Wilds Pierce, former owner of the Blue Ridge Scenic Railroad, has a unique gift for Fannin County fire engine lovers.  He wants to donate a 1934 fully restored fire engine along with some of 1930’s fire- fighting equipment to Fannin County.  Since the truck runs, he suggests that it can be used in a parade.  Along with the truck he wants to give a calliope that Blue Ridge Scenic Railroad used on its trains.  The only thing holding up the gift is that Fannin County needs to find a place to store the engine.

Appointment of a new member to the Fannin County Water Authority invoked an unexpected reaction from Fannin County citizen Joe Webb at the latest Board of Commissioners meeting.  Mr. Webb asked the Commissioners to speak out-of-order.  Mr. Webb brought up several topics about the Authority including irregular financing, potential SLOPST funding and authority appointment processes. Mr. Webb said that Water Authority has not correctly accounted for its revenue streams and referred to its 2012 and 2015 audits.  He also said that Water Authority use of funds must be clear since the Water Authority will be asking for more financing on the SPLOST 2016 November ballot. The majority of Mr. Webb’s other remarks centered on the appointment process to different authorities.  He would like the process to be more open to the general public.  Even though Mr. Webb did not know the qualifications of the individual appointed to the Water Authority, Mr. Webb stated that there are several people in the community that would serve well in the position.

John Scalera, Director of the Fannin County Recreation Department said that the 1^st Annual Spring Fling celebration accomplished its purpose of bringing the community together.  Post Commissioner Sosebee told Mr. Scalera that he had heard there were some horses that didn’t like Spring Fling’s fireworks and took off out of their pastures when the fireworks started.

Mr Scalera also gave some good news to Toccoa river enthusiasts.  TVA is looking at putting boat, as in kayak or canoe, ramps into the river at Tammen Park and at Horseshoe Bend Park this summer.

Claire Barton, Director of Fannin County Public Library, invited people to participate in the Seed Exchange.  People can pick up organic and heirloom okra, flower, herb, tomato and other seeds at the library and bring back seeds for 2017 after the harvest.  Fannin Co-op, University of North Georgia, Feed Fannin and Georgia Master Gardeners are also part of the seed exchange.

Robert Graham,  director of EMS and 911 said that last week EMS spent six hours rescuing two hikers in the Cohutta Wilderness.  The two hikers, enamored by lovely spring weather, set off on their hike without tents or adequate winter clothing.  When the two were finally rescued, they were nearly frozen.  In fact, one of the hikers had a short hospital stay due to hypothermia.

The 2016 county budget is rolling along in the black.  Current funds are $ 8.3 million in general fund, $2.3 million in SPLOST and $1.1 million in capital SPLOST.  The 2015 audit is expected back around the first of May.

In the Public Comments period, Ralph Garner spoke on behalf of Ombee Gas.  It seems that Ombee had been supplying Fannin County with fuel until 2015.  Then the county suddenly stopped buying from them.  Turns out, in fuel quotes from June to October 2015, Fannin County only sought two bids for fuel – one from Jones Oil and one from Conoco.  The county never contacted Ombee or another company for a bid and by law the county must have three bids for purchases over $4,500.  Mr. Garner finished with asking why Ombee has been kept out of the process and if the county would contact them for a bid again.

 

See related post:  Helton Responds to Webb’s Water Authority Comments