ANNOUNCEMENTS

• CHAMBER CAREER OPPORTUNITY 

  

• ATTENTION: TREE REMOVAL 11.16.24

  On Saturday morning 11/16, The City will be removing a problematic tree at in front of 1 East Square (Aunt Polly’s Antiques).
  
  They plan to begin the removal process at first light and have it done soon thereafter. 
  
  They do not intend to block off Robert Toombs or East Square in the process.

• FEMA INDIVIDUAL RELIEF

  Thanks to the tireless efforts of County officials, FEMA has approved Wilkes County for Individual Assistance. Start your application now at https://www.disasterassistance.gov/

• Community & Economic Development Department Updates

  

• GEMA UPDATE AS OF 10/24/24

  Did you lose wages due to Hurricane Helene? The Georgia Emergency Management Agency(GEMA) may be able to help.
  Georgians Who Lost Income Due to Storms May Be Eligible for Disaster Unemployment Assistance 
  
  Employees or self-employed Georgians who became unemployed as a direct consequence of Hurricane Helene may be eligible to receive Federal Disaster Unemployment Assistance. Receiving this assistance does not affect your ability to apply for or receive other FEMA assistance.
  
  Disaster Unemployment Assistance is a FEMA-funded, state managed federal program that helps workers whose primary income is lost or interrupted as a direct result of a disaster declared by the President. Unlike regular state unemployment insurance, it provides benefits to people who are self-employed, farmers, diversified farming operators, loggers, commission-paid employees, and others who are not eligible under the state's program.
  
  In Georgia, the deadlines to apply depend on the disaster declaration dates.
  
  For Hurricane Helene:
  • Dec. 2 for residents in Appling, Atkinson, Bacon, Ben Hill, Berrien, Brooks, Bulloch, Burke, Candler, Chatham, Clinch, Coffee, Colquitt, Columbia, Cook, Echols, Emanuel, Evans, Glascock, Irwin, Jeff Davis, Jefferson, Jenkins, Johnson, Lanier, Laurens, Liberty, Lincoln, Lowndes, McDuffie, Montgomery, Pierce, Richmond, Screven, Tattnall, Telfair, Toombs, Treutlen, Ware, Washington and Wheeler counties.
  • Dec. 3 for residents in Effingham, Elbert, Rabun and Tift counties.
  • Dec. 6 for residents in Brantley Bryan, Butts, Camden, Charlton, Dodge, Fulton, Glynn, Hancock, Long, McIntosh, Newton, Thomas, Warren and Wayne counties.
  Additional counties may be added at a later date. 
  
  lease visit the Georgia Department of Labor Federal Disaster Unemployment Assistance page to learn what you need to file an application and see a list of disaster-related benefit facts.
  
  To apply for Disaster Unemployment Assistance, Georgians must first apply for regular unemployment insurance on the Georgia Department of Labor website at dol.georgia.gov or in person at any GDOL career center. Only those who are ineligible for regular unemployment insurance can be considered eligible for Disaster Unemployment Assistance benefits.
  
  The Georgia Department of Labor will notify you if you are eligible to file for Disaster Unemployment Assistance. Income verification may be required when applying for these benefits. People should be prepared to provide proof of earnings for the most recently completed tax year. Acceptable proof of earnings includes copies of the most recently completed income tax returns, quarterly estimated income tax payment records, or similar documents.
  
  For additional information on Disaster Unemployment Assistance, visit dol.georgia.gov or call the Georgia Department of Labor toll-free customer service line at 1-877-709-8185.
  For the latest information about Georgia’s recovery, visit fema.gov/disaster/4821 and fema.gov/disaster/4830. Follow FEMA on X at x.com/femaregion4 or on Facebook at facebook.com/fema.

• DISASTER SURVIVORS FEMA RELIEF AS OF 10/24/24

  
  
  The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has arrived in Thomson to help you. They have set up in the Annex of the Depot on Railroad Street. The historic Depot's address is 111 Railroad St. Thomson 30824. Parallel to the railroad tracks, you will see the Depot, the breezeway with red tables and chairs and then the Annex. Use the double doors next to the guitar and mural to go inside.
  
  Hours of operation:
  Monday-Saturday 8:00am - 7:00pm
  Sunday 1:00pm - 6:00 pm.
  
  
  FEMA Offers Equal Access to Assistance for All Georgia Disaster Survivors 
  
  FEMA is committed to providing equal access to federal assistance for Georgians who were affected by Tropical Storm Debby, damage Aug. 4-20, and/or Hurricane Helene. Anyone with an accessibility need who is applying for FEMA assistance should let FEMA know.
  If you or anyone in your household has a disability or language need---as well as a need to interact with FEMA or have disability-related losses due to the storms, it is important to answer “yes” to the appropriate questions when completing the application for FEMA disaster assistance. You will be asked to identify what you need to help you throughout your recovery process. Questions will also help identify other services for which you may be eligible to receive reimbursement.
  
  Examples of the type of questions you can expect include:
  - Do you have a disability or language need that requires an accommodation to interact with FEMA staff and/or access FEMA programs?
  - Do you or anyone in your household have a disability that affects your ability to perform activities of daily living or requires an assistive device?
  - Did you have any disability-related assistive devices or medically required equipment/supplies/support services damaged, destroyed, lost, or disrupted because of the disaster?
  A disaster can take away the key components that enable people with disabilities and people with other access and functional needs to live independently or to communicate with others. These may include a wheelchair, scooter, walker, CPAP machine, hearing aids, eyeglasses, or screen reader. You may be eligible to receive FEMA funds to replace these items.
  
  The First Step is to Apply
  Go online to DisasterAssistance.gov , visit a Disaster Recovery Center, use the FEMA App or call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362 to apply. The telephone line is open every day and help is available in most languages. If you use a relay service such as Video Relay Service, captioned telephone or other service, give FEMA your number for that service.
  To view an accessible video on how to apply, visit
  Three Ways to Apply for FEMA Disaster Assistance - YouTube.
  
  When you apply for assistance, have the following information readily available:
  - Address of your disaster damaged home with zip code
  - A description of your disaster caused losses, which may include the condition of your damaged home
  - Insurance information, if available
  - Social Security number
  - Phone number where you can be contacted
  - Address where you can receive mail or email address to receive electronic notifications
  
  If you need an accommodation or assistance due to a disability or language need, ask FEMA at the time of applying or anytime throughout the assistance process.
  
  For the latest information about Georgia’s recovery, visit fema.gov/disaster/4821 or fema.gov/disaster/4830 . Follow FEMA on X at x.com/femaregion4 or on Facebook at FEMA Federal Emergency Management Agency.

• Request for Proposal for Services - SALARY CLASSIFICATION AND PAY STUDY

  Link to RFP for Salary Classification and Pay Study 

   
   

• Request for Proposal for Services - PUBLIC DEFENDER 

  The City of Washington, Georgia, is requesting proposals from attorneys interested in serving as a city Public Defender. The appointed Public Defender will be the city’s chief Public Defender in all traffic and non-traffic-related violations of municipal ordinances. Anticipated minimum qualifications include a juris doctor degree, qualifications to practice law in the state of Georgia, and membership in the Georgia Bar Association. The city Public Defender will be appointed by the city manager after consultation with the city attorney. The initial appointment will be for two years, renewable.
  
  The city will pay the solicitor $500 per session held on the third Tuesday of each month. Interested parties should send their resumes to the city clerk, Yoshe Jenkins, at yjenkins@wga.gov. The deadline to apply is November 29, 2024, at 5:00 p.m.

   
   

• Candlelight Shopping

  

• Washington Wonderland 

  

• Small Business Breakfast Series (November Event)

  

• Holiday Writing Competition

  
  “There'll be scary ghost stories and tales of the glories of Christmases long, long ago...”
  
  Did you know that telling ghost stories around the Christmas tree was a popular tradition during the Victorian era? Even today, who doesn't love Charles Dicken's "A Christmas Carol"? This year, the Robert Toombs House challenges you to write your own Christmas ghost story. It can be a chilling tale about a haunted ornament or a more lighthearted story about a ghostly great uncle who keeps eating all the sugar cookies. A panel of judges will select four stories to be read at our Ghosts of Christmases Past event. All entries will be compiled in a booklet that will be given to each person who enters and to those who attend the event on December 20^th or 21^st.
  
  Entry Rules:
  - The contest is open to Wilkes County residents aged 13 years or older.
  - All entries must be submitted by midnight on November 30th to events@roberttoombshouse.org.
  - Each story must be between 1,500 to 3,000 words.
  - It should be set during Christmas time in the 19th Century (1800-1899). Time travel is an option.
  - While it’s preferable for the story to be set in Wilkes County, this is not required.
  - All stories must be appropriate for ages 13 and up. If you have specific questions about this, please contact us.
  
  Please visit the event page on Facebook for additional information regarding the contest and the Ghosts of Christmases Past event. You may also reach us at 706-678-2226. Tickets for the event will go on sale in early November.
   

• WW Parade of Lights 2024

  

• Little Theatre's Holiday Production