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TOWNS COUNTY REPUBLICAN PARTY Held at Daniel’s Steakhouse Meeting MinutesJanuary 12, 2012 Opening: Chuck Luca, Chairman, welcomed everyone. Andrea Lyvers opened with prayer and Rob Murray led everyone in the reciting of the Pledge of Allegiance. Executive officers present: Chuck Luca, Chairman, Rob Murray, 1st Vice Chairman, Harvey Cohen, Treasurer and Andrea Lyvers, Secretary. Michael Barrett, Vice Chairman arrived a little later. Other members noticed but not limited to: Betty Luca, Gig Witkowski, John Van Vliet, Jeff Langley, Vicky Murray, Joan Crothers, Don Milleman, Cecil Dye, Bill Kuykendahl, Sheriff Chris Clinton and family, and Young Harris Mayor Andrea Gibby. A. Minutes: Minutes from the previous month’s meeting were not read at this time but will be posted on the website. B. Treasurer’s Report: Treasurer Harvey Cohen was present and read his report. He also brought up the need for more revenue and payment of yearly membership dues. The bank and financial statements were given to the secretary. C. Correspondence: Chuck Luca spoke a bit on the executive meeting that was held with Steve Allison and John Wilkinson last week where ideas were shared regarding various topics including a sole commissioner vs a multi-man commission, and the 515 bypass. In the introduction, Chuck also spoke on various interesting percentage stats on medicare/healthcare, the national debt, eliminating waste, income tax, life expectancy- both prior and current, and physicians limiting their practices. He also reminded everyone that February 6th was the last day to register to vote for Georgia’s Presidential Primary to be held on March 6th. He also stated that there are now 4 people running for the new 9th District and that Steve Allison was named the new 2012 legislative whip. D. Program: Young Harris Mayor Andrea Gibby was the featured speaker this evening and spoke on her past; having been raised here, going to school at TCCS, being gone for 20 years and then returning. She spoke on her background being in counseling and psychology, not politics and that she got certified in mediation. She got involved with the planning commission and was on the city council. The Mayor spoke on the growth in Young Harris pertaining to the college and how it related to the rest of the city and where the growth would be headed over the next 10-20 years. The Young Harris water lines are ready for growth over the next 25 years but the sewer plant would need to be dealt with soon; it was already at 80% capacity. She stated solar panels were being used to lower energy costs for the city and encouraged homeowners to research and do the same for their homes. The next topic discussed was the federal transportation grant and what improvements could be involved for Young Harris in order to “show” people there is a city there as well as her 10-20 year vision moving towards being a place where one could “live, work and play”. She stated Young Harris “won’t remain a sleepy little town”; that “change is happening”. She said she would like to schedule an evening where people could meet to give public input, where the next day there would be a shareholders meeting to gather that “input” and put it all into a “vision”. Andrea Gibby said she is also president of GMA (Georgia Municipal Association) for Region 2 and feels she has a practical, deep understanding, can affect change, bring people together and is willing to meet with anyone. She took questions from our members and some included the 515 bypass where she spoke at length mentioning that it still has to go before the public. She stated that pertaining to Young Harris, the bypass would start behind the current BRMEMC building and go across 66, heading towards the new BRMEMC building and that the last plans she saw, there were not going to be any residences taken. But she said she had seen other plans that did take out houses and neighborhoods. Some proposed using round-a-bout’s instead of lights. As soon as the plans were out, she said, they would be posted. She stated the “road is coming regardless; that it is not going to be stopped”……that it would not be stopped this time as it was 30 years ago…..”not this time”. “There is a time frame”. Construction is supposed to start in 2016. She mentioned the environmental and archaeological groups were not finished with their evaluations yet. She also said that a “theme” for Young Harris was open for discussion and that a coffee shop was being put in where Brodi’s Embroidery used to be. Andrea Gibby said that the Georgia Mountain Regional Commmission website has a breakdown of the $. She said to please go to the sessions and get educated. Y.H. would get $20,000 and that Towns County would get $1,000,000. She closed with saying that she doesn’t care how we vote; just be educated. Note- Also stated was that on April 17th at 7:00pm there will be a T-SPLOST meeting in order to get all of the details. H. Agenda for Next Meeting: Chuck mentioned March 10th would be the day for Mass Meetings regarding the County Convention, Precinct meetings and the need to elect delegates. He also urged folks to Google Area 21, and FEMA camps in order to become educated on these topics . He welcomed folks that were at the meeting for the first time. He then closed, saying goodbye, wishing everyone well till our next meeting, February 9th, Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned at approximately 7:50PM. Approximately 35 people were in attendance. Minutes submitted by Andrea B. Lyvers, Secretary.