B.O.C. Chairman's Report

Here is the Gilmer County Board of Commissioners Chairman's Report for the week of July 6, 2009.

Only two proposals were received for recycling services, and both of them have costs that we will have to evaluate. Apparently the drop in the commodities markets has hurt the economic viability of recycling nationwide. I have arranged for help from the Georgia Department of Community Affairs (DCA) Office of Environmental Management to help with evaluating these proposals and our eventual recycling program. We are dedicated to offering recycling, but must fiscally responsible first.

It was an honor to ride in the 4^th of July Parade Saturday. I want to thank Kathy Robinson and all who helped put the parade together. Some of you may have noticed that when you would say “have a good 4^th” or “happy 4^th of July” that I respond with “Happy Independence Day”. I know we’ve come to know it as simply “the 4^th” but that distracts attention from what it is really all about, and makes it just another day off or another parade. July 4, 1776 is when the Continental Congress emerged from Independence Hall (then known simply as the Pennsylvania State House) and proclaimed to all the world that we were no longer British Colonies, living under tyranny and taxation without representation and declared our independence. It is sad that in many ways our federal government is more oppressing and meddling today.

Last week I received many calls and emails about behavior and crowded parking on Mulkey Road where it ends at the Cartecay River. As to the parking, we are going to have the county’s property line clearly marked and look for additional parking or a more efficient way to allow folks to get in and out of the river, and also to let folks know when they leave county property and are trespassing. As to the behavior, much of it is occurring on private property. The sheriff will be increasing patrols to the area.

Gilmer County has for years been a member of the five county (Whitfield, Murray, Pickens, Gilmer, and Fannin) North Georgia Regional Development Center (RDC) in Dalton. This agency is an extension of the state government and is designed to implement state programs and provide assistance to local governments when needed. Last year the legislature, in an effort with the Governor and DCA Commissioner Mike Beattie, consolidated several of the smaller RDCs into larger Regional Commissions effective July 1 of this year. The purpose of this is to make delivery of services more efficient and organized, as well as more economical. On June 25 the North Georgia RDC board voted to take legal action to prevent the merger of North Georgia RDC with Coosa Valley RDC based in Rome. As Gilmer County Board of Commissioner’s representative on this board, I voted against this unbudgeted legal action against the state. Subsequently, a law suit has been filed by North Georgia RDC against Sonny Perdue, Casey Cagle, Glenn Richardson, and Coosa Valley to stop the merger. This may evolve into something that gathers more attention in the media as it progresses.

There was an increase in building permit activity in June. After averaging 5.6 permits per month for new residential construction, there were 10 issued last month. We’ve been seeing a gradual increase throughout the year, and June’s numbers were greater than expected. While the explosive growth a few years ago is not desirable, construction activity is a very necessary part of our local and national economy.

As always, feel free to contact me by email (mchastain@gilmercounty-ga.gov) or by calling the BOC office at 706-635-4361. Comments can be left on 706-515-2320.