After HOST Defeat, Cherokee Leaders Move On

Cherokee Commissioners believe "mistrust" led to the HOST's rejection by voters.

After HOST Defeat, Cherokee Leaders Move On

Cherokee Commissioners believe "mistrust" led to the HOST's rejection by voters.

In the aftermath of voters rejecting a proposal to use sales tax revenue to reduce property taxes, Cherokee County leaders are offering their thoughts on the referendum's defeat.  County leaders said they were disappointed in Tuesday's results in which voters defeated a proposed Homestead Option Sales Tax.  Cherokee voters rejected the measure, with 36 percent, or 32,150, voting in favor while 64 percent, or 56,190, voting against the first question. On the HOST's second question, 46 percent, or 40,344, approved the measure while 54 percent, or 46,830 voted to defeat it. The Homestead Option Sales Tax would have used revenue from the sales tax to reduce the county’s maintenance and operations portion of property taxes. It would not have …

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Cherokee Voters Reject HOST, Support Charter Amendment

Voters in Holly Springs also retained their incumbent city council members.

Riding a wave of opposition to new tax measures, voters in Cherokee County rejected a proposal to impose a one percent sales tax to be used to roll back county property taxes.  Cherokee voters rejected the measure, with 36 percent, or 32,150, voting in favor while 64 percent, or 56,190, voted against the first question. On the HOST's second question, 46 percent, or 40,344, approved the measure while 54 percent, or 46,830 voted to defeat it. The Homestead Option Sales Tax would have used revenue from the sales tax to reduce the county’s maintenance and operations portion of property taxes. It would not have applied to the school, fire district taxes and parks bond imposed by the county.  Georgia law required two questions to be placed on …

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Georgia Charter Schools Amendment Appears to Pass

The constitutional amendment grants the state authority to approve charter schools, whether local school boards want them or not.

Georgia voters gave the state more authority over charter schools on Tuesday, passing a constitutional amendment empowering a commission to overrule local school districts that reject charter school petitions. With all counties fully reporting, the hotly contested amendment had support of 58.5 percent of voters. See selected county results below. It was an emotionally charged issue that in some ways united Georgians across political and demographic lines. A Peach Pundit poll from late October had found "no significant difference [in support] based on whether a voter is a Republican or a Democrat, a male or a female, or based on race." Camille Cottrell, an Emory University instructor and card-carrying Democrat, is an example of the …

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Georgia Charter Schools Amendment: What Will My Vote Mean?

Tuesday's ballot includes a Georgia constitutional amendment to re-establish a state commission to approve charter schools. Your job is to decide if that's a good idea.

  There aren't a lot of statewide issues on the ballot Nov. 6, but one has the potential to affect school districts, parents and children throughout Georgia. It's Amendment 1, and the ballot will say it "Provides for improving student achievement and parental involvement through more public charter school options." The question voters will answer yes or no to is, "Shall the Constitution of Georgia be amended to allow state or local approval of public charter schools upon the request of local communities?" So what does a yes vote mean? If the amendment passes, the state will create a commission that can approve charter schools in local communities, even if local school boards oppose them. Supporters of the amendment believe this is …

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Today Is The Last Day To Vote Early

Advanced voting ends today at 7 p.m. ahead of the Nov. 6 general election.

Cherokee County residents who wanted to vote early but haven't found the time have one more day to cast their ballot ahead of the Nov. 6 general election. Today is the last day Cherokee County residents can participate in advanced voting. Advanced voting locations will be open between 8:30 a.m. and 7 p.m. today to allow voters to cast their ballots. No voting will be held on Monday and polls will open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday for the general election. Along with the Stone Elections Office in downtown Canton, advanced voting sites include Ball Ground Public Library, Hickory Flat Public Library, Rose Creek Public Library and Woodstock Public Library. Click here to see a list of all county polling locations. For information on your voter…

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Cherokee Elections Board Tables Decision on Poole's Eligibility

The board of elections will make the decision during its meeting on Monday.

The Cherokee County Board of Elections held off on making a decision regarding the eligibility of County Commissioner-elect Brian Poole. The board deferred action until its regular meeting at 10 a.m. Monday at the Albert Stone Elections building in downtown Canton. All five board members did not make any comments, but Chairman Randy Gravely said the board will issue an "official" opinion during the meeting.  Poole has been accused by eight residents – Chris Hampton, Scott Ault, Teisha Ault, Jamey Cagle, Connie Miller, Bryan Roach, Eric Love and Linda Flory – for not paying state and local sales taxes in the state of Alabama. Poole allegedly owes $38,599.09 in sales taxes in the neighboring state. Hampton was Poole's Republican challenger …

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