billh Posted July 7, 2015 Report Share Posted July 7, 2015 The chamber just sent a email to everyone on her list to go sign a petition for the stupid airport. Paulding Northwest Atlanta Airport will be an economic engine for Paulding County. Show your support by visiting www.letpauldingfly.com and sign the petition to bring jobs and growth to Paulding County! Lets start a petition to remove Carolyn from the chamber. We don't need this crap as no one I know wants this. We will never have any thing in this county as long as this is happening. STOP THE AIRPORT AND THE PEOPLE THAT ARE MAKING MONEY ON IT. 2 Link to post Share on other sites
WHITEY Posted July 7, 2015 Report Share Posted July 7, 2015 I never did think it was proper for the BoC and the BoE to funnel tax dollars to the chamber whereby one individual could be paid a six figure salary. The BoC is collecting $ 6 million more dollars in taxes this year over last year and the BoE is proposing a hefty tax increase this year. This is what you get when you spend tax dollars on things like the Airport and the film studio and allow the appointed folks to spend tax dollars like drunken sailors. 6 Link to post Share on other sites
billh Posted July 7, 2015 Author Report Share Posted July 7, 2015 So how do we get rid of the person at the chamber that keeps stirring this up? She is not elected? Can we start a petition to get her gone? Link to post Share on other sites
tundra Posted July 8, 2015 Report Share Posted July 8, 2015 This is really stupid, no one is stopping anyone from flying into the airport. Anyone that owns a plane can and always has been able to fly in there, heck I understand there is plenty of empty hangar space. The only planes that can't fly in and out of there are commercial aircraft. Of course Paulding Flies, always has. And they think it's going to magically generate massive income and jobs, just like the General Aviation Airport and the Movie Studio! Yea, sure................. The Chamber doesn't do anything for businesses in Paulding County but have parties, lunches and breakfasts, for which there is a fee. 5 Link to post Share on other sites
billh Posted July 8, 2015 Author Report Share Posted July 8, 2015 This is really stupid, no one is stopping anyone from flying into the airport. Anyone that owns a plane can and always has been able to fly in there, heck I understand there is plenty of empty hangar space. The only planes that can't fly in and out of there are commercial aircraft. Of course Paulding Flies, always has. And they think it's going to magically generate massive income and jobs, just like the General Aviation Airport and the Movie Studio! Yea, sure................. The Chamber doesn't do anything for businesses in Paulding County but have parties, lunches and breakfasts, for which there is a fee. So how do we change the way the chamber works? Can we get a new person running it? I have been trying to find who gave her the job, and can't find out. I suggest we send letters to the main office of the ga. chapter and explain how she is stirring up problems for the county. Also a boycott of any business that signs her petition would stop a lot. Link to post Share on other sites
rockster Posted July 8, 2015 Report Share Posted July 8, 2015 (edited) LMAO. Seriously people need to get involved and learn the facts! Some complain about the lawsuits brought against either the PCAA, IBA, or whatever. Do some research, after several millions being spent over the years only two full time jobs have been created for both ventures, Airport and Movie Studio (which is up for sale). Current asst admin for both has benefits filtered through the Chamber. Not a problem with that, but get involved folks as how your tax money is being spent. You just might get a good laugh Edited July 8, 2015 by rockster 3 Link to post Share on other sites
gpatt0n Posted July 8, 2015 Report Share Posted July 8, 2015 LMAO. Yes, a lot of folks reading this topic are too. Sounds like you want anti-business government. The chamber is not a democratic organization; it is a business organization that is there to represent those invested in the community. This organization is largely influenced by those with large investments such as the telephone companies, cable companies, electric utilities, manufacturers and to a lesser degree, retail businesses that populate the community. Industries such as real estate development, land moving, surveying, engineering etc., as well as the media - all of whom depend on increasing economic activity in the community - are also generally supportive of the Chamber and of economic growth in the community. Typically their judgment is based on what they perceive as best for growing the economy of the community. This, at least as often as not, puts them at odds with those in the community who seem to prefer, in almost all cases, the status quo. If there is a tough call, they will almost always fall on the side of the policy or approach that promises growth. As they are the folks who took risks and invested in the community, they are more eager to see others invest in the community. Citizens, aka: homeowners, tend to be more parochial in their viewpoint. The homeowners view of a green valley is prized and growth in that valley - even if it is homes of others or more churches or factories or widened roads or, God Forbid, airports tend to destroy the tranquil view that the homeowner so prizes. It would seem that here, where there are hundreds of homeowners who thought it a good policy to limit new home construction to minimum 2-acre parcels (there was such a movement), homeowners are even more The main influence that 'citizens' have over Chamber members is through their patronage and friendships. Convincing a businessman to support no-growth policies is a tough sale when your dealing with a friend. If you can't change their mind as a friend, what do you think threatening or conducting boycotts is going to do? I'll tell you what it will do; you will trash the friendship. I though you folks knew that. pubby Link to post Share on other sites
billh Posted July 8, 2015 Author Report Share Posted July 8, 2015 Ther3e are several business I no longer deal with in this county because of their political ways. And I will refuse to do business with any one that signs her petition. She is just stirring up the mess that is already created in this county. No business wants to come to a place where the powers that be cause so much hate and discontent with the people. Lets drop the airport commercialization and get on with trying to make this county work! 3 Link to post Share on other sites
Nice Green Posted July 8, 2015 Report Share Posted July 8, 2015 She is just stirring up the mess that is already created in this county. No business wants to come to a place where the powers that be cause so much hate and discontent with the people. And what was the goal of your original post? The chamber just sent a email to everyone on her list to go sign a petition for the stupid airport. ... We don't need this crap as no one I know wants this. We will never have any thing in this county as long as this is happening. STOP THE AIRPORT AND THE PEOPLE THAT ARE MAKING MONEY ON IT. Seems to me that you're trying to "stir up the mess," too. You accuse the "powers that be" of causing so much hate and discontent, yet your posts are full of it as well. And you seem to forget that most of those among the "powers that be" were elected by your community. No business wants to come to a county where a small group of people attempt to block progress. Who has come to Paulding since the anti-airport people got going? 4 Link to post Share on other sites
WHITEY Posted July 8, 2015 Report Share Posted July 8, 2015 What is so strange to me is why the Chamber of Commerce has to live off the government’s teat in order to survive. Without the Paulding County Taxpayers bailing them out each year they would have been out of business years ago. As a Paulding County Tax payer I resent using tax dollars in order to have luncheons, award dinners ( out of the county) breakfast and supporting public private partnership using our tax dollars as collateral to make the payments for the failed projects. The film Studio and the General Aviation airport come to mind as two endeavors that the Chamber supported whole hearted and today we see both as a complete failures even though millions in tax dollars has been poured into these two projects and now the County has given up on both of these. So ……………….. Now someone got the bright idea to convert the airport to a commercial passenger airport and it would create thousands of jobs and have a economic impact of millions and millions of dollars with only a couple of flights per week ?........ Really How many of you citizens want to pay more taxes to fund this endeavor??? The county Commission Chairman David Austin is proposing to collect $6,000,000 more in tax dollars this year than he did last year, and has the gall to sit at the podium and say that his budget does not represent a tax increase. In addition the Paulding County school district has already announced a 12.5% property tax increase and scheduled public hearings for the purpose of discussing this with the citizens. Of course the Chamber will support both of these tax increases and at the same time support spending millions more on a failed management of the airport. This is the same folks that supported the $125,000,000 school bond a few years back that your kids will have to pay off and we still owe about 25 years on this issue that the Chamber supported. Facts….. A majority of the members on the Board of Directors of the Chamber of commerce do not even live in Paulding County therefore they could care less how much their actions increase the taxes on the property owners of the county. Heck the Airport Director does not even live in Paulding County. For years and years the tax payers have bailed out the Paulding County Chamber of Commerce.. It is past time for the chamber to pass a budget live within the budget or fail as a entity. Something is really wrong in Paulding County when a organization and some of its members can make promises to the citizens of this County, go back on those promises and use tax dollars to promote those broken promises. 5 Link to post Share on other sites
rednekkhikkchikk Posted July 9, 2015 Report Share Posted July 9, 2015 What is so strange to me is why the Chamber of Commerce has to live off the government’s teat in order to survive. Without the Paulding County Taxpayers bailing them out each year they would have been out of business years ago. As a Paulding County Tax payer I resent using tax dollars in order to have luncheons, award dinners ( out of the county) breakfast and supporting public private partnership using our tax dollars as collateral to make the payments for the failed projects. The film Studio and the General Aviation airport come to mind as two endeavors that the Chamber supported whole hearted and today we see both as a complete failures even though millions in tax dollars has been poured into these two projects and now the County has given up on both of these. So ……………….. Now someone got the bright idea to convert the airport to a commercial passenger airport and it would create thousands of jobs and have a economic impact of millions and millions of dollars with only a couple of flights per week ?........ Really How many of you citizens want to pay more taxes to fund this endeavor??? The county Commission Chairman David Austin is proposing to collect $6,000,000 more in tax dollars this year than he did last year, and has the gall to sit at the podium and say that his budget does not represent a tax increase. In addition the Paulding County school district has already announced a 12.5% property tax increase and scheduled public hearings for the purpose of discussing this with the citizens. Of course the Chamber will support both of these tax increases and at the same time support spending millions more on a failed management of the airport. This is the same folks that supported the $125,000,000 school bond a few years back that your kids will have to pay off and we still owe about 25 years on this issue that the Chamber supported. Facts….. A majority of the members on the Board of Directors of the Chamber of commerce do not even live in Paulding County therefore they could care less how much their actions increase the taxes on the property owners of the county. Heck the Airport Director does not even live in Paulding County. For years and years the tax payers have bailed out the Paulding County Chamber of Commerce.. It is past time for the chamber to pass a budget live within the budget or fail as a entity. Something is really wrong in Paulding County when a organization and some of its members can make promises to the citizens of this County, go back on those promises and use tax dollars to promote those broken promises. Whose comments are these? It appears to be something quoted that was said by Pubby, but the writing style certainly doesn't appear to be his-nor does the sentiment expressed align with some of his previous posts. If improperly quoted it should either be deleted and reposted or corrected to reflect the actual author of the post. If it is a quote from Pubby - wth? 1 Link to post Share on other sites
WHITEY Posted July 9, 2015 Report Share Posted July 9, 2015 Whose comments are these? It appears to be something quoted that was said by Pubby, but the writing style certainly doesn't appear to be his-nor does the sentiment expressed align with some of his previous posts. If improperly quoted it should either be deleted and reposted or corrected to reflect the actual author of the post. If it is a quote from Pubby - wth? I tried to edit the comments but was unable to do so the first line of the post needs to be deleted I was responding to a post that Pubby had made earlier in this thread. Maybe the mods can delete the reference to Pubby in the first line of the post WHITEY Link to post Share on other sites
gpatt0n Posted July 9, 2015 Report Share Posted July 9, 2015 I tried to edit the comments but was unable to do so the first line of the post needs to be deleted I was responding to a post that Pubby had made earlier in this thread. Maybe the mods can delete the reference to Pubby in the first line of the post WHITEY Those were not my words and I saw what happened and edited it. pubby Link to post Share on other sites
Rose Luxemburg Posted July 9, 2015 Report Share Posted July 9, 2015 Whose comments are these? It appears to be something quoted that was said by Pubby, but the writing style certainly doesn't appear to be his-nor does the sentiment expressed align with some of his previous posts. If improperly quoted it should either be deleted and reposted or corrected to reflect the actual author of the post. If it is a quote from Pubby - wth? lol, maybe Patti and I are rubbing off on Pat, not. Anyway, commercialization is coming, like it or not. Link to post Share on other sites
billh Posted July 9, 2015 Author Report Share Posted July 9, 2015 WANT TO BET MONEY ON IT? Link to post Share on other sites
rockysmom Posted July 9, 2015 Report Share Posted July 9, 2015 WANT TO BET MONEY ON IT? What is it you think you can do to stop it Radiohead? Link to post Share on other sites
Rose Luxemburg Posted July 9, 2015 Report Share Posted July 9, 2015 (edited) What is it you think you can do to stop it Radiohead? Yep, I dont like the thought of commercialization and am opposed to it but am a realist-- if I was a betting woman, other than the occasional lottery ticket-- its coming. Paulding is not the ideal location for a 2nd airport,but lets face it ATL needs another commercial airport. If you dont want planes flying over your head, get out.. We most likely will, for other reasons. Edited July 9, 2015 by Rose Luxemburg Link to post Share on other sites
WHITEY Posted July 9, 2015 Report Share Posted July 9, 2015 Yep, I dont like the thought of commercialization and am opposed to it but am a realist-- if I was a betting woman, other than the occasional lottery ticket-- its coming. Paulding is not the ideal location for a 2nd airport,but lets face it ATL needs another commercial airport. If you dont want planes flying over your head, get out.. We most likely will, for other reasons. I never thought of you as a quitter but......... I think I will stick around and fight for what is right for the folks of Paulding County. If you allow the secret deals to go uncontested the next thing that we may get is a nuclear dump in our prized green space we voted for . Fact 2/3 of a recent poll are opposed to the airport.... That is why I am not throwing in the towel. 4 Link to post Share on other sites
Rose Luxemburg Posted July 10, 2015 Report Share Posted July 10, 2015 I never thought of you as a quitter but......... I think I will stick around and fight for what is right for the folks of Paulding County. If you allow the secret deals to go uncontested the next thing that we may get is a nuclear dump in our prized green space we voted for . Fact 2/3 of a recent poll are opposed to the airport.... That is why I am not throwing in the towel. Our time in Paulding is limited to a few more years due to other factors, primarily kiddo being middle school age then. Ultimately its for each person to decide just how palatable commercial aircraft zooming overhead is. As I said, while opposed, I think the commercialization will go through. Your assessment of it being at least 3 to 4 more years I think is low. It reasonably could be 5-8 years that this is tied up in lawsuits etc. Link to post Share on other sites
billh Posted July 10, 2015 Author Report Share Posted July 10, 2015 By the time it is done the taxpayers will be broke, and there will still be no real business with real jobs in this county. The only people that will profit will be the people that are taking money under the table. Our tax dollars should go for things that are needed in the county. If I had a business I would not move to a county that is at war with it's population. I think after the election when we get out the rest of the bad folks this will end, and we can go on with real things. Link to post Share on other sites
thedeerslayer Posted July 10, 2015 Report Share Posted July 10, 2015 By the time it is done the taxpayers will be broke, and there will still be no real business with real jobs in this county. The only people that will profit will be the people that are taking money under the table. Our tax dollars should go for things that are needed in the county. If I had a business I would not move to a county that is at war with it's population. I think after the election when we get out the rest of the bad folks this will end, and we can go on with real things. I agree,our tax money should go to things needed in this county.My tax dollars should go to the maintenance and operation of the county.Not to lure in businesses,we do not need an airport Link to post Share on other sites
toxic Posted July 11, 2015 Report Share Posted July 11, 2015 I think the Chamber of Commerce does a great job promoting Paulding. It is sad that a dozen or so disgruntled anti-airport citizens can put such a grey cloud over this county. Sadder still is Todd, Tony, an Vernon take their orders from these idiots. So how much money is in the budget for the Chamber this year??? Take that figure and divide that number by 155,000 residents. If it is over 5 cents a person I would be shocked. Why don't you spend time worrying about who "bought" Todd, Tony and Vernon and feeds them their opinions to further their special interest causes. Where is the money coming from?? They spend a great deal of time in the shadows. I know, I know... Todd is great, Todd is good, let us thank him for our food.... Bla, bla, bla... Pardon me while I puke... These three morons couldn't find their way out of a closet unless the Troutman & Sanders law firm held the flashlight and guided them out. 3 Link to post Share on other sites
WHITEY Posted July 11, 2015 Report Share Posted July 11, 2015 I think the Chamber of Commerce does a great job promoting Paulding. It is sad that a dozen or so disgruntled anti-airport citizens can put such a grey cloud over this county. Sadder still is Todd, Tony, an Vernon take their orders from these idiots. So how much money is in the budget for the Chamber this year??? Take that figure and divide that number by 155,000 residents. If it is over 5 cents a person I would be shocked. Why don't you spend time worrying about who "bought" Todd, Tony and Vernon and feeds them their opinions to further their special interest causes. Where is the money coming from?? They spend a great deal of time in the shadows. I know, I know... Todd is great, Todd is good, let us thank him for our food.... Bla, bla, bla... Pardon me while I puke... These three morons couldn't find their way out of a closet unless the Troutman & Sanders law firm held the flashlight and guided them out. Toxic The Chamber of commerce has a history of promoting things in Paulding County that I am quite sure the majority of the 155,000 citizens do not approve of. The tax dollars given to the Chamber is not a budgeted item, it is not a part of the County budget. The money is donated through the Industrial Building Authority and comes from their budgeted money, In addition the Chairman has a discretionary fund in which he can write a check for up to $49,999.99 without any approval from the budgeting process or approval from the rest of the Commissioners , Furthermore David Austin created a new committee The” Paulding County Economic Development” which is funded by approximately $300,000 dollars per year, sort of a slush fund that is used for various entities one of which I suspect the chamber gets some of its funding? Since you speak of special interest money are you okay with all the special interest money being given every year to the Chamber of Commerce? Are you okay with the CEO of the Chamber being appointed to the major Boards without having been elected by the citizens of this county? In return for these special interest dollars the Chamber has received, they have promoted every SPLOST TAX increase that has been proposed and passed by the residents of Paulding County. One that comes to mind is the $125,000,000 School Bond that was first rejected and was later passed with the efforts of the Chamber DOLLARS!!!! If you want to discuss special interest dollars into our local elections it would only be proper to discuss David Austin’s FUND RAISER HELD AT A GOLF RESORT AND WAS BY INVITATION ONLY AND THE DOLLARS RECEIVED DURING THIS FUND RAISER WAS FOR THE MOST PART FOR VENDORS WHO HAVE OR WANT TO DO BUSINESS WITH THE COINTY. Also do note that this fund raiser was in March 2013 months after David Austin’s last election and it cost Thousands of dollars to promote (which was donated) and he received thousands of dollars in donations from those who do business with the county, which pales in comparison to what any other commissioner received during the past election cycle. Anyone who wishes to check the validity of my claim I welcome you to go to the Secretary of State web site and check for yourself!!!! You will then come to the same conclusion that I have. David Austin is the one who has used Special Interest money to further his own political interest……. Check it out….. http://media.ethics.ga.gov/search/Campaign/Campaign_ByContributions_RFR.aspx?NameID=8107&FilerID=C2010001234&CDRID=88566&Name=Austin,%20David%20Arthur&Year=2013&Report=June%2030th%20-%20Non-Election%20Year This is just the tip of the iceberg for commissions Chairman Davis A Austin If you have time, browse all of his Campaign disclosures The three commissioners Todd Pownall, Vernon Collett and Tony Crowe all ran openly on a campaign to stop Commercial Passenger service, they were elected based on their campaign promises, and defeated all opponents by a landslide of epic proportions. Todd Pownall did not even have any opposition in the Republican Primary and only Token opposition in the General election from a Democrat. It is quite refreshing to me to see Candidates run a campaign on the issues, Get elected on those issues, and, continue to fight to bring about the change that they campaigned on. If David Austin had done this the County would not have been talking about the Airport today. Politicians should always keep campaign promises 6 Link to post Share on other sites
WHITEY Posted July 13, 2015 Report Share Posted July 13, 2015 Toxic The Chamber of commerce has a history of promoting things in Paulding County that I am quite sure the majority of the 155,000 citizens do not approve of. The tax dollars given to the Chamber is not a budgeted item, it is not a part of the County budget. The money is donated through the Industrial Building Authority and comes from their budgeted money, In addition the Chairman has a discretionary fund in which he can write a check for up to $49,999.99 without any approval from the budgeting process or approval from the rest of the Commissioners , Furthermore David Austin created a new committee The” Paulding County Economic Development” which is funded by approximately $300,000 dollars per year, sort of a slush fund that is used for various entities one of which I suspect the chamber gets some of its funding? Since you speak of special interest money are you okay with all the special interest money being given every year to the Chamber of Commerce? Are you okay with the CEO of the Chamber being appointed to the major Boards without having been elected by the citizens of this county? In return for these special interest dollars the Chamber has received, they have promoted every SPLOST TAX increase that has been proposed and passed by the residents of Paulding County. One that comes to mind is the $125,000,000 School Bond that was first rejected and was later passed with the efforts of the Chamber DOLLARS!!!! If you want to discuss special interest dollars into our local elections it would only be proper to discuss David Austin’s FUND RAISER HELD AT A GOLF RESORT AND WAS BY INVITATION ONLY AND THE DOLLARS RECEIVED DURING THIS FUND RAISER WAS FOR THE MOST PART FOR VENDORS WHO HAVE OR WANT TO DO BUSINESS WITH THE COINTY. Also do note that this fund raiser was in March 2013 months after David Austin’s last election and it cost Thousands of dollars to promote (which was donated) and he received thousands of dollars in donations from those who do business with the county, which pales in comparison to what any other commissioner received during the past election cycle. Anyone who wishes to check the validity of my claim I welcome you to go to the Secretary of State web site and check for yourself!!!! You will then come to the same conclusion that I have. David Austin is the one who has used Special Interest money to further his own political interest……. Check it out….. http://media.ethics.ga.gov/search/Campaign/Campaign_ByContributions_RFR.aspx?NameID=8107&FilerID=C2010001234&CDRID=88566&Name=Austin,%20David%20Arthur&Year=2013&Report=June%2030th%20-%20Non-Election%20Year This is just the tip of the iceberg for commissions Chairman Davis A Austin If you have time, browse all of his Campaign disclosures The three commissioners Todd Pownall, Vernon Collett and Tony Crowe all ran openly on a campaign to stop Commercial Passenger service, they were elected based on their campaign promises, and defeated all opponents by a landslide of epic proportions. Todd Pownall did not even have any opposition in the Republican Primary and only Token opposition in the General election from a Democrat. It is quite refreshing to me to see Candidates run a campaign on the issues, Get elected on those issues, and, continue to fight to bring about the change that they campaigned on. If David Austin had done this the County would not have been talking about the Airport today. Politicians should always keep campaign promises Did anyone notice that the contributions were for the 2012 "General Election"..... Heck he did not even have any opposition for the 2012 general election, He was only opposed in the primary Sure was a lot of folks on this list of donor's that does work for the County, and the Airport wonder how they knew about the fund raiser ? http://media.ethics.ga.gov/search/Campaign/Campaign_ByContributions_RFR.aspx?NameID=8107&FilerID=C2010001234&CDRID=88566&Name=Austin,%20David%20Arthur&Year=2013&Report=June%2030th%20-%20Non-Election%20Year Something smells fishy here??????? 2 Link to post Share on other sites
rockster Posted July 14, 2015 Report Share Posted July 14, 2015 Whatcha talking about Willis? I believe everybody is pro business, but not at a tune of about $60 million plus that has only created two jobs. Splain that and back it up wif facts if you desire. I do not want to hear the "jobs" that are created with these ventures because only TWO jobs have been. Feel free to correct me if I am wrong. If you do respond, please come back with some facts Sounds like you want anti-business government. I though you folks knew that. pubby Link to post Share on other sites
gpatt0n Posted July 15, 2015 Report Share Posted July 15, 2015 To put this Campaign disclosure in the proper perspective a person really has to know the background and history of what occurred here. The fund raiser it appears was by Invitation only, At least in part and as previously stated was a costly event to even promote. The records clearly reflect at least $ 9,733.27 was the reported expenditure from David Austin campaign fund The Campaign disclosure report clearly reflect that a lot of the folks making major contributions to David Austin clearly have performed work for the county totaling Millions of dollars and some are still performing work for the County on a weekly, monthly, yearly basis. http://media.ethics.ga.gov/search/Campaign/Campaign_ByContributions_RFR.aspx?NameID=8107&FilerID=C2010001234&CDRID=88566&Name=Austin,%20David%20Arthur&Year=2013&Report=June%2030th%20-%20Non-Election%20Year Since this fund raiser was at least partly by invitation only will someone please help me understand what is the difference in what David Austin did as outlined above and what the CEO of DeKalb County Burrell Ellis has just been recently convicted of and sentenced to jail time? Benjamin Disraeli had a quote. He said, "There are lies, damned lies and statistics." What you did Whitey is show a fund-raising report. If you had shown the complete report it would tell you that David Austin is still in debt for his campaign and the funds raised went to retire a portion of that debt which stands now about $80,000 or so for his previous two campaigns. Who, bTW, do you think funds campaigns? Again, this is a case of throwing innuendo and BS at the guy who, like many in public service, actually pay for the privilege to have this kind of crap heaved at them by the collective baboons in the zoo. What gets me, though, Whitey, is that I know that you're old enough to avoid having to pay school taxes on your property altogether. Why complain about them? Habit? pubby Link to post Share on other sites
gpatt0n Posted July 15, 2015 Report Share Posted July 15, 2015 As far as comparison to Burl Ellis of DeKalb ... I don't think that Mr. Austin has appeared before a grand jury or lied to an investigator; I don't think there are rumors or allegations of bid rigging; there is a difference between extorting a campaign contribution and accepting one over dinner and drinks. Bring me a tape of a conversation where he extorts a contributor. Hell, bring me a contributor who will swear an affidavit that they've been strongarmed into contributing and I'll publish the sumbitch. But without proof, Whitey, you got jack. pubby Link to post Share on other sites
WHITEY Posted July 15, 2015 Report Share Posted July 15, 2015 As far as comparison to Burl Ellis of DeKalb ... I don't think that Mr. Austin has appeared before a grand jury or lied to an investigor; I don't think there are rumors or allegations of bid rigging; there is a difference between extorting a campaign contribution and accepting one over dinner and drinks. Bring me a tape of a conversation where he extorts a contributor. Hell, bring me a contributor who will swear an affidavit that they've been strongarmed into contributing and I'll publish the sumbitch. But without proof, Whitey, you got jack. pubby Pubby The comparison To Burl Ellis is what appears to be a shakedown of vendors and Engineering firms who have or will do business with the County; I could not get Item #3 to post in the thread above I tried to edit the post but was un able to do so here it is.......... The Campaign disclosure report clearly reflect that a lot of the folks making major contributions to David Austin clearly have performed work for the county totaling Millions of dollars and some are still performing work for the County on a weekly, monthly, yearly basis. http://media.ethics.ga.gov/search/Campaign/Campaign_ByContributions_RFR.aspx?NameID=8107&FilerID=C2010001234&CDRID=88566&Name=Austin,%20David%20Arthur&Year=2013&Report=June%2030th%20-%20Non-Election%20Year As noted in the other post this Fund Raiser was by invitation, it is clear that a vast majority of the donors were people who had done work for the County the IBA and the Airport Authority. Another significant point is the campaign donations from out of state. But my main point in this post is the minions who are admonishing Tony and Vernon about there campaign contributions they received.( I believe you are one of them) And now it is okay if David receives thousands from contractors who were doing millions in work at a special off year fund raiser to recover thousands that he overspent in the previous election. This is not his only fund raiser since he borrowed money to run a campaign. I did not see a loan for the past campaign would you like to point that out to me? You can say what you want but this is one of the very things that got Mr. Ellis in trouble, Of course.... like you said things like this needs to come from the Grand Jury and how many times have you seen the grand Jury of Paulding County indict for this kind of behavior ????? Link to post Share on other sites
gpatt0n Posted July 16, 2015 Report Share Posted July 16, 2015 Whitey: Our entire campaign finance system is corrupt from the ground up. Has been since before Watergate in the 1970s. Heck, the idea that reporting of campaign finance sources was only intended as a first step in campaign finance reform. Then they put limits on individual contributions, outlawed extortion by employers to get extort money from their employees on behalf of a favored candidate (that is what got the company that built the courthouse in trouble, remember ) . They also largely outlawed corporate contributions. And dang, anyone who looks at it really does see there are conflicts inherent in this system that is virtually indistinguishable from bribery. But it is the law and everyone elected plays this game. People like me who don't play it well generally don't win. Now ask yourself, WHO IS ACTUALLY MAKING PROPOSALS TO CHANGE IT ON A LOCAL, STATE or NATIONAL LEVEL???? (There actually are a few including Lawrence Lessig, if memory serves but I doubt Lessig's name means jack to you or 95 % of Pcoms readers. I've made a post about it once and if memory serves, it was roundly ignored by all the reform minded folks here ... because they don't understand or grasp what reform means or how you actually reform. If you want to castigate anyone on this, you need to castigate everyone on it. The problem that I with the election in May 2014 is that a good part of the money was never run through campaigns and was exempt from reporting because of the super pac rules inherent in the SCOTUS Citizens United ruling letting anonymous entities advocate for candidates and positions during political campaign season with impunity and no REPORTING. There is no transparency and I don't see Vernon, Todd or Tony saying jack. David's campaign, to my knowledge was done through the state reporting regime and you published his contributors from the prez of Wellstar to the folks at Comcast to ... well go ahead and copy each and every one and publish them here including their amounts because that is public record. Oh well. food is burning pubby Link to post Share on other sites
WHITEY Posted July 17, 2015 Report Share Posted July 17, 2015 Whitey: Our entire campaign finance system is corrupt from the ground up. Has been since before Watergate in the 1970s. Heck, the idea that reporting of campaign finance sources was only intended as a first step in campaign finance reform. Then they put limits on individual contributions, outlawed extortion by employers to get extort money from their employees on behalf of a favored candidate (that is what got the company that built the courthouse in trouble, remember ) . They also largely outlawed corporate contributions. And dang, anyone who looks at it really does see there are conflicts inherent in this system that is virtually indistinguishable from bribery. But it is the law and everyone elected plays this game. People like me who don't play it well generally don't win. Now ask yourself, WHO IS ACTUALLY MAKING PROPOSALS TO CHANGE IT ON A LOCAL, STATE or NATIONAL LEVEL???? (There actually are a few including Lawrence Lessig, if memory serves but I doubt Lessig's name means jack to you or 95 % of Pcoms readers. I've made a post about it once and if memory serves, it was roundly ignored by all the reform minded folks here ... because they don't understand or grasp what reform means or how you actually reform. If you want to castigate anyone on this, you need to castigate everyone on it. The problem that I with the election in May 2014 is that a good part of the money was never run through campaigns and was exempt from reporting because of the super pac rules inherent in the SCOTUS Citizens United ruling letting anonymous entities advocate for candidates and positions during political campaign season with impunity and no REPORTING. There is no transparency and I don't see Vernon, Todd or Tony saying jack. David's campaign, to my knowledge was done through the state reporting regime and you published his contributors from the prez of Wellstar to the folks at Comcast to ... well go ahead and copy each and every one and publish them here including their amounts because that is public record. Oh well. food is burning pubby Pubby I may just publish the entire campaign disclosure all the way back to the 2008 campaign it is very interesting!!!! Link to post Share on other sites
gpatt0n Posted July 17, 2015 Report Share Posted July 17, 2015 If you do that Whitey, be fair and post the report(s) for both Jerry Shearin and Tony Crowe. It would be kind of cool if you were put them in a comparative table pubby Link to post Share on other sites
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now