Download TOWNS COUNTY REPUBLICAN PARTY Held at Daniel`s

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.