Banks commission candidates questioned about growth

GAINESVILLE - Seven candidates vying for two newly created Banks County Commission posts fielded questions in a political forum in Homer hosted by the Banks County Chamber of Commerce Thursday night.

With the election set for next Tuesday for the new Commission District Posts (2) and (4), Banks County Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Tara Fulcher said voters filled the seats in the meeting room at the new county annex building to hear what the candidates had to say.
Fulcher moderated the forum and asked the questions.

Ray Holcomb, Neal Pullium and Earnest Rogers, a former commissioner, and Fred Wendt, are running for Post (2). Jerry Loftice, Robin Trotter and Charles Turk are in the race for Post (4).

Most of the questions focused on how the candidates, if elected, would handle economic and industrial growth and development. Fulcher said of particular concern was how the Martin's Bridge exit on I-85 would develop.

“They were pretty close to being right, all of them,” Fulcher said. “We don’t expect all the candidates to know everything about their position before they’re elected. "Once they’re elected they will go into training to learn about all the different aspects of their position.”

With very little variation, all the candidates indicated support for economic growth but not at the cost of Banks County losing its rural setting and atmosphere.
All agreed that the Commission should follow the county’s comprehensive land use plan for proper location for any future industrial development.

All agreed that pulling in a Fortune 500 type company would be great for Banks economy, but would wanted the county to be ready for it with the proper infrastructure in place first.
When asked if they had the choice of supporting a developer with high-end homes or a small industry employing at least 25 people, they all preferred the industry.