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Bradley Day, Dawsonville, has been hired to oversee economic development for Banks County, as well as handling some planning and development duties.
The Banks County Board of Commissioners unanimously agreed to hire Day for the newly-created community developer position after meeting behind closed doors with the development authority for one and a half hours Tuesday night. The salary, which the development authority has agreed to fund for the first year, will be $68,000. Day will begin work in the county on March 15.
“I’m excited to be coming to Banks County because I see an incredible potential,” Day said Wednesday morning. “I think the foundation for continued success is really apparent. All the work that has been done up to this point in Banks County to keep the economy going attracted to Banks County.”
Day has served as president of the Tifton-Tift County Chamber of Commerce and executive director of the Tift County Development Authority. He is currently a consultant for North Star Renewable Energy, where his job duties include site selection, incentive negotiation, fuel contract negotiation and power purchase agreement negotiation.
During his career, Day has also served as executive director of the Tallahassee Economic Development Council, executive director of the Development Authority of Jefferson County, vice president of the Greater Hall Chamber of Commerce and a management analyst with the Georgia Department of Audits and Accounts.
Day has a master’s degree in public administration from the University of Georgia and a bachelor of arts degree in political science from Brigham Young University.
The job description for the community developer position is as follows: “to serve as the principal staff resource for economic development and implementation of a comprehensive county economic development program. This position will help develop and coordinate strategies, policies and initiatives for economic growth in Banks County. This position will also perform administrative and supervisory work responsible for directing the daily operations of planning development to administer and maintain the county’s zoning, subdivision and other development-related ordinances. This position reports to the chairman of the board of commissioners.”
Day lives in Dawsonville but said he plans to move to Banks County.
Entries from March 2011
Relaxing get-away in Thomaston
The sound of rain hitting the tin roof. The view from the kitchen window of the backyard pond surrounded by the calming countryside. Walking the property and enjoying the rural setting and farm animals, as well as the family dogs who are friendly and will join you as you explore.
These are among the highlights of a weekend visit to Stillmeadows Cabins, located in Thomaston, which is less than two hours from Atlanta and near Hampton, home of the Atlanta Motor Speedway. The cabins are named well as guests will enjoy the stillness of the meadows and rural countryside as they get away from the stresses of everyday life. [Full Story »]
These are among the highlights of a weekend visit to Stillmeadows Cabins, located in Thomaston, which is less than two hours from Atlanta and near Hampton, home of the Atlanta Motor Speedway. The cabins are named well as guests will enjoy the stillness of the meadows and rural countryside as they get away from the stresses of everyday life. [Full Story »]
Paul Wilson (3-8-11)
Posted by
MainStreetNewsObits
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Wednesday, March 9. 2011
LULA – Paul Wilson, 90, died Tuesday, March 8, 2011, at BJC Nursing Home. Born in Banks County, he was the son of the late Johnny and Lizzie Roberts Wilson. He was a member of Mt. Carmel Baptist Church and served as a deacon. He was a retired poultry farmer. Mr. Wilson was preceded in death by his wife, Imogene Baugh Wilson. Survivors include ... [Full Story »]
Jerry Pierce (3-7-11)
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Tuesday, March 8. 2011
JEFFERSON – Jerry Curtis Pierce, 65, formerly of Homer, died Monday, March 7, 2011, following a sudden illness. Born in Hall County, he was the son of the late William Arthur and Christine Kylte Pierce. He was retired from the textile industry, where he worked at the Guilford Mills for a number of years, and was a member of the Double Springs ... [Full Story »]
Ginn backs off secrecy bill as drawn; says changes needed
Sen. Frank Ginn (District 47) said Friday afternoon that after re-reading SB159 — legislation that would slam the door on any public meetings or records related to an "economic development project" — he would not support the current version of the proposed bill.
Sen. Ginn said that the bill as written is too broad and needs to be amended.
His main concern with economic development projects, he said, was that since the current law doesn't allow a government group to meet together with company representatives, those representatives tend to meet one-on-one with officials, often manipulating them into agreeing to a deal that may not be good.
"The dynamics of the group are different," he said.
Still, Sen. Ginn said the bill as written was not good and that he won't support the current version. He has contacted the main sponsor of the legislation to see about getting some changes made, he said.
Sen. Ginn said that the bill as written is too broad and needs to be amended.
His main concern with economic development projects, he said, was that since the current law doesn't allow a government group to meet together with company representatives, those representatives tend to meet one-on-one with officials, often manipulating them into agreeing to a deal that may not be good.
"The dynamics of the group are different," he said.
Still, Sen. Ginn said the bill as written was not good and that he won't support the current version. He has contacted the main sponsor of the legislation to see about getting some changes made, he said.
3-0 start for Lady Leopards
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MainStreetNewsSports
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Thursday, March 3. 2011
Banks County’s Lady Leopards’ tennis team started off the season in a big way and already are 3-0. The lady netters look to continue their early streak with a strong appearance this week on the road at Elbert County. Banks County takes on Elbert Thursday at 4 p.m. Next week, Banks County stays on the road, heading to Towns County Monday, ... [Full Story »]
Updated: Education sales tax vote coming up March 15
Voters will have the opportunity to go to the polls to vote on the Education Local Option Sales Tax –ELOST on Tuesday, March 15. Among the projects to be funded with the one-cent sales tax would be an addition to the high school and construction of a new elementary school.
ELOST is an option for a local school system to call for a referendum approving a one percent sales tax for school construction and/or to retire bond debt.
The county currently has a seven percent sales tax in place. The referendum is to continue the current tax. If the ELOST passes, there will be no change to the existing seven cent sales tax in Banks County. The tax is a consumption tax. It is not a property tax.
The ELOST would generate a maximum of $19 million over a five-year period. If the ELOST is passed, the school system can immediately begin additions to the high school to address overcrowding, make necessary technology updates and transportation purchases, construct an addition to the agriculture facility and administrative offices, acquire future school sites, and begin construction of a new elementary school. All proposed projects should be completed by fall 2018.
The current high school facility is at capacity. High school additions and a new K-5 building are needed to meet the projected growth. In order to provide permanent, adequate classrooms and facilities, additional buildings are required. These decisions were based on the local facilities plan conducted by the facilities section of the Georgia Department of Education and supported by the local school system's strategic plan.
School Superintendent Chris Erwin said, “The penny sales tax spreads the responsibility of educating our children to all citizens and visitors of the community. Anyone who spends money in Banks County is funding the ELOST regardless of whether or not the person resides in the county,” he said.
All of the proceeds from the previous ELOST were used to construct the new Banks County Elementary School, the Banks County High School cafeteria addition, the Banks County High School athletic complex, and the Banks County Primary School additions.
ELOST is an option for a local school system to call for a referendum approving a one percent sales tax for school construction and/or to retire bond debt.
The county currently has a seven percent sales tax in place. The referendum is to continue the current tax. If the ELOST passes, there will be no change to the existing seven cent sales tax in Banks County. The tax is a consumption tax. It is not a property tax.
The ELOST would generate a maximum of $19 million over a five-year period. If the ELOST is passed, the school system can immediately begin additions to the high school to address overcrowding, make necessary technology updates and transportation purchases, construct an addition to the agriculture facility and administrative offices, acquire future school sites, and begin construction of a new elementary school. All proposed projects should be completed by fall 2018.
The current high school facility is at capacity. High school additions and a new K-5 building are needed to meet the projected growth. In order to provide permanent, adequate classrooms and facilities, additional buildings are required. These decisions were based on the local facilities plan conducted by the facilities section of the Georgia Department of Education and supported by the local school system's strategic plan.
School Superintendent Chris Erwin said, “The penny sales tax spreads the responsibility of educating our children to all citizens and visitors of the community. Anyone who spends money in Banks County is funding the ELOST regardless of whether or not the person resides in the county,” he said.
All of the proceeds from the previous ELOST were used to construct the new Banks County Elementary School, the Banks County High School cafeteria addition, the Banks County High School athletic complex, and the Banks County Primary School additions.
BCHS takes on Rabun Co. Wed.
Posted by
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in Sports
Wednesday, March 2. 2011
Banks County’s soccer teams matches for this week were cut a little short as heavy rains and storms forced the cancellation of Monday’s first game of the Lumpkin County tourney. The Leopards were scheduled to play Lumpkin County in the first game of the tourney Feb. 28. At press time, it was unclear if that game would be made up later, or ... [Full Story »]
‘Bill’ Venable (3-2-11)
Posted by
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in Obituaries
Wednesday, March 2. 2011
LULA – William Robert “Bill” Venable, 86, formerly of Commerce, died Wednesday, March 2, 2011, at his residence. Born in Jackson County, he was the son of the late Carl and Ella Mae Seagraves Venable. He was a retired United States Air Force veteran of World War II, Korean War and Vietnam War. He was also a retired police officer. Mr. ... [Full Story »]
Nomie Lee Carter (3-2-11)
Posted by
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in Obituaries
Wednesday, March 2. 2011
MAYSVILLE – Nomie Lee Carter, 80, died early Wednesday morning, March 2, 2011, at her residence following an extended illness. Born in Banks County, she was the daughter of the late Lonnie Morgan and Rilla Ingram Sorrow. Mrs. Carter was preceded in death by her husband, D.S. Carter Jr.; and granddaughters, Heather Fowler and Joy Fowler ... [Full Story »]
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