Identifying the Issues - Managing Growth - SPLOST - Capital Improvement Plan - Courthouse & Library - More

Proven Leadership

In the coming weeks there will be those who will focus only on the negative - perhaps things that may not have been done, while trying to demean the positive accomplishments that have been achieved by the current Commission. Read on for more information.

Gilmer County Government Moving Forward
Accountability and Continuity are the Keys

Identifying the Issues
When I decided to run for Chairman of the Gilmer County Board of Commissioners in 2004 the big issues were:
1. Unbridled Growth
2. The New Courthouse
3. Traffic
4. Emergency Services
In an effort to address the most pressing issues I have focused my term on the following.

Managing Growth; Reducing Debt
I made a promise to my neighbors that I would work with community leaders to address not only these issues but others that affect our lives. I knew in ’04 that to provide for our needs we must first develop a strategic plan to use as a tool to manage our growth and produce the maximum efficiency for available money. To date we have reduced the tax anticipation note from $2,000,000 to $1,000,000. Using money available from the 0ne percent sales tax already in place for the Courthouse repayment we are able to finance improved infrastructure while paying it back over a 25 year period, (much like a home mortgage). This allows Gilmer County citizens to enjoy improvements to the infrastructure now without the burden of increased property taxes.

Special Purpose Sales Tax (SPLOST)
By financing improvements through sales taxes, officials can keep property taxes under control and shift the burden from the homeowners to the increasing number of tourist flooding our county. This approach has been extremely popular with our voters who recognize the need to keep up with the expansion of our county. A continuation of the One cent sales tax (SPLOST) was approved by the voters in November 2007 and should generate $35 million dollars over a six year period. In addition, I am working with Representative David Ralston to provide an exemption from school tax for citizens 65 years of age or older. Hopefully, this will appear on the November 2008 ballot.

Capital Improvement Plan (C.I.P)
The C.I.P. is instrumental in managing the growth of our county. It addresses improvements in services and payback with sales tax dollars such as:

• Airport
The Gilmer County Airport which had been closed for the last decade has been brought back to life. Grants totaling $1.2 million dollars have been acquired to resurface and widen the runway, install new lighting and beacon, as well as install an AWOS system. New hangars are planned and a fueling station has been constructed. This revitalization will provide for recreational as well as corporate flyers. It is hoped that the airport revitalization will be a catalyst for industrial expansion. One local developer is considering the possibility of a Business Park that could be served by the airport. New business means new jobs!

• Infrastructure (Roads & Bridges)
20 miles of roads have been improved in 2007. Bridges have been improved or rebuilt entirely.

• Parks & Recreation
Gilmer County has over 1800 participants, (ages 5-13 years of age), involved in Parks & Recreation activities. Our current Parks and Recreation facilities encompass almost 50 acres of land. Statistics show that for every 1000 houses built in a community it takes an additional 12 acres of land dedicated to provide the same recreational services we enjoy today. For that reason, we continue to look for strategic locations for Parks and Recreation to serve our community.

• Fire, EMS, Law Enforcement & Animal Control
New management in the Emergency Service Department has brought efficiency and service to the forefront. The Fire department alone answered over 1500 calls this year. The Emergency Medical Service (Ambulance) responded to 2500 calls this year.

A new strategic plan for Emergency Services has been initiated to build new fire stations that will improve response time, save property, and perhaps even lives. New fire apparatus and fire trucks have been obtained, as well as, a fourth ambulance. Once the new fire stations are built, equipped and staffed the county will request a re-evaluation of the ISO ratings which will save business owners and citizens up to 30 % on their property insurance premiums.

A new Animal Control facility is planned that will better serve the community’s needs and provide a more humane location to manage the increasing population of distressed animals. Recently, a contract was awarded and construction will begin soon.

Courthouse & Library
The people spoke and we listened... Your SPLOST dollars at work!

• 2007 also saw the completion of Phase I of the new Gilmer County Courthouse and the new Gilmer County Library.

Dalton State College Satellite Campus
The transformation of the old Library building to a multi-use classroom will allow Dalton State College to operate a satellite campus in downtown Ellijay. The College will provide a two year curriculum to Gilmer County students. The project is currently underway.

Traffic
Traffic in Gilmer County remains a concern. Eller Road was completed and Simmons Road is under construction. These roads will relieve traffic and improve the routing for School busses to the Clear Creek School. Other traffic concerns are being addressed and will remain a focus. Law enforcement and the road department play a role in alleviating traffic issues. More work is scheduled to begin in the coming year.

Where do we go from here….
Identifying the issues and creating a strategic plan of action was only the beginning. Continuity will be the key to success. Managing current projects and addressing each new issue must be a priority. We must continue to review and update the Capital Improvement Plan and create new revenue streams. I have the knowledge and experience to successfully complete our vision for Gilmer County.

It is vital to our future that we continue on the path of addressing our needs and improving our community. The world is ever changing and our local needs will continue to change with each passing year. I appreciate the support my neighbors have shown me in the past and I ask for your support in the coming elections so I can continue the work that remains to be done.

Contributions may be sent in care of:

Jerry Farist Campaign for Re-Election
3745 Hwy 52 East
Ellijay, GA 30536