Post 2 Commissioner Karleen Ferguson says no plans to run again
Election, Featured Stories, News December 14, 2021
GILMER COUNTY, Ga. – With questions and considerations coming for next year’s elections in Gilmer, the question falls to those on the Board deciding if they will run for re-election or not. Post 2 Commissioner Karleen Ferguson has spoken out on the subject saying, “At this time I do not plan on running for Post 2 Commissioner.”
Gilmer has seen changes since Ferguson first came to office including the outbreak of the COVID-19 virus, changes to the Land Use Ordinance, implementing the county’s River Ordinance, and increases in developments and residential discussions of zonings.
With the opportunity to run and continue her service, Ferguson commented on her current position to stay out of the race saying, “When I first came into office I had much more flexibility in my career. At the time I was a rep for a nutrition company for 20 years that allowed me very flexible hours allowing me to start Stay Active Ellijay and still have time for my Commissioner responsibilities.”
Post 2 Commissioner Karleen Ferguson
As that company restructured and the outbreak brought changes including the closing of Stay Active Ellijay, Ferguson has seen many changes in her personal life as well.
Ferguson indicated these life changes have also changed her ability to serve and find time. She still has a child in college and has also had her family increase with new grandchildren. As such, she stated an increasing desire to also find more time with them, her farm, and her marriage. She stated, “It has been challenging for Robert, my husband, and for my children to endure me serving. Anywhere I go around town residents come up to me with concerns and many voice their opinions on social media and of course the negative ones are very hurtful to those that love me. I signed up to serve in this way, but they didn’t.”
Transitioning out of the county position will still take all of 2022 as her final year, but she has already looked to the future taking a position with Talona Ridge RV Resort team. She stated, “After meeting the Talona Ridge RV Resort team and understanding their vision and desire to be part of our community I knew I would be a good fit and they offered me the job as their Events & Activities Coordinator. They completely understood my responsibilities to serve as Post 2 Commissioner was my first priority after my family and they have been incredibly flexible with all the “special called meetings” etc. that are part of being a Commissioner in this county. Even though they have been incredibly flexible it’s a lot to have a full time job and serve as a Commissioner in this county.”
Ferguson also serves on the Board of Directors for the Fannin/Gilmer Habitat for Humanity. She said, “I look forward to bringing awareness to Gilmer County of this incredible organization.”
Additionally, she said she wants to continue support for Georgia Mountain Trail Partnership, “which is a local non-profit that supports and advocates for all of our trail systems including hiking, biking, equestrian, water etc. God has given us these beautiful mountains and rivers and I’ll always be passionate about protecting them.”
Yet, all of 2022 stands between now and the county’s next potential Post 2 Commissioner. In her final year, Ferguson still has projects she wants to see completed before she steps down. From the pool and continued improvements for River Park to affordable housing, she said she still has ideas for the county. She noted concepts like a stage at the park saying, “I can see concerts down there for families and a place for the baseball players to gather after their parade… I’m very excited that our community businesses want to help in this endeavor.”
A part of the housing team that applied for grants, Ferguson said that housing and the GICH Grant are also tasks she hopes to tackle moving forward.
While her statement only offered her feelings at this time, Gilmer’s Post 2 Commissioner is already set to continue on in Gilmer County in 2022 and onward, even if not in a county commissioner’s seat.
Trump endorses Burt Jones for Lieutenant Governor of Georgia
Election, Politics, Press Release September 3, 2021
JACKSON – Today, September 2, 2021, President Donald J. Trump endorsed conservative candidate Burt Jones for Lieutenant Governor of Georgia.
Both Trump and Jones have shared and forwarded the endorsement to numerous media outlets. Jones’ campaign also attached a statement saying, “In 2016 and 2020, Burt served as President Trump’s campaign co-chair in Georgia, and he was the first elected official in Georgia to endorse the President. As President Trump’s endorsement proves, Burt is the only candidate in the race for Lieutenant Governor who will safeguard and advance the America First agenda, fight for election integrity, and deliver results for hardworking Georgians.”
Trump’s endorsement stated: “State Senator Burt Jones is a Conservative warrior running for Lieutenant Governor of Georgia. No on has fought harder for Election Integrity than Burt, and no state needs it more. A businessman and Patriot, Burt will always stand for America First, and will help bring back Energy Independence, a Stronger Border, Low Taxes, Great Education, and Safe Cities. He will also get to the bottom of the Nov. 3 Presidential Election Scam. Burt Jones has my Complete and Total Endorsement. He will not let the great people of Georgia down!”
In an email statement today, Burt Jones responded by saying, “I am honored and humbled to receive the endorsement of President Donald J. Trump in my campaign for Lieutenant Governor of Georgia. I am the only person in my race who has had the President’s back from day one, and it’s an honor to have his full support. As Lieutenant Governor, I will work to advance the President’s America First agenda and continue to grow our economy, improve our schools, secure our elections, and keep Georgia safe. I look forward to traveling the state and meeting with the good people of Georgia as we work toward a big win in November 2022.”
Trump endorses Burt Jones for Lieutenant Governor of Georgia
Election, Politics, Press Release September 2, 2021
JACKSON – Today, September 2, 2021, President Donald J. Trump endorsed conservative candidate Burt Jones for Lieutenant Governor of Georgia.
Both Trump and Jones have shared and forwarded the endorsement to numerous media outlets. Jones’ campaign also attached a statement saying, “In 2016 and 2020, Burt served as President Trump’s campaign co-chair in Georgia, and he was the first elected official in Georgia to endorse the President. As President Trump’s endorsement proves, Burt is the only candidate in the race for Lieutenant Governor who will safeguard and advance the America First agenda, fight for election integrity, and deliver results for hardworking Georgians.”
Trump’s endorsement stated: “State Senator Burt Jones is a Conservative warrior running for Lieutenant Governor of Georgia. No on has fought harder for Election Integrity than Burt, and no state needs it more. A businessman and Patriot, Burt will always stand for America First, and will help bring back Energy Independence, a Stronger Border, Low Taxes, Great Education, and Safe Cities. He will also get to the bottom of the Nov. 3 Presidential Election Scam. Burt Jones has my Complete and Total Endorsement. He will not let the great people of Georgia down!”
In an email statement today, Burt Jones responded by saying, “I am honored and humbled to receive the endorsement of President Donald J. Trump in my campaign for Lieutenant Governor of Georgia. I am the only person in my race who has had the President’s back from day one, and it’s an honor to have his full support. As Lieutenant Governor, I will work to advance the President’s America First agenda and continue to grow our economy, improve our schools, secure our elections, and keep Georgia safe. I look forward to traveling the state and meeting with the good people of Georgia as we work toward a big win in November 2022.”
Loeffler blasts “radical liberal” Raphael Warnock as campaign tour stops in Dawsonville
News December 14, 2020
DAWSON COUNTY, Ga. – Three days before the start of advance voting in one of the two most important Senate races in the country, Senator Kelly Loeffler (R-Ga.) brought her campaign to Dawsonville Friday. Her message to Republicans was a stark warning: “If we don’t turn out to vote we will lose the country.”
Loeffler faces Democrat Rev. Raphael Warnock in the Jan. 5 runoff. In the other key race, Senator David Perdue (R-Ga.) faces Democrat Jon Ossoff. At stake is which political party will control the U.S. Senate. Republicans currently hold a 50-48 majority. If the Democrats win both races, Vice President-elect Kamala Harris could cast a deciding vote to break any ties. Georgia has not elected a Democrat Senator since Max Cleland in 1996.
Dawson County is in Georgia’s 9th Congressional District, one of the most conservative districts in the country. As Congressman-elect Andrew Clyde pointed out in introducing Loeffler to the 100 or so people in attendance, “We are the mighty 9th Congressional District. We are 83 percent Republican. There are more Republicans in the 9th District than any other Congressional District in Georgia.”
Supporters line up for photos with Sen. Kelly Loeffler and 9th District Congressman Andrew Clyde (center) outside the legendary Dawsonville Pool Room Friday.
Loeffler delivered an explosive no-holds-barred speech filled with the red meat many in the crowd had come to hear, referring to her opponent as a “radical liberal” and reminding them of his own words.
“He called our police gangsters, thugs and bullies and a threat to our children,” she said. “He also said we should empty our prisons, get rid of cash bail and turn dangerous, violent criminals out on our streets, leaving Georgians to fend for themselves while he waters down our Second Amendment rights. He said you can’t serve in the military and serve God. I resent that attack. It’s completely wrong. We will always stand with our heroes who have held the line of freedom for us. We have 700,000 of them in our state right here.”
She also said, “It’s not just the radical things he says, but the people he has celebrated. He invited Fidel Castro into his church, the Marxist, communist, murderous dictator Fidel Castro. He also celebrated Jeremiah Wright, the anti-American, anti-Semetic Jeremiah Wright.
She spoke about last Sunday’s debate with Warnock during which he sidestepped questions about his comments in support of Marxism and his willingness to pursue court packing.
“I gave him a chance to renounce Marxism and socialism,” she said. “He declined to do that. He wrote a book praising Marxism over 100 times.” Loeffler was referring to the 2014 book he authored entitled “The Divided Mind of the Black Church.”
“We have to stand up for our conservative values,” she said. “I have fought from Day 1 against the radical left, the cancel culture, big taxes and China. I stood up to defend innocent life, the Second Amendment, the border, law enforcement and the military and to make sure we put America first.”
She concluded by stating, “If we don’t turn out the vote we will lose our country. Together, we are going to stop socialism in its tracks. Together, we are going to save our country and the American dream.”
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. FYN attracts 300,000+ page views per month, 3.5 million impressions per month and approximately 15,000 viewers per week on FYNTV.com and up to 60,000 Facebook page reach. If you would like to follow up-to-date local events in any of those counties, please visit us at FetchYourNews.com
“The eyes of America are on Georgia:” Perdue encourages North Georgians to vote
News, Politics December 11, 2020
BLAIRSVILLE, Ga: Senator David Perdue weaved his way through the North Georgia Mountains on Tuesday, December 8, visiting Fannin, Union, and Towns Counties.
The stops were part of his 125-city bus tour to get the vote out ahead of the January 5 runoff. Both Georgia Senators Perdue and Kelly Loeffler are in runoffs, Perdue against Jon Ossoff (D) and Loeffler against Raphael Warnock (D). The outcome of the two races will determine control of the U.S. Senate – a point that Perdue drove home during his stump speech.
The November 3 election outcome left some Georgia Republicans feeling disenfranchised and are debating whether to stay home on January 5. Former members of the Trump legal team, Lin Wood and Sydney Powell strengthened that sentiment last week when they encouraged Georgians not to vote unless it was secure.
Senator Perdue speaking to a crowd of 100 in Blairsville.
Perdue addressed those voters who might skip the runoff:
“Here’s the issue, if you don’t vote in January, we’re just letting the Democrats win. We know what their agenda is. They want to go to a one-party, socialist agenda. We have to stop them, and the eyes of America are on Georgia right now. It’s up to us. Our responsibility in Georgia is to get out and vote to stop these Democrats and to protect what President Trump has accomplished in four years.”
He warned of the radical leftist agenda, including stacking the supreme court, removing the electoral college, and federalized mail-in voting.
Former Georgia Governor and current Department of Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue introduced his cousin and told the crowd of “heroes” to “vote early.” He added that no one knows what the weather will be like in January in the mountains.
“David Perdue still stands by the strong conservative, free enterprise, capitalistic principles that called him to go to Washington,” the Former Governor remarked.
Watch a sit-down interview with the Senator.
Each Perdue made it clear that they weren’t happy with the outcome of the General Election. Senator David Perdue expressed his strong support for the President. Reminding the audience, he was one of two senators who backed then-candidate Trump in 2016.
Senator Perdue, former Governor Sonny Perdue, and Union County Commissioner Lamar Paris (D).
Perdue fell short of the 50 percent margin by approximately 7,000 votes in November, which pushed him into a runoff with Ossoff.
Georgia’s Senior Senator is optimistic about his chances:
“Well, we just won this election. In most states, other than one, we would have already been reelected. My margin of victory was two points; that’s more than a lot of Republicans that already got reelected this time in other states. So, I think that’s the best poll right now out there is what we had then.”
He commented that the Democrats didn’t receive more than 47.5 percent in the General Election. As long as the base turns out, Perdue believes they’ll be fine.
As for President Trump’s chances to overturn Georgia’s election, Perdue isn’t involved in that process as a federal official. It’s a state issue, and he’s focused on winning in January. Perdue and Loeffler did call for the resignation of Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger shortly after the November Election.
“I’m very concerned about the issues that are coming out that Stacey Abrams has perpetrated here over the last two years,” the Senator observed. “I have confidence that sooner or later we’re going to get to the bottom of it. What I’ve got to make sure of is we don’t have the same thing potential issues in January.”
Georgia early voting begins next week on December 14 until December 31, closed on holidays. Absentee voting has already started. According to reports, almost a million absentee ballots have already been requested.
Sonny Perdue speaking to the Towns County GOP.
The senator speaking to a crowd of 75 in Blue Ridge.
Drone shot of the crowd in Towns County, Ga
Union Sheriff Mack Mason signed the “Win Georgia, Save America” bus.
Senator and wife Bonnie in Blue Ridge, Ga.
Former Governor Sonny Perdue introduced Senator David Perdue at all stops.
Collins responds to pro-Loeffler Super-PAC accusations
Election 2020, Featured News, News August 5, 2020
Congressman Doug Collins visited Ellijay on Tuesday, August 4, 2020, for a Meet and Greet with citizens at the River Street Tavern. During the visit, he took a moment to react to allegations issued by the pro-Loeffler group GUV.
The candidate stopped for pictures and a short speech as the last stop in a day of similar events in the cities of Jasper and Resaca. In Ellijay, he told supporters that he wasn’t bothered by certain ads and increases in the campaign. He said he doesn’t have to buy a bunch of ads “swearing that I’m a conservative” because the people know who he is and his values.
The event saw the U.S. Senate candidate in the local restaurant, The River Street Tavern, with supporters and others looking to hear from him, along with local law enforcement, Republican Party representatives, Chairman Charlie Paris of the Board of Commissioners, and even Magistrate Judge Candidate Reagan Griggs Pritchett.
Collins touched on issues in his short speech including police support, buying the campaign, and the ads against him.
U.S. Senate Candidate, Doug Collins spoke about Defund the Police, President Trump, and opponent Senator Kelly Loeffler.
Collins said those running around saying to defund the police were disrespectful. Noting that he was a trooper’s kid, he said, “I want them to get themselves in a cop car somewhere, ride about a few nights, and do the job before they say anything else. Otherwise, shut up and start supporting our police.”
Collins added that “a bad officer needs to be gotten out immediately,” but said that charging a man with felony murder and not waiting for the GBI to do an investigation, not taking it before a Grand Jury, and then holding a press conference to make stuff up is wrong. Collins stated, “I’m going to stand and fight it every single time and call it what it is, and that is ‘wrong.'”
Collins also addressed several ads running against him. He pointed out one saying he was a lawyer, to which he replied that he believes in the entire constitution including the right to legal counsel and representation. Collins pointed out other ads by opponent Kelly Loeffler stating she is conservative, but he called it an “amazing, all-of-a-sudden decision by the Senator that she wanted to be perceived as conservative.” He asked where her voice and conservative values were in previous years over planned parenthood, the second amendment, and Black Lives Matter.
Collins also addressed the ads showing him and Stacy Abrams together saying that yes, he had a picture with her and they passed a continuation of the Hope Scholarship together saying, “I guess when you have enough money to go to school, you don’t have to worry about others being able to go to school, but we worked together to get that done.” He also added that he never hired Stacey Abrams as a lawyer for a basketball team or campaigned with her on the floor of the arena against Brian Kemp when he was running for Governor.
Collins held a Meet and Greet event in Ellijay later in the day as part of a three city tour in one day, after Jasper and Resaca.
Collins said we have to accomplish a few things in the coming elections. The first is to elect Donald Trump to four more years. The second is to re-elect David Perdue to keep the Senate Red. The third is to look at the ballot and look for one name in the Senate Race, Doug Collins.
Collins said that the Governor picked his choice, and “that was his one vote.” Now, the election has the people’s vote.
Collins and Loeffler will first appear on the ballot on November 3, along with other Republicans, Democrats, Libertarians, and Independents for the senate seat.
FYN caught up with Collins for a moment after the event to ask about the campaign. Collins reiterated that his answer to the increase in ads and campaign funding was to be the man that the people know. He stated, “We don’t have to spend as much as she does.” as he said his campaign is going to continue the way it is going because the people know who he is and he doesn’t have to make up a campaign like she does.
When asked about campaigns from pro-Loeffler groups quoting Collins as saying Lobbyist are “essential” to the legislative process, Collins responded, “I think this is a sad, desperate attempt by an appointed Senator who has no record of her own.” He accused her of throwing the entire delegation under the bus as he asked, “Does Kelly say that she would vote against our agricultural needs and disaster relief in South Georgia?” and “Would she vote against the funding for our troops and funding for our cities and counties?”
Doug Collins, right, had several members of local politics to listen to his speech including Gilmer Republican Party Chairman Richie Stone, left.
He added, “They’re trying to make me out as something that most people know I am not… She is the one that is not a conservative and she is trying to cover up for it.”
Collins said he is looking forward to the office and he took this step into the campaign “because I believe that the Senate seat in Georgia needs somebody who actually knows how to fight. I believe they need somebody in this seat that actually knows how to get something done, who actually knows how to take the values of the State of Georgia, and take them all across the nation and knows that their is somebody that, without a doubt, has this Presidents back, and I will always have it as we go forward.”