I was introduced to this new political blog a few weeks ago and I’m digging the content. It’s in the style of Drudge Report but totally focused on Georgia Politics.

Visit That’s Just Peachy when you have a chance.

Sam Olens, Republican candidate for Georgia Attorney General, released this statement this morning:

“Today is a terrible day in our country’s history. As your next Attorney General, I will do everything legally and constitutionally possible to fight the federal takeover and implementation of heath care. I would join AG’s from states across the county to file lawsuits challenging the constitutionality of this Leviathan.

“As a State Attorney General is it your constitutional duty to protect the rights of Georgia’s citizens and the sovereignty of the state. This bill contains federal mandates and provisions that are unconstitutional and must be challenged.

“I commend the current AG’s of South Carolina, Florida and Virginia who have taken the lead and I challenge all current state AG’s and AG candidates for this important office to tell the voters what they would do if elected. In Georgia, it will be incumbent on the next AG to lead the fight for future generations.”

CONTACT: Lee Hawkins for Congress

(678) 897-1409 or (678) 316-2020

STATE SEN. HAWKINS CALLS GRAVES “JOBS BILL” A SHAM, CALLS FOR HONEST CONSERVATIVE SOLUTIONS TO CREATE JOBS

CUMMING, Ga. – Republican candidate for Congress State Sen. Lee Hawkins said Friday that a bill being promoted as a “jobs” bill by State Rep. Tom Graves is a sham and, urged legislators to replace it with Hawkins’ own jobs bill.

“Graves’ so-called jobs bill is a sham,” said Hawkins. “His legislation contains fine print that would only allow it to take effect if there is a budget surplus in the state of Georgia. But he knows full well that today we have more than a billion dollar deficit, and we are years away from having a budget surplus. It won’t create a single job. It’s just another fake gimmick that politicians have used for years to trick voters.”



“Georgians demand real tax cuts and a genuine plan to create jobs. They want genuine conservative leadership and genuine tax cuts.”

“This legislation is like so much of what comes from Washington politicians from both parties. It’s time for real conservative tax cuts, not more fake legislation designed to get people elected to office. “

“We need tax cuts, this year, to spur job creation, not years from now,” said Hawkins. Hawkins has led and is supporting an alternative jobs bill of tax cuts that would take immediate effect in fiscal year 2010 and would spur immediate creation of jobs. Hawkins bill, which is starting in the State House as HB 1204, will help employers begin creating jobs immediately. Hawkins will be the Senate sponsor.

Hawkins, a candidate for Georgia’s Ninth district congressional seat, further stated that last year he had supported the 2009 Senate version of the JOBS bill. “It was very different from what later passed the House, but neither 2009 version contained the $500 million surplus requirement.”

John Albers, the leading Republican candidate for State Senate District 56, was the ONLY State Senate candidate to attend a legislative committee meeting and education session regarding House Resolution 21 (Re-Creation of Milton County). North Fulton mayors, city council members and community activists packed the room.



Said Albers, “Putting politics aside, it is deeply concerning others running for the same office I seek did not make the time to attend this important session. The families of North Fulton have suffered from a lack of quality services from Fulton County for years and have my complete support. I will dedicate myself and time to re-create Milton County so our citizens can be best served.”



“Chairman Eaves of the Fulton County Commission presented his case for keeping Fulton united, but it failed quickly when Representatives Willard, Jones and Geisinger pointed out the decades of poor service and continuing mismanagement. North Fulton Mayors and Commissioner Lynne Riley set the record straight on how the North Fulton cities are better governing locally and decades of poor service from Fulton continue to loom. Senator Dan Moody also echoed the call for Milton County and as your next Senator; I’ll continue his bold leadership. I continue to hope for success this session with a positive vote and referendum. However, if not, I’ll lead a parallel process beginning immediately; to begin systematically separating key services including a separate North Fulton school district. Measures such as these will provide a quick impact until such time as we have a new Milton County and Milton County School system.”



“Being a State Senator takes a substantial commitment of time and energy, I make that commitment. I have consistently demonstrated involvement in our community. Once elected, I will work tirelessly to serve the families in North Fulton and make Milton County a reality. I look forward to being North Fulton’s customer service State Senator.”



For additional information, please contact John Albers at john@votealbers.com or (770)280-6061.
www.votealbers.com

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.