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.

October 11, 2009

Well as I stated yesterday, when I get copies of the thoughts of the candidates I will comment. I also said I would post them and here it is.

So I get a copy of Chris Bozeman’s letter and there is something I agree with such as, “my first priority will be to work to immediately reschedule meetings to be held during evening hours”. Something I have been a proponent of since my first meeting ever in office and the first one of 2009.

Now here is something I disagree with, “I feel I can represent you better than my opponent, who lives two miles from the City and who doesn’t participate in our water and sewer services”. First, it is a requirement to live in the city to be a city council member – period – and where Mr. Bozeman’s oppent lives is in the city. This has a tone he is concerned about a portion of the city, not the whole city. Second, Mr. Bozeman appears not to understand House Bill 489, which explains service districts. This means in a rapidly growing county, there are several inter governmental agreements that involve a number of services a city is required by law to provide to even be a city – hey there are even cities like Oakwood who do not have a sewer plant but still have sewer. I guess Mr. Bozeman may need to read up on that.

I also have an issue being called, “out of touch, unavailable and only interested in representing a few”. I assume he means other council members because I am always available and have never only represented a few. I hope Mr. Bozeman reads the minutes.

And lastly, “ I will work to update the City’s long neglected infrastructure”. I agree and am on record about setting a plan to upgrade the aging pipes in the ground and how important it is to move quickly on. That is great. I guess Mr. Bozeman forgot to tell you about the valves we had installed, an important step to upgrading the water pipes in the ground.

I hope Mr. Bozeman’s letter is from his heart and not from a single source. I disagree with more of his thoughts than agree and think many of them are general statements without facts and I do not know if that is enough for me to openly support him. I will get back to you on that.

Good luck to Mr. Bozeman in the election

October 10, 2009

The family and me went to the Mule Market today and had a great time. I saw several fellow Republicans like State Representatives James Mills and Carl Rogers, as well as Melvin Everson who is running for Labor Commissioner.

Also, I guess the thoughts and ideas of those who are vying for Flowery Branch City Council are hitting the streets and I will get copies, post them and comment on what they are saying.

October 8, 2009

Well, I am done in Houston with my training for work and am about to get on the plane. I miss my family and cannot wait to see them. It appears the flight is booked and hopefully we will push off on time.

I have not had the time to look into any news except the weather, and that is importtant when you fly.

October 5, 2009

I had to fly to Houston for work this week. Here is a cool site to track flights. At least I am in another stong conservative state.

I already miss my wife and children.

October 4, 2009

I was going through the blogs and it dawned on me what cowards left wing bloggers are. At Left on Lanier this blogger talks a game with no face. I guess he/she/it is afraid of who they are as a liberal. I challenge this individual to an open debate anywhere at anytime. However if he/she/it is not willing to tell who they are on a blog, they will not show up in public.

Later my liberal freind!!!