Walnut Mountain To Become "Fire Wise"

Walnut Mountain has decided to pursue the recognition as a "Fire Wise Community". Working in cooperation with Georgia Forestry and the Gilmer County Fire Department, Walnut Mountain will introduce, to it's residents, the Fire Wise program on May 23, 2009 at 11:00 am at the clubhouse. Walnut Mountain is bordered by both National Forest and State Forest property and the Fire Wise program will help make residents aware of those actions they can take to
help alleviate the devastation of wild fires. If you want to learn more about the Fire Wise Program go to www.firewise.org/usa. If you are thinking about a new mountain home look at Walnut Mountain. You can visit their web site at www.walnutmountain.org or contact me at max@overlandtrails.com for information on available cabins/lots.

Where is Randy Bell?

A couple of weeks ago the Gilmer County Board of Commissioners (BOC) voted to award a propane contract to a company that was not the low bidder. Instead of granting the contract to Ferrellgas (of Blue Ridge), which was reportedly more than 5 percent lower than the selected supplier, the BOC selected Appalachian Propane from Ellijay. I get my propane from Appalachian Propane and I don't usually even check prices. I like to support Gilmer County companies when I can. However that is my decision with my money. I guess numerous questions could be raised about how much it would have saved the county to go with the low bidder versus the positives of using local companies however that is not what is peaking my curiosity. I thought Randy Bell would be all over this one! Randy, who questions why invoices submitted by the contractor on the court house were rounded to the nearest dollar, has been silent on this one. Randy, are you slipping (or sleeping)?

Transportation Board Member Visits Gilmer

At the Board of Commissioners (BOC) meeting on Thursday, May 14, 2009 Commission Chair, Mark Chastain, announced that State Transportation Board Member Steve Farrow (9th Congressional District) would be at the Gilmer County Court House on Friday, May 15th at 11:00am. the Chairman invited the public to attend the briefing in the Commission Conference Room. I decided to attend to find out the status of the various state assisted projects in Gilmer County. Much to my dismay, I was the only citizen (other than Chairman Chastain) at the briefing. Neither the Post 1 or Post 2 Commissioner was in attendance, nor was anyone representing the Times-Courier. So, unless the Chairman mentions it in his weekly news article, this may be the only mention of the visit you see.

Currently, the State is only funding two road projects in Gilmer County. One is assistance in the Yukon Road project. Their assistance is limited to $348,273.55 for the realignment of the intersections at the new middle school and Clear Creek Road. The other project is $178,000 (estimated) for pavement markings along 29.71 miles of highway in the County. All other projects (totaling $40,000,000+) are so far out that they are not even rated or scheduled. The only possible exception is the relocation of SR 382 from County Road 239 to State Route 5/515. This is a relocation of about 0.6 miles of SR 382 to connect to Highway 515. Right of way acquisition is scheduled for 2011 and construction for 2013. This is a project estimated at $4,060,299.00.

Commissioner Chastain and I both urged Mr. Farrow to look at some relief of the "Hardee's" intersection at Hwy 515. There is a project that involves realignment of Progress Rd. to Cross St. and Hwy 515. This could aid in aleviating the congestion at the intersection. This project was given the status as "All Phases in Long Range-Not Working on project". Mr. Farrow indicated that he would see if the project could be "moved up".

Board Member Farrow urged the County to explore a method of establishing road improvement priorities that will transcend the terms of elected officials. One problem they run into (not necessarily in Gilmer County) is that priorities change with a change of county commissioners.