Commissioners Welcome New Staff Attorney
News February 10, 2017
DAWSONVILLE, Ga. — The Dawson County Board of Commissioners welcomed new staff attorney Monroe Lynn Frey III to the county at Thursday’s work session.
County Manager David Headley said Frey will be paid $85,000 a year to start and the salary could increase to $90,000 following a six-month probation period. Frey has expressed an interest in hiring a secretary or paralegal which could cost up to $50,000 annually.
Chip King of the Archer Company presented the results of a county employee classification and compensation study his company conducted. The study was first conducted in 2014 but only partially implemented.
The new study covered all 425 employees in 140 job classifications and compared the results to 10 north Georgia cities and counties.
Chairman Billy Thurmond noted that in the last six years, the county has lost more than 400 employees to the public sector or to neighboring cities or counties, costing taxpayers between $1 and $1.5 million.
King called called the county’s 100 percent turnover rate “unheard of.”
He recommended the county adopt and implement the plan to achieve internal equity and market place competitiveness.
David McKee provided a SPLOST VI update. The tax is expected to raise $46 million. The county’s share is 85 percent while the City of Dawsonville will receive 15 percent.
Thus far, the county has collected $9.1 million and spent $4.4 million.
Phase one projects completed include $2.3 million on road projects, $943,019 for a fire truck debt payoff and truck purchase and $707,590 for ambulance purchase.
Phase II projects planned include $5.7 million for road projects on Kelly Bridge, Tanner and Steve Tate, $1.5 million for design and build of the Public Works facility and $564,000 for sheriff’s vehicles.
Steve Fortmann, owner of Royston-based Palladin Wireless proposed a lease with Dawson County that would allow Palladin to place two antennas on the Courthouse in order to provide wireless internet service to customers who are either under served or experiencing unreliable and high cost internet service.
Palladin would pay the county $100 per month for the right to install the antennaes on the courthouse roof. The service would cost customers between $39.99 and $79.99 per month.
Emergency Services Director Lanier Swafford appeared before the board to request approval to partner with the Georgia Firefighter’s Burn Foundation, the Muscular Dystrophy Foundation and KARE for Kids to conduct “Boot Drive” fund raisers for each organization.
Swafford also requested approval to apply for the 2017 Georgia Trauma Commission Grant Program to assist local 911 zoned provider ambulance services to improve the level of trauma care they provide.
Dawson Development Authority’s Future in Jeopardy
News February 1, 2017
DAWSONVILLE, Ga. — With its very existence in jeopardy, the Development Authority of Dawson County held its first meeting of the new year Tuesday to elect a slate of officers and approve a 2017 budget.
Sherry Weeks was re-elected to serve as chairwoman, Brian Sticker was chosen vice chairman.
The budget adopted yesterday was about $150,000 less than 2016 after the Dawson County Board of Commissioners voted late last year to withhold funding for the organization.
Authority members acknowledged this is the final year it can exist at the new funding level.
Asked by one board member, if the county commission understood they may end up with no development authority, Chairwoman Sherry Weeks said she had informed commissioners they did not have the money to operate for more than one year. “They were clear about that,” Weeks said.
The lone county commissioner to attend Tuesday’s meeting was Chris Gaines, who was not on the board at the time commissioners voted against funding the authority in 2017.
Asked to comment, Gaines made it clear that he would like to see the DADC continue its work.
“Speaking only from my perspective, I believe in the mission you guys have in front of you,” he said. “We have to move forward in finding a way to provide the finances this organization needs.”
Although the county commission no longer funds the authority, it does appoint new members, something it is expected to do in the next few weeks.
“The thing we have before us now is to fill the board with qualified candidates,” Gaines said. He added that he is trying to schedule a meeting with newly-elected Commission Chairman Billy Thurmond to discuss future appointments.
“It is my goal to find a way to support you but I’m only one of many,” Gaines added.
Commission Will Have to Amend 2017 Budget to Implement Employee Pay Raise
News March 24, 2017
DAWSONVILLE, Ga. — Dawson County Chief Financial Officer Vickie Neikirk told the Board of Commissioners during Thursday’s work session that implementation of the salary study approved earlier this month would require an increase in the 2017 budget of $374,441.
The salary study calls for a 2% cost of living allowance (COLA) for all employees, placement into range with a moderate progression and a payroll effective date of April 8, 2017.
Fleet Services Director Shannon Harben recommended the Board amend the current Take Home and Vehicle Policy to eliminate future verbal agreements or special conditions. Those verbal agreements currently in effect would still be honored.
Harben also requested Board approval to dispose of surplus items to be sold with the proceeds to be put in a vehicle replacement fund per current policy.
Public Works Director David McKee presented commissioners with a request to issue a purchase order to Bobcat of Atlanta for a Bobcat Excevator in the amount of $64,876.48 through a cooperative agreement with National Joint Powers Alliance (NJPA).
Emergency Services Chief Lanier Swafford asked the Board to approve a contract with Lux Mitigation and Planning Corp., the most responsibe, responsible bidder, in the amount if $18,000 for preparation of the Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan.
Commission Chairman Billy Thurmond read a presentation declaring April as LifeLink National Donate Life Month.
The Board is considering the appointment of the following to the Long Range Planning Committee: Gary Pichon (Chairman), Ronnie Adkins, Teri Tragresser, Jane Graves, Hugh Stowers, Jo Brewer, Tim Costley, Mandy Power and Dick Scharf.
Work sessions are held every two weeks for the purpose of allowing commissioners to discuss and debate issues that can be voted on during the regular sessions which are also held every two weeks.
Commissioners Work Session Set Thursday
News February 8, 2017
DAWSONVILLE, Ga. — Dawson County commissioners will address several key issues at Thursday’s work session, including appointments to the Development Authority, compensation for the new staff attorney, Monroe Frey III, and the results of the 2016 employee compensation study. The meeting begins at 4 p.m. in the Assembly Room of the Government Center.
Those being considered for appointment to the Development Authority include Mike Ball, Brian Trapnell, Steven Melching, Anthony Passarello and Calvin Byrd. If approved, their terms could run through 2020. But Authority Chairwoman Dr. Sherry Weeks said last week the organization may not survive past 2017 without funding from the county.
Commissioners voted late last year to withhold funding from the organization.
Commission Chairman Billy Thurmond and Commissioner Chris Gaines were not on the board when the decision to de-fund the Authority was made so their input could impact that decision.
County staff members will provide presentations regarding proposed dates for the 2017 Emergency Services Boot Drive, a 2017 SPLOST VI update and board appointments and the 2017 Georgia Trauma Commission EMS Trauma Equipment Grant application.
Taxpayer Bills Go Up When County Employees Leave for Higher Paying Jobs in Other Counties
News February 15, 2017
DAWSONVILLE, Ga. — Dawson County officials say more than 400 county employees have left for greener pastures in the last six years, costing taxpayers nearly $1.5 million to hire and train their replacements. That is a turnover ratio of about 100 percent. Thursday county commissioners will vote on a new employee compensation plan aimed at increasing employee retention and saving taxpayers dollars.
Chip King of The Archer Company, a nationally-recognized consulting firm, recently completed a classification and compensation study, comparing Dawson County to Forsyth, Hall, Gwinnett, Cherokee, Gilmer, Lumpkin and Pickens counties and the cities of Gainesville, Canton and Cumming. King said the county’s 100 percent turnover rate is “unheard of.”
He recommended the plan to provide more equitable pay for county employees and make the county more competitive in the marketplace.
Board of Commissioners Chairman Billy Thurmond said the board will consider several options.
It could give a 2 percent, across-the-board pay raise to all employees, bring everyone up to the average minimum, bring everyone up to time in service and class or adopt all or any part of the plan.
He estimated it would cost about $950,000 to implement the plan in its entirety.
“The plan would bring stability to the workforce, increase productivity and be more cost-efficient for taxpayers,” Thurmond said.
Over the last six years, the county has lost approximately 80 Sheriff’s Office employees. The cost to retrain their replacements was $640,000. Thurmond said the Fire Department lost 40 employees and training their replacements cost about $3,500 to $5,000 each
“When an employee leaves the county, you not only lose their productivity but you have to have an experienced employee train them so the experienced employee is only able to do half the job he was hired to do,” Thurmond said.
Commissioners to Discuss Drug Treatment Services Grant at Thursday Work Session
News March 8, 2017
DAWSONVILLE, Ga. — The Dawson County Board of Commissioners will consider a request to allow Drug Treatment Services to apply for a state grant in the amount of $279,514 when they meet in a work session Thursday at 4 p.m. in the Government Center Assembly Room.
Treatment Services Director Debbie Mott says in fiscal year 2018, the county plans to bring HELP Program under Treatment Court as a mental health court track and would like to make one application for state funding. A match of $31,057 would be required from county funds.
The enhanced funding would be used to continue three counselor positions, to attend the state conference, to employ surveillance officers for home visits and drug screen collection, drug testing and supplies, and a desktop and iPad.
Public Works Director David McKee will ask the Board for a letter of support addressed to the Georgia Department of Transportation to install access controls at the intersections of Kilough Church road and SR 400, and the west side of the intersection of the North Georgia Premium Outlets and Home Depot/Walmart intersection. All improvements will be made within the existing Right of Way, and the work will be completed and fully funded by GDOT or their contractors.
GDOT has a grant available for counties to fund unforeseen emergencies. Last winter’s storm damaged a wing wall off Dawson Forest Road and along Blacks Mill Creek that could qualify for the funding. McKee will ask Board Chairman Billy Thurmond to send a letter to GDOT, requesting the funding. County Staff has acquired engineering quotes and prepared cost estimates for design and construction. The total estimated cost is $180,000.
McKee also will ask the Board for authorization to purchase a side arm mower and utility tractor mower utilizing a state contract to replace two Kubota tractors and a John Deer side arm mower. Total cost for the equipment is $210,000 and, if approved, will be purchased with SPLOST VI proceeds.
County Attorney Lynn Frey will ask the Board to consider renewal of an intergovernmental agreement (IGA) with the City of Dawsonville authorizing the county to organize and implement all municipal elections. The IGA is drafted and adopted each odd year and any even year when a special election is called.
Commissioners Approve FY 2018 Budget
News September 22, 2017
Chairman Billy Thurmond
DAWSONVILLE, Ga. – The Dawson County Board of Commissioners approved a FY 2018 budget of $25,516,312, an increase of 4.98 percent over last year’s budget during Thursday’s meeting.
Chairman Billy Thurmond made it clear from the start of the budget process that one of his goals would be to set a realistic budget that did not overestimate the amount of revenue the county would receive.
Commissioners faced several hurdles in balancing the budget. A wage and salary study last summer indicated that county employees were underpaid. To rectify that situation, commissioners approved a salary increase that totaled about $1.08 million. The amount the county pays for employee healthcare also rose by approximately 18 percent.
To help balance the budget and to maintain the 8.138 millage rate, commissioners reduced the fund balance (reserves) by $1.4 million.
The new budget includes $7.3 million for the Sheriff’s Office, an increase of about $500,000 over last year, but stops short of the $8.1 million Sheriff Jeff Johnson requested. During several meetings with commissioners, Johnson said $7.3 million is not enough to allow him to fulfill the duties of his office.
The dispute does not necessarily end with the adoption of the budget. Sheriffs are constitutional officers, elected by the citizens. If push comes to shove, the sheriff can take his appeal through the court system.
Asked today if he and his attorney, Joey Homans, plan to exercise that option, Johnson said, “We have some evaluation to do. We will probably decide by the end of next week.”
Fetch Your News is a hyper local news outlet that covers Dawson, Lumpkin, White, Fannin, Gilmer, Pickens, Union, Towns and Murray counties as well as Cherokee County in N.C. If you would like to follow up-to-date local events in any of those counties, please visit us at FetchYourNews.com
New Attorney Reports to Work Amid Uncertainty
News February 9, 2017
DAWSONVILLE, Ga. — Monroe Lynn Frey III, Dawson County’s new staff attorney, reported to work Monday amid a great deal of uncertainty about compensation, the need to hire a secretary or paralegal, and a potentially costly transition period.
The Board of Commissioners has yet to vote in a regular meeting on Frey’s compensation, although County Manager David Headley said Frey would be paid a salary of $85,000 a year to start and that could increase to $90,000 following a six-month probation period, not including a benefits package. The board is expected to discuss that during tonight’s work session.
Frey has expressed an interest in hiring a secretary or paralegal, something that could cost up to $50,000 annually, not including a benefits package and could require board approval.
Then there is the transition period. Commission Chairman Billy Thurmond said Joey Homans, who has been the county’s contract attorney the past 20 years, will stay on throughout the transition period. How long that will take is unclear. Meanwhile, county taxpayers will be paying two attorneys.
Commissioners voted 3-1 to approve Frey’s hiring with Commissioner Chris Gaines opposed.
Gaines, who was at the state capitol Thursday, said, “My vote was not against Mr. Frey. He was the most qualified of the three that we interviewed. I was just opposed to the process. We interviewed individuals only. I thought we should interview law firms also.”
Homans said he also had concerns about the cost of retaining two attorneys for an undisclosed period of time.
Fire Station 8: A Public/Private Partnership That Save Lives
News November 4, 2016
DAWSON COUNTY, Ga. — In the rugged mountain terrain near the Dawson and Pickens county lines, the roads are steep, narrow and winding. Prior to 2009 it took first responders 30 minutes to reach emergencies. But thanks to a vision, strong fundraising effort, community dedication and the cooperation of elected officials and fire departments Dawson County Fire Station 8 opened and reduced response time to just eight minutes —a life-saving difference!
County resources were stretched thin back then, but residents of an isolated area known as the Wildcat community recognized the need for a fire station and they took it upon themselves to acquire the property, raise the funds to build it, equip it and train volunteer firefighters.
“We started to explore the idea with John Edwards and talked to Lanier Swafford and Billy Thurmond along with Pickens County Commissioner Rob Jones,” said Clayton Preble, one of the originators of the idea. “I give them credit for recognizing how important this was.”
The first step was to find a location and since Dawson County already had a 45,000-gallon water tank on property leased from a landowner in Texas, that seemed to be the right spot. Preble contacted him and explained what they wanted to do.
“After about five minutes, I felt like I was talking to an old friend,” he said. “He thought it was a great idea and leased it to us for $1 a year. In exchange, we promised to keep the grass cut and provide security.”
Next came raising the $90,000 it would cost to build the fire station. Jones told them he could come up with about half that amount and the group set out to raise the rest through community donations. The key selling points, Preble said, were improved fire service and a lower Insurance Service Office (ISO) rating, which would in turn reduce insurance costs for homeowners.
“Raising money was the easiest part,” Preble said. “People really recognized the value of it and were willing to invest. They have already gotten their investment back since the ISO rating dropped from 9 to 5.”
Thurmond and Swafford said they could provide the equipment that would be needed.
From concept to build out took about three years. “So now we had the station and the equipment but no firefighters,” Preble said.
Wildcat is made up of several communities, including Tate, Sassafras Estates and Burnt Mountain. John Tarantini began canvassing the communities in search of volunteers and quickly identified 14 volunteer firefighters.
“They all went through a volunteer firefighter training conducted by Dawson County,” said Tarantini, who has also made sure volunteers stay current on their qualifications. “We’ve gone from being a volunteer firefighting support group to a medical first responder,” Tarantini said.
Since the station was completed, they have responded to about 140 calls with an average response time of 5-10 minutes, a major improvement.
Preble said it could not have been accomplished without the help of area residents, county commissioners like Rob Jones and Dawson County’s Mike Berg or Thurmond and Swafford and Pickens County EMA Director Bob Howard.
There are many rural communities like Wildcat in north Georgia without immediate access to emergency services. Fire Station 8 is just one example how a vision, community involvement and support from local officials can save lives.
Thurmond, Gaines and Nix Post Victories Sheriff, Tax Commissioner Races Head for Runoff
News, Politics May 25, 2016
DAWSON COUNTY, Ga. — Chairman-elect Billy Thurmond was taking a much deserved rest in Florida Wednesday after a landslide victory in last night’s General Primary election.
Thurmond received 3,041 votes to defeat his opponent Peter J. Hill by nearly a 3 to 1 margin.
“We worked real hard to pull this out and we’re very pleased with the results,” he said. Thurmond said his opponent called him to congratulate hi on running a clean race, something both candidates did.
When he returns on Saturday, Thurmond said he wants to get to work on a plan to improve employee retention. “We’ve lost a lot of people in the last five years. I know commissioners are looking at the pay scale not and that’s a good thing. I’m looking forward to working with them on a lot of things.”
Chris Gaines will be the other new face on the Board of Commissioners. Gaines, who will represent District 2, won a very close victory over Tim Davis with 2,015 votes to Davis’ 1,924.
District 4 Commissioner Julie Hughes Nix received 2,556 votes to beat Heather Hulsebus who had 1,495.
Elsewhere, there will be a runoff in the Sheriff and Tax Commissioner races.
Tony Wooten was the top vote getter Tuesday with 1,526 to Jeff Johnson’s 1,156.
The two will meet in the Jume 26 runoff.
Andi Henson Juliette led the way in the Tax Commissioner’s race with 1,212 votes. But Nicole Stewart was a close second with 1,025, enough to secure a place in the runoff.
Candidates Make Their Case at Dawson Forum.
News, Politics May 4, 2016
DAWSONVILLE, Ga. — With the May 24 General Primary three weeks away, candidates for Dawson County Commission Chairman, Tax Commissioner and Commission Districts 2 and 4 presented their case for election Monday night in the Dawson County High School Auditorium.
County Commission Chairman
Commission Chairman candidate Billy Thurmond has served the citizens of Dawson County for 37 years. He started in the Parks and Recreation Department and for the last 14 years has served as the Director of Emergency Services.
Thurmond said a top priority will be improved communications between county government and the citizens as well as the staff and other elected officials. “Communications is the key to success in anything we try to do,” he said.
Thurmond added that the county needs an employment retention plan. ” We’ve seen over 300 employees leave in the last five years,” he said. “That comes at a huge cost to taxpayers of well over $1 million.”
Another proactive plan he wants the Board to implement within the current budget is a road restoration plan where roads can be fixed to provide 10 to 15 years of service.
Thurmond’s opponent Peter Hill is an architect in private practice for 18 years who says what is needed on the Board is business representation.
“I’m a business advocate and I want to see us become an even more pro-business community,” Hill said.
Hill is a member of the Chamber of Commerce who served as Chairman of the Board of Directors in 2013. He served three terms as Chairman of the Development Authority and was appointed by Georgia House Speaker David Ralston to the Georgia Mountains Regional Development Commission.
“I have a balanced vision of economic development,” he said. “I want to bring opportunity to our county so when kids graduate they have place to start their business and grow their family but I would also preserve our crown jewel which is our natural environment.”
District 2 County Commission
Chris Gaines and Tim Davis are the candidates in District 2.
Davis is a truck driver and native of Dawson County. He was elected supervisor of the soil and water conservation district for two terms in the late 1970’s. He says the county is moving in the right direction but needs to prepare for the growth that is coming.
He wants to see most of that growth remain in the Georgia 400 corridor. “I’d also like to ensure our roads and bridges are well maintained, that our children receive a good education and our elderly are well cared for,” he added.
Gaines has lived in Dawson County since 2001. He has a business management degree from the University of North Georgia.
He earned the biggest laugh of the evening when he mocked Donald Trump, saying “My plan is to build a wall around Dawson County and make Forsyth County pay for it.”
Gaines said the county commission has laid a good foundation for the community but now that Chairman Mike Berg and District 2 Commissioner James Swafford are leaving, the commission needs someone who has demonstrated leadership capabilities. The former Dawsonville City Councilman said he is the right choice.
He wants to recruit high tech companies and light industry to the 400 corridor. “Moving forward, we also need a revitalized downtown area with a down home atmosphere and we need to appreciate our rural areas and enjoy them and keep them the way they are.”
District 4 County Commission
Incumbent Commissioner Julie Hughes Nix has served four terms on the Board of Commissioners but said, “I consider myself a career public servant, not a career politician.”
She encouraged voters to look at a candidate’s accomplishments when making their decision.
“We have a new library, a new government center, a new jail, a new fire station and we are redoing the Senior Center,” “The good news is that all of that is already paid for.”
Her opponent Heather Hulsebus is a professional in the healthcare industry, President of the Republican Women of Dawson County and a member of the Dawson County Tea Party. She has also done a great deal of volunteer work in the county for non-profit organizations like Relay for Life.
Hulsebus said she is running because it is time for change, new perspectives and new leadership.
“It’s important that we continue to grow at a rate that all our citizens can handle,” she said. “I know we can find a balance of growth that will allow us to keep the gift that this county has to offer.”
Tax Commssioner
Andi Hinson Juliette has experience managing budgets far larger than that of Dawson County. A graduate of North Georgia College and State University, she is a former analyst for a Department of Defense contractor and the FBI. She has managed budgets in excess of $50 million.
“I’m the only candidate with the experience of managing a budget this size,” she said. “I’ve proven my trustworthiness by way of my top secret security clearance. I’ve proven my ability to deliver the highest level of customer service. If you only remember one thing from tonight, I hope you remember the tax commissioner has a tremendous responsibility and that errors, lack of experience or poor judgement can have an extremely detrimental effect on our quality of life.”
Karin McKee, a native of Dawson County, is making her second bid to become Tax Commissioner. She ran for the office in 2012 and lost by 150 votes. She has worked in the healthcare industry for most of here career. She worked as business office manager for Ashton Woods Convalescent Center in Atlanta where she managed accounts payable and receivable, Medicare billing and served as consultant for medical records. In 1990, she was named assistant administrator and bookkeeper of Knollwood Terrace (Nursing Center) where her responsibilities included hiring staff, setting up policies and procedures, managing budgets and Medicare and Medicaid billing.
“I’m very familiar with budgets between $10 and $18 million,” she said. A top priority for her is to do away with the cold government environment she sees in the Tax Commissioner’s office today.
Johnny Glass is an entrepreneur who built custom homes until the economy drove so many small businessmen out of business. Since then he has owned a towing and recovery service. If he’s elected he said his top priority will be to maintain the current high rate of tax collection. “In my business now, I collect about 99.4 percent,” he said.
Nicole Stewart is also a Dawson County native who has worked in many volunteer organizations, including Relay for Life and the Boy Scouts of America. She is a graduate of North Georgia College and State University and is working on her MBA at Brenau University. In 2015, she was named Dawson County’s Outstanding Citizen.
“I will bring my professionalism, my enthusiasm and my leadership skills to this office,” she said. “I’ve developed and polished my leadership and customer service skills and I know if I’m elected I can do a great job.”
Long time EMA Director Runs For Commission Chairman
News, Politics April 12, 2016
Primary election, Fetch Your News will work hard to present a profile of each candidate running for public office. All candidates will be contacted and offered an opportunity to respond to questions.
DAWSONVILLE — Name recognition will not be a problem for Billy Thurmond as he campaigns for Chairman of the Dawson County Board of Commissioners.
Thurmond has served his Dawson County neighbors for 37 years in the county’s Emergency Management Agency and he brings an impressive resume to the campaign. During his tenure, Dawson County was recognized as the state’s EMA of the Year in 2000. In 2011, he received the Governor’s Public Safety Award for contributions to the profession and, in 2012, he was honored as Georgia’s EMA Director of the year.
Now that he has retired from public safety, Thurmond would like to serve the county as commission chairman.
“I have a good knowledge of the county and its people and I think I can bring something positive to the county, ” he said.
Thurmond says he believes Dawson County is headed in the right direction but his vision is to make government more productive and cost efficient.
He said he would begin by stemming the flow of valued county employees away from the county to other municipalities that can offer higher pay and incentives.
“I’ve made a study the county’s workforce and discovered we’ve had a great deal of turnover,” he said. “We’ve lost 300 employees in the last 5 years. We’ve become a training ground for county employees who then move on to other municipalities and that’s not cost efficient. I want to make sure we’re competitive in the work force.”
Fleet maintenance is another area where Thurmond said some savings may be found.
“Sixty per cent of our county vehicles are at least 10 years old and have 175,000 miles. We need to take a good look at that and see if it might be more cost effective to replace them rather than continue to repair them.”
Thurmond said he is well aware of the growth headed toward Dawson County.
“We are going to experience a lot of growth and I want to make sure that growth is tied to our land use plan,” he said. “I want our county to maintain its natural beauty.”
Thurmond said he wants the citizens of Dawson County involved in planning how that growth takes place.
“Our citizens are our greatest asset,” he said. “I would like to form some type of citizen committee to have them help us plan for the future and make recommendations to the BOC.”
Thurmond and his wife Lisa are active members of Kilough Church. They have two grown sons and one grandson.
Bearden, Sosebee Wrap Up Qualifying in Dawson Co.
News, Politics March 8, 2016
DAWSONVILLE, Ga. — Qualifying closed Friday in Dawson County with two more candidates tossing their hats in the ring. Incumbent Ted Bearden qualified to run for County Coroner and Frank Sosebee became the fourth candidate to qualify to run for Sheriff.
Ted Bearden Coroner
Sheriff Candidate
Tony Wooten
Jeff Perry
Jeff Johnson
Frank Sosebee
School Board Dist. 1
Doris Cook
School Board District 2 Candidate
Elaine Wilson
School Board Dist. 4
Roger Slaton
Tax Commissioner Candidate
Johnny Glass
Karin McKee
Tony Stewart
Probate Judge Candidate
Jennifer Burt
County Commissioner Dist. 2 Candidate
Chris Gaines
Tim Davis
County Commissioner Dist. 4
Heather Hulsebus
Julie Hughes Nix
Magistrate Judge Candidate
Lisa Thurmond
County Commission Chairman Candidate
Billy Thurmond
Peter Hill
Tax Commissioner Candidate
Andi Henson Juliette
Coroner
Ted Bearden