🌱 Fewer Roads Repaved In 2023 + County's CDBG Funding Updates

Hello again, everybody. It's Thursday in Roswell and I'm back in your inbox to get you caught up on the most important things happening in town. Today you'll find these stories and more:

• Health insurance provides causing frustration among doctors and patients.
• The fire department is hiring.
• The countdown is on to Alive in Roswell.

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Now, today's weather:

Cloudy with a thunderstorm. High: 81 Low: 57.

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Here are the top three stories today in Roswell:

1. Ophthalmologists and patients in Georgia are frustrated with Aetna's and Humana’s policies regarding prior approvals for cataract surgery. This requirement for prior authorization is causing delays in patient care. This puts seniors in Georgia at risk and add strenuous administrative requirements to only have the surgeries be approved at the end of the process. Peggy Mitchell of Alpharetta was one such patient who had to have her cataract surgery delayed as it was denied due to not having prior authorization. She was finally able to have the desperately needed surgery after a one month delay. Dr. Susanne Hewitt of North Fulton Eye Center, who has offices in Roswell and Cumming, interrupted her Christmas vacation to perform the surgery for Mitchell and other patients who's surgeries had been delayed as well. Georgia doctors like Dr. Hewitt are concerned that the delays put patient's safety at risk. (rockdalenewtoncitizen.com)
2. The week of April 10 through April 14 is National Community Development Week. Fulton County Community Development will hold various workshops to observe this week dedicated to community development. The county will hold a virtual Home Ownership workshop on April 11 as well as a municipalities discussion on April 13. At these events, the county will advise residents of how and where federal funds from the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) will being allotted. These funds are used for projects including improving roads parks, and recreation centers for the benefit of low to moderate-income citizens. Stanley Wilson, the Director of Fulton County Community Development says, “Our goal is to build a viable community by promoting approaches that focus on our community’s direct needs.” Fulton County has received over $66 million in CDBG funding since 1987. (fultoncountyga.gov)
3. Due to higher-than-expected bid proposals received, the city will be resurfacing fewer streets in the city this year. Six roads had to be removed from the list for this year's road improvement plans. Representatives from the City of Roswell and Roswell Transportation Director Jeffrey Littlefield noted that the roads that will be eliminated from this year's resurfacing list will receive first priority in 2024. Initially in the 2023 budget, the city expected about $3.7 million from local and state funds to repave 38 streets. However, the least expensive bid received was from Allied Paving Company who quoted a fee of $4.1 million. Work for the 32 streets that are still on this year's list will begin in May. (appenmedia.com)

Today in Roswell:

• Alcoholic Beverage License Board Public Hearing - City Hall (10:00 AM)
• Guided Hike - Chattahoochee Nature Center (11:00 AM)
• Needlecrafters Meeting Group - Roswell Library (1:00 PM)
• Maundy Thursday Service - St. David's Church (5:30 PM)
• Full Moon Scared Sound & Light Session - The Open Mind Center (6:00 PM)
• Libra Full Moon Cacao Ceremony - 27 Oak St (6:00 PM)
• Historical Society General Membership Meeting - Bill Johnson Community Center (6:30 PM)
• Maundy Thursday Meal - Roswell Presbyterian Church (7:00 PM)
• Easter Cookie Decorating Workshop - Red Seal Craft Studio (7:00 PM)
• GET Presents Bright Star - Cultural Arts Center (8:00 PM)
• Full Moon Party Feat. The Andrews Brothers Dueling Pianos Show - Saucy Roswell (8:00 PM)
• Kings of Karaoke Thirsty Thursdays - Chaplin's Bar and Grill (9:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• City of Roswell, Georgia Government: The Georgia Section of the American Water Works Association and the Georgia Association of Water Professionals has bestowed the Platinum Award for "Water Distribution System Excellence” to the City of Roswell Water Utility Plant. They received this award due to the plant receiving top scores in water quality on a repeated basis. (City of Roswell, Georgia Government via Instagram)
• City of Roswell, Georgia Fire Department: The fire department is currently hiring part-time firefighters. More information regarding this position, the requirements, and the job application can be found on the City of Roswell's website. (City of Roswell, Georgia Fire Department via Facebook)
• Blessed Trinity High School: Blessed Trinity Catholic High School is currently looking for individuals to fil multiple positions. The school has various teaching and coaching positions open. More information and job descriptions can be found on the school's website and they are accepting resumes via email. (Blessed Trinity High School via Twitter)
• Roswell Inc: The kickoff to the Alive in Roswell 2023 season is less than two weeks away. Alive in Roswell is every third Thursday of the month from April through October and for entire family. The Roswell Inc crew hopes to see everyone there. (Roswell Inc via Facebook)
• The Roswell Arts Fund: The Arts Fund is reminding citizens to explore the city's public arts with their public arts map. Public art displays near the downtown area are noted on the map which allows you to "paint your path" by creating your own walking tour. (The Roswell Arts Fund via Instagram)
• The Swift School: The Second Annual Swift School Fun Run is coming up on April 27. Registration is now open for this event. The school is asking for support to help allow them to meet their $20,000 fundraising goal. There is a link to register on their social media accounts. (The Swift School via Twitter)

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• The Last Supper at North Springs UMC (April 6)
• Annual Easter Egg Hunt (April 8)
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• Live Music featuring Korby Bohannon (April 8)
• Join us for Easter Worship! (April 9)
• Easter Family Fun Festival (April 9)
• Easter at The Fringe-Sun April 9th ( 12-4pm) (April 9)
• Taxes in Retirement Seminar at Milton Library (April 10)
• FREE WEBINAR - Estate Planning Fundamentals (April 12)
• SUP Yoga Teacher Training Certification (May 5)
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• Masonry repairs (Details)
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Now you're in the loop and ready to head out the door on this Thursday. See you all tomorrow morning for another update!

— 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 Patch newsletter? Contact me at Roswell@Patch.com