Fairyland Elementary School has scored in the top 3.6 percent of the entire state of Georgia on CCRPI scores, members of the Lookout Mountain, Ga., City Council were told Thursday night. The school was ranked 77th out of 2,100 schools in the state and number one in Walker County.
“We are so proud of our teachers, parents, kids and administrators at the school, for all that they’ve done,” said Mayor David Bennett.
The school provides exceptional educational opportunities for students, said the mayor.
One of the latest is the hydroponics project. The dock, for what will become a floating greenhouse, has been built and all the money needed has been raised so that construction of the structure will begin soon. The PTO has spent extra money for the building so that the exterior will be wood to fit in with the architecture of the school. This project will benefit all grades and classes, said the mayor. Students will grow plants, create a marketing plan and sell the fruits and vegetables that they harvest. The PTO is paying for one teacher to oversee the program that will be the first in the country at such a high level.
A survey to help the city plan the way it will be developed in the future was emailed to 1,114 people last month, and 628 responses were sent back said community volunteer Jimmy Campbell. The results will be sent to professional planner Phil Walker. That is designed to prevent any accusations of influence by the officials overseeing development of the comprehensive plan, it was stated. Mr. Walker will analyze and compile the results and give a presentation on Dec. 4. All the data will then be put on the town’s website. In December, dates will be announced for public forums that will be held in January and February regarding the comprehensive plan and it should be wrapped up in mid-April.
Chief Todd Gann gave the statistics from the fire and police department for the month of October. Police patrolled 3,289 miles, made 30 traffic stops and gave 13 citations and 25 warnings. Officers worked one automobile accident. Response was made to eight alarms and there were two fire calls and nine medical calls. Assistance was given to 26 citizens and five motorists. Six assists were given for the Lookout Mountain, Tn. department. Four suspicious persons and seven suspicious vehicles were checked during the month. There were no burglaries, thefts or arrests.
An application for a home-sharing permit was made by Michael Love and was approved by the council. One application was submitted by Jimmy Campbell and Kathryn Green for keeping and raising chickens in a residential neighborhood, which was also given approval.
Wes Hasden, another volunteer in the city who heads the sewer board, reported that an engineer’s estimate of the cost for making repairs to the sewer pump station should be known by the council meeting next month. The system that was designed to function for 20 years is now 19-20 years old and needs updating, he said. To help with the cost of repairs, a matching grant for utilities and city infrastructure from the Appalachian Regional Commission is being researched by Mr. Campbell.
Mr. Hasden also told the council members that, according to Walker County, the Fairyland district had a 65-70 percent turnout for the election on Nov. 6. Of the 1,220 registered voters, there were 775 who voted.
Mayor Bennett announced that the town’s Christmas parade will take place on Thursday, Nov. 29. Along the route of the parade, unwrapped gifts for both girls and boys, monetary donations and non-perishable food will be collected that will benefit the sheriff’s department toy drive for needy children in Walker County. The parade will end with Santa Claus at city hall and the Christmas tree lighting. Gifts and donations can also be brought to city hall a few days before or after that day. Love Lookout will have the tree lighting in Tennessee across from The Commons on Friday, Nov. 30, where there will be live music and food trucks. The Forgotten Child’s Fund will also benefit from the Chattanooga Guns and Hoses Charity Boxing match, along with the YCap Boxing Program in Chattanooga. Chief Gann will represent Lookout Mountain, Ga.
The mayor would like to remind citizens that when putting leaves at the street, they should be placed on the low side of the culverts and drains so they do not wash into them. He also said leaves should be separated from brush piles for efficiency of the public works employees.
Another reminder is that garbage pick-up is only for household garbage. On the first Saturday of each month a dumpster is provide for other trash. He said new rules will soon be announced for how to position the new garbage cans.