October 28, 2009

Well, the signs are popping up everywhere. There is one thing I know from my first campaign – signs do not vote! However, this year there are sings in areas there were not 2 years ago and no signs where there where a bunch.

Very interesting I think.

October 25, 2009

I had a great time at the Life is Good Pumpkin Festival at Sterling on the Lake which is a great charity event that helps a number of great charities. I saw a number of friends from all over the city including the Mayor who had the honor of choosing the best-carved pumpkin.

Well the campaign is in the last full week and I am sure you will have a number of people knocking on your door.

october 24, 2009

Sorry I have been away for a bit. I had jury duty a couple of days this week and then had to catch up with work.
I also went to the Flowery Branch Transportation meeting at the depot and I was really glad to see so many residents and business owners there giving their input on what they see as transportation issues. There were some really great ideas that they see and others do not. I look forward to seeing the suggestions and ideas sometime in February and I want to continue to work with the residents and business owners to make our city the best city in Hall County.

October 19, 2009

Well today I was exercising one of my constitutional rights, and no I do not mean free healthcare, I mean jury duty. I was one of about 200 other jurors who were taken to either state or superior court and asked several questions on any number of topics about the case.

My case involved a DUI along with 8 other charges. I was not selected and was kind of glad I was not picked because I am a strong proponent of law enforcement, but would have made any decision based on the rule of law.

I do not and nor should anyone take this responsibility lightly because we were given this right by our forefathers.

Well I made my 6:00 pm call and found that I must report to the jury room at 8:30 am tomorrow. Well if I am selected for a jury, you will not here from me until the trial is over. However, if I am not selected, then stay tuned for further information.

October 18, 2009

Yesterday I went to Gold Rush Days in Dahlonega with my family and some friends of ours. It was a bit chilly, but other than that – the parade and event was great. I saw State Senator Lee Hawkins and Tom Graves in the parade as well as other elected officials who are running for various positions in next year’s elections.

This morning there was an article in the Gainesville Times about the candidates who seek to be the next council members in Flowery Branch. Well 16 days to go until the election.

Good luck to all.

October 17, 2009

Here is an interesting article about the 9th US Congressional race. There are several candidates who are vying for the job. I have met with and talked with a few of them and look forward to hearing more on their views. When the time is right, I will tell the 2900 registered voters of Flowery Branch whom I will endorse.

Good luck to them all.

October 16, 2009

Last night I attended the meet the candidate forum for Flowery Branch, you can read about it here and here, I was able to listen to what the candidate’s thoughts were on the direction of the city. There were a wide array of thoughts from each of them and then the similar one – night meetings, something I have been for since my first council meeting.

In the Gainesville Times article, it references a person who, drew “an objection from one audience member”, because Tara Richards was out of the country and had a spokesperson in her place, and that was former Mayor Bryan Puckette, who has was in the news several years ago pertaining to a bit of controversy.

There was also a question from the audience that asked is any of the candidates were elected, would they appoint any former mayors or council members to positions of authority and Stacy Carlson stated she did not know any former mayors or council members, but here is a document received from the Freedom of Information Act that shows where Bryan Puckette picked up the packet that Stacy Carlson turned it in, look at number 8.

And one last piece of information was that Otto Mutberg withdrew his name from the race and that ensures that Mike Miller is the next Post 4 City Council Member and I congratulate him.

October 14, 2009

As an elected official, I have a duty to support candidates who have more similar values and beliefs than other candidates. That his how governments get direction, and if they fail to serve the people properly – those elected officials will be voted out. I do have an awesome power to endorse candidates at all levels of politics and I have to take this serious.

I find myself having similar values and beliefs with Tara Richards, Kris Yardly, and Mike Miller than I do with the others.

I have respect for any person willing to run for office and do wish them good luck, but I want the best for Flowery Branch and will strive to serve the people to the best of my ability.

October 13, 2009

Onto another candidate for city council.

Mr. Mutzburg. Not much to say. I have not heard that he has even hit the campaign trail. I look forward to see his comments, but time is running out.

Well that was short and sweet – wasn’t it.

October 12, 2009

Well, same song different verse.

Yesterday I posted the letter from Chris Bozeman and today it is Stacy Carlson’s letter I would like to comment on.

Once again we can agree on having council meetings in the evenings so all residents have the ability to attend. That is great.

I also support upgrading our infrastructure, which includes water, sewer, streets and sidewalks.

I wonder if Ms. Carlson has looked into our staffing in the city, which is public record, other than hear comments from one other person, who even made those comments to me, that they would like to get rid of the police and planning and give all that back to Hall County. I guess the city would have to wait for Hall County to approve any planning and zoning changes and wait for them to find the time to help residents or businesses with planning and zoning issues. Maybe even wait for an inspector to show up, between the hours of 8:00 am and 5:00 pm to finally approve a small inspection. Maybe she would like to call 911 and wait for Hall County to show up at her home with a much longer response time than the Flowery Branch Police could do to a number of logistical issues.

I would also like for Ms. Carlson to explain the comment, “I would like to see all areas of the city represented equally”. I guess she does not understand all the council positions are at large and that means once the votes are cast – that is equal representation based on the voters.

Lastly, her accusation that Mr. Yardly does not intend to serve a full term is an opinion and is missing facts or evidence. That is how rumors are spread and the first official piece of election literature with statements unfounded or filled with misinformation concerns me – and concerns me a lot.

Supporting rumors and nonfactual information is a tough pill to swallow.