City of Newnan to Host 5th Annual Citizen Academy

The City of Newnan announces its fifth Newnan Citizen Academy, a free six week course provided to city residents, business owners, and property owners, over the age of 18, to educate and inform the citizens of Newnan about every aspect of city government in Newnan. The course will be an intensive, hands-on program on how city departments operate and how critical decisions are made that affect the quality of life in Newnan. Participants are given the opportunity to tour city facilities and hear directly from department managers, professional staff, and elected officials. Gina Snider, the city of Newnan’s Public Information Officer will be the hostess for the Academy.

The Newnan Citizen Academy will be held every Tuesday night from 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. from September 16– October 14. A graduation of the class will be held during the Tuesday, October 28th City Council meeting. The class will be limited to 25 people. All participants will receive a notebook filled with information relating to each class, tee shirt and a certificate upon completion. Participants must be willing to commit to the required time for the program.

“This year’s class, the city will be including some new city venues that previous classes have not toured. I wanted to focus on the city’s many different programs and highlight our city commissions and volunteers.” said Snider.

Registration for the class begins August 4th and goes through Friday, September 5th. The applicants will be chosen first that live within the city limits. Beyond that applicants in the county will be on a first come first serve basis. Please contact Gina Snider at 770-254-2358 or by email at gsnider@cityofnewnan.org to register. She would also be the contact for any questions you may have with the academy.

Classes will be held at various locations throughout the city including City Hall, the Public Safety Training Complex, Newnan Utilities, and the Wadsworth Auditorium. Topics for discussion include the history of Newnan, city administration, the Newnan Police Department, the Newnan Fire Department, Community Development, Beautification, Building Inspection, Planning and Zoning, Business Development, Main Street Newnan, Newnan Utilities, the Newnan-Coweta Library, City Clerk, Legal, Finance, Public Works, Engineering, Volunteer Boards, and City-County relationships. A Question and Answer Session will also be held with the Mayor and City Council.

Chamber Offers Customer Service Workshop August 21

The Newnan-Coweta Chamber of Commerce is hosting a morning-long workshop on improving customer service, August 21, from 8:00 am until noon at the Chamber office. The workshop will focus on customer service as a key element of consumer decision making and how
companies can use customer service as a strategy for gaining a competitive advantage. The workshop is part of the Chamber's Genius Series, which attracts nationally known speakers and offers trainings in key areas vital to the success of businesses in Coweta County.

The Customer Service Workshop features Mike McGraw, a Newnan-based entrepreneur and founder of Tneve, Inc., an international event-planning company. Mike is an award-winning consultant and author who uses his creativity to introduce and discuss four levels of customer service: simple service, practical service, professional service and exceptional service. He also will discus the benefits of providing a customer service "wow!" factor in today's competitive market.

"This customer service workshop couldn't have come at a better time," said Candace LaForge, president of the Chamber. "For the past several months, we've been conducting a series of industry roundtable discussions, and customer service has been named by every group as essential to their overall success. Mike certainly has the know-how and the experience to help anyone take service to the next level."

The fee for the Customer Service Workshop is $49 per person for Chamber members and $69 for non-members. To sign up or to learn more about the Genius Series, contact the Chamber at 770-253-2270 or email info@newnancowetachamber.org. The next Genius Series workshop is "Cash: Where Did It Go?"

Summit Junior Team Tennis Players Represent Coweta County at Georgia Championships

SSG Note: Super kudos to the teams who represented the Southern Crescent Junior Team Tennis League. Teams from Braelinn Golf Club, The Summit, Peachtree City Tennis Center and Woodcreek were among those invited to play. What super kids we have! You all performed spectacularly. We are proud of your game skills and of your excellent sportsmanship!

Congratulations to all 998 junior team tennis players who competed this past weekend at the Georgia State Championships. With over 100 teams vying for the title of top racquet, competition was stiff. All of the players who participated in the invitation only tournament are to be congratulated. They are all winners.

24th Annual National Night Out With Newnan Police and Fire Departments

Please join us for the 24th Annual National Night Out, a crime/drug prevention event hosted by the National Association of Town Watch, has been scheduled for August 5th. The Newnan Police and Fire Departments will be on hand to pass out safety tips to citizens of all ages.

National Night Out is designed to heighten crime and drug prevention awareness, generate support for local anticrime programs, and strengthen neighborhood spirit and police-community partnerships. Target is the exclusive national sponsor. This special event will be held on Tuesday, August 5th from 7:00 P.M. to 9:00 P.M. in the Target Parking Lot.

“We are looking forward to this event as it gives citizens a chance to meet some of the police officers and ask questions. They can also voice concerns they have may about their neighborhoods. It is a great way to have open dialogue with citizens in a relaxed and fun atmosphere,” says Newnan Police Chief Douglas ‘Buster’ Meadows.

The Mission Statement of the Newnan Police Department is to provide, well-trained, well-equipped and motivated employees who are empowered as a team to protect and serve the citizens, the employees and the City of Newnan.”

“We would like to thank Target for sponsoring this event every year. It is a great night for the community. When the public safety agencies and businesses partner up for community events it is a win-win situation for everyone,” says Newnan Fire Chief David Whitley.

The City of Newnan Fire Department's mission is to have professionally trained career Firefighters that are committed to saving lives and property; to minimize the loss and suffering in our community due to fire through public education, code enforcement, and standards and training certification of personnel; to provide responses to fires, hazardous material incidents, emergency medical calls and vehicular wrecks. The fire department’s daily services to the community include but are not limited to fire prevention, fire suppression, Haz-mat response, rescue and emergency medical assistance, and various unforeseen incidents. The fire department also conducts station tours at all stations and gives back to the community through Public Fire Prevention Education by visiting schools on request.

State's Best 4-H'ers Compete at Georgia 4-H Congress

CC Note: Special kudos to Coweta County for being the home of Allison Gordy, 16, daughter of Donna and Randall Gordy of Sharpsburg, who won in forest resources and wood science, sponsored by Bill Lott, Kirby Thompson and the Georgia 4-H Foundation.

Emilee Brinton won in veterinary science, sponsored by Janice Hayes and the Georgia Veterinary Medical Association.

Two hundred forty-five Georgia 4-H’ers gathered July 22-25 at the Crowne Plaza Ravinia in Atlanta to compete in the 66th annual Georgia 4-H Congress. At the end of the week, 48 returned home with first place honors.

“These students represent the best of the best of Georgia 4-H,” said Roger “Bo” Ryles, director of the Georgia 4-H program. “Only those students who are the most prepared and dedicated to hard work advance from district competition to state competition.”

In order to compete on the state level, a 4-H’er must first exceed at district competition.

At state congress, the 4-H members gave 12-minute demonstrations and prepared portfolios of their research and service in 49 project areas such as public speaking, history, wildlife and human development. Expert judges evaluated their work and interviewed them on their presentations and portfolios.

Those who earned first place honors will go on to compete against 4-H’ers from across the nation this November in Atlanta.

By Sharon Omahen
University of Georgia

Sharon Omahen is a news editor with the University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences.

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Letter to Editor from Georgia Heartland Humane Society

Georgia Heartland Humane Society (GHHS) could not help abused and abandoned animals without the support of the community. We thank Fayette Front Page for championing our causes. Coverage of Buster the cat, our entry in the Humane Society of the United States Photo Contest, resulted in seed money for our Pet Overpopulation Initiative. Extensive coverage of our major fund raiser, increased participation in the Doggie Dash, pushing receipts to the highest level ever. Readers have given donations through our website www.gaheartland.com.

GHHS is an all volunteer organization. Our committed volunteers would work tirelessly without a word of praise or thanks, but it lifts our spirits to know that Fayette Front Page shares and supports our cause to help the unwanted pets in Fayette and Coweta Counties.

Barbara Grossee
President
Georgia Heartland Humane Society

The City of Newnan to Hold Public Hearings on 2008 Milleage Rate

The city of Newnan will hold three public hearings over the next three weeks concerning its intention to remain at its current ad valorem tax rate of 4.32 mills for the 2008 tax year.

The 4.32 mill rate would be applied to property taxes levied by the city in the beginning of fall 2008 and would fund city operations during the 2008 tax year, if it is adopted by the City Council in early August. Leaving the property tax at the same millage rate would increase property tax revenues for the City of Newnan this year by 1.16 percent over the “rollback” millage rate.

Each year, the board of assessors is required to review the assessed value for property tax purposes of taxable property in the city. When the trends of prices on properties that have recently sold in the city indicate there has been an increase in the fair market value of any specific property, the board of tax assessors is required by law to re-determine the value of such property and increase the assessment. This is called a reassessment.

When the total digest of taxable property is prepared, Georgia Law requires that a rollback millage rate must be computed that will produce the same total revenue on the current year’s new digest that last year’s millage rate would have produced had no reassessments occurred.

The rollback rate for 2008 would be 4.27 but the City Council has adopted a preliminary ordinance setting the milleage on keeping its current rate of 4.32. Georgia Law requires that three public hearings to be held to allow the public an opportunity to express their opinions on the increase in revenue. While those residents whose property was reassessed by the tax assessor would receive a tax increase, those residents whose property were not assessed will not see an increase. The reassessed properties will show an increase of only 1.16%.

All concerned citizens are invited to the public hearings on this tax increase to be held at Newnan City Hall, 25 LaGrange Street, Newnan, Georgia on August 4, 2008 at 11:45 a.m. and 6:15 p.m. and on August 12, 2008 at 2:15 p.m.

City of Newnan Receives Fiscal Budget Award

CC Note: Great job!!!! This is the 18th consecutive year the city has won the award.

The Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada (GFOA) is pleased to announce that City of Newnan, Georgia has received the GFOA's Distinguished Budget Presentation Award for its budget. The award represents a significant achievement by the entity. It reflects the commitment of the governing body and staff to meeting the highest principles of governmental budgeting. In order to receive the budget award, the entity had to satisfy nationally recognized guidelines for effective budget presentation. These guidelines are designed to assess how well an entity's budget serves as:

a policy document
a financial plan
an operations guide
a communications device

Budget documents must be rated "proficient" in all four categories to receive the award.

When a Distinguished Budget Presentation Award is granted to an entity, a Certificate of Recognition for Budget Presentation is also presented to the individual or department designated as being primarily responsible for its having achieved the award. This has been presented to City Manager’s Office; Finance Department; Meg Blublaugh; Katrina Kline; Clifton Foster; Cleatus Phillips; Gina Snider and Libby Winn.

For budgets including fiscal periods 2006, 1,127 entities received the Award. Award recipients have pioneered efforts to improve the quality of budgeting and provide an excellent example for other governments throughout North America.

The Government Finance Officers Association is a nonprofit professional association serving 17,500 government finance professionals throughout North America. The GFOA's Distinguished Budget Presentation Awards Program is the only national awards program in governmental budgeting.

July is Sister Cities Month

The city of Newnan and Ayr, Scotland have celebrated a sister city relationship since 1997. Banners will be hung this week for the month of July around the courthouse square to observe the sister city connection.

The sister city partnership has allowed Newnan residents to build and nurture contacts across the world and has provided for wonderful cultural exchanges with Newnan and Ayr citizens.

On behalf of the Newnan Arts Commission, “we are proud to recognize our sister city, Ayr, Scotland. The banners that hang around our court square symbolize the friendship and kinship we feel for our friends across the water,” says Bette Hickman, Cultural Arts Commission; chair.

The talented and entertaining Ayrshire Fiddle Orchestra has visited Newnan on occasions for several community performances.

The sister city partnership was also developed as part of the founding of the educational program Global Achievers in Newnan, the location of their state headquarters. The sister city pact was established in order for citizens of both cities to experience many cultural, educational, tourism, and economic opportunities.

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Scott Tigchelaar, President, Riverwood Studios Featured Speaker at Chamber's Early Bird Forum

The Newnan-Coweta Chamber of Commerce will feature Scott Tigchelaar, President of Riverwood Studios, at its upcoming Prosperity Happens Here Series Early Bird Forum on Tuesday, July 22 at 7:45 a.m. at the Central Educational Center. This month's emcee is Rod Griffith with Griffith Financial Group. Admittance to the Forum is $15 for Chamber members and $20 for nonmembers and includes breakfast. There is a networking time from 7 - 7:30am.

Scott Tigchelaar and Riverwood Studios have played two lead roles for Coweta County. For starters, Riverwood offers state-of-the-art production facilities in Senoia to attract Georgia's growing film industry. But an added attraction is Riverwood's involvement in their role of Historic Development Ventures (affiliated with Riverwood Studios) in preserving and
revitalizing downtown Senoia as both a vibrant 21st Century town center and an authentic early 20th century movie set. Riverwood offers a great example of how modern technology and historic preservation add up to economic prosperity, which earned them a 2008 Prosperity Award from the Chamber.

The Early Bird Forum is a monthly Chamber event that provides networking opportunities and eye-opening information from business leaders throughout Coweta County. To RSVP, contact the Chamber at 770-253-2270 or info@newnancowetachamber.org. The deadline to make a reservation is Friday, July 18th by 5pm.

Voices Announces Season

This week, Voices announced its plans through the end of 2009. Their season has been restructured and will be presenting four events in a two-year cycle. “Since our first concert in 2006, we have consistently been told that we should have more events through out the year. So we have gone ahead and planned our season to include more events in a season that will be spread through the end of 2009,” explained Ms. Ugarte.

Voices will be presenting a series of intimate events in September 2008, December 2008 and March 2009, preceding its full scale production in September of 2009, “Mist of Night and Moon.” “There is definitely something to be said about an intimate setting,” explained Ms. Ugarte. “It has a different feel to it. It is like getting submerged into what is going on on stage and somehow being a part it and the music.” Voices will continue to present an eclectic selection of music, covering varied genres and styles that will be incorporated in the different productions. As the title suggests, there is a flavor of mystery and haunt to the theme and Voices Artistic Director promises you are certain to hear “wonderfully haunting melodies.”

Zaphyra will be returning and The Southern Nights Chorale will be joining as well. “We are thrilled to have the Southern Nights Chorale as part of the upcoming productions. They will certainly add a wonderful dimension to the concerts.” Zaphyra has some surprises coming up that will soon be announced as well as other talent to be showcased. Carlos Salon will be designing the hair styles for Zaphyra and David's Bridal has joined as Sponsoring Partner with the dresses. “We are very excited about all these partnerships. This is what we are about; creating artistic synergy in the Southern Arc. We will be profiling our partners in the upcoming months, so keep an eye out to get to know them better!” Voices will also be returning to support PBA in their fall drive.

Performances are to take place in Fayette and Coweta counties. Details and specific dates are soon to be released. Please visit www.VoicesOnline.org for continued updates.

Georgia's Tourism Partners Awarded $1 Million in Grant Funds

CC Note: Congrats to the Coweta groups who get to share this pie!

The Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD), through the Georgia Tourism Foundation, has awarded $1 million in co-operative tourism marketing reimbursement grants to 86 communities, convention & visitor bureaus, regional travel associations and other non-profit tourism entities across the state.

The grant program will assist communities in reaching a larger audience through marketing projects that they may not have been able to fund completely on their own. Typically, the grants supplement existing funds that the communities set aside for marketing projects. Awardees must submit a final report showing that their program has met the State's criteria prior to their reimbursement.

"The co-op marketing grants program encourages public-private partnerships among state and tourism entities allowing us to support the marketing initiatives of our tourism entities," said Charlie Gatlin, GDEcD Deputy Commissioner for Tourism and Marketing and Executive Director of the Tourism Foundation. "The economic impact of the funded projects will contribute significantly to our tourism industry."

This year, the Foundation received 101 applications with grant requests totaling more than $1.5 million.

Independent judges scored the applications based on several factors including project goals and objectives; benefit to the community; positive economic impact; and the ability to attract and service visitors.

The Georgia Tourism Foundation allows for the creation of new public-private partnerships that merge and strengthen Georgia's tourism marketing efforts, in order to attract more visitors and increase the industry's economic impact throughout the state. The Foundation was created in 2005 through Senate Bill 125, spearheaded by Senator Jeff Mullis of Chickamauga and Representative Ron Stephens of Savannah, as part of Governor Perdue's Commission for a New Georgia. This non-profit, public-private organization brings together the leadership of the state's premier tourism destinations to consolidate marketing efforts, pool resources and more effectively promote Georgia's natural beauty, cultural heritage and rich attractions to vacationers.

Recipients of the 2008 co-op marketing grants include:

. Activities Council of Thomson, Inc.

. Acworth Area Convention & Visitors Bureau

. Alpharetta Convention & Visitors Bureau

. Americus Sumter County Tourism Council

. Andersonville National Historic Site

. Athens Convention & Visitors Bureau

. AthFest, Inc.

. Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau Foundation

. Atlanta Metro Travel Association

. Augusta Canal Authority

. Augusta Convention & Visitors Bureau

. Augusta Museum of History

. Better Hometown of Wrightsville, Inc.

. Blue Ridge Mountains Arts Association

. Booth Western Art Museum

. Brunswick Stewbilee, Inc.

. Callaway Gardens - Ida Cason Callaway Foundations

. Cartersville-Bartow County Convention & Visitors Bureau

. Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce

. Chiaha Guild of Arts and Crafts

. City of Jesup

. Clayton County Convention & Visitors Bureau

. Coastal Heritage Society

. Columbia County Convention & Visitors Bureau

. Columbus Convention & Visitors Bureau

. Columbus Sports Council

. Coweta Festivals, Inc.

. Dawson County Chamber of Commerce and Convention & Visitors Bureau

. Douglas Area Welcome Center

. East Central Georgia Travel Association

. East Cobb Quilters' Guild

. Fernbank Museum of Natural History

. Flannery O'Connor-Andalusia Foundation, Inc.

. Folk Pottery Museum of NE Ga. Sautee Nacoochee Community Association

. Georgia Civil War Heritage Leader's Trail

. Georgia Coast Travel Association

. Georgia Innkeepers Association

. Georgia Shrimp Association

. Georgia Society Sons of the American Revolution, Inc.

. Georgia State Fair, Inc.

. Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation

. Georgia's Antebellum Trail Association

. Golden Isles Arts and Humanities Association

. Greater Augusta Arts Council

. Hay House

. Historic Augusta, Inc.

. Historic Highland Country Travel Association

. Historic Roswell Convention & Visitors Bureau

. Historic Savannah Foundation

. Historic Heartland Travel Region

. Jekyll Island Convention & Visitors Bureau

. Jones County/Gray Chamber of Commerce

. Kingsland Area Convention & Visitors Bureau Authority

. Macon Arts Alliance, Inc.

. Macon-Bibb County Convention & Visitors Bureau

. Madison-Morgan County Chamber of Commerce Foundation

. Magnolia Midlands Regional Travel Association

. Metter/Candler County Chamber of Commerce

. Mighty Eighth Air Force Museum

. Milledgeville-Baldwin County Convention & Visitors Bureau

. Monticello Economic Restructuring, Inc.

. Morgan County Historical Society, Inc.

. Museum of Arts and Sciences

. Museum of Aviation Foundation

. National Black Arts Festival

. NE Georgia Mountains Travel Association

. Newnan-Coweta County Convention & Visitors Bureau

. NewTown Macon

. Oconee Cultural Arts Foundation

. Perry Area Chamber of Commerce

. Perry Area Convention & Visitors Bureau

. Plains Better Hometown Program

. Presidential Pathways Travel Association

. Roberta/Crawford County Chamber of Commerce/Peach Blossom Trail Travel Association

. Sautee and Nacoochee Valleys Association

. Savannah Music Festival

. St. Marys Convention & Visitors Bureau

. Statesboro Arts Council: Averitt Center for the Arts

. Statesboro Convention & Visitors Bureau

. Thomaston-Upson Chamber of Commerce

. Tybee Island Tourism Bureau, Inc.

. Valdosta Asian Cultural Association, Inc.

. Valdosta Lowndes County Conference Center & Tourism Authority

. Valdosta State University

. Vidalia Area Convention & Visitors Bureau

. Vidalia Onion Festival

The Cottages at Stillwood to host an Artist Showcase

Gloria Perkins, a local painter and art instructor, will be featured in the first of many artist exhibitions at the Cottages at Stillwood on Thursday, July 17th from 5:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. Her gallery will be installed at 59 Stillwood Circle, Newnan, Georgia 30265.

“I have been teaching oil painting for over two decades and my painting has evolved over this time to reflect my own style that I call classical realism with an impressionistic flair,” said Perkins, when asked about her craft. “I am excited to have been invited to be featured in the inaugural showcase being held at The Cottages at Stillwood. Teaching and sharing my art knowledge is not only rewarding, but is very energizing.”

“We chose Gloria because we felt that her floral paintings would be right at home and perfectly compliment to the cottage-style homes here,” said Sherry Stone Blackmon, REALTOR and Associate Broker with The ESG Group, Keller Williams Realty Connections, and organizer of this event. “Art brings walls to life, and it encourages homebuyers to visualize how they could use their space.”

To visit the neighborhood, take I-85 South to exit 47 (Newnan). Turn left off the exit onto Bullsboro Road. Take the first right onto Newnan Crossing Boulevard, cross over Lower Fayetteville Road, then turn left onto Westhill Drive. At the first right, turn onto Seabreeze Way. At the dead end, turn left onto Stillwood Drive and stay straight to enter The Cottages at Stillwood. To visit the model, once you enter the neighborhood, turn right onto Southwind Circle.

Shannon Scott Tops Newnan Office in Sales

For the second time in 2008, Shannon Scott is the Individual Agent Leader for the Newnan/Coweta County office of Coldwell Banker Bullard Realty. The latest honor was for June.

No. 2 producer for the office during the month was Linda Scott, and Marjorie Rowe was No. 3.

Shannon Scott, the office's No. 3 producer last year, has attained membership in the Million Dollar Club and was selected to Coldwell Banker's International Diamond Society in 2007. In 2006, she was named to the Bullard Bronze Society and the Million Dollar Club, and she was the office's No. 3 producer. The previous year, she earned a Bullard Certificate of Merit and was in the Million Dollar Club.

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Firearms Law Study Committee kicks off August 12

State Sen. Mitch Seabaugh (R-Sharpsburg) and the members of the Senate Firearms Law Study Committee will hold a meeting in Atlanta at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, August 12, 2008, in Room 450 of the State Capitol. The study panel will meet to take a comprehensive look at Georgia’s complex firearms laws and possible recommendations of new legislation for the 2009 session.

“Ensuring Georgian’s right to protect themselves, as the Constitution provides, is vitally important to the legislature,” said Sen. Seabaugh. “This study committee will help clarify and make positive changes to Georgia’s gun laws, so that citizens can maintain their Constitutional rights and sense of security.”

Created by Senate Resolution 819, the Firearms Law Study Committee will closely examine Georgia’s firearms law and the way these laws are applied in our state. The Committee will be chaired by Sen. Seabaugh, and includes Senators Chip Rogers (R-Woodstock), Don Balfour (R-Snellville) and David Adelman (D-Atlanta). The Committee will make a report of its findings, with proposals for any new legislation by January 31, 2009.

Lane Closures Start Today for SR34 and SR14

COWETA County – The Georgia Department of Transportation announces daily lane closures on State Route 14/ US 29 near Interstate 85 and also on the State Route 34 bridge across I-85 at Exit 47 beginning Monday, July 7, through Saturday, July 12. These lane closures are necessary for road resurfacing and bridgework. The closures are weather permitting and subject to change.

State Route 34 at Exit 47 East and Westbound Lane Closures
Monday, July 7 daily through Saturday, July 12
East and Westbound at mileposts 15 - 16
TIME: 7 PM – 7 AM
1 left lane closed; 1 remains open to traffic, for work near Exit 47 (State Route 34)


State Route 14 at Exit 35 East and Westbound Lane Closures
Tuesday, July 8 nightly through Thursday, July 10
East and Westbound at mileposts 11 - 12
TIME: 3 AM – 3 PM
1 left lane closed; 1 remains open to traffic, for work near Exit 35 (State Route 14/US 29)

City of Newnan Police Receives Armored Personnel Carrier

The Newnan Police Department has received an armored personnel vehicle.

The carrier will be used by Newnan Police Special Response Team. It will help the special response team gain entry to barricaded residences and against armed gunmen. It is added protection for the Special Response Team during standoff and hostage situations.

According to Newnan Police Chief Buster Meadows, “In today’s time, we must be prepared for any given situation. With access to weapons of any type now, our officers need the extra protection that this vehicle will give them. “When approaching a barricaded structure, officers are exposed to danger zones for extended periods of time. This will help cut down on the danger zone and help to get them closer to their target,” continued Chief Meadows.

The carrier was received from the 1033 Excess Property Program that comes through the Department of Defense. The carrier was excess military property. The carrier was transported from Huntsville, Alabama. The Police department has spent $600 total in getting it ready for use.

In 1990, the U.S. Department of Defense initiated the Excess Property Program in support of the President’s National Drug Control Strategy. The program was initiated with the purpose of distributing excess military property to state and local law enforcement agencies for the purpose of combating and preventing drug distribution. The Office of Secretary Defense (OSD) has the responsibility for the oversight of the program.

This program helps to recycle tax payers’ money. This equipment was originally purchased by the Department of Defense and now it has been passed on to local agencies.

The excess property ranges from vehicles, weapons, helicopters, fixed wing aircraft, physical fitness equipment, heavy construction equipment, light construction equipment, and the list goes on. The equipment has to be used for drug eradication programs for an agency to be eligible to receive the property. Each Agency searches on the web site for the equipment that they have a need for.