Candidate website

Said, "To rebuild the basic services... and to stand up for the voters in this county... These are just a few of the many challenges I see, and if the people of the county are willing to accept my candidacy for County Commissioner, with the community's help, we can solve these issues and more."

Plans to rebuild basic services in the county and listen to voters.

- Plans to rebuild basic services in the county and listen to voters.

Public Services

The candidate's website says, "Senate bill 420 would ban these entities from making these purchases and add valuable protection to farmers and agricultural land. Please pray that Governor Kemp will see the urgency and need for this bill."

Supports the passing of Senate Bill 420, believing it to protect farmers and agricultural land.

Believes heavy regulations hinder small business growth; supports limiting local government impact to boost job creation and backs non-interference to aid trades and service industries' success.

Believes heavy regulations hinder small business growth and supports limiting local government impact to boost job creation.

Supports limited government focused on basic services, fair taxation, and minimal regulations to foster small business growth and economic efficiency.

Plans to reallocate county funds to ensure efficient taxpayer service, competitive wages for employee retention, and accountability for county officials.

Backs non-interference to aid trades and service industries' success.

Said, "My commitment to everyone is that I will use the least amount of regulation possible to let the free market prosper while ensuring safe and effective development for the future of our county in the most cost-effective way possible."

Said, "Our federal and state governments get a large portion of all of our incomes through all of the ever-increasing taxes they levy. As a local government, it is our responsibility to get as much of our money back as possible."

Said, "We will all see additional benefits from someone working full time to get us our fair share of the available funds... If our government can hand out billions of dollars to some far-off country, they can help us here locally find the funding we need."

Said, "I had a productive meeting with Tyler Harper, the Georgia Agriculture Commissioner... I fully support his effort to prevent the sale of agricultural land to foreign adversaries... Our food security demands it."

- Supports the passing of Senate Bill 420, believing it to protect farmers and agricultural land.
- Believes heavy regulations hinder small business growth and supports limiting local government impact to boost job creation.
- Supports limited government focused on basic services, fair taxation, and minimal regulations to foster small business growth and economic efficiency.
- Plans to reallocate county funds to ensure efficient taxpayer service, competitive wages for employee retention, and accountability for county officials.
- Backs non-interference to aid trades and service industries' success.
- Supports private landowner rights.
- Said, "My commitment to everyone is that I will use the least amount of regulation possible to let the free market prosper while ensuring safe and effective development for the future of our county in the most cost-effective way possible."
- Said, "Our federal and state governments get a large portion of all of our incomes through all of the ever-increasing taxes they levy. As a local government, it is our responsibility to get as much of our money back as possible."
- Said, "We will all see additional benefits from someone working full time to get us our fair share of the available funds... If our government can hand out billions of dollars to some far-off country, they can help us here locally find the funding we need."
- Said, "I had a productive meeting with Tyler Harper, the Georgia Agriculture Commissioner... I fully support his effort to prevent the sale of agricultural land to foreign adversaries... Our food security demands it."

Economy

As of March 23, 2024, Andy Allen’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Education

The candidate's website says, "The gear is only NFPA compliant for ten years of service. Using out-of-service gear for training is not allowed and puts these departments at extra liability."

Wants to ensure that law enforcement gear stays up-to-date to eliminate extra liability and ensure safety.

The candidate's website says, "As a County, we cannot afford to lose one of these Departments. The protection and health of all citizens should be the number one priority of the Commissioner."

Said, "The protection and health of all citizens should be the number one priority of the Commissioner."

Said, "When I become Commissioner, I will make it a priority to collaborate with stakeholders to address the needs of our fire and emergency services, ensuring they have the resources and support necessary to continue safeguarding our community."

The candidate's website says, "God, 1st and 2nd Amendment rights, and private landowner rights"

Opposes gun control and supports the Second Amendment.

Said, "As we work together to make Chattooga County a better place for everyone, one area of concern I have is for the fire and emergency services provided in our County."

- Wants to ensure that law enforcement gear stays up-to-date to eliminate extra liability and ensure safety.
- Said, "The protection and health of all citizens should be the number one priority of the Commissioner."
- Said, "When I become Commissioner, I will make it a priority to collaborate with stakeholders to address the needs of our fire and emergency services, ensuring they have the resources and support necessary to continue safeguarding our community."
- Opposes gun control and supports the Second Amendment.
- Said, "As we work together to make Chattooga County a better place for everyone, one area of concern I have is for the fire and emergency services provided in our County."

Public Safety

Said, "Our county needs to implement a high-density residential housing land ordinance... the local county government should have a set of guidelines and stipulations for such developments."

Wants to implement a high-density residential housing land ordinance.

Said, "I see the newly adopted ordinance as a device that lets the land commission have control over the division of our land... I cannot support legislation that gives five un-elected citizens the ability to tell landowners how they can divide their property!"

Said, "First, we need some guidelines for high-density, residential subdivisions... As we are a rural community, I propose that 5 acre minimum tract sizes would be a good place to start."

Wants guidelines for high-density, residential subdivisions, proposing that "5 acre minimum tract sizes would be a good place to start."

Plans to submit any proposed land ordinances to a county-wide vote, ensuring public engagement through advertisements, meetings, and discussions with the county attorney for feedback before any approval impacting residents.

Believes incorrect property valuations lead to unfair tax burdens and criticizes the Board of Assessors for shifting appraisal responsibilities onto citizens, despite county funds allocated for assessment services.

Plans to address property tax disparities by reassessing the tax digest, correcting overvaluations, and ensuring uniformity between residential and commercial properties, acknowledging an existing imbalance where residential owners bear a disproportionate tax burden.

Plans to model Washington County's ordinance, noting its relevance due to comparable distance from Atlanta, population size, and income levels, for Chattooga County's housing and urban development discussions.

Plans to ensure tax equalization by collaborating with the Board of Equalization and supporting reviews by the Board of Assessors if discrepancies arise, as per OCGA 48-5-311(d)2.

- Wants to implement a high-density residential housing land ordinance.
- Said, "I see the newly adopted ordinance as a device that lets the land commission have control over the division of our land... I cannot support legislation that gives five un-elected citizens the ability to tell landowners how they can divide their property!"
- Wants guidelines for high-density, residential subdivisions, proposing that "5 acre minimum tract sizes would be a good place to start."
- Plans to submit any proposed land ordinances to a county-wide vote, ensuring public engagement through advertisements, meetings, and discussions with the county attorney for feedback before any approval impacting residents.
- Believes incorrect property valuations lead to unfair tax burdens and criticizes the Board of Assessors for shifting appraisal responsibilities onto citizens, despite county funds allocated for assessment services.
- Plans to address property tax disparities by reassessing the tax digest, correcting overvaluations, and ensuring uniformity between residential and commercial properties, acknowledging an existing imbalance where residential owners bear a disproportionate tax burden.
- Plans to model Washington County's ordinance, noting its relevance due to comparable distance from Atlanta, population size, and income levels, for Chattooga County's housing and urban development discussions.
- Plans to ensure tax equalization by collaborating with the Board of Equalization and supporting reviews by the Board of Assessors if discrepancies arise, as per OCGA 48-5-311(d)2.

Housing & Urban Development

Supports prioritizing maintenance and repair of roads, bridges, and county buildings, funding rural fire departments for compliance, and adequately resourcing the Sheriff's Office for safety before financing non-essential projects or substandard roads.

The candidate's website says, "In a separate policy, we need clear guidelines for any road that will be incorporated into the county system... Commissioner Parker implemented a county road policy that worked great for our county, and I feel there is no need for new regulations as the ones in place just need to be enforced."

Said, "In a separate policy, we need clear guidelines for any road that will be incorporated into the county system... Commissioner Parker implemented a county road policy that worked great for our county, and I feel there is no need for new regulations as the ones in place just need to be enforced."

Said, "If elected Commissioner, I will seek out and hire someone to work full time on ... improving infrastructure, county buildings, equipment assets and emergency services."

- Supports prioritizing maintenance and repair of roads, bridges, and county buildings, funding rural fire departments for compliance, and adequately resourcing the Sheriff's Office for safety before financing non-essential projects or substandard roads.
- Said, "In a separate policy, we need clear guidelines for any road that will be incorporated into the county system... Commissioner Parker implemented a county road policy that worked great for our county, and I feel there is no need for new regulations as the ones in place just need to be enforced."
- Said, "If elected Commissioner, I will seek out and hire someone to work full time on ... improving infrastructure, county buildings, equipment assets and emergency services."

Transportation & Infrastructure

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Andy Allen

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Worked to increase access to healthcare through the Free-Standing ER project.

Said, "...I felt that it was important that state and federal leadership knew that my administration supports the right to life for the born and unborn alike."

Supports transparency with the community through monthly public meeting and updates to the county website.

- Worked to increase access to healthcare through the Free-Standing ER project.
- Said, "...I felt that it was important that state and federal leadership knew that my administration supports the right to life for the born and unborn alike."
- Supports transparency with the community through monthly public meeting and updates to the county website.

Prioritized agriculture through the Home Grown Chattooga Program and local farm grants.

Worked to reduce the county debt by lowering the amount borrowed from $4.5 million annually to $2 million.

Advocated for homestead exemption freeze legislation.

- Prioritized agriculture through the Home Grown Chattooga Program and local farm grants.
- Worked to reduce the county debt by lowering the amount borrowed from $4.5 million annually to $2 million.
- Supports lowering property taxes.
- Advocated for homestead exemption freeze legislation.

Supports bringing a satellite location "in partnership with the University System of Georgia and/or the Technical College System of Georgia."

- Supports bringing a satellite location "in partnership with the University System of Georgia and/or the Technical College System of Georgia."

Said, "I will continue to be an advocate for our constitutional right to bear arms..."

Wants to work towards constructing a new jail.

- Said, "I will continue to be an advocate for our constitutional right to bear arms..."
- Wants to work towards constructing a new jail.

Supports a subdivision development ordinance, which requires additional accountability from corporations, developers, and outside investors.

- Supports a subdivision development ordinance, which requires additional accountability from corporations, developers, and outside investors.

Worked to replace non-functioning equipment in multiple departments and make repairs to the county courthouse, courthouse annex, public works maintenance building, and the 911 facility.

Secured a $1 million grant for the replacement of water lines.

Secured $22,600 in funding towards the restoration of Tooga Theater.

Worked to expand broadband access through a $10 million project.

- Worked to replace non-functioning equipment in multiple departments and make repairs to the county courthouse, courthouse annex, public works maintenance building, and the 911 facility.
- Secured a $1 million grant for the replacement of water lines.
- Secured $22,600 in funding towards the restoration of Tooga Theater.
- Worked to expand broadband access through a $10 million project.

Blake Elsberry

- County Commissioners create and pass laws at the county-level. These laws show up in very tangible ways, such as determining how much you pay in property and sales taxes, public transportation, and maintaining infrastructure.
- County Commissioners are responsible for preparing and passing the county budget. The budget determines how much funding goes to various public services, such as public transportation, law enforcement, repairing roads, and maintaining infrastructure.
- County Commissioners oversee the administrative duties of your county’s government to ensure the safety, comfort, and well-being of county residents.
- County Commissioners are elected to 4-year terms in staggered years. Typically, you only vote for the County Commissioner that represents your county commission district.