Start of a New Year for the City of Toccoa

Several groups benefit from the City Commission at the start of 2012. The Commission jump started the year with a unanimous vote to fill spots on the Toccoa Planning Commission, the Downtown Development Authority and the city’s Historic Preservation Commission.

Evan Hellenga and Suzy Bellamy have been appointed to the Planning Commission to replace Terry Carter and Gail Fry whom resigned from the Planning Commission to take seats on the City Commission. Clay Fisher was appointed to fill Carter’s seat on the Downtown Development Authority. Michael O’Brien will replace Carter on the Historic Preservation Commission. Each appointee’s term will run through June 30, 2014.

The City Commission also reappointed Mike Jackson as City Manager, Fredda Wheeler as City Clerk, and the Rev. Paul Garrison, pastor of Hill Street Baptist Church, as City Chaplain in unanimous votes.

In other city news, Mayor David Austin appointed a number of city commissioners to boards on which the Commission is represented. Fry will serve on the Stephens County Board of Health and the Stephens County Joint Services Committee. Carter will serve on the Downtown Development Authority. Ron Seib will serve on the Joint Services Committee and the Georgia Mountains Regional Commission. Andy Pavliscsak will represent the city on the Toccoa-Stephens County Chamber of Commerce governing board. As Mayor, Austin will serve on the board of the Stephens County Development Authority and the Toccoa-Stephens County Airport Authority.

SCDA welcomes Dean Scarborough as Vice-Chairman

On January 9, 2012, the Stephens County Commission voted Dean Scarborough to Commission Chairman. As a County Commission Chairman, Scarborough will sit on the board of the Stephens County Development Authority as Vice-Chairman. He will join Cam Parker, Chairman; Tim Ash, Treasurer; Barry Roberts, Secretary; and David Austin, Assistant Secretary. SCDA welcomes our new Vice-Chairman and is looking forward to a dynamic and productive year!

SCDA Spotlights Concept Plastics

The Stephens County Development Authority is highlighting existing industries. This week, the authority spotlights Concept Plastics, located on Isaac Walker Road in Eastanollee. It is a privately owned company producing a variety of custom plastic items. The company was established in 2005 when Concept Plastics & Design, a company with 25 years of plastic design and project management expertise, combined with another rotational molding manufacturing with 20 years of experience. Concept manufactures several custom rotational molded items including plastic wheel chairs, liquid tanks, thermoforming plastics, water tanks, reservoirs and valve covers. Joe Purkhiser, the plant manager, is forecasting their business will improve dramatically over the next months. He said the company is producing several specialized items that should help the growth of the business.

New Plaque Unveiled for Rothell Building

On Thursday, January 5, the Toccoa Downtown Development Authority celebrated the installment of its third historic downtown plaque. This month’s plaque was unveiled at the Rothell Building, which now houses AM 630 WNEG Radio. The Rothell Building was built around 1880 and originally started as one of three livery stables in Toccoa.

Bruce Creek Fishing Pier Project Moves Forward

Work is moving forward on the Bruce Creek fishing pier project. Georgia DNR Senior Fisheries Biologist Anthony Rabern said a pre-bid meeting was held last Tuesday. He said they hope to open bids in February and possibly start construction around March. The project includes construction new fishing piers and a walking trail to connect them. There is $600,000 available to fund the project.

Existing Industry Highlighted: Morgan Concrete

Morgan Concrete is a family-owned company that supplies concrete and concrete-ready mix. Ferrell Morgan incorporated the business in 1975. The company is still run by the family with Scott Morgan as president. The company has eight locations - Toccoa, Lavonia, Rabun, Athens, Habersham, Jefferson in Georgia and Oconee and Pickens County in South Carolina. Morgan has more than 100 mixer trucks and a fleet of cement tankers and dump trucks. Morgan also supplies concrete bricks, mortar, sand, and other related items in addition to quality concrete designed to perform to job specifications. The company was awarded the Lighthouse Beam Safety Award in 2010. Morgan serves all of northeast Georgia and western South Carolina.

Development Authority 2012 Board Meeting Schedule

2012 STEPHENS COUNTY DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY

BOARD MEETING SCHEDULE

2ND TUESDAY OF EACH MONTH

8:15 AM

SCDA CONFERENCE ROOM (31 W. Doyle St.)

January (TBD)

February 14

March 13

April 10

May 15

June 12

July 10

August 14

September 11

October 9

November 13

December 11

The Stephens County Development Authority Board Meetings are open to the public.