Hellenga Looks Back at 2016

With Jamieson starting as Mayor in January, outgoing Mayor Evan Hellenga is wrapping up his year leading the commission.

Hellenga chaired his final commission meeting of the year as Mayor on Monday.

He said serving in the mayor’s seat for the past year was an honor and a privilege.

“From the first moment I walked in this room and looked on the back wall and I saw some of the faces, many I recognize over the years, when I saw the men and women who served before me and also the ones that serve on this podium with me today, you realize what a real honor that is,” said Hellenga of serving as mayor.

Hellenga said the city accomplished quite a lot in 2016.

Among the accomplishments for the city this year were increasing the city’s rainy day funds by eight percent, developing the Lake Toccoa property, making improvements at city parks, and working on improvements to the city’s water system, along with building a fire training facility and installing more sidewalks along Tugalo Street.

He said those accomplishments would not have been possible without the staff at the city of Toccoa.

“Many of these projects were completed by city of Toccoa employees and I found out many of them wear multiple hats,” said Hellenga. “I think we have the best employees from the top down. They are dedicated. They are considerate. They have been helpful to me. They make this commission look good and I want to thank all the city employees for all they have done this past year.”

He also thanked his family and the rest of the commissioners for their support during his year as Mayor.

Commissioner Terry Carter said they appreciate Hellenga’s efforts over the last 12 months.

“Let me be the first to congratulate you and thank you on behalf of the commission and personally for your leadership,” said Carter. “You have represented the city extremely well and I have enjoyed working with you in this particular capacity and appreciate all of your hard work and your time.”

Hellenga is also in the midst of his first term on the city commission.