DAWSONVILLE, Ga. –The Dawson County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously Thursday to appoint Betsy McGriff to the Georgia Mountains Regional Commission.

McGriff  is the Dawson County Chamber of Commerce’s Economic Development Director. She is a native of Bulloch County and holds a Master of Business Administration and Bachelor of Science in Chemistry from Georgia Southern University. Both the city and county governments must approve the appointment. She was approved by the Dawsonville City Council at its last meeting.  McGriff replaces County Manager David Headley in that position.

The Board also approved Henry Grady Highway as the detour route for SR 136 while a new bridge at Toto Creek is built. The Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) has designated the bridge as functionally obsolete. Construction is expected to begin in late 2020 or early 2021.

Michael Reuter’s request to rezone 11.29 acres at 244 Norma Road from Residential Agriculture to Residental Sub Rural was also approved. Reuter said he planned to keep six acres for his own residence and sell the remaining five acres. Under current zoning restrictions, no more than three houses could be built on the remaining acreage.

Dan Mueller speaking on behalf of BTD asked to rezone 33.52 acres at Lumpkin Campground Road from Residential Agriculture to Commercial Industrial Restricted. Commissioners granted the request unanimously. Mueller said the purpose of rezoning is to accommodate the expansion of the industrial facility. He said phase one of the expansion would add about 250 employees and phase two could add up to 450.

Commissioners also approved an amendment to Chapter 22 of the Dawson County Fire Safety & Prevention Ordinance.

Danny Thompson was unanimously approved to the EMS Advisory Council, replacing Lanier Swafford who now works for the state.

McGriff

Chairman Billy Thurmond also indicated he would send a letter of appreciation to Swafford thanking him for his many years of service.

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