HARRY DOSS ANNOUNCES CAMPAIGN for DISTRICT ATTORNEY of APPALACHIAN CIRCUIT
“The taxpayers deserve a District Attorney who will do more than just draw a paycheck. I am qualified to do the job; I have the experience and I have the dedication to do the job. “ Fannin County attorney Harry Doss has qualified for the office of District Attorney for the Appalachian Judicial Circuit as a Republican Candidate in the July 31, 2012 primary.

Doss notes that: “Over the course of the last year, the current District Attorney has, in his words to various media outlets, donated 400 hours to one jurisdiction. These were not conflict cases he was assigned to do; these were projects that the current district attorney sought to do outside the circuit which advanced not one case in Fannin, Gilmer or Pickens counties. In May of this year, the district attorney filed for a leave of absence during the month of July so that he could campaign for re-election. Yet, as of last month, there were approximately 3,000 pending criminal cases in Fannin, Gilmer & Pickens. Any elected official that is not needed on the job for more than three months of a year is really not needed at all.”

Oliver Harris “Harry” Doss, Jr. has an extensive legal career that spans more than 30 years. After serving as an associate in the firm of Spence & Milam, Harry started his own law firm in 1977. As a sole practitioner, Harry served as the County attorney for Fannin County for 12 years and represented the County in the fight to preserve the rail road line. In 1988 Harry and his wife Lynn formed Doss & Doss Attorneys at Law. When a third judge was judge was approved for the Appalachian Judicial Circuit, Harry was appointed to the bench by then Governor Sonny Perdue. Having both a juris doctorate from the Walter F. George School of Law and a Legal Laws Masters from The George Washington School of Law, Harry has a widely and diversified legal background.

Harry Doss was commissioned in the United States Army in June of 1966. His active and reserve duty career covered more than 30 years. He had extensive military service in Saudi Arabia and Kuwait during the Desert Storm I. He also served in Somalia, Jordan, Egypt and Germany. Harry was promoted to the rank of Colonel in 1992 and was awarded the Legion of Merit, the Bronze Star, two Meritorious Service Medals and the Army Commendation Medal. In retirement, Harry is active in veterans’ organizations throughout the state and volunteers his legal services to help other veterans.

A Georgia native, Harry has made his home in Blue Ridge, Georgia, since 1973. He and his wife of 28 years, Lynn have six children and three grandchildren. They also have three foster children. Harry and his family are members of Cherry Log Christian Church. Harry has taught Sunday School, held numerous church offices, was a state elected officer with Kiwanis International and a past President of the Mercer University Alumni Board. Active in Pickens, Gilmer and Fannin Counties, Harry was a member of the Board of Trustees of Appalachian Tech Foundation and is currently serving as a Chattahoochee Tech Foundation Trustee; a sponsor of the Kids Ferst of Gilmer County, a sponsor of the Pickens County Chamber of Commerce, Marble Festival guide, as well as being an active member of the Fannin County Quarterback Club and Fannin County Band Boosters.

Harry Doss describes himself as a fiscal conservative who has been a dedicated member of the Fannin County and Ninth District Republican Party since 1978. He has served as a delegate to the County, District and State conventions regularly since 1978 and has been elected to chair two district conventions.

“My allegiance and dedication to the Republican party has not been just as a platform to seek office. I am running for District Attorney because the citizens of Fannin, Gilmer and Pickens deserve a District Attorney who is experienced, who will indict only if there is evidence of wrong doing and then work to expediently and efficiently prosecute cases. I will also work with other elected officials and criminal justice personnel to fully utilize the provisions of House Bill 265, which was signed into law on April 20. Governor Deal noted that in Georgia 1 in 13 adults are under some sort of correctional control compared to 1 in 31 nationwide. Clearly, there is something wrong when the state spends more on inmates than it does educating its students. Aggressive utilization of the provisions of House Bill 265 will help save Fannin, Gilmer and Pickens taxpayers thousands of dollars while finding better ways to rehabilitate offenders. Having served as a county attorney, I understand the tremendous financial burdens facing our counties. As an active member of the community, parent and attorney, I understand that false accusations can ruin a family and not just the individual. When I make a case, I will have fully investigated the situation and then will work to promptly and efficiently try the matter. ”

Ronnie Thompson Ford is hosting a “Meet & Greet” for Harry on Tuesday, June 19, 2012 at 7:30 PM to provide area voters an opportunity to talk with Harry.