JASPER, Ga. – On February 23, The Pickens County Board of Education officially cut ties with former school Superintendent Rick Townsend.
In a meeting that lasted no more than six minutes, the school board went straight to business without a pledge or invocation.
Board Chair Sue Finley
Ultimately, the board voted 3-2 to terminate Townsend’s contract. Board Chair Sue Finley and Board Members Aaron Holland and Steve Smith voted in favor of the termination. Vice Chair Tommy Gartrell and Board Member Tucker Green both voted not to terminate.
Perhaps the evening’s biggest surprise was the lackluster crowd that barely made a dent in the room. The 4 p.m. start time didn’t help matters as the meeting either conflicted with work schedules or school athletic events were happening that night.
Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger and the State Election Board sent another batch of alleged voting violations to prosecutors after hearing what investigators discovered.
More voting violations uncovered by Georgia SoS Secretary of State Brad Raffensberger speaks to the public. (Source: WALB) By Dave Miller | February 18, 2021 at 2:43 PM EST - Updated February 18 at 2:54 PM
ATLANTA, Ga. (WALB) - On Wednesday, Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger and the State Election Board sent another batch of alleged voting violations to prosecutors after hearing what investigators discovered.
“We will continue to root out voting fraud and make sure anyone guilty of it faces prosecution,” Raffensperger said on Thursday. “Fortunately, these individual cases aren’t large enough to change the outcome of a statewide election. Their prosecution is an example to others who may contemplate skirting the rules that protect election integrity in Georgia.”
Commissioners’ Fill Committee Positions in Their First Meeting of the New YearCommunity, News
February 8, 2021
, by Stephen Hall
JASPER, Ga. – After a COVID-19 outbreak in January, the Pickens County Board of Commissioners worked to fill several county and committee positions for the new year.
The board unanimously approved the rehiring of County Clerk Lesa Thomason, Deputy Clerk Karen Wheeler, and County Attorney Phil Landrum, III.
In a lighthearted moment, Commission Chair Kris Stancil turned to his ill-prepared colleagues concerning the appointment of a vice chair.
“The next item is going to require you guys [Commissioner Becky Denney and Jerry Barnes] to make your own choice there,” said Stancil jokingly.
JASPER, Ga. – At Tuesday’s Board of Election meeting, Kathy Browning confronted board members regarding her frustration during the elections of 2020.
From beginning to end, the official Pickens County Board of Elections meeting lasted maybe a total of 15 minutes. With the lack of a full board, much of the agenda was tabled for another day. It wasn’t until the meeting was adjourned that Kathy Browning asked to speak regarding her time as a poll worker.
Browning gave an emotional and detailed recount of her time while at the Pickens County Recreation Center. Short of her calling people or a party by name, Browning says she was intimidated by a handful of unyielding poll watchers assigned to the same location. What’s more, she says it impeded her ability to manage the voters standing in the long lines.