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THURSDAY, JUNE 29,2017
THECHAMPIONNEWSPAPER.COM
Georgia’s first female GOP member of
Congress sworn in June 26
BY R. SCOTT BELZER
sbelzer@dekalbchamp.com
R epublican Karen Handel defeated
Democrat Jon Ossoff on June 20
in the Georgia 6th Congressional
District special election runoff.
Handel received 51.9 percent of the
vote while Ossoff received 48.1 percent,
according to the secretary of state’s
office.
Handel’s main support came from
Fulton and Cobb counties, where she
received 110,525 votes to Ossoff’s
91,046, with some precincts favoring the
Republican by as much as 76 percent.
Ossoff won DeKalb County 33,847 to
24,070.
Though Ossoff drew more early votes
(76,028 to Handel’s 66,657), election
day crowds favored Handel 67,938 to
48,865.
“I am truly humbled by tonight’s
results and I am honored to represent
this great district in the United States
House of Representatives,” said
Handel. “I will ensure the conservative
legacy and leadership of Tom Price,
Johnny Isakson and Newt Gingrich
will continue. I want to thank all of my
steadfast supporters who worked so
hard and also my opponent Jon Ossoff,
who ran a spirited campaign and I want
to thank him for his commitment to
public service.”
Handel’s victory speech also
recognized Dunwoody councilman
Terry Nall in addition to other local and
national Republican leaders.
Ossoff’s concession speech included
gratitude and encouragement.
'I am truly humbled
by tonight's results
and I am honored to
represent this great
district in the United
States House of
Representatives.'
- Karen Handel
“For months, this community in
Georgia has been a beacon of hope for
people across the country,” Ossoff said.
“At a time when American politics is
See Handel on Page 5A
CEO's proposed
budget addresses
countywide issues
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DeKalb County CEO Michael Thurmond
announced his midyear budget proposal. The
proposal addresses issues in the county such
as pay for public safety and blight.
BY HORACE HOLLOMAN
horace@dekalbchamp.com
D eKalb County CEO
Michael Thurmond’s
midyear budget is expected
to address issues such as pay
for public safety personnel and
blight.
The proposed mid-year
budget was presented to DeKalb
County commissioners June
12. Thurmond said he wanted
to address the county’s most
“critical issues” for the remainder
of fiscal year 2017. Thurmond
said the midyear budget proposal
will address deficit spending and
an inadequate fund balance.
The budget sets aside roughly
$54.6 million —which is more
than one month of the annual
budget as the year-end reserve,
according to county officials.
If passed by the board of
commissioners, the proposed
budget would redirect existing
funds for new expenditures,
spending more than $7.2 million
on operational needs such as
public safety pay packages.
Roughly $1.6 million would be
dedicated to the first phase
of addressing public safety
employee compensation.
Faye Coffield, a DeKalb
County resident who ran for the
District 7 seat that is currently
filled by Commissioner Gregory
Adams, said an increase in pay
for public safety personnel is
necessary moving forward.
During a board of
commissioners meeting June
See CEO on Page 5A
Republican Karen Handel narrowly
defeated Democrat opponent
Jon Ossoff on June 20 in a runoff
election for the 6th Congressional
District seat. Photo submitted.
