BOC set to adopt Broadband Ready amendment to comp plan
News November 18, 2019
DAHLONEGA, Ga. – A public hearing on the county’s 2017 comprehensive plan including a Broadband Ready Community Assessment and the 2019 character area map will be on the agenda when the Board of Commissioners meets Tuesday (Nov. 19) at 5:15 p.m. in the County Administration Building, 99 Courthouse Hill.
Adopting the comprehensive plan amendment will allow the county to qualify for broadband grant funding.
The public hearing will be followed by a work session at 5:30 and regular meeting at 6 p.m.
County Manager Stan Kelley will read a proclamation declaring September as Veterans Suicide Awareness and Prevention Month.
Under Resolutions portion of the meeting, the Board will consider the 2020 Calendar for meetings of the Board of Commissioners, 2020 county government holiday schedule, 2020 budget calendar for FY 2021 Budget and a resolution calling for an election on the Brunch Bill.
Contracts to be considered during the work session include:
Mark Robinson Hauling, Inc. transfer station lease agreement;
Water and Sewerage Authority memorandum of understanding;
Reservoir Master Plan Proposal from Lose Designs;
Contract with Peachtree Recovery Services, Inc.;
Legacy Link Addendum number 2;
GDOT approval of Lumpkin County’s Title VI/Nondiscrimination Policy;
Transit Operating & Capital Assistance Application;
Amendment to Calhoun Mine Road Paving Project Contract.
Other items to be discussed during the work session include:
Tourism Board Bylaws;
Benefield land donation;
Window treatment for the new library;
Signage and wayfinding for the new library;
A dedication plaque for the new library;
Transportation special purpose local option sales tax (SPLOST) bond.
During the voting session, the Board will vote on items discussed during the work session.
Fetch Your News is a hyper local news outlet that covers Dawson, Lumpkin, White, Fannin, Gilmer, Pickens, Union, Towns and Murray counties as well as Cherokee County in N.C. FYN attracts 300,000+ page views per month, 3.5 million impressions per month and approximately 15,000 viewers per week on FYNTV.com and up to 60,000 Facebook page reach. If you would like to follow up-to-date local events in any of those counties, please visit us at FetchYourNews.com
Lumpkin BOC hears from disgruntled McDonalds Mills residents
News October 16, 2019
DAHLONEGA, Ga. – The Lumpkin County Board of Commissioners unanimously approved spending $438,093 for shelving and furniture for the new library during Tuesday’s voting session.
The $4.7 million dollar facility is expected to open in January and is under budget. Denson Martin, of the Lumpkin County Library Foundation presented commissioners with a check for $26,000 and pledged to raise $24,000 more to donate to library operations.
Commissioners sailed through the remainder of the meeting with ease until they hit a speed bump during public comments.
One-by-one, nine residents of McDonalds Mills subdivision stepped up to complain about the existence of short-term rental homes in their community, which they say violated their community’s restricted covenants.
Complaints ranged from loud music and parties lasting until 1 or 2 a.m., trash being discarded in the street and private property disappearing.
Mary Thompson said, “Our neighborhood has protective covenants and one of the covenants states ‘no commercial operations of any kind.’ We’ve been told by Lumpkin County this is a civil matter, but governmental approval of something that is legally registered zoning or covenants is not a civil matter. It is a governmental matter. Approval of this (short-term rental) application is a mistake that Lumpkin County made and we are suffering with.”
Commissioners took the complaints seriously. Chairman Chris Dockery said “I feel like you all have some valid concerns It looks like there have been some violations of our ordinance.”
Commissioner Jeff Moran, who represents the community, asked to exchange contact information with Thompson to gather more information.
The Board unanimously approved:
- A Banking Services Contract;
- County and City Fueling Station IGA;
- Calhoun Mine Road Bid Proposal;
- Memorandum of Understanding with Union County to Acquire Blue Recycle Bins;
- Memorandum of Understanding between GEMA Homeland Security and Lumpkin County Emergency Management;
- Radio Frequency Memorandum of Understanding between Lumpkin County Emergency Services and Dawson County Emergency Services;
- Secure Rural Schools Act – Title III Money Certification on Use of Funds;
- Merit increase for Non-Civil Service departments;
- 2014 SPLOST – 2019 Work Plan Amendment 1;
- Community Development Block Grant extension request;
Fetch Your News is a hyper local news outlet that covers Dawson, Lumpkin, White, Fannin, Gilmer, Pickens, Union, Towns and Murray counties as well as Cherokee County in N.C. FYN attracts 300,000+ page views per month, 3.5 million impressions per month and approximately 15,000 viewers per week on FYNTV.com and up to 60,000 Facebook page reach. If you would like to follow up-to-date local events in any of those counties, please visit us at FetchYourNews.com
Dahlonega mayor, Sam Norton declares September 17-23 “Constitution Week”
Community, Police & Government September 20, 2018
LUPMKIN CO., GA
Dahlonega mayor, Sam Norton, declared the week of September 17-23 as “Constitution Week,” during the City Hall meeting on Thursday, September 20.
Constitution Week was started by the Daughters of the American Revolution in 1955, when DAR petitioned Congress to set aside September 17-23 annually to be dedicated for the observance of Constitution Week. During Thursday’s meeting, Dahlonega mayor, Sam Norton, honored the petition with a proclamation, “I encourage all citizens to study the Constitution, and reflect on the privilege of being an American.”
Elizabeth Curley, Anne Converse, Susanne Daniel, and Dr. Donna Whitfield, members of the Trahlyta Chapter, were present to receive the proclamation. DAR is the oldest women’s service denomination in the United States. The Trahlyta Chapter has 55 members, and according to their website, “The objectives of the Trahlyta Chapter NSDAR are to promote historic preservation along with encouraging active participation in educational and patriotic endeavors.”
In order to become a member of DAR, direct, blood lineage to someone who served in the American Revolution is required.
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Lumpkin County Commissioners Meet Tuesday
Obituaries April 14, 2017
DAHLONEGA, Ga. – Lumpkin County Commissioners are expected to vote on two key recommendations by E-911 Director Mike Stapleton during Tuesday’s regular meeting.
Stapleton will ask the Board to approve the purchase of a new module for the Zuercher CAD System aimed at helping the 911 center pinpoint calls that originate from cell phones in remote locations even when the caller doesn’t know his location.
Stapleton told commissioners last week that 75-80 percent of the calls to 911 originate from cell phones and a majority of those are from callers who are away from home and only have a general idea of where they are.
The new Zuercher will allow the 911 center to send the caller a text with a link in it and when they click on it the exact coordinates are immediately available. The setup cost of this software is $398 and the annual cost is $4,000.
Stapleton is also asking approval to promote one of the 911 Senior Communications officers to supervisor so a supervisor will be available on all shifts. The financial impact of the Supervisor to the county would be approximately $8,000.
The Board is also scheduled to vote in several appointments to county boards, including the Upper Etowah Alliance, Planning Commission, the Hospital Authority and the Department of Behavioral Health & Developmental Disabilities Advisory Planning Board.
A number of contracts are also on the agenda. Including an IGA with the City of Dahlonega & Lumpkin to provide for municipal elections for the city and window renovation for the County Administration Building.
The regular meeting will begin immediately following the work session which starts at 5:30 p.m.
City Council votes in favor for Occupational Tax amendment
Community, Police & Government August 7, 2019
DAHLONEGA, GA
The Dahlonega City Council voted in favor, 6-0, of the amendment to “increase occupation tax rates to defray general fund expenses,” after a public hearing held on Monday. City Councilman, Bruce Hoffman, motioned for the proposed ordinance, and Councilwoman, JoAnne Taylor, seconded the motion.
The cost of a business license in Dahlonega is based on the number of people employed by the business. Taylor explained to FYN that, “The City’s fee structures are all being examined since some have not been changed in over 15 years. This fee change does not affect businesses with one employee. The change puts Dahlonega in the average for cities our size. We expect a small impact to our General Fund revenues.”
A public hearing was held on Monday, August 5, before the City Council meeting to, “accept comments on the proposed new occupation tax schedule to be incorporated into the City’s code pertaining to occupation taxes.” According to Taylor, “We held a public hearing on this topic [proposed Occupational Tax amendment] but to date have received no feedback.”
According to the ordinance outline, the tax increase is expected to bring in an additional $13,900 in revenue to help alleviate the “increased cost for general fund operations.” Changes went into effect on Tuesday, August 6, 2019.
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Commissioners table vote on Iron Mountain Park
News May 7, 2019
DAHLONEGA, Ga. – Following a marathon four-hour public hearing in front of a standing-room-only audience, the Lumpkin County Board of Commissioners decided to table a decision on a special land use application for Iron Mountain Park Tuesday.
Owner Craig Stansberry outlined his plans for the 4,300-acre project that spans two counties and, if approved, will include 1,000 treehouse-style rental cabins, a music venue to accommodate between 50,000 and 400,000 visitors, ATV trails, motorcross area and equestrian center. Approximately 1,000 acres would extend into Dawson County where a sporting clay shooting range and firearm training center are in the plans.
Half a dozen area residents spoke in favor of the project, but there was overwhelming opposition. Those who did not want the project cited many reasons, including watershed issues, traffic, insufficient law enforcement, damage to property values, environmental impact. But the most common objection was the project would destroy the quality of life.
A man who spoke in opposition seemed to sum up the issue when he said, “I like what we’ve got here. I don’t want to lose it.”
An attorney, who said she represented area homeowners raised several procedural issues and said if the project was approved, it would likely be overturned in court.
Fetch Your News is a hyper local news outlet that covers Dawson, Lumpkin, White, Fannin, Gilmer, Pickens, Union, Towns and Murray counties as well as Cherokee County in N.C. FYN attracts 300,000+ page views per month, 3.5 million impressions per month and approximately 15,000 viewers per week on FYNTV.com and up to 60,000 Facebook page reach. If you would like to follow up-to-date local events in any of those counties, please visit us at FetchYourNews.com
Library Will Celebrate Centennial in November
News October 18, 2017
Lumpkin County Board of Commissioners
DAHLONEGA, Ga. – The Lumpkin County Library will celebrate its 100th anniversary in November. The library was opened by the Ladies of Lumpkin County Home and School Improvement (now the Woman’s Club) with the generous donation of a book collection by the Matthew F. Stephenson family.
In recognition of the date, Dahlonega Mayor Gary McCullough and Lumpkin County Commission Chairman Chris Dockery have proclaimed Nov. 4 as Lumpkin Library Centennial Day.
Commissioners passed a series of resolutions at Tuesday’s meeting, including one that authorized the sale of several items, including a 2010 Ford E-350 van, 1995 Ford F-350 pickup truck, a 500-gallon water tank and a John Deere Model 350C as surplus items and provided for their sale on govdeals.com.
Other resolutions passed include:
- An amendment to change the fees charged for various services, including administrative, buildings and building regulations, animals and foul, parks and recreation and ambulance. The new fees will become effective Jan. 1, 2018;
- An amendments to the county sign ordinance;
- Introduction of legislation in the 2018 session of the Georgia General Assembly to create a Lumpkin County Airport Authority;
- An amendment to the county alcohol ordinance that grants any person who has been issued a State license to manufacture and/or sell distilled spirits the right to manufacture and/or sell distilled spirits in the county until such time as it is determined the county has such authority.
Commissioners also approved the following:
- An amendment to the contract with Legacy Link approved in May 2017 to include an allocation of funding to Lumpkin County of $8, 272 for operation of the Senior Center as well as congregate and home-served meals. No county match is required;
- A contract with Parker Traffic Markings for an Off System Safety Project that includes striping and signage in the amount of $76,156. GDOT will provide 70 percent of the funding and the remainder ($22,846) would be funded out of SPLOST funds;
- Renewal of a one-year contract with Mark Robinson Hauling to operate the transfer station for a fee of $16,200;
- Renewal of a lease that allows Ninth District Opportunity to operate a Head Start Program at the J.B. Jones Pre-School, a county-owned facility. In exchange for providing the facility at no charge the county receives credit for an in-kind contribution valued at $152,900.
Lumpkin County Finance Director Allison Martin reported to commissioners that all Title III funds received under the federal Secure Rural Schools Act since 2009 ($126,131.80) have been spent.
The county decided that 15% of the funds received would be used for Firewise Community activities in and the remaining 85% would be used on road improvement projects. Martin reported the funds were spent on Firewise education classes and advertisements, Firewise educational materials, Firewise trailer, tent, computer, projector, display boards, search and rescue operations on National Forest Land, Neighborhood cleanup days and a county-wide fire survey.
Fetch Your News is a hyper local news outlet that covers Dawson, Lumpkin, White, Fannin, Gilmer, Pickens, Union, Towns and Murray counties as well as Cherokee County in N.C. If you would like to follow up-to-date local events in any of those counties, please visit us at FetchYourNews.com
BOC Decides on Road Resurfacing Projects Tuesday
News September 1, 2017
Lumpkin County Board of Commissioners
DAHLONEGA, Ga. – Old Dahlonega Highway, Seabolt Stancil Road and Lakeview Drive are among the roads Lumpkin County Commissioners are expected to approve for inclusion in the 2018 Local Maintenance Improvement Grant (LMIG) Road Resurfacing list when they meet in a work session and special called meeting Tuesday starting at 4 p.m.
County staff has proposed funding seven additional roads with the LMIG grant and two additional roads that would be completed with in-house labor. The total cost for resurfacing all 12 roads is $1,347,335.The list must be approved by the Georgia Department of Transportation. Once approved, GDOT would provide $549,041.72 in funding and the county would be required to provide a 30 percent match.
The county is nearing completion of its fueling station on Barlow Road and commissioners will vote on an Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) with the City of Dahlonega that would allow the city to use the station.
Commissioners also will vote on a request by the Finance Department to be allowed to invest county funds in the highest yield financial instruments prior to approval by the board then report back to the board with the results rather than trying to call special meetings or time opportunities to regularly scheduled meetings. The process of investing and reporting back has been used by the county in the past and has historically produced high return on the investments.
In a settlement agreement with the U.S. Department of Justice that would make access to the Lumpkin County Administration Building ADA compliant, commissioners agreed to a fund a parking and sidewalk project. Bids on the project were due on Aug. 28. The only bidder was North Georgia Concrete for $165,066.85.Commissioners will vote on that project Tuesday.
September 29 marks the 85th anniversary of the Dahlonega Lions Club. Commissioners will honor the non-profit organization for its dedicated service to the county with a proclamation declaring Sept. 29 as Dahlonega Lions Club Day.
Fetch Your News is a hyper local news outlet that covers Dawson, Lumpkin, White, Fannin, Gilmer, Pickens, Union, Towns and Murray counties as well as Cherokee County in N.C. If you would like to follow up-to-date local events in any of those counties, please visit us at FetchYourNews.com
Commissioners to Make Several Board Appointments Tuesday
News July 24, 2017
DAHLONEGA, Ga. – Tuesday’s Lumpkin County Board of Commissioners meeting scheduled for 6 p.m. could be a very short one. Commissioners may have to postpone until next month a couple of board appointments that were on the agenda.
Cheyenne Thornton, who was expected to be reappointed to the Tax Assessors Board has moved to White County and will need to be replaced. An appointment to the Department of Family and Children’s Services may also need to be postponed until next month.
However, Sean Phipps should be reappointed to the county’s Planning Commission representing Seat 7. Commissioners are also expected to approve the reappointment of C.L. Grizzle to Seat 4 and Murl D Jones to Seat 7 on the Water and Sewerage Authority.
Commissioners will decide on an update to the county’s travel policy. The county staff has experienced issues with obtaining refunds for rooms and conferences not cancelled in a timely manner and also with requests for room upgrades and employees asking to arrive early or stay longer. On some occasions staff has been successful in having employees pay the extra charges. Most often the issue occurs with elected officials and staff is unable to make them comply. Staff believes a policy upgrade could end these issues.
Commissioners must also decide on a bid for security fencing around the county fueling station. Two bids were received. All State Fencing was the low bidder at $23,789 but offered an incomplete bid package that included only general liability insurance and their workers were not covered by workman’s comp. Stembridge Custom Metals entered a bid of $39,650 but is fully covered by insurance and its representative attended the pre-bid meetings.
Commissioners are also expected to vote on an addendum to a Georgia Department of Transportation contract to include verbiage required by the Federal Office of Management and Budget. All existing contracts awarded with FTA funds after December 26, 2014, must be amended to reflect current references to and requirements of the Federal Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Uniform Grant Guidance regulations.
Fetch Your News is a hyper local news outlet that covers Dawson, Lumpkin, White, Fannin, Gilmer, Pickens, Union, Towns and Murray counties as well as Cherokee County in N.C. If you would like to follow up-to-date local events in any of those counties, please visit us at FetchYourNews.com
Chamber of Commerce Presents Community Visioning Plan
News May 25, 2017
DAWSONVILLE, Ga. – After 18 months of gathering public input via town hall meetings, focus groups, an on-line survey, the Dahlonega-Lumpkin County Chamber of Commerce unveiled an economic development vision and implementation plan to more than 100 eager members of the community Thursday at the Lumpkin County Parks and Recreation Department.
The Chamber contracted with the Carl Vinson Institute of Government at the University of Georgia to coordinate development of the plan. The Institute’s Langford Holbrook narrated the slide presentation Thursday and credited the City of Dahlonega, Lumpkin County Board of Commissioners, Lumpkin County Development Authority, Dahlonega Downtown Development Authority, Chamber of Commerce and the University of North Georgia with being the funding partners.
Langford Holbrook presents visioning plan.
A Steering Committee was formed to process and prioritize what was learned from research and from the 800 responses to an online survey, the 100 people who participated in focus groups and personal interviews and 70 people who attended a town hall meeting.
Based on that input, Holbrook said the community wants to maintain its family-oriented, small-town charm, historical assets, tourism industry as the community grows and attracts business and industry and a viable live, work and play environment.
An implementation strategy calls for continuing the collaboration between the city, county, and the University of North Georgia and creating an “innovation incubator” similar to the one at Georgia Southern University where entrepreneurs can meet and work together to leverage the community resources and maximize the impact development can have on the economic vitality of the region.
Many residents felt that current city and county ordinances related to opening a business are a significant barrier to economic development. Building development renovation, parking requirements, business fees, property taxes and water and sewer access fees were among the ordinances citizens found to be a problem.
Residents also suggested streamlining the permitting process and making it consistent between the city and county. Also recommended was a downtown parking lot that could possibly be funded by the Downtown Development Authority.
Identification of target industries was a key component of the visioning plan. Residents suggested building on the community’s strengths such as attracting more film/TV production, tourism and outdoor recreation. The community’s experience with Japanese firm Koyo Bearings might be leveraged to help attract more Japanese firms.
The University of North Georgia is an asset many communities lack. Growing business and industry to serve UNG and tap its graduates and expertise should be considered.
Holbrook also said the community should consider working to attract and locate medical device manufacturers, laboratories and diagnostic imaging firms.
After key industries are identified, it would be beneficial to develop an incentive plan to attract those industries. Suggestions received from the public included property tax incentives, development authority bond financing, waving permit fees, waiving water/sewer access fees and inventory tax exemption. Basic information about those incentives should be readily available online. Site selection committees often begin with an online search of communities. If they don’t find what they are looking for online, they community could lose a valuable opportunity.
Commissioners to Meet in Work Session Tuesday
News March 31, 2017
DAHLONEGA — Sheriff Stacy Jarrard will request the Lumpkin County Board of Commissioners approve a budget amendment of $36,700 for his office due to the disbandment of the Special Services Division when the Board meets in a work session Tuesday, April 4 at 4 p.m. in the Administration Building Boardroom, 99 Courthouse Hill.
Special Services, which is comprised of the K-9 unit, school resource officers, drug agents, victims services, records and community relations programs, was disbanded earlier this year to allow consolidation and a reduction in the number of divisions and command structure. The services provided by the unit will not go away. The 14 employees who worked in Special Services have been reassigned to other Divisions.
Commissioners are also expected to discuss:
⦁ The appointment of a representative to the Upper Etowah Alliance;
⦁ The appointment of a representative to the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities Advisory Planning Board;
⦁ The appoint of a member to the Planning Commission;
⦁ Abandonment of Shadowstone Subdivision Road;
⦁ An amendment to the Animal Control Ordinance;
⦁ Recommendations for Hospital Authority Board appointment;
Commissioners will also review a number of contracts and agreements, including:
⦁ The intergovernmental agreement (IGA) with the City of Dahlonega & Lumpkin County regarding municipal elections;
⦁ The Senior Center Operating Contract;
⦁ Georgia EPD Local Government Scrap Tire Abatement Reimbursement Program Contract;
⦁ An addendum to the Legacy Link Nutrition Program Services agreement;
⦁ GDOT Wimpy Airport Tree Removal Reimbursement contract County Administration.
Other items to be discussed include:
⦁ A bond for Window Renovation Project Bid;
⦁ Plans for Fire Station Property Agreement
⦁ Legion Field Rehabilitation;
⦁ A Quit Claim Deed for Ralph Dodd Property, 575 Roy Grindle Road.
Lumpkin County Commission work session set Tuesday 4 p.m.
News November 3, 2019
DAHLONEGA, Ga. – Planning Director Bruce Georgia will present an update on the draft Gateway Corridor Regulations and Design Guidelines during the Lumpkin County Board of Commissioners work session Tuesday (Nov. 5) at 4 p.m.
County Manager Stan Kelley will read a proclamation designating September as Veterans Suicide Awareness and Prevention Month in Georgia.
Commissioners will consider a recommendation by the Yahoola Creek Reservoir Property Study Committee to contract with Lose Design to create a master plan for useage of the 200 acres surrounding Yahoola Creek/Lake Zwerne that will appeal to a wide range of users. The amount of the contract is $65,000.
Commissioners will also consider a number of resolutions, including:
The 2020 schedule of Board of Commissioners meetings;
The 2020 county holiday schedule;
The 2020 Budget Calendar for the FY 2021 Budget;
Election on the proposed Brunch Bill;
November Surplus Property list;
Contracts to be considered include:
A transfer station lease agreement with Mark Robinson Hauling, Inc.;
A memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Lumpkin County Water and Sewer Authority regarding use of the county fueling station;
Peachtree Recovery Services, Inc.;
Legacy Link Addendum #2 (Senior Center Manager Linda Kirkpatrick)
Lumpkin County’s Title VI/Nondiscrimination Policy with Georgia Department of Transportation;
Transit Operating & Capital Assistance Application;
Other Items to be discussed include:
Tourism Board Bylaws;
Benefield Land Donation;
Window Treatment for the new library;
Signage and Wayfinding;
Dedication plaque for the new library;
Transit special purpose local option sales tax bond.
Fetch Your News is a hyper local news outlet that covers Dawson, Lumpkin, White, Fannin, Gilmer, Pickens, Union, Towns and Murray counties as well as Cherokee County in N.C. FYN attracts 300,000+ page views per month, 3.5 million impressions per month and approximately 15,000 viewers per week on FYNTV.com and up to 60,000 Facebook page reach. If you would like to follow up-to-date local events in any of those counties, please visit us at FetchYourNews.com
Taylor announces plans to run for re-election in 2020
Election, Politics August 7, 2019
DAHLONEGA, GA
Current Post 5 councilwoman, JoAnne Taylor, has confirmed that she will run for re-election for Dahlonega City Council in 2020. 
Taylor told FYN that her most important accomplishment during her current term was, “Tax reduction of 5.14% for the proposed 2020 budget.” She further explained that the City Council will hold a public hearing on Thursday, August 15, at 4:00 p.m., followed by a City Council meeting on September 3 at 6:00 p.m., “to adopt the budget resolution.” 
According to Taylor, water, sewer, sanitation, and recycling costs for in-city residential customers will not increase, “We will continue a high level of service, make needed infrastructure improvements, and deliver new amenities to our community within the proposed budget.”
Taylor credits the tax reduction to the “teamwork and focus by the Mayor, City Council, and dedicated Staff on reducing costs,” and she also explained that her main focus item was reducing costs, “I have participated in all budget meetings. I also lent my business expertise to the staff in evaluating much-needed new financial application software…The new application, when fully implemented, will increase overall efficiency and improved citizen communication.”
Taylor also expressed to FYN her appreciation for being voted into the City Council, “I have been enormously privileged to be a public servant to Dahlonega. My $400 salary, net taxes, has been donated to local not-for-profits. I am grateful for the opportunity I’ve been given to serve.”
If re-elected, Taylor said her main focus would be, “Containing costs and managing growth while preserving the very special place we call home, Dahlonega.” Taylor further explained that she would focus on continuing to add amenities to Dahlonega, such as the Gold Adventures All-Abilities Playground in Hancock Park, the Farmers Market, and the Wimpy Mill picnic area, “We need to balance the significant costs of infrastructure, such as stormwater management, with providing improved amenities…I will continue to welcome feedback from our citizens, a vital form of government. Thanks in advance for your support!”
Gold Adventure All-Abilities Playground in Hancock Park.
Lumpkin County BOC work session scheduled Tuesday
News June 3, 2019
DAHLONEGA, Ga. — Finance Director Allison Martin will present the proposed 2020 budget when the Lumpkin County Board of Commissioners meets in a work session at 4 p.m. Tuesday (June 4) in the Lumpkin County Administration Building.
A representative from Mauldin and Jenkins will present the 2018 audit to commissioners who need to approve the audit so that staff can begin the process of filing of required state and federal reports.
Among the resolutions to be considered are the following:
- Reappointments of members of the Yahoola Creek Reservoir Property Study Committee and State Sen. Steve Gooch (R-Dahlonega) as chairman;
- Approval of acceptance of the Georgia Heritage Grant Program for rehabilitation of the historic Dahlonega jail. The grant requires a 60/40 match. Anticipated cost for the update is $125,000, thus the county would be responsible for about $50,000;
- An Update of the county purchasing policy to account for other changes that have been adopted and changes to work flow;
- Abandonment of Larmon Forks Road;
- Revision to Chapter 26, Land Development – Lumpkin County Code of Ordinances;
Contracts and agreements to be considered include:
- Enotah Public Defender Indigent Defense Contract;
- Enotah Public Defender Indigent Defense Contract – Four counties ;
- Renewal of the contract with Medical Director Dr. Jack Freeman (Emergenocy Services Director David Wimpy);
- ACCG-IRMA Property & Liability Insurance Renewal (Community & Employee Services Director Alicia Davis).
OTHER items on Tuesday’s agends include:
- Special Event Permit Request for Community Helping Place Annual Gold Party Fundraiser;
- Consideration of Termination of Etowah Water Authority & Lumpkin County Consideration of Enotah Judicial Circuit Budget (Finance Director Allison Martin).
Thankful Hearts hosts sixth-annual Take & Bake
Community November 21, 2018
LUMPKIN, CO
Thankful Hearts Lumpkin held their sixth-annual “Take & Bake” on Tuesday, where they handed out thanksgiving groceries to local families in need of assistance this holiday season. Founding member, Amberly Enich, explained to Fetch Your News that the charity started seven years ago, with a single idea on how to help Dahlonega families who could not afford groceries for Thanksgiving.
Photo courtesy of Thankful Hearts Lumpkin
Photo courtesy of Thankful Hearts Lumpkin
In the spring of 2012, Enich and James, along with founding members, Stephanie Jones, Molly Jackson, Bridget Barker, and Michele Grainger, hosted their first annual Thankful Hearts charity event; their goal was to raise enough money to feed at least 10 Lumpkin County families, but they surpassed that goal, and they were able to feed 29 families. Each year since, they have exceeded their goal, and 2018 was their highest year so far, providing groceries to 78 local families.
Throughout the past six years, Thankful Hearts has earned support from local businesses such as, Walmart, Dahlonega Funeral Home, and Refrigiwear, through monetary donations, food donations, and even food storage.
Take & Bake is the event held each year, in which the receiving families are able to pick up their groceries from Thankful Hearts. Enich expressed her gratitude for the people and businesses who help feed locals each Thanksgiving, “This was just an idea that started, and I truly never imagined that it would turn into this. We’ve never had to beg for money or be stressed over nominations. There’s a true need in LC & we’re just so thankful that we are able to help fill that need”
Thankful Hearts is a division of Lumpkin County Family Connections, and everyone is welcome to volunteer or donate.
FetchYourNews.com attracts more than 300,000 page views and 3.5 million impressions per month for ad server. FYNTV attracts approximately 15,000 viewers per week and has between 15,000 to 60,000 per week Facebook page reach. For the most effective, least expensive local advertising, call 706-276-6397 or visit [email protected]
UNG Student Arrested for Filing False Claim of Rape at Reservoir
News June 12, 2017
UNG Student Rebekah Lim
DAHLONEGA, Ga. – Lumpkin County Sheriff’s Office deputies today charged University of North Georgia student Rebekah Lim with filing a false police report, claiming she had been raped on a hiking trail near the Dahonega reservoir.
On May 24th, Lim called Lumpkin County 911 and claimed she had been raped. After meeting with Lim several officers, a K9 unit, and an investigator responded to the Reservoir Trail, searching for evidence and suspects. The following day, they searched the trail again but no evidence was discovered.
Investigators continued to work on the case over the next several days and could not locate any evidence suspects or witnesses to indicate the crime had taken place.
On the contrary, evidence showed that the crime could not possibly have taken place as Lim alleged. Out of an abundance of caution and public safety, Investigators continued working on the case for the following week, approaching the case from all possible angles. During the investigation, video surveillance cameras on the square of the City of Dahlonega and UNG campus were viewed, as well as Lim’s cell phone logs.
All evidence gained during the investigation showed that Ms. Lim had falsely reported that she had been raped on the Reservoir Trails and further indicated she was never at or on the trail during the time she alleged the crime had occurred.
Investigators presented the evidence before the Magistrate Court Judge and a warrant for Lim’s arrest was signed. Subsequently, Lim was arrested at her apartment and charged with False Statements (Felony). She is currently at Lumpkin County Detention Center and a bond has not been set at this time.