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ACC News & Notes - Updated July 3, 2008
What's New in ACC All About Athens-Clarke County Other Links of Note in ACC A Visual Tour of ACC Landmarks ACCent Newsletter Online Where / How Do I . . . ? SPLOST Program Info Directory and Contact Information Mayor and Commission Info Return to Home Page

CALENDAR OF ATHENS-CLARKE COUNTY MEETINGS & EVENTS

triangle DROUGHT INFORMATION & WATER CONSERVATION TIPS

triangle Cooperative Extension offers tips on effective & efficient outdoor watering
triangle Police Department seeks public comment on grant for overtime pay
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Take part in a Municipal Web Site research study
triangle
 Athens Creative Theatre forms all-female performance group

triangle July is Parks and Recreation Month, special events planned

triangle Leisure Services hosts Volunteer Work Day at Memorial Park

triangle Fire Department hosts 8th Annual Burnin' Up the Blacktop 5K Race

triangle Leisure Services releases surveys for master plan development

triangle Sponsors and Volunteers needed for Run to Play 5K

triangle Regional Teacher Reuse Store open on August 9

triangle Leisure Services hours of operation for Independence Day

triangle Multimodal Transportation Center receives architecture award

triangle New Leaf and Limb collections schedule effective July 1

triangle Transportation & Public Works launches new watershed website

triangle Animal Control enforces new tethering restrictions

triangle Star Spangled Classic scheduled for Bishop Park

triangle Solid Waste Department changed collection schedules for Friday, July 4

triangle Sample ballots for July 15 Primary Elections now online
triangle Tag Office to have new hours beginning July 7

triangle Information about snakes in residential areas
triangle Wanted: Terrance Pattman for Aggravated Assault on Police & Eluding
triangle Kent Kilpatrick named Interim Leisure Services Director as of June 9
triangle Police Department to participate in "Click it or Ticket!" and "H.E.A.T." campaigns

triangle Butch McDuffie named winner of 2008 Classic Host Award, May 15

triangle Five Points infrastructure improvements work updated in Street Scenes
triangle State Court's DUI/Drug Court selected as one of four 'Academy Courts' in U.S.
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 First quarter sworn and civilian employees honored

triangle Students graduate from police academy

triangle Alleged "Crown Royal Bandit" nabbed with help from ACC Police
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Unique Cigarette Litter Receptacles (CLRs) installed in downtown Athens
triangle Athens-Clarke County Recycling Division's 2008 Recyclers of the Year
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Crime Stoppers announce rewards in armed robbery & shooting
triangle Leaving dogs in cars on warm days can lead to heatstroke
triangle Qualifying fees set for local elected offices

triangle Athens Transit buses debut online GPS tracking
triangle Water restrictions modified effective March 16, 2008
triangle Five Points infrastructure work detailed in Streets Scenes & March 19 public meeting

triangle Building Inspection reminds contractors that state licensing required by July 1
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MACORTS Long Range Transportation Plan to add the SR 10 / Atlanta Highway Connector
triangle New TrashTalk Podcast from Solid Waste Department on Carbon Footprint available
triangle Community Tree Program Update Newsletter now online
triangle Athens-Clarke County Receives Tree City USA Growth Award
triangle Leisure Services Department named Agency of the Year for 3rd consecutive time

triangle Cooperative Extension offers Natural Gas Customers Education Program
triangle Alkaline batteries can now be recycled
triangle Animal tethering ban information online
triangle Beware of 'pigeon drop scams'
triangle HED helps fund rickshaw business downtown
triangle Police seek car & driver in hit & run from Nov. 4

triangle Planning Department's NNI receives state award

triangle Bags For Bears, program creating composite, plastic lumber from recycled grocery bags

triangle Georgia Square Mall residential recycling drop-off temporarily moved

triangle ACC East and West police substations achieve LEED certification

triangle Police Department receives second State Recertification award
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Changes made to trash and recycling collection bags for the Downtown Business District
triangle Extreme heat safety tips & checking on neighbors

triangle Start Me Up: Small Business Guide for Athens-Clarke County now available
triangle City Hall Clock Tower renovations receive ACHF award

triangle ACC Expands Alternatively-Fueled Vehicle Program

triangle Athens-Clarke County’s DUI Court was selected as one of the nation’s four best courts in targeting repeat drunk drivers. The court has been designated as one of four “Academy Courts” in the country. The other three courts selected are in Springfield, Missouri, Traverse City, Michigan and Newport Beach, CA.

An Academy Court is a model DUI court that serves as a site for training and technical assistance for anyone interested in creating DUI courts.  The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the National Drug Court Institute chose these courts because of their exemplary practices. 

Impaired driving is the most frequent violent crime committed in the United States, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.  In 2005, 16,885 people died in alcohol or drug-related crashes. The DUI courts are designed to target people who Drive Under the Influence (DUI) who, without intervention, are at high risk of reoffending.  These are dangerous offenders who continually get behind the wheel of a car while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

Today there are more than 300 DUI courts throughout the United States dedicated to changing the behavior of these offenders by tackling the root cause:  alcohol and drug abuse. Once they have served their time, as part of their probation, offenders are required to undergo rigorous treatment, withstand constant monitoring including drug tests, and appear regularly before the judge. 

A recent study by Applied Research Services, Inc. reported that DUI court graduates are four times less likely to be rearrested for DUI after two years.

triangle LANGDALE FARM PROTECTED AS GREENSPACE IN ATHENS-CLARKE COUNTY
The first farmland in Athens-Clarke County to be permanently protected as agricultural land, Langdale Farm, was dedicated on October 26 near Winterville. The protection of the Langdale Farm land is part of SPLOST ’s Greenspace Acquisition Program, in which ACC receives or buys properties and easements included in existing and planned greenway areas and restricts development rights.

The Langdale Farm property is also protected under the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Farm and Ranch Lands Protection Program. The 63.69-acre permanent conservation easement on the property was acquired through a 25% contribution from the landowner, 25% from ACC SPLOST funds, and a 50% match from the USDA.

Greenspaces have been included in past SPLOST programs, but the acquisition of this property required developing more policies and procedures with input from Planning, Leisure Services’ Natural Resources Division, and the Environmental Coordinator.

The Athens Land Trust serves as the primary agency regarding development and land use, with SPLOST acting in a supporting role. Conserving agricultural land provides several environmental benefits, such as maintaining wildlife habitats, assisting stormwater control, reducing air pollution, and lowering ambient air temperatures.

The late Dr. George W. Langdale is known as the “Father of Conservation Tillage,” a method that reduces soil erosion and protects topsoil. After his death in late 2003, his wife began the process of protecting the family’s farmland according to her husband’s wishes. He received his Ph.D. from UGA and received numerous awards, including the Hugh Hammond Bennett Award, the highest award in soil and water conservation.