Henry Daily Herald

Photo by Hugh Osteen

By Elaine Rackley

erackley@henryherald

Henry County Commissioner Bruce Holmes will host a community meeting to hear any concerns from residents in his district.

The meeting is scheduled for this Saturday, at 9 a.m., at the Fairview Recreation Center, located at 35 Austin Road in Stockbridge.

The commissioner said he would like to speak with residents about what the county is doing in the area, as well as respond to questions they may have about the community.

"I want to update my constituents about the things we are looking to do in the Fairview community," said Holmes, who represents District five. Holmes represents an area in northeastern Henry County.

The commissioner has invited other officials to the town hall meeting, to introduce projects and programs that will benefit the fifth district, he said.

State Senator Emmanuel Jones is scheduled to give an update on issues taking place on the state level. Henry County Police Chief Keith Nichols has been invited to talk about crime prevention, said Holmes.

"We are going to address any crime concerns that his (Holmes') constituents may have, and speak of our plans for the future up there," said Nichols.

Holmes said residents may want to hear more about plans to place a police precinct two miles inside the Fairview business community.

Holmes said concern has been expressed about crime in the West Panola Road and East Atlanta Road areas.

Henry County Director of the Planning and Development Division, Michael Harris, and Henry County Transportation Projects Director, Roque Romero, are also scheduled to address residents about the widening of Fairview Road from Cook Drive to Patillo Road.

"This project also includes the widening of Anvil Block Road...to Fairview Road, and also includes the realignment of West Panola Road into Fairview Road," said Romero.

The county has plans to extend the widening of Fairview Road all the way to Hidden Valley Park, said Holmes.

The commissioner said he would like see 10-foot wide sidewalks, and combination bike trials on Fairview Road. He wants to connect the bike trails to the Arabian Mountain trails out of DeKalb county, he explained.

The meeting Saturday will serve as a kick-off for the beginning of monthly community meetings which will be held every third Saturday of the month, at 9 a.m., Holmes said.

Henry County Interim-Fire Chief Bill Lacy, is one of the officials scheduled to address residents at Holmes' March meeting.