Following a series of criticisms and revisions, the Fannin County Board of Commissioners delivered the first reading of the new EMS ordinance this week. In August, the BOC first presented the EMS ordinance, which was initially met with fierce public outcry (click here to see video of the hearing). The main criticism of the first version was the virtually unchecked authority granted to commission chairman in the event of an emergency, where the chairman had the authority to define a state of emergency, and the violation of property rights. Since this time, the board has revised the ordinance. Simonds said he had removed the items citizens had requested.

At the first presentation of the revised ordinance last month, Citizen Joe Webb said he was pleased with the revisions. During this week’s meeting, however, one citizen still seemed critical of the ordinance, saying he’d like to see an item included in the ordinance where the county is required to contact private citizens before breaching their property.

In the August hearing, Commission Chairman Bill Simonds admitted the ordinance came from GEMA (The Georgia Emergency Management Agency) and is required to receive funding for the county, but did say how much funding the county would receive.

A second reading of the ordinance is scheduled for the next BOC meeting on the 23rd, after which time the ordinance will go into effect.

During this week’s meeting, the board also approved a lease agreement with GSP for a radio tower and appointed George Slusser and John Chastain to the development authority.