911 address resolution showing results

By Lisa Gagnon

Blue Ridge–EMA/EMS Director Lonnie Oliver appeared at the February 9 Board of Commissioners meeting to inform commissioners of the results of the 911 address resolution. The resolution, passed during the board’s January 26 meeting, requires owners of rental lodging or lodging used by third parties to post the 911 address within the building and the street number at the structure’s driveway.

Oliver reported that already 50 to 60 rental property owners had called to verify their addresses. For seven or eight, the department had incorrect addresses, and three properties with active phones weren’t in the database, he said.

“We’ve had a lot of good progress with that. We’re encouraged that people are verifying this,” Oliver said.

He urged residents, as well as owners of rental properties, to ensure that a physical address is posted at their driveways so emergency crews can easily find and identify buildings.

Chairman Bill Simonds commended Oliver and emergency workers for their rescue of an injured woman during the recent snowstorm. “That’s the reputation we need to get up in these mountains,” he said.

Post 2 Commissioner Steve Morris praised emergency workers. “These guys continually do a phenomenal job. I’m amazed at what they get done short-handed and with what they have,” he said.

In other business, commissioners

• approved a variance request from John Sillay for a garage on his property at Shady Falls Road
• voted to enter into another four-year lodging tax contract with the Fannin County Chamber of Commerce
• authorized the Chairman to sign and file all documents needed for financial assistance for the county water system
• appointed Jerry Whitehead to a five-year term and David Lewis to a two-year term on the county Board of Tax Assessors
• appointed Myra Mason to the Fannin County Development Authority
• approved the lease of two new patrol cars for the sheriff’s department

The Fannin County Board of Commissioners meets the second and fourth Tuesdays of each month at 6 p.m. on the third floor of the court house.