By allowing ads to appear on this site, you support the local businesses who, in turn, support great journalism. Voter guide 2021: Which seats are up for election in Hall’s cities and how much running costs Voters are being mailed applications to vote absentee in the May 19, 2020, primary. - photo by Shannon Casas
There is a long road between now and Georgia’s November municipal elections; however, several cities in Hall County have begun the process of publishing qualifying details for candidates eyeing a seat on their local municipal boards.
Municipalities had until Feb. 1 to publish qualifying fees before candidates can begin filing for respective seats in August.
Gainesville OKs holding city elections Nov. 2. Here are details
Gainesville City Council voted Tuesday, Jan. 19, to set the Nov. 2 election for the Gainesville mayor’s seat, two City Council and two board of education seats.
Qualifying for candidates will take place Aug. 16-18.
New terms, for those expiring, will begin Jan. 1, 2022, and run through Dec. 31, 2025.
The seats up for election are now held by Mayor Danny Dunagan, council members Sam Couvillon of Ward 1 and George Wangemann of Ward 4, and school board members Andy Stewart of District 1 and Heather Ramsey of District 4.
Qualifying fees are $864 for mayor, $819 for the council seats and $174.60 for the school board seats.
Nov. 2 election likely to be set next week for Gainesville mayor, council, school board seats
The Gainesville mayor’s seat, two City Council and two board of education seats are up for election this year, with the council expected to set the Nov. 2 election at its meeting Tuesday, Jan. 19.
The council will consider setting qualifying for Aug. 16-18.
New terms, for those expiring, will begin Jan. 1, 2022, and run through Dec. 31, 2025.
The seats up for election are now held by Mayor Danny Dunagan, council members Sam Couvillon of Ward 1 and George Wangemann of Ward 4, and school board members Andy Stewart of District 1 and Heather Ramsey of District 4.
Baggage car to get new home at events venue A baggage car that sits at the Engine 209 Park in Gainesville is being auctioned off by the city. - photo by Scott Rogers
Sitting unused and unattended as part of a railroad display in downtown Gainesville, a Southern Railway baggage car could soon be repurposed as a sort-of dining car.
Alpharetta’s Bob Cheeley is looking to move the historic train car from Engine 209 Park at 312 Jesse Jewell Parkway to The Chair Factory, an event and entertainment venue he’s developing on 13 acres at 456 Industrial Blvd.
Visitors will be able to “walk outside to (the car) to a platform that will resemble an old train station,” Cheeley said. “We’ll have a kitchen in part of it, and people can dine in part of it. And we ll have outdoor dining under a covered roof.”
Clipper Petroleum received two special-use and one rezoning approval from the Gainesville City Council Tuesday evening allowing for the construction of a 4,500-square foot convenience store on Thompson Bridge Road at Christopher Drive.
The business will also feature a dozen gasoline pumps where users will be protected from the weather by an overhead canopy.
Clipper Petroleum President and CEO Tom Bower said he was disappointed that evening but determined to make adjustments to the plan in order to gain approval, including addressing the concerns of neighbors who spoke in opposition before the Planning and Appeals Board.
“The main reason (for opposition) was the traffic they thought would be added to Christopher as a cut-through street,” Bower said. As to subsequent conversations he had with neighbors who spoke in opposition to his application at that November meeting, “We had a good conversation with them and they were very reasonable.”