County will expand water next year with American Rescue Plan
News October 19, 2021
ELLIJAY, Ga. – In discussions for the spending of funds from the American Rescue Plan, Gilmer County’s Board of Commissioners heard a proposal from the Ellijay Gilmer County Water and Sewerage Authority (EGCWSA) to utilize funds for the Roundtop Road area of the county to extend water lines to the Pickens-Gilmer line.
Water has already reached part of the area. EGCWSA Director Gary McVey spoke in the October Commissioner’s Meeting about the project, saying that the plan was to from the end of the current water line all they way down Roundtop Road.
McVey stated that a majority of calls requesting city water come from this area currently. He noted that the well water in the area has high iron content.
Adding to the project, McVey said he wanted to treat the new line exactly like the last project in the area with the funds paying for the meter installation and even the tie-ons between a meter and a house. It was stated that the EGCWSA Board might reduce impact fees for citizens, but McVey did not say it would negate them. He noted that this would be a board decision that would have to be made. Additionally, the project also looks to make water more readily available in emergencies, aiding in fire protection along the way.
The cost of the project is estimated at $1 million.
As opposed to other projects approved recently, such as the county’s hazard pay for employees, this project will not be put into motion until next year with the second round of the American Rescue Plan funds.
The county has been discussing projects and is continuing to pursue them, however, waiting until the next round of funding will allow the county to go forward with its plans and allow the EGCWSA to begin plans and preparations for the new project before 2022. The official motion came for a resolution to approve the project and reserve the upcoming funds for it.
The county already saw its first opposition and support for the project in the same meeting as citizens wishing to speak portion. With one citizen asking for a rebate for water filters he has had to buy in his area of the county for the same iron issues.
City of Ellijay to discuss removal of downtown parking Monday
News October 15, 2021
ELLIJAY, Ga. – More than just citizens living inside the city limits, people from East Ellijay and all over Gilmer County outside of either city’s limits have been voicing opinions and concerns over the loss of parking on the square and down River Street.
This Monday, October 15, 2021, will see the Ellijay City Council hear the proposal from a representative of the Downtown Development Authority (DDA) and has an agenda item to take action on the subject. The agenda lists this as “Downtown Parking Elimination Test.” The idea is to test how the area will respond without parking through Light Up Ellijay in December. The Mayor’s Report in the city council notes that this will eliminate parking “on the roundabout and River Street.”
Discussion has risen from the DDA, but has found stark opposition from certain members of the public. From very specific concerns of elderly and handicapped people looking to keep the close by parking for places like the Cantaberry Restaurant, Blue Ridge Olive Oil Company, Ellijay Wood Fired Pizza, River Street Tavern, and others to general concerns about eliminating any parking in such a busy area of the city.
Those speaking in favor of the elimination have quoted public safety concerns and traffic flow. Accidents have occurred in the area and comments have been made referencing these incidents when someone may pull out or back out into traffic. Others have complained about how difficult it is to back out of the lots on the square.
Discussions have also come from some to convert the roundabout parking into all handicapped parking spaces and marking off several spots to allow for van unloading from the sides for wheelchair users.
The Downtown Square already has posted speed limits signs along River Street and the city has also put up flashing signs in the past warning drivers of their speed as they cross the bridge on River Street.
Eighteen parking spots isn’t a large number compared to the lot sizes like the one behind Dalton State College or the one behind the courthouse next to the Tabor House, but the main push to keep the spots has focused on the needs for closer parking for older people. Four years ago, in 2016, research was shown in the Gilmer Board of Commissioners meetings as the county was losing its hospital proving Gilmer had 25% of its population as 65 or older. Since the COVID-19 outbreak, research has proven that the consistent occupancy of Gilmer County is increasing from more and more people moving here along with more and more tourists visiting.
The question of the day and the question behind the parking spots on the roundabout and down River Street, ultimately, has very little to do with parking, but has everything to do with traffic and congestion. Some downtown business owners are also pushing to keep the roadside parking to allow for older citizens to have easier access, but also to allow for those who may see an open spot and are only looking to quickly get in and out of one store instead of touring the downtown area.
Officials have emphasized that the action taken, if approved, is only a test run. Discussion has continued to run rampant among how the city would block off the spots, what kind of image it gives to visitors, what it would do to locals, how it would affect businesses, how it will change the look and feel of the downtown area. Discussion will continue on Monday, October 18, 2021, at 5:30 when the City of Ellijay enters its workshop right before the 6:00 p.m. meeting.
Ingram may have threatened more than courthouse
News January 10, 2021
ELLIJAY, Ga. – Earlier this week, a threat was reported and dealt with regarding the Gilmer County Courthouse on the night of January 5, 2021.
The reported threat allegedly came from Travis Webb Ingram, 44. Ingram was arrested by the Gilmer County Sheriff’s Office the same day. Facing a felony charge of Terroristic Threats and Actions according to the Sheriff’s Booking Report, Ingram allegedly made threats on social media about going to the courthouse with a bomb. The report indicates as much, stating the offense location as cyberspace.
Travis Webb Ingram
However, according to the Sheriff’s report, the courthouse may not have been the only threat issued or the only charge possibly brought against Ingram.
The report indicates possible drug involvement in the incident. Reports indicate a suspicion of use or involvement of methamphetamines. While the investigation continues, new charges could be brought up, but for now, the only noted charge remains Terroristic threats.
In addition to the threat of a bomb against the courthouse, there was alleged reports noted in the incident report that Ingram was “extremely angry” and posed threats “against law enforcement and his ex-girlfriend’s life.”
The Sheriff’s Office dispatched several units to locations in response to the threat including the courthouse and to Ingram’s address. After arrest, Ingram was taken to the Gilmer County Detention Center for processing.
All of these new details including the allegations of drug use with methamphetamines, threats against the additional female, and threats against police are coming from the Sheriff’s Office on incident report. Yet, no additional charges were noted on the arrest record. FYN will continue to add new updates to this story as Sheriff Stacy Nicholson releases additional details.
Gilmer wins CDBG grant for water improvements
News September 9, 2019
GILMER COUNTY, Ga. – Speaker David Ralston (R-Blue Ridge) today announced that Gilmer County has been awarded $722,000 to make water system improvements through the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program. The funds will be used as part of a $1.9 million project to improve water infrastructure along Old Roundtop Road, Roundtop Road, Whispering Winds Lane and within the Lakeside Mobile Home Park.
Extending new water main lines into the area, the Ellijay-Gilmer County Water and Sewerage Authority (EGCWSA) will be extending lines to homes that have never had access to the public water system. They will be extending the mainline to communities that are currently using substandard wells or systems with heavy iron in the water as well as laying the groundwork for future plans. In fact, as this grant funds “Phase 1” of the project, Director of the EGCWSA, Gary McVey said, “After this grant is done, we’re actually going to extend even farther and, hopefully, even maybe get to the county line.”
McVey confirmed that once they reach the county line, they will pursue a connection with Pickens County Water as well. Gilmer already connects to Pickens through the Yukon Road/Talking Rock area.
“Continually maintaining and improving infrastructure is critical to the quality of life our residents enjoy,” said Speaker Ralston. “This is the kind of investment that will pay off for years to come, and I congratulate all those involved in winning this grant award for Gilmer County.”
County Commission Chairman Charlie Paris also commented on the grant saying, “These grants are competitive. You’ve got to present a good case in order to get them. And I think we’ve done that… We’re being more competitive and that’s what I like to see.”
According to Speaker Ralston’s Press Release, the CDBG program is available to eligible local governments through a competitive grant program. Each year, CDBG supports community projects that create jobs and assist citizens with low and moderate incomes. The release also stated,
Over the past decade, Georgia’s CDBG program has invested in health care facilities that have helped more than 35,000 Georgians gain access to improved health services, has provided resources for critical water and sewer improvements serving more than 177,000 residents in rural areas, has supported the construction or enhancement of community facilities to serve more than 16,000 youth and senior citizens, and has helped to create more than 6,100 new jobs through the Employment Incentive Program.
Parks and Rec Authority Dissolved
News December 10, 2018
ELLIJAY, Ga. – With rising tensions on the specific Parks and Recreation Board, the Board of Commissioners have officially dissolved the authority while simultaneously revisiting the Advisory Board Member Policies.
That may be a little confusing to some as this entity is referred to as Authority and Advisory Board. In fact, part of the issue lies in that confusion as Gilmer County Commission Chairman Charlie Paris said he was shocked to find out just how much authority this “advisory board” had.
With an early December Special Called Meeting, the Commissioners met to re-clarify the people they do and don’t want to serve on these advisory boards in order to avoid conflicts of interests. In addition, they sought to reset some of the make-up of these boards as they added a point for a liaison between them and the advisory boards.
This practice is actually already been used without policy in some entities. Jim Smith, Director of Public Works, spoke at the meeting saying he was already a liaison for the Airport Advisory Board. Additionally, Mike Brumby, Director of Whitepath Golf Course, echoed the sentiment as he offered advice on how he has been the communications “hub” between the Golf Course and the Commissioners.
Some of the restrictions on board members came into question including an item about volunteers and employees. Smith offered advice saying that when board members get into the work, they seem to gain more insight. He stated, “I think the more they know about what that operation entails, the better they appreciate it.”
They left in an addition to the policy which said, “Board Members may take part in their respective departments as a volunteer only with no supervisory role.” In order to keep the ability to volunteer while excluding them from any decision making or higher responsibilities that could conflict with there roles on the board.
As the BOC came to agreement on the policy for board members, they moved on to the new business of dissolving the Parks and Rec Board. Paris began the item saying, “I want to say that I am perfectly happy with every person that serves on the Parks and Rec Board. I don’t have a problem with any one of them. What I have a problem with is the resolution that created the Parks and Rec Board… It is not an Advisory Board.”
As discussion moved forward, the sentiment was agreed on by both Post Commissioners. However, when Paris made a motion to rescind the resolution and dissolve the Parks and Rec Board, a second did not immediately come. Post Commissioner Travis Crouch stated he didn’t want to second the motion because he wouldn’t be around to recreate the board later since December is his last meeting.
Though Paris agreed he wanted to revisit the Board later, he did not want to make it a part of the same motion to dissolve it. Miller also stated he didn’t like the idea of a gap in the service of an advisory board, he did second the motion saying he understood the need to rescind the resolution.
After the second, the Board did vote 3-0 for the motion.
Those policies for Advisory Boards were read into the meeting as such:
- Member shall be appointed by the Board of Commissioners.
- Member cannot be a Department Head.
- Member cannot be a County employee.
- Member must be a resident of Gilmer County.
- Member must serve a specific term.
- Members can be reappointed.
- Members shall not miss a majority of meetings in a year to remain on the Board.
- Attendance shall be taken at each meeting.
- Chairs shall be elected or re-elected each year by the Advisory Board.
- Boards shall have By-Laws, and those By-Laws shall be approved by the Board of Commissioners.
- Boards shall keep written minutes of all proceedings, shall be approved by the Advisory Board, and shall be maintained as public records.
- Boards shall report all proceedings in writing to the Board of Commissioners within 30 days of any meeting.
- All meetings shall be open to the public and duly advertised in accordance with the public meeting law.
- Board recommendations shall be presented to the Board of Commissioners in writing.
- Board members may take part in their respective department as a volunteer, only with no supervisory role.
Item No. 16 institutes the creation of a liaison between the Advisory Board and the Board of Commissioners that could be a department head.
East Ellijay responds to major leak near 515
News May 11, 2018
EAST ELLIJAY, Ga. – East Ellijay Mayor Mack West has confirmed a leak as the cause of the work seen this week on state Route 515 in East Ellijay.
The Ellijay-Gilmer County Water and Sewerage Authority responded to a leak in the area near Hardee’s and under the highway. The leak, located on Industrial Boulevard in front of Hardee’s, was losing around 130 gallons of water per minute.
Responding to the leak, West said that certain areas of East Ellijay have been without water nearly three days in the process of redirecting the water flow away from the older pipes during the process. That included boring under state Route 515 as well as including new cutoffs and valves reaching up to and along Laurel Street.
Ellijay-Gilmer County Water and Sewerage Authority Director Gary McVey also confirmed that the work is implanting new piping in the area. Instead of attempting to repair or refurbish the existing cast iron piping in the region, the Authority bored under 515 for new piping in order to avoid and abandon the existing cast iron pipes with the leak.
The final tie-in should be placed tonight, according to McVey, completing the new path. However, with the main work finished, citizens will continue to see workers in the area for a few days next week while they clean up the work and fill in the excavated sites.
Community development on agenda in commissioners’ March meetings
News March 13, 2018
ELLIJAY, Ga. – The Gilmer County Board of Commissioners addressed community development this month with a possible final solution to roadside trash pick-up as well as applying for a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG).
Trash pick-up has been a developing issue over the last two months now as the board originally planned on hiring five seasonal employees for trash pick-up to work through the summer preceding the county’s mowing teams. However, a special called meeting in February saw new ideas as the commissioners began considering a new deputy in the Sheriff’s Department, similar in costs, to put inmates on the roads picking up trash.
During that meeting, Gilmer County Commission Chairman Charlie Paris stated this crew would consist of four or five non-risk inmates under the supervision of one deputy. He described this option as a better long-term solution and one that is typically more favorably viewed in the public perception.
At their regular March meeting, the idea was restated for the public saying the Sheriff’s Department would not need a new vehicle for the added deputy. The county will receive reports of the progress of the program to monitor and are still expected to have the teams move ahead of mowers in the summer months. This item was officially approved this month, so citizens should be seeing these teams on county roads, not state-owned roads, in the coming months. They will also be skipping over roads already cleaned and maintained by the Keep Gilmer Beautiful organization.
March also saw the commissioners approve a CDBG for the area of Sunlight Road and Roundtop Road. Proposed by the Ellijay-Gilmer Water Sewage Authority, the approval by the board is the first step in the grant application process, meaning this is still early stages of a competitive grant process that the county will be entering into application for.
If accepted, it would allow expansion of the water/sewer system closer to the southwest corner of Gilmer County, closer to the county line, according to Ellijay-Gilmer Water Sewage Authority Director Gary McVey. He estimated 200 residents of the area could be affected by the expansion. With the application due April 1, late fall could see the beginning of construction if approved with an expected one-year construction time.
In addition to these items, the Board of Commissioners approved applications for 2018 River Outfitter’s licenses for Cartecay River Experience and Coosawattee River Resort and an Alcoholic Beverage license for Mohammad Nizar Tharani at Ellijay Mini Mart.
Ellijay accepts two roads to maintenance system
News December 21, 2017
ELLIJAY, Ga. – Updates to the project on Victory Circle came in Ellijay’s December Council Meeting.
The project, officially named the Victory Christian Center, requested the city take a new road into its maintenance system. The road will connect Victory Circle, behind the old Blue Ridge Carpet Mill, to Progress Road. This new connection will become the main entrance to the facility, and one of three access points, as Victory Christian continues plans to add another entrance on Maddox Drive near the city limits sign, to decrease traffic stress at the four-way stop of Progress Road and Maddox Drive. Following the back side of the old carpet mill, the road will connect from the first curve on Victory Circle.
The project, according to Randy Durden from the North Georgia Christian Foundation, will be paid for by combining donations, including property from the neighboring PDQ Manufacturing and Waterwheel and money from the Victory Christian Center for construction of the road pending the council’s agreement to accept the road for maintenance. The official approval came as a motion for agreement in principal that the city would accept the road contingent upon it being built to Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) specifications with 60-foot right-of-ways and Ellijay City requirements.
However, this was not the only addition to the city’s road systems. The council officially approved accepting 1.6 miles of state Route 382 into the city street system.
After consideration in November, the council further investigated and attained confirmation that the state would repave the road. According to Ellijay Mayor Al Hoyle, the Georgia Department of Transportation Commissioner assured him they would resurface the road and make sure everything is in good shape, including striping and guard rails.
Along with the accepting of the state road, the council separately approved accepting the Lighting Agreement. The new roundabout being built at the intersection of Highway 382 and Old Highway 5 will have street lights for the roundabout for which the city is agreeing to pay the lighting bill.
Ellijay City Councilman David Westmoreland requested consultation from Ellijay City Police Chief Edward Lacey if there would be a negative consequence. Lacey suggested he could not see anything negative stating, “It is contiguous with our current city system of roads.”
Lacey was also requested to speak on a second item, a request for speed bumps on Gilmer Street near the senior center. The council asked last month for Lacey to investigate and speak at this meeting. Officially recommending the street return to a one-way street as it has been in the past, Lacey suggested do not enter signs to prevent traffic from traveling toward Delaware Street. The council did not grant the speed bump request for the street, but instead went with Lacey’s recommendation to make it one way. This means traffic on Gilmer Street must flow toward Broad Street and toward the courthouse.
Cartecay Vineyards is moving downtown with approval for Cartecay Wine and Craft Pub at 19 South Main Street in Ellijay for a wine tasting room.
After an executive session, Ellijay’s city council approved three members to the Downtown Development Authority (DDA). With four openings and only three filled, the city is still looking to fill another position on the authority board. Those three approved were Josh Quigley, Mark Luchauer and Joshua Moyer.
Joint Development Authority preps for 2018
News December 15, 2017
EAST ELLIJAY, Ga. – The Greater Gilmer Joint Development Authority (JDA) held a special meeting Dec. 12 to finalize items before the new year.
The Authority is filling a gap made last year as the seventh, at-large, member was needed to be appointed. While Penelope Marshall has served in the position, it turns out that no official resolution was ever made. While the JDA reappointed Marshall to the position, it must now go before the other entities of the two cities and the county to be approved by them as well before finalization.
The approval to the position officially lists Marshall as finishing the rest of the term for the next three years.
The JDA also approved their 2018 budget with the major changes of having the executive director employed by the JDA itself now. The smaller budget of the Authority reportedly will allow $15,109 for marketing and $7,500 for travel and entertainment, according to Greater Gilmer JDA Executive Director Kent Sanford. These main two items are what the JDA uses to grow and expand business.
Sanford mentioned at the meeting that the Authority’s immediate plan with the budget compared to “ground game” in football. He spoke about the restriction from finances meant taking every step one at a time and working on smaller gains in the near future to build into more growth.
The JDA also approved their regular meeting dates for 2018. Those approved meetings will be held on Feb. 5, May 7, Aug. 6, and Nov. 5. Each meeting is to be held at 8 a.m. at the Gilmer Chamber Office, 696 1st Ave in East Ellijay.
New Executive Director Officially Takes Office Today
Business, News November 1, 2017
EAST ELLIJAY, GA – The Greater Gilmer Joint Development Authority (JDA) has gone months through its process of looking to replace its executive director after its previous director resigned.
Today marks the end of that search. While we have known for a while now that Kent Sanford, formerly of Park Sterling Bank, would be taking the position, it is today that the transition has been completed and he officially takes office.
With the job ahead, Sanford told FYN, “As I watched the sun come up from my new office this morning, I was reminded of the bright future Gilmer County has before us. We have a great deal of work to do, but I am excited to get started and humbled to be part of the process and working with an excellent team of professionals.”
As he begins moving around town, introducing himself to the businesses and beginning to attract more growth to the county, the JDA will hold their fourth quarter meeting this Monday, November 6, at 8 a.m. Also, stay with FYN as we continue updates and sit down with Sanford later this month.
Also, be sure to check out more with our previous article, “JDA Announces New Executive Director.”
Ellijay Presents Proposed Budget for 2018
News September 28, 2017
ELLIJAY, GA – The City of Ellijay is moving forward in its budgeting process with the presentation of its budget for 2018.
This Proposed budget is still awaiting public comments in the the hearing tomorrow morning, September 29, at 9:00 A.M. After that, the budget can move to October’s regular meeting for approval by the city.
The budget as it currently shows, is not completed numbers for the current fiscal year. However, changes are already being seen as budget hearings and the council prepare for future costs.
Citizens wishing to follow up and speak during comments at the City’s meetings are encouraged to dig deeper into the Proposed 2018 Budget.
Ellijay Management Changes Through City Council and Special DDA Meetings
News July 24, 2017
ELLIJAY, GA – The Ellijay City Council is moving forward to swap out pumper’s for its Fire services.
After numerous problems with its current 2002 Lavern Class A Pumper, the City Council have voted to accept bids on the fire truck. Through their work session, discussion came that a minimum price be set for $85,000. The Council did approve the minimum price on the bids, but can also refuse bids at a later date. The revenue from the sale will offset the cost of the city purchasing a 1996 Smeal Class A Pumper for $60,000.
A First Reader also came at the Council’s July meeting for an “Ordinance For The Demolition and Removal Of A Dwelling Unfit For Human Habitation Located At 19 Hancock Drive.” Designated as parcel 1065. Although this is a First Reader, the demolition could move forward in 30 days if no change occurs in the situation.
Citizens also took time to speak at the meeting with one questioning the Come Play in Ellijay Golf Tournament and the DDA (Downtown Development Authority). Her question was to locate funds raised from last year’s event to support current and future events. The same day as the Council Meeting, the DDA held a special called meeting in which they discussed the Golf Tournament.
During the DDA’s meeting, the Authority officially turned over the Golf Tournament Event to the newly formed Ellijay Merchant’s Association. The Golf Tournament is the latest event to be turned over as the DDA has already relinquished the July 4th event, Light Up Ellijay, St. Petrick’s Day, and the Halloween Festivities.
While turning the events over, the DDA will be giving up the promotions and events committee’s in favor of the Merchant’s Association who have become their own 501c3 organization.
The second action from the DDA’s special called meeting returned the Management of the Welcome Center/Restroom downtown to the City.
Piping in Gilmer’s Detention Center
News February 6, 2017
The 210 day contract for the new sewer line laid to the Gilmer County Detention Center has begun.
While the initial notice to proceed (210 Days start point) was given on December 5, Ellijay-Gilmer County Water & Sewerage Authority Director Gary McVey did note, “This could vary some depending on inclement weather days, but the project is expected to be completed within this general time frame. Work is now underway after planning and surveying to actually dig in and lay the pipe.
Utilizing “approximately 7,497 linear feet of 8” gravity sewer pipe and approximately 5,267 linear feet of 6” force main piping,” this tie-in to the existing sewer lines is set to replace the existing septic tanks at the jail. However, according to McVey, this will also extend service to other businesses, buildings, or homes wishing to also use the new line.
Should anyone wish to tie in, McVey stated, “The gravity portion of the line which begins at the Gilmer County Jail and ends at a lift station to be placed just east of the Owltown Bridge will be open for homes, buildings, and businesses to tie on.”
It will be more difficult, but not necessarily impossible, for there to be homes, buildings, and businesses to tie in to the Force Main portion of the project which begins at the lift station and ends at a connection to an existing gravity sewer main located on Old Bennett Road (off of Yukon Road). Those wishing to tie into this line will have to utilize a properly sized sewerage pump as well as the current tap on fee, customers with a ¾” residential water meter is $550.00.
Additionally, according to Director McVey, “If additional construction is required, such as boring under a roadway, the customer is charged for the cost of that additional construction. Additionally, there is an impact fee of $1,587.60 for customers that have a ¾” residential water meter.”
FYN inquired as to any special precautions that might need be taken as residences and businesses may end up on this line from a Detention Center. While the pipe itself has no special needs, a specific device called an ‘Auger Monster’ will be used and is being purchased as a part of the total project costs.
According to McVey,
“There are special requirements that must be addressed before the sewerage from a detention center is introduced to the sewerage collection system. In any situation in which inmate housing is involved, there are issues with “unusual” debris being flushed that normally is not seen in a collection system. To address this issue (as they do at other inmate facilities), there will be a grinder pump called an “Auger Monster” placed at the jail site. This Auger Monster will utilize a large screen in which items that cannot pass through the screen will be automatically disposed in a dumpster; items that pass through the screen will be totally ground up so that the material will flow in the sewerage collection system.”
This process is completed before the sewerage reaches the general collection pipe effectively preventing the objects from entering into them.
As citizens travel out Highway 52 towards the Jail, they will see construction off the edge of the road as the pipe will continue to be laid in the coming months until ultimately the county takes the process to cut and reset its current septic tanks in favor of dedicating service to the line.
According to Commission Chairman Charlie Paris, he is expecting to connect the sewer line for the jail and pump out the existing septic tanks. However, he does not plan on removing the tanks from underground. After the county shuts down water to the jail and begins the process of changing over to the line system, the septic tanks will be rendered “dead” on the premises and no longer usable.
Budget Woes Still Plague DDA
News May 19, 2016
Budget woes are still haunting Ellijay’s Downtown Development Authority. After having sent a letter at the end of last year, DDA member Larry Robinson states the city still has not responded with answers to why their budget was cut and options to return to proper funding for the DDA. A budget that was said to be expected close to $35,000, Robinson says the actual funding received was less than $10,000.
Available options for funding were also discussed in the meeting including an option to reallocate one of Ellijay’s Mils in taxes inside the Downtown district to support the DDA. Another option revolved around a surcharge on business licenses could be used instead to support the Authority. With this extra support, DDA Chair Jim Stover says a myriad of options could open to further Ellijay’s Downtown area from grants for businesses, small loans for new business, available funds for upgrades, support and finances for new and existing business as needed. Though, no specific decisions on use could be made until the funding becomes available.
Members also discussed public events at Wednesday’s meeting. Vice Chair Brad Simmons spoke about cutting a problem off before it raises with alcohol sales at events like the upcoming July 4th celebration. As the celebration encompasses the local businesses, the city parking lot, the boardwalk, and the adjacent alley, issues could arise as people carry drinks from businesses across these locations. Simmons advised that a wristband begin being used to identify citizens who have been checked for ID and would allow them to carry their drinks into the parking lot event grounds.
This band would also restrict the locations that the alcohol would be allowed. While grounds for the event could encompass certain restaurants adjacent to the event, Ellijay’s open carry restrictions would still be enforced outside of the designated area for wristbands. While this idea is still being investigated by the DDA, they are expected to bring this option before the City Council soon to progress with upcoming events.
Along with that proposal, the DDA also said they will be requesting the city provide email accounts for its members for business use. This would designate specific accounts for the Board members so they are not forced to use personal email accounts that could become part of an Open Records Request for public information.
Tensions Rise in May BOC
News May 16, 2016
Lengthy meetings were held by the Gilmer County Board of Commissioners last week with both their Work Session and Regular Meeting. Votes split and the Commissioners sat as several issues came under fire during this month’s meetings.
A very full meeting room waited with anticipation for any speakers on the issue of a Zoning Request to implement a Motocross Track in the Big Creek area. Originally, several people spoke against the track in the work session including Ginger Marine, a resident who spoke on the impact of the dirt and noise in the area from a previous track that was built in her area of the county, and Robert Collins, a Big Creek resident who spoke about the environmental and community impact as a track would not be “compatible with the area.”
However, tension mounted as Chairman Charlie Paris called for comments in the regular meeting. With no one to step forth in favor of the track, Chairman Paris noted he had not received this much communication over a singular issue in his service as chairman, and he had not received one message in favor of the track. The Planning & Zoning Commission reported they had denied the request in their meeting, and the Commissioners followed the same as they unanimously denied the request.
Later in the meeting, the Commissioners went a step further to enact a moratorium on motocross tracks in the county. This was put in place as the county is moving into completely overhauling its land use permits in the coming months. Citizens asked how to stay involved with the changes and to put their own thoughts into the changes, to which Chairman Paris offered is email to continue the information exchange with those citizens and any who wanted to join in.
Another issue rose in tension as the County Commissioners began a process to regulate river usage in the unincorporated parts of the County, which is the county outside of city limits. Much of the resistance to this regualation came from Woody Janssen and Phillip Griffith, both of the Cartecay River Experience, who spoke on how to enforce the regulation. They also stated that with enforcement, they believe the laws are already in place with trespassing and public drunkenness. Going even further into issues of trash on the river, Janssen said much of the trash issues in the river they already deal with themselves as they collected several thousands of pounds of trash in last years clean-up.
Post Commissioner Dallas Miller stated the Commissioners “have an issue here… a Conundrum” as he listened to the resistance to the regulation. With issues arising, the allusion was made about a few bad apples ruining the situation.
Soon after, a motion and vote came to adopt the first reader, which will send this issue back to next month’s meeting for final consideration as well as a public hearing to further delve into the public’s concerns.
Not all votes came in unanimously, however. Post Commissioner Dallas Miller offered with the Dissenting Vote for a zoning request for a wedding venue, citing previous zoning issues where he also dissented due to his belief that the conditional use permits requested are not permitted under the ordinance. Another dissension from Miller came on the County’s “Alchoholic Beverages” section of the code. An expected vote by many due to a well documented opposition by Miller to the changes. However, Miller still states that though he votes no on certain issues in the county, he will continue to support the choices made by the Board as a whole. The vote went 2-1 in favor of the First Reader.
Another largely debated issue also came to a close last week as the County voted for a final adoption of their Amendments for Collection of Tax on Harvested Timber. No discussion came in the regular meeting after all the work and changes previously put into this change.
The Board is also moving forward after approving the First Reader for changes in how the Commissioners dispose of property. You will recall recent reports on this change to focus on removing the requirement to advertise every individual piece of equipment to include the serial numbers of the equipment to be sold. One citizen spoke in this months meeting to ask if this included county owned land, to which Chairman Paris assured him it was for equipment and items owned by the county and could not include land.
One final note to the meeting came with the Commissioner’s re-appointment of Billy Rowe to the Ellijay-Gilmer Water Sewer Authority. The Board also considered Jerry Davis who offered his services, but stated he was already on a county board. Rowe is currently serving on the Water and Sewer Board and it is his term coming to an end. With the approval he is now to be reappointed to the position by the Commissioners.
For more information check out the two videos below to watch the May Work Session and Regular Meeting for the Board of Commissioners.
Work Session May 11:
https://youtu.be/Jga8aCSs7FY
Regular Meeting May 12:
https://youtu.be/85SRHqgQYfU
Public Advisory: Boiled Water Advisory Lifted for Coosawatte River Resort and Surrounding Areas
Community July 21, 2015
A large water main break on the main feed line to the Coosawattee River Resort area is causing water pressure in parts of the water system to drop to dangerously low levels. When this occurs, a potential health hazard may exist in these areas of zero pressure from backflow and/r back siphonage of water of unknown quality into the water distribution system.
In order to protect the public from a potential health hazard, all citizens that have experienced water outages and/or low water pressures are advised to “boil” all water prior to use for drinking, cooking or preparing baby food. The water should be boiled for at least one minute after reaching a rolling boil. Citizens should continue to boil their water until they are notified by their drinking water utility that the water system has been restored to full operation, and that the microbiological quality of the water in the distribution system is safe for human consumption.
The areas affected include but are not liited to: All of the Coosawattee River Resort, Highway 5 South (from Legion Road south), Legion Road, and the Highway 382 area.
If you have any questions concerning this advisory, please call the Ellijay-Gilmer County Water & Sewerage Authority Administration Office at (706) 276-2202 or after hours at (706)635-7929. The Authority apologizes for this inconvenience and all customers should be assured that the Authority will work non-stop until this issue is resolved.