The Braselton news. (Jefferson, Ga) 2006-current, January 19, 2022, Image 1

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The Braselton news., January 19, 2022, Image 1

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Newspaper Page TextServing Braselton, Hoschton, Chateau Elan, Traditions, Reunion, Deaton Creek and West Jackson $1.00 copy Wednesday, January 19, 2022 Vol. 15 No. 6 A publication of MainStreet Newspapers, Inc. www.BraseltonNewsTODAY.com 12 pages Hoschton Hoschton council to discuss reinstating planning board The reinstatement of Hoschton’s planning com mission will be discussed this week after the board was abolished nine months ago. According to an agen da released ahead of the Hoschton City Council’s Thursday (Jan. 20) meet ing, the council will discuss “planning and zoning rein statement’’ at the end of the work session portion of the meeting. The Hoschton City Council voted to abolish the town’s planning com mission during its April 19, 2021 meeting. By eliminating the plan ning commission, the city hoped to streamline the zoning process by having them go directly to the council for action. This move, initiated by former mayor Shannon Sell, neces sitated amendments to the city’s Zoning Ordinance, Subdivision and Land De velopment Ordinance and Code of Ordinances. The move was unani mously opposed by the planning commission. “I strongly object to any removal of this planning committee,’’ planning board chairman Scott Butler said in March. “This has been the most independent, wise, unprejudiced, non-conflict of interest group that I’ve COMING UP •Hoschton City Council meeting, Thursday, Jan. 20, 5:30 p.m. at historic train deport ever worked with.” Thursday’s meeting, which will be held at Hoschton’s historic train depot, is the first under new mayor Lauren O’Leary. Here are the items listed for Thursday’s work ses sion agenda: •2022 proposed council meeting dates. •2022 proposed down town development authori ty (DDA) meeting dates. •DDA: accepting two board member resigna tions. •DDA: recommendation to appoint two new board members. •recommendation of council committees for 2022. •recommendation of eth ics board committee for 2022. •Black Mountain Soft ware, water department cash receipting. •health insurance cover age. •resolution: amending of personnel policy. •discussion: planning and zoning commission re-in statement. •Citizen input Braselton Braselton planning board changes with Logan’s appointment Braselton has a new-look planning commission for 2022 with Tom Logan tak ing the place of longtime member and chairman Al lan Slovin as the board’s at- large representative. Logan was appointed on Jan. 10 by new mayor Kurt Ward. Slovin served as a planning commissioner for two decades, having been originally appointed by for mer mayor Pat Graham. The planning commis sion’s returning members are Stephanie Braselton Williams (District 1), Ron Patton (District 2), Marc Carson (District 3). Keith Kloiber (District 4). The board will appoint a new chairman on Jan. 24 during its next meeting. Winter wonderland Photo by Ben Munro The Braselton Brothers store is pictured on Sunday (Jan. 16) as snow blanketed the area. See more snow photos on Page 3A. Hoschton City Hall is pictured during Sunday’s (Jan. 16) snow. Submitted photo Luke Hayes holds up a massive snow ball in the Tra ditions of Braselton subdivi sion. COVID Schools Northeast Georgia Health System approaching record for COVID hospitalizations Northeast Georgia Health Sys tem (NGHS) is now treating well over 300 COVID-19 patients and approaching a record set in January 2021 The system reported 341 COVID patients across its campuses on Monday (Jan. 17). The record is 355 cases which came a year ago during the third-wave peak of the pandemic. Ninety-two of the currently hos pitalized patients are being treated at the Braselton campus, two shy of a record set in January 2021. Fueled by the fast-spreading Omicron vari ant, the NGHS COVID patient load has exceeded 300 for the first time since Sept. 17, 2021 when 303 pa tients were being treated. COVID hospitalizations have increased by 134 patients over the past 13 days. Photo courtesy of NGHS A Northeast Georgia Health System employee is pictured working. On Monday, the sys tem reported 341 COVID hospi talizations across its campus es. According to NGHS data, 66% of all NGHS COVID patients are not fully vaccinated. Superintendent search moving forward for Jackson Co. BOE The Jackson County Board of Ed ucation is moving forward with its search for a new school system super intendent. The BOE has scheduled interviews with candidates on Jan. 22, 25 and 29. Some 18 people applied for the job to replace retiring superintendent April Howard. “We are thoroughly analyzing all application packets,” said BOE chair man Don Clerici in an online post. “This is a critical decision and the Board is committed to selecting an ex cellent leader for our school system.” King-Cooper and Associates was hired to conduct the superintendent search and to serve as consultants. The BOE also conducted an online survey that was completed by over 750 community members and school district staff. MAILING LABEL O Downtown improvement Hoschton looking to launch community gardens project, beautification efforts Businesses Hoschton DDA plans to start ‘shop local’ campaign By Ben Munro ben@mainstreetnews. com Hoschton downtown leaders hope to bolster the city’s downtown businesses by launching a “shop local” campaign this year. Downtown Develop ment Authority (DDA) members serving on the promotions committee are still formulating de tails. See Businesses, page 2A By Ben Munro ben@mainstreetnews. com A potential Hoschton downtown community gar dens project, along with downtown beautification, could see movement in 2022. Hoschton Downtown Development Authority (DDA) member Shawn Adams said during the DDA’s Jan. 6 meeting that he will meet with an archi tect to discuss options for the community garden. The location of the gar den was not mentioned at the meeting. Meanwhile, a group of Hoschton leaders will write a grant application seeking funds for this project. Additionally, the DDA could potentially receive volunteer assistance from Empower College and Ca reer center students for this project. Downtown development Authority member Tracey Carden, who is heading up the beautification ef fort, will also reach out to Empower for assistance. Carden wants to add more downtown benches and outdoor tables. She also said planting and easy clean-up “can be done for an immediate effect.” Carden also wants to seek a matching-funding grant for this project. She noted that her beautifica tion efforts can’t start in earnest until she has a vol unteer force in place. Kumar also pointed to a potential beautification ef fort that would reach along Hwy. 53 from West Jack- son Rd. to Peachtree Rd. and include street lights.