Tribute to Dad
Randy King,
Leading By Example!
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 As Grant Accountant, Randy King ensures financial compliance of the City's grant programs. He has responsibly fulfilled his job requirements for eleven years. He has been a responsible husband and father for much longer. He often shares his philosophy, which applies to both work and home, with his children: "Serve others and always treat people the way you'd want them to treat you. Also, be responsible and try to make the world a better place in whatever you do."
Randy has been married to Beth for almost 25 years. They are the parents of a fifteen-year-old son, James and twelve year old daughter, Mattie Beth. Randy's family is very musically inclined. His wife is the Choral Director for Jordan High School, and his children play in band and sing in choruses as well. Randy isn't currently involved in music activities, but played in a church orchestra and praise band for over ten years, and still enjoys listening to music and encouraging his wife and children.
Randy was in Boy Scouts as a teenager. His daughter is now a member of the Girl Scouts, and his son a member of the Boy Scouts. He's involved in the Scouting program along with his children. It gives him an opportunity to spend a lot more time with his son in a positive, learning environment. Their Boy Scout Troop plans an outing every month. It might be as simple as a campout at a local campground or as extravagant as a weekend trip to the Pensacola Naval Air Station in Pensacola, Florida.
Randy supports the Scouting program because he feels that it encourages children to set high goals and become responsible citizens. Progression to higher ranks and receipt of merit badges requires knowledge and practice in specific areas. Also, excerpts from the Boy Scout Law should be practiced in everyday life. The first mandate, for instance, is for a scout to be trustworthy.
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Welcome and Congrats to Our New Hires, Promotions, & Retirees
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April 2012
New Hires
Clerk of Municipal Court
Jerrica Anderson
Clerk of Superior Court
Barbara Paul
Fire Department
Christopher Shult
Muscogee County Prison
Rose Yelder
Parks & Recreation
Dwight R Brown
Jessica L Livsey
Roselda S McKee
Stanley J McPhee
Takesha L Williams
Police Department
Richard M Beach
Tad J Casey
Jonathan M McKelvey
Public Services
Antonia L Bell
Melinda A Smith
Malcom J Upshaw
Sheriff's Office
Zachary L Cowan
Matthew T Hall
Thomas C Pierson
Luz Walrath
State Court Solicitor
Christopher D Williams
Tax Commissioner
Jennifer M Lunsford
Transportation/Metra
Thomas Davison
Promotions
Parks & RecreationsKanovva T Browning PT Community Schools Site Supervisor Police Department Susan M Maka
Emergency Communication Technician II Public ServicesDaniel R Wehr
Equipment Operator I Justin M Hawkins
Equipment Operator II Brian J Williams
Equipment Operator II Sheriff's Office John W Sikes Sergeant MD Jeri L Johnson Deputy Sheriff Lieutenant Antoinette Braxton
Sergeant AD
Retirees
Inspections & Code EnforcementCollis "Danny" Cargill Assistant Director 27 Years Sheriff's OfficeCharlie L Nathan Deputy Sheriff AD/P14 24.5 Years Police DepartmentKarl D Fuhrman Police Officer/P14 22 Years William R Plock Police Corporal/P16 27.5 Years Public ServicesVictor E Boyce Crew Leader/G12 13 Years Workforce Investment Act Robert L Day Program Monitor/Job Developer/ G16 30 Years
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Newsletter Archives
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Check out our archive section for previous editions here
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| Newsletter Staff |
Vickie Armstrong
Norma Ausburn
Sherry Garcia
Jackie Goodwin
Reather Hollowell
Rosana Juestel
Donnie Kent
Jenni McDonald
Sheila Risper
Jenny Teague
Sofia White
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Suggestion Box
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How Can We Improve City Government.
Send your suggestions here
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New Recycling Facility in Columbus
Saving Space in Landfill
Columbus City Officials plan to build a new recycling center in the next year to take pressure off its current facility, which is at full capacity. The new center will be four times larger than the one that opened in 2008. The new facility will be constructed off Schatulga Road. "The sorting will be done not by human hands standing there at the curb. Actually the machine will sort the materials," said Public Services Director, Pat Biegler. Of all the waste that is generated by people in Columbus, only 4% is recycled. "We need to be at 40% or 60% recycling, because about 60 to 70% of what you throw away in the trash everyday is easily recyclable," said Biegler. City Officials hope this new facility will let other counties, possibly Ft. Benning, or corporations start processing with the city. "We look to not only expand our residential, but to provide our processing means so local businesses can get involved," according to David Arrington, Deputy City Manager. Columbus' new recycling facility made national news and was featured in the Waste Recycling News print and on-line magazine in May 2012. |
2012 Annual Housing Fair
Celebrating the Month of June as The Department of Housing and Urban Development's (HUD) "National Homeownership Month" Columbus Public Library 3000 Macon Road Thursday, June 28, 5 PM to 7:30 PM The City's Community Reinvestment Department will host the Annual Housing Fair on Thursday, June 28, 2012. The purpose of the Housing Fair is to promote homeownership and inform citizens of the homeownership opportunities that are available to them. Local mortgage companies and lending institutions, realtors and government will be available to provide all information that is needed before, during and after purchasing a home. The housing fair is conducted as part of the Department of Housing and Urban Development's "National Homeownership Month" and is designed to educate potential homeowners on various programs that are available in our community. At the housing fair we will have Columbus Consolidated Government, Mortgage Loan Officers, Realtors, Credit Counselors, Foreclosure Prevention Counselors and HUD Representatives available. There are no questions pertaining to homeownership that cannot be resolved at the housing fair. For additional information contact Columbus Consolidated Government, Community Reinvestment Department at 706.653.4613 or Aretha Brawley at 706.225.3921. |
Water Conservation at Bull Creek
Making Gardens More Watersmart
On Friday, May 11 at Bull Creek Golf Course, golfers took the "40-gallon Challenge" and pledged over 13,000 gallons of water saved per day. UGA Cooperative and the Master Gardener Extension Volunteers were on -hand to show participants how to make their gardens more Watersmart by utilizing water saving practices like proper plant selection, efficient irrigation and recycling rainwater. For more information on how you can take the challenge, go to www.40gallonchallenge.org or for other water saving tips, go to www.watersmart.net.
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12 Summer Safety Tips to Teach your Children
 Always check first with your parents before you go anywhere or do anything. Be sure to check in regularly.- Always take a friend with you when playing or going anywhere.
- Be aware of people who may offer you treats or gifts. Never accept anything from anyone without your parents' permission.
- When you're home alone, keep the doors and windows locked. Do not open the door or talk to anyone who comes to the home unless the person is a trusted family friend or relative.
- Always take a friend with you when using a public restroom.
- Always take a friend with you when going to malls, movies, parks or entertainment centers. And always check first with your parents to make sure it's OK.
- Identify the safest place to go or person to ask for help in reuniting you with your parents if you become lost. This helper could be a security officer, store salesperson with a nametag or a mother with children. Never search for your parent on your own and never go with anyone who is trying to reunite you with them.
- Be careful when playing outside. Stay away from pools, canals and other bodies of water unless you are with a trusted adult. Don't play near busy streets or deserted areas, and never take shortcuts.
- Don't wear clothes that have your name on them and don't be confused just because a person you don't know calls out your name.
- Say NO to anyone you don't know or a person who makes you feel scared, uncomfortable, or confused. Check first with your parents before taking a ride with anyone.
- Be careful playing outside as it gets dark. Wear reflectors and protective clothing if your parents say you can play outside after dark.
- Say NO and get away from any person or situation that makes you feel scared, uncomfortable, or confused. Trust your feelings, and be sure to tell a trusted adult if anything happens to make you feel this way. And it's never too late to tell a trusted adult what happened.
For more tips visit the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children.
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Keep Columbus Beautiful
Annual Awards Ceremony
 | | Mayor Pro-Tem Evelyn Turner Pugh |
The highlight of the annual awards luncheon on May 10th was The Edna Kendrick Award presented to Mayor Pro-Tem Evelyn Turner Pugh. The Edna Kendrick Award recipient received the Frabel Cherokee Rose. Tung Bui personally handcrafted this sculptural rendering of the Cherokee Rose, the official flower of Georgia. This award is presented annually in recognition of the late Councilor Mrs. Edna Kendrick who also served as the first Chairperson of the Keep Columbus Beautiful Commission.
Mayor Pro-Tem Turner-Pugh is the first African American female to serve as Mayor Pro-Tem on Columbus Council! She is Vice President, Licensed Insurance Agent for SunTrust, West Georgia. She was elected to Council Post 4 in 1988 one year after the Keep Columbus Beautiful Commission was formed, and elected as Mayor Pro-Tem in 2005. As Mayor Pro-Tem she's responsible for adopting and providing for the execution of ordinances, rules and regulations conferred by the city's Charter. She was appointed by Gov. Miller to the University of Georgia Carl Vinson Institute Advisory Commission, served as President of Georgia Municipal Association, and on the Advisory Board of the National League of Cities. A few of the local Boards that Mayor Pro-Tem severs on are: American Cancer Society, Columbus GA Chapter Links, Inc., the Liberty Theatre, the Springer Theatre, the RiverCenter, Muscogee Excellence Educational Foundation, Girls Inc., Columbus Technical College, St. Francis Hospital, State of Georgia Health Strategies Council, Columbus Alumnae Chapter Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, and Neighborhood Works Advisory Board. She also serves as treasurer for Congressman Sanford Bishop. She has earned many local, state and national awards.
Outstanding Government Support Award honors an individual who is directly
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| William Banks |
employed by the Consolidated Government, who excels beyond the call of duty, and demonstrates strong dedication in raising awareness of solid waste, litter prevention and other environmental issues. The 2011-12 Government Support Award was presented to Mr. William Banks, Columbus Consolidated Government Public Service Division. Mr. Banks currently works in the Heavy Equipment Division; he's dependable, reliable and trustworthy. He recently demonstrated his zest for getting the job done when he worked tirelessly to bring the Pine Grove Landfill into compliance. Many days Mr. Banks would not take a break for lunch, because his mind and eyes was affixed on shaping the slopes, filling in erosion and building drainage to bring the landfill up to standards. For your dedicated service, and your commitment to getting the job done, we thank you!
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ICP Graduation
CCG's Internal Certification Program
Internal Certification Program graduates were treated to a beautiful graduation ceremony and lunch on May 3rd at the Civic Center. A total of 28 CCG employees participated in the nine- month training and development program. Level I certification focuses on the fundamental principles of employees becoming engaged in learning modules relative to developing their technical skills. This certification program is designed to prepare the employee for the high level of technical proficiency required to manage and operate effectively within the organization. In addition, Level I graduates also receive a Customer Service Certification from Columbus Technical College. Level II certification is designed for potential or existing supervisors/managers. The training explores topics critical to developing effective management sills such as performance management, motivation, team development, interpersonal and communication skills. All participants also earn CEU credit hours.
Level II Graduates 
Wayne Barnes, David Britt, Lisa Castile, Parilee Colbert, Cullen Favors, Marie Harrell, Sabreena Hicks, Shondra Helen Hogan, Keisha Johnson, Rosana Juestel, Erika Lockette, Jack Long, Suzette Ragland, Sheila Risper, Sharon Tyner, Kogie Upshaw, Sofia White, Vicky Williams and Wilnetia Williams.
Level I Graduates 
Jeanette James, Jennifer McDonald , Angelia Jones, Darrell Copeland ,Kyle McGee, Elaine Miller, Cynthia Zeisloft, Joseph Sawyer and Teasha Johnson.
Congratulations Graduates!
Click here to see more ICP graduation photos.
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2012 Walk Georgia Program
Brought to you by the Cooperative Extension Service
The UGA Cooperative Extension's Columbus Office rolled out its annual Walk Georgia Program from February 2- May 5, 2012. There were a total of 77 people from Muscogee County participating in this year's program with 28 representing the Columbus Consolidated Government. The goals of this program were to develop regular physical activity habits, get healthier, more physically fit, and to have fun!! Our CCG employees walked a total of 10,840.5 Miles!! We are pleased to announce the top City Team and Individual who walked the most miles.
Top Team
Justin Freund, Jenny Teague, Jason Smith, and Mike Webb
Team CB4- Information Technology Department
5,722 Miles Walked
Top Individual Walker
Britt Hayes
Finance Department
510.2 Miles Walked
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Healthy Recipe
Raspberry Cheesecake Cupcakes Cupcake:
 1 1/2 cup sugar
24 oz. light cream cheese, softened
1 tsp vanilla
4 eggs
1 1/2-cup raspberries
Topping:
8 oz light cream cheese
1/4 cup sugar
Preheat oven to 350°. In a large bowl, blend sugar, cream cheese and vanilla with a hand mixer. Add eggs to this mixture one at a time. Blend after adding each egg. Line a 24-cupcake pan with cupcake liners. Fill each3/4 of way full with batter. Divide berries evenly and place on top of each cupcake. Bake for 25 minutes. Remove from oven and let stand for 5 minutes. A well will form in the middle of each cupcake. Turn the oven up to 450°. In a small bowl, blend together the topping ingredients. Using a teaspoon, drop topping into the center of each cupcake. Bake 5 minutes them remove from oven and cool. Other type berries can be used instead of raspberries. Refrigerate for 1 hour before serving. PER SERVING: 145 calories; 18g carbs; 6g fat, This recipe is especially for children who must avoid gluten. |
Upcoming Community Events
 Columbus Lions Arena Football Games
Vs. Albany Panther
June 9 - 7:30 pm
Columbus Civic Center
Vs. Knoxville Nighthawks
June 16 - 7:30 pm
Columbus Civic Center
For more information, call 706-653-4482 or visit www.columbusciviccenter.org
 Street Live: Elmo Super Heros
June 12 7:30 pm June 13 10:30 am June 13 7:30 pm
Super Grover has lost his super-ness and Sesame Street needs a hero! Never fear, the fabulous five Super Heroes are here -- featuring Elmo as Captain Fuzzy! Elmo, Abby Cadabby, Big Bird and all their friends are on a quest to put the "super" back in Super Grover.
Columbus Civic Center
For more information, call 706-653-4482 or visit www.columbusciviccenter.org
 Diggy
June 22 - 7:30 pm
Diggy Simmons Hip Hop Summer Tour 2012 with guests Young Fli Guy, Rich Kidz, Boomman & More.
Columbus Civic Center
For more information, call 706-653-4482 or visit www.columbusciviccenter.org
Housing Fair
June 28 - 5 pm - 7 pm
The City of Columbus, Community Reinvestment Department will be hosting a housing fair to promote homeownership in Columbus Georgia. Local Lenders, Banks, Mortgage Companies, Realtors and Local Government will be present to provide information and services.
Columbus Public Library
For more information, call 706-225-3921
Columbus Roller Debry League
Vs. Pensacola Roller Gurlz
June 30 - 7:30 pm
Columbus Civic Center
For more information, call 706-653-4482 or visit www.columbusciviccenter.org
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