Gov. Kemp Provides Overview of Federal Guidance to Mitigate COVID-19 in Nursing Homes
Press Release, State & National April 3, 2020
Atlanta, GA – Today Governor Brian P. Kemp provided an overview of the recommendations President Trump and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued, in consultation with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), to help mitigate the spread of COVID-19 in nursing homes.
Nursing homes, also known as skilled nursing facilities, nursing facilities, or long-term care facilities, have become an accelerator for COVID-19. This is because residents, who are generally comprised of a vulnerable population, are even more vulnerable to the complications of the virus in enclosed environments like nursing homes.
The recommendations are as follows:
- Nursing homes should immediately ensure that they are complying with all CMS and CDC guidance related to infection control.
- As nursing homes are a critical part of the healthcare system, and because of the ease of spread in long-term care facilities and the severity of illness that occurs in residents with COVID-19, CMS/CDC urge state and local leaders to consider the needs of long-term care facilities with respect to supplies of PPE and COVID-19 tests.
- The facilities should immediately implement symptom screening for all staff, residents, and visitors, including temperature checks.
- All staff must use appropriate PPE when they are interacting with patients and residents, to the extent PPE is available and per CDC guidance on conservation of PPE.
To avoid transmission, facilities should use separate staffing teams for residents to the best of their ability, and as President Trump announced at the White House on April 2, 2020, the administration urges nursing homes to work with state and local leaders to designate separate facilities or units within a facility to separate COVID-19 negative residents from COVID-19 positive residents and individuals with unknown COVID-19 status.
These recommendations will help long-term care facilities as they consider how to best prevent or mitigate the spread of COVID-19 in their facilities. For more information on CMS actions, please visit cms.gov.
Public school buildings closed for remainder of academic year
Board of Education, State & National April 2, 2020
ATLANTA, Ga – Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp signed Executive Order 04.01.20.01 to close all public-school facilities through the end of the school year.
Kemp announced the order on April 1, along with his decision to implement a shelter in place directive until April 13. He first closed public K-12 schools on March 31 and had since extended the order until April 24.
The order applies to all elementary, secondary, and post-secondary public education facilities in order to stop the spread of COVID-19 in Georgia communities. As of April 1, the week of April 23 is predicted to be the tipping point in the Georgia outbreak.
Online learning will continue, and local school districts can determine the final day of classes. Also, faculty and staff can return to their classrooms once school districts determine it is safe for employees to enter the campus.
Georgia Department of Public Health and Department of Education are taking measures to ensure the nutrition and safety needs of students are being met during this time.
A testing waiver for public schools was approved earlier in the year. No student will take Georgia Milestones.
This order does not apply to the University System of Georgia or the Technical College System of Georgia. The Chancellor of the University System and Commissioner of the Technical College System reserve the right to make decisions about their respective campuses across Georgia.
Georgia DPH adjusts COVID-19 models to include asymptomatic transmission
News, Police & Government, State & National April 1, 2020
BLAIRSVILLE, Ga – As of April 1, Georgia had 4,748 cases and 20,328 completed COVID-19 tests, but Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) has only tested symptomatic and high-risk patients. As a result, some cases have gone undiagnosed across Georgia.
Currently, DPH is following CDC guidelines, which still states online that not everyone needs to be tested for COVID-19. Most people who contract the virus will recover and can care for themselves at home. CDC gave healthcare workers four priority categories to help decide who receives tests.
Asymptomatic individuals were ranked last, and those exhibiting mild symptoms or subjected to potential community spread should only be tested if resources are available.
White County Public Safety Director David Murphy went on record about the issue.
“Some people take care of themselves at home and never go to a doctor, especially those who have minor symptoms,” he explained. Murphy added that White County first responders have encountered a dozen or more patients with coronavirus symptoms in the last two weeks.
DPH guidance for healthcare facilities when it comes to testing lower priority potential cases is as follows:
Patients with mild illness who do not require medical care or who are not a DIRECT contact of a confirmed COVID-19 case (meaning the person has NOT been within 6 feet of a confirmed case for greater than 10 minutes, will not meet criteria to be tested at GPHL but can be tested at commercial labs—see below:
These patients should self-isolate at home until symptoms resolve. If respiratory symptoms worsen, they may need to be re-evaluated. Guidance for safe home care can be found at https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/hcp/guidance-homecare.html.
If you want to test these patients for COVID-19, commercial laboratory testing is the best option. Commercial laboratories are expected to conduct a substantial number of COVID-19 tests going forward. Currently, the primary source of testing is LabCorp, but we expect other laboratories will be testing in the near future as well, including Quest and ARUP. Neither LabCorp nor Quest will collect specimens at their facilities. Providers should contact LabCorp or Quest regarding supplies needed for testing.
DPH Commissioner Kathleen Toomey addressed that asymptomatic individuals in Georgia aren’t being tested but could be transmitting the virus to numerous Georgians. The state and DPH now believe the time is now appropriate to take “very aggressive measures.”
“We have not been testing everybody. We have only been testing those who have symptoms and those who are the most ill. And now, we recognize a game-changer, in how our strategy to fight COVID has unfolded. We realize now that individuals may be spreading the virus and not even realize they have an infection. As many as 1 in 4 people with coronavirus don’t realize they have the infection because they have no symptoms whatsoever,” explained Toomey.
“Finding out that this virus is now transmitting before they see signs,” remarked Gov. Brian Kemp. “Those individuals could have been infecting people before they ever felt bad.”
Kemp is expected to sign a shelter in place order on Thursday, April 2 to prevent people from ignoring self-quarantine recommendations. The details on the order are yet to be released.
Toomey further voiced that they knew asymptomatic community spread was possible due to the cruise ship cases. As of March 4, the CDC website also stated that asymptomatic spread is possible, but not as common as among individuals who are visibly sick.
Until the past 24-hours, all the DPH models relied on data solely from patients with symptoms.
“I think it’s a combination of recognizing not only that there are probably a large number of people out there who are infected who are asymptomatic, who never would have been recognized under our old models, but also seeing the community transmission that we’re seeing and now is the time to stop that transmission before the hospitals are overrun,” said Toomey.
How can Georgians prevent exposure/slow the spread?
Follow the CDC guidelines:
- Wash hands for at least 20 seconds – wash often
- Regularly clean and disinfect surfaces
- Avoid social contact and stay home
- Social distance if in public – stay six feet apart from each other
- Avoid touching the face – mouth, nose, eyes
- If sick, stay home
- Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue and throw it away
- Wear a facemask if sick
By following these guidelines and Kemp’s shelter-in-place order, Georgian’s should be able to flatten the curve and hopefully protect themselves and loved ones.
Kemp, Williams: Officials Will Enforce Social Distancing at Parks, Lakes
Featured Stories March 29, 2020
Atlanta, GA – Today Governor Brian P. Kemp joined Department of Natural Resources Commissioner Mark Williams to issue the following joint statement:
“Across Georgia, there is a mandatory shelter in place order for medically fragile individuals, and gatherings of more than ten people are banned unless there is at least six feet between each person at all times. This order applies to all 159 counties.
“Fortunately, many Georgians are heeding these directives and following the advice of public health officials to stay safe and healthy. However, as we deal with the effects of coronavirus with school and business closures, people are eager for a change in scenery after days at home. They are traveling to nearby counties, heading outdoors for fresh air, and maximizing family time. Some are going to vacation homes, and others are hitting the lake, hiking trails, or campgrounds. We, too, enjoy exploring Georgia, but we urge people to stay mindful of social distancing, follow best practices, and avoid large crowds.
“The Department of Natural Resources will enforce the executive order limiting large gatherings with officials patrolling bodies of water and campgrounds. They are monitoring coves where people tend to congregate and, if necessary, using bullhorns to tell people to comply with the order. Officials will approach people in violation of the order and demand compliance for the well-being of our citizens and state. Local officials are also working hard to ensure compliance with local directives, which vary by city and county across our state.
“Please stay safe, enjoy your time outdoors, and follow our directives to mitigate the spread of COVID-19. Together, we can flatten the curve and stop the spread of coronavirus.”
Schools remain closed through April 24
News March 26, 2020
Gov. Brian Kemp
ATLANTA — In an effort to reduce the spread of the new coronavirus, Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp issued an executive order today, (Mar. 26) that mandates all public elementary and secondary schools remain closed for in-person instruction through April 24.
Kemp said Thursday that students may be able to return to school on Monday, April 27.
“I am deeply grateful to State School Superintendent Richard Woods, the Georgia Department of Education, superintendents, and parents for keeping us informed and helping us make the right decision for our students,” Kemp said.
“Throughout this process, we will continue to seek the advice of public health officials, school leaders and families to ensure the health and safety of the educational community. As we approach April 24, 2020, we ask for continued patience and flexibility since circumstances may change, but we encourage families to stay strong and follow the guidance of federal, state and local leaders in the weeks ahead.”
As of Thursday, there were more than 1,500 COVID-19 cases reported in the state, according to the Georgia Department of Public Health.
White County Commissioners meet via teleconference
News March 25, 2020
Travis Turner
WHITE COUNTY, Ga. – One day after Gov. Brian Kemp issued an executive order limiting gatherings to 10 or fewer people as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, county commissioners held a two-and-a-half hour called meeting via teleconference.
The governor’s order did not go into effect until noon Tuesday. The commissioners’ meeting, which was frequently interrupted by technical difficulties, started at 9 a.m. and ended at 11:38 a.m.
Commission Chairman Travis Turner did his best under difficult circumstances to keep the meeting moving forward and he assured the listening audience that it did comply with the governor’s order regarding “social distancing.”
Commissioners approved 10 separate land use applications then voted to impose a moratorium on action or acceptance of land use applications until April 26.
They also awarded a contract to resurface approximately two miles of Westmoreland Road to Stratton and Sons Construction in the amount of $647,281.10. Much of that will be funded by a Local Maintenance Improvement Grant in the amount of $461,758.
Commissioners approved land use applications filed by:
Patricia Rottenberg for a conditional use permit for five acres on Hester Road to be placed in the county’s short-term rental program;
Herb Lanphear for a conditional use permit for one acre at 1224 Poplar Stump Road in Helen to be placed in the county’s short-term rental program;
Robert Loomis for a conditional use permit for 13.36 acres at 92 Chattahoochee Acres Drive in Cleveland to be placed in the county’s short-term rental program;
Robert Loomis for a conditional use permit on 13.36 acres at 1049 Chattahoochee Acres Drive in Cleveland to be placed in the county’s short-term rental program;
Bryan Lee to redistrict 5.94 acres at Ga. Hwy. 115 East in Cleveland from R-1 (Residential Single-Family to C-2 Highway Business;
Bryan Lee to redistrict 4.5 acres on Ga. Hwy. 115 East in Cleveland from R-1 Residential Single-Family to C-2 Highway Business;
The Board approved Lee’s request with the stipulations that Leyland Cypress trees be planted along the border in a staggered fashion, a coated plastic hurricane fence be erected, no lights along the back border and a 25-foot setback to the edge of the retaining pond.
Verizon Wireless for a conditional use permit on 71.65 acres at 291 West Farm Road in Cleveland to place antennas on an existing cell tower;
Carol Chambers Crumley for a conditional use permit on 2.23 acres at 591 Dock Dorsey Road in Cleveland to be placed in the county’s short-term rental program;
Lisa Parker for a conditional use permit on 17.15 acres at 768 Tolhurst Road in Cleveland to be placed in the county’s short-term rental program;
Chad Knott to redistrict 1.7 acres at 26 Carolina Springs Road in Sautee Nacoochee from Community Commercial District C-1 to C-2 Highway Business.
Fetch Your News is a hyper local news outlet that covers Dawson, Lumpkin, White, Fannin, Gilmer, Pickens, Union, Towns and Murray counties as well as Cherokee County in N.C. FYN attracts 300,000+ page views per month, 3.5 million impressions per month and approximately 15,000 viewers per week on FYNTV.com and up to 60,000 Facebook page reach. If you would like to follow up-to-date local events in any of those counties, please visit us at FetchYourNews.com
Public Safety Director says first responders have treated patients with coronavirus symptoms
News March 25, 2020
David Murphy
WHITE COUNTY, Ga. – As of Wednesday (March 25) morning, no confirmed cases of COVID-19 had been reported in White County. But Public Safety Director David Murphy told county commissioners during Tuesday’s called meeting that first responders had encountered several patients who had symptoms of coronavirus and were awaiting test results.
Murphy told commissioners that the county is not immune to the virus but is fortunate it has a smaller population and its citizens typically follow the guidelines of state and local officials. He added, “I have said it is not a matter of if something would happen. It’s a matter of when.”
Four weeks ago, Murphy and his teams began to review the county’s Pandemic Response Plan. As a result, the county has moved seamlessly into an annexation of the plan.
Murphy said he expects the executive order issued by Gov. Brian Kemp earlier this week will need to be extended or additional orders added beyond the April 6 deadline. He added the purpose of the order is to flatten the curve and stop the virus from overwhelming the health care system.
“This will last for weeks and we will probably see cases rise in our state and nation. This will probably get worse before we start seeing things turn around.”
But he also said he is encouraged by what is going on nationally. “We are seeing the full force of our federal government working to provide necessary equipment and supplies and researching for anti-viral drugs to stop this virus or, at least, mitigate the effects. All hands are on deck.”
Fetch Your News is a hyper local news outlet that covers Dawson, Lumpkin, White, Fannin, Gilmer, Pickens, Union, Towns and Murray counties as well as Cherokee County in N.C. FYN attracts 300,000+ page views per month, 3.5 million impressions per month and approximately 15,000 viewers per week on FYNTV.com and up to 60,000 Facebook page reach. If you would like to follow up-to-date local events in any of those counties, please visit us at FetchYourNews.com
Georgia Receives SBA Statewide Disaster Declaration
News, State & National March 19, 2020
Atlanta, GA – On March 18, Governor Brian P. Kemp announced that Georgia has received an official statewide disaster declaration from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). This declaration will provide assistance in the form of SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loans to impacted small businesses in all 159 counties in Georgia.
“This is great news for Georgia small business owners,” said Governor Kemp. “As we continue to navigate the impact of COVID-19 on our economy, small business owners can apply for much-needed funding to continue operation and pay their employees. My thanks to the Trump Administration for their swift action to protect small business owners throughout the country.”
The application is now live, and Georgia small business owners can go directly to the SBA for assistance. Small business owners should visit www.disasterloan.sba.gov for information and the application.
Loans are available for small business and non-profit organizations. While terms will be established on a case-by-case basis, many will have a thirty-year repayment term with first payments not due for up to twelve months. Businesses should expect to provide a tax transcript, financial statements, and a profit and loss statement. Interest rates will range from 2.75% to 3.75%.
For more information, concerning Kemp’s action’s during COVID-19, click here.
Public K-12 and Secondary Schools closed March 18 to 31
Announcements, State & National March 16, 2020
Atlanta, GA – In accordance with newly issued federal guidance, Governor Brian P. Kemp signed Executive Order 3.16.20.01 closing all public elementary, secondary, and post-secondary public schools in Georgia from March 18, 2020, to March 31, 2020.
“To keep our students, teachers, and administrators safe and mitigate the spread of COVID-19, I am ordering the closure of all public elementary, secondary, and post-secondary schools in Georgia from March 18, 2020, to March 31, 2020,” said Governor Kemp. “This measure is critical to reducing local transmission in communities across our state, and I ask Georgians to continue to follow best practices – washing their hands regularly, isolating the elderly and chronically ill, and avoiding large events if possible – in the days and weeks ahead.”
For updates on COVID-19, follow @GeorgiaEMA, @GaDPH and @GovKemp on Twitter and @GEMA.OHS, @GaDPH and @GovKemp on Facebook. For more information, visit the DPH’s coronavirus webpage at https://dph.georgia.gov/
Carefully planned “good fires” prevent bad ones
News February 4, 2020
Gainesville, Ga. (February 4, 2020) — The many benefits of prescribed fire on Georgia forestland are being recognized February 2-8 during “Prescribed Fire Awareness Week.” Prescribed fire, known as “good fire,” is a safe way to apply a natural process, ensure ecosystem health, and reduce wildfire risk
“Sound forest management helps keep Georgia’s forests sustainable, and prescribed fire is a very important management tool,” said Georgia Forestry Commission Director Chuck Williams. “Healthy forests provide so many products, jobs and benefits, including clean air and water, habitat for wildlife, a place to escape and reconnect with nature.”
Prescribed Fire Awareness Week is recognized annually during the first week in February by land managers in Georgia, from private landowners to state and federal public land managers. Governor Brian Kemp’s official 2020 proclamation highlights prescribed fire as one of the most environmentally and economically feasible methods for managing the state’s valuable forest resources. Prescribed fire is key to achieving healthy conditions described in the Georgia Forest Action Plan.
A prescribed fire manager applies fire treatment on the Chattahoochee National Forest.
Fire is as natural as sunshine, rain, and wind in many plant communities of the forest that depend upon it. Long ago before western settlement, frequent low-intensity fires would have burned across the forests of Georgia, shaping forest plant communities. Prescribed fire promotes forest health by reducing competition from undesired vegetation, reduces the spread of forest pests and diseases, while improving recreational access and restoring forest habitat. No matter which objective is desired to benefit the forest, periodic prescribed fire prevents the buildup of leaf-litter, dead plants and trees that can lead to devastating wildfires.
Professional foresters and other land managers use prescribed fire to safely mimic these natural forces, carefully applying controlled burning under specific weather conditions to enhance reforestation, aesthetics and forest access. The Georgia Prescribed Fire Council invites the public to register and attend a meeting scheduled on June 4, 2020, in Jasper, Ga., that will encourage the exchange of information, techniques, and experience among practitioners.
“The controlled use of fire, under the direction of skilled resource managers, promotes wildlife and healthy forests, while reducing the risk of unwanted wildfires,” said Mark Melvin, chair of the Georgia Prescribed Fire Council.
Prescribed fire is also a key conservation tool for achieving goals in Georgia’s State Wildlife Action Plan, a comprehensive strategy to conserve native animal and plant species before they become rarer and costlier to save and protect, including by improving the sustainability and resilience of forests. Prescribed fire is essential for managing wildlife species such as bobwhite quail, eastern wild turkey, white-tailed deer, many songbirds, gopher tortoises, the endangered red-cockaded woodpecker and other fire-dependent species. Prescribed burning is the only known forest management method which perpetuates the longleaf/wiregrass ecosystem, Georgia’s most diverse flora and fauna ecosystem.
“From rare plants such as like the white monkeyface orchid to endangered wildlife like the red-cockaded woodpecker, prescribed fire restores habitat conditions that nature needs,” said Dr. Jon Ambrose, chief of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources’ Wildlife Conservation Section.
Approximately 35,000 acres across the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests may be treated with prescribed fire from early February through mid-April. The Forest Service goal is to safely apply low-intensity controlled burns to reduce the duff layer common in thick overgrown unmanaged forest areas that choke out sunlight from native grasses, wildflowers and desired tree seedlings. This goal on the national forest is also a land management priority identified by State of Georgia agencies.
“We work with our State agency partners, as well as conservation groups like The Nature Conservancy and Georgia Plant Conservation Alliance, in stewardship of the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest,” said Forest Supervisor Betty Jewett. “Whether restoring Table Mountain Pine in the mountains, or Shortleaf and Longleaf pine forests in the piedmont, these partners provide important help in meeting our goal to apply prescribed fire that benefits these trees and habitats.” In 2019, the USDA Forest Service and the State of Georgia signed a Shared Stewardship agreement (PDF, 262 KB) that strengthens the commitment between federal and state agencies to work together to accomplish mutual natural resource management goals, further common interests, and effectively respond to the increasing ecological challenges and natural resource concerns in Georgia.
To learn more about prescribed fire and activities on public lands, visit GaTrees.org, GeorgiaWildlife.com, GaStateParks.org, GaRxFire.com, GoodFires.org, or @ChattOconeeNF.
About the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests
The Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests provide the finest outdoor recreation opportunities and natural resources in Georgia. Featuring nearly 867,000 acres across 26 counties, thousands of miles of clear-running streams and rivers, approximately 850 miles of recreation trails, and dozens of campgrounds, picnic areas, and other recreation activity opportunities, these lands are rich in natural scenery, history and culture. The mission of the USDA Forest Service is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of the nation’s forests and grasslands to meet the needs of present and future generations.
To receive instant alerts and updates on forest information, follow @ChattOconeeNF on Twitter and Facebook or visit us on the web at www.fs.usda.gov/conf.
UPDATE: It’s official! Collins will run for U.S. Senate, Tanner may run to replace Collins in House
News January 29, 2020
Rep. Doug Collins
Rep. Doug Collins (R-Ga.) made it official on Fox and Friends this morning. He will leave the U.S. House of Representatives to campaign for Senate against Sen. Kelly Loeffler, who was appointed by Gov. Brian Kemp in December to complete the term of Johnny Isakson after his resignation due to health concerns.
In making the announcement, Collins said, “I’m going to confirm that we’re in it for the Georgia Senate race down here.”
So who will replace Collins?
Popular Republicans like Sen. Steve Gooch (R-Dahlonega), Sen. Butch Miller (R-Gainesville), radio talk show host Martha Zoller and Chris Riley, Gov. Nathan Deal’s former Chief of Staff, have reportedly said they will not enter the race.
Rep. Kevin Tanner
District 9 State Rep. Kevin Tanner could emerge as the leading candidate. The former fireman, law enforcement officer and Dawson County Manager told Fetch Your News Tuesday “I am giving it serious consideration and I will make a decision in the next few days.”
It will need to be a quick decision. Qualifying for the race will take place in March and the Republican Primary will be held in May.
Tanner, a four-term representative, is chairman of the House Transportation Committee and serves on the Appropriations, Education and Special Rules committees. He has more than 27 years of public service.
“This is an unexpected opportunity,” he said. “It’s not something I had planned on or thought about. But I have had a tremendous outpouring of colleagues and constituents calling on me to run.”
He added, “When I have a decision like this to make, I try to do so prayerfully. I want to do what is in the best interest of my family and the constituents in the 9th District.”
Gooch told Fetch Your News Tuesday “I believe it is a good opportunity for somebody to run for an open seat, but it won’t be me. I’m happy doing what I’m doing here. The three main reasons I won’t run are my three sons, Samuel, Seth and Sawyer. They are in public school now and they need a full-time Dad. This just isn’t the right time for me to leave and go to Washington.”
State Sen. John Wilkinson’s office confirmed Wednesday that he will also campaign for Collins’ seat. The Toccoa Republican, who lists his occupation as farmer/teacher, is now in his fifth term in the state senate. He has chaired the Agriculture and Consumer Affairs Committee the last eight years.
Should Tanner pull the trigger on a run for the U.S. House of Representatives that will leave an open seat in the Georgia House.
One name that has surfaced multiple times as a potential replacement for Tanner is Lumpkin County attorney Zack Tumlin.
Tumlin said Wednesday morning, “If Kevin Tanner runs for Ninth District Congress, I will 100 percent run for his seat in the Georgia House.
Fetch Your News is a hyper local news outlet that covers Dawson, Lumpkin, White, Fannin, Gilmer, Pickens, Union, Towns and Murray counties as well as Cherokee County in N.C. FYN attracts 300,000+ page views per month, 3.5 million impressions per month and approximately 15,000 viewers per week on FYNTV.com and up to 60,000 Facebook page reach. If you would like to follow up-to-date local events in any of those counties, please visit us at FetchYourNews.com
Rep. Tanner holds first 2020 townhall meeting
News January 20, 2020
DAWSON COUNTY, Ga – State Rep. Kevin Tanner (R-Dawsonville) held the first town hall meeting of 2020 Saturday to update constituents on what happened at the state capitol during the first week of the 155th General Assembly.
Tanner holds the meetings weekly alternating between the Gordon Pirkle Room in the Georgia Racing Hall of Fame and Wagon Wheel Restaurant in Dahlonega.
A near capacity crowd was on hand to hear the representative outline key issues legislators are expected to address
Tanner said, “The budget is the most important thing we do in the General Assembly. That’s the guide for running state government for the rest of this fiscal year and next year.” During the first week, lawmakers worked to true up the supplemental budget. Once that is done, they will begin working on the “big” budget.
Tanner laid out what he expects to be the hot button issues this session.
“One of the hot-topic items is the foster care system,” he said. “We made some changes to the law a year or two ago which I think helped. But we have a lot of people who stay in foster care too long. We need to move them over to a permanent family. That is important. That is something the Governor, Lt. Governor me and other members of the House feel like is a priority.”
Tanner said gangs and gang violence is an important issue for Gov. Brian Kemp. “Thankfully, we live in an area where we don’t see that much but in the metro areas around the state, it’s much more prevalent,” he said.
As chairman of the state’s Transportation Committee, Tanner is concerned about commercial transportation.
“Georgia’s population is exploding, our business community is exploding and the Port of Savannah is bringing in freight at a record rate,” he said. But major industries like the Kia Plant in West Point and Shaw Industries in Dalton are having serious problems finding commercial truck drivers to deliver their products.
“I chaired a committee in Savannah and the head of the Kia Plant said he gets 700 tractor trailer deliveries a day but can’t find enough commercial truck drivers,” Tanner said. “Their average truck driver earns about $90,000 a year. A UPS driver with a route from Knoxville to Georgia earns in excess of $100,000 annually.
“There are some good paying jobs in the commercial trucking industry, but it’s hard to find help,” Tanner said. “If we are going to continue to grow and continue to be a leader in freight movement, we are going to have to find ways to encourage people to go into the industry. We’re going to be working now over the next year to start bringing forth some solutions.”
Georgia’ General Assembly operates on a biannual system. Some of the items left over from the first session of the 155th General Assembly are likely to be considered in this session. The Senate’s desire to take over control of the Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport is one of those issues.
Rather than support the Senate takeover, House members opted to appoint an oversight committee made up of House and Senate members to oversee operations.
“We have had conversations over the past week, week-and-a-half, so I am hopeful we will see resolution to a lot of those things left over from the last session,” he said.
Tanner has championed the issue of mental health for several years.
“We need to make some changes and improve our mental health system, whether it is from a law enforcement perspective, a courts perspective, an emergency room perspective or the perspective of the person suffering from mental illness,” he said. “The youngest person to take their own life in Georgia was 9 years old. Dawson County is fifth in the state percentage wise in suicides among young people.”
To address the issue, Tanner chairs the 26-member Behavioral Health Reform and Innovation Commission.
“I’m a firm believer that government is not the fix for most anything. But I also believe there is a sector of the population who cannot take care of themselves. People who are like that, who are schizophrenic, bi-polar and don’t have families we have to be able to provide resources.”
Fetch Your News is a hyper local news outlet that covers Dawson, Lumpkin, White, Fannin, Gilmer, Pickens, Union, Towns and Murray counties as well as Cherokee County in N.C. FYN attracts 300,000+ page views per month, 3.5 million impressions per month and approximately 15,000 viewers per week on FYNTV.com and up to 60,000 Facebook page reach. If you would like to follow up-to-date local events in any of those counties, please visit us at FetchYourNews.com
BOC approves purchase of voting machines
News January 7, 2020
CLEVELAND, Ga. – White County commissioners unanimously approved an amount of up to $55,000 for the purchase of new voting equipment and supplies to be used during the 2020 primary election cycle during Monday’s combined work session and regular meeting.
Gov. Brian Kemp signed a bill last April that authorizes the statewide purchase of new touchscreen voting machines that prints paper ballots. Probate Judge Garrison Baker, who oversees elections for White County, told commissioners the county will need to purchase 60 of the voting machines and 12 security cages at a cost of $35,370. Baker said there is an additional cost of approximately $20,000 for supplies to be used in conjunction with the machines.
There is a Help America Vote Act (HAVA) grant of about $15,000 Baker said he plans to apply for that could help offset some of the cost. But he pointed out that his request is time sensitive. “We are kind of under the gun,” he said. “We are less than a month away from having to mail out absentee ballots for the presidential preference primary.”
The purchase can be funded as a capital expense from special purpose local option sales tax (SPLOST) funds. The county expects to receive the new machines early next month.
Commissioners unanimously a resolution adopting qualifying fees for candidates who will run in the 2020 election cycle. The new fees are as follows:
Clerk of Superior Court ($1,591.05); Sheriff ($1,943.28); Probate Judge ($1,591.05); Tax Commissioner ($1,591.05); Chief Magistrate Judge ($1,591.05); Board of Commissioners District 1 ($360); Board of Commissioners District 4 ($360); Board of Education Chair ($148.50); Board of Education District 1 ($121.50); Board of Education District 3 ($148.50); Coroner ($226); Surveyor ($25).
The Board also approved Public Safety Director David Murphy’s request for renewal of the statewide mutual aid agreement.
“It simply puts mutual aid into effect throughout the state for anyone that agrees to it,” he said. “We have agreements with any county in the state to provide us assistance during any man made or natural disaster that could occur.”
Commissioners tabled a vote on a proposal by Brewster & Crocker Associates for engineering services for the Yonah Preserve football field, press box, concession stand and restrooms.
The Board also considered four land use applications.
It approved a conditional use permit for Benjamin Goodman to place 4.61 acres at 177Rabun Road in Sautee Nacoochee into the county’s short-term rental program. Commissioners also approved a land use application filed by Bryan Lee for property locatedat28 Lothridge Road in Cleveland from Community Commercial District to Community Business District for the purpose of expanding his mini storage facility.
Two requests for a conditional use permit were denied by the Board.
Mark Carriger’s request for a conditional use permit to operate a wedding chapel/event facility at 520 Adair Mill Road was denied by a unanimous vote.
Sam Kondamudi’s request for a conditional use permit to place 1.01 acres located at 635 Yonah Mountain Road into the county’s short-term rental program was denied by a vote of 4-1.
Fetch Your News is a hyper local news outlet that covers Dawson, Lumpkin, White, Fannin, Gilmer, Pickens, Union, Towns and Murray counties as well as Cherokee County in N.C. FYN attracts 300,000+ page views per month, 3.5 million impressions per month and approximately 15,000 viewers per week on FYNTV.com and up to 60,000 Facebook page reach. If you would like to follow up-to-date local events in any of those counties, please visit us at FetchYourNews.com
Public Safety community training to stop human trafficking
News October 26, 2019
PRESS RELEASE
On November 6, 2019, the Georgia Public Safety Training Center (GPSTC) will host a symposium for all disciplines of Georgia’s Public Safety Community. The 8-hour training symposium will dig deep into the second largest criminal enterprise in the world and a $290 million industry in Georgia.
This illegal business is Human Trafficking and is the trade of recruiting, harboring, transporting, obtaining or providing a person (especially minors) for abduction, fraud, coercion, forced labor and/or sexual exploitation. The one-day training will focus on the horrific reality of Human Trafficking in Georgia and is for all disciplines of public safety.
Governor Brian Kemp’s Initiatives and Priorities, Put Georgians First, listed cracking down on gang activity and human trafficking affecting every community across Georgia. Human trafficking is a critical issue and a public safety concern that is on the rise across the nation, but according to the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Atlanta is one of fourteen cities with abnormally high rates of human trafficking and child prostitution.
The Georgia Public Safety Training Center saw the necessity to equip the members of the public safety community to put a stop to this criminal enterprise. Second only to drug trade, human trafficking is the modern-day slavery and is quite lucrative. A kilo of cocaine can be sold one time, but a child can be sold over and over! This crime is not isolated to the downtown areas where crime is prevalent; Human trafficking could be happening next door and you would have no idea.
“To combat this terrible industry plaguing our state, it is imperative that all members of public safety are aware, informed, and well-equipped. As the nation’s premiere center for learning and growth, it is our duty to provide the tools and resources necessary to put an end to this imminent threat on Georgia’s innocent children,” stated Chris Wigginton, Director of the GPSTC.
The Georgia Statewide Human Trafficking Task Force will present invaluable information that will equip our law enforcement, fire service, emergency medical service, prosecutors, judges and others within the public safety community with the knowledge needed to identify, investigate, and prosecute human trafficking cases in Georgia.
All members of the public safety community are urged to attend this valuable one-day training symposium. Training credit has been approved through Georgia Peace Officers Standards and Training Council (POST), Commission on Continuing Lawyer Competency (CCLC), Georgia Firefighter Standards and Training Council (GFSTC), and Georgia Office of EMS and Trauma (OEMS).
All media are welcome and encouraged to attend. Please kindly let us know if you are planning to attend. RSVP to [email protected] -or- [email protected].
Rep. Tanner named to chair Behavioral Health Commission
News September 27, 2019
Rep. Kevin Tanner
PRESS RELEASE
ATLANTA – State Rep. Kevin Tanner (R-Dawsonville) was recently named chairman of the Georgia Behavioral Health Reform & Innovation Commission by Governor Brian Kemp. The purpose of this commission is to conduct a comprehensive review of the behavioral health system in Georgia.
“I am honored that Governor Kemp appointed me to chair this vitally important commission,” said Rep. Tanner. “Through the extensive work of this commission, we will take a deep dive into Georgia’s mental health system to explore how our system currently supports adults and children in our state and the ways that we can enhance behavioral health services for our citizens.”
The Georgia Behavioral Health Reform & Innovation Commission was created by House Bill 514 during the 2019 legislative session and authored by Rep. Tanner. The commission will review the behavioral health services and facilities available in Georgia, the identification of behavioral health issues in children, adolescents and adults, as well as the role the education system has in the identification and treatment of behavioral health issues. Additionally, the commission will review the impact behavioral health issues have on the criminal justice system, the state’s homeless population, delivery of care, access to care, the role of payers in such access and the impact untreated behavioral illness has on children transitioning into adulthood. The commission will conclude on June 30, 2023.
“Mental health is a critical quality of life issue to the citizens of our state,” said Speaker David Ralston (R-Blue Ridge). “Led by Chairman Kevin Tanner, I know that this distinguished group of legislators and citizens will work together to improve service delivery throughout our behavioral health system. I thank Governor Kemp, Lt. Governor Duncan and my colleagues in both the House and Senate for adopting this collaborative approach to achieve better outcomes.”
For more information about House Bill 514, please click here.
Representative Kevin Tanner represents the citizens of District 9, which includes Lumpkin County and portions of Dawson and Forsyth counties. He was elected to the House of Representatives in 2012 and currently serves as Chairman of the Transportation Committee. He also serves on the Appropriations Subcommittee on Education and the Education, Intragovernmental Coordination, Rules, Natural Resources & Environment and Special Rules committees.
Fetch Your News is a hyper local news outlet that covers Dawson, Lumpkin, White, Fannin, Gilmer, Pickens, Union, Towns and Murray counties as well as Cherokee County in N.C. FYN attracts 300,000+ page views per month, 3.5 million impressions per month and approximately 15,000 viewers per week on FYNTV.com and up to 60,000 Facebook page reach. If you would like to follow up-to-date local events in any of those counties, please visit us at FetchYourNews.com
Kemp, Collins, Perdue join vice president in ICE meeting
News March 22, 2019
ATLANTA — U.S. Representative Doug Collins (R-Ga.),U.S. Senator David Perdue (R-Ga.), and Governor Brian Kemp (R-Ga.) joined Vice President Mike Pence at Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Atlanta Field Office Thursday to receive a briefing about the work of local ICE agents and the broader mission of border security.
“President Trump and Vice President Pence’s commitment to securing our border and protecting our citizens remains unwavering, and I want to thank the vice president for traveling to Georgia to hear from the hardworking men and women serving in federal law enforcement. I look forward to continue working alongside this administration to strengthen our national security at home and abroad,” said Collins.
“I’m here on behalf of the President of the United States to say to the men and women of Immigration and Customs Enforcement here in Atlanta, Georgia: We are grateful for you, we are standing with you, and we will keep standing with you as you enforce our laws and keep our communities safe,” said Vice President Mike Pence.
“It was an honor to have Vice President Pence in Georgia today to hear directly from the brave men and women who wear the ICE uniform,” said Senator Perdue. “ICE is a critical component of our country’s national security strategy. Our ICE law enforcement officers dedicate their lives to combating human trafficking, protecting communities, and keeping drugs off the street. President Trump and Vice President Pence have taken action to make sure ICE officers have the resources they need to keep Georgians and Americans safe. To all of our law enforcement officers we’ve got your backs.”
“It was an honor to welcome Vice President Pence to Georgia with Senator Perdue and Congressman Collins to talk about how we keep Georgia families and all Americans safe,” said Governor Brian Kemp.
Fetch Your News is a hyper local news outlet that covers Dawson, Lumpkin, White, Fannin, Gilmer, Pickens, Union, Towns and Murray counties as well as Cherokee County in N.C. FYN attracts 300,000+ page views per month, 3.5 million impressions per month and approximately 15,000 viewers per week on FYNTV.com and up to 60,000 Facebook page reach. If you would like to follow up-to-date local events in any of those counties, please visit us at FetchYourNews.com