Left to Right: Cigna’s Jeff Chambrello, 2015 Council for Quality Growth Chairman Tim Lowe, Chairman Richard Oden, Council for Quality Growth CEO and President Michael Paris, Gas South’s Phil Weatherly, and 2015 Conyers-Rockdale Chamber Chair Deborah Armstrong.
On Thursday, March 5, the Council for Quality Growth and Conyers-Rockdale Chamber of Commerce hosted the first-ever 2015 Rockdale State of the County Breakfast featuring Rockdale County Chairman and CEO Richard Oden. Chairman Oden presented to over 180 citizens, businesses and other community stakeholders a review of the county’s 2014 achievements and his vision for 2015.
While Rockdale is Georgia’s second smallest county, Chairman Oden echoed the fact Rockdale’s accomplishments match those of their neighbors and continue to lead the charge through innovation and fiscal responsibility; thus enhancing the quality of life of the community.
Chairman Oden expressed the quality of life encompasses much more than litter prevention and fiscal responsibility, it includes making sure our senior citizens are well provided for and the youth receive a stellar education in Rockdale’s premier school district.
The County also worked diligently to improve livability. Residents from every corner of Rockdale are taking advantage of the newly completed Rockdale River Trail System which includes over 10 miles of trails. The County also worked on investing in health awareness through Get Active Rockdale. The employee wellness effort that the Human Resources Department leads, County staff was inspired to get healthier by participating in free fitness classes, wellness events and recreational opportunities. Last year, approximately 300 staff participated regularly in Get Active Rockdale’s fitness classes and events. And, through their iLose for iPad Weight Loss Challenge, nearly 70 employees lost a total of 563 pounds, or the equivalent of four people. Chairman Oden also expressed how quality of life also ensures the need to make citizens feel safe in the community. In 2014, the Finance Department received a $100,000 grant to fund the Fieldstone View/Country Walk – Salem Road Corridor Community Revitalization project. The project is designed to gather information and capture crime data to develop prevention strategies, incorporating best practice models from nationally recognized organizations.
Locally, several of the SPLOST projects last year improved livability for people who live, work and play in Rockdale County. Last year, Fire-Rescue installed a cutting edge digital public safety/public service radio system, which replaces a nearly 20-year-old radio system.
The new system, made possible through SPLOST funds, positions the County for future growth and requirements as needs develop. Fire-Rescue also constructed two new towers on County-owned property at Union Church Road on the south end, and Miller Bottom Road on the north end, to ensure optimum reception and transmission. Also through SPLOST, Rockdale’s Transportation Department, or RDOT, resurfaced 21 miles of County roads, providing greater mobility, a much smoother ride, and improved aesthetics to encourage economic development throughout the County.
Rockdale County is primed for long-lasting success given the budget maintenance, improved infrastructure and efficient government practice. The county’s golden vision has paved its way as a Camera-Ready community, where Rockdale has been featured in a number of television shows and movies, including Selma most recently. Rockdale County is adding to its stellar reputation by working together in public-private partnerships, government and local business. Rockdale County seems “perfectly-positioned” to embrace the opportunities on what the future will bring.