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DEL.ICIO.USSecond thoughts on Vernon Jones and the race for the U.S. Senate
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
There are strategists who theorize that certain elected positions, however powerful, have glass ceilings.
The measures that an individual must take to hold onto the office — the arm-twisting, the rug-pulling, the ruthless enforcement of will — create resentments that sabotage any attempt at higher office.
House Speaker Glenn Richardson may be learning this lesson. Less and less is the Republican mentioned as a candidate for governor in 2010.
We may be about to find out whether the same rule also applies to the chief executive officer of DeKalb County government.
For seven stormy years, Vernon Jones has held the upper hand in DeKalb, a political cauldron bubbling in perpetual conflict between black and white, urban and suburban, north and south, Republican and Democrat.
Describing the Democrat’s reign as controversial is like saying Michael Vick demands a winning attitude from his canine squad. It doesn’t quite capture the sense of things.
Vernon Jones isn’t the first opinionated CEO of DeKalb County, a 22-year-old position with immense latitude. That honor forever belongs to a crusty bar-keep, Manuel Maloof.
But on Saturday morning, Jones became the first DeKalb County CEO to make a Democratic run for the U.S. Senate.
On the Marietta Square, Shan Clark, a teacher at Tucker High School, introduced Jones as a “credentialed, Ivy League public administration prodigy.” But he also made a backhand acknowledgement that the dynamics of DeKalb politics are likely to bleed into the statewide race.
“Some say he’s heavy-handed,” Clark said. “Well, I’m sorry. But the Georgia [General] Assembly and Manuel Maloof made the DeKalb County CEO a very powerful office in an attempt to solve mayor-city council management problems. [Jones] sets the monthly agenda. He takes a large role in appointments and project bids, and we have benefited.”
Politics is the continuation of warfare by other means. Two figures who have clashed with Jones, former DeKalb County police chief Eddie Moody and ex-DeKalb prosecutor J. Tom Morgan, have given cash to one of Jones’ opponent, former TV journalist Dale Cardwell. (A third candidate, ecologist Rand Knight, has also declared himself in the race for the Democratic nomination.)
Given the importance of both DeKalb and African-American women in the state Democratic primary — and the fact that he’s the only Democrat in the race with a lengthy political resume — it’s inevitable that particular aspects of Jones’ official and personal behavior will become a topic of much debate.
This first, Democratic phase of the race for U.S. Senate could, in fact, become a kind of third-term re-election bid by Jones.
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By All you need to know about Vernon Jones
July 22, 2007 7:32 PM | Link to this
Not one but TWO federal discrimination projects against Vernon and DeKlab Co.:
http://www.nkms.com/ealert/Bryant v. Jones, 04cv2462.pdf
pg. 47-48 Defendants Jones, Stone, Drew and Williams, on separate occasions, each told Lowe that there was a plan to discriminate against white employees in DeKalb County, and that Defendants called the reassignment of Plaintiffs’ duties a “reorganization.” Defendant Stone told Lowe there were ways to get rid of employees without firing them.
Jones stated to Lowe on multiple occasions that he wanted a “darker administration.” (Pl. SMF, at ¶ 17, Lowe Dep., at 381.) Jones also referred to Plaintiff Bryant as a “white b*******.”
By David McLaughlin
July 23, 2007 9:27 AM | Link to this
Listen to an extensive interview with Vernon Jones the day after he announced for US Senate on the Kudzu Vine: http://blogtalkradio.com/kudzu
By Jones a Loser
July 23, 2007 10:29 AM | Link to this
Jones takes credit for stuff he never really did. He says AA credit rating - well that was in place under Levetan. Jones was just elected when the AAA rating was set. Jones did nothing. Besides, its the taxpayers who support the financial status of the County, certainly not Jones. He also takes credit for Arabia Mountain, but it was already underway as well to designate it as a Federal Park program or heritage area. Levetan and Sen. Cleland worked on that extensively with the folks at Arabia Mountain before Jones ever was elected. Then is was Saxby Chambliss who got the legislation passed. Jones deserves no credit for these items.
He did go out and get all the bonds passed, but then where has the money been spent? And again, it’s us taxpayers who pay for all this, not Jones.
Now here’s a list of some things Jones is solely responsible for:
Reverse discrimination lawsuits for parks dept. employees so he could have, in his words, “a darker administration.” Police chief roulette with 4 chiefs and the complete breakdown of the DeKalb Police Dept. Loss of over 35,000 jobs in DeKalb during his administration based on ARC data. Failure of economic development with loss of GM plant and other companies leaving DeKalb. Overtime payments for his so-called “security force.” Criticism from grand jury reviews of his administration. Increased property taxes and DeKalb budget over the years which has dramatically increased since he took office. Zoning Department failure from its lottery system to inability to even properly advertise the zoning hearings. Lack of Code Encforcement. Deterioration of infrastructure, especially road paving, etc. A negative image of DeKalb based on his vindictive leadership style and frequent bad dealings with DeKalb commissioners. A very unprofessional image as CEO and making snide and silly comments during commission meetings and other occasions.
And this guy wants to be a U.S. Senator?! Give us a break. Go back to N.C.
By SpaceyG
July 23, 2007 11:30 AM | Link to this
The absolutely last thing I’d do is underestimate the, uh, “fallout”, for better or worse, of Vernon Jones. He’s nothing if not many things to many people. One of those enigmas in an enigma. Listen here as Vernon reveals who he voted for for President! Call him what you will, but never call him boring. Or irrelevant.
By Wild Druid
July 23, 2007 4:30 PM | Link to this
Unfortunately for Mr. CEO there is nobody around him who will speak truth to power. Nobody on his staff will challenge him with reality. They all just try and survive, which means telling the boss what he wants to hear. This means that Vernon creates and resides in his own reality. This is probably why he thinks he can successfully run. I don’t believe anyone in the state expects him to win. The source of his problems is his anger, which leads him to bullying tactics. A skilled legislator can build flexible alliances to accomplish consensus and attain the votes to pass legislation. Ideally, a Commissioners nor the CEO should never burn any bridges since a new vote is always around the corner, and new alliance could be formed. Vernon’s slash and burn techniques have led to permanent voting blocs within the Board of Commissioners. If a commissioner opposes him, he trys to coerce them by witholding funds, or just being flat out mean. If a commissioner supports him they are rewarded, but the problem is Vernon can’t keep a majority on any significant issue. His style is not working in DeKalb and he was a State Rep with negligible influence. It is ashame because the man can be charismatic and he is right on the big stuff. Race of course is major component in Dekalb governance, and Vernon has not been a positive influence, but neither was Cynthia McKinney or Lou Walker (in contrast to Denise Majette and Hank Johnson, who have been able to reach across racial lines and still succeed). Vernon fails because of his own shortcomings and when he succeeeds it is despite them.
By sonja hicks
August 5, 2007 7:59 PM | Link to this
the term is limited to a 2 term position, so Vernon is not bidding for a third term.