Preparations for the Oct. 7 launch of the JCFD move ahead, with the 78-member force fully staffed, all equipment received and special training started.

Many firefighters got their first look at their top-of-the line, computer-run equipment during training sessions that began Sept. 15.

"This is a unique situation for dedicated firefighting professionals with years of experience in other places to come together and create a department from scratch," said Steve Melchior of Pierce Manufacturing, which custom-built two of the ladder trucks and three fire engines.

City Council passed a balanced $47.3 million budget for the 2009 fiscal year at the Sept. 22 council meeting. The unanimous vote followed weeks of discussion in work sessions, two public hearings and months of preparation by City staff.

The budget's estimated revenues include $16.7 million in real and personal property taxes (based on a 4.614 millage rate adopted by Council earlier this year) and $15.2 million from local option sales taxes.

Expenditures include five new patrol cars and police officers -- two of whom will focus on the Department's PACT (Police & Community Together) neighborhood watch program to prevent crime -- and $2.76 million in capital improvements, including the first segment of the Johns Creek Greenway, street resurfacing, street enhancements, a parks master plan and a solid waste initiative.

The City's fiscal year runs from Oct.1 to Sept. 30.

Chattahoochee and Centennial high school environmental clubs won awards for the most trash collected and the most High School Challenge participants during the 11th annual "Rivers Alive" clean-up campaign on Sept. 17.

City staff volunteers cleared more than 600 pounds of trash and debris out of a 2-mile stretch of the Chattahoochee River from Jones Bridge Road to Medlock Bridge Road. Johns Creek collected more trash than any other organization in the total 700,000 pounds pulled out of the river.

Response to the City of Johns Creek's first Founders Day celebration marking the anniversary of the City's incorporation was so overwhelming that organizers are expanding the party to a full week, culminating in the Founders Day Parade on Saturday, Dec. 6.

Details for several events are still being worked out, but it's not too early to make your plans to participate in the parade. Fill out a parade application and submit it by Nov. 7 to secure your space. Read more.

In a concerted effort to establish good communications and build mutually trustful and respectful relationships with Johns Creek residents, the Johns Creek Police Department will launch its PACT (Police & Community Together) community policing program this fall. The goal of PACT is for police and residents to work together to solve crimes, identify underlying problems in neighborhoods to prevent future crimes, and clarify any misinformation about alleged criminal incidents.

A PACT officer will be assigned to each residential neighborhood or HOA subdivision as a point of contact, meeting on a regular basis with homeowners to discuss any law enforcement concerns. An email database for representatives of each of the City's 249 subdivisions will be used to distribute monthly "COPS Connect" newsletters and any necessary crime e-alerts. Residents can also sign up to receive "COPS Connect" as one of their City e-communications.

Questions regarding PACT should be addressed to Sgt. Debbie Kalish at 678-474-1587 or JCPDCommSvcs@JohnsCreekGA.gov.

New residents, or those who have moved to Fulton County since they last voted, are encouraged to complete a voter registration form by the Oct. 6 deadline, in order to be eligible to vote in the Nov. 4 General Election.

Early/Absentee Voting (9/22-10/24) has already begun at three County locations, including the North Fulton Service Center at 7741 Roswell Road, Room 209, Sandy Springs. To participate in Early Voting, also known as Absentee Voting, you do not have to provide a reason, as in past elections.

Advanced Voting (10/27-10/31) will take place at eight county locations, including the North Fulton Service Center and the Northeast/Spruill Oaks Library at 9560 Spruill Road, Johns Creek.

Read more: Fulton County Registration & Elections

Blast off with 'Space Chimps'

The City of Johns Creek Recreation and Parks Division presents the final installment of this year's Northside Forsyth Hospital Movies in the Park on Saturday, October 4 at Newtown Park with a screening of "Space Chimps."

Ride along with Ham III, the grandson of the first chimp astronaut, who blasts off into space with two of his simian peers by an opportunity-seeking senator on a mission to rid a far-away planet of their nefarious leader.

Children's activities are available from 5:30 pm until the movie starts at dusk. Food vendors will also be available. No alcohol please!

Fulton County Commissioner Lynne Riley (District 3) has scheduled a public hearing for North Fulton residents to comment and offer suggestions on the County's 2009 budgets. The District 3 budget hearing will be held on Monday, October 13, 7 pm, at Alpharetta High School Media Center, 3595 Webb Bridge Road.

The exhibit "Anne Frank: A History for Today," which chronicles the Holocaust through the eyes of Anne Frank, opens at the Spruill Oaks Library on October 5 running through October 26.

The library will also host a special program at 6:30 pm on October 16: Sylvia Wygoda, Chair of the Georgia Commission on the Holocaust and a child of a survivor of the Holocaust, and Dr. Eugene Schoenfeld, an adult survivor of the Holocaust, will tell their stories.

On November 4, voters will decide whether Fulton County should issue bonds to fund the capital improvements proposed in a new Master Plan for the Atlanta-Fulton County Public Library System, which served 3.7 million visitors last year. Eight new libraries would be built, including ones in East Roswell, Alpharetta and Milton; two current libraries expanded; and 23 renovated, including Spruill Oaks Library.

The bonds would be paid for by Fulton County taxpayers: a $150,000 homeowner would pay approximately $18.96 extra a year; a $300,000 homeowner, approximately $37.92 extra a year. The last AFPL bond was issued in 1985.

Save the date:  Mayor's Ball

The 2008 Mayor's Ball hosted by the Johns Creek Foundation takes place Saturday evening, November 1 at the Atlanta Athletic Club. Watch the City Web site for more details to come.