Harkness tapped as Demorest mayor
There will be a runoff in District 5 for the final county commission seat for the second consecutive special election.
An egregiously low turnout of just under 9.5 percent of the Habersham County electorate could lead to an even-lower turnout in four weeks.
Ty Akins got 48.4 percent of the votes (1,294), but not enough to win outright. Jason E. Hogan got 636 votes to finish second, and he will meet Akins in the runoff on Nov. 30.
“I am very encouraged by the support I received,” Akins said. “My plan is to continue doing what I have been doing. I am in the county all day every day. I see people in the county every day, and I am accessible to anyone who wants to talk.”
Hogan considered conceding the race after finishing with fewer than half of Akins’ vote total. But he received a swell of encouraging support Wednesday morning and he decided to “Continue until the final vote.”
“I considered the cost of a runoff and weighed my odds,” Hogan said. “But I got quite a few calls and I want to keep going.”
Hogan said he will get out and talk to people over the next month to try and get his message out.
Akins said he would do the same and noted “He has every right to enter into a runoff.”
Elections Supervisor Laurel Ellison said the extra election will cost between $6,000 and $7,000.
Mike Adams (386) and Locke Arnold (354) were eliminated.
DEMOREST
Jerry Harkness was elected the new mayor of Demorest, winning 127-77 unofficially over former fire chief Ken Ranalli.
“I appreciate the voters and look forward to serving the city,” Harkness said, adding that he would like to work with the city’s water department to repair aging infrastructure and expand the sewer system.
“I want to work with the council and the EDC to better things for our entire community, not just the city of Demorest,” Harkness said.
Ranalli said he was disappointed he was not elected, but said the experience was still a win.
“I gained so much information and learned about the city I love,” Ranalli said. “I met some great people, and I am not going anywhere. I will be here as a resource if I am needed.”
Shawn Allen was elected to a full term on Demorest’s council, and Roy Ferguson unseated incumbent Jim Welborn by seven votes. Welborn lost the mayoral election in Demorest by eight votes in 2017.
“I appreciate all the support that I have received over the past year and I thank everyone for giving me the opportunity to serve a full term on council,” Allen said. “Over the next year, I look forward to expanding my knowledge of city administration and to work with the council on future plans for infrastructure improvement and community engagement.”
“I’m grateful for the opportunity to serve the fine folks of Demorest,” Ferguson said. “I cannot show enough appreciation to the ones who voted for me and believed in me. I am truly honored.”
CORNELIA
Don Bagwell held onto his Ward 3 seat in Cornelia 19-13 over challenger John Ballard.
Bagwell called his win a validation of the work the commission has done as a whole.
“The best thing we can do is continue to support [City Manager] Don Anderson,” Bagwell said, adding that Anderson is reliable in the work he does for the city.
Bagwell also said that the most significant aspect of the campaign process was going door to door to meet voters, stating that the experience gave him a “much clearer sense” of the community’s needs.
While this is likely Bagwell’s last term, he said, he is eager to build on what he described as the city’s continued success for the next four years, during which he hopes to bring economic prosperity and greater equality to Cornelia.
“I’m not looking to sit back,” Bagwell said, adding that he has “a burning desire” to get business done.
Bagwell said he’s looking to “groom a successor” to replace him when his term expires in four years.
MT. AIRY
In Mt. Airy Patrick Ledford (71 votes) and Ken Moore (54) took the two open seats, outpointing Paula Kimbrell (42).
Both Ledford and Moore expressed excitement in knowing they’ll be making decisions which remain vital to the City of Mt. Airy.
“I’m very excited and honored to continue to serve and represent the residents of Mt. Airy,” Ledford said following the victory. “I’m grateful for all the voters who came out to vote. It’s always humbling to have folks turn out and support local government.”
Moore said he is looking forward to gaining greater knowledge of all issues affecting the city, so that he can make informed decisions going forward.
“I appreciate the community and look forward to serving,” Moore added.
ALTO
Turner Griffith edged Carolyn Cabe 11-7 for Post 1 in Alto in a lightly-attended election, but 12 provisional votes remained unresolved as of press time Thursday.
The ballots are to be counted and an official winner is expected to be named Friday at 4 p.m. at a certification meeting.
CLARKESVILLE
In Clarkesville, Angelia Kiker defeated Lindsay C. Sloan 124-88 for the Post 1 seat on the city council.
Kiker, a local realtor and candidate for Clarkesville’s City Council, will soon replace Councilwoman E. Lane Gresham. “I am excited about the opportunity,” Kiker said. “I have known most of [the council] for a very long time. They are exceptional people.”
Kiker added that she’s set to meet with Clarkesville City Manager Keith Dickerson and work alongside council members going forward.