Josh Tippens sworn in as West End District One Commissioner
Election, Featured Stories, Politics July 27, 2022
PICKENS COUNTY, Ga. – On Thursday July 21, Josh Tippens became the sworn in West End Commissioner in Pickens County.
Commissioner Tippens has deep roots in Pickens county, and this is the basis for his pride, drive and passion. He emphasized that he considers himself a “community minded servant leader who loves his family.”
As West-End Commissioner, one of his major goals is to ensure that the people have a voice in their government. During elections, Commissioner Tippens had his ears on the ground. He went door to door to hear exactly what residents were saying about the future of the county.
According to Mr. Tippens, “The voters of Pickens County made it abundantly clear” that they prefer a slow paced growth. To many residents, the county must remain “a rural haven.”
Commissioner Tippens is ready to advocate to preserve the “agricultural integrity of the west-end.”
He said that “at this point in Pickens County’s growth progression, [he does] not believe any high density residential developments or heavy commercial operations are a good fit for the west end.” Of course, growth is part of the development of Pickens County, but right now, his focus is to preserve its rich “history, culture and landscape.”
Commissioner Tippens intends on making sure that the people of District 1 “have a voice at the table” at every meeting. He said, “A majority of District 1 residents placed enough confidence in me to vote on my behalf. And I have every intention of ensuring that they have someone who will fairly represent them. [I will] listen when they have concerns.”
Because of this, his first hurdle is the LOST (Local Options Sales Tax) negotiations that started last week. The LOST is “not to generate more tax revenue for the county.” Instead, it is to “offset the tax burden for property owners.” In the end, as a public servant, Commissioner Tippens continues to encourage responsible growth to ensures the residents of Pickens County are always first.
Pickens Commission Chair Candidate David Shouse holding meet & greet at Escape and Evade
Election 2020 October 16, 2020
Local business man and candidate for Pickens County Commission Chair wants to invite everyone to his meet and greet on Saturday, October 17th!
David Shouse-Pickens County Commission Chairman candidate invites you to visit his website Click here Shouse2020. Visit his facebook page here David has a straight forward message to voters, as your Chairman, I will work hard for Pickens County. I will strive every day to protect the values we hold dear, and to improve the daily lives of all citizens of Pickens County.
Fetch Your News Interviews Pickens Commission Chair on COVID-19 Response
FYNTV, News March 25, 2020
JASPER, Ga. – Fetch Your News CEO Brian Pritchard held an interview with Pickens County Commission chair Rob Jones regarding the county’s response of COVID-19 on Wednesday, March 25, 2020.
Jones started off by stating that this ordinance was an 11 page document, intended mostly as a reminder to get people to understand how serious the virus is.
He states that not included in the shutdown are things such as grocery stores, drug stores, healthcare services, gas stations, drive thrus at banks, building supplies, auto parts, restaurants for takeout or curbside, liquor stores, etc.
The ordinance is available through Tuesday, April 7, 2020, and is planned to go void unless the health system of Pickens an Georgia directs them to do something else at that time.
Why liquor stores?
Jones says that this is because withdrawals may occur in certain individuals who have become dependent on alcohol, and that hospitals would further take a hit if those individuals were unable to obtain their alcohol.
Groups of 10 or more aren’t allowed while the ordinance is in place.
Even outside government agencies such as the road department have been split into smaller groups to aid in stopping the spread of the virus.
Jones says this ordinance encourages people to stay home, but, isn’t mandatory, as asked by Pritchard during the interview. Jones says that they understand people must go out to the grocery store, visit the bank, etc.
When asked whether or not Jones knows if those who are listed as infected in the county are from Pickens, he responded that they are residences of the county, but that one of the individuals is in a hospital south of the county, with another self-quarantined in their home, though he’s currently unaware of the status of the other two.
A video of the entire interview may be viewed below!:
https://youtu.be/2Vw8p4P0bhI