Board of Commissioners chairman’s race tops expense list
The race for chairman of the Board of Commissioners has been the most expensive race so far this year in Jackson County.
The three candidates running for BOC chairman have collectively spent over $39,000 through the end of June.
According to campaign disclosure reports filed this week, candidate Hunter Bicknell had raised the most money with $35,085 in contributions and had also spent the most at $26,200 in campaign expenses.
Ron Johnson had raised $11,700 and spent $10,300 while Tony Beatty had raised $5,200 and spent $4,400.
The following is a rundown on contributions and expenses reported on this week’s disclosure reports:
BOC CHAIRMAN’S RACE
Tony Beatty
Contributions:
Ben Fitzgerald, Danielsville, $150
Enosha Management, Hochton, $250
Contributions of less than $100 each, $1,850
Loan from candidate, $3,000
Total Contributions: $5,250
Expenses:
Lowes, Athens, $115;
WJJC, $168
Donahue, $433
JBTV 54, $216
D’Nilli’s Graphics, $802
Bobby’s Signs, $1,825
Republican Party, $450
Expenses less than $100 each, $442
Total Expenses: $4,452
Hunter Bicknell
Contributions:
Previous contributions, $3,300
Contributions of less than $100 each, $11,621
Previous loan balance, $1,250
Keith Ariail, Jefferson, $450 (cash and in kind)
Alex Bryan, Jefferson, $600 (cash and in kind)
House of Raeford, Lavonia, $450 in kind
Buffalos, Dacula, $200, in kind
Dave Ehrhardt, Lawrenceville, $100 in kind
Robert Dunn, Jefferson, $125
Michael Bowers, Commerce, $1,000
David Lathem, Maysville, $249
Elton Collins, Commerce, $500
Mortgage Services, Buford, $500
Coldwell Banker, Suwanee, $800
Brand Properties, Atlanta, $2,000
Amie Botts, Jefferson, $200
Cambridge Farms Builders, Buford, $175
Craig Lagos, Jefferson, $200
Panamac, Jefferson, $200
Bowen & Hightower Builders, Buford, $150
Jamestown Place Builders, Buford, $175
Michael Quinton, Jefferson, $300
Wayne Mason, Lawrenceville, $1,000
Gary Brock, Atlanta, $1,000
Maxie Price Jr., $1,000
Randall Pugh, Jefferson, $200
Keith Hayes, Jefferson, $800
Randall Duck, Pendergrass, $300
Michael Dominy, Braselton, $250
Wehunt Road Partners, Buford, $225
KMB Construction, $Buford, $225
Gary Pirkle, Sugar Hill, $300
Walter Harvey, Jefferson, $500
Narasimhulu Neelagaru, Commerce, $1,000
Builders Political Action Committee, Atlanta, $2,000
Specialty Stone, Hoschton, $250
James Atwell, Braselton, $165
Marty Clark, Jefferson, $500
A.L. Venable, Jefferson, $200
Oscar Garrison, Hoschton, $150
Roxie Dunn, Winder, $150
Wayne Miller, Talmo, $125
Whitetail Developers, Hoschton, $500
Talmo Construction, Talmo, $125
Vineyard Gate, Braselton, $250
Committee for Good Government, Birmingham, AL, $500
Allen Aero Services, Jefferson, $500
L&N Rentals, Nicholson, $125
Hunter Bicknell (candidate), $450
Total Contributions: $33,520
Expenses:
Mainstreet Newspapers, Jefferson, $217
Landmark Communications, Duluth, $15,637
Home Depot, Dacula, $325
Boys & Girls Club, Jefferson, $500
Kid’s Resource, $300
Living Jackson, Jefferson, $956
CeeCee, $117
WJJC, Commerce, $400
Publix, Hoschton, $131
Matthews Printing, Gainesville, $117
Mainstreet Newspapers, Jefferson, $1,974
Republican Party, Maysville, $450
Expenses less than $100 each, $447
Previous expenses, $3,099
City of Hoschton Depot, $130
Tom Clark, Braselton, $300
Franks Real BBQ, $1,135
Total Expenses: $26,238
Ron Johnson
Contributions:
Previous contributions, $2,775
James Whitehead Sr., Evans, $300
Jack Holder, Charlotte, N.C., $250
Bill Byrne, Rockmart, $125
Commerce Medical Group, $250
Marketing Strategies, Atlanta, $550
Larry Singleton Jr., Marietta, $250
Billy Jones, Braselton, $1,000
Rhonda Gillespie, Commerce, $250
Gary Bernhard, Hoschton, $200
Cheryl Iski, Hoschton, $875
Peckers Restaurant, Hoschton, $200
Elizabeth and Joseph Martin, Jefferson, $250
Linda and John Ring, Maysville, $300
Chili Dawgs, $200
Braselton Stover House, $483
Kathy Devanry, Nicholson, $480
Contributions of less than $100 each, $3,040
Total Contributions: $11,778
Expenses:
Previous expenses, $1,994
Expenses less than $100 each, $2,132
Dirt Cheap Signs, $432
Republican Party, $450
Dave Wiley Graphics, $480
Living Jackson, $225
MainStreet Newspapers, $506
The Paper, $499
1270 AM Radio, $500
Living Jackson, $875
AGE Graphics, $275
AGE Graphis, $420
Peckers Restaurant, $200
Chili Dawgs, $200
JBTV 54, $200
Braselton Stover House, $483
Kathy Debarey Signs, $480
Total Expenses: $10,351
Post 2 BOC Race
Chas Hardy
Contributions:
Buzzy Hardy, $400
Ronnie Silva, $200
Dr. N. Neelagaru, $1,000
Jon Massey, $150
Luther Beck, $300
Contributions less than $100 each, $425
Total Contributions: $2,475
Expenditures:
MainStreet Newspapers Inc., $511
MainStreet Newspapers Inc., $357
Victory Signs, $510
Expenses under $100 each, $80
Total Expenses: $1,459
Jody Thompson
Contributions:
Contributions of less than $100 each, $2,300
Bill Kress, Commerce, $2,500
Enosha Management Services, Hoschton, $250
Total Contributions: $5,050
Expenses:
MainStreet Newspapers Inc., $2,249
Logo Express, $380
Capitol Promotions, $361
WJJC, $550
JBTV 54, $216
Living Jackson, $405
Republican Party, $300
U.S. Post Office, $252
Expenses less than $100 each, $155
Total Expenses: $4,870
BOC Post 1
Tom Crow
Contributions:
Previous contributions, $4,185
John Buchanan, Hoschton, $240
David Lathem, Maysville, $249
Thomas Henderson, Braselton, $ 150
Total contributions: $4,824
Expenses:
Qualifying fee, $300
(Amanda Spivey, who is also seeking the Post 1 seat, had not filed a report as of Tuesday afternoon.)
Sheriff
Stan Evans
Contributions:
Previous contributions, $1,250
Joel Anderson, Maysville, $200
Marty Clark, Jefferson, $500
Gladys Graham, Nicholson, $200
Contributions less than $100 each, $1,800
Total contributions: $3,950
Expenses:
Republican Party, $2,270
The Paper, $396
Jefferson Civic Center, $150
McKinney Designs, $615
Total Expenses: $3,431
Jim Keinard
Did not list any contributions.
Expenses:
Republican Party, $2,275
TPE Inc., Buford, $610
Osborne Printing, Lawrenceville, $2,759
Vista Print, $1,060
Gainesville Times, $3,040
A-Stake Enterprises, $55
Campaign Graphics, $809
Jackson Herald, $3,301
Home Depot, $319
Total Expenses: $14,228
BOE Post 1
Brett Schwartz
Contributions:
Susan Kirk, Marietta, $150
Phyllis Schwartz, $150
Contributions less than $100 each, $200
Total Contributions: $500
Expenses:
Star Graphics, Jefferson, $578.
Michael Cronic
No contributions
Previous expenses, $773
According to campaign disclosure reports filed this week, candidate Hunter Bicknell had raised the most money with $35,085 in contributions and had also spent the most at $26,200 in campaign expenses.
Ron Johnson had raised $11,700 and spent $10,300 while Tony Beatty had raised $5,200 and spent $4,400.
The following is a rundown on contributions and expenses reported on this week’s disclosure reports:
BOC CHAIRMAN’S RACE
Tony Beatty
Contributions:
Ben Fitzgerald, Danielsville, $150
Enosha Management, Hochton, $250
Contributions of less than $100 each, $1,850
Loan from candidate, $3,000
Total Contributions: $5,250
Expenses:
Lowes, Athens, $115;
WJJC, $168
Donahue, $433
JBTV 54, $216
D’Nilli’s Graphics, $802
Bobby’s Signs, $1,825
Republican Party, $450
Expenses less than $100 each, $442
Total Expenses: $4,452
Hunter Bicknell
Contributions:
Previous contributions, $3,300
Contributions of less than $100 each, $11,621
Previous loan balance, $1,250
Keith Ariail, Jefferson, $450 (cash and in kind)
Alex Bryan, Jefferson, $600 (cash and in kind)
House of Raeford, Lavonia, $450 in kind
Buffalos, Dacula, $200, in kind
Dave Ehrhardt, Lawrenceville, $100 in kind
Robert Dunn, Jefferson, $125
Michael Bowers, Commerce, $1,000
David Lathem, Maysville, $249
Elton Collins, Commerce, $500
Mortgage Services, Buford, $500
Coldwell Banker, Suwanee, $800
Brand Properties, Atlanta, $2,000
Amie Botts, Jefferson, $200
Cambridge Farms Builders, Buford, $175
Craig Lagos, Jefferson, $200
Panamac, Jefferson, $200
Bowen & Hightower Builders, Buford, $150
Jamestown Place Builders, Buford, $175
Michael Quinton, Jefferson, $300
Wayne Mason, Lawrenceville, $1,000
Gary Brock, Atlanta, $1,000
Maxie Price Jr., $1,000
Randall Pugh, Jefferson, $200
Keith Hayes, Jefferson, $800
Randall Duck, Pendergrass, $300
Michael Dominy, Braselton, $250
Wehunt Road Partners, Buford, $225
KMB Construction, $Buford, $225
Gary Pirkle, Sugar Hill, $300
Walter Harvey, Jefferson, $500
Narasimhulu Neelagaru, Commerce, $1,000
Builders Political Action Committee, Atlanta, $2,000
Specialty Stone, Hoschton, $250
James Atwell, Braselton, $165
Marty Clark, Jefferson, $500
A.L. Venable, Jefferson, $200
Oscar Garrison, Hoschton, $150
Roxie Dunn, Winder, $150
Wayne Miller, Talmo, $125
Whitetail Developers, Hoschton, $500
Talmo Construction, Talmo, $125
Vineyard Gate, Braselton, $250
Committee for Good Government, Birmingham, AL, $500
Allen Aero Services, Jefferson, $500
L&N Rentals, Nicholson, $125
Hunter Bicknell (candidate), $450
Total Contributions: $33,520
Expenses:
Mainstreet Newspapers, Jefferson, $217
Landmark Communications, Duluth, $15,637
Home Depot, Dacula, $325
Boys & Girls Club, Jefferson, $500
Kid’s Resource, $300
Living Jackson, Jefferson, $956
CeeCee, $117
WJJC, Commerce, $400
Publix, Hoschton, $131
Matthews Printing, Gainesville, $117
Mainstreet Newspapers, Jefferson, $1,974
Republican Party, Maysville, $450
Expenses less than $100 each, $447
Previous expenses, $3,099
City of Hoschton Depot, $130
Tom Clark, Braselton, $300
Franks Real BBQ, $1,135
Total Expenses: $26,238
Ron Johnson
Contributions:
Previous contributions, $2,775
James Whitehead Sr., Evans, $300
Jack Holder, Charlotte, N.C., $250
Bill Byrne, Rockmart, $125
Commerce Medical Group, $250
Marketing Strategies, Atlanta, $550
Larry Singleton Jr., Marietta, $250
Billy Jones, Braselton, $1,000
Rhonda Gillespie, Commerce, $250
Gary Bernhard, Hoschton, $200
Cheryl Iski, Hoschton, $875
Peckers Restaurant, Hoschton, $200
Elizabeth and Joseph Martin, Jefferson, $250
Linda and John Ring, Maysville, $300
Chili Dawgs, $200
Braselton Stover House, $483
Kathy Devanry, Nicholson, $480
Contributions of less than $100 each, $3,040
Total Contributions: $11,778
Expenses:
Previous expenses, $1,994
Expenses less than $100 each, $2,132
Dirt Cheap Signs, $432
Republican Party, $450
Dave Wiley Graphics, $480
Living Jackson, $225
MainStreet Newspapers, $506
The Paper, $499
1270 AM Radio, $500
Living Jackson, $875
AGE Graphics, $275
AGE Graphis, $420
Peckers Restaurant, $200
Chili Dawgs, $200
JBTV 54, $200
Braselton Stover House, $483
Kathy Debarey Signs, $480
Total Expenses: $10,351
Post 2 BOC Race
Chas Hardy
Contributions:
Buzzy Hardy, $400
Ronnie Silva, $200
Dr. N. Neelagaru, $1,000
Jon Massey, $150
Luther Beck, $300
Contributions less than $100 each, $425
Total Contributions: $2,475
Expenditures:
MainStreet Newspapers Inc., $511
MainStreet Newspapers Inc., $357
Victory Signs, $510
Expenses under $100 each, $80
Total Expenses: $1,459
Jody Thompson
Contributions:
Contributions of less than $100 each, $2,300
Bill Kress, Commerce, $2,500
Enosha Management Services, Hoschton, $250
Total Contributions: $5,050
Expenses:
MainStreet Newspapers Inc., $2,249
Logo Express, $380
Capitol Promotions, $361
WJJC, $550
JBTV 54, $216
Living Jackson, $405
Republican Party, $300
U.S. Post Office, $252
Expenses less than $100 each, $155
Total Expenses: $4,870
BOC Post 1
Tom Crow
Contributions:
Previous contributions, $4,185
John Buchanan, Hoschton, $240
David Lathem, Maysville, $249
Thomas Henderson, Braselton, $ 150
Total contributions: $4,824
Expenses:
Qualifying fee, $300
(Amanda Spivey, who is also seeking the Post 1 seat, had not filed a report as of Tuesday afternoon.)
Sheriff
Stan Evans
Contributions:
Previous contributions, $1,250
Joel Anderson, Maysville, $200
Marty Clark, Jefferson, $500
Gladys Graham, Nicholson, $200
Contributions less than $100 each, $1,800
Total contributions: $3,950
Expenses:
Republican Party, $2,270
The Paper, $396
Jefferson Civic Center, $150
McKinney Designs, $615
Total Expenses: $3,431
Jim Keinard
Did not list any contributions.
Expenses:
Republican Party, $2,275
TPE Inc., Buford, $610
Osborne Printing, Lawrenceville, $2,759
Vista Print, $1,060
Gainesville Times, $3,040
A-Stake Enterprises, $55
Campaign Graphics, $809
Jackson Herald, $3,301
Home Depot, $319
Total Expenses: $14,228
BOE Post 1
Brett Schwartz
Contributions:
Susan Kirk, Marietta, $150
Phyllis Schwartz, $150
Contributions less than $100 each, $200
Total Contributions: $500
Expenses:
Star Graphics, Jefferson, $578.
Michael Cronic
No contributions
Previous expenses, $773
Defined tags for this entry: election, Jackson County
I wonder if their supporters are really connecting the dots here.
Development in Jackson county is dead...the housing business is dead. NON -ISSUE !
The BOC chair position salary was bumped a bunch 3 years ago people ...it is not $14,000 anymore. I posted this elsewhere and I will say it again "do some research and fact finding before posting"
Ask yourself this " What did Tony do his last term?" Answer NOTHING except help build a huge debt load we are all paying for...go drive by the courthouse and ask yourself"do we want to go back to that kind of leadership?"
Development has only declined sharply in the last few months. It is certainly not dead. The housing will come back and it will be just as strong, if not stronger than before. You need to look further than tomorrow when it comes to land developers and politics. people were buying into the land here years ago. I agree with the commenter above that this seems more like an investment. But with so few people getting informed about actual issues, Bicknell will certainly come out ahead from popularity and marketing. Both related to having more finances to reach out.
Both Beatty and Johnson are so stupid they think the Water Authority runs off county tax money. There payroll, operating expense's and capital costs are paid for with money collected on sales of water/sewer not YOUR tax dollars...the BOC has no control over the Water Authority and after the last take over attempt the state legislator said NO ! to the BOC about controlling it...then we all gave Harold Fletcher the boot.
Is Bicknell perfect? NO but Tony is in another world and still has good ole boy politics in his blood and Johnson is soo dumb he believes in Jimmy Carter economics( remember how that turned out !)
On the issue of being biased to builders ,if Bicknell is biased then why is it that a developer has to pay all his fees up front to the Water Authority BEFORE he moves any dirt??? Sounds like the way to go folks if they want to build then let the developers pay up front..I have not heard that from Beatty or Johnson!
The financial woes of the Jackson County Water and Sewer Authority are not the sole result of Mr. Bricknell or any other authority member. If you did your research you would know that the problem began last year when Sonny Perdue issued a directive to all water permitees to reduce consumption by 10% over the previous year. In addition, DNR mandated greater water conservation. These facts resulted in massive losses in revenue by such authorities throught the State of Georgia. Feel free to contact Hall, Forsyth, Gwinnett, Fulton, Banks, Madision, Athens-Clarke County or any other water authority to check my facts. These policies have resulted in higher water bills and tap fees to off-set those losses. Unfortunately, these authorities took a double dose of loss because of the slow-down in new construction which means less tap revenues. JCWSA has two options now: (1) raise your water/sewer rates to unaffordable prices- which I am sure you'd complain about too or (2) pass the debt obligations back to the county- who legally owns the debt- which means higher taxes. So our options are pay higher water bills or higher taxes. Until things change in the state's water conservation policies and a return in new growth to help pay for our oustanding bonds- our options will remain limited regardless of who is at the helm. Ron Johnson's campaign has been intellectualy dishonest on this issue and continues to be. We want better, more honest government; not the same old politics of the past.
Before you get all fired up on the Water Authority and
Bearcreek,you need to relize that the Water Authority did
not sign the Bear Creek Deal.What has made this whole
election so screwed up is that Beatty,Johnson and people
like you think they are getting somewhere draging the
Water Authority through the mud, when you or them really
don't know what the heck your talking about.That by itself
is a good enough reason not to vote for Johnson or to have
not voted for Beatty. Bicknell is the only one that has been
Fair and honest through this whole election.
Hunter at first debate: "I don't have any relations with any developers or real estate."
Hunter at second debate: "Oh, I forgot, my wife is in real estate."
Hunter at third debate: "I used to develop commercial property and had a real estate license."
Hunter in his disclosures: Over $30,000 in contributions from developers.
I was at all of the forums and debates. He flip flopped on the answers according to the crowd. Pay attention to the facts and then you can vote for the best man for the job.