About Dawson County news. (Dawsonville, Georgia) 2015-current | View Entire Issue (Jan. 26, 2022)
6A I DAWSON COUNTY NEWS I dawsonnews.com Wednesday, January 26,2022 Sawnee EMC to return more than $7 million to eligible members By staff reports Sawnee EMC announced this week that it is getting ready to return approxi mately $7.8 million to approximately 120,208 eli gible current and former members through a general retirement of patronage capital, according to a release by the electric mem bership corporation. “This includes funds assigned for the balance of year 2003 and all of 2004,” the release said. “This action will provide funds to individuals and businesses who were members of the cooperative and received electric service from Sawnee at any time during 2003 and 2004.” Because Sawnee EMC is a not-for-profit electric cooperative, the release said that each year its members receive an assignment of what is called “patronage capital” in the records of the Cooperative. Each mem ber’s assignment is based on the amount of revenue they provided to the Cooperative through their electric bills in a particular year. “Patronage capital is defined in Sawnee’s Bylaws as an ‘allocation of the reve nue in excess of operating costs and expenses’ and is required by Georgia law,” the release said. “Sawnee EMC’s Board of Directors regularly considers the retirement of patronage cap ital to its members for cer tain periods and certain events. The Board approves a retirement after it deter mines that doing so will not impair Sawnee’s overall financial position.” All of the current and for mer Sawnee EMC mem bers who received electric service from the corpora tion at any time during 2003 or 2004 are eligible to receive a position of this general patronage capital retirement, the release said. “Approximately $7.8 million will be distributed to these members, with the average refund being approximately $65.49,” the release said. “It should be noted that each member’s refund will vary based on the amount of revenue they contributed to the coopera tive, via their power bills, during 2003 or 2004.” Existing members who are receiving a refund will receive the money in the form of a credit on the March 2022 electric bill. Former members who no longer receive services from Sawnee but have a valid forwarding address on file will be mailed a check on or around April 5,2022. “It is important for us to demonstrate through this, and many other actions, that the cooperative busi ness model still works for our members and our orga nization,” Sawnee EMC President and CEO Michael Goodroe said in the release. Sawnee EMC also volun tarily retires patronage capi tal to the estates of deceased members, Vice President of Member Service Blake House said in the release. Thousands of dollars are claimed every year by families of former members who are now deceased. Executors of the estates of deceased members who have not yet received their refund should contact Sawnee’s Customer Service Center by calling 770-887- 2363, texting 678-999-8124 or emailing customerser- vice@sawnee.com to learn if their family member’s estate can qualify for a vol untary early retirement of patronage capital. For more information or questions about this general retirement of patronage capital, call 770-887-2363, email customerservice@ sawnee.com or go to www. sawnee.com/patcap. Workit Health offering addiction and mental health care to Georgians via telemedicine By Erica Jones ejones@dawsonnews.com Workit Health, a leading virtual substance use disor der treatment provider, recently expanded into Georgia with a clinic in the Atlanta area and virtual ser vice available for anyone in the state. According to a press release by the organization, the group’s telemedicine ser vices will be available to the entire state to help address substance use, mental health and other common co occurring conditions like Hepatitis C. “Georgians can connect with licensed clinicians and counselors via live chat and video through the Workit Health app and receive med ication e-prescribed to their local pharmacy,” the release said. Workit Health uses a medicine-first, evidence- based approach to addiction treatment, according to the release. “Only 30 percent of treat ment centers nationwide offer medication, and most people have to drive hours every week to receive it,” the release said. “Clinical evi dence supports that FDA- approved medication plays a critical role in recovery from substance use and co-occur ring disorders, cutting over dose death rates from opi oids in half.” According to the release, the goal is to use treatment methods to alleviate with drawal symptoms, provide necessary support and reduce the risk of relapse or overdose. “From 2010 to 2020, the total number of opioid-relat ed overdose deaths in Georgia increased by 207 percent,” Workit Health co- CEO Robin McIntosh said in the release. “Giving peo ple the opportunity to receive evidence-based clini cal care — including medi cation for substance use and mental health — leads to improved outcomes, evi denced by our 73 percent retention rate at the 90-day mark.” Lisa McLaughlin, the organization’s co-CEO, said that the organization focuses on the individual and lets them dictate their own end goal, whether that is com plete abstinence or modera tion. “Our mission is to make it easy to access the gold stan dard of addiction care from home,” McLaughlin said in the release. “Since recovery looks different for everyone, we prioritize the individual’s goal by implementing a harm-reduction-based pro gram that allows for person alized care and goal setting.” For more information about Workit Health, go to https ://www. world thealth. com/. Dawson County Humane Society a no kill shelter 706-265-9160 Doggy Spotlight Hi! I’m Atlas, a staff!/lab mix. I am 5 years old. Here is my story: I originally lived in a home with another dog and small children. I didn’t really mind the other dog for the most part, but I didn’t like the little child constantly messing with my food, toys, and in my face. I started growling and becoming aggressive. From that point on, I developed food and toy resourcing. It’s been a work in progress, but I still have a ways to go with it. I was surrendered for that reason, other than that- I did great with the child. I would be okay in a home with children who understand personal space and not make me feel cornered, even though i am 85+lbs, so older kids would be fine. I would be great in a home where my owners understood my developed concerns and continued to help improve. I know I look intimidating, but the reality is, I’m confused and not really sure why I ended up here. Most people overlook me because I look “scary”. I am really just a big happy go lucky baby. Some things I do love: cuddling, trying to be a lap dog even though I’m way to big, and treats! Atlas For more information contact the 706-265-9160 | 633 Martin Rd, Dawsonville Dawson County Humane Society Adjacent to the Rock Creek Sports Complex Visit our RESALE SHOP & BOUTIQUE Wed. - Sat. 10 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. | 54 S. Lumpkin Campground Rd. All proceeds benefits the Humane Society Bradley M. Maple CPA, PC 706-216-2362 2390 Thompson Rd • Ste 100 Dawsonville Dawsonville Veterinary Hospital 706-265-8381 ANH Collision Specialists 706-216-0992 103 Industrial Park Road, Dawsonville
