I have recently read an article in the News Observer - 'Simonds fights for money'.

Why do we have to 'fight (beg) for money'? We have every opportunity and possibility to make Fannin County self supporting. Our major industry is tourism and everything possible is being done to chase away our revenue. I had a young gentleman ask for direction a few weeks ago, and during the course of the conversation, he told me that he will never come back to Blue Ridge. During his weekend in town, he had to go through three road blocks (one Sunday morning); he was issued two tickets while fishing (he did have a license but did not have a life jacket). This person was not looking for trouble - he simply wanted to relax and spend a weekend in the mountains fishing - AND spend some money on lodging, food and perhaps even a gift or two for his parents or girlfriend. Well, he is not coming back, and neither will his friends!

In the course of a day we meet a lot of people and hear similar stories constantly. Tourism is our industry. Let's make them happy; offer them what they came for and treat them well. A no-brainer to me!

This is just an example that our revenue is staring us in the face - so that we simply chase it away and go 'fighting for money'. Interesting!

If the person was fishing from a boat (based upon a required PFD) he was probably given a ticket by the Department of Natural Resources, a state agency. I am surprised he was given a ticket because they usually give warnings. Unless the State of GA is pushing for more revenue.

The road blocks were probably part of the Memorial Day crack down and beginning of the Click it or Ticket campaign. These road blocks are usually coordinated with the Georgia State Patrol, another state agency.

This person's mistake was trying to fish around Blue Ridge. He should "Go Fish Georgia" in Perry. Then Sonny and the State of Georgia would probably have left him alone.

Encountering THREE roadblocks in a single morning just appears to me to be pure back luck! I have yet to see a roadblock and we live in an area frequented by bad drivers, drunk drivers and no license drivers. I do agree there has been a lot of strange thinking on the part of our community leaders but even that seems to be slowly changing. It's up to the thinking and caring residents of our county to get loud and make sure PROPER change occurs. I see that Garnett Webb is asking for input from us: "Fannin County Post 1 Commissioner Garnett Webb is proposing to create a citizens panel to discuss county issues with him." That would be a great place to start. His email address is gwebb@fannincountyga.org and he can be contacted at the county commission office at 706-632-2203. Elected officials do amazing things when they are threatened with being elected OUT of office. Change will never come unless we demand it and put pressure on those that say they can lead us into a more sustainable future.

Thanks for the link. This is definitely a step in the right direction. I also agree with your comments!

Steve: I agree with you completely - I was just stating what I am hearing from tourists that I talk to. Now, I do encounter some VERY happy tourists also. I have never been caught in a roadblock, but I heard from a local establishment that Memorial day they had numerous cancellations as people were stuck in roadblocks. I am the first to say let's take drunks and unlicensed and un-insured drivers off the road, but I also recognize a money making scheme when I see one. It is not "protect and serve" any more but making revenue. I believe at one time in this Country it was called extortion.

I recently (3 weeks ago) emailed sheriff Kirby about problems I see regularly with drivers WAY exceeding speed limits and running stop signs around here. No reply. We enter highway 515 via Boardtown road where the speed limit is 25 mph AND there is a stop sign at the rail road crossing. I have had close encounters with near collisions a few times from people that seem to feel they and pick and chose which laws they want to adhere to. Maybe they can't read? Anyway I just want to suggest to the local "law enforcement" folks that if revenue is what they are after then simply enforce the local traffic laws. While they are at it they might think about setting an example for people to follow? Traffic safety might be a concern to a city that wants to promote tourism. Just a thought...

You all must not get out much if you haven't encountered the road blocks. They set them up all the time on the Old 76/Veterans Memorial Hwy just before the dam (in front of the old Woods Club). I have to go through them frequently just to get to lunch and back. They have set up road blocks in "downtown" Mineral Bluff" and also on less traveled back roads in Mineral Bluff also. DH and I have been stopped numerous times, but they are always polite, want to see your current license and insurance card, and wish you a safe trip home. I always read later in the News Observer about the DUI's and driving without a license arrests that are made at those road blocks. They are not trying to harrass law abiding people, but unfortunately we have people here that endanger others out on the roads.

Hey, it's not just here it happens. I have lots of friends and family that have run up on road blocks all over Georgia.