Continuing operations in Pickens BOC
News January 25, 2019
JASPER, GA. – Much of the Board’s meeting focused on continuations of present items as they reappointed members to boards and authorities and continued as the agent for a grant.
Family Connections requested the continuation of the Board of Commissioners acting as the fiscal agent of the Family Education Grant. Finance Director Faye Harvey said that either the Board of Commissioners or the Board of Education has to be the agent on the grant. She also noted that the expenses for the grant are reimbursed quarterly.
County Commission Chairman Rob Jones stated that the county has “done this for a few years now.” The motion came for approval by giving the chairman the authority to sign the agreement.
The Board also reappointed John Tatum, Phillip O’Bryant, and Jack Brown to the Pickens County Water and Sewer Authority and Lee Thrasher to the Pickens County Planning Commission.
Also continuing previous work, a resolution was passed by the board confirming the use of the land where the Veteran’s Memorial currently is and the land south of that as well as the property west of the parking lot for honoring veterans of Pickens County.
The Veteran’s Memorial currently in place stands as an achievemnt for both Pickens County and the City of Jasper, but continuing further developments are possible with the confirmation of this property.
Though this doesn’t guarantee the land for any one organization, it is set aside for that use.
Pickens opens Fire Station 12
Community, News July 26, 2019
Pickens County Board of Commissioners, left to right, Jerry Barnes, Becky Denney, and Rob Jones celebrate Station 12 at the ribbon cutting on July 25, 2019.
JASPER, Ga. – Representatives from all across Pickens County met Thursday, July 25, to cut the ribbon and officially open Pickens Fire Station 12.
Pickens’ Board of Commissioners Chairman Rob Jones, Post Commissioners Becky Denney and Jerry Barnes, Jasper City Councilmember Dr. Sonny Proctor, Jasper City Manager Brandon Douglas, Jasper Fire Chief Steve Roper, and even members of Cherokee County Fire Department visited the new station on Thursday to greet citizens and tour the facility after the ceremony.
Working for years on this project, Jones said it began with planning in the current SPLOST and is an asset on moving forward with making the area safer and lower the ISO (Insurance Service Organization) Rating of 10 at the site.
The project, according to Jones, was only possible through the support of citizens and their support for the SPLOST. It boasts three bays, full living facilities, and a weather-safe room built to protect inhabitants during extreme weather and dangers that come with it.
Be sure to check out more photos of the station and the ribbon cutting at FYN’s Facebook Album.
Pickens year-end budget review
News January 25, 2019
JASPER, Ga. – January’s meeting of the Pickens County Board of Commissioners brought with it the final budget report of FY 2018.
Entering the new year showcases departments both over and under. Most notably, the budget sat at 97.92% ($25,648,382) of total revenue collected.
On the other side, total expenditures came in at 92.72% ($24,287,881).
Individual Departments and Offices over-budget at the end of December include:
- Sheriff was budgeted at $6,663,915. The 2019 Actual was $6,759,370, achieving 101.43% of the budget.
- Probation & Drug Abuse Funds was budgeted at $27,500. The 2019 ACtual was $58,984, achieving 214.49% of the budget.
- General Gov Buildings was budgeted at $420,728. The 2019 Actual was $522,158, achieving 124.11% of the budget.
- Superior Court & Grant Admin was budgeted at $365,124. The 2019 Actual was $395,334, achieving 140.14% of the budget.
- Economic Development was budgeted at $56,273. The 2019 Actual was $56,768, achieving 100.88% of the budget.
Be sure to see the full budget provided by Pickens County below.
December Summary Pg. 1
December Summary Pg. 2
Pickens County and State Election Results 2018
Election 2018 May 22, 2018
votes at *These election results are unofficial until being certified by the Secretary of State’s office.
2018 Pickens County Election Results
Pickens County Commissioner Post 1
Jerry Barnes (R) – 877 votes at 47.59%
Bart Connelly (R) – 431 votes at 23.39%
Amberle Godfrey (R) – 535 votes at 29.03%
Board of Education Post 2
Joeta Youngblood – 3,192 votes at 100.0%
Board of Education Post 3
Tucker Green – 2,626 votes at 65.36%
Byron Long – 1,392 votes at 34.64%
Board of Education Post 5
Steven Smith – 3,224 votes at 100.0%
Jasper City Council
Kirk Raffield – 272 votes at 50.94%
Doug Patterson – 262 votes at 49.06
2018 Georgia Primary Election Results
GOVERNOR CANDIDATES:
Casey Cagle (R) – 1,760 votes at 41.17%
Hunter Hill (R) – 569 votes at 13.31%
Brian Kemp (R) – 1,244 votes at 29.10%
Clay Tippins (R) – 507 votes at 11.86%
Michael Williams (R) – 195 votes at 4.56%
Stacey Abrams (D) – 330 votes at 55.93%
Stacey Evans (D) – 260 votes at 44.07%
LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR CANDIDATES:
Geoff Duncan (R) – 738 votes at 18.98%
Rick Jeffares (R) – 1,484 votes at 38.17%
David Shafer (R) – 1,666 votes at 42.85%
Sarah Riggs Amico (D) – 392 votes at 73.0%
Triana Arnold James (D) – 145 votes at 27.0%
SECRETARY OF STATE CANDIDATES:
David Belle Isle (R) – 1,087 votes at 30.14%
Buzz Brockway (R) – 466 votes at 12.92%
Josh McKoon (R) – 618 votes at 17.13%
Brad Raffensperger (R) – 1,436 votes at 39.81%
John Barrow (D) – 321 votes at 59.12%
Dee Dawkins-Haigler (D) – 161 votes at 29.65%
R.J. Hadley (D) – 61 votes at 11.23%
INSURANCE COMMISSIONER CANDIDATES:
Jim Beck (R) – 2,153 votes at 58.92%
Jay Florence (R) – 769 votes at 21.05%
Tracy Jordan (R) – 732 votes at 20.03%
PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSIONER CANDIDATES:
District 3 –
Chuck Eaton (R) – 3,201 votes at 100.0%
Lindy Miller (D) – 360 votes at 69.63%
John Noel (D) – 80 votes at 15.47%
Johnny White (D) – 77 votes at 14.89%
District 5 –
John Hitchins III (R) – 1,721 votes at 47.42%
Tricia Pridemore (R) – 1,908 votes at 52.58%
Dawn Randolph (D) – 355 votes at 69.74%
Doug Stoner (D) – 154 votes at 30.26%
Pickens election candidates qualify (FINAL)
Election 2018 March 5, 2018
JASPER, Ga. – This week marks qualifying for the coming 2018 elections in Pickens County.
Pickens County is holding elections for this year’s open positions for County Commissioner District 1, Board of Education Post 2, Board of Education Post 3, Board of Education Post 5, Jasper City Council, and Nelson City Council.
Each day, FetchYourNews will be taking note of those qualifying for the election and the position for which they will be running.
As of Thursday, March 8, those who have qualified so far are as follows:
District 1 County Commissioner
Amberle Godfrey has qualified for the District 1 County Commissioner position as a Republican.
Amberle Godfrey
Bart Connelly has qualified for the District 1 County Commissioner position as a Republican.
Bart Connelly
Jerry Barnes has qualified for the District 1 County Commissioner position as a Republican. He is the incumbent for this position.
Jerry Barnes – Incumbent
Board of Education Post 2
Joeta Youngblood has qualified for the Board of Education Post 2 position as a Republican.
Board of Education Post 3
The race for Post 3 will see competition this year with two already qualified for the position.
Byron Long has qualified for the Board of Education Post 3 position as a Republican. He is the incumbent for this position.
Tucker Green has qualified for the Board of Education Post 3 position as a Republican.
Board of Education Post 5
Steven Smith has qualified for the Board of Education Post 5 position as a Republican.
Jasper City Council
With the recent resignation of James Looney in the Jasper City Council, the open seat up for election has seen qualifiers as well.
Kirk Raffield has qualified for the Jasper City Council seat.
Kirk Raffield
Doug Patterson has qualified for the Jasper City Council seat.
Doug Patterson
Nelson City Council
Nathan Hamby has qualified for the Nelson City Council seat.
Your guide to Tuesday’s primary
Politics May 18, 2014
In an effort to bring you all the information on the candidates up for seats in Tuesday’s primaries, FYN has compiled a list of stories, videos and pictures from the races beginnings to now. Please take the time to educate yourself about who is running in your district before voting Tuesday. (more…)
Who is Jerry Barnes?
Featured Stories, Politics May 2, 2014
FYN will be running a series of interviews with local candidates from the county commissioners and school board races. Each interview will be published separately and run again before the primary elections May 20.
Jerry Barnes, Incumbent, Pickens County Board of Commissioners, District 1
(more…)
Who is Bart Connelly?
Featured Stories, Politics April 30, 2014
FYN will be running a series of interviews with local candidates from the county commissioners and school board races. Each interview will be published separately and run again before the primary elections May 20.
Bart Connelly, candidate, Pickens County Board of Commissioners, District 1
(more…)
In lieu of forensic audit, county historical report compiled
Featured Stories, News March 23, 2014
After months of requests, the county commissioners hope that they’ve put the financial questions regarding county financial dealings to a rest. Concerned citizens and two grand juries have been wondering where an estimated $5 million has gone over the past years. (more…)
Candidates Qualifying Period Ends With Surprises
Featured Stories, News, Politics March 7, 2014
Pickens County Candidates for the 2014 elections had opportunity until 12 noon today to qualify for state and local races. A couple of surprises did occur in the 2.5 day process. Along with incumbents and an already anticipated county commission challenger, two additional challengers for school board seats did qualify during the period. (more…)
Pickens County Candidate Political Forum
Featured Stories, Politics February 26, 2014
The Pickens County candidates who are seeking election/re-election were invited to a political forum last night at Chattahoochee Tech in Jasper by the Tea Party. Candidates for the school board and the board of commissioners all took part in the question/answer session followed by an audience question segment. (more…)
Winter Storm visits Pickens
Featured Stories, News February 3, 2014
A lone car, tipped over with the top peeled back, is one of a few visual reminders of the ordeal Pickens County endured last week. This car, on Henderson Mountain Road near South Basin, was one of the first wrecks that occurred in the scramble to get to safety last Tuesday when the snow storm that crippled Georgia started. Although the snow has finally melted after many were forced to stay home for days, scenes such as this car still send shudders down one’s spine, a bleak reminder. (more…)
Governor Deal visits Jasper as Orlaco opens and creates jobs
Featured Stories, News January 23, 2014
Anniversaries don’t come every day. Twenty-fifth anniversaries are a rarity. But after being in business 25 years, Orlaco has grown into a global company that has chosen Jasper as its first North American headquarters. Bringing around 65 jobs to Pickens County, the heavy equipment camera operation is proud of their new “home.” (more…)
Pickens budget plagued by unknowns, tax hike may be necessary
Featured Stories, News November 6, 2013
A five-hundred page report is what the Board of Commissioners has to examine in their struggle with the 2014 budget. That is no small task to undertake, nor was compiling it a small task for the financial department. (more…)
County Interviews Possible Auditor; Grand Jury Silent on Progress of Request
Featured Stories, News November 4, 2013
They seem fairly sure that a forensic audit isn’t necessary at this point, but the Board of Commissioners is being cautious with taxpayers’ money while still seeking answers to long-term budgetary questions posed by the grand jury. However, the grand jury has fallen silent on the matter. (more…)
Pickens County Tea Party Hosts Candidate Fair
Featured Stories, Politics October 27, 2013
With a qualifying deadline of March 3, 2014, the Pickens County Tea Party extended invitations to all candidates to attend a candidates fair to meet the public and answer questions on their platforms. (more…)