About Dawson County news. (Dawsonville, Georgia) 2015-current | View Entire Issue (April 24, 2019)
4A I DAWSON COUNTY NEWS I dawsonnews.com Wednesday, April 24,2019 Motivational speaker hosting event Saturday in Cumming From staff reports A local motivational speaker will be bringing his message of positive mental attitude to north Georgia on Saturday night. Ben Crawshaw, a Forsyth County native, will be bringing his program, “You’re a Dream, Baby” to the Forsyth Convention Center on April 27. Crawshaw and his team chose Forsyth County as the launching point for its national Positive Motivational Movement. The 90 minute program will focus on providing an emphasis on positive men tal attitude and believing in yourself and your team, and is geared toward sports teams, clubs, organizations and team- oriented businesses. “The message is one of hope, self- love, teamwork, family and moving for ward,” a press release states about the event. Tickets for the event $25. Student tickets are $10. The event begins at 7 p.m. at the Forsyth Convention Center at 3410 Ronald Reagan Blvd. in Cumming. Tickets are available at youreadream. ticketleap.com and at the door. Tickets can be reserved via email at tracyanne- bertini@gmail.com or (678) 575-0996. FROM 1A Rezoning But not all of the citizens who spoke were in opposition to the development. Gina Johnson, a commercial real estate broker and Dawson County resident, offered her support to the new project. “I think this is a wonderful opportunity for Dawson County to plan now for its future,” Johnson explained. “I’m excited about having active adult homes along with continuing care facili ties adjacent to this community village for shopping and enter tainment. Everyone can enjoy the 40-acre community park and the canoe launch on the Etowah River. By careful master planning, this village will be environmental ly friendly and provide a place for many family gatherings for spe cial events.” After hours of similar com ments from both sides, the plan ning commissioners made their decision. Emory Dooley, Jason Hamby, and Neil Hornsey voted to recom mend denial, while John Maloney and Tim Bennett voted against. Despite the thunderous applause that filled the chamber when the commission handed down its vote, this isn’t a final decision for the project. The plan ning commission simply makes recommendations to the Dawson County Board of Commissioners. While the planning commis sion’s recommendation to deny the rezoning is going to be con sidered, it would not be unheard of for the Board of Commissioners to approve the proposal anyway. Crystal Falls Lake & Golf Club stands as the most recent example of a major project getting the green light from the Board of Commissioners after failing to earn the recommendation of the planning commission. The Board of Commissioners will vote on the proposal May 16 during its voting session. FROM 1A Park “We don’t want it to be like just what you have behind a school or just what you have behind a church or at home. We want it to have different ele ments that will bring people out,” Bolz said. “I really want to get it open. We want to really have a place where families can come and just be together, you know, get out and play and have some fun.” To make room for the expan sive playground, excavators have been removing dirt and relocat ing it to Memory Lane, near the North Georgia Assisted Living facility, where it will be used to build a fenced-in dog park that will allow dogs to play off leash. “We don’t really have a design on it yet because we’re not sure how big it’s going to be ... we won’t know until we get all the dirt moved,” Bolz said. “We’re thinking an acre or so of a dog park, maybe a little bit bigger than that... The fenced area will be separated into two parts: one for small dogs, one for large dogs. They’ll have water foun tains and watering bowls for the dogs.” Benches and awnings will also be installed so that dog owners can sit and stay cool while their dogs play. The design is still in the very early stages. As the ground continues to dry out, the city will be looking to plant grass and landscaping, begin fencing and begin con struction on a restroom and con cessions facility in the hopes of opening the park in sections by the summer, according to Bolz. Phase one of the park began in mid-June 2018 when the city broke ground after awarding the $1.4 million contract to TW Phillips Grading. The estimated completion date for the initial phase was in November, how ever the weather had other plans. “Everything is contingent upon everything else so four to five months of delays... we’d hoped it be up and running by spring,” Eason said. “We’re hop ing it will be by summer now.” Unfortunately, the farmers market pavilion that will be along Allen Street across from Dawson County Junior High School most likely won’t be open by growing season because of the months of delayed con struction. “Our target was to get them 4 Ret Georgia Mountains Regional Commission Dawsonville Farmer’s Market City of Dawsonville, GA Phase 1 Perspective Renderings forthe Dawson County News The design for the future Dawsonville Farmers Market features covered pavilions where vendors will be able to set up tables, booths and even pull their vehicles up to sell produce and homemade goods. A playground design for the Main Street Park project was approved by the Dawsonville city council on March 4. It fea tures a zipline, inclusive equipment and slides and obstacles for older children. Mayor Mike Eason said he hopes that the playground will be a "destination playground" that brings families out to enjoy the city. open all by June. I just don’t see that happening. Mother Nature’s just not cooperating,” Bolz said. “We really hoped we’d have this open by growing season but I just don’t know right now.” Bolz said he hopes that with dryer months coming in the summer, the bulk of phase one of the park can be completed so that the community can start enjoying the amenities. Though there have been many Great Southern Recreation's playground design was approved by the city council on March 4. It will include inclu sive swings and wheelchair accessible equipment as well as slides and climbing objects for older children. Benches cov ered by awnings to provide shade will surround the play ground. The playground will be built near the future farmer's market on Allen Street. challenges and setbacks for the Main Street Park project, Bolz remains optimistic. “If you sit back and look at Dawsonville and Dawson County, yeah there’s a lot of challenge but a lot of opportuni ty,” Bolz said. “We would prefer to look at a challenge as an opportunity. How can we make this better, how can we make it more pleasant and improve the quality of life for folks that live and visit here.” Come for the great rate. Stay for the rewarding relationship. 12 Month CD Special 2.40% Open your account today! Dawsonville 6639 Highway 53 E. 706-216-2265 Plus, FREE My Choice Checking’ for the win! *Annual Percentage Yield (APY) effective as of the publication date. $1,000 minimum deposit to open and is required to earn stated APY Penalty for early withdrawal. Offer not available to brokers, dealers and other financial institutions. Offer good in Dawsonville, GA only. 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