BOC to consider renewal of agreement with Georgia Forestry Commission Thursday
News February 16, 2021
DAWSON COUNTY, Ga. – Director of Emergency Services Danny Thompson will ask the Board of Commissioners to renew a Memorandum of Understanding with the Georgia Forestry Commission during Thursday’s work session.
The agreement will facilitate the purchase and operation of Georgia Forestry equipment and trucks at a reduced cost to address response to urban wildlife interface fires.
Thursday’s meeting will begin at 4 p.m. and will be immediately followed by a regular meeting and public hearings.
Industrial Building Authority Chairman Gary Coates will make a presentation of the staggered terms and appointment of members to the IABDC.
During the voting session commissioners will hold the following public hearings:
- Alcohol License Transfer (Retail Package Sale of Beer, Wine and Distilled Spirits) – Gopika Liquor dba 400 Package;
- George Butler as agent for owners requests to rezone TMP 097-099 from RA (Residential Agriculture) to RS2 (Residential Suburban 2) for the purpose of developing a 194-residential-lot subdivision (Dawson Forest Road East).
- Mincey Land Management requests to rezone TMP 113-017 from RA (Residential Agriculture) to CHB (Commercial Highway Business) for the purpose of constructing an indoor gun range (Highway 53 East);
- Fall Leaf Residential requests to rezone TMP 085-016 from RSR (Residential Sub-Rural) to RS3 (Residential Suburban 3) for the purpose of developing a 141-residential-lot subdivision (Highway 9 South);
- Jim King on behalf of Jackie and Jerry Townley requests to rezone TMP 115-044 from RA (Residential Agriculture) to RSR (Residential Sub-Rural) for the purpose of subdividing the parcel (Blue Ridge Overlook);
- Dawson County requests to rezone TMP 113-011 and 113-092 from CHB (Commercial Highway Business) to RMF (Residential Multi-Family) and CHB for the purpose of developing a commercial component and multi-family dwellings.
In other business, the Board will consider:
- A study concerning the cost of services by Land Use Type;
- The Sheriff’s request for additional staffing;
- A local Emergency Operations Plan Update;
- An amendment to ‘Section 2-111-Solicitations. 13.b. $25,000.00 and above, Sealed Solicitations’ of the Purchasing Policy Ordinance;
- Ratification of the Liberty Church Road Emergency Repair Request
Boy Scout Troop 422 honored at county commission meeting
News September 22, 2019
DAWSONVILLE, Ga. – During Thursday’s Board of Commissioners meeting, commissioners presented a certificate to Blake Wood and Boy Scout Troop 422 in recognition of their work to install a Little Lending Library at the Margie Bowen Senior Center.
Little Lending Libraries promote the free exchange of books on a “take a book, leave a book” premise.
Development Authority of Dawson County Chairman Brian Trapnell gave commissioners an update on his group’s activity, including a pending $100,000 Appalachian Regional Commission grant application. “This is an exciting opportunity for us,” he said. The grant is for 2020 and Trapnell said he should know if the application is accepted by Sept. 30.
Trapnell said recommendations for the ARC grant include future placement of infrastructure, plans for industrial, commercial and retail marketing and formalization of incentive packages for retail, commercial and industrial marketing.
Commissioners also approved two rezoning requests but denied a third. They approved a request by Jim King on behalf of Charles Turner to rezone 4.3 acres at the intersection Ga. Hwy. 400 and Blue Ridge Parkway from Commercial Planned Community Development to Community Highway Business for the construction of a used car lot.
They also approved a request to rezone 6.06 acres on Price Road near Toto Creek from Residential Sub-Rural to Commercial Highway Business for the construction of a vehicle and RV storage facility.
The Board denied a request by Jan Butterworth to subdivide a 10 acres of her land from Residential Agriculture to Residential Sub-Rural. Butterworth wanted to gift four acres to her child. Planning Director Jameson Kinley, however, said a subdivision of less than five acres is prohibited under the RA zoning. The vote to deny was 3-1 with Commissioner Tim Satterfield opposed.
Commissioners tabled a vote on a vape ordinance for one month to gather more information.
In other business, the Board approved:
- A funding request to purchase additional fire hydrants;
- Consideration of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Georgia Emergency Management Agency concerning a new grants management system;
- Consideration of construction of services for the Senior Center;
- The 2019 county surplus list;
- Annexation request C2 -000024.
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
Fausett, Satterfield, Armstrong take oath of office
News December 30, 2018
DAWSONVILLE, Ga. – Probate Court Judge Jennifer Burt administered the oath of office and the loyalty oath to three of Dawson County’s elected officials Thursday.
Burt has been the county’s probate judge for nearly a quarter of a century.
“I’m looking forward to what 2019 has to offer,” she said. “We’ve got a lot of great things coming up for the New Year. We have a great group of commissioners and one great one (Jimmy Hamby) who will be leaving us. We’re going to miss him. He’s done a wonderful job.”
Tim Satterfield is the new member of the Board of Commissioners. He is certainly no stranger to Dawson County. Tim was elected following a stellar 41-year career as firefighter and in emergency services. He was accompanied by his mother Reba Satterfield. Who held the Bible that he placed his hand on while being sworn in.
District 1 Commissioner Sharon Fausett took the oath of office for the second time and she was accompanied by her grandson Blake Fausett. “This is why I do what I do,” Fausett said, speaking of her grandson.
District 3 School Board member Karen Armstrong was also sworn in for her second term.
School Board Chairman Will Wade was scheduled to be sworn in Thursday, but he and his family were out of town for the holidays, so he was administered the oath of office earlier.
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
Scott Allen withdraws from District 3 commissioners race, Tim Satterfield will take office in January
News March 30, 2018
DAWSONVILLE, Ga. — Scott Allen, who qualified to run for the District 3 seat on the Dawson County Board of Commissioners, announced this week that he is no longer a candidate.
His withdrawal from the race means that Tim Satterfield, a 41-year fire service veteran, will become the District 3 commissioner in January.
Allen made the announcement on his Facebook page, stating, “I have learned the job of Dawson County Commissioner needs 100 percent of me. At this time, I am unable to dedicate that much of my time to this office. So I am officially withdrawing from the race.”
Former Sheriff Billy Carlisle announced his intentions to run for the post, but he too withdrew after learning that Satterfield entered the race.
The District 3 post is held by Jimmy Hamby, who has decided not to seek a third term in office.
Elections Superintendent Glenda Ferguson said today that Allen filed an affadavit of withdrawal early enough that his name will not appear on the election ballot.
State Rep. Kevin Tanner easily wins re-election
Election 2018 May 23, 2018
DAWSONVILLE, Ga. – There were no surprises in Tuesday’s general primary election in Dawson County. District 9 State Rep. Kevin Tanner (R-Dawson) easily beat back a challenge from Forsyth County’s Mark Hajduk, winning 80.88 percent of the votes (1,929) to Hajduk’s 456 votes.
Tanner’s victory was widely anticipated. He is the highly respected former Dawson County Manager, as well as a former firefighter and chief deputy for the Dawson County Sheriff’s Office. He also had a sizable geographic advantage because 90 percent of the voting population resides in Dawson County.
County Commissioner Sharon Fausett
Former Deputy Fire Chief Tim Satterfield and District 3 County Commissioner Sharon Fausett can now take a deep breath and wait to take the oath of office in January. Neither Satterfield, who will replace Jimmy Hamby on the Board of Commissioners, nor Fausett had a primary challenger.
At-large Board of Education member William S. Wade will also return to that post. Wade was unopposed.
District 3 Board of Education member Karen Armstrong defeated her primary challenger, Joe Stapp, winning 1,825 votes to 786.
School Board member Karen Armstrong
House Speaker David Ralston defeated Margaret Williamson 5,750 to 2,009 in the race for Georgia House District 7.
District 51 State Senator Steve Gooch did not have a primary opponent.
In the up ballot, statewide elections that drew most of the voters to the polls, Lt. Governor Casey Cagle and Secretary of State Brian Kemp will face a runoff. In a five-candidate field, Cagle won by a slight margin over Kemp by receiving 39 percent of the votes (227,170 total votes) to Kemp’s 26 percent or 150,051 total votes.
The winner of that race will face Democrat Stacey Abrams in the November General election. Abrams easily defeated her rival Stacey Evans, winning 76 percent of the vote statewide.
There will also be a runoff in the Lieutenant Governor’s race where David Shafer fell just shy of a clear win. Shafer pulled in a majority of the votes, 256,230, but it was not enough to avoid a runoff with Geoff Duncan in July. Duncan received 27 percent of the votes (140,741).
The winner of that runoff will face Democrat Sarah Riggs Amico in November. Amico pulled in 56 percent of the votes (245,325) defeating opponent Triana James who received 44 percent.
Campaigns have not ended for Brad Raffensperger or David Belle Isle as they will also face off in a November runoff for secretary of state. Raffensperger received 35 percent of the votes (178,502), moving him into top position. Belle Isle received 29 percent or 145,915 total votes.
Democrat John Barrow will face the winner of that runoff in November. Barrow was able to make a clean win with 52 percent over challengers Dee Dawkins-Haigler and Rakeim Hadley.
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]
Fausett will return for second term on Board of Commissioners
Election 2018 March 9, 2018
Sharon Fausett
DAWSONVILLE, Ga. — Qualifying ended at noon today (Friday, March 9). The field is now set for the May 22 General Primary election.
District 1 Dawson County Commissioner Sharon Fausett and Will Wade, the at-large commissioner on the Board of Education, can breathe a little easier today. Both candidates were assured of a return to their respective positions today when no other candidate qualified.
Tim Satterfield
The County Commission District 3 post, where incumbent commissioner Jimmy Hamby chose not to seek another term, will have two candidates, however. Former Deputy Fire Chief Tim Satterfield will campaign for the post. He will face Scott Allen.
District 3 Board of Education member Karen Armstrong will also face a challenge from Joe Stapp, a psychotherapist who is running for the first time.
The state level race has incumbent District 9 State Representative Kevin Tanner (R), of Dawsonville, pitted against Mark Hajduk, of Cumming.
Scott Allen
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
Friday is last day for candidates to qualify
Election 2018 March 8, 2018
DAWSONVILLE, Ga. — UPDATE It was a quiet day at the Dawson County Elections Office Thursday. No one showed up to add their name to the list of qualifiers for the May 22 General Primary. The deadline for anyone who would like to toss their hat into the ring is noon Friday.
There are several races being contested on the Dawson County Board of Commissioners and Board of Education and there is an important race for Georgia House of Representatives in District 9, where incumbent Kevin Tanner, of Dawsonville, and Mark Hajduk, of Cumming, have qualified.
District 1 County Commissioner Sharon Fausett qualified Wednesday.
Sharon Fausett (I)
In the District 3 Board of Commissioners race, former Dawson County Deputy Fire Chief Tim Satterfield will campaign against Scott Allen.
Tim Satterfield
Scott Allen
In the District 3 Board of Education race, Joe Stapp and incumbent Karen Armstrong have qualified. Incumbent Will Wade has qualified to run for the at-large seat.
Joe Stapp
Karen Armstrong (I)
Will Wade
The May General Primary will be held May 22, 2018, with a voter registration deadline of April 23.
Qualifying will continue through this week, ending March 9 at noon. All persons wishing to participate as a candidate in the 2018 election will need to qualify by this time.
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
County races taking shape on second day of qualifying
Election 2018 March 6, 2018
DAWSONVILLE, Ga. — It is qualifying week for the May 22 General Primary in Georgia. There are several races being contested on the Dawson County Board of Commissioners and Board of Education. There is also an important race for Georgia House of Representatives in District 9, where incumbent Kevin Tanner, of Dawsonville, and Mark Hajduk, of Cumming, have qualified.
As of Tuesday, the only candidate who has qualified for the county commission race in District 1 is incumbent Sharon Fausett.
Sharon Fausett (I)
In the District 3 Board of Commissioners race, former Dawson County Deputy Fire Chief Tim Satterfield will compete against Scott Allen.
Tim Satterfield
Scott Allen
In the District 3 Board of Education race, Joe Stapp and Karen Armstrong have qualified. On Tuesday, Will Wade qualified to run for the at-large seat.
Joe Stapp
Karen Armstrong
Will Wade (I)
The May General Primary will be held May 22, 2018, with a voter registration deadline of April 23.
Qualifying will continue through this week, ending March 9 at noon. All persons wishing to participate as a candidate in the 2018 election will need to qualify by this time.
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
State lawmakers Gooch, Williams and Raffensperger are featured speakers at Dawson Co. GOP meeting
News April 18, 2018
Sen. Steve Gooch
DAWSONVILLE, Ga. — State Senator Steve Gooch (R-Dahlonega) was the featured speaker at the Dawson County Republican Party meeting Tuesday at The Bowen Center for the Arts.
The event drew many office holders and political candidates like gubernatorial candidate Sen. Mike Williams (R-Cumming), State Rep. Brad Raffensperger (R-Johns Creek), chairwoman of the Dawson County Board of Education and candidate for Secretary of State Karen Armstrong, , and her opponent Joe Stapp.
Dawsonville Mayor Mike Eason, former County Commission Chairman Mike Berg, County Commissioner Sharon Fausett and Tim Satterfield, who will replace Jimmy Hamby on the Board of Commissioners in January, were also in attendance.
Gooch said, “This was one of the most successful sessions in the eight years I’ve been in the General Assembly. We passed the first income tax cut in Georgia history.” The tax was cut by one-quarter of a percent this year and will be cut by one-half percent next year.
Sen. Mike Williams
He cited fully funding Quality Based Education (QBE) for the first time since it was passed in 1985, the distracted driving bill that makes it illegal for a driver to touch their cell phone and increased funding for school safety as accomplishments during the recent session of the General Assembly.
Williams was the first elected official in Georgia to publicly endorse Donald Trump for president. Like Trump, Williams is primarily self-funding his campaign. “We’re relying on the people who know me best to donate five, 10 or 20 dollars to help carry us across the finish line,” he said. “That is important because when I reach the governor’s office, who am I going to be beholden to? It’s not the big lobbyists. It’s the people of Georgia.”
Raffensperger is a structural engineer and licensed general contractor. “I own two manufacturing plants in Georgia, and I have worked on construction projects all over the United States,” he said. “I have seen first hand how some states make it easy to do business and some states make it hard. As your next secretary of state, my job is to make it easy to do business in the state of Georgia.”
State Rep. Brad Raffensperger
Raffensperger, a former Johns Creek city councilman, said he is the only person running for secretary of state who has a 100 percent voting record from the Faith and Freedom Coalition.
“Look back on my legislative and city council voting record and you will find I’ve always tried to protect the small business owner, taxpayers, life and the second amendment,” Raffensperger stated.
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
From left, Tim Satterfield, Mike Berg, Sen. Mike Williams and Sen. Steve Gooch.
Five qualify for May 22 General Primary election
Election 2018 March 5, 2018
DAWSONVILLE, Ga. — It’s qualifying week for the May 22 General Primary Election. Tim Satterfield and Scott Allen qualified Monday in the District 3 Board of Commissioners race. In District 1, the only candidate who qualified was Sharon Fausett.
In the Board of Education races, Karen Armstrong and Joe Stapp qualified to run in District 3.
Commissioners approve addition of a $100,000 emergency contingency to the general fund budget
News April 19, 2019
DAWSONVILLE, Ga. – By the narrowest of margins, Dawson County commissioners voted Thursday to add $100,000 contingency to the general fund budget that County Manager David Headley will have the authority to spend in case of an emergency without receiving Board authorization.
Prior to the vote, Dist. 2 Commissioner Chris Gaines asked for three stipulations: The expenditure would require dual signatures from CFO Vickie Neikirk and Headley, a maximum amount of $25,000 for each emergency expenditure with an aggregate amount of $100,000 annually and the expenditure be included in the public record at the next Board of Commissioners meeting.
Chairman Billy Thurmond, Dist. 3 Commissioner Tim Satterfield and Gaines voted to approve the contingency.
But Dist. 4 Commissioner Julie Hughes-Nix and Dist 1 Commissioner Sharon Fausett, who wanted Headley on a shorter leash, voted no.
Nix reminded commissioners that the money they spend is not theirs, but belongs to taxpayers and that commissioners should maintain a tighter control on spending.
“I would really like to know up front what it is,” she said. “I’m really guided by the fact that the money belongs to our citizens and we need to be more accountable.”
In other decisions, commissioners voted to approve a Landbridge Development, LLC request to rezone property located between Krystal and the movie theater just off Hwy. 400 from Commercial Highway Business to Residential Multi Family for the purpose of building five apartment buildings with 12 rental units each.
Commissioners unanimously approved Amber Popphan’s request for a variance to the Land Use Resolution that will allow her to build a mobile home on property of less than five acres that was given to her by her father.
The Board also approved a request by Planning Director Jameson Kinley to hire an Alcohol Licensing administrative assistant at a rate of $15.84 per hour.
Two weeks ago, the county received a low bid from CT Darnell to execute a design-build contract for Fire Station 9. However, no contract was awarded and since then, the county discovered it could save as much as $75,000 by entering into negotiations with Darnell. Commissioners unanimously agreed to allow the negotiation to proceed.
The Board also voted 4-0 to approve a local share commitment letter for Legacy Link.
Thurmond read a proclamation to celebrate Arbor Day on April 26. The event this year will be celebrated by the Dawson County Tree Preservation Committee and Keep Dawson County Beautiful planting a tree on April 26th and encouraging others to plant trees across the county.
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
Tim Satterfield will run for county commission
News February 12, 2018
Tim Satterfield received the “Hero” award from Bill Kokaly, a representative of U.S. Congressman Doug Collins in September.
DAWSONVILLE, Ga. – Former Dawson County Deputy Emergency Services Chief Tim Satterfield announced today (Feb. 12) that he is a candidate for the District 3 seat on the Dawson County Board of Commissioners.
In a phone interview with FetchYourNews, Satterfield said, “I just feel like I have some more to give back to Dawson County. I have a passion and a desire to help create a safe, clean community for citizens to live, work and play in.”
Satterfield retired last month, following a stellar 41-year career. He gained national recognition while specializing in canine search and rescue and has taken part in more than 50 state- and federal-level missions, including water search, arson, bomb disaster search and work with missing and abducted children. He was state coordinator for the urban search and rescue team and was one of the first of 12 team members in the U.S. to be certified in child abduction response. His K-9 unit received the Marguerite Brock Rescue Award from the Emergency Management Association of Georgia.
In September, 9th District Congressman Doug Collins presented Satterfield the “Hero” award as “someone who has gone above and beyond the call of duty during their career to help citizens in and around their communities.”
Satterfield said he recently viewed a television program that listed the safest communities in Georgia. “I believe Johns Creek was number one,” he said. “I would like to see Dawsonville and Dawson County on that list. I feel like if we have a clean, safe community where people can live, work and play, we will be able to attract more desirable type businesses.”
Satterfield believes the county can obtain grants to help accomplish those goals and reduce the cost to taxpayers. He stated, “I did some (grant writing) when I worked in fire services, and I believe my experience in that could be helpful.
When Satterfield retired in September, County Manager David Headley said, “Knowing Chief Satterfield, both on the job and in his personal life, his hand is always stretched out to serve others. He is someone who has given his life to something other than himself and truly is a hero.”
Satterfield will run for the position being vacated by Commissioner Jimmy Hamby who has announced he will retire at the end of his term.
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
A hero retires from Dawson County EMS
News December 19, 2017
Bill Kokaly presents Tim Satterfield (right) “Hero” award on behalf of Congressman Doug Collins.
DAWSONVILLE, Ga. – Dawson County Emergency Services Director Lanier Swafford faces a nearly impossible task in the new year – replacing the old warhorse Deputy Chief Tim Satterfield, who is retiring this week.
Satterfield, a 41-year fire services veteran, has humbly, selflessly and heroically served the citizens of Dawson County the last 12 years, following stints in Clayton County and the cities of McDonough, Georgia, and Clearwater, Florida.
Dawson County Commissioners recently celebrated Satterfield’s service with a reception following the Board of Commissioners work session.
Satterfield has specialized in canine search and rescue and has taken part in more than 50 state and federal level missions, including water search, arson, bomb disaster search and work with missing and abducted children. He is state coordinator for the urban search and rescue team and was one of the first of 12 team members in the U.S. certified in child abduction response. His K-9 unit received the Marguerite Brock Rescue Award from the Emergency Management Association of Georgia.
In September, Ninth District Congressman Doug Collins presented Satterfield the “Hero” award as someone who has gone above and beyond during their career to help citizens in and around their communities.
In presenting the award, Collins said, “First responders represent some of the most selfless and skillful public servants I know. As the son of a Georgia State Trooper, I have seen their commitment to their neighbors throughout my life, and Deputy Chief Satterfield is an example of humble service. I’m grateful that northeast Georgia is home to such brave first responders.”
County Manager David Headley added, “Tim has risked his life and put himself in harm’s way so that others may live. He has minimized pain for others and given them comfort in their time of need. Knowing Chief Satterfield both on the job and in his personal life, his hand is always stretched out to serve others. He is someone who has given his life to something other than himself and truly is a hero. A grateful community says congratulations and thanks to Chief Satterfield.”
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
Plane Crashes at Atlanta Motorsports Park
News October 30, 2017
Private plane crashed today at Atlanta Motorsports Park.
DAWSONVILLE, Ga. — A single-engine plane crashed at Atlanta Motorsports Park in Dawson County today (Oct. 30) at approximately 8:30 a.m.
Dawson County Deputy Public Safety Director Tim Satterfield said the unidentified pilot was transported to Northeast Georgia Medical Center in Gainesville where he is believed to be in serious but stable condition. He was the only occupant of the aircraft. No passengers on the ground were injured.
Satterfield said the Piper took off from the Gainesville airport and was en route to Chicago when the plane experienced mechanical problems and the cockpit began to fill with smoke.
Fetch Your News will have more details as they become available.
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
Congressman Collins Honors Satterfield, Pichon
News October 2, 2017
Bill Kokaly presents award to Deputy Chief Tim Satterfield.
DAWSONVILLE, Ga. – Dawson County Deputy Chief of Emergency Services Tim Satterfield and Gary Pichon, a member of the county’s Long Range Planning Committee and former county commissioner, were among those honored as Heroes by 9th District Congressman Doug Collins for going above and beyond the call of duty in service to their community.
“First responders represent some of the most selfless and skillful public servants I know,” said Collins. “As the son of a Georgia State Trooper, I have seen their commitment to their neighbors throughout my life, and Deputy Chief Satterfield is an example of humble service. I’m grateful that Northeast Georgia is home to such brave first responders.”
County Manager David Headley added, “Tim has risked his life and put himself in harm’s way so that others may live. He has minimized pain for others and given them comfort intheir time of need. Knowing Chief Satterfield both on the job and in his personal life, his hand is always stretched out to serve others. He is someone who has given his life to something other than himself and truly is a hero. A grateful community says congratulations and thanks to Chief Satterfield.”
Satterfield, a 41-year service veteran said he was both surprised and humbled by the honor. He began his fire service career with Clayton County in 1976. He also worked for the city of McDonough and the city of Clearwater (Florida) before coming on board with Dawson County in May 2005. Satterfield specializes in canine search and rescue and has taken part in more than 250 state- and federal-level missions. These include water search, arson, bomb disaster search and work with missing and abducted children. He is the state coordinator for the urban search and rescue team and was one of the first of 12 teams in the U.S. certified in child abduction response. His K9 unit received the Marguerite Brock Rescue Award from the Emergency Management Association of Georgia.
Bill Kokaly presents award to former county commissioner Gary Pichon.
Pichon, was presented a copy of the Congressional Record – an official copy of a speech recently given by Collins on the floor of the House of Representatives honoring Pichon’s 3,000-mile bicycle ride across the U.S. Pichon also was given the Record Certificate of the speech.
The men were recognized at the Dawson County Republican Party meeting on Sept. 19.
In a speech on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives in May, Collins spoke of Pichon’s coast-to-coast ride, saying “Gary set out on a mission, not for the thrill of ride, but to see what he could learn about the landscape and people of our great nation. As he mapped a course across the states, Gary soaked up the beauty of America’s cityscapes and country sides.
“In the towns that he traveled through, people were kind and ready to work. He also noted the plight of rural Americans, who are resilient and strong and often underappreciated, Mr. Speaker, I echo Mr. Pichon’s respect for the hardworking Americans who give our nation enduring character. Mr. Pichon and I call northeast Georgia home and could not ask for better neighbors in a finer nation. Gary’s ride from coast to coast serves as a reminder of the diversity that makes our nation beautiful and the unassuming kindness that fuels our nation’s endurance.”
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
Hazardous Material Spill Contained on Roadway
News July 15, 2017
Tim Satterfield
DAWSONVILLE, Ga. – A truck hauling insecticide was involved in a two-vehicle crash Friday afternoon at approximately 5 p.m. resulting in a hazardous material spill on Hwy. 53 East near the Etowah River.
A 300-gallon container came loose from the truck that was traveling downhill and struck another vehicle. Dawson County Emergency Services Deputy Chief Tim Satterfield said no injuries were reported.
Satterfield said about 30 gallons of the arsenic-based insecticide spilled onto the roadway. “It happened a couple of hundred yards away from the river and was completely contained on the road. Nothing leaked onto the roadside or into the waterway,” he said.
Satterfield credited the county’s Public Works Department for responding quickly and spreading dirt onto the spill. “They were there within 15 minutes and had a truckload of dirt ready to go.”
“We contacted the Environmental Protection Division (EPD) and they advised that a clay-based soil was best to use in the cleanup.”
Both lanes of Hwy. 53 were closed for nearly four hours.
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