Peachtree City UPDATES – Week of Dec. 13, 2010

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City Manager Retirement Party this Friday, safety reminders for cold weather and holidays.

You’re Invited
Please join us at City Hall on Friday, December 17, for Bernie McMullen’s retirement party. McMullen has served Peachtree City as City Manager for seven years and is retiring December 31. The reception, which is being held to thank him for his service, will begin at 3:30 p.m.

Reporting Large Litter Items
Peachtree City is planning a major path cleanup day in April, but the winter months provide a great time for regular path users to see beyond the usual foliage and underbrush and spy any large items that may have been illegally deposited in greenbelts and streambeds. If you see large items, such as furniture, mattresses, tires, etc., please report them via email or by calling 770-487-5183. Please include the nearest yellow numbered path marker if the item is only visible from the paths, or street address if the item is visible from the roadway.

Winter & Holiday Safety Reminders:

As the holiday season approaches, please follow the tips below to help protect you and your family.

Christmas Trees – In choosing a fresh Christmas tree, make sure the needles are green and do not fall off when touched. Water live Christmas trees everyday. Artificial Christmas trees should be labeled, certified or identified by the manufacturer as fire retardant.

Candles – Use flameless candles (battery operated) whenever possible. If you use real candles, keep them away from decorations and anything else that can burn (draperies, stuffed furniture, sleeves, aprons, etc.).

Decorations – Choose decorations that are flame resistant or flame retardant, and keep all decorations away from lit candles, fire places, and space heaters.

Extension Cords & Lights – Use extension cords and lights that are labeled by an independent testing laboratory. Some lights are only for indoor use, others are for outdoor use – make sure you are using the right type of light in the right location. Outdoor lights are only certified for 90 days. Take down lights after the holidays. Never connect more than three strings of lights consecutively. Replace any extension cords or string of lights with worn or broken cords or loose connections.

Electric Blankets – Make sure electric blankets are in good repair and certified by an independent testing laboratory. Power cords should not be frayed, cracked or cut. Don’t tuck electric blankets into mattresses or under children. Don’t put anything on top of the blanket, such as bedspreads, while in use, and don’t allow pets to sleep on an electric blanket.

Winter Heating – Stay warm, but stay safe! Have fireplaces and heating systems inspected, adjusted, and cleaned annually. Dirt buildup can cause deadly fires. Keep curtains, furniture, and decorations away from space heaters, fire places, and candles. Homes heated with gas or propane should have one or more digital carbon monoxide detectors.

Automatic Sprinkler Systems – Sprinkler systems should be turned off during cold weather – they can cause serious icing hazards on roads.

Stay off icy ponds & lakes – Last year, two teens in Gwinnett County died after falling through ice that had formed on a pond. The PTC Fire Department has had several reports of children and teens on Peachtree City ponds and lakes, and asks parents to stress to their children that, even as cold as it has been in the past few days, no pond, lake, or stream in Peachtree City freezes hard enough to support the weight of a person, even a child, safely. Please also keep pets off the frozen ponds/lakes – if they fall through, someone will try to rescue them and could end up as another victim.

Shopping Safety – Although Peachtree City is often referred to as “The Bubble,” and we are fortunate enough to be able to take our low crime rate and safety for granted, the PTC Police Department offers the following safety reminders that are especially important around the holidays when shopping centers, even those in Peachtree City, are targets for criminals:
– Be alert at all times for suspicious people and vehicles. If you see anything suspicious, call the police immediately.
– Do not risk your personal safety for property. Property can be replaced.
– Do not leave personal property in view. Do not leave purses in shopping carts or visible purses, packages, electronics, etc. in vehicles.
– Shop during daylight hours whenever possible. If you shop at night, go with a friend or family member.
– Avoid wearing expensive jewelry and avoid carrying large amounts of cash. If possible, do not carry a purse or wallet, but if necessary, remember to close purses and don’t leave wallets in view.
– Notify the issuer immediately if your credit or debit card is lost, stolen, or misused. Keep a record of all of your credit and debit card numbers in a safe place at home.
– Dress casually and comfortably and avoid overloading yourself with packages. It is important to have an unobstructed view of your surroundings and freedom of motion to avoid mishaps.
– Beware of strangers approaching you for any reason. At this time of year, “con artists” may try various methods of distracting you with the intention of taking your money or belongings.

Have a safe and happy holiday season!

Don’t Forget . . .

Immigration Reform Educational Meeting – Tuesday, December 14, 6:45 – 8:00 p.m., at the Whitewater Creek Amenities Center (upstairs Redwine room), 165 Birkdale Drive, Fayetteville. Sponsored by the Fayette-Coweta 912 Patriots, Greater Fayette Republican Women’s Club, Fayette County Tea Party, South Atlanta Tea Party, and the Senoia Tea Party Patriots.

City Council Regular Meeting – Thursday, December 16 – CANCELLED.

City Manager Retirement Party – Friday, December 17, 3:30 – 5:30 p.m. at City Hall. The public is invited.

Fire Department Santa Run & Food Drive – Saturday, December 18, 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., in the Parkway South, Braelinn Rd, and Wilshire areas. For complete route list, visit www.peachtree-city.org/santa .

Fire Department Santa Run & Food Drive – Sunday, December 19, noon – 6:00 p.m., in the Robinson Rd (north of Crosstown), McIntosh Trail East, Peachtree Parkway, Cameron Trail, and Log House areas. For complete route list, visit www.peachtree-city.org/santa .

City Council Special Called Meeting – Monday, December 20, 8:30 a.m., at City Hall. The agenda includes bids for the renovation and Expansion of Fire Station 84, Rescue Pumper, Police Vehicles and accessories, volunteer appointments to the CVB, Airport Authority, WASA, Leisure Services Commission, and Council Liaison appointments to the Commissions and Authorities. The public is welcome.