I think your fears might be dispelled if you researched what exactly a probate judge does.

Actually, having attended that forum myself, I do recall that she only spoke about voting democratic in one presidential election, not two, and I don't think anyone has a basis to question her word. Just seems a bit disrespectful. And yes, she's been in Fulton county... getting experience as a judge. It seems that for a judgeship, there is no threat of someone 'switching parties,' as judges are blind and deaf to all but the facts and the law. I would be much more concerned with the candidates' characters, and doing so would prove that there is no risk of Ms. Jackson doing anything dishonorable in or out of office. Bottom line, she is the most experienced and would be the smartest choice for judge, hands down.

Why would Fayette County want a Fulton Democrat running our Probate Court?

Look at her full page ad--- those are all lawyers from Atlanta. LOL.
Where has she been all these years? Working in Fulton County.

Actually, Voice of Fayette, you raised an interesting question. Why are all those lawyers from Fulton and Dekalb County trying to influence the outcome of an election here in Fayette County. The only thing that they know that we didn't was that Ms. Jackson is not a Republican.

You would think that if a person signed up to run for office on the republican ticket, and put the elephant on the campaign material, etc. would actually be a Republican. But five days before the primary vote, she stands up and says "I'm not a Republican"....

Had I known that, I would not have voted for her. I wonder how many other people were voting based on a deception. Usually it's the other way around, some poor sap tries to pull the wool over the judge's eyes. Here it seems that the judge pulled the wool over our eyes. And, I'm ashamed to say, I fell for it. But I still have the runoff to go. It won't be voter apathy that puts Whitlock in, it will be voter concern.

Kiser and Whitlock, the two candidates who have actually worked in our probate court, indicated that our probate court is a good one. I wonder if you elect Ms. Jackson as our new judge, when it's payback time for all those Fulton and Dekalb endorsements, will she empty our court of its' personnel and fill the court with people who don't have a clue what makes Fayette County a great place to live, and the effort over the years that has gone into our courts and legal system, that we call quality.

Two of the long time employees in the Probate office are retiring the first of the year. Jackson will probably bring two folks from Fulton with her. Won't that be nice? Training in Fulton is not what we want in Fayette County.

Wow! It didn't take a genius to see that one coming. You know there Captain, maybe if you and your company of loud mouth trash talkers had kept your mouth shut during the campaign for Captain Babb, he would have had better support. Oh well, just comes to show you how the best man always wins. Now maybe things will run more smoothly and efficienty in patrol like they always have in traffic. OH AND BY THE WAY, YA'LL MAY WANT TO GET USED TO TURNING YOUR CAMERAS ON WHEN YOU GO TO A CALL OR STOP A CAR FULL OF MEXICANS!!!! HOO RAH!!!

The people that did vote not only don't want to hear any complaints from non-voters but we don't even want to hear your irrelevant opinions on anything. Another sad turn out.I went to my polling place at Oak Grove when I got off work at 3pm and not even 100 people had been there. My wife went around 5:30pm and they had barely broke 100. Quite sad. Congradulations to the winners.

I, too, am dumbfounded. I'd like to hear from some of the Smola and Smith supporters. I'd earnestly like to know just what it is about them that earned your support, because I don't understand why anyone who was even remotely informed about the current BOE would re-elect either one of them. This election went almost entirely to incumbents. I think, with some of the offices, a lot of voters just make up their mind at the poll, and at that point, the incumbent has the advantage. Oh well, Ms. Smith and Ms. Smola won fair and square. I, too, appreciate the other candidates who made the effort to run. Yeah, we blew it big time.

WHY do we have elections in July? I believe there is a method to this madness. This is a time when self serving politicians get their foot in the door of some of the most important races that affect all of us. This school board bought acres of land for pure speculation. Every single one of them should resign just because of that. Why would any thinking voter, vote these yahoo's back into office. They have cost us Million's of dollar's. HELLO, anything in there??? I know it is hot and half of Fayette County residents leave in the Summer but that is no excuse not to vote or to pay attention to what is going on around you. Over 75% of your County TAX $'s go for the school system in this County, for that reason alone Every Taxpayer should pay attention so that our Tax dollars are spent Wisely.

I can't speak for Terri Smith supporters, because I am not one of them. I wouldn't call myself a Janet Smola supporter either, but I did not vote for Dave Houston because of where he lives. Now, I realize that sounds ridiculous, so let me explain. The backstory of the middle school redistricting debacle was the infighting within districts regarding specific neighborhoods and where they should fall on the boundary map. I won't bore you with the details, but the group of residents representing that particular neighborhood were very open about the fact that because their houses cost a lot and therefore pay a lot in property taxes, they should wield more influence than those who live in "less prestigious" neighborhoods.

I know Dave, and I think he's a good person. To the best of my knowledge Dave was not one of the neighborhood representatives referenced above...but his wife was. Given that experience, I was not convinced that he would be able to serve effectively in that position without undue influence from what amounts to a special interest group. I could not bring myself to vote for a school board candidate who lives among a group of people who seem to believe that several county neighborhoods (and their school-aged inhabitants) are expendable.

PS Ms. Smola used the fact that Dave lives where he does as a point in a campaign email she sent to a few friends of mine. Apparently that experience made an impression on quite a few people, not just me.

Let's just go ahead and clear this up! The neighborhood where Dave Houston lives doesn't think they are better than anyone else or should have more input than everyone else. Actually, the houses are nice but his neighborhood is surrounded by neighborhoods with much higher priced homes. So, I don't think anyone has a superiority complex. What his neighborhood is tired of is the constant change of the boundary lines. His neighborhood was zoned for Kedron and rezoned for Crabapple. The middle school was originally Flat Rock in Tyrone, then Booth in PTC, and now Bennett's Mill in Fayetteville. The high school was originally Sandy Creek in Tyrone and then McIntosh in PTC and now there are constant rumors about it changing back to Sandy Creek in Tyrone.These are all of the changes within the past 6-7 years. I believe the neighborhood feels that they bought homes in Peachtree City and want their children to go to the closest schools in the community they bought into. More importantly, they want the constant changing to end! Yes, like all Fayette County residents we all pay high taxes. They don't want more input-but they want input too just like everyone else!

Who do you think most people from your area voted for?

I think the majority of PTC and Tyrone went for Houston. Smola's votes (imo) must have come from Fayetteville.

Let me preface this by saying that I am/was a Dave Houston supporter...primarily because I feel that virtually anyone would be an improvement over Janet Smola.

Why did Houston lose?
I really think that playing cute with Cal's questionnaire cost him a significant chunk of votes. First he's not going to answer it, then he does, whatever....

But the main reason he lost?
Simple: He couldn't articulate a reason to make the average person want to vote for him.

Take a look at this video here ---> LINK

Ever heard the phrase "You never have a second chance to make a first impression"? Houston had 3 minutes to make his case before an influential bunch of movers and shakers at the Rotary club.

There is no way to say this nicely: He blew it.

He stumbled and hemmed and hawed and repeated himself. He rambled on and on for 2 and one half freakin' minutes (out of 3 minutes!!) about his background and how he loves his wife and kids. He then gives bland support for generic education policy.

Contrast that to Janet Smola ---> LINK

She gets all touchy-feely from the get-go ("I ALWAYS return calls!") (wow). She takes the few good things that have happened under her tenure and makes them seem like they are phenomenal accomplishment. Redistricting? not mentioned. White elephant schools? Nope. Then she spends the last 30 seconds bragging about our kids accomplishments. Our kids are succeeding DESPITE the school board, not BECAUSE of it. You'd never know that from listening to Smola.

I don't like Smola, but give credit where it is due: she wiped the floor with Houston in the debates. Houston had an enormous selling point with his "West Point Leadership" but you sure didn't see it on display when he spoke!!

Smola showed better on the debates, and I was surprised at how little effort Houston put into it. But most who have ever watched her knows she hogs the lime light so that she would show well didn't come as a surprise. What did come at as a surprise was that she could peddle that melarkie and anyone would buy it. Have they been living under a rock?

I think that what really did it was the democrats crossing over to vote for Sheriff and voting for all the incumbants just to make it look good. Wow, not only do they screw their own up, now they are screwing up the Rep vote as well!

What ever the reason, we are stuck and our kids will suffer. The way they botched the schools, no one is ever gong to vote another dime for them to mastermind.

I do think it is very telling when you look at the backgrounds, Houston is up front about where he went to school, his job and past jobs, Smola just re invents herself as she goes along. Never have I seen her say a word about what kind of college or teaching background she has. could it be because she has none?

and every other place I know of. I think as crazy as it sounds, there is something to the idea of the cross over vote.

Nothing makes sense. There has to be something missing in this picture.

If you use an email list that you have accumulated because of your position on the BOE, if you used that list to get elected, something the other guy had no access to, is that legal?

I'm not a lawyer, so I can't offer an opinion about your question. But what makes you think that a BOE member would have access to e-mail addresses that your average citizen couldn't find? Between forwarded e-mails, school directories and the like, finding e-mail addresses isn't difficult. Besides, I send e-mails to elected officials all the time. For all I know, I'm on the Watch List of Annoying Constituents! If you ran for office, and you'd never received an e-mail from me and therefore did not have my e-mail address, would that put you at a disavantage? Would that make it inappropriate for an incumbent who had my e-mail address to use it?

but your reply raises a question. You stated that you were unable to vote for Mr. Houston because you were not convinced "that he would be able to serve effectively in that position without undue influence from what amounts to a special interest group," referring to residents who represented a particular neighborhood. Do you honestly think Janet Smola et al. have done so? Didn't the BOE cave to some of the neighborhood groups, essentially scrapping the process (and maps) that the redistricting committee developed in accordance with the guidelines of the hired consultant? What makes you think the incumbents will do things differently next time?
I don't know where Mr. Houston lives, and I didn't know of his wife's involvement in the redistricting process. I based my vote for him on my knowledge of the current (and now re-elected) BOE's handling of our school system and our tax dollars. I see room for improvement on a number of issues (not just redistricting) and saw Mr. Houston as possessing the leadership, skills, and desire to help bring about some needed change. I listened to all of the candidates speak at one of the very poorly attended forums and felt he would have been served this county well, without the condescension and arrogance we've seen on display by a certain BOE member. I wish more voters had seen that we DID have an outstanding alternative to the incumbent. Anyway, I appreciate your response.

I've seen condescension and arrogance from more than one BOE member.

No, sadly, I don't think the incumbents will do things much differently in the future. During that redistricting process in particular, I saw lots of things that disturbed me - elected officials caving to certain neighborhood groups, as you say; BOE employees making statements and behaving in a way that indicated a lack of respect for the opinions of county residents and breaking the very rules they expect the rest of us to follow; citizens of our community turning on each other in pursuit of their own best interests without any regard for the negative impact on the interests of others.

I agree with you and the others who have written in support of Dave - he is a good man, and is a viable alternative to the status quo. But you have to understand that the behaviors that I personally witnessed from some residents of that particular neighborhood were abhorrent to me. Many people attended those meetings and workshops, and most were upset if not downright angry. I know I was. But I think most of us managed to maintain a level of civility that seemed out of reach for some of them.

I'm willing to concede the point that the incumbents were not above the fray. I'm also willing to concede that Dave was a good candidate and would probably have done a bang-up job, and this is a case of a few bad apples spoiling the barrel for me.

I can't change my vote, the election is over. I'm going to continue to go to meetings, write letters and make calls, as each of us should. And hopefully, someone else will admit in this forum that he or she didn't vote for Dave either, so you all will stop treating me like I cast the deciding vote.

I'm sorry if people are treating you like you cast the deciding vote. I don't feel that way and I thank you for answering. You did all you felt was right, with one vote only, same as me and Tug. It looks like mine certainly didn't rule the day, so I doubt yours did either.

I wish the outside guys input had been used to some extent and that neighborhoods weren't pitted against each other. If they hired the guy, all should have been willing to try what he drew up.

It is my feelings the kids should be evened out and all that can, go to the school closest. I see no reason for moving kids every year or two. My thoughts are the moving every year or two is the direct result of the caving in to certain neighborhoods. People see they can do it and that the BOE will cave in to them, so they all come with their own agenda. That being, what is best for their kids and not all the kids. By caving in, the BOE has created its own monster. Also by building schools in the middle of no where they have made the problem worse. It is plain to see the parents are fighting and scrapping over the schools in PTC that are overcrowded.
But, remember folks, who built the new schools and where they built them, then ask yourselves if you really voted correctly.

Let me tell you why I did vote for Dave Houston:

1) Integrity & Ethics
Dave is a West Point graduate who has modeled
nothing but integrity and honesty in the many
years that I have known him. He ran an
ethical campaign with no mud-slinging.

**News flash** If he thought that "efficient
campaigning" meant sending a derogatory mass email
about his opponents' well-known unprofessionalism
and egocentric behavior, well, he'd just prefer
to remain a private citizen.

2) MOTIVES & SKILLS
Dave's motive for running was to use his talents
and business skills to help clean things up within
the Fayette county BOE / school system. He is skilled
in helping businesses become more efficient with their
processes - - my goodness, we sure need that.

Was he influenced by the mess that has been 2
redistrictings? Sure. But, I defy you to show
me one public or private comment Dave made
regarding redistricting other than a desire to
give rising 5th and 8th graders an opportunity
to finish out their respective elementary
or middle school attendance.

Guess what...neither Ann nor any of the representatives
from Crabapple, J.C. Booth or McIntosh ever insinuated
that north Peachtree City neighborhoods deserved special
interest group treatment. In fact, these neighborhoods have
and were pounded by redistricting. These reps simply wanted
a sound process to be followed - it wasn't.

3) STRONG LEADERSHIP ABILITIES
Janet Smola has consistently demonstrated egocentric,
disrespectful behavior to her fellow board members
and her constituency. Dave offered leadership skills that
she will never possess. Never, ever, ever.

In summary, I challenge motherhen to share the Janet Smola
email - - she won't. But, it would be interesting for
Fayette county to see what they just re-elected.

Oh ye of little faith! I just forwarded the e-mail to Cal Beverly, so the onus is on him to determine whether or not it is appropriate to post. If Cal decides to share, I think you will see that much ado has been made about nothing.

Obviously you have very strong feelings about this, and I respect that. I feel pretty confident that I've been rational and polite throughout this thread. I did my best to make it clear that Dave did not engage in the behavior that offended me so much. Please don't write any more posts implying that I said something that I did not say, or question my character by predicting that I will not support my statements. I'm not that kind of person.

I too would like to read the email Smola sent to her followers. It is such a shame we will not be able to see what good leadership the BOE would have had with Houston at the helm. Instead it will be four more years of the same old bad decision making with the tax payers holding the bag. "Mother Hen" share the email so we can see how she ran her campaign - I have read many of her caustic emails over the years and I am sure this one is a classic. You say you know Dave Houston "Mother Hen" then you will have to agree there is no comparison to his integrity and the integrity of Janet Smola.

Someone suggested this and after looking at the small number of Democratic votes, I think they are on to something. They suggested that about 1900 people crossed over to vote Republican in the race for Sheriff. This person's idea is that they then went down the line and voted the incumbant so it didn't look so obvious that voted for just one person, and screwed the results. After looking at the totals for each party, it is a possibility.

I for one was completely stunned at the differences between the two party ballots. (I still want to know what will become of the votes tallied about the "issues" on the Dem ballot.) I usually abstain if I don't have an educated opinion about a specific race or issue, but lots of people do not. But, if more people had gotten off their fannies to vote, we wouldn't be having this discussion right now!

7059 - 1900 = 5159, but where did the other 5159 come from? Friday, I think they will put a breakdown on the Fayette county web site. Maybe that will explain things.

Would you post a copy of the email? Please? It might explain a lot to the rest of us who are blown away by this win. It was a nasty thing to do and if you feel Mr Houston was wronged...please...post it.

Please?

would you please decide what name you are going to use this week. head_ragg, beach bear etc... You have 3 or 4 things you use. Decide please. I am not asking who you are but simply to stay one name.

SOMEBODY! PLEASE COME FORWARD AND POST IT! PLEASE... This is a West Point grad who lives by a code of HONOR! Was he SMEARED? This is a guy that was going to stand up for us and our schools. If someone sent out an email about him that was dirty...please print it...we need to know what got elected, and more importantly, HOW! You will be doing us all a favor. I think we would have been very lucky to have had Mr Houston!

I knew it had to be something like this. Now we are getting somewhere. What did the mass email say? Someone just post a copy of it. As for Mother hen, I think she feels remorse for not voting for him. I think a lot of people were duped. Please someone post this. It would explain a lot.

someone saying 'lets play fair' then sending out a negative emails is like someone running track. Insisting everyone play by the rules, while sneaking to the back and shoot up on steriods! If Mr Houston's opponent wasn't playig fair, we need to know.

I think it would be interesting if you could get your hands on a copy of the 'mass email' that was sent out to put down Mr Houston. Shame on somebody that instigated a letter to the citizen saying they didn't want to answer questions and get 'nasty'...sounds like they wanted to save it for emails!

Wow, everyone is pretty stirred up about this one! I don't believe I stated the message sent out by Ms Smola was "nasty" or "putting down" Dave. In fact, I said she mentioned where he lived, and based on my recollection, that was the only reference to her opponent at all. I did not receive a copy of this email myself, as I said in my original post, but it was forwarded to me by a friend as an FYI. I am a little fuzzy on the ethics of posting a copy of the email. On the one hand, I don't think it's my place to post an email written by someone else when it wasn't sent to me in the first place. At the same time, I don't like the fact that this has turned into a witch hunt of sorts. Regardless of how you feel about Ms. Smola, it isn't fair to accuse her of leading a "smear campaign" against her opponent without evidence to support it. I will forward a copy of the email to Cal in the morning. If he feels it's appropriate to post it, he can. If he doesn't, at least he can attest to the fact that she didn't say anything negative about Dave. Fair enough?

Wow, first you say that you based your vote
on communication via email from Janet Smola about
why not to vote for Dave Houston because of his address,
now you're saying, you don't think it was "nasty or putting
down" Dave?

You've got to be kidding. It influenced you,
you presume it influenced others, yet you're not
sure why anyone is stirred up? It's not a witch
hunt....it's a hunt for integrity.

It's the same old, same old. This is how Janet
and Terri work.

Let's extend your premise....
If you believe that by some miracle a group that
has bore the brunt of redistricting in the last
10 years had some special interest power, then
you should definitely NOT vote for anyone who
runs who has school-aged children. How can they
be any less partial than Dave? Wouldn't they
too be serving the interests of their
respective neighborhood?

I was at the elementary redistricting meetings.
I did not see the North Ptree Parkway neighborhoods
ask for anything special....just the same treatment
as the other constituents participating in the process that got
screwed up because Sam Sweat and C.W. Campbell would
not keep their mouths shut and let our well-paid and
experienced consultant do his work. If you want to ask
which special interest group got SERVED, it is Sam
Sweat and his south Fayette stomping ground....

I have absolutely no confidence that an unedited
version of said-email will ever grace the inbox
of Cal Beverly. Cal - - don't print it. It's more
blather.

Motherhen, you're no victim here.

Good grief. I wasn't influenced by Janet's e-mail. My mind was made up well before I saw it. I also didn't say the north PTC neighborhoods asked for anything special. I also didn't say that the north PTC neighborhoods WERE given special treatment. Once again, what I said was that I was offended by the statements, actions, and attitudes that I witnessed first hand.

This is getting tedious. You've already made up your mind that I am dishonest (lying about an e-mail, or worse, editing it) and that I am not intelligent enough to decide whom to vote for on my own (influenced by Janet's email stating that her opponent lives in a particular subdivision). Head_Ragg and RT Tugger were gracious in recognizing that we could disagree about a candidate while agreeing on the issues. Why are you stooping to this level? You don't agree with me, therefore I must be wrong AND possess assorted character flaws? This sort of behavior is exactly what I was referring to in the first place.

Okay, let's review:

Your gripe with Dave Houston was that
he could not represent
our district without bias, because
of where he lives....

Next, you said that Janet's email
influenced you and likely others

Next, you bash Kedron Hills participants
for wanting special interest group treatment

Then, you recant and say that "the north PTC neighborhoods
didn't ask for anything special".

I call you on your inconsistency, and now that means
I'm tedious and stooping to an unacceptable level.

You win...you've worn me out.
The thread ends here.

on the same side of the issue. We feel our kids aren't getting a fair deal and that is what we all want. Our kids are our hearts and that is what brought us here. You are both frustrated or you wouldn't be arguing, none of us got what we wanted. We need to get together and figure out what we want, then tell the school board. The schools in the middle of no where helped none of us, it only made the whole thing much worse. I think we can all get together, decide what we want, and demand it. If it doesn't fit with buying 100 acres to sell extra to developers, Oh well, BOE members for land speculation can leave their resignation at the door as they leave!

Thanks, too bad. I know we're on the same side. Everyone talking about this is on the same side. The BOE runs over all of us because we've demonstrated over and over again that we, as a community, tend to be unwilling to make the sacrifices necessary (time, mostly) to keep up with what they're doing and call them on it when they misbehave. Hopefully the outcome of this election is the kick in the pants we all needed.

I understand your frustration, but if you look at the big picture, you, me, Mother hen, Houstons family, and everyone, else are fighting over the scraps left behind by those is power that put their kids first. Sweats kid was suppose to go to Fayette County High SChool, it went to Starrs Mill. Smiths was suppose to go to Whitewater, it went to McIntosh. when someone mentioned this in the paper about 2 years ago, 'Justthafacts' was to her friends aid telling the rest of us it was none of our concern. Not only are these people being paid by us, we are taking their left overs and fighting over them. the list of kids wanting to go to another school in the county is long, I've seen it. I don't know of anyone else that got to move their kids moved.

this is awfull! We have schools with empty seats, others overcrowded. This election means we will continue with more of the same. In my eyes, Smith and Smola have done it all wrong. Now, it will continue. Clayton schools without accredation. Do not be surprised to see the NAACP come in and redistrict for us. That is what they did in Dekalb and the Dekalb taxpayers had to pay for the out of county kids bussing! I can only think these votes came from one of 2 places. Either the schools employees saying thank you for our raises, or the NAACP galvanized behind these 2.

I'm not sure I understand you, what do you mean about the NAACP coming in and redistricting for us, tell me how they did this in Dekalb and what county's kids invaded Dekalb, that sounds as dumb as sage saying Atlanta will require us to pump our water north.

I yam what I yam....Popeye

...this is awful. Our county school system should be one of the galvanizing issues that brings our community together! It's not about feeling snubbed, it's bigger than that. It's not about my kids or your kids, it's about everyone's kids, everyone's property values, and the way of life we all worked so hard to cultivate here. Unfortunately, as is usually the case, people only care when it directly impacts their lives. This point is reinforced by the sorry voter turnout yesterday. Had this election occurred 2 years ago, we'd have new representatives and record voter turnout. Now that the hubbub has passed, most of the voters seem to have lost interest.

It is my sincere hope that we don't have more of the same. I don't want our taxpayers to support out-of-county students any more than you do, but it will take a lot more than 2 or 3 new BOE members to prevent that. We, as the taxpayers, have to participate in the process. I have a job and a family and enough obligations to make my head spin sometimes, but it's important to me to make time to attend BOE meetings and write letters and make phone calls to make sure that they know I'm paying attention, that I care about what they're doing. We live in a community of well-educated, high-achieving people who value education and grasp the more complex issues faced by our elected officials. We have the ability to keep them in check, to demand justification for the choices they make regarding development and tax-revenue spending, but we don't do it. We stand idly by until it's too late, then we moan and groan about what has happened under our noses while we were playing golf and getting our nails done. Our apathy allowed the mayor and city council to pave the way for a serious backslide in quality of life in Peachtree City, and we've allowed the BOE to do the same thing with our schools.

With the possible exception of Don Haddix, having new blood injected into our governing bodies in and of itself doesn't make a difference. WE make a difference, but WE don't care. Maybe the election results will motivate the supporters of the candidates who lost to go to the meetings, even when they're about "boring things" like curricula and budgets, not just the "exciting things" like school boundaries.

One more thing - the Clayton County issue isn't going away, you're right about that also. But if we follow our current patterns of behavior and sit on our hands, blissfully unaware of what's happening until it's too late to do anything but point fingers, we will have no one to blame but ourselves for it.

thank you. we are on the same page, you feel the same as I. The people in my area seem to not care either and I think the whole county is going to pay. I'm worried about the Clayton county deal, and it seems that instead of redistricting, they have irresponsibly built schools in the wrong areas.

The idea they would admit they bought the extra land around one of the schools and would even entertain selling it to developers sent shivers down my spine. That does nothing to help the kids in overcrowded schools, but it does help the developers have a school as a selling tool for their new subdivisions they build around the schools.

The land across from McIntosh was for for sale a few years ago. Wieland bought that, the school board..could have done the same...but didn't. What a difference that would have made.

In fairness to the people of my area, I think a lot of us thought it was a done deal Smola would lose. We couldn't see anything else happening. In her own subdivsion where she is known, only 3 houses out of 100 had her signs in their yard. Hers, their only friends across the street and one other. These are people who have known them since they moved here. That should tell everyone something.

They are now being rewarded for a job badly done.

DELETED & BANNED FOR FRAUDULENTLY POSING AS ANOTHER PERSON>

i think you got reported to Bellsouth.net, if it was your work at home computer, your gonna get canned!

that person wouldn't be caught DEAD supporting the Smolas. I'm sure it is one of them that put that on here...I hope Cal does something about them.

Apparently there was some excitement in my absence! I guess Cal did something...

Also, thank you for your kind words. I'm glad we see eye to eye on this issue. I hope more people jump on the badwagon and start paying attention.

I too am very sad that the FCBOE incumbents will be back again to wreak their special brand of havoc on our kids....ALL THREE of the incumbents needed to go. This just sucks.

What a huge joke. It was so childish that it probably did Dunn and even Peter more harm than good. Hope so. Now we have a runoff between Peter and Hearn in August. If 1,000 people show up to vote it will be a miracle. Hearn will probably win because his 50 supporters will all vote wheras Peter's 50 supporters are tired of the whole thing and won't vote. I know I won't.

the difference is that we the taxpayers did not pay for the flyer. Did you read the flyer? Who paid for the "coozies"???

THE KOOZIES were distributed in a good fashion and were to promote the program for victims of domestic violence. Rujard just basically gave Scott Ballard free promotion of his program.

were distributed by funds designated to assist victims and not promote a political hack. Stop defending Scotty.... He won. You need not embarass him tonight on his victory night.

Decent minded people with kids are horrified when they read about Ballard's character witness testimony for a habitual substance abuser that molested 5 young girls. The fact that Ballard had felony charges awaiting that man in Fayette County that were then reduced is beyond belief. The fact that people will overlook that to elect their good old boy cousin is too much for me. If people in Fayette County can elect a man like this as DA, there is truly no hope for this country.

If all the voters who elected Ballard are Fayette good old boy cousins how do you explain Pike and Spalding votes? Just admit your candidate lost. The majority agree Ballard is the best for the job-you don't agree, we know. Everyone should go to the courthouse and watch a sentencing-you'll see what jail time people are getting. I've been there and seen it, Fayette isn't a safe haven for criminals as some seem to believe.

If people in Fayette County can elect a man like this as DA, there is truly no hope for this country.

Have you not noticed the leadership we have throughout our country?

In the rural area where I own property I asked a neighbor which agency to call to get the best response in case of an emergency. His response was "out here we're forced to take care of those issues ourselves". Sounds like wise advise in protecting "What Is Ours".

Lock and Load buddy while sleeping lite!

Have a gun hidden in every room of your home just like the cops do.

There is no reason to not be prepared. Criminals don't play by the rules. Remember the only good criminal is a dead one.

Good night folks. Have a "safe Fayette County" night. "Git" a chow/shepherd mix......they give the warning, and then you "lock and load"!!!

Sometimes you are on your own.

you my friend, i think, have no background or know the full facts of what you are referring to. this county will prosper and remain one of the finest places to live.

The majority spoke and the candidate that took the high road won. If someone thinks Fayette County is a terrible place to live then they probably should probably move on. Good luck in finding your Utopia.

I agree. I did not agree with all of the choices of the electorate - but then again I moved to a county that I had investigated and decided it was the place for me. No surprise that those who have been in leadership positions are respected - and have been voted on to continue. Fayette County has its' faults - but it's Utopia to me! I'm just worrying about the businesses closing throughout the county. . . but that is a nationwide problem.

Unlike the Sherriff's race, or the County Commission race, etc. the DA race had a meaning that was far more significant. This election tells me more about the people here than it does Scott Ballard. It is depressing because it reveals that possibly a majority of people (in wonderful Fayette County of all places!!) have lost a basic sense of right and wrong. The Ballard clan saw their DA excuse/enable horrifying behavior and break his oath to us; they saw their DA let off multiple internet predators...and yet they voted for him because he was one of their own.

Is this dude going to be in for rude awakening or what? Someone needs to drop him off in the Hapeville area and tell him to envision Fayette County 2015 as a reality check.

That Fayette, circa 2015, will be like Hapeville now. Demographics, home values, crime rates, etc. This is one that you will lose. Fact is, it won't be close to that.

Name your price...

How, Spyglass, can Fayette avoid the inevitable Atlanta sprawl when actually about 80% of Fayette Countians are too apathetic and lazy to even vote? Hapeville, College Park and East Point were once wonderful places to live. So was Jonesboro. Just as the urban sprawl of Atlanta overwhelmed those communities so will it overwhelm the weak and unconcerned Fayette County. My hat is off to the candidates who ran and the few who voted. It is the 80% ignorant that will allow for us to be ruined.

will be of the biggest help. The fact is, Fayette isn't littered with bottom of the barrel housing. New homes have slowed considerably, and even if they were still going strong, Fayette isn't exactly a "starter home" and apartment community. Things will change some, but not like some here like to predict. What I call the "doom and gloom" crowd.

Now Henry County, there's a County in trouble.

That's totally absurd! if you think that way, get off the blogs and go look into a new place to live. I hear Utah is nice.

Git Gone... Go to bed! Sweet dreams.

Git a better profile picture!

He is one of the criminals that scooter defends. He probably got a hold of some bad stuff......you know hallucinations......it happens........

or maybe he has a crystal ball and the naacp will stop supporting criminals,......in which case this county could be saved.

Good night and sleep with one eye open.

i'll sleep just peacefully, i got my D.A and my temper-pedic bed

DA for the criminals who can't afford a pony tail liar.....um ooooppps I mean lawyer.

How much did the naacp contribute to scootteerrrs campaign??

On the other hand, since Scotty is still DA that means I can start to do whatever the heck I want to now too. Good to know.

the skyspy bitzy poser went out to rob a store
down came the D.A and slapped the skyspy down
now he's serving time in county jail alone
and the skypsy bitzy poser cried in his cell

Congrats on Scotty's victory.

I know several lawyers who have worked in the DA's office under Ballard as well as former employees who did clerical work for Ballard and Ballard, and the only positive thing I have ever heard anyone say came when a blogger showed up the other day. All the rest describe him as "not being very intelligent," which is the nicest way I can put it.

After watching his "performance" during the Benoit murder-suicide tragedy to go along with testifying on behalf of a total loser and molester, I don't know if I've been more embarrassed for Fayette since the last time a Repub candidate for President stopped by Melear's Slop-A-Que for a photo op.