Board of Education approves 2018-19 tentative budget

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BLAIRSVILLE, Ga. – The Union County Board of Education (BOE) reviewed a tentative budget for the 2018-19 fiscal year during its May 15 meeting.

According to Karen Bundy, Union County Schools finance director, the school system will enter the 2018-19 fiscal year with a fund balance of $11,130,345. Revenue projections for the next fiscal year will be $30,749,654 and expenditures are projected to be $30,749,237. This will leave a projected fund balance of $11,130,762 at the end of the 2018-19 fiscal year.

Bundy gave a revenue breakdown to the board. State funds will account for approximately 50 percent of the next budget at $15,390,857 and local taxes will account for approximately 47 percent at $14,450,000. According to Bundy, local taxes include real and personal property taxes, ad valorem taxes, and intangible taxes. The remaining amount derives from other local revenue and state grants from the Georgia Department of Education.

Regarding expenditures, Bundy stated employee salaries, benefits, and operating costs account for the bulk of expenditures in the budget. She further explained that salaries and benefits alone account for 86 percent of the overall expenditures. Also, Bundy pointed out an amount of $75,000 was allotted for the school resource officer (SRO) added earlier in the meeting for Union County Primary School.

During the budget presentation, John Hill, superintendent, and David Murphy, assistant superintendent, presented statistics concerning recent enrollment throughout the district. Murphy stated the school system has been averaging a 1.7 percent per-year increase in enrollment over the past few years, which accounts for an approximate 50-student increase a year. However, the state of Georgia, Murphy explained, has experienced a 5 percent decrease overall, which Hill pointed out was mainly due to the recession of 2008.

Following a brief breakdown of federal funds from Dr. Paula Davenport, assistant superintendent, District 4 board member Keith Potts stated, “All the work you have put into educating (the BOE) on (the budget) this time has been really good. We’ve had a pretty good while to digest all of it.”

The board unanimously accepted the tentative budget as submitted. According to Hill, the budget will be publicly advertised in the county’s legal organ and on the school system’s website beginning May 29. On June 19, the BOE is expected to officially adopt the budget. Finally, on June 30, the budget will be transmitted to the Georgia Department of Education.

Near the end of the regular session of the meeting, the BOE announced personnel recommendations, which included the promotion of Davenport and Murphy to assistant superintendents.

Earlier in the work session, Murphy presented the board with an update of the planned revamp of the school district’s website and communications page. “We want to present an accurate image that’s consistent across the district and provides meaningful information,” Murphy said.

Murphy stressed the importance of distributing information to both internal and external audiences in the district. The assistant superintendent stated the new website will have a “completely new look, so that when people see the web page, they can tell that it’s been updated.”

Murphy explained the new website will focus heavily on photos, videos, school apps, social media integration, school messenger, and PowerSchool.

Hill also pointed out the revamp project will be completed at no cost to the school system.

All five principals within the school system presented a State of the Schools update to the BOE. Principal Carol Knight, of Woody Gap School, began the updates by saying the 2017-18 school year had been a year of firsts for the school, which saw Woody Gap’s first cross country team in the fall and the school’s first participation in dual enrollment. Other highlights included the school receiving new playground equipment at the beginning of the year and attending the state capitol after a special invitation from state Senator Steve Gooch.

Principal Millie Owenby, of Union County Primary School, reported on the school’s continued improvement in testing scores across kindergarten, first and second grades. Owenby also said five student teachers from Young Harris College assisted at the school during the school year. The school also raised money for hurricane victims in the fall. Owenby also stated the school’s pre-k program continues to grow and remain successful.

Principal Patricia Cook, of Union County Elementary School, told of the success of several student-led organizations. Cook explained three students are responsible for regularly raising and lowering the school’s flag at the beginning and end of each day as well as at the onset of inclement weather. The principal stated the school also now has a street safety team of students that helps control traffic on the school’s campus. She also said United Community Bank partnered with the school in managing a school bank for students.

Principal Gwen Stafford, of Union County Middle School, stated the school put a heavy focus on writing during the past school year. Stafford said writing assignments dealt with interest-based and career-based projects, such as cooking, law enforcement, health, education and mechanics. Technology integration, the principal said, continues to grow throughout the school as every student is using technology in some way at the middle school. Stafford also congratulated the UCMS boys soccer team, which finished undefeated in the regular season and won its region championship.

Principal C.T. Hussion, of Union County High School, reported the school had added a volleyball program and a bass fishing club this school year. Hussion also congratulated the school’s mock trial team, which finished as state runner-up in competition. Regarding the school itself, Hussion stated the school’s C-wing got a building addition during the school year, which was funded by the Education Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (ESPLOST). The principal also announced the school will graduate 190 students this year, which is the largest graduating class in school history for the third straight year.

Several school recognitions were presented during the regular meeting. UCPS Principal Millie Owenby recognized the school’s cafeteria staff “for going the extra mile.” Owenby told of the cafeteria staff organizing the Pound Puncher weight-loss program at the school in which 371 total pounds had been lost by the school’s staff during the school year. Owenby also recognized Brook Bridges, who, for the third straight year, served as the yearbook sponsor for the school’s yearbook.

UCES Principal Patrica Cook presented a school recognition to a group of students from Keri Young’s class who organized a fund-raising support group – Team Ila – in honor of one of their classmates who began cancer treatments during the school year. The group sold Team Ila bracelets and raised over $4,500 to help pay for medical expenses for Ila.

“We wanted to let (Ila) know that we care for her and that we have her back,” one of Ila’s classmates explained during the BOE meeting.

Principal Cook also explained that Ila is doing well and is now back at school.

Also from UCES, the school’s Science Olympiad team was recognized. Cook explained the 20-student team went to the state competition for the second straight year and competed against 63 other schools. Across Georgia, there are 275 Science Olympiad teams overall, according to Cook. During the presentation, the principal also surprised the team by announcing she had just received word earlier in the day that the team finished seventh overall in the state competition.

Principal C.T. Hussion, of Union County High School, recognized student Anthony Grader, who Hussion described as an “unbelievable talent.” Grader, a saxophonist, has received a full scholarship to the University of Kentucky to play in that school’s marching band.

Principal Carol Knight, of Woody Gap School, recognized student Austin Crowder for finishing third in a building maintenance skills competition.

Two Partners in Education Awards were awarded at this month’s meeting. The board recognized Mayor Jim Conley and the city of Blairsville as well as Al Harper and the Blairsville-Union County Chamber of Commerce for both entities willingness to assist and partner with the school system.

Special education teachers Beth Rouse and Becky Tracy were presented with the Extra Mile Award and the Service Above Self Award, respectively.

 

 

 

 

Author

Jason Beck

Born in Merrillville, Indiana, raised in Cleveland, Tennessee, and currently resides in Copperhill, Tennessee. Graduated from Bradley Central High School in 1996 and attended the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, eventually earning a B.A. and M.A. in English. Hobbies include hiking, camping and fly-fishing. Interests include baseball, hockey and cliff jumping.

Conley property annexed, Sheriff Mason recognized at council meeting

News

BLAISVILLE, Ga. – Annexation of the Conley property off of Pat Haralson Memorial Drive was approved and Sheriff Mack Mason was recognized during the Blairsville City Council meeting Tuesday, April 3.

Last month, annexation was delayed when Daniel Davenport, owner of a 1.47-acre tract of land within the annexation route, requested access to city utilities before annexation of his property took place.

In this month’s meeting, City Attorney David Barrett explained Davenport had sold his tract of land to the developers of the Conley property clearing the way for annexation. Also falling in line with the annexation is Butternut Creek Golf Course. Mayor Jim Conley explained a 50-foot wide easement of land running through the golf course from the current city limits would connect the Conley property contiguously in the annexation process.

On hand for the meeting was the developer of the property, David Brown. When asked about the urgency of the annexation by Barrett, Brown stated, “We need to be annexed tonight.”

Brown also explained the development on the property is for approximately 70 proposed apartment units that will be marketed to seniors. The council approved the annexation unanimously.

The council also approved the purchase of a 4×2 Gator utility vehicle from Nelson Tractor in the amount of $5,525. The vehicle, according to Conley, will be used primarily by the Street and Maintenance department to carry gardening supplies and equipment. Funding for the purchase will come from Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST) funds.

Jody Cook, wastewater supervisor, told the council it has been determined a faulty tank valve at the Aviagen Hatchery located near the Colwell Detention Center was the main contributing factor leading to increased levels of chemical oxygen demand (COD) at the wastewater treatment plant. In February, Cook first reported pollutants running from the Aviagen facility into the sewer system were causing increased COD levels at the plant. Cook stated Aviagen was working to resolve the issue.

At the end of the meeting, Mayor Conley took time to recognize Union County Sheriff Mack Mason for his department’s continued efforts as well as cooperation and assistance with the Blairsville City Police Department.

“I personally would just like to say I appreciate the cooperation that the police department and the sheriff’s office has,” Conley told Mason. “As you very well know, we’ve never had that in the past.”

Mason responded by describing the level of cooperation between the two agencies as a “unique deal … one that I don’t know of that exists anywhere in the state of Georgia.”

Mason continued to say the state, in recent years, has “regressed” both in the number of Georgia State Patrol troopers and in the number of Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) agents, leaving more of a burden to the local law enforcement agencies.

“I’m not knocking the troopers,” Mason explained. “I’m knocking the legislators because they’ve let us get in this shape … It’s an undisputed fact that 95 percent of arrests in the state of Georgia are made by the city and county officers.”

Speaking of the working coordination between the Union County Sheriff’s Office and the Blairsville Police Department, in which several officers work full-time for one agency and part-time for the other, Mason said, “I appreciate the relationship that I’ve had with you all.”

Following this, Conley proposed a $1 per hour raise for all part-time officers in the Blairsville Police Department. The raise was approved unanimously by the council.

 

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

Jason Beck

Born in Merrillville, Indiana, raised in Cleveland, Tennessee, and currently resides in Copperhill, Tennessee. Graduated from Bradley Central High School in 1996 and attended the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, eventually earning a B.A. and M.A. in English. Hobbies include hiking, camping and fly-fishing. Interests include baseball, hockey and cliff jumping.

Paris approves city annexation, announces multiple proclamations

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public hearings millage rate courthouse Qualifying meetings state of emergency property

BLAIRSVILLLE, Ga. – Union County Sole Commissioner Lamar Paris approved city annexation from the city of Blairsville for a tract off of Pat Haralson Memorial Drive and approved several proclamations in his monthly meeting Thursday, April 19.

Paris explained a senior-living apartment development and a Fellowship of the Hills building project will be the main beneficiaries of a property annexation by the city of Blairsville. The city approved its end of the proposed annexation Tuesday, April 3, after two months of talks and negotiations between property owners falling within the annexation route, the developer of the proposed apartment complex and Fellowship of the Hills church.

The annexation route follows a 50-foot wide path from the current city limits through a portion of Butternut Creek Golf Course to the tract of land off of Pat Haralson Drive. As Paris explained, the annexation allows the city to provide and extend utilities to the tract of land to be annexed.

Paris also signed six proclamations during the meeting. The first officially designated May 3, 2018, as Union County Day of Prayer. According to the proclamation, in 1988, federal legislation, passed by both Houses of Congress and signed into effect by President Ronald Reagan, set aside the first Thursday in May each year as a National Day of Prayer. On hand for this year’s proclamation were Blairsville Mayor Jim Conley and civic leader Sharon Morrison. Of the day, Morrison stated, “Prayer changes things … (the nation) is very divided right now, among the country and the churches, and we just ask God to heal that.”

Peggy Deyton speaks of the importance of raising awareness of Parkinson’s Disease.

A proclamation declaring April to be Parkinson’s Disease Awareness Month in Union County was announced by Paris. Local resident Peggy Deyton, who has Parkinson’s, spoke about the need for awareness and education of the disease. Deyton, who previously worked as Paris’ executive assistant, stated, “Parkinson’s Disease is one of the fastest growing diseases on the planet … to the extent that some have suggested it will soon become a pandemic.” Deyton continued to say that the number of people suffering from the disease has doubled in the last 25 years with approximately 6.9 million globally with Parkinson’s. Also, by 2040, it is projected that 14.2 million will have Parkinson’s world wide, and at present, the cause of the neurodegenerative disease remains unknown.

Paris also signed a proclamation declaring April to be National Donate Life Month in Union County. According to the proclamation, in Georgia alone, over 5,590 people await a life-saving or life-enhancing organ transplant and each day 22 people die while awaiting an organ transplant. However, more than 4.7 million Georgians have registered their decision to Donate Life via an organ transplant at www.donatelifegeorgia.org or when receiving or renewing their driver’s license at a local driver’s license office.

Jennifer Addington, center, speaks of the dangers of food allergies as Union County Commissioner Lamar Paris, right, prepares to sign a proclamation declaring May 13-19 to be Food Allergy Awareness Week in Union County. Jennifer’s daughter, Abigail Addington, left, suffers from a severe food allergy.

A proclamation declaring May 13 through 19 to be Food Allergy Awareness Week in Union County was presented by Paris. On hand for the proclamation were Jennifer Addington and her daughter, Abigail, who has a severe food allergy. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), over 200,000 ambulatory care visits involving children under 18 in the U.S. are due reactions from food allergies. Jennifer Addington spoke of her own daughter’s allergy to certain foods and the overall importance of raising awareness saying, “Some people dismiss it as just an intolerance, but it’s a matter of life and death.”

Paris presented another proclamation declaring April to be Child Abuse Prevention Month in Union County. Paris spoke of the “sobering display” by Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA), currently located on the lawn of the Historic Courthouse on the Blairsville Town Square. “This display consists of … 291 blue pinwheels, which represent the number of children in our district – I think it’s an 11-county district – who had to be removed from a home due to abuse or neglect this past year,” Paris stated.

Lastly, Paris announced a proclamation declaring April to be Confederate History and Heritage Month and April 26 to be Confederate Memorial Day in Union County. “It has been the practice of Georgia governors since 1984 to proclaim April 26 as Confederate Memorial Day,” Paris stated. “The month of April bears special significance since it marks both the beginning and the ending of the War Between the States.

Commissioner Paris signed an agreement with CHA Consulting, Inc. to provide design services to the county for the new access road to be located at the intersection of U.S. 76 and Glenn Gooch Bypass. The cost for the services are to exceed $44,513.00, according to the agreement. The access road will provide enhanced access to the Farmers Market and youth sports complex, and Paris stated, “Probably after the season, or maybe even during the season, we hope to have (the road) completed.”

An agreement with AMR Business Products was approved by Paris for remote software maintenance and services for system failures of the recording equipment at the 911 dispatch center. The cost of the agreement is $2,834 and the agreement is valid from March 12, 2018, to March 11, 2019.

Paris also approved an agreement for Indigent Defense Services from the Public Defender Office of the Enotah Judicial Circuit, which consists of Union, Lumpkin, White and Towns counties. Paris explained Union County’s share was $95,563 for services for fiscal year 2017-18.

An agreement with Air Methods Corporation for emergency air medical transport services for the county was approved by Paris in the amount of $57,320. The agreement will take effect June 1, 2018, and will run through May 31, 2019. Paris explained the county is only responsible for half of the total amount of the contract and stated, “We want to thank everyone involved in this decision, especially Air Methods and Union General Hospital. Without this assistance, this invaluable program to assist our citizens would not be possible.”

Paris approved an agreement between the county and Legacy Link for the required local share of $95,000 during the 2019 fiscal year. “These funds are used by the Area Agency on Aging as match to draw down the federal and state monies for administration, coordination, information and referral, employment and training of older workers and volunteer programs. This program is provided through the Union County Senior Center … We really appreciate all the work they do,” Paris stated.

An Accountability Courts grant in the amount of $30,000 for Family Drug Court was accepted by Paris.

Author

Jason Beck

Born in Merrillville, Indiana, raised in Cleveland, Tennessee, and currently resides in Copperhill, Tennessee. Graduated from Bradley Central High School in 1996 and attended the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, eventually earning a B.A. and M.A. in English. Hobbies include hiking, camping and fly-fishing. Interests include baseball, hockey and cliff jumping.

Blairsville Airport has new Terminal Building

Community, News

(L to R) W. C. Nelson, Mayor Jim Conley, GA Senator Steve Gooch, Sole Commissioner Lamar Paris and wife Dinah

Blairsville, GA – Blairsville Mayor Jim Conley and Blairsville icon W. C. Nelson, whom the terminal was named for, officially cut the ribbon for the new W. C. Nelson Airport Terminal building on Saturday, August 19, 2017.

A host of long-time and native Blairsville/Union County residents joined Conley, Nelson, Georgia State Senator Steve Gooch, Union County Sole Commissioner Lamar Paris, Members of the Blairsville City Council, and a host of others for the Ribbon Cutting Ceremony.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Following the ceremony, Conley acted as master of ceremonies for an address to the attendees where he thanked everyone involved in the planning, design, construction, and completion of the new terminal building.

Newly acquired airport Jet A fuel truck

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

GA Senator Steve Gooch

 

W. C. Nelson

 

 

 

Blairsville KDZJ fixed base operator (FBO) now has a beautiful new building that reflects the essence of Blairsville, Union County, and the North Georgia Mountains and will draw pilots and visitors from across America to our handsome community.

 

 

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 www.FetchYourNews.com

 

Downtown parking a hot topic at city council meeting

News

BLAIRSVILLE, Ga. – At the Tuesday, May 1, Blairsville City Council meeting, Michael Collins, owner of Michaelee’s Italian Life Caffe, spoke to council members during public commentary about the parking situation in downtown Blairsville.

Collins described parking in the downtown area as a problem that is “getting worse.” The restaurant owner explained he was told in 2014 that the city was would be working to improve parking but stated as of yet, he has seen no significant results.

When Collins asked the council about the gravel parking located behind his restaurant and adjacent to City Hall as well as the grassy area situated between the gravel lot and the exit/entrance for the state Route 515 and Pat Haralson Memorial Drive interchange, Mayor Jim Conley informed Collins his customers and employees were welcome to park and told of the city’s plans to develop the area in the future.

“Parking is a nightmare for every town,” Conley added.

Councilman Tony Dyer, who expressed the need to develop the lot at the March city council meeting, again stressed the need for an immediate resolution by utilizing the property and space.

After this, the meeting briefly resembled an impromptu town hall forum, as several downtown business and property owners present at the meeting offered their insight and thoughts on the situation.

Bill McGlamery, owner of The Wine Shoppe, expressed concerns over liability and the safety of the gravel lot, also located behind his business. McGlamery pointed out the lack of adequate lighting and stated the gravel surface posed safety issues for elderly downtown patrons.

Regina Garrett, owner of Cut Loose Beauty Salon, suggested that although use of the gravel lot would open up more parking for downtown, patrons, she felt, would be unwilling to walk the distance needed to reach certain businesses in the downtown area.

Another downtown property owner, Millie Arrowood, told of overflow parking problems with people parking in certain businesses’ parking lots but frequenting other establishments downtown. Colleen Urbaniuk, owner of Season’s Inn, agreed with this sentiment, saying this certain problem forces business owners to “be the bad guy” by disallowing people to park in the lots at which they are not patronizing.

After further discussion, Mayor Conley addressed Darren Harper, supervisor of the Downtown Development Authority (DDA), and told Harper the DDA would need to develop a grading plan for the gravel lot before the council could move forward with plans to develop the lot.

In other business, Chip McGaughey, of EMI, told the council of the need to install a grit removal system at the city’s wastewater treatment facility. McGaughey stated the city could be eligible for a Georgia Environmental Finance Authority (GEFA) grant to assist with the purchase of the removal system.

Overall, McGaughey said, the total cost estimate for the system would be approximately $800,000 and the GEFA grant could offer as much as $200,000 in principal forgiveness. The remaining $600,000 could be financed through a loan, McGaughey explained, and stated the city would have to decide on either a 10-, 20- or 30-year term for the loan. According to McGaughey, the deadline for the GEFA grant is June 1.

When Dyer asked if the grit removal system would be money well spent for the city, McGaughey stated the system would prevent breakdown of equipment caused by grit build-up and added that no chemicals would be involved with the removal process.

The council voted unanimously for McGaughey to proceed with the application process for the GEFA grant.

In department reports, DDA Supervisor Harper told of the success of the Explore Blairsville Georgia mobile app. Harper reported, as of the meeting, 491 active users had signed up for the app. Also, Harper stated the monthly Shop Late Thursday event, in which downtown businesses stay open from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. on the first Thursday of every month, has been “warmly received” by patrons who are unable to shop downtown earlier in the day.

Blairsville Assistant Police Chief Michael Baxter announced the Georgia Crime Information Center (GCIC) hotspot devices that were purchased during the March city council meeting have been installed in city police vehicles. The devices provide instant Internet access to the GCIC database and allow officers to access information of the vehicle and the recorded owner. Baxter stated since the devices have been installed, Blairsville officers were able to receive information on two wanted persons during routine traffic stops before approaching the stopped vehicle.

In the Blairsville Airport report, John Damer, airport manager, introduced new maintenance employee Aaron Manheim and the council officially ratified Manheim’s hiring unanimously.

In the council’s consent agenda, the decision to approve an occupational tax certificate for Just Cremation was tabled after Councilman Dyer expressed concerns over environmental health regulations with regard to crematories and potential adverse affects to the values of adjacent properties. The council agreed to table the decision to allow City Attorney David Barrett to research state guidelines regarding crematories.

 

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

Jason Beck

Born in Merrillville, Indiana, raised in Cleveland, Tennessee, and currently resides in Copperhill, Tennessee. Graduated from Bradley Central High School in 1996 and attended the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, eventually earning a B.A. and M.A. in English. Hobbies include hiking, camping and fly-fishing. Interests include baseball, hockey and cliff jumping.

City council talks annexation, purchases police equipment

News, Police & Government, Politics

BLAIRSVILLE, Ga. – Annexation of the Conley property on Pat Haralson Memorial Drive was discussed during the Blairsville City Council meeting Tuesday, March 6.

According to Mayor Jim Conley, a developer interested in the property has requested city annexation of the property before proceeding with a development project. From the city limits to the Conley property, a portion of Butternut Creek Golf Course, which is owned by the county, and a stretch of a 1.47-acre property owned by Daniel Davenport falls in line with the proposed annexation route.

While the county has agreed to an easement of the golf course property, Davenport, who was present at the meeting, requested of the city to bring water and sewer utilities through his property before allowing annexation of his property.

“I’m all about annexation if the city sewer and water would pass through the 1.5 acres, which to me is a legitimate path to take (to the Conley property),” Davenport told the council Tuesday. “If (the city is) going to annex my property, I’ll be paying city taxes, so I’ll, of course, want to be able to hook up to the sewer on my property.”

Davenport was told by City Attorney David Barrett if his property was annexed, he would have the right by law to attain water and sewer utilities from the city. However, Davenport explained that in his previous discussions with Barrett, the city attorney told him the city would not provide the infrastructure needed to connect to city water and sewer lines. Davenport further stated that, to his understanding, the city would be extending water and sewer lines all the way to the Conley property. To this, Mayor Conley replied, “No we’re not either … we’re not bringing the sewer to their property. They’re coming to our manhole.”

After further discussion, Councilman Tony Dyer made a motion to withdraw the annexation proposal followed by a second from Councilwoman Betty Easter. The motion failed 3 to 2, with nay votes coming from Councilmembers Rhonda Mahan, Robert Moore and Mary Ruth Cook.

On Friday, Mayor Conley stated Davenport had discussed the situation in the days following the meeting with the owners of Conley property and a possible agreement was in the works, which would clear the way for the annexation.

The council approved two equipment purchases for the Blairsville Police Department. Sergeant Shawn Dyer informed the council of a recent audit of the department conducted by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) in which the GBI recommended the use of departmental phones for city officers as well as the addition of wi-fi hotspot devices within city patrol vehicles.

Dyer explained the phones would be used by full-time officers for official police business. Currently, officers use their personal cell phones for police business while on duty, and GBI, in the audit, claimed this presents a security risk and the possibility of a personal information breach for the officers.

Concerning the addition of the hotspot devices, Dyer stated the technology upgrade will ensure a safer and more effective environment for officers while conducting routine traffic stops. The hotspot devices will provide instant Internet access to the Georgia Crime Information Center (GCIC) database and allow officers to access information of the vehicle and the recorded owner before initially approaching the vehicle.

“(The hotspot devices) could probably save somebody’s life,” Dyer explained, “because right now, if we stop a car, we call in the tag number to dispatch, we pull that car over, we go up and we talk to that driver not knowing anything (of the driver). We don’t get that information back until we sit back there in the (patrol) car after we’ve talked to them, got their driver’s license and all that.”

According to Dyer, six cell phones (iPhones) and eight hotspot devices will come from Verizon at a monthly cost of $564.57.

Dyer also told of the need for a large metal cabinet that can be locked to store evidence or guns in the squad room at the police department. The sergeant stated a large lockable cabinet in the squad room would allow all shifts the ability to store evidence if the evidence room of the department cannot be accessed. Dyer said he found a cabinet suitable for such a purpose for around $2,000.

Both expenditures were approved unanimously.

The council gave approval to proceed with RevoPay as an online electronic payment method for payments of all fees, permits and/or taxes to the city. Last month, the council discussed and approved an option for accepting credit or debit cards for water services payments.

Kaye McCann, city clerk, explained to the council the RevoPay system would allow customers to pay all bills to the city in a lump sum by credit or debit card or by electronic check either online or over the phone. Also, city hall would have access to RevoPay, so that any customers making payments in person would also be able to make payments via those options as well.

According to McCann, there is no charge or fee to the city to use this service; however, a percentage-based fee from RevoPay would be passed along to customers using the service. When asked about the percentage of the fee, McCann explained the fee would likely fall between 3 to 5 percent and that the percentage would be determined over time by the amount of customers using the service. McCann further explained customers using RevoPay would know before the transaction is complete exactly how much the fee is.

Jody Cook, wastewater supervisor, delivered an update of a wastewater issue involving the Aviagen Hatchery, a poultry hatchery facility located near Colwell Detention Center. Last month, Cook reported increases in the chemical oxygen demand (COD) at the treatment plant were discovered in January. At that meeting, he said it was determined pollutants stemming from outdoor wash downs of the hatchery’s delivery crates were the cause of the increase of COD. Cook also stated last month the issue does not pose a health risk to anyone, but rather puts a greater strain on the wasterwater treatment facility.

This month, Cook told the council the hatchery had changed its clean-up policies. “It has made a difference, but I think we’re going to have to do a little bit more there because our readings are still high,” Cook said.

Cook stated officials from Aviagen have been cooperating with the city in an effort to correct the issue and told Cook to inform the hatchery if the changes in their cleaning processes did not resolve the issue. To this, Cook told the board he wanted to do a few more tests before going back to Aviagen since recent rains have disallowed the possibility of accurate testing.

In other business, the council approved a change in the type of envelopes used to mail water bills to customers. The new envelopes will feature a clear window panel on the front of the envelope and, as Mayor Conley pointed out, are easier for mail sorting machines to process.

The council entered into a 12-month contract with Jeff Burks, of Total Geek Tek, for regular IT maintenance and upgrades for all city departments. Burks’ hourly rate will be $40 an hour, and he will service city computer systems two days a week for a total of 16 hours a month, according to the parameters of the contract.

Councilman Tony Dyer stressed the need to move forward with a paved public parking lot, public restroom facility and a greenspace on city property located behind city hall. Dyer stated he would like to see the space, when completed, dedicated to longtime state representative and Blairsville native Carlton Colwell.

Dyer also mentioned the idea of honoring Union County Sheriff Mack Mason at the next city council for the sheriff’s office ongoing cooperation with the city police department.

Author

Jason Beck

Born in Merrillville, Indiana, raised in Cleveland, Tennessee, and currently resides in Copperhill, Tennessee. Graduated from Bradley Central High School in 1996 and attended the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, eventually earning a B.A. and M.A. in English. Hobbies include hiking, camping and fly-fishing. Interests include baseball, hockey and cliff jumping.

“We Are Still Here” Event ‘Transcendent’

Featured

Artist Daniel Horsechief

 

Blairsville, GA – The latest class of Leadership Union experienced the culmination of two years of planning and hard work on Thursday, Sept. 21, 2017 with the celebration and unveiling of “Transcendent”, a 10-foot tall statue cast in bronze by the renown Oklahoma, Native American, Pawnee Cherokee artist, Daniel Horsechief, who was on hand for the “We Are Still Here” event.

Commissioner Paris with Chief Joe Bunch and Cherokee Councilman French

Mayor Jim Conley

GA State Rep. Matt Gurtler

The unveiling event was an all-day affair that started at 10 a.m. with an opening prayer by Beloved Man-Jerry Wolfe, then singing in both English and Native Cherokee performed by the Native Praise Choir.

Victoria Vasquez, Councilman French, Chief Joe Bunch, Deputy Chief Louis Hicks

Blairsville Mayor Jim Conley, Union County Sole Commissioner Lamar Paris, Georgia State Representative Matt Gurtler and a representative for Hunter Hill, who wasn’t able to be there, all spoke to the hard work of the Leadership Union class, especially that of Chairman Jim Brown, which put on the event. They spoke of what an honor it is to be a part of this recognition of Native Americans, the Cherokee Nation, the Choctaw, the Chickasaw and the Muscogee Creek that inhabited these very mountains long before Americans set foot here.

Native Praise Choir

Muscogee Creek Deputy Chief Louis Hicks, Cherokee Nation Tribal Council Deputy Speaker Victoria Vazquez, United Keetoowah Band Chief Joe Bunch and Eastern Band of Cherokee Representative Councilman French all spoke of the honor they felt in being a part of the event, of their welcome back and of the memory of those Native Americans who were torn from their mountain home here in Georgia two hundred years ago as a result of the discovery of gold.

The actual unveiling took place immediately following the speeches. Daniel Horsechief spoke of the initial mistrust his people felt when they were first approached about this event, the genuineness of Mr. Jim Brown that convinced them otherwise; of the shrinking world we are experiencing today and the need for cooperation between peoples all over the world.

The afternoon, following the unveiling, entailed a barbecue lunch, a stickball game, a demonstration Stomp Dance by Cherokee Nation dancers, dinner at 6 p.m. and a praise and worship service with Native Preachers and Native Hymns.

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