Towns County Democrats encourage younger voter turnout
Election, News February 7, 2020
HIAWASSEE, Ga. – Members of the Towns County Democratic Party visited the local high school for three days last week, encouraging students nearing voting age to register to cast their ballots in future elections.
“Students who are age 17 ½ may register for the 2020 election cycle,” Vickie Plunkett explained. “Voters in Georgia do not register by Party but will declare their Party affiliation during Georgia’s presidential preference primary on March 24.”
According to the U.S. Census, voting rates have historically varied according to age, with older Americans generally voting at higher rates than younger Americans. In 2016, this was once again the case, as citizens, 65 years and older, reported higher turnout (70.9 percent) than 45- to 64-year-olds (66.6 percent), 30- to 44-year-olds (58.7 percent) and 18- to 29-year-olds (46.1 percent). However, in 2016, young voters ages 18 to 29 were the only age group to report increased turnout compared to 2012, with a reported turnout increase of 1.1 percent. All older age groups either reported small yet statistically significant turnout decreases (45- to 64-year-olds and those age 65 and older) or turnout rates not statistically different from 2012 (30- to 44-year-olds).
In any given presidential election, the number of reported voters typically increases relative to the previous presidential election, largely as a product of increases in the size of the citizen voting-age population. Data shows changes in both the number of reported voters and the citizen voting-age population between 2012 and 2016. Overall, in 2016, there were about 4.6 million more reported voters than in 2012. A majority of these additional voters (3.7 million) were 65 years and older. However, despite these additionally reported voters, the overall voting rate was not statistically different between the two elections.
Towns County Democrats will hold their next monthly meeting on Thursday, Feb. 13, at the Towns County Civic Center in Hiawassee, Plunkett said. A pot-luck meal begins at 6 p.m. and the meeting starts at 6:30 p.m. Meetings are open to the public.
Featured Image: Towns County Democrats David and Vickie Plunkett, seated, provide voter information to Towns County High School student Gage Denton during a voter registration effort conducted in late January at the school.
Updated link:
Election Board explains political affiliation process for primaries
Election, News February 7, 2020
HIAWASSEE, Ga. – As the 2020 elections approach, the Towns County Board of Elections and Registration wants to ensure that area voters understand the ballot process.
“During the Presidential Preference Primary (PPP) and the General Primary, you may select either party ballot of your choice, regardless of your political party affiliation,” Towns County Elections Chair Janet Olivia explained. “However, should a runoff follow the election, you will be required to select that same party ballot. The party ballot you select for one election will not dictate the party ballot you must select for the next election. For example, if you select a Democratic party ballot at the PPP in March, you can choose a Republican party ballot at the General Primary in May or vice versa. The only instance in which you must maintain the same ballot choice is during an election runoff.”
The general primary will take place on May 19, 2020.
Georgia left the group of states that vote on Super Tuesday, opting to hold its presidential primary in late March. The primary has been set for March 24, three weeks after Super Tuesday, which Georgia has joined in past election cycles. Critics of the date change say that last year’s announcement by Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger could relegate Georgia voters to a weakened influential position in choosing each party’s nominee. Proponents of the date change, however, cited that the delay would allow ample time for the updated voting machines to be delivered and introduced to precincts.
The Republican Party will select its presidential nominee at the 2020 Republican National Convention in Charlotte, North Carolina. According to Ballotpedia, the convention will be held from August 24-27, 2020. Prior to the national convention, individual state caucuses and primaries are held to allocate convention delegates. Georgia will have an estimated 76 delegates. Delegate allocation is a hybrid system. These delegates vote at the convention to select the nominee. Delegate allocation is proportional. Incumbent President Donald Trump (R) filed for re-election on January 20, 2017, the day of his inauguration. George H.W. Bush (R) was the last incumbent to face a serious primary challenge, defeating political commentator Pat Buchanan in 1992. He was also the last president to lose his re-election campaign. Franklin Pierce (D) was the first and only elected president to lose his party’s nomination in 1856.
Sixteen U.S. presidents—approximately one-third—have won two consecutive elections.
The Democratic Party will select its presidential nominee at the 2020 Democratic National Convention in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The convention is being held from July 13-16, 2020.
Georgia will have an estimated 120 delegates comprised of 105 pledged delegates and 15 superdelegates. Prior to the national convention, individual state caucuses and primaries are held to allocate convention delegates. These delegates, along with superdelegates who come from the party leadership, vote at the convention to select the nominee. In 2016, a Democratic presidential candidate needed support from at least 2,383 delegates to secure the nomination.
As of February 2020, the following 11 Democrats are running in the primary:
- Michael Bennet
- Joe Biden
- Michael Bloomberg
- Pete Buttigieg
- Tulsi Gabbard
- Amy Klobuchar
- Deval Patrick
- Bernie Sanders
- Tom Steyer
- Elizabeth Warren
- Andrew Yang
Freeport Tax Exemption to appear on May ballot
News February 5, 2020
HIAWASSEE, Ga.- A referendum that could ease the tax burden for local business owners will appear on the May 19 general primary ballot. Towns County Commissioner Cliff Bradshaw informed FYN last year that it was an option that he was considering in expectation of attracting economic development to the area. The formal decision to include the question on the spring ballot was announced last week during a special-called meeting. If approved by the voters, the referendum will allow business owners to store merchandise and production supplies in their shops, tax-free, for a year’s time.
As of Jan. 1, 2016, business inventory became exempt from state property taxes. According to Georgia.org, nearly all (93 percent) of Georgia’s counties and over 140 of its cities have adopted a Level One Freeport Exemption, set at 20, 40, 60, 80 or 100 percent of the inventory value.
Towns County opted for a 100-percent exemption.
A Level One Freeport Exemption may exempt the following types of tangible personal property:
- Inventory of goods in the process of being manufactured or produced including raw materials and partly finished goods
- Inventory of finished goods manufactured or produced in Georgia held by the manufacturer or producer for a period not to exceed 12 months
- Inventory of finished goods on January 1 that are stored in a warehouse, dock, or wharf that are destined for shipment outside of Georgia for a period not to exceed 12 months
If approved, application for Freeport Exemption should be made with the Board of Tax Assessors within the same time period that returns are due in the county.
In addition to Freeport Exemption, Towns County Sole Commissioner Cliff Bradshaw requested that the Board of Elections include a Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST) referendum on the May ballot.
SPLOST is an optional one percent county sales tax used to fund capital outlay projects proposed by the county government and participating qualified municipal governments. In general, county and municipal governments may not use SPLOST proceeds for operating expenses or maintenance of a SPLOST project1 or any other county or municipal facility or service. SPLOST is levied in what the law refers to as a “special district,” which is comprised of the entire territory of the county calling for the SPLOST. By using special districts, the revenue of a county tax
can be constitutionally shared with participating municipalities. The tax is imposed when the board of commissioners – or in the case of Towns County, the sole commissioner – calls a local referendum (i.e., vote) and the referendum is subsequently passed by the voters within the county.
Couch’s history surfaces as sheriff’s election heats up
Election, News February 4, 2020
HIAWASSEE, Ga. – As qualification for the Towns County sheriff’s election approaches, FYN received information on the law enforcement career of Jim Couch, a contender for Office of Sheriff, from separate opponents.
A received document contained a press release from Georgia State Patrol (GSP) Commander Capt. Keith Canup concerning an alleged mishandling of the 2015 Southern Worthersee (SoWo) car rally by former Helen Police Chief Couch. Canup stated that there was “no traffic plan in place, there was no plan to deal with the large crowds, nor was there a contingency plan to deal with civil disorder” despite the city previously hosting the popular event.
According to media coverage, over 2,800 people were “out of control,” breaking vehicle windows and attempting to overturn a rollback tow truck, while hurling rocks and bottles at officers, and committing acts of vandalism. Approximately 28,000 participants were reported as present at the rally.
“Chief Couch was told upfront that the role of GSP would be to make sure the mayhem did not spill out into the surrounding county and the Troopers would not actively patrol the town, or police his streets,” Capt. Canup said, in part, in the press release. “Our goal was to prevent the mountainous roads outside Helen from becoming race tracks, to prevent reckless conduct in general, and to apprehend drunk drivers. I felt that a lawless environment was created and allowed to exist for the sake of tourism. Had the SOWO crowd descended upon Helen uninvited GSP would have gladly taken the lead on maintaining order, but that was simply not the case…
“Had the Georgia State Patrol entered the town we could not have stood idly by and condoned the illegal and reckless activities that were being encouraged without taking enforcement action. We certainly would not have signed off on closing a state highway without the existence of an emergency circumstance warranting such action. I understand the state route was closed by Chief Couch for the purpose of allowing the SOWO cars to do burnouts. State Troopers aren’t wired to allow the law to be broken a little bit. You can’t have the presence of Troopers absence the presence of enforcement. They are one in the same.”
Click to read the full statement from Georgia State Patrol
FYN provided Couch, who hired a Gainesville public relations firm to manage his 2020 sheriff’s campaign, an opportunity to respond to the state law enforcement agency’s assessment of the situation.
“As a law enforcement professional for more than 40 years, my first and foremost priority has always been the safety of the residents of the communities I serve as well as the officers who work with me, whom I have dedicated my life to protecting,” Couch’s statement reads in full. “As anyone in this profession may understand, there are moments when one must calmly and rationally assess a situation and do what is best for the safety of all involved parties in order to keep the peace.
Jim Couch (center) with retiring Towns County Sheriff Chris Clinton (left) and retiring White County Sheriff Neal Walden at Couch’s Jan. 25 campaign meet-&-greet.
“During my time as the Chief of Police in Helen, there was an occurrence that required me to put my experience in law enforcement to use. Following the 2015 Southern Worthersee event, which is a large annual gathering of car enthusiasts, some number of those gathered became unruly as the night progressed, eventually forcing one road to be closed due to their presence. I assessed the surroundings and the individuals involved and took what I believed to be the best and safest avenue for all involved by making my request for them to disperse and allowing those gathered a short time to comply with this request. As a peace officer, I believed then and still believe that it was my duty to obtain order and minimize any possibility of damage or violence toward businesses, residences or individuals in Helen.
“I believe it takes a calm and level head to maintain peace during a situation of rising tension, and I do not doubt that I did what was right in that situation at the time. I regret any miscommunication that resulted in unwarranted criticism of GSP’s role or the actions of its Troopers. I appreciate all the law enforcement officers and agencies that worked together that night to ensure this situation was handled in a way that best protected our community, its residents and those gathered. It has been and continues to be my privilege to be in a career of service, and I look forward to serving Towns County today and in the days and years to come.”
Participants described the SoWo event – which was prohibited from returning to Helen by city leaders – as chaotic and riotous. “It was a madhouse when we were there during the day,” an attendee wrote on social media shortly after the event. “I am glad we weren’t there at night.”
Couch, who currently serves as a captain with the Towns County Sheriff’s Office, resigned from his position as Helen’s police chief two months after the rally took place.
Gurtler indecisive on which seat to seek
Election, News February 2, 2020
HIAWASSEE, Ga. – Matt Gurtler, the 8th District State House Representative, issued a statement to FYN on Feb. 2, remaining seemingly indecisive on his next political move.
“I am considering a run and weighing my options for the 9th Congressional or the 50th State Senate seat,” Gurtler told FYN. “It is very rare for both seats to open up like this at the same time and is something we did not expect. My family and I are praying about this very important decision. Thank you to everyone for their support and encouragement these past several days. Whatever we decide to do and whatever seat I run for, I will continue to fight the establishment and defend our Constitution.”
With qualifying drawing near, Gurtler has a mere month to decide whether to attempt the retention of his 8th District seat or seek candidacy elsewhere. Qualification takes place during the first week of March, with the primary election set for Tuesday, May 19.
The 9th Congressional seat opened as a result of United States Representative Doug Collins’ aim toward the Georgia Senate. The 50th State Senate office opened following Senator John Wilkinson’s decision to seek the seat vacated by Collins.
Click to read: Who is eyeing Collins’ Congressional seat
Gurtler, the 8th District incumbent, has been challenged in the State House race by Stan Gunter. Gurtler was elected to the Georgia House of Representatives in 2016, serving Towns, Rabun, Union, and portions of White counties. As of Wednesday, Gunter stated that he expects Gurtler to remain in the race, “anticipating (Gurtler) to qualify for (District 8) and be in the race in March.”
Gurtler declined an FYNTV.com interview prior to reaching a decision.
The 9th Congressional District consists of Banks, Dawson, Elbert, Fannin, Franklin, Gilmer, Habersham, Hall, Hart, Jackson, Lumpkin, Madison, Rabun, Stephens, Towns, Union, White and portions of Clarke, Forsyth, and Pickens counties. The 50th Senatorial District includes Habersham, Rabun, Stephens, Towns, Banks, Franklin, White, and parts of Hall and Jackson counties.
Continue to follow FYN for political coverage as 2020 election developments occur.
Bradshaw sets qualifying fees for 2020 candidates
Election, News January 22, 2020
HIAWASSEE, Ga. – Towns County Sole Commissioner Cliff Bradshaw announced the qualifying fees for candidates in the 2020 election, Jan. 21. The fees are calculated at 3-percent of the elected official’s salary, based on the previous year. Qualification will take place the first week in March, with the primary election for six county offices held on Tuesday, May 19.
The qualifying fees for the open Towns County offices are as follows:
Sole Commissioner: $1,407.54
Sheriff: $1,407.54
Coroner: $36.00
Tax Commissioner: $1.229.04
Clerk of Court: $1,229.04
Probate Judge: $1,578.31
Towns County Board of Elections Chair Janet Olivia and Elections Director Rachel Edwards attended the public meeting, explaining the updated voting process while displaying the newly-introduced ballot machines. A total of 42 voting machines are expected to debut at the three assigned precincts, Olivia said.
Towns County Elections Director Rachel Edwards demonstrating the updated voting process.
A touchscreen device will record the elector’s vote, printing a ballot for accuracy review. The ballot is then fed into a scanning device which records the vote.
“If you recall when you voted in the past, you go in and our managers have to look up your name…,” Olivia said, explaining that the voting process should be quicker. “The new poll pads have a scanner on them.” The updated device scans the barcode on the voter’s driver’s license or identification card.
Senior citizens and disabled voters will be assisted by poll workers to the head of the line, Olivia said.
Concern regarding the small print on the printed ballots was raised by a citizen in attendance. Olivia said that reading magnifiers may be introduced at the voting precincts to aid electors with limited vision.
During the demonstration, Olivia announced that the election office is launching a Facebook page to keep the public informed. Towns County Board of Elections and Registration is located at 67 Lakeview Circle, Suite A, in Hiawassee. For additional information, dial 706-896-4353.
Click for Towns County Board of Elections archives
Feature Image: Towns County Sole Commissioner Cliff Bradshaw
Sheriff’s wife blames victim’s brother for fatal crash
News January 14, 2020
HIAWASSEE, Ga. – The death of Terry Silvers, a Hiawassee resident who was killed in a fatal accident early last year, appears fresh in the minds of many Towns County citizens as the 2020 sheriff’s campaign cycle advances. Mark Silvers, the brother of the famed victim, responded to an announcement of Cpl. Lisa Joseph‘s bid for sheriff, connecting the candidate to her husband, Cpl. Greg Joseph, the Towns County deputy who drew widespread media attention due to his involvement, or lack thereof, in Silvers’ tragic death.
The deadly crash, which many believe could have been prevented by the Towns County Sheriff’s Office, left a 911 caller who witnessed the accident emotionally scarred, and a grandmother and grandchild injured.
Click for Terry Silvers’ archives
In response to Mark Silvers’ disapproval of Deputy Lisa Joseph’s candidacy, Crystal Clinton – the wife of retiring Towns County Sheriff Chris Clinton – lashed out on FYN’s social media, holding the victim’s grieving brother accountable for Terry Silvers’ demise. “Why didn’t you stop him? YOU are the person responsible for his death,” the sheriff’s wife emphasized. Members of the victim’s family, as well as others, reacted with shock to the elected official wife’s callous remark, telling FYN that the comment caused anguish.
Ms. Clinton caused a similar reaction from Silvers’ family and friends in November, changing her social media profile image to a photograph of the victim, adding that it was meant for those so “concerned.”
The sheriff’s wife changed her profile picture to that of Terry Silvers, causing the victim’s family what they described as further grief.
Furthermore, Ms. Clinton referenced a live interview conducted by FYN with Mark Silvers shortly after his brother’s death. During the interview, Silvers stated that while he knew that his brother was in no condition to drive on the evening of his death, and advised him not to leave the residence, his now-deceased brother was defiant. “I figured if I called the law on him, they’d let him go again,” Silvers told FYN last spring, referencing multiple occasions that the sheriff’s office had released his drug-addicted sibling without charges.
Click to hear interview with Mark Silvers
This is not the first time that Sheriff Clinton’s wife has made headlines, however, with Ms. Clinton falsely accusing an appointed official of being a convicted felon last fall, along with defamatory allegations fired at a contender in the sheriff’s race.
Click for Crystal Clinton archive
Furthermore, numerous individuals – some of whom served as officers under Sheriff Clinton’s leadership – have questioned the agenda of two Towns County sheriff deputies who have recently announced candidacy for Office of Sheriff in the 2020 election. While both candidates have received support, others believe that their bid may be an extension of the retiring sheriff’s ruffled reign, with Ms. Clinton’s recent outburst seemingly solidifying the concept in their minds.
On Jan. 13, FYN requested an interview with Towns County Capt. Jim Couch, who announced his bid for sheriff last week. The sheriff’s candidate declined, stating that he did not want to “get in the middle” of unrelated controversy surrounding the highly-contested sheriff’s race at this time. Towns County Cpl. Lisa Joseph has not responded to FYN’s invitation to interview.
Sheriff’s candidate Linda Curtis expressed disapproval over the handling of the Silvers’ case by the agency during a Jan. 7 conversation with FYN, recalling that the Towns County Sheriff’s Office did not accept responsibility for their role in the incident nor alter its policies thereafter. Curtis added that Heather Cassidy Segars – the 911 caller who faced an online attack from Ms. Clinton following the notorious 2019 accident – should be “commended” for her heroic attempt to prevent the fatal collision.
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Fifth candidate enters Towns County sheriff’s race
Election, News January 13, 2020
HIAWASSEE, Ga. – Lisa Joseph, a deputy with the Towns County Sheriff’s Office, announced Jan. 12 that she plans to seek Office of Sheriff in this year’s election. Corporal Joseph announced the launch of her campaign on her social media page Sunday night, directing the public to a website for the following information.
“As a law enforcement professional, with a strong background in criminal justice, I am honored to introduce myself as a candidate for the office of Sheriff – Towns County. Living and working in this great community for the past five years has truly been a blessing for our family and I am looking forward to the opportunity to bring about positive change as your Sheriff. My professional experience, training and education have prepared me for this important position. My professional career began as an educator in the Cobb and Cherokee County School Districts. While working as a Special Education teacher, I pursued and completed two graduate degree programs, earning a Master of Education and a Master of Criminal Justice. My interest and passion for community protection and service, led me to leave education and enter the law enforcement profession.
“My Career journey has provided me the opportunity to develop a solid foundation and gain valuable insight and leadership skills having served in a wide range of law enforcement roles in the state of Georgia to include:
Certified Dispatcher – Cherokee County
Detention Officer – Fannin County
Sergeant/State Certified Peace Officer – Fannin County
Road Deputy – Towns County
Shift Supervisor/Corporal – Towns County
“Serving the citizens of Towns County in my current position as a Corporal/Shift Supervisor has given me first-hand knowledge of the issues facing our community. Whether it is combating drugs, decreasing the crime rate or implementing animal control services, I am committed to communicating and working tirelessly with all branches of the county government to create a successful and positive environment for growth through our vision of honesty, integrity, and moral values. I would be honored to further serve this county in which I am deeply committed. I look forward to visiting with familiar faces, as well as the new faces that I will meet along this journey.”
Joseph listed her hometown as Hinesville, Georgia, on her social media page. Joseph serves on the Towns County Sheriff’s Office with husband Corporal Greg Joseph.
FetchYourNews.com attracts over 300,000 page views and 3.5 million impressions per month with a 60,000 Facebook page reach. Approximately 15,000 viewers visit FYNTV.com
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Community responds to sheriff candidate’s ‘trash’ talk
News January 11, 2020
UPDATED
HIAWASSEE, Ga. – Response from the local community grew heated in the days following the publication of an interview with Towns County sheriff’s candidate Linda Curtis, a retired Florida law enforcement officer who relocated to the region nearly a decade ago. Many Towns County residents reacted on social media, expressing contempt for the contender’s verbiage – “taking the trash out” – in referencing arrests on area drug charges. Others took equal offense to Curtis’s attack on fellow candidate Daren “Bear” Osborn, a lifelong resident of Towns County, comparing the 33-year law enforcement officer to a “monkey.”
Click to read Sheriff’s candidate hopes to ‘move agency into tomorrow’
“I don’t know you, but statements like this are stigmatizing and keep people that are lost in addiction from reaching out,” Stacie Ledford, President of Rock Bottom Recovery, responded in part. “Addiction is not a moral issue. Maybe you should make your platform one that promotes helping those fighting the battle instead of seeing them as trash. I am in recovery myself and was not and will never be trash. I would not vote for you as you would definitely discriminate against people with substance use disorders. And I would think you running as sheriff, you would want to help everyone.”
Ledford – who founded the inmate, addiction program in neighboring Clay County – stated that she previously discussed implementing a drug intervention program in Towns County per interest from candidate Osborn.
“There is not one person in this town that deserves to be called trash,” Resident Tammy Bradshaw replied online to Curtis. “You talked about lots of other things we need to fix but didn’t give any examples except for calling someone a monkey and making fun of body types…The problem with us ‘locals’ is not that we don’t want change. Our problem is being too trustworthy to new people that have their own agenda of change. Change to take over and change our town into the next crime-ridden, overpopulated, ignoring our culture and traditions all while putting a smile on their face and pretending to be doing their job, when in reality behind the scenes they are tearing down and destroying our way of life, our values. So, therefore, we tend to stick with the people we know or grew up with because even if they didn’t make any change, our values and traditions were left intact. There are certain things I will fight to never see change because it’s what makes this town so special. And I refuse to bow down to those who get offended because the majority of this town does not support whatever they are pushing.”
Sheriff’s candidate Daren Osborn informed that he intends to issue a social media statement, telling FYN that he is disappointed that the campaign cycle launched in a less-than-positive fashion. “I consider everyone a human being,” Osborn said in response to the controversy. “Some have issues that have taken control of their lives. As sheriff, I will be implementing programs to help these people, and I don’t consider them someone you throw away.”
Candidate Curtis, who voiced initial approval of FYN’s interview coverage, was “tagged” on social media by both Ledford and Bradshaw, but had not responded to concerns as of the afternoon of Jan. 11.
UPDATE: Both Curtis and Osborn issued responses on their Facebook pages following this publication.
Cooper to challenge Copeland in coroner’s race
Election, News January 10, 2020
HIAWASSEE, Ga. – Towns County Deputy Coroner Tamela Cooper announced Friday, Jan. 10, that she will seek office as Towns County coroner in November’s election. Cooper will challenge first-term incumbent Harold Copeland, who serves a dual role as coroner and fire chief, for Towns County. Cooper has served as a deputy coroner for the past 7 years under Copeland’s appointment.
“I am a member of North Mt. Zion Church of God, a graduate of Gupton Jones College of Funeral Service, a local business owner, a wife, and a mom,” Cooper told FYN. “Marvin and I have five children ranging in age from 25 to 13. My goals for the Coroner’s Office are to first be dedicated to bringing long term consistency to the office. I have been the one constant in the Towns County Coroner’s office since June of 2013. I have an outstanding rapport with the deputies, EMS, fire and first responders.
“Beyond that, it is my heart, when it comes to death I have the extensive training, experience, and compassion that it takes to do this job and do this job well. Almost 100-percent of the time when a family is working with the coroner’s office, it is due to the unexpected passing of a loved one and that requires a very specific set of skills; being compassionate while also getting the needed details and securing a proper investigation if needed is key. This is where I become the strongest candidate Having the training and experience not just in determining if there is foul play but I have the psychology too calm scenes, unfold the events and make certain our coroners office has it right and I strive to give order, peace, and comfort in a time of confusion, chaos, and heartache.
“I want the people of Towns County to know I am here doing everything I can to take care of their most precious loved ones. I ask that if you do not know me well, please get to know me and my heart, let me earn your respect and vote.”
Cooper is the owner and funeral director of Banister Funeral Home in Hiawassee.
Cooper announced her candidacy at Mountain Movers and Shaker’s weekly meeting at Sundance Grill.
Capt. Jim Couch announces bid for Towns County Sheriff
Election, Press Release January 9, 2020
PRESS RELEASE
HIAWASSEE, Ga.— Building upon an entire career of public service as a law enforcement leader, Jim Couch is pleased to announce his candidacy for Office of Sheriff of Towns County.
Currently a captain with the Towns County Sheriff’s Office, Couch brings 41 years of wide-ranging law enforcement experience, including in large metro departments as well as small and medium communities.
“It has been an honor for me to serve the people of Towns County,” Couch said. “I feel that my years of experience uniquely qualify me to lead the Towns County Sheriff’s Office into the next decade. I am confident that my knowledge and training will allow me to structure and prepare the agency to manage the growth that is inevitable in this area.”
Towns County’s primary election is May 19 with the General election set for November 3.
Couch will run as a Republican. Couch began his law enforcement career in 1978 as a dispatcher with the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office. In the early years of his career, after graduating from North Central Georgia Law Enforcement Academy, he worked for several metro Atlanta departments including M.A.R.T.A Police Department, Cobb County and Marietta Police Departments, and Douglasville and Powder Springs Police Departments.
He and his family have been North Georgia residents since 1996, when he accepted a position with the White County Sheriff’s Office under the leadership of Sheriff Neal Walden. Prior to that he was employed with the Fulton County Marshal’s Department as a Deputy Marshal/Sergeant. He also served with the Georgia Army National Guard from 1986-1994 and was called to active duty in 1990-1991 during Desert Shield/Storm. Couch received an Honorable Discharge in 1994.
While at the White County Sheriff’s Office, he was named Captain/Patrol Division Commander before accepting the position of Police Chief with the City of Helen in 2012. In 2015, Couch accepted a position with the Towns County Sheriff’s Office where he serves as Captain over Field Operations under the leadership of Sheriff Chris Clinton.
“My wife Julie and I are proud to call Towns County home,” Couch said. “We are deeply invested in this area, and I understand how important the bonds of a community can be for families. As we now look at our adult children raising their own kids, I want to make sure I do all I can to help build safer, healthier communities for the people of Towns County.”
Click to read: Couch’s history surfaces as sheriff’s election heats up
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Sheriff’s candidate hopes to ‘move agency into tomorrow’
Election, News January 8, 2020
HIAWASSEE, Ga. – FYN sat down with Linda J. Curtis, candidate for Towns County sheriff, Jan. 7, to disseminate the retired law enforcement officer’s plans if elected to office in November. Curtis served a total of 17 years as a police officer in Florida prior to relocating to Towns County. Curtis intends to run on the Republican Party ticket, stating that she has been a Republican for the past 35 years.
“The first thing that I want to do is move this agency into tomorrow,” Curtis said. “You know that old cliche, ‘if you keep on doing what you’ve always done, you’ll keep on keeping what you’ve always gotten?’ It seems like every candidate that runs, runs on the same thing. Drugs are important here. They’re a problem in this county, but they’re a problem in every county…But there’s a lot of other problems here than just focusing on drugs. We need to give drugs 100-percent attention, no doubt, but we also have about 15 other problems that need attention also. Every candidate seems to be saying the same thing. Drugs are a problem here. They are, but what about all of the other problems that we have?” Curtis continued, explaining that an “administrative foundation” is needed within the sheriff’s office. “And we need to start caring about each other as a community.”
When asked what is working well within the Towns County Sheriff’s Office, and what could benefit from improvement, Curtis said that deputies are “on top” of the drug problem. “I think they’re taking the trash out. I think they are maintaining. I think the deputies are probably doing the best they can with the tools that they’re given right now,” the sheriff’s candidate explained. “When (retiring Sheriff) Chris (Clinton) came in, he started the CLEA. He kind of got community policing going. He went after the drugs. But we never really moved forward from that. If we keep electing the same mentality we’ll be right back here in four years because we have to work on everything. We have to work on community policing. We have to work on investigations.”
Curtis stated that if elected, she plans to build upon the Citizen Law Enforcement Academy (CLEA) program, additionally implementing a student police academy for 5th and 6th-grade students if the funding is available. More so, the sheriff’s contender listed better communication between the sheriff’s office and Towns County 911 dispatch as an area in need of improvement, as well as advanced training for emergency dispatchers.
FYN asked Curtis, who ran as an Independent sheriff’s candidate due to her residency status in 2016, her current thoughts on accepting a controversial endorsement from the Victory Fund four years prior. The Victory Fund strives to elect openly lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender candidates to political offices throughout America. Curtis called the endorsement the nail in her 2016 campaign coffin, adding that she is not a gay activist as accused by the then-GOP county chairman. “I would definitely want to move the agency into tomorrow,” Curtis said, however. “I don’t know if I would quite use the word progressive, but we have to move it forward.” In a region that undeniably leans toward conservatism, the sheriff’s contestant claimed that she faced harassment during the 2016 election cycle due to her orientation.
Presumingly referencing fellow candidate Daren Osborn, who has publicly vowed to serve as a “working sheriff” if elected, Curtis stated that the community deserves more.
“It’s not throwing on a gold badge and riding around in a patrol car. That’s not what being sheriff means to me. And I know this is probably going to upset people, but any monkey can be a working sheriff. Any monkey can jump off the road and say we’re going to work on drugs. But we’ve got so many other problems there,” Curtis said. “A working sheriff is great, but we need better than a working sheriff. We need an everything sheriff. We need to be good at admin, community policing, investigations, and we need to get out from behind the desk. We need to be in good physical condition. If my deputies are going to get out there and run a mile, by God, I need to run a mile too.”
Curtis said that her 11 years serving with Altamonte Police Department provided her with the training and experience to take office as Towns County’s next sheriff, describing the Florida agency as “very busy with high crime and high pressure.”
“As far as being a candidate for sheriff, does it make me a better cop? Not necessarily,” Curtis said. “Does it make me better able to handle a crisis? Absolutely because I’ve been in it.”
The sheriff’s candidate listed volunteer work with the local Lions Club, VFW, and the Lake Chatuge clean-up project as community service endeavors, encouraging other candidates to likewise “show what they’ve done to make the county better.”
Curtis resides in Hiawassee with partner, Debbie. The recently-wedded couple relocated to the area in 2010, becoming full-time residents in 2014.
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Fire chief to seek second term as coroner
News January 6, 2020
HIAWASSEE, Ga. – Towns County Fire Chief-Coroner Harold Copeland announced on the evening of Jan. 6 that he would seek a second term as county coroner.
“It is with much humility and my deepest respect for the citizens of Towns County, that I humbly ask for your support once again, for the Office of Coroner,” Copeland stated. “I have served on the fire department for 35 years, in many different positions, and five years as fire chief. I also work part-time with the Young Harris College Police Department. I was elected to the coroner’s office in 2016, and I am asking for your support this May, as I run on the Republican ticket once again.”
At the time of publication, no other contenders have publicly challenged Copeland in the 2020 race.
A coroner is a government official who is empowered to conduct or order an inquest into the manner or cause of death and investigate or confirm the identity of an unknown person who has been found dead within the coroner’s jurisdiction.
In the state of Georgia, a coroner must be at least 25 years old, registered to vote, and in possession of a high school diploma. Medical experience is not required. In 1777, Georgia was the first state to mention the Office of Coroner in its constitution. Georgia is among 27 states that continue to elect local death investigators. Four of the other 26 states require coroners to be physicians, and one state requires that coroners must be licensed medical professionals.
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Towns County voters to use new equipment in 2020
News December 23, 2019
HIAWASSEE, Ga. – Towns County Board of Elections Chair Janet Olivia advised the community Dec. 22 that Towns County voters should expect to use updated voting machines to cast their ballots in the 2020 election. “Georgia voters will be using a new method of voting in 2020, utilizing Ballot Marking Devices (BMDs),” Olivia said. “These devices will be comprised of two parts: an electronic tablet (touchscreen) that will allow the voter to make his or candidate selections, and an attached printer, which will then print the voter’s selections on a paper ballot. The voter then has an opportunity to review his/her selections prior to casting the ballot.
“Once the voter is satisfied with the ballot, he or she will then enter the paper ballot into an ImageCast Precinct (ICP) Scanning Device to cast the ballot. The touchscreen tablets do not record any data, only the scanners. Each voting station in a precinct will include the two-component working station with privacy accommodations. The stations are equipped for persons who are visually or hearing impaired. For persons who are disabled and voting in person, please contact any poll worker onsite so that you avoid standing in line.”
Towns County Board of Elections Chair Janet Olivia
Olivia explained that the paper ballot that is printed is not a receipt. Instead, it is a potential ballot that has yet to be cast. Once the voter places the ballot into the ICP scanner. Towns County will have one per precinct and one at the Advanced Voting location, then the ballot will be recorded and the voter’s selections will then be counted.
“Poll workers will be onsite to assist voters with any issues that arise with the BMDs and the ICP Scanning Devices.,” Olivia added. “We also will be using new ‘check-in’ devices that should expedite voter lines. New poll pads are equipped to scan driver licenses and allow the voter to electronically sign his or her name in lieu of signing a written form on election days.”
Olivia stated that the Towns County Board of Elections is in the process of launching a Facebook page to inform voters of election-related updates.
Interview with Osborn, candidate for Towns County’s next sheriff
Election, News December 22, 2019
HIAWASSEE, Ga. – FYN interviewed Towns County sheriff’s candidate Daren “Bear” Osborn last week, peering into the contender’s plans if elected to office in 2020. Osborn was the first challenger to enter the sheriff’s race, a month prior to Towns County Sheriff Chris Clinton’s retraction to seek a fourth term. Osborn released a lengthy list of goals and objectives Oct. 16, five days after his candidacy announcement. The sheriff’s candidate has undoubtedly put into action his promise to become “a working sheriff,” regularly attending political engagements and volunteering at community events with wife, Missy, long before his campaign officially launched. Osborn had since taken to visiting Towns County constituents in a door-to-door approach, seeking future votes of confidence.
Curtis enters Towns County sheriff’s race
News December 19, 2019
HIAWASSEE, Ga. – Linda J. Curtis, an Independent candidate in the 2016 Towns County sheriff’s election, has officially announced intent to run for Office of the Sheriff in 2020. Curtis announced the decision on her Facebook page on the morning of Thursday, Dec. 19.
“I would like to wish everyone a Merry Christmas,” Curtis wrote. “Also I want to send out a special thanks for your loyalty, dedication, and support in my decision to run for sheriff in the upcoming election. For the protection of your privacy and mine, I will only be using minimal Facebook time for my campaign. Again, thank you for your support. It has touched my heart, really.”
Curtis, a former law enforcement officer, joins Daren “Bear” Osborn and Kenneth “Ode” Henderson in the 2020 Towns County sheriff’s race.
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