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Don graduated from Northwest Georgia High School. He holds a bachelor's degree in political science and public administration from the University of Georgia and a diploma from Louisiana State University's graduate school of banking and finance. Don is a Christian and serves as a Deacon at Silverdale Baptist Church. He served in several organizations, such as former Secretary-Treasurer with the Trenton-Dade Optimist Club,  former President of the Dade County Kiwanis Club, Trenton-Dade County Lions Club, former director and member of the Dade County Chamber of Commerce, and as a former member of the Dade County Historical Society.

Don is currently the County Clerk & Chief Financial Officer. He previously served as the Chief Operations Officer & Chief Security with the Bank of Dade. 

This is Don Townsend's first entry into politics. 

Plans to communicate with the public using social media, including the local news media, and TextMyGov messaging.

- Plans to communicate with the public using social media, including the local news media, and TextMyGov messaging.

Public Services

Candidate website

The candidate's website says, "✔ Promote a Balanced Budget"

Wants to strengthen the local technology sector.

Wants to promote economic growth through public-private partnerships.

Wants to strengthen the local manufacturing sector & workforce.

- Promotes having a "balanced budget."
- Wants to strengthen the local technology sector.
- Wants to promote economic growth through public-private partnerships.
- Wants to strengthen the local manufacturing sector & workforce.
- Supports reducing county debt.
- Supports conservative values.
- Wants to develop tourism.
- Plans to restore county emergency funds.

Economy

As of March 19, 2024, Don Townsend’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Education

Said police, firefighters, EMTs are critical services.

Believes volunteer firefighters need to be provided improved equipment and training.

Holds public safety as most important responsibility of the County Commissioner.

- Said police, firefighters, EMTs are critical services.
- Believes volunteer firefighters need to be provided improved equipment and training.
- Holds public safety as most important responsibility of the County Commissioner.
- Supports local law enforcement.

Public Safety

Housing & Urban Development

Wants all projects, such as the Elections building and refurbishing the Courthouse and Train Depot to be completed before the 2024 calendar year.  

Wants to build an Animal Control Facility if one has not been by the time he would be in office.

Wants to ensure the county water source is clean.

Plans to lower solid waste management costs.

- Wants all projects, such as the Elections building and refurbishing the Courthouse and Train Depot to be completed before the 2024 calendar year.  
- Wants to build an Animal Control Facility if one has not been by the time he would be in office.
- Wants to pave county roads.
- Wants to ensure the county water source is clean.
- Plans to lower solid waste management costs.

Transportation & Infrastructure

Twitter

Facebook

Don Townsend

The candidate's website says, "✔ Limit County funds for only needs, not wants"

The candidate's website says, "✔ Reduce all County debt"

The candidate's website says, "Protect our Sheriff's Deputies with bullet proof vests & radios"

The candidate's website says, "Increase local law enforcement presence in our communities"

Said, "Clay provided a rousing speech... his devotion to battle all crime in Northwest Georgia."

The candidate's website says, "✔ Maintain a low millage rate"

The candidate's website says, "✔ Pave County Roads"

The candidate's website says, "Continue Public Transportation for our Seniors"

Don Townsend is a 1989 graduate of Northwest Georgia High School and a 1993 graduate of the University of Georgia with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science: Public Administration. He also received a diploma from the Graduate School of Banking and Finance at Louisiana State University in 2001. Don is a Christian and serves as a Deacon at Silverdale Baptist Church.

As of April 16, 2024, Don Townsend’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Don Townsend has served as County Clerk and Chief Financial Officer to the Board of Commissioners of Dade County, Georgia, for over 17 years. He has previously served on the Dade County Board of Education from 1996 to 2000. In 2021, he was appointed by Georgia Governor Brian Kemp to represent Dade County as a board member of the Selective Service System.

Said, “The citizens of Dade County have clearly spoken on the issue of constructing an Animal Control Facility.  If this project has not been completed by the time I take office, then I would like to see that item placed on the January 2, 2025 Commission meeting agenda to discuss plans to begin construction…  But the funds to run this facility would be required to come from general operations of the county according to State laws.  I recommend the County and the City of Trenton join in partnership to construct and operate this facility by sharing the ongoing expenses 50/50…."

Said, “Regarding the reservoir….  Am I opposed to another source of clean water? – no.  Am I opposed to having a lake to provide recreational uses for our citizens? – no.  But only if we can attain federal or state grants to make this happen, again under the approval of the entire Board of Commissioners….”

- Said, “The citizens of Dade County have clearly spoken on the issue of constructing an Animal Control Facility.  If this project has not been completed by the time I take office, then I would like to see that item placed on the January 2, 2025 Commission meeting agenda to discuss plans to begin construction…  But the funds to run this facility would be required to come from general operations of the county according to State laws.  I recommend the County and the City of Trenton join in partnership to construct and operate this facility by sharing the ongoing expenses 50/50…."
- Said, “Regarding the reservoir….  Am I opposed to another source of clean water? – no.  Am I opposed to having a lake to provide recreational uses for our citizens? – no.  But only if we can attain federal or state grants to make this happen, again under the approval of the entire Board of Commissioners….”

- The candidate's website says, "✔ Promote a Balanced Budget"
- Wants to strengthen the local technology sector.
- Wants to promote economic growth through public-private partnerships.
- Wants to strengthen the local manufacturing sector & workforce.

Believe police, firefighters, EMTs are critical services.

Believes volunteer firefighters need to get better equipment and training.

- Believe police, firefighters, EMTs are critical services.
- Believes volunteer firefighters need to get better equipment and training.

- The candidate's website says, "✔ Maintain a low millage rate"

Believes that all current & future public works projects should be completed promptly & efficiently as possible. Whenever necessary projects should turned over to the private sector if they become too costly or time-consuming.

- Believes that all current & future public works projects should be completed promptly & efficiently as possible. Whenever necessary projects should turned over to the private sector if they become too costly or time-consuming.

Don Townsend is a 1989 graduate of Northwest Georgia High School and a 1993 graduate of the University of Georgia with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science: Public Administration. He also received a diploma from the Graduate School of Banking and Finance at Louisiana State University in 2001. Don is a Christian and serves as a Deacon at Silverdale Baptist Church. There is no mention of his family in the provided information.

As of April 15, 2024, Don Townsend’s website did not contain information on this issue.

“The citizens of Dade County have clearly spoken on the issue of constructing an Animal Control Facility.  If this project has not been completed by the time I take office, then I would like to see that item placed on the January 2, 2025 Commission meeting agenda to discuss plans to begin construction…  But the funds to run this facility would be required to come from general operations of the county according to State laws.  I recommend the County and the City of Trenton join in partnership to construct and operate this facility by sharing the ongoing expenses 50/50…."

“Regarding the reservoir….  Am I opposed to another source of clean water? – no.  Am I opposed to having a lake to provide recreational uses for our citizens? – no.  But only if we can attain federal or state grants to make this happen, again under the approval of the entire Board of Commissioners….”

- “The citizens of Dade County have clearly spoken on the issue of constructing an Animal Control Facility.  If this project has not been completed by the time I take office, then I would like to see that item placed on the January 2, 2025 Commission meeting agenda to discuss plans to begin construction…  But the funds to run this facility would be required to come from general operations of the county according to State laws.  I recommend the County and the City of Trenton join in partnership to construct and operate this facility by sharing the ongoing expenses 50/50…."
- “Regarding the reservoir….  Am I opposed to another source of clean water? – no.  Am I opposed to having a lake to provide recreational uses for our citizens? – no.  But only if we can attain federal or state grants to make this happen, again under the approval of the entire Board of Commissioners….”

Don Townsend has served as County Clerk and Chief Financial Officer to the Board of Commissioners of Dade County, Georgia for over 17 years. He has also been a board member of the Selective Service System, representing Dade County, appointed by Georgia Governor Brian Kemp in 2021. Previously, Townsend served on the Dade County Board of Education from 1996 to 2000.

- County Commission Chairs oversee the Board of County Commissioners, which create and pass laws at the county-level. These laws show up in very tangible ways, such as determining how much you pay property and sales tax rates, public transportation, and maintaining infrastructure.
- The County Commission Chair is specifically responsible for preparing the county budget, which must be passed by the rest of the County Commissioners. The budget determines how much funding goes to various public services, such as public transportation, law enforcement, repairing roads, and maintaining infrastructure.
- County Commission Chairs have additional executive duties including coordinating with the office of the Mayor for your county, appointing Commissioners to committees, and representing your county at official functions.
- County Commission Chairs are elected to 4-year terms in county-wide elections.