The Citizen Newsletter

The Conservative Voice of Henry County

Issue # 370

October 20, 2012

"What you leave behind is not what is engraved in stone monuments, but what is woven into the lives of others." Pericles

News about the Henry County Board of In This Issue:

Page Feature 2 3 4 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 McDonough Ballot Issue Candy Crowley: Journalistic Integrity? Public Charter Schools Another Obama Myth Mayor R. W. Coley Advance Voting Locations Presidential Debate Round 2 Clayton County Out of Food Stamps Why I Voted Yes to Amendment 1 Election Time in Henry County

Commission Chair race Forum at Fairview Elementary on Saturday. Republican Tommy Smiths Democrat opponent was a no show so there was one empty chair on the panel.

Wow, another empty chair!?!?! Elect Tommy Smith Henry County BoC Chairman

Over 61,000 reads at Scribd.com

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Hey Henry, to the politician who is against Charter Schools and unhappy with our Governor. You must be very proud of the Clayton and DeKalb County School Boards. Maybe the Governor sees what you refuse to see.

View or download at

~ Hey Henry is a feature of Henry County Times

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City of McDonough ballot issue

Do you know what a Charter is? Any clue about the difference between a "strong mayor" government and a "weak mayor" government? The City of McDonough will host an informational town hall open to the public on Thursday, October 25 at 7pm in the Council Chambers. An objective, independent third party will be on hand to discuss the pros and cons of Senate Bill 537 (aka the Charter Change Bill) and answer your questions as they relate to this important special election vote on November 6.

Sandra Vincent, McDonough District 2 council member and candidate for re-election explained the ballot question.
Many people don't know that the Council was told in January 2012 that it was operating under an invalid charter because the actions which removed the administrative powers from the Mayor and transferred them to the City Administrator in 2003 were done so under "home rule" by way of ordinance. Home rule allows for changes to your charter, but when the change alters your form of government then the change must go before the General Assembly. This did not happen. So for 9 years the City of McDonough has been conducting governing itself under laws which were implemented by Ordinance. When we were told this, the Council wanted to submit to the general assembly the changes which took place in 2003. The Mayor did not want those changes submitted. He wanted to submit a resolution which included everything but the transference of the administrative powers to the City Administrator. McDonough hasn't operated under a Strong Mayor form of government where the Mayor handles day to day operations since Mayor Copeland first left office in 1997. This referendum specifically asks if the administrative powers of the Mayor should be given to the City Administrator. Which leads everyone to believe that we currently have a Strong Mayor form of government and someone is trying to take

his power.

Mayor Copeland left as a Strong Mayor and returned to a hybrid form of government in 2006 where the City Administrator handled day-to-day operations on behalf of Mayor and Council. At present and all the way back to 2006 the Mayor has only served in an Administrative capacity when we were hiring a City Administrator. I feel like the citizens are being tricked into giving a Mayor powers which have long been removed. What Mayor Copeland proposed was that we send the charter to the legislature void of the changes made by ordinance in 2003. This in essence would return his position to that of a Strong Mayor. So when the charter was submitted to the General Assembly with the inclusion of the

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ordinance the General Assembly sent the portion designating the powers to the City Administrator back for the citizens to decide upon. When we vote no, we will reinstate a Strong Mayor form of government and that is why I am saying that citizens are being misled. An honest approach to the issue of an invalid charter would be to honor the actions of the 2003 Mayor and Council by ratifying their changes legally. That's my position and the one which seems to be causing so much consternation.

Comments from McDonough resident and businessman Beau Kelley:

McDonough District 2 City Council Candidate Sandra Vincent is leading the campaign to convince city voters to vote "yes" to Senate Bill 537 (aka the McDonough Charter Change Bill), which would transfer the existing administrative powers and duties of the elected mayor to a hired city administrator. As you can read on the Special Election ballot itself, this would be a written change to our current form of government. In recent days Vincent has posted that those citizens who wish to keep the Mayor's administrative role intact (and are advocating voting "no" to SB 537) are manipulating the public with misinformation for their own personal gain. I encourage everyone to educate themselves on this important measure independently of the divisive remarks being made by some. This is your community. This is your city. This is your form of government by the people for the people. The argument is that the 2003 City Council intended to change the charter back then. However, they didn't follow proper procedure. There also were not any public hearings. So, in essence, we are being asked today to ratify something from 2003 that was never the will of the people. It may have been the will of the city council, but we can never say it was the will of the people.

Atlanta resident JUSTIN PHILLIPS, WHOSE HOMETOWN IS MCDONOUGH, wrote:

Why would a city not want an elected official to have some sort of control over the government he/she is running? Would you want a Boss to not have control over his/her company? A quarterback not having control of his offense? A chef in control of his/her kitchen? A pastor in control of his/her congregation? I am not sure I understand the reasoning from all opponents of voting no except that "its been done this way since 2003, we need to vote it in because nothing has changed"... No one is giving me facts or reasons a Mayor should not be in charge of day to day operations. No one has stated that at all. Its not about what his duties are now, its about what the people think should happen. Tell me why any mayor (not just Mayor Copeland) should not be involved in operating our city.

The Citizens observations: The fact remains that the city council had no authority in 2003 to grant

authority of the mayor to the City Administrator. The council violated the Charter and the city has worked under that ever since. What I do believe is the advocates should fully and properly educate voters before attempting a charter change. Until all the pros and cons are aired I would say leave the Charter intact.
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JOURNALISTIC INTEGRITY??
Candy Crowley, (born December 26, 1948) is an American news anchor currently employed as CNN's chief political correspondent, moderated the presidential debate on October 16th. Her performance was a farce. Democrats loved her. Republicans assailed her agenda. Candy Crowley injected herself forcefully into the debate between President Obama and Mitt Romney. Read more at HTTP://WWW.THEDAILYBEAST.COM/ARTICLES/2012/10/17/CANDY-CROWLEY-INJECTS-HERSELF-INTO-THE-PRESIDENTIALDEBATE.HTML. Jim Hoft of THE GATEWAY PUNDIT put together a nice list of reasons why Candy Crowley should resign. 1. She gave Barack Obama 9% more time. 2. She interrupted Mitt Romney 28 times during the debate, Obama only 9 times. 3. Her questions were picked to help Obama. 4. She asked Romney to compare himself to Bush but not Obama to Carter. 5. She corrected Mitt Romney even though she was wrong. 6. She contaminated the debate with her views. 7. Crowley's false fact check saved Obama. 8. She injected herself into the hottest part of the debate. 9. She told Mitt Romney to "sit down" during a heated exchange. 10. She showed her bias against Romney.
Read more at
HTTP://WWW.REAGANCOALITION.COM/ARTICLES/2012/20121017006-CROWLEYRESIGN.HTML#QB6DP8R6H0TJMK56.99

By Tony Quinn

Amendment 1 Public Charter Schools

CHARTER SCHOOLS? Here we go.. I have a copy of the Proposed Constitutional Amendments. Section 3, please read: A Charter School SHALL: "Operate under the terms of a charter between: The State Board of Education AND "NOT include religious or for profit schools". So, to my conservative friends you don't have to worry about your kid being taught Sharia Law. My dear teachers, you don't have to worry about NOT getting your pension or losing your job or benefits. Remember, all children do not learn the same. Because the results of "no child left behind" is "NO TEACHER LEFT STANDING". No parent wants to see their child struggling in a school that isn't working out well. Some students need a different setting. Charter schools give parents and students another option. Public Charter Schools are tuition free and accept all students, just like public schools. AND AS THE AMENDMENT SAYS: The State Board of Education has to approve it. For example, I have heard great things about Dalton, GA's Career Academy. Every city in GA
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needs a school choice like this! Teachers and administrators want their students to succeed. Teachers in Public Charter Schools have to meet certain requirements, but have more flexibility in what they teach and how they teach it. I had a Public School Teacher say if she was here she would hug my neck today for helping her understand it. She said, this is my answer to the 26 of 28 Latino children in my class, "no child" is killing me. Likewise Public Charter School Administrators have the ability to restructure the school schedule and make other changes that help students learn more effectively.

In addressing the Senator Emanuel Jones/charter amendment issue, we could not leave out the fact that his own children have attended Woodward Academy, by far the most expensive private school on the south side of Atlanta, for years. That fact by itself should make everyone who hears about his position burst out laughing.

The Observer, Sat 13 Oct 2012

Barack Obama's presidency 'has not helped cause of black people in US' Far from ushering in a new post-racial age, say studies, historic election did not lead to advancement of civil rights. Barack Obama's election win in 2008 was hailed by some as ushering in a post-racial age in the US. However, recent books and surveys have shown that black American progress has often either halted or declined. From increasing segregation in the workplace, to hundreds of thousands of young black men in prison, to stuttering levels of black voting and a black middle class sent into reverse by the recession, the election of America's first black president and his fight to win a second term seem to have had little impact on any of this. Some of the most shocking revelations are detailed in a new book called Invisible Men by sociology professor Becky Pettit from the University of Washington. Pettit realised that many surveys conducted by government agencies exclude people in the prison population from their research and findings. When Pettit added them in, she found that it dramatically altered the picture of the status of black America, as the number of black Americans in jail is disproportionately high. About half of the 2.3 million people in US prisons are black. The results of Pettit's work, some argue, have exploded what she calls "the myth of black progress" since the civil rights era of the 1960s.
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"This work dispels the notion that we live in a post-racial society. It not only deconstructs the myth of black progress, but also the myth of American progress overall," said Inimai Chettiar, a director at the Brennan Centre for Justice at New York University's school of law.
Continue reading at HTTP://M.GUARDIANNEWS.COM/WORLD/2012/OCT/13/BARACK-OBAMA-PRESIDENCY-BLACKPEOPLE?CAT=WORLD&TYPE=ARTICLE

Condolences to the family of Hampton Mayor R.W. Coley.

The visitation for Mayor Coley was held, Thursday, October 18 from 5-8pm at Haisten Funeral Home, 1745 South Zack Hinton Parkway in McDonough. The Funeral was Friday, October 19, at 11am, also at Haisten Funeral Home. A graveside service was held at Berea Cemetery in Hampton immediately following the funeral service.
I lost the best friend I had in Hampton this morning, and Hampton lost one of the best friends it had. R. W. Coley served this City well for many years and he will truly be missed. He was a gentleman, a gentle man, honest and forthright. The City has lost one of the greatest men in contemporary Hampton. ~ Arley Lowe

Advance Voting Location & Times

ELECTION DAY - November 6
October 22nd 26th
26th 7:00 am - 7:00 pm Main Office - 345 Phillips Dr. McDonough, GA 30253 Ted Strickland Community Center 130 W Berry St. Stockbridge, GA 30281

October 27th -Saturday

9:00 am - 4:00 pm Main office - 345 Phillips Dr. McDonough, GA 30253 Ted Strickland Community Center 130 W Berry St. Stockbridge, GA 30281 Fairview Library 28 Austin Rd. Stockbridge, GA 30281

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October 29th - November 2nd

7:00 am - 7:00 pm Main Office - 345 Phillips Dr. McDonough, GA 30253 Ted Strickland Community Center 130 W Berry St. Stockbridge, GA 30281 Fairview Library 28 Austin Rd. Stockbridge, GA 30281 The Depot 17 E Main St. Hampton, GA 30228 Locust Grove Recreation Center 10 Cleveland St. Locust Grove, GA 30248

Presidential Debate Round 2

On Wednesday morning most news shows extolled The Comeback Kid, saying Obama was winner handsdown over Romney. Just as expected, the MSM simply could not have their boy losing two debates in a row. Facts are that Romney lost points when he failed to capture the moment of Candy Crowleys interjection, and when he would drive too deeply into details. His presentation was best when speaking directly to the audience or individuals about their questions.

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It is fair to say that Obama won on points, although he was unable to defend his record or tenure. Obama also lied about the Benghazi terrorist attack and the shifting stories that came from the White House. But its a fact that Romney won on honesty, facts and deliberate communication of his plans and strategies for the future. By Wednesday afternoon even the liberal mainstream media were calling the debate a win for Governor Mitt Romney.

MARYANN PARKES WYATT wrote:

I am really tired of arguing with people about this election. I understand that everyone doesn't think the same as me. But my God, when the facts are staring you in the face and you still defend a lame position, I don't know what to do. The people voting for Obama seem to be coming from a place of fear, of losing something? Maybe you should let it go and see what that looks like. If we don't get our Economy back on track and create jobs to pay for your free stuff, you are going to lose it! ALL OF IT! Even your Obamaphones. Jeez!

McDonough Matters Newsletters are now available at the address below:

HTTP://WWW.MCDONOUGHGA.ORG/NEWSLETTERS_MEDIA.HTML

also Visit the Main Street McDonough Program web site:

WWW .MAINSTREETMCDONOUGH.COM

Fox5 News Reports

Georgia Runs Out of Food Stamps CLAYTON COUNTY, Ga. -- Anger and frustration from dozens of Clayton County parents who say their children are going hungry after their food stamps were suddenly cut off. State officials admit that something went wrong down in Clayton County at the office that administers food stamps and Medicaid but they're still not sure what.
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Parents say they can't buy food without those food stamps.
HTTP://WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/WATCH?V=UFK7IXDXC-C&FEATURE =SHARE

BILL KASPER wrote:

46% think Obama is doing the best job with taxes. Amazingly close to the 47% who Romney identified as not paying any.

Why I Voted Yes to Amendment 1 Public Charter Schools

By Larry Stanley

Local boards will act out and spend our tax dollars to launch law suits. Our children do not need turf wars launched by local BoEs in efforts to maintain their monopoly over education. Kids need their parents to have a choice. This amendment is about providing a choice and a little competition to the local BoE - Boards of Entitlement. The Henry BoE denied a charter petition by the Heron Bay Founding Board in 2009, listing concerns about funding sources and attendance zone. Heron Bay, in turn, petitioned the Georgia Charter Schools Commission that summer to override the local decision. The commission created under the Charter Schools Commission Act of 2008 did just that, approving the charter in December. Henrys school board answered by filing suit with the Griffin-Spalding County school board in February 2010. The suit challenged the constitutionality of the commission as a decision-maker on a local issue. School boards in the City of Atlanta, DeKalb and Gwinnett counties and around the state brought legal protests to the law that created the commission as well. Our State Attorney General and Conservative Supreme Court Justice David Nahmias say that without a constitutional amendment the Court will have no choice but to rule against the State Board if local systems sue again.

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No parent wants to see their child struggling in a school that isn't working out well. Some students need a different setting. Charter schools give parents and students another option. Public Charter Schools are tuition free and accept all students, just like public schools. Teachers in Public Charter Schools have to meet certain requirements, but have more flexibility in what they teach and how they teach it. Public Charter School Administrators have the ability to restructure the school schedule and make other changes that help students learn more effectively. I hired outside tutors for my son when his high school administration circled the wagons and threw counselors at the problem. The bureaucracy begs for competition and Amendment 1 will provide it. I am all about fiscal responsibility. Just try to enforce it with a local school board. They are untouchable. Henry County BoE works with a $500,000,000 budget - and has proven they will launch law suits. Neither I nor other parents can pay to fight that monopoly. And, today we have no choice for our childrens education. I don't trust local control any more. Every aspect of the environment is dictated with dedication to the fad du jour and methodologies prescribed by Washington or Atlanta bureaucrats. After all, federal and state tax dollars are mothers milk to the BoEs. They are more concerned with the money than the child. As yet all I have heard is to continue the status quo until maybe, some day we can get a voucher system, or opposition because our tax dollars (government) is in play and government is bad. Middle class Americans who cannot afford private schools already have tax dollars on the table. My desire is to gain some choice in how it is spent. While we debate the purity of Amendment 1 and better ways to remedy turf wars launched by local BoEs, we will miss an opportunity to act. Sounds just like folks who do not want Obama, but say they will not vote for Romney. Pick your poison because failure to act only continues the status quo.

Hey Yall, Its Election Time in Henry County

I went over to Phillips Drive in McDonough the other day and did my early voting. I encourage you to do the same, just as soon as you can. This is an important election nationally; but, we have some local races that are some of the most important in our history. I live in the third commission district so I didn't have to vote for commissioner because my friend Gary Barham doesn't have opposition. I did get to vote in three other races locally that are contested. For Commission Chairman I enthusiastically cast my vote for Tommy Smith. I've known Tommy all my life and I assure you he is straight as an arrow. Tommy will always do and say what he thinks is right, come hell or high water, and he will make a great chairman for Henry County. Rick Jeffares is one of the best state senators Henry County has ever sent to Atlanta. Rick was raised on a farm out in Beersheba, east of Ola, and he knows Henry County. We are blessed to have someone of his character and ability representing us. In the district attorney race, Jim Wright is a man who will carry on the Henry County traditions of justice, fairness, truth and openness. Jim has many years of experience and is fully ready to take over the office from Tommy Floyd.

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In the other commission races I would have voted for the republicans if I could have. You may know my family has been Republican in Henry County since the days of Bo Callaway and Barry Goldwater in the 1960's, when republicans here were as scarce as hens teeth, and we need those conservative principals in Henry County more now than ever. Now is the time for all good men, and women, to come to the aid of our beloved county. Don't wait for election day, get on over to Phillips Drive and vote. Our future depends on it. Sincerely, Gene Morris, Jr.

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