By allowing ads to appear on this site, you support the local businesses who, in turn, support local journalism.
Arts council keeps art in the county
Placeholder Image

The Dawson County Arts Council (DCAC) wants to bring art to the doorstep of every business and home in the county. And this art will have a special Dawson County flare.

The council unveiled its new metal yard signs, called Dawson Dogs, last Tuesday at the Dawson County Chamber of Commerce business after hours, held at the Bowen Center.

The seasoned-metal cutouts are modeled to look like a Scottie dog.

The theme was designed to replicate Dawson Countys unique shape, said DCAC President Carol Tyger.

The dogs are available in three sizes 4 feet, 3 feet, and 2 feet. The custom painted yard signs range from $175-$500.

We have teamed up with some of our artist members and local folk artists, said Tyger, and you can have your Dawson Dog custom-painted with your logo, business name, or anything else you might want to display.

Proceeds from the yard signs will go towards funding scholarships for students and continuing the programs the council currently promotes.

Its a way to raise the funds necessary to keep our programs going, Tyger said, and it keeps our countys Scottie dog theme at the forefront.

The concept, she said, was derived from similar public art exhibits in neighboring Forsyth County, with their decorative eggs, and even in Chicago, with their Cows on Parade exhibit. During its 12-year run, it is estimated that Cows on Parade has raised more than $20 million for charitable organizations around the world.

The yard signs are also available unpainted if you have a particular artist whom you would prefer to paint your sign.

The yard signs are currently on display at the Bowen Center. For more information, contact Marcia Chelf at the Bowen Center for the Arts at 706-216-2787.

Community Events
6 variances approved by board
7ESN Screen shot 2015 09 22 at 1.30.11 PM
BOC

The Dawson County Board of Commissioners Thursday said yes to six of seven variances that will bring Dawson Marketplace one step closer to reality.

"Dawson Marketplace wants to vary from the stipulations given to them by the Board of Commissioners in 2007," Rachel Burton, director of planning and zoning for Dawson County said.

Documents indicate Dawson Marketplace approved variances include:

varying the minimum setback from the right-of-way for Georgia 400 to 90 feet from 100 feet; vary the building facade composition from 80 percent to 50 percent; varying the maximum number of off-street parking spaces to one per 50 square feet of gross floor space; varying the number of monument signs from one to five; varying signage for multi-tenant buildings from two to one and allowing for minor signs, and varying the screening of mechanical equipment from the street for only rear facades facing Lumpkin Campground Road.

The board denied the variance for wall signage with the stipulation that it could be addressed at a later date.

Separately, the board approved two agenda items pertaining to the Margie Weaver Senior Center: a request to hold a raffle and an addendum to the FY 2016 Legacy Link contract.

"Dawson County contracts with Legacy Link each year for our meal service for our seniors," Senior Centor Director Dawn Pruett said. "They are our facilitator for funding for state and federal grants. We are in a district with Hall, Lumpkin, Forsyth and a few others. This is an addendum to the contract that was originally approved months ago."

In other county business, the following requests passed by unanimous vote:

Dawson County Emergency Services Director Billy Thurmond was granted approval of the Hazard Mitigation Plan Update Grant. Each county in Georgia is required to update their hazard mitigation plan and have it approved by GEMA and FEMA. By doing so, Dawson would be eligible for federal and state funding in the event of a disaster declaration. The total amount is $24,000 ($18,000 federal, $2,400 state, $3,600 county in-kind).

"The grant allows us to be eligible for funding in the event of an emergency like we had last February with the ice," Thurmond said.

Lori VanSickle and Duane Wallace were appointed to the Dawson County Library Board by the commissioners, replacing Kay Black and Eydie Stegall, respectively. VanSickle brings twenty years of leadership and management experience to the board. Wallace has been a licensed counselor for nearly fifteen years both professionally and in a volunteer capacity.

October has been proclaimed 'Clean Water Month' and Dawson County citizens are encouraged to participate in "Imagine A Day Without Water" Oct. 6-8. Other observances include River Clean-up Oct. 14 and Shore Sweep for Lake Lanier Oct. 27, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at War Hill Park.

Separately, the issue of a new fire station was addressed on behalf of Sandra Bryan, a resident of Rainbow Lake Dr. Bryan's residence received a fire rating of 10 due to its considerable distance from a fire station. The implication for those who receive a rating of 10 is higher insurance costs.

Anybody that is beyond five road miles from any of Dawson County's eight fire stations is classified as a ten, according to Thurmond.

"When and if we build a fire station at the Etowah water tank on Elliott Family Parkway, Ms. Bryan would be within the limits," Thurmond said. "We have property, but we don't have funds."

The Board will meet next on Thursday, Sept. 24 in the Assembly Room of the Dawson Government Center, 25 Justice Way at 4 p.m.