed on paid administrative leave.

Would a charter school work in Senoia? Charter Schools USA representative Richard Page thinks it would. Page presented the preliminary idea of establishing such a school in the Senoia area at the March 9 city council meeting. The council approved a resolution supporting the endeavor. The company will hold a public meeting next week to explain the proposal.

Coweta County Commissioners last week took up the issue of having a countywide chairman to handle the growing need of regional representation in metro affairs that will increasingly impact Coweta. The idea of having a countywide chairman began more than a year ago. Though no decision was reached Feb. 26, it seemed clear that the board, in general, looked favorably on the idea.

Anybody up for a town hall meeting? The topic was discussed by Coweta County commissioners Feb. 26 with all agreeing. Times and dates have not been set.

Senoia council members March 2 adopted ordinances covering miscellaneous offenses, rules and regulations for park use and speed limits. The council also heard the first reading of the proposed solid waste ordinance.

Coweta County commissioners March 3 went to bat for the county Health Department, voting unanimously to provide $70,000 to offset state budget cuts that would otherwise result in work furloughs.

Dr.  Matthew Davis owner of Crossroads Chiropractic has recently been awarded the distinguished honor of Chiropractor of the Month for March 2009 by the Chiropractic Leadership Alliance (CLA), a premier organization that recognizes excellence in the commitment of chiropractors to the public as well as the chiropractic profession in advancing wellness. 

U.S. Army Spc. Joshua Lowery (left) from Senoia, of 982nd Combat Camera Company, documents an interaction with an Iraqi man in east Baghdad Feb. 16 as soldiers of Bandit Troop, 5th Squadron, 73rd Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, move through a market after hours during a night time dismounted patrol with Iraqi Police.
Photo/Special.

Construction of the new Senoia Police Department and Municipal Court complex on Howard Road moved one step closer to reality last week when city council members adopted a resolution to work with Georgia Municipal Association (GMA) to complete the project.