Dahlonega Mayor Gary McCullough and the City Council made a plea for local clubs, groups and organizations to help with the roadside trash problem within the city limits during the City Council’s w

I am a junior at the University of North Georgia, majoring in English and minoring in Music. 

I am the new intern at The Dahlonega Nugget and I hope to use my experiences here to help me figure out what I would like to do after college. 

I am very excited about my internship, if not also incredibly anxious; this is my first experience working for a newspaper and I’m not really sure what to expect. 

This is my first published article in a newspaper too, so I’m not sure what to write either. 

When I’m not sure what to write, I generally start making lists because they’re easier. 

So here’s a list of five facts about me: 

1.    I own a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel named Luna and two cats named Pumpkin and Lizzie. I promise you that they are the cutest animals on this planet.

2.    My favorite genre to read is Young Adult fiction, because I am a very basic white girl. 

3.    My favorite author is probably John Green (again, basic white girl). I also love Rainbow Rowell and Junot Diaz.

4.    I own a lot of lipstick. Like, more lipstick than any six to 10 people would ever need or use in a lifetime. 

5.    I also work at a kennel, so I smell like dog half of the time. Very attractive. 

Now that you know a bit about me, I look forward to learning more about the community of Dahlonega during my time at The Nugget.

City Hall was packed with over 50 people on Monday, February 1, when the City Council announced their decision on local businesswoman Roberta Garrett’s appeal of the Historic Preservation Commission’s (HPC) decision to deny Garrett’s application to demolish the Parks Building at 40 East Main Street.

City mayor Gary McCullough started the special called meeting with an apology for the delay in the council’s decision, citing the vast amount of public comments and evidence acquired during the HPC’s hearing on the matter that each council member had to digest in order to come to a conclusion.

“It took a long time to go through that many pages,” said McCullough as he pointed to two large binders full of information about the HPC’s denial of Garrett’s application for Certificate of Appropriateness (COA).

As the meeting was a special called meeting and not a public meeting, the proceedings went by quickly as no public comments were heard by the council.

After a brief statement by Garrett’s representative attorney Joseph A. Homans, council member Bruce Hoffman made a motion to reverse the HPC’s decision to deny Garrett’s application to demolish the century-old Parks Building.

“I make a motion to reverse the HPC’s decision,” said Hoffman, citing “Exhibit A” as the reasoning behind the motion.

After Hoffman made the motion, councilman Sam Norton asked for City Manager Bill Schmid to read aloud the “Exhibit A” Hoffman alluded to.

In essence “Exhibit A” stated that the COA should be granted should the applicant satisfy three conditions laid out in the document.

The conditions that Garrett must fulfill in order for the COA to be approved were that she is required to remove the vegetation growing on the building, properly secure the building from access to humans or animals and brace the building to prevent collapse. 

The document encouraged, but did not require, Garrett to subdivide the property in order to allow the sale or lease of the main part of the structure (the pre-1890s Ell addition) to anyone willing to undertake the restoration, preservation or rehabilitation of the older portion, including the foundation. 

If Garrett decides not to subdivide the property, she is required to make the building available for removal and relocation to another property in Lumpkin County where it can be reconstructed and repurposed.

Garrett must met the conditions within the time constraints laid out in the document.

All of the information that the council utilized to make their decision to reverse the HPC’s decision is available at the Dahlonega government website at: dahlonega-ga.gov.

A driver’s license violation led to much more for Britany Wiginton on Sunday evening after the Dahlonega resident was found to be in possession of a 37 grams of methamphetamine and a quarter pound

Recently, there has been a substantial amount of conversation regarding the future of national forest land in Georgia.

A few people got punched in the nose, but when the fighting was over Parks & Rec scholarships for at least 76 Lumpkin youngsters had been funded. And, the fighting was all on the up and up. 

The Pi Kappa Alpha chapter on the University of North Georgia campus recently hosted a boxing night to raise funds for needy Lumpkin youth involved in sports, after-school programs and other activities of Parks & Rec. Twenty-two boxers stepped into the ring in the Parks & Rec gym Jan. 27 for Pike Fights, which raised almost $2,700 for rec department scholarships.

“This outstanding group of young men did a great job and put on a first-class event,” said Lumpkin County Parks & Rec Director Greg Walker. “We are very fortunate to be the benefactors of this event and to have forged this new partnership with Pi Kappa Alpha.” 

Walker had great praise for the fraternity’s ability to make a commitment and do exactly what they said they would, for the behavior of the UNG students who attended the event and for the way the event was run. Having worked as a Parks & Rec director since ’89, Walker said he was very impressed with the everything—set up and clean up; crowd management; arranging the professional ring, referee, sound and lighting; managing the parking lot and arranging paramedics and law enforcement support. “Our county leadership and board are extremely pleased with the results of this event, and we definitely hope to continue this relationship,” he said.

While the fraternity had considered donating to an Atlanta-based charity, they selected Parks & Rec instead. “We wanted to give back to our own community,” said David Adam, Pi Kappa Alpha External V.P. “We realized larger charities have large benefactors, and we learned that Parks & Rec needed scholarship funds.”

Parks & Rec awards scholarships to youngsters in need for up to 50 percent of program costs, said Walker.

Adam attributes the great success of the event to the interest of both the UNG student population and the local community in supporting the youth scholarship program. In addition to selling 500 tickets, Pi Kappa Alpha was able to raise funds through sponsorships, with Trammell Tire, Parish Lowrie State Farm and The End Zone being major donors. 

The fraternity also runs a local golf tournament that raises funds for a scholarship for a Pi Kappa Alpha brother. When that scholarship fund becomes self-sustainable, Adam hopes that the event will continue and those funds will also be directed into the local community. 

“We as a fraternity have always tried to give back to the community through volunteering,” said Adam. He and Walker are currently discussing additional ways that Pi Kappa Alpha and the Lumpkin County Parks and Recreation Department can collaborate.

A trio of suspects have been indicted on murder and racketeering charges nearly a year after the violent death of Clermont resident David Keith Cox.

Rumors circulating around Dahlonega about a potential deal between the City Council and local businesswoman Roberta Garrett for a parking deck in return for the reversal of the Historic Preservatio

The Dahlonega Nugget is pleased to present two exciting upgrades to its service: our brand new website and e-Edition, a digital version of our newspaper. 

The e-Edition is an exact replica of the printed edition of The Dahlonega Nugget in a popular, flipbook format. It is the best way for out-of-town subscribers to access timely community news, and no matter where you live, e-Edition is easy and convenient. The e-Edition is easy and convenient, delivered right to your email inbox and there’s nothing to download — just click the edition and begin reading.

We encourage you to visit TheDahlonegaNugget.com to check out the new e-Edition, read breaking community news stories, learn more about local events and more. Do all this from the convenience of your computer, phone, iPad or any other mobile device.

Existing subscribers will have full access to the new website and e-Edition. You will no longer be required to remember a number for your username. Click on the black rectangle on the right hand side of the homepage to set up your account or click here.

Thank you again for being a loyal reader and subscriber. We are always looking for ways to bring you better products.

We hope you enjoy the new website and e-Edition.

Word on the street is, Lumpkin County roads have a growing litter problem.

Incidentally, there’s also growing number of people who think this trend is concerning for the beauty and prosperity of this community. 

“I use to look at the natural beauty of the mountains as I drove home from town, now all I notice is all the litter along the side of the road. It’s a problem,” says local resident Anna Elrod, who admits to moving to North Georgia from Austin, Texas to enjoy a place with “more foliage and a change of seasons.”

During the winter months, this problem is amplified. Since the leaves have fallen and the grass has gone dormant, the road shoulders become more noticeably decorated with all the litter bug leftovers.

Both local governments have been answering the problem the best way they know how: by taking to the streets to clean it up.

Larry Reiter, the Director of Planning and Public Works for the County, explained the County’s litter elimination efforts, “For litter pick up, we have one person, Joe Smith, who is devoted to street clean up, and we use inmates for additional labor. Smith is out cleaning up trash basically on a daily basis. It takes probably an hour to an hour and a half for a four man crew to clean up one mile of road.”

“And there are certain roads you can pick up and then two days later it doesn’t even look like you have been there,” Reiter said. 

“On a good case it takes an hour a mile. There are 400 miles of road in Lumpkin County. That’s 400 hours. That’s 20 percent of that one person’s annual hours to just get through all the roads. The best he can do is get all the roads 5 times a year. If that is all he does. And that is not all he does. He still has to cut the grass of the road shoulders, trim trees, and answer calls to pick up things that have been dumped. like old couches.”

It’s much the same story for the City’s road crew. Vince Hunsinger, Street Department Supervisor notes that, “Litter is a year round problem for City Streets and nearby State Roads.”

“In the summertime months, the guys pick it up as they cut the grass. During the winter months, there are guys dedicated to picking trash along all the city streets. We focus on places like Morrison Moore, North Grove Street, East Main, and Wimpy Mill. Wimpy Mill is probably one of the worst places for litter,” Hunsinger says. 

Both Hunsinger and Reiter agree that their crew could be doing more important things if people would, “just stop littering.”

IDENTIFYING THE TRASH

“The large majority of the litter being picked up is fast food related,” Reiter says, “People are probably pitching it out of their windows instead of taking it to the nearest trash can at a gas station, or their own house, and there are plenty of trash cans.”

Imogene Wilson, original owner of Jerry’s Superette on Highway 52, who resides in the house right beside the gas station, can vouch that the majority of the litter is fast food. 

“Everyday I have to pick up fast food trash in my front yard, and back behind the store is always awful, too” Wilson says. 

But Wilson, who is 80 years old, believes that it wasn’t always like this, “I guess people don’t respect other people’s properties and our environment like they used to,” she says. 

“It’s true” says Randy James, another local citizen who has invested some of his free time in picking up trash on Black Mountain Road near his place of residence.

“Trash mucks up everything. I like to show people the beauty of North Georgia and it’s hard to do that when there are people who have no respect for all this beauty,” James says. “The litter is a reflection of who we are, and how little time we think we have to take care of things properly. The litter problem and it’s consequences needs to come back to our local consciousness somehow.”

Ultimately, the trashed way our streets look right now, “It’s disgusting, a shame really” Anna Elrod says matter-of-factly, “We got to do something about this.”

The Lumpkin County Board of Education went from 42 applicants to six to a single finalist for the post of Superintendent of Lumpkin County Schools. 

In a called meeting on Monday night, board members voted unanimously to extend a contract to Dr. Robert W. Brown.

Brown most closely matched the profile developed through the public and employee surveys, board members agreed.

“He was the best fit for the qualities we developed based on the surveys. He had the characteristics we wanted,” said Dr. Susan Sockwell.

“We looked at the surveys and compiled the data and went for that, what the people and the teachers wanted,” said Craig Poore. “Additionally, we wanted someone who would connect with the community.”

Brown’s introductory letter stated his objective in seeking the position was “to serve effectively as a school system and community leader.”

His resume confirms his involvement in communities where he has served. 

Brown has been a member of Rotary and Kiwanis clubs; served on the boards of the chamber of commerce, Family Connection and Board of Health; and as a volunteer coach. 

He has also been involved in churches where he has lived.

Lynn Sylvester made a pro and con list in making her decision. “Nothing came up con,” she said. “He is also very strong in the financial area. He’s done well with the budget where he is and I think he will spend our money wisely and be able to face the challenges we have with a shrinking digest.”

“As Superintendent of Jeff Davis County School System, Dr. Brown led a number of cost-saving initiatives that improved the district’s financial position,” said Board Chair Bobby Self. 

“I was really impressed with the quality of the people who applied. Any of the six we chose to interview could have been our superintendent,” said Jim McClure. “The board discussed it, but Dr. Brown didn’t get any ‘no’ votes. There were no negative comments about him.”

Brown currently serves as the superintendent of the Jeff Davis County Schools in South Georgia. 

He has held positions as middle school and high school teacher/coach, high school assistant principal and principal, executive director of high schools and superintendent of schools. He has been in the field of education for 20 years.

In Brown’s initial letter to the BOE, he stated “My leadership roles have included service in both small and large school systems in both rural and metro areas ... in both school and system leadership roles ... expanding my understanding of the differing challenges.”

Brown holds a Doctorate of Education in Educational Leadership from the University of Alabama.

He earned his Master’s in Educational Leadership from Jacksonville State University, a B.S. in Physical Education & Health from Carson-Newman College in Jefferson City, Tenn. and a B.A. in Psychology from the same institution. 

Brown has been married to his wife Betsy for 17 years. The couple has one son, 15-year-old Keller.

The board and county attorney will begin working on a contract, spelling out the details of Brown’s employment. It expects to offer the contract to Brown later this month, Self said.

Suspended county coroner Ronald Fortner is facing numerous additional felonies after he was re-indicted by the Lumpkin County Grand Jury on charges of theft by deception, violation of the oath of p

The future of Dahlonega was the focus of the City Council Retreat to Rome, Ga. last week.

Dahlonega’s popular pub Shenanigans was recently chosen by Buzzfeed as the best Irish Pub in the state of Georgia. 

Co-owners of the business, Tommy and Machi Lee and Deb Rowe were unaware of the coming accolade. 

“It was totally unsolicited,” Rowe said, “They did it totally through Yelp reviews.”

It was a welcome surprise.

Words used by the trio to describe their feelings regarding the award were “pleasantly surprised” and “proud,” Rowe said, “Any time Dahlonega is recognized on a scale like that is outstanding.” 

Regarding the success of the business, they owe it all to the community of Dahlonega.

Machi described it best. For the locals “it’s their pub. They take ownership of it.” 

With that ownership comes a friendly, welcoming atmosphere that the pub is known for. 

Tommy described eating at Shenanigans as “sitting on your deck, but with servers.” 

Employee Brandon Owen also feels the people and the atmosphere is the key to Shenanigans’ success; he said, “I really like the people because they make the pub atmosphere.”

Shenanigans is not only a hub for community togetherness, it is also a host of many service projects, including the famous Shucking For Shamrocks. The fundraiser lasts for three days every Labor Day weekend and raises money for Muscular Dystrophy, Multiple Sclerosis and Cystic Fibrosis. The pub has hosted the event since 2009, and their funds raised have increased from $6,000 to $25,000 in only seven years. “I can’t say enough for the community because that’s 75 percent locals,” says Deb Rowe. 

Of course, one thing has changed for the pub since the release of Buzzfeed’s article. “Our staff answers the phone, “Thank you for calling the Best Irish Pub in Georgia,” said Rowe with a laugh.

To read the full article online, visit http://www.buzzfeed.com/anniedaly/kiss-me-im-drunk#.jdMNYXvDo

Soon Dahlonega will gain a new grocery store, while losing one at the same time.

The downtown Dahlonega of tomorrow is under construction today. 

When Jon Crais suffered a traumatic brain injury which left him paralyzed in an accident in the Sky Country subdivision in 2013, he could have given up and succumbed to a future of being confined to a wheelchair.

That wasn’t an option for Crais.

Instead, Crais has become a beacon of hope and inspiration to many through his upbeat attitude and unrelenting work ethic as he fights to shed his wheelchair and walk on his own two feet again.

“They always tell me I’ll walk again one day,” said the Dahlonega resident. “And I believe it.”

Through his faith, upbeat personality and the help of people who have been moved by his story, Crais has made great progress towards his ultimate goal of walking again.

Now, the young man finds himself in a unique situation, as Crais was recently accepted into the Challenge Program at TIRR Memorial Hermann in Houston, Texas.

TIRR Memorial has been continually recognized by U.S. News & World Report as one of America’s best hospitals and is a national leader in medical rehabilitation and research utilizing some of the world’s leading physicians in rehabilitation medicine. 

CHALLENGE ACCEPTED

“We held our breath for a week after we submitted Jon’s application for acceptance,” said Melinda Crais, Jon’s mother. “It’s a very selective program. ... It was such a blessing because people from around the world try to get into this particular program. But, with this great opportunity comes great needs.”

In response to Crais’ acceptance, his mother started a GoFundMe account to help generate the funds needed for Crais to take part in the rehabilitation program.

“Our goal was to get $10,000 to help with the cost of the program and housing for Jon and his caregiver,” Melinda said. “We are currently about $4,000 short and have extended the account indefinitely.”

Crais’ mother is excited about the opportunity her son has at TIRR Memorial.

“He has been accepted into the Challenge Program at TIRR,” Melinda said. “If there is a theme for all of this, it’s that this whole ordeal has been the biggest challenge of Jon’s life.”

Gold City Crossfit owner Jason O’Bryant knows it’s a challenge Crais can accomplish.

“Jon definitely doesn’t lack confidence,” he said during an early morning workout. “ ... When he maintains his focus, he is able to control his movements. It used to take two people to get Jon out of his wheelchair and help him with his exercises, now I am able to do it by myself.”

BAZOOKA JON

The work that O’Bryant and Crais’ caregiver and personal trainer Jeremy Johnson have put in over the past several months have resulted in more mobility for Crais, especially with the left side of his body which is the most affected area.

“I’m bending my elbow and knee more on that side,” said Crais with an ever-present beaming smile. “My right side is my bazooka and the left side is my pea shooter.”

It is that smile and those kind of jokes which have inspired others around him.

“Jon has always been a magnetic personality,” Melinda said. “That hasn’t changed at all since his accident.”

Crais has also inspired countless people with the things he has been able to accomplish since his accident. Last October, he made national headlines when he took part in the 40th Anniversary of “The People’s Marathon,” the Marine Corps Marathon.

“He always wanted to run a marathon,” Melinda said.

Crais, with the assistance of local resident and marathon runner Thomas Odom, inspired those in attendance with a heartwarming scene at the end of the race.

Two yards short of the finish line and about 26 miles and 383 yards into the marathon, Odom stopped pushing Crais’ wheelchair. 

Then, with the aid of Odom and three Marines waiting near the finish line, Crais was unstrapped from his wheelchair and helped across the finish line on his own two feet. 

It was an act of true persistence.

And it is that persistence which leads O’Bryant, Johnson and Melinda to believe that Crais will one day break free from the confines of his wheelchair.

“He is definitely going to walk again,” said Johnson. “It is going to happen sooner than later.”

WALK THIS WAY

Crais’ mother agreed and credited Johnson and O’Bryant with helping in that process.

“These two men will get Jon walking again,” Melinda said.

When local businesswoman Deb Rowe first met Crais and his mother eight months ago at Bourbon Street Grille, she was taken aback by his joyous spirit and the sparkle in his eye. More importantly, Rowe was in awe of the drive within Crais and his mother to overcome all the obstacles life had put in their way and their maintained focus on his recovery. The encounter stuck with Rowe, and when she ran into Crais and his mother again a couple of weeks ago, she was amazed by the improvements Crais had made in such a short time.

“It was incredible to me to see his physical and mental improvements, however small, celebrated by him and his mother and their combined positive energy to continue to prevail over the affects of the accident,” said Rowe.

When Rowe heard about Crais’ acceptance into the TIRR Memorial Challenge Program, she did not hesitate to lend a helping hand and announced that Bourbon Street Grille and Shenanigans Restaurant and Irish Pub would donate a portion of their sales from this past weekend to help Crais with the costs of attending the rehabilitation program.

“I really believe that the purpose of life is to do things that will outlast it,” Rowe said. “After all, when it is all said and done, it’s not what we had in life but what we did with it that is of the greatest importance.”

Rowe estimated that $1,500 was raised over the weekend for Crais’ rehabilitation fund, with an additional $500 from Rowe, personally. Councilman Michael Clemons donated $500. Catherine and Johnny Ariemma, Susan Hunt and Laura Latourette, Ashley and Jason Spencer, Steve Libel and Chauna Utterback also donated money towards Crais’ fund, making a total of $3,500 raised through Rowe’s efforts.

Rowe also mentioned that Spirits on the downtown square will also donate a portion of its sales this coming weekend to Crais’ fund.

The fundraising weekend meant the world to both Crais and his mother.

“What people like Deb [Rowe], Jeremy [Johnson] and Jason [O’Bryant] are doing for the community and Jon is amazing,” Melinda said. “These people have been by our sides through this and truly encompass what it means to be a servant heart.”

As Crais’ journey to recover continues, other servant hearts have stepped up to help the young man reach his goal of walking again.

“We were worried about the cost of housing for Jon and Jeremy when they got to Houston,” Melinda said. “But, we received an email from a lady named Amy Moody recently. Her and her husband own several hotels in and around the Houston area. She offered a place for both Jon and Jeremy to stay at during Jon’s rehabilitation right across the street from TIRR Memorial at no cost.” 

The email read, “Fear not, God has prepared a place for Jon.”

“I am just amazed by the support we have received,” Melinda said. “We are blessed to stay surrounded by God-loving people who want to give back and help Jon. We are in a marathon, not a sprint, and we’re in it together.”

Anyone interested in donating to Crais’ rehabilitation costs can visit the GoFundMe account at: https://www.gofundme.com/houstonchallenge

Local landowner Roberta Butler Garrett is one of the most talked about citizens of Dahlonega.

And if anyone knows this to be true, it would be Roberta Butler Garrett herself. 

Dr. Robert “Rob” Brown met teachers and staff from Lumpkin County schools as well as some community members at a small reception Monday evening. 

Leadership Lumpkin, ConnectAbility, BOC working to provide playground for all

Three local groups have identified a need for a playground in Lumpkin County that would be ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) compliant and serve both abled and disabled children and adults. 

Members from the Dahlonega-Lumpkin County Chamber’s Leadership Lumpkin Program and the non-profit ConnectAbility have teamed up to lead an effort jointly with the Lumpkin County Commission to make the new playground a reality in Yahoola Creek Park.

The project has been named “Bridging The Gap” since it will provide a bridge for easy access to the playground and it bridges the gap in Lumpkin County and North Georgia for a facility that can be enjoyed by all. 

So far, the project team has obtained the county’s commitment to move 2018 capital funds earmarked to build such a playground up to 2016, and have kicked off fundraising to help fund the bridge.

The bridge will be called the “ConnectAbility Bridge” and the Leadership Lumpkin team is raising funds for the bridge project through a raffle which awards four major prizes.

“What is most exciting is the strong odds to win by a purchaser of a raffle ticket.” Said LLC member Linda D’Angelo. 

First Prize is a 1976 Jeep CJ-7 Quadtrac which has been fully restored by Gold Rush Jeeps of Dahlonega with an AMC 304 V-8 motor and more.

Other prizes include an AR-15 assault rifle donated by Dahlonega’s Chestatee Firearms, a Destin vacation with four days/three nights at the Pelican Resort given by Tammi and Steve Scales, plus a round of golf for four from Achasta. 

Tickets are $50 and are limited to only 1,500 ticket sales. 

Lumpkin County Sheriff Stacy Jarrard will do the drawing on Sunday, April 17, at UNG’s Choice Street Arts Complex at 5 p.m. Winners do not have to attend to receive their prize.

“This project demonstrates that private/public projects can make things happen faster, while meeting the needs of our county residents,” said Chris Dockery, Lumpkin County Commission Chairman. “It shows how effective a small team of local citizens and nonprofits, like ConnectAbility and Leadership Lumpkin, can be together. They are definitely addressing a long-term need and this project will enhance our community. I hope our residents step up to support their project.”

“Your support is needed,” said D’Angelo. “Please buy a ticket or consider making a donation.” 

Tickets can be purchased online at www.jeepraffle.net, at Gold Rush Jeeps on Long Branch Road, or by calling 404-433-6125.

ConnectAbility is a 501(c) non-profit offering support for families affected by disability by providing programs to all family members—parents, siblings and extended family as well as the individuals with disabilities. For information visit www.connectabilityinc.org. 

Leadership Lumpkin offers a substantive education on the inner workings and resources of Lumpkin County, and is a springboard for those interested in volunteering their time to community service.