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25Dec

River raid in the works? by Joe Cook

Commentary, Issues 1 Comment

Georgia task force publicly softens threat of water supply grab, but continued vigilance is appropriate.

Decisions made in panic mode rarely produce desirable outcomes. It’s why quarterbacks throw more interceptions when they’re about to be sacked.

In July, a federal court judge threw an all-out blitz on the state of Georgia by ruling that Metro Atlanta does not have the right to continue present water withdrawals from Lake Lanier and the Chattahoochee. Continue reading »

Tags: water
21Dec

Update on Dog Park Public Hearing

Commentary, Issues 1 Comment

The Board of Commissioners (BOC) November 30 Public Hearing on the Yahoola Creek Dog Park was well attended. Tim Herrin gave a general description of what the dog park would be …emphasizing that no financial assistance would be requested from the county. Continue reading »

Tags: animal control, parks
21Dec

Commission Rescinds Petition Requirements

Commentary, Issues, LCHA info 1 Comment

by Emily Lewy

The Lumpkin County Commission (BOC) unanimously voted to rescind county imposed requirements for collection of signatures on petitions. Commissioner Tim Bowden moved to add reconsideration of petition requirements to the agenda of the December meeting. Bowden made a motion to rescind the requirements. Commissioner Clarence Stowers seconded the motion stating that he believed what they had done was legal; but his research has led him to believe that people have a right to petition government without restriction or fear of penalty.

It is great that the limitations on the right of the people to participate in their government have been rescinded. Even more important was the participation of Lumpkin County citizens in demanding rights guaranteed by the Constitution of the United States. First Amendment rights can be restricted by state or local governments only when the people fail to demand those rights. Continue reading »

Tags: petitions
18Dec

Letter from Lumpkin Coalition 12-16-09

Issues, News Comments Off

Hey Coalitioners all,

We had a great meeting and after fest celebration last weekend! Thanks to all of you who were able to come (abt. 35 or so) for bringing your good energy and food:-) And thanks to Sarah, Etowah, and Selu Adams for providing some fun musical entertainment!!

And thanks to everyone for being part of a highly successful Hemlockfest 2009!

We have voted to donate the spoils of the fest this year to Young Harris College (YHC) and North Georgia College and State University (NGCSU) beetle rearing labs. It seems University of Georgia (UGA) is ok for the moment due to some grants they are receiving.

YHC will receive a check for $5,000

NGCSU will receive a check for a little more than $9,000

This will leave us with close to $2,000 of restricted use funds in PLAT (the home owners assistance program) and with funds to roll over to help out with next year’s festival!

Very Exciting that even in a tough economic year we came out in a position to contribute significantly to the hemlock saving effort!

Aside from the money aspect, we also were able to get information out to many people through our festival promotion efforts and through our programming and materials at Hemlockfest.

We have received great feedback from folks from all aspects of involvement including volunteers, participants, attendees and even some who just heard about it and are already looking forward to next year!

With more than 100 campers and more than 1000 attendees, everything ran very smoothly and our local sheriff (Stacy Jarrard) even confirmed that there were no reports or incidences related to the festival!

This kind of event could not happen without the combined efforts and visions of many people and it just keeps getting better each year! I am always astounded at the amount of energy people are willing to volunteer towards such a cause.. and it shows in the group we have! The Lumpkin Coalition is an expanding family of fantastic folks with energy and vision and drive to make a difference here in North Georgia. Let’s keep it going.. and growing!

So the hemlocks may live…

Forest Hilyer
Chairman, Lumpkin Coalition
forest@lumpkincoalition.org
706-265-5282

Please visit:
www.lumpkincoalition.org