• After spending nine years on the Canton Police Department’s force, Stacy Bailey recently was promoted to sergeant. Bailey, who started out as a patrol officer and moved up the ranks to a corporal over a shift in uniform patrol, said her greatest accomplishment is the solid relationships and foundation she has developed between the police department and the community.  “We need the community, its people, business, etc. as much as they need us,” she said. “It has really changed my perspective on policing and giving back. It has totally changed my life in a positive manner. I am also very proud of the many different organizations and affiliations I am able to be involved in.” Since the rank promotion, Bailey said she has continued efforts in community relations, a position that was created in August 2006. In this position, Bailey leads the Explorer Unit. Bailey also just completed her last full class for her master’s degree in Public
Administration at Columbus State University; she currently has a two-year degree  in criminal justice and a bachelor’s degree in business and communication from Reinhardt University.

• Reinhardt University Price School of Education graduate student Karen Garland has been named as a David Watts Scholar by the Southern Regional Association of Teacher Educators (SRATE). The award is named in honor of David Watts, an educator at both the public school and college level. It recognizes a scholar and outstanding educator whose performance merits special recognition. It carries a monetary stipend and a certificate. Garland’s work was recognized at the annual SRATE conference recently. Her expected graduation date is May 2012. She resides in Canton.

• Anne Baker recently joined Alliance Team of Georgia. She comes from Living In Town, managing and leasing commercial property and several homeowners associations. She used to work with Alliance Team of Towne Lake. “We are excited to have Anne join our growing team and know she will be a tremendous asset in our continued growth” said Patrick Comeaux of The Alliance.  “Her vast experience will greatly enhance the benefits received by our clients.”  She specializes in Residential and Commercial Real Estate in Cherokee and throughout Cobb County. For more information, call Anne Baker at (678) 770-1855, (678) 792-9490 or e-mail her at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

• Woodstock resident Rebecca Strickland-Field was sworn in by Judge Frank C. Mills, III in the Superior Court of Cherokee County after passing the Georgia Bar Examination. She was also sworn in to the Supreme Court of Georgia by Chief Justice Carol W. Hunstein. She is a graduate of John Marshall Law School, in Atlanta, and is married to Eric Field.

• Cecil A. Bonner Jr., of Canton, has been named to the Georgia Consumer Advisory Board. Bonner is a retired state manager for St. Paul Insurance. He serves on the Canton Planning and Zoning Board, the Canton Main Street Program and the Canton Government Study Committee. Bonner earned a Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of Georgia. He and his wife, Karen, have one son, Christopher. They reside in Canton.

• Katie McMahon of Woodstock recently achieved the status of Independent Sales Director with Mary Kay. Mary Kay Independent Sales Directors build successful businesses with the income potential, freedom and flexibility that accompanies an entrepreneurial business opportunity.  “Katie’s extraordinary vision and enthusiasm has enabled her to achieve the position of Independent Sales Director,” said Darrell Overcash, president of Mary Kay Inc. U.S. “We are always thrilled to be able to recognize this kind of achievement which comes from hard work, professionalism and determination.”

• Shawn S. Liburdi, OTR/L, CHt-certified medical hypnotherapist with Georgia Hypnotherapy Associate in Woodstock, recently completed training in a new weight reduction method, Virtual Gastric Band, with developer and U.K. clinical hypnotherapist Sheila Granger. She is one of less than 100 therapists in the United States trained in the technique. The Virtual Gastric Band System is unique in that, unlike traditional weight loss methods and surgery, there are no risks, no special foods to buy and no calorie counting, according to Liburdi. Patients relax, use their imagination to subconsciously believe that they have undergone gastric surgery, and let their subconscious mind be retrained to eat less. Virtual Gastric Band is effective for those who have had gastric surgery and regained the weight, as well as for those who simply want to shed unwanted weight, look better, or feel more confident, she said.