Good new video from my candidate for State Senate in Roswell.

We just bought a house in Willow Springs and I was shocked to find out we don’t have automated garbage collection in Roswell. I have a brochure from CWS and a website for Roswell Recycles, but I have to buy my own cans??? I’m sorry but from my days as a PR guy in the solid waste and recycling industry, I can’t believe Roswell still has guys getting out of the truck and throwing garbage cans into the back.



We should have 64 or 96 gallon automated carts at each house and a nice big shiny new truck that comes by weekly to scoop up the cart with an automated arm. Think about the benefits of greater efficiency, reduced worker injuries, improved neighborhood aesthetics and volume-based rate structures (PAYT).



Not that I want to rile up the homeowner’s association before I actually move in, but I would like to have the discussion. I can’t believe some of the crappy discount store garbage cans I saw on the street this week.



I’d like to hear from anyone on their opinions about this topic.

– The John Albers for State Senate Campaign is proud to announce the first of several cutting edge, high tech communication initiatives with the release of its new iPhone app and Blackberry/smart phone mobile sites.



Campaign Manager Wesley McCall explained the importance of these new technologies to the campaign’s winning campaign plan. Said McCall, “North Fulton voters are the most tech-savvy and involved voters in the state. To reach our highly educated and wired community, campaigns and elected officials need to maximize the latest technology and communications tools. The Albers campaign is setting the standard with some of the most technologically advanced communications and outreach tools provided by any campaign.”



The Albers applications are some of the most advanced and innovative available in the nation today. Users will be able to follow the campaign’s progress, get John’s views on top issues, view videos, download ring tones and sign up to become a volunteer


John Albers emphasized the importance of using technology to communicate with voters. Said Albers, “The entire focus of my campaign is serving the needs of the families of north Fulton. The best way to meet the needs of our families is by providing easy ways to communicate those needs to public officials, and we are leading the way with these new online tools. I am a strong proponent of using technology to improve communication and maximize efficiencies in business. Our campaign is demonstrating in a small way how we can bring technology to bear in public service to improve communication and eventually lower the cost of government to taxpayers.”



Voters may download the iPhone application at the iTunes store or the Albers campaign website – www.votealbers.com. Blackberry and other smart phone users can access the Albers campaign mobile site at www.votealbers.com. For more information or questions, please contact the campaign at info@votealbers.com.

Sam Olens, Republican candidate for Attorney General, is pleased to announce his new campaign literature features quotes from two respected leaders in Georgia’s Congressional delegation.


Congressman Phil Gingrey states the following, “Under Sam’s conservative leadership, Cobb County has the lowest property taxes and the lowest crime rate in the metropolitan Atlanta area.”


Congressman Tom Price adds “Sam Olens has made Cobb County the envy of local governments nationwide. It is one of the most fiscally conservative and best managed counties in the U.S.”


In addition, the piece also includes quotes from Georgia State Senator leader, Tommie Williams and former U.S. Attorney for the Middle and Northern districts of Georgia, Joe D. Whitley.


“I am grateful for the outspoken support of the Georgia’s most respected public servants,” said Olens. I plan to live up to their endorsements and build on the momentum it gives our campaign.

So much for objective journalism.


So much for strong lead sentences in newspaper stories.


So much for trying to keep respect when dealing with public officials.


This morning’s story from Jon Gillooly at the Marietta Daily Journal is just another embarrassment to the dying newspaper industry. Why you ask? Because the reporter clearly has lost his objectivity and shows sarcasm in a poorly written story. I’m not commenting on the subject matter of the story, just the structure and the opinions inserted by the reporter, or during the editing process.


When I was a reporter, my main concern was getting the story right and ignoring the publisher’s demands/wishes and sometimes the editor for that matter. I never wanted to be the hardcore investigative journalist with no soul. But it turned out that I was pretty darn good at it. The difference was that I was fair and objective. I listened to all sides and wrote the story down the middle, informing the reader and giving them the chance to decide for themselves. I stood up to that old man in the corner office and did it my way and fought them when they tried to change the “tone” of my stories. When it was time for me to leave, I left.


It’s been nearly 13 years since I quit the Marietta Daily Journal and I don’t regret my decision one bit. Unfortunately, the old man has corrupted yet another reporter and is no doubt pulling him into the vortex (the corner office) and telling him what to ask and how to write.


When public officials refuse to talk with a reporter or yell and threaten when asked for comment that means one of two things in my book. The reporter is on to something big and the bulk of the community is behind them, the reporter is a chump for the publisher or the reporter is an asshole.


I was never a chump or an asshole. I treated the subjects of my stories with respect and I gave them the benefit of the doubt for the sake of good objective reporting. I seriously doubt this is the current case.


Just do your job!

It’s somewhat refreshing to read that the AJC will no longer endorse candidates but its also disingenuous, since we could always predict which candidates or should I say “party” they would endorse anyway.

After listening carefully to readers and thinking deeply about the modern role of a newspaper in elections, the AJC Editorial Board is taking a new approach to election coverage, beginning with this November’s elections.
Going forward, our board will use its unique position to work for readers in pursuing with candidates the issues that are critical to the future of our community. The board will provide readers with clear, concise information about candidates’ positions and records. The AJC will no longer endorse political candidates….
We have heard from readers — and we agree — that you don’t need us to tell you how to vote.

Read the rest of the story at the AJC.

I found this great little website called BitchOGram.com. Send an anonymous email, phone text or post card to anyone and tell them what you really think of them. In this case, send it to your favorite or least favorite politician. Isn’t this just the coolest concept? Free Speech be Heard!

You can choose different backgrounds and really take some time to create a meaningful, yet totally anonymous message to the recipient. I can only imagine the frequent bloggers and commenters over at Peach Pundit would love to use this service on certain gubernatorial candidates.

Here is an update sent out by Jere Wood, my choice for Mayor of Roswell, Georgia:


Campaign Issues

In five weeks you will have the opportunity to choose who will be Mayor of Roswell for the next four years. You deserve to know where I stand on the issues. This week I address how the city spends your tax dollars. In the coming weeks I will be sending out emails on other important local issues that effect you.


I am interested in what you have to say. If you have any questions about property taxes, how the city spends your tax dollars, or other issues please contact me at mayorwood@mayorwood.com and I will personally answer your e-mail.


City of Roswell Spending, Budget, and Property Taxes

The economic downturn has hurt Roswell businesses and homeowners, but because we were prepared, it has not resulted in a tax increase, nor caused a reduction in the Fire and Police protection that keeps Roswell safe, nor taken away from the Recreation and Parks Department that makes Roswell the best place to live in Georgia. Just as Joseph advised the Pharaoh to save in time of plenty, Roswell set aside over $26 million in good years as a “rainy day fund” – enough to make it through today’s economic famine, even if the economy does not get better for several more years.


Operating Budget

In response to falling revenues, early this year we cut Roswell’s 2008/2009 operating budget by $1,500,000.00. For the current 2009/2010, I proposed cutting $10 million from the previous budget. Two million dollars of this was to come from the operating budget, accomplished by not funding non-essential programs and by eliminating vacant non-essential employee positions. The remaining $8 million was to come from cutting capital expenditures.


By a vote of 4 to 3, the Council adopted my 2009/2010 operating budget with no substantial changes. The budgeted operating expenses adopted by the majority do not exceed conservative revenue estimates. The three dissenters argued that we should furlough employees to save money.


Capital Budget

I budgeted payment for capital expenditures from money saved in prior years, as I have done every year I have served as Mayor. The Council unanimously voted to add $2.2 million in expenditures to my proposed capital budget, including the three who voted to furlough employees. Later the same three Council members voted against spending $1.1 million for 22 new police cars. These three now claim that the City budget we passed constitutes deficit spending, even though operating expenditures are less than projected revenues, and we are not spending money we do not have, nor are we borrowing money to pay for capital expenditures. Roswell still has $26 million in our rainy day fund, enough to handle any contingencies.


Property Taxes

I have always been conservative regarding fiscal policies and careful how I spend your money. Under my leadership, Roswell has cut its property tax millage rate 17%, reduced the number of City employees per capita 26%, and cut operating costs by 5% adjusted for inflation. We have invested $101 million in parks, City buildings, and other capital projects and have grown our investment funds from $24 million to $65 million. We earned a AAA bond rating, the first city in Georgia to do so.


I am the only candidate for Mayor who has proven to have the ability to lower your City property tax rate and provide you the best City services available in North Fulton County at the lowest cost. If you want to keep your property taxes low and the cost of City services down, re-elect me as your Mayor on November 3rd.


Visit his site at MayorWood.com

Here I am, busy with real work for the last two months and not enough time to devote to political blogging. I’ve been reading the few press releases that have come my way and I’ve seen a trend. Maybe I just need to get use to this.

It’s the art of slamming someone while trying to kiss their butts. The need to posture and get your point across is essential but do you have to qualify your statements with an apology or a show of respect? Just say what you want, especially you Ox!

With all due respect and appreciation for the Supreme Court of Georgia, I am deeply disappointed in the decision today to reject the challenge to touch-screen electronic voting machines,” said John Oxendine. 9/28/09

Team Ox, here’s my advice, don’t pull any punches. There are plenty of undecided Republicans out here (ME)… Show us what you have.

Oxendine said he respects the work being done by Governor Perdue and like many Georgians he realizes there are no easy answers. “I do not wish to criticize the Governor and continue to offer my support in these trying times,” said Oxendine. 9/28/09

Speaking of candidates for Governor…
Is Karen Handel still running? I don’t think I’ve seen a press release in months. Did Austin Scott ever stop running across America like Forrest Gump? Has Roy Barnes accepted a cage match fight with David Poythress? Does Ray McBerry have any money left?

The Jewish Policy Center announced that it will hold its next national policy forum event in Atlanta, at Greenfield Hebrew Academy on Sunday, October 25, at 7:30 pm.

Hosted by nationally-syndicated radio talk show personality Michael Medved, the event is titled, “Radical Islam and Rogue Regimes: Security Challenges for America and Israel.”

The panel for October 25 features Douglas Feith, a former Undersecretary of Defense in the George W. Bush administration, Michael Ledeen, a former advisor in the Ronald Reagan administration, and Clifford May, president of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies.

“This group of experts will tackle today’s toughest topics,” said Matthew Brooks, Executive Director of the JPC. “From the Iranian nuclear challenge to getting America off oil, we plan to cover a lot of ground.”

The Greenfield Hebrew Academy is located at 5200 Northland Dr NE, Atlanta, GA 30342.

The event is free to the public, but registration is required. The JPC’s toll-free RSVP line for this event is (866) 351 8847. Reservations can also be made via email: info@jewishpolicycenter.org