Towns County Civic Association
Our mission is to provide a platform for all residents in Towns County to address issues and problems of mutual interest which affect the management, planning and development of the county and its environs.Towns County Civic Association Board
Some of What Your TCCA Is Doing Lately:
Working with other groups to amend TVA's plans to draw down Lake Chatuge in order to make need repairs to the 70+ year old dam and spillway into the Hiwassee River in Clay County. (See below in Issues)
Keeping our members abreast of the need from affordable housing in our area and the positions that both local governmental and the private sector are taking on the issue. This issue was the primary topic at the March 6, 2025 membership meeting.
Assessing the pros and cons of rapid growth in and around Highway 76 especially in the Hiawassee area, and what impact it might have on traffic, housing and business opportunities along our major east-west highway.
Looking into the possibilities of renovating or building a new Post Office for both Young Harris and Hiawassee.
Meetings
There is one mandatory General Membership Business Meeting in June each year and a second optional Membership Appreciation Meeting that is usually held in January. Both meeting host speakers and provide information on current issues in the community, as well as providing an opportunity for members and other attendees to socialize at a covered dish sup
The Board of Directors of the Towns County Civic Association meets on the second Wednesday of each month at 2 p.m. Members and the public are welcome.
Annual Membership Appreciation Meeting, March 6, 2025
The tradition of hosting an Annual Membership Appreciation Meeting resumed this year on March 6, 2205. The main topic was "Do We Really Need Affordable Housing and Do We Really Want it?" There was a lively discussion of the pros and cons on subject presented by an array of local public and private sector representatives there to offer their insights. Other topics of local interest were be covered and attendees also enjoy a covered dish dinner with the main dish and the other basics provided by TCCA. For more on the meeting, see the following flier: 2025 Membership Appreciation Meeting
As always, members of the public were welcomed to attend whether members or not.
Special Events Hosted by TCCA
- Public Forum on Drug Abuse focused upon preventing drug abuse in local youth, Towns County Recreation & Conference Ctr, Foster Park
Donations for 2023-2024 fiscal year
- Mountain True: $500 sponsorship for their leadership in the control of Parrot Feather in Lake Chatuge
Board of Directors
- President - John Clemens
- Vice President - Andy Williams
- Secretary - Joan Crothers
- Treasurer - Leslie Howard
- Director - David Best
- Director - Michael Courey
- Director - Anna Denton
- Director - Jim Olson
CURRENT TCCA ISSUES
AFFORABLE HOUSING
Towns County desperately needs a larger pool of potential employees to staff the local businesses and services that are utilized by those of us who live, work and play here as well as by visitors to our county who generate much-needed revenue for our government coffers. Additionally, our local governmental administrators and support entities are aware of this need and are struggling with finding the “right” solution for the two municipalities and countywide which best fits our community. The Towns County Civic Association (TCCA) has had numerous discussions on this subject and chose it as the topic for the annual Membership Appreciation Meeting in March of this year. See more about TCCA’s position on this issue at: Coming Soon
TVA Plans to Lower Lake Chatuge
The Tennessee Valley Authority announced plans in March this year to perform needed repair work on the Lake Chatuge Dam spillway to ensure the safety of both people and property downstream in the event of catastrophic flooding like what was seen last year when Hurricane Helene hit Western North Carolina. The preliminary plans are to lower the lake level for these repairs to 10' below winter drawdown which would bring the lake down 20' below normal in the summer months. Furthermore, because the risk to lives and property is low, the repairs are not considered to be urgent and could take six to eight years to complete. If this is done, the drawdown will make much of the lake unusable especially in the Towns County area. If done as planned, the economy
of Towns County and the surrounding area will be adversely affected. The TCCA is working with Commissioner Cliff Bradshaw, Save Lake Chatuge, Mountain True and others to make TVA alter the current plans to include options that will speed up the repairs and reduce or even eliminate the need for a drastic drawdown. See more information on this crucial issue and how you can become involved at: Mountain True: Take Action Update
TOWNS COUNTY
Towns County Civic Association board members regularly attend Towns County governmental meetings to ensure transparency and citizen participation in local decision making. These meeting include the monthly Commissioner's Meeting, plus Planning Commission, School Board, Convention Visitor's Board and Health Department meetings.
OUR CITIES
TCCA board members attend City of Hiawassee and City of Young Harris meetings to remain abreast of issues that concern both city and county residents.
Hiawassee
Parrot Feather in Lake Chatuge
The TCCA has been very concerned about the spread of this invasive aquatic plant since the public first became aware its presence in the south end of the lake around the Macedonia area and Sunset Cove. The initial hope that the winter draw down of the lake and freezing temperatures would eradicate the weed proved futile. Now we are working with other local organizations and our government leaders to determine the best approach to mitigating the spread of the weed to other parts of the lake and maintaining safeguards to protect the lake from further damage in the future.
Become a member of the Towns County Civic Association by clicking on the Membership Form link, then printing and mailing the form to our PO Box. Your participation in our work on behalf of the local community would be greatly appreciated.
UPCOMING EVENTS
- Acoustic Sunset, Concert Series at Hamilton Gardens at Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds, Hiawassee, Hamilton Gardens at Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds, Hiawassee, Thursday Evening through May, See the Schedule of Performers at Hamilton Rhododendron Gardens - Georgia Mountain Fair and Fairgrounds
- Dracula: A Comedy of Terros, Peacock Performing Arts Center, 301 Church St, Hayesville, NC, Fridays & Saturdays, May 9, 10, 15 & 16 at 7:00pm, Sundays May 11 & 18 at 2:30pm, www.thepeacocknc.org
- Hiawassee Pro Rodeo, Hamilton Gardens at Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds, Hiawassee, Friday - Sunday, May 23 - 25, Gates Open at 6:00pm, Rodeo at 8:00pm, https://georgiamountainfairgrounds.com/localevents
- Night Ranger, Anderson Music Hall, Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds, Hiawassee, Friday, May 30 at 7:00p, https://georgiamountainfairgrounds.com/localevents
YOU STAY INFORMED WHEN YOU ATTEND COMMUNITY MEETINGS.
Some are listed below. Other community meetings are posted weekly in the TC Herald.
- City of Hiawassee Work Sessions - 6 PM Monday, one week prior to City Council meeings at Hiawassee City Hall Council Chamber.
- City of Hiawassee Council Meetings - 6 PM, first Tuesday of each month at Hiawassee City Hall Council Chamber.
- Young Harris City Council Meetings - 7 PM, first Tuesday at City Hall
- TC Commissioners Meeting -5:30 PM as needed: Third Tuesday at TC Courthouse.
- TC Planning Commission Meeting - 7 PM, third Monday as needed at Civic Center
- Board of Education - 7 pm, first Monday except April and July, at Civic Center
- TC Water and Sewerage Authority Meeting - 6 PM, third Tuesday, 1224 Jack Dayton Circle, Young Harris
- TCCA Board Meetings - 2 PM, second Wednesday of each month.
- CVB Convention Visitors Board Meetings, second Tuesdays
- TC Health Dept Meetings - 9:30 quarterly, fourth Thursdays
Links about the area you might wish to peruse...
Towns County Chamber of Commerce
Appalachian Trail Conservancy- Georgia
Our mission
WE SUPPORT THE COUNTY
TCCA board members attend and report on local meetings: Towns County Commissioner, Cities of Young Harris and Hiawassee, TC Chamber of Commerce, TC Water Authority, and BRMEMC board meetings.
WE HAVE DONATED FUNDS TO NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS
Hiwassee River Watershed Coalition, Towns County Food Pantry, TC High School Scholarships, Sheriff's Office, Hamilton Gardens at Lake Chatuge, Enotah CASA.
We Participate
TCCA board members take the lead in many efforts such as Clean Sweep Week, Hamilton Gardens maintenance and benefit galas, election candidate forums, and county economic improvements.
WE SPREAD THE WORD
Towns County Civic Association keeps the public informed through newspaper articles, letters, our website, and membership dinner meetings twice a year.