JoAnne Taylor addresses reasons why she’s running for mayor
Community, Election August 18, 2021
Dahlonega, Ga.- Former city council member JoAnne Taylor has announced that she plans to run for mayor in the upcoming November election. Taylor was a council member from 2017 till recently when she stepped down in order to run for Mayor. She has lived in Dahlonega since 2004 with her husband.
Taylor has a Bachelor’s Degree in English Literature and is currently retired after working for 32 years for IBM with their Global Telecommunications Industry. She is a mother of three grown children. When she started working in the 60s, it was out of necessity as her husband a Vietnam Vet had several challenges he was dealing with that made it difficult for him to work.
JoAnne has always enjoyed volunteer work and tries to stay active with one to two non-profits groups at a time. She also is a mentor to women for their career paths. She also served in Lumpkin County Literacy Coalition, Corporate Board member with Connect North Georgia.
She is Poir President of the Community Helping Place and was a volunteer mentor in the Lumpkin County School System. Currently vice-chair of the North Georgia Interfaith Ministry Jeremiah’s Place, and she also received Kids First recognition from Family Connection in 2018.
On August 8, Taylor was elected President of the Georgia Municipal Association District 2. In this role, she is a liaison between the GMA and municipal officials in GMA’s District 2. If elected mayor, the GMA is expected to hold positions for her so she can get back involved.
Her goal if elected Mayor is to help ease the difficulties of the coming growth in the community. One way she seeks to help this is by helping the council be mindful of the effects that new zoning will have on the city residents.
Taylor also has concerns about the loss of life due to COVID-19. She acknowledges that there are many decisions to be made before she would possibly be elected and also that the governor has enacted limits for what cities will be able to do.
“We have a low vaccination rate here for many, many reasons, and I would just encourage people to reconsider their vaccination decision and protect themselves and their families,” stated Taylor.
The reason Taylor thinks she is most qualified for this position is that she has the necessary experience working with the city government. She also has the business credentials needed to be the help run the city. When asked if she would run again for city council or mayor if not elected this time she said maybe.
“I care about this city, I love this city. That’s my biggest thing I just love living here, I love the people and I have the experience and business credentials,” commented Taylor.
JoAnne Taylor at one of her final City Council meetings.
To the candidates for her position on the council, she warned that they need to get as much training as fast as they can. They also need to be aware of the city’s needs. An example would be the 28% living in poverty. The 2020 census shows that Dahlonega has grown 38% so the candidates need to be aware of what services and infrastructure are needed to meet with this growth.
“To the people of Dahlonega know I’m in this for you,” explained Taylor.
Qualifying for the November election is August 17 through the 19. Forms are available at City Hall for the process. For more information on qualifying visit https://dahlonega.gov/2021-municipal-election-qualifying/
Taylor says design standards bill in Gen. Assembly would harm citizens’ right to self determination
News February 16, 2020
DAHLONEGA, Ga. – City Council will consider a resolution presented by Council member JoAnne Taylor in support of locally-established building design standards for residential dwellings during the Tuesday (Feb. 18) work session. The meeting begins at 4 p.m.
Taylor’s resolution is in response to two bills now in the Georgia General Assembly (HB 302 and SB 172) that would prohibit local governments from adopting or enforcing ordinances or regulations relating to or regulating building design elements as applied to one or two-family dwellings.
The resolution states: “Appropriate local design standards and land use policies, established by local citizens in each community, create a diverse, stable, profitable, and sustainable residential development landscape” It further states: “State legislation eliminating locally-tailored approaches to design standards would harm self-determination of citizens to establish community standards.”
If approved, a copy of the resolution will be delivered to each member of the Georgia House of Representatives and Senate representing the City of Dahlonega and be made available for distribution to the public and the press.
Council will also consider a resolution to change its regular meeting dates to the first Monday of each month at 6 p.m. with the exception of the month of September when the meeting would be held Tuesday, Sept. 8 at 8 p.m. If approved, work sessions would move to the third Thursday of each month at 4 p.m.
An ordinance (2020-07) to include regulations and procedures for mobile food truck services operations in the city will also be considered. The ordinance, if approved, would provide for the application procedures, duties of the permit holders, liability and insurance regulations, suspension or revocation of permit and penalties and limitations. It would also outline general public safety aspects such as removal of litter, disposal of liquids, trash receptacles, eating area displays, health department regulations, assignment of locations, power sources, unattended units and fire safety.
Council will also consider an ordinance (2020-11) to regulate parades, assemblies, demonstrations and rallies in public places. If approved, it will amend the qualifications for special events as well as consolidate the ordinances currently in place regarding parades, assemblies, demonstrations, rallies and special events.
Council will consider a staff recommendation to award two separate contracts to Colditz Trucking, Inc. for road work. The first is a contract for (project #2020-005) asphalt leveling and resurfacing of city streets in the amount of $66,917.52. The second contract is for the (LMIG Project #2020-001) for asphalt leveling and resurfacing of city streets in the amount of $100,219.93.
Council will also consider a staff recommendation to award a contract for Barlow Road Improvements (Project 2020-10) including grading complete, erosion control, construction of curb and gutter, drainage structures, pipe and flumes to Townley Construction in the amount of $228,764.60.
Agenda items considered during a work session are generally voted on during the next regular meeting.
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