June 21, 2024 * Issue 383 | |
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In a landmark effort to foster a healthier, more resilient community, Macon Mental Health Matters (MMHM) launched a comprehensive initiative aimed at addressing Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs). This groundbreaking program is designed to mitigate the long-term impacts of childhood trauma and build a supportive environment for the community.
Adverse Childhood Experiences include a wide range of stressful or traumatic events that children may endure, such as abuse, neglect, and household dysfunction. Extensive research has shown that these experiences can have profound and lasting effects on physical health, mental well-being, and socio-economic outcomes. Recognizing the critical need to address these issues, MMHM has developed a multi-faceted approach that encompasses education, intervention, and community support.
The initiative kicked off this week with online surveys, allowing community members to share their experiences and insights. Additional options, such as in-person interviews and focus groups, will be available soon. The results from this initiative will be used to:
- Inform public health strategies and policies aimed at preventing childhood trauma and mitigating its effects in the Macon-Bibb area.
- Examine if our community is at higher risk for various health problems, mentally and/or physically.
- Develop targeted interventions and services to help individuals cope with and overcome the effects of their adverse childhood experiences.
"We encourage everyone to take the survey. Please share with your family, friends, coworkers," says MMHM Coordinator Andrea Cooke. "The more information we have, the better understanding we'll have of our community. MMHM is here to help and we can do a better job if we know what our neighbors' needs are."
The online surveys will be open until July 17, 2024. The surveys are anonymous, with the exception of providing your zip code.
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FY25 Budget Approved
Includes employee raises, increased operational funds, reduced millage rate
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On Tuesday, June 18, 2024, the Fiscal Year 2025 (July 1, 2024 – June 30, 2025) Budget was approved by the Commission following its presentation by Mayor Lester Miller in May and a public hearing earlier in June.
The budget includes a recommendation to reduce the millage rate to 9.9 mills, and that will be voted on officially in August. This is the fourth consecutive property tax reduction, going down from 20.331 when the Mayor took office. The budget also includes pay increases for County employees. Some employees have already seen an increase, and others would see an increase beginning in July.
“Macon-Bibb County is working together, and we continue to climb,” said Mayor Miller. “You see that in this budget, the fruits of our labor.”
The growth Macon-Bibb County has seen since 2022 is evident in this year’s budget, taking it from $174 million to $211.6 million, and still including a tax reduction.
“I am so excited about the direction we are heading in,” said Mayor Miller. “It’s not every day that a community can say they’ve increased all their focus points by millions of dollars per department, given raises to all of their employees, continue to support public safety, while having some of the best infrastructure we have in place, and at the same time be able to decrease our tax rate by 52%.”
In the last four years, funding for public safety increased nearly $16 million, recreation and beautification increased more than $4.5 million, and economic development has increased more than $4.5 million.
“It takes a lot of people behind the scenes to make this happen,” said Mayor Miller. “While I may be presenting this budget, we couldn’t do it without our great folks in the Budget and Finance Departments.”
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“We are more similar than not.”
Monthly Men's Mental Health Meet-up Tuesday
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A sentiment that resonated throughout conversations at an earlier Men’s Mental Health Meet-up, hosted by Macon Mental Health Matters (MMGM) and the Macon Violence Prevention (MVP) program. The meet-ups are held below Churchills on Cherry (557 Cherry Street) on the fourth Tuesday of the month at 7:00 p.m., and the next session will be Tuesday, June 25, 2024.
“We wanted to create a safe space for men to talk about their challenges and mental health,” says MVP Coordinator Jeremy Grissom. “We as a society often overlook how a man is feeling or doing mentally because we expect them to ‘be a man’ and always be okay. We want men to know it’s okay to not be okay, and there is help.”
Grissom hosts the meet-up, giving men a chance to take a break, reflect on their lives, seek advice, and realize that they are not alone in what they face. The meetings always open with asking the men how they’re feeling right at that moment on a scale of 1-10.
“I’m doing okay, but I could be doing better.”
“I started off overwhelmed today, but I got a piece of good news. So, I started at a 6, but I’m now at a 10.”
What they all realized through the numbers is that they all, on average, were about a 7 on a dreary Tuesday evening, meaning they had an entire week of responsibility and work ahead of them, all while the weather threatened to drag them further down.
No matter the story told, no matter the feelings conveyed, no matter the struggles discussed nor the challenges…each was met with affirmative nods and knowing looks. Each of the more than dozen men sitting around two tables in an empty room below Churchill’s on that dreary night in March saw something of themself in the other, a shared and common experience and set of emotions.
“I wish I had someone 10 years older than me in my life
who could tell me what these things meant.”
Grissom let them know that that was exactly what the gatherings were for, to provide a purposeful place where men could get together without any boundaries and with guards let down, all to support each other.
You can find more information on the MMHM website and by following MMHM on Facebook.
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Girls Dig Deeper holding
third teen forum on leadership
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“What choice can you make today that will have a positive impact on your life?”
That was just one of the leading questions Najiva Timothee with the Girls Dig Deeper Initiative (GDDI) – one of our Macon Violence Prevention (MVP) partners – posed to a group of teenagers at a meeting of the Middle Georgia Regional Library’s Teen Advisory Board. She is meeting with the Board every fourth Saturday of the month to discuss topics related to Leadership Values.
The third session will focus on self-discipline and is being held on Saturday, June 22 from 2:00-3:00 p.m. at the Middle Georgia Regional Library (1180 Washington Avenue). It is open to any teen ages 13-17.
“The girls were engaged and given the opportunity to share their experiences, and how they handle everyday situations based on the topic of the lesson,” said Ms. Timothee of earlier meetings, which began in March. “They also learned and understood the benefit and the concept that choice is a gift they have.”
GDDI has received $15,500 in grant funding from Macon Violence Prevention. In the first round of funding, they received $5,500 and in the second round this year, they received $10,000 to offer leadership development programs designed to help young girls overcome barriers such as childhood poverty, chronic absenteeism, poor academic achievement, disability, adverse childhood experiences and community violence.
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Cool off at one of our community pools this summer! The pools at Memorial Park (2465 Second Street), the Frank Johnson Recreation Center (2227 Mercer University Drive), Booker T. Washington Community Center (401 Monroe Street), Delores A. Brooks Recreation Center (3326 Ocmulgee East Boulevard), and South Bibb Recreation Center (7035 Houston Road).
All pools are open Tuesday through Friday from 1:00 - 7:00 p.m. and Saturday from 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. The cost to get into each pool is $1.00.
The Recreation Department is still hiring lifeguards. If you would like to apply, click here.
Splash pads at Daisy Park (1021 Daisy Park), Rosa Jackson Recreation Center (1211 Maynard Street), Freedom Park (3301 Roff Ave), and South Bibb Recreation Center are open. Crews are still working on opening the pad at Filmore Thomas Park.
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Community Bus Tour fosters unique insight into Macon-Bibb County’s economic, industrial landscape | |
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Yesterday, the Macon-Bibb County Industrial Authority (MBCIA) hosted their first Community Partners Bus Tour of 2024, offering an up-close look at the industrial parks they own and manage in Macon-Bibb County. Participants joined MBCIA leadership to learn about the beneficial economic influence in the area through an interactive and casual experience with fellow community partners.
Among the attendees were members from the Greater Macon Chamber of Commerce, Georgia Power, and field representatives from the offices of Senators Ralph Warnock and Jon Ossoff, and Congressman Austin Scott.
“The local industrial parks are home to 67 diverse industries, employing nearly 15,000 individuals," shared Stephen Adams, MBCIA Executive Director. “The substantial investments made by these industries creates an exciting narrative, and our bus tour offers an insider’s perspective on Macon-Bibb County’s economic development.”
Jessica Walden, President and CEO of the Great Macon Chamber of Commerce, emphasized that the community’s advancement hinges on the new jobs and investments brought by the steady influx of industry and business. “The collaborative efforts and foresight of partners like the Macon Water Authority and MBCIA are especially appealing to outside industries. Observing the economic development in our region provides insight into why numerous companies choose Macon-Bibb for new investment.”
The MBCIA is dedicated to strengthening community bonds by fostering economic growth and community development. Learn more about the economic progress taking place in Macon-Bibb County, email outreach@mbcia.com to join the waitlist for the Fall Community Partners Bus Tour.
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The Great Macon Baking Week returns July 21-28 2024 | |
From Visit Macon - The Great Macon Baking Week returns with more delectable delights this summer. During the week there will be sixteen of Macon’s finest bakeries and restaurants competing for the coveted title of “Macon’s Star Baker.” The Great Macon Baking Week started last year (2023) in an effort to promote Macon, Georgia’s fantastic bakeries and restaurants, and in turn the community came out in droves to participate in the week-long event, beginning on Sunday, July 21 and will continue through Sunday, July 28. Passports can be found now in the June/July issue of Macon Magazine.
“We love Baking Week! It is a great way to get all of our businesses involved in a little friendly competition leading up to Bragg Jam weekend and the Central City Bakeoff. The (baking) mitts are off and we are excited to see who will be the next Macon Baking Week Champion!" said Gary Wheat, CEO of Visit Macon.
Restaurants Participating in The Great Macon Baking Week:
- Oh Honey Baking Co. - Peach Cobbler Macarons
- Dawson’s Kitchen - Strawberry Lemonade Ooey Gooey Bars
- The Rookery - Cosmic Brownie Cheesecake Dippers
- Layers - Lemon Blueberry Cheesecake Cake
- Macon Bagels - Everything Bagel Buns
- Felicia’s Cake Factory - Cheesecake Cupcakes
- Tommy’s Bakery - Maple Bacon Doughnut
- Satterfield’s Barbeque - Strawberry Rhubarb Crumble
- Natalia’s - Carolyn’s Chocolate Mousse in a Pecan Lace Basket
- Kinjo Kitchen and Cocktails - Peanut butter Dream Cheesecake
- Dovetail Macon - Chocolate Strawberry Ice Cream Cake
- Yollah - Churro Sprinkle
- Sweet Eleanor’s - Southern Blackberry Peach Biscuit Pudding
- Z Bean’s - Razzle Roll
- Parish on Cherry - Bread Pudding
- Bearfoot Tavern - Spiced Cinnamon Apple and Cranberry Calzone
Visit any of the participating businesses from Sunday, July 21 through Sunday, July 28, try their signature showstopping item and receive a stamp on your passport. Passports will also be available at the Downtown Visitors Center and participating locations. Collect stamps in your passport to redeem for prizes. If you receive 5 or more stamps to claim a Macon cooking set (including whisk, spatula, potholder & chip clip). Collect 10 stamps to claim your free Great Macon Baking Week T-shirt. All while supplies last. Anyone who tries ALL 16 showstopping items will be entered to win the grand prize: a KitchenAid® Stand Mixer in the color of their choosing!
Passports can be turned in for prizes in person or by mail to the Downtown Macon Visitors Center at 450 Martin Luther King Jr Blvd, Macon, GA 31201.
Participants are also encouraged to vote for their favorite dish to award Macon’s Star Baker by going to https://visitmacon.org/great-macon-baking-week/ or you scan the QR code on your passport! Voting will open on Sunday, July 21 and close on Saturday, July 27 at 11:59pm. The winning bakers will be announced on Sunday, July 28 during the Central City Bake Off.
We encourage people to share about Baking Week and their favorite items by posting on social media and tagging @visitmacon and using the hashtag #MaconBaking24.
If you have any questions, please contact Lucy Hughes at 478-743-1074 X 101 or at lhughes@visitmacon.org.
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The Hub is Macon-Bibb County's source of information for employees, residents, businesses, and partners. With this regular e-blast, the Office of Communications provides a consistent flow of information about the efforts and successes of the consolidated government and partners to strengthen Macon-Bibb as the Hub City of Middle Georgia.
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The Office of Communications include Media Relations, event planning, photography and video services, criss communication, and more. Its goal is to provide people information about the consolidated government and partner organizations,
and to give them the chance to provide feedback, ask questions,
and request services.
The Office has earned multiple
recognitions for its efforts.
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Macon-Bibb County
Macon-Bibb County is the fourth largest city in Georgia. Created on January 1, 2014 after being approved by the voters, it is Georgia's newest consolidated government and serves about 155,000 residents and thousands more visitors.
Its governing body consists of 10 Commissioners, with the Mayor serving as its Chair and the Chief Executive Office of the administration.
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