Local

Reece Sanford, Ellijay Downtown Development Authority (DDA) chairman, left, speaks during a DDA information session on workforce housing last Tuesday. Pictured, seated, are DDA members Sandy Ott and Melinda Hadden and Jeff Ledford, of the Georgia Realtors Association.

Reece Sanford, Ellijay Downtown Development Authority (DDA) chairman, left, speaks during a DDA information session on workforce housing last Tuesday. Pictured, seated, are DDA members Sandy Ott and Melinda Hadden and Jeff Ledford, of the Georgia Realtors Association.

Housing shortage talked, personal stories told at DDA session

Michael Andrews - Mountain Life Editor
Wednesday, August 17, 2022
At a Tuesday, Aug. 9, information session led by the Ellijay Downtown Development Authority (DDA), attendees heard analysis of the county’s housing market from a member of the state realtor’s association, as well as personal housing experiences from a handful of current and former local residents.
The 25-acre tract as seen on Gilmer Tax Assessors map. Progress Road is the left boundary, Mountain View Road is the right, and Coosawattee Drive is seen in the top right corner.

The 25-acre tract as seen on Gilmer Tax Assessors map. Progress Road is the left boundary, Mountain View Road is the right, and Coosawattee Drive is seen in the top right corner.

Conditional approval for Progress Road subdivision rezoning

Michael Andrews - Mountain Life Editor
Wednesday, August 17, 2022
The Gilmer County Board of Commissioners (BOC) gave conditional approval for 25 acres between Progress Road and Highway 515 to be rezoned from R1 (low density, single family residential) to R5 (high-density, multifamily residential), which will take effect only if specific conditions are met by the...
Times-Courier

Times-Courier

Commissioners reduce millage rate

Andy Ashurst - Publisher
Wednesday, August 17, 2022
Gilmer County commissioners reduced the general maintenance and operation millage rate by .041 mils for 2022. In terms of dollars, the reduction projects to $82,000 less for the county coffers. Post Commissioner Hubert Parker asked for the reduction at a special called meeting Aug.
Times-Courier

Times-Courier

County departments change leadership

Andy Ashurst - Publisher
Wednesday, August 17, 2022
Two Gilmer County departments received new directors following a brief closed session. Following the Board of commissioners regular meeting Aug. 11, Chair Charlie Paris requested a closed session. Coming out of the closed session, he announced the leadership swap.
Times-Courier

Times-Courier

Ellijay council approves Old 5 property rezoning

Michael Andrews - Mountain Life Editor
Wednesday, August 17, 2022
The Ellijay City Council approved rezoning a 12-acre parcel near the intersection of Old Highway 5 and Highway 515 to R3 (high density, multifamily residential), but not before the item had been covered, then was later reintroduced for discussion, at Monday’s council meeting.
A food drive that’s now underway will help keep shelves stocked at the Gilmer Community Food Pantry.

A food drive that’s now underway will help keep shelves stocked at the Gilmer Community Food Pantry.

Food drive underway for local community pantry

Michael Andrews - Mountain Life Editor
Wednesday, August 17, 2022
A countywide food drive that recently started will help keep shelves stocked at Gilmer Community Food Pantry. The local food pantry has seen an upswing in families coming to pick up food following lower than usual numbers much of the past two years amid the pandemic.
At right, Randy Steele, a volunteer at the Gilmer Community Food Pantry, built the first little food pantry to go up in the county, also seen above.

At right, Randy Steele, a volunteer at the Gilmer Community Food Pantry, built the first little food pantry to go up in the county, also seen above.

County’s first little food pantry established

Michael Andrews - Mountain Life Editor
Wednesday, August 17, 2022
It’s a little box with an important mission — to provide food to those who need it, perhaps at times when there’s no other option. Gilmer County’s first little food pantry was put up last week near the entrance to the health department at 28 Southside Church Street.
Mountain View Elementary art teacher Misti Foster and students Axel Carrillo Godinez, Domingo Loarca Mateo and Moises Reynoso Bautista

Mountain View Elementary art teacher Misti Foster and students Axel Carrillo Godinez, Domingo Loarca Mateo and Moises Reynoso Bautista

School is in session

Robbie Bills - Sports Editor
Wednesday, August 10, 2022
Gilmer County students were back in the classroom last Thursday for the first day of the new school year. Above, Mountain View Elementary art teacher Misti Foster and students Axel Carrillo Godinez, Domingo Loarca Mateo and Moises Reynoso Bautista make snakes and snails out of clay.