Georgia, like the rest of the United States is in a recession. But in Coweta County, things are simply not that bleak. Tuesday at his office, Coweta County Development Authority President Bill Harrison shared his thoughts on the Coweta’s experiences in 2008 and on what lies ahead in 2009 and beyond.

Coweta County commissioners Jan. 20 approved what will be the initial project for the 1,558-acre McIntosh Village development. The board unanimously approved a rezoning request for construction of the community’s wastewater treatment facility that will handle 1 million gallons per day. The 74.42-acre site is situated on the east side of the development. It is adjacent to the Fayette County line and borders the northwest side of Senoia.

Coweta County Commission Jan. 20 gave unanimous approval to a rezoning request for a commercial development on 9.067 acres at Ga. Highway 34 and Fischer Road. Only 1.25 acres on the site are suitable for development. The property is located just west of the northwest corner of Fischer Road and Ga. Highway 34 and is adjacent to the 800,000 square-foot Fischer Crossing commercial development already approved by the commission in June.

Coweta business owner Jason Veitch has been charged in the murder of Norcross construction worker Gaston Gonzales in a June 28, 2008 incident outside a residential work site owned by Veitch.

The Coweta County School Board unanimously approved a redistricting map Jan. 13 that will include the county’s 19th elementary school. The new district for Brooks Elementary includes the north central portion of the county. The school will open in August and is expected to serve approximately 650 students.

They are just slightly off most people’s radar. But perhaps not for long. Nestled in a corner of Espresso Lane Coffee Shop on the courthouse square in Newnan Monday night a group of nearly two dozen knowledgeable knitters known for having a knack for knocking out needful projects held their customary weekly knit-in.

A Newnan man whose dog “Poochie” bit his cousin on three occasions in the past three months found the animal deemed “potentially dangerous” at a Jan. 12 hearing of Coweta Animal Control Board. The wounds required stitches on two of the occasions. The board heard Billy Addison’s concerns for his dog and the difficulty he said he would have paying the required fees while living on a fixed income, but determined that the designation was in the best interest of the family and the community.

Anthony Grant of Senoia received a surprise of a lifetime. He won a $2.5 million prize playing the new Millionaire Jumbo Bucks instant game.

The Coweta County School Board is asking for a state-required waiver to increase class sizes in two middle schools and five elementary schools. Most of the waiver requests resulted from an increase in classes for gifted students.

New Coweta Commissioners Rodney Brooks, L, and Al Smith attended their first meeting Tuesday night. They were welcomed to the board by chairman Paul Poole, and Poole also thanked the new commissioners’ spouses for the efforts they will be undertaking. Photo/John Munford.

New Coweta Fire Chief Johnny Teeters was introduced at Tuesday’s meeting of the Board of Commissioners. He said he was looking forward to working with the excellent staff of the fire department. Photo/John Munford.

County also scales back courthouse renovation

The downturn in the economy has Coweta County officials tightening their budgets as well.

A company has been selected to renovate the lecture hall facility at the Newnan campus of the University of West Georgia.

Senoia City Council at its first meeting of the new year Jan. 5 approved the job description for the incoming police chief. The city will begin advertising internally Jan. 12. Officer Jason Edens was appointed interim chief after the resignation of former Chief Olitta Bennett in September.

Coweta County staff planned today to open the proposals submitted by at least two and perhaps three different financial firms on providing services to issue the bonds that will raise money for improvements to the county’s firefighting capabilities.

Architect picked for library roof

Coweta County has selected an architectural firm to handle the proposed re-roofing of the A. Mitchell Powell Library.

Starting Thursday, January 8th, work crews will begin rehabilitating East Broad Street in Newnan from the Pinson Street/ Farmer Street intersection out to the new roundabout.

The United States is clearly in a recession. The economy has tanked nearly everywhere, but not in Senoia. That reality came through loud and clear in a conversation Tuesday with City Administrator Richard Ferry. During 2008 available commercial space essentially doubled with much more on the way in 2009.

Coweta County Commission Dec. 16 approved a report on the proposed 40.7-acre Madras recreation site located in northeast Coweta that calls for both active and passive recreation amenities. The Madras Recreation Needs Assessment will become a component of an upcoming master recreation plan. The county-owned site is located along Hal Jones Road just south of Frank Cook Road.

The Board of Directors of the Newnan-Coweta Chamber of Commerce has elected seven new Officers for 2009.

Board members elected to officer positions are: Jan Alligood, Chair, Georgia Power Company; Steve Mader, Chair Elect, SouthTowne Motors of Newnan; Vicki Kaiser, Treasurer, Piedmont Healthcare; Mark Fritz, Vice Chair-Membership & Marketing, Bank of Coweta; Grant Grimes, Vice Chair-Organizational Performance, Forestar Real Estate Group; Randy Cardoza, Vice Chair-Economic Prosperity, AGL Resources; and Phil Aaron, Past Chair, State Farm Insurance.

Motorists traveling along I-85 in Coweta County should expect delays during part of the first week of the new year. Georgia Dept. of Transportation (GDOT) said Monday that one southbound lane will be closed near the Ga. Highway 14/U.S. Highway 29 intersection Jan. 5-7.

The Georgia DOT has completed improvements to the intersection of State Route (SR) 54 at Stewart and Reese Roads. A new traffic signal has been installed and will be operational on Tuesday, Jan. 6.

Ready to make a resolution and stick to it? If so then the Piedmont Newnan Hospital Wellness Center is the place to help start 2009 off on a healthier and happier note. Throughout the month of January, the  Piedmont Newnan Hospital Wellness Center is waiving the $75 initiation fee for new members.

The Coweta County Commission Dec. 16 approved a report on the proposed 40.7-acre Madras recreation site located in northeast Coweta that calls for both active and passive recreation amenities.

Some homeowners were not pleased recently as Coweta County commissioners voted unanimously to grant a rezoning request that will expand the quarry operations of Vulcan Materials Company. The 67.56-acre site is located north of Elzie Johnson Road between I-85 and U.S. Highway 29.

The Greentop Road Bridge over the CSX railroad was closed Dec. 23 and will remain closed until further notice due to needed repairs.

What began last year is rapidly becoming another tradition for downtown Newnan. Crowds last weekend made their way to the courthouse square area for Main Street Newnan’s 2nd Annual Festival of Lights held Dec. 19 and 20.

They are perhaps the most famous horses in the world. And they made an appearance in Senoia again this year. A few thousand people turned out Dec. 13 to welcome the Clydesdales to Coweta County’s hot spot for family entertainment. The event was a great opportunity for kids to get up close and personal with the equine icons.

The only thing left to do is start the new term. Coweta County commissioners sworn in Dec. 16 by Probate Judge Mary Cranford include (from left) new District 5 Commissioner Alphonzo Smith, returning District 1 Commissioner Paul Poole and new District 4 Commissioner Rodney Brooks.

The far-reaching recession encompassing the nation and metro Atlanta has hit a little closer to home. Officials with Piedmont Newnan Hospital have announced a delay in the beginning of construction of the $194 million Poplar Road facility.