Honoring District 51

One of the best parts about serving in the Georgia State Senate is the ability to honor groups and individuals in the Senate chamber. I am proud to represent District 51 at the State Capitol, and I am even more proud of the efforts that keep our district one of the best places to work and raise a family in Georgia. While the work we do in the Senate is great, it pales in comparison to the way each of you represents the pride and labors of our communities.

Some things I have been learning

It is IRS time and I've been putting together information to take to the CPS who has figured Taylor taxes for decades (one thing I have not completely learned). Surprisingly, I admit my gratitude that, even with a limited income, I usually must pay some extra dollars. That means that I have had money to live well enough and have something left. Fortunately, I don't have huge medical bills or credit interest payments and I ...

From the mountains to the ocean

It is a theological fact that God really likes Georgia. That is why He put mountains in north Georgia and the Golden Isles smack up against the Atlantic Ocean and added a bunch of lakes and parks and historical sites in between. Otherwise, we could have been Iran. Or Detroit. I stopped by last week to visit the man who is entrusted with these assets, Commissioner of the Department of Natural Resources Mark Williams, to ...

R.E.A.D. director honored

Each year, one Certified Literate Community Program director is selected among every other in the state to win the Georgia Press Association Award of Excellence in CLCP award. R.E.A.D. executive director Sandy Lipkowitz has been named the 2013 award recipient.

Forsythia signals the arrival of spring

Early March can be one of the blandest times in the landscape. It can be downright depressing not being able to see any green leaves or any signs of colorful flowers. However, as the month moves on, March soon becomes one of my favorite times of the year. Seemingly out of nowhere, small clusters of bright yellow flowers begin to pop up on shrubs all over town. These flowers belong to one of the most revered shrubs in our area - forsythia.

Elder to serve as acting president

Laura Elder has been chosen as acting president of Lanier Technical College following the retirement this week of Russell Vandiver, TCSG Commissioner Ron Jackson announced today.

Lillie Jean Cagle

Lillie Jean Cagle, 88, of Cumming, died March 16, 2013. She was a member of Shady Grove Baptist church and part of the ladies Sunday school class.

Michele Keller Chesnut

Michele Keller Chesnut of Cumming died March 15, 2013. Michele graduated from Grissom High School in Huntsville, Ala., and obtained her pharmacy degree from Auburn University in 1982.

Shane Michael Thurmond

Shane Michael Thurmond, 42, of Dawsonville, died March 12, 2013. Born Feb. 3, 1971, he was a lifelong resident of Dawson County.

Margie Weaver

Margie Weaver, 74, of Dawsonville, died March 18, 2013. Born July 31, 1938, in Pickens County, she lived in Dawson County for the past 55 years.

City declares Lady Tigers Day

In the final chapter of the varsity Lady Tigers varsity basketball team's story, the city of Dawsonville decided to set aside a day just for the players. During a luncheon in honor of the 2012-13 team on Sunday at the Georgia Racing Hall of Fame, Dawsonville Mayor James Grogan proclaimed March 17, 2013, to be "Lady Tiger Day."

Sticks, stones really not that bad after all

There are a few words that my child knows I will not tolerate being uttered. Fat. Stupid. Retarded. Hate. Ugly.

Ladies remain undefeated

The fourth-ranked, Class AAA, Lady Tiger soccer team is currently 7-0 on the season after defeating three teams in Jekyll Island over the weekend. Head coach Jed Lacey's team dominated Cedar Shoals, Aquinas and Richmond Academy.

Tiger receives ‘Blue Collar’ award

Dawson County High School football player Zack Martin was one of 10 players in the state of Georgia to receive the NAPA Auto Parts/Larry Csonka "Blue Collar Player of the Year" award. The award, which was presented March 19 in Macon, is given to "hard-working" players that, according to NFL Hall of Famer Larry Csonka in a released statement, "show up for work every day and never complain, unsung heroes who spend little time in ...

Dawson man killed in Forsyth County wreck

‘Gold star’ squad

The Dawson County High School JROTC has a new badge to proudly display on cadets' uniforms. The program was named an "honor unit with distinction," the highest award given, during a March 28 regional formal inspection.

Perren named new president of Lanier Tech

JROTC cadets attend ball

The Lakeview Center was a sea of army green as Dawson County High School JROTC cadets gathered in formal dress for the third annual JROTC Military Ball. The March 23 event saw a turnout of more than 150 people, including cadets, students, parents and faculty.

Special Olympic Games comes to Dawson County

Athletes from both Dawson and Lumpkin counties will gather next week at Riverview Middle School to compete in this year's Special Olympics. The games will be held for the first time at the school from 9:30 a.m.-1 p.m. April 10 at the middle school.

Annual 4-H rabies clinic scheduled for April 13

Dawson County 4-H Club, All Animals Veterinary Hospital and Dawsonville Veterinary Hospital will be hosting an annual rabies clinic on April 13. It will be held at several locations throughout Dawson County. Because of strict vaccination laws, rabies outbreaks have become much less prevalent since vaccination programs began in the 1940s.

Once you name the puppy, it becomes yours

There was an unspoken law at my house growing up for every stray critter that managed to find its way in our yard. Once my uncle Bobby named it, it was ours. If the animal made it to day two without Bobby sticking some name on it, we were safe according to Granny. Of course, no animal made it beyond a few hours, let alone two days.

Knocking down the silos

I stood on an oil rig miles off the coast of Africa as the final pipe joints were pulled from a just completed well. The mood was somber because we had not found oil. The following week I sat in an uncomfortable meeting where our corporate vice president declared my efforts had resulted in the driest well in years. Back in my office overlooking the beautiful San Francisco hills I pondered what to do next with the project.

Proposed city sign becomes a reality

The proposed digital sign for the city's municipal complex will become a reality following Monday night's regular Dawsonville City Council meeting. The April 1 meeting saw both a variance and guideline proposal on the agenda. In order for the sign to become a reality, both of these would have to be approved by the city council.

Church continues tradition

Despite having been with New Bethel Baptist Church for only four years, Pastor Bobby Whitmire is continuing a tradition that has spanned more than 30. Whitmire and two church members, Michael Densmore, a deacon, and Yancy Savage, stood on platforms affixed to wooden crosses in front of the church March 29, off of Hwy. 136 East.

Eggs, food & fun

The football field at Veterans Memorial Park looked like it had been the victim of an Easter shower this weekend as Dawson County residents brought their children to gather chocolate prizes. Sponsored by Dawson County Parks and Recreation, K.A.R.E. for Kids and the church @ War Hill, the 27th annual Easter egg hunt at the park drew a large crowd to hunt eggs, take train rides and get their faces painted. There also was a burger-eating contest.

Skeeter not impressed with reform

When the phone rang, I knew who was on the other end: Skeeter Skates, owner of Skeeter's Tree Stump Removal and Plow Repair in Greater Metropolitan Pooler. I can't tell you exactly why but the phone always sounds more urgent when Skeeter calls. One thing about Skeeter Skates. He gets right to the point. Niceties aren't his style.

Interest in Ga. 400 continues to grow

Representatives with Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen applied for a front setback variance on a piece of property along Ga. 400 in Dawson County on Feb. 8. According to Dawson County Planning Director David McKee, the restaurant would sit on less than 1-acre just south of Kauffman Tire near Beartooth Parkway's intersection with the highway.

The final countdown

In January, the Georgia State Senate started the first term of the 152nd legislative session of the Georgia General Assembly with a challenging task list. We were asked to find a way to fill a large anticipated Medicaid shortfall, evaluate the ethical behavior of elected officials, do more with less in the state budget, revamp the state's juvenile justice system, clarify points from 2012's tax code overhaul and find ways to expand access to higher ...

Some more learnings to share

In my last column, I shared some observations about current happenings and promised some more. So here they are. As Christians observed Holy Week leading to Easter, one of the emphases has been on service and sacrifice.

Led team to state championship

When he began coaching basketball, Dawson County's Steve Sweat never imagined that he would be coaching a girls' team, much less guiding them to a state championship game. Sweat started out coaching a boys basketball program, but when he changed schools to work closer to home, the only position available was as an assistant coach to the girls basketball team. So, he took the job and immediately began contemplating how he was going to change ...