Hensley tells of progress ‘getting caught up’
Updates on the past, present and future were all presented by local officials when the Fannin County Chamber of Commerce board met for its annual orientation last week.
Jamie Hensley, Erick Youngberg, Thomas Seabolt, Shannon Dillard-Miller and Sandy all offered views of their respective areas of responsibility.
Hensley, chairman of Fannin County’s commission board, said, “Our goal was to get caught up,” three years ago when he took office. He then focused on progress in the Public Works department and Public Safety.
He said three years ago many of the Public Works vehicles were 30 and 40 years old. One piece at a time, equipment has been replaced and new equipment added.
Hensley believes this has also helped morale among employees. Giving them good, up-to-date equipment to work with make them want to do an even better job that what they had previosuly accomplished, he said
Public Works has “really stepped up to the place,” he said.
Public Safety, the sheriff’s office, ambulance service and fire department has also seen improvements.
Talking primarily about the fire department, he said new equipment has been purchased and more has been ordered.
The new Fire Station #5 in Epworth is almost complete.
Asked his top two priorities for the coming years, Hensley said those would be to build a new fire station in Mineral Bluff to replace the existing station and construct a brand new fire station near the hospital (Blue Ridge Medical Center). His goal is for that stationed to be a manned facility.
He said the recently approved Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax was restructured with more dollars earmarked to public safety and recreation. This money is intended to finance the new facilities.
Hensley said the only drawback to “the best job I’ve ever had” is that nothing happens fast in government. He talked of approaching situations with a “Let’s make it happen” solution, that approach slowed by the workings of government.
Looking at county government as a whole, he said, “We’re thankful to be in this position,” as achieving the initial goal of getting caught up is within reach at the same time many new projects have been started.
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School superintendent prepares for tomorrow today
Shannon Dillard-Miller believes in “preparing for tomorrow today” as the Fannin County School System educates the 2,850 students currently enrolled.
Dillard-Miller, who is superintendent of Fannin schools, told Chamber of Commerce board members the importance of doing everything possible to make sure all students graduate from high school while also saying that every young person does not need to go to college.
Fannin County High School’s current graduation rate is 92.3%, and Dillard-Miller strongly believes, “Each person that does not graduate is going to struggle.”
Two ways the system works to help students are through Freshmen Focus and the high school Impact Center.
Freshmen Focus helps middle school students transition into the high school. It was developed because school officials saw some freshmen getting behind early with low grade point averages.
Now, with smaller groups of teacher and a limited number of classes to choose from, freshmen get a better start and the overall class GPA has improved, Dillard-Miller said.
At the FCHS Impact Center, students earned 124 credits in the fall of 2023, and eight students qualified to graduate. Students are able to both catch up and get ahead on credits.
Dillard-Miller said the work at the Impact Center represented many students who would have not otherwise graduated.
FCHS students also excel in Advanced Placement (AP) classes with pass rates exceeding those of Georgia and the nation.
Dillard-Miller said she believes, “Not every student must go to college...If they want to graduate and go to work, it’s our responsibility to make sure they have a job skill and can be marketable.”
She reviewed the long list of pathways that enable students to earn industry certifications in a variety of fields.
Discussing all the opportunities offered in Fannin schools, she said the one area needing improvement is preparing students who wish to go into the military. So, school officials are looking at the possibility of introducing either the U.S. Army’s National Defense Cadet Corps (NDCC) or Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (JROTC).
Looking at the financial operations of the system, Dillard-Miller said she is proud of the ability to keep land taxes low so that folks who own family land, and have for generations, are able to hold on to that land.
At the same time, the Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST) continues to allow growth.
SPLOST five will be finished with the construction of the new athletic complex at the high school, which was outlined in the original vote for the tax.
The next building project will be a new Career Technical and Agriculture (CTAE) facility on the high school campus. This is necessitated by the growth of those programs, especially the health science.
School officials are evaluating the next major project, whether that be a new middle school or elementary school.
Dillard-Miller reminded board members that the original thought had been to build a new middle school on the land purchased adjacent to the high school.
However, the shift in elementary school enrollment could alter that plan.
The school superintendent told how Blue Ridge Elementary once had the highest enrollment. That trend has changed. Now, Blue Ridge has about 370 students while both East and West elementaries have about 470 students each.
Dillard-Miller also told of her frustration with getting things done in government, echoing earlier comments made by county commission Chairman Jamie Hensley.
Even if the decision was made now as to what to build next, the process would take about six years before students could occupy the facility.
The school superintendent expressed two major goals, to give power back to classroom teachers, and to integrate the school and community.
“It’s time to stop micromanaging teachers,” she said, explaining the system has excellent teachers who know what needs to be done.
She said the future is brighter for everyone when the schools and community work together, and spoke to the strong support the system and students get from the community.
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Sandy Ott excited about growth experienced at UNG Blue Ridge
Sandy Ott was excited as she told Chamber of Commerce board members about the progress made at the University of North Georgia (UNG) Blue Ridge campus.
Ott, executive director of the campus, talked of the growth experience since the university first opened its doors to students at its original campus off Dunbarton Road in the Cohutta building. That opening in 2015 included some 20 students.
Currently, there are almost 250 students enrolled in 29 face-to-face classes. The largest enrollments are in Business Administration, Education, Nursing and Biology, but course offerings range from Chemistry to Spanish.
In addition to academic programming, the campus is engaged in the community through the PEAKS programs. These are free, weekly education programs for individuals 55+ providing information on such subjects as technology, kayaking, beekeeping, and “how to talk to physicians,” Ott explained. The program began in the Summer of 2021 and as of December UNG had seen over 2,000 attendees in the various workshops.
The next big step will be the start of construction on the campus expansion. The work is scheduled to begin the first week of February with a targeted completition in the Spring of 2025.
The 20,000 square foot expansion will bring a face-to-face Nursig and Education programs to the campus, and will include seating for 200 in a banquet style environment.
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Youngberg plans to benefit every Fannin business
Erick Youngberg told Fannin County Chamber of Commerce board members the county’s Economic Development arm is facing the same issues that have been faced for 20 years.
Youngberg, who just began his position as the Economic Development director, said he started the same way as many of those who held the job before him.
But after he and his board heard from Bill Prather, he tasked the group with the question, “What are we going to try to do?”
Prather had reminded the board of a Georgia Tech study some 20 years ago that pointed to the same problems Fannin faces today.
Youngberg said the problem to be addressed is that there is, “No place to live” in Fannin County. This hinders businesses, organizations and government alike as they try to find qualified people to fill available jobs.
Erick and the Economic Development board will turn their focus to finding solutions.
“We don’t have the answer today,” he said, but anticipated a “broad based approach” to any solution. He referred to construction, financing, and business partnerships.
Youngberg’s goal is to, “Benefit every business and every person in this county.”
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Seabolt brags on McCaysville
Mayor Thomas Seabolt was eager to brag about changes in McCaysville when he talked to Chamber of Commerce board members last week.
Seabolt began by saying, “I am proud” of the the expanded park and the relocation of the Veterans Memorial.
The Toccoa River Park expansion was completed last year and includes a long walking path, two pavilions, numerous benches, a dog park, and a basketball court.
Seabolt also talked about the new area set aside for the Veterans Memorial.
The iconic monument that stood for years at the intersection of Blue Ridge Drive and Tennessee Avenue was moved to a new home.
Seabolt mentioned some folks were wary of the move, but now no negative comments are heard.
The relocation is in a corner of the park, giving visitors the chance to read the names long inscribed, or to simply sit and think of their own memories.
Seabolt told of the new shop facility built just off Mobile Road that allows the city to house all its equipment indoors. “It’s all paid for,” Seabolt said.
He referred to the work beginning on the old steel bridge spanning the Toccoa River on Bridge Street. Fencing was being installed last week as the mayor spoke so that replacement of the decking and sidewalks could begin.
Seabolt also talked about the strain on the city’s water system, saying there are 3,100 customers and the city has “got to have some more water.” However, the city is at the maximum their Environmental Protection Agency permit will allow until water losses can be reduced. Currently, those losses are in the 40% range of all the water treated while EPA demands losses in the 20% range before the permit amount will be increases.
Because of the water need, the city is under a moratorium that prohibits adding any more water customers.