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→ Drought Declared for Newton County – A Level 2 Drought Response has been declared for Newton County effective Thursday, November 17th. We’ve attached a copy of the news release which details the restrictions on water use. We’ve also attached an Executive Order from Governor Deal declaring a drought for the purpose of banning the use of fireworks as long as the drought declaration remains in effect.
→ New Employees – We had two new employees start work on Tuesday. Ken Crawford started as Equipment Operator I/Meter Reader. He has experience as a lineman so he should be a real help to us. Tom Cullens started as Groundskeeper. He had been working for us from the temporary help service so he already knows a lot about the job. We welcome both Ken Crawford and Tom Cullens to the City of Oxford.
 → Principal for the Day – Monday, I participated in the Principal for the Day program sponsored by the Newton County Board of Education and the Chamber of Commerce. I spent the morning with Dr. Makeba Clark, principal, Cousins Middle School. It was sort of like our honorary councilmember of the month program only from the other side. I got to see the Veteran’s Wall they built for Veterans Day honoring all those who have served in the military with a connection to the Cousins community. I sat in on two classes where the students were working very hard (and discovered I don’t remember how to multiply polynomials). After the school visits all the Principals for a Day went to the Board office for a sandwich. We each shared what we had seen and observed. Everyone was very impressed with the quality of the education provided by our schools and the amazing dedication of the principal of each school. The picture is me, Dr. Clark, Alison Jackson, assistant principal, and Aaron Robinson, assistant principal.
→ Honorary Councilmember of the Month – Councilmember Eady has appointed Daniel Parson from the Oxford College organic farm as the honorary councilmember of the month for December. He will attend our work session November 21st and the council meeting on December 5th. His lunch and tour will be Friday, December 2nd.
→ Police Department – Here’s the 2016 photo of the 2016 Police Department.
→ Tree Award – Here’s the Newton Citizen for November 10th.
Oxford reaps another award for its tree maintenance programs
By Wade Marbaugh
wade.marbaugh@newtoncitizen.com Nov 10, 2016
Displaying Oxford’s award, a print of a painting of a maple tree, presented by the Georgia Urban Forest Council are, from left, Bob Schwartz, city manager; Mike Ready, city councilmember; Cheryl Ready, chair, Oxford Tree, Parks, and Recreation Board; Dan Bauer; and Beryl Budd, city arborist. (Special Photo)
OXFORD — A uniquely beautiful tree nicknamed “The Prince of the Forest” seemingly made a lasting impact on Oxford, and the city continues to reap awards for its love of its canopy.
Last week Oxford received a “Grand Award” from the Georgia Urban Forest Council, a nonprofit organization dedicated to promote and maintain urban forestry in the state. The GUFC annually rewards individuals and organizations for outstanding work in protecting and enhancing community forests.
At its 2016 Excellence in Urban Forestry Awards Program at the Brasstown Valley Resort in Young Harris, the GUFC presented Oxford with the 2016 Outstanding Community Grand Award for ongoing care and nurture of its urban forest.
“The city of Oxford has been designated a Tree City since 1998,” said Oxford City Manager Bob Schwartz. “Our citizens consider this designation both a duty and a privilege. Trees are important to the appearance and the climate of our city.”
“The city of Oxford is to be commended for continuing its excellent legacy of stewardship of trees,” said Mary Lynne Beckley, executive director of the GUFC. “Both visitors and residents of Oxford enjoy the health, environment and economic benefits of its trees, and city leaders make sure a healthy urban forest is a top priority in the community.”
Schwartz gave credit for the award to the City Council, part-time City Arborist Beryl Budd and the city Trees, Parks and Recreation Board, which is composed of volunteers who look after the trees on public property.
“This year we not only removed hazardous trees, but also planted 23 new trees to build the tree canopy for future generations,” he said. “This award is a just recognition for the efforts of the tree board and of City Council to preserve and protect our trees.”
Other activities by the arborist and Trees, Parks and Recreation Board include Arbor Day programs, tree maintenance projects, invasive species removal, educational programs and tree inventories conducted in 1999, 2004 and 2010.
Oxford had a remarkably large, sprawling white oak tree growing in the center of the city for more than a century, “The Prince of the Forest,” that became known as “The Tree That Owns Itself” when the city deeded the land around it to the tree in 1929. It died in 2000, but the city preserved its legacy by planting seedlings from its acorns and distributing them around the state.
In addition to its tree maintenance program and ongoing expansion of city parks, Oxford has developed an extensive trail system throughout the city which connects with the Oxford College Hearn Trail and will connect with Covington and Porterdale.
Last year Oxford received the Sterling Award from the National Arbor Day Foundation.
The GUFC gives an annual Grand Award in each of the following categories: civic organization, education, greenspace, community, new initiative, streetscape, revitalization, student and individual achievement, new development, business, media, and elected official.
Each award recipient received a large framed print of a Gainesville sugar maple tree from an original painting by artist Barry Nehr.
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