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Monday, July 21, 2008
Election leaves some questions unanswered
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Yea, yea, yea. I know. I saw the results.
In case you missed it, the July 15th primary ballot included questions to both Democrat and Republican voters on whether they would approve a sales tax for MARTA’s expansion into Gwinnett . The tax was narrowly defeated.
Yes: Approximately 13,639 Republicans and 10,713 Democrats or 24,352 total.
People that need to pull their heads out from where the sun don’t shine: Approximately 22,838 Republicans and 4,685 Democrats.
I cannot believe that there are roughly 27,523 people residents who are so blind and insecure as to not embrace the only viable long term solution to the one county on target to be the largest in the entire state of Georgia.
Regardless of what many believe, MARTA coming into Gwinnett is not dead. The question was regarding a sales tax to pay for it - not whether MARTA can come to Gwinnett County.
If MARTA doesn’t find its way into Gwinnett in the next few years, I hope the Feds cut off all transportation funding to the county until it does. Why continue to waste tax dollars to continue applying band-aids and feeding a problem? That makes no sense.
There was one very bright side to the primary. The Tax Allocation District (TAD) Referendum won pretty overwhelmingly in Gwinnett. Now that we have surpassed that hurdle, the TAD vote statewide becomes even more important. Lets hope that the majority of Georgians are as well educated and motivated as the 29,446 Gwinnettians were to put the right measures in place to make Gwinnett (and Georgia) a better place to be.
Along with some of the great work happening in the three Community Improvement Districts (CIDs) in the county, TADs are also very important and vital to areas, such as Southwest Gwinnett, in process of revitalization.
Because there was no clear winner in a few races, both Democrats and Republicans will be treated to a few key run off elections on August 5.
You Democrats have an interesting runoff race between former DeKalb County CEO Vernon Jones and former candidate for Lt. Gov. Jim Martin. All I am going to say about this race is, I saw the debate on WSB TV, and based on that, I think Saxby doesn’t have much to be too concerned about come November.
The race to watch in the next few weeks, is between former District 1 Commissioner Lorraine Green, and incumbent Charles Bannister for Gwinnett County Chairman.
In fact, I have already invited Lorraine and Charles to participate in an “Online Town Hall” meeting which will be featured next week. They were each sent the same three questions to answer, and their campaigns will hopefully continue responding to any other questions you may have throughout next week.
Oh, how I look forward to that.
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