Lumpkin County deputies are currently investigating the death of an unidentified White County man after his body was found by a passerby at the reservoir at Lake Zwerner Thursday morning.

“Early indications are that the subject died from a gunshot wound,” said Lt. Alan Roach of the LCSO. “It would appear that there were no other people involved in this shooting.”

It was just before 11:30 a.m. when a passerby reported the discovery of the man in the picnic area of the popular downtown recreational area.

“He was leaned up against one of the boulders,” said Roach. “An observant citizen was driving past and realized the man was deceased and called us.”

Though signs indicate that the gunshot wound was self-inflicted, officials said it was too soon to rule the death a suicide.

The identity of the man is being withheld until family members can be contacted, said Roach.

For further updates check in with www.thedahloneganugget.com and look for next week’s print edition.

Chestatee Regional Hospital made headline news across the nation for all the wrong reasons Monday morning as a report on CBS This Morning leveled accusations of shady laboratory billing against the local hospital.

The bulk of the seven minute segment was based on the account of Dahlonega native and former hospital employee Kelly Smallwood who said she was witness to numerous instances of improper billing after new CEO Aaron Durall bought the hospital in 2016.

It’s an account that Durall deemed “flatly wrong,” when talking to The Nugget on Monday.

Durall Holdings, LLC purchased the local hospital in August 2016 for about $15 million. It was reportedly the first medical facility the holding company purchased.

Since then, the CBS report alleged, the hospital was paid by insurance companies at a higher rate than normal for screening drugs tests not conducted there.

Part of their information came from Smallwood who filed a “whistle blower suit” in November 2016, said CBS senior national correspondent Jim Axelrod.

CBS STANDS BY STORY

After the story airedwith an accompanying graphic reading "Small Hospitals Scam?" Axelrod said that he has been looking into the issue of health care executives using rural hospitals as a method of making more money off insurance providers for some time.

“Insurance companies say they negotiate a higher rate with rural hospitals or they wouldn’t stay open,” he told The Nugget.

During the investigation Axelrod reportedly ran across Durall’s name several times as having purchased several hospitals. He also found a reference to Smallwood’s suit and contacted her.

The Nugget obtained a copy of the suit, which stated that after Durall took over as CEO, Medivance, another Florida company providing billing services for the addiction treatment industry, took over management of billing at CRH.

The suit also included numerous billing records sent to insurance companies through CRH’s billing system for patients with no record of having ever been treated at the hospital.

Durall also owns Reliance Laboratory Testing, Inc. in Sunrise, Fla. where, the report alleges, some of the tests attributed to CHR were conducted.

Smallwood dropped the suit in June 2017.

The Nugget attempted to contact Smallwood on Monday but she said she needed to speak with her lawyer first.

DURALL DECLINES

Durall was not featured on camera during the CBS report. During the segment, footage was shown of Axelrod attempting to corral the hospital CEO for a interview in a Florida parking lot only to have Durall drive away.

On Monday Durall told The Nugget via email, that the hospital was clear of any wrongdoing.

“The hospital billed only for any services performed by hospital staff at the hospital and the payers correctly paid the hospital for those services,” he said. “The hospital expects to be successful in any dispute related to the issue. We remain advocates for our patients and staff, and vow to provide the highest standard of care.”

Meanwhile, Lumpkin County Commissioner David Miller said he took interest in the CBS report since he’s the representative tasked with staying on top of local healthcare issues.

“It's an unfortunate situation,” he said. “We don't know if it's true of not. CRH is a private, for profit entity. From our perspective, we wouldn't have any information on the fiscal side of their house. We wouldn't have any idea what their billing practices are.”

Miller added that the county hasn’t had much of a relationship with the hospital since Durall bought the facility two years ago.

“I’ve never met or talked with Aaron Durall,” he said. “I’ve tried numerous times to contact him to talk about community relations and dialog with the county. But I've been unsuccessful.”

Northeast Georgia Health System (NGHS) reached an agreement to purchase Chestatee Regional Hospital’s 8.86 acre campus, contingent on what it finds during it’s evaluation (due diligence) of the healthcare needs of Lumpkin County.

The sale is expected to be final by July 31.

That means hospital employees will be looking for a new job. 

At an employee meeting Friday morning they were told they would not receive any severance pay, nor could current owners guarantee NGHS would hire them once the facility reopened.

They will, however, be paid for accrued sick time and unused paid time off. They are also eligible to collect unemployment benefits.

Health insurance will end when the doors are closed.

For the community at large, it will mean a slightly longer ambulance trip, but County Board of Commissioners Chair Chris Dockery said he is already working with EMS and NGHS “so the transition is smooth for emergency services [and] calls are routed to the most appropriate place for care.”

Last year nearly 40 percent of ambulance patients were taken to Chestatee Regional but ended up being treated at different facilities.

There is also a possibility the University of North Georgia (UNG) will purchase the property in the future. Legislators put funds in the 2019 state budget for UNG to purchase the old Chestatee Regional facility from NGHS. The Board of Regents will vote on the purchase later this year.  

Sen. Steve Gooch supported the appropriation. It would “enable UNG to expand and grow its healthcare programs on the Dahlonega campus,” he said.

In addition to its proposed purchase of Chestatee Regional, NGHS already owns 57 acres just south of Georgia 400/Highway 60.

The Lumpkin County High School Mock Trial Team walked away with four Outstanding Witness awards from the Regional Competition held earlier this year. 

The Mock Trial Team, under the sponsorship and direction of local attorneys J. Roger Palmour, Robyn Adams, Penny Hunter and LCHS teacher Elizabeth House, competed against much larger high schools such as North Gwinnett, Cambridge, Lambert, and several from Forsyth County.

In the Mock Trial program, team members play the roles of attorneys and witnesses from a case prepared each year by the State Bar’s Young Lawyers’ Division. 

The team prepares the plaintiff and defense sides of a case and the competition trial includes opening statements from each side, direct and cross examination of witnesses, and closing arguments from each side. 

Student attorneys can make objections throughout the trial on anything from admissibility of evidence, to hearsay. 

Student witnesses developed their characters in a believable fashion and avoid impeachment during cross examination.

The LCHS Mock Trial team was led this year by seniors Rachel Gaston, Elizabeth Harwood, Jacob Hopkins, and Kaitlyn Pickelsimer. Other team members included Brianne Anderson, Branden Alewine, Santiago Calatayud, Samuel Crocker, Emmaline Cunningham, Najja Hughey, Mckinley Johnson, Thomas Nilsen, Jorge Romero and timekeepers Rachel Stewart and Casey Warren.

The closing of Chestatee Regional Hospital (CRH) and its planned sale to Northeast Georgia Health System (NGHS) may turn out to cause short term pain but a long term gain, said Sen. Steve Gooch. 

But that initial pain could be significant as 200 people will lose their jobs when the doors close, which is expected to be July 31 if the sale goes through. 

Closing the deal is contingent of what NGHS finds during a due diligence period, which has already started, said Sean Couch, director of public relations and marketing at NGHS.

“We are requesting information about patient volumes, payer mix, current services, medical staff, IT infrastructure, facility condition and more. We plan to analyze that data to help shape future decisions,” he said.

Gooch, who is also the executive director of Lumpkin County’s Economic Development Authority, said the local group has been working with NGHS for about three years.

“In 2015 they bought 57 acres just south of the Georgia 400/Highway 60 intersection,” he said. “But they can’t build without a certificate of need from the state. That will automatically go to NGHS when they purchase the hospital, and they must exercise it within 12 months or it reverts to the state. Then any medical facility could apply for it.” 

NGHS already tried to buy Chestatee Regional when [former owner] SunLink put it up for sale, but Durall Capital Holdings LLC offered about $15 million for the property—more than NGHS was willing to pay. 

As reported in last week’s edition of The Nugget, that holding company was at the center of a CBS News probe into possible improper laboratory billing practices involving CRH and other Durall Capital Holdings  hospitals. Durall denies any wrong-doing. 

As part of the agreement between Durall and NGHS, CRH must notify federal regulators that it plans to close the hospital. This will help to keep NGHS from assuming any liabilities CRH might have.

CRH announced Friday employees would not receive a severance package, nor could current owners guarantee NGHS would hire them should the facility reopen.

They will not be paid for accrued sick time but will be paid for unused paid time off. They are also eligible to collect unemployment benefits.

Lumpkin County Commission Chairman Chris Dockery said the county “will reach out to the Department of Labor and Workforce Development, and employees can seek employment with NGHS.”

“Unfortunately loss of jobs is a part of any kind of closure, but in the long run I think we’ll end up with a much better healthcare provider. It’s safe to say everybody has a high regard for NGHS. It has one of the best if not the best heart center in Georgia,”Gooch said. “All across the country rural hospitals are in crisis. We’re no exception here in Lumpkin County. The hospital was going to close regardless. At least we have a plan in place to bring it back to life.”

MEDICAL EMERGENCIES

Dockery said he has already been working with county EMS and Northeast Georgia Medical Center to be sure there is a smooth transition of emergency services. Last year about 37 percent  of patients picked up were taken to CRH.

“And we believe a number of those patients could have been appropriately treated in a different care setting,” he said.

The county has three ALS (Advanced Life Support) ambulances. These are equipped with heart monitors and, more importantly, said David Wimpy, head of emergency services for the county—drugs.

“That’s the main thing—that and having a paramedic on board. They can administer drugs,” he said.

Once CRH is no longer open, EMS will be transporting patients to Gainesville or Northside Hospital in Forsyth. Those are the two closest facilities, Wimpy said. 

UNG A POSSIBLE PLAYER

There’s also talk that the University of North Georgia may end up being the owner of the facility.

Discussions were taking place about UNG obtaining the property when it still belonged to SunLink.

“There was conversation about what would be the best use for the property should NGHS build a hospital on its property south of 400. The university was the obvious choice. We are struggling with having enough space,” said Kate Maine, President Bonita Jacob’s Chief of Staff.

The Health & Sciences Building opened in 2002. It houses both the university’s nursing, physical therapy and biology departments, as well al two outreach clinics, science classrooms, an auditorium, health science library, computer lab, planetarium and offices for the biology, physical therapy and nursing departments. It is out of room for expansion, Maine said.

“We have 1,000 applicants every year for the nursing program for 100 slots, and we have science classes there as well,” Jacobs said. “I am cautiously optimistic we will be able to benefit from the property, but it’s still not definite.” 

The Legislature put a dollar figure of $4.7 million as a place holder in the 2019 budget for the purchase, Maine said, but the Board of Regents still have to give its approval. 

The group meets April 17-18. 

“If it should occur we’ll be grateful and work to give back to the community with quality graduates,” Jacobs said. 

If the purchase is approved and UNG winds up with the property, it will lease the facility to NGHS if it chooses to reopen the hospital, Couch said. 

The certificate of need would remain with NGHS regardless of its sale to the university. 

This sale could result in the loss of $4 million-plus from Lumpkin County’s digest due to UNG’s tax status.

 “I don’t see the [CHR] property ever coming back on the digest if the sale goes through,” Dockery said. “It will be a little bit rocky at first, but with what has been going on with the hospital it’s kind of a bright spot in the long run. It will bring new jobs and new business to the county, which means new revenue.” 

“Tax shifts happen all the time. You win one here, you lose one there,” Gooch said. “But if NGHS builds a new hospital in the future, a lot of new businesses to support it would locate here—pharmacies, doctor’s offices, imaging facilities.”

NGHS PLANS

NGHS’s Gainesville facility (Northeast Georgia Medical Center) has a 60-year history of serving the Lumpkin Community community, said Dr. Donna Whitfield. She is one of two primary care physicians with Northeast Georgia Physicians Group. “Plus, some NGHS physicians currently serve on CRH’s medical staff—or have in the past—and know the community well.” 

It recently opened an Urgent Care Center on Longbranch Road. Last year the facility cared for 8,500 patients, and expects to nearly double that number this year.

“Our long-term goal is to develop an innovative strategy to promote health and wellness in the community while elevating the level of care,” Couch said. “The first step is to better understand what healthcare services the community truly needs and wants to support.  During the next few months, a project team from NGHS will work with Lumpkin County leaders and the community to gather information and analyze data – which will help shape decisions and a potential timeline.”

For four straight years the LCHS girls volleyball, girls basketball and girls soccer programs have had one constant that has consistently made those teams better. That constant is the Foster twins.

LCHS seniors Hope and Holly Foster have been multi-sport student athletes their entire high school career. And, although they may not have been the star players or the obvious choice for MVP in those sports, the Fosters bring a competitive fierceness, work ethic and desire to make their teammates better that has strengthened the Tribe at LCHS.

A desire to win is something that the Foster twins have had burning in their bellies for as long as they can remember.

“We’ve always been raised to win,” said Hope. “We don’t like to lose. We always have to be first. If you’re not first, you’re just a loser. That’s how we were raised, it’s in our blood.”

“I just like to win,” said Holly.

The Foster twins’ upbringing fueled the competitive spirit in the two student athletes and pushed them to satiate their thirst for winning by joining the high school volleyball, basketball and soccer teams in their freshman year. 

Although the twins had only played soccer in middle school, they were up to the challenge of playing multiple sports and relished the opportunity to contribute to their teams. Whether by scoring a much needed basket on the court, sending a well-placed pass into the box for an assist or timing the perfect spike for a kill, the Foster twins delivered an all-out effort that couldn’t be missed by those who saw them compete. But, for the Fosters, it wasn’t the glory or recognition that kept them motivated. It was the opportunity to help their teammates improve that kept the Foster twins going.

“I like to see what a team is missing and be able to put the pieces together like a puzzle,” Holly said. “I don’t always need the glory, but I’m like I got that assist to the assist. I just like to help other people be their best and become better players.”

“Just being able to everything together is awesome,” Hope said. “It doesn’t always have to be about you. It’s about the team, that’s  the important thing, that’s what it takes to win. We are leaders. We love to lead people. We’re not selfish or all about ourselves. We like to help others get better.”

What the Foster twins brought to each of the sports they played throughout their high school careers did not go unnoticed by their coaches.

“As athletes, Hope and Holly are bulldawgs, they’re going to hunker down and get it done,” said LCHS head volleyball coach Katie Powell. “Through injury, pain and exhaustion, they still manage to dig deep and give their all. As young women, they are two of the greatest role models for young athletes you could ask for. Hope and Holly are both natural leaders. They each are well respected by their teammates and coaches and they are what every coach hopes for, athletes who lead by example.”

“Hope and Holly are what I call true gamers,” said LCHS head girls soccer coach Don Brock. “It doesn’t matter what the game is or who they are playing, they give their all. You can depend on them to want to win, and they are willing to work as hard as they can to get there. They will rise to the challenge, you can depend on it. As young women, they are caring, concerned individuals. There is not a cruel bone in their bodies. They honestly care about others and do not want to see anyone treated badly or unfair. Keep in mind, this is not during competition. They are the kind of people you want around you, your family and friends. They have grown to be great leaders. They have always been the players the team looks to on the field, and everyone wants out there. They have been leading in one way or another for four years on our team. They truly lead by example. It has been fun to watch them grow into it.”

In just his one season as the Foster twins’ coach, LCHS head girls basketball coach David Dowse easily recognized what the Fosters brought to the Lady Indians basketball team.

“Hope and Holly are both solid high school athletes, but their determination and character are what set them apart from many of their peers,” said Dowse. “Both are team players who accepted their roles with enthusiasm and purpose. They were among our most vocal palyers during practice, encouraging their teammates and providing leadership in a new system with new expectations and a heightened accountability. Undoubtedly, their most outstanding attribute on game day was their effort. They are competitors and always played with an all-out, fearless effort.”

The leadership the Foster twins displayed is a product of the two sisters pushing themselves to be better at everything they did. The competition between themselves helped spur a desire to help those around them perform at a higher level.

“Even though we played different positions in our sports, we like to be better than each other,” Hope said. “It pushed us to try and be better at everything and help others get better as well.”

Although few student athletes compete in multiple sports, the Foster twins’ coaches believe that the Fosters are a shining example of the benefits that not getting tied into one sport can have on young athletes.

“I think it [playing multiple sports] has kept them from having the typical soccer related injuries,” Brock said. “They have not been injury free, but it is not from overworking the same joints and muscles. I think it has also fed their desire to compete as hard as possible every night.”

“It saddens me when athletes feel as though they have to choose between sports, especially when you come across athletes like the Fosters,” Powell said. “They play year-round and, while there were days where they were straight up exhausted and days where they would miss an off-season practice for their in-season sport, I firmly believe that they were better in all sports because they chose to focus on more than just one. I’ll truly miss all the points scored off the Fosters’ feet from where their soccer skills couldn’t help but come out on the volleyball court.”

“I believe it is important that student athletes have the opportunity and choice to play multiple sports in high school,” Dowse said. “Certainly, there are benefits to playing multiple sports which include but are not limited to injury and burnout prevention and the development of diverse skill sets like eye-hand coordination, footwork, vision and decision making.”

With the end of their time at LCHS coming with graduation this year, the Fosters hope they have left a legacy of being team players behind for younger student athletes to look up to. It is a legacy that their coaches believe is already set.

“After our final game, I addressed the team and told them how proud I was of their effort and the improvements we made over the course of  the season,” Dowse said. “One day soon, playing in the State tournament will be an expectation and hanging banners will be among our annual goals. When that day comes, we will owe a debt of gratitude to our departing seniors. Hope and Holly will be remembered for having helped establish a foundation of excellence for future Lady Indians.”

“They may not have broken every record book or been the shining star of every team, but Hope and Holly Foster were integral parts of so many accomplishments for both Lumpkin teams and their teammates. Their athleticism, work ethic and leadership will be missed, but all those characteristics will help carry them far in life.”

“I know a whole host of opposing coaches that will be glad to see them graduate,” Brock said. “They will leave LCHS having set a high bar for competing as hard as possible in every match. Stepping up in the big competitions and being  willing to take on whatever role the team needs. High quality, multipurpose players are hard to come by.”

Throughout their high school journey, the Fosters knew that they couldn’t have done the things they accomplished without the help of their family, friends and coaches.

“I would thank pretty much everybody,” Hope said. “Everyone that has been there supporting us through everything, especially Coach Gordy [LCHS assistant soccer coach Gordy Hunt]. Ever since we were little he’s been like a dad to us and he’s always been able to push us and talk to us to help us grow with God, through sports and as people in general.”

“I’d like to thank our parents because I know we’ve been really expensive,” Holly said. “But, they’ve always been by our side and have never thought less of us. They’ve always just pushed us to our limits and made us better people.”

The Foster twins said that they will either attend Brenau University or Truett-McConnell College after graduation. The twins said they are leaning more towards Truett-McConnell, as they have an opportunity to play college lacrosse there. Although neither has played the sport before, they are intrigued by the challenge.

“We’ve never played, but they told us because we are athletes they can teach us how to play in about four weeks,” Hope said.

“It’s super exciting,” Holly said. “We’re always up for another challenge.”

One thing is for sure, the Foster twins will not be separating from each other when  they go  to college.

“We’re a package deal,” the Fosters said simultaneously.

Lumpkin County Republicans will chose between Clarence Grindle, Jeff Moran and Mark Zeller on the Primary ballot for the Board of Commissioners District 4 seat. Grindle held the seat for two terms between 2006 and 2014. Both Moran and Zeller are first-time office seekers.

The winner of the race will face either Teresa Gay or Dennis Hoover in the General Election in November. 

The Nugget has asked those on the Primary ballot to respond to 3 questions to help voters make up their minds. Each candidate had the questions in advance and was given the same deadline for turning in their responses. 

Early Voting/Registration

Early voting begins Monday, April 30, Monday-Friday and runs through May 18 at the Voter Elections and Registration Office, 56 Short Street. Office hours for the week of April 30-May 4 are 8 a.m.-5 p.m. The following two weeks voters can cast their ballots from 8 a.m.-7p.m.

There will also be one Saturday for voters to cast their ballots. The office will be open Saturday, April 12, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.

Absentee ballots are available for download by logging onto sos.ga.gov or at the Elections & Voter Registration office. 

Deadline to register or make address changes for the May 22 election is April 24.

Clarence Grindle

Education: Graduate, Lumpkin County High School; Barber School; ACCG Certified County Commissioner.

Occupation: Self employed owner of Grindle Barber Shop; owns and manages various real estate properties.

Jeff Moran

Education: Master of Arts degree in management from American Military University.

Occupation: Senior Army Instructor for the Lumpkin County JROTC Leadership Program.

Mark Zeller

Education: Graduate Coral Gables Senior High School, Troy State University.

Occupation: Retired military, advocate for Veterans at Large and in support of Veterans Benefits/Veterans Rights school, trained by the V.F.W.

Q: What do you see as the biggest problem facing the county and what would you propose to solve it?

Grindle: While growth is inevitable, it must be controlled if at all possible. We have to find ways to attract more industry without destroying what makes our community so appealing. As our digest continues to shrink we have to accept growth or be willing to pay increased property taxes. I do not support increasing property tax as an option. I do support low-impact businesses that are tailored to create jobs, increase the digest and not destroy our landscape and way of life. 

Moran: The biggest problem facing this county continues to be its economic development. There needs to be an increase in commercial and industrial growth to offset the demand for property taxes. The citizens of Lumpkin County travel out of our county to work, eat, shop and seek medical care. In doing so we put money into the economy of our neighboring counties instead of our own. With the effective management and planning of our inevitable growth, we can achieve economic development while still maintaining the charm of Dahlonega and preserving what is great about Lumpkin County.

Zeller: It seems to me that the local government officials have been leaving the citizens out of the decisions being made for our county. I believe elected officials are in office to serve the citizens, not deceive and make decisions without regard. I do not agree that our government was set up to be a “sausage making process,” as I was quoted by one elected official. I believe that any change being made in the county should be published in the newspaper months in advance so the citizens can have a say in what they want or don’t want. For example, “The Indian Statue;” before any other agency or school is asked about moving that piece of history, ask the citizens first. The Lumpkin County Commissioner website also needs to be two-way (representatives to citizens) interactive platform.

Q: If you could change one policy the county currently has, what would that be?

Grindle: Our current board of commissioners has done an exceptional job establishing policies that would help address the litter problem that we’re facing. I would propose an approach that would include education, enforcement and prevention. A clean community creates a sense of pride.

Moran: As county commissioner, there will not be just one policy but several policies that will have to be reviewed, researched and decided on. So instead of one, here are a few policies that I feel Lumpkin County needs to revisit, revise, strengthen or establish: The current land use policy, the litter problem and school safety.  

When residents purchase a home or property in this county, they need to be secure that land use rules for property around them are not going to change. To effectively manage growth we need to make the land use plan more consistent, specific and enforceable to eliminate any ambiguity or perception of favoritism. This is essential if this county is going to effectively manage and get ahead of the inevitable growth of Lumpkin County.

I stand by our tourism industry and people come from all over to enjoy the many things we love about Lumpkin County; at the same time sinking money into our economy. Unfortunately the litter has gotten so bad that it could actually hurt the tourism industry. We need a proactive and multifaceted approach to the litter problem in order to significantly reduce its negative impact.

The safety of our youth should be paramount. We owe it to the children of our county to ensure that they have the safest environment possible to learn, grow and develop into productive citizens. In light of recent events, I feel we cannot do enough to improve policy ensuring the safety and protection of our children. Again, there is no simple answer to this and it will take a collaborative effort between our Board of Education, Sheriff’s Office, and County Commission to do the best we can in securing our students.

Zeller: Currently the County Commission Chair can pick and choose who he wants to for his own reasons to have work on county projects that are under $20,000.00. For example, the architect who was picked for the library was chosen because he had done other projects in the county. Cronyism? That does not seem like a sound business practice to me. For a small rural county like Lumpkin, that is a large sum to be spent without an open bid and accountability practice. I think $3,000.00 is a more reasonable sum that would be posted in the newspaper so the citizens are aware of where their money is going; and why $3,000.00 and above will be open to bids so all businesses in this community can have an opportunity to participate. Absolute power corrupts absolutely.

Q: What makes you the best candidate for this post:

Grindle: While being a life-long resident is not a requirement, it gives me a very distinct understanding of how our community has evolved. It helps me to understand our history, which in turn helps shape our future. I have served on the Board of Commissioners before and I continue to be active within the community and have always listened to the concerns of my neighbors. While much work has been done, there is still work to do. I will listen to their concerns and make sure they have a voice in local government.

I care deeply  about Lumpkin County and its future. I have contributed to it my entire life. It is my desire to leave it better than we found it for future generations. I would be honored to represent District 4 and all of Lumpkin County as your commissioner. I am asking for your support and vote May 22.

Moran: The fact that the Army values are not just words for me—I have dedicated my life to internalizing and practicing them on a daily basis. “Loyalty, Duty, Respect, Selfless Service, Honor, Integrity, and Personal Courage” are all virtues that I do my best to implement in my work, family life and own self-being. As a retired U.S. Army Major with 15 years of enlisted service prior to my commission I have served in leadership positions in Southwest Asia in 1991, Iraq in 2005-’06 and Afghanistan in 2009-’10 (earning two Bronze Star Medals). During my last assignment on active duty, I served as an Inspector General—the eyes, ears and voice of the Commanding General which makes me uniquely qualified to be your V.O.I.C.E. on the Board of Commissioners. After retirement from the military I chose to continue service, this time to the youth of our county as the Senior Army Instructor of its well respected Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps Leadership Program.  Along with mentoring cadets to become tomorrow’s future leaders, service to the community is very important to me and I feel I can use my leadership, experience and interpersonal relationship skills to be an effective county commissioner.  

In my effort to energetically represent the citizens of District 4, I have come up with five points that represent what I believe and what I will do if elected.  Let me be your V.O.I.C.E.

• Vision for the EFFECTIVE management of growth while preserving what is great about Lumpkin County.

• Optimize opportunities to support and increase the tourism industry.

• Increase commercial and industrial growth to offset property taxes,

• Conservative government and fiscal policy beliefs with the interpersonal relationship skills and leadership experience to get things done.

• Enhance government transparency and increase communication between our residents and the board.

Although I am going to try, it is impossible for me to meet everyone and ask you personally, so I would like to take this opportunity to ask you for your vote as County Commissioner of District 4.  Remember, everyone votes for every county commissioner regardless of what district you reside in.

Contact me by email at votejeffmoran@gmail.com or on Facebook at Vote for Jeff Moran.

Zeller: My Officer’s Creed is, “I will not Lie, Cheat, Steal or Destroy nor Tolerate those that do.” And, I have been advocating for others most of my adult life. So, I understand the meaning of “selfless-service” to others. I also had Oversight and Control of Military Contracts to also understand the running of Government Service.

I love Lumpkin and its atmosphere. I purchased land back in the early 1980s and the beauty of the mountains must be protected and they inspire me.

I know the families and their history from working at the Lumpkin County Farmers Co-Op for Dale Copeland and at Burlington Pinetree, working for Frank Cain and meeting many families back then and now. I put five children in the Lumpkin County School System. And was a Scout Master also.

I understand how the people who live here want to protect the beauty of the area. I also understand what it feels like to hit a road block in the government here. The people elected into office are not to have power over us. They are to represent their citizens, not treat it like it is their own fiefdom. I want to welcome back the people of Lumpkin to their government.

I am pleased The Dahlonega Nugget has been so kind to allow me the opportunity to address the citizens and share with you my vision that should be for all. Not just for a few of the many. I have learned most recently of the defaults that are not working and hope to remedy this. Above are just few of the points and if you wish to tell me of more I am willing to listen. Please do give me a call at (706)864-8988.