The Dawson County Board of Commissioners held its last meeting of the year Dec. 21. The next BOC meeting will be 6 p.m. Jan. 11.

The board approved to write a letter of support for Big Canoe to present to the state legislature as they seek to establish their own water and sewer authority. Bill Anderson from the POA of Big Canoe presented it to the board the week prior.

Commission Chair Billy Thurmond reiterated that Big Canoe is seeking to establish an internal water and sewer authority inside Big Canoe. All they have asked from the county is a letter of support.

“There will be no financial obligation to the county at all,” said Thurmond.

Chris Gaines, District 2 commissioner, said he wants the language of the letter of recommendation to reiterate that Dawson County is not financially obligated to which County Attorney Lynn Frey said he would prepare the letter and ensure it reflected the appropriate language.

The motion was approved unanimously.

Powell Road

The first of two public hearings was conducted to discuss the request to abandon the portion of Powell Road between Amicalola Church Road and Colly Lane.

There is a petition favoring abandonment as well as a petition opposing abandonment along Powell Road.

Jeff Runner, who lives directly across from Amicalola Church, spoke in favor of abandonment. Runner made the abandonment request and said he wants the road closed because of some nighttime activities that occur.

“There’s a lot of activity that goes on particularly in the summer at nights where the road’s not completely controlled by the police. People go up there to party and hang out. It’s just become kind of a nuisance for us,” said Runner. “It’s not blocking anyone’s access to their property.”

Also speaking in favor of abandoning that section of Powell Road, Carolyn Cantrell said she sees no use for it at that end of the road.

“Nobody lives on that end. It comes out right on top of a hill and anybody coming out of that road – which a lot of times they are coming out of there pretty fast – you can run right over them,” said Cantrell. “I’d whole lot rather see you spend money on roads that benefit somebody than to spend it on that end of that road.”

Several residents who live along Powell Road spoke in opposition, saying closing that end of the road would cause a major inconvenience to many.

Tom Powell, who lives on the top of Powell Road, said he wants to see that end of the road remain open.

“That is my entire access to everything north out of my driveway,” said Powell. “I’ve been using it for 37 years, so I’d like to keep it open.”

According to Powell, the postal service uses that road every day and it is an access point for the fire department.

Don Edwards approached the board speaking on behalf of his parents who live on Colly Lane and use that end of the road to get to town.

“I don’t know late at night where their hangout – I haven’t seen a hangout there. I don’t know what they are referring to,” said Edwards in response to Runner’s comments.

Thurmond announced he would abstain from the hearing and the eventual vote because he has family living in the area. The second hearing will be held Jan. 18 after which the board could vote on the issue.