City Memorial Day Ceremonies Set for Friday, May 26 at 11 a.m.
Photos courtesy Peggy Cozart, from the 2016 ceremony.
The public is invited to join the City of Cumming in honoring local active duty, retired and deceased veterans during the Annual Memorial Day Ceremonies at 11 a.m. Friday, May 26 at the Veterans War Memorial (301 Veterans Memorial Blvd., next door to the Cumming Police Station).  

The event will feature a welcome message from Mayor H. Ford Gravitt and keynote address from Lieutenant Colonel Reed L. Barry of the Georgia Army National Guard, as well as a rifle salute from the Forsyth County Fire and Sheriff's Department Honor Guard, performances from the North Georgia Barbershop Singers, and a dove release. 

The major highlight of the event every year is the Avenue of Flags dedication, in which new American flags are added to the City's Avenue of Flags display. Each flag represents at least one veteran who passed away either during his or her time of service or after returning home. During the ceremony, family members unfurl their loved one's flag for the first time. 
Did you know? The City's Avenue of Flags display, which began with just a handful of flags during its inaugural year in 1995, now features more than 225 flags, representing more than 270 local veterans. 
Aquatic Center Outdoor Pool and Water Park Opens this Month 
Get your swimsuits and sunscreen ready! The Cumming Aquatic Center's outdoor leisure pool and water park area opens for the season later this month. 

An opening pool party will be held Friday, May 12 from 6-10 p.m. After that, the outdoor area will be open as follows: 
  • May 13, 14, 20, 21 and 29: 1 p.m. to 6 p.m.
  • May 27 to Aug. 2: Monday-Saturday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.; and Sunday 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. 
Want to get in a good workout during morning hours? Try "water walking" in the lazy river area beginning May 30. This activity is for adults only and will take place from 8:45 a.m. to 9:45 a.m., before the park opens, on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays throughout the summer. 

The Cumming Aquatic Center is also still hiring teens and adults to work as lifeguards, and looking for kids ages 11 to 14 to take part in its Junior Lifeguard Camps in June and July. 

Junior Lifeguard Camps will be held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily June 5-9, June 26-30, and July 24-28. Cost is $149 per camper and includes all fees and materials. The camp provides a foundation for all the skills needed to become a lifeguard, including prevention of aquatic accidents, fitness and swimming skills, responsiveness in an emergency, leadership, and professionalism. 

Anyone interested in employment as a lifeguard or taking part in the Junior Lifeguard Camps, should contact Jeremy Howell at jhowell@cityofcumming.net or (770) 781-1781, or click here for more information. For Cumming Aquatic Center hours and prices, click here.  
 
Council Honors Several Groups During April Meeting
Mayor Ford Gravitt and City Council approved proclamations recognizing the importance of Garden Week, April 16-22; Confederate History & Heritage Month in April; and Safe Boating Week, May 21-28. Representatives of the Cumming Garden Club, the Col. Hiram Parks Bell Chapter of the Sons & Daughters of the Confederacy, and of the U.S. Cost Guard Auxiliary on Lake Lanier accepted the respective proclamations. 


From left: Cumming Garden Club, Col. Hiram Parks Bell Sons & Daughters of the Confederacy, and U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary at Lake Lanier receive their respective proclamations

In other business during the April City Council meeting, Council:

  • Approved submitting a revised draft of the City's Comprehensive Plan Update to regional and state entities. Scott Morgan, Planning & Zoning Director, presented the latest draft and requested permission to send it to the Georgia Department of Community Development and the Georgia Mountains Regional Commission for review and feedback. "This draft reflects about 17 changes made by the steering committee," Morgan said. Mayor and council also held a called work session on April 11 to discuss the document. 
  • Approved submitting the 2016 Financial Audit Report to the state for review and approval. Charles Cole, an independent auditor who prepared the audit, thanked staff for their assistance during the process. Cole reported that the City of Cumming is in good financial standing. 
  • Voted to allow Moreland Altobelli, a contract engineering firm, to negotiate a widening project on Brooks Farm Drive since all the bids for the project came back well above the estimated budget for the project. 
  • Approved a conditional use permit for a drug treatment center. The original permit was approved for a medical office in 2014, but the office has been operating as a drug treatment center for some time with no issues or concerns from neighbors. 
  • Approved a transfer of alcohol license for J Buffalo Wings since the business is now under new ownership.
  • Tabled a vote on a Master Right of Way License Agreement, which would govern the installation of devices that amplify data for cell phone carriers. Council requested that staff bring back more information about the topic at a later date.
  • Voted to retract a bid request for a Brooks Farm Drive waterline installation because additional development in the area could lead to specification changes. 
  • Approved a Soil Erosion Sediment Ordinance, a requirement of the Georgia Environmental Protection Division (EPD). 
  • Approved three vehicle purchases for the Utilities Department. The lowest bid for each came from Chestatee Ford. 
  • Approved the low bid from North Georgia Pipeline for installation of a sewer line outfall at Haw Creek. 
  • Approved a request from Northside Hospital-Forsyth to relocate a force main to better accommodate construction of new office medical office buildings. 
  • Following Executive Session, Council voted to begin condemnation proceedings of a sewer line at 133 Atlanta Hwy. and of the Habersham Wastewater Treatment Facility, including its 11 acres and two pumping stations. 
 
Click here for meeting videos.
 
Mayor H. Ford Gravitt and City Council members Christopher Light, Quincy Holton and Linda Ledbetter join BMC, Forsyth County, and Cumming-Forsyth Chamber of Commerce leaders for the BMC ribbon cutting.
City Welcomes New Business
Mayor H. Ford Gravitt, members of Cumming City Council, and City staff members joined leaders of BMC on Tuesday, April 25 for a ribbon cutting and grand opening event of the business' new Cumming location on Castleberry Road. BMC recently acquired a 15-acre property that had been vacant for some time. The company brings a $10 million capital investment to the community, and currently provides 25 jobs with plans to increase that number to around 60 over the next 12 months. BMC is one of the nation's leading providers of diversified building products and services for professional builders and contractors in the residential housing market. BMC has sites in 17 states, primarily in the South and West, and its corporate headquarters is located in Atlanta. BMC has a total of 14 locations throughout Georgia. The Cumming location, BMC's eighth site in Metro Atlanta, is home to BMC's second engineered wood products saw in the metro area and will focus on cutting and distributing those products. 
2017 Taste of Forsyth a Success
Thousands of people turned out to enjoy Taste of Forsyth again this year at the Cumming Fairgrounds' covered arena. The event, which was held April 15, drew around 10,000 attendees and more than 25 restaurants and vendors. 

Congratulations to the following restaurants who were honored with awards during the event's contest:  
  • Best Entree - Shrimp & Grits from Tam's Tupelo 
  • Best Appetizer - Thai Chicken Skewers from Village Tavern
  • Best Dessert - Coconut Cake from Marie's Italian Deli 
  • Best Presentation - Nothing Bundt Cakes 
  • Best Decorated Tent - Panera Bread 
Other highlights of the event included live music, a kids' zone with plenty of games and activities for young patrons, and three age-specific Easter egg hunts in which approximately 4,000 children picked up some 10,000 candy-stuffed eggs. 
May is VFW Buddy Poppy Month 
Mayor H. Ford Gravitt recognized members of Cumming VFW Post 9143 at City Hall on April 20. Gravitt signed and presented the group with a proclamation noting May as VFW Buddy Poppy Month in the City of Cumming. He also thanked the veterans for their service and encouraged residents to support the VFW during its efforts to raise funds during May. The funds are used to support veterans hospitals and other veteran causes. VFW Post 9143 will be handing out the red poppies and accepting donations during the City's Memorial Day Ceremonies at 11 a.m. on May 26. 
Expanded Fitness Offerings Now Available
The City of Cumming Recreation & Parks Department is now offering an expanded line-up of adult fitness classes at the City Park Recreation Building, 437 Pilgrim Mill Road. Among the offerings are: Zumba and Zumba Step; Boot Camp; H.I.T.T. (High-Intensity Timed Intervals); BootyBarre and StepSculpt; Yoga and Flat Belly Pilates; and Hula Hoop Fitness. All fitness classes are offered through a FitPass program, where patrons enjoy the flexibility of "pay-as-you-go" rather than a contract or set schedule of classes. With the FitPass, patrons pay for a certain number of classes and can come to any class at any time.   Click here to view the 2017 Summer City Recreation and Parks Brochure, which includes more information about the FitPass and all classes offered. 
Free Septic Tank Maintenance Workshop on May 25
Cumming Utilities, in conjunction with the Forsyth County Health Department, will present a free Septic Tank Maintenance Workshop on Thursday, May 25 at 2 p.m. in the first-floor meeting room of Cumming City Hall, 100 Main Street. Reference materials will be available, and questions regarding the topic and related issues will be addressed. While the workshop is free, those interested in attending should RSVP to Cumming Utilities at (770) 781-2020 or email timgarrett@cityofcumming.net.  
Reminder: Despite Recent Rain, Drought Conditions Continue 
While  we have had several wet days the past few weeks, Cumming and Forsyth County, along with most of Metro Atlanta, remain under a Level 2 Drought Response category by the Environmental Protection Division. This category means that outdoor watering is limited and, in some cases, not permitted. Please observe the water restriction guidelines to help preserve valuable water resources!   

Click here to view all drought regulations
Coming Soon
 
To the Cumming Playhouse
  • Farr and Friends with Special Guest, The Local Legend (Blues and Southern Rock Music) - 8 p.m. May 5 and 6. 
  • Chuck Wagon Gang 2017 (Grassroots Gospel Music) - 3 p.m. and 8 p.m. May 7. 
  • The Mood Swingers 2017 - 8 p.m. May 19 and 20, 3 p.m. May 21. 
  • "Red, Hot and Cole: The Musical" (A tribute to the music of Cole Porter) - June 1-18; 8 p.m. Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and 3 p.m. Sundays 
 

To the Cumming Fairgrounds

 

  • Relay for Life (American Cancer Society fundraiser) - 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. May 5
  • Keep Forsyth County Beautiful's Electronics & Paint Recycling Event - 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. May 20 
  • Forsyth Central High School Graduation - 10 a.m. May 27

 

Click here for calendar.

 

Holiday Closure

 

  • All City of Cumming offices (with the exception of the Police Department and Aquatic Center) will be closed Monday, May 29 in observance of Memorial Day. 

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

All 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. Click here for previous meeting videos. 

 

Please join the City of Cumming in honoring our veterans, particularly those no longer with us, during the City's Annual Memorial Day Ceremonies on Friday, May 26 at 11 a.m. at the Veterans War Memorial, 301 Veterans Memorial Blvd. (next door to the Cumming Police Department). It is always a very moving event. 

 

Sincerely,   
City of Cumming
Division of Public Information