Posted: 8/6/2005 5:59:24 PM EDT
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Forsyth County - www.forsyth.k12.ga.us/Recent news that you may be interested in: LINK
Quality of Forsyth education exceeding rest of state, expert says
By Harris Blackwood Community Editor
A leader in economic development in Georgia said Wednesday that improving education in public schools remains the top issue in the state.
Phil Jacobs, an executive with BellSouth, is the current chairman of the State Board of Economic Development and is immediate past chairman of the Georgia Chamber of Commerce.
Jacobs, who was the guest speaker at the Wednesday meeting of the South Forsyth Rotary Club, said that Forsyth County Schools are a bright spot in the state's educational system. He pointed to the 78 percent graduation rate as an example.
"You are well above the national average and considerably above the state average," Jacobs said.
Currently, the national average for high school completion is 71 percent and 54 percent in Georgia -- the lowest rate in the nation according to a 2002 report.
Jacobs said that many business prospects will quickly eliminate some Georgia communities because of their graduation rates -- some well bellow 25 percent.
The telecommunications executive singled out Forsyth County School Superintendent Paula Gault, who was also in attendance.
"She is a treasure you need to hang on to," he said.
"The single biggest issue in the state is what we are facing in K-12 education," said Jacobs. "We, as a state, are not producing enough intellectual capital to support economic development."
Jacobs said Georgia has a tremendous advantage over other states because of its post-secondary education system.
"The university system of Georgia is second to none in the Southeast," said Jacobs, pointing to the number of major research universities and the availability of the HOPE scholarship.
He said that Forsyth also excels in quality of life, a benchmark often cited by potential businesses.
"You need to work to protect it, because it doesn't automatically happen," he said.
He said that the healthcare picture improved greatly with the passage of tort reform -- a limit on damage awards in medical malpractice lawsuits. He said that the cost of malpractice insurance was leaving many small town doctors and hospitals in jeopardy.
"Until the past legislative session, we had some real concerns about the viability of health care in the state," said Jacobs.
He said that access to quality healthcare is another concern often expressed by companies wanting to do business in Georgia.
Jacobs, until last week, served as president of Georgia operations for BellSouth. He has been named president of BellSouth Planned Commun-ity Services, a newly formed unit which markets telecommunications services to apartments and other planned residential developments.
Originally published Friday, August 5, 2005
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One of the fastest growing counties in the US. Demographic information can be found HERE
Forsyth County Georgia is located 30 miles north of Atlanta in the lower foothills of the Appalachian Mountains. It extends over most of the west side of Lake Lanier, a 20 mile long 37,000 acre Army Corp of Engineers Reservoir.
Many new neighborhoods are built around world class golf courses. A lot of people enjoy boating and fishing on Lake Lanier. There are local sports teams, churches and many other organizations. A variety of shopping is available inside the county or 10 miles to major shopping malls. The school system is one of the state's finest with computers and technology playing a major role. As one of the fastest growing counties in the United States the county has many new businesses and residents.
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Forsyth County was created in 1832 from parts of the original Cherokee Country. It was named for John Forsyth, Governor of Georgia from 1827-1829 and Secretary of State under Presidents Andrew Jackson and Martin Van Buren.
Cumming was established in 1834. The city is named for Colonel William Cumming of Augusta, a prominent lawyer.
Several Indian archaeological sites are located within Forsyth County. An Indian mound and village are located on Settendown Creek near the mouth of the Etowah River. Another Indian village is located near Sawnee Mountain on Big Creek.
Two places of historic note in Forsyth County are Pool's Mill Covered Bridge and the Settles Home. One of the few remaining covered bridges in the country, Pool's Mill is on the National Register of Historic Places. The Settles Home is considered to be the oldest home in the county and is under consideration to be listed as a historic landmark.
Much of the eastern side of the county lies on the shores of Lake Sidney Lanier, one of the busiest recreational bodies of water in the nation with 200 miles of shoreline. Created in the 1950s with the impoundment of the Chattahoochee River at Buford Dam, the lake has accelerated the growth of the county, as well as provided recreational enjoyment for many throughout north Georgia. The lake is home to Southern Bald Eagles and Peregrine Falcons, both endangered species.
Forsyth County has been ranked by the U.S. Census as the fastest growing county in Georgia.
| An interesting PDFBest of all.................................................you get to live in a city named "Cumming".
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