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Fannin County residence listen up - new EMA ordinance - possible gun grab

Ok, I submit. I was wrong about the BS. Now that I've seen it in writing, it makes me question everything all over again. I think I'll check with Gordon and Whitfield counties to see what their ordinances say.

You are Ok in my book as finding somebody that owns up to being wrong is rare these days.
 
http://fannin.fetchyournews.com/archives/2706-Citizens-Protest-Ordinance-at-Courthouse.html

Citizen David Crawford also mentioned his opposition to the violation of property rights, in addition to the authority the county would have for illegal search and seizure.
“They could commandeer; they could take your property…If I got canned beans on my shelf to feed my family and they got a food shortage, they’ll come round and get my food.”

Another citizen put it more poignantly, saying,
“I spent a tour of duty in the 4th Marines Infantry. Based on this proposition, I just wasted my time.”

The mountain folks are fired up!
 
http://thenewsobserver.com/articles/2012/08/22/opinions/opinion01.txt

Just in case you have not been following the story, the Fannin County commissioners were asked to adopt this plan by the Association of County Commissioners of Georgia (ACCG). The rules it contains could have easily been just another rubber-stamped piece of paperwork, offered at a public hearing no one attended. This has happened time and again here and everywhere else. Important matters come before the government, which asks for public comments, and no one shows up.

This time the situation was different. The News Observer picked up on the ordinance and warned citizens of its pitfalls. It is filled with power for the government that completely removes the Constitutional Rights of citizens.

So, this time, citizens showed up for the public hearing. It is very likely Fannin’s commissioners will heed citizens’ outcries and shred the ordinance.

Had it not been for citizen involvement, a blow against freedom would have been dealt because we would have allowed it.
 
Update!

http://thenewsobserver.com/articles/2012/08/28/news/news01.txt

Fannin County Commission Chairman Bill Simonds said the proposed ordinance has been officially withdrawn. “It’s been thrown out completely,” he said.



County officials have worked to draft a new, fully revised proposal, without the language that was met with such disapproval at the first public hearing, Simonds said.


Simonds said the public hearing originally scheduled to be the second hearing on the original proposed ordinance will still be held tonight, Tuesday, Aug. 28, at 6 p.m. The hearing will be held in the jury assembly room on the third floor of the courthouse following the conclusion of the regularly scheduled commission board meeting.

However, Simonds said that instead of being a public hearing on the original proposed ordinance, the meeting will now be an opportunity for citizens to review and comment on the new proposal, before it is finalized.

:D
 
If any of ya'll from Monroe County/City of Forsyth are concerned, the City has this on the agenda to vote to advertise it for public hearing the first meeting in September. Monroe County may have already adopted it. I'm trying to find out the status now.
 
Hey all,

I have just gotten home from our county commissioners meeting and a work session for the EMA ordinance. The original ordinance that was reviewed two weeks ago has been sacked. The new draft is attached to this message.

Many at the meeting tonight felt that we didn't need any new laws in our county. That is not true, in my opinion. This ordinance is what defines our Emergency Management Agency. It authorizes it and spells out the duties of our EMA director and that we have an Emergency Operation Plan (EOP) in place. Without this definition, we might not be allowed to manage our own emergencies. Without a local ordinance in place, if an emergency were declared, someone from the State or, heaven forbid, the Feds could step up and run our emergency.

One of the interesting things the Bill Simonds, our county commission chairman, said this evening is that EMA ordinances are being revisited all over the state. That pressure could have only come from forums such as these. Keep up the pressure. There are some seriously bad ordinances out there.

Anyway, if you don't mind, take a look at this document and share your thoughts.

View attachment EM ORDINANCE 3 revised with draft-.pdf
 
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Any policy that conflicts with the U.S. Constitution and our bill of rights or strays contrary to the intent of those documents is unlawful and was the catalyst for the outcry of an aware public.

This recent revision seems to have addressed those concerns and specifically spelled it out. Thanks!

(10) Entry onto Private Property Prohibited-With obvious exceptions spelled out.

(12) Confiscation of Private Property Prohibited.


It's good that the volunteers are given mention of the same protection afforded to the employees of the county/state.

More emphasis could be applied to volunteers to incorporate that important reserve resource in the task force. Identifying those folks or required task such as heavy equipment operators, a chain saw brigade so to speak, bulk transportation (persons/supplies), electrical, temporary shelter, medical, food, water and lastly security is a task best accomplished prior to an emergency.

It still is a vague plan but identifies powers granted and not granted to those in charge. That's a good start.

In a true emergency the ability to quickly clear the roadways for emergency access is often the first challenge, then providing emergent urgent care with medical transport while establishing security, temporary shelters can be identified (schools), emergency electricity, safe food and potable water sources established with distribution points identified. A communication network can be identified (FM radio, cell and land line). Key leadership needs to be identified beforehand as each of these components will need a knowledgeable chief.

Once identified key leaders need to train an exercise without staff, then an exercise with staff, then a public exercise annually. If the training is not accomplished prior to a real world emergency then the results will be less than stellar and be reminiscent of former Mayor Ray Nagin's poor reactionary leadership style during Katrina in 2005.
 
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jmullinix said:
Many at the meeting tonight felt that we didn't need any new laws in our county. That is not true, in my opinion.

http://www.lexisnexis.com/hottopics/gacode/Default.asp

§ 38-3-27. Local organizations for emergency management; creation; structure; powers; directors; appointment, qualifications, and compensation; state to provide financial assistance; entitlement for funding


(f) (1) After December 31, 1993, any county which fails at any time to have established a local organization for emergency management in accordance with the state emergency management plan and program shall not be entitled to any state funding for disaster relief assistance.

(2) After December 31, 1993, if a county has an organization for emergency management but a municipality within the county is not a part of the county's organization or plan and fails to have in place a local organization for emergency management in accordance with the state emergency management plan and program, such municipality shall not be entitled to any state funding for disaster relief assistance.
 
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