SPLOST passes in Gilmer

Gilmer goes to the polls — James Lanning votes in the Gilmer County election for the public service commissioner and for a proposed Special-Purpose Local-Option Sales Tax (SPLOST) money, at the Coosawattee Shrine Club, Tuesday, Nov. 4. He said he believes SPLOST should be earmarked for more particular uses. In early voting, 2,253 votes were cast.

With all precincts reporting in Gilmer County the Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax was renewed for six more years.

In unofficial totals, voters in the county cast 3,543 ballots, 66 percent, in favor of the SPLOST and 1,791 against.

As for the two Public Service Commission races, Republican incumbent Tim Echols received 4,038 votes in Gilmer County with challenger Democrat Alicia Johnson receiving 1,233.

In the other race, Republican incumbent Fitz Johnson received 4,023 votes in Gilmer County with challenger Democrat Peter Hubbard receiving 1,246.

Statewide, both Echols and Johnson lost to the challengers.