About The Banks County news. (Homer, Banks County, Ga.) 1968-current | View Entire Issue (June 25, 2025)
PAGE 10A BANKS COUNTY NEWS WEDNESDAY, JUNE 25, 2025 Social News Nick Georgia 9th Congressional District CONG Nick Alex spoke with a diverse crowd of concerned Banks County residents. His message was we have “A path to victory” in the 2026 mid term election. Banks County Democratic Party Chair Elaine Gerke wel comed guest speaker Nick Alex and a full house of Banks County residents to the June 19, Banks County Democrat monthly meeting. Alex speaks at Banks County Democratic meeting The Banks County Dem ocrats welcomed Nick Alex, Democratic candidate for the U.S. House of Repre sentatives, at the monthly meeting at the Homer City Hall. Nick and his wife, Debbi, are currently resi dents of Rabun County, and have resided in Georgia for 28 years. During his remarks, Nick Alex shared his personal background and the deep sense of purpose that led him to run for office. A re tired senior banking execu tive with Bank of America and Truist Bank, Nick spoke about his desire to give back to the community. He emphasized that his decision to enter the race was not political ambition, but a genuine commitment to creating a better future for his four grandsons and for all residents of north- east Georgia. Moved by the challenges facing working families and rural commu nities, Alex said he is determined to bring his leadership expe rience and problem-solv ing skills to Washington on behalf of the people of Georgia’s 9th Congressio nal District, which spans 12 counties in the region. A central focus of his talk was the “Big Beautiful Bill” (BBB)—a sweeping tax and budget reform package cur rently under consideration in Congress. While the bill is being promoted as a win for working and mid dle-class Americans, Nick expressed deep concern about its potential harm to rural and lower-income communities. He highlighted several troubling provisions, in cluding significant cuts to safety net programs such as Medicaid, SNAR and hous ing assistance—programs that are vital to many rural families. Threats to rural health- care, as reduced Medicaid reimbursements could force clinics and hospitals to scale back or close. Reduced health insurance subsidies and limits on Medicaid ex pansion, which could in crease uninsured rates in 7 - 7J Among those attending the Democratic Party meeting were: (L-R) Mary Ellen Myers of Banks, Kim Spears. Julie Mayer Rabun County volunteers for Nick Alex campaign, Debbi and Nick Alex, and Banks County Chair, Elaine Gerke. areas with limited private insurance options. Tax code changes that favor corpora tions and high-income earn ers, offering little relief to working-class families. Following his remarks, Nick engaged with attend ees in a Q&A session. He outlined his “Path to Victo ry,” which includes actively campaigning across all 12 counties well ahead of the November 2026 midterm election, reaching out to voters who did not partic ipate in 2024 and building grassroots momentum to restore accountability and ensure all three branches of government uphold the Constitution’s system of checks and balances—and are held to the standard of following the rule of law. You may learn more about Nick Alex at Nickalex2026. com. Jackson EMC earns national re-certification for customer service Jackson EMC has once again earned national rec ognition for its customer service, maintaining its status as the only electric membership corporation (EMC) in the United States to hold a certification from the International Custom er Management Institute (ICMI). The cooperative’s contact center was recently re-cer tified by ICMI, a globally recognized benchmark for contact centers that demon strate high efficiency and deliver a world-class cus tomer experience. Jackson EMC first earned the designation in May 2023 and has now success fully completed its first re-certification process. ICMI consultants visited the cooperative’s headquar ters in May to conduct a comprehensive audit, which included interviews with leadership, a review of more than 50 performance areas, and a detailed assessment of operational standards and service metrics. “Our team takes great pride in being responsive, efficient and caring,” said Brent Cochran, director of customer service. He added, “We earned this certification again be cause we stay focused on what matters most — sup porting our members with the kind of personalized care they deserve.” All customer service and contact center personnel completed ICMI training and certification courses in 2023 and 2024. Additional training is already planned for new ly-hired employees to en sure consistent standards of service across the board. “Whether it’s restoring power during a storm or re solving a billing question, our members count on us to show up with solutions and empathy,” Cochran said. Cochran also adds, “This recognition from ICMI is proof that our team deliv ers.” For all your printing needs, contact MainStreet News at 706-367-5233 BANKS COUNTY NEWS: HAVE IT YOUR WAY! Banks County News WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 4,2024 County leaders to meet with DOT officials over traffic concerns at Banks Crossing Labor Day festivities Banks County News WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 11,2024 INCLUDES 52 PRINT EDITIONS Banks County News —BrasNe-stoogon @ Barks.Courty/stepi Onyan ,. WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 2,2024. DELIVERED WEEKLY lassified employees Banks County News . WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 92024 Maysville to address nuisance housing in town Nov. election INCLUDES 24/7 ACCESS TO E-EDITION ON / ELECTRONIC DEVICES MAINSTPEETNEWS COM MAINSTRE JACKSON Named one of AMERICA’S BEST ALL FOR JUST 525 FOR A FULL YEAR! SAVE $ 20 OFF CURRENT RATE AND $ 30 OFF THE FUTURE RATE!* • Banks County News Print Edition... • Online Web Site & E-Edition... Delivered to your home each week for a year Available on electronic devices 24/7 'Hurry, our subscription rates are going to '55/year later this year. This offer expires on July 28, 2025. Offer is for current and new subscribers for a maximum of three years at this special price. 150 YEARS OF EXCELLENCE MainStreet NEWSPAPERS Subscribe at MainStreetNews.com before July 28, 2025 for just 525 for a full year's subscription*
