Harper, Tullis vie for District 2 commission seat

By: Brian Wellmeier

As the May primary approaches, two Republican candidates have qualified for the District 2 seat on the Habersham County Commission.

Former commissioner Andrea Harper will face local business owner Shelley Tullis in the May 19 primary. The winner will advance to the Nov. 3 general election, as current Commissioner Dustin Mealor’s term expires Dec. 31. The candidate elected in November will be sworn in in January.

WCHM Radio spoke with both candidates. They are presented here in alphabetical order by last name.

Andrea Harper

Photo: Andrea Harper

Andrea Harper, a Habersham County resident for 25 years, previously served on the county commission from 2011 to 2019. She said she decided to run again after being “urged repeatedly” by voters.

Now retired, Harper said her background in government includes serving as a Better Hometown manager for the City of Cornelia in 2008, along with earlier work at the Habersham County Chamber of Commerce, where she completed economic development training.

“Working with the chamber at that time, the main focus was tourism and getting people to come here, so I got to learn a lot about industry and what we have here to offer,” Harper said. “With Better Hometown, I got a lot of training as far as how small downtowns work…it’s all been a learning experience for me, mostly in economic development.”

With growth and development continuing to be key issues in the county, Harper said she supports “controlled growth.”

“I do believe that the majority of the growth will be in the cities, and the county has no control over that,” she said. “…I think we need to be monitoring that growth and have responsible growth.”

Harper also addressed proposed changes to Habersham County’s development codes, saying she is “not in favor of all the aspects of that” as currently drafted.

If elected, she said she plans to closely review the county budget — particularly the sheriff’s office — while also addressing landfill capacity and improving employee morale within government departments.

“The voters can always speak to me,” Harper said. “I’m going to be accessible, and I’ll be a full-time commissioner.”

Shelley Tullis

Photo: Shelley Tullis

Shelley Tullis, a longtime Habersham County resident and business owner, is also seeking the District 2 seat. She moved to Habersham from Banks County in 2001 and owns Mt. Airy Pawnshop and Mt. Airy Ministorage.

Tullis said several key issues prompted her to run for office.

“I see that Habersham is at a turning point at this moment,” Tullis said. “I keep being told you can’t control growth and I don’t agree with that. I think you can control and manage growth in a controllable way that fits our needs and our wants in the community.”

As development continues along the Ga. 365 corridor, Tullis said the county should establish policies now to prioritize residents’ interests.

“Growth should be controlled to how (citizens) want it, not what outside developers want for Habersham County,” she said.

A self-described lifelong conservative Republican, Tullis said her top priorities also include lowering property taxes, conducting a line-by-line review of the county budget and “being a voice for the community.”

“The people need a voice,” Tullis said. “They need to be heard. As my record states, I’ve always answered the phone. And I will go out of my way to help them.”

Tullis added that her experience as a business owner and service on the Habersham County Parks and Recreation Board have given her insight into government and budgeting.

“I work with budgets, and I have to stay within budget,” she said. “My business is the same way. I have a good standing with community leaders. I already have that relationship with people, and I’d like to be a voice for the people.”