Issues big and small on Georgia ballot

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VOTER GUIDESee a list of candidates, proposed amendments and sample ballots at timesfreepress.com/voterguide2014.

Tuesday's election in Georgia will draw national attention as Republican candidates find themselves in a dogfight with legacy liberals in what is usually a Republican stronghold.

For months, much attention has been placed on the races for the governor's mansion and a U.S. Senate seat. For the highest office in the state, Republican incumbent Gov. Nathan Deal is battling state Sen. Jason Carter, the grandson of former President Jimmy Carter.

In the U.S. Senate race, meanwhile, Republican David Perdue is neck and neck with Democrat Michelle Nunn, the daughter of former Sen. Sam Nunn. That race is key in the GOP's plan to retake majority control of the senate. Perdue and Nunn are battling for the seat of Republican Saxby Chambliss, who is retiring.

Locally, ousted Fort Oglethorpe City Councilman Charles Sharrock is running to regain the seat he lost two years ago when the City Council fired him. Three city employees told the council that Sharrock sexually harassed them. A Superior Court judge later upheld the council's decision, saying that Sharrock was guilty of "illegal conduct."

Even if Sharrock wins, he may lose. Attorneys for one local resident have asked a Superior Court judge to rule that Sharrock cannot legally hold office again during the term for which he was fired. If he is elected and the judge agrees with the attorneys, Sharrock could get kicked out of office again.

In Whitfield County, voters will decide whether the county and its municipalities can begin to use redevelopment powers. If passed, the referendums will let local developers temporarily pay less property taxes on buildings that they reconstruct.

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For example, if a developer buys a run-down building in Dalton, the local government can approve a special redevelopment plan. Under this plan, the government would sell bonds to finance the construction of the new building.

When the building is completed and the property value rises, the developer will not have to pay taxes for that extra property value, at least not at first.

If, for example, the property used to be worth $100 and is now worth $150, the developer will stay property taxes as if it is worth $100. But the developer will also have to pay money on that other $50 value -- that money going toward paying off the bond that the local government used to finance the reconstruction.

Andrew Carnes, the vice president of economic development at the Greater Dalton Chamber of Commerce, said such a plan would help him recruit more developers. Which would bring more companies, and jobs, he said.

Other key elections in North Georgia include:A state constitutional amendment to prohibit the legislature from increasing the state income tax.

A state constitutional amendment to add a fee to reckless driving cases to benefit the brain and spinal injury trust fund.

A state referendum on this issue: If a private company manages University of Georgia student housing buildings, should that private company have to pay property taxes?

A Catoosa County Probate Judge election among James Ellis, Jeff Hullender, Stephen Keith and Brad Palmer.

A Catoosa County School Board election among Tracy Bass, Jim Skeen and Gloria Hunt, the incumbent.

A referendum in Walker County on this issue: Should local businesses in be allowed to sell alcohol on Sundays?

A referendum in Whitfield County on this issue: Should local companies be allowed to sell alcohol and malt beverages by the drink on Sundays?

A mayoral race in Dalton between Miller Jones III and Dennis Mock.

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