Candidates make their case at Union GOP meeting

Election, Election 2020, Politics
candidates

BLAIRSVILLE, Ga – Several Republican candidates spoke to Union County GOP members in hopes of gaining their vote in the upcoming 2020 primary.

Judge Stan Gunter, now running unopposed for State House District 8, stated that he didn’t want to take anything for granted. He has heard rumors of a Democrat entering the race.

Gunter also confirmed that neither Rep. Matt Gurtler nor organizations representing the current Rep. contacted him before entering the District 9 race. “[I assume] they’ll find someone,” he said.

The Former Chief Superior Court Judge addressed his vision for District 8.

Gunter

Gunter at his retirement party from the Enotah Judicial Circuit Superior Court.

“Georgia has been the number one state for business for the last seven years. So, we’ve got a good climate. We have a lot of good tourism up this way. I’d like to see growth continue, but controlled growth. I’ve been in Gwinnett County when it was going crazy. We don’t want that,” advocated Gunter.

Gunter also spoke in favor of strong public schools but believed people should have the option to educate their children in the way they see fit. His other positions included pro-Second Amendment, pro-life, as well as to an extent Constitutional carry (open carry).

“I have some questions mainly with law enforcement about how it would be treated. I know it’s in several states, and it seems to work fine. But, I do have some questions about it. I would say some limitations would be a private business, even like Walmart. If they don’t want you to open carry in there, they have the right to do that. I also have concerns about having guns where it’s dangerous to have them like a courtroom,” explained Gunter.

State Senator John Wilkinson for Congressional District 9

State Senator John Wilkinson discussed his candidacy for the open District 9 seat, and when asked why he wanted to go to Washington D.C, he said he wanted to “try.” In other words, Wilkinson expressed a desire to change D.C.’s culture through relationships and returning to limited government.

“When I look at America, if you look at the history of our country, I think about my dad. When he was nine years old, he moved to the farm where I live in 1936. He moved into a house that had no insulation, no heat, no air condition and they just had to struggle to get by working at the sawmill. He went to school. He was elected School Superintendent. He provided [us] with a better life. We had a much easier life than my dad had growing up. Every generation of Americans has had a better lifestyle than the generation before. I’ve got those five grandkids. I think it’s going to be a challenge for them to say they grew up in an America better than my dad grew up in. I want this to be a better America for my grandkids,” Wilkinson explained to the room.

John Wilkinson

Courtesy of Wilkinson campaign.

Wilkinson understood that while he’s just one person, but he believed that through relationships and striving to make that difference, something could be done.

Additionally, he stated closer you can keep the government to the people the better. The government should be limited like in the Constitution.

The first bill Wilkinson introduced was to repeal other bills that he felt hindered Georgia’s progress. “I don’t think we need any more bills or regulation in Georgia.”

When asked about eliminating the Department of Education (DOE), Wilkinson agreed that the federal DOE didn’t need to interfere with local or state policy, citing that the department didn’t exist until the Carter Administration.

Speaking to the national deficit, Wilkinson asserted that the country needs to start by passing a balanced budget. Continuing resolutions won’t solve the problem.

Wilkinson affirmed his stance as pro-Second Amendment and in favor of Constitutional Carry (open carry). He stressed the importance of involving law enforcement because officers are the ones risking their lives in these situations.

Wilkinson told the room if they really wanted to know who he was, he accepted Christ when he was eight years old. Anyone can find him teaching Sunday School class in the same church he grew up in.

Incumbent Sheriff Mack Mason

“We’re trying the best to run this county as we can,” said Sheriff Mack Mason. “We’re the ones doing the job. The grand juries, the DA will tell you just about all the time, it’s the city police and county sheriffs bringing the cases in this county.”

Courtesy of UC Sheriff’s Office

Mason’s running unopposed for this third term as sheriff of Union County.

“I welcome [an opponent] if they [run]. It will be the worst thing that they do. The records we can pull out. The job that we’ve done. I appreciate being in this job right now. I got here by God’s grace. I’m going to leave the same way. I try to do the very best I do. We have some of the finest people and they’re highly disciplined.”

The sheriff also confirmed his pro-second amendment stance and announced March 10 as the date for the annual meeting for the Union County Gun Club at the Haralson Civic Center.

Sheriff Mason Announces 2020 Reelection Campaign

Election, Police & Government
Mason

BLAIRSVILLE, GA – Incumbent Sheriff Mack Mason announced his campaign for 2020 reelection on Tuesday, Oct. 8.

Fetch Your News contacted Mason about his reasons for seeking another term, he told the news outlet,

“I want to ensure that quality law enforcement will continue for the citizens of Union County.”

Fetch Your News will update the story as more information becomes available.

 

 

Sheriff Mason Discusses His Achievements and Plans for Future

Election, News
Mason

BLAIRSVILLE, GA – On Oct. 9, incumbent Sheriff Mack Mason announced his intentions to run for reelection in Union County. Fetch Your News sat down with sheriff to learn more about his platform and hopes for the county’s future.

Three tenants of his 2020 campaign could be Union County Sheriff’s Office (UCSO) efficiency, community safety, and inmate mental health.

Mason took office almost seven years ago in 2013, and before being elected as Sheriff, Mason spent 29 years as a Georgia State Patrol (GSP).

When asked why he decided to run for a third term, Mason referred to the alarming trend in this country where officers are losing respect and becoming afraid to do their jobs. “That’s not going to happen in Union County,” he said, referring to cities across the country being destroyed due to lack of law effective law enforcement.

“We have some of the most dedicated people that I have ever seen,” said Mason, “One fact that I am extremely proud of is when I took office, we have one female deputy, and she worked at the school. Now we have six female deputies on our shifts.”

Given today’s atmosphere, women deputies are essential to manage the female prison population and ensure everyone receives fair treatment at UCSO jail.
He also substantially raised the pay since taking office. When first elected jailers received “$8 or $9” an hour, and now they make $15. As for deputies in 2013, they started at $12. Currently, they earn $17 an hour.

“We could not get female applicants at $12 an hour,” stated Mason.

While raising wages to better his employees’ lives, overall, Mason tries to run a lean department.

In his seven years in office, the sheriff’s office has received approximately $572,000 in tax funding or $82,000 per year. This amount operates a 60 vehicle fleet, 40 deputies, jail staff, and part-timers.

All vehicles log their mileage and gas consumption from month to month. The records let Sheriff’s Office maintain an efficient and well-oiled fleet that’s always ready to roll for the community.
In his first two years, Mason began a crackdown on drugs after being elected as sheriff. UCSO collected enough drug seizure money to purchase new vehicles. Due to the drug task force’s vigilance, drug arrests are down for the year with only 67 thus far. In 2018, officers arrested123 individuals on drug-related charges.

UCSO has cracked down on drugs in the last seven years.

“Hopefully, people are getting the message,” Mason stated about individuals understanding Union County takes drugs seriously wants to keep them off the streets.

However, overall activity is still consistent with over 15,000 service calls so far into 2019.

“We don’t want to short our citizens with a lack of service of any kind,” said Mason, “We preach to these deputies to watch your driving mannerisms and use your head.” Mason wants to make sure that his deputies understand their role in the community and do not abuse it. Since taking office, he has set up patrol zones for deputies, so everyone knows their area. Deputies know where to patrol and can effectively monitor their zone.

Officers undergo 40 to 60 hours of training a year. The state of Georgia requires deputies to perform for at least 20 hours a year of training. Mason likes to be proactive with his deputies, so they are equipped for any situation that might arise in Union County.

The animal control unit also received praise for keeping an eye on the whole county from dogs to cows. The two officers will respond and take care of the incident promptly with the animal’s welfare in mind.

One area that Mason wants to improve is inmate care and mental health. Some inmates have been in the system for over 500 days without a court date.

Some inmates never see a lawyer because conflict attorneys from other counties don’t make an effort to visit or call. As a result, people remain stuck in jail for years. When a local public defender cannot represent an individual due to already representing another defendant in the same case, a conflict attorney takes responsibility for the unrepresented individual.

The jail has an occupancy of 54. However, the facility regularly experiences overcrowding, and UCSO houses inmates out when necessary.

Mason conceded, “We can get things done if they’ll talk, but if they never see their attorney.” He provides jail reports monthly to county officials, district attorneys, and judges, so they know how long people have been in jail without trial.

Also, some inmates have mental health issues and need to be in a facility for treatment. These inmates include people addicted to drugs who need rehab.

“It takes sometimes two to nine months for the state to call for [individuals sentenced to a mental facility],” explained Mason, “My question to the state is why is that happening? Why aren’t their more facilities? They have dropped the services for these people. The county jail is not the place for these people.”

“I’m trying to shed light on these problems,” said Mason referring to jail overcrowding and inability to properly care for inmates.

Conley property annexed, Sheriff Mason recognized at council meeting

News

BLAISVILLE, Ga. – Annexation of the Conley property off of Pat Haralson Memorial Drive was approved and Sheriff Mack Mason was recognized during the Blairsville City Council meeting Tuesday, April 3.

Last month, annexation was delayed when Daniel Davenport, owner of a 1.47-acre tract of land within the annexation route, requested access to city utilities before annexation of his property took place.

In this month’s meeting, City Attorney David Barrett explained Davenport had sold his tract of land to the developers of the Conley property clearing the way for annexation. Also falling in line with the annexation is Butternut Creek Golf Course. Mayor Jim Conley explained a 50-foot wide easement of land running through the golf course from the current city limits would connect the Conley property contiguously in the annexation process.

On hand for the meeting was the developer of the property, David Brown. When asked about the urgency of the annexation by Barrett, Brown stated, “We need to be annexed tonight.”

Brown also explained the development on the property is for approximately 70 proposed apartment units that will be marketed to seniors. The council approved the annexation unanimously.

The council also approved the purchase of a 4×2 Gator utility vehicle from Nelson Tractor in the amount of $5,525. The vehicle, according to Conley, will be used primarily by the Street and Maintenance department to carry gardening supplies and equipment. Funding for the purchase will come from Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST) funds.

Jody Cook, wastewater supervisor, told the council it has been determined a faulty tank valve at the Aviagen Hatchery located near the Colwell Detention Center was the main contributing factor leading to increased levels of chemical oxygen demand (COD) at the wastewater treatment plant. In February, Cook first reported pollutants running from the Aviagen facility into the sewer system were causing increased COD levels at the plant. Cook stated Aviagen was working to resolve the issue.

At the end of the meeting, Mayor Conley took time to recognize Union County Sheriff Mack Mason for his department’s continued efforts as well as cooperation and assistance with the Blairsville City Police Department.

“I personally would just like to say I appreciate the cooperation that the police department and the sheriff’s office has,” Conley told Mason. “As you very well know, we’ve never had that in the past.”

Mason responded by describing the level of cooperation between the two agencies as a “unique deal … one that I don’t know of that exists anywhere in the state of Georgia.”

Mason continued to say the state, in recent years, has “regressed” both in the number of Georgia State Patrol troopers and in the number of Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) agents, leaving more of a burden to the local law enforcement agencies.

“I’m not knocking the troopers,” Mason explained. “I’m knocking the legislators because they’ve let us get in this shape … It’s an undisputed fact that 95 percent of arrests in the state of Georgia are made by the city and county officers.”

Speaking of the working coordination between the Union County Sheriff’s Office and the Blairsville Police Department, in which several officers work full-time for one agency and part-time for the other, Mason said, “I appreciate the relationship that I’ve had with you all.”

Following this, Conley proposed a $1 per hour raise for all part-time officers in the Blairsville Police Department. The raise was approved unanimously by the council.

 

Fetch Your News is a hyper local news outlet that attracts more than 300,000 page views and 3.5 million impressions per month in Dawson, Lumpkin, White, Fannin, Gilmer, Pickens, Union, Towns and Murray counties as well as Cherokee County in N.C. FYNTV attracts approximately 15,000 viewers per week and reaches between 15,000 to 60,000 per week on our Facebook page. For the most effective, least expensive local advertising, call 706-276-6397 or email us at [email protected]

Author

Jason Beck

Born in Merrillville, Indiana, raised in Cleveland, Tennessee, and currently resides in Copperhill, Tennessee. Graduated from Bradley Central High School in 1996 and attended the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, eventually earning a B.A. and M.A. in English. Hobbies include hiking, camping and fly-fishing. Interests include baseball, hockey and cliff jumping.

Union County Gun Club becomes a reality

Community, News

Blairsville, GA – On July 10, 2017, immediately following the Concealed Carry Class at the Pat Haralson Memorial Civic Center, Sheriff Mack Mason took the stage and asked that anyone interested in starting a gun club in Union County to stick around. Well over half, maybe two thirds, of the audience of about three hundred people stayed in their seats.

Union County Sheriff Mack Mason

Sheriff Mason began by outlining the process of forming a gun club in Union County. He said that Union County is roughly half Forest Service Land, which is federal land, which means it is our land. He said he has approached Georgia State Representative Doug Collins about this and Collins told him to get in touch as soon as a club was formed and organized. Mason then introduced Paul Clark of Blairsville who has volunteered to do the Internet/computer work; and Russell Stookey, an attorney from Hiawassee, GA, who has volunteered to do the legal work pro bono. Stookey made a point of demonstrating the importance of having a safety officer first and foremost and introduced Gene Cooley of Blairsville, a master class marksman and range safety officer. He mentioned that there needs to be a name that he can put on the application for an LLC (limited liability corporation). Stookey mentioned several other considerations, like how guests should be handled, how to become a member, the formation of a Board and creation of Bylaws. Several questions were raised by people in the audience and some discussion ensued. Mason suggested the name Union County Gun Club and it seemed to resonate with everyone. Clark was chosen to be the first Chairman. Several people volunteered to be Board Members. Cooley was adopted as the range safety officer. Several people wanted to contribute money, but there was no entity to donate to, so checks and credit cards could not be utilized; but Stookey vowed to have an entity formed before the week was out.

Paul Clark (middle wearing maroon shirt) with volunteers for the Board

For more information on or to join the new Union County Gun Club, call Paul Clark at (706) 400-8398.

Fetch Your News is a hyper local news outlet that covers Dawson, Lumpkin, White, Fannin, Gilmer, Pickens, Union, Towns and Murray counties as well as Cherokee County in N.C. If you would like to follow up-to-date local events in any of those counties, please visit us at www.fetchyournews.com

City council talks annexation, purchases police equipment

News, Police & Government, Politics

BLAIRSVILLE, Ga. – Annexation of the Conley property on Pat Haralson Memorial Drive was discussed during the Blairsville City Council meeting Tuesday, March 6.

According to Mayor Jim Conley, a developer interested in the property has requested city annexation of the property before proceeding with a development project. From the city limits to the Conley property, a portion of Butternut Creek Golf Course, which is owned by the county, and a stretch of a 1.47-acre property owned by Daniel Davenport falls in line with the proposed annexation route.

While the county has agreed to an easement of the golf course property, Davenport, who was present at the meeting, requested of the city to bring water and sewer utilities through his property before allowing annexation of his property.

“I’m all about annexation if the city sewer and water would pass through the 1.5 acres, which to me is a legitimate path to take (to the Conley property),” Davenport told the council Tuesday. “If (the city is) going to annex my property, I’ll be paying city taxes, so I’ll, of course, want to be able to hook up to the sewer on my property.”

Davenport was told by City Attorney David Barrett if his property was annexed, he would have the right by law to attain water and sewer utilities from the city. However, Davenport explained that in his previous discussions with Barrett, the city attorney told him the city would not provide the infrastructure needed to connect to city water and sewer lines. Davenport further stated that, to his understanding, the city would be extending water and sewer lines all the way to the Conley property. To this, Mayor Conley replied, “No we’re not either … we’re not bringing the sewer to their property. They’re coming to our manhole.”

After further discussion, Councilman Tony Dyer made a motion to withdraw the annexation proposal followed by a second from Councilwoman Betty Easter. The motion failed 3 to 2, with nay votes coming from Councilmembers Rhonda Mahan, Robert Moore and Mary Ruth Cook.

On Friday, Mayor Conley stated Davenport had discussed the situation in the days following the meeting with the owners of Conley property and a possible agreement was in the works, which would clear the way for the annexation.

The council approved two equipment purchases for the Blairsville Police Department. Sergeant Shawn Dyer informed the council of a recent audit of the department conducted by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) in which the GBI recommended the use of departmental phones for city officers as well as the addition of wi-fi hotspot devices within city patrol vehicles.

Dyer explained the phones would be used by full-time officers for official police business. Currently, officers use their personal cell phones for police business while on duty, and GBI, in the audit, claimed this presents a security risk and the possibility of a personal information breach for the officers.

Concerning the addition of the hotspot devices, Dyer stated the technology upgrade will ensure a safer and more effective environment for officers while conducting routine traffic stops. The hotspot devices will provide instant Internet access to the Georgia Crime Information Center (GCIC) database and allow officers to access information of the vehicle and the recorded owner before initially approaching the vehicle.

“(The hotspot devices) could probably save somebody’s life,” Dyer explained, “because right now, if we stop a car, we call in the tag number to dispatch, we pull that car over, we go up and we talk to that driver not knowing anything (of the driver). We don’t get that information back until we sit back there in the (patrol) car after we’ve talked to them, got their driver’s license and all that.”

According to Dyer, six cell phones (iPhones) and eight hotspot devices will come from Verizon at a monthly cost of $564.57.

Dyer also told of the need for a large metal cabinet that can be locked to store evidence or guns in the squad room at the police department. The sergeant stated a large lockable cabinet in the squad room would allow all shifts the ability to store evidence if the evidence room of the department cannot be accessed. Dyer said he found a cabinet suitable for such a purpose for around $2,000.

Both expenditures were approved unanimously.

The council gave approval to proceed with RevoPay as an online electronic payment method for payments of all fees, permits and/or taxes to the city. Last month, the council discussed and approved an option for accepting credit or debit cards for water services payments.

Kaye McCann, city clerk, explained to the council the RevoPay system would allow customers to pay all bills to the city in a lump sum by credit or debit card or by electronic check either online or over the phone. Also, city hall would have access to RevoPay, so that any customers making payments in person would also be able to make payments via those options as well.

According to McCann, there is no charge or fee to the city to use this service; however, a percentage-based fee from RevoPay would be passed along to customers using the service. When asked about the percentage of the fee, McCann explained the fee would likely fall between 3 to 5 percent and that the percentage would be determined over time by the amount of customers using the service. McCann further explained customers using RevoPay would know before the transaction is complete exactly how much the fee is.

Jody Cook, wastewater supervisor, delivered an update of a wastewater issue involving the Aviagen Hatchery, a poultry hatchery facility located near Colwell Detention Center. Last month, Cook reported increases in the chemical oxygen demand (COD) at the treatment plant were discovered in January. At that meeting, he said it was determined pollutants stemming from outdoor wash downs of the hatchery’s delivery crates were the cause of the increase of COD. Cook also stated last month the issue does not pose a health risk to anyone, but rather puts a greater strain on the wasterwater treatment facility.

This month, Cook told the council the hatchery had changed its clean-up policies. “It has made a difference, but I think we’re going to have to do a little bit more there because our readings are still high,” Cook said.

Cook stated officials from Aviagen have been cooperating with the city in an effort to correct the issue and told Cook to inform the hatchery if the changes in their cleaning processes did not resolve the issue. To this, Cook told the board he wanted to do a few more tests before going back to Aviagen since recent rains have disallowed the possibility of accurate testing.

In other business, the council approved a change in the type of envelopes used to mail water bills to customers. The new envelopes will feature a clear window panel on the front of the envelope and, as Mayor Conley pointed out, are easier for mail sorting machines to process.

The council entered into a 12-month contract with Jeff Burks, of Total Geek Tek, for regular IT maintenance and upgrades for all city departments. Burks’ hourly rate will be $40 an hour, and he will service city computer systems two days a week for a total of 16 hours a month, according to the parameters of the contract.

Councilman Tony Dyer stressed the need to move forward with a paved public parking lot, public restroom facility and a greenspace on city property located behind city hall. Dyer stated he would like to see the space, when completed, dedicated to longtime state representative and Blairsville native Carlton Colwell.

Dyer also mentioned the idea of honoring Union County Sheriff Mack Mason at the next city council for the sheriff’s office ongoing cooperation with the city police department.

Author

Jason Beck

Born in Merrillville, Indiana, raised in Cleveland, Tennessee, and currently resides in Copperhill, Tennessee. Graduated from Bradley Central High School in 1996 and attended the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, eventually earning a B.A. and M.A. in English. Hobbies include hiking, camping and fly-fishing. Interests include baseball, hockey and cliff jumping.

UCBOE Gets Schooled on ESPLOST Renewal Process

News

Elena Griggs

Blairsville, GA – The Union County Board of Education (UCBOE) convened for their October Workshop and Meeting at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 24, at the UCBOE Building in Blairsville, Georgia. Union County Schools (UCS) Superintendent Dr. Fred Rayfield and all Board Members were present.

The sole Discussion Item on the Workshop Agenda was an Overview of the ESPLOST (Education Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax) Renewal Process. Gabe Agan and Todd Barnes, Associates with Raymond James (financial advisors), addressed the Board. Agan explained the renewal process bond issues, based on historical data, in terms of the estimated future financial position of UCS (please see video for the full presentation). Dr. Rayfield advised the Board to consider the possibility of a bond issue (incursion of debt) as an emergency measure, in light of the fact that UCS currently practices ‘Pay-As-You-Go’. He said he felt it would be wise to have the authorization language included in the referendum to be used strictly as an option. Agan said that putting a bond issue on the May 22, 2018 ballot, if it passes, does not obligate the Board to issue bonds. The Board indicated they would take this under advisement and thanked Agan for his presentation.

Student 4-H Board and Representatives

In other UCBOE news, Timothy Jennings, head of the Union County Extension 4-H in Blairsville, introduced senior members and staff from the UGA Extension Office. He then presented the Student 4-H Board. Elena Griggs, President of the 4-H Board, gave a presentation on what 4-H does in the community and a short description of after-school 4-H programs.

Sheriff Mack Mason (L), Dr. Fred Rayfield (R)

 

Dr. Rayfield presented Sheriff Mack Mason with the 2017 Partner in Education Award.

Dr. Rayfield recommended that the Board approve the June, July, and August 2017 Financial Reports. The reports were unanimously approved.

Following an Executive Session, the Board approved all new personnel recommendations.

With no further business to conduct, the Meeting adjourned.

Fetch Your News is a hyper local news outlet that attracts more than 300,000 page views and 3.5 million impressions per month in Dawson, Lumpkin, White, Fannin, Gilmer, Pickens, Union, Towns and Murray counties as well as Cherokee County in N.C. FYNTV attracts approximately 15,000 viewers per week and reaches between 15,000 to 60,000 per week on our Facebook page. For the most effective, least expensive local advertising, call 706-276-6397 or email us at [email protected].

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