Hall Co. Administrator Randy Knighton shares Organizational Values
 Late last year, Hall County Government began the process of identifying several organizational values to serve as a tool for guiding the organization into the future. Feedback was solicited from employees via email, asking them to thoughtfully consider the following questions and respond if they wanted to be included in the process:
Why do you come to work each morning?
Where do you dream Hall County Government to be in 5-10 years?
What positive attributes do you see in Hall County Government that makes us a great organization?
What differentiates Hall County from other organizations?
What values do we truly and passionately hold?
Using the responses generated from employee surveys, the following organizational values surfaced:
Serving Citizens- We will always highly value the citizens we serve as the object of our continual focus on services. We will support the advancement of professionalism to our citizens and within the organization by our conduct, speech, demeanor and decision making.
Enhancing Community- We will pursue innovative and creative means of advancing the organization forward to meet the expectations of growth and economic development opportunities in the future.
Responsible Stewardship- We will exhibit the highest level of stewardship to the citizens we serve, recognizing we are ultimately accountable to the public for our actions and duties.
Valuing Transparency- We will maintain openness and transparency as a basic tenet of our organizational structure. We will adhere to the highest level of ethical standards in the execution of our duties and responsibilities.
Efficient Cooperation- We will respect each member of staff as a necessary and vital member of the organization, recognizing the importance of the unique gifts, abilities, experiences and talents which are integral to the organization reaching its maximum potential; in order to best serve the citizens of Hall County.
These values can be easily remembered by the first letter of each phrase, which spells out the word
SERVE. These values will be fully integrated into the fabric of our everyday decision-making and service to citizens. As County staff, we will encourage the adherence to these values within our departments and throughout the entire County organization.
You may notice these values placed in prominent locations within County facilities. These will serve as a visible reminder to us all of who we are as an organization.
We are truly honored to
SERVE you each and every day.
Sincerely,
Randy Knighton
Hall County Administrator
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Hall Co. team qualifies for national firefighter competition
 Five members of Hall County Fire Services have qualified for the U.S. Nationals Scott Firefighter Combat Challenge in October. Sgt. B.J. Williams, Firefighter/EMT Adrian Hamilton, Sgt. Seth Satterfield, Firefighter/EMT Kevin Anderson and Chief Rob Sanders (all pictured right) qualified for the national competition, which will be held in Farmers Branch, Texas, during a local Firefighter Combat Challenge held in Hall County in August. Meanwhile, Hall County Fire Services placed third in the team event at last month's competition. In addition, Sgt. Seth Satterfield was awarded the Firefighter Combat Challenge Greenhorn Award for being the newest, fastest individual male competitor.
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Recycling Recognition
Hall County Government's Resource Recovery program was named Outstanding Government Recycling Leader in the state for 2015 by the Georgia Recycling Coalition. Hall County's Resource Recovery Division was selected out of 56 eligible local government or community programs for the award. Read more here.
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Hall Co. warden published in ACCG magazine
The warden of the Hall County Correctional Institution has been published in the latest edition of GA County Government Magazine.
Warden Walt Davis' article highlight's Hall County's Reentry Accountability Court Transition (REACT) program. Davis' article will appear in the Fall 2015 issue of the magazine, which will be available here in coming days.
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Tax kiosk open for business
The Hall County Tax Commissioner's Office, in cooperation with the Hall County Board of Commissioners and Hall County Parks & Leisure, hosted a ribbon cutting ceremony for the new tax kiosk at North Hall Community Center on Aug. 19. The kiosk allows citizens to complete their motor vehicle transactions quickly and securely without traveling to the Hall County Government Center on Browns Bridge Road. Read more here.
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News from Hall Co. Public Works
Hall County's Public Works Department has been experiencing a lot of activity lately. At the Gateway Industrial Park along Ga. 365, sewer pumps are being turned on for the sewer project Hall County has overseen in that area. Kubota will also hold a groundbreaking at the industrial park on Sept. 21. Find out more about Hall County Public Works here.
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Learning trail coming to Laurel Park
Children will have a fun, new way to learn while exploring one of Hall County's parks. The Hall County Board of Commissioners voted last month to sign a Memorandum of Understanding with United Way of Hall County for the installation of a "Born Learning" trail at Laurel Park. The trail will be installed along an existing sidewalk at the park and will feature signs that suggest educational activities children and their caregivers can do together as they walk along the pathway. Read more here.
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Firefighters recognized for promotions at pinning ceremony
 A number of Hall County Fire Services personnel were recognized for promotions recently at a pinning ceremony held at the Hall County Government Center. Those being recognized included Deputy Fire Chief Chad Black, Assistant Chief of Operations Rod Wilson, Assistant Chief of Administration Jerry Smith, Battalion Chief of Business Service Christie Grice, Brigade Commanders Al Lovingood, Bryan Cash and Mark Arnold, EMS Coordinator Capt. Kyle Powers, Professional Standards Officer Capt. Zach Brackett, Operational Lieutenants Tony Allen, Chad Dean, Josh Moreno, Shane Peck, Tommy Porter and B.J. Williams and Fire Marshal's Office Lieutenants Michael Viera and J.R. Tucker.
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HELP Program celebrates 10th anniversary
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Judge Kathlene Gosselin, Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle
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Judge Kathlene Gosselin first met "Lucy" in 1990 when she stood in the judge's courtroom charged with simple battery against her mental health workers. Dealing with multiple personality disorder, Lucy had once been a law enforcement officer, but her mental health issues had caused her to become violent--mostly towards herself. Judge Gosselin was frustrated by the lack of assistance available to Lucy and was deeply saddened when she died, alone and sick.
It was the memory of Lucy and so many others like her that prompted Judge Gosselin to do something. In 2005, she took her first participant into the HELP (Health, Empowerment, Linkage, Possibilities) Program, an accountability court program that provides alternatives to incarceration for defendants who are involved in the criminal justice system as a result of their mental health issues. The Program links those individuals to local, community-based treatment resources with the goals of reducing recidivism and helping participants become stable, productive members of society.
On Thursday, July 23, past and present members of the HELP Program team joined stakeholders and other community supporters to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the HELP Program. Held at the Atlanta Botanical Gardens' Gainesville location, the anniversary event was an opportunity to celebrate the Program's 111 graduates, acknowledge the positive efforts being made on behalf of the current participants, thank the long list of supporters, recognize the addition of the track for military veterans, announce how significant cost savings have been realized through the program for taxpayers, and celebrate how far the program has come from vision and inception to a meaningful chance for rehabilitation for those who struggle with mental illness.
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TV-18 preview's next month's Special Olympics
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| | Hall County Connection - Special Olympics Fall Games - September 2015 |
Nearly 2,000 coaches and athletes will travel to this area for the Special Olympics Georgia Fall Games Oct. 9-11. Visitors will spend nearly $500,000 in the community during their stay on lodging, food, and special events. Athletes, families, and spectators will spend at least an additional $150,000 on entertainment and transportation expenses alone. Although the games do make a significant economic impact in our community, it's truly the athletes themselves who make the biggest difference in the lives of those around them. Click here to learn more.
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Hall Co. launches website's mobile app
Hall County Government's updated website can now be viewed with the help of a mobile app, which provides citizens with access to County information and services at their fingertips. With the increased use of mobile devices, the Hall County app is an essential tool for citizen engagement, working seamlessly with Hall County's website to provide users with 24/7 access to their government. Read more here.
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TAVT rates to remain at 7 percent
The Georgia Department of Revenue (DOR) released the Title Ad Valorem Tax (TAVT) Rates for 2016-2018. The TAVT rate will remain at 7 percent through 2018. TAVT is applicable to new vehicle sales and private party (casual sales) each time the vehicle is sold and retitled. TAVT is based on the fair market value of the vehicle as determined by the DOR. Additionally, new residents to Georgia are subject to TAVT. Read more here.
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HCSO car show raises money for Christmas bike program
 The inaugural Hall County Sheriff's Office Show and Shine took place last month with cars, trucks and motorcycles filling the parking lot at Laurel Park to help raise funds for the Hall County Sheriff's Office's Christmas Bicycle Program. In all, close to $10,000 was contributed and will assist in the department's efforts to ensure some needy children in Hall County receive a bike for Christmas. Participants enjoyed door prizes, vending and concessions, music and camaraderie at the first Show and Shine. Read more about the Christmas Bicylce Program.
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More news from the HCSO
 - Hall County Sheriff's Office employees participated in the 2015 National Night Out on the first Tuesday in August. The annual event, held this year at both Cresswind at Lanier and Ridgecrest Apartments, included music, food and an opportunity for public safety officials to share information about staying safe. For more information, click here.
- South Hall residents were invited to a cook-out at the Hall County Sheriff's Office South Precinct last month. Local residents were treated to lunch and a guided tour of the facility, where they were also invited to speak with Sheriff Couch and his staff about issues that are facing that community in particular.
 - Sheriff Gerald Couch was joined by Forsyth County Sheriff Duane K. Piper for Thunder in the Mountains 2015, the annual motorcycle ride and fundraiser for the Georgia Sheriff's Youth Homes.
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Hall Co. Fire Services is making a difference in the community
Hall County Fire Services employees are making a difference in the Hall County community through the organization's Community Risk Reduction program.
 On Aug. 1, Station 15 B-Shift provided water and recreational safety information to families and visitors at Don Carter State Park. In an effort to promote fire safety, the firefighters also distributed fire hats, sticker badges, activity books, pencils and bracelets.  Meanwhile, Station 5 C-Shift delivered school supplies they collected over the summer months to Martin Technology Academy. Fire safety coloring books were also delivered to staff members for the students' use.
On Aug. 7, Station 2 B-Shift conducted a door-to-door smoke alarm check for roughly 20 homes in Clermont. Six new smoke alarms were installed and batteries were replaced as needed.
Station 3 B-Shift used their personal chainsaws and weedeaters to clean up around campsites, the pond and pool area of Camp WOW off Grant Ford Road. The clean-up effort helped prevent visitors from coming into contact with poison ivy, poison oak or other hazardous undergrowth.
 On Aug. 16, Station 1 B-Shift conducted a door-to-door smoke alarm check at Highland Mobile Home Park, where seven smoke alarms were installed and batteries were replaced in six different alarms. Crews also discussed fire safety topics such as "Stop, Drop and Roll" and how to call 911 in case of an emergency.  Station 16 B-Shift has been working with officials at North Hall High School and North Hall Middle School to identify fire evacuation routes and help conduct fire drills. Firefighters were present at the schools for drills at the start of this school year.  On Aug. 16, Station 8 personnel continued work on an ongoing project involving water safety. The crews handed out information to visitors at local parks and marinas regarding water safety and the importance of wearing a life jacket.  Crews at Station 2 A-Shift responded to a tour bus fire on Highway 129 just south of Clermont on Aug. 15, extinguishing the fire, which left the bus out of service. The personnel at Station 2 took it upon themselves to coordinate the use of a nearby community center for the passengers to stay in for six hours until another bus arrived. During this time, the crew played basketball and football with the nearly 30 kids on board. They also contacted Papa's Pizza and facilitated the donation of 12 large pizzas, plates and paper products for the stranded passengers.
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Events:
Hall County Animal Shelter
9/2: Pet therapy at the Hall County Senior Life Center
9/11- 9/12: Adoption event at Petsmart in Flowery Branch from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
9/19: Adoption event at Tractor Supply in Oakwood from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Hall County Board of Commissioners
9/8 and 9/21: Work Session at 3 p.m. in the Commission Meeting Room of the Hall County Government Center, 2875 Browns Bridge Road in Gainesville
9/10 and 9/24: Voting Meeting at 6 p.m. in the Commission Meeting Room of the Hall County Government Center, 2875 Browns Bridge Road in Gainesville
Hall County Planning Commission
9/8 and 9/21: Meeting at 4 p.m. in the Commission Meeting Room of the Hall County Government Center, 2875 Browns Bridge Road in Gainesville
Hall County Board of Assessors
9/2 and 9/16: Meeting at 4 p.m. in the HR Training Room on the second floor of the Hall County Government Center, 2875 Browns Bridge Road in Gainesville
*County Offices closed on Monday, Sept. 7 for the Labor Day holiday
For Hall County Parks & Leisure events, please click here.
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