Franklin Co. Voters Make Voices Heard At Polls

Toccoa was not the only town to pass a Sunday sales referendum.

Restaurants in Lavonia will now be allowed to sell alcohol by the drink on Sundays in Lavonia as voters there opted in on that new law Tuesday.

After the votes were tallied, the final count was 128 yes and 111 no.

When the question was put before voters two years ago, it failed by one vote.

Also in the City of Lavonia, the only contested race was for the Post 4 seat on the City Council.

Incumbent Councilman Harold Harbin was challenged by Wayne Ellard.

Harbin won/over Ellard by a vote of 128 votes to Ellard’s 110.

Incumbent City Councilman Eddie Floyd and Mayor Ralph Owens ran unopposed and will serve another term.

Franklin County voters were asked Tuesday to decide on two important referendums.

The first was whether to continue the special purpose local option sales tax or SPLOST for another six years.

Franklin County Commissioners and County Manager Beth Thomas have been asking voters to consider passing the next SPLOST a year early in order to help Franklin County cover expenses while paying off the Lavonia hospital bond debt.

When the votes were counted, almost 80 percent of Franklin County voters said yes to renewing the SPLOST a year early, by a vote of 1,204 yes to 305 no.

Another referendum voters were asked to decide on was a General Obligation Bond issuen of up to $11.5 million to pay the costs of refunding and redeeming the outstanding Lavonia hospital bond debt.

The refinancing of the bond would help Franklin County keep from having to raise the millage rate each year to pay make the twice yearly payments.

70 percent of Franklin County voters again said yes to the bond refinancing by a vote of 1,044 yes to 444 no.