City Recognizes Officer
Business, Citizens Speak, Community, Police & Government July 6, 2022
DAHLONEGA, Ga.- The City Council recognized Dahlonega Police Officer Christopher Weeks for his hard work for the City of Dahlonega during the regular meeting on July 5.
The council also heard the concerns of local citizens about the special permit request for Dahlonega Walking Tours and they took action on the request. They also took action on the purchase card program.
The round of applause that was given to Officer Weeks.
Recently Officer Weeks helped Lumpkin County Sheriff’s Office solve four open theft cases and was able to return stolen property to those victims. Chief of Police George Albert also informed the council of compliments he received via email in regards to Officer Weeks’s assistance to some individuals.
Heard above is the story that Mayor JoAnne Taylor read aloud before recognizing Weeks. To review the story in its entirety visit https://mccmeetings.blob.core.usgovcloudapi.net/dahlonega-pubu/MEET-Packet-1ea4cf40dc584f879ca35a23f12f8ae5.pdf, it begins on page 13.
Numerous citizens have come forward to speak in response to Penny Sharp’s request for Dahlonega Walking Tours to be allowed in Historic Mt. Hope Cemetery from 8:00 p.m. until 10:00 p.m. Sharp currently is allowed to host tours of the cemetery for 30 minutes after sunset.
The citizens that came forward feel that allowing Sharp to hold the tours is putting the cemetery at risk for vandalism, there is a greater risk of liability for injuries, and they also felt that it was disrespectful to those buried in the cemetery for it to be used for entertainment purposes. Sharp is required to have a $1 million insurance policy and is also required to stay on the pathways in the cemetery.
Chairman of the Cemetery Committee Chris Worick while explaining his concerns to the council.
The cemetery is currently still active so Chairman of The Cemetery Committee Chris Worick was concerned about guests falling into open graves if they ventured off the path. He was also concerned that seeing people in the cemetery after visiting hours might encourage others to visit without being on the tour.
After listening to all the concerns and many more sent to them via email the council took action on the matter. They voted to approve the hours 8:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m with the stipulation that signs be put up stating that only those with the permit shall be allowed into the cemetery after hours. The vote was 3 to 1 with Councilmember Ron Larson being in opposition.
“Having been on the council almost seven years now this is not something new Mr. Worick indicated as chair of our cemetery committee this has come to us numerous times in the past and we’ve asked Penny and her business to abide by the guidelines, I think its significant councilmembers if we are going to be voting on this to appreciate the feedback we’ve gotten from our cemetery committee,” explained Larson.
The next item that the council took action on was the authorization for the use of purchase cards. Finance Director Allison Martin brought this before the board at the last work session. To review that please visit https://lumpkin.fetchyournews.com/2022/06/21/city-enters-into-new-fleet-replacement-contract/.
The council voted to approve the use of the cards for their travel needs. These will not be used for personal travel just when the members need to go to conferences or attend educational classes for the benefit of the City.
Martin also brought the fiscal year 2023 budget before the council. Currently, it is a balanced budget however she has not received the millage rate yet. Martin believes she will receive the millage rate on July 11.
In the budget, there will be three new full-time positions added in. There will not be a salary increase yet due to the adjustment that was already made. That was a 7% increase.
There will be a public meeting held on Aug. 1 to give the public an opportunity to review the budget before the council makes a decision on it on Aug. 15.
Lumpkin Board of Education recognizes outstanding student achievements
Board of Education, Indians Corner August 10, 2021
Lumpkin, Ga.- The Board of Education recognized the achievements of Jake Barrett and Cooper McDonald for finishing seventh in the High School Fishing National Championship.
Jake Barret and Cooper McDonald competed this summer in both the national and world High School Fishing Championship. Barret is currently an eighth-grader and McDonald is now a senior.
The boys fished six consecutive weekends at Lake Hartwell and Lanier to qualify for Nationals after finishing fifth in State. Nationals were also held at Lake Hartwell for three days. The Sunday after they fished with the top 30 that had moved on the world.
“This is an awesome opportunity to congratulate these two young men on a great accomplishment,” explained Athletic Director Mike Powell.
In addition, the board recognized Jacob Tinsley, Brad Head, and Greg Trammell for their hard work for the school system, they received the Ideal Indian Award. There was one more recognition at the meeting, Superintendent Dr. Rob Brown. He has become the President of The Georgia School Superintendent Assissocation.
Jacob Tinsley the Maintenance Director, Brad Head a member of the maintenance crew, and Greg Trammell Chief Operations Officer were recognized and awarded the Ideal Indian Award for their hard work this summer in completing several projects. These projects include the new playground equipment at Blackburn and Longbranch, new furniture and lighting at Longbranch, a new parking lot and sewer line at Longbranch, the new roof and HVAC system at the High School, and the new Pole Barn at the High School.
Greg Trammell (left), Jacob Tinsely, Brad Head, and Dr. Rob Brown (right)
Trammell is also in charge and overseeing the new elementary school that is being built. His work on the school has given him the opportunity to foster better relationships with the Board of Commissioners.
“Mr. Trammell we appreciate you and all you do to lead operations in our district,” commented Superintendent Dr. Rob Brown.
Superintendent Dr. Brown was also recognized at the meeting. Brown has been voted the President of the Georgia Schools Superintendent Association for the 2021/2022 school year.
This means that he is the head superintendent for the state overseeing 187 superintendents from all across the state. For more information about the GSSA visit https://www.gssaweb.org/
His fellow superintendents showed their support by writing words of congratulations to him. It was printed off, framed, and presented to him along with a bell by Assistant Superintendent Sharon Head.
“He is the head of the organization this year which is quite an honor from around the state and we are very proud of him for that,” stated Head.
Dr. Rob Brown receiving his recognition from Board
Budget and Millage Rate
The board also voted to approve the CTAE Grants, the last FY21 amended budget, surplus furniture, and employee recommendations. Chief Financial Officer Shannon Christian presented the board with two possible options for the millage rate, this will be voted on at a Special Call Meeting on August 23, at 6:00 p.m.
The board approved the new CTAE Grants. The grants are federal and state grants received each year. Federal $51,839, state $55,160 and additional $19,433 in AG Ed state grants this year.
Next for approval was the FY21 amended budget. The expenditures did not change they have been moved around and the CARES Act 2 numbers were changed to reflect what was actually used of the grant.
The FY21 Amended Budget changes are in green.
The old furniture from Longbranch was approved as surplus furniture. The furniture can now be sold at auction.
The final thing the board approved of was employee recommendations. The new employees include Rhonda Ervin Counselor for the High School, Courtney Greene Paraprofessional at Blackburn, Richard Harris Bus Driver, and Jack Lowry, Anna Isaacs, Claire Stephens, Tyler Payne, and Karen Harris student workers.
The staff that is retiring and resigning are all bus drivers Freddy Lingerfelt, Jamon Tipton, and Robert Bryant. There is also one transfer Marilyn Pippin transferring paraprofessional from Blackburn to Longbranch.
Option 1 for the millage rate.
Shanon Christian also presented the board with two possible options for the millage rate this year. Option one presents no increase to taxpayers. It would be a 15.56 mills rate.
Option two would be to keep the rate current at 16.176 mills. This option would have a tax increase of $742,745 for the taxpayers. There will be a special call meeting on August 23 at 6:00 p.m. for the board to vote on the rate.
“I think with the option since we have CARES Act money available I think option one seems like a better alternative, go head and rollback offering the savings to the community,” stated Board Member Craig Poore.