Campground Road extension moves forward

The Henry County Board of Commissioners added nearly $3 million to the budget for the Campground Road extension project and approved a $13.3 million construction bid recently.

It has been 15 years since the project first was placed on the drawing board. The original budget of $5.3 million has increased significantly because of the time that has lapsed, according to county staff. The board approved a $2.9 million budget amendment for utility relocation and construction, transferring funds from other SPLOST projects that are either already completed or put on hold.

The road extension was placed on the back burner several years ago when SPLOST collections fell far short of expectations and repeated efforts to coordinate with the Georgia Department of Transportation as well as Norfolk Southern on a bridge over the railroad tracks also lengthened the time required to get the project moving. The original scope of work has not changed, according to county staff.

Names approved for new facilities

The Henry County Board of Commissioners approved two separate resolutions at its most recent regular meeting involving names for new county facilities. The new park in the Fairview area, at 750 Fairview Road, will be called Village Park at North Henry and officially opened Mar. 16 with a ribbon cutting.

The new senior and recreation center at 56 McDonough Street in Hampton will be known as Bear Creek Senior Center and Recreation Center. Construction is nearly complete and it is expected to open near the end of April. Both projects were approved by voters under the most recent SPLOST referendum.

Information: www.henrycounty-ga.org

Surplus items up for auction

Surplus items from the City of Fayetteville are being auctioned online until March 22. Among the listings posted at www.govdeals. com are Dodge Charger and Ford Crown Victoria police vehicles, a confiscated Dodge Intrepid, and four Canon copy machines.

Bidders must register on the website; payment options include wire transfers, PayPal and credit cards (with certain restrictions). Buyers assume responsibility for pickup or shipping.

Information: 770-464-4441 or mwhitlow@fayetteville-ga.gov.

St. Patrick’s Day Street Party by the Jonesboro Main Street Advisory Board. 5-7 p.m. tonight. Free. Main Street between West Mill Street and College Street, Jonesboro. Find the “pots of gold” hidden in the downtown district for two participants to win prizes. Food, games, face painting and music. Register: eventbrite.com/e/ st-patricks-day-street-party-tickets-32635513700. events@JonesboroGa.com.

Stockbridge Senior Citizen Fun Day. 2-5 p.m. March 22. Ted Strickland Community Center, 130 North Berry St., Stockbridge. LaKeisha Gantt at 678-215-9787 or lgantt@CityOfStockbridge-ga.gov.

Educator retiring after 28 years in school district

After 28 years with City Schools Decatur, former teacher and Principal Mary Mack said this week she’s retiring effective June 30.

Last month Superintendent David Dude outlined a dramatic reorganization of CSD’s administration, and Mack is the second veteran staffer since to announce retirement. Longtime Athletics Director Carter Wilson is also retiring on the same day. But both Wilson and Mack had contemplated retirement for several years, and Wilson had even been part-time since 2014.

“I’ve been to the retirement office three times and changed my mind each time,” Mack said. “Now I think I’m ready to go home and watch ‘The Andy Griffith Show.’ “

Mack, 62, has actually been in education, by her count, 41.46 years. Beginning in 1976 she taught elementary and middle school for 13 years in Jenkins County. She came to Decatur in 1989 and taught two years at the old Fifth Avenue Elementary.

After taking a year off, she became Oakhurst Elementary principal in 1992 when that school had barely over 100 students. (It has 460 today).

Mack was promoted to director of elementary education in 2013 by former Superintendent Phyllis Edwards, one of four superintendents she has served under.