What Do We Do?

2010

In May we co-hosted our annual “Land Talks – The Future is Farming”.  “Land Talks” is a cooperative venture between Smart Growth Newton County, the Madison Morgan Conservancy, Friends of Walton County, and The Center for Community Preservation and Planning in Covington.  The event was a Family Picnic at Hard Labor Creek State Park.  Featured speakers were Jeff Dorfman, Alice Rolls, and Craig Paige.  A panel discussion followed with Bobby Smith, Mort Ewing, Jason Mann, Chuck Anglin, and Corey Musser.  It was an informative and fun event.  We hope to do something similar in 2011.

In June, Smart Growth hosted a Candidates’ Forum at the Washington Street Community Center.  Candidates for the Board of Education and County Commission were invited to give their views, especially as they pertained to Smart Growth Principles.  The forum was the most widely attended of all of the pre-election events and many said it was the best. 

In March the Board of Smart Growth sent a guest editorial to both local newspapers.  Our comments were in response to the Covington City Council’s vote not to pursue a non-binding future trail development grant, should the rail corridor be purchased by local governments.  We were also reiterating why we believe the corridor should be purchased and careful plans made for its use to benefit Newton County.

While we do not always agree with the decisions of the various governmental agencies in the County, we respect and appreciate their efforts.  We continue to keep as one of our goals a cooperative spirit between us and all elected officials.

We have re-designed our website.  Though still a work in progress, we invite you to view it at Smartgrowthnewtoncounty.com.  We would appreciate your feedback.  We are in the process of revamping the structure of our Board; making certain that we represent all of Newton County. We are making our best efforts to make sure that we have at least one representative from each of the 5 voting Districts.  Future plans for this year call for our Board to attend training sessions on how to better operate a 501(c)(3) organization.  We also will be a strong proponent of the 2050 Plan and intend to have several of our members as trained presenters of the plan to local groups who may be interested. 

---

2009  

• March Forum : Tri-County Land Talks (round 5), Greening Downtown: Good for Business, Jim Durrett of the Livable Cities Coalition and Dan Reuter of the Atlanta Regional Commission join representatives from each of the cities to discuss greenspace planning and the specifics of these park projects. Land Talks is co-sponsored with Madison-Morgan Conservancy, Friends of Walton, and The Center for Community Preservation and Planning - at the First Baptist Church in Monroe  
• May Forum: Newton: Back to the future in Agriculture. Presentations from Organic Farmer Nicholas Donck, Farmer and Commissioner Mort Ewing, and Erin Croon,  Georgia Organics Farm to School Coordinator

• February Forum:  Tri-County Land Talks (round 4), Economic Development, presentations by Jeff Dorfman, Rope Roberts, and Russell Bennett, discussion and supper for large landowners, city and county officials, and other interested parties, co-sponsored with Madison-Morgan Conservancy, Friends of Walton, and The Center for Community Preservation and Planning-at Burge Plantation is Mansfield
• April Forum: Transfer of Development Rights, a presentation by guest speaker Scott Sirotkin, Newton County Senior Planner-at The Oaks Golf Course meeting room.
• October:  Smart Growth Newton County Family Picnic- on honor of members- at Academy Springs Park

  ---

  2007
•  
• January Forum:  Tri-County Land Talks (round 3),  Greenspace Acquisition,  a presentation, discussion and supper for large landowners, city and county officials, and other interested parties, co-sponsored with Madison-Morgan Conservancy, Friends of Walton, and The Center for Community Preservation and Planning– at the Hall in Madison

• May Forum:  Comprehensive Plans for Newton County and the City of Covington, exploration of the draft 2028 comprehensive plans, future land use maps, and county/city character areas which will guide the future of your community. Explanation and discussion led by Jim Summerbell, and Jordan, Jones and Goulding -at The Center for Community Preservation and Planning
• August: Smart Growth Newton County and Newton Trails Picnic.  Family and friends of Smart Growth Newton County gathered for a hotdog supper followed by a visit to the new portion of the Oxford trail- at the Old Church on Wesley Street in Oxford
• October Forum:  Candidates for Mayor and three Council Posts for the City of Covington gathered at the Newton County Public Library to participate in a  question and answer session on smart growth issues as they relate to the City and County  

• April Forum: Tri-County Land Talks (round 2), a workshop and supper for developers and large landowners in Newton, Morgan, and Walton Counties, co-sponsored with Madison-Morgan Conservancy, Friends of Walton County, and The Center for Community Preservation and Planning – at Church Street Community Center in Monroe
• June: Smart Growth Newton County Family Picnic in honor of members – at Burge Plantation

• June Forum:  Greenspace 2005 – update on efforts to preserve greenspace in Newton County – presentations on Morgan County efforts, Alcovy River Greenway, Newton County Land Trust – held at historic Newborn schoolhouse
• October Forum: Tri-County Land Talks - a workshop and supper for developers and large landowners in Newton, Morgan, and Walton Counties, co-sponsored with Madison-Morgan Conservancy, Friends of Walton County, and The Center for Community Preservation and Planning – at Burge Plantation

• March Forum: Growth: Who Controls It? – perspective from county government, development community, school board, and water and sewer authority – held at Historic Courthouse
• July Forum: Corridors Under Siege: initiatives for three different types of roads -  developed and seeking redevelopment (Highway 278), challenged by development and seeking a plan (Highway 142 Bypass), undeveloped with potential of retaining scenic beauty (Highway 11) – held at The Center
• November Forum:  Smart Growth Newton County Presents Randall Arendt - workshop for developers, builders, landowners, planners, city and county officials – held at the Alcovy Conservation Center of the Georgia Wildlife Federation

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

 2003  

• Forum:  Growing Smart in Historic Porterdale – growth pressures in a community attempting to retain its character and history – held in Porterdale
• April: mailing to entire SG list concerning overlay ordinances to protect water quality in Newton County – education on watersheds and advocacy for protective ordinances.
• June Forum:  Growing Clean and Green in Newton – tools for open land preservation and enhancement – at the Alcovy Conservation Center
• September Forum:  West Newton, A Community of Neighborhoods – challenges and opportunities for preserving quality of life in a rapidly growing suburban area – at Salem Campground
• November Forum: Trails, Trees, and Traffic – initiatives for walk/bike trails, tree and landscaping ordinances, long term traffic challenges of possible Super Wal-Mart at I-20 exit 93 – at The Center for Community Preservation and Planning
• Smart Growth Newton County participated in the development and advocated for the adoption of updated county development regulations and zoning ordinances and City of Covington Tree Ordinance.

• March Forum:  Sidewalks and Squares, Crossroads and Community – importance and preservation of town centers – Covington, Oxford, Porterdale, Mansfield/Newborn – Oxford
• June Forum:  Farms and Fields, Watersheds and Wildlife – preservation of open land, clean water, natural beauty – at the GWF Alcovy Conservation Center
• September Forum: Developers and Dilemmas, Commerce and Costs – benefits and challenges of commercial development in Newton County – at the Newton County Public Library
• November Forum:  A Community Dialog Session about Transportation – transportation projects and issues in the county – at the Judicial Center
• December – Places – focus on interview with Aaron Varner and update other issues

• February – Places inaugural issue
• April/May – Places – focus on land trust, impact fees
• July/August – Places – focus on environment
• November Forum – Smart Growth Offers Choices – presentation on four residential developments in Newton –  Library
• November/December – Places – focus on Brick Store overlay, options to sprawl

• March  Forum – Smart Growth Smorgasbord – several growth issues –  Library 
• April  – two Candidate Forums - Almon Community Center

• February Forum – Legal Aspects of Zoning - John Byce, Newton Planning Commission administrator, Susan Garrett, attorney – County Office Building
• June Forum  – Emily Lemke, Chairman Cherokee County Commission - Library
• September Forum – Update on local design workshops (charrettes) - Library