Voting Suggestions for July 31 Elections

Dear Reader,

I hope that everyone who reads this has or will be voting. Here is some brief information about posts that usually receive little attention but are important.

Additionally, the very important SPLOST-T referendum is on the ballot. That one is simple, . If you are not up to speed on this . please do so by going to www.traffictruth.net.

This might well be the most important issue of the decade. You can always vote in or out officials but if this goes through you will have very little if any way to change something that will affect your lives and this area for decades. 

Here are some posts and candidates that meet the above criteria:

Cobb County Commission Chair: The current incumbent is Tim Lee. He was selected to replace the popular and competent Sam Olens who ran and won the AG's seat. He has been .

This past seven months he has made various missteps and the worst is his support of the SPLOST-T program. You can read all about this issue at the web site above or go back and read my previous columns and those of others.

My choice is former Cobb Chairman Bill Byrne Byrne was very helpful to our area of the country even though he received lots of heat from other areas. Of particular interest was his help in fighting the rail yard.

Although we ultimately lost, we did receive money from the NS railroad to build Lewis Road and the railroad was obliged to change their disastrous initial plan.

Byrne would also help end the dominance of the Cobb Chamber of Commerce which right now under Lee's leadership is simply another form of government representing special interest. You can read about that. 

Superior Court Judge. Sometimes you can make certain decisions based on the type of campaign a candidate runs. One candidate, Castellanos,
states how much he is for the victims of crime and supports law enforcement.

He brags that he has been a judge for 12 years. The problem here is that he does not say a judge for what? And what does this have to do with victims and law enforcement ie: Thefts, murder etc.

The answer is he is the County Traffic Court Judge!  That's right, the guy who sits there and says that will be $200 for some traffic offense. Obviously that has nothing to do with victims and crime.

So my vote goes to an experienced prosecutor who has some serious backing of folks who know about victims and crime but also the rights of those accused. Van Pearlburg fits the bill nicely.

Clerk of Superior Court. This position should be appointed by a panel of judges. Until or if that happens the candidates are not very outstanding so toss a coin.

State Court Judge Post2: Important. These judges make lots of important decisions so its best to have well motivated and trained persons. I think that Larry Burke. Nothing wrong with his opponent, just a better choice. 

Public Service Commission: Wish there was a better way to have these important jobs in place. The problem is that candidates have to raise lots of money to run state-wide. Guess where the money comes from? Anyway, Stan Wise has done a good job and is experienced for these very technical decisions that they have to make. 

There will also be ballot measures. Sunday alcohol sales for the County . Make your own decision on this one. 

Next time, , the back story and then a final wrap up for elections. 

Thanks for reading,

Tom Bevirt