New Industry, Jobs Top Issues in Franklin Co Commission Chair Race

Bringing more industry into Franklin County to ease the property tax burden and putting its bottom line back into the black were the main themes Tuesday evening for the four candidates vying for the Franklin County Commission Chair seat.

Incumbent Chairman Thomas Bridges told a packed room at the Carnesville Community Center he wants to continue the work he started four years ago.

“The reason I ran to start off with four years ago is the same today; I want to make Franklin County better for its citizens,” Bridges told the audience. “As I got into the first term as County Commission chair, I’ve really had an eye-opener the challenge of bringing in funds from outside the county. So I’ve really tried to keep those funds coming in to help the citizens.”

Challenger Nicholas Clarke is a Georgia State Law Enforcement officer.

Clarke says the County is relying too much on raising property taxes to support itself and not enough on trying to lure more in more industry.

“We have 25 miles of Interstate running through Franklin County and there’s hardly no industry along the Interstate,” Clarke said. “Ladies and gentlemen, there’s 5,000 tractor-trailers that go through Franklin County in a 24-hour period. That’s 35,000 trucks a week. We’re getting beat out by Banks County, Jackson County, Stephens County and Hart County. Why? Because we’re not going out and looking for these industries, these distribution centers, trucking companies, these warehouses to come in and take some of the tax burden off the people.”

Clarke said bringing in new business and industry would provide new jobs in a county where there are few reasons for young people to stay once they graduate.

Commissioner David Strickland is also running to take the County Chairman seat.

Strickland pointed out that when it comes to industrial development and attracting new business and industry and jobs, Franklin County ranks near the bottom statewide.

“Franklin County ranks in the lower third of 159 (Georgia) counties,” Strickland said. “Two of our surrounding counties, Banks County and Madison County that are in the top one third. Stephens, Hart and Elbert County are in the middle, but Franklin County ranks 107th out of 159. I’m always looking for new revenue sources to come into our County.”

Commissioner Strickland noted he was the only one on the Board of Commissioners to vote against the millage rate increase last summer.

Meantime, candidate Sharon Powell has lived in Franklin County since 1990 and is retired from the City of Duluth where she served for 25 years as the Deputy Director for Parks and Recreation.

Power said her experience in government gives her the experience needed to move the County forward.

“I have a lot of experience in government. I want to do the best job that can be done. I want to help grow the county,” she said.

All four candidates are running as Republicans.  The election is May 24. Early voting begins May 2.