A United Voice
Representing Member Homeowners Associations Since 1982
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INTRODUCING: The Hub Family Resource Center
Written by: Remco Brommet
Executive Director of The Hub
During a recent meeting of the U.S. Attorney General’s Heroin Task Force, a local law enforcement director announced that we are seeing an unprecedented influx of opioids into the United States. This comes on top of recent statistics that have shown the increase of opioid overdose deaths, mainly from heroin and the potent additive fentanyl, to have increased by a whopping 2,000 % in the last five years in our suburban areas.
What drives this epidemic?
A growing mental health crisis in our community. More and more high school age teenagers and young adults are struggling with anxiety and depression, fueled by performance pressure, over-scheduling, social media issues and other factors. And they are turning to self-medication in droves. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control & Prevention announced that more than 80% of heroin addictions start with a trip to the medicine cabinet at home where highly addictive prescription pain-killers like OxyContin, Hydrocodone, Percocet and Lortab are readily available.
As a result, our local police departments are seeing more and more mental health and addiction related calls, our school counseling offices are overwhelmed, and our courts are flooded with DUI and Minor In Possession cases. And more often than not, the complaint is heard “they tell us to get help, but we don’t know what kind of help we need, where to find it, or who we can trust”.
This is where the Hub Family Resource Center comes in. Founded last year, and located on State Bridge Road in Johns Creek, its primary mission is to provide a safe and welcoming place for area residents to come and speak with a resource specialist who will assess their needs for mental health and addiction recovery services and connect them to trusted service providers in the area. Police departments, courts, hospitals, and hospital emergency rooms are already steadily referring residents to The Hub.
In addition, The Hub provides parent education in the form of Family Life University, which will begin in the fall of 2016 with a menu of parent seminars held in easily accessible locations, and mental health awareness. Our aim is to de-stigmatize mental health in the community and encourage people to seek help before self-medicating. |
TSPLOST Vote on Nov. 8
While the national elections will be the big story in November, there will also be another item on the ballot that will have a major impact on Johns Creek residents.
The cities within Fulton County have signed an Intergovernmental Agreement(IGA) which will have Fulton County voters deciding on whether or not to approve a 0.75% Transportation Special Local Option Sales Tax (TSPLOST) for transportation projects.
If passed, the 0.75% sales tax would be implemented for 5 years. Each of the cities participating has submitted their own list of transportation projects which would be funded from the tax. If passed the tax will collect and distribute approximately $93,000,000 for transportation projects in the City of Johns Creek.
If a city chose not to sign the IGA and submit a list of projects, and the tax passes, the sales tax revenues for that city would be forfeited. So, it is safe to say that each City participating in the IGA made the choice to do so, or lose their taxpayer’s money to the surrounding areas.
Here are links to the TSPLOST legislation, the IGA, and the transportation project list which has been approved by the Johns Creek City Council.
Legislation:
IGA:
Project List:
We will have more information in the upcoming months.
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Update on the Recreation and Parks Strategic Plan
The City Council voted unanimously in the March 28th City Council meeting to adopt the Recreation and Parks Strategic Plan, and the funding methods for the Strategic Plan’s goals that were suggested by city staff and consultants are now being discussed and, potentially, implemented.
Johns Creek will continue to fund the parks through its current allocation from the General Fund. However, additional funds for the parks could be acquired through a bond referendum.
Most recent discussions are the possibility of a $30 million bond versus a $50 million bond. The results of citizen surveys and the bond amount are being discussed in the July 11th City Council meeting. Voting to place a Parks Bond Referendum on the November 8th ballot will most likely take place at either the July 11th or 25th meetings.
Refer to items 3b – 3d for the parks documentation from the latest Work Session of City Council here.
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Johns Creek Municipal Court Offers Amnesty for Outstanding Traffic Violations & Warrants
For a limited time, the Johns Creek Municipal Court is offering amnesty to individuals with past-due traffic citations and/or active bench warrants for failing to appear in court.
In July and August, the amnesty program, the Court’s first, allows individuals to resolve long-standing violations with the Johns Creek Municipal Court without facing additional related charges, and it allows the Court to clear past-due open cases from its records.
“Amnesty doesn’t just forgive outstanding bench warrants and suspensions with the Court,”said Municipal Court Judge Don Schaefer. “The overall goal of the program is to provide access to justice, allow people with suspended licenses to drive legally again, reduce arrests, and close outstanding violations with the Court. Defendants will still have to appear before a judge on the original charges, but we’ll give them a break this one time on their failure-to-appear charges eliminating the fear of arrest.”
Anyone with a failure-to-appear warrant can have those warrants cleared if they appear in person at the Court Clerk’s office to reschedule a new court date. At that time, they will be provided documentation to submit to the Department of Driver Services to have their driver’s license reinstated.
Johns Creek Municipal Court has over 1,000 violations averaging $370,000 in fines that are eligible for amnesty.
To take advantage of the amnesty program, visit Johns Creek Municipal Court at 11445 Johns Creek Parkway, Johns Creek, 30097, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, July 1 through Aug. 31.
Forms of payments that will be accepted are cash, money order, cashier checks, and all major credit cards. No personal checks. For more information, please contact the Johns Creek Municipal Court at 678.512.3444. |
Johns Creek Teams with Agencies to Prevent Skin Cancer
In the first anti-skin cancer initiative of its kind in Georgia, the Johns Creek Recreation and Parks Division is teaming up with Melanoma Foundation of New England and Make Big Change to place sunscreen dispensers at the City’s parks.
“Melanoma is one of the most common forms of cancerand one of the easiest to prevent,” said Kirk Franz, Johns Creek Recreation manager. “People with kids in various programs often spend an entire day at the park, and they and the kids can end up with severe sunburns. Providing free sunscreen at a nominal cost is another way we can help promote the public health and welfare.”
Deb Girard, Executive Director of Melanoma Foundation of New England, said she was pleased the program was reaching into the Southeast. The Foundation recently initiated a similar program with the City of Boston.
“Due to the success of our Boston sunscreen initiative we were approached about expanding the program to John’s Creek,” she said. “We were thrilled at the opportunity to continue offering free sun protection to the public and look forward to this partnership.”
Under the program, the Melanoma Foundation of New England will install five dispensers and provide four bags of free SPF 30 sunscreen, safe for people aged 6 months or older. After that, the City will pay for replenishing the sunscreen, estimated to cost about $500 a year. The dispensers hold a 1 liter bag of sunscreen. Each bag contains 670 applications. Applications are free.
The dispensers are currently installed at Newtown, Ocee, and Shakerag parks. Read more HERE. |
Johns Creek Shares Tips to Limit Mosquito Growth This Summer
Wondering what to do about mosquitos in your yard?
One of the simplest and most effective ways to limit mosquito growth from gathering near your home is the “toss and tip.”
- Toss away old containers or other items where water can collect, including old flower pots
- Tip outdoor furniture to avoid standing water on cushions.
- Also, avoid interaction with mosquitos by staying indoors from dusk to dawn when mosquitos are most active. If you must be outside, protect your skin with repellant and wear appropriate clothing. Light colors are least attractive to mosquitos.
While no vaccine exists to prevent the Zika virus, which is spread by mosquito bites, there are things we all can do to protect our community and ourselves. Read more about the Zika virus
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Movie-goers anxiously awaiting the start of Movie Night on June 11, 2016.
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Johns Creek Kicks Off “Movies at Newtown Park” for Summer 2016
“Movies at Newtown Park” is a summer outdoor series of family-friendly movies presented on a huge inflatable screen.
Pre-show activities include an inflatable moonwalk, face painting, children’s activities, giveaways, music, food and drinks.
Dates: Saturday, June 11, July 9, August 13
Time: Movie starts at dusk. Pre-Show activities begin at 7 p.m.
Location: Newtown Park
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There will be face-painting…
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…and fun for the entire family!
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Check Buford Dam Water Release Schedule Before Getting in the Chattahoochee
Viewed from a distance, the Chattahoochee River looks easy-going, but its appearance can be deceptive. When the Corps of Engineers releases water from Lake Lanier, the resulting surge of water can cause the river to become fast, powerful and deep.
River users may now view the daily schedule for releases (see the Buford column), listen to 1610AM, or call 770.9445.1466 for release times. Remember to always wear a flotation device and to keep an eye on the water level.
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This class is designed for those who want to can for the first time, or those who need a refresher course on the basics (recipes, supplies, how to can properly to prevent foodborne illness).
Date: July 11, 2016
Time: 6pm – 7:30 pm
Location: Sandy Springs Library
OR
Date: July 19, 2016
Time: 6pm – 7pm
Location: Milton Library
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Financial Literary for Teens
Teens will participate in fun and interactive activities geared towards budgeting, savings, and the basics of credit.
Date: July 14, 2016
Time: 1:30 – 2:30 pm
Location: Ocee Johns Creek Library
OR
Date: July 28, 2016
Time: 1pm – 2pm
Location: Spruill Oaks Library
OR
Date: July 28, 2016
Time: 2:15pm – 3:15pm
Location: Spruill Oaks Library
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Cancer Prevention Through Lifestyle Change
You will learn how to reduce your risk for certain cancers by developing better eating habits and making healthier food choices.
Date: July 26, 2016
Time: 10am -11 am
Location: Milton Senior Center
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The JCCA is now on Facebook!
Make sure you like our page to stay informed of events and information.
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Summer 2016 Road Projects Continue in Johns Creek
Traffic is an ongoing issue in our community, and we want you to be assured that progress is being made!
Please click HERE for the most accurate updates on road improvement projects in Johns Creek. |
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