Chamber’s Political Debate is Tuesday, October 18th at 6pm, Historic Courthouse

The Toccoa-Stephens County Chamber of Commerce Government Affairs Committee and WNEG AM 630 are sponsoring a political debate prior to the November 1^st General Election this Tuesday October 18^th at 6pm, doors open at 5:30pm. Please plan to attend or tune in live on AM 630 WNEG to learn more about the candidates.

Georgia State Senate 50th District candidates are Rick Austin, John Wilkinson, David Strickland, Curtis Burger and Mary Beth Focer. The City Commissioner Post 1 candidates are incumbent Janice English and Terry Carter. The City Commissioner Post 4 candidates are Gail Fry, Wayne Perry and Bill Good who are all running for the seat currently held by Bob Troup, who is not running for re-election. All Stephens County voters are voting on the continuation of the county’s education SPLOST to pay for the new high school and other capital projects for school improvements.

The Community is invited to the upstairs Court Room in the Historic Stephens County Court House located in downtown Toccoa. Doors will open early at 5:30pm so the audience can submit questions for the candidates.

The Moderator is Lee Hicks, Chairman of the Chamber’s Government Affairs Committee and a lawyer from Moore & Hicks Law Firm in Hartwell. Each candidate will introduce themselves and then take questions from both the moderator and the media representatives. Each candidate will also have the opportunity to ask his opponent an issue-oriented question. At the end of the program, each candidate will be given two minutes for a closing statement.

Early voting has started for elections in Toccoa and Stephens County. In addition to the early voting Monday through Friday, there will be early voting on Saturday, October 29 for both the city and county election from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., also at the Registrar’s Office. The Stephens County Registrar’s Office is located in the Stephens County Government Building in downtown Toccoa. Voters must remember a picture ID.

For more information, call the Stephens County Registrar’s Office at 706-886-8954.

Currahee Military Weekend Highlights

Congratulations to everyone for your support and participation in this year’s Currahee Military Weekend.

The Friday night Hangar Dance was well attended and prizes were given to the winner of the 40’s costume – won by Tucker Joe Loudermilk and the dance contest - won by his parents Robbie and Michelle Loudermilk.

On Saturday we had a record of 428 participants at the Currahee Challenge. The 3mile up and 3mile down event was won by local Clint Sanders with at time of 41:55.

After that the Opening Ceremonies were delivered to a packed crowd and included the Purple Heart Ceremony for US Army Sergeant Jonathan Merck.

The Civil Air Patrol had 60 volunteers and logged 559 man hours to coordinate the airport events. 140 people got a ride on the Huey helicopter.

All this and more - would not be possible without the support of our sponsors and volunteers. For a complete list of sponsors please visit the Chamber’s website at toccoagachamber.com.