County to poll public for thoughts on future of Polo Grounds Park ► PAGE 4 O c t o b e r 9 , 2 0 2 5 | A p p e n M e d i a . c o m | A n A p p e n M e d i a G r o u p P u b l i c a t i o n | 5 0 ¢ | Vo l u m e 2 9 , N o . 4 1
Cumming state senator joins GOP field in race for lieutenant governor By TY TAGAMI Capitol Beat
ing and grading are regulated and often prohibited within 50 feet of a stream’s bank. Commissioners took no action on the proposal and decided to review it at a later meeting. The county protects streams to preserve wildlife habitats, maintain water quality and reduce erosion. The changes proposed to the commission are part of a months-long effort to revamp the Unified Development Code in tandem with a zoning pause for residential developments.
ATLANTA — A half dozen state lawmakers are now running for Georgia lieutenant governor, as another Republican senator joins the race, hoping to outflank his opposition on the right. State Sen. Greg Dolezal, R-Cumming, a conservative from the northern Atlanta suburbs, joins a cast of fellow conservative senators, all from outside the biggest metro area — plus an Atlanta Senate Democrat and a GOP state representative from Buford. Dolezal will campaign to succeed Lt. Gov. Burt Jones, the Trump-backed Republican running for governor. Dolezal’s campaign announcement on YouTube Tuesday focused on his right wing credentials as the chief sponsor of the Riley Gaines Act, a new law that bans students born DOLEZAL male from participating on female athletic teams in schools and colleges. Dolezal also said he would crack down on extremists who riot and burn cities, as well as illegal immigration, diversity equity and inclusion programs, and “soft on crime” prosecutors. “I’m running for lieutenant governor because we’re at a turning point as the radical left continues to threaten our public safety,” Dolezal’s advertisement says, as a siren wails in the background. The chairman of the Senate Transportation Committee and vice chair of the powerful Appropriations Committee is up against political powerhouses. Sen. John F. Kennedy, R-Macon, stepped aside as president pro tempore of the Senate — the highest office in that chamber below lieutenant governor — to run for lieutenant governor. Sen. Steve Gooch, R-Dahlonega, stepped down as majority leader — the next highest office — to run for lieutenant governor. And
See STREAMS, Page 21
See DOLEZAL, Page 20
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A stream runs along a property line at a home owned by Adrian Flack near Cumming Oct. 6.
County considers code change over private stream ownership By JON WILCOX jon@appenmedia.com FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — The Forsyth County Commission is considering whether homeowners should be allowed to own streams on their property. At their Oct. 2 meeting, commissioners heard a proposal to change the Unified Development Code to prohibit future residential properties from including stream buffers and require signage and fencing around them. Clearing, build-
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