About Dawson County news. (Dawsonville, Georgia) 2015-current | View Entire Issue (Nov. 9, 2022)
Summers receives Modern Woodmen’s ‘Hometown Hero’ award, inside, 6b Cross country teams record top-6 finishes at state championship. SPORTS, 1B llll I» 41 DawsonCountyNews WEDNESDAY I NOVEMBER 9, 2022 DaWSOflNeWS ^COITI DAWSONVILLE, GEORGIA $1.00 Interim Dawson County manager appointed By Julia Fechter jfechter@dawsonnews.com While the outgoing county manager was not present at Thursday’s Dawson County Board of Commissioners meet ings, a familiar face will now assume the role on a temporary basis. During the board’s Nov. 3 voting session, Chief Financial Officer Vickie Neikirk was Neikirk Nov. 4. named the interim county manager. This appoint ment follows David Headley’s announcement of his resigna tion, effective Neikirk will maintain her current head finance role while also serving in the interim posi tion. She will also receive a $125,000 salary that’s prorated over her time as interim county manager. The BOC approved Headley’s resignation and retirement agreement 3-0, with District 3 Commissioner Tim Satterfield unable to attend due to another commitment. As part of that vote, the board also amended the general fund budget to cover $140,000 in associated costs with the turn over. Headley’s departure followed multiple other leadership changes across Dawson County departments over recent months. BOC Chairman Billy Thurmond explained that the board authorized him to speak with Neikirk while they search for a new county manager. Neikirk mentioned she previ ously stepped into the role tem porarily during her six-plus-year tenure with Dawson County. “I will say this. I know Mrs. Vickie will do an excellent job,” Thurmond said. “She’s always done an excellent job for us.” “Part of my job as the coun ty’s CFO is to keep up with all the [ongoing] projects,” Neikirk added. “I think it’ll be a good experience.” Annual Trunk or Treat a success Photos by Erica Jones Dawson County News Volunteers hand out candy to local children during Dawson County's annual Trunk orTreat event at Rock Creek Park on Oct. 31. Volunteers handed out candy to hundreds By Erica Jones ejones@dawsonnews.com On the evening of Monday Oct. 31, Rock Creek Park was full of princesses, football players, superheroes and more during Dawson County’s annual Trunk or Treat event. The event lasted from 4 to 6 p.m. on Halloween and featured booths set up by dozens of local businesses, nonprofits, churches and other organizations. Hundreds of local children and their par ents filed past each booth, collecting candy and other treats. Several booths had games set up in the of local kids at park parking lot for children to participate in, and there were also several bounce hous es for them to enjoy. Parents and chil dren alike rode on the hayride around the parking lot and enjoyed carnival snacks from a local church and ice cream from local business Best Ice Cream on Wheels. Dawson voters break turnout records during general election By Julia Fechter jfechter@dawsonnews.com More Dawson County residents have voted early in this year’s general election than the May primary, according to the local Board of Elections and Registration. As of 5 p.m. Friday, 9,055 votes have been cast in Dawson County for the 2022 general election. That represents 41.46% of Dawson County active voters, according to an updated Facebook post from the elec tions office. That’s compared to 7,211 early, absentee and day-of ballots combined for the May primary. “We are really proud that voters are com ing out,” BOER Director Glenda Ferguson said. “The comparable General Election of 2018 shows a 63.50% turnout (11,606 total votes cast).” Ferguson added that Dawson County is “over halfway there” to that turnout bench mark with the votes cast so far. See Voters 12A Judge rejects Roberts’ motion for self-defense in 2021 death By Julia Fechter jfechter@dawsonnews.com The man accused in 19-year-old Kaleb Duckworth’s 2021 death will not be immune from prosecution, according to a document filed in Dawson County Superior Court. After an Oct. 31 hearing that lasted several hours, Senior Judge David Emerson issued a Nov. 1 order denying an immunity or self- defense motion in the pending criminal case for Dawson County 21-year-old Daniel Lee Roberts. Emerson, who previously served as the chief judge in Douglas County, was appoint ed to preside over Roberts’ 2021 case in June. See Roberts 13A Children participate in games during Dawson County's annualTrunk orTreat event. Volunteers with the Rotary Club of Dawson County pose in their costumes during Dawson County's annualTrunk orTreat event. 0 90994 04002 Inside Volume 8, Number 40 © 2022, Dawson County News Dawsonville, Georgia Church Events 2B Classifieds 8B Dear Abby 5B Deaths 2A Legals 8B Opinion 9A Sports 1B 4A Amicalola EMC awards $50,737 in grants to local teachers. 8A Bikers bring big hearts, gifts ahead of annual Toy Run. We Are a Digital Impression Practice. Proud Owners of an iTero' Element' “ element ■Jjt invisolign noviDia "We all try and go above and beyond and give that five start treatment, so it's rewarding to know that what we do matters." Q)amonville B. MANZUR, D.M.D. 754 HWY. 53 WEST, DAWSONVILLE, GA 706-265-2505
