City Remembers Fallen Heroes During Memorial Day Ceremonies
(Photos by Peggy Cozart)
The City of Cumming honored veterans, particularly those who are no longer with us, on Friday, May 27 at 11 a.m. at the Veterans War Memorial. A crowd of about 300 people, including a large turnout from the local chapters of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, American Legion, and Vietnam Veterans of American, came out for the event despite overcast weather conditions. An important part of the event every year is the Avenue of Flags Dedication, in which new American flags are added to the display on the grounds. Each flag represents at least one veteran who passed away either during his or her service time or after returning home. During the dedication, family members unfurl their loved one's flag for the first time. This year, six new flags representing 13 veterans were dedicated. Other highlights included a welcome by Mayor H. Ford Gravitt, keynote address by Georgia Army National Guard Lt. Col. Reed Barry (pictured at left), music from the North Georgia Barbershop Singers, rifle salute by the Forsyth County Sheriff and Fire Honor Guard, and a dove release by Georgia Doves. Click here to read more about the event and to see more photos.
Did you know? With this year's addition of six flags representing 13 veterans, the City's Avenue of Flags now includes 227 flags honoring 273 veterans. The Avenue of Flags is displayed every Veterans Day and every Friday prior to Memorial Day during ceremonies honoring those who have served our nation.
City of Cumming & Forsyth County Leaders Reopen Sanders Road
City leaders, who were joined by Forsyth County Commission Chairman Pete Amos, held a brief reopening ceremony for Sanders Road on May 26, after the City Council voted unanimously to do so during its regular meeting on May 17. The road, which sustained significant damage following the failure of Lake Alice Dam in 2013, has now been repaired and was reopened to traffic following the May 26 ceremony. The Lake Alice Dam failure occurred following a major rainfall event, which led to a portion of the road being destroyed because of an undersized culvert which had to take on excessive water flow after the dam breach.
 
Also during the May meeting, the Cumming City Council:
  • Approved support of Forsyth County's widening of Pilgrim Mill Road, saying that creation of new Intergovernmental Agreement was not needed for the project. The road widening project was approved by voters as a SPLOST V project. The City completed its portion of the widening project (from Hwy. 9 to the City Limits) in 2007, and the County will soon begin its portion of the project (from the City Limits to Freedom Parkway).
  • Approved asphalt bids for summer repaving projects. Jason McCook of Moreland Altobelli Engineering Firm reported that the City received four competitive bids, and Council voted unanimously to accept the lowest bid from Jasper Grading and Pipeline.
  • Approved several new modular classroom units for installation at Otwell Middle and Forsyth Central High Schools for the 2016-17 school year following a request by Tim Amerson, Facilities Director for the school system.  
  • Approved changes to the pricing structure of the Cumming Country Fair & Festival. Under the new structure, all children 10 and under will be admitted for free, and everyone age 11 and up will be $7. Parking price will also increase from $3 to $5. The new fee structure will hopefully help shorten lines at the ticket booths, and help parking attendants more quickly make change for large bills.
  • Approved several Utilities Department requests, including permission to condemn an easement at 3681 Bethelview Road, whose owner was unresponsive to multiple requests from the City, and new Rights of Way fees and Rights of Way Encroachment fees. Council approved a proposal to adopt the Georgia Municipal Association's recommended Rights of Way fees, as well as higher fees for utilities that encroach on Rights of Way without seeking permission or providing compensation. The Council approved encroachment fees of $5,000 per 1,000 linear feet, and increments thereof.
 
Click here to view meeting videos.
Council Honors Miss Georgia Contestant and Garden Club
During the May City Council Meeting, proclamations were presented to Forsyth Central High School 2016 graduate Emily Ponder, and to the Cumming Garden Club. Emily was named the 2015 Miss Cumming Fair and will go on to represent the City in the Miss Georgia Scholarship Competition later this month. Mayor H. Ford Gravitt declared June 18, 2016 as Emily Ponder Day; this is the day Emily will compete in the final rounds of the Miss Georgia contest at the Bill Heard Theatre in Columbus. Besides her participation in pageants, Emily, a rising freshman at Kennesaw State University, has also worked as an ambassador for Children's Miracle Network Hospitals, as a model for several local boutiques, danced in three nationally-televised sporting events, starred in a commercial, and is a member of the Technical Honors Society. 

Mayor Gravitt also presented a proclamation to members of the Cumming Garden Club recognizing June 5-11, 2016 as National Garden Week, with the goal of focusing attention on the role Cumming Garden Club members play in educating the public about th e joy of gardening. In addition to participation in National Garden Week, members of the club also work to beautify Cumming and Forsyth County through various projects, including award-winning flower shows, exhibits and classes at the Cumming Public Library, garden therapy for residents of various assisted living facilities, and upkeep of several community gardens including the Charles F. Welch Memorial Garden and Girl Scout Garden at Poole's Mill Park, Foundation Garden at Chestatee Community Building, and the Forsyth County Head Start courtyard garden.
Fairgrounds Arena Receiving Makeover
A team of painters has spent more than a month working to repaint the entire covered arena at the Cumming Fairgrounds. The new paint, which should be finished within the next few weeks, will help protect the outdoor venue from rust and other deterioration caused by weather and normal wear. The arena, which most recently hosted the Forsyth Central High School 2016 graduation on May 28, is utilized throughout the year for a variety of events. Some of the most memorable include several live concerts during the Cumming Country Fair & Festival every October, Taste of Forsyth each spring, and the annual IPRA World Championship Rodeo. 

Aquatic Center employees enjoy the pool party with "honorary" lifeguards.
Outdoor Leisure Pool Now Open Daily
The Cumming Aquatic Center officially kicked off summer with a party at the outdoor leisure pool on May 13. The party also celebrated the Aquatic Center's fifth anniversary, and featured plenty of family fun such as live music, games and activities, food from the concession stand, and even appearances from some special "honorary" lifeguards from the Star Wars franchise. Now that summer is in full swing, the outdoor leisure pool is open daily, along with the center's two indoor pools. For complete hours, click here.
Help Our Cumming City Stars to Shine - Nominate Today!
Nominations for outstanding employees in the Cumming Utilities Department are still being accepted for the Cumming City Stars Employee Recognition Program second quarter awards. First and second quarter nominees and winners will be recognized later this summer. Click here to nominate and learn more about the Cumming City Stars program.

Coming Soon
To the Cumming Fairgrounds
Cumming Farmers' Market - Wednesdays and Saturdays beginning June 1, 7 a.m. until vendors sell out, in Fairgrounds Parking Lot #3

To the Cumming Playhouse
Frances Mooney & Fontana Sunset - 8 p.m. June 4
Blues for Dixie - 8 p.m. June 11
The Dave Holbrook Family: Southern Gospel Singing - 8 p.m. June 18
The Chuck Wagon Gang - 3 p.m. and 8 p.m. June 25
 
To the Cumming Aquatic Center
Parents Night Out - 6:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. June 24

Meetings
Planning & Zoning Board - 5 p.m. June 21
City Council - 6 p.m. June 21
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.

 
We hope families will take advantage of all the summer happenings in the City of Cumming. From the outdoor leisure pool at the Cumming Aquatic Center and live concerts at the Cumming Playhouse to the opening of the annual Cumming Farmers' Market at the Fairgrounds, summer is a special time for families in the City!

Sincerely,   
City of Cumming
Division of Public Information