Project 52's Passion for Service Shines in Walker County
A partnership between Walker County Government and Project 52 (P52) continues to produce positive outcomes for the county, the non-profit organization and the residents being served.
In 2017, Walker County refocused efforts to enforce existing property maintenance codes. Code Enforcement officers found 1,469 violations dealing with things like trash, debris and overgrowth. Some of those infractions occurred at property owned by residents unable to comply due to physical or financial difficulties.
Walker County code enforcement officers reached out to P52, which led to an amazing partnership to clean-up and beautify property. If a code enforcement officer encounters someone in need of assistance, the county refers them to P52. The non-profit organization sits down with the resident and reviews their circumstances, before deciding if they can help.
Despite the pandemic, P52 continued to serve in 2020. Volunteers worked in smaller groups to help 12 Walker County residents bring their property up to code.
Over the past four years, more than 2,000 volunteers have donated their time to help clean-up 88 properties in Walker County. These volunteers have removed more than 225 tons (451,940 pounds) of debris. While there is no cost to residents for the help provided by P52, the disposal of all the materials removed is valued at $25,868.
The Board of Commissioner recognized P52 at their April 22, 2021 meeting with a Proclamation of Appreciation.
Let's Put a Lid on Litter
In light of Earth Day being this week, let’s talk about litter for a moment.
Since 2017, our litter crew has picked up more than 580,000 pounds of roadside trash! Despite the pandemic, 2020 was a record year for litter pick-up and 2021 is currently on pace to be even worse.
Check out this video featuring some of your friends and neighbors. Take pride in where you live and let’s put a lid on litter!
Board of Commissioner Meeting Minutes for April
The Walker County Board of Commissioners tackled several topics during its meetings in April. Action taken includes:
Approval of purchase orders to fix electrical issues at the Rossville Athletic Center, water improvements at the Armuchee Community Center, trucks with snow plows for Public Works and turnout gear for Walker County Fire Rescue
The Board meets again on Thursday, May 13 at 7:00 p.m. at the Walker County Courthouse Annex III building, located at 201 S Main Street in LaFayette. You can watch a livestream of the meeting on the county's Facebook page. Video archives of all meetings are kept on the county's Youtube channel.
Low Cost Rabies Clinics Planned in May
Walker County Extension and your local veterinarian have teamed up to provide low cost rabies clinics in 2021. Drive through service will once again be offered this year due to COVID-19.
Protect your family from rabies by bringing your dog and/or cat to one of the locations listed below to be vaccinated. The cost is just $15, cash only. Vets will provide a certificate and tag. Please note, although alker County allows pets to be vaccinated using the three-year shot, this clinic will be offering the one-year vaccine.
Saturday, May 8:
Time
Location
1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Gilbert Elementary
2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Lookout Baptist Church (8645 Hwy 193, Chickamauga)
4:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Chattanooga Valley Elementary
Saturday, May 15:
Time
Location
1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Gordon Lee High School
3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Naomi Elementary
4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Rock Spring Elementary
COVID-19 Vaccination Station Stays Busy
The Catoosa-Dade-Walker Vaccination Station at the Colonnade continues to administer COVID-19 vaccines.
While dates and times vary each week, the process of registering for a vaccine does not. Visit this link to see available appointment times. Before you register, you can see which vaccine, Pfizer or Moderna, is available for each day. Once you sign up, head to the Colonnade on your designated date/time to get vaccinated. Drive-through vaccination takes about 30 minutes.
New Firefighters Join the Ranks
The first Walker County Fire Rescue class of 2021 graduated in April after completing 344 hours of training!
Congratulations to this exceptional group of firefighters who are now on the frontlines serving our community.
Paving & Mowing Season Begins
The contractor working on the county's TSPLOST funded road paving projects wrapped up the 2020 road resurfacing list this month. The last road to be completed was the section of Happy Valley Road to James Street in Rossville.
Motorist trying to access Stone Creek Elementary School will notice the addition of a new turn lane, which will be striped soon.
The contractor plans to get started on the 2021 TSPLOST project list in May, which calls for 52 miles of roads in unincorporated Walker County to be resurfaced this year. By the end of 2021, 117 miles of roads will have been resurfaced over the past four years.
Meanwhile, thanks to equipment upgrades, loosening COVID-19 restrictions and more cooperative weather this spring, all of the county's mowing crews have been out cutting grass for the past two week. Mowing crews work in four zones and will start a second cut once the first loop around the zone has been completed.
Fast Fact: There are 674 miles of roads in unincorporated Walker County.
Walker County Document Database Updated
Agenda packets for Walker County Government meetings dating back to 2011 are now available through the county's Municode database.
Agenda packets include minutes from the meetings, along with important documents like contracts, resolutions and ordinances.
The easiest way to access the database is through walkercountyga.gov. Just click on the "Municode" image on the homepage.
Seasonal Burn Ban Returns May 1
Open burning is not allowed in Walker County from May 1st to September 30th per Georgia EPD. Air quality can deteriorate during warm weather months due to the formation of ground-level ozone. The seasonal burn ban reduces ozone by prohibiting open burning activities.
It is unlawful in Georgia to burn man made materials such as tires, shingles, plastics, treated lumber or household garbage, even in a burn barrel. Brush up on the burning rules here.
Walker County Tax Sale on May 4
The next Walker County delinquent tax sale will be held on Tuesday, May 4, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. outside of the courthouse in LaFayette.
A list of properties to be sold is available on the Walker County Tax Commissioner's website along with guidelines to participate. The legal axiom of caveat emptor or "buyer beware" applies to tax sales (O.C.G.A. 9-13-167).
Walker County Farmers Market Returns May 8
The Walker County Farmers Market, previously known as the Battlefield Farmers Market, returns for a new season on May 8.
The market will be available at the Walker County Ag Center every Saturday from 8:00 a.m. to noon and Wednesdays from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. through September.
The Walker County Farmers Market is now part of the Georgia Fresh for Less program, which provides those on SNAP with the ability to spend $2 for every EBT dollar on their SNAP card.
The contractor plans to get started on the 2021 TSPLOST project list in May, which calls for 52 miles of roads in unincorporated Walker County to be resurfaced this year. By the end of 2021, 117 miles of roads will have been resurfaced over the past four years.
