Home Page - Facts and Accomplishments
MISSION:
The Towns County Homeowners Association has been a non-partisan home owners' organization in the State of Georgia, since July 2004. The mission of the TCHA is to provide a venue for all homeowners in Towns County to address issues and problems of mutual interest in the management, planning and development of the County and its environs, and to conduct dialog with elected and government officials in pursuit of resolution of these issues. All county homeowners are invited to join.
BACKGROUND and ISSUES:
In the past 3 years since founding, TCHA has focused on environmental, safety and regulatory issues, been involved in a number of public meetings and committees, which in many cases have resulted in action or activity to resolve these issues.
Examples are:
1) Environmental, and safety issues for proposed County lease of TVA tract
2) Leadership in Stop Interstate -3 Coalition
3) Comprehensive study of County managed Chatuge Woods Campground environmental, safety and health concerns and violations of TVA Lease
4) Hiawassee Waste Water Treatment Plant expansion
5) Long term vision and planning for water, sewer and land use, participation and leadership in County and City Comprehensive Planning Update
6) Participation in Georgia Department of Community Affairs via training and education in “Having Growth and Water Quality “seminars
7) Donated $1,000 to the Hiwassee River Watershed Coalition, $500 to TCH School sports, $500 to unbudgeted Deputy Sheriff weapons, $500 to TC Emergency Equipment, and others.
8) Sponsors of fund raiser for new fire equipment, discussions on funding of professional fire fighters
9) Conducted forums for the Candidates for Commissioner and Sheriff
10) Participation in planning and support of local Ordinances on Enforcement of Georgia Mountain Protection Act; Building Codes; Buffer Zone requirements; Building Inspections
11) Pro-active engagement of members in recent issues : Pollution of Lake Chatuge at Road Runner Pump station; water hydrant / water line problems at Admirals Point; 3% Tax Cap proposal; 3 Acre rule discussions
12) TCHA Hiawassee Garden Club joint springtime tree pruning beautification project on the square and along Main Street in Hiawassee
13) Membership meetings included excellent talks by local experts: Hiwassee Watershed Coalition; TVA; Georgia Department of Community Affairs; Commissioner Kendall; Mayors Mathis and Nichols, Hiawassee Waste Water Plant Manager & City Manager Dowling; Young Harris Water Plant Manager and others
14) TCHA members are encouraged to express their positions on issues in letters and Emails to public officials and government organizations, and to participate in City County meetings. Currently (April 2007) there are more than 200 members in the Association representing 110 households. We encourage you to join!
15) We are committed to preserving the beauty and friendly atmosphere of our Enchanted Valley and Lake Chatuge, and a quality of life amid all of the growth and development. Members include both long-time Towns Country residents and newcomers. Meeting notices are sent to local newspapers and mailed or e-mailed to members
16) Fifteen TCHA Members volunteers worked, some in the rain, a week during July 2007 at the Towns County Beach and Playground Renovation Project assisting and securing in the ground of $60,000.00 of playground equipment, a savings of $13,000.00 to Towns County.
"We are trying to address tough issues in a kind and sensitive way, acknowledging many issues are not simple and all choices have consequences," said Towns County Homeowners Association (TCHA) Past President Bill Blumreich. Current President Charley Kraus endorses this position and encourages all Towns County Homeowners to join us in working to preserve the county we all know and love.