Lumpkin County Board of Education announces called meeting for August 24
Community, News August 23, 2018LUMPKIN, CO., GA
11 days after they voted on the current millage rate, which will result in a property tax increase, the Lumpkin County Board of Education announced that they will hold a called meeting on August 24. The announcement came after local media and local citizens questioned the integrity behind previous public hearings that involved the millage rate vote.
According to their Facebook page, the purpose of the meeting is to, “hear community feedback regarding millage rates, school system budgets, and school finance.” They also stated that, “all community members are encouraged to attend and to provide feedback or ask questions.If you are unable to attend, but wish to provide feedback, please email our school board members.”
In a separate post on social media, Superintendient, Dr. Robert Brown, released the following statement, “It is ridiculous for anyone to suggest that our school board is not welcoming of public input or attempted to avoid feedback provided at the millage hearings. Our school board members receive phone calls and emails from concerns and supportive citizens on a regular basis. They welcome and seek feedback from a variety of sourced in our community, all in an effort to continue providing a premier education for all students in Lumpkin County.” However, according to a local Dahlonega resident, several attempts at contacting members of the board and the superintendent were all left unanswered.
FYN also called and emailed each board member, as well as the superintendent, but did not receive a response.
The meeting will be held at the Lumpkin County Central Office at 6pm.
Hunter Hill visits Ellijay
Election 2018 May 4, 2018
ELLIJAY, Ga. – Continuing his campaign for Governor, Hunter Hill made a stop in Ellijay on May 2 to speak with local citizens about his plans for the office if elected.
Hill spoke to local citizens over breakfast at Mike’s Ellijay Restaurant on Highway 282.
Arriving at 8 a.m., Governor Candidate Hunter Hill steps off his bus to meet citizens at Mike’s Ellijay Restaurant.
Hill is a former Army Ranger who has been in the State Senate for five years now. After resigning his seat in August to run for Governor, Hill has been focusing on his vision for Georgia and spreading that message to rally voters. Today, he spoke with citizens in Ellijay about the ideals for “less government, less taxes, and more freedom.”
With “career politicians,” as Hill noted, in office, it is an undermining of our values as a nation. He called out those politicians saying they were not even willing to risk their next election to uphold their oath.
Focusing more specifically on the recent issue of sanctuary cities. Adamantly against the topic, Hill said, “If a city or county in this state were to claim itself a sanctuary city, they would not receive a nickel of state funding.”
After his speech, Hunter Hill paused to answer questions from citizens attending his breakfast meet and greet.
His second point on his vision for the office reiterated his opinions and intention to eliminate the state income tax. With bordering states already without an income tax, the competitive disadvantage is hurting our state, according to Hill. He went on to say replacing the income tax with a consumption tax setup would alleviate the tax burden from honest Georgians and redistribute that to everyone including visitors to the state and even those making money in illegal ways. Hill stated, “A broad-based consumption tax allows us to have more people that we’re bringing money in from, which allows us to do so at lower rates.”
On a personal note, Hill mentioned his faith pushed him to focus not only on the points of pro-life, pro-second amendment, and also religious liberty. FYN asked Hill if he would be seeking a “Faith Restoration Act” in his first year to which he replied, “Very good chance of that, yeah.”
Hill did confirm that he wanted to pursue faith-based adoption as a part of it saying, “We’ve got to protect our faith-based adoption agencies. We’ve just got to do it. A lot of the reasons that faith-based adoption agencies get involved is to be helpful in congruence with their faith. If you don’t protect their ability to do it in congruence with their faith, then they will just stop doing it altogether.”
Meeting with Gilmer residents for breakfast allowed Hunter Hill a chance to meet and speak with local citizens about issues and his vision for the Governor’s Office.
Protecting people of faith and their ability to live and work based on that faith was a focus of Hill’s speech about the governor’s office, but also on his words about his future view of the state. He noted after winning on key policy issues aligned with our values and principals, he wanted to remind senators and house members of the values and principals that they were elected for, providing a singular vision to move forward under.
“Fighting for the people of Georgia” is what he says his focus is as Hill says he sees polls with him ahead of Kemp and closing in on Cagle. Separating himself, Hill says he’s not the career politician like Cagle and is very different than Kemp on issues like the income tax and limited government. But when comparing, Hill said he wanted to focus on his campaign and his vision to protect liberties and endorsements like the Georgia Right to Life to be a different candidate.
While most of those present were already Hill supporters like retired Gilmer county citizen, George Winn, who said he’s been a Hill supporter “all the way.” Based upon his stances as a military, Christian conservative who is a believable and trustworthy conservative.
Others like Ken Bailey find themselves supporting Hill as the best candidate. Following the campaign because “Hunter is not a politician. He is a fresh, young face and not a part of the established system, which needs to be broken up I think. I think he’s got good ideas. We don’t need to have a state income tax, that puts a handicap on us.” Bailey went on to say that he liked some of the other candidates and even knew some personally, but felt Hill was the best choice.
He also commented his appreciation of the choice in the election. With fine candidates available, Bailey said its great to not have to pick the best of a bad selection.
Hill continues his bus tour across Georgia with his final stop at the Cobb GOP Headquarters in Marietta on Saturday afternoon, May 2.
Kemp tells the NRA they have been “Casey Cagled”
Election 2018, Featured Stories, Politics, State & National April 6, 2018
BLUE RIDGE, Ga. – Secretary of State of the U.S. State of Georgia and Republican Governor hopeful Brian Kemp accused the Lieutenant Governor of Georgia Casey Cagle of a political stunt and pandering for endorsements.
As the the Georgia Gubernatorial race heats up so do the accusations and claims of who really represents the people and who is running a self-serving campaign.
One such accusation came earlier this week as Kemp sent an email to top NRA lobbyist Christopher Cox telling Cox that the NRA has been “Casey Cagled”.
On Feb. 26 Cagle released a tweet firmly stating, “”I will kill any tax legislation that benefits @Delta unless the company changes its position and fully reinstates its relationship with @NRA.”
Cagle then added, “Corporations cannot attack conservatives and expect us not to fight back.”
A mere two days later, a state Senate committee removed the jet fuel perk from the broad tax bill, and on March 1, the Senate passed a tax bill, with a 44-10 vote that still eliminated this jet fuel tax break.
According to Kemp’s letter, Cagle’s Tweet and the action taken in the state Senate are nothing more than a political show: “That sounds real good. But there’s one big problem with it. The NRA is getting played.”
Recent legislation passed by both the House and the Senate of Georgia paint a different picture of Cagle’s true stance, according to Kemp.
Kemp urged the NRA to look into HB930: “Please have your team review HB930 from this past legislative session. It passed on the last day (aka Sine Die). It is a legislative package to expand mass transit in Georgia, especially in the metro Atlanta area in which Hartsfield-Jackson Airport is located. ”
As promised by Cagle, this bill does not include the jet fuel tax break that Delta Airlines had hoped to recieve, but it does include a tax break of another kind that could greatly benefit the airline company.
Kemp claims the new legislation grants airlines at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport an exemption from a local transportation sales tax, known as Transportation Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (TSPLOST).
Section of HB930 describing exemptions for airlines.
“As those of us involved in Georgia politics like to say…..you’ve been “Casey Cagled”. He tells you one thing while cutting secret deals to help Delta down the line,” Kemp stated of his opponent.
Cagle’s campaign manager Scott Binkley replied to these alligations, “The only way this helps Delta is if it lands a 747 in Gwinnett or Cobb County regional airports.”
The Cagle campaign says that the legislation only extends exemptions for sales tax on jet fuels if Cobb and Gwinnett counties were to raise sales tax to join MARTA. According to Cagle’s campaign this in no way affects the Delta Hub located in Clayton County.
With Cagle tweeting one agenda and passing another, Kemp feels that there is only one conclusion: “The facts are the facts. Delta benefits in the near future from this legislation that Cagle supported.”
FetchYourNews is talking with the NRA to gather their opion of the email sent by Kemp and their stance on the recently passed Georgia HB930.
Full Letter From Brian Kemp to Chris Cox:
Chris,
As you know, I am a Republican candidate for Governor of Georgia. My opponent Casey Cagle made quite a spectacle trashing Delta Airlines this legislative session trying to show he is a strong supporter of the NRA. I’m quite sure he has been pushing for, if not demanding, your endorsement now that the session is done.
He has probably brought up to you and others this tweet:
Casey Cagle ✔@CaseyCagle
I will kill any tax legislation that benefits @Delta unless the company changes its position and fully reinstates its relationship with @NRA. Corporations cannot attack conservatives and expect us not to fight back.
That sounds real good. But there’s one big problem with it.
The NRA is getting played.
Please have your team review HB930 from this past legislative session. It passed on the last day (aka Sine Die). It is a legislative package to expand mass transit in Georgia, especially in the metro Atlanta area in which Hartsfield-Jackson Airport is located.
This legislation does not include the comprehensive jet fuel tax break that Delta Airlines sought earlier in the year, but it does grant to airlines at Hartsfield (notably Delta) an exemption from a local transportation sales tax known as TSPLOST that Clayton County may levy in the near future.
Clayton County is where Hartsfield Jackson airport is primarily located. The exemption applies to any airport that has more than 750,000 takeoffs and landings per year. In Georgia, the only airport that qualifies is Hartsfield Jackson.
As those of us involved in Georgia politics like to say…..you’ve been “Casey Cagled”.
He tells you one thing while cutting secret deals to help Delta down the line.
I know that Cagle’s team will throw all sorts of confusing jargon and legislative baloney at you trying to deny this. It’s complicated legislation that they will undoubtedly try to make more complicated when they explain it to you.
But the facts are the facts. Delta benefits in the near future from this legislation that Cagle supported.
Chris, I have been a member of the NRA for many years. I hunt, fish, and carry. I have served in the State Senate and have a rock solid voting record on 2nd Amendment issues. Most importantly, I will tell you where I stand and I don’t waver. I do what I say in everything that I do.
In stark contrast, the record of what you get with Casey Cagle is crystal clear.
If you are interested in having someone in this important office who believes as you do and will not play these kind of games, I welcome your support and ask for your endorsement.
Thanks for your time and consideration.
Brian Kemp
Fetch Your News is a hyper local news outlet that attracts more than 300,000 page views and 3.5 million impressions per month in Dawson, Lumpkin, White, Fannin, Gilmer, Pickens, Union, Towns and Murray counties as well as Cherokee County in N.C. FYNTV attracts approximately 15,000 viewers per week and reaches between 15,000 to 60,000 per week on our Facebook page. For the most effective, least expensive local advertising, call 706-276-6397 or email us at [email protected]
Author
Getting Started in 2018
State & National January 12, 2018Getting Started in 2018
By: Sen. Steve Gooch (R – Dahlonega)
On Monday, January 8, 2018, we reconvened for the second session of the 154th Georgia General Assembly, which many anticipate will be very fast-paced. The Georgia Senate began our business with leadership changes and three new members. We will also welcome another new member next week who won a special election on Tuesday, January 9, 2018.
In addition to welcoming three new members, Sen. David Shafer, who served as the Senate President Pro Tempore since 2013, resigned his position and the Georgia Senate nominated and elected Sen. Butch Miller to serve in this role. Sen. Miller is a fellow North Georgian and we are honored to have him as our next Pro Temp. The Senate Committee on Assignments also announced chairmen and committee assignments for the upcoming year.
In addition to my duties as Senate Majority Whip, I will continue to serve as the Vice-Chair of the Transportation Committee, the Secretary of the Appropriations Committee, as a member of the Finance, MARTOC, Regulated Industries and Utilities committees and as ex-officio on the Senate Assignments and Rules committees.
As we draw near to the second week of session, we will begin budget hearings as we craft the Amended FY18 and General FY19 budgets. During these meetings and agency presentations, I will keep the prosperity of all Georgians in mind as we finely comb through proposals. Our focus will be on saving tax payers’ dollars while ensuring economic growth and job creation continues to grow in our great state.
Something new here at the Georgia Senate is livestreaming of standing committees that meet in one of the five rooms wired during the Senate Transparency Project. This is in addition to the Senate Chamber being livestreamed during session days. The goal of this project is to bring transparency to standing committee meetings, where legislation is discussed and vetted before moving forward in the legislative process. Another objective is to provide access to our process for those who do not live in the metro area and cannot get to Senate committee meetings quickly. I truly encourage you all to take the time to watch these livestreams. But, if you can’t get to a computer during the meeting time, each and every meeting video is archived to be watched during any time—day or night.
On day four of the session, Gov. Deal gave his last State of the State address. Within his address, Gov. Deal focused on the growth across the board within the state of Georgia. For the past five years, Georgia has been named the number one place to do business. Overall, we have a very busy session calendar ahead of us as we work on the Governor’s budget proposals, legislation pending from last year and other issues that may arise.
I would like to say thank you to all of my constituents for your encouragement and care for the 51st District of Georgia. Please call or email me with any questions, comments or concerns you have and I look forward to hearing from you.
Georgia Trend names Sen. Steve Gooch one of Georgia’s most influential people
State & National January 9, 2018
ATLANTA – Senator Steve Gooch (R – Dahlonega) was recognized as one of Georgia’s most influential people by Georgia Trend magazine. The magazine’s annual list recognizes the 100 Most Influential Georgians.
“It is an honor to be recognized among this distinguished list of leaders in our great state,” said Sen. Gooch. “I look forward to working with my colleagues and local community leaders to keep Georgia moving in the right direction. Over the past several years, we have seen numerous businesses moving to Georgia leading to additional economic growth and job creation. We will work hard during this upcoming session to continue this progress for our state.”
Georgia Trend recognized Sen. Gooch’s work in the Georgia Senate and his consistent efforts to improve education and public schools for children in his district and around the state. They also acknowledged his work on job creation, immigration, tax reform and the right to bear arms. Sen. Gooch has also been a leader for transportation in Georgia.
Georgia Trend releases their 100 Most Influential Georgians list annually. The list includes individuals who make a positive impact on the lives of Georgians and make decisions that affect the well-being of the state. Naming the top 100 is a year-round process and the final list includes those who “have exhibited the character necessary to inspire, challenge, lead – and influence us.”
Additional information can be found on the Georgia Trend magazine website link below:
http://www.georgiatrend.com/January-2018/2018-100-Most-Influential-Georgians/
Senator David Perdue: RAISE Act Eliminates Outdated Diversity Visa Lottery
Politics, State & National November 2, 2017
Senator David Perdue: RAISE Act Eliminates Outdated Diversity Visa Lottery
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator David Perdue (R-GA) comments on how the Reforming American Immigration for a Strong Economy (RAISE) Act, would eliminate the outdated Diversity Visa Lottery:
“President Trump is right, the Diversity Visa Lottery Program is a problem and is plagued by fraud. Given these serious concerns, Senator Cotton and I have proposed eliminating this outdated program as part of the RAISE Act. While Senate Democrats originally created the Diversity Visa Lottery in 1990, many have supported legislation that would have eliminated it in the years since. I hope we can include this area of common ground as we work to fix our broken immigration system and strengthen our national security.”
Background:
- The Immigration Act of 1990, established the current Diversity Visa Lottery Program which was spearheaded by Senator Chuck Schumer.
- The Diversity Lottery is plagued with fraud, advances no economic or humanitarian interest, and does not even promote diversity.
- The Diversity Lottery is an arbitrary way to distribute the privilege of U.S. citizenship based on nothing more than the luck of the draw.
- The RAISE Act would eliminate the 50,000 visas arbitrarily allocated to this lottery.
GDOL to Co-Sponsor Northeast Georgia Career Fair in Cumming
Announcements October 3, 2017
GDOL to co-sponsor Northeast Georgia Career Fair in Cumming
ATLANTA – About 60 employers will be recruiting to fill a number of jobs at the Northeast Georgia Career Fair in Cumming on Oct. 5.
The expo will be co-sponsored by the Georgia Department of Labor (GDOL), Cumming-Forsyth Chamber of Commerce, WorkSource Georgia Mountains and Lanier Technical College.
The event will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Forsyth Conference Center at Lanier Technical College located at 3410 Ronald Reagan Blvd. in Cumming.
While GDOL staff will provide workshops to aid the job seekers, local and area employers will be providing information about their companies to job seekers and recruiting qualified applicants for job openings.
Employers will be recruiting for a wide-variety of job openings in a number of fields, including information technology, telemarketing, manufacturing, construction, real estate, food service, banking, medical facilities, retail sales, education, clerical, pharmaceuticals, security, landscaping, commercial (CDL) drivers, and hotel and motel personnel, along with warehouse and other general workers.
The link below provides event details, including the list of currently registered vendors.
Job seekers interested in attending the expo may visit employgeorgia.com to create an account and upload, or prepare, a resume. Having an Employ Georgia account expedites the interview process.
Applicants are encouraged to dress appropriately to improve their opportunities for jobs.
For more information about the recruitment, contact [email protected]
Visit dol.georgia.gov to learn more about career opportunities, Employ Georgia and other GDOL services for job seekers and employers, and to connect with us on social media.
NEWS MEDIA NEEDING MORE INFORMATION MAY CALL (404) 232-3685
Men’s Soccer Shoots Past Saints, 5-3
University of North Georgia October 2, 2017
|
*UPDATED* School Closings Due to Severe Weather Conditions
News September 11, 2017
- Union County Schools will be CLOSED Monday, September 11th and Tuesday, September 12th due to Gov. Nathan Deal declaring a state of emergency for all 159 counties in Georgia. Please continue to monitor here for further updates.
- Fannin County Schools will be closed for students and all personnel on Monday, September 11 and Tuesday, September 12, for students, as well as all faculty and staff, except for 12-month personnel, district directors, and principals. As long as it is safe to do so, all 12-month personnel, as well as district directors and principals, should anticipate reporting by 9:00 a.m. on September 12. These personnel should note, though, that this expectation may be revised, depending on the weather conditions overnight; nonetheless, if you ever believe it is unsafe to report, please notify your immediate supervisor. In addition, the Board of Education work session meeting that was scheduled for 8:00 a.m. on Tuesday, September 12, has been cancelled. Please continue to stay safe!
- Pickens County Schools closed Monday, September 11th – TWELVE MONTH EMPLOYEES REPORT AT NORMAL TIME. Schools will also be closed on Tuesday, September 12. Twelve month employees will be contacted late Monday as to whether they will be required to come to work on Tuesday. All school activities, including athletic events and after-school programs, will be canceled.
- Gilmer County Schools will be closed Monday, September 11th and Sepember 12th due to Hurricane Irma. We have made this decision after consultation with local emergency management authorities and careful consideration of safety factors, such as the probability of severe winds especially at higher elevations, debris, dangerous road conditions and downed power lines left in its wake. Only 12 month staff should report if safe to do so.
- Dawson County Schools will be closed on Monday, September 11, and Tuesday, September 12, 2017. Twelve month employees will operate on a 2 hour delay.
- Lumpkin County Schools closed due to the weather forecast for our area, Lumpkin County Schools will be closed on Monday, September 11, and Tuesday, September 12, 2017. The anticipated high winds pose a significant threat to our students and staff. We understand that weather predictions are not always accurate, but we cannot ignore the potentially dangerous situation that this storm poses. Our number one priority is to keep our students and staff safe! Wednesday will still be a early release day as planned so that teachers will be available for parent conferences. 12 month employees should report if it is safe to do so.
- Towns County Schools closed Monday, September 11th and Tuesday, September 12th for all students. All employees should report at 10:00 AM on Tuesday, September 12th if safe to do so.
- White County Schools due to the severe weather forecast, White County Schools are closed for students and staff Monday, September 11, and Tuesday, September 12, 2017. Please be safe!
- Murray County Schools closed Monday September 11 and Tuesday September 12, due to the possible impact of Hurricane Irma. We have made this decision after consultation with local emergency management authorities and careful consideration of safety factors, such as the probability of severe winds, debris, dangerous road conditions, and downed power lines. We understand that weather predictions are often incorrect, but the size of this storm cannot be ignored. It is our hope that Murray County is spared from any of this storm’s impact, but we will always choose to error on the side of caution. All events planned for Monday and Tuesday evenings are also cancelled. This includes the September 11 MCPS Board meeting. This meeting will be rescheduled for Thursday, September 14 at 6:15 p.m. All maintenance, grounds crew, and transportation employees will meet at the transportation office.
Deal Expands State of Emergency to Include ALL 159 Counties
News, State & National September 10, 2017
Acting on a recommendation from the state’s Emergency Operations Command and ahead of heavy rains, strong wind and potential flooding from Hurricane Irma, Gov. Nathan Deal today expanded the emergency declaration to include an additional 65 counties. The state of emergency now includes all 159 counties in Georgia. State government will be closed Monday and Tuesday for all employees except essential personnel.
Following a briefing from officials and visit with emergency responders, Deal will hold a media avail tonight at the State Operations Center at 6 p.m.
Follow this link to read the executive order.
For more information on hurricane preparedness, visit the Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency website.
Lumpkin County Sheriff’s Office Arrest Report 10/27 – 11/2
Arrest Reports, Police & Government November 4, 2019
Arrest report and photos provided by the Lumpkin County Sheriff’s Office. The Georgia Open Records Act (O.C.G.A. 35-01-18) allows for FetchYourNews.com to obtain and post the arrest records of any and all individuals arrested in Lumpkin County. Those arrests are posted on FetchYourNews.com for viewing pleasure. Please remember that all individuals listed have been arrested and charged, however, they are presumed innocent until guilt has been proven in a court of law.
Lumpkin County Sheriff’s Office Arrest Report 10/13 – 10/19
Arrest Reports, Police & Government October 21, 2019
Arrest report and photos provided by the Lumpkin County Sheriff’s Office. The Georgia Open Records Act (O.C.G.A. 35-01-18) allows for FetchYourNews.com to obtain and post the arrest records of any and all individuals arrested in Lumpkin County. Those arrests are posted on FetchYourNews.com for viewing pleasure. Please remember that all individuals listed have been arrested and charged, however, they are presumed innocent until guilt has been proven in a court of law.
Lumpkin County Sheriff’s Office Arrest Report 9/15 – 9/21
Arrest Reports, Police & Government September 23, 2019
Arrest report and photos provided by the Lumpkin County Sheriff’s Office. The Georgia Open Records Act (O.C.G.A. 35-01-18) allows for FetchYourNews.com to obtain and post the arrest records of any and all individuals arrested in Lumpkin County. Those arrests are posted on FetchYourNews.com for viewing pleasure. Please remember that all individuals listed have been arrested and charged, however, they are presumed innocent until guilt has been proven in a court of law.
Lumpkin County Sheriff’s Office Arrest Report 8/18 – 8/24
Arrest Reports, Police & Government August 26, 2019
Arrest report and photos provided by the Lumpkin County Sheriff’s Office. The Georgia Open Records Act (O.C.G.A. 35-01-18) allows for FetchYourNews.com to obtain and post the arrest records of any and all individuals arrested in Lumpkin County. Those arrests are posted on FetchYourNews.com for viewing pleasure. Please remember that all individuals listed have been arrested and charged, however, they are presumed innocent until guilt has been proven in a court of law.
Lumpkin County Sheriff’s Office Arrest Report 8/11 – 8/17
Arrest Reports, Police & Government August 19, 2019
Arrest report and photos provided by the Lumpkin County Sheriff’s Office. The Georgia Open Records Act (O.C.G.A. 35-01-18) allows for FetchYourNews.com to obtain and post the arrest records of any and all individuals arrested in Lumpkin County. Those arrests are posted on FetchYourNews.com for viewing pleasure. Please remember that all individuals listed have been arrested and charged, however, they are presumed innocent until guilt has been proven in a court of law.
