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World's Fastest Growing St. Patrick's Day Parade: March 16
Conyers' World's Fastest Growing St. Patrick's Day Parade will be held on Friday, March 16 at 4:30 p.m. in Olde Town Conyers. The parade is sponsored by the Conyers Main Street Program.
The parade, a Conyers tradition since 1985, will be led by Grand Marshal Randy Mills and Honorary Grand Marshals Bill Rogers, Bill Spivey and Charles Walkder, former city councilmen and mayor respectively,accompanied by bagpiper Robert Harwell, playing classic Irish tunes. Local businesses and school groups will also participate in this year's parade.
Live Irish music will be on hand in the Olde Town Pavilion following the parade. The annual crowning of the St. Patrick's Day Parade queen and king will take place while attendees enjoy complimentary refreshments at the Olde Town Pavilion. All guests are encouraged to dress in their best Irish attire--the greener, the better!
Businesses in Olde Town will be showcasing great deals on merchandise as well as food and drink specials for parade attendees. Live music and traditional Irish dishes will be available in select restaurants until 11 p.m. Commercial Street will be closed from 3 p.m.-midnight for the festivities.
Anyone wishing to participate in the two-block walking parade is encouraged to meet at the corner of Main and Center Streets prior to 4:30 p.m. For more information, call the Conyers Welcome Center at 770-602-2606.
Conyers Police Offer Spring Citizens Police Academy
The Conyers Police Department (CPD) is preparing to once again offer a Citizens Police Academy for local residents and business owners in the community this spring.
The CPD Citizens Police Academy will offer the 10-week academy on Tuesdays beginning March 20 at 6:30 p.m. Each session will last approximately three hours, from 6:30 p.m.-9:30 p.m., and most sessions will take place in City Council Chambers or the Conyers Police Department training room at 1194 Scott Street, with the exception of one session on a Saturday to be held at a nearby firing range. The academy will also include a tour of the Rockdale County Jail.
“The Citizens Police Academy is one of our most popular community outreach programs,” said Chief of Police Gene Wilson. “This behind the scenes glimpse into law enforcement is a favorite with citizens because it is so hands-on and interactive.”
Academy participants will learn about the various divisions of the CPD, learn self defense techniques, solve a mock crime scene, obtain identity fraud and cyber crime tips, participate in various scenarios with a demonstration firearm and run laser devices on heavily trafficked roadways.
Those interested in participating in the Citizens Police Academy are asked to contact Sergeant Peggy Dunn or Officer Debbi Krisher at 770-483-6600 for more information or you may complete the application. Applications are due no later than March 14. There is no charge to participate in the academy. For more information, call 770-929-4201 or visit the Conyers Police Department website at www.conyerspolice.com.
State of the City 2012
Mayor Randy Mills and the Conyers City Council presented the annual State of the City Address on Thursday, January 5, 2012 at Cherokee Run Golf Club. More than 200 citizens and invited guests were in attendance for the swearing-in of new city Councilman John Fountain and the swearing-in of Councilman Vince Evans and Councilman Gerald Hinesley.
“This community has a renowned past, an inspired present and the potential for a glorious future. With a carefully crafted formula that includes job growth, safety, quality of life, service delivery, and planned development, we are resetting the stage for success in Conyers and Rockdale County,” said Mayor Mills in his themed “Possibilities Abound: Restoring and Revitalizing Conyers” address.
The councilmen made remarks on progress within their respective committees in 2011. Councilman Gerald Hinesley reported on finance and community development while Councilman Vince Evans reported on transportation and arts. Councilman Chris Bowen made remarks on stormwater projects and the Big Haynes Creek Nature Center. Councilman Cleveland Stroud provided a report on public safety initiatives and Councilman Marty Jones, who did not seek re-election, concluded with insight on tourism programs, redevelopment opportunities in Olde Town Conyers and successes at the Georgia International Horse Park.
Mayor Mills honored select members of the community with Spirit of Conyers Awards including Ben Bishop, Lonnie Fears, Jr., Darrell Huckaby, Aldren Sadler, Sr., and Cynthia Welch. The city of Conyers 2011 Dee Buggay Award of Excellence (Employee of the Year) was presented to Donna Freeman in the city’s Department of Planning and Inspection Services. Councilman Marty Jones was also recognized for his 23 years of service on the city council and to the city of Conyers.
The State of the City Address is currently airing at 7:30 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. on Rockdale Channel 23.
Conyers Awarded $3.6 Million for Bike/Pedestrian Improvements
The city of Conyers was awarded $3.6 million by the Atlanta Regional Commission (ARC) for bike and pedestrian improvements on streets in Olde Town Conyers. Conyers was one of 13 local governments awarded a total of $34 million to build innovative transportation projects. Conyers and other communities will use the funding to make their Livable Center Initiative (LCI) study areas (previously designated by ARC) more walkable and livable.
The $3.6 million awarded to Conyers will be used for the milling and repaving of Hardin Street and O'Kelly Street and include bike lanes and sidewalks. The LCI program is funded with federal transportation dollars. Each community must also pay matching funds, through the local SPLOST, to help cover project costs.
For more information about the projects, visit www.atlantaregional.com/lci.
Big Haynes Creek Nature Center Adds Signage, Interactive Displays in Newest Phase
Visitors and nature enthusiasts may want to venture into the Big Haynes Creek Nature Center to experience the latest additions of signage and interactive displays.
City of Conyers staff has worked with designers at Malone Design/Fabrication in Decatur, Georgia, and Ecos Environmental Design, Inc., since the first of the year on designs for discovery kiosks, audio stations, conservation stations and touch stations along the Nature Center’s green trail that is approximately one mile in length. The trail takes visitors along the banks of the wetlands through small fields of ferns to the boardwalk on the northern end of the wetlands that was constructed last year.
“We wanted to create a more enjoyable, learning experience for those that appreciate nature and come to the Big Haynes Creek Nature Center to observe and study animals and plants native to our region,” said Councilman Chris Bowen, committee chairman for the Big Haynes Creek Nature Center.
The audio stations are solar powered, weather-resistant stations that emit sounds of native animals and birds with the turn of a handle. Touch stations enable guests to trace animal tracks such as beavers and herons and leaf prints such as pickerel weed and ferns on tumblers stationed at intervals along the trail.
“The discovery kiosks and various stations tell the story of the Big Haynes Creek Nature Center and the city’s efforts since the Olympics to preserve this prized ecosystem that tells the story of Georgia’s Piedmont region,” said Councilman Bowen.
The Big Haynes Creek Nature Center is 173 acres of land within the Georgia International Horse Park that is a dedicated nature preserve for the preservation and study of native plants and wildlife. The Nature Center boasts more than five miles of trails for hikers, mountain bikers and horseback riding enthusiasts and is open daily from dawn to dusk. For more information on the Big Haynes Creek Nature Center please visit www.visitconyersga.com or call 770-602-2606.