Tallulah Falls Marketing Plan Presented
Transcription
Tallulah Falls Marketing Plan Presented
The Northeast Georgian 75 cents MAY 3, 2013 Weekend ‘Face of secondary education’ to change next year By KIMBERLY BROWN Because of Georgia House Bill 131, Georgia Senate Bill 289, some changes in state Department of Education rules and new accountability, “the face of secondary education in Habersham County” is being redesigned. During a called Habersham County Board of Education meeting April 30, Pam Dalton, director of secondary curriculum in the county, described the changes to the board. Possibly the biggest change is a requirement for school systems to offer virtual learning opportu- nities, mandated by SB289, which is also known as the “virtual learning bill.” Dalton said under that bill, students entering ninth grade in 2014-15 must complete at least one course via Georgia Virtual School, an online dual enrollment course offered by a postsecondary institution or by a private provider. SB289 also requires local districts to maximize the number of students using online end-of-course tests (EOCTs). Local school systems may not prohibit any student from taking a course through Georgia Virtual School regardless of wheth- er the school in which the student is enrolled offers the same course. “We’re being charged as a district to maximize our online testing opportunities,” Dalton said. “That’s why your commitment to support the computer lab purchases is critical because it will also be a piece of SB289.” “We have to change our way of thinking about the courses we’re offering our students,” School Superintendent Matthew Cooper said. “We have to get creative to comply with some of this new legislation. I See Education, Page 2A Habersham’s MOST WANTED D E R U T The Habersham County Sheriff ’s Office is seeking to locate the following individual. Those with information on his whereabouts are asked to call 706-839-1724. P A C James Len Ramey 41 years of age Caucasian male, brown hair, brown eyes, 6’1”, 210 pounds Last known location: Iron Ore Road at state Route 365, Demorest Last seen: April 18, 2013 Ramey apprehended in Lumpkin County Capture ends four-month pursuit of most wanted KIMBERLY BROWN/Staff A group of National Day of Prayer Breakfast attendees gather to pray. The breakfast was held Thursday at Habersham Electric Membership Corp. community room with guest speaker, the Rev. Shane Satterfield, southeast region vice president of Marketplace Chaplains. Shown, facing inward from left, are Cliff Brown, Blake Foster and Mike Franklin. National Day of Prayer observed locally Day of Prayer Breakfast held May 2 at Habersham Electric Membership Corp. community room. Satterfield has been in the ministry for 21 years, with 15 years as a Baptist minister and six years as Southeast Region vice By KIMBERLY BROWN How do you pray? Praying the promises of God is a way to revolutionize your prayer life, the Rev. Shane Satterfield told a group of about 100 attendees at the National president of Marketplace Chaplains, supervising more than 500 chaplains. Satterfield said there is only “one truth” for believers. “The idea that somebody can represent truth to you, and you disagree with it, is what freedoms are about. But it doesn’t make the truth any less truth. Whether you believe in God or not, it doesn’t make him not God.” Saying there’s “too See Prayer, Page 3A By CHRISTINA SANTEE The search for Habersham County’s most wanted man ended Tuesday. James Len Ramey, 41, of Clarkesville, was apprehended by U.S. Marshals Service Northern District personnel at approximately 3 p.m., April 30, in Lumpkin County, according to Habersham County Sheriff Joey Terrell. “I think the Lumpkin County Sheriff [Department] was involved, but the U.S. Marshals [Service] was [the agency] after him,” he said April 30. Authorities had been hot on Ramey’s trail since January, when he allegedly tried to hit two Habersham County Sheriff’s Office deputies while fleeing from a Demorest residence in a stolen truck. In Habersham County, Ramey currently faces charges of aggravated assault, aggravated assault on police officer, theft by receiving stolen property, reckless driving, fleeing or attempting to elude police officer, obstructing or hindering law enforcement See Ramey, Page 2A Archway executive committee hears Tallulah Falls marketing plan Feasibility study of Rails to Trails to be conducted By DONALD FRASER E. LANE GRESHAM/Staff Dispatchers with Habersham County E-911/EMS keep a log of livestock owners in case of escape. When cows or other livestock are reported “at large,” dispatchers attempt to contact owners for retrieval. Shown, a pair of Hereford cows located in Batesville ponder the camera. E-911 dispatchers ready in case of ‘The Great Escape,’ bovine-style By DONALD FRASER It’s a cow book, and that’s no bull. Habersham E-911/EMS dispatch maintains a log book of owners of cows Volume 121, No. 92 “and all kinds of animals,” said Melanie Ballanger, assistant director of Habersham Emergency Management Agency/E-911, on April 29. “A livestock book is Contact us 706-778-4215 Fax 706-778-4114 thenortheastgeorgian.com Two sections, 20 pages PHONE FAX more like it,” said Lynn Smith EMA/E-911 director on April 30. The book lists livestock owners, Ballanger said. See Cow, Page 3A INDEX DEATHS, 8A •Arnold F. Burton, 67 •Dr. Rodrigo Jurado Habersham Archway Partnership has been loaded up with projects, but the executive committee now has several tangible results. Two University of Georgia graduate students in the Terry College of Business unfolded a town of Tallulah Falls marketing plan May 1 for Habersham Archway Partnership’s executive committee. “We’re really excited about this project,” said Michael Kolzet, of the Tallulah Falls marketing plan he and fellow graduate student Kevin Trexler developed. The two were impressed with the number of “assets we can leverage,” Kolzet said, for improving the town’s business and commercial future. The students, with plan in hand, told Partnership executive committee members they would present plan highlights, which included four steps to revitalization. Step 1 is downtown improvements, including refurbishing old buildings, offering retail stores and restaurants incentives to move into the area and creating a main street with a coffee shop, art gallery or similar business which “encourages socializing.” •Lurlene W. Payne, 85 Classifieds 6-7B Calendar 12A Opinion 4A Sports 1-4B TV 3B 706-864-6068 MEtAL 706-864-2147 rooFiNG & siDiNG 6195 Hwy 52 East • Murrayville, Georgia 30564 coME visit our sHowrooM The “use of the Tallulah Falls Overlook” is one of our marketing advantages, Kolzet said, and it is “the hook” to get travelers to stopping and visiting. Creating a community foundation is Step 2 and the collective funding would be used to help further arts and business projects. The foundation also provides a vehicle for community buy in and an opportunity to voice their vision of the town’s future, Kolzet said. Marketing the town is imperative for both existing business and to attract new business, according to Kolzet. He noted the town’s website is out of date and there is much inaccurate information. The Internet plays significantly into tourist planning. “You’ve got to stay up-to-date with that information,” Kolzet said. The biggest problem [facing Tallulah Falls] is lack of awareness” the town exists, Kolzet said. A marketing campaign and signage are a necessary Step 3. “Signage is important,” he said, especially an electronic sign with messaging “that talks about what is going on.” It is important “to get people to stop [at Tallulah Falls], even if it’s just for a few hours,” Kolzet said. See Archway, Page 9A The Northeast Georgian Friday, May 3, 2013 9A Demorest ponders contractor-based planning Building code enforcement, code violation investigation part of package By DONALD FRASER The city of Demorest is discussing contracting with Suwanee-based McFarland-Dyer Associates for construction site plan review, development, building construction inspections, engineering services and code enforcement within the city. The services would be on an as-needed basis. The discussion occurred during council’s April 30 regularly scheduled work session held prior to its first Tuesday monthly meeting. Council also discussed pending changes to city ordinances pertaining to fees for services which could be provided by McFarland-Dyer in the future. “We would manage that process,” said Guy Herring, director of planning for McFarland-Dyer, of the site planning, permitting and building inspection, including “contact with necessary state agencies. Fees paid would have 90 percent going to the company and 10 percent going to Demorest, Herring said. “It’s like a pay through. The client is paying for the services.” Having the private company manage the process means it would take on liability. “This would take the liability off the city,” said Councilman Jerry Harkness. But final decisions would remain the city’s responsibility, Herring said. “We’re certainly not going to make decisions,” but will advise the city. Handling city code violations “would be complaint based,” Herring said, with the company investigating and making an enforcement recommendation and the city police department handling enforcement. In other business, council: • Heard a resolution to appoint Jack Fulbright to the Demorest Downtown Development Authority will be voted upon at the Tuesday meeting; • Heard from Ben Turnipseed, with the city’s Atlanta-based water and wastewater engineering firm, bids for construction of a new wastewater treatment plant will be opened May 7. Turnipseed reported the city’s water meter replacement project is 90 percent complete and a waterline replacement project is 10 percent completed. The almost-$1.4-million water system pipeline replacement project includes water line replacement in the Soque Trail, Soque Ridge and Pea Ridge areas. Work includes replacing approximately 18,000 feet of eight-inch pipe and another 20,000 feet of six-inch line. Another approximately 12,000 feet of six- and four-inch water system distribution line is included in the project, along with various service connections, fire hydrants and valves. The water meter project replaces old meters with radio-read meters at a cost of approximately $1.2 million. Worldwide free comic book days comes to Clarkesville The Art-Full Barn in Clarkesville is one of thousands of comic book shops around the world celebrating the comic book art form on Saturday, May 4. On Free Comic Book Day, more than 3.3 million comic books will be given away by participating stores, introducing as many people as possible to the wonders of comic books. “The wide array of comic books being published today ensures that readers of all ages — children, teens, and adults – can find something appro- priate that will stir their imaginations,” said Gail Kimsey of The Art-Full Barn. Celebrating its 12th year, Free Comic Book Day has proven to be a smashing success, spreading the word that comics are terrific reading. “Even if you have never picked up a comic book, stop into The Art-Full Barn, because you never know what you will end up finding,” Kimsey said. “We at The Art-Full Barn want to spread the word comics are perfect for today’s times. Comic books and graphic novels are considered hip, hot and smart, and we have more than 1,000 of them to give away on May 4.” Kimsey said comic books have propelled to the front ranks of pop culture, with many being adapted into movies. “The first weekend of May has been and will continue being a big day in the comic book world,” she said. “This is our first year participating in the event and we want it to be a fun day for everyone, so anyone who comes into the store will get a free comic book. Anyone coming in wearing a comic book-related shirt would get two free comic books. And anyone who shows up in full costume will get three.” Regular updates, information about comic books and a list of participating publishers and their free comics are all online at FreeComicBookDay.com. Free Comic Book Day kicks off at 10 a.m. and runs until 5 p.m. at The Art-Full Barn, 107 LaPrade St., Clarkesville. Call 706-754-1247 for more information. Hayes Chevrolet to remodel Baldwin facility Hayes Chevrolet dealership is undergoing a major overhaul this spring. In an effort to satisfy General Motors Co. standards, Hayes Chevrolet began renovating its facility Monday, April 29, according to Terry Hayes, partner of Hayes Chevrolet, located at 3656 state Route 365 in Baldwin. “We’re updating the building, the outside … the showroom and also the service area and the customer lounge,” he said May 1. “[GM] has certain standards and is trying to get every dealership to look similar.” Hayes said since the facility had not been updat- freshing,” he said, adding the Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram store adjacent to the Chevy dealership had undergone renovations in early 2012. “[But] this is a lot more of a major overhaul than the Chrysler store.” Hayes said he anticipates the construction will last approximately 90 days. CHRISTINA SANTEE/Staff Chevrolet will The Hayes Chevrolet dealership in Baldwin receives updates to its maintain regular business hours service parts facility. throughout the ed since its establishment “facelift.” course of renovain 2005, it was time for a “It needed a little re- tion, he added. Archway Revitalization, Step 4, is key to the future of Tallulah Falls and includes lodging, such as a bed-andbreakfast, and perhaps a restaurant, preferably a coffee house. Emphasis also needs to be on events. “You’re not capitalizing on them,” Kolzet said. “These events could be bigger and better,” he said, of whitewater kayaking and aesthetic water releases. “There is no [working] relationship between the [Tallulah Gorge State] park and the town,” Kolzet said. No referrals are made to town businesses because park employees don’t even know businesses’ operating hours. “You need a liaison between the two,” he said. An important point to Tallulah Falls’ future is “who is going to take leadership and ownership of this?” Kolzet said. “The only way you can do this is by getting the communities together,” including residents, businesses, Tallulah Falls School and Tallulah Gorge State Park.” “The sheer speed of traffic,” said Mike Mixon, Habersham Archway Partnership chair, makes it difficult to pull tourists from the highway into town. 10th District Rep. Terry Rogers noted similarities between Tallulah Falls and the Sautee Nacoochee area in White County. Sautee has developed a community center and a busy commercial area, which From Page 1A draws tourists away from nearby Helen. “There are some tremendous parallels,” Rogers noted. “Once people learn of the opportunities” for activities in Tallulah Falls, “things will happen,” said Larry Peevy, Tallulah Falls School president, and a Partnership executive committee member. “People aren’t looking for Tallulah Falls. They’re looking for the [Tallulah Gorge State] park or for recreation.” “I think it’s an outstanding plan,” said Gail Thaxton, North Georgia Technical College president, and a Partnership executive committee member. “There are some things expensive [to accomplish] and there are some things that could start tomorrow” [with less cost], she said. In other business, the committee: • Approved organizing a work group to conduct a feasibility study of a Rails to Trails project using the former Tallulah Falls Railroad rail bed. Mixon polled each member of the committee to allow comment, which was generally positive. “I think it’s a great idea,” said Natalie Crawford, District 4 County Commissioner. “I think it’s important we pursue it,” said Wade Rhodes, with the Habersham Chamber of Commerce board. “We need to do it while we’re hooked up with Archway.” Committee members had no problems leavening their positive comments with practical concerns for costs, maintenance issues and related matters. A feasibility study could address “how is it going to be maintained?” said Mt. Airy Mayor Gary Morris. In terms of trail development “you might be talking Cadillac and I’m talking Chevrolet.” “A 150-page rails to trails [draft] plan” has already been produced by the Georgia Mountain Regional Commission,” said Mixon. “There’s a lot of information in it.” “The only way we’re really going to know [if a Rails to Trails project is feasible] is if we have a work group and have a study done,” Mixon said. He also noted “asking hard questions doesn’t mean you don’t support it.” By asking hard questions, “I like to think it’s been thought through very well,” Mixon said. Four other graduate students, from UGA’s School of Environment and Design, presented a Master Plan Vision for the Habersham County Airport Industrial Park. [The Archway Partnership students were scheduled to present the plan to the Habersham County Industrial Development Authority at its May 3 regular monthly meeting. Because the meeting fell after The Northeast Georgian’s press deadline, the story will be in the May 8 issue of the newspaper.] CONGRATULATIONS Class of 2013 By CHRISTINA SANTEE SUBMITTED Co-founders and Clarkesville natives Britney Vickery, left, and Ivy Hall, with the signed Starter Kit Box for the 10,000th consultant. Initials Inc. Signs 10,000th Consultant On the evening of April 29, an exciting email was circulated to Initials Inc. Home Office staffers from co-founders Britney Vickery and Ivy Hall. It simply read, “We did it! 10,000th Creative Partner (consultant) signed!” For weeks the company has been projecting when the 10,000th Creative Partner would start a business with the company. “Achieving this milestone is the beginning of so much for us all,” Vickery said. “Living our core belief of ‘There’s only one you’ means this number represents the thousands of lives we have the honor and privilege to be a part of everyday. And more so, that we are just getting started on this amazing journey.” So what does this mean for the Clarkesville-based Initials Inc.? “When you look at companies in our industry [direct sales such as Mary Kay and Pampered Chef] with substantial growth, one of the milestone benchmarks that they talk about is hitting 10,000 consultants,” Hall said. “With this number, momentum escalates for even faster growth; positioning the company to offer better tools, improved processes and create more opportunities for women and families across the country.” To announce the accomplishment, Vickery and Hall shared the news with more than 40,000 of their friends on the Initials Inc. corporate Facebook page through a video announcement. “When you have something big to share you want to tell your friends, right? We thought we’d share it with over 40,000 of ours,” Vickery said. Initials Inc. was launched in 2005 by sisters Vickery and Hall. Initials Inc. is a fashion handbag and home organization company that offers products through inhome parties. Locally, Initials Inc. employs more than 48 residents from Habersham County and the surrounding area. For more information on Initials Inc., visit Initialsinc.com. – Staff reports BOE to hold meeting for DOE planning The Habersham County of Board of Education invites parents, guardians and community members to provide input for the Consolidated Local Education Improvement Plan, as required by the U.S. Department of Education. A meeting is set for 6 p.m., Tuesday, May 14, in the Media Center at Demorest Elementary School, 3116 Demorest- Mt. Airy Highway, Demorest. System directors for Special Education; Title I, Part A Academic Achievement; Title I, Part C Migrant Education; Title II, Teacher Quality; Title III, Immigrant; and Title III, Language English Proficiency will be present. For more information, call Rhonda Andrews, 706-754-2110, ext. 104. The Northeast Georgian Honors All Habersham County Graduates... Class of 2013 This year’s special graduation publication will include: • Graduate Photos • Honor Photos • Senior Superlatives We will have seniors from three schools A keepsake for students and families Publication date: Wednesday, May 29 Deadline date: Friday, May 10 Contact Your Advertising Representative Today! Linda Carder .................. lcarder@@thenortheastgeorgian.com Bernie Mastracchio ..... bmastracchio@thenortheastgeorgian.com Melanie Peek .................... mpeek@thenortheastgeorgian.com (706) 778-4215 2013-G