Blue Ridge Taxpayer Association May Message

News

TO ALL ASSOCIATION MEMBERS AND FUTURE MEMBERS:On this second writing, we come to you all with great news and praise for the progress shown by our elected leaders, volunteers and design team. We are however, quick to point out, the journey is long and not without unexpected pitfalls along the way. At the time of this writing we are 200 plus members strong and growing and vigilant for the continued growth of our Community. For those of you hearing about us for the first time, these are the values represented.

Blue Ridge Taxpayer Association Vision:
Our vision is a representative local government that is based on ethics, transparency and accountability whereby elected officials respect their constituency and act on behalf of the citizens they represent.

Blue Ridge Taxpayer Association Mission:
Our mission is to provide Taxpayers of The City of Blue Ridge and Fannin County with additional eyes and ears to see and hear the nuances of actions and decisions of their local city and county government, and to keep a watchful eye on those who spend our hard earned tax dollars, while promoting awareness among citizen-voters about incompetence, waste, mismanagement and taxpayer abuse by elected officials at the local level.

“Give Credit Where Credit is Due”
Last we reported, “How refreshing it is to report that a “Master Plan” for downtown Blue Ridge is close to finish and being readied for a controlled rollout of our streetscape, green space, train depot, restrooms, road closures, and gateways”. We can now report enthusiastically that our Mayor, in collaboration with City Council Member’s, volunteers Cindy Trimble and Jack Morton (Taxpayer Association President), and a team headed by Rick LaRossa have accomplished their mission! Much praise and deserved accolades to all of the aforementioned for their untiring work and dedication to bring this project to its current state. Now it’s our turn to help…

“A Need To Mobilize”

City Hall is now fervently adorned with the fruits of the team’s labor in the form of easel renderings depicting the vision for the future look of Downtown Blue Ridge. We are now feverishly urging community participation in helping to mold the final product for our “beloved downtown”. Please take time to visit City Hall where all of the renderings are on display for individual perusal and comment. We urge you to please, make your comments known to those working toward our common goal. The team is asking for constructive input so that everything worth noting is taken into consideration for the end result. A Town Hall meeting is currently scheduled for May 26 at City Hall to discuss and debate the findings of the Committee. We urge all of you that read this to participate and be there! Make your feelings known, bring your ideas to the table for discussion, ask questions, be proactive…participate; it’s your hard earned tax dollars at work for the betterment of your Community! Let’s get it right!

“Moving Forward”
The “mantra” is still the same: Blue Ridge continues to be the “Belle of Ball” and the “the Captain of the Football Team”. The surrounding counties still try to replicate our successes but the fact remains: Blue Ridge, The Blue Ridge Scenic Railroad and Fannin County have generated more than $126 million in economic impact to the County as reported by the Fannin County Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Bureau. In 2014, the number of overnight visitors totaled nearly 200,000 generating more than $1.3 million in hotel/motel tax and $3.7 million in local sales tax. Since 2000, lodging expenditures have increased a whopping 700 per cent, from $3.4 million to more than $24 million in 2014. Downtown Blue Ridge and Mercier Orchards continually top the charts for most visited locations.
Let’s not rest on our laurels…move to improve and help be part of this “coming together” for a greater Blue Ridge and Fannin County.

RESPECTFULLY,
THE BLUE RIDGE TAX PAYERS ASSOCIATION

TO JOIN: [email protected]

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