City helping churches, schools, families

Many Austell families in need should have a merrier Christmas with the Austell City Council’s approval on Nov. 5 of $97,700.

The money comes from interest earned on the city’s $5 million Norfolk Southern railroad settlement when the Austell intermodal facility was constructed at U.S. 278 and 6000 Dr. Luke Glenn Garrett, Jr. Memorial Highway. Expenditures will be:

■ $1,000 each to 21 Austell area churches.

■ $3,000 each for six Austell schools to spend $300 each on 10 families chosen by school officials.

■ $300 will go to each of seven Austell families chosen by Council and to 10 Austell families chosen by board members of theAustell Area Community Improvement Commission, or AACIC, which recommends to the Council uses for the interest fund.

■ $2,500 for the Garrett Middle School truancy program formed by Austell Mayor Joe Jerkins to help meet basic needs of students and their families to encourage these students to stay in school.

■ $2,500 to Austell Elementary School for such costs as student lunches and field trips.

■ $1,000 each to six Austell schools to use at their discretion.

■ $20,000 for Christmas bonuses to Austell employees.

■ $4,000 for Humphries Hill Cemetery.

■ $18,600 for Austell (Rosehill) Cemetery.