About Dawson County news. (Dawsonville, Georgia) 2015-current | View Entire Issue (May 29, 2024)
4A I DAWSON COUNTY NEWS I dawsonnews.com Wednesday, May 29,2024 Judge Breakfield takes step up, wins Superior Court race By Nick Watson DCN Regional Staff With all precincts report ing, State Court Judge John Breakfield won the election for the Superior Court judgeship, an open seat after Judge Kathlene Gosselin announced her plan to retire at the end of the year. In Dawson County, Breakfield received 54.9% of the vote, while Magistrate Court Judge Michelle Hall received 45.1%. In Hall County, Breakfield received 59.3% of the vote, while Hall received 40.7%. Who is he: Breakfield was a managing partner at Breakfield & Associates before being elected to the Hall County State Court in 2016. He was admitted to the bar in 2001. How he reacted: Breakfield said he was ecstatic at the news. “We are very appreciative of the vot ers of Hall and Dawson counties. We obviously can not do it without them, and we’ve been working so hard for almost eight months: my wife, our kids, our support ers, our family, friends. It’s just an amazing culmination of a lot of hard work by a lot of people.” This article was originally published in the Gainesville Times, a sister publication of DCN. About 14% of local voters turn out for primary election Julia Hansen Dawson County News Dawson County residents vote at Rock Creek Park for the general primary election on May 21. By Julia Hansen juliahansen@dawsonnews.com Just over 3,000 Dawson County residents turned out for the 2024 general primary elec tion. There were several key refer- endums and races on the ballot, from a proposed one-percent transportation sales tax to multi ple statewide judicial elections and more. Overall, 3,226 Dawson County voters have participated in the 2024 general primary election. That represents 13.74% of Dawson County’s 23,471 reg istered voters, stated a Dawson County Board of Elections and Registration summary report. On Election Day, 1,346 or 5.3% of Dawson County resi dents turned out to vote. Before Tuesday, 1,714 Dawson County residents or 7.3% voted early in the 2024 pri mary election, the report stated. For comparison, that’s about the same number as advance voters in 2020, who numbered 1,756. Then, 166 or .71% of Dawson County people voted via absen tee ballots, which combined with local early voters, brings local pre-Election Day participation to 8.01%. The elections board met May 24 to certify the primary results. Here is how Dawson County residents voted in different local, state and federal elections: Contested Ballot question: Special elec tion: 1% sales tax of Dawson County (Transportation Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax) •Yes: 63.4% • No: 36.6% Dawson County Commission Chair • Billy Thurmond, R (incum bent): 100% • Mya Thomae, D: 100% Note: Both Thurmond and Thomae ran in their political party’s primary. Now, they will directly run against each other for the Nov. 5 general election. Superior Court Northeastern Judicial Circuit (Kathlene Gosselin) • John Breakfield: 54.87% • Michelle Hall: 45.13% U.S. House of Representatives, District 7 (formerly U.S. District 6) • Rich McCormick, R (incum bent): 100% • Bob Christian, D: 100% Note: Both McCormick and Christian ran in their political party’s primary. Now, they will directly run against each other for the Nov. 5 general election. Supreme Court of Georgia (Andew Pinson) • John Barrow: 34.27% • Andrew Pinson (incumbent): 65.73% Court of Appeals of Georgia (Yvette Miller) • Jeff Davis: 72.96% • Tabitha Ponder: 27.04% Uncontested Dawson County Commissioner, District 2 • Chris Gaines, R (incumbent): 100% Dawson County Commissioner, District 4 • Chad Turkett: 100% Sheriff of Dawson County • Jeff Johnson, R (incumbent): 100% Clerk of Superior Court • Justin Power (Incumbent): 100% Tax Commissioner • Nicole Stewart (Incumbent): 100% Judge of Probate • Jennifer Burt (Incumbent): 100% Chief Magistrate Judge • Alex Myers (Incumbent): 100% Dawson County Board of Education District 1 • Doris Cook (Incumbent): 100% Dawson County Board of Education District 2 • Elaine Wilson (Incumbent): 100% Dawson County Board of Education District 4 • Barry Slaton (Incumbent): 100% State Senate District 51 • Steve Gooch, R (Incumbent): 100% State House of Representatives, District 9 • Will Wade, R (Incumbent): 100% State House of Representative, District 7 • Johnny Chastain, R (Incumbent): 100% Note: Will Wade will be on the ballot for voters in Dawson County’s central, eastern and southern precincts as well as for voters in the southern part of Dawson County’s western pre cinct. Johnny Chastain will be on the ballot for voters in the northernmost portion of Dawson County’s western precinct. Superior Court Northeastern Judicial Circuit (Clint Bearden) • Clint Bearden (Incumbent): 100% Superior Court Northeastern Judicial Circuit (Bonnie Oliver) • Bonnie Oliver (Incumbent): 100% Supreme Court of Georgia (Justice Michael Boggs) • Michael Boggs (incumbent): 100% Supreme Court of Georgia (Justice John Ellington) • John Ellington (incumbent): 100% Supreme Court of Georgia (Nels Peterson) • Nels Peterson (incumbent): 100% Court of Appeals of Georgia (Stephen Dillard) • Stephen Dillard (incumbent): 100% Court of Appeals of Georgia (Ken Hodges) • Ken Hodges (incumbent): 100% Court of Appeals of Georgia (Ben Land) • Ben Land (incumbent): 100% Court of Appeals of Georgia (Amanda Mercier) • Amanda Mercier (incum bent): 100% Court of Appeals of Georgia (Brian Rickman) • Brian Rickman (incumbent): 100% Court of Appeals of Georgia (Jeffrey Watkins) • Jeffrey Watkins (incumbent): 100% City officially kicks off its budgeting process for 2024-25 By Erica Jones ejones@dawsonnews.com The City of Dawsonville has officially kicked off its budgeting process for the 2024-25 fiscal year. Here’s what to know about where the city is in that process and what the timeline looks like between now and the council’s vote to officially adopt the new budget. The tentative budget for 2024-25 was presented to the mayor and council dur ing the May 20 council meeting. After the presen tation, it was posted online for members of the public to see, and those interested can also obtain a copy by visiting City Hall. The tentative budget, as presented and as posted online, totals $26,365,275, which is an increase from last year’s $19,756,382 budget. This total is made up of $17,000,000 in capital out lay funding, $3,212,300 in general funding, $3,026,240 in SPLOST funding and $2,269,600 in enterprise funding, as well as $301,200 in garbage department funding, $86,875 in Downtown Development Authority funding, $50,160 in ceme tery funding and $7,500 in hotel-motel tax. In contrast, the city’s 2023-24 budget, which the council approved in June of 2023, was made up of $10,500,000 in capital out lay funding, $3,263,345 in general funding, $3,259,000 in SPLOST funding and $2,367,507 in enterprise funding, as well as $230,200 in garbage department funding, $79,400 in Downtown Development Authority funding, $49,430 in ceme tery funding and $7,500 in hotel-motel tax. Detailed breakdowns of each of these budget items can be found in the full tentative budget, which is posted on the city’s web site at https://www.daw- sonville-ga.gov/finance/ page/city-dawsonville- annual-budget. Up next, the council will hold a public hearing to allow members of the community to comment on the tentative budget. This public hearing will take place during the council’s June 3 meeting, at 5 p.m. in the council chambers of City Hall. Following the public hearing, the council mem bers will vote on whether or not to officially adopt the budget during the council’s June 17 meeting. If approved, the budget will be effective for the city’s 2024-25 fiscal year, which runs from July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2025. 706-265-9160 Dawson County Humane Society a no kill shelter Doggie Spotlight AJ is a lovely adult dog with lots of love to give. He’s a friendly and sweet boy who’s always up for a good snuggle and some close attention. AJ is a very smart dog who’s curious about everything, and he’s always ready to learn and put his best paw forward. AJ is a high energy, so although he does love to please he can sometimes get super excited as he wants all your attention! He’s an ideal companion for someone who wants a best friend to share life’s adventures with. If you’re ready to open your heart and home to AJ, come meet him today and start your wonderful journey together! Schedule a meet and greet today by calling (706) 265-9160 or emailing info@dawsoncountyhumanesociety.org! By Appointment Only For more information contact the 706-265-9160 | 633 Martin Rd, Dawsonville Dawson County Humane Society Adjacent to the Rock creek sports complex Visit our RESALE SHOP & BOUTIQUE Wed. - Sat. 10 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. | 54 S. Lumpkin Campground Rd. Bradley M. Maple CPA, PC 706-216-2362 2390 Thompson Rd • Ste 100 Dawsonville Dawsonville Veterinary Hospital 706-265-8381 All proceeds benefits the Humane Society ANH Collision Specialists 706-216-0992 103 Industrial Park Road, Dawsonville
