A new law that changes the way motor vehicles are taxed takes effect Friday and is expected to cause a few headaches at tax offices across the state. "Transactions will most definitely take longer," said Dawson County Tax Commissioner Linda Townley. "We've all trained on [the new system] to get us ready, but we've had no practice on the screens."
The city of Dawsonville may have to wait a few more weeks before a final decision can be reached with the county regarding law enforcement services. In the Feb. 21 Dawson County Board of Commissioners voting session, the commissioners voted to approve two inter-governmental agreements regarding animal control and fire inspection with the city of Dawsonville.
The city of Dawsonville may soon find itself in the reservoir business. Mayor James Grogan announced Monday that the city has applied for two surface water withdrawal permits from the Georgia Environmental Protection Division.
Changes to Dawson County's busiest intersection could begin as early as fall 2014, a state transportation official told a local gathering last week. During the Dawson County Chamber of Commerce's monthly luncheon Thursday, Georgia Department of Transportation project manager Robert Murphy outlined the plan to reshape Ga. 400 and Hwy. 53.
A recent budget comparison has one elected official saying he remains concerned about Dawson County's economic future. "People don't want to hear it, but we're going to end up at some point, if we don't find another source of revenue, services will have to be cut and I don't think we're having that discussion with the public," said District 1 Commissioner Gary Pichon.
Dawsonville's downtown may get an added boost to its revitalization efforts in the coming months. A measure recently introduced at the state legislature, House Bill 128, is being billed as Georgia's downtown renaissance act. It would allow a three-tiered system to aid with refurbishing and renovating small, downtown areas.
After tackling criminal justice last year in the legislature, state leaders now are turning their focus toward the juvenile system. Local leaders in the juvenile justice community were optimistic but cautious in reaction to a bill introduced Friday in the House.
The Dawson County Tax Commissioner's office will close early today for state mandated staff training. The office will close at 11:30 a.m. and reopen for business at 8 a.m. tomorrow.
State Rep. Kevin Tanner carried on a longstanding tradition started by his 9th district predecessor Amos Amerson by meeting with local community members over breakfast Saturday in Dawsonville. "I was thrilled with the turn out we had at my first informational breakfast," Tanner said. "I believe it is important for elected officials to find ways to communicate with citizens."
State Sen. Steve Gooch received several key committee assignments, including chairman of the State Transportation Committee, when the 152nd Georgia General Assembly convened last week in Atlanta. Gooch, a Republican from Dahlonega and former state Department of Transportation board member, said the assignment will serve the 51st District well.
In one of her first official duties as Dawson County Manager, Cindy Campbell has announced the promotion of Dena Bosten to chief financial officer. Bosten, who has been with the county's finance department since September 2010, has held several accounting roles including her most recent duties as budget manager.
The Dawson County commission has selected District 1 Commissioner Gary Pichon to serve as its vice chairman in 2013. In that capacity, Pichon will conduct commission meetings if Chairman Mike Berg can't attend.
Thanks to a newly revamped Georgia Department of Transportation grant program, Dawson County and the city of Dawsonville have received nearly $300,000 to improve roads and sidewalks in 2013. DOT staff presented checks totaling about $283,177 to the local governments last week through the Local Maintenance and Improvements Grant program.
In one of his first tours since taking office as the 9th District representative in the 113th Congress, Doug Collins made several stops in Dawson County to share his goals and ask what he can do to help residents in the community. Speaking to the Rotary Club of Dawson County on Jan. 10, the Hall County republican also said he has plans to draw from the constituents in the district for guidance and support in the coming months.
A new chapter will begin for Dawson County native Kevin Tanner on Monday. With family and close friends by his side at the state Capitol in Atlanta, Tanner will be sworn in to represent the new 9th District in the Georgia House of Representatives.
The proposed digital, illuminated sign for the city of Dawsonville has cleared another step in the process to becoming a reality. As part of the Dawsonville Planning Commission meeting on March 18, the city had requested a variance to its own ordinance regulating the size and luminosity of digital signs.
The Dawson County Republican Party met March. 9 to discuss the coming year. Clint Bearden, chairman of the 2012-13 board led the Republican Party in its annual meeting.
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