VALDOSTA — Deidra White and Rodney Flucas will know in a couple of days if they can continue to campaign for the Valdosta City Council District 2 seat.
Tuesday, the Lowndes County Board of Elections held challenge hearings for White, Flucas and David DeMersseman, all of whom are running for the District 2 seat.
The hearings, regarding residency, were brought forth by David Dempsey, who is also running for District 2.
Board attorney Jim Elliott opened the hearing by giving a brief breakdown as to how the day would proceed.
All three challenges were heard separately with Dempsey presenting his case against each candidate.
White, Flucas and DeMersseman all testified and presented documents to the board to verify their residency.
White was the first challenge to be heard.
Dempsey said that in the 2009 telephone book White’s residence is listed at 123 N. Patterson St., but her address from the tax assessor’s office for homestead tax exemption is listed at 901 King Circle in Lake Park.
White responded by stating that she did have another residence in Lake Park on Long Pond and the property has had land lines over the years but as of the last six months the land line has been disconnected.
Because the building in which she lives downtown is considered a commercial building she does not receive homestead exemption on the property, she said.
White then presented the board with utility bills, children’s school documentation, and power bills, which are delivered at the 123 N. Patterson St. address.
She also presented the board with the first power bill she received for the 123 N. Patterson St. residence in 2005.
Board of Elections member Robert Jefferson then asked where White receives her federal income tax documents and where her family pictures were located.
White said her federal income tax information comes to the 123 N. Patterson St. address and that family pictures were at both that residence and the home in Lake Park.
Dempsey then asked the board to look at White’s driver’s license.
The license was updated before she moved into the 123 N. Patterson St. address and has not been renewed, as it was for 10 years, she said.
White said before she qualified she reviewed the city council qualifications which state a person has to live in the district, live in the district for six months and register to vote in the city, all of which she has done.
The board then opened the hearing on Flucas.
Dempsey said he is unlisted in the telephone book but the clerk told him Flucas’ address was on Young Drive.
The tax assessor’s office lists Flucas’ residence as 604 Jones St., Dempsey said.
“This is why voters still can’t find candidates,” Dempsey said.
Flucas said he currently lives at 609 Jones St. and is renovating the property located on 604 Jones St., to which he and his family will soon move in to.
Property tax information for 604 is currently sent to 609 as do all his other bills, Flucas said.
Elliott asked if both residences were on the same block in the same district.
“Both are on the same block; both are in the same district,” Flucas said.
Board of Elections Chairman Ray Corbett then asked to see Flucas’ license.
The board then heard the challenge against DeMersseman.
Dempsey said the property at 906 Lakeland Ave. is listed as a Stewart DeMersseman in the phone book, but upon finding further information from the tax assessor’s he found the property listed to David DeMersseman.
Elliott then asked Dempsey if he would like to withdraw his challenge on DeMersseman.
“It wouldn’t hurt to check his driver’s license,” Dempsey said.
DeMersseman presented the board with his driver’s license and then requested they check and see how much money the hearing is costing the city and county.
“He should have to pay money for this,” DeMersseman said. “There should be a suit brought against frivolous litigation.”
After the conclusion of all the hearings Elliott again asked Dempsey if he would like to withdraw his challenge against DeMersseman.
Dempsey said he would but that he would like the challenges to stand for White and Flucas.
Corbett then made a motion to take the information presented under advisement and that a certified letter detailing the board’s decision would be sent to White, Dempsey and Flucas in the coming days.
Audience member B.C. Williams then asked if the board could go ahead and make a decision on the matter as to not hinder any of the candidates’ time campaigning.
Elliott said that it was Georgia law to deliver the decision in writing.
If a candidate disagrees with the decision made by the Board of Elections, it can be appealed to the Lowndes County Superior Court within 10 days of the decision being made, Elliott said.
If appealed the Lowndes County Superior Court will only review the evidence presented at the Board of Elections hearing. No new evidence may be submitted, he said.
Local News
Board of Elections holds candidate challenge hearings
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