The 2008 Elbert County Commissioner election has come and gone,
and two new commissioners are eager to learn the ropes on the
board. Republicans John Shipper and Del Schwab are both excited
about their new positions and believe with cooperation among the
three-member board, the county will see some needed changes.
“I am looking forward to the leadership for the county. That has
always been my number one mission through the whole campaign,”
Schwab said. “I think with the combination of the people we have
now, between John, Hope and myself, we can offer that
leadership.”
Republican Hope Goetz was the incumbent candidate who won
District 2 with 94 percent of the vote over Democrat Paula
Heller.
In District 3, Shipper took the honors over Democratic candidate
Robert Thomasson with 69 percent of the votes.
In District 1, Schwab got 69 percent of the vote over Democrat
Patty Sward.
Both Schwab and Shipper expressed their appreciation for the
constant support from the people around them.
“When I started the process I wanted to win and I got into the
race to win,” Schwab said. “Good people supported me and I had good
mentors behind me. The victory is really for the people you saw
here tonight. They all have helped me and they will continue
helping me.”
More than 94 percent of Elbert County’s 13, 146 eligible voting
residents cast their votes in the election. The polls were open
from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Nov. 4. More than 7,000 voters mailed in
their ballots.
Another issue on the 2008 election ballot was initiative 3A. The
race was close but voters said no to the initiative with 52 percent
of the votes, leaving 48 voting yes to 3A, a $1.2 million override
measure for a 7.034 mil solution to add funding to the Elizabeth
C-1 School District.