City Council will consider adding two part-time deputies
News April 18, 2021
DAWSONVILE, Ga. – Dawsonville City Council will consider the addition of two deputy sheriff’s position for city patrol when they meet in a combined work session and regular meeting at 5 p.m. Monday (at 5 p.m. in the G.L. Gilleland Council Chambers on 2nd Floor of City Hall.
The agenda states that the two positions will give the City 12-hour coverage seven days a week for two months (May and June) at a cost of $22,407.
The addition of sheriff’s deputies will require an intergovernmental agreement (IGA). The deputies would patrol city streets, assist City Code Enforcement and Animal Control as needed, enforce City Rules, Regulations, Codes and Ordinances and conduct other community oriented police activities.
Council will consider a request to ratify the application for the FY 2020 Local Maintenance Improvement Grant and approve the30 percent match of the $9,356.76 to be paid out of the budget. The grant is provided by the Georgia Department of Transportation for the supplemental LMIG funding specifically for safety improvements. The project includes restriping, installing crosswalks and street signs for various City streets.
The Water and Sewer Department will ask Council to approve the purchase of a Crew Cab 4X4 truck to be purchased through the Georgia Statewide Contract with Jacky Jones Ford, the low bidder, in the amount of $27,995. Funding source is the FY 2021 Water and Sewer capital budget.
Council will consider the request for a special event alcohol permit for the Chamber of Commerce 24th annual Gala scheduled for May 1 from 6 to 10 p.m.
Council members will also consider an additional Retirement Program for City employees.
Chamber Chatter–News of the week!
Community January 6, 2021
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Chamber Chatter–Happy Thanksgiving!
Community November 24, 2020
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Moore leaving Dawson County Chamber of Commerce
News, Press Release November 18, 2020
PRESS RELEASE
DAWSON COUNTY, Ga. — Christi Moore announced today that she will resign as President of the Dawson County Chamber of Commerce and will become President and CEO of the Valdosta-Lowndes County Chamber in January.
In making the announcement, Moore said, “It has been my absolute privilege and honor to serve as your Chamber President for the last eight and a half years. I am so proud of the work that our Chamber staff and Board of Directors has done to serve local businesses, tourism partners, and the community at large. I believe the Chamber is in the best position it has ever been, and I cannot wait to see what amazing things y’all do in the future.”
The Chamber Executive Committee is already working to find a successor to continue the work to fulfill the Chamber’s mission
“Words will never be able to express the gratitude I feel for all the support you have given both the Chamber and me,” Moore added.
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. FYN attracts 300,000+ page views per month, 3.5 million impressions per month and approximately 15,000 viewers per week on FYNTV.com and up to 60,000 Facebook page reach. If you would like to follow up-to-date local events in any of those counties, please visit us at FetchYourNews.com
Farmer’s Market Grand opening July 18
News July 11, 2020
DAWSOVILLE, Ga. — Georgia Commissioner of Agriculture Gary Black will be the guest of honor at the grand opening of the Amicalola Regional Farmers Market and ribbon cutting for the new City of Dawsonville Farmers Market Pavilion on July 18 at 8:15 a.m.
The fourth season of the market opened earlier this spring and is held every Saturday from 8 a.m. until sold out or noon. The market is held at the brand new City of Dawsonville Farmers Market Pavilion located on Allen Street which was completed earlier this year and funded by SPLOST VI.
“The City of Dawsonville is proud to see the results of the SPLOST VI used in a way to help our citizens. The Farmers Market has been a great success since it opened in restricted mode during the COVID pandemic,” said Mike Eason, Mayor of the City of Dawsonville, “This structure will serve our community in many ways for years to come. The ability to have a Famers Market in a covered, lighted facility is just one of many uses that we can expect. We at the City of Dawsonville want to thank all the citizens of Dawson County for supporting this project in SPLOST VI.”
The Amicalola Regional Farmers Market is organized and hosted by the Amicalola Regional Agriculture Committee, a program of the Dawson County Chamber of Commerce.
“The committee was started more than five years ago to determine ways to link local farmers and producers with local citizens. Having a set place for the farmers market has been a dream of the committee for many years and we are proud to see that dream come to fruition,” said
Georgia Commissioner of Agriculture Gary Black will be the guest of honor at the grand opening of the Amicalola Regional Farmers Market and ribbon cutting for the new City of Dawsonville Farmers Market Pavilion on July 18, 2020 at 8:15 a.m.
The fourth season of the market opened earlier this spring and is held every Saturday from 8 a.m. until sold out or noon. The market is held at the brand-new City of Dawsonville Farmers Market Pavilion located on Allen Street which was completed earlier this year and funded by SPLOST VI.
“The City of Dawsonville is proud to see the results of the SPLOST VI used in a way to help our citizens. The Farmers Market has been a great success since it opened in restricted mode during the COVID pandemic,” said Mike Eason, Mayor of the City of Dawsonville, “This structure will serve our community in many ways for years to come. The ability to have a Famers Market in a covered, lighted facility is just one of many uses that we can expect. We at the City of Dawsonville want to thank all the citizens of Dawson County for supporting this project in SPLOST VI.”
The Amicalola Regional Farmers Market is organized and hosted by the Amicalola Regional Agriculture Committee, a program of the Dawson County Chamber of Commerce.
“The committee was started more than five years ago to determine ways to link local farmers and producers with local citizens. Having a set place for the farmers market has been a dream of the committee for many years and we are proud to see that dream come to fruition,” said Dawson County Chamber President Christie Moore.
Citizens are invited to attend the ribbon cutting ceremony for the pavilion during which Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Gary Black and Mayor Mike Eason will speak and lead the cutting of a green ribbon. Beyond visiting the regular farmers market vendors, attendees will have a chance to win items provided by vendors to celebrate the grand opening.
“We greatly appreciate the vision and support of the citizens of Dawsonville and Dawson County as it gives our local farmers, gardeners and crafters an opportunity to provide fresh, local foods to the community as well as an opportunity for folks to learn about where their food comes from,” said Amicalola Regional Agriculture Committee Chair Louise McPherson, “The market is also a great place to find unique handmade gifts for special people and occasions.”
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The Amicalola Regional Farmers Market is run by the Amicalola Regional Agriculture Committee, a committee under the Dawson County Chamber. The market is open to vendors in Dawson, Cherokee, Lumpkin, Hall, Forsyth, Pickens, and Gilmer counties. The market is held every Saturday at the City of Dawsonville’s Farmers Market Pavilion throughout growing season.
Amicalola Farmers’ Market returns Saturday
News May 4, 2020DAWSONVILLE, Ga. — The Amicalola Regional Farmers Market will kick off Saturday, May 9th in Dawsonville.
The market is opening on a new day in a new place. The 2020 market will be held every Saturday from 8 a.m. until sold out or noon at the brand-new City of Dawsonville Farmers Market Pavilion located on Allen Street.
The fourth season of the market is being launched by the Amicalola Regional Agriculture Committee, a program of the Dawson County Chamber of Commerce.
Due to the current pandemic, extra precautions will be taken to ensure the safety of the shoppers and vendors such as pre-bagging produce at even dollar prices so that no coins are needed, vendors must wear masks and gloves, and requiring shoppers maintain 6 feet of distance from one another. Shoppers are also asked to wear masks at the market.
“Although this isn’t quite the way we had hoped to open this market season, we are thrilled to be able to provide a place for our local farmers to sell their fresh produce,” Dawson County Chamber of Commerce President Christie Moore said. “We are extremely grateful to the City of Dawsonville for providing space in the heart of our community to host the market.”
Making the market as locally grown as possible is a top priority for the committee. Vendors who participate in the market must show their produce is grown in Dawson County or a county that touches Dawson (Forsyth, Cherokee, Pickens, Hall, Gilmer, Fannin, Lumpkin). If there are items that are not produced or grown locally, the committee will review applications to provide locally unavailable items on a case by case basis. The committee offers the opportunity for local farmers and vendors to sell their goods at no charge.
Amicalola Regional Agriculture Committee Chair and USDA Soil Conservationist Louise McPherson said she is grateful that local citizens have the opportunity to access fresh, local produce. “We are excited to continually expand the opportunities in Dawson County for customers and vendors at our new farmers’ market location,” McPherson said. “The Amicalola Regional Farmers Market will continue to help connect local farmers with those seeking fresh food and farm-related products. We also look forward to the time that it is safe for our local crafters to bring their beautiful and amazing creations to the market without worry of them becoming contaminated with germs.”
While crafts and artisan products typically are available at the weekly market, craft vendors will not be participating until later in the market season out of an abundance of caution for the vendors and patrons.
To kick off this market season, the local growers/bakers listed below have offered to fill pre-orders with locally grown produce, baked foods, and flowers while supplies last.
Offering butter crunch lettuce & cut flowers
Sandra Parker 678-596-6892
Instagram.com/theposyfarm/
Offering microgreens
Adam Stinton 678-534-9112
Offering cut flowers and potted plants
Helen 404-219-9702
Offering fresh greens & baked goods
Leilani’s Gardens/ Our Daily Bread
706-265-3510
The growers and vendors listed below have agreed to work with the market to bring items that are not yet in season here in north Georgia. They will make every effort to meet your needs through pre-orders, some of which will be filled through trusted sources outside our market counties.
Offering produce
Jutt and Eli Castleberry
678-897-0472
Offering seafood
Josh Thornton
770-530-6493
facebook.com/thorntonbrothersseafood/
Other vendors at the May 9th market will be offering spring greens, honey, cornmeal, grits and eggs.
Vendor spaces are still available. For an application to participate, contact Market Manager and local Extension Agent, Clark MacAllister at [email protected] or call 706-265-2442. For more information about the market, visit http://fb.me/amicalolafarmersmarket or call the Chamber at 706-265-6278 for more information.
The Amicalola Regional Farmers Market is run by the Amicalola Regional Agriculture Committee, a committee under the Dawson County Chamber. The market is open to vendors in Dawson, Cherokee, Lumpkin, Hall, Forsyth, Pickens, and Gilmer counties. The market is held every Saturday at the City of Dawsonville’s Farmers Market Pavilion throughout growing season.
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. FYN attracts 300,000+ page views per month, 3.5 million impressions per month and approximately 15,000 viewers per week on FYNTV.com and up to 60,000 Facebook page reach. If you would like to follow up-to-date local events in any of those counties, please visit us at FetchYourNews.com
Chamber Chatter-Gov to begin phase 1 of Reopening
Business, Community April 21, 2020
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Dawson County firefighters roll to save annual Easter Egg hunt
News April 10, 2020
DAWSON COUNTY, Ga. – Firefighters are known for saving lives. Tomorrow they hope to save what would – under normal circumstances – be the community Easter Egg hunt and to put smiles on the faces of children all across the county.
When Emergency Services Director Danny Thompson learned the annual event was being cancelled due to the COVID-19 epidemic, he and his staff went to work to see what they could do bring a little joy back into the community.
EMS Director Danny Thompson
Working with Kids Are Really Equal and the Dawson County Chamber of Commerce, they came up with a plan for an Easter Egg Toss. The event will take place tomorrow (Apr. 11) From 11 a.m. until 1 p.m., firefighters wearing personal protective gear and mounted on fire trucks will toss Easter Egg bags in many Dawson County neighborhoods.
“I kept hearing how different Easter would be this year with no community Easter Egg hunt,” Thompson said. “So I got with staff on and we talked about what we could do to put something positive back into the community.”
Thompson added that this all came together in the last two days. “We first met on Wednesday and we got the circular out on Thursday,” he said.
It would be impossible for firefighters to go into every Dawson County community due to the limited number of fire trucks so, in addition to the neighborhoods they will visit, they selected two alternative sites where families can go to receive their Easter Egg bags.
Firefighters will visit the following neighborhoods at the stated times:
10 a.m. — Rainhall, Mensie Park, Biscayne, Deer Run and Bethany Trace.
11 a.m. — Redhawk, Oakmont, Highland Point, Amicalola Chase and Dawson Junction.
12 noon — Dawson Forest Apartments, Oak Forest and Blacksmill.
Families with children who do not live in neighborhoods can participate by visiting Fausett Farms (11336 Hwy. 136 West) or Fire Station 1 (393 Memory Lane) between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. All participants must remain in their vehicles.
While some may question the risk factor, Thompson said it is no different to picking up food at a drive through and it will give families something to smile about for a change.
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. FYN attracts 300,000+ page views per month, 3.5 million impressions per month and approximately 15,000 viewers per week on FYNTV.com and up to 60,000 Facebook page reach. If you would like to follow up-to-date local events in any of those counties, please visit us at FetchYourNews.com
Chamber of Commerce announces postponements
News March 14, 2020
DAWSON COUNTY, Ga. –The health and safety of our members and community is a top priority for the Dawson County Chamber. Click here to find the COVID-19 brochure created by the Center for Disease Control that we encourage you to print and share with your employees and customers.
Our Chamber office will remain open as a “Handshake-Free Zone”. In compliance with CDC guidelines, we have decided to postpone the following events that were scheduled to be held in the next two weeks:
ConnectDAWSON seminar, IGNITE-new member orientation, Eggs & the Economy breakfast, Mountain Madness 15k trail run, Business After Hours, and Youth Leadership Dawson. Committee meetings will be held virtually.
Please keep an eye on our website for updates on events, Chamber news, and resources to help your business weather this trying time.
Additionally, with the impacts of COVID-19 on our local business community already in effect, in addition to good hand hygiene and common-sense precautions with your employees and patrons, the Dawson County Chamber encourages all local businesses to consider the following:
For your business: Prepare for negative economic impacts.
Capital: Create, confirm, or expand your line of credit.
Staffing: Develop staffing plans for varying levels of customers and revenue (what does an 80% scenario plan look like?).
Insurance: Check with your insurance provider to understand your coverage and options.
Helpful links:
Small Business Administration Business response guidance and economic disaster injury loan program: https://www.sba.gov/page/guidance-businesses-employers-plan-respond-coronavirus-disease-2019-covid-19
Business Continuity Plan guidance: https://www.ready.gov/business-continuity-plan
For your customers: Make your place of business as hygienic as possible and communicate what you are doing to customers so they feel comfortable visiting.
For your employees: Check, modify, and communicate HR policies regarding remote working, sick-leave, and compensation during a health crisis. Try to ensure your policies are as flexible and non-punitive as possible. Sick employees should be encouraged to stay home.
For your workflow: Cross-train employees for key functions so that daily schedules can continue relatively uninterrupted by potential employee absences. Where relevant, consider staggering start and end times to reduce large numbers of people coming together at the same time; and create and test remote employee collaboration systems (consider apps such as Slack and Zoom).
For your cashflow: Communicate with your landlord (or tenants) and lenders about expectations and request flexibility (better to have that conversation now).
For yourself: Eat well, sleep, and exercise. Taking care of yourself in this time of stress will improve your resistance to infection and resilience in managing difficult business situations. And of course, wash your hands all the time and don’t touch your face, or anyone else, for that matter.
For your Chamber: We exist to serve our members. Please do not hesitate to reach out to us with questions about business resources during this difficult time.
For additional information about COVID-19, we encourage you to visit the Georgia Department of Public Health (https://dph.georgia.gov) and the Center for Disease Control (https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html)
Uncle Shuck’s Corn Maze Celebrates Dawson County
News September 2, 2019
PRESS RELEASE
DAWSONVILLE, Ga. — A long-time staple in Dawson County will be kicking off its fall season with a new look and location.
Uncle Shuck’s Corn Maze is now located at 125 Bannister Road in Dawsonville. The maze is slated to open Saturday, September 14 at 10 a.m.
Every year, Uncle Shuck’s designs the corn maze with a theme. This year, Uncle Shuck’s
has partnered with the Dawson County Office of Tourism Development to create a maze
that is sure to wow and challenge its visitors.
“We can’t wait for visitors to see and experience the corn maze at Uncle Shuck’s this
year,” Dawson County Office of Tourism Development President, Christie Moore, said.
“The design will bring a challenge to maze-goers of all ages. It is a great reflection of
some of the exciting activities that can be enjoyed in our community.”
In an intricate and creative way, the corn maze features the outline of Dawson County, Amicalola Falls, sunflowers, fishing, an Appalachian Trail hiker and of course, moonshine.
The corn maze is 14 acres and has approximately four miles of trails. “In planning this design with the team at Uncle Shuck’s, we wanted to showcase and celebrate all the wonderful activities people can enjoy when they visit Dawson County,” Moore said. “From taking family pictures in the sunflower fields at Fausett Farms to picking the perfect pumpkins at Burt’s Farm to capturing the picturesque scenery at Amicalola Falls, Dawson County is blessed with an abundance of family friendly adventures, particularly in autumn. We were thrilled to be given the opportunity by Uncle Shucks to help create a corn maze design that celebrates the beauty and experiences Dawson County has to offer.”
In addition to the corn maze, Uncle Shucks has plenty for attendees to see and do, including a pumpkin patch, towering goat walk, jumping pad, refreshments and more. For more information about Uncle Shucks, visit the website at uncleshucks.com or call 770-772-6223. For more information about planning a fall trip to Dawson County, please visit destinationdawson.org or call 706-265-6278.
The Dawson County Chamber of Commerce and Office of Tourism Development markets more than 40 local accommodations, attractions, and restaurants and represents a greater than $50 million local industry. The purpose of the organization is to attract visitors to Dawson County in order to achieve increased investment in the local economy. Located just north of the intersection of Georgia 400 and Highway 53, the Office of Tourism Development provides a Welcome Center and visitor information to visitors and local citizens. To plan a trip or learn more about tourism in Dawson County, please visit www.dawson.org.
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. FYN attracts 300,000+ page views per month, 3.5 million impressions per month and approximately 15,000 viewers per week on FYNTV.com and up to 60,000 Facebook page reach. If you would like to follow up-to-date local events in any of those counties, please visit us at FetchYourNews.com
Dawson Co. teachers gain insight into local industry
News June 2, 2019
PRESS RELEASE
DAWSONVILLE, Ga. — A select group of Dawson County teachers participated in the inaugural Dawson Discovery Tour on Wednesday.
Dawson Discovery Tour, an initiative of the Dawson County Chamber’s business and workforce development committee, was created to bring local industry leaders together with academic teachers to better understand the skills, needs and opportunities of the ever-changing local economy.
The selected Dawson County School System teachers and staff toured local industry including Medical Plaza 400, Fort Dearborn, and BTD Manufacturing. The tours were designed to expose teachers to on the job applications of their academic subjects and to inspire the integration of those applications into their curriculum. Additionally, the experience was planned to expose teachers to the ample local opportunities that exist for future employment of their students.
“Many of our industrial facilities are not open to the public and if educators don’t have a personal experience with what goes on inside, they aren’t able to share those potential career paths with their students,” said Betsy McGriff, Chamber Economic Development Director, “Our goal for Dawson Discovery Day was to show our educators what an important role they play in economic development – a well-trained workforce is critical to the community’s ability to compete for new business and industry locations.”
The 26 teachers and staff that participated in Dawson Discovery Day were selected from Dawson County High School and Junior High and cover a wide range of academic subjects. At the conclusion of the tours, participants gathered for lunch at the Goodwill Career Center to better understand the services they offer and to brainstorm ways to apply what they discovered throughout the day into their classroom work.
“There is a common misconception that retail jobs are the only employment opportunities in our community,” said Christie Moore, Dawson County Chamber President, “While our retail sector plays a very important role in our local economy, this day shed light on the growing employment needs and opportunities in medical services, robotics, manufacturing, human resources, IT, welding, and other fields right here in Dawson County.”
The Dawson Discovery Day is just one example of the many partnerships between local businesses, the Chamber, and the School System. “We are excited to partner with the Chamber of Commerce for the Dawson Discovery Tour,” said Dr. Damon Gibbs, Dawson County School Superintendent, “It provides our teachers and team members with an opportunity to learn about local businesses and workforce resources that are available to students in our community.”
The tour was made possible with support from Northeast Georgia Health System and Associated Credit Union. For additional information about the Business and Workforce Development Committee, please contact the Chamber at 706-265-6278.
The Dawson County Chamber of Commerce represents more than 490 members in the North Georgia region. The organization exists to fulfill the mission of “cultivating a successful economic environment and a desirable quality of life for our businesses and community.” Located just north of the intersection of Georgia 400 and Highway 53, the Dawson County Chamber of Commerce and Office of Tourism Development provides a Welcome Center and visitor, business, and economic development information to visitors, local citizens, and businesses. To plan a trip or learn more about business and tourism in Dawson County, please visit: dawson.org or call 706-265-6278.
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. FYN attracts 300,000+ page views per month, 3.5 million impressions per month and approximately 15,000 viewers per week on FYNTV.com and up to 60,000 Facebook page reach. If you would like to follow up-to-date local events in any of those counties, please visit us at FetchYourNews.com
Tourism industry sets new record for economic impact
Business February 10, 2019
DAWSONVILLE, Ga. — Numbers released last week at Tourism, Hospitality & Arts Day at the State Capitol show that the state’s tourism industry, and the tourism industry in Dawson County, generated a record-breaking economic impact in 2017.
The day brings hospitality and arts industry professionals from around the state to downtown Atlanta to celebrate the economic impact that the tourism industry has on the state of Georgia. By attending Tourism Day at the Capitol, Dawson County Chamber President Christie Moore and Tourism and Events Director Dustin Heard helped spread the word of the tremendous impact that tourism has on the local economy and met with legislators to encourage continued support of the state’s tourism industry.
Dawson County attracted $52.39 million in direct tourism spending in 2017, generated $2.48 million in state tax, $1.47 million in local tax and supported 507 jobs. Moore said each Dawson County household would need to pay an additional $462 per year to replace taxes generated by tourism’s economic impact.
The state’s tourism industry generated a record-breaking $63.2 billion in economic impact in 2017, an increase of 3.8 percent over last year, according to the U.S. Travel Association and Tourism Economics.
Moore and Heard were among the tourism leaders that presented Governor Kemp with a check representing the $3.2 billion in state and local tax revenues generated by tourism-related expenditures in 2017.
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. FYN attracts 300,000+ page views per month, 3.5 million impressions per month and approximately 15,000 viewers per week on FYNTV.com and up to 60,000 Facebook page reach. If you would like to follow up-to-date local events in any of those counties, please visit us at FetchYourNews.com
BOC needs more time to finalize comp plan
News January 13, 2019
DAWSONVILLE, Ga. – The Dawson County Board of Commissioners held one final public hearing on the 2018 comprehensive plan Thursday.
The plan is one of the county’s most important documents because it provides elected officials with a road map to use in planning the county’s future. It was developed after months of gathering public input at citizen meetings and in an online survey.
The state requires that a county’s comprehensive plan be updated every five years and approved by the Georgia Department of Community Affairs in order to qualify for Certified Local Government Status and to be eligible for state grants and programs.
Thursday’s discussion centered on whether commissioners should base their zoning decisions on a future land use map, as it has done for years, or consider the character area map approach.
Commission Chairman Billy Thurmond said the character map offers more flexibility in zoning decisions but is less restrictive than the current future land use map.
“That’s the reason we wanted to look at both,” he said.
Dawson County Chamber of Commerce Christine Moore said, “This is a document that people live and breathe every single day. The character area map to us does make the most sense because of the flexibility and control it provides and also because It allows an adaptability to our ever changing economy.”
Tony Passarello, who serves on both the Long Range Planning Commission and Comprehensive Board is Plan Commission favored the future land use map. “It is more consistent and legally supportable,” he said.
He did recognize some changes needed to be made.
As a member of the Dawson Development Authority, Passarello said one comment he hears constantly is “What we are trying to attract is business that offers higher-paying jobs and more professional growth so we can have our children who are being educated in our fine schools can stay in Dawson County. The current land use map we have has not been adjusted to make room for those types of businesses.”
Passarello also whatever plan is selected needs to “reflect the input we have received from the citizens.”
Terri Tragesser, co-chairman of the Long Range Planning Commission, said, “We have more comfort at this point in time with the future land use map. Not because we don’t believe the character area map has value. We just don’t know enough about it to feel comfortable with it. I’ve seen the future land use map in high-growth areas work very well.”
Like Passarello, however, Tragesser said the future land use map needs some changes.
“You have to put some overlays on those maps so they are more specific,” she said. “So they address things like Dawson Forest Road and Hwy. 9 intersection. That will build out with a lot of uncertainty. Right now, we have absolutely no definition in that intersection as to how it’s going to look, how it’s going to build out, how it’s going to work from a transportation standpoint. That’s the type of work that is still to be done.”
The DCA has already approved the comprehensive plan that includes the character area plan, but Hazell said only one section would need to be changed should the Board of Commissioners vote to approve the future land use map and that section has already been submitted for the DCA’s review and approval.
Commissioner Chris Gaines said, “I’d like to step back. I want to make sure we’re doing this correctly. I want to wrap my head around this from a legal standpoint personally before I’m willing to put my name on something that is the future guiding document for the county.”
The Board then directed Gaines and Commissioner Sharon Fausett to meet with the new interim county attorneys, Ken Jarrard and Angela Davis and come to next week’s meeting with additional information.
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. FYN attracts 300,000+ page views per month, 3.5 million impressions per month and approximately 15,000 viewers per week on FYNTV.com and up to 60,000 Facebook page reach. If you would like to follow up-to-date local events in any of those counties, please visit us at FetchYourNews.com
Dawson Chamber of Commerce hosts Teachers of the Year
News April 20, 2019
DAWSONVILLE, Ga. – Seven Dawson County educators were honored this week at the annual Teachers of the Year luncheon hosted by the Dawson County Chamber of Commerce.
Honorees included Jessie Venem (Black’s Mill Elementary School), Carolyn Wright (Kilough Elementary School), Chris Lundy (Riverview Elementary School), Jennifer Stowers (Robinson Elementary School), Cindy Bennett (Dawson County Middle School), Hilda Jackson (Dawson County Junior High School) and Paola Epstein (Dawson County High School). Epstein is also the School District Teacher of The Year.
The luncheon program included comments from Dawson County School Superintendent, Dr. Damon Gibbs and Lynn Jackson representing the event’s presenting sponsor, Northside Hospital Forsyth. The principal of each school introduced their teacher of the year by sharing comments from other colleagues and observations throughout their tenure. Each teacher honored was given gifts donated by local businesses.
Northside Hospital Forsyth Administrator Lynn Jackson told the seven teachers that the event was a way “to show you a little bit of love for what you do, how much we admire you and how much you mean to us and to our children.
“I hope that if there’s one thing you’ll carry away with you today, it’s that education is everybody’s business,. You are here today representing education but all of us are in the business of what’s best for our community—and what’s best is for all of our community to be in support of our teachers.”
Dawson County Chamber President Christie Moore added, “Terrific teachers are one of our community’s greatest assets It’s our privilege to host the Teachers of the Year luncheon and to honor these men and women who go far above and beyond fulfilling their duties. We are inspired by their passion, creativity and commitment to collaboration and cannot overstate how grateful we are to them for investing so much in our community’s future leaders.”
The teachers were nominated by their colleagues and each were then interviewed by an external committee to determine a system winner, according to Lisa Perry, chief human resources officer for Dawson County Schools. Epstein, a foreign language teacher, earned the distinction of the systemwide Teacher of The Year.
Epstein, who chose to move to Dawsonville because of her family’s love for NASCAR, got a special surprise when former NASCAR driver, Bill Elliott showed up to congratulate her.
Photo: (From left to right) Dawson County Chamber President Christie Moore, Hilda Jackson, Jessie Venem, Cindy Bennett, Jennifer Stowers, Paola Epstein, Chris Lundy, Carolyn Wright, Dawson County Chamber Board Chair, Mandy Power, Northside Hospital Forsyth Administrator, Lynn Jackson.
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. FYN attracts 300,000+ page views per month, 3.5 million impressions per month and approximately 15,000 viewers per week on FYNTV.com and up to 60,000 Facebook page reach. If you would like to follow up-to-date local events in any of those counties, please visit us at FetchYourNews.com
Mayoral candidate forum scheduled Feb. 13
News February 7, 2018
Mayor Mike Eason
DAWSONVILLE, Ga. – The Dawson County Chamber of Commerce will host a candidate forum Tuesday, Feb. 13, at 6 p.m. at the Dawson County Performing Arts Center at 1665 Perimeter Road to introduce the candidates in the upcoming special election for Mayor of Dawsonville.
The format will allow citizens to submit questions to be asked of the candidates — current mayor Mike Eason and former Mayor James Grogan — at [email protected]. Doors will open at 5:30 p.m.
The deadline to register in this election is Feb. 20. Election Day is March 20 when polls will be open from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m. To register to vote, change your address or view a sample ballot, visit www.mvp.sos.ga.gov.
Former Mayor James Grogan
Advanced voting begins Feb. 26 with all voting taking place at the Dawson County Board of Elections office at 96 Academy Avenue. Advanced voting will be held Monday through Friday through March 16 from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m.
This special election is to fill the unexpired term of mayor. The candidate that is elected will serve as mayor until December 2018.
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 FetchYourNews.com
7th annual Shine Pedalers bicycle ride set July 27
Business July 19, 2019
The Dawson County Chamber of Commerce and Office of Tourism Development is hosting its 7th Annual Shine Pedalers bicycle ride July 27.
“We look forward to hosting this ride every year,” Dawson County Chamber President Christie Moore said. “This event offers a wonderful opportunity to showcase our community in a whole new light. The scenery and views along this ride are breath-taking.”
The metric and half-metric rides start and finish at the Georgia Racing Hall of Fame and Moonshine Distillery in downtown Dawsonville. The rides begin at 7:30 and 7:45 a.m. Each ride takes cyclists through scenic and rural areas of Dawson County. The metric ride offers a challenging climb up Burnt Mountain.
“Each year we strive to make the ride better than the year before,” Moore said. “Over the years the route has been adapted to make it even more enjoyable for the riders by keeping cyclists away from main roads as much as possible. The ride features plenty of SAG (support and gear) stops to keep cyclists energized and hydrated throughout the ride. We strive to have anything that previous riders have requested, even if it seems to vary from the typical water and bananas, such as pickle juice, mustard, flat Coke, and chocolate.”
The Dawson County Chamber of Commerce represents more than 490 members in the North Georgia region. The organization exists to fulfill the mission of “cultivating a successful economic environment and a desirable quality of life for our businesses and community.” Located just north of the intersection of Georgia 400 and Highway 53, the Dawson County Chamber of Commerce and Office of Tourism Development provides a Welcome Center and visitor, business, and economic development information to visitors, local citizens, and businesses. To plan a trip or learn more about business and tourism in Dawson County, please visit: dawson.org or call 706-265-6278.
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. FYN attracts 300,000+ page views per month, 3.5 million impressions per month and approximately 15,000 viewers per week on FYNTV.com and up to 60,000 Facebook page reach. If you would like to follow up-to-date local events in any of those counties, please visit us at FetchYourNews.com
PHOTOS COURTESY OF THE DAWSON COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE