Council Approves 2022 Employee Benefits Program
Community, Featured News, Featured Stories September 21, 2021
DAHLONEGA, GA.- The city council approved the 2022 Employee Benefits program during the special called meeting on September 20.
The council also approved 2021 off systems safety project and two joint proclamations with Lumpkin County. Additionally, during a public hearing held on September 20, the council heard from Resurgens Capital and concerned citizens from The Summitt about a proposed site plan for phase 2 at The Summitt.
The breakdown of the possible insurance plans.
Finance Director Allison Martin brought before the council the renewal plan for the 2022 Employee Benefits. The employee benefits are increasing by 6.23% from this year to next. The deductibles are increasing to $1,500 or $750 ($2,250 for families). The emergency room deductibles are also rising to $200 and the out-of-pocket threshold is increasing to $3,000 ($6,000 families) and $2,000 ($4,000 families).
There will be no increase to the vision, dental or basic life and disability plans. This will put a freeze on the levels of employee contribution. Open enrollment will be from October 1 through November 5. To view the presentation given to the council visit https://mccmeetings.blob.core.usgovcloudapi.net/dahlonega-pubu/MEET-Packet-70bb26ee19d84570b17f1737a0dac87d.pdf
” This GMA package is really really nice, you know when you look out beyond this and see what is available even on the marketplace this is a really really great benefit for the city employees,” commented Councilmen Johnny Ariemma.
The next item that the council approved was the full budget amount for the 2021 off systems safety project. This project is using a GDOT grant and a match from the city to restripe areas in the city that are in need due to public safety.
Peak has bid $52,355.00 for the project. This was the second time that the city put the project up for bids the first time they had none.
The council chose to vote early on this. They were originally not scheduled to vote on this item till the October 4 council meeting. With the council going forward with the vote Peak can start the work as soon as their schedule allows.
“If we can get those crosswalks, that’s a safety issue,” stated Mayor Sam Norton.
There were two joint proclamations approved at the meeting. The first was to proclaim that the Community Helping Place Ornament is the official 2021 Collectors Ornament for the City of Dahlonega and Lumpkin County.
The second proclamation was to acknowledge the job that Matthew Garner Chair of Lumpkin County Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Bureau Board of Directors has done for the past two years. At this time, the Lumpkin County Commissioners have not made their side of the proclamations.
Resurgens Capital made a presentation at the council during their Public hearing for the phase two project at The Summitt. The proposed plan is to add 61 additional homes on 21.75 acres at The Summitt.
Bill Rath President of Summitt Board of Directors speaking in opposition to parts of the proposed project.
Part of their proposal includes an option to have short-term leasing available and currently, the residents at The Summitt are strongly against that. Residents spoke in opposition to that part of the plan during the hearing. The matter will be voted on at the Council Meeting on October 4 at 6:00 p.m.
New Cheif of Police George Albert being recognized by the Council.
Mayor Sam Norton recognized the newly appointed Chief of Police George Albert. He has been in law enforcement for 33 years and begins his duties on October 25. Mayor Norton also appointed Councilmen Joel Corrdel his mayor pro tem which the council later approved.
Councilmen Johnny Ariemma along with the rest of the council strongly encouraged the citizens of Dahlonega and Lumpkin County to take the Covid pandemic seriously and get vaccinated if they haven’t already.
Gilmer Schools responding to COVID case increases
Featured News, Featured Stories, News August 20, 2021
EAST ELLIJAY, Ga. – “Gilmer Schools have seen an explosion of positive COVID cases and quarantines throughout this week.” Gilmer Schools Superintendent Dr. Brian Ridley read a statement during the Gilmer County Board of Education this week on Thursday night, August 19, 2021, during their Regular Scheduled meeting.
Gilmer Superintendent Dr. Brian Ridley
As of that meeting, the total cases in Gilmer’s school system surpassed a district wide 900 students in quarantine and 100 positive cases in students and staff.
That explosion also culminated in the cancellation of the season opening varsity football game against Pickens on Friday, August 20, 2021. The school system stated, “Decisions such as these are not taken lightly, and we must prioritize the safety and well being of all student-athletes and spectators for both teams.”
Dr. Ridley said in a letter to parents about COVID restrictions earlier this week that the school system would be mandating masks and face coverings starting on Monday, August 23, 2021. He stated, “I feel it is imperative that we act now in an effort to keep our students safe and our schools open.”
In efforts to notify and share the information well in advance, that letter was sent out. However, at the Thursday meeting, Dr. Ridley also informed citizens that while working with the Department of Health, new guidelines will be coming next week in implementation. He confirmed that he would be discussing these with the press on Monday to inform citizens more about those changes as the school looks to continue implementing DPH guidelines into the schools.
As of now, Monday will see masking on school buses only with strong encouragement to wear masks throughout the day. Dr. Ridley also urged others to consider using masks and getting vaccinated against the virus. During his statement in the meeting, Dr. Ridley stated, “Students and staff who are fully vaccinated or masked during exposure will not be subject to quarantine.”
Additionally, the Board of Education also approved COVID leave time for staff that have exposures and positive tests. Superintendent Ridley stated that the official numbers will be updated on their website tomorrow, August 20, 2021.
With the announcement of new COVID guidelines made and implementation on the way, the school system is currently working on the “logistics of implementing this new guidance as early as Monday or Tuesday of next week.”
Gilmer is continuing with quarantining for 10 days and requirements to be fever free for at least 24 hours without the use of fever reducing medications with an improvement of symptoms.
Additionally, Dr. Ridley previously told FYN that virtual academy was not being implemented for the start of school, but Gilmer does have the option if the need arises. He did not mention virtual academy at the meeting.
As the Superintendent shares more information on the changing guidelines FYN will continue to share new articles with the updated information.
Gilmer returns to high transmission designation with COVID
Featured News, Featured Stories, News August 10, 2021
GILMER COUNTY, Ga. – Gilmer, like most all of North Georgia, is seeing resurgence in the COVID-19 virus, whether from the original virus or some variant.
According to reports from the Georgia Department of Public Health, Gilmer saw 15 new cases yesterday alone. In the last two weeks, it has seen 61 new cases. Along with this, the Georgia DPH has once again put Gilmer on the High Transmission counties list.
According to documentation on the GDPH website, they classify High Transmission with the following criteria; “14-day cases rate is >100 cases/100,000 county residents (>5 cases during this period) AND 14-day average % positive PCR tests >10% (>20 total tests performed during this period).”
The Georgia DPH also reports that Gilmer has had 2,663 total cases as of August 9, 2021. Gilmer is among the vast majority of counties in Georgia with this classification, now, as only eight counties in the entire state still remain outside of that criteria. Last week, there were nearly 30 counties not classified as High Transmission.
Further breaking down their statistics, the Department reclassified the counties into three classifications of Green, Yellow, and Red based on their positivity rates in testing. Gilmer received a Yellow Classification. Yellow means “5-10% PCR positivity during previous 14 days.”
Gilmer has seen a 9.7% Positivity of the 432 tests performed in the last 14 days.
Along with the increasing numbers within the county, discussion is increasing at state and federal levels about pushing further with mandates than what has been previously seen.
On August 3, 2021, the North Georgia Health District published an article that stated, “In areas with substantial and high transmission, the CDC recommends that everyone (including fully vaccinated individuals) wear a mask in public indoor settings to help prevent spread of COVID-19 and the Delta variant.”
FYN has confirmed with some local public safety authorities in nearby counties that local discussions have already started for reinstating suggested preventative measures and restrictions in some areas.
Gilmer Schools have also been monitoring the numbers consistently as Superintendent Dr. Brian Ridley said they look at several reports from the daily numbers to specifically school age children from the Department of Health. Dr. Ridley noted that the schools are, again, working closely with the Department of Public Health as these numbers trend upward. From webinars to communicating with the local branch of the Georgia Department of Health, the system is continuing to stay connected with both medical experts and surrounding counties and their BOEs according the Ridley.
He also noted that some steps are already being taken as suggested mask usage and separation in the cafeteria are just some of the small steps they have taken so far. While he said that the virtual academy is available as a back-up, they have no immediate plans for usage as a response to the numbers. He also stated that mask usage is suggested to students. The school mandate was lifted towards the final few weeks on the last school year.
Board of Commissioners Chairman Charlie Paris has also commented saying he monitors the county’s numbers. With the county’s regular meetings starting tomorrow morning at 9 a.m. and Thursday at 6 p.m., there is no planned discussion nor any immediate response in how the meeting will be held.
Gilmer has seen a one day spike of 15 cases, but it barely compares to January as cases peaked on July 15, 2020, with 49 new cases. Both July 2020 and January 2021 say 7 day averages topping 15 to 20 new cases. Comparatively, August 9, 2021, saw a 7 day average of 6.9 cases.
The Department of Health has put the majority of counties into the High Transmission category while local boards are opting for caution and analyzation to see if this is simply a small spike, or a trend towards something more.
Ask The Doc! Types Of Breast Cancer And The Flu Season
Community February 28, 2021
This week, the doctors discuss the different types of breast cancer. They also touch on a question from a viewer regarding the treatment of their husband’s heart tumors. Is he getting the right treatment? What happened to Flu Season? What’s the latest on Covid-19? All this and more on Ask The Doc!
Ask The Doc: Long Term Effects of Surviving Cancer
Just For Fun, Lifestyle February 14, 2021
This week, Dr. Whaley and Dr. Raymond Tidman discuss some questions sent in by viewers. They touch on the long term effects of Cancer and some possible complications of surviving cancer. They also discuss how to know when you’re cured of cancer. Is there anyway to prevent future complications for cancer survivors? The doctors also discuss the current numbers of cancer survivors compared to in the past.
Pickens Turns to Distance Learning vs Returning After Holidays
Dragon's Corner, Featured, Featured Stories, News January 4, 2021
