Sen. Seabaugh to lead Senate Task Force on Value Government

State Senator Mitch Seabaugh (R-Sharpsburg) has recently been appointed by Lieutenant Governor Casey Cagle to chair the Senate Task Force on Value Government. The Task Force is responsible for identifying specific areas where government services can be delivered more effectively and efficiently to the citizens of Georgia.

“We are eager to find specific legislative and budgetary changes that could bring greater value to each dollar spent in our state,” said Sen. Seabaugh. “I am honored to be appointed chairman of this important task force and look forward to serving with my fellow Senators.”

The Task Force also will work in coordination with the Commission for a New Georgia to make recommendations to the legislature for legislative or budgetary changes to improve service delivery or lower the cost of services.

Senators Bill Heath (R-Bremen), Judson Hill (R-Marietta) and Ed Tarver (D-Augusta) will also serve on the Task Force on Value Government and will begin meeting this month through the beginning of the 2009 legislative session.
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BURN BAN HAS BEEN LIFTED WITHIN THE CITY OF NEWNAN

The City of Newnan has lifted the burn ban within the city limits effective immediately. Burn permits may be attained through the City of Newnan Fire Marshall office. There must be proper inspection of the burn site by Fire Marshall Ricky Ayers before a burn permit may be attained.

Fire Chief Whitley would like to remind everyone the City of Newnan is still under drought conditions at this time. I urge all citizens to use extreme caution when burning. Also, the burn ban may be put into effect at anytime if weather conditions change.

Please contact the City of Newnan Fire Marshall office for more information at (770)253-1851.

MARKET DAYS RETURNS TO DOWNTOWN NEWNAN

Main Street Newnan’s popular Market Day on the Square will be held the the first Saturday of each month from 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. from April to December. The first 2008 event is planned for Saturday, April 5th. Vendors showcase homemade, homegrown, and handmade items.

According to Main Street Coordinator Alise Cartledge, the Market Day events are expected to bring about 50 vendors to the square. Vendors feature items such as fresh produce, homemade baked goods, wood crafts, fresh Kettle Korn, jewelry, children’s clothing and accessories, honey, artwork, soy candles, and even homemade pet items.

There will be musical entertainment from Jerry Rogers and the 2008 Market Day media sponsors 92.5 The Bear and Magic 98.1.

Cartledge encourages residents to come spend the day in downtown Newnan. In conjunction with visiting the Market Day booths, people can shop at many of the unique boutiques on the square and have lunch at one of the local restaurants.

“Downtown Newnan is a great place to be! Day or night, there is always something happening here. Downtown offers great shopping, great food and great service. I invite everyone to come visit Market Days on the Square and be a part of this event around the historic courthouse square,” said Cartledge.

Applications are currently being accepted for 2008 Market Day vendors. Please visit www.mainstreetnewnan.com for an application.

For more information, please call the Main Street Newnan office at 770-253-8283.

Sen. Seabaugh welcomes America National Youth of the Year to the Capitol

Photo: Sen. Mitch Seabaugh and President Pro Tempore Eric Johnson with Youth of the Year Demetrice Tuttle and members of the Boys and Girls Club of America.

State Sen. Mitch Seabaugh (R-Sharpsburg) recently welcomed the 2007-08 National Youth of the Year, Demetrice Tuttle, to the Capitol.

The Boys and Girls Clubs of America National Youth of the Year program, sponsored by the Reader’s Digest Foundation since 1947, recognizes outstanding contributions to a member’s family, school, community and academic excellence.

As part of the award, Tuttle will receive a $15,000 scholarship from the Reader’s Digest Foundation and he also had the opportunity to meet President George W. Bush.

Local Artist to Receive National Honor

Newnan’s Marc Stewart named recipient of 2008 R.G. Smith Award

The National Museum of Naval Aviation recently announced Marc Stewart as the recipient of the 2008 R.G. Smith Award for “excellence in naval aviation art.” The prestigious honor is awarded annually to a single artist. The Museum’s Foundation selects the recipient.

Upon receiving the news from the Museum, Stewart’s initial reaction was one of disbelief. “At first I thought it was a mistake,” he laughs. “Actually, I feel honored to be so recognized for my work. It means a lot to me.”

Unlike a competition or a juried exhibit that may recognize one piece of artwork, the R.G. Smith Award is a career honor, similar to a lifetime achievement award. The namesake of the award, Robert Grant or R.G. Smith contributed immeasurably to the preservation of the proud heritage and rich history of naval aviation through his 50-plus year career as an aeronautical engineer and accomplished artist, according to the Naval Aviation Museum Foundation. Previous recipients include Jack Fellows, Keith Ferris, Roy Grinnell, Stan Stokes and numerous other artists at the top of the highly niched field of aviation art. Marc Stewart is pleased to now be counted among them.

Stewart shares the accolades with his supportive family. “I want to dedicate this to my Dad, the late Marcus Stewart, and to my Mom, Marilyn,” the artist explains. Both parents were talented artists themselves. “They’ve always encouraged me artistically. Aside from my wife, Robin, they’ve been my biggest cheerleaders and biggest fans. I wouldn’t be in this position without them.” Both Stewart and his father served in the U.S. Navy, which gives the award another dimension of personal meaning.

In May, the Naval Aviation Museum will bestow the award to Stewart at their annual symposium in Pensacola. During the ceremony, Stewart will present one of his original oil paintings to the Museum as a donation to their permanent collection. “I’m definitely excited,” says Stewart. “For an aviation artist, there’s simply no higher honor. It just doesn’t get any bigger or better than this. I’m thrilled!”

Stewart currently has 20 pieces of artwork on display at the Mighty Eighth Air Force Museum in Pooler, Georgia, near Savannah, as part of their “Southern Wings” exhibit. That show runs through early April. Twice his art has earned awards from Aviation Week & Space Technology magazine. In 2006, his painting “Hell Over the Hadley” won Best in Show at the National Museum of Naval Aviation’s juried exhibition. Marc Stewart is an Artist Fellow of ASAA, the American Society of Aviation Artists, and an active member of the Newnan Coweta Art Association. His work may be viewed online at www.AviationArtbyMarcStewart.com.

Welch Elementary Scores Big for American Heart Association

On February 6, 7 and 8, Welch Elementary is participating in a very special community service program to raise funds for the American Heart Association.

Hoops for Hearts is an annual, national event where students and teachers join in the fight against our nation's number one and number three killers, cardiovascular diseases and stroke. Participating students learn about the benefits of regular physical activity and heart health while they raise money to support vital research and educational programs.

Coweta County's Coach, Ken Chambless, has taken this event to heart and his schools have been the number one fundraisers in the state of Georgia for the past five years. In 2007, during his first school year at Welch Elementary, they were not only number one in the state, but also, number six in the nation collecting more than $23,000. Arden Jobe was the school's top student fundraiser collecting more than $1000.

Alex Borsuk won the national grand prize drawing and a received a free trip to Disney World for four. Any student raising over $150 was entered in the drawing. Students are awarded various prizes based on the scale of their collections. Family and friends are invited by students to participate by making contributions. During the three-day event, hosted by schools across the nation, students play basketball themed games and celebrate their efforts. Coach Chambless and Welch�s students are enthusiastic about this year's event and invite the community to participate. For more information contact Welch Elementary: 770-254-2597.

WHO: Event Coordianator, Ken Chambless,
PE teachers, Kristine Ryan and Amy Bond
Principal, Becky Darrah
Participating students and teachers

WHAT: Hoops for Hearts, annual, national fundraiser for the
American Heart Associaion

WHERE: Welch Elementary School
240 Mary Freeman Road, Newnan, GA, 30265, 770-254-2597

WHEN: February 6, 7, and 8, 8:30am - 1:30pm.

WHY: To help children understand the importance of community
service and physical activity and to raise money to fund
research that will save lives.

Career Nights Planned at Coldwell Banker Bullard Newnan Office

The Newnan/Coweta County office of Coldwell Banker Bullard Realty has scheduled three upcoming Career Nights for persons interested in careers in real estate.

The Career Nights will be held on Thursday, Feb. 21, Tuesday, March 18,. and Thursday, April 10, at the company’s Newnan/Coweta County, located at 1605 Hwy. 34 East (Suite B) in the White Oak Professional Center, located directly across the highway from John Cullen Dodge. Refreshments will be served.

Linda Mitchell, managing broker of the office, urged those interested in exploring the real estate industry as a career option to attend one of the sessions. She said reservations should be made early, as seating is limited. Reservations can be arranged by calling Kimberly at 770-254-0079.

PIEDMONT NEWNAN HOSPITAL NAMES NEW BOARD MEMBERS

Piedmont Newnan Hospital is pleased to announce the appointment of Timothy W. Baker, M.D., and Stanley W. Smith, M.D., to its board of directors. The board of directors governs Piedmont Newnan Hospital.

“We are pleased to welcome Doctors Baker and Smith to the Piedmont Newnan Hospital board of directors,” said Gregory A. Hurst, chairman of the Piedmont Newnan Hospital Board. “The experience they bring as physicians and their leadership qualities will benefit the hospital and the community as well.”

Dr. Baker is a radiologist practicing at Piedmont Newnan Hospital. He is a past president of the medical staff and currently chairs the Credentialing Committee. Baker received his medical degree from Wright State University in Dayton, Ohio. He completed his internship at Miami Valley Hospital in Dayton and completed his residency at the Medical College of Georgia in Augusta. He is board-certified in radiology. Dr. Baker and his wife, Shonnie, reside in Peachtree City.

Dr. Smith has been on staff at Piedmont Newnan Hospital since 1997 and specializes in internal medicine and long-term care. He is also the current chair of the Infection Control/Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee at the hospital. Dr. Smith received his medical degree from the Emory University School of Medicine in 1991, where he also completed his internship and residency in internal medicine. He is board-certified in internal medicine. Dr. Smith and his wife, Dee, reside in Newnan.

“Dr. Baker and Dr. Smith have both served the hospital and the community well as exceptional physicians in their fields,” said Michael Bass, PNH president and CEO. “We look forward to their guidance and perspective as board members.”

For more information about Piedmont Newnan Hospital, visit www.piedmontnewnan.org.