City Council, Employees Welcome New Elected Officials
Members of the 2016 Cumming City Council stand with Mayor H. Ford Gravitt and Judge Rich Neville during the January meeting.
Two new Cumming City Council members took their oath of office and were sworn in by Municipal Court Chief Judge Rich Neville at January's Cumming City Council meeting.
 
Linda Ledbetter, who won the Post 5 Council seat in November with 53 percent of the vote, and Christopher Light, who won Post 4 with 39 percent, joined incumbent Councilman Lewis Ledbetter, who was re-elected into the Post 3 seat he has held since 1971. Councilman Ledbetter, who is the first cousin of Linda Ledbetter, ran unopposed.
 
Linda Ledbetter and Light replace John D. Pugh and Ralph Perry, both of whom retired from their long-held posts at the end of December.
 
Ledbetter, a retired educator, served one term on the Forsyth County Commission from 2005-08.  
 
Mayor Ford Gravitt welcomed the new members, noting that Ledbetter told him she "is ready to work hard for the people of Cumming and Forsyth County."
 
The Mayor also said Light, an attorney with the local firm Lipscomb, Johnson, Sleister, Dailey and Smith, would be a good fit for the council.
 
Light's mother, Darla Sexton Light, is the chairwoman of the Forsyth County Board of Education.
 
Ledbetter and Light aren't the only new members on the Council. Chuck Welch, a local banker, won a special election to fill an unexpired Post 1 term in June.
 
Gravitt also thanked outgoing Councilmen John D. Pugh and Ralph Perry for their service and presented them with their marble council name plates. Perry joined the board in 1979 and Pugh has served since 1993.
 
"I couldn't ask for better friendships than Ralph and John D," Gravitt said. "They did a great community service, and we can all look around the city and see the fingerprints of these two gentlemen."
 
Click here to see photos from the individual swearing-in ceremonies for Linda Ledbetter, Christopher Light and Lewis Ledbetter.  
 
Did you know? New member Linda Ledbetter is the first woman to serve on the Cumming City Council since Dot Otwell, who served a two-year term in the late 1950s.  
Council Approves Bidding for Lanier 400 Parkway Sidewalk
Also during the January meeting, the City Council approved a request to advertise for bids for the construction of a six-foot-wide sidewalk on one side of Lanier 400 Parkway.  Hugh Boling, Street Department Director, noted that the proposal calls for constructing the sidewalk along the curb, which will eliminate the need to mow a two-foot wide swath between the curbing and the sidewalk. This will reduce maintenance costs and the likelihood of vehicles being hit by debris thrown by lawnmowers.  Lanier 400 Parkway will connect Bald Ridge Marina and Pilgrim Mill Roads. The new road is near completion and should open to traffic soon.
Musicians perform during a past "Mardi Gras" show at the Playhouse.
Playhouse Variety Show Rescheduled
New dates have been set for a Cumming Playhouse show that had to be postponed due to inclement weather in January. "Mardi Gras Musical Variety Show: It's Electric!" was originally slated for Jan. 22-24; however, those plans changed as snow and ice moved into the area on the 22nd. Fans of the show, which has been held as a benefit for Age Well Forsyth for several years, will be happy to know the production has been rescheduled for March 4-6. Performances will be held at 8 p.m. March 4, 3 p.m. and 8 p.m. March 5, and 3 p.m. March 6. To order tickets, click here!

Aquatic Center Offering Additional Red Cross Courses in 2016
The Cumming Aquatic Center has expanded its American Red Cross program offerings for 2016. In addition to Lifeguard and Water Safety Instructor classes, Aquatic Center staff are excited to now also offer Babysitter Training, First Aid/CPR, and Junior Lifeguarding courses. Complete information on American Red Cross courses can be found below.
 
Congratulations to Aquatic Center "Santa Swim" Winners
From Dec. 1 to Dec. 31, Cumming Aquatic Center adult members were invited to take part in the first "Santa Swim" contest. Swimmers signed up and then registered all their laps completed throughout the month with Aquatic Center staff. Swimmers with the most laps at the end of the month received a free 90-day membership. Prizes were presented in three categories. Winners were: In the Age 18-59 Category - Rafael Picklesimer with 1,375 laps; in the Senior Category - Dan Stone with 1,129 laps; and in the Silver Sneakers Category - Cal Cook with 736 laps. Way to go swimmers! For more information about all Cumming Aquatic Center offerings, click here.
Coming Soon
To the Cumming Playhouse
"Russo, Noe & Friends: A Wildly Romantic Weekend" - 8 p.m. Feb. 12 & 13, 3 p.m. Feb. 14.
"Skillet Lickers: Leap Year Love/Country Music Down Yonder" - 8 p.m. Feb. 26 & 27, 3 p.m. Feb. 28.
"Mardi Gras: It's Electric!" (Rescheduled after inclement weather in January) - 8 p.m. March 4 & 5, 3 p.m. March 5 & 6.

To the Cumming Aquatic Center
"Parents Night Out" - 5:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. Feb. 12; Drop off the kids (ages 5 to 13) at the Aquatic Center for a night of fun! To register, email Paige Raskin at [email protected]   

Meetings
Planning & Zoning Board - 5 p.m. Feb. 16
City Council - 6 p.m. Feb. 16
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.

 
Looking for something to do with your Valentine this month? Check out the two love-themed shows at the Cumming Playhouse in February - "Russo, Noe and Friends" on Valentine's Weekend, and "The Skillet Lickers: Leap Year Love" the weekend of Feb. 26-28. Or if you need a romantic evening away from the kids, take advantage of the Cumming Aquatic Center's "Parents Night Out" on Feb. 12.

Sincerely,   
City of Cumming
Division of Public Information