Issue: 441 Thursday, October 15, 2026

External E-Newsletter

Clayton County Board of Commissioners

Image of District 4 Commissioner DeMont Davis District 3 Commissioner Tashe Allen Chairwoman Dr Alieka Anderson Henry District 1 Commissioner Alaina Reaves and District 2 Commissioner Gail Hambrick.

Commissioner DeMont Davis (District 4), Commissioner Tashe' Allen (District 3),

Chairwoman Dr. Alieka Anderson-Henry, Commissioner Alaina Reaves (District 1), and Vice Chair Gail Hambrick (District 2)

Our Seven Cities

✦ College Park	✦ Forest Park	✦ Jonesboro	✦ Lake City
✦ Lovejoy	✦ Morrow	✦ Riverdale

Greetings, Clayton connected community!

The Clayton connected External E-Newsletter is a communications platform to engage, to educate, and to empower citizens to learn more about the Clayton County Board of Commissioners, and to share important information about Clayton County government. The Clayton County Board of Commissioners Office of Communications oversees county-wide communications and promotes approved county-wide events, activities, announcements, highlights, initiatives, and programs. The Clayton connected External E-Newsletter is distributed on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

For more information about Clayton County Government, access www.claytoncountyga.gov.

#ClaytonConnected

Valerie L. Fuller,

Communications Administrator

November 3, 2026 General Election

Advanced Voting Times

October 13, 2026 – October 30, 2026

Monday – Friday 8 a.m. - 7 p.m.

Saturdays 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Sundays 12 p.m. - 5 p.m.

Locations

Election & Registration Office, 121 S. McDonough St., Jonesboro, Ga
Carl Rhodenizer Recreation Center, 3499 Rex Rd., Rex, Ga
Flint River Community Center, 153 Flint River Rd., Riverdale, Ga
Forest Park Senior Center, 5087 Park Ave., Forest Park, Ga
Lake Spivey Recreation Center, 2300 Walt Stephens Rd., Jonesboro, Ga
Headquarters Library, 865 Battlecreek Rd., Jonesboro, Ga
Morrow City Hall, 1500 Morrow Rd., Morrow, Ga
Sonna Gregory Senior Center, 3215 Anvil Block Rd., Ellenwood, Ga
South Clayton Recreation Center, 1837 McDonough Rd., Hampton, Ga
Virginia Gray Recreation Center, 1475 E. Fayetteville Rd., Riverdale, Ga
Northwest Branch Library, 6131 Riverdale Rd., Riverdale, Ga

For more information visit, claytonelections.com.

November 3, 2026 General Election
Advanced Voting

#ClaytonConnected

Clayton County Employee April Heddens from State Court shares what she likes about working for Clayton County and how she is #ClaytonConnected.

Click HERE to view #ClaytonConnected Residents

Clayton Connect Employees. Join the online conversation! Share your Clayton event photos and stories using #Claytonconnected. What do you enjoy most about Clayton County

Flyer with text Use the Click Clayton app to request assistance with County services or report problems such as potholes sidewalk repair litter traffic sign repair or code violations

Board of Commissioners Upcoming Events

Let us honor the diversity, traditions, and lasting impact of Hispanic and Latino individuals while celebrating the values that unite us all.

Join Commissioner Gail Hambrick & Parks and Recreation for the 2026 Fall Festival on Sat., Oct. 17, 2026, at Flat Shoals Park, 1915 Flat Shoals Rd. Riverdale, Ga 30296, from 1 p.m. â€“ 4 p.m.

Commissioner Allen hosts a Volunteer Membership Meeting & Listening Session focused on the experiences of formerly incarcerated individuals, justice-impacted residents and families, returning citizens, and community advocates.

Celebrate Halloween with Chairwoman Dr. Alieka Anderson-Henry and Clayton County Parks and Recreation at Food Truck Friday: Trunks and Treats on Friday, October 30, 2026, from 4:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Join Clayton County Parks and Recreation and District 1 Commissioner Alaina Reaves for the 2026 Halloween Carnival on Sat., Oct. 31, 2026, from 1 p.m. â€“ 4 p.m. at Morrow High School, located at 4930 Steele Road, Ellenwood, GA.

Join Commissioner DeMont Davis in partnership with the Office of Communications and Youth Services on Friday, October 9, 2026, and Friday, November 6, 2026, at 7:30 p.m. The is a Clayton Connected opportunity for residents to score resources & information

Join Commissioner Reaves for a grateful edition of Knit and Chat. Bring your knitting, crocheting, or crafting projects and enjoy an afternoon of conversation on Tues., Nov. 10, 2026, at the Flint River Community Center from 1p - 3p

Join Commissioner Alaina Reaves and Refuse Control for the District 1 Community monthly clean-up hosted in partnership with Clayton County Refuse Control. For more information, contact Captain Angela Gooden at (770) 473-5428.

Clayton County Updates

Moving Clayton Forward, MARTA Rapid B-Line Town Hall Meeting

Missed the MARTA Town Hall? Watch the full meeting to hear the latest updates on transit projects impacting Clayton County.

MARTA recently hosted a Town Hall at Riverdale City Hall to discuss the Southlake Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project, the Justice Hub Center, the Operations and Maintenance Facility (O&M), and other systemwide initiatives.

Stay informed about what’s ahead for transit in Clayton County.

Watch the full meeting.

MARTA recently hosted a Town Hall at Riverdale City Hall to discuss the Southlake Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project, the Justice Hub Center, the Operations and Maintenance Facility (O&M), and other systemwide initiatives.

Clayton County honors survivors, remembers loved ones, and supports the fight for a cure. Chairwoman encourage early detection and stand in support of all those impacted by breast cancer.

SPLOST UPDATES

Construction of the four new pocket parks throughout Clayton County continues while exterior painting and rail installation is planned at Shelnutt Senior Center (Kinship Care Resource Center). Watch the latest SPLOST update video to see the progress of several Special Purpose Location Option Sales Tax (SPLOST) projects and visit www.claytonsplost.com. #ProgressforPennies #ClaytonConnected

Clayton County SPLOST Progress for Pennies update video

Clayton County Government Hiring Motivated, Energetic People!

Click on the link below to access the video.

Board of Commissioners Work Session

October 13, 2026

Board of Commissioners Board Meeting

October 6, 2026

Video of Clayton County Board of Commissioners Meeting

Office of Communications Clayton Connected Podcast

Clayton connected Podcast Episode #30:

A New Election Center Opens & Changes for Poll Workers

Tune in for a quick, clear guide to Early Voting and the upcoming Nov. 3, 2026, General Election with Clayton Connected Podcast hostess Communications Administrator Valerie L. Fuller and Elections & Registration Director Shauna Dozier. Plus, learn how the new SPLOST-funded elections center offers efficiency and transparency for employees and citizens.

Click HERE to watch the Podcast

Click here to subscribe to the Clayton Connected Podcast

Upcoming County Events

Click HERE for the County Event Calendar

Serve Up More Wins at the Tennis Center 2300 Walt Stephens Road Jonesboro GA 30236. For more information call 678 479 5016

Clayton County Parks and Recreation is now hiring lifeguards for various recreation centers! Not certified? No problem! Parks and Recreation offers free certification training.

Calling all girls ages 8-13 to join Girls 3v3 Basketball! Registration opens Thursday, October 1, 2026, with a one-time $50 registration fee. For more information, call 770-473-3800

Clayton County Parks and Recreation is getting ready for another season of Youth Basketball Cheerleading! Registration opens online October 1 and ends October 31, 2026. Open to youth ages 5â€“12. Registration is $105 per participant.

FREE Navigating A.I. & ChatGPT Training on Wednesday, October 21, 2026, from 1:30 PM - 3:30 PM at Northwest Library, 6131 Riverdale Rd., Riverdale, GA 30274

Cruise through from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. for frightfully fun music, festive surprises, and plenty of delicious candy, all from the comfort of your car.
This free, family-friendly event is perfect for all ages.

Join us on October 24, 2026, from 10 a.m.- 1 p.m., for a powerful Walk for the Fight Against Breast Cancer at the South Clayton Recreation Center, located at 1837 McDonough Road, Hampton, GA 30228. Register today for free, just $10 your event T-shirt.

Get ready to Ace That Exam! High school students are invited to join the Clayton County Youth Commission on Saturday, October 24, 2026, from 11 a.m.â€“2 p.m. at Northwest Library. Register today at https://tinyurl.com/AceThatExam.

Construction Industry Day on Tuesday, October 27, 2026, from 10 am - 2 pm at Spivey Splash Water Park Nassau Building 2300 Walt Stephens Road, Jonesboro, Ga 30236, to learn about the upcoming construction projects with Clayton County

Join the Office of Digital Equity for FREE Introduction to Canva Training on Wednesday, October 28, 2026, from 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM at Lake Spivey Recreation Center

The Annual Pink Pumpkin Patch is back! In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, submit the names of fighters, survivors, and loved ones who have departed to Miranda.Mabry@claytoncountyga.gov to be included in our Pink Pumpkin Patch of Support Wall

Ordering opens September 14 through November 2! Produce orders will be available for pick-up during the week of November 16, 2026. Register today: https://uga.questionpro.com/claytonproduce

Calling all youth! You are invited to the 2026 Youth Townhall on Saturday, November 7, 2026, at the Jim Huie Recreation Center, 9045 Tara Blvd., Jonesboro, Ga 30236 from 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. This is a Clayton connected opportunity for youth ages 14 - 18, to co

Flyer of the Upper Flint River Story Map

Other County Events

Clayton County Water Authority invites residents to join our team and community volunteers as we clean up one of our local waterways, on October 17, 2026 at Panhandle Park at 10a

Join the Clayton County Health District for the Youth Suicide Prevention Summit Thursday, October 29, 2026, from 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. At the Morrow Center, 1180 Southlake Circle Morrow, Ga 30260.

Clayton County Solicitor-General Charles A. Brooks & Sheriff Levon Allen proudly present A Thriller Trunk or Treat 2026 on Friday, October 30, 2026 at 6p, at the Harold Banke Justice Center

Join the Clayton County Health District for an empowering Nutrition & Physical Activity Summit focused on practical strategies for healthier living on Thursday, November 5, 2026, from 9 a.m. - 1: 30 p.m. at the Morrow Center

Wetlands and Watershed Festival on Nov. 7 2026 from 10 am to 2 pm

Clayton County Information

A Message from the Chief Operations Officer Detrick Stanford

Belief Determines Expectation

“If you want your talent to be lifted to its highest level, then you don’t begin by focusing on your talent. You begin by harnessing the power of your mind. Your beliefs control everything you do. Accomplishment is more than a matter of working harder or smarter. It’s also a matter of believing positively. Someone called it the ‘sure enough’ syndrome. If you expect to fail, sure enough, you will. If you expect to succeed, sure enough, you will. You will become on the outside what you believe on the inside.

Personal breakthroughs begin with a change in your beliefs. Why? Because your beliefs determine your expectations, and your expectations determine your actions. A belief is a habit of mind in which confidence becomes a conviction that we embrace. In the long run, a belief is more than an idea that a person possesses. It is an idea that possesses a person. You need to expect to succeed. Does that mean you always will? No. You will fail. You will make mistakes. But if you expect to win, you maximize your talent, and you keep trying.

Attorney Kerry Randall said, ‘Contrary to popular opinion, life does not get better by chance, life gets better by change. And this change always takes place inside; it is the change of thought that creates the better life.’ Improvement comes from change, but change requires confidence. For that reason, you need to make confidence in yourself a priority. President Franklin Delano Roosevelt asserted, ‘The only limit to our realization of tomorrow will be our doubts of today.’ Don’t let your doubts cause your expector to expire” (John C. Maxwell, The Maxwell Daily Reader).

How are your beliefs effecting your expectations?

Have an amazing week.