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Resident's say "no" to boming in Syria
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Dawson County residents and elected officials believe the United States should not be involved in Syria.

An informal survey conducted last week of local veterans, three elected officials who represent Dawson County voters, and several others shows little support for attacking Syria.

We should not bomb Syria, said Michael Gee, who was having his hair cut at a salon in downtown Dawsonville. Neither of the factions there are friends of the United States. Im not willing to put my son or your sons life on the line for people who will kill us in a heartbeat.

Local veteran Jerry Wall said that our country needs more diplomacy.

Let the international mechanisms of sanctions and diplomacy get us away from force countering force, he said. Considering past military actions taken and their results, we should not use military force to respond to military action.

State Rep. Kevin Tanner believes our country needs to focus on other issues.

The bigger threat to our own national security is our out-of-control deficit and spending, said Tanner. I would encourage our leaders not attempt to shift focus away from our problems here at home and to work to resolve them. I agree with so many others that we can no longer afford to be the worlds police agency.

Tanner also said the current administration has not presented a credible, long-term plan on how to deal with Syria.

Veteran Larry Harris, 66, feels similarly.

The U.S. is not and should not be the worlds police, said Harris, who served in the U.S. Navy and Army.

Congressman Doug Collins, R-Gainesville, said our leaders need to present a plan.

We cannot simply react to what has happened in Syria with no policy or plan, said Collins. For this reason, I would not support a military response. The latest developments in Syria are not the first sign that something very serious and complex has been happening there, and for President Obama to feign shock at these recent reports is disingenuous and evidence of his unwillingness to show the leadership we need.

People in Dawson County deserve accountability in their government. That is why Ive joined more than 140 of my colleagues from both sides of the aisle in urging President Obama to come before Congress with his plan for Syria immediately. Only then can we ensure that all options are considered.

Edmond Rowan, 69, who was having breakfast at a local eatery, wonders if our country knows who we would target if military action is taken.

I have a lot of questions, said Rowan. Are the people we would bomb the enemy?

Warren Carlson, 52, who lived in Beirut and Tehran as an adolescent, said our country should not bomb Syria.

This is a civil war, and we have no business being there, he said.

Sen. Steve Gooch, R-Dahlonega, is concerned about cost and priorities.

Based on the news I hear on television and read in the papers, I cannot see how our president and Congress can be authorizing a military strike that could cost more than $300 million at the same time they are discussing shutting down the government, he said. The decision to use military force in Syria needs careful consideration and prayer from Congress based on thorough intelligence.

Hair stylist Rebecca Fisher, 28, feels the U.S. should stay out of Syria.

Theres no reason to start another war, she said. Theres no good reason for it.

The Senate was set to vote on military action as early as today; however, President Obama on Monday left open the possibility of a diplomatic solution in Syria, saying a proposal to allow Syria to give up its chemical weapons was a potentially positive development, according to a report posted Sept. 9 on NRP (National Public Radio).

6 variances approved by board
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BOC

The Dawson County Board of Commissioners Thursday said yes to six of seven variances that will bring Dawson Marketplace one step closer to reality.

"Dawson Marketplace wants to vary from the stipulations given to them by the Board of Commissioners in 2007," Rachel Burton, director of planning and zoning for Dawson County said.

Documents indicate Dawson Marketplace approved variances include:

varying the minimum setback from the right-of-way for Georgia 400 to 90 feet from 100 feet; vary the building facade composition from 80 percent to 50 percent; varying the maximum number of off-street parking spaces to one per 50 square feet of gross floor space; varying the number of monument signs from one to five; varying signage for multi-tenant buildings from two to one and allowing for minor signs, and varying the screening of mechanical equipment from the street for only rear facades facing Lumpkin Campground Road.

The board denied the variance for wall signage with the stipulation that it could be addressed at a later date.

Separately, the board approved two agenda items pertaining to the Margie Weaver Senior Center: a request to hold a raffle and an addendum to the FY 2016 Legacy Link contract.

"Dawson County contracts with Legacy Link each year for our meal service for our seniors," Senior Centor Director Dawn Pruett said. "They are our facilitator for funding for state and federal grants. We are in a district with Hall, Lumpkin, Forsyth and a few others. This is an addendum to the contract that was originally approved months ago."

In other county business, the following requests passed by unanimous vote:

Dawson County Emergency Services Director Billy Thurmond was granted approval of the Hazard Mitigation Plan Update Grant. Each county in Georgia is required to update their hazard mitigation plan and have it approved by GEMA and FEMA. By doing so, Dawson would be eligible for federal and state funding in the event of a disaster declaration. The total amount is $24,000 ($18,000 federal, $2,400 state, $3,600 county in-kind).

"The grant allows us to be eligible for funding in the event of an emergency like we had last February with the ice," Thurmond said.

Lori VanSickle and Duane Wallace were appointed to the Dawson County Library Board by the commissioners, replacing Kay Black and Eydie Stegall, respectively. VanSickle brings twenty years of leadership and management experience to the board. Wallace has been a licensed counselor for nearly fifteen years both professionally and in a volunteer capacity.

October has been proclaimed 'Clean Water Month' and Dawson County citizens are encouraged to participate in "Imagine A Day Without Water" Oct. 6-8. Other observances include River Clean-up Oct. 14 and Shore Sweep for Lake Lanier Oct. 27, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at War Hill Park.

Separately, the issue of a new fire station was addressed on behalf of Sandra Bryan, a resident of Rainbow Lake Dr. Bryan's residence received a fire rating of 10 due to its considerable distance from a fire station. The implication for those who receive a rating of 10 is higher insurance costs.

Anybody that is beyond five road miles from any of Dawson County's eight fire stations is classified as a ten, according to Thurmond.

"When and if we build a fire station at the Etowah water tank on Elliott Family Parkway, Ms. Bryan would be within the limits," Thurmond said. "We have property, but we don't have funds."

The Board will meet next on Thursday, Sept. 24 in the Assembly Room of the Dawson Government Center, 25 Justice Way at 4 p.m.