Conservative values focus of banquet speakers

Traditional, conservative values echoed through Tooney’s Music Venue in McCaysville Saturday night as the Fannin County Republican Party held its annual Valentine’s Day Dinner.

One by one, state Labor Commissioner Bruce Thompson, Ninth District Republican Party Chairwoman Rebecca Yardly, and State Senator Steve Gooch spoke about their roles and the importance of a government that answers to the needs of the people.

Chamber of Commerce Board Chairwoman Suzanne Davenport talked of the importance of the Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST) and voting to extend it March 21.

Thompson has been Commissioner of Labor for 16 days, having been elected in the November General Election.

Saturday was not Thompson’s first visit to Fannin County, and he reminded everyone, “We wanted the job so we can fix it,” referring to making sure the Labor Commissioner’s office serves the people.

Building on that promise, Thompson talked of how the office is being transformed from transactional to relational. “We immediately went to work changing the culture...we’re in the people business,” he said.

Thompson talked of being told the office is a government office and “that’s the way things are done.” His response was, “We don’t do it that way anymore.”

He said he is transforming “a government agency to operate as you do – business people.”

While some of the steps he has taken seemed simple, they spoke to his determination. For instance, there is no longer a commissioner’s private bathroom, security is the same for everyone, prime parking places have been returned to handicapped spaces as they should have been, and a manager who did not know who was working for him or how many people reported to him has been removed.

Yardly bragged on the voters of the Ninth District, which includes Fannin and 15 other counties, for their consistent high turnout in elections.

“You guys have a lot to be proud of here in Fannin County...with voter turnout above the state average,” she said.

She also spoke to district Republican voters’ staunch support of Herschel Walker as the U.S. Senate race progressed through the runoff, a statistic that was not matched elsewhere in Georgia.

Yardly is seeking the chairmanship of the state Republican Party when the election is held next month and asked for local support “to take our conservative message to all of Georgia.”

Gooch gave an overview of the goals of Republican senators during the current legislative session.

Creating safer communities across the state immediately received approval as he said, “Criminals are not welcome in our state.”

The state senator pledged staunch support of law enforcement, calling public safety “a paramount issue.”

He also said the new Committee on Children and Families will focus on meeting the needs of youth and the elderly.

Speaking to Georgia’s anti-abortion Heartbeat Bill, Gooch said, “If the courts rule against Georgia’s Heartbeat Bill, the Republicans will pass this bill again and again and again.”

Gooch also told the crowd they could expect to see tax credits and “a significant tax relief” for the state’s taxpayers this year thanks to the state’s budget surplus.

Senate Bill 1 prohibits any mask mandate from state agencies, which was experienced during COVID-19. Gooch said Republicans intend to keep businesses open and, “No longer rely on the handouts of the socialist party that has been running Washington, D.C., for the last two years.”

Davenport spoke about the importance of the Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST) to the financial well being of Fannin County and the cities of Blue Ridge and McCaysville. She talked of paved roads, recreation fields, public service equipment and expansion of the county water system as she urged everyone to vote to extend the tax in the March 21 Special Election.

Quoting her grandfather, former Fannin Commissioner A.L. Stepp, she said, “Living is fine in Fannin,” adding, “Let’s do our part to keep it that way” by voting yes for the SPLOST.

----

Chastain promises to serve everyone in 7th District

“It’s very important that we represent everyone in this district,” Johnny Chastain told the crowd gathered for the annual Fannin County Republican Party Valentine’s Day Dinner Saturday night.

He backed up that pledge saying, “It doesn’t matter if you voted for me or not.”

Chastain unrolled a map of the 7th District, saying he was going to hang it in his office to make sure he gets to know people in every corner of the area he has been elected to serve.

Chastain was speaking to about 200 guests at Tooney’s Music Venue in McCaysville less than a week after being elected as the District 7 representative to the Georgia House of Representatives.

“I’m humbled to be in this spot,” he said, as he reflected on the awesome responsibility it carries. “I’ve learned a lot...and I’m still learning,” he said.

Chastain has already visited the capitol and met with House leaders including Speaker Jon Burns and Speaker Pro Temp Jan Jones.

He was scheduled to be sworn in Monday morning at 9 a.m., and planning to get to work right away. He said he expected to receive his committee assignments then.

Chastain also spoke of the young people that have recently started taking an active role in the Republican party. He quoted from the Book of Proverbs, saying, “Where there is no vision the people perish.” Young Republicans bring that vision, he said.

Chastain said, “I’m humbled to be here in this spot.”

He thanked everyone who supported him, and especially his wife, Stacy, who played a big part in his decision to seek public office.

He urged citizens to contact him with their concerns.