BOC Chairman Paris makes statement on “intimidation tactics”

News, Politics
intimidation

ELLIJAY, Ga. – “I don’t mind people trying to influence my vote in a proper way, that’s politics in America. I don’t mind listening to arguments for and against any proposal in an unbiased manner and seriously considering whatever points are made. I don’t mind changing my position if the totality of the information I have warrants it. I do very much mind being told how I have to vote. Even more than that, I mind the intimidation tactics.”

A part of the statement made by Gilmer Board of Commissioners Chairman Charlie Paris on Thursday night, March 10, 2022, sums up the feelings he conveyed as he paused the county meeting during the Rezoning Requests.

Specifically, three rezoning requests that were noted on the agenda for Philip Cash, James Weston Quintrell, and Britton Lyle Quintrell were the ones Paris spoke against. The board as a whole raised several questions with the request including its location and water access. The requests were located on Patterson Lane, Tax Map 3118 Parcel Numbers 020, 023, and o24. The requests were to go from A-1 Agricultural to R-1 Residential Low Density.

Paris restated some of his concerns on the requests from the work session including Blue Ridge not providing the water as he was informed and the road being accessed from Fannin County requiring emergency services having to travel into Fannin and back into Gilmer to reach the subdivision when needed.

Paris went on to say that he received emails furthering the intimidation tactics and reminding him that people were watching how he would vote. He also noted that a comment was made to him by a Mr. Quintrell stating, “You know what week this is right?” Paris called this an obvious reference to qualifying week for the election including Chairman of the Board of Commissioners.

intimidation

Gilmer Board of Commissioners Chairman Charlie Paris

Paris went on to say that he still believes in the Builders Association and in the need for a partnership between the association and the BOC.

He stated, “I’m convinced there are many fine people associated with the Builder’s Association. Almost all of them, in fact, are decent people with good intentions. As individuals, they have my complete respect. They work hard and they provide a valuable service and a valuable industry to our county. We are fortunate to have them. I very much want to have a good working relationship with them.”

Paris went on to note that even if the board denies the request, the board later did vote unanimously to deny, the Quintrells could move ahead with building a subdivision at this location, though it will be limited in size and number of lots to meet the size requirements of each.

Paris also noted that if they work quickly, the will likely be able to build the subdivision under the three-acre-rule instead of the newer five-acre-rule. Paris said that if denied for the request and the builders move to have the project before the three-acre-rule expires, the county would work with them on that rule as normal.

When speaking on the intimidation tactic of qualifying week, Paris said that one more day of qualifying remained, so anyone who wanted to install an opponent that would be more amenable to their wants could do so. He said, “Let me be very clear now. I will always cast my vote, on any subject, with my only objective being to do what is best for the citizens of Gilmer County.”

Gilmer schools pass ‘December 17’ TikTok trend without incident

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delay, Cagle, trend, virtual, nutrition

GILMER COUNTY, Ga. – Since trends like the “Devious Lick” and “Slap your Teacher” spread, many new threats are seeing responses heightened against the possibility of school violence and destruction. Gilmer is not immune to this either as the “Devious Lick” saw full response from school administrators and law enforcement. Today also saw responses to a new trend from the social media platform.

While administrators like Superintendent Dr. Brian Ridley reported “minimal issues” with the “Devious Lick” trend, responses still came to the threat during today’s December 17 trend. Labeled by other news reports as  “Shoot Up Your School Day,” the concept allegedly began as an encouragement to ditch class. However, threats grew and morphed into violence.

Gilmer Schools Superintendent Dr. Brian Ridley

Dr. Ridley said the schools have worked closely with law enforcement over the years and on cases like this. He reported that the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) provided the school with information on the subject.

Working with local law enforcement, officers were briefed on the situation. In a letter to parents earlier today, he said, “All GCSS schools have been notified and staff are on alert for suspicious or concerning activity. Our SROs are being briefed and prepared for any related issue.”

Late in the day, the school did receive a screenshot of a threat involving the school initials of several schools including one stating “GHS.” However, the initials of schools listed in the threat all centered in a location in Florida and no credible threat was raised in our county.

Ridley said their never was any information suggesting Gilmer County could be targeted, but the schools did respond seriously regardless. Ridley visited each campus today examining security and safety protocols and measures as well as walking the school grounds.

School were already scheduled for a two-hour early release on the district calendar for today.

Dr. Ridley answered questions about his service as superintendent and the rise in TikTok trends like this. He noted that technologies have been used in the past and threats have always been monitored. He said that TikTok has provide certain challenges. However, he praised law enforcement for staying educated and on top of both these technologies and their challenges as well as their communication and inclusion with the school system.

He went on to note that he has been encouraged by the students of Gilmer. He said, “At the end of the day, we got good kids. We got great kids.” He noted that the students are smart enough not to engage with trends and threats that are very serious and carry serious consequences that affect their entire lives.

Ridley went on to add, “That’s why we try to talk to parents, too. Because that is what it really comes down to. When parents are getting facetime with their children and able to talk to them about these sorts of issues, that often heads it off.”

With the school day completed and no reports of malicious behavior or violence, many in the community are sighing with relief. Still, others are just learning of the trend and potential threats. The school system is officially at holiday break as of today and will not return until January 5, 2022.

Dr. Ridley reiterated his thankfulness for the community during times like this saying, “We are very lucky to have the kids we have. We are very fortunate, and we are very fortunate to have the parents we have that are willing to talk to their kids. I encourage all parents to have these conversations with their children about what’s going on on social media. Even if it’s just around the dinner table, ask them, ‘What do you see out there?'”

Ingram may have threatened more than courthouse

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Ingram, courthouse

ELLIJAY, Ga. – Earlier this week, a threat was reported and dealt with regarding the Gilmer County Courthouse on the night of January 5, 2021.

The reported threat allegedly came from Travis Webb Ingram, 44. Ingram was arrested by the Gilmer County Sheriff’s Office the same day. Facing a felony charge of Terroristic Threats and Actions according to the Sheriff’s Booking Report, Ingram allegedly made threats on social media about going to the courthouse with a bomb. The report indicates as much, stating the offense location as cyberspace.

Travis Webb Ingram

Travis Webb Ingram

However, according to the Sheriff’s report, the courthouse may not have been the only threat issued or the only charge possibly brought against Ingram.

The report indicates possible drug involvement in the incident. Reports indicate a suspicion of use or involvement of methamphetamines. While the investigation continues, new charges could be brought up, but for now, the only noted charge remains Terroristic threats.

In addition to the threat of a bomb against the courthouse, there was alleged reports noted in the incident report that Ingram was “extremely angry” and posed threats “against law enforcement and his ex-girlfriend’s life.”

The Sheriff’s Office dispatched several units to locations in response to the threat including the courthouse and to Ingram’s address. After arrest, Ingram was taken to the Gilmer County Detention Center for processing.

All of these new details including the allegations of drug use with methamphetamines, threats against the additional female, and threats against police are coming from the Sheriff’s Office on incident report. Yet, no additional charges were noted on the arrest record. FYN will continue to add new updates to this story as Sheriff Stacy Nicholson releases additional details.

Gilmer Courthouse suffers bomb threat on election night

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Second Amendment, Officials, threat, road, wineries, plan, Restraining Order, early voting

ELLIJAY, Ga. – Gilmer County may not have had issues at the poll precincts, but the courthouse saw issue on election night as a bomb threat was called in on the facility.

According to the Gilmer County Sheriff’s Office, “An anonymous caller notified the Gilmer County Sheriff’s Office of Facebook posts made by a Travis Ingram regarding his anger against law enforcement about a prior arrest, as well as a specific threat that he had a bomb and was headed to the courthouse.”

Staff at the courthouse was put on high alert, and while the statement from the Sheriff’s Office did not directly connect with election night, other counties are receiving specific threats related to political ideals and the elections specifically.

Pickens County posted officers at precincts in a pre-emptive effort based on the threats in other counties as well.

According to the Sheriff’s Office, the staff inside the courthouse was put on alert, and election staff had to follow special response considering election ballots being on premises.

According to Chief Registrar Tammy Watkins, as they prepared ballots and discussed what to do as they are not normally allowed to leave ballots unattended, the threat was dealt with before they were forced to move or do anything with the ballots due to the threat.

The statement read, “Based on the severity of the threats and actions he stated he intended to carry out, the courthouse staff was put on a high alert status and deputies began looking for Ingram.”

The statement continues on saying that Ingram was found and arrested. Ingram is facing charges of Terroristic Threats & Acts and is currently being held in the Gilmer County Detention Center.

Despite the threat, proceedings continued at the courthouse throughout the night. Elections were still allowed to continue as planned with ballot counting during the night.

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