The Dawson County Courthouse and all Dawson County Offices will be closed on
Monday, May 29, 2017
in observance of Memorial Day.

Leaders are Learners

Recently, senior staff attended a leadership seminar in Gainesville. For me, one of the most important key points to remember from this meeting was not something complex, difficult, or challenging to understand. Instead, it was just one simple statement:  Leaders are learners. Of all the material presented, this simple statement holds the key to achieving the vision we all share - quality of life for Dawson County.  While this seminar was required for the senior staff leaders, we all serve as leaders in some capacity.  And at any level, leadership requires a great deal of learning.

One aspect of learning as a leader involves understanding and appreciating the five principles of good leadership. These include trust, action, positive perspective, focus, and vision. Using these principals as a baseline enables us to serve the citizens of Dawson County while creating a positive work environment and increases the likelihood of our vision becoming a reality. Collectively, this will create a pathway to serving the citizenry more efficiently and effectively which is the goal for all of us.

In addition, each of you has your own unique perspective which impacts your leadership style and influences the decisions you make when developing a plan to get you where your vision is leading you. It is important to define your leadership style, as all styles are different.

It is important to ask yourself this question. What will it take from me to improve my purpose at Dawson County in order to create a more positive environment?  Remember, it's not about you. It's ultimately about our team and working together as leaders to improve the quality of life for the people of this county.

15 Years

Jason Deal, Superior Court
Felicia Padgett, Parks & Recreation

5 Years

Alec Pearson, Sheriff's Office

New Hires

David Wright, Public Works, Operator II
Peter Bartholomew, Sheriff's Office, Patrol Sergeant
Cheri McMillon, Finance, Accounting Technician
Tiffani Foster, Sheriff's Office, E911 Operator

Transfers

Rusty Grizzle, Sheriff's Office, CID
Aaron Boyce, Sheriff's Office, CID
Alexander Pearson, Sheriff's Office, Patrol

Annually, the Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR), Environmental Protection Division (EPD) imposes a ban on outdoor burning to comply with Federal Clean Air Regulations. During the summer months in Georgia, the ozone in the air we breathe can reach unhealthy levels. The Georgia EPD has identified open burning as a significant contributor of the pollutants that form ozone. Consequently, open burning must be restricted during the summer months from May 1st through September 30th.

The open burning ban prohibits citizens and businesses from burning yard and land-clearing debris during the months of May through September. This restriction is in addition to a ban on burning household garbage that exists year-round throughout all of Georgia.

Some actions such as campfires and agricultural activities are exempt. For more information, please visit Georgia Forestry Commission.

Dawson County Emergency Services will once again be  participating in the "Give Burns the Boot" Drive May 25-27 on behalf of the Georgia Firefighters Burn Foundation. Monies raised help provide needed supplies and treatment for children who are burn victims, as well as help provide camp experiences for them. Ten percent of the collection will be returned to Dawson County Emergency Services to be used for fire safety and burn prevention programs within Dawson County.

"Boot collections" will take place at the following locations:

• Kroger Shopping Center

• Intersection of Highway 9 and Highway 53

• North Gate at Big Canoe

• Intersection of Lumpkin Campground Road and Grizzle Road

Pictured: Emergency Services Director Lanier Swafford, Dawsonville Civitan Club President Tiffany Muilenburg, Leiutenant Stephen Knowles, Community Risk Reduction Officer Chris Archer, and Deputy Chief Tim Satterfield

On Wednesday, April 12th, Lt. Stephen Knowles and Community Risk Reduction Officer Chris Archer of Dawson County Emergency Services were honored by the Dawsonville Civitan Club. Knowles and Archer were recognized for their efforts in starting an outreach program with the Community Based Instruction Program from the Department of Exceptional Children at Dawson County High School. Through a partnership with DCHS, students visited the fire station to learn about fire and life safety as well as life skills. While there, they assisted in day-to-day tasks and had the chance to observe some of the skills performed by the firefighters. This year the students also had an opportunity to accompany members of the department as they shopped for children's Christmas presents through a program sponsored by KARE for Kids. Through this experience they learned about budgeting and prioritizing as they shopped for others.

This "Outstanding Service" Award was created by the Civitan Club to recognize special individuals within the community who go above and beyond to serve others. Students, teachers, support staff, bus drivers, and now first responders have all been recognized by the club.

Civitan International is an organization of volunteer service clubs from around the world, dedicated to helping people in their own communities. Civitans help wherever the need arises – from collecting food for a homeless shelter, to volunteering at their local retirement home, to building a playground for children with disabilities. Civitans have been helping people since the organization’s founding in 1917, when a group of businessmen were determined to make a difference in their community. Dawsonville Civitan Club meets at 12:00pm on the second and fourth Wednesday of each month at the Dawson County Board of Education Professional Development Building on Main Street.

Pictured: Deputy Chief Ricky Rexroat, Battalion Chief Jason Dooley, and Chief Lanier Swafford receive award from Dixon Marlow, Chairman, Region 2 EMS Directors Association.

On Thursday, April 27th, Dawson County Emergency Services was recognized as EMS of the Year for Region 2 at the Region 2 EMS Awards Banquet at Unicoi State Park and Lodge.  This award is given to recognize a currently licensed Ambulance Service in Region 2 that has significantly contributed to EMS at the community, regional, and state level and signifies how the agency acts as a role model to other services.  This achievement also serves as a testament to the hard work and exceptional patient care our career and volunteer clinicians provide every day. We would like to thank them all for their hard work in making this award a reality.

Dawson County Emergency Services Personnel, accompanied by friends and family, attended the Relay for Life Event on Friday, April 28th, to support two of their own - Jamerson Kerby and Tim Satterfield. These two men are an inspiration to everyone as they continue to work while battling cancer. Although many days are obviously tougher than others, they remain upbeat and positive. Emergency Services Personnel stand with these two brave men to encourage them in the midst of their battles in the hopes that no one else would have to endure the pain of this terrible disease.

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

Columbia Brands - Retail Clothing
800 Highway 400 South, Suite 650

Express Fashion Operations - Retail Clothing
800 Highway 400 South, Suite 1045

Five Below - Retail Mercantile
136 Marketplace Parkway, Suite 500

Fusion Customs - Engraving
212 Grogan Drive, Suite 700

Gilstrap Exterminating - Pest Control Services
30 Industrial Park Road, Suite 103

HLE Enterprises - Landscaping/Erosion Control
6495 Highway 9 South

White Oak Learning Academy - Day Care
2982 Grizzle Road

Maximum One Premier Realtors - Real Estate Agent
800 Old Dawson Village Road, Suite 210

Sweet Magnolia Meadery - Winery
30 Industrial Park Road, Suite 114

Ulta - Retail Cosmetics/Fragrances
136 Marketplace Parkway, Suite 180

New Home-Based Business Licensing

Putnam Enterprises - Consulting
2142 Frank Bruce Road

Team DMD Consulting - Medical/Dental Office Management
500 Dawson Pointe Parkway