The people’s participation in government is more important than ever these days.
Consider that a few outspoken folks have dramatically affected the configuration of county leadership, a situation that was still in flux as this edition went to press.
(Scan the QR code included on this page for an update on the county’s plans to hire an interim county manager and clerk at a late meeting Thursday after press time.)
Folks speaking out in Demorest got the city to put on a Fourth of July show where city officials were hesitant to do so. Inaction would have left the county with nothing, but the city decided to listen to its people.
In Cornelia, folks on both sides of a noise ordinance issue came together this week to air their issues with the City Commission and have their voices heard. If that is not the root of democracy, nothing is.
This kind of participation must continue through the August filing period for municipal elections and the empty fifth seat on the Habersham County Commission.
We need our residents to not only voice their opinions, but to get involved with our electoral process. We are known for having a huge dip in election turnout in odd-numbered years or on non-presidential or gubernatorial ballots.
Qualifying for municipal and county elections is Monday through Thursday, Aug. 16-19, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Friday, Aug. 20, from 8:30 a.m. to noon.
In addition to speaking out at government meetings, everyone is eligible to write letters to the editor of The Northeast Georgian to let folks know their views on current issues.
It is quite frequent to see folks expressing views on social media (in some cases anonymously), and we at your local newspaper get calls from many of you who want to have your say with us.
It is our duty as the newspaper – and as Americans, frankly – to ensure that our governmental bodies are stocked with forward-thinking leaders, or that those who do not fit their description are called out on their actions.
Thomas Paine said, “A body of men holding themselves accountable to nobody ought not to be trusted by anybody.”
Truer words were never spoken. Make sure your voices continue to be heard in whatever form that takes.