Payne joins Braselton staff

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Braselton's Wise honored by Soil & Water District

(Braselton) Braselton's environmental specialist, Yvette Wise, received an award of appreciation from the Oconee River Soil & Water Conservation District at its annual meeting.

Nominated by Carol Boss of the USDA, Wise coordinates and manages the town's erosion and sedimentation control program. She enforces local and state environmental regulations through plan reviews and onsite inspections.

"The honor for Yvette is significant for her," says Mayor Pat Graham, "and for the Planning and Development Department of the town. She and her colleagues acknowledge the importance of water during prolonged droughts and focus on protection of the state's waterways. It's a pleasure to add my commendation to Yvette for this achievement."

Wise joined the Town's staff in 2006. The Oconee River Soil & Water Conservation District includes Jackson and Barrow Counties. Former Mayor Henry E. Braselton is a longtime supervisor of the district.

Photo: David Jackson, Chairman-Oconee River Soil & Water Conservation District, Yvette Wise of Braselton.

 

Braselton Police promotes Kilburn

(Braselton) Braselton police chief Terry Esco announces the promotion of Ronnie Kilburn to detective.

Kilburn has nine years' experience with local law enforcement agencies, including work at Hoschton and Arcade. He also spent eight years of related service in the United States Marine Corps.

A graduate of Winder-Barrow High, Kilburn and his family live in Jackson County.

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THE BRASELTON LIBRARY WANTS TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN ITS COMMUNITY
Support Braselton’s Efforts and
“My Hometown Helper” Grant Application

BRASELTON, GEORGIA, September 13, 2007 — This fall, the Braselton Library is determined to enhance their collection of books and add more of what the patrons want. As part of its fundraising efforts, it has applied for a $5000 grant from “My Hometown Helper,” a nationwide initiative that helps local groups make a difference in their own community.

If awarded the grant, the Braselton Library will be one of up to 12 municipal or civic organizations across the country to receive a “helping hand” from Hamburger Helper. Town Manager, Jennifer Scott, applied for the grant on behalf of the library and says, “The library is greatly loved and well attended, but needs funds to get the books our patrons want to read!”

“My Hometown Helper” funds are awarded based on the merit of the project, including its impact on the community. Friends, neighbors and family can support Braselton’s efforts by adding comments to the grant application at http://www.myhometownhelper.com/ViewProject.aspx?id=28991. All requests for funding must be supported by a municipal or civic organization or public school.

Applicants may be awarded between $500 and $15,000 for community projects. For more information on the “My Hometown Helper” grant program and a complete set of rules, visit www.myHometownHelper.com.
 

Braselton Mayor briefs district's new Congressman

(Braselton) Braselton Mayor Pat Graham visited Congressman Paul Broun, Jr., on Monday to brief him on the progress of the Town. Graham announced details of the meeting at Monday night's Town Council meeting.

"We discussed several issues important to our progress including the need for a new post office in our historic downtown," Graham said.

Broun recently opened his district office in Athens.
 

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Braselton founder's grandson honored

(Gainesville) A grandson of the founder of the Town of Braselton was memoralized in Gainesville as a street was named in his honor and a historical marker describing his remarkable life was unveiled.

Henry O. Ward is the only person who served as Mayor of Gainesville and Chairman of the Hall County Board of Commissioners. His family presented a historical marker as a gift to the community. It is anchored on the campus of City Hall and the Hall County Courthouse along Henry Ward Way, designated earlier this year by the Gainesville City Council.

Ward (1926-2000) was the son of the late Sadie Bell Braselton Ward, a child of the town's founder.

Photo, left to right: Judy Ward, Tharpe Ward, Mrs. Henry (Jean) Ward, Susan Ward Jordan, Jill Ward, Henry Ward, Jr. and Linda Ward.

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(Braselton) Dignitaries welcomed Whole Foods Market as its regional distribution center is under construction in the Braselton Distribution Center on GA 124 west of the downtown district. A ceremonial groundbreaking was staged today.

Whole Foods Market is the world's leading natural and organic foods grocery. The new distribution center, slated to open in the fall, will consist of 100,000 square feet and serve stores in the Carolinas, Georgia, Alabama and Florida. ARCO Design/Build is the general contractor, and the building will encompass "green features" to reduce its environmental impact.

"This state of the art building is something we had to do for the future growth of our region," said Joey Herndon, company vice president. "With the size of this facility, we are able to purchase in larger quantities and more directly, making our distribution process more efficient."

Braselton Mayor Pro Tem Richard J. Mayberry and Jackson County Commissioner Bruce Yates spoke in official capacities to welcome the center. Upon completion as it moves from a current facility in Gwinnett County, the center will add twenty new associate jobs and boost the Braselton-Jackson County economy by more than $3 million annually.

Whole Foods Market has more than 175 stores in the United States, Canada and United Kingdom. It employs more than 39,000 team members and is ranked as one of the "100 Best Companies to Work For" by Fortune magazine.

Photo, left to right: Barrett Scott & Joey Herndon of Whole Foods Market, Braselton Mayor Pro Tem Richard J. Mayberry, Braselton Town Manager Jennifer Scott, Jackson County Commissioner Bruce Yates, Jackson County Water & Sewerage Authority Chairman Hunter Bicknell, Adam Goldberg of ARCO Build, Pattie Howard of the Braselton Business Association and Mike Hardy of Whole Foods.

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(Braselton) The Town of Braselton will celebrate National Small Cities & Towns Day by hosting a "family movie night" in the Braselton Park on Friday, July 20.

"Over the Hedge" is the feature presentation. It is a computer-animated film featuring a woodland critters' cast who awake from hibernation to find a tall hedge has appeared and half their forest is gone. There is little food supply left, so the critters must act. The film is produced by DreamWorks.

Family movie night is a free presentation, including snow cones, popcorn, candy, a moon bounce and inflated slide. Festive entertainment begins at 7 PM in the town's downtown park one block west of GA 53, and the movie begins at dusk on a 24' screen. Patrons are encouraged to bring lawn chairs or blankets.

National Small Cities and Towns Day is a collaborative celebration of municipalities (population under 50,000) sponsored by the National League of Cities. Since 2000, it has drawn attention to the importance and accomplishments of small communities and highlights the vitality of them.

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(Braselton) The Braselton Business Association elected new officers at its annual meeting with Carlos Llorens as its new president.

Founded in 2002 to promote businesses located in Braselton and maximize business networking opportunities, the association has grown as large and small businesses opened or relocated to the town.

The association also sponsors the "Christmas in Braselton" parade and festival to begin the holiday season each year.

Llorens is an agent with Cotton States Insurance. Other officers are Pattie Howard of The Peoples Mortgage Services, Attorney Rakhi Dalal of the Fitzgerald & Burruss, LLC firm and Carol Smith of Keller Williams Realty. Mary Stover of the Braselton-Stover House is the immediate past president.

The association meets the second Tuesday of each month at 8:00 a.m. For additional information, visit its web site at www.bba-ga.org or telephone Llorens at 770.965-0760.

Photo, left to right: Carol Smith, Rakhi Dalal, Pattie Howard & Carlos Llorens


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(Braselton) Braselton Police Chief Terry Esco announced the promotion of Lou Solis, Jr., to assistant police chief at the town council's meeting Monday.

A twenty-year Army veteran, Solis joined the Braselton Police department in 2005. Formerly, he worked in personnel security details for a private security firm and was employed with the Marietta Police department where he earned "Rookie of the Year" honors.

Solis and his family live in Dacula.

(Jefferson) Better Hometown Jefferson and the Jefferson Public Library announce Coach Vince Dooley's visit to Jefferson on Wednesday, May 23.

Coach Dooley brings his very popular book autograph tour to the Jefferson Civic Center from 2:00 until 4:00. His three newest books are "Dooley: My Forty Years at Georgia" ($25), "Tales of the 1980 National Champions" ($20) and "How Bout Them Dawgs" ($20). Fans may purchase specially autographed books with cash or checks.

"Each book is appealing, whether it chronicles his illustrious career or the national championship team or the newest book for children, taking the reader through a game day in Athens," says Dooley's publicist, Sammy Smith. "Fans across Georgia turn out in huge numbers for these events and for the special opportunity to speak with Coach Dooley. At one venue, he signed books for seven hours!"

For additional information, contact Better Hometown Jefferson at 706.367-5714.

Photo courtesy of www.onlineathens.com/dogbytes/coach/photos/

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(Braselton) Braselton Mayor Pat Graham is named by Governor Perdue to a prestigious task force to focus on governmental service delivery issues.

The Commission for a New Georgia, a high profile, non-profit corporation, is led by the state's most distinguished CEOs and business leaders. Under its direction, eighteen task forces are charged with myriad duties to carry out its mission "to bring breakthrough thinking and a fresh perspective to ways state government can better manage its assets and services and map its strategic future."

Graham, an acknowledged resource on municipal services, accepted the appointment. She also serves on the Georgia Municipal Association's Legislative Policy Council, its Board of Directors and is president of its District 5 leaders.

"This will be a challenge, not only for the issues themselves, but also striving to be an effective voice for local governments. It is my understanding the task force will have only four elected officials from around the state -- a state senator, a state representative, a county commissioner, and I will bring the municipal perspective.

Graham and others will be introduced to the Commission for a New Georgia at the Governor's Mansion on Wednesday morning.

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 Braselton salutes media anniversary
 

(Braselton) The Town of Braselton saluted Jacobs Media on the 60th anniversary of its charter and for outstanding broadcast/web cast journalism.

Ken Stanford, news director for the company, accepted a resolution from the Braselton Town Council on Monday evening.

"We appreciate the high professional standards of the radio stations and Internet news services," said Mayor Pat Graham.

The flagship station of Jacobs Media, WDUN-AM, received its charter in 1947 and began broadcasts in 1949.

(left to right): Councilmen Ralph Richardson, Jr., Richard Mayberry; Ken Stanford of Jacobs Media; Mayor Pat Graham; Councilmen Dudley Ray & Phil Spivey

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 Paul Mims is Braselton's water superintendent

(Braselton) Paul J. Mims is named Braselton's water superintendent according to Town Manager Jennifer Scott.

Prior to being named, Sims worked in planning, permits, zoning and water department of Lincoln County (GA), and since 1996, worked for the Jackson County Water & Sewerage Authority. He holds a Class III certified water operator license from the Georgia EPD.

"Paul is very familiar with our system; we believe he'll be an asset to the public utilities department and the citizens we serve," said Scott.

Mims and his family live in Hoschton.

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(Braselton) Braselton Mayor Pat Graham will preside over dedication ceremonies of the Town's new library Wednesday morning (November 8) at 9:00 am.

The new library is located one-quarter mile west of the intersection of GA 53 and 124 in historic downtown Braselton. The 6600 square feet facility is eleven times larger than the town's previous library and built with general revenues and development impact fees.

Mayor Graham will honor the library's volunteers, the Braselton Woman's Club and the Friends of the Braselton-West Jackson Library in the ceremony. The public is invited.

For further information, contact the library at 706.654-1992.
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(Braselton) Hundreds lined Braselton's busiest street to usher in the 2006 holiday season with the Town's traditional parade.

Santa Claus made his first appearance of the season as "Christmas in Braselton" featured a parade, seasonal vendors, the festival of trees and movie in the park. Events are sponsored by the Town and the Braselton Business Association. The festival of trees continues through the season inside the Braselton Antique Mall.

For more information, visit www.braselton.net.

(Chicken, Maggie the Cow from Mayfield Dairy, Mobile Carillon)

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(Braselton) Members of the Braselton Business Association will usher in the holiday season with
"An Old Fashioned Christmas" festival in early November.

The traditional festival of trees will be presented November 1-18 inside the Braselton Antique Mall on the corner of GA 53 and 124 downtown. The free festival features trees decorated by individuals, civic groups and schools in vibrant period decor. After the competition for grand prizes, the trees will be for sale.

On Saturday, November 4 the festival presents crafts and food vendors at the Antique Mall beginning at 9:00. The annual Christmas parade will be held on Highway 53 at 4:30 followed by the traditional lighting of the town's tree at 5:30 hosted by the Braselton Rotary Club.

"The Grinch Who Stole Christmas" will be presented in the Braselton Park at 6:30. The family-themed classic movie in the park is co-hosted by the Braselton Lions Club.

For information about the craft and food vendors, parade entries or other activities associated with Christmas in Braselton, please contact Pattie Howard at 678.898-4143.
 
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(Braselton) Braselton Mayor Pat Graham accepted two checks from the Braselton Women's Club to purchase books for the town's new library.

Club president B. Gordy presented $5000 in the "Bucks for Books" campaign. One-half is presented in honor of the Women's Club; the other in honor and memory of Alice Nunley, Nan Braselton, Vernelle Baird and Annette Braselton.

Funds were raised via the club's spring luncheon and its silent auction and benefit in September. Support for the library has been a mission of the club since 1973. Club members are key volunteers helping library patrons and assisting with children's programs.

The new library in Braselton, ten times larger than its present one, is under construction and will open in a few weeks.

Photo, left to right: Mayor Pat Graham, Jan David, Robyn Matthews, B. Gordy, Susan Korb and Braselton Librarian Bev Adkins.

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