Here's Your Sign (Litter on a Stick)

Signs, signs everywhere are signs. You've seen them: corrugated plastic signs tacked to a wooden stake advertising work from home job opportunities, weight loss products, singles networks, get rich quick schemes, cleaning services, subdivisions, town homes, and apartment complexes. A quick drive around Henry County can seem like a trip through the Yellow Pages. They line the street right-of-ways, clutter our medians, and crowd busy intersections. You'll find them nailed to utility poles and stuck on vacant, private property. They are like a pop-up ad on the Internet or a telephone call from a telemarketer; annoying, but unavoidable. As a true southerner might say, it's like visual kudzu.

I call them "litter on a stick," but they are also known as "street spam" or "bandit signs." What you may not realize is that it is illegal to place these signs in the right-of-way (the strip of land on either side of a public road that the county, city, or state maintains) and, of course, on private property (unless permission is granted from the property owner). I'm not talking about temporary signs advertising blood drives, lost dogs, community events, or school and church activities. The majority of the offending signs advertise out of area businesses, products, or services, and many are scams that target people down on their luck.

These signs are a blight on our community. They attract other litter and make our neighborhoods look dirty. They can also be a safety hazard by blocking views or distracting drivers.

Henry County Code Enforcement should be contacted when you see these signs. Even though these signs are considered "abandoned property," you should let the authorities handle their removal unless you are told otherwise. Problem areas that are frequented by repeat offenders may need special attention. Tell your friends and neighbors that we can all work together to keep our county clean by letting our officials know that we are fed up with this.

Henry County Code Enforcement can be reached at (770) 288-6200.

Backyard Economics

Put your money where your house is.

I've been thinking about my bank account lately, and I don't mean just worrying about how small it is. I'm wondering what my money is doing for my community. Times are tight and it's important to know where your dollars are going. When you purchase a good or service, think of it not as money spent, but as money invested.

It seems obvious that we do business where we perceive to receive the best value for our time and money. Perceptions, however, are not always accurate. I argue that it makes better sense to support your community first, especially during times of economic turmoil, even if you have to put an extra nickle in the parking meter or spend a couple extra bucks for the same item

you could have picked up at the big-box national chain store down the street.

We love to embrace the idea of distinctive businesses with local charm and character, but often forget their survival depends on our patronage. It is easy for us to get so consumed by efficiency that we forget how much of our lives we spend eating out, shopping, and doing other business. We owe it to ourselves to consider the quality of our experience, and ask if we benefit when we choose a community-based business.

Independent local businesses employ a wide array of supporting services. They hire hometown Realtors, architects, designers, sign makers and contractors. Opportunities grow for local banks, accountants, insurance brokers, computer consultants, attorneys, advertising agencies and others to help run it. According to the 3/50 Project , for every $100 spent with locally owned independent businesses, a whopping $68 returns to the community through taxes, payroll, and other expenditures.

I'm not advocating boycotting the big-box stores, chain restaurants, and other national businesses. I'm just saying spend wisely. Local owners with much of their life savings invested in their businesses have a natural interest in the long-term health of the community. Community-based businesses are also essential to charitable endeavors, frequently serving on local boards, and supporting a variety of causes.

Life is not all about financial capital; it's also about "living capital," which is the quality of life in your community. It's not necessarily quantifiable, but is something we feel. We know in our hearts what it is. And each time we spend a dollar, we would do well to weigh the full value of our choices, not solely to ourselves immediately, but for the future we want in our own hometowns.

In a nutshell, it really boils down to investing money in the people who are making your community a better place to live.

Real Men: Painting Henry County "Pink" is Fashion with a Function

A lot of guys shy away from wearing certain colors. It is probably safe to say that pink tops the list.

Now, I've personally never been opposed to pink. I've got pink pants and pink shirts, and even a pink tie. I wear them all the time. And I always get compliments. Women tell me that they like a confident man that is comfortable wearing pink. (Need real proof? Men's Health did a fashion feature on color and discovered that women are more drawn to men wearing certain colors. Guess what? Pink topped that list!). I'd even venture to say that other men secretly admire guys that dare to be different, too.

I guess it all goes back to that age old stereotype: blue is for boys, and pink is for girls. We don't really know where this originated. The idea of associating blue with male babies may stem back to ancient times when having a boy was good luck. Blue, the color of the sky where gods and fates lived, held powers to ward off evil, so baby boys were dressed in blue. In Greece, a blue eye is still thought to have powers to ward off evil. The idea of pink for girls might come from the European legend that baby girls were born inside delicate pink roses.

At any rate, it is time for us to put all that conjecture aside for a cause that we can all agree deserves our attention: breast cancer. And there is an innovative campaign right here in Henry County that aims to motivate men to help give breast cancer the pink slip, so to speak: Real Men Wear Pink.

When a woman is diagnosed with breast cancer the men in her life help her through it. With 13,698 new diagnoses expected this year it is now as important as ever to donate to breast cancer research. For each of those cases there will be at least one man whose life will dramatically change with a positive diagnosis as a husband, brother, father or son. The champion effort behind Real Men Wear Pink seeks to increase breast cancer awareness and research, with a focus on our community.

Now marking it's third year, the notion of bringing the Real Men Wear Pink campaign to Henry County is the brainchild of Donna Braddy, Director of Marketing and Public Relations for Henry Medical Center. In conjunction with Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October, you will see, among other things, billboards, special events, fundraisers, and local media promoting this cause.  There are also two excellent online videos focused on Henry County, It's Not Easy Bein' Pink (lighthearted) and Three Shades of Pink (serious).

Like many others, my wife, Julia, and I have been personally
affected by this disease. We have witnessed family, friends, and co-workers battle breast cancer. Two years ago, we learned that our friend, Stacie Walker, was diagnosed. At the time, she was only 29 years old. Breast cancer came as a surprise to her, and she had no family history of the disease. In true Stacie style, though, she handled the news with grace, humor, and inspiring herculean strength (it is all chronicled on her blog, A Dose of Reality).

Of course, we thought of Stacie's daughter. And of her husband, Jesse, in particular. I tried to put myself in his shoes, and to think about how I would help Julia through something like this. "In sickness and in health," becomes very real. Jesse, like all husbands of wives battling breast cancer, became a pillar of strength. Today, thankfully, Stacie is out of the woods and has a clean bill of health. Jesse is now her co-survivor.

Breast cancer is a universal fight that cannot be won alone. It is not just a woman's issue. Whatever or whomever your reason, the end goal is the same – creating a future without breast cancer – for all of us. I will continue to wear pink proudly, in honor of everyday heroes like Stacie Walker...and for those guys like Jesse that exemplify what being a real man is all about.

For more information on the Real Men Wear Pink campaign, contact Donna Braddy at 678-604-1000 or visit Henry Medical Center. For information on local care and support for cancer patients, please visit Henry County Cancer Services.

Congratulations to the 2011 Real Men Wear Pink: Andy Pippin, Shane Thompson, Chuck Spahos, Montá Brown, Judge Jim Chafin, Jimmy Carter, Ken Wright, Paul White, Kent Booth, and Brian Strickland.

Not Your Usual Henry County Trash Talk!

"Shabby" is not chic in Henry County

The decay of a neighborhood isn't something that happens overnight. It usually begins with one property owner who either doesn't take pride in his property or can't afford to maintain it. The house eventually takes on an air of shabbiness, the yard piles up with broken cars & junk, and the landscaping is let go. As adjacent homeowners leave the area, new property owners may be less inclined to maintain their properties, too...and the seediness spreads to other blocks.

With the economy in turmoil and foreclosure rates rising, this could turn into a big problem for Henry County. I can think of several neighborhoods that are already experiencing this vicious cycle.

Litter is a problem. No butts about it!

While walking along the sidewalks of McDonough, I am always stunned by the number of cigarette butts I see. It amazes me at the thoughtlessness of drivers and passengers who smoke and throw those burning cigarette butts out of their windows. Busy intersections are often covered in layers of spent cigarettes tossed while waiting at red lights or stop signs. Heck, my mailbox looks like it is used for target practice. I pick-up at least twenty butts per week in front of my home near the Square.

I think most smokers rationalize cigarette litter by believing, "Well, it's just one little cigarette butt." Of course, litter is litter (no matter how small it is)...but when thousands of people are rationalizing that way, it becomes a huge problem. Each cigarette butt can take up to 12 years to break down, littering our sidewalks, streets and parks and leaching toxic chemicals into our waterways.

Clean it up!

Most people aren't aware that it is illegal to have junk cars up on the lawns, piles of accumulated garbage & doggie do-do, abandoned vehicles on the street, and waist-high weeds. The Code Enforcement department of your city's Planning & Zoning department enforces these ordinances. Pick up the phone, place that call, and have the heavies at City Hall deal with the nuisance. It is in everyone's best interest.

HENRY COUNTY CODE ENFORCEMENT:  
(770) 288-6200

CITY OF MCDONOUGH CODE ENFORCEMENT CONCERN FORM (PRINT AND DROP OFF AT CITY HALL) OR CALL:  (770) 898-3507

CITY OF STOCKBRIDGE CODE ENFORCEMENT 
(PROVIDED BY HENRY COUNTY):  (770) 288-6200

CITY OF LOCUST GROVE CODE ENFORCEMENT:  
(770) 692-2321

CITY OF HAMPTON CODE ENFORCEMENT:  
(770) 946-4306

What you can do

One of my pet peeves is litter- it looks bad, it’s annoying- and the stats say that 3 out of 4 people have seen people litter. You can do something about it.

Henry County actually has a Litter Hotline number to report people who litter. The primary purpose is to send a message that someone is watching, as well as to educate people that there are fines involved for this behavior.

HENRY COUNTY LITTER HOTLINE:  (770) 898-7453

But one of the easiest things you can do is to take matters into your own hands...literally! Try to pick up at least one piece of litter each day. This includes your parking lot at work, outside the grocery store or gym, along the sidewalk while you are jogging or walking the dog, etc.

You don't have to be a card-carrying member of the "litter patrol" to make a difference!

Could Henry County feast on a pot of ‘swamp gravy?’

Last year I was selected as an ’Arts Leader of Metro Atlanta,’ which means I represented Henry County in an annual four-month leadership program hosted by the Metro Atlanta Arts & Culture Coalition (MAAC). The goal of the program is to encourage locals to take an active role in learning about issues and challenges facing the region’s arts & culture community, and provide the tools and training necessary to help translate what they learn into reality back home in their own community.

One important thing I learned is that Henry County could use a little swamp gravy. What is swamp gravy?

Most Georgians know that swamp gravy is the soup made from the drippings left over from fried fish, combined with tomatoes, potatoes, onions, and whatever else is available to throw in the pan. But that’s not what I’m talking about.

This stew can’t be found in any Paula Deen cookbook. But it could very likely cook-up community pride and economic growth in Henry County.

Swamp Gravy is also the brainchild of Joy Jinks and Richard Geer. Jinks was a resident of the small Southwest Georgia town of Colquitt (pop. 2,000), unhappily watching her hometown dwindle and become dispirited 20 years ago. Geer is a theater producer. The two met in New York City in 1991 at a conference on community development, where Geer encouraged Jinks to tap into her town’s history. Together, they convinced the residents that a play might help reinstill civic pride.

From the first uncertain performance in 1994, Swamp Gravy has become a Georgia institution. Named the state’s official folk life play, it now tours, and vignettes from the show are performed throughout the country. In the first five-and-a-half years of the project, 50,000 tickets were sold to tourists (those special people that have a meal, buy gasoline, shop, and stay at lodging establishments). The play has increased the revenue for Miller County by over $2 million annually and has created numerous full and part-time jobs.

The undeniable role of the arts in community development takes center stage with Swamp Gravy, and Colquitt exemplifies the successful economic revitalization of a small rural town through arts and cultural tourism.

Based on the example of Miller County, maybe we need to start doing a better job of making the creative economy and the arts our business, too. Henry County already has a vibrant arts community, so we are already halfway there. Can we do a better job of translating cultural vitality into economic dynamism? I think so. Should we be broadening participation in the arts, increasing opportunities for artists, and preserving and promoting our cultural history? Yes.

Public art and a dynamic cultural community beautifies and animates cities, draws businesses to the area, attracts residents and tourists, complements adjacent businesses, enhances property values, expands the tax base, attracts families, young professionals and well-educated employees, and contributes to an overall creative and innovative environment.

Take a closer look at these Henry County artists and arts organizations and help create the community you want to live in (just don’t hold the gravy):

Andy Davis Gallery

Arts ProgressEve (Henry County Arts Walk)

Atlanta Festival Ballet of Stockbridge

Dubtastic

Gandy Gallery

The Henley Varner Band

Henry County Arts Alliance

Henry County Photography Club

Henry Has Talent!

Henry Players

Jeff Hunter Gallery

Kilpatrick Wildlife Art

Kimberly Dean Art

McDonough Arts

Pat Sowell Project

Pete the Cat

Sean Shuffler Duo

Southern Crescent Symphony Orchestra

Visual Arts Collective of Henry County

Westridge Dance Center

The Winsor Gallery

Where were you? My story...

The memories always come rushing back to me every year on September 11.

I remember being at the office getting prepared to play catch-up in the real estate world after being away for a few days. It was a Tuesday, and my wife and I actually had just returned home from New York City the day before.

We were on a high after spending an exciting long weekend in the Big Apple. On our flight to NYC, we got to meet HGTV's Vern Yip who was sitting in first class. We attended what would ultimately be Michael Jackson's last full concert on September 8 - a special show at Madison Square Garden that was taped for CBS television where he reunited with his brothers for a few songs, did some solo hits, and other superstars like Whitney Houston, Usher, Beyonce, Ray Charles, Justin Timberlake, and Britney Spears performed tribute numbers to him. We stopped by Rockefeller Plaza for a taping of the "Today Show." We saw Hillary Clinton marching in a parade in front of St. Patrick's Cathedral. We had an awesome time. We were having so much fun we almost decided to stay an extra day...

But we came home on September 10.

I must confess that I am a nervous air traveler...every bump and jolt of turbulence feels like the prelude to a plane crash. However, I felt a little more comfortable when I saw a certain gentleman enter the door after everyone was seated. It was none other than President Jimmy Carter. He slowly walked the aisle, and greeted and shook the hand of every person on the plane. He walked to the back and was seated among several Secret Service Agents in coach class. I felt safe knowing he was on the plane...like his presence and security would prevent any mishaps during flight.

Whatever excitement we had upon returning was quickly scuttled around 8:45am on September 11. I got a phone call from my wife telling me to turn on the radio. Then a phone call from my step-mom. Then a call from my mom. Then a call from my grandparents. Something horrible was happening.

My dad immediately dusted off the old antennae television from the back room of the office and carefully tuned it to the "Today Show." I will never forget the look of horror on the faces of Matt Lauer and Katie Couric. Two planes hit the World Trade Center. Next thing we knew another plane had crashed and the Pentagon was on fire. Was Atlanta next? What was going on?

As the events unfolded, of course, it became clear that our country was under attack. As I watched the firefighters, police officers, medical professionals, and volunteers rally the defense, I thought how quickly life can change. I wondered if we had passed any of the victims of this tragedy on the street? Were they in the audience at MJ's show just a few days before? Were any of them in that parade?

I was angry. I was sad. I was confused. I was helpless. There was nothing I could do about any of this. I must have watched the television non-stop for a week straight. I didn't want to work. I didn't want to even go out and get a bite to eat. Doing anything like that seemed disrespectful to all of those men, women, and children that had lost their lives...and to those left to clean up the mess on the ground.

At the time, I was helping my father with lawn maintenance at a couple of his commercial rental properties on the weekend. I got a phone call from one of his tenants a couple days later complaining that the grass needed to be cut. It was at that time that I realized this had really affected me more than I thought. I yelled at the lady on the other end of the phone. It was like a primal call bursting from my throat. I said, "How can you be worried about YOUR GRASS when OUR COUNTRY is under attack?!? PEOPLE ARE DYING FOR GOD'S SAKE!" I was immediately embarrassed, but the lady got the point. She apologized, and said for me to just get to it sometime next week.

Needless to say, the grass was cut, and things eventually returned to normal in the world. But we should never, ever forget what happened on September 11, 2001. Never. Ever.

Here's Your Sign (Litter on a Stick)

Signs, signs everywhere are signs. You've seen them: corrugated plastic signs tacked to a wooden stake (you know, the ones advertising work from home job opportunities, weight loss products, singles networks, get rich quick schemes, cleaning services, and, yes, sign companies!). A quick drive around Henry County can seem like a trip through the Yellow Pages. They line the street right-of-ways, clutter our medians, and crowd busy intersections. You'll find them nailed to utility poles and stuck on vacant, private property. They are like a pop-up ad on the Internet or a telephone call from a telemarketer; annoying, but unavoidable. As a true southerner might say, it's like visual kudzu.

I call them "litter on a stick," but they are also known as "street spam" or "bandit signs." What you may not realize is that it is illegal to place these signs in the right-of-way (the strip of land on either side of a public road that the county, city, or state maintains) and, of course, on private property (unless permission is granted from the property owner). I'm not talking about temporary signs advertising blood drives, lost dogs, community events, or school and church activities. The majority of the offending signs advertise out of area businesses, products, or services, and many are scams that target people down on their luck.

These signs are a blight on our community. They attract other litter and make our neighborhoods look dirty. They can also be a safety hazard by blocking views or distracting drivers.

Henry County Code Enforcement should be contacted when you see these signs. Even though these signs are considered "abandoned property," you should let the authorities handle their removal unless you are told otherwise. Problem areas that are frequented by repeat offenders may need special attention. Tell your friends and neighbors that we can all work together to keep our county clean by letting our officials know that we are fed up with this.

Henry County Code Enforcement can be reached at (770) 288-6200.