Election day is only a few days away, and Habersham County Commission Candidates Mike Adams, Ty Akins, Locke Arnold and Jason Hogan are on the ballot to fill the District 5 Commissioner position.
Adams, Akins and Hogan all shared information about their campaigns, their goals for Habersham County and their views on local issues with Now Habersham to give voters insight on who they are and what they stand for.
Mike Adams
About Mike: “I’m the youngest candidate on the ticket with fresh ideas and perspectives. As both a property and small business owner, I’m fully invested in the county and its success. With a resume as a current civil servant driving a school bus and running a shop downtown, I get a clear picture of what’s coming and going, as well as what’s important to our residents. [My] platform is very straightforward: smart planned growth. As more and more people are turning their eyes toward the county as the place to settle a family, we MUST have a plan in place. We need to preserve the green places we love and never want developed, and we need to attract the right businesses to call our county home. We also need to support our hometown businesses that have already set up shop so they can grow and thrive.”
Why he’s running: “Now is an incredibly important time for Habersham. We have a huge influx of people trying to move in, which puts a strain as we play catch-up. Let’s be real— we are facing some big decisions that require a great deal of understanding and critical decision-making skills. We need someone who understands the complexity of running a county, with all the nuances. I think I’m a perfect fit for the job.”
Adams’ goals for Habersham: “The goal is to move the county forward with its soul intact. We don’t need a chicken restaurant and Starbucks on every corner. We need to start being proactive instead of reactive to the needs of the county.”
How he plans to approach growth: “Smart and selective growth are key. Number 1—Preserve what’s important to residents. Number 2— Infrastructure is key. We need to attract business we already have planned for, like the business park in Baldwin and along the 365 corridor. Having plans in place for water and sewer to meet the needs of our citizens is absolutely a top priority. Other key issues to growth are the landfill, the hospital, the airport, the post office and our roads and bridges. Housing is also a big issue in the community. We also need a plan for the jail before the state steps in.”
His opinion on the LOST/ESPLOST debate: “Let me first say that the County Commission has no authority over the Board of Education. I also need to disclose that I work for the board, and am not authorized to speak on their behalf. What I can say is that I drive a school bus that is 21 years old, and that none of our standard buses have air conditioning. The fact that my bus is still road-worthy speaks volumes of our maintenance shop personnel. I would direct citizens to look at the publicly published salary lists for our staff and compare them with surrounding counties. From my perspective, it certainly doesn’t seem like the school board is swimming in extra money. If the LOST were to revert, and that would require a public vote, the money would be divided up to the cities. Having watched several city council meetings, the general consensus is that there simply isn’t enough money to fund all the projects and services needed. The argument from the cities is that the influx of LOST funds would allow a reduction in millage rates. The loss of income from the LOST would then cause an increase in millage from the school board. Personally, I have a hard time squaring that the cities would lower rates when they finally have the budget they need to fund all the projects they need. I understand that the city budgets are slim, I just don’t think a repeal of LOST is the answer.”
How Adams plans to serve Habersham’s commission, citizens, and employees: “I will always have an open-door policy. Anyone is free to call or text me at 404-819-1929. With me, it will always be leadership by example. The commissioners are one of the highest-ranking elected officials on a local level, and should always be transparent and have an open mind and heart with the issues. When it comes time for the commission to vote, it is the duty of the commissioner to vote based on what they listened to from the people they represent.”
Ty Akins
About Ty: “I have lived in and owned a business in Clarkesville for over 20 years. My wife and I have raised our family here and we still have one in school at Clarkesville Elementary. My platform is to help ensure that Habersham remains a great place to raise a family while ensuring that our children have the same opportunities to work and live here that we do.”
Why he’s running: “I definitely felt called to serve at this time. I have served this community in many ways over the last 20 years. I think that service prepared me to step up for this time and opportunity.”
Akins’ goals for Habersham: “To manage and plan for the future growth coming our way. To keep the small-town rural character of this community. To continue to work together with the municipalities, school system, existing industries, and residents of this county to keep Habersham a great place to work and live.”
How he plans to approach growth: “We need to grow our commercial tax base to help keep our residential taxes as low as possible. This needs to be planned and managed with input from the people who live here. Where, how and what that growth looks like needs to be in line with public input. We are short on affordable housing so that needs to be addressed as we move forward. Infrastructure is a long-term endeavor and we need to start those plans soon so we can match up to the needs of business and neighborhoods in the future.”
His opinion on the LOST/ESPLOST debate: “The current structure of the LOST tax going to the school system needs to stay as it is in my opinion.”
How Akins plans to serve Habersham’s commission, citizens, and employees: “I have always been accessible to anyone who wants to talk to me. I will continue to do that. If elected, my responsibility will be to the taxpayers and residents first so I will do my best to be a good listener. I plan on being as open-minded towards the current commissioners as possible. We will do our best work when we work together and listen to each other. As a long-time employer, I understand how to treat the people who work for you. They are partners and deserve to be treated respectfully. I will listen to any county employees who have concerns or needs and will respect the chain of command through the County Manager. She has a big job and a lot of responsibility.”
Jason Hogan
About Jason: “[I’m a] Lifelong resident of Habersham County. I [have] worked in sales and industry but focused on K-12 education for the last 20 years. I sat on the Habersham Federal Credit Union board for 9 years and most of my education career has been in administration, budgeting, technology, facilities and operations. I’m running on honesty, transparency and unity. I don’t believe in breaking policy, I do believe the residents of Habersham should be more informed on where the tax money is being spent and I believe that the county, cities and the BOE should work together as one on future decisions.”
Why he’s running: “I’ve enjoyed living in this county and I have no reason to want to move. My children are older now and I look forward to applying my knowledge and time to serve the residents.”
Hogan’s goals for Habersham: “I would like to see Habersham keep its current values, yet I think some expansion in industry and healthcare would help keep our workforce inside the county.”
How he plans to approach growth: “Growth would start with infrastructure. The county does not have a water and sewer department so it would require working closely with the cities on developing expansion. Power is readily accessible and now we can get fiber (communication) to almost anywhere. The four-lane spans the entire county so transportation is very accessible. Once the infrastructure is in place the growth could be controlled by approvals and the jobs would follow.”
His opinion on the LOST/ESPLOST debate: “Leave the LOST/ESPOLST as is. I would not be opposed to entertaining a TSPLOST, if laid out and fully planned for, but ultimately that would be decided by the voters.”
How Hogan plans to serve Habersham’s commission, citizens, and employees: “I will serve Habersham County by dedicating time to listen, research and make decisions based on facts.”
Election day for Habersham County is Nov. 2, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., where the commission seat, as well as city council and a city alcohol sales referendum, will be on the ballot.
For more information on voting locations, dates, times and sample ballots click here.
