Towns County GOP, security speaker apologize for media ban
News October 1, 2019HIAWASSEE, Ga. – FetchYourNews (FYN) reported on social media Thursday evening that FYN’s entry into an event sponsored by the Towns County Republican Party was denied. Chris Gaubatz, an Islamic expert and author of “Muslim Mafia,” was the scheduled speaker. Gaubatz is a national security consultant whom FYN reported on in March without incident.
The topic of the Sept. 26 discussion was “conservative activism” with morning and evening workshops planned. The speaking engagement was held at the Towns County Civic Center, a government-owned facility with meeting space offered to the county’s dual political parties without charge. A $10 per person reservation fee was requested for the popular event, with attendance secured the week prior for FYN’s reporter and a guest.
A sign announcing the meeting at the Towns County Civic Center.
The meeting, however, did not proceed as expected.
FYN’s reporter was advised soon after arrival by Towns County 1st Vice Chairman, John Alger, that FYN’s attendance was no longer welcome at the event, purported as relayed by speaker Gaubatz. Gaubatz was witnessed in conversation with Towns County Sheriff Chris Clinton outside of the public building immediately prior to notification and throughout the ordeal. Alger, who claimed that he was “just the messenger,” falsely deemed the function an “executive session” to FYN. An executive session is a term for a time block within an otherwise open meeting in which minutes are taken separately, outsiders are not permitted, and the contents of the discussion are treated as confidential.
In addition to the media ban, FYN’s guest – a Towns County Emergency Management Agency/Homeland Security deputy – was also denied entry after creditials were presented through Alger. The issue was promptly forwarded by the county official to local and state authorities for appropiate review.
Towns GOP 1st Chair John Alger returning a Towns County Homeland Security deputy’s identification after the official was refused entry. Also pictured: Towns County Sheriff Chris Clinton (center) with Chris Gaubatz (right)
Towns County Republican Chairwoman Betsy Young, who did not attend the workshop, extended an earnest apology to FYN the following day. Young stated that the handling of the matter was “not acceptable.” Towns County Commissioner Cliff Bradshaw, who arrived at the civic center after the meeting began, additionally expressed disapproval.
Furthermore, Gaubatz contacted FYN’s reporter Monday, Sept. 30, offering sincere amends for the situation. Gaubatz relayed that while the decision was ultimately his, he did not understand the situation correctly, presumably based off questionable information received from Towns County Sheriff Chris Clinton. “You being there would have been fine,” Gaubatz said in part. “I feel terrible…Looking back, I should have talked to you.” Gaubatz, who resides in Virginia, added that he hopes to personally meet with FYN’s reporter and the Homeland Security official when he returns to Towns County.
The incident has left local Republicans calling for GOP 1st Chair John Alger’s resignation due to his involvement in the situation.
Feature Image: Towns County Sheriff Chris Clinton (left) with speaker Chris Gaubatz before the Republican-sponsored event.
FYN Archive:
Gaines educates Towns Republicans on Israeli security training
News October 18, 2019HIAWASSEE, Ga. – Dr. W. George Gaines, Director of Open Enrollment at Israel Military Industries (IMI) Florida Academy for Advanced Homeland Security, was the featured speaker at the Oct. 17 meeting of the Towns County Republican Party.
IMI Florida Academy is an affiliate of Israel’s IMI Systems Advanced Homeland Security Academy, recognized worldwide as the leading provider of Homeland Security for integrated training solutions to combat terrorism.
Gaines explained that Israeli security forces and citizens are tasked with first responder responsibilities, rather than reliance on Israeli law enforcement. “Children are taught the importance of security forces from a very young age,” Gaines, who described Israel as a small county in a bad neighborhood, said. “Military service is required for men and women.” The security expert stated that Israeli military service is seen as a rite of passage for Israeli citizens. Security training is viewed as “patriotic service.”
A slide from Gaines’ presentation.
Gaines taught that requirements for owning a firearm in Israel are highly regulated, with a single weapon allowed and a maximum of 50 rounds permitted. Licenses are valid for 3 years and extensive training and requalification is mandatory. Approximately 40 percent of requested permits are rejected.
“Israel has universal military service, we do not,” Gaines said. “How long will it be before we return to the concept of citizen-soldier? Israel has over 175,000 active-duty soldiers stationed around the nation; they must carry their weapons openly. When was the last time you ever saw a U.S. soldier off-base and carrying a weapon? Israel has over 135,000 highly-trained security officers, many of which are armed. U.S. private security must protect buildings and facilities; it would be unfair to compare these with Israeli security forces who have a different level of training and enjoy legal protection.”
Gaines demonstrating chambering a handgun.
Gaines concluded the meeting by demonstrating basic firearm techniques. “We cannot count on law enforcement to be on hand when a threat occurs. Each of us needs to be responsible for our own security. That places the burden squarely on us, citizens who carry firearms to respond to a threat to innocent lives. Do we have the mindset of the ‘Israeli Single Fighter?’ Do we have the tactical skills to stop a threat without getting killed? The mission of IMI Florida Academy is to provide Israeli Tactical Training to law enforcement and civilians so that they can approach the level of an Israeli security officer.”
Towns County Sheriff Chris Clinton and Towns County Fire Chief-Coroner Harold Copeland attended the event.
Archive:
CAIR director, county attorney weigh in on controversial media ban
News October 2, 2019HIAWASSEE, Ga. – CAIR (Council on American-Islamic Relations) Georgia Executive Director Edward Ahmed Mitchell contacted FetchYourNews (FYN) Oct. 2, regarding a controversial incident occuring in Towns County last Thursday. Mitchell voiced staunch criticism toward a media ban initiated at an event sponsored by the Towns County Republican Party at the Towns County Civic Center. FYN previously reported denied entry into the “conservation activism workshop” featuring national security consultant Chris Gaubatz. Mitchell boldly described Gaubatz in the phone conversation as an “expert in anti-Islam.”
Mitchell, a former criminal prosecutor and journalist, chided that prohibiting media access was an illicit act due to the fact that the meeting was held at a government facility. Mitchell stated that he was “not surprised” that the incident had occurred, describing Gaubatz as “paranoid” and “not willing to be criticized.” What has caused greater concern, Mitchell said, was that Gaubatz’s decision to thwart media coverage was conducted “in partnership with the sheriff.”
Towns GOP 1st Chair John Alger returning the Towns County Homeland Security deputy’s identification when asked to leave the public facility. Also pictured: Towns County Sheriff Chris Clinton (center) with Chris Gaubatz (right)
Gaubatz later extended an apology to FYN for prohibiting access to the “not super secret” meeting. Gaubatz explained that the decision to prevent entry was based on misleading information, presumably gained from Towns County Sheriff Chris Clinton, who was witnessed engaged in conversation with Gaubatz at the time that FYN was asked to leave.
The news was delivered to the political reporter by Towns County GOP 1st Vice Chair John Alger who falsely termed the meeting an “executive session.” Alger was reported by a law enforcement officer inside of the meeting as making light of the situation with Sheriff Clinton, repeating the phrase “executive session” as the reason given for denial. The issue has left local conservatives calling for Alger’s resignation as a Republican officer. Towns County GOP Chair Betsy Young, who has voiced apologetic disapproval, stated that an executive board meeting will likely take place in the near future.
Based on information gathered from sources, FYN’s reporter defines the incident as “deliberate suppression of freedom of the press set forth by an elected official sworn to uphold the Constitution.”
CAIR Georgia is expected to issue an official statement on Gaubatz and the controversial incident, adding that the organization intends to contact the Towns County Republican Party and Towns County Sheriff’s Office concerning the matter.
Furthermore, a Towns County Emergency Management/Homeland Security deputy director who accompanied the reporter to the event was prevented from attending, despite reservations and official credentials presented to the speaker and the sheriff. The matter is under investigation by Georgia Emergency Management Agency (GEMA) at this time.
Sheriff Chris Clinton with Chris Gaubatz at the Towns County Civic Center.
Towns County Attorney Robb Kiker issued a formal statement on behalf of Towns County Commissioner Cliff Bradshaw, whom Kiker described as “prudent in protecting the integrity of the office.” Commissioner Bradshaw was not present at the event when the incident occurred, later learning details of the situation through third-party accounts.
“I understand Mr. Bradshaw personally expressed disappointment in the handling of the matter,” Attorney Kiker said. “This is characteristic of Mr. Bradshaw because I have always found him to be a strong supporter of the Constitution and, particular to this matter, the freedom of speech.”
Towns County Republican Chair Betsy Young, Towns County Sheriff Chris Clinton, and Security Consultant Chris Gaubatz did not respond to FYN’s invitation to comment on recent developments.
FYN archive: Chris Gaubatz event, March 2019:
Hiawassee man charged with sexual exploitation of children
Arrest Reports, News December 10, 2018HIAWASSEE, Ga. – On Wednesday, Nov. 28, Towns County Sheriff’s Office investigators and deputies assisted agents from Homeland Security Investigations with the execution of a search warrant at a residence located within Bald Mountain Park.
Agents from the Georgia Bureau of Investigations and State Probation Officers assisted with the warrant.
During the course of executing the search warrant, law enforcement officers recovered evidence which resulted in the arrest of a suspect.
Edward Lee Trusky, 38, of Hiawassee, was taken into custody on the following charges:
- One Count of Sexual Exploitation of Children
- One Count of Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon
The investigation is active and ongoing.
The case will be forwarded to the Enotah Circuit District Attorney’s Office for prosecution.
Trusky is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
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September: National Preparedness Month
News, Press Release September 3, 2017
Towns County, GA – September is National Preparedness Month and Towns County government, along with the Georgia Emergency Management Agency (GEMA) and Homeland Security, encourage residents to prepare for unexpected situations in advance.
Towns County, along with a nationwide coalition of thousands of private, public, and nonprofit organizations, will host local events and initiatives designed to motivate people to take the necessary steps to ensure their homes, workplaces and communities are prepared for disasters and emergencies.
“National Preparedness Month is a perfect opportunity for people to evaluate their emergency plan, and if they don’t have one, to make one,” says Rickey Mathis, Director of Towns County Emergency Management Agency.
Residents can learn how to prepare and stay informed in the event of natural or man-made disasters by visiting ready.ga.gov.
By creating a Ready Profile, Georgians can construct a tailor-made plan for their families which will include the specific amount of supplies necessary for household Ready kits.
In addition, the Ready Georgia mobile app provides preparedness information on the go.
