City of Cumming Partnering with Forsyth County Schools
The site of a proposed new college and career academy is off Pilgrim Mill Road, near the intersection with the new Lanier 400 Parkway, pictured here. Lanier 400 Parkway is slated to be complete by late fall.
The City of Cumming has plans to partner with the Forsyth County school system on a proposed college and career academy. During the Aug. 18 Cumming City Council meeting, council voted to send a letter of support for the proposed new high school, which would allow students free access to early college credit while expanding work-based learning opportunities and creating rigorous community-designed curriculums to meet local workforce needs. The charter high school would present opportunities which are different from those available at the county's already-existing high schools.
 
The proposed site of the college and career academy - which was recently dubbed the Alliance Academy for Innovation of Cumming-Forsyth County - is on Pilgrim Mill Road, near the intersection of the City's Lanier 400 Parkway, which is currently under construction. The City of Cumming plans to provide land at a reduced cost for the new school, and already has established water and sewer infrastructure that could be used by the facility.
 
In the letter of support, Mayor H. Ford Gravitt notes that the City believes "the development of a non-traditional college and career academy in Forsyth County will be good for students, employers, the community, and prospects for continued economic development in the City of Cumming and Forsyth County."
 
Click here for more information from Forsyth County Schools about the proposed college and career academy.


Get Ready for a Rootin' Tootin' Good Time at the Fairgrounds
The Cumming Fairgrounds will again welcome the IPRA World Championship Rodeo at 8 p.m. Sept. 4 and 5, and at 7 p.m. Sept. 6 in the covered arena. Tickets go on sale two hours prior to the opening time each night. The rodeo features eight events: Bull Riding, Bare Back Riding, Barrel Racing, Cowgirl Breakaway Roping, Calf Roping, Steer Wrestling, Team Roping, and Saddle Bronc Riding. Additionally, there is always plenty of comedy from the rodeo clowns and other special acts.
Fairgrounds Director Dave Horton says the rodeo is one of his favorite events of the year. "It's more than two hours of fast-paced entertainment and competition each night," he said. "You can't beat the level of entertainment for the cost." Tickets to the rodeo are $15 for adults, $12 for seniors 65 and over, $10 for children 5 to 12, and free for children 4 and under. For more information about the IPRA World Championship Rodeo, click here.
Did you know?   The Cumming Fairgrounds' covered arena was built in 2001, six years after the Fairgrounds opened in 1995. The 44,000-square-foot arena provides permanent seating for approximately 3,050 people, and expanded seating for an additional 6,000 can be added on the floor for events such as concerts and graduations.  
Two Councilmen to Retire at Close of 2015

Councilmen Ralph Perry and John D. Pugh announced during the Aug. 18 City Council meeting that they will both be retiring from their posts at the end of this year. Councilman Perry has served the City for nearly 37 years, while Pugh has served 23 years. The election to fill their posts, as well as the post of Lewis Ledbetter, who does plan to seek re-election, will be Nov. 3. Qualifying for the election will be from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday, Aug. 31 through Wednesday, Sept. 2. Those wishing to run must see City Clerk Jeff Honea to fill out paperwork and pay the $180 qualifying fee. For more information about Councilmen Perry and Pugh's retirement and their many years of service to the City of Cumming, click here.
Cumming Aquatic Center lifeguards take part in the GRPA State Lifeguard Competition.
CAC Lifeguards Among Best in Georgia
A group of lifeguards from the Cumming Aquatic Center (CAC) recently took second place honors in the State Lifeguard Competition, held by the Georgia Recreation and Park Association. Two teams from the Aquatic Center took part in the event. One team placed second overall, while the other team came in seventh. A total of 16 teams from around the state competed. During the competition, held at Lake Oconee, the lifeguards took part in a variety of challenges such as swim and rescue relays, team triathlons, and a CPR scenario.
Cumming Aquatic Center lifeguards on the second-place team included: Adam Vaughan, Sissy Bowers, Riley Geoghan, Hanna Allen, Emily Carroll, and Tony Scheyer. Those on the seventh-place team were: Justin Olive, Emily Pope, Josh Torre, Katherine Brostrom, Audrey Clanton, and Annsley Marks.
Congratulations to all the CAC lifeguards who took part! To learn more about them and the competition, click here.  
Congratulations to Third Quarter 2015 City Stars
The third quarter City Star Award program focused on the Cumming Police and Street Departments. All nominees and winners were honored during a luncheon at City Hall in early August. Winners from the Police Department were Officer Tracy See-Holbrook and Tyler Burns, while Daylon Gravitt was the winner from the Street Department. Congratulations to all our third quarter nominees and winners! 
 
Click here for photos and a list of all nominees 
Advanced Water Reclamation Facility employees celebrate 17 years of Platinum Awards from the National Association of Clean Water Agencies.
Water Pollution Control Division Honored
The Department of Utilities' Advanced Water Reclamation Facility on Bethelview Road has received recognition from the National Association of Clean Water Agencies for the 17th year in a row. The facility, which is part of the Water Pollution Control Division, again earned a Platinum Award, which recognizes 100 percent compliance with permits over a consecutive period of at least five years. Thank you to all the Water Pollution Control Division employees for providing ongoing excellence at the Bethelview Road reclamation facility! 

Coming Soon
To the Cumming Fairgrounds
IPRA World Championship Rodeo - 8 p.m. Sept. 4 & 5 and 7 p.m. Sept. 6
Cumming Farmers' Market - 7 a.m. Wednesdays and Saturdays through September 26

To the Cumming Playhouse
Frances Mooney & Fontanna Sunset - 8 p.m. Sept. 11

Meetings
Planning & Zoning Board - 5 p.m. Sept. 15
City Council - 6 p.m. Sept. 15
Both meetings are open to the public and held in the third-floor Council Chambers at City Hall, 100 Main Street. For all meetings after 5 p.m., please enter through the rear parking lot entrance.

 

 

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We hope you have enjoyed this edition of the City of Cumming newsletter. Be sure to check out next month's edition, which will focus on the Cumming Country Fair & Festival, which runs Oct. 8-18, as well as the return of the beloved musical, "Smoke on the Mountain," to the Cumming Playhouse stage the first four weekends in October!

 
Sincerely,   
City of Cumming
Division of Public Information