About Dawson County news. (Dawsonville, Georgia) 2015-current | View Entire Issue (Nov. 20, 2019)
Tigers defeat Warriors in first round of GHSA playoffs, sports, ib Community members learn about living in poverty, inside, 6a WEDNESDAY I NOVEMBER 20, 2019 DaWSOflNeWS ^COITI DAWSONVULE, GEORGIA $1.00 City Council sees shake up Mark French sent before Ethics Board; Jason Power resigns By Joshua Demarest jdemarest@dawsonnews.com During their Nov. 18 regular meeting, the Dawsonville City Council faced two personnel issues. The City Council voted 3-0 to send council member for post 4 Mark French before the ethics board after he urged city manager Bob Bolz and city attorney Dana Miles to give a legal opinion to a develop something that would address Steve Sanvi, private citizen. The section of the meeting where the council members offer reports or concerns started with council member French offering a comment. “I’d like to see us, as we get into the process of updating our ordinances and our policies, French how we respond to citi zen inquiries and citizen concerns. I’ve been dis turbed by some of the emails I’ve seen floating back and forth between our city officials and resi dents. I find those deeply disturbing and completely Eason and wholly unacceptable. We work for them, they deserve an answer when they ask a question.” When asked if he had anything specific in mind, French told Mayor Mike Eason that “I believe you responded, in an email that was forwarded to me, to the city manager directing him not to answer a citizen’s ques tion.” See Council 13A Santa Claus comes to town Jessica Taylor Dawson County News Santa Claus meets with a group of shoppers at the North Georgia Premium Outlets Nov. 18 at the new Christmas display in the mall's food pavilion. New Christmas display at North Georgia Premium Outlets is larger than life By Jessica Taylor jtaylor@dawsonnews.com With the aid of Rudolf and his rein deer friends, Santa Claus recently made his way to Dawson County to visit with local children before Christmas. Kris Kringle himself arrived in Dawsonville on Nov. 15 and is staying until Christmas Eve to make sure he has plenty of time to meet the boys and girls of north Georgia. “I’ve been really busy making lots of toys and watching my elves,” Claus said. “They’re really making the toys this year. Got a lot of toys being made for the boys and girls in Dawson County.” Santa is currently greeting kids and kids at heart inside the food pavilion at the North Georgia Premium Outlets, and this year’s display is much differ ent than what the community has come to expect in recent years. “It’s full of larger-than-life festive ornaments and presents as well as an oversized green chair for Santa,” said Taylor Bennett, director of marketing and business development. “We have various sizes of trees that are decorated in twinkling lights and colorful orna ments and decor that’s sure to get shoppers in the spirit of the season.” The old display featured a fireplace with Santa’s chair in front of it, located on the far end of the food pavilion. Due to the height of the new 25-ft. Christmas tree, the display was relo cated to the center of the food pavilion near the Guest Services desk. Sitting in his large green chair, Santa said he thinks the new display is “super,” and he’s ready to hear chil dren’s holiday wishes. “They’re fantastic. That’s why I like coming to Dawsonville because of the boys and girls around here,” Claus said of the local children. Bennett said that the new display has been very well received and is helping to get people into the holiday spirit. “We just like to offer a variety of events and happenings at the center. We always have something fun going on so it’s just another offering for local families to experience,” Bennett said. There will also be special times to meet Santa for those with developmen tal disabilities. Santa will be a private event from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. on Dec. 8 for children with special needs and their families to meet Santa Claus. Later that evening from 7 to 9 p.m., pet parents can bring their four-legged family member to take pictures with Santa. Reservations can be made at www.premiumoutlets.com/outlet/ north-georgia. As for Santa, he has a message for the boys and girls of Dawson County to remember before Christmas: “Always do what Mommy and Dad says and be good, and help them always.” Rotary preps for community Thanksgiving By Joshua Demarest jdemarest@dawsonnews.com The Rotary Club of Dawson County is preparing to host their annual free Community Thanksgiving event from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 25 at Veteran’s Memorial Park. “This is really about fellowship and spending time with community,” said Christie Moore, public relations chair of the local Rotary chapter. “Holidays are hard for a lot of people. It’s a time when many people feel lonely, and this is one of those times where we can just come together as a community.” “We want everyone to feel welcome,” Moore added. This is the third year that the Rotary Club of Dawson County is hosting the free community dinner. Before that, it was hosted by the Dawson County Alliance of Churches. The event used to be held the day before Thanksgiving. Last year, it was moved to the Monday before Thanksgiving so that more people could attend. This proved to be a huge boost for the event. In 2017, Community Thanksgiving served around 110 people. Last year, more than 450 meals were See Thanksgiving 12A City postpones major development decision By Joshua Demarest jdemarest@dawsonnews.com During their Nov. 18 regular meeting, the Dawsonville City Council voted to postpone their decision on a major town- home development located on Hwy. 53 between Dairy Queen and Bearden Luneral Home. The proposed development includes 150 townhomes on just more than 25 acres. The Dawsonville Planning Commission recommended denial of the project, citing the project’s inconsistency with the comprehensive plan and growing traffic concerns. The proposal was postponed to the Dec. 16 meeting so that it could be heard along with an additional rezoning and variance request. 0 9 0 9 9 Inside Volume 4, Number 61 © 2019, Dawson County News Dawsonville, Georgia Church Events 3B Classifieds 8B Dear Abby 7B Deaths 2A Legals 9B Opinion 9A Sports 1B 8A Russian artifacts on display at area pawn shop 4A 2019 class graduates from CERT COMMUNITY WOMEN'S CANCER PROGRAM More women trust Northside Hospital Cancer Institute for their cancer care than any other program in the state. As Georgia's leader for women's cancer care, we're proud to have the #1 community breast and gynecologic cancer programs in the entire nation. Learn more at builttobeatcancer.com m NORTHSIDE HOSPITAL CANCER INSTITUTE BEATCANCER ■feUILTTO
