There are 220 dumb ass U.S. representatives who need to be tossed out of office in 2010. These morons voted to pass this piece of junk healthcare bill that will help destroy this country. I hope all who voted for these idiots are happy they may have helped to end our county as we know it and if anybody does not believe our country could end up a weak nation controlled by countries like China, Russia and nations who hate us – you are stupid.

God – please help our nation!!!

Today at the meeting we talked about a subject that is one of those unfunded mandates that the federal government passes to the state and then it is passed to the county and finally to the city. The definition of a unfunded mandate is some government entity thinks up some great idea and gets some legislative body to pass it but they fail to find any funding and they say let the lower level pay for it. That is what local governments have to deal with.

Today’s unfunded mandate is about FOG (Fats, Oils and Grease), which involves our sewer system, and is something we passed in July, and it appears we need to revisit the issue and fine tune our ordinance. As it stands now, we have about 141 commercial sewer accounts and about 33 of those actually deal with FOG, that would be mostly restaurants, and all 141 are charge and extra $15 a month to cover the $75,000 it costs the city to inspect and file paperwork to the EPA that we have clean sewer lines, but we only collect about$25,000 in fees now. That is a $50,000 difference that has to be paid by someone – that would be the sewer users of Flowery Branch. Don’t you just love unfunded mandates?

We have to figure out something because we need to have the FOG ordinance so we can get permits for our sewer plant expansions in the future and at the same time keep our sewer rates at a level to continue to attract residents and small businesses. Read about it here and here.

I would like to thank Chris Bozeman and Stacy Carlson who ran for the open seats and congratulate Kris Yardley, Tara Richards, Mike Miller and Mayor Hirling on their victories. We had 415 votes cast, which was about 14% of our 2900 registered voters. Read here and here about the staggering numbers they won by – 76%, 78%, and 90% of the vote – that is a huge message from the citizens and an awesome responsibility.

It was neat to see all the volunteers waving signs and pushing for their candidates. I hope this is a trend to get more people involved in our city.

I am excited about our new council and cannot wait until 2010 to serve with them.

One day left before Election Day. I am looking forward to see who all of you want to represent you from the list of candidates. I have seen and heard the candidates are out vying for your vote. I hope you all exercise your constitutional right and vote. I have a huge number of you reading this site and look forward to working with whomever you put into office.

I also am looking to talk with your county commissioners about the ridiculous sewer rates that will take effect January 1, 2010 unless we voice our opinions on the stupid act the majority of the current city council gave away earlier this year.

I hope everyone had a great night of trick or treating. My kids were dressed as a policeman and a “very bat girl”. There were a number of kids running from house to house and I enjoyed seeing my friends and neighbors out.

Today was another great article in the Gainesville Times Opinion section on local governments and how much impact they have on your day to day lives and I must say that electing the right official is crucial.

I hope everyone goes out and votes on November 3, 2009 at Flowery Branch City Hall.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.