Peachtree City UPDATES – Week of January 3, 2011

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Happy New Year! Busy week for a quiet month – Council workshop Tuesday and regular meeting Thursday, Fire Department Open House Wednesday, Father Daughter Dance Registration begins, and Senior Homestead Exemption registration underway.

January 4 City Council Workshop – Survey, Hotel/Motel Tax
The Mayor & City Council will meet Tuesday, 6:30 p.m., at City Hall to discuss the 2011 Resident Survey and the rate and distribution of Peachtree City’s Hotel/Motel Tax. The public is welcome.

You’re Invited! Fire Department Open House & Education Bus Unveiling
The PTC Fire Department will hold an open house and unveil the new Education Bus on Wednesday, January 5, 10:00 a.m., at Leach Fire Station (110 Paschall Road at Highway 74 South). The public is invited to tour the new bus, with three active education rooms simulating different parts of the home. The renovation of the former school bus was accomplished through the generous donations of many local businesses and organizations, which will be recognized at the event. The public is invited and welcome.

January 6 City Council Meeting
This Thursday’s Regular Meeting begins at 7:00 p.m. at City Hall, and the public is welcome. The agenda includes several proposed ordinance amendments, including the Sign Ordinance, Traffic Ordinance (parking restrictions and the definition of sidewalks and paths), the Tree Ordinance, and the future extension of Sims Road. The meeting will be streamed live and available on demand at www.peachtree-city.org/video . View the full agenda at www.peachtree-city.org/councilagenda .

2011 Senior Homestead Exemption – Registration Underway
Peachtree City is once again accepting the annual applications for the Senior Homestead Exemption. Qualifying seniors (65 or older earning $30,000 or less in household income) must apply each year for the exemption. The registration card, available at City Hall, must be submitted by Tuesday, March 1. Seniors who have not completed their taxes by that date will have until Friday, April 22, to bring in proof of 2010 income. Fore more information, please visit peachtree-city.org/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=528 , email Betsy Tyler at info@peachtree-city.org , or call 770-487-7657.

Home Safety Reminder
Three residential burglaries have occurred in subdivisions along N Peachtree Parkway since December 21. The PTC Police have made arrests in the three cases, but are reminding residents of general safety precautions to help prevent these types of burglaries from occurring. Residents who see anyone checking mailboxes for out-of-town neighbors should write down the vehicle description, tag number, and occupant’s description, and then call either 911 or the anonymous hotline at 770-487-6010.

There are also several steps residents can take to protect their property and reduce the chances of becoming a victim of these types of residential burglaries:
• Contact the post office and stop all mail from being delivered while you are out of town. If this is not practical, have a friend pick up your mail on a daily basis.
• If packages must be delivered while you are out of town, have a friend pick them up. Never leave packages on your front porch for an extended period.
• Have a friend check your front door for notes or notices, which can alert criminals to the fact that you have not been home for a day or two.
• Install timers on your lights so they will activate periodically throughout the day. A home that has not had any lights on for a few days alerts criminals.
• Install motion activated lights on the exterior of your home.
• Ensure that landscaping does not provide criminals a place to conceal themselves on your property.
• Install a burglar alarm and ensure you set the alarm prior to leaving your home.
• Ensure all doors are locked, and install deadbolts on all exterior doors.
• Let a trusted neighbor know you will be out of town.
• Call 911 immediately if you see something suspicious or out of place at a neighbor’s home.

Marsh & Haner Book Signing – Saturday, January 15, 1:00 p.m. at the PTC Library
The Friends of the Peachtree City Library Association is pleased to announce that Carole Marsh and Steven Haner will read from and discuss their books. Carole Marsh is the author of the immensely popular Carole Marsh Mysteries, including “America’s National Mystery Book Series,” “Around the World in 80 Mysteries,” and “Masters of Disasters.” Steven Haner’s “The Picture” leads through light and shadow to discover a message for every troubled heart. Following the program the authors will sign copies of their books and refreshments will be served. The public is invited to attend. For more information, visit www.peachtree-city.org/CurrentEvents.aspx?EID=1449 .

Father Daughter Dance registration begins on Wednesday, January 5
Registration for this annual event begins Wednesday at 8:00 a.m. at any of our recreation facilities or online at www.peachtree-city.org/activenet . Girls must be ages 6 – 12. Tickets are $30 per couple and $15 for each additional daughter for Fayette County residents ($45 per couple for those who live outside Fayette County). The dance will be held inside the gym at the Kedron Fieldhouse & Aquatic Center on Saturday, February 5, 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. Due to the new, larger location, the event will be Saturday only this year.

2010 Census Results
You may have heard that the early census numbers are out, but so far, the early numbers are for the nation and the states only (see interactive map at http://www.peachtree-city.org/index.aspx?nid=806 ). There are also 2009 estimates for counties and cities available through the last link at the bottom of the page referenced above. The official 2010 numbers for individual cities will not start being released until February 2011.

Project Updates
Path 1548 Remains Closed. This path connects from the path that extends from Aberdeen Shopping Center into Westpark to the businesses (Cheers Bottle Shop and the BP Station) on Highway 54 between Northlake Drive and Highway 74. It is closed until further notice due to a path/pipe failure, and a water flow study will be required. The path is not safe for pedestrians, cyclists, or golf carts. Public Works and the Stormwater Department will advise when the path has been reopened.
Hip Pocket Road Stormwater Work. The Stormwater Department will be cleaning the stormwater system around Hip Pocket Road beginning this week. There should be no interruptions to street or path traffic, but area residents will be seeing equipment and workers in the greenbelt areas during the next two weeks.

Don’t Forget . . .

Development Authority of Peachtree City Regular Meeting – Monday, January 3, 6:00 p.m. at City Hall. The public is welcome.

Water & Sewerage Authority Regular Meeting – Monday, January 3, 6:30 p.m., at the WASA offices at 1127 Hwy. 74 South. The board will consider an agreement for a Community Gardens at the old Flat Creek site (by the Police Station). The public is welcome.

City Council Workshop – Tuesday, January 4, 6:30 p.m., at City Hall. The topics for discussion are the rate and distribution of Peachtree City’s Hotel/Motel Tax and the 2011 Resident Survey. The public is welcome.

Fire Department Open House & Education Bus Unveiling – Wednesday, January 5, 10:00 a.m., at Leach Fire Station 81 (Paschall Rd at Highway 74).

City Council Regular Meeting – Thursday, January 6, 7:00 p.m., at City Hall. The public is welcome.

Christmas Tree Recycling – Saturday, January 8, 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., at the PTC Recycling Center, Kedron Shopping Center, and the PTC Home Depot.

St Paul Lutheran School’s Frostbite 5K and 1 mile Fun Run – Saturday, January 8, 9:00 a.m., at 700 Ardenlee Pkwy. Parking is available at Crabapple Lane Elementary School with complimentary golf cart shuttle to the start. Afterwards, there will be free Starbucks coffee, hot chocolate, fruit and snacks available during the indoor awards presentation and door prize raffle. Register at www.frostbite5k.org .

Planning Commission Regular Meeting – Monday, January 10, 7:00 p.m., at City Hall. The public is welcome.