Radio host joins Towns County Movers and Shakers as moderator
News January 16, 2018
HIAWASSEE, Ga. – It’s a new year, and the Towns County Mountain Movers & Shakers is off to a fresh start, recently adding EXtreme Carolina radio host Michael Levi Borkman to its list of weekly moderators. The group of concerned citizens meet each Friday morning at 8 a.m. at the Sundance Grill in Hiawassee.
Michael Borkman, a charismatic gentleman who enjoys making newcomers feel welcome, says the group is moving in a positive direction and looks forward to further involvement with the community.
Mountain Movers & Shakers exists to increase local political awareness, address direct concerns from citizens, improve the the community as a whole, and assist the Towns County school system to foster a better climate for youth. While the group describes themselves as “noticeably conservative in philosophy,” they maintain a non-partisan posture. Weekly meetings are open to all political persuasions, religious affiliations, and creeds.
Commissioner Cliff Bradshaw updated the community on the county’s thriving tourism at a recent meeting
Over the years, Movers & Shakers has logged an extensive amount of community service while providing thousands of dollars to fund various community projects. The participants co-sponsored three public candidate forums during the 2016 election cycle, placed poll watchers at voting precincts, improved the appearance of both the east and west entrances into Towns County, raised $4000 for the Future Farmers of America (FFA) along with other high school programs, provided funds for “Quilts for Valor”, and participated in Towns County Clean Sweep week in an effort to curb litter the area. Their contributions also include the provision of expert voluntary personnel at the high school and the development of annual youth leadership speech training which begins a new cycle on Jan. 25.
Movers & Shakers welcomes speakers from all walks of life, encouraging individuals to share what their organization is doing in Towns and surrounding counties. Because there are no officers, a different person acts as the moderator each week conducting the meeting.
Breakfast is available for purchase to enjoy while listening to the scheduled speakers. On occasion, the meeting will be devoted solely to upcoming project discussion.
For additional information, contact Michael Borkman at [email protected]
Featured Photo: Michael Levi Borkman
Grace Howard, of Hamilton Gardens, at a 2017 meeting
Fetch Your News is a hyper local news outlet that attracts more than 300,000 page views and 3.5 million impressions per month in Dawson, Lumpkin, White, Fannin, Gilmer, Pickens, Union, Towns, and Murray counties, as well as Cherokee County in N.C. – FYNTV attracts approximately 15,000 viewers per week and reaches between 15,000 to 60,000 per week on our Facebook page. – For the most effective, least expensive local advertising, call 706-276-6397 or email us at [email protected]
UGA agricultural agent lists services provided to community
Community, News July 15, 2018HIAWASSEE, Ga. – Jacob Williams, the newly-hired University of Georgia (UGA) Agricultural-Natural Resource Agent for Towns and Union County, introduced himself to the Mountain Movers and Shakers at Sundance Grill on Friday, July 13, 2018.
Williams, a native of Birmingham, Alabama, and the son of Christian missonaries, spent his younger years overseas, learning appreciation for the position which he now holds. Williams, who graduated from Auburn University in 2016 with a Master’s degree in Agronomy, recalled time spent in North Africa, witnessing and participating in agricultural development, dairy goat projects, and equine clinics, designed to assist locals with self-sufficiency. Williams went on to work a large parcel of land in North Africa, tolling with oxen for wheat production, without the aid of modern machinery. The extension agent relayed that the experience bolstered his respect for the labor associated with agriculture. After acquiring a high school diploma in 2010, and returning to the United States to obtain a post-secondary education, Williams gained employment at Speedling in Blairsville, Georgia, a company which specializes in growning vegetable and flower seed plugs for transplant gardening.
“I heard about this extension position, it came open, and I was very excited so I applied for the position, and I was very excited that I got it,” Williams enthusiastically expressed, “I began June 1st as extension agent for Union and Towns counties. To me, it wasn’t something I was necessarily praying for at the time because I was very happy at Speedling, but it really does feel like I’m where God wants me to be.”
Williams educated the group on several of the services the extension office provides, such as soil and water quality testing, and plant disease identification. Samples are collected and shipped to the University of Georgia labratory in Athens, Georgia, for examination. Soil testing costs $10.00, plant disease determination costs $25.00, and testing of water samples for harmful agents – such as mercury or bacteria – amounts to $46.00.
In addition, the extension office offers plant identification assistance at no charge. Photographs of unknown plants can be emailed to Williams, or the plant can be brought directly to the office. Williams recommended the route of photographing plants that may be potentially poisonous.
Gardening advice is also available at no cost to residents.
Williams will divide his time between Towns and Union County, with the Hiawassee branch open Tuesdays and Thursdays from 8 a.m. until noon.
Towns County Extension Office is located at 67 Lakeview Circle in downtown Hiawassee.
Jacob Williams can be reached by dialing 706-896-2024 or emailing [email protected]