Events

Calendar of Events

Democratic Party members invited to sign up for Relay For Life of Fannin County

This year's Relay For Life will take place April 27 and 28. Sign up for the Fannin County Democratic Party Team.

Webb brings ideas to Democrats

Joe Webb presented some of his ideas for Fannin County government to the Democratic Party of Fannin County Sept. 6 and was invited to return Oct. 4.

Webb, who already presented the ideas to the Fannin County Republican Party and the Fannin County TEA Party Patriots, ran for Post 2 Commissioner last year as an Independent.

Webb listed 15 proposed local legislation amendments, which he called "a straw poll set up like a Georgia ballot.

"Tonight, my purpose is to literally get this info into your hands," he said.

The amendments propose:

• all monies spent by Fannin County government be budgeted in the annual county budget
• any monies to be spent by Fannin County that are not budgeted must be amended to the budget by vote of the full Commission Board. All amounts of $25,000 or more require a public hearing
• authorities, boards or appointed entities of Fannin County government have annual budgets that are subject to the same requirements as the county's general budget
• Fannin County government and boards, etc., shall have an annual written plan and issue a report of results
• the Commission Board hold public budget workshops at 6 p.m. on the third Tuesday of September, October, and November of each year
• the Commission Board publish quarterly financial reviews as part of their regular meeting on the third meeting after each quarter
• the Commission Chairman be allowed a car that costs no more than a fully equipped sheriff's patrol car every four years of 75,000 miles, whichever comes last. The purchase price must be approved as part of the general budget
• the chairman's salary be derived from the state's salary scale for Fannin County's population for the county sheriff, with granting of an eight-year tenure
• if elected to a second term, the chairman's salary would be adjusted by granting of 12-year tenure
• term limits of two consecutive four-year terms be imposed on the chairman and post commissioners
• the Commission Board be expanded to a chairman and four post commissioners
• the Commission Board be expanded to five post commissioners and they hire a county manager
• post commissioners be elected from separate districts of the county by a vote of the whole county
• five water districts be designated based on post districts and that bonds/debt, obligation be assessed only on districts that vote to be included
• all city and county governments in Fannin County be consolidated

"Do we in Fannin County control our government well enough? If you don't control it, it won't be controlled," Webb said.

Huddleston speaks out at TEA Party Town Hall Meeting with U.S. Rep. Graves

Surrounded by mostly Republicans, Joan Huddleston, the Fannin County Democratic Party's intrepid treasurer, braved the potential for conservative displeasure by speaking up at the Sept. 2 Town Hall meeting sponsored by the Fannin County TEA Party Patriots.

Joan spoke after Reggie Lenoir, who received catcalls and boos from the audience when he asked Graves's stance on increasing taxes on the very rich and oil company subsidies. Graves was very polite when he answered the first question, repeating the usual Republican arguments about punishing success and the job-makers. He also said that tax increases on the very rich wouldn't solve the problems the U.S. is facing.

Graves dodged Joan and Reggie's questions about tax subsidies for oil companies, acting as if they were talking about ethanol. He even insisted that ethanol was only made from corn even though Joan tried to explain that ethanol could be made from other substances.

When Joan finally managed to pin him down, he replied, "They're under the same laws as other companies."

Because of redistricting, Graves will be in the 14th District come 2012, and Fannin County voters will vote for a new representative.

August 6 Cajun Cookout

The Fannin County Democratic Party Cajun Cookout August 6 at Pete Thomas's Pavilion on Highway 5
included Cajun favorites and music by the DemiJohn Varmints.

Old Timey 4th of July Parade

Fannin County Democrats marched in full force July 2 as part of Blue Ridge's annual celebration of our nation's independence.

Cajun Cookout to be held August 6

The Georgia Democratic Party has requested that counties in Georgia hold an event August 6 to gain recognition for the party and possible members. Given Fannin County Democratic Party President Rob Mishler's Cajun culinary skills, we have decided to hold a Cajun Cookout at 6 p.m. August 6 at Pete's Pavilion.
All Democrats are welcome to attend, whether you are active or not. Please bring a dish to complement the main dish. Please contact Rob at 706-374-1281 or fannindemocrats@live.com to volunteer for clean-up or cooking. Please bring a musical instrument if you play.

Fannin County Democrats participated in Relay For Life June 10

Photo by Nancy Gill and Jeane Gliebe

Fannin County Democratic Party members Bill and Velda Harrison and Lisa Gagnon, cancer survivors, participated in the Blue Ridge Relay For Life Survivors' Lap June 10. The FCDP manned a "Cake Walk Wheel" booth at which a wheel was spun once for every 10 numbers purchased. A winner walked away with a homemade cake for making a donation of $1 to Relay For Life.

FCDP collected a total of $216 for Relay For Life from the booth and the sale of T-shirts, per Joan Huddleston, treasurer.
Velda Harrison, a 23-year cancer survivor, was glad that she participated in the Relay for Life.

"The continuous celebrating applause from the sidelines as we survivors passed by," she said, "was thrilling to me after all the years of intimidation from cancer I have experienced. I had to fight back tears of gratitude for their support." She strongly urges the continued support of Relay For Life, its supporting research and for its providing moral support for cancer survivors.

State Jefferson-Jackson Dinner scheduled for June 25

This year's dinner takes place in Atlanta and includes guests Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman-Schultz, the new chair of the DNC; Governor Martin O'Malley, head of the Democratic Governors Association; Mayor Anthony Foxx from Charlotte; and Congressman John Lewis. An invitation to Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed has been extended.

The first annual John Lewis Congressional Medal of Freedom Award will be awarded to Congressman Lewis during the 50th Anniversary of the Freedom Riders for his outstanding service to this nation and the State of Georgia.

The general reception begins at 6 p.m., with dinner at 7 p.m. The event takes place in the Thomas B. Murphy Ballroom at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta.

For more information, visit http://www.georgiademocrat.org/our-party/jefferson-jackson-dinner/.

9th District Jefferson-Jackson Dinner April 23

A number of Fannin County Democratic Party members attended the 9th District Jefferson-Jackson Dinner April 23rd. Photos to come.

New Fannin County Democratic Party initiative debuts April 4

Knowledge will forever govern ignorance; and a people who mean to be their own governors must arm themselves with the power which knowledge gives.
James Madison

In that vein, the April 4 meeting will feature information on and a discussion about state and local taxes. The topic will include types of taxes and how their rates are determined. Please research the topic in advance so you may be able to discuss it.

Note: The discussion has been continued to the June 7 meeting.

New Officers Installed

At the Jan. 4 general meeting, new officers of the Fannin County Democratic Party were installed. They are Rob Mishler, Chair; Peggy Cleveland, 1st Vice Chair; Robert Platt, 2nd Vice-Chair; Velda Harrison, Secretary; and Joan Huddleston, Treasurer.

Fannin County Democratic Party
P. O. Box 1931
Blue Ridge, GA 30513
706-632-4653
fannindemocrats@live.com