All Dawson County Offices will be closed
Friday, December 23 and Monday, December 26
in observance of the Christmas holiday.

This is my last newsletter. As you know, James Swafford and I did not seek re-election. Both of us would like to thank all Dawson County  employees and constitutional officers and their employees for their hard work and dedication to Dawson County. It takes a team to achieve success. We are proud to have been part of the County Team. We wish all of you and the new Board of Commissioners every success. One measure of success is leaving something better than you found it; I believe we've accomplished that.

One of the real joys this holiday season is the opportunity to say thank you and to pause to count our many blessings. I am truly thankful for the freedom that this great county offers and the opportunity we have for achievement. I am especially grateful for all the ways the good Lord blesses us. In addition, I want to thank our leadership body for the guidance and direction they continue to provide our county. I also want to extend my appreciation to all of the employees for all your hard work and continued support.

Moving forward to the future, I am excited to embrace the challenges ahead, knowing that together we can accomplish great things. Vince Lombardi said it best, “It is time for us all to stand and cheer for the doer, the achiever, the one who recognizes the challenges and does something about it.” I am mindful of the many employees who encounter various difficulties and “do something about it.” These people know that by aiding their community, others may experience a better quality of life. May this be the goal that we all work together to achieve.

As we celebrate the Christmas holiday, I wish you a season filled with warm moments and cherished memories. May the gift of faith and the blessing of hope be yours. Wishing you peace, health, and happiness, now and throughout the new year.

5 Years

Deborah Dehart, Public Defender

William Maddox, Public Defender

 

 

New Hires

Jameson Kinley, GIS Analyst, Public Works

Jacob Denson, Detention Officer, Sheriff's Office

Christopher Reed, Detention Officer, Sheriff's Office

The Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting has been awarded to Dawson County by the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada (GFOA) for its comprehensive annual financial report (CAFR). The Certificate of Achievement is the highest form of recognition in the area of governmental accounting and financial reporting, and its attainment represents a significant accomplishment by a government and its management.

An Award of Financial Reporting Achievement has been awarded to the individual(s), department or agency designated by the government as primarily responsible for preparing the award-winning CAFR. This has been presented to: Finance Department, Dawson County

The CAFR has been judged by an impartial panel to meet the high standards of the program, including demonstrating a constructive “spirit of full disclosure” to clearly communicate its financial story and motivate potential users and user groups to read the CAFR.

The GFOA is a nonprofit professional association serving approximately 17,500 government finance professionals with offices in Chicago, IL, and Washington, D.C.

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For more information, call (706) 265-6278.

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Citizens' Government Academy graduates with the Board of Commissioners

Congratulations to our Citizens’ Government Academy graduates!! On Thursday, November 17, 2016, twenty citizens graduated from our very own Dawson County Citizens’ Government Academy.

The Academy is a ten-week course designed to provide an in-depth look at the diverse activities of Dawson County government.  Sessions include emergency services, law enforcement, planning and zoning, finance and budget, court systems, public works, special projects, and many other vital community services. Sessions are held throughout the community in order to expose participants to the many different offices of Dawson County government. Locations included the Government Center, Emergency Services Stations #2 and #7, the Law Enforcement Center, the Chappell Building, the Dawson County Library, Rock Creek Park, and the Senior Center.

Twenty of the twenty-three participants attended all but one session, thus meeting the attendance requirement for graduation. Following the voting session on November 17th, during which they received a certificate and lapel pin designed specifically for Citizens’ Government Academy, graduates were invited to a reception with the Board of Commissioners.

Please join us in congratulating (not all pictured):

•     Yvonne Anderson
•     David Barton
•     Kris Bolton
•     Sean Carnahan
•     Dick Cheek
•     Gayla Gay
•     Ada Holley
•     Vivian Huthwaite
•     Lisa Johnson
•     Christy Jordan
•     Bill Price
•     Cheryl Price
•     Shauna Price
•     Sara Reed
•     Tom Reed
•     Karen Twitchell
•     Ted Twitchell
•     Robert Wiley
•     Wayne Williams
•     Amanda Yenerall

Dawson County Emergency Services and Dawson County High School are proud to announce that they have embarked on a new voyage together.  The two entities have started a new risk-reduction program between Emergency Services and the Community Based Instruction (CBI) program.  Dawson County High School’s Community Based Instruction (CBI) program began as an opportunity to develop and practice life skills that are often overlooked by many people. The partnership with Dawson County Emergency Services has led to the development of a one-of-a-kind fire and life safety program.

Upon their first visit to Station #2, students were greeted by the firefighters and given an opportunity to start their day like every other fire fighter in Dawson County, by punching in on a time card.  Students and teachers then participated in a morning muster call and were instructed on what the day would entail.  Students were divided into small teams where they were allowed to participate in the daily routine of a firefighter. The first item on the agenda was to make sure that all the fire apparatus were functional and fully stocked with the proper equipment. Students also assisted with daily chores and toured the station.

Many of the firefighters quickly bonded with the students and were excited to be able to have a direct influence on a young adult’s life.  After much discussion, it was decided that the best way to reach the students was to provide more than one learning opportunity, and so a second meeting was arranged.

The second visit was much the same as the first one with an early morning muster and instructions for the day. Firefighters worked with the students to help emphasize exit drills in the home. The students assisted in creating an exit drill for the classroom at the fire station. Both firefighters and students then practiced the drill. Everyone was taught the importance of knowing two ways out of every room and having a meeting place. Students were then assisted with creating a personal plan for their own homes.

Dawson County Emergency Services and CBI are looking forward to many more opportunities in the future to help teach the importance of fire and life safety to the youth of Dawson County.

Dawson County Senior Center Clients enjoyed visiting several apple houses in the Ellijay area on November 9th.  Seniors got to bring home apples, pies, sweet potatoes and other treats.

Krista West, Advocate and Eddie Lynn, Meals on Wheels Driver delivered Thanksgiving meals to homebound clients on November 23rd for the Senior Center. They are pictured above with senior client Junior Higgins.

Pictured above: Steve Wareham, Legacy Link; Dottie Suchke, Legacy Link; Carole Kinzie, Volunteer of the Year; Michelle Crane, Volunteer Coordinator; and Dawn Pruett, Director.

Carole Kinzie, Retired Senior Volunteer (RSV) was awarded Volunteer of the Year on November 17th, by the Margie Weaver Senior Center. Carole is the art teacher for the Senior Center and works countless hours teaching senior clients how to paint.

Senior Center clients enjoyed the Thanksgiving Community Dinner at the Racing Hall of Fame on November 23rd. Pictured are Myron Stephens, Buoi Lee, and Marlene Quinn.  A big thanks to the Rotary Club for hosting this event.

For more information, download the Dawson County Library Newsletter or visit the Dawson County Library website.

Click here for information regarding meetings across Dawson County, or visit Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 970.

You may also contact:

Wayne Watkins, Chapter President
Dawson Co. Chapter 970
706-429-5002

New Commercial Business Licensing

 

Ashley Jarrel Creations - Beautician Services
4470 Highway 400 North

Cheryl Aldrich - Beautician Services
30 Industrial Park Road, Suite 102

Donna’s Barber Shop - Beautician Services
30 Industrial Park Road, Suite 102

Hacienda Bar and Grill - Restaurant
219 Crossroads Boulevard, Suite 110

Pandora Ventures - Retail Jewelry
800 Highway 400 South, Suite 365

Petco - Retail Pet Supplies
136 Marketplace Parkway, Suite 980

Petsmart - Retail Pet Supplies
145 Forest Boulevard, Suite 300

Redbox Automated Retail - DVD Rentals
145 Forest Boulevard, Suite 100

Red’s Bakery - Retail Baked Goods
30 Industrial Park Road, Suite 100

Top Cleaners II - Dry Cleaners
145 Forest Boulevard, Suite 445

New Home-Based Business Licensing

Etowah Real Estate Advisors - Real Estate Agent
37 Gold Creek Court

Lighting Service - Mobile Auto Service
2177 Kelly Bridge Road