Bad Links?
Other glitches?
Notify Webmaster

Large Tuesday turnout expected

By JOHN THOMPSON
jthompson@TheCitizenNews.com

Long lines are expected Tuesday when Coweta voters head to the polls to cast their ballots in a number of local races.

Early voting has been a hit this week as more than 500 residents took advantage of the opportunity, election officials said. By Thursday afternoon, the wait was down to around 45 minutes.

Secretary of State Cathy Cox is expecting more than 70 percent of Georgia’s voters to turnout Tuesday, while Coweta officials said they’re looking for nearly 50 percent of the more than 48,000 voters to turn out.

While most of the focus this election season has been on the presedential race, some local races have also sparked some interest.

Earlier this month, more than 60 residents turned out at the East Coweta Senior Center to watch the four candidates for Senoia’s two council seats debate the issue.

Challenger Charlene Redding, who has not been involved in politics, told the crowd that she had lived in Senoia all her life and worked at Fayette Community Hospital.

“I just want to make sure we have a safe environment,” she said.

In the last few years, Senoia has been struggling with an explosive growth in population and subdivisions, and former city administrator Murray McAfee said the city had a choice to make.

“I’m for quality growth and making sure it’s done right the first time,” he said.

Incumbent Councilman Robert Belisle said residents should look at the accomplishments of the current City Council when the head to the polls Nov. 2. He cited the imposition of impact fees as one of the major victories and said the council was getting very strict on issuing variances. He also had advice for would be developers in the city.

“You’ve got to play by the rules to develop in this town,” he said.

Incumbent Councilman Bill Wood said the city had faced numerous needs and challenges in the last few years and he also favored quality and smart growth.

The two candidates who receive the most votes in the Nov. 2 election will be sworn in as new councilmen in January.

Senoia residents will also decide whether liquor should be served by the drink in the city’s restaurants.

The other local race that has garnered interest is the County Commission District 5 race. Incumbent Commissioner Robert Wood bowed out of the race in the summer, so two challengers are vying for the position. Tim Higgins, a CPA in Newnan, is facing off against community activist Sarah Thomas.

The polls are open from 7 a.m.-7 p.m.