What's Buzzing this week:
Closer look at Floyd County's SPLOST vote: Natalie Simms details the $42.3 million special projects list going before voters, especially the enhanced communications system that would give local emergency agencies direct contact with one another and meet Federal Communications Commission guidelines for "narrow band" communications by 2013. Also: the five other projects on the list> SPLOST
Launch a new business in today's economy? Conditions could be perfect depending on your niche. We talk with Cartersville businessman Mark Mathison about his new venture and review a few others in our market> Launch
Call it 24/7 fitness: Rome Athletic Club is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week effective today. Owner Chrissy Hughes says RAC offers "the only full-service 24-hour health club in Rome." Month-to-month and $25/month memberships are available as well. Details: www.romeathleticclub.com
-A trend toward round-the-clock fitness? There's even a chain specializing in such things, including Anytime Fitness which has a studio in Cartersville near the Carmike 12 cinemas. The company Web site indicates a shop is coming to Rome. We have calls into the local franchise for more.
What's buzzing in local retail: We're also checking reports this week about potential retail activity. We've heard of a "great possibility" brewing at one or more spots in the market and it appears one of those options is taking off. We'll have more as soon as we confirm it with one of the two parties.
Big weekend ahead in Northwest Georgia: What's on tap:
-Rome: Chiaha Harvest Fair, Saturday-Sunday, Ridge Ferry Park. Details.
-36th annual Peach State Marching Competition, Barron Stadium. Details
-In Cartersville: Seventh Annual Cowboy Festival, Symposium> Details
Closer look at SPLOST '09, countywide communications system
By Natalie Simms
natsimms76@gmail.com
Rome and Floyd County voters are voting now through Nov. 3 on the fate of a proposed $42.3 million Special Purpose, Local Option Sales Tax package that includes potential funds for public safety, business development and overall services (see ballot).
This SPLOST would be an extension of the current one-cent tax, not an additional penny per dollar. Collections would begin July 1 as the current SPLOST ends June 30, and would continue for three years.
The centerpiece of the package is a new $26,696,250 countywide public safety communications system. It would upgrade emergency management communications to a new 800MHz system that would solve multiple problems facing the county's current system.
"Right now, we only have one tower on Mount Alto that covers 514 square miles of jurisdiction," says Scotty Hancock, director of Rome-Floyd Emergency Management Agency. "That's the only tower for all emergency communications and if it gets blown down in a 70-mph wind, we have no back up."
In addition, the current single-site conventional system is outdated since it was designed in the 1960s and it does not allow for countywide communications among the various public safety agencies.
Currently, city and county police agencies cannot communicate directly with each other nor can county units communicate directly with the Fire Department, emergency medical service or public works.
County police and sheriff's departments are on a UHF signal while city police and the countywide fire departments are on a VHF signal.
"For example, if there is a house fire in the county, both fire and police are dispatched. If the police come around back and the fire department is in the front of the house, they may need to communicate with each other for back-up help but they can't except by radioing back to dispatch," Hancock says.
The current system also has a number of "dead" spots in the county, making it hard for even the 911 dispatch operator to communicate with any public safety officials in those areas.
Here are some examples that showcase the equipment concerns. They're from the fatal March 2008 tornadoes that went through southern Floyd and Polk counties in the Wax Road area. The first unit on the scene was Sheriff's Deputy Jeff Chandler. The 911 operator had a hard time hearing Chandler because he was in a "dead" spot. The operator finally had to get Chandler to use his cell phone to communicate.
-Tornado audio A: Static-filled clip from arriving first responder and dispatcher.
-Tornado audio B: Dispatcher, unable to understand, asks him to use phone.
"Cell phones are a great resource for a back-up communications," Hancock says. "But relying on a cell phone provider for a public safety communications system is a safety risk for all involved."
Fire officials also said potential problems with "dead" spots could put firefighters in danger. "Off Highway 140 in Adairsville is a dead area. If there is a house fire there, our guys are inside working and they need help and send out a 'May Day' call, the dispatch probably won't be able to understand what they are saying," says Fire Chief Gordon Henderson, Rome-Floyd County Fire Department. "It's hard to talk to dispatch on a portable radio and in many areas of the county, that's our life line."
The proposed system would have seven tower sites throughout the county to give ample coverage and eliminate many "dead" spots. The sites include replacing the current tower on Mount Alto along with new sites at Lavender Mountain; Fire Tower Road in Shannon; Heath Mountain (Ga. 20); at Hardin and Wax roads; Padlock Mountain in Cave Spring; and Leonard Road at Doyal Road.
"This would give us excellent coverage. In addition, each school would have a radio to communicate with us," Hancock says. "Right now, if a school goes on lock down and their telephone communications are out, we have no way to communicate with the school. The radio would allow the school to communicate directly with 911 in case they have no phone."
The system upgrade also would satisfy a mandate from the Federal Communications Commission requiring all local agencies to "narrow band" their radio systems by January 2013. Right now, the system is a "wide band" of 25 KHz and the FCC is requiring systems to drop to a 12 KHz band.
"It's kind of like the switch to digital TV signal from analog that happened earlier this year," Hancock says. "There are just too many frequencies out there and not room for growth. And because of all the frequencies, we have a lot of 'bleed' over from other agencies. We get 'bleed' from Fort Payne, Ala.'s fire department and from MARTA police in Atlanta."
If Emergency Management does nothing, it would lose current radios because of the narrow-banding standard in 2013. "We could spend $4 million to get the narrowband radios but we still wouldn't be able to talk to each other directly and there would still be other issues with public safety," Hancock says.
Rome and county officials did an analysis of all the available alternatives to upgrade the existing system. Even though the cost is high, the new 800MHz system was chosen because it meets the FCC requirement, has lots of frequency availability, no interference, capacity to grow, no redundancy and regional interoperability, they say.
"It's a big pill to swallow but we've got to do something," Rich says. "We feel this system is what's going to give us the best use of our money for the long run. From a safety perspective for our officials, how can you really put a price on that?"
This new system would put Floyd County ahead, in terms of technology, of surrounding counties. The one drawback is that the new 800MHz system would not be compatible with systems in Polk, Bartow or Gordon counties--at this time.
However, Floyd would be joining a North Georgia/East Tennessee Regional Radio System with Catoosa, Walker and Dade counties; and be linked with other areas in Atlanta that have implemented, or are in the process of implementing, the 800MHz system. These areas include the City of Atlanta, DeKalb, Cobb, Cherokee, Gwinnett, Hall, Paulding and Carroll counties.
"Many of our agencies can't communicate with them (surrounding communities) now anyway. The plan is to get all of them up and running on the same system in the future," Hancock says. "However, there is a National Emergency Channel on which all frequencies -- UHF, VHF and 800MHz -- can communicate. So, any community would be able to communicate with us via that channel."
The county also could maintain some of the old equipment for mutual aid communications with neighboring jurisdictions. But, if a neighboring community needs help, they will have to call into Floyd's 911 dispatch operator for assistance and cannot directly communicate with each agency.
Gordon County officials are looking into transitioning to the 800MHz along with Floyd.
"We have a report due from our Motorola vendor this month about how to implement the system and the cost," says Randall Dowling, Gordon County administrator. "Certainly, if Floyd implements the system, we would look to tie into their system. We definitely believe the 800MHz system is bigger, better and more efficient but we have to look at what we're facing with cost."
Bartow County officials say they would like to upgrade but cost is a major factor. "We do have an 800 MHz radio in our mobile command unit, so we could communicate with others who have that system," says Johnny Payne, Bartow County Emergency Management Director. "It would definitely be worth it to go to the new system if you can afford it," he says. "It is all according to what our economy does and when we can get funding."
To help offset the huge cost, Floyd could apply for federal grants but the SPLOST must be approved first. "If and when the SPLOST vote approves the funding of the project, Floyd County will meet the criteria and become eligible for future grants," Poe says.
Also included in the proposed 2009 SPLOST:
-Industrial development: The county would use $5,983,500 for the acquisition and improvement of real estate for economic development. According to County Manager Kevin Poe, this money would be used to make improvements to land at Ga. 140 and Ga. 53.
"We have 300-plus acres available to recruit future industry," Poe says."We will use this money for infrastructure improvement and get it ready for future industrial development. But if an industry comes in and we need to build infrastructure somewhere else, we will have flexibility to use this money to get that industry here."
-Barron Stadium enhancements: Another $3,369,000 would be used for improvements to Barron Stadium, including installation of artificial turf; a 7,300-square-foot concession area and locker room; and track repaving. The turf and enhancements could be major factors in the NAIA's decision to extend Rome's agreement to host the annual college football championship at Barron each December.
-Rome would use $1,899,631 for renovation and construction of the Northwest Georgia Regional Commission Building (formerly known as Coosa Valley Regional Development Center) on Jackson Hill. The Rome office recently combined with the Dalton office to form the new commission. More room is needed at the site.
"Other communities would love to have this regional office in their area;in fact, Gordon County says they'd give them space," says Sammy Rich, Rome's assistant city manager. "But, we felt we couldn't lose the economic impact of this office with over 60 professionals that keep their payroll dollars here. We need to take care of what employers we have and keep jobs here."
-The Rome-Floyd Fire Department would receive $4 million for renovation to some existing fire stations; construction of a new fire department headquarters and emergency operations center; and the purchase of additional life saving extraction equipment. The new administration building would be across the parking lot from the East 12th Street Fire Station. It would house the department headquarters, fire marshal and fire safety and prevention offices.
-$350,000 for water system improvements for the City of Cave Spring.
Local entrepreneurism: Right move, right time, right niche
On our Druck Report radio program today (WRGA 1470 AM), we take a closer look at the spirit of entrepreneurism continuing even in rough times. We've seen Southeastern Mills, Ledbetter Properties and even some Broad Street businesses make some creative moves amid recessionary conditions.
Last week, we asked Mark Mathison, owner of the Slope's Barbecue franchise in Cartersville, about his decision to open Game Time Sports Grille right behind the restaurant and next to the Carmike 12 theaters. His answer makes any entrepreneur out there proud. says Mathison:
"Our decision was hard but we felt like this is when you could get the best deal on commercial property for rent. I had been watching the space and knew it would be available. When it did, I jumped and made a quick offer to the landlord.
"We are getting in inexpensively and there has always been a need for a sports bar in Cartersville."
And, he added: "If you look at sales in the food service industry, the only market that is improving is sports bars. People refuse to give up their sports during bad times. They may give up their tickets to an event, but they still want to watch."
Let's highlight three things from Mathison's answer as it underscores the opportunities in front of us all today:
-He had a specific site in mind and didn't jump at any potential location. It certainly helps to have two of his businesses basically just a parking lot away.
-He knew when to move. Indeed, the spot was open and the property owner needed a reliable, well-financed tenant with a record of success.
-He knew which niche to fill, in this case a sports bar in Cartersville. As Mathison said: Sports fans might not be visiting the ballparks and stadiums as often as before the recession but they still want to enjoy their sports and follow their teams.
The bottom line: The right location, the right price and the right niche came together at the right time. We think you'll be seeing more of these moves as the perfect storm for entrepreneural investment is here.
PEAKS & VALLEYS: The highs and lows of Northwest Georgia
Peak to Janda Kaye Canalis, Floyd County's Teacher of the Year: Janda is a healthcare science teacher at Floyd County Schools College & Career Academy. She was an intensive care nurse who turned her "passion for teaching patients to manage their health" into a different level of teaching. She's also known for her work with classes, especially younger students, at EarthWorks Pottery in Rome. (Background: Floyd Board of Education)
Valley to any form of behind-closed-doors government: Did you hear what Gov. Sonny Perdue had to say about water concerns and the upcoming General Assembly while he was in Rome Thursday? Neither did we. Perdue, making a sweep through the region to pass out Governor's Cup honors (more below), met with state representatives Rick Crawford, Katie Dempsey and Barbara Massey Reece. The topic: Water. The situation: behind closed doors away from the public. We certainly understand how sensitive water matters are in terms of all the legalities involving Florida, Alabama and even Tennessee. But we also understand water management is a critical factor for our residents and businesses. These discussions must be on the record and open to all. (Background: RNT)
Peaks to Cass High and Cedartown High: Both schools earned respective Governor's Cup honors for individual improvements on their SAT scores year over year. In fact, Cass's 63-point increase was the highest of any school in the state. We salute the faculty, staff and most of all students of both schools for making such gains even as we continue to see critically needed dollars diverted from the education system. (Background: Governor's Cup)
Peak to Georgia Northwestern Technical College: The school formerly known as Coosa Valley Technical College is giving the community open access to its computers to help interested people apply for jobs at the new Volkswagen plant in Chattanooga. VW is accepting applications at www.vwjobschattanooga.com. This is a great community contribution and another solid community move by a local college to help get this community working again (the first was Shorter College's recent career fair).
The Cotton Block of Broad Street is seeing the most change with Mattress Direct/The Kidz Loft and C&S Trophies moving into new spaces. Roger Wade, owner of Mattress Direct/The Kidz Loft, also has plans to bring in a new restaurant in 2010. 
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