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THURSDAY, AUGUST 16, 2012
Primary runoff vote is on Tuesday By LEANNE AKIN lakin@clickthepaper.com
Early balloting is under way for rest of week
Early voting for the Aug. 21 primary runoff is under way in Jackson County with the arrival of the printed ballots on Tuesday afternoon. Jackson County Election Supervisor Lori Wurtz said early voting would begin at 8 a.m. on Wednesday morning. Early voting wll continue from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. today and Friday. There is no early voting on Monday. The polls will be open on Tuesday, Aug. 21, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. The Republican primary runoff in Jackson
County features two races – the 9th District U.S. Representative race between Doug Collins and Martha Zoller and the Sheriff’s race between Ramone Gilbert and Janis Mangum. Also going to a runoff is the nonpartisan Probate Judge face between Sherry Moore and Donna Sikes. In Jackson County, those who voted with a Republican ballot or nonpartisan ballot can return to the polls on Tuesday or vote early. If you didn’t vote in the primary, you can vote
and select a Republican or a nonpartisan ballot. The only race on the nonpartisan ballot is Probate Judge. Wurtz said there was considerable confusion at the primary among individuals who requested a Democratic ballot, cast their ballot and then asked why they didn’t see the Sheriff’s race on their ballot. All seven of the candidates seeking to succeed Stan Evans as Sheriff qualified with the Jackson County Republican Party. In the July 31 primary, Mangum was the top vote-
TURTLE TOUCHDOWN
getter with 4,507 votes and Gilbert advanced to the runoff by getting 2,784 votes to move just ahead of Andy Garrison, who received 2,565 votes. A close margin between second and third in the Probate Judge prompted a call for a recount. The original count stood. Jackson Countians can see their ballots at mvp.sos.state.ga.us. You can also see a sample ballot at the Jackson County Administration Building auditorium where early voting is being held. Wurzt said election-related questions in Jackson County can be directed to her office at 706-367-6377.
Candidates make appeal to local Republicans to return to polls By LEANNE AKIN lakin@clickthepaper.com The Jackson County Republican Party gave candidates in the Aug. 21 runoff an opportunity to connect with a packed house at the Jefferson Clubhouse on Aug. 11. Chairman Kelley Gary presided. Doug Collins opened the candidate forum with enthusiasm that Republican Presidential candidate Mitt Romney’s selection of Paul Ryan as a running mate “is great for America” and “will energize our base.” He said Ryan has already presented a plan and the nation can move forward with a common-sense approach toward tackling the budget. In Georgia, Collins said he has been a part of cutting the size of government with spending cut by 30 percent when adjusted for inflation. The tax burden has been helped somewhat with two tax cuts. Nationally, there are steps needed to get government out of the way of business getting done. “We need to get back to where the community bank is not as endangered as the spotted owl,” he said. Small business needs to be free of the shackles that impede free enterprise. Collins, a pastor for 11 years, who also continues to serve in the military after a tour in Iraq, says he has a proven track record of cutting taxes and protecting values. He says he is a “candidate you can trust.” Martha Zoller, who car-
LeAnne Akin The Paper
The seventh annual Turbo Turtle Trek, benefiting The Tree House, was held Saturday at Crow’s Lake in Jefferson. The event was highlighted by 10,000 tiny rubber turtles being dumped into the lake from a sponsor’s garbage collection truck to make their way across to the finish chute. There, volunteers, including Janis Mangum who signaled a touchdown for the winning turtle, scooped up the top turtles to determine which “adoptive parents” would win prizes. Ray Beaupre of Winder won the top prize – $2,000 in cash. A kids’ festival with inflatables, games, food and activities along with tons of entertainment provided a day of fun for families. The Tree House is the children’s advocacy center serving Jackson, Barrow and Banks counties. See more scenes from Turtle Trek on Page 8-9A and at ClickThePaper.com
ried Jackson County in the July 31 primary, said she was excited by that margin. She continues to talk about her Map for Prosperity and said, “We’ve got to change the way we do things.” She said since 1994 things have gotten offtrack and if the legislators think Obamacare is so great, why didn’t they include themselves in its coverage. She intends to vote to repeal that healthcare measure. Zoller said she supports term limits in an effort to return to citizen-legislators not lifelong legislators. She said she would serve no more than 12 years and will work to trim back the size and scope of government back to what the Constitution provides. Cutting government regulations will help build communities since currently business owner say they are not hiring more people because of more upcoming regulations. Zoller urged people to go to the polls Aug. 21. “Keep involved in the process,” said Zoller, who calls herself a lover of the system. “I want the people to get out and vote so that 10 percent of the people aren’t deciding who will be elected.” Responding to questions, Collins said the EPA doesn’t need to be involved with ethanol and, in fact, doesn’t need to exist. State EPDs should be handling related regulatory control not a thick federal bureaucracy not supported by the Constitution. Collins said the drought has
See FORUM, page 2A
Superintendent Green greeted Welcome event comes on heels of successful school start Dr. John Green, superintendent of the Jackson County School System, was greeted by the West Jackson community at a Sunday afternoon meet-and-greet hosted at Northeast Church. A previous event had been held at the Nicholson Civic Center. Board member Steve Bryant said the meet-and-greets have been a good mingling with the community and a chance to “hear nothing but positive things.” The first week of the 2012-13 school year has been a smooth one with 6,922 students plus Pre-K students putting the system near the 7,300 enrollment number expected by Labor Day.
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At the Aug. 13 meeting of the Jackson County Board of Education, Dr. Green commended the principals and teachers for the work that went into making the start of the school year close to perfection. A Powerpoint of first-day scenes was prepared by Amanda Hewell. Bryant said bringing in Dr. Green as superintendent has been good with his “fresh eyes and difference thoughts.” Of the 40-plus considered for the position, Bryant said, “He is the one who can take up to the next level. It’s all about what we can do for the kids.” Dr. Green was the first candidate interviewed and “he set the
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bar so high.” Bryant said it’s an exciting time to be a part of the education system in Jackson County. “He brings so much to the table and he cares so much about the kids, staff and teachers,” said Bryant, who is pleased with the collaboration between Dr. Green and Assistant Superintendent for Operational Support Jamie Hitzges. With the priorities set, Bryant said the system has its sights set on the big picture. Board member Tim Brooks agreed. “He is a go-getter and is good for the system. He is taking us in the right direction,” said Brooks.
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LeAnne Akin The Paper
Dr. John Green is introduced to Bill and Edna Sell by Board of Education chairwoman Lynne Wheeler at the meet and greet. The Paper P.O. Box 430 Hoschton, GA 30548
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