Rep. Jasperse requests a review of Election Board appointments

News, Politics, State & National
Roberts Elections Supervisor

JASPER, Ga. – At February’s Pickens County Commissioner’s meeting, Rep. Rick Jasperse, who was unable to attend, sent a letter of concern regarding the process of appointing board members to the Pickens County Board of Elections.

Rick Jasperse

Rep. Rick Jasperse

Initially, Chairman Kris Stancil requested a review by the state to ensure Pickens complied with current state law. Due to time constraints, Jasperse focused on the Airport Authority, the Library Board, and the Elections Board. Out of the three, Jasperse concluded that issues need to be addressed concerning the Pickens County Board of Elections.

“Upon examination of the local Board of Elections we have found an issue with how they are appointed. Currently, two members of the Board of Elections are appointed by the chairman of the county Democratic Party, and two by the chairman of the county Republican Party. These four members then appoint a chairperson,” said Jasperse in a letter to commissioners. 

Jasperse would sight a 2018 case from the Georgia Supreme Court that ruled non-governmental parties had no authority to appoint government officials. Jasperse urged commissioners to reexamine how the two political parties in the county appoint members to the board without county oversight.

To see the letter in its entirety, click here.

William Bell, an elections board member, stated that he was eager to make sure Pickens was in lockstep with state law while trying to offer voters a smooth process in future elections. Furthermore, he feels confident that the board and both political parties, alongside the county, can find common ground moving forward.

“It’s something the board [Pickens County Board of Elections], and I look forward to discussing with commissioners in the coming future,” said Bell.

Chris Mora, Vice Chairman of the Pickens County Republican Party, welcomes the change. While Mora admits the party hasn’t discussed the issue, he, like Bell, is hopeful that proposed changes will make for a better voting experience.

“I kind of think it’s a good thing. I’m behind it,” said Mora. “I think it brings back control to the community because if we get someone in there, that’s rogue and does whatever they want, there’s nothing we [the Pickens County Republican Party] can do.”

The Pickens County Republican Party and Rep. Jasperse have been openly disappointed with the management of last year’s election. While solutions have been tossed around in committee hearings, it leaves some questioning whether it time for a more significant change at the board of elections office.

Commissioners honor Rob Jones

In other news, the Pickens County Board of Commissioners presented a proclamation to Robert “Rob” Jones and Sloan Elrod. Flanked by his family, Jones was given a United States flag that was flown his last day as commissioner. The county’s recognition humbled both men.

Stancil takes the election and the helm of the county

Election 2020, News
chairman

Kris Stancil said he wants to make upright decisions and bring the community together for common goals.

stancil

Photo by Susan Kirkland
Kris Stancil talks with Marsha Jasperse, wife of Rep. Rick Jasperse Tuesday night.

He will take the helm as the new chairman for the Pickens County Board of Commissioners. Tuesday’s win against independent candidate David Shouse brought a two-year campaign to close.

“It feels like it’s gone on and on forever,” said Stancil to a group who gathered downtown to watch the election results come in with him. Most wore campaign shirts and cheered when the numbers posted around 11 p.m.

Stancil said the victory was “humbling.”

WATCH THE VIDEO OF STANCIL'S REMARKS

He ran on the platform of aligning Pickens County with goals set out in two comprehensive plans. Those issues include helping animal control and the animal shelter.

“I think so much has been talked about who is on the left and who is on the right and I think it really should be who is upright,” he said, speaking to the crowd. “That’s why I need you. I need you to challenge everything I do. Hold me to the standard that is upright.”

Stancil claimed 11,929 votes, or 72.59-percent with Shouse taking 4,504

STANCIL

Photo by Susan Kirkland
Kris Stancil won the election to become the Chairman of the Board of Commissioners.

votes, or 27.41-percent. There are 23,766 register voters in Pickens County and according to the Georgia Secretary of State’s website, 17,172 ballots were cast, netting 72.25-percent. In the chairman’s race, 16,433 votes were cast.

PICKENS VOTING RESULTS

Stancil will take the reins from current Chairman of the Pickens County Board of Commissioner, Rob Jones. Jones who has served for 16 years, the first eight as sole commissioner and the last half of his career as the chairman with Becky Denney and  Jerry Barnes serving as board members.

“Sheriff, I need to tender my resignation for Dec. 31.  It’s been an incredible ride for the last twelve years,” he told Sheriff Donnie Craig while the crowd laughed.

 

 

Stancil wins over Shouse for chairman position

Election, News
pickens county courthouse
chairman

Photo by Susan Kirkland
Kris Stancil celebrates being elected as Chairman of the Pickens County Board of Commissioners Tuesday at a watch-party in downtown Jasper.

Republican Kristopher “Kris” Stancil beat out Independent candidate David Shouse in the Chairman of the Board of Commissioners race Tuesday night.

Stancil had 10,919 votes in the chairman race, while Shouse came in with 3,997 at around 11 p.m. on Election Day. Total votes cast were 14,916, although mail-in ballots had not been accounted for. The county had as of Friday, 2,404 mail-in ballots with more coming in before Tuesday’s election.

Pickens had several races impacting them and most were called on Tuesday night, according to the Georgia Secretary of State’s website.

In other elections, Rick Jasperse (R) had 21,563 votes and Kayla Hollified (D) took 3,729 votes for State House District 11.

In the U.S. Senate race, David A. Perdue (I) won with 2,258,799. Jon Ossoff (D) had 1,942,573 and Shane Hazel (Lib) had 99,956. In Pickens County, Perdue had 12,865 votes, Ossoff 2,114 votes, and Hazel 385.

The Special election to fill Johnny Isakson’s vacated seat-currently held by Kelly Loeffler(R), will head to a run-off as none of the 20+ candidates received the require 50-percent-plus-one vote to claim victory. In Pickens County, Doug Collins (R) had 6,684 to Loeffler’s 5,524. However, Collins placed behind Loffler and Raphael Warnock (D) overall. Loeffler has 1,162,101 statewide votes, Warnock 1,304,363 and Collins 906,858.

WATCH ELECTION COMMENTARY FROM FYNTV

Marjorie Taylor Greene (R) received 207,236 votes to officially claim the U.S, House District 14th seat, although Kevin Van Ausdal (D), who bowed out of race due to moving out of district, received 70,384. In Pickens, Greene had 4,851 votes to Van Ausdal’s 613.

For the U.S. House District 9, Andrew Clyde (Rep) obtained 284,253 while Devin Pandy (D) took 74,388. In Pickens, Clyde had 8,090 votes and Pandy 1,450 votes.

In State Senate District 51, incumbent Steve Gooch (R) had 81,567 votes while June Krise (D) took  votes. In Pickens, Gooch had 7,599 votes and Krise 1,387 votes.

 

 

Candidates get candid on FYN’s morning show

Election 2020, FYNTV

 

shouse independent

David Shouse

Kris Stancil

Kris Stancil

Candidates for the Pickens County Board of Commissioners Chairman took their turn on FYN’s Morning Show to discuss their reasons for running, what they envisioned for Pickens County and other nuances of the chairman. Both candidates said they would be willing to debate on FYNTV. Keep checking back for details.

 

 

Why did the candidates decide to run?

For Kris Stancil, the idea to run morphed from serving on the committee that formulated the Comprehensive 10-year plan for the county 18 years ago. The plan is a list of goals members of the community would like to see happen and aids the commissioners in making decisions based on that plan. He said the opportunity  created an “air of excitement.”

He sat in on the most recent committee to plan the next ten years and was disappointed to realize the goals for the next ten years was the exact same.

“It was frustrating to see we had not been breaking that plan into pieces and going forward with it,” he said. He added at the time current chairman, Rob Jones had said he was retiring, but hadn’t made a public announcement about, so Stancil said after a lot of discussion, he decided to retire. Jones did not retire, but ran in the primaries, losing to Stancil.

“It’s a chance to serve in a different role,” he said.

For David Shouse, he saw first hand how cumbersome and complex government had become and wanted to simplify it. He credits his business career started by building a successful security company and then getting into developing and was able to see what it took to bring jobs into the community.

“Every time I’d want to do something, I would get ‘why do you want to that? We can’t do that’ That’s not my mentality. Where there is a will, there is a way.”

Transparency

Both candidates stressed the importance of transparency in government.

Shouse said he works to answer every questions whether he likes it or not. When asked how he plans to do something, (my opponent) doesn’t answer. I answer how. Shouse said he learned a lot about the problems people face by meeting them while collecting signatures.

“I hear ‘my road hasn’t been cleaned in six months’ or ‘my road hasn’t been paved in nine years,” he said. “I want an online system for residents to create their own ticket, allowing an easy process to follow process.”

He added that  social media has created a new influx of ways to open communication and he’d like to find ways to use it.

Stancil said transparency is critical for trust and also believes in creating more ways for people to speak candidly about issues. He said town hall meetings are a good way to allow people. He said it was important for county meetings to follow Robert’s Rules of Order in order to get the business side of government done, but that residents should have a way to come speak.

“I’m not a big fan of closed door meetings,” he said. “I’d rather have it done in public.”

As for answering questions, Stancil said he will answer questions, but avoids getting baited into needless arguments. While he does promise to answer all questions, he said it may not be immediate due to his work responsibilities.

READ ABOUT GA. SECRETARY OF STATE RELEASES NEW ABSENTEE BALLOTS

Goals

The candidates share goals for improving the animal shelter being a no-kill shelter and ideas for improving the county.

Stancil said he’d like to change the tone of the government by shifting from a political force to professional services. One thing he wants to do is support the animal shelter as it becomes a no-kill shelter and to help animal control, which are related but provide services.

“We have to have a big conversation and start being open about these issues,” said Stancil adding that he’d like to see the parks and recreation department offer more services and he believed the Special Local Option Sales Tax would help move the department in that direction.

As far as budget, he said starting the task sooner, rather than later, with the comprehensive plan guiding them will help move the county to being proactive rather than reactive in their decisions.

Shouse, too, wants a new animal shelter and while he means no offense to the employees of the shelter, he’d rather see the animals in a nice facility with big runs, which could be built on some of the government land currently not being used.

“We also need to improve our roads and create better infrastructure. We don’t have sewer so we are still dependent. I want a reservoir, not just for water, but recreation. We’ve also set ourselves up to be a retirement community, but the accessibility is atrocious, from what I hear from our seniors,” said Shouse.

He said that while he wants sewer, not having it shouldn’t stop jobs from coming to Pickens County and said some large companies, like UPS, didn’t need infrastructure but would employ several hundred people at $25 per hour. Those jobs should go to residents first.

“Bring in good jobs and suddenly unaffordable housing is affordable, buying a car is affordable,” he said. “I’m a deal maker. I can get us the amenities without raising taxes.”

Campaigning

The candidates have 61 days until election an both plan on speaking to people. . .and listening.

Shouse said campaigning is like a job interview and while he doesn’t like negative politics, he will say what he’s heard and what he has experienced.

“I’ve had people tell me they would vote for me but didn’t want to sign the petition because they didn’t want the sheriff to be able to see it because they were afraid of backlash,” said Shouse, adding he didn’t know if they experienced backlash. He said on a personal level, he’s had people tell him to “get his wife on a leash” because they wanted his opponent to win so the sheriff’s department would have an open check book.

“I have confirmed it was Stancil’s co-workers. Like my opponent, I get negative stuff. I don’t like using it, but it’s like a job interview.”

Stancil said campaigning for the next two months will be focusing on what Pickens County wants to accomplish.

He said he wants to run a campaign that is focused on what he can do for the residents, not mud-slinging.

“It’s a strategy I’m not willing to take,” said Stancil. “From my personal faith, I don’t think God honors someone who (attacks his opponent).”

Stancil said his goal is to be available and speak to as many people as he can to share what he can do as chairman. “Our community expects decency and respect and I’m focused on our county not a person.”

WATCH KRIS STANCIL'S INTERVIEW ON FYN.        WATCH DAVID SHOUSE'S INTERVIEW ON FYN.

Public concerns

The candidates each realize the voters have concerns about each of them and they want to put the voter’s at ease.

Stancil said residents have asked if his employment in the sheriff’s office, where he has been the last 12 years, will make him partial to that office if he is elected as the board chairman.

“The sheriff’s office gets about 25-percent of the budget but it’s just one of many parts and it won’t receive any more attention or more focus, but I’m not going to ignore them because public  safety is important for community growth.

Shouse said one concern people have about voting for an independent is that, if elected, he will come in and fire everyone.

“PIckens County has hundreds of employees,” said Shouse, saying he wanted to have a meeting with employees to introduce himself and find out what their job is and how it can be done better.

“I take care of my people,” he said, pointing out that any employee who left his security company eventually came back. “If we see someone needs a promotion or someone does something better, we’ll make adjustments. Firing is the most difficult job, it affects families and you really have to think about that.”

While he understands the concern, Shouse said there are some aspects of county jobs that should be addressed. “We should hire based on ability, not based on if their grandfather had that position.”

How to contact the candidates

David Shouse

404-391-5445

[email protected]

https://www.facebook.com/electdavidshouse

Kris Stancil

Krisstancil.com

[email protected]

404-536-5035

https://www.facebook.com/stancilforpickens

 

 

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