MENTAL PREPARATION

On May 18th, Chairman Billy Thurmond held his first kick off meeting for the upcoming 2018 budget year. The process he will be executing is a milestone for Dawson County. The Chairman will invite all the commissioners, public, and media to join with him in a public setting to hear the constitutional officers and department heads present their budgets.

In preparation for the upcoming hearings, I began to think of our daily commitment to the citizens and our coworkers and our relationships with our leadership body as well as all the hard work that goes into preparing for this process. Numbers are being crunched, projects are being prioritized, and strategies are being formed in order to plan for the future in front of us.  All of this can be mentally taxing, especially when planning and preparing presentations for the budget hearings. However, there are times when preparation is not something we consciously focus on when under the daily pressures we all face.

How do we mentally prepare ourselves for the challenges we face in order to give the “Performance of our Lives?” FORBES Magazine states that, “ Whether you’re about to give a speech to a crowded room, or you’ve only got five minutes to close the biggest deal of your career, your performance depends greatly on how you’re feeling when you enter into the situation.”

In the article, Psychologist Martin Turner, who is an expert in human performance under pressure, explains that we won’t perform optimally unless we get into “the challenge state.” A challenge state enhances our performance while a threat state interferes with our abilities. According to Turner, when we are in a “challenge state” we are able to meet the demands that a high pressure situation places on us. “To get into a challenge state, the key is to increase levels of self-confidence, perceptions of control, and focus on success,” explains Turner.

The only way to meet the demands of a high pressure situation is to have “the resources.” These resources include a variety of skills that can greatly enhance performance under pressure at work or in other areas of life. Here are a few guidelines to follow in order to be mentally prepared and emotionally strong when preparing for and presenting at the public hearing budget session:

• IMAGERY- Focusing on a negative outcome usually results in a bad performance.  Instead, visualize a successful presentation which will increase your confidence in your ability to perform well.
• SELF-TALK- The conversations you have with yourself will influence your performance. The key here is to mentally focus on positive phrases that will help you enter the situation feeling more positive while keeping negative thoughts about potential failure at bay.
• IDENTIFY CHALLENGES AND SET GOALS- Understand what it means to be emotionally resilient. This involves developing the ability to adapt well to things such as stress and change. Remember you always have a choice about how you react.  Make a list of your strengths and challenges. Then determine how to turn each challenge that you face into a goal that can be worked towards.
• IDENTIFY SPECIFIC AREAS YOU WANT TO CHANGE- Once you have developed your points, simplify your presentation for effectiveness.
• STAY EVEN KEELED- Develop healthy habits that strengthen you physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually.  This will enable you to maintain a balanced life and perform at your best. Look to your high power to help you remain at peace and stay calm.
• THINK BEFORE YOU SPEAK AND CONSIDER ALL ANGLES- Take as long as you need to evaluate the situation before reacting or speaking; this helps you stay composed and allows you time to think clearly about the possible outcome.

As we move forward in setting the groundwork for the upcoming budget hearings let your department heads know that you are behind them. There is no doubt in my mind that with the level of talent and ability our department heads possess, our county-wide goals will be accomplished.

In closing, I want to encourage everyone to remember every day is a presentation, whether here at work or in your daily lives. I am excited that the chairman and commissioners have allowed the staff this great opportunity to publically present their department’s needs to the board and the community and that the public have an opportunity to openly participate. I am grateful for our mission together and extend my appreciation for all that you do.

20 Years

Miki Mullis, Sheriff's Office

10 Years

Shannon Harben, Fleet Maintenance

New Hires
Lindsey LeBaron, Parks & Recreation, Lifeguard
Raleigh Payne, Parks & Recreation, Lifeguard
Brendan Grindle, Parks & Recreation, Maintenance Worker
Brandi Turpin, Treatment Court, Counselor - DUI Track
Akyn Trudnak, Sheriff's Office, Detention Officer
Marshelle Savage, Transit, Driver
Thomas Boyett, Transfer Station, Cashier
Joshua Bearden, Superior Court, Baliff
Jackson Morgan, Parks & Recreation, LIfeguard
Stephen Maddox, Sheriff's Office, Patrol Lieutenant

Promotions
Daniel Flake, Parks & Recreation, Maintenance Crew Leader
Stanley Elrod, Sheriff's Office, Communications Supervisor

Transfers
Donna Bennett, Sheriff's Office, Patrol Corporal
Leonard Mancinelli, Sheriff's Office, Deputy - Court Services
Alex Belafi, Sheriff's Office, Deputy - Court Services
Marguerite Murdock, Planning & Development, Administrative Assistant

The Dawson County Public Library will be sponsoring a special event on Monday, June 5th at 10 AM, featuring Entertainer Extraordinaire, Lee Andrews! This program is being held in the meeting room at the Dawson County SATELLITE BRANCH at Fire Station #2, located at 145 Liberty Drive, Dawsonville.

Juggler, clown, comedian—Lee Andrews is the entire circus in one package!  Join Lee for an uproariously funny show that will leave you wanting more! Stay after the show and enjoy a visit from our friends at the fire department!

Every child who attends the program will receive one raffle ticket for our Satellite Branch end-of-summer drawing for a bowling pizza party. (Generously donated by Stars and Strikes of Cumming)

This FREE program is made possible by the Friends of the Dawson County Public Library.

Recommended for children 3 years old - 5th grade

Join health professionals at Dawson County Library as they discuss women's health issues such as heart disease, nutrition, anxiety and depression, and self defense. Gain a wealth of knowledge and tons of free resources. Stick around for a matinee chick flick on our big screen with FREE POPCORN! This is a free and open to the public.

For more information, please call (706) 344-3690.

Auditions being held now through August.

Click here for more information.

Northeast Georgia Assisted Living visited with Senior clients at the Senior Center on Friday, May 26th for a Memorial Day ice cream sundae party!

Dawson County Emergency Services would like to congratulate FF/EMT, Austin Martin on his completion of the Georgia Basic Firefighter Training Program. Martin, a volunteer with DCES completed this rigorous eight-week training program at the Georgia Public Safety Training Center in Forsyth, Georgia. Martin scored high marks in the class and received high praise from his instructors.

Congratulations Austin!

Family Connection is surveying community members about their attitudes and perception regarding underage drinking in Dawson County. You may have completed a similar survey in previous years, but we ask that you participate again this year. This survey should take approximately 5 minutes to complete.

Please share this link with your family, friends, neighbors, parent or non-parent! The more responses we receive, the better we will be able to serve the Dawson County community!

Thank you! We appreciate your participation!

Click here to participate in the sruvey.

Tom Foley served as Vice-Chairman on the Board of Elections & Registration, and after 18 years of service, retired in March, 2017.

At the monthly board meeting on May, 9th, District Representative Kevin Tanner surprised Tom with a special resolution from the Georgia House of Representatives, commending Tom for his many years of service.  Thank you, Representative Tanner, for this honor.

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

Great American Cookie – Bakery/Ice Cream
145 Forest Boulevard, Suite 400

Freddy’s - Restaurant
254 crossroads Boulevard

Dollar General – Retail Mercantile
7473 Elliott Family Parkway

Head’s Wrecker service – Wrecker Services
130 Industrial Park Road

Kirkland’s – Retail Home Decor
136 Marketplace Boulevard, Suite 800

Parsa’s Kiosks – Retail Beauty Accessories
800 Highway 400 South

Roosters Sunglass – Retail Eyewear
800 Highway 400 South, Suite 865

Tonya McLaughlin - Beautician
671 Lumpkin Campground Road South, Suite 120

Tory Burch – Retail Women’s Clothing
800 Highway 400 South, Suite 170

Barrettsville Food Store – Convenience Store
2237 Kelly Bridge Road

New Home-Based Business Licensing

Intech Coating Consultants - Consulting
1131 Shoal Creek Road

Jesse Wright – Roofing Contractor
2334 Bradford Place

McCall Electrical & Data Systems – Electrical Contractor
1495 Highway 53 East

RN Cleaning – Cleaning Services
124 Willow Way

Rema Events & Rentals – Wedding Planner
166 River Valley Road

T G K Holdings – Management Company
869 Kilough Church Road