highlighting the city’s robust athletic programs that work together with the school system. These programs serve as feeder systems for school athletics, ensuring children can access sports early on. One of the most exciting upcoming projects is the stateof-the-art natatorium, which is expected to open in early 2025. “It’ll have competition lanes, seating around 400 people,” she notes. “It will be a game changer for our swim community,” Mayor Howell adds, emphasizing the facility’s potential to impact competitive swimming and broader community safety. The $13 million investment in this state-of-the-art swimming facility will introduce swim lessons as part of the school curriculum, ensuring that all children have vital water safety skills. The Jefferson Public Library, part of the Piedmont Regional Library System, is another jewel in the city’s civic infrastructure.“Our library has the highest circulation numbers in the region,” Head proudly states. The library offers many programs, from story time for young children to yoga sessions and even outreach efforts that extend to the Boys and Girls Club and local senior centers. On the cultural front, Jefferson is home to the Crawford W. Long Museum, celebrating the legacy of Dr. Crawford W. Long, a local physician who made history by discovering the use of ether as an anesthetic. “We’re probably the only museum in America where you walk in, and we’re selling shirts that say, ‘Got ether?’” Mayor Howell quips with a smile, acknowledging the town’s unique pride in this piece of medical history. SAFETY AND STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS In Jefferson, public safety is a collaborative effort supported by strategic partnerships that enhance the city’s security and well-being.“Jefferson ranks as the fifth safest community in Georgia according to the National Council on Home Safety and Security,” Mayor Howell proudly states. This recognition is no small feat and is a direct result of the city’s commitment to ensuring the safety of its residents. Another innovative approach to enhancing public safety in Jefferson is the deployment of Flock cameras. “We have brought on ten Flock cameras that help us when we have motorists that come through that may not be from Jefferson,” Howell shares.These cameras are particularly valuable given the city’s proximity to a major interstate, which brings a steady flow of non-resident traffic.The cameras assist in identifying individuals who might pose a risk, enhancing security for the community. School safety is also a top concern in Jefferson, and the city has taken significant steps to protect its youngest residents.“We’ve installed speed cameras in our school system that have reduced speeders by 70%,” Mayor Howell reports, highlighting the effectiveness of this program. By slowing down traffic in school zones, the city has dramatically improved the safety of students, making the daily commute to and from school much safer. TRANSPARENT PLANNING AND STRATEGIC EXECUTION In Jefferson, long-term success is not left to chance; 195 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 05, ISSUE 10 JEFFERSON, GA
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