Taxes, Liquor and Other Election Winners

Voters in two counties agreed to keep their taxes higher by one percent to fund local projects with the Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax

The One Percent SPLOST in Dade County barely passed by a 47 vote margin. It will provide $18 million dollars over six years for many capital improvement projects in the county and the city of Trenton. That includes sidewalks, bicycle paths, building a new courthouse, buying emergency rescue equipment and community recreation facilities. The money will also help fund animal control, county jail, and books for the library.

In Walker County the One Percent SPLOST was approved by a 3 to 1 margin. It will fund $38 million over six years for projects in the county as well as the cities of Chickamauga, LaFayette, Fort Oglethorpe, Rossville and Lookout Mountain. Some highlights include money for historical and green space projects, renovations to the Gordon-Lee Mansion, construction of a new public library and computers for libraries.

The spirits can soon be flowing in Varnell at future and existing restaurants. In a special election, the city voted to allow Sunday alcohol sales by nine votes and liquor by the drink by 58% to 42%.

Other races in the North Georgia saw Tom Weldon Jr, winning the Republican nomination for the Third District for the Ga House of Representatives. He will face Ralph Noble (D) in November for former State Rep. Ron Forester's seat.

Statewide, there will be a runoff for the Democratic Senate nominee. The top two vote getters, Vernon Jones and Jim Martin, will face off August 5th for the right to oppose Sen. Saxby Chambliss in November.

In Walker County, a runoff will happen between Longtime Superior Court Clerk Bill McDaniel and Debbie Lawrence. Neither got 50% of the votes. McDaniel has been in office since 1973.

In Chattooga County, Sheriff Ralph Kellet was forced into a runoff in the Democratic Primary by finishing second. He garnered 39 percent of the votes to challenger John Everett's 42 percent.

Billy Cantrell was elected mayor of the City of Eton.

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