Cherokee County Manager To Chair Bob Barr's Congressional Campaign

Jerry Cooper will chair Barr's campaign in Cherokee County.

Cherokee Manager To Chair Bob Barr's Congressional Campaign

County Manager Jerry Cooper will chair Barr's campaign in Cherokee County.

A familiar Cherokee County face has been tapped to help Bob Barr get elected to the U.S. House of Representatives. Barr's campaign on Monday announced County Manager Jerry Cooper will serve as the campaign chair in Cherokee County. "Jerry is a key leader in Cherokee County, well known as a man of character and integrity, and I am glad to have him as a part of my campaign team," Barr wrote on this website. Cooper said he's looking forward to the new challenge.  "I am honored that Bob Barr has placed his confidence in me to be part of his campaign team," he added.  A credentialed International City/County Management Association member, Cooper has both a bachelor's and master's degree in public administration from the University of Arkansas. …

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After Fighting Fires, Ray Gunnin Turns To Politics

The former Cherokee County fire chief is now the new District 2 county commissioner.

After serving 32 years in the Cherokee County Fire and Emergency Services, Ray Gunnin has taken a plunge into politics. Gunnin is now the Cherokee County District 2 commissioner, which covers southeast Cherokee County. Gunnin succeeds two-term commissioner Jim Hubbard, who he defeated in a August 2012 special election due to a run-off.  Gunnin, 53, lives in Woodstock and retired as the county's fire chief in September 2011. He began his career with Cherokee County at the Little River fire station when the department was an all-volunteer base. He worked his way up through the ranks and became fire chief in 2005. Gunnin graduated from Etowah High School in 1977 and received a fire science degree from the former DeKalb College in 1996.  He …

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As Commissioner, Brian Poole Wants to "Really Focus" On Jobs

Brian Poole, one of two new Cherokee County commissioners, also wants to host regular town hall meetings with residents.

Cherokee County Commissioner-elect Brian Poole will soon take office as the new commissioner for District 3 in Cherokee County. He will follow Karen Bosch, who decided not to seek re-election to a third term in office. Poole, 39, is the funeral home manager at Woodstock Funeral Home. He graduated with an associate's degree in funeral science from Gupton Jones College of Funeral Science and he is in the midst of obtaining his bachelor's degree in finance from Liberty University. Poole and wife Amy have two daughters and live in Towne Lake. They are members of First Baptist Church of Woodstock. Poole discussed with Patch things he'd like to address during his first term in office.  1. Now that the dust has settled, how do you feel about …

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Patsy Jordan: Cherokee School Employees "Are My Heroes"

Incoming Cherokee County School Board member Patsy Jordan wants to advocate for public school system she worked in for 37 years.

Northeast Cherokee County resident Patsy Jordan will soon become the newest member of the Cherokee County School Board. She defeated incumbent Kim Cochran in the July Republican primary and had no Democratic challenger in the Nov. 6 general election. She will serve in the new Post 2, which encompasses east and northeast Cherokee. Jordan, a retired Cherokee County School District educator, has 37 years of experience in education and has worked as a paraprofessional, school secretary, county payroll officer, school bus driver, classroom teacher, mentor and college supervisor. She has an Ed.S in curriculum and instruction and her endorsements include gifted and teacher support specialist.  Jordan and Husband Franklin "Bug" Jordan live in the …

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Jim Hubbard 'Proud' of Career, Won't Rule Out Future in Public Service

Cherokee County's District 2 Commissioner Jim Hubbard provided Patch with some insight into his eight-year career in the public eye.

Cherokee County District 2 Commissioner Jim Hubbard, 67, will retire from eight years serving southeastern Cherokee County on Dec. 31. Hubbard grew up in Decatur and moved to Hickory Flat in 1963 where he still lives with wife Peggy. Hubbard is an Eagle Scout and served in Vietnam between 1966 and 1968 while in the United States Army. He is the founding member of the Hickory Flat Volunteer Fire Department and has been a member of Hickory Flat United Methodist Church since 1963.  He's also the treasurer of the Cherokee SALT/TRIAD, which he's also the founding member, and is the founding member of the Hickory Flat Township Committee. Other organizations Hubbard has been involved in are Cherokee Outdoor YMCA, Bethesda Community Clinic, Anna …

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