News & Views FROM THE MAYOR directly or by contract, according to the GMA: ing that day. This field trip, the cost of which was law enforcement; fire protection and fire safety; free to the schools and students, included a tour road and street construction or maintenance; of City Hall; a visit to Fire Station # 10 down- solid waste management; water supply or dis- town; introduction to the Police Department’s tribution or both; wastewater treatment; storm- Canine and Mobile Command units; a close-up water collection and disposal; electric or gas look at a variety of City vehicles, along with how utility services; enforcement of building, hous- they work; and a Mock City Council meeting, ing, plumbing, and electrical and other similar Mayor Rochelle Robinson codes; planning and zoning; and recreational facilities. where the students met City Council members and got a taste of what happens during a coun- cil meeting. The Communications Department If you grew up in “the country,” you know I am proud to report that the City of Douglas- how exciting it was to “go to town.” That usually provided “Green Screen Adventures” in the Au- ville provides all of those services to its citizens. ditorium, and, at the end of their visit, each stu- meant going to the downtown area of a small town, which, much like Douglasville, was lined by a railroad track on one side and several small businesses on the other. HOW WE CELEBRATED. Georgia Cities so to speak, by sharing information about the services the City provides to our residents, cel- It was a place to buy a few household sup- ebrate community achievements, honor those plies, groceries, gardening plants, and jewelry who volunteer on City boards and organizations and there was at least one store that sold shirts, and recognize City employees. dresses, pants and shoes under one roof. Town was the hub where neighbor met neighbor and supported friends who had the financial means and the tenacity to own a business. Times were simpler; there were informal credit terms, no credit cards and most everyone knew each oth- er. Perhaps it was the nostalgia of a happy, sim- pler time that led the Georgia Municipal Associ- ation (GMA) to the theme “Go to Town!” for this year’s Georgia Cities Week, which was observed by municipalities across the state from April 17 – 23. For us, it was the perfect opportunity to celebrate and bring awareness to you - our cit- izens - about the City of Douglasville and what it has to offer. A FEW FACTS FIRST. Douglasville is one of dent received a gift bag from the City. Week gave us a chance to toot our own horn, The Maintenance and Sanitation Depart- ment held the city-wide Spring Yard Sale Am- nesty Weekend April 15 – April 17 and hosted Local second graders get an up close look at the City’s vehicles the annual Spring Clean-Up Week with Keep Douglasville Beautiful (KDB) from April 18 – APPRECIATING OUR EMPLOYEES. Realizing that our employees are our greatest assets, the April 21. KDB had its Spring Recycle event on April Saturday, April 16, and I presented the BEACONS of Business Award to GreenTree Day Spa on be- half of Keep Douglasville Beautiful on Thursday, City of Douglasville held its first Employee Field Day on Tuesday, April 26, from 10am to 2pm, but City Hall remained open all day. The event was held at Hunter Park. April 21. The business, located at 6842 Douglas Employees fellowshipped while eating, play- Boulevard, was selected by KDB Executive Direc- ing games and competing for prizes. Teams tor Chan Weeks for its recycling, beautification from Maintenance & Sanitation, the Police De- and other projects. partment, Parks & Recreation and City Hall/ We sponsored a Volunteer Fair in the Doug- lasville Conference Center lobby on Tuesday, 538 cities in the state. Georgia’s first city was April 19, to give citizens a look at the City’s Savannah, which was founded in 1789. By pop- boards and the opportunity to serve on them. ulation, Atlanta is the largest city in the state The theme was “Better Together,” and that really (448,841 residents) and Edge Hill, located in sums it up. Downtown played against each other in a soft- ball tournament at the park. Who do you think won in those match-ups? The month ended with our Annual Employee Awards Banquet, which was held Friday, April Glascock County, is the smallest (25 residents), A Volunteer Appreciation Breakfast, held at 29, 6:30pm at American Legion Post 145. Please according to 2010 U.S. Census figures. Douglas- the Douglasville Conference Center on Friday, join us in congratulating four employees who ville’s population was 32,523 in 2014, but the April 22 from 7:30 to 9am, honored current and majority of Georgia’s cities have a population of were awarded for their excellent work. past volunteers who have served on various City less than 5,000 people. boards and commissions. Douglasville, founded in 1874 with the ad- vent of the railroad, was made the county seat the same year, shortly after Douglas County was formed. It was incorporated in 1875. Also on April 22, City Hall hosted 326 second graders from four elementary schools, who re- ceived a firsthand look at government at work. David Chapman, a Park Maintenance em- ployee, is the City of Douglasville’s Employee of the Year. Three employees from the Douglasville Police Department also received awards: Tam- While other elementary schools were invited, my Jewell is the Civilian Employee of the Year; Active municipalities in Georgia must pro- many of the second grade teachers were assist- Lt. Ashley Sanders is Supervisor of the Year; and vide at least three of the following services, ing with the fifth grade classes, which were test- Detective Michael Jetmore is Officer of the Year. FROM THE MAYOR | Community www.newsandviewsusa.com 45