Empty Nest
Sponsored section ►►PAGE 20
Millage rate approved Total is 4.642 mills ►►PAGE 4
‘The Place’ needs donations Requesting backpacks, clothing ►►PAGE 10
Biking 101
Special needs kids learn how to bike ►►PAGE 26
July 22, 2015 | forsythherald.com | 75,000 circulation Revue & News, Johns Creek Herald, Milton Herald & Forsyth Herald combined | 50¢ | Volume 18, No. 30
Gilligan wins House District 24 runoff By KATHLEEN STURGEON kathleen@appenmediagroup.com FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — With more than 75 percent of the votes, Sheri Gilligan won the spot of House District 24 State RepGILLIGAN resentative. Gilligan originally ran for the spot in June during the special election, but narrowly missed the majority which caused a runoff election July 14. Her opponent was David Van Sant who received 24.89 percent, or 947, or the 3,805 runoff votes. About 11.08 percent of voters turned out. The night of the runoff election, Gilligan said she was with her volunteers waiting to hear the results. “I was in a room with some of the most incredible volunteers anyone has ever been surrounded by,” Gilligan said. “They made thousands of phone calls, knocked on doors and dug into their own pockets to contribute. The win belongs to them as much as it belongs to me. I’m very proud of everything we accomplished. We did it as a team.” The win was a whole lot of work on everyone’s part, Gilligan said. But she and her supporters stayed true to their message and values. “The message was of needing to listen to the constituents and the people of the district,” Gilligan said. “We needed representation who was listening to us, the average every day citi-
The votes are in Sheri Gilligan = 75.11 percent, 2,868 votes David Van Sant = 24.89 percent, 947 votes *Out of 34,371 registered voters, 3,807 ballots cast = 11.08 percent turnout
zen. It was an incredible grassroot effort with a groundswell of support from the people. We stayed focused on the issues. We didn’t want to go on any kind of negativity. We stayed on what’s important to the people of the 24th District.” Jokingly, Gilligan said the first thing she wants to do is find her parking spot and office. She said she didn’t know when the swearing in ceremony is yet. Gilligan said she will be working with Mike Dudgeon (25th District), Geoff Duncan (26th District), Wesley Cantrell (22nd District), Kevin Tanner (9th District) and State Senator (District 27) Michael Williams. “I’ll start rolling up my sleeves and working with some of the legislatures who are already there who are working to keep Georgia prosperous and to make things better,” Gilligan said. “Our delegation will be strong and working together to represent Forsyth County and our districts as well as we can. We want to help address our infrastructure needs and what’s going on in the county. We’ll prioritize what’s important to the people and will work as a team to make it happen to keep Forsyth County as the jewel in northern Georgia.”
Sandra “Nana” Davenport lights a candle in Erin’s memory.
KATHLEEN STURGEON/STAFF
‘An angel in our ears’ Community mourns death of Erin Jones 911 operator killed in murder-suicide By KATHLEEN STURGEON kathleen@appenmediagroup.com FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — Candles were lit, friends hugged and a community shared stories and memories of their dear friend, Erin Niccole Jones. Over 200 family, friends and coworkers joined together July 12 at North Forsyth High School to show their support at a candlelight vigil and memorial service.
Jones, 28, was killed July 8 at her Dawsonville home after her boyfriend, David Geyer II, 43, shot her to death and then turned the gun on himself. Jones was a supervisor at the Forsyth County 911 Center, and lived in Dawsonville with Geyer and their four children, who were not home at the time of the shooting. Jones was mild and meek, her mother Tracey Childs said, but she loved big.
“She wanted to make a difference and I look around and I think she did well,” Childs said. “Nothing can make it easy, but the outpouring of love has certainly helped.” Her father, Mark LeFevre, said Jones taught him to be a better parent and left love wherever she went. “I pray we take that love and move it forward because what this world needs is love,” LeFevre said. “I pray as we leave tonight, we can love our fellow man and one another as we love ourselves.”
See ANGEL, Page 11