Jim

I will not comment on Ms. Richards situation other than my wife and I both work full time, we both are attending college, we both raise our two children, 11 and almost 4, and I attend a number of functions for the city as a citizen and a council member. Ones personal life has no bearing on serving the people so long as it is legal and ethical. So that is a mute point.

The part about Mr. Puckette being “instrumental in helping” me win is not true. As a candidate two years ago, I found citizens from all over the city to help me in numerous ways. Some talked quietly amongst friends, some put signs in their yards, some helped distribute literature and others helped put flags out for me. That is part of running a campaign – getting people to support me and yes Mr. Puckette did help, but he was not “instrumental”. This year he chose to support you and Ms. Carlson and not the candidates I supported and I think that is great.

About the letter that was written – yes I wrote the letter and I did not put my name on it and it was a difficult decision, however all the information was factual and could be verified. If Mr. Puckette has a problem about being accused as the author of it and he cannot live with the fact that he did not write it – I cannot help him with that.

One last thing, I do not believe I ever stated that Mr. Puckette wrote your letter so I do not know where that comment came from.

After reading most of this blog it has become apparent to me that Chris Fetterman has an ego and control problem and sounds as if he wants the City all to himself. I agree with other posts that He and Mr. Lutz should have stayed out of the campaign, remaining neutral and supportive of all candidates. Is either of them aware of the irreparable damage that is being done? Fortunately, Ms. Carlson and myself are the forgiving type; and are focused on the well-being of the community. We both look forward to working with Mike Miller, Mr. Fetterman and Mr. Lutz.

I think it’s important for everyone to take note that Tara Richards did not take the time to complete the orientation meeting that was sponsored by the City for all of the candidates in this election. She ran out early, saying, “I have another meeting to attend.”

She didn’t bother to show up at the forum that was held for the citizens to meet and ask questions of the candidates. Both Mr. Fetterman and Mr. Lutz made it clear the anyone who was listening that Ms. Richards was on a vacation trip, not work related. I would think that anyone who was seriously seeking public office, and asking for the confidence of the people, would consider the campaign a priority over pleasure.

I have also noted from Ms. Richard’s biographical data that she has a full time job, is in the Army Reserve and has an eighteen month old child. When exactly is she planning to perform her duties as a Council person? Will the community and its people ever fit into her busy schedule? Is she the type of candidate that Mr. Lutz would describe as a “sock puppet”?

To my knowledge, Ms. Richards hasn’t even been around to see anyone in the downtown portion of Flowery Branch. Is she even interested in what the people think or want? Is she that confident that the people in her neighborhood will just blindly vote for one of their own and put her in office, recklessly disregarding good judgment and the welfare of the community?

In Sunday’s Times Ms. Richards mentions her concern about the sewer rate that she pays. Is she even aware that she is provided service from a county facility? Sterling is provided neither water nor sewer service by the City of Flowery Branch; and as a Council person of our City, she would have absolutely no influence over the rate that she or any of her neighbors pay for service provided by another entity. She could be of more benefit to her neighborhood if she sought a position on the county commission.

In his blog, Mr. Fetterman complains that he has been on the low end of a 3-2 vote and doesn’t want that situation again. Why does there need to be a 3-2 vote? I thought we all wanted the same things for our community.

One last thing: I’ve been all over the City and have learned that Mr. Puckette was instrumental in helping both Mr. Fetterman and Mr. Lutz get elected two years ago, in the face of great odds against them. I have also learned that during his campaign, Mr. Fetterman wrote and distributed a letter all over the City and didn’t put his name on it. Mr. Puckette was wrongfully accused and blamed for writing the letter. Now Mr. Fetterman and Mr. Lutz are making the same mistake, wrongfully accusing Mr. Puckette of writing the letters of myself and Ms. Carlson. Yes, he did pick up qualifying packets for Mr. Mutzberg and myself, as a matter of convenience. We were both working at our jobs. I think that Mr. Puckette decided to give his packet to Ms. Carlson. Is it really an issue?

Sincerely
Chris Bozeman

I have always said if I have any information that is proved wrong, I will recant and apologize. Thus far I do not believe I have made any false statements, but if I have, please be specific and I will retract and apologize.

About the word “bashing”, that is a word that is used often to divert the readers away from the point because I expect disagreements with my philosophies, but I do not bash.

To comment on your answer about appointing any former mayors or council members to leadership positions, such as city manager, city clerk, or others, you said you did not know any former elected officials. As an elected official, you must be very careful on what you say at public forums that are on the record.

And lastly, I did shake your hand and I asked you if you knew who I was and you replied yes you did. Although we may disagree, I will always shake hands and talk to you or any citizen of our great city weather we are in agreement or not.

By the way, could you ask Mr. Puckette why he would not shake my hand when I approached him with my hand extended?

I do not understand your reasoning for personally attacking me in your blogs. Bryan Puckette and I are friends, yes. I have only known him briefly and by no means does he have any influence on myself or my decision making. Chris Bozeman, Otto Mutzberg, and I are all neighbors. After a phone call with Mr. Bozeman and upon learning that Mr. Puckette was ALREADY going to be at the city hall to pick up Mr. Bozeman & Mr. Mutzberg’s qualifying packet, I asked him to pick myself one up as well. It was left on my front doorstep and was only a matter of convenience seeing as how I was at the doctor’s office with a sick child at that current moment.

Now, when I was asked the question at the forum regarding previous council members and mayors, honestly, Mr. Puckette did not even cross my mind. I never knew him when he was mayor and Mr. Puckette has already made his wishes NOT to be a part of the city’s officials crystal clear. Mr. Puckette is merely an acquaintance to me. Have you yourself ever had an acquaintance Mr. Fetterman?

I do not feel you have justification, nor will you ever, because you have not a clue what you are talking about when it comes to myself, my outlook, my vision nor my CHARACTER. I am no “sock puppet” and I am very strong minded. So, in conclusion, I have decided that you are only merely another egotisitical political figure whom likes to hear himself talk. Good luck in your online bashing but the truth ALWAYS prevails. I grew up here and I love this city….that’s why I’m still here 12 years later… and maybe next time we meet you will have enough courage to shake my hand like a current sitting council member should have.

Best Wishes.

Stacy Carlson

My blog, http://www.vote4lutz.com/blog, is the fulfillment of a campaign commitment I made to help those who wanted to know more about what was going on in the city. It is one of many vehicles that I use to maintain a line of communication with all the people that I have been honored to represent in the past year and 9+ months.

As far as your contention that I have formed an alliance with candidates Miller, Richards, and Yardley, like I said in my blog, they are neighbors and/or friends of mine. When each of them approached me concerning their intention to run for office, they did so not seeking my endorsement or approval, but to become more informed about what it takes to be a representative of this fine community and what issues we are facing. I consider it an honor that they would take the time to talk before jumping into the deep end of the pool, but more importantly it shows that they are concerned with being able to do the job effectively; I believe that they can.

I have informed every person that I have talked to that is running for office that we do not need a sock puppet representing the city. We need people who are passionate about the future of Flowery Branch, not just a mouth piece for another individual, regardless if that individual currently sits on the council or was a former member of the city’s government. We need independent thinkers who have the capability and initiative to do their own research and present ideas for debate.

I am looking forward to the people selecting 3 new members for the city council and if it happens to be the group that you support, I will make every effort to work effectively for the greater good of all of Flowery Brach.

Craig Lutz, Council Member- Post 1
craig@vote4lutz.com

I appreciate your comments and I hope you take the opportunity to read the minutes of the city council meetings and read what I stand for. I have a voting record for you to see and make an opinion on.

As it pertains to whom I support, yes, elected officials tend to want to serve with others who have similar visions. I have served the last two years on the low end of the 3-2 votes, and do not want to do that for another two years.

I look forward to seeing your name of the voter list after the November elections.

One last thing, the people are the deciding factor and I look forward to their voice.

Thanks

I have been informed about your blog and have taken the time to look at it myself. I can’t tell you how unprofessional and disappointing is to see sitting council members like Mr. Lutz and yourself take sides in an election. You should remain neutral. You may have to work with these people. It’s obvious that you and Mr. Lutz have formed an alliance with candidates Miller, Richards and Yardley. I have to wonder what your agenda is.

I have read the letters from both candidates Bozeman and Carlson. You are taking out of context what they have written to benefit your position. You have also taken House Bill 489 out of context.

I also noticed that you seem to have taken the opportunity to piggy back on some of Carlson’s and Bozeman’s aspirations to blow your own horn. This election is not about you. Perhaps you should let the candidates work out the issues among themselves and stay out of it.

For the record, based on my observations and experience, the council as a whole is out of touch with the constituents. You all hide behind an armament of “staff” rather than deal with residents in person.

Arrogance, ego and misinformation serve no benefit to Flowery Branch. You and Lutz should be ashamed of yourselves. Quite honestly, I feel your blog is the most self-absorbed bunch of garbage I have encountered in a long time….and I feel anything anyone says to you is a waste of breath.

Mr. Crum, I am also a registered voter. I did so right before the deadline this month…and you may or may not be in the same position.

Consequently, WE THE PEOPLE are the deciding factor and this blog is a nuisance. May the best candidates win.

Emily Clark

If you look at the link of the letter, you can see that I did not host the hyperlink. The individual who did, said if she wants her picture on there she can get her own website.

However, on another note, I encourage you to exercise your right to vote, but I currently do not see you as a registered voter. It is my hope that this is an oversight. I will look for your name on the voter roll after the Flowery Branch City election.

As for your disagreements, the comments concerning the size of the staff sound less like a repudiation of the budget and more like the comments from the individual that pulled her qualifying packet. If Ms. Carlson can guess the intentions of her opponent, I believe I ought to be able to make the same assumptions based on the political company she keeps.

Obviously, I am very concerned about who I will have the opportunity to serve with. If Ms. Carlson has intentions on carrying out the will of another individual, then I need to engage myself in a campaign to enlighten the city.

Stay tuned for further updates.