SmyrnaVinings.com Weekly Contests

Welcome back!

Although not related to the community of Roswell, I wanted to inform you about an opportunity on one of our sister sites.

SmyrnaVinings.com is a community website much like this one, however it is a bit further along…recently celebrating its second birthday.

The usage of social media is growing and for SmyrnaVinings.com to be a catalyst for change within the community it is important that the site be visible across multiple mediums. The site will be holding weekly contests to provide a little incentive for people to participate.

• The first contest required participants to join the SmyrnaVinings.com Facebook Group…the group now has over 300 members.

• The second contest required participants to follow SmyrnaVinings on twitter…SV has just under 500 followers!

This week’s contest requires participants to join and submit at least one local photo to the site’s Flickr group to be included for a drawing for a free dinner at The Real Chow Baby.

More about this week’s SmyrnaVinings.com Weekly Contest.

Visit AllAboutRoswell.com often because as the site develops we plan to have similar contests on the site.

Georgia Homebuyer Tax Credit

It’s still preliminary, but the state of Georgia is working on a homebuyer tax credit in addition to the $8,000 tax credit passed by the federal government last month.

Georgia residents who buy a home would get a three-year tax credit under legislation that easily passed the House today.

Under the bill, home purchasers would receive income tax credits of up to $3,600, up to $1,200 for each of three years. In order to qualify, homeowners would have to apply for the credit within six months of the date the governor signs the bill.

The measure now moves on to the Senate. The goal is to help revitalize Georgia’s residential real estate market.

Georgia’s housing issues are not nearly as bad as many parts of the country, but it’s great to the Georgia leaders understand the importance of kick-starting home sales as this will have a direct impact on a multitude of industries and the overall economy.

The legislation would apply to new and previously occupied homes as well as residences that have been foreclosed.

The credit could be used either for houses and condominiums and either on primary or second residences.

We’ll keep you posted on as this bill moves forward. For some homebuyers, this could mean a total of $11,600 in tax credits for the purchase of their new home and for others who didn’t qualify for the federal $8,000 credit, it would mean a $3,600 tax credit. Either way, it’s a great incentive to take advantage of this great buying opportunity in the Roswell real estate market.

Georgia Rides to the Capitol

March 3, 2009
12:00 am	to	11:40 am

W H O

Metro Atlanta Mayors Association (MAMA), Georgia Bikes!, and event sponsors will host over 1,000 cyclists from the metro Atlanta region. Police-escorted rides will depart from Decatur and Roswell led respectively by Mayor Bill Floyd and Mayor Jere Wood as well as other mayors and public officials from the region.

W H A T

During the fourth annual “Georgia Rides to the Capitol” event, cyclists will embark on rides to the Capitol in order to raise support for improved conditions for cycling, including the development of regional systems of both on-road bicycling facilities and multi-use-trails.

W H E N

Tuesday, March 3, 2009, during the state legislative session. Estimated time of arrival at the Capitol is 11:40 a.m. Your starting time will depend on which city or auxiliary location you choose to start at or which route you choose to join along the way.

W H Y

Riding to raise support for the development of a regional-scale bicycle network of both on-road facilities and multi-use-trails, and cycling connections to major transit facilities, activity centers, and schools.

MAMA also intends to raise awareness of the benefits of bicycling as an important form of transportation; a beneficial economic development and tourism tool; an excellent way to maintain health and fitness; and a great sport and family activity.

Household Hazardous Waste Collection

March 7, 2009

The City of Roswell Environmental/Public Works will hold a Household Hazardous Waste Collection on Saturday, March 7. This event is for Roswell residents only and pre-registration is required by March 5.

This year, items accepted include: automotive fluids (except motor oil and anti-freeze), household cleaners, liquid/solid pesticides, pool chemicals, bleach, aerosol cans including spray paint, mercury, film developing chemicals and plant food.

Items not being accepted include: paint, light bulbs, batteries, propane tanks and fire extinguishers. For information on how to properly dispose of these items, contact the Roswell Recycling Center at 770.442.8822.

To register or for more information, please email Janet Liberman at jliberman@roswellgov.com. Download a registration form here. Once registered, you will receive an email confirmation with the location and time of the event.

Materials collected at the event will be handled by Clean Harbours.