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Rep. Hamilton Appointed to Governor’s Digital Learning Task Force
State Representative Mark Hamilton (R-Cumming) was recently appointed to a task forced created by Governor Nathan Deal to implement digital learning in Georgia’s K-12 schools. The appointment was made pursuant to an executive order recently signed by Gov. Deal...
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Forsyth County’s First Stream Restoration Project Completed
Forsyth County marked the completion of the county’s first stream restoration project with a ribbon cutting ceremony held Monday, May 7. Located inside Forsyth County’s Midway Park, the stream restoration project was designed to improve overall downstream watershed conditions by stabilizing and restoring approximately 1,000 feet of degraded stream bank, using natural channel design methods...
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Forsyth County Board of Commissioners Recognized Three County Employees
Dennis W. Barron of the Tax Commissioner’s Office, Robert M. Waddell of the Sheriff’s Office and William R. Vaughn of Roads and Bridges were all recognized for reaching twenty-five years of service with the county...
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Senate Bill 356 Signed by Governor Deal
This week, Governor Nathan Deal signed Senate Bill 356 into law. SB 356, sponsored in the Senate by Sen. Jack Murphy (R-Cumming), will increase the number of superior court judges in the Bell- Forsyth Circuit from two to three. The new judge will be appointed by Governor Deal for a term running from January 1, 2013 through December 31, 2014 and until a successor is elected and qualified...
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Forsyth County Commissioner Amos Accused of ‘Conflict of Water Interests’ by Planning Commissioner
Jenkins addressed the Forsyth County Board of Commissioners during the public comments portion of the BOC meeting claiming that Comissioner Pete Amos’ private business, A & A WATER COMPANY, LLC, resells water to customers in Forsyth County and therefore disqualifies him from voting on the pending raw and finished water contract negotiations before the May deadline...
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2012 Legislative Session Sine Die
Last Thursday, March 29th, the 2012 legislative session came to an end when the House and Senate completed the 40th and final legislative day. This last day of session is known as “Sine Die,” a Latin term meaning “without assigning a day for further meeting,” which is how we adjourned session. As we went into this final day, we had already addressed most of the major issues for this year. The state budget, reforms of our state tax code, and...
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Two Forsyth County Commissioners Hold Town Hall on the Water Contract
Forsyth County Commission Chairman Jim Boff started Thursday's town hall meeting by saying, "We're not engaged in a water war of our own. We're trying to find a way we can precede forward with the water contract."...
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Mayor Gravitt Threatens to "Drastically" Increase the County's Water Rate
Cumming Mayor Ford Gravitt held a press conference at City Hall Thursday and threatened to "drastically" increase the county's water rate if the Forsyth County Board of Commissioners doesn't renew the contract that is set to expire in May. Gravitt placed the blame for failure to negotiate a new contract directly on the commissioners’ doorstep...
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Senate Passes Responsible Welfare Legislation
The Georgia Senate passed HB 861, the Social Responsibility and Accountability Act, today by a vote of 36 to 15. Sponsored in the House by Rep. Michael Harden and carried in the Senate by Sen. John Albers (R-Roswell), this legislation requires recipients of Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) to undergo drug screening to receive welfare benefits...
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House Version of “Georgia Government Accountability Act” Passes Senate
The Georgia Senate passed HB 456, also known as the Georgia Government Accountability Act, by a vote of 38 to 6. The legislation provides a mechanism to determine the continued need and existence of state-run programs and agencies through the creation of the General Assembly Legislative Sunset Advisory Committee. Sen. Judson Hill (R-Marietta) carried the bill...
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Rep. Graves Announces Spring/Summer 2012 County Connection Days
WASHINGTON -- U.S. Rep. Tom Graves (R-GA-9) has announced the 2012 spring/summer dates for his 9th Congressional District County Connection Program. A Constituent Services Representative from Congressman Graves’ office will be available to meet with constituents on the following dates and locations...
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The Tax Reform Bill of 2012 and Why I Voted Yes.
I voted yes on the bill because taken as a whole, it is better for my constituents. Also, all the numbers that were generated showed this being a slight overall tax cut for the citizens. I personally questioned for 45 minutes the economists who scored the bill. I challenged assumptions, verified numbers, and looked for weaknesses. As with any economic forecasting there is always uncertainty, but to the best of my judgement this was in fact a net tax decrease. The Americans for Tax Reform and Grover Norquist also scored this a net tax decrease, though like me they did not think it was significant reform...
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Congressman Rob Woodall Speaks to the Forsyth County Republican Party Convention
On March 10th 2012 Congressman Rob Woodall, who represents Georgia’s 7th Congressional District, visited the Forsyth County Republican Party Convention to deliver an enthusiastically received message to the party faithful. The day was long by convention standards, but Woodall’s message of encouragement earned applause from the crowd of over 160 delegates and visitors.  Rep. Woodall reminded GOP voters of the importance of getting involved in the primary process...
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Responsible Welfare Bill Passes Georgia Senate
The Georgia Senate passed SB 292, the Social Responsibility and Accountability Act, on Wednesday by a vote of 35 to 18. Sponsored by Sen. John Albers (R-Roswell), this legislation requires recipients of Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) to undergo drug screening to determine welfare eligibility...
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Georgia Senate Passes School Grading Bill
The legislation requires a numerical score rating for individual schools and school systems based on student achievement, achievement gap closure and student progress. It also requires that a letter grade be assigned to each school and school system and included on each school and school system’s annual report card. The grade is derived from the numerical score, with a majority of the grade based on student achievement...
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Amendments to Forsyth County Parks and Recreation Ordinance Approved
The Forsyth County Board of Commissioners approved amending Ordinance No. 102, Forsyth County's Parks and Recreation Ordinance, at their regular meeting Thursday, March 1, 2012. Public hearings on this matter were held February 2, 2012 and March 1, 2012...
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Water Contract Negotiations - City of Cumming & Forsyth County: Part II
Forsyth County is preparing to submit a proposal to the City of Cumming for a new Water Contract, since the current 25-year contract expires at the end of May 2012. While rumor has it that the City would like another 25 to 50 year contract with the same terms, the following is an approach that the County should use to save county residents tens of millions over the next 15 years, and allow the County to water independent at the end of the period...
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Forsyth County Homestead Exemptions
Those who purchased a house during 2011, were living there on January 1, 2012, consider this their primary legal residence and are not claiming homestead at any other location are eligible for lower property taxes by filing for Homestead Exemption. While you can file for Homestead Exemption year-round, you must file before April 1...
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Water Contract Negotiations - City of Cumming & Forsyth County: Part I
When I first started to look at the water contract negotiations which are currently underway between the City of Cumming and Forsyth County, I had no idea of the complexity of the issues involved. I will do my best to present this in the simplest way while doing the subject the justice it deserves. There are many "facts" that need to be digested, before a recommendation about how to proceed with the negotiations can be attempted. But first, a little history...
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Georgia General Assembly's Sixth Legislative Week
Last week marks the half-way point of the 2012 legislative session. Friday, February 17 was legislative day 21 of the 40 days that we are allowed to meet. With the end of session drawing closer, we continued to work in committees and on the House floor to ensure important legislation makes it through the House while there is still time...
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Early Voting for March 6 Presidential Preference Primary/Special Election Starts Monday
Early Voting for the March 6 Presidential Preference Primary/Special Election will begin Monday, February 13, and will run through Saturday, February 25. Forsyth County registered voters may cast their ballot during Early Voting at the Forsyth County Administration Building, located at 110 E. Main Street in Cumming...
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Hud Awards Georgia Housing Authorities Over $64 Million to Improve, Preserve Nation’s Public Housing Stock
Department of Housing and Urban Development Secretary Shaun Donovan awarded today public housing authorities in Georgia $64,067,418 that will be used to make major large-scale improvements to their public housing units...
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Presidential Candidate Newt Gingrich Will Address the Forsyth County Republican Party Mass Precinct Meeting
Presidential Candidate Newt Gingrich has his sights set on Georgia. With Super Tuesday less than a month away, Gingrich is hoping to turn the corner of a highly contested Presidential race with Georgia. Ten states will vote on March 6^th and Georgia will be the catch of the day with 76 delegates at stake, the fourth largest delegate count in the country...
 
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State Rep. Mike Dudgeon Joins Call to Repeal 17th Amendment
The first term freshman state rep from Cumming says he and 31 other legislators thought about introducing the non binding resolution for more than a year. In an exclusive interview with CummingHome.com, Dudgeon explained his role and what it could me to Georgians and Americans at large...
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Hall County Gets Second Chance at State House Maps
After approving the state House maps last year and having them gain preclearance by the U.S. Justice Department, state lawmakers decided last week they wanted a do over. By a vote of 108-64 in the House and 35-18 in the Senate, they got their wish. Voting closely followed party lines with all Republican representatives but two..
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Historic Sunset Legislation Passes the Senate
The Georgia Senate today passed SB 223 with a vote of 37 to 12, showing tremendous bipartisan support for the measure. Sponsored by William Ligon (R-Waverly), this legislation provides a mechanism for government oversight and accountability...
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Rep. Graves Introduces Legislation to Make Hidden Taxes and Fees on Airline Tickets Transparent to Consumers
“The federal government should not be inserting itself in the private sector to limit consumers’ ability to see how much they’re getting taxed. If the American people can’t see these costs clearly, I fear it will be easier these fees and taxes to be raised without their knowledge.”...
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Forsyth County Commissioners Recognize Linda Whittle
At their January 19 meeting, the Forsyth County Board of Commissioners recognized Linda Whittle for her years of dedicated service as a board member for the Department of Family and Children Services...
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Modifications to Forsyth County Alcohol Ordinance Adopted (Employee Alcohol Sales Permit)
The Forsyth County Board of Commissioners adopted modifications to Ordinance No. 68, Forsyth County's Alcohol Ordinance, at their regular meeting Thursday, January 19, 2012. The modifications to Forsyth County's Alcohol Ordinance are to modify the criteria for issuance of an employee alcohol sales permit, specifically with respect to automatic disqualifying events and employee alcohol sales permit application requirements...
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Proposed Legislation to Curb Metal Theft
Similar to other states, Georgia continues to be plagued by a growing trend of metal thefts. Metals such as copper, aluminum, brass and bronze are in high demand due to rising metal prices. Over the past several years, copper prices have skyrocketed to nearly $3.29 per pound, resulting in a significant increase in metal thefts throughout the state...
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