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Georgia GOP chairman, Trump chief advisor dealt setbacks in Fulton election probe

By
Stanley Dunlap
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WASHINGTON, DC DECEMBER 18: Rep. Mark Meadows (R-NC) speaks to reporters in Statuary Hall at the U.S. Capitol as debate on the articles of impeachment against President Trump continues on December 18, 2019 in Washington, DC. Later today the U.S. House of Representatives will vote on two articles of impeachment against U.S. President Donald Trump charging him with abuse of power and obstruction of Congress. (Photo by Drew Angerer/Getty Images)

(GA Recorder) — The Georgia Republican Party chairman and a close advisor to former President Donald Trump were dealt setbacks this week in a Fulton County investigation into potential illegal interference in the 2020 presidential election.

Fulton County Judge Robert McBurney ruled on Wednesday that Georgia GOP Chairman David Shafer cannot be represented by the same attorneys as 10 other Republican electors who were subpoenaed to testify about their roles in casting false electoral votes for Trump in the aftermath of his loss to President-elect Joe Biden. McBurney’s ruling comes a day after the South Carolina Supreme Court ordered former White House chief of staff Mark Meadows to testify in the wide-spanning probe in which a special grand jury is tasked with recommending whether Fulton prosecutors should pursue criminal charges that could include solicitation and conspiracy to commit election fraud.

McBurney said that an impartial lawyer would not advise 10 of the alternate electors to share counsel with Shafer and that their attorneys, Kimberly Burroughs Debrow and Holly Pierson, have to decide to represent either Shafer or the other alternate Republican electors who were subpoenaed in July.

McBurney said that Shafer’s potential complicity to criminal charges is much higher than the other electors since he had a role in coordinating the meeting in which the fake electors cast their false ballots in favor of Trump after the controversial election.

Attorneys for the electors argued there was not a conflict of interest since Shafer and the other electors have similar interests and had not broken the law by casting votes in anticipation of courts overturning the election. During that time, there were last-ditch efforts of failed lawsuits challenging results under unfounded claims of election fraud securing Biden’s victory in Georgia by about 12,000 votes. On Jan. 6, insurrectionists breached the U.S. Capitol as Trump sought to prevent Congress from certifying the election.

“Given the information before the Court about his role in establishing and convening the slate of alternate electors, his communications with other key players in the District Attorney’s investigation, and his role in other post-election efforts to call into question the validity of the official vote count in Georgia, the court finds that he is substantively differently situated from the other ten clients jointly represented by Pierson and Debrow,” McBurney wrote.

According to a report released by Brookings Institute on Nov. 14, signs are indicating that Trump is at risk of prosecution and several of his closest allies have already been caught up in the investigation, including former personal attorney Rudy Giuliani, U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham and Meadows, who on Tuesday, was denied by the South Carolina Supreme Court a motion to quash the summons to testify in Georgia.

Meadows was on Trump’s telephone call with Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger in January 2021 when Trump urged Raffensperger to secure enough votes for him. Meadows also visited Cobb County’s election office in December 2020 but was prevented from viewing an election audit.

A recording of that conversation led Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis to pursue the lengthy special investigation that has allowed jurors to hear from dozens of witnesses for up to a year before making their report.

Fulton prosecutors last week questioned Graham about a phone call he had with the secretary of state about disqualifying absentee votes in the 2020 election. The South Carolina Republican lawmaker has said was acting in his congressional capacities as chair of a judicial committee and certifying the election when he contacted Georgia election officials.

Two more Trump confidants, former Republican U.S. House Speaker Newt Gingrich and former national security adviser Michael Flynn, are battling subpoenas in court.

On World AIDS Day, Georgia leads the nation in new HIV cases — and Atlanta is a hot spot

By
Ellen Eldridge
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Reggie Batiste, left, program manager with AIDS Healthcare Foundation, administers a free HIV test as part of National HIV Testing Day, Thursday, June 27, 2013, in Atlanta. Health officials say more than 1.1 million people in the U.S. are living with HIV, but 20 percent of them don't know it. Health officials say HIV testing is critical to stopping the spread of the virus. Georgia ranks sixth in the nation for the number of AIDS cases reported through the end of 2009. (AP Photo/David Goldman)

Dec. 1 is World AIDS Day, and Georgia is the No. 1 state in the country for new infections. In 2018, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention called HIV in Atlanta an epidemic, and cases are not slowing down.

A diagnosis of human immunodeficiency virus or HIV is no longer a death sentence if caught early and treated.

But even with rapid tests and effective drugs readily available, HIV still remains an epidemic.

National Director for Communications and Community Engagement for AIDS Healthcare Foundation Imara Canady called HIV and the disease it causes, acquired immunodeficiency disorder or AIDS, a critical illness.

“If we can, first of all, get folks tested and then get them into care and maintain their care, people across our country are not only living but thriving while living with HIV,” said Canady, who also serves as a board member for the Atlanta-based National Center for Civil and Human Rights.

Canady said World AIDS Day, recognized annually on Dec. 1, is a time to bring communities together.

“I think it’s also a time of reflection,” he said.

He emphasized the need to recognize and elevate the work that still needs to be done.

“I wish that I could say that we are proud of where Georgia and particularly the Atlanta Metropolitan Community ranks in terms of new HIV diagnosis annually,” he said. “But we continue to rank in the top five states and cities across the country.”

The 2022 UNAIDS World AIDS Day report reveals that inequalities are obstructing the end of AIDS, and, according to current trends, the world will not meet agreed global targets on AIDS by the 2030 goal.

“Millions of lives are at stake,” the organization reported. “The new UNAIDS report shows that only urgent action to tackle inequalities can get the world’s AIDS response on track. It shows how world leaders can tackle those inequalities, and calls on them to be courageous in doing so.”

Atlanta has one of the highest HIV infection rates in the world

Rates of New HIV Diagnoses in the US and Dependent Areas, 2020. (Credit: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)

Dangerous inequalities contribute to the AIDS epidemic in the South, where more than half of new HIV diagnoses in 2019 were reported. Half of those new cases were among Black people.

The latest data cited by Dr. Melanie Thompson show Black people make up 72% of new HIV diagnoses, and almost 10% of new cases are among Hispanic or Latino individuals.

“And only 16% being in white persons,” she said. “So the racial disparities are really stark here in Georgia.”

Thompson said Georgia is getting better at tracking data related to transgender people, who make up about 3% of new HIV cases.

“What we are seeing here is an epidemic that really mirrors the kind of health disparities that we see in other diseases, and is part and parcel of our socioeconomic, social determinants that are really tilted against people of color,” she said.

Georgia ranks in the top five nationally for people living with HIV — over 60,000 in 2020.

In fact, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that one in 51 people in Atlanta, may be infected with HIV/AIDS at any given time, and, in 2018, declared HIV/AIDS an epidemic in the most populous city in Georgia.

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Michael Hokanson, the spokesperson for the North Central Health District, which serves 13 Georgia counties, said in July that he blames the COVID-19 pandemic for the lack of recent HIV data and for people falling out of care.

“For about a year into the COVID-19 pandemic, our health departments were essentially focused entirely on COVID-19 testing,” Hokanson said. “A lot of our services went by the wayside.”

In addition to the burdens on clinics during the pandemic, the monkeypox virus has been exacerbating the places taking care of people with HIV.

“And all of that without substantial new funding and without substantial increase in our workforce,” Thompson said. “In fact, our workforce has declined over time and continues to decline as people leave medicine, move to other places, and some of them get sick and burned out.”

Another problem, Thompson said, is that people are finding out they have been living with HIV for awhile.

 

Funding prevention and care through Medicaid

Both Thompson and Canady agree that providing better access to preventative measure like testing and access to ongoing care is the best way to save lives and stop the spread of HIV. But Georgia remains committed to not expanding Medicaid.

Gov. Brian Kemp succeeded in making Georgia the only state in the country with a work requirement for Medicaid coverage.

Eve Byrd with the Carter Center previously said the waivers’ proposed requirements are a step backward for the state, which already ranks poorly for many health-related issues including maternal care.

To require people with mental health conditions to work in order to receive health care — when they’re at the poverty level already — is really quite absurd, Byrd said, adding that no one expects to get sick, be it with cancer or depression.

The Carter Center said in its statement that people in Georgia with mental health and substance use disorders “need access to health insurance first, so that they can stabilize their conditions and become capable of holding a steady job to support themselves in the long term.”

Byrd said about 20% of the population faces these health issues.

“It’s not friendly to the general population, and it’s certainly not friendly to those who every day are trying to receive the health care they need for their chronic disability,” Byrd said.

Canady said Medicaid expansion advocates must speak up, speak out and remind elected officials, from the federal level to the state, county and individual municipality levels, of the importance of ensuring proper funding for HIV care, treatment and prevention.

“Georgia must expand Medicaid,” Thompson said.

The state ran a $6.57 billion surplus during fiscal 2022 and now has a record $5.24 billion on hand. Much of that money comes from federal COVID relief funds that were not spent in Georgia.

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This article appears on Now Habersham through a news partnership with GPB News

Georgia Power wants to bill ratepayers for grid upgrade, shareholder gains

By
Stanley Dunlap
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Georgia Power wants to raise average residential electric rates by 12% to support a $1 billion investment in its electric grid, transmission lines, and distribution system. Representatives of the state’s largest utility argued at Tuesday’s Georgia Public Service Commission hearing the steep investment will prepare it to meet the needs of the state’s growing population. (Robert Zullo/States Newsroom)

(GA Recorder) — A co-founder of an Atlanta organization that mentors underserved youth urged Georgia Power executives and state regulators on Tuesday to consider the families who are dressing their children before sunrise before making a final decision regarding a steep hike in electricity rates.

State regulators wrapped up a series of Georgia Power rate case hearings on Wednesday, and time is running out for all concerned to make their arguments before commissioners are set to vote by Dec. 20 on a case that affects the utilities of 2.7 million customers in Georgia.

Georgia Power is proposing to hike its residential electricity rates by about $200 on the average household bill by 2025. The three-year incremental increase would begin next year with $14.32 added to the monthly bill before topping out at $16.

During Tuesday’s public comment portion of the Georgia Public Service Commission rate case hearing to consider, KaCey Venning, co-founder and executive director of Atlanta’s Helping Empower Youth, told the five-member panel that lack of access to basic water and electricity is tied to broader social ills, including a lack of affordable housing and inequities in education.

“Many of the older youth work multiple jobs because costs are rising and the income is not,” she said.

Georgia Power says the higher rates are needed to cover $1 billion to beef up an electric grid that will reduce customer power outages and help keep up with the state’s growing population. The company is also planning to invest heavily in transmission and distribution wire projects as it transitions from fossil fuels to renewable energy.

But the PSC staff disputed testimony for the clean energy and consumer groups over the need for ratepayers to pay the tab for long-term investments in the grid and transmission and distribution lines when there is a significant amount of financing that will become available in the next three years through the federal Inflation Reduction Act and other programs.

PSC staff and some intervenors in the case want the commission to delay letting Georgia Power collect most of its rate hike next year as it is requesting, especially the looming tab in 2023 tied to the nuclear expansion at Plant Vogtle and for higher fuel costs.

Georgia Power’s chief financial officer, Aaron Abramovitz, said ignoring the grid’s needs would harm customers and undermine the company’s financial health.

He objected to the idea that shareholder earnings and capital structure caps could be lower, as well as a proposal for the company to come back every year for rate changes instead of the three-year cycle in place now. The PSC staff wants to limit Georgia Power to a 9.45% return on equity, down from the current target of 10.5%, while Georgia Power wants to increase earnings to 11%, which could net upwards of $90 million more for its shareholders.

PSC commissioner questions link between rate hike, efficiency

Commissioner Lauren “Bubba” McDonald asked Georgia Power executives how changes in national policy and economic conditions could factor into some changes to the company’s financial projections since the initial case was filed in June. McDonald said that he is concerned about Georgia Power pushing for a significantly higher earning capacity using the claim that it will help the company maximize its efficiency.

“Does it take the carrot out there to make you operate and manage because there are businesses all over the state that have to make adjustments and they make it because they can’t meet the needs based on their income,” McDonald said.

Abramovitz said if the current plan isn’t approved, it would remove key customer benefits, such as predictable electric rates and revenue sharing. The PSC staff and other critics of its proposal disregard the fact that a global pandemic and increased costs for businesses and consumers since the 2019 rate case, he said.

“Growing pressure on supply chain and labor markets. significant increases in the federal funds rate and cost of borrowing and evolving customer needs, demands or requests for increased distributed energy resources and carbon-free energy,” Abramovitz said. “What has remained constant includes this commission’s continued constructive and balanced approach that ensures customers continue to see clean, safe, reliable and affordable electricity.”

The state regulatory agency’s attorney Dan Walsh said that Georgia Power agreed in its 2019 rate case to a step increase on rates, a gradual hike that starts low and increases over time.

Tuesday’s rate case hearing focused on Georgia Power’s plans to end a monthly solar pilot program that is limited to 5,000 customers. The company says non-solar customers are subsidizing the ones tying their solar power generation into the electrical grid.

David Hill, a consultant with Vermont-based Energy Futures Group, said that Georgia’s net metering program has been an early success and could grow more than five times before reaching the national average of 1.1% of customers with distributed rooftop solar.

The company’s proposed changes would severely damage the growth in Georgia’s rooftop solar market, he said.

Glen Watkins, who leads an economic research and consulting firm, testified Tuesday on behalf of the PSC staff that the more appropriate course is for Georgia Power to determine what is a fair amount to offer consumers who sell excess electricity back to the system.

“You’re trying to portray the aspect of the customers getting energy for free, no, they’re paying for the delivered portion, and then they’re being compensated for what’s being delivered back into the system,” he said. “Now the $64,000 question is, is the amount that has been compensated for too high, too low, or just right?”

So far, Georgia Power has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars in coal ash cleanup costs from its customers, and its executives have said it expects to ask the PSC to approve more cost-shifting to ratepayers next year.

Georgia Power is also asking for reimbursement for coal ash cleanup and intends to seek to recover fuel costs tied to skyrocketing natural gas prices in a volatile energy market. So far, Georgia Power has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars in coal ash cleanup costs and is at odds with environmental organizations about a cap-in-place method for the company’s plan to leave toxic ash sitting in groundwater instead of permanently sealing lined ash ponds.

In the meantime, customers are set to get billed again next year as soon as the third nuclear generator at Plant Vogtle cranks up, and the company is expected to ask for another increase once the final unit is up and running.

Last month, Georgia Power marked a milestone in nuclear energy development for the expansion project that ballooned to a $34 billion budget-buster since construction started in 2009, double the cost from the initial projections.

With the first fuel loaded into the Vogtle unit generator this fall, Georgia Power marked a milestone in nuclear energy development. It was a rare bit of good news for a project state regulators considered shutting down a few years ago.

Athens teen charged with murder in woman’s shooting death

By
Staff Report
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Police arrested an Athens teenager Wednesday afternoon for a shooting a month ago that killed a young woman and wounded another teen.

Athens-Clarke police charged 18-year-old Daviae Massir Oliver with murder and aggravated assault.

Oliver was arrested at a residence on the 100 block of Pinehurst Court, Lt. Shaun Barnett told reporters. He was booked into the Athens-Clarke County Jail and is being held without bond.

Police say 20-year-old Ndya Hill of Athens was shot multiple times. Officers on patrol found her and a wounded 17-year-old boy on Rolling Ridge Drive after hearing gunshots in the area around 12:30 on the morning of October 28.

Police administered lifesaving care at the scene, but Hill died at a local hospital. The wounded teen was also shot more than once and survived, according to police.

Barnett told reporters that Hill and Oliver were known to each other. He says the motive for the shooting is still under investigation.

Anyone with information about the shootings is asked to contact Sgt. Black at 762-400-7058 or [email protected], or Detective Lister at 762-400-7333 or [email protected].

Van carrying probation work detail crew crashes in White County

By
Joy Purcell
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A van carrying six probationers headed to a work detail crashed early Wednesday morning in White County. The wreck on State Route 75 Alternate near Myra Branch Road sent one of them to the hospital and left five others complaining of injuries.

The group from Colwell Probation Detention Center in Blairsville was riding in a Ford Econoline van owned by the Georgia Department of Natural Resources. They were on their way to work at Unicoi State Park around 8:30 a.m. when the guard who was driving ran into a ditch.

58-year-old Anthony Cleveland Nelson of Blue Ridge told state troopers he was blinded by the sun. He steered to the right after feeling he was traveling across the centerline. The van traveled onto the south shoulder of the road and struck the ditch.

The Georgia State Patrol says 31-year-old Jairus Betts was transported to the hospital for treatment following the wreck.

Truck driver uninjured when rig overturns

By
Joy Purcell
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Trash spilled from the overturned truck, causing quite a mess. It took several hours to clean it up. The Exit 20 off-ramp reopened around noon on Nov. 29, 2022. (HCSO)

A tractor-trailer driver walked away uninjured after his rig overturned on an I-985 off-ramp in Hall County.

Authorities say 41-year-old Laurent Lalanne of Gainesville was hauling trash when the accident occurred around 10:10 a.m. Tuesday.

(HCSO)
(Hall County Sheriff’s Office)

The wreck shut down the I-985 northbound Exit 20 (GA 60/Candler Road) for several hours as crews worked to clear the scene.

Hall County deputies cited Lalanne for failure to maintain lane and driving too fast for conditions.

James C. “Jim” Smith

By
Now Habersham
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With a sad heart, we said our final goodbye to Jim Smith of Gainesville. He passed peacefully at home with his loving wife, Mariko. Jim fought hard to live, and he was grateful for every additional day he was given. He found his peace in life and in death.

As real as Jim’s mistakes were in his life, his journey for atonement and a search for a real understanding of his place in this life prevailed. His genuine humility and acceptance of love ushered him into a place of peace for which we all desire. His out loud laughter and ready smile will be missed. Now, our tears will bring smiles as we breathe a sigh of relief for our Jim. A full breath that even he can now freely sigh.

Survived by his wife, Mariko, bonus daughters, Aiko Hollingsworth, Makiko Hollingsworth, and son-in-law, Preston Croy. Last but not least, his furbabies of Together Farms will miss the peanut butter crackers, carrots, and cat treats he freely gave to them all – Cats Max, Zorra, and Xedo. Horses Ebonight and Jaylah. Donkeys Alf, Charlotte, and Cleo. Goats Sallie and Sissy. Barn cats Casper and Tux.

Jim wanted us to celebrate the time we had with him. Please join us in a celebration of life at 2 Dog, 317 Spring Street, Gainesville, on Monday, December 12, 2022, from 5:30-8:30.

You may sign the online guestbook or leave a condolence at www.wardsfh.com.

Ward’s Funeral Home of Gainesville is honored to serve the family of James “Jim” Smith.

David Randall Stephens

By
Now Habersham
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David Randall Stephens, 66 of Cornelia, Georgia went home to be with the Lord on November 29, 2022.

Mr. Stephens was born November 17, 1956 to the late Lee Jackson and Jessie Bell Stephens. David can be described by his family as a good person and brother, humble and big hearted. Along with his parents Mr. Stephens is preceded in death by his wife Nancy Stephens; brothers Jack Stephens, Danny Stephens and Roger Stephens.

He is survived by his sister Gail Kastner; brother and sister-in-law Mark and Debrah Stephens as well as a host of nieces, nephews and cousins.

David’s wishes were to be cremated and laid to rest with his wife Nancy.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the Whitfield Funeral Homes & Crematory, South Chapel. 1370 Industrial Blvd., Baldwin, Georgia, 30511. Telephone 706-778-7123.

Single-lane closure on I-85 northbound bridge south of Commerce

By
Now Habersham
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One northbound lane of I-85 near the Commerce exit will be closed for bridge maintenance on Dec. 1, 2022. Heavier construciton is slated to begin soon in the area as crews work to widen the interstate. (GDOT)

Drivers passing through Jackson County on Interstate 85 Thursday should plan for possible delays.

The Georgia Department of Transportation (Georgia DOT) will close one northbound lane for bridge maintenance over the North Oconee River. The lane will be closed from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. on December 1.

(GDOT)

Traffic will be reduced to one lane from approximately mile marker 144 to 145. Motorists are advised to expect delays, using their preferred navigation apps where necessary, and drive carefully through the work zone. Law enforcement officials will be present for traffic control.

This work is part of the construction of the I-85 Widening, Phase III project which will widen the interstate from two to three lanes between US 129 to US 441 in Jackson and Banks counties. Heavy construction is expected to begin soon.

NGTC names finalists for 2023 GOAL Program

By
Now Habersham
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Pictured, left to right, are Kristen Henderson, Medical Assisting student; Jana Walker, Early Childhood Care and Education student; NGTC President John Wilkinson; Teresa Burton, Culinary Arts student; and Sydney Roberts, Photography student.

North Georgia Technical College recently named four students as finalists for the Georgia Occupational Award of Leadership. GOAL, a statewide program of the Technical College System of Georgia, honors excellence in academics and leadership among the state’s technical college students.

NGTC’s finalists are Teresa Burton of Cleveland, a culinary arts student nominated by instructor Alex Bladowski; Kristen Henderson, a medical assisting student from Mineral Bluff, Georgia, who was nominated by her instructor Carrie Rodriguez; Sydney Roberts of Statesboro, nominated by photography instructor, Melissa Henderson; and Jana Walker, an early childhood care and education student from Cleveland who was nominated by early childhood instructor Kelly Smith.

Other nominees this year include Samantha Byers of Blairsville; Valentino DiGiorgio of Hartwell; James Edley of Buford; Corey Fern of Clarkesville; Pamela Grindle of Cleveland; Emily Linz of Cornelia; Olivia Lowman of Blairsville; Alexander Mullins of Hiawassee; Ariana Reel of Mineral Bluff; Lana Rice of Toccoa; Nannie Sesser of Cleveland; Kimberly Shirley of Tiger; Joseph Smith of Eastanollee; Samantha Turner of Toccoa; Carmen Vidal of Toccoa; and Maria Yepez Garcia of Tiger.

“We are very proud of each of these students for their hard work and dedication to pursuing excellence in their chosen programs,” says NGTC GOAL Coordinator Madison Hopkins. “The nominees have done a tremendous job representing NGTC, and I know our judges had a difficult time selecting the finalists from such an outstanding group of students. We wish them all continued success as they achieve their goals.”

The four finalists will compete on January 12, 2023, in front of a panel of business, civic, and industry leaders, who will select the college’s 2023 GOAL winner. The NGTC GOAL winner will then represent NGTC at the regional and state competitions.

Cornelia PD recognized for maintaining professional policing standards

By
Staff Report
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The Cornelia Police Department achieved state certification again in 2022, marking 15 years of consistent certification through the Georgia Chiefs of Police Association. Pictured here are, left to right, Asst. Cornelia Police Chief Kevin Marsteller and Cornelia Police Chief Jonathan Roberts.

The Cornelia Police Department is being recognized for its commitment to maintaining professional policing standards. Recently, the department received a Meritorious Silver Award from the Georgia Law Enforcement Certification Program recognizing its first decade as a certified police force.

The new award program honors those agencies that have maintained their certification through the Georgia Association of Chiefs of Police for 10 and 20 years.

“We are proud of the fact that this year we received our Meritorious Silver Award for maintaining and meeting, and exceeding, the standards for ten consecutive years,” says Cornelia Police Chief Jonathan Roberts. “Currently, we are in our 15th consecutive year and look forward to obtaining our 20-year award in a few more years.”

In July 2007, Cornelia PD became the first law enforcement agency in Habersham County to become certified through the police chiefs association. It remains the only certified police department in Habersham and one of only 137 law enforcement agencies statewide, out of more than 1,100, to have earned this distinction.

Certification signifies a law enforcement agency adheres to GACP’s professional standards, considered best practices for policing. Every three years, a team of assessors inspects records and facilities to determine if individual agencies are meeting those standards. The assessors critically examine the agency by inspecting files and records, police vehicle fleets, communications centers, and evidence and property control functions to ensure that policies and procedures meet or exceed acceptable law enforcement practices.

Of the 137 currently certified agencies, only 13 have earned a Meritorious Silver Award.

Two South Carolina credit unions to merge with Peach State

By
Now Habersham
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Pictured left to right are Peach State FCU President/CEO Marshall Boutwell, Pickens FCU Board Chairman Phil Reece, and Pickens FCU President/CEO Clayton Kerr. (photo submitted)

Peach State Federal Credit Union is expanding. The Lawrenceville-based credit union is merging with operations in Pickens and Abbeville, South Carolina.

Members of Pickens Federal and Abbeville Community Community Federal Credit Union agreed to the mergers in meetings held at their main branches on November 29.

The financial mergers have been approved by the National Credit Union Administration and take effect on December 1, 2022, Peach State officials say.

“Our Board and staff are elated about the endless possibilities created for our members through this union with Peach State,” says Pickens Federal President and CEO Clayton Kerr. “We will continue to focus on serving the members in our community with the highest level of care, but now with even more products and support.”

Members of Abbeville Community Federal Credit Union approved the merger with Peach State during a meeting at its Abbeville branch on Nov. 28, 2022. Pictured are Abbeville Community FCU Board Chairman Chuck Nash, Abbeville Community FCU Manager Trish Fuller, and Peach State FCU President/CEO Marshall Boutwell. (photo submitted)

Pickens Federal Credit Union was founded in 1961 as the Diehl-Poinsett Federal Credit Union and provided services to all Singer Company employees. In 2001, the credit union was approved for a community charter, expanding its field of membership to include service to anyone who lives, works, worships, or attends school in Pickens County, South Carolina. They also welcomed the teachers and employees of the School District of Pickens County into their field of membership in 2011, which ties in with Peach State’s start as an education-based credit union.

“We are excited to join forces with a like-minded credit union, one whose Board and management share a similar vision and has ties to the local education system. It is our hope that combining our resources will enhance the financial well-being of both the community and lives of those in Pickens County,” says Peach State President and CEO Marshall Boutwell.

Boutwell calls the merger with Abbeville a “great example of a cooperative unity” saying it demonstrates a strong commitment to the credit union philosophy of ‘people helping people.’

Abbeville was founded in 1971 to serve the needs of local railroad employees and their immediate families in Abbeville, Greenwood, Anderson, and McCormick counties. In January 2004, Abbeville was granted a community charter, and in July 2011, it became federally chartered. Their field of membership includes service to anyone who lives, works, worships or attends school in Abbeville County, SC, as well as any businesses.

“There is no better time than the present to bring about positive changes for our members,” says Abbeville Community FCU Manager Trish Fuller. “Our focus remains on our members and understanding their needs. We’re excited about this merger as it will create more opportunities to expand services and deepen relationships for the communities we serve.”

Peach State is an $820 million credit union that serves more than 75,000 members in Georgia and South Carolina. The credit union has branches across Northeast Georgia in Athens, Carnesville, Cornelia, Jefferson, Watkinsville, Winder, and Young Harris.

Operating as a not-for-profit financial cooperative, Peach State’s mission is to provide quality financial services that meet the needs and exceed the expectations of its member-owners.

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