Qualifying for Alto Town Council seat opens Dec. 18

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December 14, 2023

Habersham-elections-office — Candidates may qualify at the Habersham County Elections Office in the county administration building in Clarkesville. (NowHabersham.com)

Qualifying opens next week for the March 12, 2024, Alto Special Election. The election is being held to fill the unexpired term of Post 1 Councilmember Carolyn Cabe.

Cabe passed away in September. Her term expires on December 31, 2025.

Qualifying for the council seat runs from Monday, December 18, through Friday, December 22.

Alto residents interested in running may qualify at the Habersham County Elections Office in the county administration building in Clarkesville.

The qualifying fee is $35.

The hours for qualifying are 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday (except for a one-hour lunch break daily) and from 8:30 a.m. to noon Friday.

The last day to register to vote in the Special Election is February 12, 2024.

Advocates hopeful after Georgia, Alabama settle water war outside court

By

Jill Nolin

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December 13, 2023

Georgia and Alabama have agreed to four objectives that include minimum water flow levels at sites in Columbus, Georgia and Columbia, Alabama. (Henry Jacobs/Chattahoochee Riverkeeper)

(Georgia Recorder) — An agreement between the states of Georgia and Alabama in a yearslong water dispute is being celebrated for where it came about: outside of a courtroom.

Governors of the two neighboring Southern states announced in a joint press release this week that they had reached an agreement with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, which operates a series of reservoirs in the Apalachicola-Chattahoochee-Flint River Basin.

The massive basin starts in north Georgia and crosses over into Alabama as it moves through southwest Georgia and into the Florida Panhandle. It’s been at the center of the so-called long-simmering water wars, including a Georgia-Florida case that reached the U.S. Supreme Court in which Georgia emerged the victor in 2021.

The proposed compromise must still go through a federal approval process that will include an environmental review and a public comment period. But the state of Alabama has agreed to pause the appeal of a lower court’s decision in a case tied to a 2017 federal water control document and a water supply storage contract at Lake Lanier.

Alabama’s case was pending with the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals, where it will remain in limbo until the federal agency decides whether to adopt the proposed changes.

Both Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp and Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey touted the agreement as a “win-win” in statements Tuesday and the end of this chapter of the water disputes.

“Alabama and Georgia have a lot in common,” Ivey said in a statement. “But we have spent a lot of time — and a lot of money on attorney fees — fighting in court over water.”

The two states have agreed to four objectives that include minimum water flow levels at sites in Columbus, Georgia and Columbia, Alabama. Both sides say the deal will ensure metro Atlanta’s water needs are met while allowing enough water to flow on to Alabama.

Kerry Armstrong, chairman of the Atlanta Regional Commission, hailed the proposal as a “landmark agreement heralds a new era of cooperation” in the basin.

Alex Bradford, director of the Georgia Farm Bureau’s public policy department, called it “another significant step forward” for the state’s agricultural industry that builds on the Supreme Court ruling and a proposal to ease a decade-old moratorium on new and expanded withdrawals in portions of southwest Georgia’s Flint River Basin.

“While agriculture depends on long-term certainty like this agreement will provide to plan for the future, this resolution is also critical for agriculture’s consumers and Georgia’s growing population throughout the entire basin,” said Alex Bradford, director of the Georgia Farm Bureau’s public policy department.

And while other long-time observers of these multi-state water disputes say they were encouraged by news of the out-of-court agreement, the proposal’s impact on the waterways and the broader river system still needs to be studied.

“We’re thinking about this in a much larger sense,” said Chris Manganiello, water policy director with the Chattahoochee Riverkeeper. “We’re not just going to care about what these metrics mean for Columbus and Alabama, but what does it mean upstream and downstream?”

Manganiello said the minimum flow targets outlined in the agreement are not new. He said he has heard the numbers floated over the years, but he argues it’s important to consider these proposed water flow levels in the context of climate change.

Still, Manganiello said the agreement left him feeling cautiously optimistic.

“We’ve always thought that a resolution outside of the courtroom was preferable to mandates from above that maybe we wouldn’t have liked either,” he said.

Gil Rogers, director of the Southern Environmental Law Center’s Georgia office, said it remains to be seen what this new collaborative spirit between Alabama and Georgia may mean for the decades-long tri-state water disputes. The Alabama-Coosa-Tallapoosa River Basin, which spills over into part of Georgia, is another disputed river system, and other cases are also still pending.

“It’s just not clear whether this means these two states are going to be getting along regarding all of their shared water resources or just regarding this particular reach of the Chattahoochee River,” Rogers said Tuesday.

“Still a lot of questions surrounding this, but any kind of cooperation between states that have historically been in litigation is a positive step forward.”

Lions take on North Florida in Division I Exhibition

By

Joseph Garwood

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December 13, 2023

The Piedmont women’s basketball team took on the University of North Florida in a Division I exhibition contest on Wednesday afternoon in Jacksonville.

The Lions held tough in the first quarter, trailing by only eight after the first 10 minutes.

While the Ospreys were able to build a 53-37 lead at the break, the Lions fought back with a strong 22-point third quarter.

North Florida pulled away again late in the contest, but Piedmont saw a balanced scoring attack with 11 different players finding points.

Two Lions reached double figures, led by 11 points from Colby Reed and 10 points from Ashley Scott. Reed connected on a team-high three three-pointers.

Scott and Lu Woolfolk paced the team with three assists each, while newcomers Andelin Hill (8 points) and Alexandria Willis (7 points, 6 rebounds) added contributions from the starting lineup.

Up next, the Lions will return to action in just over two weeks, hosting Hardin-Simmons on Friday, December 29 at Cave Arena.

Nora’s Notes: peaceful waters

By

Nora Almazan

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December 13, 2023

Wendy was my black Tennessee Walker – a feisty mare, built for speed. Riding her felt like being on water skies in the early morning when no other boats were out. She was smooth as glass. A group of us rode on Saturdays, a few times a month, galloping down long stretches of dirt road. When we came to forks in the road or intersections, we would simply place the reins on the nape of the horse and go in whichever direction the horse chose. For me, it was life on the “edge.” I never knew where Wendy would take me and since horses are pack animals, they will usually follow the lead horse who 99% of the time was mine.

One Saturday though – Wendy didn’t want to choose. There was a T-shaped intersection up ahead. Instead of going left or right, she decided to go straight up a hill covered in pine trees and briers. The sting of the branches on my face felt razor-sharp, and I wondered if my cheeks would be covered in blood. It seemed as though she ran uncontrollably; and although I tried to slow her down, she wouldn’t. The other horses had not followed – this time. I could hear a distant shout from my friend Rhonda, “Nora, are you ok?”

The woods opened to a clearing with a creek running through the center, and there she stopped. I hadn’t been to this spot before, which seemed impossible since I felt I knew every inch of Dublin, Georgia. I sat down on a rock and washed the cuts on my hands and face. The sound of the water flowing passed me, calmed my beating heart.

“He leads me beside still waters; He restores my soul…” the passage from Psalm 23 entered my head. Our pastor, Jim Rush, had just encouraged us to memorize the Psalm in our confirmation class. Suddenly, it made sense. Sometimes we go down paths of our own making; sometimes paths others have forced us on; and sometimes, one’s God brought us down purposefully. We may not know the reasons for the trials or how long we will have to endure the journey; but one thing is certain, He will bring us back to still waters.

Faith holds in good times and bad. It is the assurance that when we walk with God, no matter the decision we’ve made, He will see us through the obstacles, the pain, the suffering, the grief, the destruction, and bring us back to peaceful waters.

Demorest boil water advisory lifted

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Staff Report

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December 13, 2023

Demorest has lifted the boil water advisory it issued earlier this week for city water customers in the area of Old Athens Highway to Pea Ridge Road.

The advisory was issued as a precaution after a water main break near Old Cleveland Road on Monday evening, December 11.

People in the affected area may now resume normal water use.

Charles Boyd Smith

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Now Habersham

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December 13, 2023

Mr. Charles Boyd Smith, 84, of Toccoa, Georgia, went home to be with the Lord on Monday, December 11, 2023, surrounded by his immediate family.

Born on August 6, 1939, in Mt. Airy, Georgia, he was the youngest child of the late Harold James and Martha Bertha Schmidt Smith. He had five sisters who watched out for him throughout his childhood. Boyd worked for 49 years at Habersham Metal Products. He married Floye Kimsey on November 9, 1962, and they built their family for the next 61 years. He was a faithful member of Toccoa Creek Baptist Church, where he spent time as a deacon and Sunday School Superintendent. Boyd loved wood working, working outdoors, gardening, and enjoyed following Georgia football and Braves baseball. He loved his wife and son’s family dearly and was beloved by everyone he came in contact with.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sisters, Eugenie Burrell, Catherine Cantrell, Lenora Smith, and Louise Holcomb.

Survivors include his loving wife of over 61 years, Floye Kimsey Smith; son and daughter-in-law, Chad Harold Smith and Doreen Smith; granddaughter, Olivia Elizabeth Smith; sister, Helen Smith; brother-in-law, Rev. Billy Burrell; nieces, Jill Judy, Denise Cantrell, Neysa Burrell; nephews, Kevin Holcomb, Kim Cantrell, Brent Holcomb.

Funeral services will be Friday, December 15, 2023, at 1 p.m. in the Hillcrest Chapel of the Acree-Davis Funeral Home with The Reverend Billy Burrell and The Reverend Joey Whitlock officiating. The following gentlemen will serve as pallbearers, Joseph Judy, John David Judy, Joseph Handwork, Danny Handwork, Alan Youngblood, and Kevin Holcomb.

The family will receive friends at the Acree-Davis Funeral Home on Friday from noon until the service time at 1 p.m.

Online condolences may be left for the family at www.acree-davisfh.com.

Interment will follow in the Toccoa City Cemetery, with the Acree-Davis Funeral Home and Crematory in charge of the arrangements for Mr. Charles Boyd Smith.

US House Republicans back formal impeachment inquiry against Biden

By

Jacob Fischler

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December 13, 2023

U.S. President Joe Biden’s son Hunter Biden talks to reporters outside the U.S. Capitol on December 13, 2023 in Washington, DC. Hunter Biden defied a subpoena from Congress to testify behind closed doors ahead of a House vote on an impeachment inquiry against his father. (livestream image)

WASHINGTON, D.C. (States Newsroom) — The U.S. House voted along party lines Wednesday to officially proceed with an impeachment inquiry against President Joe Biden.

The Republican-controlled chamber approved a resolution, 221-212, with Illinois Democrat Brad Schneider not voting, to allow three committees to continue their investigation into whether Biden benefited from his son Hunter’s foreign business dealings.

If such a link could be demonstrated, it would raise questions about foreign policy choices Biden made as vice president from 2009 to 2017.

Work on the investigation thus far has not demonstrated a link involving the president.

The vote was meant to show the investigation has the support of most House members.

Three committee leaders — Oversight and Accountability Chairman James Comer of Kentucky, Judiciary Chairman Jim Jordan of Ohio and Ways and Means Chairman Jason Smith of Missouri — had previously conducted their inquiry solely at the direction of former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy.

Subpoena power

House Republicans have subpoenaed Hunter Biden, asking him to sit for a deposition by Wednesday, but the president’s son declined, offering instead to appear at a public hearing.

Wednesday’s vote to formalize the investigation, which also formally bestowed the chairmen with subpoena power, would provide the inquiry more legitimacy and make it more difficult for Hunter Biden to reject future subpoenas, Jordan and Comer said hours before the vote.

“We think the House of Representatives will go on record with a power that solely resides in the House to say we are in an official impeachment inquiry phase of our oversight,” Jordan said.

“And when that happens, we’ll see what their excuse is then,” he added, referring to Hunter Biden and his legal team. “They should have been here today. But once we take that vote, we expect him to come in for his interview, for his deposition.”

The Republicans said a deposition behind closed doors during the fact-gathering phase of the investigation should occur prior to a public hearing.

“We expect to depose the president’s son, and then we will be more than happy to have a public hearing with him,” Comer said.

Hunter Biden earned millions during his father’s tenure as vice president for sitting on the board of Ukrainian energy company Burisma and in deals with Chinese oil tycoon Ye Jianming.

Hunter Biden speaks to press

Hunter Biden appeared outside the Capitol on Wednesday and made a brief statement to reporters. He did not take questions.

“There is no evidence to suggest that my father was financially involved in my business,” he said. “Because it did not happen.”

He named the GOP committee chairmen — Comer, Jordan, and Smith — and said they had “lied over and over about every aspect of my personal and professional life” and distorted the president’s paternal support as a kind of criminal act.

“They have taken the light of my dad’s love for me and presented it as darkness,” he said.

Joe Biden has repeatedly demonstrated support for his son amid his recovery from addiction to alcohol and crack cocaine.

Hunter Biden on Wednesday referred to past mistakes he’d made and his struggles with addiction but denied that his father based any policy decisions on his own business dealings.

At Wednesday’s White House press briefing, press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said President Biden was “familiar with” what his son would say but declined to offer more details. She referred most questions about the matter to representatives for Hunter Biden, noting that he is not associated with the White House as “a private citizen.”

But she criticized House Republicans for proceeding in the inquiry without evidence and for focusing on impeachment rather than negotiations on the border, averting a government shutdown in January and other policy priorities.

“Instead they focus on baseless political stunts,” Jean-Pierre said.

‘Zero evidence of wrongdoing’

Several House Democrats also blasted the inquiry in floor speeches Wednesday, calling it “a political hit job” and “a witch hunt” meant to smear President Biden.

“A year of investigation, piles of documents, and a herd of the Republicans’ own witnesses confirmed there is zero evidence of wrongdoing,” Florida Democrat Debbie Wasserman Schultz said. “Instead, the Republicans’ wasteful witch hunt just confirms that President Biden is a good and honorable man. What this resolution really does is cover up a full year of do-nothing Republican policies.”

Since taking the House majority this year, Republicans in the chamber have investigated Hunter Biden’s business dealings, including with companies in Ukraine and China, and have claimed that Joe Biden and other family members benefited.

But they haven’t shown any direct link from Hunter Biden’s businesses to the president. Witnesses that GOP leaders asked to testify at the House Oversight and Accountability Committee’s first hearing in September acknowledged there was no evidence tying Joe Biden to Hunter Biden’s business activities.

McCarthy directed the three House committees to open the investigation in September as he faced pressure from the Republican conference amid a push to keep the government funded. The move didn’t mollify the far-right members of his party, who voted with every Democratic member to oust McCarthy the following month.

Investigation report into fatal liquid nitrogen leak released

By

Staff Report

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December 13, 2023

Nearly three years after a liquid nitrogen leak killed six workers at a poultry processing plant in Gainesville, a federal safety board has released its findings into the incident.

This week, the U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board (CSB) released its final investigation report into the deadly leak at the Foundation Food Group (FFG) facility on January 28, 2021.

The 115-page report identifies a number of equipment and process failures at the facility. It also includes a dozen recommendations to various groups to prevent such tragedies in the future.

READ CSB Investigation report

Bent tube led to deadly leak

FFG used liquid nitrogen to quickly freeze prepared poultry food products. Investigators determined that a bent “bubbler tube” inside the immersion freezer at the plant caused the leak.

Investigators determined the bubbler tube was likely bent during maintenance, rendering it unable to measure and control the freezer’s liquid nitrogen level. As a result, liquid nitrogen overflowed from the freezer and quickly vaporized into a four- to five-foot-high cloud, causing the employees to die of asphyxiation.

Immersion freezer bubbler tube, as found during the post-incident examination of the freezer. As
designed, the tube should be pointing straight downward. (Credit: CSB)

Water overflowing from the immersion freezer tub during the post-incident overflow test. This image shows how the bent tube rose above the overflow point. (Credit: CSB)

Three other FFG employees and a firefighter who responded to the incident were seriously injured from asphyxiation.

Investigators also determined that “inadequate emergency preparedness” made the situation at FFG more severe. According to a summary report of CSB’s findings, FFG did not “inform, train, equip, drill, or otherwise prepare its workforce for a release of liquid nitrogen.”

Investigators also concluded that FFG failed to install air monitoring and alarm devices that could have alerted the workers about the hazardous vapor cloud and warned them against entering the freezer room.

A ‘needless and senseless tragedy’

After the leak, at least 14 employees entered the freezer room and surrounding area to investigate and try to rescue their coworkers.

“Workers were not aware of the deadly consequences of a liquid nitrogen release – ultimately, trying to save their colleagues led to them sacrificing their own lives,” said Investigator-in-Charge Drew Sahli. “This is a known hazard, and better training and communication could have prevented such a tragedy.”

In addition to the lack of training and monitoring devices, CSB found that FFG had no documented process safety management policy. The company allowed the job position responsible for safety management to be vacant for more than a year before the incident.

Messer LLC designed and owned the freezer and leased it to FFG. Investigators noted that, despite Messer being aware of FFG’s “unsafe practices,” the company continued supplying FFG with liquid nitrogen.

“This needless and senseless tragedy was completely preventable. Six people died and four others were seriously injured because of a bent tube and FFG’s failure to have critical monitoring equipment and warning alarms and FFG’s failure to adequately train and equip its employees to respond safely to a liquid nitrogen release,” said CSB Chairperson Steve Owens.

Line 4 immersion-spiral freezer in Line 4 freezer room several hours after the incident. (Credit: Hall
County Fire Services, annotations by CSB)

Safety recommendations

After the incident, FFG sold the facility to Gold Creek Foods. According to CSB, Gold Creek does not have liquid nitrogen freezing processes in the building where the incident occurred.

As a result of its investigation, CSB issued twelve safety recommendations directed at Gold Creek, Messer, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), an industry trade association, and two standard-setting organizations.

The CSB is calling on Gold Creek Foods to “proactively engage” with local emergency responders to ensure that they are aware of the chemicals being stored onsite at the facility and their potential hazards.

CSB also wants OSHA to issue a national standard to address the hazards of cryogenic asphyxiants – which include liquid nitrogen.

Other recommendations include:

OSHA to cover liquid nitrogen in the agency’s regional emphasis programs for poultry processing and food manufacturing.
The Compressed Gas Association and National Fire Protection Association to improve their safety guidance on cryogenic asphyxiants.
International Fire Code updated to require the use of atmospheric monitoring with cryogenic asphyxiants.

“The CSB’s recommendations are important for preventing incidents involving liquid nitrogen and lessening their severity if they do occur,” said Owens. “The hazards of liquid nitrogen must be clearly communicated to workers, and the safety management systems for operations that use liquid nitrogen must be improved.”

Governors Kemp, Ivey announce agreement in long-running Chattahoochee River water lawsuit

By

Staff Report

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December 13, 2023

buforddam_usace — Buford Dam, just above Lake Lanier, was built in 1956. (Credit: US Army Corps of Engineers)

The governors of Georgia and Alabama have announced an agreement in a lawsuit over water flows from the Chattahoochee River.

Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp and Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey say they have reached an agreement with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers that is expected to end the states’ decades-long legal battle. The governors say the agreement assures citizens who live and work in the Mid- and Lower Chattahoochee River Basin have sufficient minimum water flows during times of drought.

“This agreement is a win-win for our states, with neither side sacrificing what is important to them,” said Kemp. “The Chattahoochee River is the lifeblood of southwest Georgia, and this proposal would give citizens and businesses certainty about the flow of water they need for business and leisure alike.”

Kemp said the adoption of the proposal would also end the current issues related to water supply for metro Atlanta at Lake Lanier.

Ivey echoed Kemp’s statement that the agreement is a “win-win solution.”

“Alabama and Georgia have a lot in common. But we have spent a lot of time — and a lot of money on attorney fees — fighting in court over water. This proposal is a big deal for Alabama as the Corps has never before set minimum water-flow objectives in the parts of the Chattahoochee that affect us,” said Ivey.

Gov. Ivey says the agreement would provide Alabama with long-term assurances that “in times of drought, our citizens will be protected, and our stakeholders will know how much water is coming their way.”

First-of-its-kind proposal

Under the agreement, the Corps of Engineers will begin formally considering a first-of-its-kind proposal to operate its dams and reservoirs to achieve minimum water-flow objectives at Columbus, Georgia, and Columbia, Alabama, on the Chattahoochee River along the States’ border. The proposal also provides that the Corps would continue to maintain the necessary minimum elevation at Lake Seminole, located in southwest Georgia, approximately twenty miles southwest of Bainbridge.

The proposal is being made to resolve litigation Alabama brought challenging the Corps’ operations in the region, including the Corps’ policy allowing Georgia to make water-supply withdrawals near Atlanta. Although this specific case was filed in 2017, litigation between the parties over these issues has been in the courts since 1990.

The Corps’ consideration of the proposal will be subject to a public comment period and environmental review that could last several months. If the Corps adopts the proposal, Alabama will dismiss its appeal in this matter following a one-year review period, and the litigation will end. If the Corps does not adopt the proposal, Alabama’s lawsuit will resume.

Mayor Ash steps down after a half-century on the Helen City Commission

By

Dean Dyer

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December 13, 2023

White County Commissioners address the Helen City Council and present their Jeff Ash Day proclamation on Tuesday, December 12, 2023. (Dean Dyer/WRWH.com)

The White County Board of Commissioners paid a surprise visit to the regular Helen City Commission meeting on Tuesday morning, December 12. The commissioners were there to personally present Mayor Jeff Ash with a proclamation that designated Tuesday, December 12th, as Jeff Ash Day in White County.

Tuesday was Ash’s final meeting serving on the Helen City Commission.

Helen Mayor Jeff Ash was surprised by the proclamation presentation. (Dean Dyer/WRWH.com)

Speaking on behalf of the Board, White County Commission Chairman Travis Turner read the proclamation that recognized the dedicated service Ash has provided to White County and the City of Helen for the past 50 years.

Ash was first elected to the city commission in 1974. In addition, he has served on several White County and Helen boards. Jeff Ash was one of the people instrumental in the establishment of White County Bank, now United Community Bank, back in 1976.

Turner also pointed out that Jeff’s wife Paula has contributed much to the community as well.

Baldwin council has emotional transition as Ayers attends last meeting

By

Jerry Neace

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December 13, 2023

There was an emotional transition of power Monday night at The Baldwin City Council meeting. Long-time Council member Theron Ayers, attended his last council meeting as a member of the elected body.

Mayor Stephanie Almagno presented a plaque denoting his 12 years of service on the City Council. She wanted everyone to see his award and have the opportunity to thank him. “I cannot tell you what a great and gracious man this is,” she stated as she addressed Ayers. She added, “We thank him for his service to Baldwin for these past 12 years.”

Council member Alice Venter stated by phone, “I’m heartbroken that I can’t be there tonight.” She continued, ”Because of Theron Ayers, my life is completely different. Theron was instrumental in asking me to join the council six years ago. Theron will always have the biggest impact on my life.” Venter expressed her appreciation for Ayers and his service to the city.

Ayers addressed the audience, “I would like to say thank you to the people of Baldwin who supported me in this office. I tried to do my best.” He explained that he is physically unable to continue to do what he would like to do but advised others, “When you see people needing help, don’t miss the opportunity to help them.”

Almagno addressed Ayers and emotionally requested, “For the last time, I need a motion to adjourn.” Ayers, in a broken voice, choking back tears stated, “I make this motion to adjourn.”

Baldwin Mayor Stephanie Almagno presents a plaque to outgoing council member Theron Ayers for his 12 years of service on the Baldwin City Council. (Jerry Neace/NowHabersham.com)

Ayers, elected to the city council in November 2011, took office in January 2012. He was the most senior council member, having served 12 years on the city council. Born in 1929, he will turn 95 years old next May.

Ayers played a pivotal role in many changes and improvements to the benefit of the citizens of Baldwin. During his tenure, the City Council purchased the former Habersham Bank building on US 441 that ultimately became City Hall. The Council developed property in the downtown area that became the Farmers’ Market and a park. The city uses that area for its annual Fall Festival and other events for its citizens throughout the year. The council purchased property that is currently being developed as the new public works facility.

During his time on the Council, he also saw the city grow with the annexation of the Airport Industrial Park and property around the airport, as well as controversial annexations on Wilbanks and Thompson Roads. He saw the development of the Highland Pointe subdivision that had been undeveloped for 10 years due to the Great Recession.

As a council member, he was instrumental in improving employee salaries, working conditions, and benefits over the years. One such measure was the approval of the employee retirement program through the Georgia Municipal Association. Another was the purchase of vehicles and equipment needed to upgrade departments to improve services throughout the city.

His influence transcended Baldwin. While on the council, he saw improvements and upgrades to the water and wastewater plants that benefited residents of Banks and Habersham counties.

Ayers decided earlier this year not to run for reelection. Next month, Kerri Davis will take the oath of office for Post 2 on the council, the seat that Ayers held for 12 years.

Habersham conducts emergency response training at NGTC

By

Staff Report

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December 13, 2023

If you were near North Georgia Technical College in Clarkesville this (Wednesday) morning you may have noticed sights and sounds not part of the normal school day.

The signs lining GA 197 in front of the school campus let those passing by know that whatever they saw was part of a training exercise.

Instructions for active shooter scenario

Agencies participated in active shooter scenario

Habersham County E-911/Emergency Management Agency, Habersham County Emergency Services, Habersham County Sheriff’s Office, and Clarkesville Fire Department participated, along with members of the campus community and North Georgia Technical College Police Department, in an active shooter scenario.

The Director of Habersham County E-911/EMA Lynn Smith said overall things went well during the event, for which planning began in September.

“They wanted to exercise just a campus response, so we tried to make it smaller where we could just involve them and not have a lot of outside resources coming in,” Smith said. “I think that overall, it went pretty well for it to be their first time. We had an active shooter who went into the dining hall and then out of the dining hall into another building. We had several victims. We did involve EMS and Fire and I think it went pretty well.”

After the training, personnel and college officials held a debriefing to discuss what went well and what could be improved for the future.

Large participation from various agencies

Expressed appreciation

NGTC President John Wilkinson expressed his appreciation to community partners as well as those on campus, for helping with his priority of maintaining the safety of students, staff, and faculty.

Smith said one challenge is common on most college and university campuses.

“I think they did really well,” Smith said. “I think that one of our challenges here, as they would be on any college campus, is identifying the buildings, knowing where you are, and getting people to the right places.”

Georgia Emergency Management Agency/Homeland Security also was present