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WEDNESDAY, JULY 2, 2008 THE BANKS COUNTY NEWS PACE 5A — Campaign 2008: General Primary Election July 15 — DA candiates continue to stress credentials Sheriff’s race to be decided in primary BY CHRIS BRIDGES The three Republican candi dates for District Attorney of the Piedmont Judicial Circuit continued their three-county tour last Friday as they once again spoke to Banks County voters. Rick Bridgeman, Donna Sikes and Brad Smith addressed a group of local voters in hopes of gaining their support in the upcoming July 15 pri mary during a forum hosted by the Banks County Republican Party at the Parks and Recreation Office. It was the third forum in as many nights for the DA candidates in the Banks, Barrow and Jackson County area. BRIDGEMAN The incumbent, who was appoint ed to the seat by Governor Sonny Perdue last fall, said it has been his goal to bring a “culture of excel lence” to the DA's office. Bridgeman stressed an increase in conviction rate from 54 percent to 84 percent in the circuit since he took office. In Banks County, there were 400 Banks County Family Connection is accepting applications for those families needing assistance for school supplies. Families will need to apply at the Family Connection office on Evans Street located next to the department of family and children services. Families must be in the income brackets listed below in order to receive the free supplies. Family of two, $1,484; family of three, $1,861; family of four, $2,238; family of five, $2,615; and family of six, $2,992. Applications must be received by July 10 in order for students to receive school supplies and book bag. Kindergarteners through sixth unprosecuted cases when Bridgeman was appointed DA although that backlog is now gone. SIKES A native of Jackson County, Sikes said the increase in crime in the three-county area goes directly with the increase in growth. Sikes said she would like to have a drug court which has proven 80 per cent more effective and 80 percent less expensive in counties which use it including Hall, Athens-Clarke and Gwinnett. SMITH With 12 years as a prosecutor, Smith said he has gained the respect of a number lawyers and judges. He said he has tried more murder cases than anyone else in the district attorney's office during his tenure. In light of the saga involving for mer Piedmont Judicial Circuit DA Tim Madison, each candidate was asked at the Banks County forum how they would insure the public of honesty within the office. Bridgeman said he is not doing the job for the money noting any lawyer graders will receive book ba). Applications received after July 10 will receive school items that are available. The annual event will be held from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Thursday, July 17, in the park downtown Homer. School supplies will be provided to students who are enrolled in Banks County schools. In addition to providing school supplies, there will also be free hot dogs and drinks. A variety of games and entertainment has been planned for the families. Help is needed in collecting school supply items or monetary donations. Anyone interested in helping is asked to contact the could go into private practice and make three times as much. “All finances are now han dled through the local Board of Commissioners,” Bridgeman said. “When I came into office there was still a cash slush fund. That has been eliminated. I release a statement every quarter on everything we do financially in the DA’s office.” Sikes said she has never worked in the DA’s office and pointed out she has experience operating her own law practice. “We have to make sure we elect trustworthy leaders,” she said. “The office will always be open where you can come in and talk anytime you want. You can ask any question you want to.” Smith said it is about trust. “You have to keep everything in the open,” Smith said. “We are not a business, it is our job to prosecute and find justice.” Smith said it is key that citizens are having a choice in naming the new DA noting there has not been a choice in many years. office for a list of supplies. For more information, contact Robin Trotter at 706-677-1303. Donations may also be mailed to Banks County Family Connection, R O. Box 452, Homer, Ga., 30547. BY CHRIS BRIDGES Banks County sheriff Charles Chapman will look to fend off chal lenger Carlton Speed in this month’s Republican primary. With no Democratic candidate in the race, the winner of the July 15 Republican primary will serve as sheriff for the next four years. Chapman and Speed addressed Banks County voters at a forum hosted by the county's Republican Party Friday night. Chapman, who has been sheriff since 1996, said his desire is to continue to bring the services to the Pugh named to power board Randall Pugh of Jefferson has been elected to the Oglethorpe Power Coperation Board of Directors. He was named to the board at a recent meeting in Atlanta. Pugh is president and CEO of Jefferson, Ga.-basedJacksonElectric Membership Corporation (EMC), one of 38 EMCs in Georgia that own and are served by Oglethorpe Power. He also serves on the board of Georgia Systems Operations Corporation, one of Oglethorpe Power’s sister companies, where he is secretary-treasurer and chairman of the audit committee. people in the most effective manner possible. The sheriff explained how the office operates noting it is the duty of the sheriff to enforce the laws fairly and to serve the courts and be keeper of the jail. Speed told those in attendance he has been in law enforcement for 15 years beginning as a jailer. He cur rently works for the Hall County Sheriff’s Office. “I believe I can lead this depart ment,” Speed said. “I believe the office needs to grow with the com munity.” The Maysville City Council will hold a called meeting at 6 p.m. on Thursday, July 3, at the public library. Speed also said the sheriff’s office needs to be involved actively with the community. He said the DARE program is pushed but said it has been shown not to work and it is time to go in a different direction. If elected, Speed said he would first have a complete audit of the entire sheriff's office to see where it stands personnel-wise, equipment- wise and budget-wise. “I have worked with many of the officers there and that is important because the sheriff needs their sup port,” Speed said. Scheduled items on the agenda will include naming a library man ager and proposed amendments to the budget. (/■ Fareha Rahim, MD Internal Medicine We are now located at our new office at 613 Hospital Road Commerce, Georgia 30529 Commerce Medical Center' 706-335-9411 ^CR^CD^3C/BS^IGN^HMO/PPO^MERIGROUPAARF^UH^J Let us know your story ideas Have an interesting story to share? Do you have a unique hobby? If so, we would like to know. Contact Angie Gary, editor of The Banks County News, at 706-367-2490 or e-mail information to her at AngieEditor@aol.com. Your #1 source for local news The Banks County News THE CITY OF MAYSVILLE Will hold a called meeting on Thursday, July 3, 2008, 6:00 P.M. at the Maysville Library to fill the position of Library Manager and make amendments to the budget. Family Connections accepting school supplies Maysville to meet Thursday Jttfy 15, 2008 fM RnunpgP If elected Sheriff I will... 1) Seek end procure all Federal and State Grant money available. 2) Explore the possibilities of becoming a state accredited agency. This will bring the Banks County Sheriff's office to a new Level. A) Greater accountability within the agency. B) To control Liability Insurance cost. C) Stronger defense against civil lawsuits. 0) Increased Community Advocacy 3) Seek to implement a Community advisory board to stay in touch with the needs and concerns of citizens of Banks County whom / will be serving. There is no greater treasure in a man's life than his family. Allow me the opportunity to serve your family with the professionalism they deserve. ELECT CARLTON SPEED Sheriff July 15th. Your vole end support will he great/p appreciated. Paid for by the candidate.