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Banks County Chamber of Commerce director Tara Fulcher is no longer with the chamber.
Chamber president Chuck Ansley declined to release any information on Fulcher’s departure when contacted on Monday.
Ansley stated the chamber board does intend to fill Fulcher’s open position.
Future of Local Family Connection unknown
The fate of the Banks County Family Connection Collaborative Networking Group is still unknown as local leaders await state funding news.
Director Robin Trotter reported at Thursday’s monthly meeting that a fiscal year 2012 budget recommendation by Gov. Nathan Deal consolidates and transfers the Georgia Family Connection (GaFCP) appropriation from the Department of Human Services (DHS) to the Governor’s Office for Children and Families (GOCF).
If the governor’s recommendation goes through, Trotter will lose her job as Family Connection director and the programs offered by Family Connections will also go away. [Full Story »]
Director Robin Trotter reported at Thursday’s monthly meeting that a fiscal year 2012 budget recommendation by Gov. Nathan Deal consolidates and transfers the Georgia Family Connection (GaFCP) appropriation from the Department of Human Services (DHS) to the Governor’s Office for Children and Families (GOCF).
If the governor’s recommendation goes through, Trotter will lose her job as Family Connection director and the programs offered by Family Connections will also go away. [Full Story »]
Top three candidates for community developer position named
Following a 17-minute closed session Wednesday morning, the Banks County Development Authority released the names of the three finalists for the newly-created Banks County Community Developer position.
The three finalists are Dan Gasaway, Homer, Gerard “Pepe” Cummings, Jefferson, and Bradley Day, Dawsonville.
No time frame was given on when a final decision would be made. A salary range also has not been released.
The Development Authority and board of commissioners have held several recent closed meetings to discuss personnel with this issue apparently being a topic of discussion. Monday morning, the two boards met in closed session for approximately one-and-one-half hour meeting to discuss personnel, as well as land acquisition. When the meeting was re-opened to the public BOC, chairman Milton Dalton stated there was no action to report. The development authority did not have a quorum for that meeting.
The three finalists are Dan Gasaway, Homer, Gerard “Pepe” Cummings, Jefferson, and Bradley Day, Dawsonville.
No time frame was given on when a final decision would be made. A salary range also has not been released.
The Development Authority and board of commissioners have held several recent closed meetings to discuss personnel with this issue apparently being a topic of discussion. Monday morning, the two boards met in closed session for approximately one-and-one-half hour meeting to discuss personnel, as well as land acquisition. When the meeting was re-opened to the public BOC, chairman Milton Dalton stated there was no action to report. The development authority did not have a quorum for that meeting.
Presley resigns as Baldwin city administrator
Baldwin city administrator Jerry Presley has resigned following a month of closed door meetings and an effort by the mayor and some council members to get rid of him.
After meeting in closed session for approximately two hours and 15 minutes on Monday night, the Baldwin City Council unanimously accepted the resignation of Presley, effective Monday night.
Following the closed session, Mayor Jerry Neace called for a motion to enter into a “mutual separation agreement” with Presley. The motion to accept the agreement was approved unanimously. Council member Rodney King was absent from Tuesday’s meeting due to an illness.
The agreement gives the reason for termination of employment as “mutually agreed separation due to irreconcilable differences.”
“I want everybody to know Jerry Presley had the agreement written up,” said council member Robert Bohannon. [Full Story »]
After meeting in closed session for approximately two hours and 15 minutes on Monday night, the Baldwin City Council unanimously accepted the resignation of Presley, effective Monday night.
Following the closed session, Mayor Jerry Neace called for a motion to enter into a “mutual separation agreement” with Presley. The motion to accept the agreement was approved unanimously. Council member Rodney King was absent from Tuesday’s meeting due to an illness.
The agreement gives the reason for termination of employment as “mutually agreed separation due to irreconcilable differences.”
“I want everybody to know Jerry Presley had the agreement written up,” said council member Robert Bohannon. [Full Story »]
Booster Club formed for recreation department
A Booster Club has been formed to support the county’s recreation department.
The Banks County Board of Commissioners agreed to a request Tuesday night from recreation director Joe Gailey for a Booster Club to formed. Funds will be raised through yearly dues ($5 for individuals and $10 for families) and fundraisers, including sponsorship banners and barbecues. The funds raised will go to the recreation department for equipment, costs related to hosting district tourneys, upgrading All Star uniforms and other needs.
“This will help offset a lot of stuff,” Gailey said. “ [Full Story »]
The Banks County Board of Commissioners agreed to a request Tuesday night from recreation director Joe Gailey for a Booster Club to formed. Funds will be raised through yearly dues ($5 for individuals and $10 for families) and fundraisers, including sponsorship banners and barbecues. The funds raised will go to the recreation department for equipment, costs related to hosting district tourneys, upgrading All Star uniforms and other needs.
“This will help offset a lot of stuff,” Gailey said. “ [Full Story »]
Maysville council, fire chief clash on fire service
The Maysville City Council and Maysville fire chief James Lyle are at odds over the town’s funding for fire services.
At the council meeting Monday night, the council approved a $1.2 million budget that includes $11,500 for fire protection for Banks County residents who live in the city limits. The fire department had given the council a $23,000 fee for providing these fire services.
Council member Lynn Villyard made a motion to postpone action on the fire protection agreement until the March council meeting and set up a meeting with fire officials to go over this and come up with a fee structure for fire protection.
“There is no basis for the figure presented,” Villyard said. “The city council deserves a clear contract to make a rational decision.” [Full Story »]
At the council meeting Monday night, the council approved a $1.2 million budget that includes $11,500 for fire protection for Banks County residents who live in the city limits. The fire department had given the council a $23,000 fee for providing these fire services.
Council member Lynn Villyard made a motion to postpone action on the fire protection agreement until the March council meeting and set up a meeting with fire officials to go over this and come up with a fee structure for fire protection.
“There is no basis for the figure presented,” Villyard said. “The city council deserves a clear contract to make a rational decision.” [Full Story »]
Baldwin mayor's call to fire Presley fails in 3-2 vote
In a 3-2 vote at the called Baldwin City Council meeting on Tuesday night, the motion to fire city administrator Jerry Presley failed.
Twice, Mayor Jerry Neace called for a motion to terminate Presley after reporting that the city administrator had failed to communicate the city’s financial situation to the council.
After the second request, council member Sandi Rudeseal made the motion to terminate and council member Jeff Parrish seconded the motion. Council members Beverly Holcomb, Robert Bohannon and Rodney King voted in opposition to the motion. [Full Story »]
Twice, Mayor Jerry Neace called for a motion to terminate Presley after reporting that the city administrator had failed to communicate the city’s financial situation to the council.
After the second request, council member Sandi Rudeseal made the motion to terminate and council member Jeff Parrish seconded the motion. Council members Beverly Holcomb, Robert Bohannon and Rodney King voted in opposition to the motion. [Full Story »]
Commissioners place moratorium on roadside solicitors
Recent concerns about roadside solicitors through the county were raised by commissioner Ernest Rogers during the special called meeting of the Banks County BOC Thursday morning.
The matter of soliciting in the county was placed on the agenda as an add-on prior to the approval of the agenda, which had only listed possible discussion of personnel and land acquisition.
Rogers stated that in his opinion, one of the groups which has been seen recently claiming to be representing a charity from Kentucky “might not be legal.” Rogers proposed the county place a six-month moratorium on all soliciting along all roads in the county and at the shopping centers.
[Full Story »]
The matter of soliciting in the county was placed on the agenda as an add-on prior to the approval of the agenda, which had only listed possible discussion of personnel and land acquisition.
Rogers stated that in his opinion, one of the groups which has been seen recently claiming to be representing a charity from Kentucky “might not be legal.” Rogers proposed the county place a six-month moratorium on all soliciting along all roads in the county and at the shopping centers.
[Full Story »]
BOC approves job description for economic position
A job description for the new county position to oversee economic development was approved by the Banks County Board of Commissioners Thursday.
The job has been named “community developer” and it will include economic duties, as well as planning work.
The vote to approve the job description was unanimous but commissioner Danny Maxwell spoke on his concerns about including the planning job duties.
“I think we are spreading it a little too thin,” Maxwell said. “We’re giving them so many objectives. Are they really going to be able to focus on what we want them to do as an economic developer.”
The approved job description includes the following: “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 the planning department to administer and maintain the county’s zoning, subdivision and other development related ordinances.”
The job has been named “community developer” and it will include economic duties, as well as planning work.
The vote to approve the job description was unanimous but commissioner Danny Maxwell spoke on his concerns about including the planning job duties.
“I think we are spreading it a little too thin,” Maxwell said. “We’re giving them so many objectives. Are they really going to be able to focus on what we want them to do as an economic developer.”
The approved job description includes the following: “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 the planning department to administer and maintain the county’s zoning, subdivision and other development related ordinances.”
BOC denies business license for Sam's Food Mart
The Banks County Board of Commissioners voted Thursday to not reinstate a business license for a Banks Crossing business after “fake pot” was found at the convenience store.
Kevin Tallent, the attorney for the business owner (Junaid “J.D.” Hameed), said a store clerk removed the K-2 from the counter after being informed it was illegal and had planned to return it to the vendor. The attorney also said the business owner had a letter from the vendor stating that the items sold did not contain illegal substances.
“If my client did anything wrong, he didn’t do it intentionally,” Tallent said.
Commissioner Charles Turk questioned why the business owner never tested the items to find out if the items contained illegal substances instead of only relying on the vendor.
“If I had the slightest idea any of this was illegal, I would not have carried it,” J.D. said.
The attorney added that J.D’s intent was not to break the law.
“He knows now he can’t trust all of his suppliers,” Tallent said.
Banks County Sheriff’s Office investigator Brian Lord testified about the items removed from the store after a search warrant was executed following a tip.
Some of the items, which were labeled as incense, were removed from behind the counter and others were removed from a back office and storage area in the store. The K-2 was found in the back office and not behind the counter.
Adam Rudolph, a forensic chemist with the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, spoke on the items he tested and listed which ones contained illegal substances.
Kevin Tallent, the attorney for the business owner (Junaid “J.D.” Hameed), said a store clerk removed the K-2 from the counter after being informed it was illegal and had planned to return it to the vendor. The attorney also said the business owner had a letter from the vendor stating that the items sold did not contain illegal substances.
“If my client did anything wrong, he didn’t do it intentionally,” Tallent said.
Commissioner Charles Turk questioned why the business owner never tested the items to find out if the items contained illegal substances instead of only relying on the vendor.
“If I had the slightest idea any of this was illegal, I would not have carried it,” J.D. said.
The attorney added that J.D’s intent was not to break the law.
“He knows now he can’t trust all of his suppliers,” Tallent said.
Banks County Sheriff’s Office investigator Brian Lord testified about the items removed from the store after a search warrant was executed following a tip.
Some of the items, which were labeled as incense, were removed from behind the counter and others were removed from a back office and storage area in the store. The K-2 was found in the back office and not behind the counter.
Adam Rudolph, a forensic chemist with the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, spoke on the items he tested and listed which ones contained illegal substances.
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