Staff / Erin Gray<br>Rebecca Brodhead and her son Judah Brodhead, 9 months, enjoyed their first time together at the Roswell Splash and Play Park last Friday afternoon.
Staff / Erin Gray
Rebecca Brodhead and her son Judah Brodhead, 9 months, enjoyed their first time together at the Roswell Splash and Play Park last Friday afternoon.
slideshow
Staff / Erin Gray<br>Nikolay Gerjoi, 2, enjoyed a hot summer day while running through the fountains at the Roswell Splash and Play Park last Friday afternoon.
Staff / Erin Gray
Nikolay Gerjoi, 2, enjoyed a hot summer day while running through the fountains at the Roswell Splash and Play Park last Friday afternoon.
slideshow
Staff / Erin Gray<br>Farrah Richardson, 1, enjoyed her first time at the Roswell Splash and Play Park last Friday afternoon with her family.
Staff / Erin Gray
Farrah Richardson, 1, enjoyed her first time at the Roswell Splash and Play Park last Friday afternoon with her family.
slideshow
City of Douglasville to host Fourth of July celebration
by Staff Reports
Jun 19, 2013 | 0 views | 0 0 comments | 0 0 recommendations | email to a friend | print
Life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, a cornerstone of the Declaration of Independence, will be the theme of the 2013 City of Douglasville Fourth of July celebration. Beginning at 10 a.m., the city will host its traditional parade along Church Street. “Each year, large crowds of proud Americans pack corners and line the streets of downtown Douglasville just to see the excitement,” said Marcia Hampton, assistant city manager. Marching bands, patriotic floats, and other entertainment on wheels help to bring life to the procession, and candy is handed to waving hands to sweeten the thrill. The city invites businesses and other organizations to build a float representing the event theme and be a part of the float competition. Prizes will be awarded based on theme, design, presentation and originality. To enter a float in the parade, contact Regina Chapman at (678) 449-3104, or download an application online at www.douglasvillega.gov. Following the parade, the celebration of our nation’s liberty continues at 11 a.m. with the annual SHARE House Independence Day Festival at Hunter Memorial Park. The event will feature food, fun and entertainment. Attendees can savor barbecue provided by Williamson Brothers, shop vendor booths, enjoy live bluegrass music and watch local talent compete in the Douglasville Idol and Talent Contest. As a special treat for children, the Sweetwater Pilot Club will sponsor a kids’ fun zone featuring games, puppet shows, face painting, entertainment and prizes. The festival will also include a raffle with great prizes, including an iPad, weekend getaway and Six Flags tickets. Festival proceeds benefit SHARE House, a nonprofit organization that provides emergency shelter and services to victims of domestic violence. Visit www.sharehousedouglas.org for festival information, or to learn more about the organization.
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Douglasville police facing deep budget cuts
by Liz Marino
lmarino@neighbornewspapers.com
Jun 19, 2013 | 18 views | 0 0 comments | 0 0 recommendations | email to a friend | print
The Douglasville Police Department is facing some deep cuts in the proposed city budget of $8.86 million. Mayor Harvey Persons noted the council cut its budget 9 percent last year “and we’re looking at a potential 5 percent this year.” “It’s a tough economic time and we’re faced with making tough decisions,” he said. “We’re not going to ask that we put our public safety people in harm’s way and not give them the necessary equipment to get the job done.” City Manager Bill Osborne said department employee turnover and timing of filling positions will be one way the police department will be able to trim its budget for the fiscal year. “Based on experience, as big as our department is, there will be turnover and there will be loss of work days during the year,” said Osborne. “This year will be tight and we may have to exercise some control over when we fill positions.” Other expected cuts in the police department include reducing the amount for uniform allowances, making signification reductions in overtime and cutting non-essential training and education. The department makes up around 40 percent of the city’s budget. According to Douglasville Police Chief Chris Womack, “Currently we have eight people working on a graduate level that drug funds have paid for.” However, there are certain areas in which drug funds cannot be used and the assumption cannot be made as to how much in drug funds will be available, explained Womack. “Drug funds are coming in less than previously,” said the police chief. “There were close to $5 million before I took over. Drug funds coming in are closer to $3 million.” The police department is also is reducing operating and office supplies by using current inventory and cutting overtime in special operations. New police vehicles have been cut from the budget as well. “Drug funds have been relied on heavily to keep police officers from walking,” said Womack. He noted that in the past three years, the city has spent just over $100,000 for vehicles, whereas drug funds has spent over $1 million during the same time frame. Resource officers within the city’s schools will remain intact, because their salaries are reimbursed by the Douglas County Board of Education, Womack explained. Also remaining intact will be the K-9 unit budget., which is made up of five dogs. The mayor noted, “Dogs are a necessary part of law enforcement.”
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Latest Headlines

Staff / Erin Gray<br>Rebecca Brodhead and her son Judah Brodhead, 9 months, enjoyed their first time together at the Roswell Splash and Play Park last Friday afternoon.
Staff / Erin Gray
Rebecca Brodhead and her son Judah Brodhead, 9 months, enjoyed their first time together at the Roswell Splash and Play Park last Friday afternoon.
slideshow
Staff / Erin Gray<br>Nikolay Gerjoi, 2, enjoyed a hot summer day while running through the fountains at the Roswell Splash and Play Park last Friday afternoon.
Staff / Erin Gray
Nikolay Gerjoi, 2, enjoyed a hot summer day while running through the fountains at the Roswell Splash and Play Park last Friday afternoon.
slideshow
Staff / Erin Gray<br>Farrah Richardson, 1, enjoyed her first time at the Roswell Splash and Play Park last Friday afternoon with her family.
Staff / Erin Gray
Farrah Richardson, 1, enjoyed her first time at the Roswell Splash and Play Park last Friday afternoon with her family.
slideshow
City of Douglasville to host Fourth of July celebration
by Staff Reports
Jun 19, 2013 | 0 views | 0 0 comments | 0 0 recommendations | email to a friend | print
Life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, a cornerstone of the Declaration of Independence, will be the theme of the 2013 City of Douglasville Fourth of July celebration. Beginning at 10 a.m., the city will host its traditional parade along Church Street. “Each year, large crowds of proud Americans pack corners and line the streets of downtown Douglasville just to see the excitement,” said Marcia Hampton, assistant city manager. Marching bands, patriotic floats, and other entertainment on wheels help to bring life to the procession, and candy is handed to waving hands to sweeten the thrill. The city invites businesses and other organizations to build a float representing the event theme and be a part of the float competition. Prizes will be awarded based on theme, design, presentation and originality. To enter a float in the parade, contact Regina Chapman at (678) 449-3104, or download an application online at www.douglasvillega.gov. Following the parade, the celebration of our nation’s liberty continues at 11 a.m. with the annual SHARE House Independence Day Festival at Hunter Memorial Park. The event will feature food, fun and entertainment. Attendees can savor barbecue provided by Williamson Brothers, shop vendor booths, enjoy live bluegrass music and watch local talent compete in the Douglasville Idol and Talent Contest. As a special treat for children, the Sweetwater Pilot Club will sponsor a kids’ fun zone featuring games, puppet shows, face painting, entertainment and prizes. The festival will also include a raffle with great prizes, including an iPad, weekend getaway and Six Flags tickets. Festival proceeds benefit SHARE House, a nonprofit organization that provides emergency shelter and services to victims of domestic violence. Visit www.sharehousedouglas.org for festival information, or to learn more about the organization.
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Douglasville police facing deep budget cuts
by Liz Marino
lmarino@neighbornewspapers.com
Jun 19, 2013 | 18 views | 0 0 comments | 0 0 recommendations | email to a friend | print
The Douglasville Police Department is facing some deep cuts in the proposed city budget of $8.86 million. Mayor Harvey Persons noted the council cut its budget 9 percent last year “and we’re looking at a potential 5 percent this year.” “It’s a tough economic time and we’re faced with making tough decisions,” he said. “We’re not going to ask that we put our public safety people in harm’s way and not give them the necessary equipment to get the job done.” City Manager Bill Osborne said department employee turnover and timing of filling positions will be one way the police department will be able to trim its budget for the fiscal year. “Based on experience, as big as our department is, there will be turnover and there will be loss of work days during the year,” said Osborne. “This year will be tight and we may have to exercise some control over when we fill positions.” Other expected cuts in the police department include reducing the amount for uniform allowances, making signification reductions in overtime and cutting non-essential training and education. The department makes up around 40 percent of the city’s budget. According to Douglasville Police Chief Chris Womack, “Currently we have eight people working on a graduate level that drug funds have paid for.” However, there are certain areas in which drug funds cannot be used and the assumption cannot be made as to how much in drug funds will be available, explained Womack. “Drug funds are coming in less than previously,” said the police chief. “There were close to $5 million before I took over. Drug funds coming in are closer to $3 million.” The police department is also is reducing operating and office supplies by using current inventory and cutting overtime in special operations. New police vehicles have been cut from the budget as well. “Drug funds have been relied on heavily to keep police officers from walking,” said Womack. He noted that in the past three years, the city has spent just over $100,000 for vehicles, whereas drug funds has spent over $1 million during the same time frame. Resource officers within the city’s schools will remain intact, because their salaries are reimbursed by the Douglas County Board of Education, Womack explained. Also remaining intact will be the K-9 unit budget., which is made up of five dogs. The mayor noted, “Dogs are a necessary part of law enforcement.”
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