Below is the OCR text representation for this newspapers page.

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.