Bartow County Responds to COVID19

Bartow County Responds to COVID19

March 13th, 2020 – 3:15 PM

WBHF Radio –

(via WBHF) In a continued effort to protect our citizens and help contain the spread of the COVID-19 virus, Bartow County Government will temporarily suspend all non-essential functions and recreational activities until further notice. Functions to be suspended include, but are not necessarily limited to:

Recreation: All activities at County operated parks and gymnasiums are suspended until April 6th. The public will be allowed to utilize the open areas of the parks. All facilities and outdoor areas will continue to be cleaned, treated and sanitized daily by Recreation Department maintenance staff. However, the public is asked to take additional precautionary measures when visiting these open areas to keep yourself and your family members safe. Gatewood Park, Clark Creek North and Clark Creek South campsites and boat ramps will remain open. The Office will be closed to the public until April 2nd but will be fully staffed and conducting business via phone calls and emails.

Senior Centers: All Senior Center activities are suspended and the centers will be closed to the public until April 13th, with the exception of the Meal Program, which will be home delivery only. Please contact the Zena Drive Senior Center for further information.
Transit Services: The Bartow County Transit Service will continue operations as usual for essential trips, such as doctors’ visits, dialysis, etc., but will attempt to limit non-essential transports as much as possible. Transit personnel will take the necessary steps to protect passengers and drivers.

Olin Tatum Building: The Olin Tatum Buildings will be closed to the public until further notice. The Veterans Administration Office will be closed to the public. Master Gardeners and other meetings conducted in the Olin Tatum Building are suspended until further notice.

Rose Lawn museum tours are suspended until further notice.

Animal Control: Animal Control services will continue operating as usual, but will conduct business with the public by appointment only. Those wishing to release/surrender an animal should contact the Rescue Coordinator at the Etowah Valley Humane Society at 770-383-3338.
Water Department: The lobby of the Bartow County Water Department will be closed to the public. Water bills can be paid through the drive-thru window or mail only.

Elections: The County Elections Office will be open for early voting Saturday, March 14th from 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Office hours will be reduced to 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. March 16th-20th. The Cartersville Civic Center precinct for early voting will close today, March 13th at 5:00 p.m. The Allatoona Resource Center and Manning Mill Gymnasium will not be open for early voting during the week of March 16th-20th.

The Bartow County Courthouse will remain open to the public as needed. All County offices will be fully staffed and available to provide services to the public via phone, email or online. However, hours and functions may change as this situation continues to change.
Criminal Trials: There will be no jury trials in Bartow County Superior Court during the week of March 16-20, 2020. Jurors are not to report to the Courthouse that week. Contact the Clerk of Superior Court at 770-387-5125 for further information.

Judges David K. Smith and Jeffrey Watkins requests that all defendants and counsel who wish to resolve their cases by guilty pleas to report to their assigned courtrooms at 9:00 a.m. Monday, March 16th.

A decision regarding Civil and Criminal Non-Jury court for Tuesday and Wednesday, March 17th and 18th (Bartow County) and Thursday (Gordon County) March 19th will be made at a later date.
All other County non-court related offices will be reducing in-person interactions as much as possible to reduce the risk of further spread of the virus.
Citizens are encouraged to contact County offices via telephone, email or online. www.bartowga.org

Citizens are further advised to be wary of email hackers that are attempting to take advantage of this crisis. Contact the cdc.gov website to stay informed with the most accurate and up-to-date information.
The County Commissioner will continue to monitor the situation and will make further determinations as deemed necessary and appropriate to protect the citizens of Bartow County.