July, 2008 Newsletter

Proposed Power Sub Station on Lake Chatuge Side of Route 76 Opposite Parker Oil:

As part of the TVAs Reservoir Land Management Study begun last summer, TVA is considering a proposal from the BRMEMC to sell approximately two acres of the 10 acre parcel designated by TVA as parcel 52 which is located adjacent to Virginia Palmer’s business and trailer park and across the street from the Parker Oil company on US 76 south of Hiawassee. The neighboring businesses and homeowners are opposed to this proposal and your Board has taken a strong and public position in support of their opposition. We have formed a task force within the TCHA to address the issue with BRMEMC and try to help them identify an alternative site. Mike Brock, Bob Keys and Charley Kraus have met with Commissioner Kendall several times to enlist his support. In turn, Kendall has written TVA requesting a public hearing be convened in Towns County While TVA has not responded and are not required by law to hold such a hearing, they have indicated to him that they are positively considering the idea but a definitive answer has not yet been made. Flash- TVA will announce soon that they will have a hearing on the substation issue. It will be held during the week of 18 August somewhere in Towns County. Watch for details in the local papers.

In the meantime, several of our concerned citizens have on their own, begun discussions with the TVA Board of Directors and other senior staff in Knoxville seeking to stop this proposal. Your Board has joined them in this effort and will continue to work with them.

The Reservoir Land Management Study, mentioned above, has now entered its second phase for public input. This was kicked off with a meeting with the Commissioner and the two Mayors and other local officials on 29 July. Public comments will be accepted during the month of August at the addresses listed below. In addition, there will be an open house hosted by TVA at the North Georgia Technical College in Blairsville on Wednesday, 27 August from 4 to 8 PM. We strongly urge our membership to attend and comment. The meeting was held with Towns County to particularly address three parcels pf particular interest and impact to the county.

One is Parcel 52 mentioned above, which is being dealt with internally but TVA in a separate package but which is also open for comment during this comment period.

The second is Parcel 10, 27 acres, which is located on the north side of Wood Creek directly across from the Breezewood and Thunder Bay developments (local members take note and action). This parcel has been requested to be redesignated for industrial development to support the Towns-Clay County Industrial Park. Your board will oppose this action

The third is Parcel 77 which is 66 acres on the east side of the lake off of Mull Road which the county would like for development of a recreational park.

There are other issues such as boating safety and etiquette which your Board has already raised with TVA and we will restate them in our current response.

Comments can be directed to :

Mountain Reservoirs Land Management Plan
C/o TVA NEPA Resources
Attn: Kenneth P. Parr (LP 5U-C)
1101 Market Street, Chattanooga, TN 37402

Or by the comment line: 1 866 601 4612 Or by email: Mountain-Reservoirs@tva.gov.

The summary of last summer’s comment period together with maps and other detail can be found on the TVA web site at: www.tva.gov/environment/reports/mtnres/

Once again, we urge every member to inform him/herself of the issues associated with these proposed changes to our lake shore and comment both in writing and with your presence at the 27 August Open House.

Sales Tax:

At the July 12, 2008 Board of Directors meeting, Bob Scott led a discussion on the possibility of the Board of Education cutting off the remaining 3 years on their SPLOST (1 cent sales tax) and allowing this 1 cent to go for the T.C. Fire Dept. The Legislature has to approve, so it would be 2009 before it could be on the ballot. Conversations with the Commissioner indicate his desire to defer discussion of this proposal until next year and then to do so as an across the board remedy for funding shortfalls in several of the county departments.

Towns County Commissioner's Meetings:
Bob Keys reported on the June 19 Commissioner's meeting. Attending: Commissioner Kendall, Linda Hedden, Brian Raynard, a concerned citizen regarding the substation proposal (he is against), Mac Clark of Landtech, Jeff Edge, Towns County Herald, and Keys. Official business conducted comprised solely of approving a bid by Dispatch Product Company, Atlanta, GA for 911-workstation cabinetry. Their winning bid was $27,395. Bids were open to local companies as well, but no local business entered a bid. Unofficial discussions pertained to the substation parcel, new exercise equipment at the recreation center, citizen use of the improved beach area and Joan Crothers beautifying Hiawassee. Commissioner Kendall stated he had not heard from TVA since sending them a letter (published in the papers) asking for a public hearing on use of Parcel 52. Praises were given to the Commissioner for his efforts in improving the beach area and how good it was to see the citizens and children enjoying the area. Also, the upgrading of exercise equipment at the recreation center and how much the citizens are using that as well. Noticeable around Hiawassee is the improvement in the garden areas, planters, shrubs, the square, which has been done by Joan Crothers and her associates in the Garden Club. Kendall has had some of the TC detainees to help as well. Joan has put many hours into this project and it has not gone unnoticed. A big thank you from all.

J.C. Berrong, newly elected TCHA Board Director, reported on the July 17, 2008 Commissioner's meeting. The meeting was short that evening. Those attending were Bill Kendall, Jean Kendall, Linda Hedden and Berrong. The only business was the first reading of the proposed Towns County Culvert Installation Application, Site Review, and Permit.

Hiawassee City Council Meetings:
Bob Crawford reported on the Hiawassee City Council meeting of July 1, ʽ08. Approved the amended 2007-2008 Budget; approved the 2008-2009 proposed Budget. This budget includes a 5% cost of living raise. Susan Wyman, with the Mountain Arts Festival, wants to establish an annual Arts Festival in Hiawassee, to be called summer's Last Kiss, preferably the last week of summer.

The 2008 Comprehensive Water & Sewer connection fee ordinance mandates an increase of 5%. The new rates will start 1 August and will appear on the September bills. Approved a motion authorizing the filing of an application to Georgia Facilities Authority (GEFA) for the Georgia Water Supply Competitive Grant Program. The Council went into Executive Session.

TCHA Donation to the TC Sheriff's Department:

A $500 check was presented Tuesday, July 15, to Sheriff Chris Clinton by your new Treasurer, Jack Miller and Vice President, Wes Lerdon. This money will be used to purchase one-type standard manufactured pistols for all deputies. This need was not budgeted and the pistols issued by the former sheriff were badly worn. With some not ejecting shells and preventing rapid fire. The pistols will now be the same for all deputies thus "level the playing field" for all officers to regularly qualify by shooting required scores of target accuracy. This TCHA action was approved unanimously by the TCHA Board. The funding follows like amounts by an eastside church, the TC Republican Party and a private donor, who all felt this would improve safety aspects for all TC citizens.

TCHA Dues for Fiscal Year July 1, 2008 through June 30, 2009:

Your $25 dues, covering each family membership, can be mailed to TCHA, P.O. Box 455, Hiawassee, GA, 30546-0455. If you wish to pay for two years, and avoid paying again next year, you may send $50 and be a member in good standing until June 30,2010. Any questions can be sent to Wes Lerdon, by your reply to this e-mail, as Wes has the official private Roster to know if your membership expired June 30, 2008. Other questions may also be directed to Jack Miller, our Treasurer, at 706-896-5188.



The Directors and Officers of the Towns County Homeowners Association:

Charley Kraus, President
Wes Lerdon, Vice President
Joan Cruthers, Secretary
Jack Miller, Treasurer
Bob Crawford, Director
JC Berrong, Director
Mike Brock, Director
Bob Keys, Director