OCTOBER 2020 NEWSLETTER

                                                                                                     OCTOBER NEWSLETTER 2020

Message from your Mayor…….Mike Eason 

The City of Dawsonville is working hard to try to get the restrooms at Main Street Park opened and they should be open by the end of this week.

We have some exciting news about the park also. Three Eagle Scout candidates have requested to do a project in the park that will help them each reach their goal of earning their Eagle Scout rank.  One is going to be working to build the Main Street Dog Park, which we have just approved the fencing for this week.

Another is going to be working on building a nature trail connecting the park to the edge of the library property to   allow easy access between the two facilities, and the third is going to be working on a lending library within the Main Street Park.

Also, the City has been working with Kare 4 Kids to ensure that the State Highways stay open to allow movement throughout our city for residents and visitors during the Moonshine Festival. The City has now provided the event          organizers with Main Street Park and closed Allen Street and Memory Lane for use by the vendors attending the       festival.  This will consolidate the event, as well as allowing traffic to flow and local businesses to remain open as   usual. We have had very positive support from you, our citizens, as well as the downtown businesses. Please remember that if you attend this event as well as any other time, practice safe actions by wearing your mask around others and   maintaining social distancing, please.

Remember to vote!  It’s critical to our country that each citizen has a say on how our government functions. Early voting is through the end of next week (Oct. 30) and Saturday, October 24 is the only early voting weekend day (this is during the Mountain Moonshine Festival).

Also, please complete your census documentation. Billions of funds for our State, County and City are at risk, as well as our representation in the U. S. House of Representatives. 

Have a safe Halloween and remember, wear your mask!! 

 Message from your City Manager…….Bob Bolz  

Fall is here! The trees start to show their colors as nature’s sugar production of chlorophyll slows, allowing the other brilliant colors to stand out. We get to enjoy the yellows, reds, oranges and other color variations. Leaf lookers flood the North Georgia area to enjoy the gorgeous trees. Traffic in our community has already been strong through the month of September as people strive to get outside and enjoy the cooler temperatures and of course, this will increase throughout the fall season.

The Amicalola Regional Farmers Market, housed in their home at the City of Dawsonville Farmers Market pavilion located on   Allen Street, will continue to have the market through November providing fall crops and arts and crafts. The market is held every Wednesday from 3 p.m. – 7 p.m. and on Saturday from 8 a.m. until sold out.

Staff hosted Food Truck Friday on October 2nd to probably our largest crowd ever, as attendees enjoyed food from four trucks, with each truck selling out before the night ended.

We will not have a Food Truck Friday in November, as our weather traditionally cools off. The Veterans Day Parade has been cancelled due to concerns for pandemic safety. Please remember these heroes and make other efforts to let them know you care and are so proud and thankful for their service.

Our next special event will be the annual Christmas Tree Lighting. Right now, plans include a parade, food trucks, Jingle Market, entertainment and photos with Santa. This event is scheduled for Friday night, December 4th.

Large crowds have enjoyed Main Street Park with the cooler fall weather. The new restroom should be complete and opened this month.

In 2017, we began offering a lending library and food donation opportunities. These are housed in two modified  whiskey barrels, attractively located in front of City Hall. The food donation barrel has received a tremendous amount of use during these tough pandemic times. If you have non-perishable food you would like to donate, please drop the supplies at City Hall. Additionally, if you have books that you are willing to donate, please drop them off as well.  If you are in need, please feel free to take items as well.

October Employee Spotlight: David Picklesimer, Planning Director  

Our October Employee Spotlight falls on David Picklesimer. David, after retirement from a 20-year career with      Forsyth County, worked with the engineering firm, Moreland-Altobelli. He began his service here as an inspector. He was promoted to the position of Planning & Zoning Director. In that role, he is responsible for everything related to that department, such as re-zones, annexations, ordinance development, business licenses, alcohol permits, insurance licenses fees, regulatory and contractor licenses, garbage hauler licenses, insurance license fees, building permits, plan reviews, variance applications, coordination of the Planning Commission and Historic Preservation Commission, future land use planning, code enforcement, and much more. He has a staff of three employees he supervises. Currently, we are seeking applications for our Building Inspector/Code Enforcement position.

David and his wife, Janie, have two daughters, Taylor and Madison. They live on the Dawson – Forsyth County line. In addition to spending precious time with his family, David enjoys fishing as a hobby. A previous Employee of the Month winner, we are fortunate to have David at our service. He brings over 30 years of experience and leadership to our team.

REMEMBER TO VOTE!!      

96 Academy Avenue.....Election Day is November 3rd                                                                                    

 Councilmember
 Caleb Phillips
 District 1  
 Cell (706) 968-3142                                   
 Email     

  Councilmember
  Stephen Tolson
  District 2
  Cell (706) 748-8005
  Email

 Councilmember
  Mark French
  District 4
  Cell (706) 429-8859
  Email

City Clerk, Beverly Banister
Email  (706) 265-3256

City Staff at your Service 

City Manager, Robert D. (Bob) Bolz
Email   (706) 429-4524

Utility Billing Technician, Tracy Smith
Email   (706) 203-4920

Accounts Payable / Event Coordinator,
Sara Beacham
Email   (706) 203-4919

For After-Hours Water / Sewer System
Emergencies Please Call:

(706) 265-3256