Veterans Day is a day to honor ALL American veterans and is intended to thank them for their dedicated and loyal service to our country. On November 11, 2010, the City of Sandy Springs will celebrate our veterans. The City will host our inaugural Veterans Day Ceremony at 2:00 p.m. at Morgan Falls Overlook Park (220 Morgan Falls Road). The keynote address will be given by Lt. Gen. R. Steven Whitcomb (Ret.), who served in many capacities during his 30-year career with the US Army. Most recently, Lt. Gen. Whitcomb was appointed as the 63rd Inspector General of the Army, a post he retired from in August of this year. The celebration also will include the posting of the colors, a military band and a salute to veterans, among other things. Parking is provided at North Springs United Methodist Church on the corner of Roswell and Morgan Falls Roads. There will be no onsite parking. The shuttles start at noon. If you need special assistance to the event, please call Erika Sherman at 770-206-2019. If you are a veteran, we want to honor you. There is still time to register through November 2nd.

Code Enforcement Officers have investigated more than 10,000 cases since the City's inception on December 1, 2005. Effective use of code enforcement has been the key technique to a successful program.

Recognized for their techniques, many neighboring cities have called on the enforcement expertise of this division to advise and direct their efforts for their toughest compliance issues. As a trendsetter in the state, and nominated for several industry-related awards, the Sandy Springs Code Enforcement team continues to bring a sense of fair but firm enforcement to businesses and residents of this community. 

The Code Enforcement Division is responsible for enforcing ordinances set forth by the Mayor and City Council. Conditions such as property standards, junk vehicles, trash, illegal dumping, overgrown properties, outdoor storage, businesses being operated out of the home, signs, building code violations or constructing without an approved permit. Code Enforcement has also kept Sandy Springs' neighborhoods and commercial properties free of unsightly or hazardous conditions, and has prevented the deterioration of the community by pioneering such programs as the Apartment Inspection program, the Vacant Property Enforcement Program and the Service Station Sweep program.

The City of Sandy Springs started work on utility relocations in preparation for two transportation construction projects. These projects will improve traffic flow along Dunwoody Place and the Peachtree Dunwoody Road at Spalding Drive intersection. Additionally, new sidewalks will be added or sidewalks will be reconstructed on both sides of the roadway along each project corridor.

The Dunwoody Place widening project begins from just before Northridge Parkway, through the Hightower Trail intersection and ends at Roberts Drive for a total project length of approximately 0.35 miles. The project will add an additional northbound travel lane to complete a continuous four-lane roadway. Also planned are the additions of left turn lanes on Hightower Trail and Roberts Drive. Construction will be completed in approximately six to nine months, weather permitting.

The Peactree Dunwoody Road at Spalding Drive intersection improvement project will consist of signal upgrades and the construction of an eastbound right-turn lane along Spalding Drive and will lengthen the existing westbound left-turn lane. The project will also construct a left-turn lane, a shared left-turn/through lane and a right-turn lane on Peachtree Dunwoody Road. Overhead utilities will be relocated underground. The completion time is four months, weather permitting. Once the utility relocations are complete, construction will begin on the turn lanes and through lane. Construction is estimated to take six months.

Frequent lane closures will be put in place throughout construction of these projects, and the City urges travelers to slow down and use extreme caution in the work zone areas. To view the new configurations of the construction projects, please visit  the Sandy Springs Capital Improvement Projects webpages T-0025 and T0026. For more information, please call the Citizen Response Center at 770-730-5600. To stay up-to-date and current on traffic alerts in Sandy Springs, follow us on the Traffic Alerts Twitter feed @SSGA_Traffic.

Abernathy Greenway Park Phase 3 construction will begin in early November. The City has selected Knight & Associates for the construction. The work will occur on the north and south side of Abernathy Road, from the back of the shopping centers along Roswell Road, west to Brandon Mill Road. On both the north and south boundaries, a security fence will be constructed. On the north side, clearing of undesirable brush and damaged trees will occur as will planting of significant vegetation to provide screening from the adjacent neighborhoods and the initial vegetation for the park. Many existing trees will be protected and will remain as part of the future park. Additionally, grading will be completed on the north side according to the master plan and prepare the sites for future structures. Stormwater infrastructure and limited walls will be constructed. This project should be completed in less than six months with acceptable weather.

Nominations are due on December 3, 2010, for the Sandy Springs Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Humanitarian Award. The award will go to a person distinguished for humanitarian contributions to society in his or her business, profession, volunteerism or philanthropic life's work. Individuals may nominate a living resident of Sandy Springs who instills pride within the community and inspires others. Each nominee must have been a resident of Sandy Springs for the past three years or longer and should embody the spirit and philosophy of Dr. King. Current Sandy Springs staff and elected officials are not eligible.

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GEORGIA SPECIAL OLYMPICS BOCCE EVENT - The City of Sandy Springs Recreation and Parks Department, in cooperation with Special Olympics, will host a bocce competitive event for local special needs youth.  The bocce games will include several divisions and conclude with an awards ceremony. There is no need to register for this event and it is open to the public. Call 770-206-2035 for more information.


THANKSGIVING GYMNASTICS CAMP - Due to popular demand, the Sandy Springs Thanksgiving Gymnastics Camp is back this year.


PARENTS NIGHT OUT - Let the Hammond Park Gymnastics coaches look after your child  while you spend a fun Friday night on the town. The kids will play gymnastics games, eat pizza and have fun with their friends! To register, e-mail Kristi Cassell or call her at 404-734-3040 by Monday, November 8, 2010. Hurry...space is limited. Sponsored by City of Sandy Springs Hammond Stars Booster Club.

Registration for programs is available online via Activenet, or call (770) 206-2035 for further information.