Georgia Magazine - November 2011 - (Page 16)

BRIAN RICKMOND / GTC Caring for creeks and community Employees from Tucker-based Georgia Electric Membership Corp., Oglethorpe Power Corp., Georgia Transmission Corp. and Georgia System Operations Corp. joined forces with several other partner organizations on Sept. 10 at Druid Hills Middle School in Decatur to beautify the school’s outdoor areas and clean up the banks and surrounding areas of Burnt Fork Creek. As part of the Hands on Atlanta/ Rivers Alive waterway cleanup initiative, approximately 350 volunteers cleaned and landscaped school grounds and worked along the creek bed that runs behind the school. Participants were instrumental in helping Rivers Alive achieve its mission of helping to protect waterways in the state, including streams, rivers, lakes, beaches and wetlands, and create involvement in the preservation of Georgia’s water resources. The group’s efforts paid big dividends: They collected and removed nearly 320 pounds of trash and cleared and trimmed 2,000 yards of trails. According to President/CEO Mike Smith with Georgia Transmission Corp., participation has continued to grow since the effort began in 2006. Volunteers from EMCs, Tucker and Druid Hills high schools, Druid Hills Middle School and the community take a break after a hard morning’s work. “We are so pleased with the number of participants this year,” says Smith. “Working with a group of this size and caliber allows us to continue important work.” Volunteers also built picnic tables and set up an outdoor classroom at the banks of the creek to allow the school’s science teachers and Environmental Club to hold classes near the creek and forest. For more information on Rivers Alive, visit www.riversalive.com. Carroll Electric Membership Corp. in Carrollton demonstrated its highvoltage safety program during the summer to a group of 53 bus drivers from across the state at the Carroll County Bus Barn. Cindy Lovvorn, the safety coordinator who initiated the event, says, “The presentation was effective in educating the group about safety around high-voltage electricity. Knowing what to do if a bus came across a downed power line and how to keep children safe in that situation is very important, and seeing 16 the presentation in July was great timing before school starts back.” Carroll EMC also presented its high-voltage demonstration for the Carroll County Sheriff’s Ofﬁce Youth Sum- Carroll EMC lineman David Baskin demonstrates the dangers mer Camp on July 21. of coming into contact with an energized power line. One hundred children tant for us to be able to participate participated in the camp this year. “We take a lot of pride in pre- with local schools and government senting these high-voltage demon- agencies in reminding people about strations,” says Chip Jakins, president the dangers of downed power lines and CEO of Carroll EMC. “It’s impor- and electricity.” More online at www.georgiamagazine.org GEORGIA MAGAZINE CAROLE THOMPSON / CARROLL EMC Keeping kids safe http://www.riversalive.com http://www.georgiamagazine.org

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Georgia Magazine - November 2011

Georgia Magazine - November 2011
Contents
Viewpoint
Mailbox
Picture This?
Georgia News
Calendar of Events
Special Energy Report
Currents
Generations of Growing
A Productive State
Around Georgia
My Georgia
Georgia Cooks
Snapshot
Bonus Snapshot Submissions
Gardens Plant of the Month: Liberty Notes
Energy-Efficiency Tips
Second Helping: More Great Recipes

Georgia Magazine - November 2011