The City of Dawsonville on Monday swore in a new city judge and city council member.
Local Attorney Ron Reemsnyder was sworn in as city judge, andCaleb Phillips as a member of the city council to replace former council member Chris Gaines, who resigned in November.
This is my chance to give back to the community where I live, Reemsnyder said. Im not doing this for financial gain. Im older and I like serving the community.
Reemsynder, a graduate of Duke University School of Law, was admitted to the Georgia Bar in 1974 and is in good standing with no disciplinary actions on record, according to the State Bar of Georgia.
City attorney Dana Miles recommended Reemsynder for the councils consideration.
The judges responsibilities are to rule on cases, Miles said in an email. I would anticipate that most of the cases will be alleged violations of city ordinances that will be initiated by the issuance of a citation by a code enforcement officer.
Dawsonville has two code-enforcement officers: Trampas Hansard and Naliata Copeland.
Court will be held on an as-needed basis, and Reemsynders compensation is $200 per night of court.
Reemsynder, who has a general civil practice in Dawson County, has represented Audi, Porsche, Volkswagen, Honda and General Motors, and he has handled 150 wrongful-death suits. He also has worked as a personal-injury attorney.
Reemsnyder replaces attorney David Wallace, who served as judge and retired in September.
Caleb Phillips will serve temporarily as a city council member -- until a March election, when he said he plans to run for the office.
It is an honor to serve on the Dawsonville City Council, Phillips said earlier. It is Phillips second temporary appointment to the council.
The city council also approved unanimously a resolution and intergovernmental agreement (IGA) with the county to jointly submit an application for grant money to pave Burt Creek Road. It also agreed that paving a .35-mile portion of Duck Thurmond Road would fall under an IGA that gives the city one mile of paved road paid for by the county. In exchange, the city asks that the county withdraw its objections to annexations from Byron and Barbara Hutson, David and Beverly James, Kenneth and Barbara Vermillion, and Jon and Sarah Steiner.
The Dawson County Board of Commissioners is expected to vote on the issues Dec. 18.
In other city business, the council:
--Appointed council member Angie Smith as mayor pro tem.
--Approved the renewal of 15 alcohol licenses for 2015.
--Awarded a garbage-collection contract to Advanced Disposal.
--Was presented its 2013-2014 audit and comprehensive annual report. According to auditor Bryan St. Pierre with Alexander, Almand & Bangs, LLP, the city increased its cash-flow by $350,000 and decreased its debt by $300,000. Youve done a truly fantastic job, St. Pierre said.
--Made the following appointments for 2015: city clerk, Bonnie Warne; city attorney, Miles, Hansford and Tallant, LLC; city auditor, Alexander, Almand and Bangs, LLP; city engineer, G. Ben Turnipseed Engineers Inc.; testing of wastewater, Enviromental Management; geologist, Bob Atkins; repair/installation of water and sewer, Townley Construction.
--Tabled the appointment of a planning commission member.
--Appointed members of a newly formed historic preservation commission: Caroline Christie, 1-year term; Gill Massey and Heather Allen, 2-year terms; Pete Bearden and Sam Bailey, 3-year terms.