County Commissioner, District 5 candidates include George Locke Arnold, Dale Green, and incumbent, Ed Nichols. District 5 includes the Northwest portion of Habersham County. The general duties of a Commissioner are: 1) to enact resolutions and ordinances for the general health, safety and welfare of the residents of Habersham County; to levy taxation when necessary to finance the operation of the county government: to plan for future public service needs; and to provide necessary services to safeguard the well-being and safety of the residents.
George Locke Arnold is a welder and owner of Arnold’s Metal in Clarkesville since 1982. He is a certified search and rescue diver and works in five different counties: Habersham, White, Stephens, Rabun and Bank counties. He dives when requested by property owners or law enforcement. He is a concerned citizen as a business owner for 35 years. He feels Habersham County does not have the tax base to support the tax burden and budgets confronting citizens. Locke feels the County needs to address the financial situation at Habersham Medical Center.
Dale Green is a lifelong resident of Habersham County and has owned and operated a cabinet making business. Prior to that, Dale worked for Quality Foods, where over a decade he was a team member who helped double the annual income at the local food store. He feels the Board of Commissioners of Habersham County needs to continue to improve public services like Habersham Medical Center. Mr. Green says he hopes the county can maintain the high quality of life everyone enjoys inHabersham County.
Ed Nichols, the incumbent seeking a second term, feels the County should focus on the needs of Habersham Medical Center, the Habersham Airport, Habersham Industrial Park, SPLOST projects, and an energy efficient annex building for all county administration offices. He explains that we need to do all we can to create new jobs in Habersham County, in order to keep recent high school graduates from moving away and seeking jobs elsewhere. Continued development of better County management procedures is important, Ed says. He feels emphasis should also be placed on taking care of citizens and employees in Habersham.
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