Local News
Democrats air platforms at candidates' forum
The Republican leadership in Washington doesn’t have the best interests of ordinary Americans at heart, says Democrat John Bradbury.
Bradbury is challenging incumbent Republican Nathan Deal in the November election for Georgia’s Ninth Congressional District, which includes Whitfield and Murray counties. He was one of four candidates who addressed the Whitfield County Democratic Party Tuesday night at the Judicial Building.
“We need to stand up and tell everyone we are not satisfied with what’s going on,” Bradbury told an enthusiastic audience of about 50.
Bradbury, a truck driver and former school teacher from Rising Fawn, accused Republicans of rolling back protections for air and water. And he pointed to deficit spending and the increase in the federal debt that has occurred while Republicans have had control of the federal government.
“We are spending our children’s inheritance,” he said.
Bradbury acknowledged he is an underdog, but he said he can win if Democrats turn out in force.
Jeannie Babb Taylor said Georgia is suffering from a health care crisis, an education crisis and an economic crisis.
Taylor, a Catoosa County resident, is challenging Republican incumbent state Rep. Ron Forster in the election for state House of Representatives District 3. District 3 includes most of Catoosa County and parts of western and southern Whitfield County.
Taylor said the state has seen $1.25 billion cut from education in recent years, and she said the state has had the highest foreclosure rate in the nation.
Taylor vowed to work to raise the minimum wage and to expand PeachCare, the state program that provides health insurance for children from low-income families.
“I’ll also work to make sure our schools get the money they need and that it isn’t spent on pork barrel projects,” she said.
Democrats also heard from former county commissioner Pat Hicks, who is challenging Republican incumbent Mike Cowan for the District 1 seat on the Board of Commissioners.
“I’m not running against Mr. Cowan. I’m running on my record as a commissioner,” he said.
Hicks served a two-year term from 1987 to 1988 and a four-year term from 1993 to 1996. He said that during his second term the board increased spending to $24 million from $18 million, but cut the property tax rate to 2 mills from 2.5 mills.
“At the time, that was the lowest (property tax) rate in the state,” he said.
Hicks said when he left office the county had a $15.5 million fund balance.
“We need to run the county like a business, and commissioners need to be accountable for the money they spend,” he said.
Hicks said he didn’t have any specific issues or projects he wants to advance at this time.
But Barbara Vaughn said she would try to find ways to expand sewers across the county.
Vaughn is facing Republican Randy Waskul for the District 3 seat on the Board of Commissioners. Waskul defeated incumbent Odell Cochran in the July Republican primary.
Vaughn said expanding sewers will make it easier for the county to attract new businesses.
“And if we can bring in new business, we’ll expand the tax digest,” she said.
- Local News
-
-
Brochu a finalist for S.C. superintendent job
Katie Brochu was one of 99 candidates who applied to head up Richland School District Two in Columbia, S.C. According to the school district’s Web site, there are more than 24,000 students enrolled, and the budget is more than $322 million.
-
County moves to condemn property
The Whitfield County Board of Commissioners has started condemnation proceedings on two tracts of land totaling 1.4 acres off Carbondale Road near land the county bought for an industrial park.
-
Published authors
Coker hosts student book signing.
-
Whitfield County actions
Whitfield County Board of Commission member Harold Brooker initially asked that the freeport exemption rate be accelerated to make Whitfield County more economically appealing to existing and prospective businesses. On Monday, he asked for that vote to be tabled.
-
Stormwater group disbanded
Dalton Utilities sent a letter earlier this month to other members of the group canceling the meeting scheduled for March 4. The letter said that both Whitfield County and Murray County governments were unwilling to go forward and without their participation it did not make sense to continue.
-
Alleged molester given bond
Christopher Drake, 33, of 45 Johnson Road, was charged Monday by the sheriff’s office with aggravated sexual battery, sexual battery against a child under 16 (two counts) and child molestation (three counts).
-
Police called to fight on ball field
A supervisor with the Dalton Parks and Recreation Department reported several men fighting at Al Rollins Park near a playground Monday evening, but when police arrived any participants had left, authorities said.
-
Dalton band marches in Savannah parade
The DHS band marched at the 1965 inauguration of president Lyndon Johnson and in the 1987 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.
-
Hadley says Georgians want government that works
R.J. Hadley, the former chief of staff for Rockdale County, is running as a Democrat for the U.S. Senate seat currently held by Republican Johnny Isakson.
-
Chatsworth man arrested on multiple theft warrants in Rome
A Murray County man was arrested Monday and charged with multiple counts of theft after police said he illegally used a store credit card to procure gift cards for his own use.
- More Local News Headlines
-
Brochu a finalist for S.C. superintendent job
