Changes to Alcohol Ordinances, Suggestions and Comments From Citizens Dominate County Meeting

By LYDIA BERGLAR
News Editor

The March 7th meeting of the Dade County Board of Commissioners featured a full audience.

Beginning the meeting, Ted Rumley (county executive) noted Brandon “Tank” Stevens’ recent promotion to parks and recreation director, saying that it is a big job that Stacy Stephens had been handling in addition to his maintenance supervisor duties. He indicated that Stephens will now be able to focus on electrical inspections and building maintenance.

The commission appointed Pam Wheeler to the Bridge Health board. Rumley noted that Wheeler works with state probation.

The commission approved a SPLOST expenditure request from Dade County Mountain Rescue without questions, concerns, or debate. Reed Gross, assistant chief of mountain rescue, requested permission to use the department’s remaining 2015 SPLOST allocations and a portion of the 2021 allocations to upgrade their two-way radio equipment, purchase a mobile radio for the rescue truck, purchase portable radios for on-scene use, purchase Bluetooth wireless microphones, and purchase a radio battery charging base for the rescue truck.

To cover the $22,133.75 total, Gross requested the remaining $15,607 from the 2015 SPLOST and $6,526.75 from the 2021 SPLOST.

Rumley noted that we have this team because of the caves, trails, hang gliding community, and general terrain of our area. He said, “It’s almost weekly, believe it or not, that they get called out, especially in the summertime [when] a lot of people are hiking. They are specially equipped to go in for that.”

The historic courthouse restoration update from Cole Adkins of Blevins Construction Management included an updated contingency fund of $90,278 (including the roof installation and cost savings from Acoustical Ceilings and Flooring).

Adkins reported that work on the roof is currently taking place. The official report read [sic], “Roofing tear off and Installation scheduled for next week. After the contract was Issued to JDH It was discovered that a single roof Is present under the existing metal roof. JDH Is concerned some of the roof decking Is dry rotted and will need to be replaced. Thus, warranting the removal of the old shingle roof. JDH has proposed proceeding with this process on a time and material basis, but a lump sum price will be provided.”

The commission approved surplusing a 1985 Chevrolet pick-up truck from Dade County Fire Station One. The truck’s odometer read 358,863 miles.

The commission approved a request from the probate court to use a new fingerprinting service. Robin Rogers (county attorney) explained that the Georgia Bureau of Investigation is using a new fingerprinting company, so the county’s probate court is also moving to the new company. Along with Rogers, Don Townsend (chief financial officer and county clerk) noted that the fees are staying the same.

The commission discussed the Alcoholic Beverage Control Board’s recommendation to update the ordinances. This was the first reading of the updated ordinances with a second to follow before the commission takes a vote.

Relevant documents can be accessed via the county’s website. Visit www.dadecounty-ga.gov, select “Agendas and Minutes,” select the March 7th 6:00 p.m. meeting link, and scroll down/select item ten on the agenda.

Most of the commissioners noted that they were fine with the updates, with Lamar Lowery (District 1 commissioner) in particular noting that he would like more time to review and think through the changes.

The Sentinel will be covering this topic in more depth soon, but in summary: The first change would allow golf courses to serve alcohol in an effort to limit “brown bagging.” (This would, of course, impact Trenton Golf Club.) The second change would remove the requirement for liquor to be served only within two miles of an interstate exit. (First and foremost, this would impact Canyon Grill.)

Melissa Bradford (District 4 commissioner) explained, “What we’re trying to do is get compliant with the state because we are not a dry county anymore…We’ve had some people come to us about being supported, having the choice of being able to sell spirits.”

She and Phillip Hartline (District 2 commissioner) in particular noted that they were fine with these changes because citizens have asked for these changes for several years and these updates would help local businesses thrive.

Doug “Peanut” Moore (ABC board chairman) said, “It’s time to move along with what the future’s showing.”

Bradford also explained that she would like the ABC board to be able to make decisions like these so that “it doesn’t always have to come back to this commission. This gives them the ability to make those decisions for the county.”

Rumley then asked all candidates in the upcoming election who were in attendance to introduce themselves. All who were present have run announcements in the Sentinel in recent weeks.

During Citizens Participation, John Huffman spoke which led to numerous citizen responses. Due to limited space and time, the Sentinel encourages all interested readers to watch the full interactions online. The livestream video is available on Facebook (with or without an account) under the “Dade County, GA” page. Huffman’s remarks began at 40:00 minutes, and the interactions concluded at 1:11:20.

Huffman listed about 18 topics that he is dissatisfied with in the county. He also suggested ways to address these topics. Again, watch the livestream to hear the full list presented.

In between the interactions related to Huffman, Summer Kelley spoke. As a clarifying question, she asked if anyone can contact the county to request to be added to the agenda. “You don’t have to be an employee if you have something,” she said. Rumley concurred, explaining that if a topic requires more than five minutes, it is often added to the work session agenda, saying, “That way it’s informal; you can talk all you [need].”

Kelley then said, “I wanted to say thank you to Stacy [Stephens].” She explained that a tree fell during a recent storm, damaging her house and causing a power surge. She described Stephens’ quick response to help her meet Georgia Power’s requirements even as she simultaneously dealt with a family emergency. “I just wanted to say thank you for taking time to work with me.”

Several citizens then spoke about other topics. Ryan Faircloth suggested that the county showcase local cultural icons, such as Bluegrass Hall of Fame member Norman Blake, a Rising Fawn native.

Patrick Hickey announced the New Home Meet and Greet, inviting all candidates to attend. It will be at 6 p.m. on March 15th at the New Home Community Center (3565 New Home Road).

He also asked the commission about how to submit a work order about a deep pothole at New Home Road and Brow Road. Rumley said he would notify the road crew.

Susan Talbott asked about the Industrial Development Authority’s meeting dates, agendas, and minutes. She asked the commission to consider livestreaming the IDA meetings. Rumley redirected these questions to Carey Anderson (public information officer) who noted that the IDA has its own webpage.

The following day, the Sentinel followed up with Talbott, Anderson, Evan Stone (IDA executive director), Seth Houts (IDA board member), and James Cantrell (IDA chairman).

The webpage in question is housed under the county’s website at www.dadecounty-ga.gov/311/Industrial-Development, but it is run by the IDA. Users must scroll to the bottom to see meetings on the calendar. All other IDA links on the page do not work, and the standard county links/images have not been updated to provide IDA-related information.

Anderson helped the IDA set up the webpage when the board decided to use the same website provider as the county. Anderson reported that she offered to post on the webpage and help update it, but the IDA chose to assign that work to Houts. She reported that Houts was given all necessary editing capabilities and connected with training resources.

As a board separate from the county commission, it is up to the IDA to establish livestreaming of their meetings.

Anderson said, “The county is here to help boards communicate whatever they want to to the public. If they come to us and seek help, we’re more than happy to facilitate that.”

Houts, however, said that he plans to meet with Anderson to attain additional editing capabilities. He said, “There are plans for [the webpage]; I just haven’t had the chance to do it yet.” He said the first priority was getting meeting dates and agendas posted. He posts agendas when he receives them from William Back prior to meetings.

It is possible to view previous agendas, although it isn’t user-friendly or intuitive. Click “View Full Calendar,” select the appropriate month and meeting, click “More Details,” and then click the agenda.

Regarding meeting minutes, Stone reported that the IDA is not required to post minutes. Regarding livestreaming, he said the IDA had no issues with the county livestreaming the meetings for them (as happened for several years).

When asked why KWN (Stone’s media business that livestreams the City of Trenton and Dade County Board of Education meetings) couldn’t livestream the IDA meetings, Stone did not directly answer. He said KWN only livestreams the other meetings because people asked for that service. When asked if the IDA would consider asking KWN or the county to livestream its meetings, Stone said Cantrell would have to answer that.

Cantrell said, “We really haven’t discussed it. I don’t mind asking the board if they have any objections against it. It would have to be put before the board to have someone outside to do it. I wouldn’t want to make that decision on my own.”

Talbott told the Sentinel, “It seemed to me to be a fairly simple question. I’m discovering today that I’ve had to follow up with several people.” The Sentinel asked if she felt that her questions had been answered. She said, “I don’t feel like my questions have been answered. I’ve had lots of responses, but the question of the IDA meetings being livestreamed still has not been answered by the IDA.”

Lowery read the 911 report. Calls for February, which totaled 2,944, were as follows:

• EMS: 213
• Fire & Rescue: 264
• Law Enforcement: 2,467

Several commissioners partially responded to Huffman’s comments and the discussion that ensued. Again, full comments can be seen on the livestream.

Bradford announced that Tire Amnesty Day will be on May 11th, even with light rain. If the weather is very bad, May 18th is the back-up date.

Hartline noted, “Hotel/motel tax is something I keep an eye on, and from December to January, it went up $67,000. That shows how many people come through this county.” Rumley added that the county receives no tax from visitors staying at Cloudland Canyon because it is state property.

Sandy White (president/CEO of the Alliance for Dade) reported on several local businesses (like Rosie Mae’s Alpaca Far and McLemore Golf Club) that have expanded offerings. She noted many upcoming local events.

The monthly financials were presented and approved as usual.