Republican Party runoff debates Wednesday
News June 13, 2022
FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — The Forsyth County Republican Party will host a candidate forum……. for candidates in the House Dist. 24 and District 28 State Representative Runoff Election on June 15 in the Forsyth Conference Center, 3410, Ronald Reagan Blvd. in Cumming. Doors open at 6 pm. The debate begins at 6:30.
Two University of Georgia graduates will square off in the District 24 runoff.
District 24 incumbent Sheri Gilligan defeated Barrett by more than 600 votes in the Dist. 24 General Primary Election last month and needed only 25 more votes to avoid a runoff. Ed Solly, who finished third in that race with 675 votes, has endorsed her.
Gilligan is a veteran legislator and one of the most conservative members of the Georgia House of Representatives. She was named Conservative Legislator of the year by CPAC in 2021 and 2022. She has an A rating by the National Rifle Association and has been endorsed by the NRA, Frontline Policy Council and Rep. Ed Setzler.
She has served in the United States Naval Reserves and as an analyst for the United States Central Intelligence Agency.
As District 24 State Representative the past eight years, she has supported legislation on the Heartbeat Bill, Campus Carry, teacher pay raises, reduction in taxes, and school choice.
Barrett has been a successful banker and community leader in Forsyth for 30 years. He founded Community Business Bank and now serves as the North American Market President for Affinity Bank.
He has served the county on numerous boards, including the Sawnee Community Center, Northside Hospital Foundation, United Way of Forsyth County, and The Place of Forsyth and the Forsyth County Chamber of Commerce. He has received the Chamber’s Chairman Award twice and the Paramount Achievement Award.
Barrett has been endorsed by State Representatives Lauren McDonald, Rick Jasperse and State Senator Clint Dixon as well as Forsyth County Commissioner Todd Levent. He has also been recognized by the Georgia House of Representatives for his contributions and service to Forsyth County.
He and wife Jamie live in Cumming where his two daughters graduated from West Forsyth High School. They atten North Point Community Church.
Inflation, DEI opponents could pose serious challenge to E-SPLOST VI
News August 3, 2021
FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. – On July 20, the Forsyth County Board of Education unanimously approved an education special purpose local option sales tax (E-SPLOST) referendum resolution that will be voted on in November.
The millage rate will remain at 17.30 where it has been the last five years but rising home values will add about 2 percent to homeowners’ tax bill. With the inflation rate at a 13-year high, prices rising at the gas pump, the grocery store and the real estate market and tax payers’ growing resentment of the Board of Education, E-SPLOST VI may have to travel a very bumpy road until November.
Voters have approved the last five E-SPLOST referendums, but the economic climate was never this bad nor the Board of Education’s approval rating this low.
Hundreds of taxpayers — furious about the school system’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) policy –have flooded the Board of Education meeting room for months seeking to have the school board end the policy they believe indoctrinates students with a Marxist/socialist philosophy. State Representative Sheri Gilligan called the policy “division, exclusion and intimidation.”
DEI opponents are talking about mounting a recall effort and forming a “NO E-SPLOST” coalition. Others are quietly preparing to challenge the two Board members — Wes McCall and Kristin Morrissey – who are up for reelection next year.
The Board has not completed its E-SPLOST VI project list, but capital projects that could be funded include $25,000,000 for “life cycle upgrades” and $38,000,000 for a new elementary school to replace Midway Elementary.
This is how the ballot referendum will appear on the ballot:
Shall a 1 percent sales and use tax for the educational purposes of the Forsyth County School District be re-imposed within Forsyth County upon the termination of the one percent sales and use tax for educational purposes presently in effect for a maximum period of time of 20 calendar quarters for the purposes of providing funds to pay (1) the cost of (a) acquiring, constructing and installing one new elementary school to replace an existing elementary school, (b) acquiring land for future schools and other facilities, instructional and administrative technology improvements (including without limitation) necessary software and student and staff laptop devices), school buses, other vehicles and transportation equipment and safety and security equipment (c) adding to renovating, repairing and improving and equipping existing school buildings and other buildings and facilities useful or desirable in connection therewith, and (d) acquiring any necessary property therefor, both real and personal all at a maximum cost of $25,000,000 and (2) the cost of retiring a portion of the School District’s General Obligation Refunding Bonds, Series 2013, General Obligation Bonds, Series 2016, General Obligation, Series 2018, and General Obligation Bonds, Series 2020 (or any general obligation bonds issued to refund such bonds) by paying or making provision for the payment of any portion of the principal and interest of such bonds coming due on August 1, 2023 through August 1,2026 in the maximum amount of $50,000,000.
State Rep. Gilligan calls for change in leadership
Featured Stories January 11, 2021PRESS RELEASE
State Rep Sheri Gilligan
ATLANTA – State Representative Sheri Gilligan (R-Cumming, D24) says that it is time for a change in leadership. “The November 3rd election was the most chaotic election in our State’s history. Due to overwhelming reports of voting fraud and irregularities, the House Governmental Oversite Committee and the Senate Governmental Affairs Committee both held hearings in which evidence was taken from witnesses. Both committees heard testimony on various procedures that need to be investigated. Some of the items to be investigated include: ballots not being secured, lax or non-existent chain of custody of the ballots, unsecure data on laptops etc. to an overall lack of effort to have a transparent process. After Georgians voiced their grave concerns over election integrity during these hearings, Ralston failed to exhibit any sense of urgency.”
“Free, fair, and secure elections are crucial for our Constitutional republic. In the nearly 10 weeks since the general election, the House has failed to lead on investigating any voting irregularities or illegal activity. Though there are plans to appoint a new committee on election integrity, no one has been named to the committee, once again showing a total lack of urgency in protecting the democratic process that guarantees our republic.”
“I applaud Ralston’s policy priorities of reforming or eliminating no-knock warrants and addressing mental health issues, but it is time for change.”
Representative Sheri Gilligan represents the citizens of District 24, which includes Cumming and portions of Forsyth County. She was first elected to the House of Representatives in 2015 and currently serves on Industry and Labor, Natural Resources and the Environment, Budget and Fiscal Affairs Oversight, Code Revision, Human Relation and Aging, and Science and Technology committees.
BLM protest draws fire from Forsyth County Republicans
News September 4, 2020
State Rep. Sheri Gilligan
FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — Local Republican leaders were quick to condemn the action of the left-wing radical group Black Lives Matter that brought a halt to Sen. Kelly Loeffler’s trip to Forsyth County on her All About America bus tour Thursday.
Before her speech to supporters at the Sawnee Mountain Park Community Center was halted by BLM activists Loeffler blasted protesters.
“You have seen the left move swiftly, radically, violently. You couldn’t imagine it, but this year, 2020, they want to replace American ideals literally with socialism,” she said. “They’re looking to replace not just our freedom and our Constitutional rights but our way of life.”
Moments later she was shouted down by chants of “Black Lives Matter” and “No Justice No Peace.”
Forsyth GOP Chairman Patrick Bell
Forsyth County Republican Party Chairman Patrick Bell said, “So chanting, interrupting and even threatening people is how the left intends on making this a better country. As we have seen several times this week, Republicans in this state are being recognized for real measurable successes for all citizens. Democrats…not so much.”
District 24 State Rep. Sheri Gilligan added, “Republicans had a great opportunity to hear directly from their senator. Unfortunately Democrat activists shouted down any ability to have a free exchange of ideas. Everyone agrees the lives of black people/people of color matter. Americans also agree we have room for improvement. The cancel culture movement harms its own message when their messengers are bullies. Brow beating is not debate. I admire (Loeffler’s) courage under fire and maintaining her composure.”
County Commissioner Molly Cooper
County Commissioner Molly Cooper stated, “The repetitive chant of “Black Lives Matter” continued in response to Senator Kelly Loeffler after she stated emphatically that black lives most certainly do matter and there is no place for racism in our country. It was such a shame that the Black Lives Matter chanters were deaf to what Senator Loeffler passionately emphasized. Regardless of the chants, or the refusal by the Black Lives Matter chanters to engage in discussion, we had a terrific meet and greet and if anyone was ‘on the fence’ about voting for Senator Loeffler, the Black Lives Matter chanters accidentally encouraged them to choose the compassionate, strong, conservative woman that does not back down. Thank you to the Black Lives Matter chanters.”
Former GOP Chairman Ethan Underwood, who campaigned unsuccessfully for 9th District U.S. Congress this year, said, “It’s ironic that freedom of speech is being used to drown out civil discourse.”
Ethan Underwood
Thursday’s protest infuriated Loeffler’s supporters who responded with chants of “All Lives Matter” and “Kelly, Kelly.” While several people confronted the protestors face-to-face, the confrontation did not escalate into violence. About a dozen Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office deputies were stationed inside and outside the facility but were unable to intervene because the event was held at a public park.
Loeffler was never allowed to resume her speech. Before leaving along with Arkansas Senator Tom Cotton for the next stop on her All About Georgia bus tour (Hall County), Loeffler spoke briefly with reporters outside the community center, stating that she has proposed legislation that would withhold funding from district attorneys who refuse to prosecute crimes that arise from protests.
“It applies to any rioters, looters, arsonists, anything that is unlawful,” she said. “We have to enforce the law. We have district attorneys who are not enforcing the law. We have to make sure they are accountable.”
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