Ramsey leads House 72 race in money, mayors

Tue, 11/27/2007 - 4:41pm
By: John Munford

Peachtree City lawyer Matt Ramsey has taken a commanding early lead in at least two categories in a four-way race for the Dec. 18 special election to fill the unexpired term of District 72 Rep. Dan Lakly (R-Peachtree City), who died in October.

The two categories are campaign money and endorsements by mayors and former mayors.

Ramsey, running under the GOP banner, has raised more than $20,000 in the past few weeks, while listing six current or former mayors and one former congressman as financial backers.

Former Peachtree City Mayor Steve Brown, also a Republican, says he has no contributors to report.

Ramsey and Brown were the only candidates who responded directly to The Citizen’s request for a list of their campaign donors who gave $101 or more, and how much they have raised in campaign contributions to date, both of which will ultimately be disclosed by state ethics filings.

Brown said he is not accepting donations because he doesn’t want to be beholden to any special interests. Ramsey said as of Monday he had raised $20,668.

Democrat Kevin Madden and Republican Heidi Becker both declined to reveal how much they had raised, nor did they identify any donors who had contributed more than $101 to their campaigns.

Ramsey disclosed the following people and entities as having donated $101 or more to his campaign:

Matthew and Melissa Ramsey

The Committee to Elect Mac Collins

Hollis L. Harris

Steve & Anne Ramsey

Chris & Kim Thompson

Dan & Kristin Vano

Joseph Domenic Greco II & Kathryn Greco

Ben & Heather Maroney

Ken Steele, Mayor, City of Fayetteville

Joel Cowan, Former Mayor, Peachtree City

Ralph Jones, Former Mayor, Peachtree City

Robert Lenox, Former Mayor, Peachtree City

Chip Conner, Former Mayor, Peachtree City

Fred Brown, Jr., Former Mayor, Peachtree City

Thomas & Vicki A. Turner

Paul Gorski

Robert & Brandi Tindell

Kevin & Laura O’Neill

Robert & Kathryn Muller

Mark Gray Insurance, Inc. (Mark & Kathy Gray)

Crescent II, LLC (Michael Holcomb & David Sparkman, Members)

Douglas and Carol Warner

John Lee Bethune III & Dorothy Bethune

Jeff & Lynn Roberts

Chad & Jennifer Cummings

Michael J. Mahaffey, D.M.D.

Chris & Susan Parrott

Henry & Valerie Inglesby

J.B. & Mary Sue Behnken

M.D. Publishing, Inc. (John Krieg, President)

The four candidates running for the District 72 seat in the Georgia House of Representatives also are starting to show some of their differences after answering questions posed by The Citizen recently.

For example, Democrat Madden supports changing the way five-member Fayette County Commission is elected from at-large voting to geographical district voting. Republican Brown, who has advocated Fayette switching to district voting in the past, now says that he wants the matter to be decided by voters in a referendum.

Republicans Becker and Ramsey both say they do not want to change the way county commissioners are elected because they think the current system is fair.

District voting “gives citizens confidence that their representatives will be responsive to their concerns, and it focuses representatives on whom they are obligated to serve,” Madden said.

“I am in favor of giving the local voters any measures which will ensure better representation for the residents living in each specific district,” Brown said, citing Peachtree City’s conflict with the county commission over how Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax funds for transportation improvements are divvied out.

The candidates also weighed in on a proposal from House Speaker Glenn Richardson to eliminate property taxes while increasing sales taxes. Under that proposal, the state would disperse sales tax revenues to local governments, who currently collect their funds directly in property taxes, the rate of which local governments also control.

While Becker, Brown and Madden each said they strongly oppose such a plan, Ramsey said he doesn’t have enough information to judge it yet. Ramsey said he was concerned about the impact the proposal would have on the “autonomy and flexibility” of local governments to fund critical items such as education and public safety, a viewpoint shared by all four candidates on the issue.

Ramsey said it is not clear whether Richardson’s plan would actually reduce taxes, though he supports “the reduction of taxes and the simplification of Georgia’s tax system.”

Brown pointed out that a plan to tax previously un-taxed items and services such as groceries, medical and dental care would shift some of the tax burden to senior citizens, who currently have property tax exemptions.

Madden noted that Richardson has not yet disclosed how high the sales taxes would go if his plan were adopted.

“We need to keep control on the local level and not have state officials who may live in other counties deciding the amount of tax dollars Fayette County is alloted,” Becker said.

All of the candidates indicated they oppose the previously-proposed extension of TDK Boulevard into Coweta County. Ramsey noted that TDK was a prime example of state government interfering with local governments making appropriate decisions.

Ramsey was referring to the Georgia Regional Transportation Authority’s requirement that TDK be built as a condition of approval for the 3,000-plus home McIntosh Village development in unincorporated Coweta County just across Line Creek from Peachtree City.

Ramsey said he strongly opposes “mandates by state agencies and interference by state bureaucrats or lawmakers into our local community’s decision making.”

Madden said he was concerned with the environmental impact McIntosh Village would have on Line Creek.

Brown said he is opposed to any local legislation that would permit the construction of TDK Boulevard.

The candidates were also asked to outline their governmental experience.

Ramsey has previously served as a legislative aide in both the Georgia House and Senate in addition to working for former Congressman Mac Collins, serving three years helping constituents in a district office and three years as his legislative aide in Washington.

Madden said as the chairman and former president of the Atlanta Air Cargo Association he has been involved with various government agencies on a regular basis. As a former homeowners association president, Madden said he also dealt “extensively” with county government.

Becker said she has worked at several state agencies, including positions as an investigator for the Georgia Department of Labor, an administrative aide for the Georgia Secretary of State and as intake officer/clerk for the mental health juvenile justice judge. She also noted that she worked with state and local officials on opening an emergency shelter in Fayette County for domestic violence victims.

Brown said that in addition to being former mayor of Peachtree City, he also lobbied the legislature as chairman of the Metropolitan Atlanta Mayors Association. Brown also touted his involvement in the Ga. Highway 74 alliance that brought together a number of local governments in Fulton and Fayette County together to work on ways to improve the interchange at Interstate 85 and Hwy. 74.

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Submitted by doggoneit on Wed, 11/28/2007 - 10:23pm.

Smith decides, for reasons known only to himself, that he shall disparage Jones by whispering to another that Jones abuses puppies. No evidence exists of this malignant behavior. Not one has seen Jones behave unreasonably toward any puppy. Jones has never expressed an aversion to canines. Indeed, Jones is fond of dogs and has frequently displayed his fondness for man’s best friend. Yet the whispering continues till it is forever associated with the innocent Jones. We wonder, as we cling to our own disbelief, whether there isn’t some germ of truth to the stories of Jones’ malfeasance.

Accusations are indeed powerful. Philosophers and psychologists can seek to explain their power. Others don’t care why they work, but relish that they do. Indeed, we’ve seen this in Fayette County politics for the past decade. As predictable as the ocean tides, elections here bring waves of baseless accusations, coated in a creepy sanctimony seldom rivaled outside Washington, D.C.

Already the miasma is rising, as it did during the last mayoral election in Peachtree City. Take, for example, the lies told about Matt Ramsey by people who have never met him, never spoken to him, and never attempted to speak to him. Since there is no doubt in what they know, they apparently can’t be bothered with pursuing facts. This isn’t even a question of “shoot first, ask questions later.” Instead, it’s “why bother asking?”

It’s shameful that these tricks may sway otherwise reasonable people. One can only hope that the civil majority of people, busy with their daily routines, don’t read the tripe here that masquerades as intellectual wit. Let the smears stick to the walls of the bloggers’ echo chamber where they do nothing more than gain for their authors a hateful self satisfaction.

Let the real people out there gather facts, calmly weigh their decisions, and vote.

Submitted by johenry on Thu, 11/29/2007 - 2:11pm.

Another reason not to vote for Matt Ramsey ... blogger Doggoneit says we have to go up to him personally and ask for his views on the issues. And I believe him because he sure hasn't said anything up to this point.

The truth is when Ex-Mayors Bob Lenox and Fred Brown are backing your campaign you ain't looking out for the little folks! He's also got the liberal Democrat Ex-Mayor and developer Joel Cowan (the darling of former Democratic Gov. Roy Barnes' administration) on his side too.

Ramsey's senior law partner and major campaign financer, Doug Warner, has been involved in almost every government scandal on the books, from the tennis center to TDK. Even worse, Ramsey's campaign chairman Hollis Harris was one of the leading TDK supporters on the Chamber of Commerce Board which still supports building the road (it's on Chamber's web site).

Gathering the facts is the easy part with this political race, but finding out Matt Ramsey's views on the tough issues, now that is the hard part.

tortugaocho's picture
Submitted by tortugaocho on Wed, 11/28/2007 - 8:36pm.

So you are one of the people that got sucked into believing that Michael Collins the Democrat truly changed when he morphed into Mac Collins the Republican. You gave him money. He gets spanked a couple of times at the polls. He gets tired and quits. He takes your money and he gives it to Matt Ramsey. Doesn't this bother you? Contribution comes from "The Committee to Elect Mac Collins" not out of Collins own pocket. Boy, that's a heartfelt endorsement there !


Submitted by veni vidi vici ... on Wed, 11/28/2007 - 8:33pm.

Becker or whatever her name is did not work for the Georgia Secretary of State. That is false.

Submitted by johenry on Wed, 11/28/2007 - 12:53am.

Go check out the letters they wrote. There is no comparison. In fact Matt Ramsey kept fudging on the tax reform deal.

Does Steve Brown have a web site? Ramsey's site, www.votemattramsey.com, is full of bland dribble. But does mention on the site he was an aid to Sen. Mitch Seabaugh while he was trying to kill us with building TDK.

If anyone knows Brown's campaign website, please post it.

Submitted by caring citizen on Wed, 11/28/2007 - 10:07am.

Of all the candidates, Ramsey is the ONLY one who has thoroughly researched this HR 900 bill. He said he was 100% for tax reform but doesn't think this Resolution is the right answer.

As for the letters, I fell asleep reading Brown's. What a yawner it was!! Same ole'stuff. Ramsey will be a positive force in the Assembly and that's the way you get things done for your community. I can't imagine Brown on the floor of the House...No one will be listening to him!

Submitted by Jones on Wed, 11/28/2007 - 2:09pm.

Show me in candidate Ramsey's letter below where he even mentions HR900. The letter is a bunch of mish-mash. The most tell-tale sign of where Ramsey will stand on the issues is he put "Warner, Hooper & Ramsey" under his name. Doug Warner who was part the the development authority sedition against the local taxpayers who ended up paying for his corruption this summer.

Ramsey: Promises to be hardest worker on behalf of a positive agenda
Tue, 11/27/2007 - 4:14pmBy: Letters to the ...

I never realized growing up in Fayette County just how good I had it. What a great place to be a kid. I’m a husband and a father now, and it turns out that our community is an even better place to be a dad.

We all value our outstanding schools, our low crime rate, and our tradition of strong local leadership. Having reaped the benefits of living in this special place, I now want to do my part to ensure that our community is as good to my two young children, and to all of our children, as it has been to me.

For this reason, I am running for the Georgia House of Representatives.

I have lived in Fayette County almost my entire life and I know what its values are. I share them. Faith, family, and love of community and country. We don’t believe in government trying to run our lives, but we do insist that government perform its core functions efficiently and properly.

We need government that improves our woeful transportation system. We need government that wastes less and taxes less. And we need government that respects our private property rights.

Georgia’s 72nd district has become accustomed to energetic leadership that reflects the conservative principles of its populace.

Our citizens want their representative to work as hard as they do, and here is a promise: if elected, I will be the hardest working member of the Legislature.

Here’s another promise: I will run as a conservative, and I will serve as a conservative.

When I cast a vote in the General Assembly, I will never betray Fayette County’s values for special interests or political expediency.

I served for six years on the staff of our outstanding former U.S. Congressman, Mac Collins. I learned some valuable lessons about statesmanship and character during that time, but I also came to realize that some government bureaucrats spend your money as if it they earned it.

My candidacy is based on reform: reform of the budget process in the General Assembly, and reform of state agencies that often fail to respect the principle of local control.

Local problems require local solutions, and I seek to empower our local officials to manage our community as they know best.

This is especially true with respect to education. I vow to defend the prerogatives of the parents, teachers, and administrators that have made our schools the best in the state.

There is cause for great optimism about our state’s future, but I also recognize that tremendous challenges lie ahead. The economy is strong, but working people are still feeling squeezed. Our community is strong, but we still have much tough work ahead to preserve our quality of life.

In these uncertain times, we cannot afford to be anything less than certain about where our elected representatives stand.

I stand for conservative government, family values, and hard work. I plan to run as I would serve: with a positive vision for Fayette County.

The public is sick of political mudslinging that elevates dirty tricks above honest debate. In recognition of this, I invite the other candidates in the race to join me in a spirited and fair discussion of the issues before the General Assembly that are most important to our community.

Matthew L. Ramsey

Warner, Hooper & Ramsey

CCB's picture
Submitted by CCB on Wed, 11/28/2007 - 11:35am.

It looks like Mr. Ramsey is retreating. He left his time working for Sen. Mitch Seabaugh off of his letter to the editor.

Mr. Ramsey was working with Seabaugh to make TDK happen. Now it looks like he's backing away from that position. I admit, he only said he didn't think GRTA should impose their will on us with TDK, so he might still be for it.

I don't appreciate Mr. Ramsey not having the courage to stick by his convictions and openly support a road connection that we badly need. Don't hide behind GRTA saying they are the bad guy. GRTA is controlled by an influential Republican in Steve Stancil and Ramsey solicited his office on behalf of Seabaugh to help move TDK forward and now he's gone mute. The people at GRTA assured me TDK would go and look at what we have now. Stand up and support the road because it's the right thing to do!

This is one of the reasons why you don't get my support.


Submitted by tonto707 on Tue, 11/27/2007 - 9:22pm.

y'all see all those damn developers in Ramsey's list? Wow, this dude
is sold out already.

Looks like you'll have to vote for one of the three democrats. Madden is the only one with the guts to admit it, but what the heck, Brown and Becker have sterling credentials if you just do the research.

Three genuine democrats as alternatives to the only conserative.

Submitted by caring citizen on Wed, 11/28/2007 - 10:00am.

Ramsey DOES NOT have a developer on his entire list! What he does have is the support of a lot of great folks who love this community and want to keep it the way it was meant to be. Ramsey will be a POSITIVE voice for Fayette County.

Submitted by tonto707 on Wed, 11/28/2007 - 5:23pm.

that was my point. Not a single developer on the contributions list, but two or three gumps have been blogging for 2 weeks that he is sold out to developers.

Reckon I didn't couch my words in the right light.

But you are right, Ramsey is the only decent candidate. The others are indeed democrats.

Voice of Fayette Future's picture
Submitted by Voice of Fayett... on Wed, 11/28/2007 - 5:56pm.

Ramsey Backed by Developers: Proven Fact. By his own reports...Tonto, repeating your deception will not add any truth content to it. Being a developer is not illegal or immoral. It is just something that we no longer need in PTC. We are done. We need no more development. We need no more mega TDK developments.

Credit the Citizen. If they had not asked, Ramsey never would have been forced to make the very skimpy disclosure he did.

He is backed by developers: Joel Cowan, developer label in all news reports; Chris Parrott Home Builders, a former officer of the state and national home builders; an insider with Group VI; construction materials supplier; several lawyers and bankers. This is beyond dispute. In addition, Mayor Ken Steele, who has a development philosophy which I believe PTC wants no part of.

Again, it is not illegal that Ramsey is backed by developers. But it is an undeniable fact and you are embarrassing yourself by denying it.


Submitted by veni vidi vici ... on Wed, 11/28/2007 - 2:44pm.

And S Brown would be his usual negative voice. If the citizens of our great city vote for Brown, they will get just what they deserve. I cannot believe he actually has the nerve to run again.

Submitted by tonto707 on Wed, 11/28/2007 - 11:08am.

look like tonto got stupid bloggers stirred.

Caring citizen not recognize satire. That not good.

The whole point was that several bloggers had accused Ramsey of being sold out to developers but had no campaign money to show for it.

Git Real's picture
Submitted by Git Real on Wed, 11/28/2007 - 11:20am.

look like tonto got stupid bloggers stirred.

look like you be right. Caring Citizen not to bright.

Caring citizen not recognize satire. That not good.

Hmmm....

The whole point was that several bloggers had accused Ramsey of being sold out to developers but had no campaign money to show for it.

Look again toto. I've identified two developers already and I will present you with more. Ugh! Smiling


Submitted by tonto707 on Wed, 11/28/2007 - 11:08am.

look like tonto got stupid bloggers stirred.

Caring citizen not recognize satire. That not good.

The whole point was that several bloggers had accused Ramsey of being sold out to developers but had no campaign money to show for it.

Git Real's picture
Submitted by Git Real on Wed, 11/28/2007 - 11:21am.

look like tonto got stupid bloggers stirred.

look like you be right. Caring Citizen not to bright.

Caring citizen not recognize satire. That not good.

Hmmm....

The whole point was that several bloggers had accused Ramsey of being sold out to developers but had no campaign money to show for it.

Look again toto. I've identified two developers already and I will present you with more. Ugh! Smiling


Submitted by veni vidi vici ... on Wed, 11/28/2007 - 2:47pm.

Yes, Git Real is not too bright. Go back to school instead of sitting in your basement blogging your brains out.

ptctaxpayer's picture
Submitted by ptctaxpayer on Wed, 11/28/2007 - 4:07pm.

For those of you that are interested, the translation for Veni, vidi, vici is---- "I came, I saw, I built TDK".

That list of developer contributors is legal but it ain't pretty. Even worse is Fayetteville Ken Steele. Again, it may be legal but I don't want any part of his annexation bulldoze mentality in PTC.


Git Real's picture
Submitted by Git Real on Wed, 11/28/2007 - 3:47pm.

Gotcha, didn't I.

Yanked your campaign's pants down and exposed it's doidy diapers didn't I' Evil

Welp... It's back to sittin' around in my underwear, in my basement defending the interests of the little people. Smiling


Submitted by loveptc on Wed, 11/28/2007 - 3:59pm.

that be your silk underwear? Hee Hee

Git Real's picture
Submitted by Git Real on Wed, 11/28/2007 - 4:03pm.

How ya doin?


Git Real's picture
Submitted by Git Real on Wed, 11/28/2007 - 10:42am.

Ramsey DOES NOT have a developer on his entire list!

Caring Citizen - Either you are a liar or you are just plumb dumb.

CLICK HERE TO VIEW GRTA DOCUMENT THAT IDENTIFIES JOEL COWAN'S DEVELOPER ROLL ON THEIR BOARD

Here is what they say:

"GRTA GOES TO WORK

Understandably, the fledgling agency went into “pause” mode while getting organized. Joel Cowan, a developer active in civic affairs and former chairman of the commission that formulated Georgia’s state growth management program in 1989, was named chairman of the Authority.

Gee.... Joel Cowan is such a well known deveoloper that he is even known as the guy responsible for developing Peachtree City. Didn't the even name a little road after him? The Joel Cowan Parkway. Puzzled

Keep at Caring Citizen. I know you're trying real hard but, it is very obvious that it is very difficult for you guys to distance yourself from your roots..... the developer / lawyer crowd. Shocked

Shall I continue? Evil


Submitted by caring citizen on Wed, 11/28/2007 - 12:44pm.

Git, Chris Parrott is a custom Home Builder that families hire to build their homes. He builds @ 10 homes a year that improve all of our property values. Are you really calling him a developer? Joel Cowan? The guy who planned and built the same Peachtree City that we all call home? It was because of his vision that we all moved here. If you want the true definition of a developer look no further than Steve Brown's # 1 campaign contributer, Mr. Big Box- Doug McMurrain. Steve was in bed with the developers.

Grasping for straws aren't you?

Git Real's picture
Submitted by Git Real on Wed, 11/28/2007 - 1:49pm.

Are you really calling him a developer? Joel Cowan? The guy who planned and built the same Peachtree City that we all call home?

So now you're trying to change the definition of a developer? Puzzled I can't help it.... I have to ask. Concerned Citizen.. do you know what the definition of 'is' is?

You can wash 'em, you can deodorize 'em, you can clip 'em. You can dress 'em up and slap perfume all over them.... but in the end, they're still pigs.

If you want the true definition of a developer look no further than Steve Brown's # 1 campaign contributer, Mr. Big Box- Doug McMurrain.

Two things... Steve isn't taking contributions in this race. Secondly, I'd say that McMurrain whizzed his money away supporting Steve. LOL! Talk about a lousy return on investment. Now how many developers are there on Lawyer Ramsey's list?

Steve was in bed with the developers

Yeah.... And Bill Clinton honored the sanctity of marriage. That's really funny... Steve in bed with the developers... LMAO! Say it again.... you're killing me. Eye-wink

Grasping for straws aren't you?

Nope. I was grasping for the throat of a liar and deceiver and I've got my hands tightly wrenched around it's scrawny neck.

Gee... and you accuse me of grasping for straws?

Your turn. Smiling


Silence Dogood's picture
Submitted by Silence Dogood on Wed, 11/28/2007 - 11:14am.

It appears that I need to reconsider my support for Matt Ramsey. He doesn't seem to be a person that would support a moratorium on developments in order for us to sort out our traffic, density, and water issues.

I am in favor of growth in general. Having moved away from Gwinnett two years ago I am seeing the same tell tale warning signs of a terrible storm in our future.

I now will cast my vote for either Steve Brown or Heidi Beckler.


Submitted by veni vidi vici ... on Wed, 11/28/2007 - 2:52pm.

That would be up to the county commissioners. In the past our commissioners controlled growth by adhering to the land use plan. Go ahead and cast your vote for one of the above mentioned Democrats. Maybe the tell tale signs are from them or some other RHINOS.

birdman's picture
Submitted by birdman on Wed, 11/28/2007 - 5:56pm.

Just got to weigh in. Haddix (Brown's pick) wants a building moratorium. Brown did that in 2002 and it cost the city thousands when defending the lawsuit because (as was pointed out by the city attorney), it was ILLEGAL!! What's changed?
But Brown needs a new "evil demon" to slay if he is trying to go statewide. Even though there are, according to Brown, over 11,000 developers in PTC (all those who voted against him), development is more a local thing, not a state thing.
Brown,as he did in 2001, promises lots of good ideas. Problem is, he counts on the stupidity of the electorate to not know the legality. In 2001 he promised that he would change city law to have all annexations voted on by the people. When told by a former city councilperson that it was illegal, he continued to run on that "no annexation" platform. When I asked him why he never lived up to that promise, he confirmed what he had already been told (so much for honesty). But for such an anti-annexation candidate, why did he violate the annexation moratorium and, as mayor, personally negotiate an annexation plan with John Wieland Homes (one might call Wieland a "developer")? And when confronted at a city council meeting he simply stated that he spoke to Wieland Homes as "Citizen Brown," NOT "Mayor Brown." Anyone out there think Wieland new the difference?
As for Brown's proposed Ethics Reforms, well since he violated the Ethics laws twice as Mayor, I guess he would be the one to push reform.
Anyway, his idea to stop the water fight with Fl. and Ala. sounds good. Problem is, and one would hope Brown knows this, it ISN'T our water, it belongs to the Corp. of Engineers, NOT the state of Ga. So we can't simply shut them off. Problem is that Brown won't say that to you until after you elect him, then when you ask him why he doesn't live up to his campaign promises, he'll simply quote the law. Just like he did about putting annexation to a vote.
Time for Brown and all you lemmings to get off the developer bandwagon. We have serious problems in the state. Brown simply will try to force his vision down the throats of the state legislature and publicly slander all who disagree. It will result in Fayette County suffering severely. This is his history and legacy.


bad_ptc's picture
Submitted by bad_ptc on Wed, 11/28/2007 - 9:26pm.

”And when confronted at a city council meeting he simply stated that he spoke to Wieland Homes as "Citizen Brown," NOT "Mayor Brown." Anyone out there think Wieland new the difference?” Yes, and so did the Georgia State Ethics Commission

Birdman, you claimed earlier that SB cost the city $50,000 for the "investigation" of the DAPC.

As it turned out, the DAPC, which Ramsey was closely associated with, cost us $1.7 mil.

First you claim, ”An Annexation package with Wieland resulting in lifting of the Annexation Moratorium. Wonder what Wieland promised "Citizen" Brown in payment for that "gem?" Now it’s”Brown did that in 2002 and it cost the city thousands when defending the lawsuit because (as was pointed out by the city attorney), it was ILLEGAL!!

Do you see the problem with telling lies? If you can’t keep your story straight, YOU GET CAUGHT!

As for costing the city thousands of dollars I invite you to look at the list of Ramsey’s benefactors again. Several of those same people cost PTC around 34 MILLION in SPLOST money.

Tell me oh wise one, how much did the city spend loosing to GRTA and more recently the LOWE’S case? Oh, let’s not forget our grand Tennis Center.

” Anyway, his idea to stop the water fight with Fl. and Ala. sounds good. Problem is, and one would hope Brown knows this, it ISN'T our water, it belongs to the Corp. of Engineers, NOT the state of Ga. So we can't simply shut them off.”

News flash for birdman, “The Army Corps of Engineers, which manages regional water resources, has already reduced the flow of water from Georgia to Florida by five percent.

The Corps may cut the flow as much as 17% Depending on lake levels in Georgia.

It would appear that those who control the Army Corps of Engineers are listening to the elected officials in Georgia.

Throw all the stones you want, but you and your developer friends should sell your glass houses first.


Submitted by skyspy on Thu, 11/29/2007 - 7:45am.

You forgot their "gift" of the unlined dump, that our police station was built on and is now sinking into the said dump. That was sold to us by the same group responsible for the tennis center mess, and approved by one of those ex-mayors.

Yeah those d-puke (Dpac) people really have helped our city right over a cliff, and they helped themselves to a lot of taxpayer money.

Submitted by fay79isus on Thu, 11/29/2007 - 9:17am.

Attorney Warner was right in the middle of that entire Development Authority mess with the million dollars that went to his Bank on the illegal loan of the Dev Authority and now Warner wants us to send his boy, a newly minted lawyer, to the General Assembly in Atlanta ? I don't think so. The city hired an outside lawyer who wrote a report. The loan was illegal. The city bailed them out because Logsdon settled the suit before trial to help his friends. You people that didn't get the ballfields or the Gathering Place expansion in the referendum are the ones that got hosed. We have seen millions go to Warner's Development buddies that could have been used on other projects. If may be too late and PTC may now be as crooked as Clayton County became.

birdman's picture
Submitted by birdman on Wed, 11/28/2007 - 10:42pm.

"News flash for birdman, “The Army Corps of Engineers, which manages regional water resources, has already reduced the flow of water from Georgia to Florida by five percent.

The Corps may cut the flow as much as 17% Depending on lake levels in Georgia."

DUH... That's what I said. Brown is insinuating that he will personally take care of the water shortage. You simply made my point, that the water doesn't belong to Ga, but to the region. The agreements to cut water, as I understand it, were made in Washington by agreement of the three Govs. To bad Steve wasn't there to lead the discussion.

"Birdman, you claimed earlier that SB cost the city $50,000 for the "investigation" of the DAPC."

Thanks for keeping my blogs on file. Did you keep Brown's on file too? DUH... that's right, the figure for the infamous investigation was about $50,000. And what did it turn up? That no wrong doing was evident. Go read the report! Or would checking it out be too much work? By the way, the loan for the Tennis Center wasn't exactly thrown down the drain (until Brown took over). We had a World Class Tennis Center that attracted a lot of business to the city. After Brown got through with it, it became a NO Class Tennis Center.

As for all the "illegal" activity that Brown exposed, where were the charges filed? When did the courts take action? What was the punishment? What happened to the money? DUH...NONE! NO charges, NO punishment, NO NOTHING except Brown throwing out allegation after allegation with NO LEGAL FOUNDATION! Don't you want someone held accountable for all that graft and corruption? Maybe you could get Brown do finally file a charge and we could put those rapscallions in jail! Or maybe Brown is just blowing smoke out of his.....nose. HMMM...Lack of actual charges could be indicative.

As for my "developer friends," typical crap. Ever since SB, anytime you want to insult someone simply call him a "developer" or a "developer friend." Brilliant. Will probably work at the state level too. Wish I was a developer though, I could use the money. Too bad I'm just a citizen trying to keep Brown from costing me anymore money and alienating our city. Can't afford to be shut off by the State Legislature because of Brown's rantings.

I fight Brown because he is destructive to our best interest. It has nothing to do with development. By the way, why didn't Brown stop Target? Why didn't Brown stop Kohls? Why didn't Brown stop TDK? He was mayor for 4 years. Why didn't he stop all this evil? Ever wonder? I do.

But as Mudcat points out Brown: "can't harm us up at the State level. All he can do is embarass us - which he has already done." Problem is he will isolate us from the rest of the state. He can't stand not to be in charge. He can't stand to not have everyone follow "his" programs and ideas. And God help any legislature who doesn't do his bidding, we will be reading for years how some Rep is a "developer," "not a team player," "liar," etc. Stand by to have our funds and programs severely cut due to Browns insults and slanders.

You may think he is the savior of Fayette County (he does anyway,) but reality will set in and it won't be pretty.

As for developers, who built your house? Who planned PTC? How much land is really left? Am I missing the massive skyscrapers that have risen since SB left office? Your same old song is old and dry. City seems pretty good so far. Don't think Logsden is all that great, but at least the golf cart paths are getting repaired finally (something Brown failed to do).

Anyway, thanks for making my points.


mudcat's picture
Submitted by mudcat on Wed, 11/28/2007 - 8:04pm.

Sit down bird dude before you read this. I don't want you to be shocked off your pointy little feet.

Brown will probably get elected - and yes, I will be voting for him.

He is the best person (can't quite bring myself to call a house husband a man) but yes, he is the best person for the job of State Rep. among those currently running.

Why, you ask. Because he can't harm us up at the State level. All he can do is embarass us - which he has already done. As a State Rep. he can bring home some bacon/pork to Fayette County and I honestly believe he will make every effort to do exactly that. He will get his TV time and we will get a park or some other goodies. We all win.

OK with that bird?


birdman's picture
Submitted by birdman on Wed, 11/28/2007 - 10:56pm.

You're right about on thing, Brown will certainly embarrass us. But you're wrong about him not hurting us. The rest of the Legislature will be so fed up with him that it will hurt our county. Brown thinks he has the answer to everything, and he believes that when he introduces a plan, everyone should simply go along. Problem is, some of his ideas are not legal, smart, workable, etc. So when he starts slandering and degrading the other members of the Legislature because they didn't do what he wanted, then we as a county will suffer.
That is Browns history, legacy, tactic, etc. Just look back on how he attacked (and still does) everyone who dares to disagree with him.

I am not a developer, I don't know any developers, never have been nor will be a developer. I don't like a lot of the development that is going on. But Brown's tactics are not the answer. Laws, Master Plans, Zoning, etc. make development inevitable. Brown stopped nothing because of those Laws, etc., only divided the city, embroiled us in lawsuits, insulted many or our most respected citizens, alienated the County Commission and surrounding communities. Unfortunately you can't simply pull up the drawbridge and keep everyone else out. If we could have done that, Brown wouldn't have ever been allowed in.
You work within the system to make the most of the situation. Brown doesn't care about that, he simply sees himself as the "great savior." He will hurt us tremendously at the State level.


Git Real's picture
Submitted by Git Real on Wed, 11/28/2007 - 10:20am.

How's that 'filet of sole' taste? Shocked

http://www.chrisparrotthomes.com/

CLICK HERE TO SEE THE FIRST AND OBVIOUS DEVELOPER CONTRIBUTOR

CLICK HERE TO SEE THE DEVELOPERS CREDENTIALS

How's your foot taste Caring Citizen? I can give you several more? Wanna see? Shocked

Now tell me Chris Parrott doesn't have a vested interest in seeing TDK go through.


AF A-10's picture
Submitted by AF A-10 on Wed, 11/28/2007 - 2:00pm.

You snatch pea from hand. You wax on, wax off. All time you look eye. You one with earth. You have full control of ki. you now fully awake. My blackbelt you earn. You now wear with pride on face.
Show mercy, this caring one no can take more punishment.

Kevin "Hack" King

ps: "Yeah.... And Bill Clinton honored the sanctity of marriage. That's really funny... Steve in bed with the developers... LMAO!"

Substitute "Rudy G." for "Bill C." The actual multiple divorces will make this effective blow a LETHAL one.


Git Real's picture
Submitted by Git Real on Wed, 11/28/2007 - 2:17pm.

Clinton or Guliani... they're both about the same to me. You do have to admit that ole Bill gave a few good lines to use. But, don't they all. Clinton is just one of many all around us.

this caring one no can take more punishment.

I'm being a good boy Hack. I've been holding back. I'm just hoping I don't have to go in for the kill. Smiling


Submitted by Jones on Wed, 11/28/2007 - 2:14pm.

Turkey Chili Recipe courtesy LPGA World Hall of Famer Nancy Lopez; adapted by Canyon Ranch Chef Scott Uehlein

1 tablespoon olive oil
1 cup chopped sweet onions
1 tablespoon minced garlic
1/4 cup chopped yellow bell peppers
1 pound ground turkey
1 (28-ounce) can crushed organic tomatoes, undrained
1 (16-ounce) can red kidney beans, drained and rinsed
1 tablespoon chili powder
1 tablespoon sugar
2 cups low-sodium chicken stock
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon hot sauce (recommended: Tabasco)
11/2 teaspoons sea salt
1 teaspoon dried basil
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano

In a large skillet, saute onions, garlic and bell peppers in olive oil over medium heat until onions are translucent. Add ground turkey and cook until browned.

Add remaining ingredients and stir well to combine. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 1 hour, stirring occasionally.

Git Real's picture
Submitted by Git Real on Wed, 11/28/2007 - 2:19pm.

Mrs. Git might not appreciate it, but I'd eat a bunch of that in a hearbeat.


Submitted by caring citizen on Tue, 11/27/2007 - 5:44pm.

Steve Brown has always been 100% for District Voting in Fayette County. Now he's flip flopping? He also talks about not wanting to be, "beholden to special interests" when his #1 Campaign Contributor during his last election was Mr. Big Box, Doug McMurrain. Come on Steve... give us all a break here!!!

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