Banks County chairman Gene Hart highlighted several accomplished of his first term in office and asked those in attendance at a forum last Thursday to allow him the opportunity to serve another term.
Challenger Milton Dalton expressed to those in attendance at the forum sponsored by the Banks County Chamber of Commerce that he has the ability to lead the county for the next four years.
“Being the chairman of a growing county is a challenge,” Hart said. “The individual must possess the education, training, temperament and patience for the job. Regardless of how this election comes out, I will work as hard as I possibly can the next six months to make the county improve.”
Hart said in re-elected he would continue on that path for the next four years as well.
During his first term in office, Hart said three budgets have been approved with no tax increase on citizens. In addition property tax assessments are now being sent out on time, the fire department and EMS have been expanded and new industry is being courted to the county. In addition, the water system has been expanded and a $5 million grant has been secured for the county for future water projects.
Hart said if re-elected he would continue to control spending and work with the growth of the county.
Challenger Dalton said he is a native of Banks County and has been a business owner for two decades and has experience working for the sheriff’s department.
Dalton was probate judge for more than 20 years.
“I have worked with budgets,” Dalton said.
If elected, the challenger said he would stress all elected officials and department heads work together.
“I would want to keep the budget as low as possible,” Dalton said.
Water is also a key issue for the future of the county, the challenger said.
In addition, the Martin Bridge area should remain for industry.