Scot Turner Opposes House Ethics Bill

The newly elected state representative was one of four lawmakers who voted against House Bill 142, which overwhelmingly passed the House of Representatives on Monday.

Holly Springs State Rep. Scot Turner Opposes House Ethics Bill

The newly elected state representative was one of four lawmakers who voted against House Bill 142, which overwhelmingly passed the House of Representatives on Monday.

Holly Springs' freshman state representative was one of four legislators who voted against an ethics bill that passed overwhelmingly in the Georgia House of Representatives. Scot Turner (R-Holly Springs), who represents Georgia House District 21, was one of four lawmakers who voted against House Bill 142, which ban lobbyists gifts from individual state lawmakers. Turner was joined by another Cherokee County freshman Rep. Michael Caldwell (R-Woodstock), in his opposition to the bill. South Georgia Rep. Delvis William Dutton (R-Glenvville) and Rep. Charles Gregory (R-Kennesaw) also voted against he measure. The legislation, which now goes to the Georgia Senate, still allows lobbyists to pay for the dinners or gifts of committees, caucuses …

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Cherokee Lawmakers Tout Ethics, Term Limits, Guns at Forum

The delegation on Monday shared with residents what bills they are supporting or introducing during the 2013 legislative session.

Cherokee County's legislative delegation on Monday was greeted with about 50 residents who filed into the Cherokee County Historic Courthouse in downtown Canton to hear what pieces of legislation they plan to champion. Lawmakers during the session, which is already halfway over, shared with the audience which bills they've endorsed, sponsored or introduced. The forum was hosted by the Cherokee County Republican Party. State Senator John Albers (R-Roswell) was not able to attend the forum.  State Rep. Calvin Hill (R-Hickory Flat) State Sen. Barry Loudermilk (R-Cassville) State Rep. Mandi Ballinger (R-Canton) State Sen. Brandon Beach (R-Alpharetta)  State Rep. Michael Caldwell (R-Woodstock)  State Rep. John Carson (R-Marietta) State Rep. …

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Cherokee State Legislators To Discuss Bills, Vision at Forum

The Cherokee County Republican Party will host a forum Monday in Canton where lawmakers will discuss the 2013 legislative session.

Cherokee County's legislators in the Georgia General Assembly will gather Monday evening to discuss their bills and their vision for 2013 in a forum hosted by the Cherokee County Republican Party. The forum will begin at 5:30 p.m. at the Cherokee County Historic Courthouse at 100 North Street in downtown Canton. The forum will be held in the second floor courtroom. Members of the delegation who are slated to participate include State Senators Brandon Beach (R-Alpharetta) and Barry Loudermilk (R-Cassville); State Representatives Michael Caldwell (R-Woodstock), Calvin Hill (R-Hickory Flat), John Carson (R-Marietta), Mandi Ballinger (R-Canton) and Scot Turner (R-Holly Springs).  Legislators will discuss the bills they are backing and also …

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Charlice Byrd: "Anything Is Possible" With Politics

The outgoing state representative from Woodstock is reflecting on her career serving in the Georgia General Assembly.

Charlice Byrd will hang up her hat as state legislator at the end of the year. Byrd, 61, was first elected to the Georgia General Assembly to the State House District 20 seat. She was defeated by Michael Caldwell in the July Republican primary. She is a native of New Orleans and has a bachelor's degree in elementary education from Southeastern Louisiana University where she spent the late 1970’s as an educator. She and husband Mike Byrd are members of First Baptist Church of Woodstock. Byrd is also a member of the Towne Lake Optimist Club, Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce, Main Street Woodstock, Woodstock Community Business Association and American Legion Auxiliary.  Byrd shared with Patch her reflections over her last eight years in …

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Michael Caldwell Ready To Take Charge

The Woodstock state representative-elect is gearing up to serve his first term in the Georgia House of Representatives.

At age 23, Woodstock resident Michael Caldwell is the youngest state legislator elected to the Georgia General Assembly, which will convene on Jan. 14 for its 2013 session. But that doesn't phase the representative-elect from the House District 20 seat, which covers most of Woodstock and Towne Lake. Caldwell is ready to serve the residents who elected him to the seat, but noted he's "humbled" by the support he's garnered in his new capacity.  Caldwell defeated State Rep. Charlice Byrd (R-Woodstock) during the July Republican primary. It was his second time in as many years challenging Byrd in the Republican primary for the seat. He later defeated Democratic challenger Lillian Burnaman in the Nov. 6 general election.  Caldwell, regional …

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Bill Bryan

11:17 am on Thursday, December 27, 2012

I've never met this young man, never spoken with him, and do not even live in his district. But I have been watching the way he conducts himself and his campaign. While we may not agree on each and every issue, I believe that this country needs many more elected officials at all levels of government to abide by those principles that he follows. Mr. Caldwell I wish you the very best of luck and …   more ›

Cherokee Voters To Consider New Sales Tax

Voters across the county will consider a new sales tax, elect new state representatives and possibly put some new faces on the Holly Springs City Council.

UPDATE: 2:15 p.m.: Poll manager at the Dixie precinct (Woodstock High School) said turnout has been steady, with no more than a 5 minute wait! UPDATE 1:40 p.m.: Voters on Woodstock-Towne Lake's Facebook page indicate several reasons as to why the came out to vote: change in leadership, "4 more years" of President Barack Obama, the economy, jobs, immigration, the national budget, civic duty and "protecting our Amercian freedoms as outlined in the Constitution and Declaration of Independence." UPDATE 1:00 p.m.: First-time voter Jamie McCord of Woodstock said she was "excited" to cast her ballot in the presidential race at the Deer Run precinct, located at Towne Lake Community Church. Another male voter who lives in Woodstock, who did not …

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