SCDA Honors Outgoing Board Members

The Stephens County Development Authority recognizes two outgoing board members for their service to the board over the last year.

At its meeting on Tuesday, the Development Authority board honored departing members Evan Hellenga and Dennis Bell.

Hellenga and Bell have served on the Development Authority board for the past 12 months in their roles as Mayor of Toccoa and Chairman of the Stephens County Commission, respectively.

The city and county each pick a new mayor or chairman to take effect in January to serve for the year ahead.

Stephens County Development Authority Executive Director Tim Martin said the authority appreciates the service this past year that Bell and Hellenga provided.

“Their successors have not been named, so we do not know who will serve on our board in that key position, but it is always sad to say goodbye,” said Martin. “That does not mean that they are leaving the community or leaving their interests in the Development Authority activities, but they will not be actively serving as a member on our Board of Directors.”

Whomever is chosen to serve as Mayor and Commission Chairman in 2017 will fill those spots on the Development Authority.

The board of the Stephens County Development Authority is made up of five individuals in all.

Along with the Mayor of Toccoa and the Chairman of the Stephens County Commission, there are two members that are appointed to serve and the fifth person on the Authority is the current Chair of the Toccoa-Stephens County Chamber of Commerce board.