Acting Chief of Police David Bertrand joined the Sandy Springs Police Department in June of 2006 following his retirement from the DeKalb County Police Department. Bertrand spent 20 years on the force in DeKalb and retired as a Lieutenant. He began his law enforcement career after completing four years in the United States Marine Corp and finishing with a rank of Sergeant. "Major Bertrand is qualified and capable of leading our Police Department," said City Manager John McDonough. "He will ensure a continued high level of service to our community." Click here for Chief David Bertrand's full bio.

Sandy Springs has joined together with Roswell and Alpharetta with the goal of implementing a cross-jurisdictional Advanced Transportation Management System (ATMS) to improve the operations of the State Route 9 corridor from the southern border of Sandy Springs to the Forsyth County line. URS, the consulting firm, has started the concept phase and the first task will be to prepare a Concept of Operations, which will document the roles and responsibilities of each agency in managing the corridor. Essentially, the Concept of Operations will outline who does what, when and where, as well as demonstrate how technology can be used and shared by the agencies to better manage the corridor, and ultimately reduce the delays and improve the overall efficiency of State Route 9 within the project limits. 

The 2008 Local Assistance Road Program and the 2009 Capital Paving Program have been approved by the City Council.

 

The Local Assistance Road Program (LARP) is a resurfacing program designed by the Georgia Department of Transportation to help local governments preserve the integrity of their paved road systems. GDOT contributes some funds to be used by local governments for resurfacing.  

 

The 2009 Capital Paving Program Contract will provide the ability to perform all of the subsurface, resurfacing, striping and related work on approved streets. The 2008 Capital Paving Program addressed the highest priority collector and arterial roads within the City. The 2009 Capital Paving Program will continue to ensure that the remaining high priority collectors and arterials are addressed so they do not deteriorate to a condition where they need reconstruction.

 

For more information and to view which streets are named in the above projects, visit the City of Sandy Springs Public Works page.

Registration has begun for the upcoming Hammond Park fall programs. A recreational soccer league, karate, artsy smartsy, cheerleading, gymnastics, ballet, tap dancing and drama classes are among some of the programs available for youth.  Volleyball clinics and leagues, pilates, belly dancing and yoga classes are available for adults.  Visit the Recreation and Parks Department page for additional information, or call 404-252-6310.

MORGAN FALLS BALL FIELDS: Southeast Electric will be working to install new poles and lighting for the ball fields. This project is scheduled for an October completion date.

 

DOG PARK: The area for the new Dog Park has been cleared and outfitted with erosion control materials. All permits are currently in place for work to continue.

 

RIVER PARK: Recent work at the River Park includes bulldozing and filling uneven areas, installing directional signs, placement of trash receptacles and posting of park rules. Planning will continue as we work through the contracting process.

 

SANDY SPRINGS TENNIS CENTER: The Tennis Center is currently 75 percent through its renovation. Within the next month, the center should receive new gutters, ground cover in the parking lot, a new registration counter, new signage, new carpet and the relocation of two walls in the Pro Shop.

 

For more information on these and other projects, please visit the City's Recreation and Parks web page.

The project to construct sidewalks on both sides of River Valley Road from Riverside Drive to Amberidge Trail is being advertised for bids.  Bid opening is scheduled for August 8, 2008.

This year's Sandy Springs Festival will be held September 20-21, 2008. Now in its 23rd year, the two-day event features live entertainment, children's rides, heritage education, artists market, collector car show, food court and more! The event kicks off with a 10K road race, which is a Peachtree Road Race qualifier. The Sandy Springs Festival supports the mission and activities of Heritage Sandy Springs by fostering a community-wide tradition. For more information, visit the Festival Web site www.sandyspringsfestival.com, contact the Festival staff at 404-851-1328 or email at info@sandyspringsfestival.com.

Tina Turtle is being donated to Fire Station 3 by the Episcopal Church of the Atonement. She should be in place by early August. Thanks to the communicants of the Church for remembering our fire station and donating this beautiful addition.

The City of Sandy Springs and Target have teamed up for the 25th Annual National Night Out (NNO) in an effort to create a safer and healthier community. A children's celebration (ages 14 and younger) will be held on Tuesday, August 5, 2008, from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. at Target at 235 Johnson Ferry Circle (at the corner of Sandy Springs Circle). The event will include car seat safety checks; information on how to sign up for or start a Neighborhood Watch program; the Fire Safety House, which provides a hands-on learning environment; fire trucks and police cars; meeting police officers and firefighters; and information on how to be safe in an emergency. Click here for more information.

Leadership Sandy Springs presents a family-oriented outdoor movie series serving the Sandy Springs community. The movies are free and take place in the heart of Sandy Springs on the terraced lawn of Sandy Springs United Methodist Church's Hitson Activity Center. Food, concessions and local entertainment are offered before each movie, beginning at dusk. Guests are encouraged to bring their own lawn chairs and blankets to sit on the lawn. The 2008 Movie Nights are: September 6th - Nim's Island; September 13th - Bee Movie; and September 27th - Evan Almighty.