Monday, August 20, 2012
Patrick Bell, the incumbent for county commissioner in District 4, earns an informal endorsement from Forsyth Citizens for Responsible Growth.
As the runoff for the District 4 Forsyth County Commission race nears, incumbent Patrick Bell earned an informal endorsement over the weekend from the Forsyth County Citizens for Responsible Growth, a press release stated. The ForsythCRG website states that the organization is a Political Action Committee (PAC) governed by the laws of the State of Georgia. Their primary goal is to encourage all citizens to support responsible residential, business, and quality of life growth throughout Forsyth County. In a letter to Commissioner Bell, ForsythCRG Directors Tony DeMaria and Lee Cohn stated, “I believe you offer District 4 citizens, citizens county wide, and the county a clear advantage: you stand up for all citizens, you challenge the …
Wednesday, August 8, 2012
District 4 County Commissioner candidate Cindy J. Mills receives support from Rep. Tom Graves.
Rep. Tom Graves (R-GA-09) announced in a press release Monday his endorsement for District 4 County Commissioner candidate Cindy J. Mills. “Cindy Jones Mills understands what it takes to run a business, create private-sector jobs, balance a budget and meet tough deadlines -- that’s key for Forsyth County,” said Congressman Tom Graves. “Cindy Jones Mills will stand up for taxpayers and place principles above politics. She is the right kind of leader for Forsyth County." Mills and incumbent Patrick Bell head for a runoff on Aug. 21 following last week's elections. Mills received 44.16 percent or 2,538 votes, while Bell received 26.71 percent or 1,535 votes. “I am both humbled and honored to receive the endorsement of Rep. Tom Graves,” said …
Thursday, July 19, 2012
District 4 Commissioner Patrick Bell applauds passage of Hall County's opportunity zone and encourages inventory tax exemption in Forsyth.
County Commissioner Patrick Bell, who is seeking a second term in District 4, applauded the recent passage of the Gainesville/Hall County Opportunity Gateway Urban Redevelopment Plan, a press release stated. The Urban Redevelopment Plan (see the PDF file to the right for the full plan) is intended to increase the number of incentives and economic development tools available to encourage investment and job creation in the City of Gainesville and Hall County. “The creation of a new Opportunity Zone in Hall County is good not only for Gainesville but the entire region,” said Bell. “Forsyth County created the 400 Opportunity Zone two years ago to encourage redevelopment and economic revitalization by extending tax credits to new and existing …
Monday, June 11, 2012
Charles Meagher currently serves as chairman of Forsyth County's Board of Tax Assessors.
Charles Meagher, Chairman of Forsyth County's Board of Tax Assessors, announced this spring his candidacy for the Board of Commissioners representing District 4. “As a member of the Tax Board, I’ve seen first hand the effects of the current economic situation on the value of our homes," said Meagher. "I understand the relationship of the tax digest to the county’s budget. No other candidate or current board member will be more aggressive in supporting property rights.” Meagher, who has participated in several county commission debates so far during this political season, is a 25-year resident of Forsyth County. His career as an educator and administrator in Alabama & Georgia spans 39 years. He was the principal of Norcross High School …
Friday, May 18, 2012
Forsyth County Commissioner Patrick Bell was recognized recently for advanced training.
Forsyth County Commissioner and Vice Chairman Patrick Bell was among 100 county commissioners from around the state recently recognized by the Association County Commissioners of Georgia (ACCG) and the Carl Vinson Institute of Government at the University of Georgia. Bell and the others were given certificates for the completion of one of several training programs during an annual conference at the Savannah Civic Center, according to a county government news release. “Leadership development for county officials is part of our core mission," said ACCG Executive Director Ross King. "We seek to provide training that fosters better informed decision-making and helps counties to operate as efficiently and effectively as possible. Commissioners …
Tuesday, May 1, 2012
Forsyth County Commissioner Patrick Bell wants a complete ban of synthetic marijuana known as "Spice."
The substance that goes by the street name Spice (and variations on that name such as: K2, Pep, Zohai, Yucatan Fire and Genie) is marketed as incense and is sold in smoke shops and convenience stores. The harmful substance mimics the effects of THC, the chemical in marijuana that gives users a high. But Spice is actually much stronger and that concerns Forsyth County Commissioner Patrick Bell and other officials. Producers add a chemical spray, which contains a compound that has an effect similar to that of marijuana and package it as incense. Users roll it into cigarettes or smoke it in pipes. Selling Spice as incense circumvents Food and Drug Administration testing. Bell said in a news release, producers and marketers continue to find …
Friday, September 9, 2011
Bill Mulrooney announced this week that he will challenge District 4 Commissioner Patrick Bell for his seat on the Board of Commissioners.
Forsyth County will have three contested seats on the Board of Commissioners next year. Chairman Brian Tam, who represents Dist. 2, will complete his second term in 2012. Dist. 5 Commissioner Jim Boff and District 4 Commissioner Patrick Bell will complete their first. Bell is the only one who has announced his intention to run for reelection and already one opponent has announced he will challenge the incumbent. Republican Bill Mulrooney announced this week that he is a candidate in Dist. 4. Mulrooney worked for 25 years as an electronic engineer. He and his wife Beth moved to Forsyth County in 2000 and, that same year, began volunteering at the Humane Society of Forsyth County where he later served on the Board of Directors. Following …
Saturday, July 30, 2011
District 4 Commissioner Patrick Bell wants county to get tough on underage alcohol sales. Chairman Tam, a restaurateur, argues in favor of mitigating circumstances.
Following a 30-minute discussion of Forsyth County's alcohol ordinance, county commissioners failed to reach a clear consensus. Chairman Brian Tam, a restaurateur, argued that the current ordinance is too stringent and that commissioners should be permitted to hear mitigating circumstances before automatically revoking the license of a licensee who has sold alcohol to an underage customer. District 4 Commissioner Patrick Bell argued that would send a message that Forsyth County is not going to be tough on enforcement of its ordinance. "Is that the message we want to send," Bell asked. Tam argued that the county should be tough on someone who repeatedly violates the ordinance, but that there can be mitigating circumstances that should be …
Charles Laughinghouse
5:06 pm on Monday, August 20, 2012
Based on the following statement: “The short time before the runoff does not allow us to obtain formal endorsement approval from Forsyth CRG” I don’t believe this is an endorsement from FCRG but a personal endorsement from Mr. DeMaria and Mr. Cohn. I believe these gentlemen have forgotten a broken commitment to the Lanier Golf group in exchange for an endorsement. more ›