Public hearings address Fannin 2021 millage rate
News September 27, 2021
BLUE RIDGE, Ga – Two public hearings were held on September 23, 2021, concerning the setting of Fannin County’s millage rate.
On the county side, the millage rate remained the same as the 2020 rate at 3.862 mills. Fannin County Schools rolled back its rate to 10.159 mills. The total rate will be set at 14.021.
The overall rate in Fannin is dropping from the 2020 rate of 14.253.
“Last year, if you had a fair market value [home] of $250,000 your estimated tax from last year would be $14,025. In comparison, this year it would be $14,002,” Chairman Jamie Hensley explained.
Post Two Glenn Patterson felt like the slight increase on the county side of the millage rate was the right thing to do as far as employees.
Hensley previously mentioned that maintaining the millage instead of accepting the rollback would help to bring 42 employees up to a more livable wage.
“We have firefighters out there for $12 bucks an hour,” Hensley stated. “When you start losing employees to go turn hamburgers…to me that’s where we as commissioners have to look at something for our employees to try and provide a better service.”
Mayor asked to return key to City Hall
City Council, Election, News March 11, 2021
Blue Ridge, Ga. – Mayor Donna Whitener was asked to turn in her key to City Hall as council members expressed their concerns over the upcoming election.
“With all that has been going on over the past couple of months, which the public is just now starting to find out about, to be very honest, I don’t know that I feel comfortable with the election that is coming up and not having an unbiased party being over the election,” Council Member Nathan Fitts expressed his feelings on the upcoming election.
Haight requests that Whitener return her key to City Hall during the election period.
Council Member Rhonda Thomas and Fitts both agreed that having outside municipal counsel handle any election related events would be in the best interest of not only the candidates but the City as well.
This proposition comes with the consideration that current City Attorney James Balli is hired to represent City Council members, many of whom will be running in the upcoming election, and therefore might have a biased conflict of interest in any election related matters.
Haight suggested approaching the Georgia Municipal Association (GMA) attorneys and getting their legal opinion on the matter.
Fitts agreed with Haight’s recommendation stating, “I know too much. I know the history of the last election. I know things that went on and I do not feel comfortable with it.”
With the request for an outside legal counsel, Haight also requested that the Mayor return her key to City Hall during the election period.
“None of us have keys except for the Mayor and I don’t feel like she should have a key to this building during that election time,” Haight said adding that she doesn’t want any possibility of wrongdoing to occur and jeopardize the election process.
“I have no problem with that,” Mayor Whitener responded to Haight’s request but did point out that there have been emergency occasions when she (Whitener) has had to access the building.
One thing that all council members and mayor did agree upon was to look into third party handling of future elections.
Fitts pointed out that the staff of City Hall, who currently handle city elections, is “put in the middle of way more than they should be”.
While some council members felt it was too late to seek outside handling of the 2021 City Election, they did agree to pursue this route in the future.
The General Election is set to take place on Tuesday, Nov. 2, 2021 with voting at City Hall. Polls open at 7 a.m. and will close at 7 p.m.
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City Council and Mayor seats open in 2021 General Election
City Council, Community, Downtown Blue Ridge, Election, News January 23, 2021
Blue Ridge, Ga. – The City of Blue Ridge is gearing up for the 2021 General Election. All Council seats and the seat of Mayor will be on the ballot.
In a brief teleconference meeting held on Jan. 20, 2021, Council (Nathan Fitts and Mike Panter absent) along with Mayor and City Attorney passed the Resolution Qualifying Fee and did a first reading of the 2021 Election Ordinance.
A second reading of the 2021 Election Ordinance will take place at City Council’s regular monthly meeting scheduled in February.
Qualifying fees for the open seats are $252.00 for seat of Mayor and $180.00 for a seat on City Council.
Qualifying period for those wishing to run in the 2021 City of Blue Ridge General Election is as follows:
“Monday, August 16, 2021, and will continue from day-to-day through Friday, August 20, 2021. The hours of qualifying each day shall be from 8:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. August 16-19, 2021 and 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. August 20, 2021 (except for a one hour lunch break beginning at 1:00 p.m. each day).”
Each position is to serve a four year term beginning on Jan. 1, 2022 and ending on Dec. 31, 2025.
These terms, however, are subject to change due to a recent resolution passed by City Council wishing to stagger the election in the future. Staggering of the elections would eliminate all seats becoming open during the same election period.
The Resolution of Qualifying Fee states:
“The terms of the Mayor and each Councilmember are subject to any change imposed by a new City Charter providing for staggered terms of election or general state law. Notice is herein provided that the City Council passed a resolution on November 30, 2020”
The General Election will take place on Tuesday, Nov. 2, 2021 with voting at City Hall located at 480 West First Street, Blue Ridge, Ga. 30513. Polls open at 7 a.m. and will close at 7 p.m.
The last day for voter/elector registration to vote in the 2021 General Election is Monday, Oct. 4, 2021, by 5:00 p.m.
Open seats in the 2021 General Election are as follows with current incumbent listed:
City Council
- Post 1 – Harold Herdon
- Post 2 – Rhonda Haight
- Post 3 – Mike Panter
- Post 4 – Robbie Cornelius
- Post 5 – Nathan Fitts
Mayor
- Donna Whitener
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McCaysville Police Department year end activity report
Community, News, Police & Government January 20, 2021
McCaysville, Ga. – McCaysville Chief of Police Michael Earley gave the year-end stats for his department’s activity, as well as the latest update for the month of December 2020, at the city’s January 2021 monthly meeting.
The City of McCaysville Police Department had a busy year in 2020 with the following duties being carried out:
- 149 Arrest Warrants
- 897 Dispatched Calls from 911 Center
- 178 Citations
- 678 Warning Citations
- 430 Walk-In Reports
- 84 Arrests made
- 83 Investigator Call Outs
- 2463 Phone Calls to the Office
- 67 Traffic Violations
- 1 Runaway Juvenile
- 17 Alcohol Related Incidents
- 2 False Statement Incidents
- 6 Obstruction of Police Officers
- 4 Death Investigations
- 5 Shoplifting Cases
- 5 Firearm Cases
- 9 Thefts
- 4 Terroristic Threats/Acts
- 2 Forgery Cases
- 17 Disorderly Conduct
- 2 Fraud Cases
- 5 Harassing Phone Call Cases
- 5 Juvenile Cases
- 1 Disorderly House
- 1 Illegal Dumping
- 3 Drug Related Object
- 1 Psychological Call
- 30 Drug Related (where drugs were found on person)
- 17 Civil Standbys (officers present during removal of property due to divorce, eviction…)
- 1 Conspiracy to Commit a Crime
- 2 Businesses Break Ins
- 5 Aggravated Assaults with a Deadly Weapon (a weapon was drawn)
- 8 Warrant Service Call Outs
- 11 Battery Reports
- 4 Retrieval of Items (lost or stolen property)
- 2 Suicides
- 1 Reckless Conduct
- 1 Animal Call
- 5 Cruelty to Children
- 1 Stalking
- 1 Interference with Government Property
- 4 Burglaries
- 11 Criminal Trespass
- 5 Damage to Property Reports
Monthly Report for December 2020
- 65 Dispatched Calls
- 33 Traffic Stops
- 5 Citations
- 25 Warnings
- 32 Walk-Ins
- 3 Arrests
- 2 CID Calls
- 10 Warrants
- 194 Phone Calls
Earley also referenced that the department was off to an interesting start in 2021 with the recent theft of a Fannin County school bus.
“We had a school bus stolen here in the city,” Earley stated, “Thank God we got that recovered before he got too far down the road.”
Earley acknowledged the help of other law enforcement agencies in apprehending the individual responsible for the bus theft, in particular Pickens County Sheriff’s Office.
The individual arrested, David York, has been charged with three felonies and one misdemeanor. Other charges are still pending.
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Happy New Year!!!
Community, Featured December 31, 2020
We know this year has been a tough one. But we are here to tell you 2021 is a new year and hopefully a better one! Happy New Year from all of us here at FYN!
Commissioners accept 2021 millage rate rollback
News August 12, 2020
BLUE RIDGE, Ga – The Board of Commissioners approved lowering the county’s portion of the 2021 millage rate to 3.862 from 3.938 at the August 10, 2020 meeting.
If the millage rate remained at 3.938, tax revenues for Fannin would have increased by $186,000. Additionally, Fannin County would have to legally declare a tax increase. It would also only provide a net gain of $120,000 to the budget.
To stay at a zero percent tax increase, the millage rate must drop to 3.862. With this tax revenue still increases by $62,000, but it’s not considered a tax increase by the state of Georgia.
“If I had to go through the effort of declaring a tax increase, it would have to be for a heck a lot more than $186,000 out of a $28M budget,” stated Chairman Stan Helton.
Post Two Glenn Patterson expressed how a lot of people in Fannin County are financially hurting due to COVID-19, and he didn’t favor a tax increase at this time.
“I’m not going to be remembered for raising taxes in the middle of a pandemic,” added Post One Earl Johnson. “Right now, is not the time.”
Last year, Johnson expressed that at some point taxes would go up to keep up with the growth of Fannin County. However, 2020 isn’t the year to add another financial burden to Fannin County residents.
In 2021, the hotel/motel tax will go up to six percent for the county, bringing in an additional $20,000, if tourism numbers stay the same. SPLOST and LOST numbers are also up in 2020, which will assist in covering county expenses without taxing citizens.
All three commissioners voted in favor or accepting the millage rollback. Now, the school board must decide on its millage rate. After the school approves a millage rate, commissioners must vote to finalize the 2021 millage rate.
https://youtu.be/fu6e6MtI_QcStudents return to school August 7th : What to expect
Board of Education, News, Rebel's Corner July 10, 2020
Blue Ridge, Ga. – Students of the Fannin County School System (FCSS) will have the option of returning to school in a modified traditional setting or utilizing online learning for the 2020-21 school year.
School Administration released their plans for reopening schools at the Board of Education (BOE) regular July meeting.
Assistant Superintendent Sarah Rigdon gave the board an overview of what to expect when school comes back into session.
Rigdon presented the BOE with administration’s plan to reopen schools.
The Georgia Department of Education (DOE) released guidelines in early June for schools to consider when reopening in the State of Georgia. These guidelines, however, were only recommendations and the ultimate decisions for school operations were left up to the districts.
The DOE guidelines, along with guidance from both local and state authorities, as well as guardian and faculty input helped shape the approach that the FCSS is choosing to implement for the time being.
“The important part for us was to get the information and make the best decisions that we can,” Fannin County School Superintendent Dr. Michael Gwatney spoke of the system’s plan. “This plan is subject to change. We need to think of this as a living document. It will be modified as new things are learned.”
***Important Dates***
Traditional school, or in person education will begin on August 7, 2020.
Faculty and Staff are to report on August 3, 2020.
Online Learning will also begin on August 7, 2020.
Parents and Guardians may enroll their child for Online Learning between July 10 – July 20, 2020.
***Online Learning***
For those not comfortable with the traditional in class setting, an online option will be available. Assistant Superintendent Rigdon stressed that this online option will not mirror the distance learning that the school put in place upon the mandatory closure earlier this year.
The online learning platform will be run through a 3rd party that is yet to be determined. The platform will provide instruction to the child with the parent or guardian being a “learning coach”.
Students enrolled in online learning will spend the majority of the traditional school day (8:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.) either working online or working to complete assignments given online. Attendance will be taken and monitored via login and assignments completed.
There will be FCSS personnel assigned to check on each child’s progress. The “learning coaches” will be given the name of someone at the school who can help them navigate the program or assist with issues.
The content of the online learning platform, according to FCSS, will be “rigorous and graded”.
Students enrolled in Online Learning will be able to participate in sports and extracurricular activities.
While the FCSS is not requiring that students sign a contract to remain in the online platform once enrolled (many other districts have this requirement), they would like to see those enrolled stay with the program through the first semester or for the entirety of the school year.
“We are not asking parents to sign a commitment, but we do want them to be extremely thoughtful as they make that decision because it is going to require us to allocate and spend funds that could be better spent if they’re not going to stick with the program,” Rigdon explained of the need for students and guardians to consider the decision heavily.
Rigdon did add for those who enroll but discover that the online platform is not working for them, “We are never turning a child away from our schools.”
Students utilizing the Online Learning platform will complete assignments from a school issued device. FCSS will provide a WiFi hotspot for students without internet, but these hotspots work much like mobile phones, so if you are an area with poor cell phone service it is likely that the hotspot would not work for you.
Online Learning is available for children in grades Kindergarten – 12. This includes children with IEPs (Individualized Educational Program). Online Learning is not available for Pre-K students.
***Traditional School***
Masks are optional for both students and personnel. Parents or Guardians must provide a mask for students who wish to wear one throughout the day.
Temperatures will be taken for all students, staff, parents and guardians each morning upon arriving at the campus. Anyone with a temperature of 100 degrees Fahrenheit or higher will not be permitted to stay at school.
Hand sanitizer will be available to all children and adults before entering the school buildings.
Parents, Guardians, and Staff completed a survey on key issues. This helped shape the district’s plan to reopen.
Elementary teachers will move the students instead of students changing classes. Middle and High School students will not be allowed to congregate in hallways. When and where possible class changes for Middle and High School students will be staggered or hallway traffic patterns will be addressed to prevent overcrowding.
When possible students will be assigned seats and will keep the same seat during the instructional class period.
Each school will “develop school level procedures” to limit the number of students in the cafeteria. This may include “grab and go” where students will pick up meals and eat in a classroom or designated area.
The final plan for buses has not been finalized. However, hand sanitizer will be available for anyone upon boarding a bus. Buses will be sanitized daily and ventilated to the extent feasible when in route.
Parents and guardians will be notified of any adjustments to bus routes or pick up times before the first day of school. Requirement to wear a mask while on a bus has not been decided, but parents and guardians will be notified of this decision as well.
Parents and guardians will be allowed to walk their child to class during the first few days of school but must wear a mask. Schools will determine when parents and guardians will no longer have access beyond the main entrance.
FCSS states “We want to keep the lines of communication strong, but we need to limit the number of people flowing into and out of the buildings each day.”
***If Schools Close Again***
Those students enrolled in Online Learning would continue the course that they are taking with no change. Students of the traditional classroom setting would switch to online learning but follow a model similar to that that was implemented in March 2020.
The FCSS states of the opening plan that “plans may change based on future orders from the Governor, the Department of Community Health, or the Department of Education”.
“Our desire is always to operate a traditional school with face to face,” Rigdon said of the hope for all students eventually to return to a traditional setting, “We believe our instruction is best at that level.”
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BOE looks to reopen schools in August
Board of Education, News, Rebel's Corner June 14, 2020
Blue Ridge, Ga. – The Fannin County School System (FCSS) is moving forward with plans to reopen the district in August.
“Our goal remains to have school in August,” FCSS Superintendent Dr. Michael Gwatney spoke at the recent Board of Education meeting, adding, “Now, it’s impossible to say right now exactly how school will look in August, as so much will depend on the health of our community at that time.”
Gwatney, along with district personnel and the Board of Education, are looking to find a balance for the upcoming year, weighing both the needs of the students and the needs of the community.
The Georgia Department of Education released guidelines on Monday, June 1, 2020 for districts moving forward. This advisement breaks up reopening recommendations into three categories:
- Low/No Spread (of Covid-19)
- Minimal/Moderate Spread
- Substantial Spread
Each category has specific guidelines and recommendations for operating a school system based on the health of the community, and can range from traditional operation (in person) to hybrid operation (alternating schedules) to distance/remote learning.
The beginning guidelines from the GaDOE defining the categories to consider when reopening schools.
You can read the guidelines released by the Georgia Department of Education by clicking here : Georgia’s K-12 Restart and Recovery
“The great thing that I love about the plan is that it is actually giving communities back control of how their schools function,” FCSS Assistant Superintendent Sarah Rigdon said of the new recommendations.
While the district is preparing and hopeful to have children back in the classroom this fall, they are also preparing for a worst case scenario, where distance/remote learning is the only option once again.
FCSS Director of Instructional Technology, Heather Finley, gave the public a brief overview of how the statewide closure was handled in March of this year.
During the past nine weeks, 68,000 meals were still served to students, over 700 Google Classrooms were created, approximately 900 virtual meetings and classrooms were attended, WiFi Hotspots were provided to families throughout the county, and those with special needs were still provided services.
“If we can do this in 3 days,” Finely said of the district’s quick response to the pandemic crisis in March, “we can plan for August and figure it out.”
The school system is sending out a survey to parents, guardians, facility, and staff regarding their feelings on moving forward with the 2020-2021 school year. This survey will be based on the low to moderate guidelines recommended by the State.
“This has been a very polarizing issue, and so it should be interesting once we get some of this data back to how the community feels,” Rigdon said of the survey.
The hope of conducting the survey is to get genuine feedback from those with an invested interest in the operations of the school district on a variety of topics that will need to be addressed before moving forward.
An example of such a topic was given as to whether or not children should be required to wear masks in school.
The school system has also been seeking guidance from a wide variety of professionals in the medical, legal, economic and emergency management fields.
Rigdon will share the findings from the survey at the July Board of Education meeting so that plans can be made for the reopening of Fannin County schools in August.
“We are excited that we are going to be able to go back to local control. It’s our kids and our community,” Rigdon stated and added, “Educators have missed their kids.”
Board member Lewis Deweese shared his feelings on how every obstacle has been met so far by the Fannin County School System: “The demonstration of love and the compassion that our teachers have for students, it goes above and beyond the call of duty by far.”
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