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FYI:
Following up on the recent discussion about the Hiwassee River Watershed
Coalition’s proposal to expand their program into Fannin County, I’ve been
in contact with the coalition’s executive director Callie Dobson who passed
along information to share with our TU Chapter. She presented the program at
a recent TU Chapter meeting (An earlier report covered that meeting and if
anyone wants that report, let me know)
For
background information, Callie had made a presentation to the Fannin Board
of Commissioners at their meeting last month and they had included on their
meeting agenda this month (July) either to partner with the coalition or
reject such a proposal. However, at the meeting earlier this month, the
Hiwassee River Watershed Coalition was never even discussed. The meeting was
completely dominated with discussions about “animal control” issues.
Callie said, “No one made a motion [about Fannin County joining the Hiwassee
River Watershed Coalition]. There were several people there in support and a
couple of people expressed their disappointment, but the meeting was
completely ruled by animal control discussion.”
George Andrin, a former chapter president and active member, was one of
those who attended the meeting. He said almost nothing was addressed at the
meeting but the animal control debate. He said the commission didn’t
indicate they were opposed to cooperating with the coalition – they just let
the animal control issue dominate the entire meeting.
Perhaps it was just unfortunate the Hiwassee River Watershed Coalition ended
up on the commission’s agenda on the same night that dealing with stray
animals hit the fan. From what Callie told us at our chapter meeting, she
doesn’t think the Coalition will abandon their plans to expand their program
into Fannin County. They have received the $25,000 grant from Toccoa Golf
and River Club and will be working with them on their project, either with
or without the commission’s participation. The coalition can undertake other
projects with cooperating property owners whether or not the local
government is a partner, but they would prefer to work with the local
government like they do in the other counties where they have a presence.
Callie said as to how the coalition will proceed from here, “I’ll be asking
my board for directions at our meeting on July 14. My guess is that we’re
going to have to have Fannin County residents actually calling the
Commissioners.” I will ask her to let us know if that’s the course of action
that’s decided upon.
Callie indicated that right now her thoughts include “Suggesting an event in
Fannin County to raise awareness about the Coalition and build membership.
Any ideas you have, please send them on.”
If
any of you have suggestions for a project for Callie and the coalition,
let’s hear them. At an earlier meeting, Blue Ridge Mountain TU Chapter
members agreed to support the Hiwassee River Watershed Coalition’s expansion
into the Toccoa watershed. So if any of you have ideas on how our TU chapter
could be involved, let’s hear those ideas too.
I
believe for the moment, we need to give the coalition leadership time to
decide how they plan to proceed on the Fannin County proposal and then we
need to decide how our chapter should support their efforts. I know some of
our chapter members have joined the coalition as individual members. Perhaps
after the “High Country Boil” we’ll have funds to join as a supporting
organization if the membership wishes to do so. For information about the
Hiwassee River Watershed Coalition, including becoming a member, visit their
website at:
http://www.hrwc.net/index.html
In
the meantime, I believe those of us who are in favor of the Hiwassee River
Watershed Coalition coming to Fannin County should let the coalition know we
support them. Callie’s email address for those who wish to offer
encouragement is: hrwcoalition@brmemc.net. |