Meet the Candidate event planned for Sept. 24

An election will be held on Nov. 3 to fill the two newly-created positions on the Banks County Board of Commissioners.

Those who plan to attend are asked to bring a list of questions to ask the candidates.

“One of our biggest responsibilities as citizens is to register and go to vote,” said chamber executive director Tara Fulcher. “Informed voting lies in determining your own personal preferences as to the public problems you are most concerned with and the solutions you prefer. You have an opportunity to be involved at the highest level of your local government. “

The Meet the Candidate event will provide voters the opportunity to discuss with the candidates issues they are concerned about.

“Above and beyond shared preferences, informed voters look at the personal characteristics of candidates to help determine how they will perform in office,” Fulcher said. “We usually prefer candidates who are hard working, honest and educated in their potential political office and well informed on issues in our cities and county. Remember, as the leaders of our cities and county you are entrusting them with decisions that will affect Banks County’s future."

Fulcher said voting is important because it gives everyone a voice in what government leaders do.

“If you don't think your single vote will make a difference, then change your perspective and make voting a personal action,” she said. “Your vote can cancel out someone else's vote if you disagree with a family member, coworker or friend on an issue. Use your vote to cancel out theirs. In this way, your one vote really does make a difference.

“One of the main responsibilities of our government leaders is to voice out our opinions and act on our problems. Voting wisely is very important. We have to choose city and county leaders who can carry on such responsibilities. We are not only talking about our own lives but our children as well. Fixing the current situation and preparing a brighter future is also for the future generation. This shows that voting the right people is not only for our own sake, but for our children as well.”

Another responsibility as Banks County citizens is to do research about each candidate before voting, Fulcher said.

"Meet with them and ask them questions about issues that are important to you," she added. “Find out how they feel about your issues, to what extent they are educated with the issues their possible position will face before they take office as a leader for the city or county. How much time can they devote to their position? Find out if they have been in leadership roles before. Talk to their friends, co-workers and neighbors. Were they easy to work with? What previous experience do they have regarding the position they are seeking? What kind of work ethics did they have? Have they previously held political offices before? What did they accomplish during their previous position? How much experience do they have with government positions? How much education and experience in taxes, roads, education, transportation, jobs, economic policies and economic development can they bring to the position? Do they own a business in Banks County? All of these things will affect how they will base their decisions during their term in office. Their education and influence will determine the future of your cities and Banks County as a whole."

The Banks County Chamber of Commerce is a non-partisan organization, which means the chamber doesn't tell citizens how to vote but rather only that they should vote.

For more information, contact the Banks County Chamber of Commerce 706-677-2108 or bankscountychamber@windstream.net.