Around Pickens Podcast

It's that special time of year again here in North Georgia. A time when morning breezes feel cooler, summer's green leaves turn red, and property tax bills begin appearing in the mail. With tax season just around the corner we decided to speak with our Tax Commissioner Daniel Reeves about his office and about changes tax payers may see in their statements this year. Later in the episode Chairman Kris Stancil answers a viewer question about the TSPLOST referendum that will be on the ballot this November. Links: For general information about the Tax Commissioner's Office visit their webpage: https://pickensga.com/tax-commissioner/To make payments to the tax office visit their website: https://pickensgatax.com/

What we build and where we build it can have a big impact on what gives our community its character. With Pickens' population growing faster than ever before conversations about land development have gotten very spirited. That is why this month we decided to sit down with the county's new Planning and Development Director, Charles Reese. Our conversation touched on a number of topics including approaches to balancing development, updating the code of ordinances, and how Charles plans to focus on public education.Links:Visit Planning & Development's webpage here: https://pickensga.com/planning-development/Read through the county's code of ordinances on Municode: https://library.municode.com/ga/pickens_county/codes/code_of_ordinancesIf you have a question you would like Chairman Stancil to answer on the show, send it to us at questions@pickenscountyga.gov.

Summer has come to North Georgia and with it have come Property Tax Assessments. Though these assessments are not bills they can be just as anxiety inducing for some residents and a little bit confusing for many people. In this episode Chairman Kris Stancil joins us to shed some light on how the tax system works in Georgia, who is responsible here in Pickens, and about how this year's referendum could impact taxation in the years to come. Links:Visit the Tax Assessor's website for educational videos and other helpful information: https://www.qpublic.net/ga/pickens/Georgia Department of Revenue's website: https://dor.georgia.govHouse Bill 581: https://www.legis.ga.gov/api/legislation/document/20232024/229562If you have a question you would like Kris to answer on the podcast, send it to us at questions@pickenscountyga.gov 

Our county is filled with all manner of four legged residents. Whether they are pets, livestock, or strays they all need to be looked after. It is no small task and in this episode, we speak with our new Animal Shelter Director Emily Narin, and Animal Control Officer Harley Johnson about how they work with the community to tackle animal welfare. Animal Shelter links:Website - https://pickensanimalshelter.com/Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/pickenscountyanimalshelterTikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@pickens.county.an?_t=8moFAUbAi9C&_r=1Amazon wish list - amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/YMX51CMDOB8T?ref_=wl_shareAnimal groups mentioned in the episode:Homeward Bound Pet Rescue - https://hbpr.org/The Rescue Ranch - https://www.pickensanimalrescue.org/the-rescue-ranch/Partners of Pickens Pets - https://partnersofpickenspets.org/ And as always if you have a question you would like Chairman Stancil to answer send it to us at questions@pickenscountyga.gov. 

In the last year we have had a lot of great conversations with people around the county from department heads to elected officials. However, one part of our government we haven't explored yet is the role of our Post Commissioners. Josh Tippens and Josh Tatum have been on the board for two years now and this month we got together to discuss what their experience has been like so far. Our conversations touched on several topics including their backgrounds, why they ran for office, and what their goals are for the future.  Links: If you have a question you would like for Chairman Stancil to answer, send it to us at questions@pickenscountyga.gov To get in touch with Post 1 Commissioner Josh Tippens, you can drop him a line at jtippens@pickenscountyga.gov or text the number770-757-0689. If you want to start a conversation with Post 2 Commissioner Josh Tatum, you can reach him at jtatum@pickenscountyga.gov or senda text to 706-669-1440.

More than 70% of the Earth's surface is water and of that 97% of it is salty. Of the remaining 3% less than 1% is in rivers or aquifers. Here in Pickens county we have neither of those, so how does the government provide water to everyone? We'll explore that question and others in this month's conversation with Utilities Director Phillip Dean. Later in the episode Chairman Stancil will address a viewer question about recent changes to zoning for “lower intensity” parcels. If you have a question for Kris send it to us at questions@pickenscountyga.gov.Links: To learn more about water rates and reports visit the Utilities department's webpage https://pickensga.com/water-sewer/ and follow them on Facebook for any updates: https://www.facebook.com/pickenscountywatersewerauthority 

House fires, traffic accidents, dogs stuck in sinks. For 911 operators there is a need to be ready for anything each time they pick up the phone. Here in Pickens, we have one office that handles dispatch for every agency in the county. In this episode we sit down with 911 Director Kristy Easterwood to talk about the changes she has seen over the years and some important stats for 2023. Later in the episode Chairman Stancil answers a viewer question to give us an update about paving along HWY 53. If you have a question for Kris, send it to us at questions@pickenscountyga.gov. Links: If you are interested in participating in the Adopt a Dispatcher program you can get in touch with Kristy through her email, keasterwood@pickenscountyga.gov. If you are interested in becoming a communications officer, check out the application on our website: https://pickensga.com/job/communications-officer/

“Every election is decided by the people who show up” - Pendulum Swing. With local, state, and federal races in store voters have a lot to show up for this year. Since early voting is kicking off this month, we thought it was a good time to get to know Pickens County's Election Supervisor, Stacey Godfrey. In the course of our conversation, Stacey shed light on a variety of topics to help voters understand how her office works and how to access state and local resources.  Links: For updates and information on our elections office, head to their webpage https://pickensga.com/elections-voter-registration/. Visit My Voter Page to check your registration status, find your polling location, view sample ballots and so much more https://mvp.sos.ga.gov/s/mvp-landing-page. If you want to talk to your state representatives, give them a call!Rick Jasperse: 404-656-7153Steve Gooch: 404-656-9221 If you have a question, you'd like to hear Kris Stancil answer on the show, send it to us at questions@pickenscountyga.gov. 

Trash is a big deal. According to the EPA the average American generates 4.9 pounds of solid waste a day. That is nearly 1,800 pounds per year! But not all of that is waste, in fact about 25% or so can be reused meaning that families can literally make a TON of difference by recycling. In this month's episode we spoke with Pickens County's Recycling and Solid Waste Director Kenny Woodard to talk about our recycling operations and how it benefits our county and its citizens. Later in the episode Chairman Stancil answers a listener's question about warming shelters. Remember, if you have question for Kris, send it to us at questions@pickenscountyga.gov. Links: For important information and updates on the county's recycling centers list their website, https://pickensgarecycling.com and follow them on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/kwoodard17. To learn more about Keep Pickens Beautiful visit their website https://keeppickensbeautiful.org/. If you would like to receive voice, text, or email alerts about emergency developments in the county you can sign up for CodeRED by texting “PCEC” to 99411.

With as much cheer and warmth as the winter holidays bring the weather often leaves something to be desired. Few things can sour festivities like frozen pipes, icy roads, or downed power lines. It takes tremendous coordination for governments to prepare for, and respond to, the variety of issues that can pop up during this time of year. Fortunately, Pickens County's EMA Director Mark Harris has a long history of being prepared for such emergencies. This month Mark will walk us through how his office assists groups across the county to be vigilant and responsive to disasters as well as what residents can do to be prepared themselves. After that conversation Kris Stancil stops by to answer a listener question about how the county predicts each year's revenue. Remember, if you have a question you would like for Kris to answer, email it to questions@pickenscountyga.gov.  Links: You will find helpful links, including the County's Hazard Mitigation Plan by visiting the “E.M.A.” section of our Emergency Services webpage: https://pickensga.com/emergency-services/If you would like to sign up for CodeRED text “PCEC” to 99411.Finally, Ready Georgia has some helpful guides for you and your family to develop communication plans and ready kits in the event of an emergency. To get started on yours visit their page here: https://gema.georgia.gov/plan-prepare/ready-georgia

With more than four hundred miles of county-maintained roads, there will always be a sign that needs to be put up, a street to be repaved, or a pothole to be filled. But with so much to be done how does the government prioritize its road improvements? That is the question at the heart of this month's discussion with BOC Chairman Kris Stancil and Public Works Director Kirk Anderson. In it our guests not only speak to many of the “big picture” aspects of maintaining the county road system but also answer some of the most asked road-related questions from residents.  Links:You can direct any Public Works related questions to their email roaddept@pickenscountyga.gov or give them a call at 706-253-8873.For ordinance information related to roads, check out Chapter 54 of the county's code of ordinances: https://library.municode.com/ga/pickens_county/codes/code_of_ordinancesIf you have a question you would like for Chairman Stancil to answer on the podcast you can email it to questions@pickenscountyga.gov 

With thousands of students and hundreds of staff, keeping Pickens County schools safe is no easy task. Fortunately, we have a big team working to make it happen. In this month's episode Pickens County Schools Chief Operations Officer Chris Wallace and Sheriff Donnie Craig get together to talk about how their organizations work together to prevent and prepare for emergencies at school. Through this informal discussion they reflect on how safety measures have changed over time, how new technology is making school grounds more secure, and how they are working to create a positive campus culture.

As summer draws to a close a new season is right around the corner. Here at the county offices that time is our budget season. This year the finance department will be taking it on with our new director Miranda McDowell at the helm. In this episode Miranda walks us through the work she and the finance team are responsible for and discusses the new financial software that should make it all a little more efficient. Later, in the Question to the Chairman part of the show, Kris gets into the details about how the Code of Ordinances is updated. If you have a question you would like to hear Kris answer, you can submit it to questions@pickenscountyga.gov.Links:Link to the Finance department's webpage: https://pickensga.com/finance/Link to the County's Code of Ordinances: https://library.municode.com/ga/pickens_county/codes/code_of_ordinancesTickets and sponsor information for the Long Table on Main event can be found here: https://northgeorgiafamilypartners.org/long-table-2-2/

From serving delinquent tax notices to dealing with unruly peacocks, enforcing the code of ordnances is no walk in the park! This month we got together with Chief Marshal Mike Carswell to get to the bottom of what his office is and is not responsible for. The interview is quite illuminating as Mike clears up misconceptions, provides resources, and reveals his personal philosophy for how he approaches law enforcement. Later in the episode Chairman Stancil takes a viewer question and walks us through the county's response to the recent tornados and where matters stand today. Remember if you have a question for Kris, you can submit it to questions@pickenscountyga.gov. Links:The county's code of ordinances can be found here: https://library.municode.com/ga/pickens_county/codes/code_of_ordinancesTo get in touch with the Marshal's Office, visit their webpage here: https://pickensga.com/county-marshal/To lean more about the Good Samaritan Health and Wellness Center you can visit their website here: https://www.goodsamhwc.orgCheck out this years JeepFest agenda and get all the updates here: https://www.sheriffsjeepfest.com/#intro

Summer has officially arrived and there are some great places to spend it right here in Pickens! In this month's episode we spoke with Recreation Director Brian Jones about the ins and outs of the Parks and Recreation department. Our conversation covered a variety of topics and shed light on everything from how their staff organizes youth sports to improvements coming to Roper Park. Later in the program Chairman Stancil answers a timely question from one of our listeners about the future of green space in Pickens. Remember if you have a question for Kris, you can submit it to questions@pickenscountyga.gov Links:If you are interested in volunteering with Parks and Recreation, or viewing their calendar, you can visit their website https://pickrec.com . If you want to reach out to Brian or Seth directly you can call them at 706-253-8862 or stop by the Recreation Center located at 1329 Camp Road, Jasper, GA 30143.  If you would like to learn more about the Community Thrift Store's Christmas in July event or register your team for the corn hole tournament, visit https://www.pickenscommunitythriftstore.org/festivals/ for more details. 

The Library is back! After nearly two years of renovations the Pickens library is once again opening its doors to the public. In this episode Branch Manager Katie Dobson walks us through all of the new upgrades it got and fills us in on all of the summer programs kicking off this month. Stick around after the interview to hear about events happening around the county and a viewer's question to Chairman Kris Stancil. Remember, if you have a question for Kris, you can email it to questions@pickenscountyga.gov.

Local government can be confusing. It doesn't have the three standard branches that states and the federal government have, which can make it difficult to understand exactly how elected officials work together to keep a county running. That is why we got together with Chairman Kris Stancil to talk about how a county government operates and how Pickens County's administration is structured. Stay tuned after the interview to hear about upcoming meetings and exciting community events for the month of May.

In this episode we sit down with Public Works Director Kirk Anderson to discuss his background and what all goes into paving roads. After the interview we take a look at the calendar to see what sort of events are happening around Pickens in November and take a look back at the county's history during the Civil War. 

Do you ever wonder who makes the big decisions on paving roads, laying water lines, or responding to weather emergencies? Have you ever wanted to know what a day in the life of a first responder, animal control officer, or campus deputy is like? If you live in Pickens County and want to get to know the people behind your government, then this is the show for you. In each episode host Graham Parker sits down with county personnel, from department heads to everyday workers, to learn about what they do and how they make decisions. Additionally, the show explores a variety of other topics including government meetings, community events, and the history of Pickens itself.