Canton: Speak Out on Fire Services!

We want to hear your thoughts on the options available to the city for improving fire services in our area.

Concerned citizens and city and county officials were at City Hall last night to have an open discussion about fire services in the City of Canton. Many citizens wanted to know the proposed benefits of either improving the Canton Fire Department under the city's guidance or merging the city's fire services with Cherokee County Fire and Emergency Services. County Commission Chairman Buzz Ahrens and Commissioner Woody Johnston were in attendance to try to answer questions brought forth regarding county plans. Canton City Councilmen Bill Bryan, Glen Cummis, Hooky Huffman, John Beresford, and Jack Goodwin all shared their feelings on the contentious issue. Patch would like to continue the conversations that began last night in a respectful but…

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Unemployment Rate Drops to 6.2 Percent in Cherokee

More county residents found jobs in April.

The unemployment rate in Cherokee County dropped to near six percent in April, a fall of four tenths of a percent. Almost 1,000 more county residents were working than in the previous month. The 6.2 percent unemployment rate is one of the lowest in the state, especially when comparing counties with at least 25,000 people in the labor force. Of the 114,994 people in the Cherokee County labor force, 7,122 were unemployed in April. A year ago the unemployment rate was up to 7.1 percent. Just to the south, Cobb County's jobless rate dipped below seven percent, falling three tenths of a percent in a month.  Cobb County's labor force lost approximately 200 workers while almost another 1,000 found jobs to lower the rate. In April 2012, Cobb's …

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Know Before You Go: Hana Japanese Fails Inspection

Here are the latest food and vendor inspections conducted by the Cherokee County Environmental Health Department.

Before heading out to dinner, check out the most recent restaurant inspection reports compiled by the Cherokee County Environmental Health Department. Violations are included in this report for scores below B. Click on "Last inspection" to see all current violations. 7 Tequilas 5947 Holly Springs Parkway, Woodstock 30188 Last inspection: May 20, Score: 85, Grade: B All About Health 12195 Highway 92, Woodstock 30188 Last inspection: May 14, Score: 94, Grade: A Cameron Hall Assisted Living 240 Marietta Highway, Canton 30114 Last inspection: May 15, Score: 99, Grade: A Cherokee Lanes 1149 Marietta Highway, Canton 30114 Last inspection: May 15, Score: 90, Grade: A Dixie Speedway 150 Dixie Drive, Woodstock 30189 Last inspection: May 20, Score: …

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Cherokee To Vote On Hobgood Park Improvements

The Cherokee County Commission will consider awarding a construction contract to perform improvements to Hobgood Park.

Hobgood Park will soon see its second phase of improvements.  The Cherokee County Commission will consider awarding a contract to Georgia Development Partners for $1.3 million during its meeting tonight. The meeting starts at 6 p.m. at the county administration building in Canton. The meeting will follow the commissioners' work session at 3 p.m. Phase two of the project includes the project includes new signage, sports lighting, modifying existing parking areas and applying new striping, resurfacing the tennis court and renovating the existing concession and restroom building.  The commission will also consider a resolution to reduce the commission fee charged to the Cherokee County Board of Education to collect its taxes and an agreement …

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Council Talks Dirt, Compensation

A Canton City Councilman continued his efforts to increase compensation for the mayor and council, and the City Manager discussed a problem with the Laurel Canyon fire station site.

Gov. Deal Orders Return of Bibles to Rooms at State Parks

The Bibles were removed from cabins and rooms at Georgia parks after a complaint from a visitor.

Gov. Nathan Deal today instructed the state Department of Natural Resources to return Bibles to cabins and lodge rooms at state parks, according to the Office of the Governor. The Governor made the decision to do so after consulting with Georgia Attorney General Sam Olens. The Bibles were removed from the rooms of Georgia parks after a visitor complained, but were still available to guests at the front desk of these park facilities. In a press release, Gov. Deal stated the following: “Out of an abundance of caution to avoid potential litigation, the commissioner [Mark Williams, commissioner of DNR] removed the Bibles from rooms – though they were still available on site – after a complaint from a visitor. The attorney general and I agree …

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Council Talks Dirt, Compensation

A Canton City Councilman continued his efforts to increase compensation for the mayor and council, and the City Manager discussed a problem with the Laurel Canyon fire station site.

The Canton City Council looked at two controversial issues during their Thursday evening meeting at City Hall, including a potential problem with the site chosen for the Laurel Canyon fire station. The meeting saw a first reading of a motion brought forth by Councilman John Beresford to increase the compensation paid to the mayor and council members. The city council had previously voted to approve the compensation increase, but the measure was vetoed by Mayor Gene Hobgood. “I haven't made a secret of how I feel about this,” said Hobgood. He reiterated his position that an increase at this time was inappropriate, especially considering that city employees have not seen raises for at least six years. “I feel it sends the wrong message for …

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Cherokee Leaders "Very Pleased" With Property Value Jump

After years of managing declining property tax revenue, the upswing is welcome news for Cherokee leaders.

The news of an increase in Cherokee County property tax values is not falling on deaf ears among local leaders. The county learned last week that its gross tax digest grew to nearly $7.4 billion in 2013, up from $7.2 billion in 2012. Cherokee County Chief Appraiser John Adams said after exemptions, the total net taxable digest is up by 3 percent for the county and up 2.8 percent for the school portion of property taxes. County Commission Chair Buzz Ahrens said he was "very pleased" with the initial results overall. The county was hoping to see either a 1 or 2 percent increase in property values, "so the out-of-the box 3 percent is a great message and starting point." He noted there could be some "erosion" of the increase due to the appeals…

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Former Rep. Sean Jerguson, Business Partners Hit with Default Judgment

Atlanta Unfiltered is reporting a federal judge has entered a $640,000 default judgment against the former lawmaker and his business partners in relation to a loan they received to operate a mobile home park.

A former Cherokee County state representative is facing more legal troubles. Sean Jerguson, the former Georgia legislator from Holly Springs, last week was hit with a contempt order by a federal judge against him and his business partners in their investment of the Maplewood Mobile Home Park, according to Atlanta Unfiltered.   The judge in his order (which is attached) noted Jerguson, J. Cary and Kimberly H. Bullard of Gainesville, owners of Sapphire Pointe LLC, disregarded an order for them to present information requested by Arkansas-based Bank of the Ozarks, which is suing Jerguson and Sapphire Pointe for defaulting on a loan they received to operate mobile home park.  The judge also entered a default judgment of $640,000 against …

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Heritage Park Walking, Bike Track Open; Grass Cutting Today

The grass in the once-flooded park may finally be dry enough to be cut today, says the City of Canton.

Heritage Park is almost ready to resume full operation after after flooding shut down the park Sunday afternoon. According to the City of Canton, the parking lot and the walking track/bike path is now ready to be used, but the grass was still too wet to cut on Wednesday. The city is hopeful that the grass will be dry enough today to allow crews to properly cut the grass and completely re-open the facility. Heavy rains did more than shut down Heritage Park; in the Free Home community, flood waters caused half of a road to be washed away. Unfortunately, the National Weather Service is predicting more showers and thunderstorms for the Canton area over the weekend. It remains to be seen whether or not the new rain will affect Heritage Park or …

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