🌱 City Meets With GDOT + City Online Portal Down + Caregiver Shortage

Hi all. It's me, Jessica Griffin, your host of the Roswell Daily — I'm back in your inbox with all the most important things that are happening locally. Keep scrolling for the scoop...

First, today's weather:

A stray afternoon t-storm. High: 85 Low: 70.

Here's to the wonderful local business who sponsors this newsletter. Check out what they can do for you:

Looking to buy or sell a home in the Roswell area? Roxie and Michael Hernandez of Keller Williams Realty Consultants have been working in real estate in our area since 1995 and are deeply involved in the community, serving on the boards of Foster Care Support, the Roswell First Responder Foundation and Roswell Rotary. Whether you’re relocating, investing, or are a first-time homebuyer, work with deep local expertise you can trust. Visit Roxie and Michael here to learn more.

Click here to get your business featured in this spot.

Here are the top three stories in Roswell today:

1. There was a meeting last week between the GA-DOT and officials from the city of Roswell to discuss the Historic Gateway Project. Mayor Kurt Wilson, city staff, and Councilmembers put forth the city's proposal of changes that should be made to the existing plans for the project. The Historic Gateway Project will widen a section Atlanta Street. The GA-DOT will allow
   the city to submit redesigns to GDOT for the project. However, they offered no guarantee that any changes would be approved. A representative from the Department of Transportation has declined to give reasons for a three-year delay in the start of construction for the project, nor have they confirmed if they would redesign their initial plans for the construction of the project. Mayor Kurt Wilson noted that the City of Roswell had not received any notice of a date that construction would begin.(Paywall: www.ajc.com)
2. The City of Roswell's online services portal will be down for maintenance between August 27 and August 29. The online and telephone payment systems for services such as property tax, utility billing, and permit fee payments will be inaccessible. Online employment applications, the GIS map viewer, and registration for classes/actives with Recreation & Parks will also be affected. The city reminds residents that any payments that are already set-up through auto-pay will not be affected by this scheduled system maintenance.(roswellgov.com)
3. Celeste Chippero is a resident of Roswell and she's speaking up to raise awareness about the lack of programs that support the severely disabled. She is a mother of a son with cerebral palsy, who has been on a waiting list for services for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities for the past five years. The services are provided through a Medicaid program and the waiting list presently contains more than 7,000 people. The state has said that efforts to fund the waiting list has been slowed by a workforce that was strained and overwhelmed even before the pandemic. They are experiencing an extreme shortage of workers that provide these caregiving services. Chippero direly expresses “The greatest fear as a parent: What happens when I’m gone? We need programs that support the severely disabled.” State reps are forming a study committee to look into what needs to be done to avoid this issue and to find the service professionals and caregivers needed to adequately support the severely disabled. (moultrieobserver.com)

Today in Roswell:

• Homeschool Workshop: Firework Science - Discover Science Center (9:30 a.m.)
• Little Leapers - For Kids On The Grow - Skyzone Trampoline Park (10 a.m.)
• Mimosa Hall & Gardens Fourth Friday Outdoor Painting Classes! (10 a.m.)
• Avalon Nights Live - The Avalon (6 p.m.)
• The 77Zeros @ Houck's - Houck's Grill (7 p.m.)
• Varsity Football @Roswell Mayor's Cup (7:30 p.m.)
• Varsity Football vs Centennial - Roswell (7:30 p.m.)
• FCS Football vs Trinity Christian School (7:30 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• Fulton County: Fulton county has added more appointments for the Monkeypox vaccine. The county's vaccination clinic will be open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on August 26. The state of Georgia has reported over 1,200 cases of monkeypox. (cbs46.com)
• City of Roswell: The city's Youth Day Celebration will be held on Saturday, October 8. The parade begins (City of Roswell, Georgia Government via Facebook)
• Fellowship Christian School: The home opening game of the season is today at Bob Lord Field. The Paladins will play against Trinity Christian School. FCS will enter the game with a 0-2 record against Trinity. (fellowshipchristianschool.org)
• The Roswell FD: Crews from Roswell, Johns Creek, and Sandy Springs to discuss their equipment and capabilities. These neighboring jurisdictions work together and assist each other with emergency calls. (facebook.com)
• The Alpharetta American Legion: American Legion Post 201 in Alpharetta gave college scholarships to four students in North Georgia. The scholarships were in the amount of $1,000 were awarded to each recipient. The students represented Jefferson High School, Cambridge High School, North Forsyth High School and Lassiter High School . (appenmedia.com)

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Featured businesses:

• Suwanee Prep Academy of Alpharetta — (Visit website)
• Claire Pearson Coaching — (Visit Website)
• Add your business here

Events:

• 3hr Bachata lesson - Beginner / Beyond Basics Aug 27th (August 27)
• Farm to Temple Farmers Market (August 28)
• 400 Hours of Lux - Grand Opening (September 10)
• 2022 Purple Pansies Annual Gala Pillars of Hope Presented by Kroger (September 18)
• Add your event

Gigs & services:

• Masonry work (Details)
• Add your gig or service

You're all caught up for today. I'll see you soon!

— Jessica Griffin

About me: My name is Jessica Griffin and I am a native of Roswell, Georgia. I have been in the Roswell-Alpharetta community for over 30 years. As a native "Roswellian", I embody, participate, and support all things local. Community is at the core of all of us, and I aim to convey the collectiveness and unity that should be promoted and celebrated throughout our community. Being a mother, a writer, a student of history, and the arts are my passions.

Have a news tip or suggestion for an upcoming Roswell Daily? Contact me at Roswell@Patch.com