Blairsville, GA – Union County Sole Commissioner Lamar Paris announced at the October Commissioner’s Meeting on Thursday, Oct. 19, 2017 that plans are now underway to alter ingress and egress to the Wal-Mart Store at Hwy 515. Paris said that there have been four fatality accidents and a serious injury accident at that intersection in the last three or four years. He said that the approach to the turnoff into the Wal-Mart from west-bound Hwy. 515 (coming from Blairsville) had been moved to allow exiting drivers a better view of oncoming west-bound traffic, but that, apparently, had not solved the problem. Exacerbating the problem is the new Blairsville Airport entrance directly across from the Wal-Mart entrance. The new airport terminal building is located on the north side of the Blairsville Airport runway, opposite the old terminal building, which now requires automobile traffic to enter and exit the airport on the Wal-Mart side of the airport. Paris attempted to describe the proposed changes, including possible changes at the intersection of Hwy. 515 and Kiuteustia Road (K-road), but the description, especially since it is in the planning stage, eluded verbal description. It is a very complicated process involving the county, state and federal agencies. The important thing to take away is that there are some big changes coming in the near future for the Hwy. 515 entrance to the Blairsville Wal-Mart (please see the video).

Union County Sole Commissioner Lamar Paris

In other Union County Commission news, Paris approved the Notice of Award, Contract and Notice to Proceed to Dyer’s Trenching and Backhoe, LLC to construct the Byron Herbert Reece Connector Trail, which will be about a three mile trail. He said the work shall start on Oct. 16, 2017 and be completed on or before Feb. 15, 2018. The contract, he said, is in the amount of $110,865. He said the project will be funded by a State LMIG (Local Maintenance Improvement Grant) of $100,000 and local Union County SPLOST of $10,865.

Paris approved the Notice of Award, Contract and Notice to Proceed to Colwell Construction Co., Inc. to construct a pathway along Hwy. 180, including a concrete sidewalk and railing that will be in conjunction with the new Byron Herbert Reece Connector Trail in the amount of $194,047.96. The project will be funded, he said, with $100,000 from a State LMIG Grant and the balance from local Union County SPLOST funds. He said there is a chance that the Local amount may be reduced if the plans can be altered.

9.7 miles of resurfacing of existing roads and 2.646 miles of surface treatment of dirt/gravel roads in Union County are in the works, Paris said (see picture for details).

Union County Care Givers

Paris declared November as “National Family Caregivers Month”. Representing the “We Care” program of the Redeemer Baptist Church were Pastor Bill Shakot and several members of the “We Care” team. Paris presented a copy of the proclamation to them.

Paris proclaimed Nov, 5, 2017 as Georgia Retired Educators Day in Union County.

Union County Business Licenses were granted to Kellen Cabin Rental and Lake Cove Hideaway.

In his Commissioner’s Comments, Paris admonished drivers in Union County and throughout the state of Georgia that choose to talk on their cell phones while driving. He said that drivers who talk on their cell phones can’t recall what has transpired on the road while engaged on their phones. It’s a major problem, he said.

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