Written by Shawn Payne

During the September BOC meeting, Commissioner Bill Simonds announced that the Board of Commissioners will adopt the county’s Emergency Management Ordinance. During the first Commissioners meeting of October, the board of commissioners will address the Fannin County Emergency Management plan. This plan, which has been revised because of public outcry, will be adopted during the second regular Commission meeting of October.

In August, the proposed Emergency Management Ordinance drew public attention, when citizens voiced concerns about possible infringements of the populations’ civil liberties. The initial version of the ordinance gave broad power to the Commission Chairman, granting him authority to define an emergency. Also, those who attended the August meeting were concerned about the ordinance’s search and seizure provisions. According to the ordinance, Marshal Law could be declared by the Governor, Board of Commissioners, or Chairman. During a declaration of Marshal Law, penalties mentioned in this ordinance were: Any person who violates any provision in this chapter shall, upon conviction thereof, be guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of $1,000, imprisonment not exceeding 60 days, or both such fine and imprisonment, for each violation.

Following the first public hearing in August, the board of commissioners revised the ordinance, taking the public comments into consideration. During the September meeting, Commission Chairman Bill Simonds announced that the new plan will be presented on October 9th and adoption will take place on October 23rd.

Also during the September meeting, Post Two Commissioner Larry Joe Sosebee complemented the construction on Highway 5 at Merciers Apple Orchard, saying that the work on the road has eleviated the congestion in that area. Simonds and Sosbee agreed that the plans implemented at the orchard have created a more constant flow of traffic on Highway 5.

Commissioner Simonds also commented on a heavy flow of non-emergency 911 calls. Last week, Commissioner Simonds stated that non-emergency calls totaled 1509. Simonds added that people should prepare for 911 calls by getting their house numbers out where EMTs can find them. Simonds also said as leaves are beginning to fall, residents need to ensure that they don’t rake leaves into the county culverts which will require a fire truck to come and wash the leaves out of the culvert.