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TODAY'S ISSUE
Two party chairmen
say why voters should back parties
(Editor's
Note: The chairs of the Gwinnett Democratic and Republican Parties
were asked to give their views on why Gwinnettians should support
their nominees. Here are their views.-EEB)
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TODAY'S ISSUE
Georgia Democrats
merit re-election
By Steve Reilly
Chairman
Gwinnett Democratic Party
Special to GwinnettForum.com
OCT. 29, 2002 -- Important decisions await us at the polls
in November. On the most critical issues, Georgia Democrats
led by Governor Roy Barnes have provided effective leadership,
giving Georgians reason to vote Democratic this fall.
Reilly |
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Even as the national economy has slowed over the past eighteen
months, Georgia has remained in better shape economically
than much of the country. Georgia's fiscal house remains in
order without any significant tax increases or reductions
in state services.
Even Republican State Senate Minority Leader Eric Johnson
was quoted in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution on January
23, 2002 as stating that "(f)undamentally, Georgia's
policies have been responsible, and our bond rating (AAA)
is justified." Much of the credit for these developments
lies with Governor Roy Barnes, as well as with the General
Assembly led by Georgia Democrats.
During his tenure as Governor, Roy Barnes has:
… Provided bold leadership in addressing a number of
major issues, particularly in education.
… Spearheaded major initiatives in the drive to improve
Georgia's public education system.
… Embarked on a significant program to reform and improve
our public schools in the grades K-12.
… Initiated the largest school construction program in
Georgia history at over half a billion dollars.
… Focused on reducing the student-teacher ratio in our
public school classrooms, a key to greater learning.
Georgia Democrats have provided significant tax relief for
Georgians. Governor Barnes has cut property taxes on homes
and family farms by increasing Georgia's homestead exemption.
The conservative Cato Institute, a Washington policy group
affiliated with the Libertarian Party, last month rated Governor
Barnes as the third most effective tax-cutting governor in
the nation.
To combat suburban sprawl that confronts the metro Atlanta/North
Georgia area, the Governor created the Georgia Regional Transportation
Authority, or GRTA, to bring a needed regional concept to
land-use planning and transportation in fast growing urban
and suburban areas.
The governor has also tackled tough regional clean air and
water management issues. moved Georgia toward more efficient
transportation alternatives, and moved forward in water rights
negotiations with Alabama and Florida to assure Georgians
of sufficient future water resources.
In Georgia's U. S. Senate race, Senator Max Cleland has provided
a moderate voice in Washington combined with progressive leadership.
As a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, Cleland
has been a careful and reliable decision-maker during the
war on terrorism. He has supported increases in military spending
and salary/benefits for our military members and their families.
While Republicans try to portray him as a liberal, Max Cleland
has instead been an independent voice in the U. S. Senate.
Cleland voted for the President's 1.3 trillion dollar tax
cut package, working with Georgia Senator Zell Miller and
other Senate moderates to refine the bill to a more reasonable
final version that passed in the Senate
Senator Cleland has been a consistent supporter of environmental
protection laws. The Georgia Sierra Club has lauded Cleland
for his record on environmental issues.
Clearly, Democrats have enjoyed an impressive record in Georgia.
Despite Republican campaign rhetoric, the truth is a matter
of record. Progressive Democratic leadership has been good
for Georgia and its citizens.
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Democrats do
not
deserve re-election
By Buzz Brockway
Chairman
Gwinnett Republican Party
Special to GwinnettForum.com
OCT. 25, 2002 -- In the race for Governor and other State
races: Do the Democrats deserve to once again be given control
of the government of the State of Georgia?
Based on the results we've seen over the last century, I
would say "No."
Brockway |
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The Governor has been successful is getting his agenda through
the State Legislature, but is it the right agenda for Georgia?
His education plan claimed to reduce class sizes, but it also
removed teaching assistants from the classroom. While the
overall class sizes may indeed be getting smaller, the teacher-to-student
ratio has actually increased.
Does this improve the learning environment? I would say it
does not. Sonny Perdue will work with teachers to improve
our schools by providing local control and raising educational
standards.
Traffic is always a major concern in places like Gwinnett,
and the Governor has put together a plan to deal with the
projected growth of our region. However, by the Governor's
own admission, traffic will be worse after the plan is implemented.
We need a plan that actually addresses the problems.
Clearly new ideas and new leadership is needed in State Government.
The Republican Party has unified behind a "Declaration
of a New Georgia" that outlines Republican plans to address
many of the problems our state faces:
- Republicans will strengthen education through higher
standards and more local control. We will restore honor
and integrity to state government.
- Republicans will build a transportation system for the
21st century by focusing state transportation funds where
congestion is worst.
- Republicans will protect the equality of voting rights
by drawing legislative district maps that respect local
communities and protect the equality of voters.
More details about the "Declaration of a New Georgia"
are available at www.georgiagop.org.
In the race for the U.S. Senate: Does our incumbent Senator
truly represent the ideals and values of the people of Georgia?
I would say that he is out of step with most Georgians. His
votes to revoke the Boy Scouts Charter and against a ban on
partial birth abortion show just how out of the mainstream
he is. Saxby Chambliss will work with President Bush to strengthen
our economy and provide security for our nation.
These are just two of the many reasons Gwinnettians should
vote Republican in this coming elections. It will bring a
new day---one full of vigor and good, solid ideas----to the
Empire State of the South.
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THOUGHT
FOR THE DAY:
Consider acting
your shoe size
"Act your shoe size, not your age."
-- Amir Malayery, a senior at Collins Hill High
at the Gwinnett Great Day of Service kick-off, Oct.
24, 2002, as he issued a plea for adults to be more
enthusiastic in service.
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ELLIOTT
BRACK
October
24 is day to remember in Gwinnett
for Great Day of Service and new ballroom
By
Elliott Brack
editor and publisher
GwinnettForum.com
OCT. 29, 2002 -- Mark down the date of October 24, 2002. It may
be a day Gwinnett comes to consider a "red letter" day.
With the terrific outpouring of volunteers for the third annual
Great Day of Service, Gwinnett stepped to the forefront of communities
in the nation that dramatically show they care. And with the opening
of the 1,500 seat ballroom on Friday, Gwinnett moved into a new
era of facilities in Metro Atlanta for large gatherings.
Both these events are noteworthy, and impressive. Both show something
of the Gwinnett spirit, the can-do attitude, the "difference,"
that makes Gwinnett something special.
The Great Day of Service stems from Paige Havens of the Gwinnett
University Center. Conceiving the idea of a community helping itself,
she cobbled together 10 projects and got 100 people to volunteer
their time on a single day in 2000. Last year she found 20 agencies
needing assistance, and got 1,000 people to offer their help.
The year 2002 was monumental in scope, as 147 worthy projects were
identified, and some 4,400 people turned out to paint, scrub, plant,
wash, teach and perform the hands-on help that moves the Gwinnett
community forward. On top of that, with Gwinnett students at 30
schools joining in by contributing canned goods, the total number
of people involved this year hit 47,400! Can you imagine!
Perhaps other communities have similar outpouring of community
volunteerism. We would like to hear of others.
Now Gwinnett can issues challenges to other areas to see if their
communities can produce as much manpower for their community as
does the Gwinnett Great Day of Service. Gwinnett's initial outpouring
of community assistance could lead to a nationwide "Great Day
of Service."
* * * * *
At the opening of the new ballroom at the Civic Center, one guy
got surprised. He was Tommy Hughes of Buford, the former county
commissioner. He has spearheaded the Gwinnett Convention and Visitor's
Bureau, and the Gwinnett Civic and Cultural Center as chairman of
both operations.
At this first event in the new ballroom, Commission Chairman Wayne
Hill announced that the ballroom would bear Mr. Hughes name, in
recognition of his dedication and hard work in moving the Center
forward.
It is a fitting tribute, for without Tommy Hughes continued commitment
to this project, and his desire to see it improved, the project
could have languished.
The announcement caught Mr. Hughes by surprise, and brought tears
to his eyes. It reminded onlookers of a similar surprise announcement,
when the Gwinnett Water Reclamation Plant was named in honor of
Mr. Hill. You may remember that Broadcaster Jay Leno made fun of
Mr. Hill's tears at the naming of what amounts to a sewage treatment
plant for him.
Tommy Hughes will have to go a long way to get the mileage out
of the tears that Mr. Hill did. Tommy Hughes has worked long and
hard on improving the Civic Center. The ballroom naming shows the
community's appreciation for his efforts.
Mr. Hughes and other Gwinnettians will also be proud in a few months,
when the Gwinnett Arena is in operation. The ballroom and arena
together, funded by revenue bonds guaranteed by the hotel-motel
tax, amounts to a new $90 million addition to the Civic Center,
leapfrogging it to a major spot among Atlanta's public facilities.
Both these events happened October 24, 2002. That date will go
down as a significant date in the development of Gwinnett County.
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ABOUT
OUR SPONSORS
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to you at no cost to readers. Today's sponsor is Howard
Brothers, which has outlets in Duluth, Norcross and Oakwood.
John and Doug Howard are the owners/operators of the Howard Brothers
stores, which specialize in hardware, outdoor power equipment
and parts and service.
For a list of other sponsors of this forum, go to: http://www.gwinnettforum.com/about/sponsors.htm.
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FEEDBACK:
10/29: Wants to set
record straight on story
Editor, the Forum:
Someone needs to set the record straight since the Atlanta
Journal/Constitution may not have enough time to correct THEIR
article on
the District 69 Georgia House of Representatives contest between
Incumbent
Gene Callaway and former PTSA President Hugh Floyd.
The story can be found at: Access
Atlanta
When Callaway said that "... two gang members followed me
home" from his
business, he failed to mention that his business is located in
DeKalb
County, NOT Gwinnett.
He also failed to mention that when House Bill 567 was introduced
in
February 2001 (a bipartisan bill which increased the penalties
for graffiti)
by the House Special Judiciary Committee, Callaway voted against
it. He
said in committee discussion that "Georgia does not have
a gang or graffiti
problem."
Rather than being a benefit to Gwinnett, Callaway is "part
of the problem."
-- Allan Hytowitz, Voting Republican, former PTSA President,
Lilburn Middle School
10/29: Meanness
of political advertising turning him off
Editor, the Forum:
I read with much interest your article on the viciousness of
today's political advertising. Ironically, I had toyed with the
idea of submitting a letter to the Savannah Morning News about
the deluge of political ads we are receiving on all the television
stations from the candidates for major offices of both parties.
I think that most voters are getting turned off by all the flak
being thrown up by the candidates. It is definitely overkill.
They, the candidates need to tone their rhetoric down, or lots
of voters are not even going to vote for any of them. I know I
am having second thoughts about going to the polls on Nov. 5.
-- David E. Tyre, Jesup
PUBLIC
SERVICE
Here's where to find
constitutuional amendments
As a public service, GwinnettForum suggests that its readers
may want to go over the various constitutional amendments that
are on the ballot on Tuesday before they enter the polls.
The wording of the amendments can be found on the home page of
Gwinnett County, under the Elections Department. To go directly
to this page, log onto: Election
ballots
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or comments on any issue to Gwinnett
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© 2002, Gwinnett Forum.com. Gwinnett Forum
is an online community commentary for exploring pragmatic and sensible
social, political and economic approaches to improve life in Gwinnett
County, Ga. USA.
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