News-Fannin County Republican Women

FCRW Supports Middle School Chorus

The Fannin County Republican Women are proud to support the Middle School chorus with a donation to help students with spending money for their trip to sing at a dedication of a steel beam that came from the World Trade Center in New York that was destroyed by terrorists Sept 11, 2001. The chorus will perform at the Iron and Steel celebration August 28 at 10:45 a.m. at Arlington County Fire Station 5 at Arlington, VA.

FCRW to Celebrate Constitution Day

On September 16, Fannin County Republican Women will join the Georgia Federation of Republican Women at 10 a.m. at the state Capitol to ask all members of Congress to endorse and support the Constitution project by:
            1. Asking all Americans to read, study, and learn the contents of the U.S.
                 Constitution in honor and celebration of Constitution Day, and
            2. Encouraging people to discuss the contents of the Constitution with a
                 young person in their life.

On September 17, we are asking teachers to pass out copies of the Constitution and speak to a 5th grade class about the U.S. Constitution and answer questions students might have. Our hope is that everyone will join us on September 16 at the State Capitol and that they will read the Constitution on September 17.

FCRW Congratulates Republican Candidates

After four elections this year, we congratulate our Republican candidates: Governor Nathan Deal, Congressman Tom Graves, Attorney General Sam Olens, Insurance Commissioner Ralph Hudgens, PSC Commissioner Tim Echols, Agriculture Commissioner Gary Black, Labor Commissioner Mark Butler and School Superintendent John Barge.

Local winners are Steve Stanley, Bobby Bearden and Larry Joe Sosebee. Some candidates will face a Democrat or Independent opponent in the November 2 general election.

May 15 Picnic Featured Ralston, Candidates

The Picnic in the Park, sponsored by Fannin County Republican Women, attracted more than 30 candidates for national, state and local offices, including Speaker David Ralston.

March 17 Meeting Featured Candidates

From local to national, Republican candidates for public office attended the March 17 meeting of the Fannin County Republican Women (FCRW).
"I welcome each and every one of you. You people here are just as important as the speakers; you are going to take their message and you're going to spread it," said FCRW President Elaine Owen.

Owen recognized all former and present officeholders and candidates, including school board member Bobby Bearden, Post 2 Commissioner candidates David Haight and Faron Barton, former Post 2 Commissioner candidate Lane Bishop, Commission Chairman Bill Simonds, Blue Ridge City Council member Rhonda Thomas, Congressional candidates Chris Cates, M.D., and Bert Loftman, M.D., and a representative from Georgia Attorney General candidate Sam Olens.

Pictures of the event are available on Picasa here. If you are using Internet Explorer, the link will open a new page. If you are using Firefox, the page will open in a new tab.

The next meeting will take place April 21 at Harvest on Main in Blue Ridge. Insurance Commissioner candidate Harold Logsdon and county Commission Chairman Bill Simonds are scheduled to speak. Members will also discuss the May 15 picnic.

Photos from the March 17 meeting are available on Picasa here.
This link will open a new page if you are using Internet Explorer.

Rep. Tom Graves Spoke January 20

You can’t miss him in a crowd. He would stand out anywhere. He’s the tall, wiry gentleman with an engaging smile. His name is Tom Graves. And he’s running for Congress.

“America is faced with many difficult challenges, and Georgians need a strong, proven leader who has the courage to stand up for the people and values that have made America great,” said Graves, in announcing that he was running for Congress.

Currently serving his fourth term in the Georgia House of Representatives, Graves has been recognized statewide as a conservative leader, championing conservative values in the Georgia legislature, for his tireless efforts to stop expansive government and to reduce the tax burden on Georgians. Seeking the 9th Congressional seat being vacated by Congressman Nathan Deal, Rep. Graves says he is deeply concerned as he sees Washington’s excessive spending, disregard for the taxpayer and an erosion of America’s freedoms.

Graves feels there is nothing more important than the security of the American people. “Congress must be resolved in defending America from those who seek to destroy our way of life to those who seek to enter illegally. America is a blessed nation and I’m optimistic about her future. It’ll take new energy, new ideas and new solutions to right her course.”

Sen. Lee Hawkins in Blue Ridge

Sen. Lee Hawkins came to Blue Ridge November 28, 2009, to let people in Fannin County know that he is working his way across the 9th district in pursuit of the congressional seat vacated by Rep. Nathan Deal, who is running for Governor.

Hawkins met supporters and well wishers in Fannin County on the Court House steps, then walked in the Christmas Parade in downtown Blue Ridge.

Hawkins said, “I have roots in the North Georgia Mountains. My dad was a plumber and helped build the schools in Blue Ridge. I like to come back up here as often as I can.”

As a lifetime resident of north Georgia, Hawkins said he understands the values that are important to Fannin County; values of faith, family, freedom and life. As a hunter, fisher and sportsman he is a strong believer in the Second Amendment right to bear arms and is a member of the National Rifle Association. He believes that life starts at conception and ends at natural death; opposes abortion and will work to protect innocent life.

”I do not support our tax dollars being used to pay for abortions and I will continue to work to advance the pro-life movement if I am elected to Congress.”

Speaking from the Court House steps, Hawkins said he believes in states' rights; supports the Fair Tax and will work to stop the federal government from taking large amounts of our income. As a Georgia senator, he said he voted twice to support the Fair Tax.

”In fact,” he stated, “I am the only candidate for Congress who has actually voted to support the Fair Tax.”

On the water issue, Hawkins said just after he began his term in the Senate, he worked to pass legislation to raise the level of Lake Lanier two feet—in effect creating a reservoir without any cost to taxpayers. If elected, Hawkins said he will continue fighting for Georgia’s rights to Lake Lanier.

Legal citizenship is the only way Hawkins would address the immigration and illegal alien issue. He said, “Americans are struggling to provide essentials for their families. They cannot be burdened with paying for people who are here illegally.” He continued that no taxpayer money should be used to support illegals and that’s just what it is “not legal.”

A practicing dentist for 31 years, Hawkins says he has dealt with health care, insurance, increasing regulations and government bureaucracy. This experience, he maintains, qualifies him to provide long-term solutions to the problems we are facing in health care, adding that he will work to expand health savings accounts, reintroduce competition and provide tax credits for personal insurance. “National health care will be a national nightmare,” he added.

Asked about the war in Afghanistan, Hawkins answered, “Let us not forget 9-11 and that we are fighting the terrorists who intend to murder more American citizens. We should provide the necessary means and protection for our troops to do their job, and we should promote a truly strong democratic government that is able to defend itself and its people.”

Lee is a lifetime resident of Hall County. He attended the University of Georgia and Emory University and is a member of Gainesville First Methodist Church. He is married to Sharon and they have four daughters, three sons, one granddaughter, two cats and two dogs. He is an avid fly fisherman and hunter.

Republican Women Active in Local Tea Party

The 4th of July Parade was not the only exciting thing in Blue Ridge on Independence Day. Just after the Parade, a large crowd gathered at the Court House steps for the area's third Tea Party to rally citizens to become involved in their country.

“You can do that,” said co-organizer Elaine Owen, who is also president of Fannin County Republican Women (FCRW), “by knowing who your elected officials are and who is running for office. Find out where they stand on issues. If you don't agree with their position, don't vote for them. Your strongest voice is at the polls. Exercise your right to vote and vote for those people who will protect our Constitution and who believe in our rights and freedom.”

Main speaker was Tom Dooley from Ringgold, who is running for the 9th District congressional seat being vacated by Nathan Deal. Dooley’s message was clear: “I am not a politician; I am just a plain man who wants to change the way our country is going.”

A small businessman, Dooley said there should be more help for small businesses, such as forming co-ops to obtain health insurance and increase benefits. On the economy, he says, “It would have fixed itself if the government had stayed out of the private sector.” Dooley says we have the best health care in the world, but affordability is the problem. He is for legal immigration, but says illegal immigration is a crime against the United States sovereignty.

Dooley’s philosophy for life is, "With a belief in God, honesty, hard work, and perseverance, you can accomplish anything. We have a duty and responsibility to our family, community, nation and fellow man.”

Other speakers included Gina Adams, co-organizer and treasurer of FCRW; Jane Teasley, vice president of FCRW; Bill Marsh and Jim Owen, associate members of FCRW.

The next Tea Party in Blue Ridge is planned for September 12th to coincide with the March to Washington.

“If you can’t go to Washington,” said Adams, “come to Blue Ridge and we’ll march to support our Constitution, personal liberties, a free market system and state sovereignty.”

Fannin County Republican Women Hold Fundraiser

More than a dozen women met on a Tuesday in late June for a fundraising party. Hosted by Sue Pack of Pampered Chef, the women worked together to prepare a salad using fresh produce and Pampered Chef products. In addition to a demonstration of the latest Pampered Chef products and their uses, Ms. Pack shared favorite recipes. The Republican Women are raising money to help fund community projects and a continuing college scholarship program.

Left to Right: Mary Jones, Gina Adams, Susan Greene, Glenda Page,
Sue Pack and Bianca Davis.

Blue Ridge Police Chief Delivers Sobering Message to Republican Women

“Times have changed,” said Police Chief Johnny Scearce at the June 17 meeting of Fannin County Republican Women, “and we need to do different things to protect ourselves.” So began a sobering three-part talk by Blue Ridge Police Department’s Chief Scearce, Lt. Robbie Stewart and Officer Michael Earley.

Chief Scearce went on to describe incidents that happened in Blue Ridge and Fannin County where personal identities were stolen, homes were broken into and drug dealers were apprehended. “Identity theft is a big thing everywhere,” Chief Scearce said, “and it sometimes happens when we’re not thinking.”

Ways to protect personal information include not giving personal information, social security numbers and bank information over the phone; save, shred or destroy bank and credit card statements; deposit mail directly at the Post Office instead of leaving it in your mailbox and checking your credit information with the credit bureaus at least once a year. “Every one of us gets credit card offers and most of us just throw them in the trash,” said Scearce. “That’s not a good idea.”

The chief then explained how someone can go through the trash, pick up these offers, fill them out, change the name and return address then open a bank account with our information and get credit cards going to their address. “Use a shredder or burn them,” Scearce urged.

Skimming theft is increasing and is one of the most dangerous types of fraud. That’s where your credit card or debit card is swiped with a handheld magnetic card reader and information is saved for the thief to use later. Scearce suggested that credit and debit cards be used only in your presence.

Lt. Stewart talked about substance abuse, addiction and how we can work together to fight this growing problem. “The biggest problem in Blue Ridge and Fannin County is no longer meth,” said Stewart, “it’s abuse of prescription drugs.” Stewart then detailed how a person becomes addicted, how the brain is modified so that it thinks it is starving and taking the drug is the only way to survive. “It’s as powerful as that,” according to Stewart.

Ways we can help stop the escalating crime caused by abusing prescription drugs is to always make sure our prescriptions are safe. Stewart offered these tips: Don’t trust strangers in your homes. If someone comes to your door and asks to use the bathroom, tell them no, don’t let them into the house. Don’t keep prescriptions in the bathroom. Put them in a safe place where you are the only one who knows the location.

“The thing most people don’t connect is how abuse of prescription drugs is the root of a lot of other crime,” said Stewart. “People lie, steal and cheat to get money for drugs. Even if they don’t use them themselves, they sell them at exorbitant prices to make a living and the economy hasn’t helped in this regard.”

The sad thing, according to Stewart, is that abuse of over-the-counter and prescription drugs has taken over teens and even kids in the third and fourth grades. Because this culture did not exist when their parents were in school, they sometimes don’t see the erratic behavior in their children might be drug abuse. “Unless we all take action now,” said Stewart, “this problem is not going to go away.”

Officer Earley continued with some alarming statistics about drug abuse and how kids need help in making the right choices. He said the number of kids who take drugs from their parents or grandparents to use or to sell is increasing. The subtle addiction sneaks up on kids and they’re hooked before they realize it.

“You can help,” Earley continued, “by talking to your kids and being aware of their mood swings. Find out what’s going on in their world, who their friends are and where they are at all times.” The choices they make will affect their entire life.

Peer pressure can’t be ignored, said Earley. Kids want to be accepted and they get caught up in things without realizing how it’s going to affect them. A new father of a 5-month old daughter, Earley was asked what he would do to keep her safe. He answered, “Talk to her. Keep the lines of communication open and try to always be there.

It’s a different world out there, and Officer Earley has seen a lot of it in the short time he’s been on the police force. At 20 years old, Earley is one of the youngest officers to be certified to teach. He takes his job seriously and exudes a confidence and attitude seldom seen at that age. Young enough to relate to kids and old enough to help them make the right choices, Earley concluded with, “It’s our job to protect our children and grandchildren and it’s not just a cliche to say “it all begins in the home.”

OFFICERS