Please note the change in time.

All county residents are encouraged to attend and participate.  We expect to have a lively discussion of the county budget.

Can we afford to expand the Senior Center during a budget crisis?

Should our county government  promote spending on ball fields at a time they are considering reductions in fire department personnel?

Do you realize that you will pay more for homeowners insurance if the fire department cuts are made?

What is important to you?  The commissioners need to know what you want.  Start talking about cuts now and make certain that you are heard before the budget is finalized.  Don’t complain about a tax increase after it has passed if you don’t speak up and tell the commissioners  where cuts can be made.

Discussions on the county budget at the last meeting resulted in the conclusion that we do not want emergency services and public safety reduced.  There were no recommendations on where the budget should be cut due to lack of information about the budget, yet, our commissioners will be voting on a budget that they don’t even get to see until June.

You would be shocked to find out how little your commissioners know.  They will see the proposed budget for the first time at the June 3 Work Session beginning at 9:00 AM.  They will meet with the Budget Committee on June 7 and June 11 to set the final budget.  We’ll post the time as soon as we get the information.

The millage rate will be determined based on the approved budget and published on June 30.  Official (required) PUBLIC HEARINGS on the PROPOSED BUDGET will take place on July 8, 12 and 15.  Do you really think your comments will matter by that time?

Join us for lemonade, cake and lively discussion.

Join us for our first meeting of 2010 when we make plans for the year.  Be prepared to discuss what we can do to encourage more residents to pay attention to what’s going on and what we can do to encourage them to get involved.

Our input is needed on many issues:

How will the county make ends meet with less money coming in?

Will the tax digest shrink as a result of decreased property values.

Will taxes be increased to maintain the current budget?  What can/should be cut?

How great is the “mudhole” trail around the reservoir?  The one local residents could not be trusted to build.

Will the county accept a grant for improvement in Blackburn Park that will include public participation this time?

Will county commissioners elected by local citizens allow local citizens to locate a dog park in Yohoola Creek Park at no cost to or commitment from county government?

What can we do to make Lumpkin County a better place to live?

Join us for coffee, cake and lively discussion.

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.

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.

Our right to speak out and participate would have been forfeited if we had allowed ourselves be intimidated by county petition restrictions.  Rights bestowed on us by the Constitution are meaningless without the courage to demand them.

The relationship of people to their government was best stated by Thomas Jefferson when he said, “When the people fear their government, there is tyranny; when the government fears the people, there is liberty.”  He addressed our responsibility saying, “Eternal vigilance is the price of freedom.”

Members of the BOC now recognize your absolute right to participate in your government.  This is a great victory; but it means little if you fail to exercise your right.

People ask me, “Will it really do any good?” when I tell them to let the commissioners know what they think about issues.  Few appreciate the power of public participation.  They do not realize that they can make a difference.  They really do not understand that elected officials will respond appropriately to the will of their constituency.

If we are to have freedom and the quality of life we desire in Lumpkin County, we must motivate folks throughout the county to speak out on other issues as they have on the issue of the right to petition.

We must make certain that they receive information in a timely manner.  Many don’t have access to the internet; and many who receive The Dahlonega Nugget wait days to read it.  Reliable information from numerous sources is essential to motivate the people.  Discussion of issues among persons in lots of different groups is one of the best ways to validate or evaluate the information.

The Lumpkin County Homeowners Association (LCHA) was created to provide information that can empower homeowners and to promote discussion of issues that affect the lives of local residents.  Every resident of our county is encouraged to attend and take part in the discussion.

As you celebrate eliminating one restriction on your freedom, realize that was yesterday’s issue.  Eternal vigilance requires knowing what’s going on and being willing to stand up, speak out and be free.

Join us for lively discussion of new plans for Blackburn Park and other issues.  Let’s discuss how we can take advantage of opportunities to be involved.

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.

Let’s make this last LCHA meeting of  the year a celebration as we plan for 2010.

All Lumpkin County homeowners are invited to join the association and are encouraged to attend all the listed meetings.  Meetings are held on the forth Tuesday at 6:00 PM in the meeting room of the the United Community Bank.

Meeting schedule for 2009

February 24, April 28, June 23, September 22, October 27
Please note that this will be the fourth Tuesday of those months.

Time: 6:00 PM

Lumpkin County Homeowners Association

initially  posted by Emily on Fri Apr 15, 2005

Lumpkin County Homeowners Association Board of Directors
Emily Lewy, President
John Cavender, Vice President
Marshal Mahone, Secretary
Sue Neil, Treasurer
Katie Klemenchich, Membership
Marshal Mahone, Environmental Chairman
Chuck Treadway

The following are LCHA’s published positions on issues:

County Services:
County salaries, especially those of Police, Fire and Emergency Services and Planning, need to be reevaluated. There is great concern about the adequacy of services provided.

Taxes & Impact Fees:
Oppose high property taxes in Lumpkin County
Support the passage of Impact Fees for new construction
Oppose reassessment of property values

Planning:
Support a Planning Department that actually plans and enforces the rules.
Fees collected by that department need to pay for costs created by development.

Sign Ordinance:
Support full enforcement of the sign regulations.
Support directional signs for realtors allowing only one generic sign per corner.
Support temporary signs limited to no more than thirty days.

Nuisance Ordinance:
Support a county nuisance ordinance for noise and junk.

Airport:
Oppose extensive expansion of Wimpy Airfield and oppose construction of an additional airport in Lumpkin County.

POSITION STATEMENTS:
On December 5, 2006, the membership voted to take a position on a recently proposed extension of Georgia 400. “The membership opposes all alternatives as outlined in the Feasibility Study Report for Sandy Flats Road/Dugas Road of May, 2006 because it gives no benefit to Lumpkin County residents; results in an increased financial burden to the county, homeowners and businesses of the county; would impose a negative economic impact to the city of Dahlonega by diverting tourist traffic to Helen; and would have a negative impact on an environmentally sensitive area.”

BY-LAWS OF LUMPKIN COUNTY HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION, INC.

ARTICLE ONE: NAME

The name of the corporation: LUMPKIN COUNTY HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION, INC.

ARTICLE TWO: PREAMBLE

The corporation is organized pursuant to the provisions of the Georgia Nonprofit Corporation code. The corporation shall have perpetual duration. The corporation is organized: to work with homeowners and homeowner groups to monitor and speak to the elected and appointed officials of Lumpkin County, and the City of Dahlonega for the betterment of the city and county, to assist in voicing the concerns of the membership to the county and city officials, to provide a vehicle for individuals and associations to work together for common causes. The corporation, governed by its elected Board of Directors, shall consult with and make recommendations to the government officials. Development and growth within the county requires the united support of the citizens; to this end, the corporation shall provide a unified body to guide the elected officials.

ARTICLE THREE: MEMBERSHIP

Eligibility:
Any homeowner within Lumpkin County is eligible to become a member of the association by completing the membership application and paying the prescribed dues. In the event a member sells their property in Lumpkin County the member shall resign any office held and relinquish all voting rights.

Dues:
Dues shall be leveled commensurate with the objectives and needs of the corporation as established by the membership and/or the Board of Directors.

Rights of Members:
Members shall have the right to attend and be heard at all the meetings.

Records are open to inspection by any member at reasonable times and for any committee of the corporation in the performance of its duties.

ARTICLE FOUR: Board of Directors

The Board of Directors shall be made up of five members of the Corporation elected by the membership. Any member in good standing may be elected to the Board of Directors at the annual meeting.

Term of Office:

Board members shall be elected by the general membership at the annual meeting to serve for one year and he/she may be reelected for as many terms as he/she is willing to serve.

Duties of the Board of Directors and Election of Officers:

A regular meeting of the Board of Directors shall be held within two (2) weeks after the annual meeting of the members. At this meeting, officers of the Association shall be elected and appointed to serve at the pleasure of the Board. Officers shall serve until their successors are appointed.

A regular meeting of the Board of Directors shall be held at least six times each year. Board meetings will be open to all members of the Association.

The Secretary shall notify Board members of the time and place of holding each special meeting by telephone or e-mail. Unless otherwise indicated in the notice thereof, any and all business may be transacted at a special meeting.

ARTICLE FIVE: OFFICERS

Officers of the Corporation shall be elected by the Board of Directors to serve for a term of one year. Officers may be reelected for as many terms as he/she is willing to serve. In the event a position becomes vacant during the year, a special meeting of the Board may be called by the President to appoint a member to fill the unexpired term.

The President:

Duties of the President:
The President shall preside over all corporate meetings at the appointed time and place; announce the business before the membership or Board; recognize members entitled to the floor; state and put to vote all questions which are regularly moved or arise in the course of the meetings, and to announce the results of the vote.
Communications representing the views and actions of the Association shall be authorized and only released by the President of the Association.

The Vice-President:

Duties of the Vice President:
The Vice-President shall assume the functions and duties of the President in the event of his/her absence.

The Secretary:

The Secretary is the recording officer of the corporation and the custodian of all records except those maintained by the Treasurer.

Duties of the Secretary:
to prepare and maintain the Minutes of all meetings which shall contain, as a
minimum:
(a) the kind of meeting – regular, special, etc.
(b) name of Corporation
[c) date of meeting and place
(d) the names of officers in attendance
(e) whether or not the minutes of the previous meeting were read and
approved, and
(f) all motions;
to call the roll when necessary;
to prepare and distribute proper notices of all called meetings;
to conduct the correspondence of the corporation;
to furnish committees of the corporation with all papers required by them; and,
to maintain a book in which the By-laws and their approved amendments are
maintained.

The Treasurer:

Duties of the Treasurer:
to pay annual fees of the corporation to the State of Georgia;
to prepare and maintain annual financial reports;
to maintain all bank records;
to keep the membership roster;
to sign orders for payment authorized by the Corporation;
to report at each meeting of the Board on the financial condition of the
corporation, and;
to oversee the disbursement of funds on the order of the Board of Directors.

All checks over the amount of three hundred dollars ($300) shall require the signatures of two officers of the corporation.

ARTICLE FIVE: MEETINGS

Quorum:

A quorum must be present to conduct the business of the corporation. A quorum is defined in “Robert’s Rules of Order – Revised” as the majority of the members in attendance.

Annual Meeting:

The members shall meet annually during the month of February. The members shall elect the Board of Directors for the coming year.

Called or Special Meetings:

Special meetings of the Board or of the general membership may be called by the President or by the Secretary at the request in writing of a majority of the Board of Directors, or at the request in writing by ten (10) members of the Association entitled to vote. Such request shall state the purpose or purposes of the proposed meeting.

The Secretary (or volunteer helping the secretary) shall phone or e-mail notice of the time and place of holding each special meeting, indicating briefly the object or objects thereof. An e-mail shall be sent or or a phone call made to each member at such address as appears on the records of the Association at least five days before such meeting.

ARTICLE SIX: COMMITTEES

Standing Committee: A standing committee may be appointed for a period of one year by the Board of Directors for a specified time period or for a special purpose.

Special Committee: A special committee will be appointed for a designated purpose.

ARTICLE SEVEN: PARLIAMENTARY AUTHOR

The Association shall comply with “Robert’s Rules of Order – Revised” by General Henry M. Robert with new forward by General Henry M. Robert III, New York 1979. These rules shall govern the Association in all cases where applicable.

ARTICLE EIGHT: AMENDMENTS OF THE BY-LAWS

Amendment of the Bylaws: These bylaws may be amended at any regular meeting by a 2/3 vote of the majority of the members present. The amendment(s) must be submitted in writing at a previous meeting or in writing to each member one month prior to the annual meeting.

ADOPTION:

These By-laws were adopted by the membership at the regular meeting on

April 23, 2005.

Emily Lewy, President

The group also expressed frustration toward the local government as well. Several attendees said they found fault with recent actions by the Lumpkin County Board of Commissioners to deny a petition protesting the logging of Blackburn Park under the suspicion that it was fraudulent.

“We worked hard and got 1,400 names in four days on that petition but yet nobody has seen it,” said one woman.

“So it’s over,” replied Hoynes. “I mean it’s just all over.”

It is easy to appreciate the frustration these folks feel in response to the commissioners’ vote on petition requirements. However, the Blackburn Park petition is being compiled by members of the Lumpkin County Homeowners Association (LCHA), not persons quoted in the newspaper.

The statement that 1,400 signatures were collected in four days is not correct.  Signature collection began on Saturday, May 30.  Based on the latest estimates, some 1000 signatures have been collected by residents genuinely concerned about the quality of life for current and future generations.

LCHA continues collecting signatures for the BLACKBURN PARK PETITION:

“We, the undersigned, oppose removal of hardwood trees from the Blackburn Park property until such time that a Master Plan has been presented to the citizens of Lumpkin County and until funds are available to implement that plan.”

Any resident of Lumpkin County may sign a page of the Blackburn Park petition at the following locations:

• Fast  Stop Chevron on Hwy 52 West
• Wholesome Earth next to the jail
• Second-Hand Sam’s THRIFT STORE across from Elementary School on Grove Street
• Fantastic Sam’s hair cuts Walmart Way
• Cover to Cover Used Books on Grant Road at Hwy 400
• Trammell Tire on Hwy 52 West
• The Crimson Moon Cafe’ on the Dahlonega Square
• Shenanigans Pub just off Dahlonega Square
• Vickie Lynn’s Gifts on the Dahlonega Square
• Two Sister Cards & Crafts on North Grove St
• The Flower Mart on S Chestatee by the college

The goal of the petition is to inform the public and promote well reasoned opposition to cutting trees at the present time.  The goal of LCHA is to provide information to local government about what the people want.

All homeowners are encouraged to attend. 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.