Newspaper Page Text
PAGE 2A
THE BANKS COUNTY NEWS
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 25, 2008
BY CHRIS BRIDGES
The three candidates for district
attorney of the Piedmont Judicial
Circuit were on
the stump for
voters in Banks
County last
Thursday night during a forum spon
sored by the Banks County Chamber
of Commerce.
Rick Bridgeman, who was appoint
ed to the position by Governor Sonny
Perdue last fall, attended as did chal
lengers Donna Sikes and Brad Smith.
Bridgeman said he began working
in the circuit as an assistant district
attorney in 1995 but left in 1999
after differences with former district
attorney Tim Madison concerning a
requirement to attend mandatory vol-
leyball practice. Madison, following
a series of investigative stories pub
lished by The Banks County News
and Mainstreet Newspapers, is serv
ing a jail sentence for crimes commit
ted while in office.
Bridgeman emphasized there was
a backlog of 487 cases in Banks
County when he was appointed dis
trict attorney but all those cases have
been handled now.
“Within the first 90 days, we came
in and took care of that backlog,” he
said.
Bridgeman said the primary role of
the DA’s office is to prosecute cases
in Superior Court. He wants to do that
within 90 days to obtain justice for
every victim.
Donna Sikes grow up in Jackson
County and has 17 years of law expe
rience. She said she has the experi
ence to represent the people of the
circuit, which covers Banks, Jackson
and Barrow counties.
“I will deal with people honestly
and fairly,” she said. “It is time for a
change in the DA’s office. Both of my
opponents in this race were trained by
Tim Madison. I am the only candidate
running who was not trained by Tim
Madison.”
Sikes said she would set up a train
ing program with local law enforce
ment agencies to make sure good,
solid arrests were made to keep crimi
nals from going free on technicali
ties.
“The people in Banks County need
the same service as those in Jackson
County and Barrow County,” Sikes
said. “Being a smaller county in the
past, I don’t think Banks has always
gotten that.”
Brad Smith began working as an
assistant DA in 1997 and describes
himself as a “fair, tough, formidable
trial attorney.”
“You have to rely on your employ
ees to cover a three-county circuit,”
Smith said. “I would also meet with
law enforcement officials and other
agencies.”
Smith noted there is a changing
trend in crime as there is more Internet
crime, gang violence and elderly
abuse, both physical and fraud.
“I have also prosecuted more cases
than any assistant DA in the circuit,”
he said.
- Georgia and U.S. Districts -
State rep., senate and U.S. Congress candidates speak to voters
BY CHRIS BRIDGES
In addition to hearing from candi
dates seeking offices within the Banks
County borders, local voters had a
chance to hear views from candidates
for state representative, state senate
and U.S. Congress during last week’s
forum sponsored by the Banks County
Chamber of Commerce.
Michael Harden, who is running for
the state representative seat which cov
ers Banks County, said creating more
jobs, providing affordable health care,
returning control of education to the
local level and introducing legislation
to cap increases in tax assessments
would all be goals of his if elected.
Harden is attempting to unseat
veteran Democratic representative
Jeanette Jamieson who did not attend
Thursday’s forum.
“I would have a strong relationship
with the Department of Transportation,
the Department of Community
Affairs and the Office of Economic
Development,” Harden said. “I would
push Banks County as a place for new
business.”
To ensure Banks County has an
educated work force, Harden said he
would work to make sure teachers
and administrators have the necessary
tools to work with students. He also
noted he would work to make sure all
technical schools in the area are “top
of the line.”
Harden said he appreciated the
opportunity to address those in atten
dance and noted there was no place
more important for him to be than at
the forum.
STATE SENATE
Incumbent Nancy Schaefer was
joined by Republican primary chal
lengers Jim Butterworth and Terry
Rogers at the forum.
Schaefer has served in the state sen
ate for the past fours.
“I am not there to make a living but
to make a difference,” she said. “My
goal for the 50th district is to promote
tourism and bring in jobs.”
Water is a vital issue for the future of
Banks and the district, Schaefer said.
In addition, she was also concerned
about Georgia’s high dropout rate.
Schaefer stressed she has introduced
some of the toughest illegal immigra
tion bills in the senate.
Butterworth is the current chair
man of the Habersham County
Board of Commissioners. A veter
an of the United States Air Force
and the Georgia Air National Guard,
Butterworth said his campaign stands
on “Faith, vision and values.”
He wants quality education for chil
dren and said that is one of the most
important things a state government
provides.
Rogers is also from Habersham
County and noted that “first and fore
most he is a Christian.”
Rogers said he is “pro-life, pro
family and pro-second amendment.”
“My passion is in local issues so
that’s why I am running,” Rogers
said. “I’ve been blessed in my life and
I want to give back. We have some
problems in our district that need
addressing.”
Rogers said issues such as water and
property rights are vital in the immedi
ate future.
“We need a full-time state senator,”
he said. “I have 30 years of business
experience and I believe that is what
is needed.”
U.S. CONGRESS
Paul Broun was not in attendance
last Thursday but his wife, Nikki, rep
resented him.
Broun’s wife said her husband was
a “Bible believing Christian” and a
“staunch conservative.”
As far as attracting local businesses,
Broun said her husband prefers for the
free market to thrive and noted he also
supports the Fair Tax.
Congressman Broun is for repeal
ing No Child Left Behind and for
doing away with the Department of
Education.
Challenger Barry Fleming noted he
helped to reform the state tax code and
protect the definition of a traditional
family.
“When taxes are lower, freedom is
higher,” Fleming said.
TAX COMMISSIONER CANDIDATES
Becky Taylor (left) and Margaret Ausburn addressed voters at a
forum sponsored by the Banks County Chamber of Commerce
last Thursday night. The event was held in the Banks County
High School auditorium.
Banks County tax commissioner
candidates express desire for job
BY CHRIS BRIDGES
Both the incumbent tax commis
sioner and her challenger in Banks
County made it known they have
a passion for the office during a
forum last Thursday night.
Margaret Ausburn, the incum
bent, has held the office since
January 1989 and worked in the
tax commissioner’s office for
nine years prior to being elected.
Ausburn said the tax commission
er’s office has gone through some
“modern upgrades” in the last 20
years and she wants to continue
to provide better service in the
future.
“We don’t set the tax rates but we
are respectful to the taxpayers by
offering the best customer service
possible,” Ausburn said. “We will
continue to be fair to all citizens of
Banks County.”
In the future, Ausburn said
she would like for the office
to begin offering citizens the
option for on-ling tag renewals.
Challenger Becky Taylor said the
citizens deserve someone who has
“the heart for the job.”
“You know you can call on me
anytime,” Taylor said. “The qual
ity of customer service is the foun
dation of what I will offer the
citizens.”
Taylor said she asks herself how
would she want someone in the
tax commissioner’s office to treat
her grandmother. She said she
would aggressively use all forms
of media and communication to
relay changes in tax issues which
citizens need to know.
Taylor emphasized a need to
improve on the county’s 90 per
cent tax collection rate.
“We have not had a consistent
due date in many years,” she said.
— Meet the candidates 2008: General Primary Election coming up July 15 —
- Piedmont Judicial Circuit District Attorney -
Three district attorney candidates address local voters
- Tax Commissioner -
Banks school system receives quality ELOST check
BY CHRIS BRIDGES
The Banks County School
System’s most recent Educational
Local Option Sales Tax check sur
passed the $300,000 mark, Board of
Education members were informed
during a work session June 12.
School system financial director
Mike Beasley told superintendent
Chris Erwin and BOE members the
check for May was for $302,846,
the 8th highest of 69 checks
received on the current ELOST.
The ELOST funds, approved by
county voters, allow the school
system to construct buildings for
future use by students and staff.
Also at Thursday’s work session,
Erwin told BOE members the pre
liminary data on the Annual Yearly
Progress report for the school sys
tem was positive and he looked
forward to sharing more detailed
news in coming weeks.
The BOE also approved the fol
lowing personnel items during a
closed session:
•certified personnel, new hires for
2008-09 school year: Marty Derek
Standridge, Brenda McInvale,
Andrea Erce, Thomas West and
Chantay Martin, teachers and Anne
Moon, part-time teacher.
•certified personnel, resignations:
Lori Baerne and Felicia Howell,
teachers.
City Lights ahead
Sat. in Commerce
The musical lineup for the 2008
City Lights Festival has been
announced.
The festival, featuring music, food
and arts and crafts, will be held in
Spencer Park Saturday, June 28.
Musical acts include:
•11 a.m. - Solstice Sisters
•12:15 p.m. - Peter Aland and
Some Good
•1:30 p.m. - Curley Maple
•2:45 p.m. - 16 Tons
•4 p.m. - Eli Carlan Band
•6 p.m. - Fatback Delux
•8 p.m. - Tommy Crain
& Crosstown Allstars
•certified personnel, transfer:
Stacey Morgan, from 21st CCLS
director to teacher.
•classified personnel transfer:
Nicole Blalock, from 21 CCLS
secretary to para-professional.
•classified personnel, resigna-
tions: Nancy Edenfield, para-pro
fessional, Banks County Primary
School; Telina Porterfield, para-
professional, Banks County
Primary School and Alice Hester,
custodian, Banks County Primary
School.
of Commerce
$ 00
5 OFF
Ticket Of , 20 > ° Or More. Valid with coupon Mon.-Thurs. only.
La Hacienda Commerce
173 Steven B. Tanger Blvd.
706-335-7458
La Hacienda Jefferson
605 Athens Street
706-367-5095
The Original Mexican Restaurant! Not affiliated with any other restaurant.
W & W METAL ROOFING
“We Got You Covered”
Residential • Commercial • Agricultural
• Ship Anywhere In The USA
• We Stock Your Metal Needs
• Visit Our Showroom
www.wwmetalroofing.com
706-654-5836
30 Year
Paint "4
Hwy. 60 / Candler Hwy. • Pendergrass, Ga.
Warranty
Sales
Service
Installation
KEEP AMERICA
BEAUTIFUL
GET A HAIRCUT
Commerce's Only
Barber Shop
Family Haircare
Bill Wood, Owner a?
Walk-Ins Welcome
Wood Barber Shop
581 Ila Road, Lot #1, Commerce
(706) 335-5392 • Mon.-Fri. 8-6
ROOF DOCTOR
99
BR
- Metal
- Shingles
- Flat Roofs
- Flashing
- Maintenance
- Inspections
HOMER CARVER
Roofing & Repair
OFFICE 706-677-1986
CELL 678-617-4503
FAX 706-677-1369
RE-ELECT
■
CHARLES CHAPMAN
Sheriff Banks County |
I have provided the service of the Sheriff’s Office honorably and
with respect.
Fair and impartial law enforcement with respect to the
constitutional rights of all.
I have worked closely with the school system with School
Resource Officers in our schools and the DARE Program to
educate our young on the danger of drugs.
I have prepared annual budgets and operated the Sheriff’s Office
within the approved budget and have proven fiscal
responsibility.
My policy has always been an open door to anyone in Banks
County and will continue to be so.
On July 15, 2008
Your Vote for Experience
and Proven Leadership is Appreciated!
R E - E L E CT
S H E R IFF
Paid for by the candidate.