Barrow County, Winder set for elections

By Carole Townsend (646)
carole@caroletownsend.com

As of Friday, November 4, 2011
© Copyright 2013 Gwinnett Daily Post

The Tuesday elections will settle two issues in Barrow County, and in Winder a newly-elected (or re-elected) mayor and three council members will be chosen.

In the county election, voters will decide whether to begin using a city manager form of government as well as a part-time chairperson of the Board of Commissioners for Barrow County, with a reduction in pay, and meetings, a quorum and voting of the board.

Winder Mayor

David Maynard

Age: 51

Occupation: General Contractor

Education: Winder-Barrow high school graduate

Political experience: 4 years on Winder city council

Family; Wife Happy; daughters Alice and Laura; one granddaughter, Ella

Chip Thompson (incumbent)

Age: 60

Occupation: retired educator

Education: Bachelor and Master of Education degree, both from Georgia Southern University

Political experience: 4 years mayor of Winder; 8 years on Winder city council 1984-1992

Family: wife Shadie; (late) son George, daughter Suzanne; grandson Grayson and two granddaughters, Charlotte and Camille

Winder City Council Ward 2

Charlie Eberhart (incumbent)

Age: 68

Occupation: mortician

Education: graduate, John H. Gupton College

Political Experience: more than 20 years Winder city council

Family: wife Pamela; children Latasha, Forrest, Nisha; grandchildren Zaria, Rylan

Jim Cooley

Age: 47

Occupation: currently disabled

Education: graduated United College of Business, California in 1988

Political experience: none

Family: wife Maria; daughter Francesca and sons Kenyon and Lawrence

Also at issue on the Barrow County ballot is whether to permit and regulate retail package sales of malt beverages and wine on Sundays, between 12:30 p.m. and 11:30 p.m.

In Winder, mayor Chip Thompson is running for re-election and is challenged by councilman David Maynard. Maynard is running for the top seat at the encouragement of family, friends and many citizens. "I felt it was my duty to run," he said.

Charlie Eberhart and political newcomer Jim Cooley square off for the Ward 2 council seat. Cooley contends that Eberhart actally lives in Athens and that the city maintains an apartment for him within Winder city limits, violating state law. Larry Evans and Tim Bolt square off Tuesday for the at-large council seat. Evans intends to be "a voice for downtown Winder." Bolt has been a Winder citizen since 1999 and simply wants to improve the overall well- being of the city.

Travis Singley is running unopposed for the Ward 4 council seat.

Gwinnett Daily Post