HOMER — A Banks County appointee has threatened county government over a portion of its personnel policy restricting political signs.
Sam Moon, a Banks County resident who serves on the board of assessors, warned the county commission Thursday night that the county attempting to force removal of candidate signs from his personal property will result in an intense legal battle.
Under a section of Banks County's personnel policy, anyone considered an employee of Banks County is prohibited from having political candidate signs on his or her property or from otherwise publicly endorsing any candidate.
"Check the Constitution of the United States, please," Moon told commissioners. "The First Amendment trumps this stupid ordinance."
Moon then informed commissioners he has contacted two Athens attorneys and is prepared to fight the restriction on signs before a superior court jury.
"If you want those signs down, then you get ready to go to superior court and if 12 people find me guilty then I'll be more than happy to take them down," Moon said. "But other than that, there ain't a man living going to take them signs down -- understand that!
"I fought in two wars, wounded three times," Moon said. "I shed blood for that dadgum flag and ain't nobody going to come on my property — 43 years I've lived there and I've let anybody put up a sign," Moon said. "I've campaigned for nobody."
As Moon continued, his voice became louder and more determined to make his point.
"You don't want to wake this grizzly bear — you really don't!" Moon said. "If you do, you'd better give that man [County Attorney Randall Frost] a lot of money, 'cause my guys are taking it pro bono. They say it's no case at all, so think about it. You'll be spending taxpayers' money to lose.
"This doesn't have to be this way," Moon told commissioners. " But I am at a crossroads, and I ain't going down the wrong road. I'm right, and I'll fight to the death for that right, and I have twice before.
"So you think about it," Moon said. "It ain't no threat. Don't perceive it as one. It's a damn promise."
After Moon made his speech and left the building, resident Martha Ramsey, who serves on the Banks County Planning Commission, also addressed commissioners, asking them to reconsider the policy over the next 30 days.
Ramsey's son Will is challenging incumbent Jimmy Hooper for the commission chairman seat.
Following Thursday night's meeting, Hooper provided AccessWDUN with a copy of the applicable portion of the policy.
According to section 2.110 Political Activity, "No employee of the county should seek or hold a compensated elective public office in an governmental unit (local, state or federal), nor should he/she solicit any contributions or services, nor publicly endorse or actively support and campaign for any candidate for any elective public office."
Banks County has several contested county-level races, including:
* Commission chairman — two candidates;
* County Commissioner District 2 — three candidates;
* County Commissioner District 4 — two candidates;
* Coroner — three candidates;
* Probate judge — four candidates; and
* Sheriff — three candidates.
No action was taken on the comments from Moon and Ramsey.
http://accesswdun.com/article/2016/3/379964/assessor-threatens-banks-county-commission-with-lawsuit-over-campaign-signs