About The Braselton news. (Jefferson, Ga) 2006-current | View Entire Issue (June 21, 2023)
Wednesday, June 21, 2023 The Braselton News Page 3A O O State WJES’s Westhafer among Gov. Kemp’s appointments West Jackson Elementary School teacher Stephanie Westhafer is pictured with Govenrnor Brian Kemp. Westhafer was recently appointed to serve on the newly-formed Georgia Council on Literacy. West Jackson Elementa ry School teacher Stepha nie Westhafer was recent ly appointed by Governor Brian Kemp to serve on the newly-formed Geor gia Council on Literacy. Westhafer will join a group of 30 appointees who will conduct comprehensive reviews of birth to postsec ondary literary programs and ensure the state is sup porting the improvement of literacy outcomes for Georgia students. “We are thrilled that Dr. Westhafer will be able to highlight the important role that science learning can play in improving lit eracy,” Georgia Science Teachers Association Ex ecutive Director Dr. Nicole Page said. “Her appoint ment speaks to her experi ence and credentials as an outstanding educator and to the efforts of GSTA’s ad vocacy team.” Westhafer is a first-grade teacher at WJES. She was recognized as the Geor gia Pre-K Teacher of the Year 2018-19, earned the Georgia Youth Science and Technology Centers STEM Scholar Award in 2022, and is currently serving as the Georgia Science Teach ers Association Elementary Teacher of the Year. Westhafer has worked with the Georgia Depart ment of Education as a les son plan developer and as a presenter for the Science in Action Video Series. She currently also serves as the K-2 Science Specialist and is an avid researcher and advocate for literacy and science. Westhafer earned a bach elor of science degree in early childhood education, a master’s in elementary education, and an educa tional specialist degree and doctorate in curriculum and instruction from Liber ty University. She and her husband, Michael, have three children and reside in Jackson County. “Literacy, as the stron gest predictor of academic success, is the gateway to educational advancement,” Westhafer said. “By serv ing on the Georgia Council for Literacy, I look forward to researching, developing, and implementing pro grams that promote liter acy at all levels of educa tion. As an early childhood educator who is passionate about literacy and science integration, I am excited about the possibilities this council presents and be lieve that it can make a sig nificant impact on increas ing literacy rates through innovative research-based initiatives.” The Georgia Council on Literacy was established by the passage of SB 211 during the 2023 legislative session and subsequent sig nature by Governor Kemp. Hoschton Hoschton Downtown Development Authority still considering Oak St park plans By Ben Munro ben@mainstreetnews. com Hoschton downtown leaders are still considering plans to transform a three- acre parcel on Oak St. into a city park. The property is located on a block between New St., Oak St., East Broad St. and Hwy. 332. The Hoschton Downtown Development Authority (DDA) last week heard pro posals from three landscape businesses who sought the work, but the board opted to table its decision to pro vide a clearer vision of the project. Lyn Rooks of FemGul- ly Landscapes proposed a plan to include landscap ing, trees, flowers, shrubs, sculptures, art, stonework, pathways, benches, swings, fencing, golf cart parking and at least one pavilion. Rooks also mentioned po tential sponsorship of bricks and the benches. Eric Norton of Paramount Landscape Group suggest ed removing Oak St. as a road to create a pocket park with no vehicle traf fic. His plan includes an ornamental fence along the road frontage of the prop erty. He suggested using Oak St. as a foundation for placing 12’ x 16’ pavilions. His plans include planting hypoallergenic plants to fit the city’s “It’s Happening Hoschton” color scheme with navy blue hydrangeas and white gardenias. Nor ton also wants to implement brick pavers, which resi dents can sponsor for $100 a brick, helping the DDA fund the project’s cost. The brick pavers would be used to construct a walking path. His plan includes covered areas for events like farm ers markets. Norton said the project would cost “sub stantially” under $250,000 and finish within 90 days. He proposes to use Jackson County inmates to keep la bor costs down. Aubry Drum from Miran da Landscape and Supply proposed a park with one pavilion, brick pathways, a flower garden, a small playground with mulch chips, a mural space, ham mock spaces, buffer trees and a wrought-iron fence surrounding the area. She estimated a budget under $100,000 and a timeline “of a few months.” All three said their plans could be built out in multi ple phases. The DDA plans to seek grant funding for the project after a bid is awarded and plans are secured. Braselton Main Street Braselton earns ninth year reaccreditation For the ninth straight year, Main Street Bra selton has earned reac creditation from the Main Street America program. “The reaccreditation standards are rigorous in that national reviewers scour our annual work plan and accomplish ments,” said Amy Pinnell, Braselton’s Community Development Director. The review cited Bra selton’s ongoing support for downtown businesses, its placemaking campaign and service to the com munity. “We are very proud to acknowledge this year’s 862 Accredited Main Street America programs and their steadfast ded ication to nurture eco nomically and cultur ally vibrant downtown districts,” said Hannah White, CEO of Main Street America. Town of Braselton staff members Amy Pinnell (left) and Jessica Payne hold up Braselton’s certificate of accred itation for the Main Street America program. This is the ninth-straight year the town has earned accreditation. 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