The April meeting will be be held at Jackson United Methodist Church beginning at 11:30 AM on April 2, 2008. This meeting will be for all active members of Partners for Smart Growth as well as interested citizens who wish to attend. The keynote speaker will be Butts County Administrator and published author Van G. Whaler, PhD.
For reservations, please call 770-504-0683 and pay at the door or mail a check. We need to know you are coming so we can plan for the meal!!!Greeters will be on hand to register you and accept payment in the entry hall of the new building. All attendees should come through the front door to the left of the skybridge for the registration area.
Meal Fee:
$15.00 for PSG member
$15.00 for member spouse
$25.00 for non-member
Checks should be made payable to "Partners for Smart Growth"
All Meetings begin at 11:30 AM unless otherwise stated.
September 5, 2007
This meeting covered "Preparing for Growth" and was the First General Membership Meeting of Partners for Smart Growth. Over 110 people attended this opening meeting. The speaker was Jim Durrett, Executive Director of the Livable Communities Coalition. The group heard from both Chairman Garland and Executive Director DeMore. This meeting was sponsored by Jones Petroleum Company who gave out promotional packages to all present.
October 3rd, 2007
Another full house meeting, we covered "Status of the Butts County and Regional Housing Market" which was presented by Eugene James, Director of Metrostudy-Atlanta Region. The first monthly newsletter of Partners was given to all present, along with updated brochures and sponsor bags were given out by this month's sponsor, Dover Realty Company.
November 7th, 2007
Speaker was Chris Clark, Executive Director of the Georgia Environmental Facilities and State Energy Office and covered "Keys to Successful Local Economic and Infrastructure Development". This meeting was held at the Fellowship Hall of Jackson United Methodist Church, located at 409 East Third Street in Jackson and was very well attended. Central Georgia EMC sponsored the luncheon and gifts for all attendees.
December 5, 2007 & January 9, 2008
Member Forum and Discussion Meetings for Active Members at Fresh Air Barbecue. This meeting was well attended and was designed to get member input and develop goals for PSG in 2008 and beyond. Moderating the discussion was Pat Merritt, the Manager of Community Development for Georgia EMC in Atlanta. After a lively workshop, ideas were presented by Members that were boiled down into a short list of goals and objectives. The two main topics centered on restructure of the County Commission to allow for an elected Chairman and Vice Chairman and the development of a new hospital with associated medical industry to follow. Chairman Garland informed the members that PSG was not chartered to be a political organization and that the board did not feel this was the best use of PSG's resources. The development of a new hospital was seen as the best possible win-win scenario for everyone and PSG's board will be looking into this as a viable, obtainable objective that we can work with all affected parties to accomplish. However, it was decided to establish a committee to look into what kind of restructuring could be accomplished in the local government.
February 6, 2008
Regular Meeting was held at Jackson United Methodist Church Fellowship Hall, 11:30 AM with Lynda White, Superintendent of Schools as speaker. A total overview of the local school system and growth impact was presented by Mrs. White in a very informative session.
March 5, 2008
The regular meeting was held at Jackson United Methodist Church Fellowhip Hall with keynote speaker Corinne Blencoe Thornton of the Georgia Department of Community Affairs giving an overview of the DCA's role in the local community and its growth.
