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Since last month's
introduction of Everyday Angels (formerly called Unanswered
Prayers), our phone has been ringing off the hook! Many folks have taken
the time to call on behalf of friends who suddenly are in need of assistance
from others. Thank you!
We recently identified a specific need of
a local entrepreneur (early 40's) who was recently diagnosed with lung
cancer. After the news, he immediately turned to friends for assistance
in running his business; however, without sufficient health insurance,
he is now in a situation that he never imagined. He is currently undergoing
radiation treatment to prepare him for surgery in the upcoming months.
After speaking with this humble man, his
response is similar to what you'd imagine, "It has been a terrible blow
- something that I never thought would happen to me!" While news of this
nature tends to put everything into perspective, it does not mean that
bills stop and the mortgage does not have to be paid. Consequently, they
are forced to juggle their bills monthly.
Their immediate need is to pay a past due
utility bill. So, Everyday Angels has taken care of this bill for them.
While our maximum contribution today is $300 per recipient, he agrees
that it is indeed a great help to his family!
Ironically, this individual has always been
a giver - not a receiver! He has done things in our community to assist
disabled and handicapped children and has delivered propane to the elderly
during the winter months. It is TRUE when they say it all comes back around!
We wish this man and his family strength and success in his battle ahead
and continued blessings!
We were recently informed of five families
in Cherokee who are in need for assistance in relocating their homes (mobile).
The land has been sold for development and they are forced to relocate
several miles down the road. Some are elderly and disabled on a fixed
income and the expense associated with this type of move will be impossible
before the November deadline. If anyone has suggestions or would like
to contribute to their need, contact Everyday Angels.
Please call us at (770) 517-8210, ext. 580
for more information, to contribute or to notify us of someone in need.
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Once upon a time the
business and political communities conceived of the Outer Perimeter superhighway
encircling Atlanta at a 40-mile radius. Counties vied for the first leg
of construction. In time, the Outer Perimeter as a whole was indefinitely
"shelved," and only the Northern Arc, the segment from SR411 just west
of I-75 in Cartersville to GA316 just east of I-85 in Gwinnett County
was left on the drawing board. State and federal studies were completed
for the half of the Arc east of GA400, and in 1997 the studies began on
the western segment of the Northern Arc Corridor.
As I came into office in January 1999, I
was invited to be a member of the Corridor Resource Group (CRG), a citizens
group required by federal law to provide direction and feedback to the
Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) consultants as they justified
the western segment's construction in a Major Investment Study (MIS).
The MIS was completed in December 1999, and
in February of 2001 the federally mandated Environmental Impact Study
(EIS) was initiated. During this year, many field studies were carried
out to ascertain the extent of wetlands, streams, threatened and endangered
species, historical and archaeological sites, public buildings, hazardous
waste sites, cemeteries, residential areas, etc. On September 13, the
CRG met to hear the results of the research on the 50 mile corridor stretching
from the middle of Forsyth County to the middle of Bartow County, bisecting
Cherokee County.
The Northern Arc is now defined as a four
lane divided highway. The median and four lanes will provide a cross-section
totaling 400 feet, and 300 feet of highway right-of-way will be purchased
on each side of the roadway, for a total "road width" of 1,000 feet. The
decision about whether or not the road will be a toll road will be determined
at a later phase, as will the number of interchanges. The three certain
interchanges will be at I-85, GA400, and I-75. The additional four may
occur at Highway 41 in Bartow, GA108 in western Cherokee, and both GA20
and GA372 in eastern Cherokee.
There are still two routes, which diverge
mainly within our county. Earlier dubbed the light and dark green routes,
they are now renamed: the northern route is Orange, and the southern route
is Yellow.
Construction will be in four phases. First,
the earlier-approved eastern half from GA400 to GA316 in Gwinnett, then
from the western terminus in Bartow to the Cherokee line, next eastward
to I-575, and last, from I-575 eastward to GA400 in Forsyth. The eastern
Cherokee segment has an anticipated construction start date of December
2009.
There will be several mandated public hearings
on this project during the next 18 months. After October 1, you can access
GDOT's maps and information online at www.northernarc.com.
I remain steadfastly opposed to the Northern
Arc west of GA400. I stay deeply involved in the CRG, in order to steer
the road for least damage to our beautiful county and eroding quality
of life. I also participate passionately in opposing the road. If you
want to join me in the fight, or keep up with articles and issues about
the road and opposition to it, access www.stopthenorthernarc.com. If you
want more information from the CRG, call me at (770) 720-6339 or email
me at emily@co.cherokee.ga.us.
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