If the talk around town is any indication, next Tuesday could well be a day to remember. Regardless of the outcome, the Nov. 6 election for mayor and two council seats has generated as much activity as any election in Tyrone’s memorable history. In all, seven candidates are running for three positions, including mayor and two town council posts.

Up for the mayor’s chair at the table are candidates Mike Smola and Don Rehwaldt. Post 1 candidates include former planning commission member Ken Matthews and technology services manager Tracy Young. Post 2 candidates include manager and recently resigned planning commission member Jesse Nasianceno, consultant Eric Dial and computer security specialist Gordon Shenkle.

In an election-related issue, Don Rehwaldt earlier this week addressed what had been posed as a possible ethics violation concerning a 10 percent-off discount coupon offered by six Tyrone businesses with “Vote Don Rehwaldt for Mayor” and “Save money, Support Tyrone Business Owners” on the reverse. Rehwaldt said he and his campaign manager had reviewed the state ethics guidelines and could find nothing that prohibited printing and distributing the card, adding that they saw the coupon as an excellent way to assist businesses in attracting new customers.

“These cards were paid for by me and printed and returned to the businesses for their distribution. Some limited distribution was made by me and my supporters,” Rehwaldt said. “In the event that these cards are seen as a violation of any ethics rules, please accept my apology. It was purely unintentional and made only through lack of knowledge of the rules.”

In another election-related issue, Dial responded to statements made in a blog on The Citizen website by former Peachtree City Mayor Steve Brown. Referencing Dial, Brown said, “...Dial is a lobbyist by trade and takes a stance on property rights akin to not wanting mandatory tree buffers and letting developers run amok in the community. I always try to avoid voting for anyone for elected office who depends upon special interest groups for a living or who knows how to work that system to his advantage.”

In his response, Dial noted his work for more than a decade with Southeastern Legal Foundation, a non-profit organization that successfully fought cities on issues such as seizing private property for economic development purposes.

“While it is true that I am a registered lobbyist, I represent no clients at the General Assembly. Never have. I don’t represent ‘special interests,’” Dial said. “If you check the records, you will find that I represent my own company, and nobody else. I am a registered lobbyist because, from time to time, I am asked to speak with lawmakers about important issues, like eminent domain and limiting the power of local government to seize private property. I do not work for developers, and I do not support ‘developers run amok.’ Never have, never will.”