SD 21: Chip Rogers over Brandon Beach
HD 20: Michael Caldwell over Charlice Byrd
HD 21: Sean Jerguson over Scot Turner
HD 23: Mandi Ballinger
Sheriff: Roger Garrison over David Waters
Tax Commissioner: Sonya Little
BOE Chair: Janet Read over Danny Dukes
BOE Post 1: Kelly Marlow over Kyla Cromer
BOE Post 2: Patsy Jordan over Kim Cochran
And a runoff for Jim Hubbard and (maybe?) Ray Gunnin
Wednesday, August 1, 2012
Friday, July 20, 2012
Ethics complaint filed against Chip Rogers
Fox 5 Atlanta investigative report Dale Russell has reported that their has been an ethics complaint filed against Chip Rogers. Fox has a link up now to the video of the story:
http://www.myfoxatlanta.com/story/19076546/ga-republican-senate-pac-questioned
http://www.myfoxatlanta.com/story/19076546/ga-republican-senate-pac-questioned
Saturday, July 14, 2012
Rogers consistent in support of kitchen sink approach to education
Chip Rogers has drawn the ire of voters after comments about his support for vouchers at a recent debate. Support of a state-wide voucher system would likely not pass constitutional muster, highlights Rogers' disdain for public education and shows his wanton delight in forcing taxpayers to finance religious organizations.
What is left out of his rhetoric is any concrete plan - other than "kitchen sink" - to improve education. There is no evidence that broadly supports his privatize and outsource approach, whether it's charters, vouchers or virtual academies.
We need real leadership that has the political courage to look at what has worked - in the United States and worldwide. Weak-kneed corporate lackeys who can only parrot their masters' "choice" rhetoric need not apply.
What is left out of his rhetoric is any concrete plan - other than "kitchen sink" - to improve education. There is no evidence that broadly supports his privatize and outsource approach, whether it's charters, vouchers or virtual academies.
We need real leadership that has the political courage to look at what has worked - in the United States and worldwide. Weak-kneed corporate lackeys who can only parrot their masters' "choice" rhetoric need not apply.
Beach candidacy challenge tossed
Jim Galloway of the AJC reports that "Administrative law judge Ronit Walker has turned down a challenge to the candidacy of Republican Brandon Beach of Alpharetta, who is running against Senate Majority Leader Chip Rogers of Woodstock."
Read more: http://blogs.ajc.com/political-insider-jim-galloway/2012/07/12/judge-tosses-challenge-to-brandon-beach-candidacy/
Read more: http://blogs.ajc.com/political-insider-jim-galloway/2012/07/12/judge-tosses-challenge-to-brandon-beach-candidacy/
No Surprise Here, Casino Chip
Chip Rogers has signaled that he would support casino gambling. Well, why wouldn't someone who appears to have been intimately involved in the gambling world for decades be supportive?
And coverage from GPB: http://www.gpb.org/news/2012/07/12/rogers-will-vote-yes-on-gambling
And coverage from GPB: http://www.gpb.org/news/2012/07/12/rogers-will-vote-yes-on-gambling
Wednesday, July 11, 2012
Chip Rogers flip-flops on T-Splost Support
Rogers voted for the legislation, but now doesn't support the T-Splost. So what does Chip think needs to be done?
Imagine that. No road improvement for another two years. No investment in transit, just laying down more asphalt. Why is Rogers supportive of this position, when it stands in opposition to not only the governor, but many businesses? Is this more about getting re-elected than doing the right thing for Cherokee and Georgia?
Read more by clicking here (Cherokee Tribune).
"Rogers said an alternative to the referendum needs to be more about roads and less about mass transit, which accounts for more than half of the current projects.
The General Assembly can authorize another referendum on a 1 cent sales tax for transportation in two years, he said."
Imagine that. No road improvement for another two years. No investment in transit, just laying down more asphalt. Why is Rogers supportive of this position, when it stands in opposition to not only the governor, but many businesses? Is this more about getting re-elected than doing the right thing for Cherokee and Georgia?
Read more by clicking here (Cherokee Tribune).
Wednesday, July 4, 2012
Another robocall in the Cherokee School Board Chair race
There are some reports that a second robocall went out from an unknown source that was less than flattering to candidate Janet Read. Word is that some of the calls had Read's own phone number in caller identification.
Read has stated that she has requested AT&T investigate the issue...
More later.
Read has stated that she has requested AT&T investigate the issue...
More later.
Saturday, June 30, 2012
Chip Rogers and the Affordable Care Act
After the Supreme Court upheld the Affordable Care Act (aka "ObamaCare"), Senator Chip Rogers spoke out. He is quoted in the June 29, 2012 edition of the Cherokee Tribune (from a press release on his website):
What many don't know is that Rogers seems to believe that the State of Georgia should be able to do about the same thing.
In the 2007-2008 legislative session, Rogers and others proposed Senate Bill 28, or Insuring Georgia's Families Act. While the bill didn't make it past a first reading, it included:
The decision by the United States Supreme Court stands contrary to the very principles of freedom on which our nation was founded. The idea that a federal government could wield this much power and control over sovereign citizens is surely not an idea contemplated by our forefathers.The release also went on to note that Rogers and the Senate Republicans in Georgia had asserted States Rights, which failed to get past a second reading.
What many don't know is that Rogers seems to believe that the State of Georgia should be able to do about the same thing.
In the 2007-2008 legislative session, Rogers and others proposed Senate Bill 28, or Insuring Georgia's Families Act. While the bill didn't make it past a first reading, it included:
- Provision for insuring dependent children up to 27 years of age.
- Protections against rescission of coverage.
- Creation of a Georgia Health Insurance Exchange.
- Limitations on pre-existing condition denials.
- Mandate of coverage for those with incomes 3 times federal poverty level, and under 65. Those impacted must have insurance, post $10K bond or lose tax refunds, and face wage garnishment.
Wednesday, June 27, 2012
Dewrell files Mandamus against BOC
It just keeps coming...
The Cherokee Ledger-News reports that Bill Dewrell, former Woodstock mayor, has filed a Petition of Mandamus against Cherokee's Board of Commissioners.
Per the article, "[t]he filing is in regard to allegations surrounding the assets of Ball Ground Recycling, a failed venture backed by the county that is now in bankruptcy. Under the lease agreement, the operation’s assets revert to county ownership."
Read more:
http://www.ledgernews.com/news/weekly-news/1309-june-27-2012/5240-dewrell-files-court-action-against-boc
The Cherokee Ledger-News reports that Bill Dewrell, former Woodstock mayor, has filed a Petition of Mandamus against Cherokee's Board of Commissioners.
Per the article, "[t]he filing is in regard to allegations surrounding the assets of Ball Ground Recycling, a failed venture backed by the county that is now in bankruptcy. Under the lease agreement, the operation’s assets revert to county ownership."
Read more:
http://www.ledgernews.com/news/weekly-news/1309-june-27-2012/5240-dewrell-files-court-action-against-boc
Signs, Lies and "Vandalism"
The Canton Georgia Patch reports that "school board [Post 1] candidate Kelly Marlow said her neighbor was 'disturbed' by an act of election season vandalism. Turns out, the neighbor told Marlow something different."
Read the article:
http://canton-ga.patch.com/articles/school-board-candidate-accused-of-lying
Read the article:
http://canton-ga.patch.com/articles/school-board-candidate-accused-of-lying
Saturday, June 23, 2012
Cherokee Political Bloodbath
It's shaping up to be a real bloodbath, with most races involved in some sort of muckraking.
Senator Chip Rogers was outed as a sports "tout" (handicapper) at the end of qualifying in an investigative piece by Atlanta Unfiltered (summary cross-posted at The News Enterprise and Google cached copy). The article outlines Rogers' involvement in the "industry," and with his erstwhile associate John Edens, of the "Meth 6" motel controversy.
The broadcast media also picked up the story, leading to the Georgia Christian Coalition asking Rogers to step down from his leadership position, and another group of public education advocates asking him to step down, period.
One of Rogers' handicapping "friends" posted a Youtube video you must see. Doesn't say much for Rogers and is especially critical of his association with John Edens.
Rumors are circulating, however, and nobody knows what will be next. Brandon Beach is challenging Rogers.
Rogers was recently shouted down at the political forum at Cagle's Dairy, when he attempted to rebut a point by Beach. Rebuttal was not allowed under the rules of the event, although one local Tea Party leader, Conrad Quagliaroli, fails to note same in a Facebook post.
And of course, Rogers' campaign is again being told he can't use the logos of various university teams.
The Cherokee Tax Commissioner race has been another bloody one, with allegations by challenger Kenny Phelps that incumbent Sonia Little filed bankruptcy, and more.
Former anti-gay activist and Canton Tea Party chair Carolyn Cosby is decrying a bond issue she's called the Bobo Boondoggle, alleging that commissioners are complicit in the creation of the Resource Recovery Development Authority, which salvaged Jimmy Bobo's mulch business with a bond issue back in 2005, and is now having to pay for it since Bobo has defaulted. Only problem is, they fail to mention at least one individual who figured centrally in the deal, Michael Byrd (that's Rep. Charlice Byrd's husband), who was then Chairman of the Board of Commissioners.
Cosby's group (and others) are targeting commissioners Jim Hubbard (who's up this cycle) and Harry Johnston (who's not). Attorney Channing Ruskell and Raymond Gunnin are running against Hubbard, with Ruskell the Tea Party favorite, according to a flyer distributed by Cosby's group.
Commissioner Karen Bosch, also targeted and who's decided not to run, has filed an ethics charge against Cosby et al, which seems to be moving forward.
The Cherokee Sheriff race between incumbent Roger Garrison and challenger David Waters (who's a Tea Party "favorite") just got uglier. Photos of Garrison in KKK garb at a costume party some 30 years ago have surfaced. Rumor has it that Waters was behind the release, although it's suspected others were involved as well.
Challenger Waters denies he's the source of the photos.
The school board races aren't quite as ugly as the above, although Danny Dukes, who's running for School Board Chair, is alleged to have sent some nasty robo-calls that target Janet Read, a current board member who's running for the same slot. There are at least three groups that are supporters of public education; the pro-charter groups are there, but operating less publicly.
There's rumor that Independent Committee "Grassroots Conservatives of Cherokee County" - which has been heavily funded from Chip Rogers' campaign account - is behind some of the ruckus. This organization, which appears to have filed no disclosures, is run by Robert Trim, who was arrested for violating Georgia election law in the early 2000's, and Bill Dewrell, ex-mayor of Woodstock, Georgia. Cosby is known to attend the group's meetings on a regular basis.
Senator Chip Rogers was outed as a sports "tout" (handicapper) at the end of qualifying in an investigative piece by Atlanta Unfiltered (summary cross-posted at The News Enterprise and Google cached copy). The article outlines Rogers' involvement in the "industry," and with his erstwhile associate John Edens, of the "Meth 6" motel controversy.
The broadcast media also picked up the story, leading to the Georgia Christian Coalition asking Rogers to step down from his leadership position, and another group of public education advocates asking him to step down, period.
One of Rogers' handicapping "friends" posted a Youtube video you must see. Doesn't say much for Rogers and is especially critical of his association with John Edens.
Rumors are circulating, however, and nobody knows what will be next. Brandon Beach is challenging Rogers.
And of course, Rogers' campaign is again being told he can't use the logos of various university teams.
The Cherokee Tax Commissioner race has been another bloody one, with allegations by challenger Kenny Phelps that incumbent Sonia Little filed bankruptcy, and more.
Former anti-gay activist and Canton Tea Party chair Carolyn Cosby is decrying a bond issue she's called the Bobo Boondoggle, alleging that commissioners are complicit in the creation of the Resource Recovery Development Authority, which salvaged Jimmy Bobo's mulch business with a bond issue back in 2005, and is now having to pay for it since Bobo has defaulted. Only problem is, they fail to mention at least one individual who figured centrally in the deal, Michael Byrd (that's Rep. Charlice Byrd's husband), who was then Chairman of the Board of Commissioners.
Cosby's group (and others) are targeting commissioners Jim Hubbard (who's up this cycle) and Harry Johnston (who's not). Attorney Channing Ruskell and Raymond Gunnin are running against Hubbard, with Ruskell the Tea Party favorite, according to a flyer distributed by Cosby's group.
Commissioner Karen Bosch, also targeted and who's decided not to run, has filed an ethics charge against Cosby et al, which seems to be moving forward.
The Cherokee Sheriff race between incumbent Roger Garrison and challenger David Waters (who's a Tea Party "favorite") just got uglier. Photos of Garrison in KKK garb at a costume party some 30 years ago have surfaced. Rumor has it that Waters was behind the release, although it's suspected others were involved as well.
The school board races aren't quite as ugly as the above, although Danny Dukes, who's running for School Board Chair, is alleged to have sent some nasty robo-calls that target Janet Read, a current board member who's running for the same slot. There are at least three groups that are supporters of public education; the pro-charter groups are there, but operating less publicly.
There's rumor that Independent Committee "Grassroots Conservatives of Cherokee County" - which has been heavily funded from Chip Rogers' campaign account - is behind some of the ruckus. This organization, which appears to have filed no disclosures, is run by Robert Trim, who was arrested for violating Georgia election law in the early 2000's, and Bill Dewrell, ex-mayor of Woodstock, Georgia. Cosby is known to attend the group's meetings on a regular basis.
Saturday, February 11, 2012
Cherokee BOC cuts ties to Tea Party group
From a Cherokee Tribune article dated February 9, 2012:
"The Cherokee County Board of Commissioners has ended its relationship with a self-appointed citizens committee the board earlier agreed to partner with to find ways to cut county spending.
The commission voted unanimously at its meeting Tuesday to cut ties with the Review and Recommendations Committee to Assist County Government, which formed late last summer to offer ideas on how the government should spend taxpayer dollars.
The motion came after County Commission Chairman Buzz Ahrens expressed concerns about the committee’s direction. The issue was not on the agenda and came as a surprise to committee members."
[snip]
"Carolyn Cosby, the chairwoman of the committee, said Tuesday after the meeting she was shocked by the commission’s decision and labeled the decision as “an insult to the citizens of this county.”
She also said she took the commission’s decision as the body declaring it doesn’t “want our spending agenda interrupted.”
“The Citizens’ Committee has been at odds with the commissioners almost from the beginning,” she said. “Ahrens has been highly critical of the committee and agreed to the formation of the committee only under citizen pressure.”
Cosby also took issue with Ahrens’ assertion that the committee’s sole focus was the ceasing of all parks bond spending.
Cosby said the committee “refuted” the parks bond initiative because it was just another “Washington-style, tax-and-spend policy.”
She also called parks bond spending as “optional” and said she believed it would have been best for the commission to hold off parks bond spending until the economy full recovers.
She said the committee had plans to discuss the county’s pension plan as well as land use as ways to reduce costs."
"The Cherokee County Board of Commissioners has ended its relationship with a self-appointed citizens committee the board earlier agreed to partner with to find ways to cut county spending.
The commission voted unanimously at its meeting Tuesday to cut ties with the Review and Recommendations Committee to Assist County Government, which formed late last summer to offer ideas on how the government should spend taxpayer dollars.
The motion came after County Commission Chairman Buzz Ahrens expressed concerns about the committee’s direction. The issue was not on the agenda and came as a surprise to committee members."
[snip]
"Carolyn Cosby, the chairwoman of the committee, said Tuesday after the meeting she was shocked by the commission’s decision and labeled the decision as “an insult to the citizens of this county.”
She also said she took the commission’s decision as the body declaring it doesn’t “want our spending agenda interrupted.”
“The Citizens’ Committee has been at odds with the commissioners almost from the beginning,” she said. “Ahrens has been highly critical of the committee and agreed to the formation of the committee only under citizen pressure.”
Cosby also took issue with Ahrens’ assertion that the committee’s sole focus was the ceasing of all parks bond spending.
Cosby said the committee “refuted” the parks bond initiative because it was just another “Washington-style, tax-and-spend policy.”
She also called parks bond spending as “optional” and said she believed it would have been best for the commission to hold off parks bond spending until the economy full recovers.
She said the committee had plans to discuss the county’s pension plan as well as land use as ways to reduce costs."
Monday, February 6, 2012
Why is Chip Rogers spreading John Birch conspiracy theories about the New World Order?
Wow! Chip's really outdone himself now...
Going after "the destructive and insidious nature of the United Nations Agenda 21."
Read the resolution: http://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/en-US/Display/20112012/SR/730
Going after "the destructive and insidious nature of the United Nations Agenda 21."
Read the resolution: http://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/en-US/Display/20112012/SR/730
Sunday, January 29, 2012
Here's what the head of the Canton Tea Party sent out
UPDATE: The AJC reports that the administrative law judge has ruled that Obama is eligible to be a candidate for President of the United States on the Georgia ballot.
Carolyn Cosby, head of the Canton Tea Party, and whose Facebook profile includes "John Birch Society" amongst her likes, recently sent an e-mail that seems to indicate strong birther tendencies. Here it is, without the forwarded blather.
PATRIOTS!
Carolyn Cosby, head of the Canton Tea Party, and whose Facebook profile includes "John Birch Society" amongst her likes, recently sent an e-mail that seems to indicate strong birther tendencies. Here it is, without the forwarded blather.
PATRIOTS!
It happened... after serious death threats to witnesses...
Natural free-born Americans had their day in court!!!
OBAMA's citizenship status was CREDIBLY challenged in GA court!
Read all about this HISTORIC EVENT below.
One action item: CALL Secretary of State Rep Brian Kemp
404-656-2881
1. THANK HIM FOR HIS COURAGE!!!
2.URGE HIM TO DENY OBAMA BALLOT STATUS!!!
3. WRITE LETTERS TO THE EDITOR!!!
Conservative Republicans and the so-called "birthers" who have suffered unending mockery are RIGHT!!!
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
A challenger for Sean Jerguson
Scot Turner, erstwhile host of the "3 Scotches" podcast, has thrown his hat in the ring, running against incumbent Sean Jerguson in the new (well, not very) State House District 21 (was 22 previously).
Friday, January 13, 2012
Why is Chip Rogers giving Bill Dewrell so much money?
Chip's been donating in large amounts to former Woodstock mayor Bill Dewrell's various political groups and companies. On 5/16/2011, 7/1/2011, and then 11/25/2011 he gave Bill's independent committee, Grassroots Conservatives of Cherokee, a total of $11,900. Click here to see those expenditures. Then, again on 11/25/2011, he gave Dewrell's company, The Zoning Group LLC, $5,900. Click here for that one.
I think almost $18,000 is a lot of money. How about you?
I think almost $18,000 is a lot of money. How about you?
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