The Habersham County Primary Debate, held Thursday, May 9th at the Demorest Municipal Complex, covered topics from impact fees, privatizing county-funded programs, and budgets, to building a new jail, what can and can’t be used for SPLOST and so much more.
Eight candidates debated to an audience of over 150 people. It was an informative evening, leaving many undecided voters confident about their choices.
One of the hot topics was how to handle the growth in Habersham County. There were discussions about the addition of impact fees. An impact fee is typically a one-time payment on a property developer to offset a new development’s financial impact on public infrastructure like roads, schools, water, and sewerage.
Wade Rhodes, candidate for District 4, talked about assessing commercial properties. “The tax accessor’s office handles evaluations. They are appointed by the Commissioners. The Board is not doing its job to access commercial properties. If the work was done to reaccess all our commercial properties the residential taxpayer would get a break.”
With growth comes additional needs for services. The candidates had various ideas as to how to fund the ever-pressing demands.
District 4 incumbent Bruce Harkness said, “We have to fight against this uncontrolled growth that’s coming into our county. If we don’t fight to protect our way of life, in ten years we will all be looking back, scratching our heads saying ‘What the heck happened?'”
There were varying opinions on whether we need a new jail or not. Locke Arnold, who is a candidate for District 5 rose to his feet, “Forget about using county money to build a jail, we use their money instead of ours.” He stressed that when there is a product or service needed, and you meet that demand, you make money. By housing other inmates from other counties, we will make money.
Gigi McGugan, District 5 candidate pointed out about the jail, “We need to maintain the one we currently have.” McGugan emphasized, “We already have an animal shelter, why not build on the one we have?” She did not see the need to spend millions of dollars on something new but stressed renovation.
The topic of trust in our government and transparency was questioned. Eric Holbrooks, District 1, said, “I’m going out and talking to people. Meeting them right where they are. Figuring out what is best for them. Being transparent. Communicating. Building relationships.”
Bruce Palmer of District 1 talked about the Town Hall meetings and their significance to the community. “I typically do them once per quarter. I wish that there was a turnout like this at one of them. That is a way to try and be transparent. To tell you what is going on in our local government.”
Regarding privatizing businesses that the county is maintaining, Kelly Woodall for District 1 used the example of gymnastics. “When the county took over gymnastics it cost the county $500,000.” Woodall believes that when it comes to businesses that can be privatized, the government should be a conduit for business. “To say that the government will do something at a lower cost and more efficiently forgets the fact that the government charges you upfront a tax to fund the infrastructure.”
Ty Akins, who is currently serving as Chairman of the Commissioners, talked about his Republican values. “My whole life I was raised Republican. When you run a small business, you really don’t have a choice but to be conservative. You have to make it work when there is very little. Republican values are what I brought into the office when I was elected.”
The night was one to remember. If you have not heard the debate, it is worth listening to on Now Habersham. Candidates did not have the questions before the debate, nor did they know the topics of conversation. It allows you, the reader, to learn what each commissioner candidate believes and if it is in line with your values and opinions.
