A letter dated five days before the event alleges that a Tea Party event would endanger their 501 (c) (3) tax exempt status.

A letter dated three days before the event alleges that the non-profit status would be violated by the Glenn Beck broadcast being held in the theater.

It appears the Holly Executive Board had a difficult time deciding just exactly why it is they had to cancel the Restoring Courage event.

One member of the executive board stated to the Tea Party representative, “This is, after all, a theater; you won’t find any Republicans here.” Could it be that the Holly Executive Board members are discriminating against a group or event due to perceived political leanings not to their liking? You be the judge.

They are not well informed:

• Both Glenn Beck and the Tea Party are nonpartisan.  Beck’s event is organized in support of Israel, an important US ally, and Glenn is well known for his criticism of both parties. The Tea Party would like to see both parties stop spending money we do not have and operate in compliance with the Constitution.

• An IRS regulation cannot be used to discriminate against any one group.  The regulations specifically state that they are “not intended to restrict free expression on political matters” or curtail programs that are educational in nature. In fact, it is such discrimination that could endanger the tax-exempt status of the Holly.

The fact remains, the Holly Executive Board violated the Holly’s agreement with the Dahlonega Tea Party by illegally cancelling a contract without the required 30 day notice.

By Ivana Pelnar-Zaiko, Ph.D., retired in 2008 from a career as non-profit executive that included positions at private colleges and a major international consulting company in non-profit management.  She has advised universities and arts non-profits in the US, Germany, Denmark, Bulgaria, and the country of Georgia through a program of the US Department of State.

presents Glenn Beck’s RESTORING COURAGE by satellite from Jerusalem

on the big screen in Dahlonega’s historic Holly Theater, 69 West Main Street

7:30 PM Wednesday, August 24, doors open at 7:00 PM

Admission:  $5 donation suggested

DahlonegaTeaParty.org

We provide updates on current local issues and discuss concerns of our members.   Budget issues will be a major topic of discussion in May.

We believe that working together we will be more effective at dealing with issues than we are as individuals going up against the challenges alone.
Future meeting dates for this year are September 27, and October 25.

DOT sets Dahlonega traffic study meeting
Public information session planned for Thursday, March 24 from 2-4 p.m.
An information session has been called to discuss the “needs analysis” portion of a traffic study concerning Ga. 52/Morrison Moore Parkway in Dahlonega.
The meeting is set for 2-4 p.m. Thursday at Dahlonega City Hall, 465 Riley Road.
Georgia Department of Transportation engineers, planners and other transportation experts will be available to answer questions about the study.
Key findings from the needs analysis show that Lumpkin County’s population is expected to grow by 60 percent and employment by 40 percent in the next 25 years and that new growth within Dahlonega is expected to be primarily nonresidential, including redevelopment and construction on now-vacant land.
The study also has revealed that one half of Lumpkin workers travel outside the county to go to their jobs, traffic in and out of the study area is expected to grow 77 percent over the next 25 years, and that growth at North Georgia College & State University in Dahlonega will continue to drive steady but modest growth in Dahlonega’s population.

Also, Ga. 60 from Ga. 400 to and from East Main Street is the busiest two-lane corridor in Lumpkin, and Morrison Moore at South Chestatee Street is the busiest intersection in Dahlonega.
The DOT is conducting the study with Dahlonega, Lumpkin County and NGCSU.
The traffic study is expected to be finished by Aug. 31.

Dahlonega Mayor Gary McCullough interrupted Stacy asking if he was being compensated as an attorney representing a member of the City Council.  Stacy replied that he was appearing as a private citizen, not as a representative of any member of the council.

The Mayor next asked the City Attorney if Stacy should be allowed to speak during Public Comments or if he should be required to get on the agenda for the next City Council Meeting?   The City Attorney said that Stacy should be allowed to continue.  The Mayor then told Stacy to complete his comments within one minute or get on the agenda for the next meeting.  Stacy replied that he would return and be on the agenda.

I understand that after the meeting, council members reprimanded Mayor McCullough for being rude to a member of the public during Public Comments.  Some members of the public in attendance stated that Mayor McCullough did not act in a professional manner and in keeping with the office that he holds.

Only one person, Stroud Stacy, spoke during Public Comments.  To limit the time he could speak just because of the topic is a clear attempt to control public discourse and  avoid hearing from anyone who disagrees.

It looks like the Mayor is using every opportunity to stifle public comment on Council’s attempt to remove one of their members.

Forest Hilyer, Chairman, Lumpkin Coalition  <forest@lumpkincoalition.org>

http://www.lumpkincoalition.org/

The Annual Meeting of our association will be on Tuesday, March 22.  We need all persons concerned about the future of the association and our local government to attend the January meeting to make plans for issues that will be addressed at the Annual meeting. We need to hear from the membership what they want from the association and how each member will contribute to the responsibilities of the association.

Our Bylaws only require one public (Annual) meeting each year with four additional Board meetings that all members may attend.  Our current schedule at United Community Bank provides for meetings January 25, March 22, May 24, September 27, and October 25.

We provide updates on current local issues and discuss new concerns of our members.  We believe that working together we will be more effective at dealing with issues than we are as individuals going up against the challenges alone.