EMORY TURNER – Your Seat At The Table – EMORY TURNER HALL COUNTY COMMISSION DISTRICT 4

Why I'm running

Some years ago, it became apparent to me that I had a strong yearning to become more politically active in Hall County, Georgia. Although I have always been conscious of local, state, and national politics, my past activities involved volunteering to work with various local and community organizations to help make a difference in the lives of others in the community.

For at least 8 years, there have been no minorities or Democrats on the Hall County Board of Commissioners. As taxpayers, we need the Board of Commissioners to be a better representation of the community it serves. We need a seat at the table once again. We need someone who will represent us and be the voice of the unheard, which is my intent. With your help, we can make Hall County a more conducive place for all residents to live, work and accomplish their goals. I want to empower us to share in all of the opportunities that this city and county has to offer.

With your support, Hall County, Georgia can be a more prosperous place for all residents. I want to be a better steward of taxpayer’s dollars and to help strengthen and invest in the areas of our community that are in desperate need of improvement. Some areas of District 4 are suffering from decades of neglect and disregard with the following results:

No Capital projects
No Infrastructure improvements
No Urban renewal
No Viable plans to improve the quality of life for some residents

As a candidate for the Hall County Board of Commissioners, I am asking for your vote to represent you as your next District 4 Commissioner. Let’s work together to make a difference in our community.

My vision for District 4

Some twenty years ago, a group of dedicated citizens from District 4 worked hard to petition the local government to create a Majority Minority District in Hall County. The idea was to allow proper representation of the citizens by the majority group in that district. I am running as a WRITE-IN CANDIDATE to offer an alternate choice and a better choice to serve District 4. The needs of our community have gone unaddressed for far too long, and it’s time for a change. Because I have lived and worked in this community all my life, I know and understand the issues very well and will work hard to find solutions. We don’t have to live with our needs going unmet any longer.

Covid-19 recovery, recidivism, mental health, lack of affordable housing, non-profit coordination, recreation, and lack of citizen involvement are just some of the many issues that we must tackle. I believe in the idea of offering a hand up and not a handout. Therefore, I am asking for your support and your vote to elect me as your next Hall County District 4 Commissioner. Together, we will have a better, more empowered community.

Over past the 10 years, District 4 has seen affordable housing disappearing at an alarming rate and rent prices are soaring through the roof. Job growth has stagnated and there is a lack of opportunity for our young people, which has caused them to leave Hall County in search of better opportunities. Many of our residents were struggling to get by before the Covid-19 pandemic hit, and now they are in dire straits. District 4 has historically been a Majority Minority District, and we need a leader who reflects who we are and who has a vision for how to move us forward in these challenging times.

One of the main things that I hope to accomplish is to have the E.E. Butler High School building renovated for the 21^st century. I envision a modern complex that can be used for cultural events, family celebrations, shared work spaces, business incubators, a sports center, and an outdoor green space for the surrounding community. I want to fight crime by addressing the need for education and job opportunities, as well as providing mental health and substance abuse counseling. I want to work with local law enforcement and social services to reduce recidivism and provide a way to close the revolving door that leads so many back to prison over and over again.

Committed – A commissioner who is active in the community, meeting with citizens and businesses in order to solve issues.
Community Outreach – Ongoing community engagement through surveys, speaking engagements, public forums, and visibility.
Accountability – A commissioner who is accountable to the voters at all times.

On November 03, 2020, Write in Emory Turner for HALL COUNTY COMMISSION DISTRICT 4.

Some Facts About The Candidate

About Emory Turner

Gainesville, Hall County, Georgia has been my home since birth, where I was born number eight of nine children to John and Ruby Lee Turner. There is no other place that I would rather live and work than Hall County, Georgia.

I am a father and a family man with three adult children, five adult grandchildren, and a great-granddaughter. Faith, family, and education are very important to me, and I believe they are the foundations of a strong community. I am one of a small number of students who graduated from E. E. Butler High School before the doors were closed. I am a member of the graduating Class of 1966 and a proud Tiger for Life! After graduation, I attended Morris Brown College, a HBCU in the Atlanta University Center. I have an Associate of Applied Science in Paralegal Studies Degree Approved by the American Bar Association and a Bachelor of Science Degree in Technology Management from the University of North Georgia, where today I am studying Art.

More About Me

I have volunteered a lot my time towards helping to make the Fair Street community a great place to live and raise a family. For example, I served on Gainesville’s first Human Relations Council. I have worked with community leaders on various projects from the model cities of the 1960s to developing new housing solutions in the 2000s. One of the projects that I helped plan was the replacement of Green Hunter Homes (Atlanta Street Apartments) with the new Walton Summit Apartments, a 265-unit housing development for Gainesville’s south side.

I have worked in the manufacturing industry, work force development, legal services, and retail sales. I am a member of the Georgia Independent Automobile Dealers Association, which means I sell used cars. I am a member of St. Paul United Methodist Church-Summit Street, where I presently serve as Chairman of the Board of Trustees and drive the church van.

I’m a Democrat and citizen who wants to make Hall County a great place to live, work, and raise a family. My campaign is about offering an alternative to four more years of politics “as usual” and a chance to regain our seat at the table. Remember, it is the same seat that was occupied by the first Black Hall County Commissioner, the late Frances Meadows.

There is so much to love about our hometown. Hall County is made up of good, hardworking, talented, family oriented, nurturing people who are looking for better opportunities and brighter days. As a proud resident of this great city and County, it is incumbent upon me to pursue the Hall County Commissioner District 4 seat for various reasons that I will discuss in more detail.