The Paper November 6, 2014 Edition

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CMYK Thursday, November 6, 2014

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Business marks its 9th anniversary. 4B

Gov. Deal, David Perdue avoid runoffs Incumbent Gov. Nathan Deal earned a second term in the governor’s mansion Tuesday with a victory over Democratic challenger Jason Carter. In the U.S. Senate race, Republican David Perdue defeated Democrat Michelle Nunn in the race to fill the seat held by retiring U.S. Sen. Saxby Chambliss. Both Nunn and Carter conceded the race just after 11 p.m. on Election Day. Some had predicted the possibility of runoffs in both the race for Governor and U.S. Senate which could have found Georgia voters returning to the polls in December and January. That will not be the case. Jackson County voters lended overwhelming support to the Republican candidates as did voters in Barrow and Hall counties as well as Gwinnett although by lesser margins. In Georgia U.S. House races, Doug Collins (9th District), Jody Hice (10th District), Buddy Carter (1st District), Rob Woodall (7th District), Tom Price (6th District) and Sanford Bishop (2nd District) earned victories.

Democrat John Barrow (12th District) was unseated by Republican Rick Allen. GOP candidates also held leads in other statewide races. For example, Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle also earned re-election, winning a third term with an overwhelming victory over Democrat Connie Stokes. Secretary of State Brian Kemp bested challenger Doreen Carter, State Attorney General Sam Olens defeated Greg Hecht and State Agriculture Commissioner Gary Black won out over Christopher James Irvin. Labor Commissioner Mark Butler beat Robbin Shipp and Ralph Hudgens was re-elected as State Insurance Commissioner. In the race for State School Superintendent, Republican Richard Woods defeated Valarie Wilson by a margin of 58.62 percent to 41.38 percent, with 154 of 159 counties reporting. Running statewide, the three Republican incumbent Public Service Commissioners – Buddy McDonald, Buddy Carter and Doug Everett – were re-elected.

Nationwide, Republicans appeared poised to gain control of the Senate and keep the majority in the House based on returns which were tabulated at presstime Tuesday night.

Collins re-elected to 9th District Gainesville Republican Doug Collins won a second two-year term to Congress on Tuesday night, soundly defeating Democrat David Vogel of Hull. Collins won by taking 80 percent of the vote in the 9th District U.S. House race. The Hall County share in the 20-county district was 8218 percent. “I’m grateful for the tens of thousands of Northeast Georgians who made their voices heard tonight,” he said in a statement after returns showed he had won. “Since you first hired me to work for you in Congress two years ago, I’ve listened to what you’ve had to say. Today, you spoke loudly and clearly that we work well together, and I thank you.”

Looking to his second term, Collins said, “There’s a lot we don’t yet know about the way forward in the 114th Congress, but one thing is certain: We have more opportunities than ever before to show what real leadership looks like.”

Hice wins election in 10th District Jody Hice will be the next congressman in the U.S. House of Representatives for Georgia’s 10th District. The pastor who rose to prominence with battles against the ACLU and IRS will replace GOP Rep. Paul Broun. While serving as the pastor of Bethlehem First Baptist Church in 2003, Hice joined in challenging the ACLU lawsuit about the display of the Ten Commandments at the Barrow County Courthouse. While the ACLU won the suit, Hice has credited those efforts to the state legislature passing a law allowing the commandments to

See ELECTION, 2A

Jackson County needs to prep for population to start growing

CELEBRATE THE Holidays 2014

Braselton embraces the season

By LEANNE AKIN

Get ready to Celebrate the Holidays in Braselton – Victorian style, as the annual tree lighting event will be held from 5-7 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 8, in front of the Braselton Brothers Store complex. This year, the tree will be placed atop the renovated historic building. During the event, there will be free activities and goodies being provided by the businesses within the Braselton Brothers Store complex. Two Ladies in the Attic will have a coloring station while a photo station with props will be set up in front of The Paper so bring a camera or phone to take photos. Braselton Tile & Interior Design Center will offer sweet treats, One Blue Duck will serve up hot cider, hot chocolate and coffee and Braselton Antique Mall will hand out candy canes. Artistic Expressions will have elves to assist children in writing letters to Santa. With so many additional activities going on at the tree lighting in addition to shopping opportunities at downtown businesses which are gearing up for the holiday season, event-goers are encouraged to arrive early for prime parking. A Salvation Army bell ringer will be on hand. There will be carolers making their way around and enter the double glass doors of the Braselton Brothers Store complex to find the activities which are being offered free of charge. “It’s going to be awesome,” said Tracy Brandenberg, one of the event organizers. “We encourage people to trickle on through the building since many have not yet visited the renovated historic structure.” The festivities will get under way at 5 p.m. with Braselton Rotary Club president Howard Hardaway provid-

lakin@clickthepaper.com

Halloween Walk

The annual Halloween Walk in downtown Jefferson found lots of trick or treaters making their way to collect candy along the route which was watched by law enforcement including Maj. David Hill and volunteers. Gunner Doner (l) was sporting a cute puppy dog outfit while Kemp Rogan was a pirate and Ashlyn Rogan was fairy (below). See more scenes from Halloween Walk at ClickThePaper.com

Jackson County must prepare for a return to faster population growth, although it probably will not be as rapid as the previous burst when the county grew from 25,000 in 1980 to nearly 60,000 in 2008 when the real estate bubble burst, according to Jeffrey H. Dorfman of Dortman Consulting. At the Nov. 3 meeting of the Jackson County Board of Commissioners, Dorfman made a presentation on a study financed by the board to provide some insight into the impact of land use on demand for county services and the costs of providing those services. Dorfman said county elected officials and staff can utilize the study results as a part of their decisionmaking related to budget planning. Residential development does not pay for its services directly in Jackson County, but it is very close, notes the study. “Residents pay in 91 cents for every $1 they receive in services from the county government and that is really quite good,” Dorfman says. However, when county schools are included, the deficit grows bigger – with 74 cents in revenue per dollar of services delivered. Dorfman said a balance of development is required if the county is to remain healthy since too much residential development will create financial chaos for the Jackson County School System. The school system is already reeling from yet another drop in the county tax digest. If there is not industrial/commercial growth to bring in additional tax revenues to offset added service costs for more households sending children in school, growthrelated development decisions such as the push for construction of more expensive homes may be considered. Commissioner Jim Hix said he appreciated the information made available in the Cost of Community Service (COCS) study which can “provide the benefit of hindsight, a budgetary baseline from which to make decisions about the future,” Dorfman’s report says. The study also allows for “informed decision-making on such policy topics as tax abatements for farm or forestland (or even for commercial/industrial development).” According to the study, “Businesses pay in more than they get back, creating a fiscal surplus for the county producing $1.43 for every $1 they receive back in county

See JACKSON COUNTY, 2A

See HOLIDAYS, 2A

City of Hoschton brings on interim event planner By FARAH BOHANNON

fbohannon@clickthepaper.com

Jennifer Kidd has been hired by the City of Hoschton as an interim event planner. At the Nov. 3 meeting, the city council officially brought Kidd onboard for a year to help city employees plan more exciting events for the residents for 2015. The position is being made possible thanks to the extra money generated from the 2014 Hoschton Fall Festival. Kidd is a Braselton resident and

INSIDE Business News Church Entertainment Events Features

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has helped plan events there as well as in Hoschton. She served for two years as co-chairman of the BraseltonHoschton Relay For Life. Hoschton Mayor Theresa Kenerly said this is the first time the city has had extra money from the festival and wanted to use it wisely and in a Kidd way that would greatly benefit Hoschton. “I am so excited to have Jennifer

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work with us next year,” said Mayor Kenerly. “She is already working hard on planning some fun events for next year. I am so thrilled to have more going on in Hoschton.” Kidd’s plan of action is to have at least one event planned per month with an exception of a month or two. She says she wants to host some movies on the green as well as a health fair, public safety day, Groundhog Day celebration, community yard sale, con-

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certs and a ghost tour. Kenerly says there will be sponsors available willing to pay for what is needed for each event. The 2015 calendar is filling up with lots of fun and will be completed within the next few months. Updates can be found on the city’s Facebook page and website. “Jennifer is on top of it,” said Kenerly. “I cannot believe how much she has already completed. She is working so diligently and her ideas are just so great. Another plus is that she and (utility clerk) Karen

Butler work so well together, so I am absolutely sure everything will run smoothly next year.” The council members say they are happy to welcome Kidd to the team and hope to see these events bring more people to the city. City Administrator and Clerk Jacqueline Crouse welcomed four new businesses to the city which have already submitted their licenses: Home Occupation SMG Inc., Fox & Hound Antiques, Stan-

See HOSCHTON, 2A

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The Paper November 6, 2014 Edition by The Times - Issuu