NEWS

U.S. Forest Service Road Update In NE Georgia

2010-03-12T15:55:00.001-05:00

The Chattooga River Ranger District of the U.S. Forest Service has announced that roads in the Lake Russell and other wildlife management areas remain closed because of inclement weather.

This continues the road closures in place for the past three to four weeks. It affects roads in the Lake Russell Wildlife Management Area, the Warwoman Wildlife Management Area, and Upper Chattahoochee Wildlife Management Area, as well as Reed Mill Creek Road, Anns Gap, Cornpen Gap, Porter Gap, and Dick’s Creek Road.

With rains continuing through at least today, the ground conditions on the roads are highly susceptible to damage if they were opened to traffic. The Forest Service is requesting cooperation to avoid use of these roads until the weather improves.

Stephens County Holds Teacher of The Year Banquet

2010-03-12T05:47:00.001-05:00

Stephens County honors excellence in teaching.

Thursday, the Stephens County School system honored its 2010 Teachers of the Year at a reception at the Currahee Campus of North Georgia Technical College.

Each of the six schools in the system nominates a teacher every year. This year’s teachers of the year are Julie Turpin from Big A Elementary School, Carol Nascimento from Eastanollee Elementary School, Amy Hopkins from Liberty Elementary School, June Bumgardner from Toccoa Elementary School, Roy Bainey from Stephens County Middle School, and Nathan Shack from Stephens County High School.

Stephens County School Superintendent Sherrie Whiten said all six are outstanding teachers.

“I think the thing that impressed me the most when I read their applications was how proud they are to be a teacher and their passion for teaching came out loud and clear,” said Whiten. “They are in it for the kids. They will do whatever they need to make sure they connect with those kids. Each one talked about building those relationships that you need with the students in order to make sure they are able to learn.”

This year, Carol Nascimento was named as the system’s Teacher of the Year.

Whiten said she serves as a wonderful example for educators.

“She is a great teacher,” said Whiten. “She is very innovative. She builds great relationships with her students, but then she also puts a lot of responsibility back on the students. She is able to give students tasks to do and gives them a lot of confidence through those tasks. She is just fantastic.”

Nascimento teaches third grade at Eastanollee Elementary.

She said she is honored, but added that education is a collaborative effort.

“There is no way I would have gotten where I am if it were not for the wonderful teachers I come in contact with, more specifically my grade level,” she said. “They are wonderful people, dynamic, willing to work with what we have got, and okay with change. I have been incredibly blessed and I am very thankful.”

As a special surprise, Nascimento’s class came to the banquet to thank her and sing a song.

“They were so cute,” said Nascimento. “I was just trying so hard to not fall apart. It was a neat opportunity.”

Those in attendance also heard from the Georgia Teacher of the Year Gwen Desselle.

Desselle said she wants teachers to remember theirs is a noble profession.

“We are challenged in all facets of life right now, but we have been challenged before and we can get through this and make a difference for kids,” said Desselle.

Also speaking was the last Stephens County Teacher of the Year, Tammy Todd.

Daylight Savings Time Starts This Weekend ... Turn Clocks Ahead

2010-03-12T05:43:00.001-05:00

If you don’t want to be late Sunday morning, don’t forget to turn your clock ahead one hour Saturday night.

Daylight savings time begins Sunday at 2 a.m., and the best advice is turn the clocks ahead one hour before going to bed Saturday night.

However, Georgia Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner John Oxendine said now is a good time to take care of some other things as well.

“You also need to make sure you put a fresh battery in that smoke detector,” said Oxendine. “A working smoke detector is your number one defense against a home fire. You need to make sure you have it there when you need it. Even if your smoke detector is hot wired into the house, you still need a battery back-up system in case there is a power failure.”

According to Oxendine’s office, there were 15 fire fatalities last year in dwellings with no smoke detectors, and two other fatalities involving non-working detectors.

The commissioner also recommended using this weekend as a chance to set up a family home emergency plan.

“We would never let our kids go to a school that does not do a fire drill, but kids do not die in school fires, they die in home fires, so do a family fire drill like the Oxendine family and make sure your kids know two ways out of the house.”

Also, Oxendine recommended changing batteries in flashlights and weather radios.

Ebenezer Student Ministry Holds Ribbon Cutting

2010-03-12T05:37:00.001-05:00

A local church shows off its new ministry facility.

Thursday, Ebenezer Baptist Church held a Toccoa-Stephens County Chamber of Commerce ribbon-cutting for its remodeled student ministry facility, located in the gym behind the Big A Road church.

Besides a basketball court and meeting space for the church’s youth services, there are small group gathering spaces, flat-screen TVs, up-to-date video game systems, along with a small café area for students to buy drinks and snacks.

Ebenezer Baptist Church Student Pastor Steve Paysen said the church saw a need in the community and decided to head in this direction.

“We basically simplified things and made it easier for students to come in and relax,” he said. “They can play video games, sit on the couches and talk, they can eat snacks, drink coffee, play foosball, air hockey, or basketball, or do what they want to do. It is just a place where people can come in and just join in things already taking place.”

For more information on the Ebenezer Student Ministry, visit www.ebenezerbaptist.com, call the church at 706-886-9300, or drop in.

North Georgia Technical College Announcing Graduation Ceremonies This Month

2010-03-12T05:31:00.001-05:00

North Georgia Technical College has announced changes to graduation ceremonies this month.

To help achieve a smaller atmosphere, the college has announced that this month, each campus will host its own event for students completing a certificate in Fall and Winter quarters.

The Currahee campus in Stephens County will hold its event on March 25 at 10 a.m., while the Clarkesville campus will hold its event on March 25 at 2 p.m.

College officials say that the changes are intended to make the graduation a pleasant experience for all those who attend.

In addition, the smaller size of the celebrations also eliminates the need for ticketing and everyone the graduate invites will be assured of a “good seat.”

For more information on certificate graduation ceremonies, call 706-754-7855.

IRS Urges Georgians To Claim 2006 Refunds

2010-03-12T05:25:00.001-05:00

The Internal Revenue Service is calling on Georgians who have not filed a 2006 tax return to do so and receive millions in unclaimed refunds.

According to the IRS, in Georgia, more than $42 million in unclaimed refunds awaits nearly 46,000 individuals.

IRS Spokesman Mark Green says some people may not have filed because they had too little income to require filing a tax return even though they had taxes withheld from their wages or made quarterly estimated payments, adding the IRS wants people to receive the refunds that they are due.

The IRS estimates that the median unclaimed refund for tax year 2006 in Georgia is $560.

There is no penalty for filing a late return qualifying for a refund.

The deadline to file a 2006 return is April 15.

Prior year tax forms are available on the “Forms and Publications” page of IRS.gov or by calling toll-free to 1-800-TAX-FORM (1-800-829-3676).

Stephens County EMS, Hospital, Toccoa Amateur Radio Team Up

2010-03-11T05:54:00.001-05:00

Stephens County EMS, Stephens County Hospital, and the Toccoa Amateur Radio Society are teaming up to provide an extra layer of security for emergency medical services.

Those organizations have worked together to join the Amateur Radio Emergency Service, or ARES, program.

According to Stephens County EMT and Toccoa Amateur Radio Society President Michael Carter, ARES provides a back-up emergency communication system.

“We have the hospital and the ambulance service set up with HAM radio equipment just in case they have a communication failure where they will be able to communicate with the hospital and with the ambulances,” said Carter. “The ambulances are equipped with HAM radio equipment. The hospital is equipped with HAM radio equipment. Also, EMS Stations One and Two are both equipped with HAM radio equipment.”

The hospital also has a repeater on site for the system.

To test the equipment and make sure the system is working, Carter said an operational drill will take place in the near future.

“What we are doing is having a live operational drill where the ambulances will communicate with the hospital and calling in patient reports,” he explained. “That will test the equipment and let us work out any problems we need to fix.”

In order to hold that drill, a waiver had to be obtained from the Federal Communications Commission.

According to Carter, the FCC not only granted the waiver but informed him it was the largest one of its kind ever approved.

The ARES program is sanctioned the American Radio Relay League.

Toccoa Amateur Radio Society Vice-President Buzz Tatham said it is a good partnership between the community and emergency services.

“Let’s say the communication grid, for whatever reason, happened to drop down, the amateur radio community is prepared, after practicing this drill and other situations, to help network for the ambulance service and the hospital,” said Tatham. “If every form of communication were to drop out, as long as the amateurs had facilities, we could still function with the EMS, hospital, and the Coroner’s Office.”

Some of the radios were donated by the Amateur Radio Society, while others were purchased by the hospital. The hospital’s repeater was also donated.

Commissioners Approve Formal Sewer Allocation Agreement for Development

2010-03-11T05:49:00.001-05:00

Representatives from the city of Toccoa and an area development are putting the final touches on a long-negotiated sewer allocation agreement.

Monday, Toccoa City Commissioners approved a sewer allocation agreement with Toccoa Falls Estates.

Last year, Toccoa Falls Estates requested, and the city commission sold them, just over 20,000 gallons of sewer allocation per day for the first phase of its proposed development, which consists of 102 homes just off of Falls Road.

However, the two sides had not settled on the language in a formal contract.

On Monday, Toccoa City Attorney John Dickerson presented a proposed agreement for the commission.

He said there were two issues the commission had to deal with.

“One of those items is whether or not any change in allocation needs to be approved or at least confirmed by the city,” said Dickerson. “The other change involves the payment schedule. It was 24 and 36 months. They have now proposed 36 months and 60 months, with a payment of $50,000 at 36 months after the execution and $50,000 after 60 months.”

On the issue regarding city approval of allocation transfer, Toccoa City Commissioner Andy Pavliscsak at first asked if that was something the city should ask for. However, after discussion and concerns raised by the Toccoa Falls Estates representatives, Pavliscsak said if the city attorney was comfortable with the agreement, he was as well.

On the payment schedule change, commissioners approved that as well.

Mayor Bob Troup said he does not see a problem with the change.

“In these economic times, that seems like a reasonable thing to me,” said Troup.

Approval of the agreement was unanimous.

Last year, former Toccoa City Manager Billy Morse had said the build out for the first phase would take five years or longer.

Interviews For Toccoa City Manager Finalists Scheduled to Take Place Today

2010-03-11T05:45:00.001-05:00

The process in hiring the next Toccoa City Manager will take a huge step forward today.

Throughout the day today, Toccoa City Commissioners will interview the three finalists for the job in executive session.

Last week, the city commission named Jack Allison Butler, Jr. of Orlando, Florida, James Al Crace of Roswell, Georgia, and James R. Johnson of Gulf Shores, Alabama as the three finalists for the position. Those three were selected from a total of 106 resumes, which were whittled down to six individuals, at which point commissioners selected the final three from phone interviews.

City commissioners have to wait at least a total of 14 days from the naming of the finalists to pick the next city manager.

That means a new manager could be named late next week at the earliest.

Whoever is selected will fill the post that Billy Morse held until he resigned and became Franklin County Manager in October 2009. Ross Hubbard became city manager in November 2009 to fill the post until a new, permanent manager was named. Hubbard resigned from the position in February.

Sheriff's Office Investigating Work Yard Burglary

2010-03-11T05:40:00.001-05:00

A local business is the victim of a burglary.

According to a report on file, the Stephens County Sheriff’s Office responded to the Windstream Work Yard on Industrial Boulevard.

In the report, the complainant told authorities that it appeared as if someone entered the property by cutting a hole in the fence, then broke into several trucks by smashing out the windows. In addition, a chain was also cut on the south side of the building, where the report states that a vehicle appeared to have entered and exited the area. A lock was also cut from a storage building on the grounds.

The break-in is believed to have happened between 5 p.m. on March 6 and 5 a.m. on March 7.

In all, the report states that over $10,000 worth of tools appear to have been stolen from the property.

The investigation into the incident continues.

January Unemployment Shows Increase in Stephens County

2010-03-11T05:37:00.001-05:00

2010 gets off to a rough start on the unemployment front in Stephens County.

According to this week’s statistics from the Georgia Department of Labor for January, Stephens County’s preliminary unemployment rate came in at 11.9 percent.

That represents a .7 percent increase from December 2009 and a jump of 2.7 percent when compared to the rate in January 2009.

Comparing January to December, the number of those unemployed increased from 1,467 to 1,564, while the labor force increased from 13,065 to 13,149 and the number of those employed dropped from 11,598 to 11,585.

In addition, the total labor force and number of employed are both down from last January, while the number of unemployed has increased by 271.

In the Georgia Mountains region, of which Stephens County is a part, unemployment for January came in at 10.3 percent, an increase of 1 percent from December and 1.7 percent from January 2009.

Unemployment rates were also up in neighboring counties, Franklin, Habersham, and Banks.

Georgia’s unemployment rate for January was 10.9 percent.

Identity Fraud Victim Speaks Out

2010-03-11T05:11:00.001-05:00

By MJ Kneiser, WLHR Radio, Lavonia

Most victims of identity theft don’t even realize their information has been stolen or compromised until it’s too late.

That’s what happened to Monica Miller. Miller’s wallet was originally stolen from a library in Henry County where she lives, but she said she didn’t realize there was problem until she started getting mail from Lavonia.

“First, I received a notice from the Lavonia Public Library, which I just blew off and didn’t pay any attention to. I just thought, ‘Oh well, she got my library card.’ Then on Saturday (3/6), I got a letter from the State saying my license had been suspended because I had a DUI and no insurance. And I got another letter from the Lavonia Police Department that stated I had an expired tag here with fines and bench warrants here,” Miller said.

Because her license is still suspended by the Georgia Department of Public Safety until she can get the ID theft cleared up, she is unable to drive until she can get it back. That, Miller said, has made getting to her job as a retail manager and life in general, very difficult.

“I live 30 miles from work, so I have to get someone to take me and pick me up every day. Plus, I have to have someone help me pick up my two kids from daycare. Then I had to get someone to take me up here,” she said.

Miller said, however, she’s grateful to the Lavonia Police for their hard work in capturing the person responsible for stealing her personal information.

“I can’t believe they caught her so fast,” she said.

According to Privacy Rights Clearinghouse, a non-profit consumer advocacy group, identity theft is on the rise. In 2007, 8.1 million Americans fell victim to some kind of identity theft. Privacy Rights.org offers good tips on how to protect your personal information.

First, reduce the number of credit and debit cards you carry in your wallet.

Second, Always take credit card receipts with you. Never toss them in a public trash container. When shopping, put receipts in your wallet rather than in the shopping bag.

Never give out your SSN, credit or debit card number or other personal information over the phone, by mail, or on the Internet

Order your credit report at least once a year.

You can get more information on protecting your identity and credit by going to www.PrivacyRights.org. Privacy Rights Clearinghouse (PRC) is a nonprofit consumer organization with a two-part mission -- consumer information and consumer advocacy. It was established in 1992 and is based in San Diego, California. It is primarily grant-supported and serves individuals nationwide.

North Carolina Woman Arrested For Identity Fraud

2010-03-10T13:09:00.001-05:00

By MJ Kneiser, WLHR Radio, Lavonia

Lavonia Police have a woman behind bars, charged with multiple counts of identity fraud across several jurisdictions. Police chief Bruce Carlisle said the arrest came Monday after his department received a call from a woman in Griffin, Georgia. The caller identified herself as Monica Miller.

“She said she got a notice from the state that her drivers license had been suspended as a result of a DUI charge in Franklin County. Also, a charge showed up here in the City of Lavonia, but she had never been in this area,” he said.

The Lavonia citation was for driving with an expired tag. Carlisle said he pulled the citation issued here and got a description of the suspect’s vehicle. He said he was also able to get photographs of both the suspect and the victim. He said after doing some investigative work that included tracking down the owner of the vehicle and his place of employment, Carlisle said they were to trace the suspect to a motel in Toccoa.

“We went to the motel and located the vehicle. The lady came to the door along with an Hispanic male. We were able to identify her by the photograph that she was in fact the one that we had charged here in the City of Lavonia. Franklin County had also arrested her for DUI. There was a disposition in that case and she had been placed on probation,” Carlisle explained.

The suspect’s real name is Lilly Maline Redmond, who’s originally from Mooresville, North Carolina. Not only did Redmond allegedly use a fake driver’s license with Miller’s name on it, but Carlisle said she also bought a car in Toccoa using Miller’s credit records.

“She has a long criminal history that includes forgeries, credit card theft, credit card fraud, and a number of fraudulent activities that she’s been involved with over the past ten years. We have charged her with first-degree forgery for signing Monica’s name on this citation. The Toccoa Police Department will be charging her as well as Franklin County. It’s my understanding from talking to the Sheriff that they will have charges on her also and probate court will have charges on her as well,” Carlisle said.

Carlisle said authorities in Henry County are also investigating Redmond and she could face more charges there. As of press time, Redmond remains in the Franklin County Detention Center.

Stephens Co. Commissioners Approve Lease Purchase Agreement for New Fire Trucks

2010-03-10T05:49:00.001-05:00

An agreement is now in place for Stephens County to lease purchase seven new fire trucks for the county being purchased with SPLOST V funds.

Tuesday, county commissioners unanimously approved a bid from Bank of America to borrow just under $2.1 million for lease purchasing the trucks and pay it back over a five-year period.

Stephens County Finance Director Phyllis Ayers said it was the best bid in what was a very competitive bid process.

“It is a great opportunity,” said Ayers. “It is our recommendation to do the tax-exempt, bank-qualified loan with Bank of America at 2.5796 percent.”

Ayers said that SPLOST revenues, although declining, will cover the cost of the trucks still unless those revenues “really go south.”

The seven new fire trucks were purchased from the Pierce Company in December, allowing for one new truck at each of the seven volunteer fire departments in Stephens County.

The trucks are expected to be delivered 180 days from the date of the contract, which would put the arrival of the trucks in the summer. However, there were indications that production may be slightly behind, delaying arrival of the trucks by a few days or weeks.

Stephens Co. Sheriff Issues Another Phone Scam Warning

2010-03-10T05:44:00.001-05:00

The Stephens County Sheriff’s Office is issuing a lookout for another phone scam making the rounds in northeast Georgia.

Sheriff Randy Shirley said the scam involves a number from the Western United States.

According to the sheriff, people need to watch out for the number, 877-220-2785, in relation to this particular scam.

“They are telling the citizens in Stephens County they have won a $100 gift card and that they were given that card for them to review their merchandise,” said Shirley. “The caller continues to say there is a $5.95 cent shipping and handling charge that they have to pay for and that they will need their credit card and card number to charge off that $5.95.”

The sheriff said that once a person gives out his or her credit card number to the individual calling from this number in relation to the scam, the caller can charge up to whatever the victim’s credit limit is.

Shirley said he has called the number personally on two occasions and on one occasion, offered to pay the shipping and handling charge by cash on delivery. At that suggestion, the person at the number in question hung up.

The sheriff said this serves as another reminder for people to remain cautious of phone calls requesting money.

“I encourage anybody that gets calls on the telephone saying they are going to receive a $100 gift card to be on alert and not to ever give out their personal information or their credit card numbers,” Shirley explained. “Some exceptions to that might be if you were making reservations at a hotel for a vacation or something. You know who you are talking to on the phone, but other than that, I would not ever give out my credit card number.”

Anyone who believes they may have been the target of this scam or others should contact law enforcement.

Final Preparations Underway For Evan Oglesby Weekend

2010-03-10T05:40:00.001-05:00

Final preparations are underway for this weekend’s annual Evan Oglesby Weekend in Toccoa, hosted by NFL player Evan Oglesby.

The annual E.O. Foundation Weekend in Toccoa takes place Friday and Saturday.

Events begin Friday night with a fundraising dinner at Reflections on Black Mountain Road, beginning at 7 p.m. Tickets are $50 per person and $75 per couple.

Then, on Saturday, Evan will hold his free football skills camp and cheer and dance clinic for youth in grades 1 through 12.

Evan said that will take place at the Stephens County Recreation Center on Rose Lane.

“We will be starting at 9 a.m., but I ask children to be there at around 7:30 a.m. for pre-registration, so the camp starts on time and we get the kids running around and feeling good about themselves,” he said.

The camp will run through about 2 p.m.

Then, Saturday evening, a celebrity bowling challenge at the Rose Lane Bowling Alley will start at 8 p.m. Attendance for that is $20 per person.

Throughout the weekend, Evan said he hopes to have a number of fellow NFL players in town for the festivities.

Those include Quentin Moses, Ed Reed, Terrence McGee, Fabian Washington, Frank Walker, Leroy Hill, and Walter Curry.

Proceeds from the weekend benefit the E.O. Foundation.

Evan said the goal of the foundation is to provide academic scholarships and literacy assistance to youth in Toccoa and northeast Georgia.

“Coming from a small town, I used to think that what you see on TV was another world,” said Evan. “But when I went to college, it opened my eyes to the other side and it gave me an opportunity to be who I am today. I am a strong believer in education. I am just trying to help kids out there who want to help themselves.”

For more information on the weekend or to register for events, go to www.eoweekend.com.

Appeal Hearing Between Stephens Co. Hospital, Ty Cobb Healthcare Scheduled To Start Today

2010-03-10T05:36:00.001-05:00

Stephens County Hospital and Ty Cobb Healthcare System are scheduled to square off today in a hearing over a proposed Ty Cobb hospital in Lavonia.

The two sides will make their cases during an appeal hearing in Atlanta starting today.

Stephens County Hospital is appealing the state’s approval of a certificate of need applied for by Ty Cobb to build a hospital in Lavonia, near Exit 173 off of Interstate 85.

The hearing was originally scheduled for later this month, but was moved up because the hearing officer is scheduled for surgery.

The hearing is expected to last as long as three days.

According to Stephens County Hospital Administrator Ed Gambrell, both sides can present witnesses and evidence to support their respective arguments and can cross-examine the other side.

Once the hearing is complete, the hearing officer will have 30 days to rule on the appeal.

Both sides have expressed confidence in their cases in the weeks leading up to the hearing.

Toccoa Planning Commission, City Commission Meet For Work Session

2010-03-10T05:33:00.001-05:00

The Toccoa Planning Commission will soon look at possible changes to the city’s sign ordinance.

Monday, the Planning Commission held a joint meeting and work session with the Toccoa City Commission.

The two sides focused discussions mainly on the sign ordinance, a topic brought up by planning commissioners.

The main topic was discussing whether or not to consider relaxing the current sign ordinance rules regarding flashing or scrolling signs for certain areas of the city, primarily Big A Road.

A number of those in attendance expressed a desire to maintain stricter sign standards in the historic downtown district.

Planning commissioners will review the ordinance and discuss the matter before possibly making a recommendation back to the City Commission.

Fire On Avon Street Monday, No One Hurt According to Reports

2010-03-10T05:11:00.001-05:00

Reports indicate there were no injuries after a structure fire Monday on Avon Street in Toccoa.

Police arrived on the scene at about 1:30 p.m. and found heavy smoke coming from the residence. Fire crews arrived shortly after and pulled water hoses across Avon Street to put out the fire.

At that time, police shut down part of Avon Street around the fire until the fire was put out.

Police left the scene just prior to 2 p.m.

The owner told authorities a number of things could have started the fire.

Arizona Authorities Apprehend Man Wanted in Stephens County

2010-03-09T14:14:00.001-05:00

A man wanted in Stephens County on sexual molestation charges now sits in custody in Arizona.

46-year-old Mark Alan Miller was apprehended in Cochise County, Arizona recently.

Stephens County Sheriff Randy Shirley said Miller has been on the run from authorities for a number of years since the accusations were first made.

“From October 2000 to January 2001, the warrants have alleged that he sexually molested an eight-year-old girl on three different occasions,” said Shirley. “A forensic interview was done back then and he knew the warrants were forthcoming and had fled Stephens County.”

The sheriff explained that authorities lost track of Miller once he left northeast Georgia and he remained a free man until police stopped and arrested him in Sierra Vista, Arizona.

Now, Shirley said Miller remains in custody in Arizona, awaiting extradition back to Stephens County for his day in court.

“I will be flying out Thursday to pick him and bring him back Friday,” added the sheriff. “We will bring him back here to face these charges in Stephens County.”

According to the sheriff, authorities in Arizona were able to apprehend Miller because the warrants from Stephens County were entered into the national database and when Miller’s name was entered, the computer brought up the warrants.

City Commission Approves City Pool Management Agreement With YMCA

2010-03-09T05:44:00.001-05:00

A discussion about the Doyle Street Pool brings up short-term and long-term concerns, but yields a short-term solution.

Monday, Toccoa City Commissioners met in a work session with Toccoa-Stephens County YMCA Program Director Robin Dake to discuss the pool management agreement between the city and YMCA.

In past years, the city of Toccoa has paid the YMCA to operate the pool. That was the request again from the YMCA.

This year, the pool must undergo a series of repairs before it can be opened. Those repairs include replacing cracking and flaking plaster on the pool walls at a cost of $5,000 to $10,000. Other repairs include installing fencing, patching decking, cleaning the pool, and repainting the pool.

However, it was noted that the cost of the cracking plaster on the pool walls could be more if the structural damage runs deeper than thought.

Commissioners, including Mayor Bob Troup, said that is a concern.

“My only concern is that we do not spend $50,000 or $100,000 on that pool and still not have what we want in a pool,” said Troup.

Dake said it would not be that much, but there was no solid estimate as to what it could run if repairs were more extensive than first thought.

Meanwhile, Commissioner Ron Seib took a more long-term view.

Last year, Seib called for the city and county to work together on a vision for recreation.

He said that has not happened, but that vision is still needed.

“I do not feel like we are answering the bigger question of where we as a community want to go with this thing,” said Seib. “I think that recreation now needs to be on the front burner and we need to decide where we want to take this thing.”

Dake agreed, saying though that is a topic for more extensive discussion.

“I think that question is a year-long question,” said Dake. “That is a long-term discussion, where you look at what it really takes.”

In the end, during the business meeting Monday, commissioners unanimously approved a proposal from Seib that the city fund up to, but no more than $15,000 towards repairs needed to open the pool, but that in the next year, meetings be held to discuss that recreation vision.

Toccoa Commission Continues Preparations For City Manager Interviews

2010-03-09T05:41:00.001-05:00

Toccoa City Commissioners continue final preparations for interviews this Thursday with the three finalists for the city manager’s position.

Last week, the city named its finalists.

Monday, Mayor Bob Troup thanked Commissioner Ron Seib for helping to lead the search process.

Seib said he is happy with the three finalists.

“All three of the candidates are just spectacular, as were the six that we originally selected, so we were very fortunate,” said Seib.

After telephone interviews with five individuals last Thursday, the city voted to name Jack Allison Butler, Jr., James Al Crace, and James R. Johnson as its three finalists.

Butler, from Orlando, Florida, was a finalist in 2008 for the position of Stephens County Administrator that eventually went to John Rutan. Currently the Capital Improvement Program Manager for Ocoee, Florida, Butler has also worked in multiple positions for the Florida Department of Transportation, served as Department Director in the Chattanooga area, and spent time as a senior developer with the Northeast Georgia Regional Development Commission.

Crace, from Roswell, Georgia, has most recently served as the Program Manager and Assistant City Manager for the city of Sandy Springs, Georgia. Crace has also served as Jackson County Manager, Manager of the Unified Government of Athens-Clarke County, and as a city manager in numerous places, including Gainesville, Athens, Waycross, and Rome.

Johnson, from Gulf Shores, Alabama, most recently served as City Administrator in Franklin, Tennessee from 1993 to 2008. He has also served as a city manager in Ponca City, Oklahoma and Mount Pleasant, Tennessee, as well as Chief Administrative Officer in Collierville, Tennessee and Assistant to the City Manager in Largo, Florida.

Toccoa city officials said they hope to have a manager in place as soon as possible.

Toccoa City Commissioners Approve Bid For Work At Doyle Street Fire Station

2010-03-09T05:38:00.001-05:00

Work will begin soon on construction of a new generator, building, and associated accessories at the Doyle Street Fire Station in Toccoa.

Monday, Toccoa City Commissioners unanimously approved a bid for that project.

The winning bid was the low bid, submitted last month by Andrews Construction, was for $23,860.

That particular bid was lower than two other bids, submitted by Dawson Construction at $34,400 and William L. Hicks at $58,559.

Monies for this project are covered by available SPLOST funds.

Toccoa Fire Chief Tommy Ayers told commissioners during the meeting that the work is expected to be completed by June 30.

Stephens County Commission To Meet Today

2010-03-09T05:34:00.001-05:00

Seven new fire trucks highlight the agenda for today’s Stephens County Commission meeting.

On the agenda for today’s meeting, county commissioners will consider a motion to award the lease purchase financing bid for seven new fire trucks from SPLOST V funds and authorize the chairman to sign the related documents.

Also on today’s agenda is consideration of a motion to award a bid for an addition to Big Smith Fire Department and of a motion for the board to approve and accept purchase of property from the Department of Transportation for parcels off of the Eastanollee By-pass.

Stephens County Commissioners will also consider adoption of two resolutions, one regarding the 2010 Census, which is getting underway, and one considering the declaration of Pet Day.

The commission will also consider budget amendments and individual tax payment issues.

The Stephens County Commission meeting begins with a work session to discuss the agenda at 5 p.m., followed by the business meeting where votes are conducted at 5:30 p.m.

Both the work session and the meeting take place in the second-floor courtroom of the historic Stephens County Courthouse in downtown Toccoa. Both are open to the public.

Organizers Say Friday's CASA Benefit Magic Show Was Success

2010-03-09T05:30:00.001-05:00

A magical night in Toccoa raises money for a group that helps children.

Friday, hundreds gathered at the Georgia Baptist Conference Center for a benefit magic show to raise money for the area’s Court Appointed Special Advocate, or CASA, Program.

The crowd enjoyed not only the magic show from Carson Entertainment, but a meal was also offered prior to the performance.

CASA Executive Director Melissa Mitchell said the event went well.

“We are very excited to do this,” said Mitchell. “This is the first time we are having a magic show and we have done a golf tournament for two years in a row as a fundraiser and we are still doing the golf tournament this year, but we wanted to do something different about children, which is our mission. We are excited to have a magic show, which reaches a different audience and particularly children.”

According to Mitchell, the event raised $6,000 to $7,000 for the CASA program.

She said that money will go towards the program’s services.

“To help us make sure that every child that is abused and neglected that comes before the court has an advocate to speak up for them in court, to be their voice,” said Mitchell. “That is our mission. The money will help us recruit and train folks to do that. They are volunteers, but we need the funding to make sure that we can screen them, train them, and provide them the support that they need in their advocacy.”

Mitchell also thanked the committee members and volunteers who helped with the magic show on Friday.

For more information on the CASA program or volunteering, call 706-886-1098.