It’s hard to watch so many defend what many of us already know to be a corrupt election process. And most of us already know that it is corrupt from the start to the finish, and not just the finish with the counting of the votes.
In the state of Georgia, the election process is not open, honest and fair. The democrats and the republicans control the election process. I am not speaking about candidates who were elected as democrats and republicans that were elected by the Public and then control the process, either.
Instead I am talking about the parties through elected officials, who conspire to keep third party candidates off the ballots as much as possible. And they are successful and it harms all of us.
If these officials do not believe in competition for the election process, you can imagine how they make decisions for other aspects of our lives.
Anyone who has attended a City Council Meeting( my experience has been with the Johns Creek City Council) has seen the underhanded and corrupt processes at work. “Public” debates on issues where Council Members state false facts and both staff members and City Lawyers keep their mouths shut(it’s not their job to correct falsehoods).
So for those individuals, especially the ones who are elected, stating that they see no “widespread or systemic voter fraud? You should shut up.
Every rational voter knows that there is voter fraud. We have witnessed the call for it from elected officials for decades, and we have seen how officials will interpret the rules for their own desires EACH AND EVERY TIME.
The behavior we have seen on our local city councils is the same behavior we are seeing across the nation while counting votes.
None of us are surprised. What we are surprised at is the denial by elected officials, protecting THEIR system, who know better.
The great election face of 2020 is coming to an end. One can only wonder if the American people have fallen for that farce or are they going to reject it outright.
Joe Biden, while appearing to be the selection of the members of the Democratic Party, was not actually selected by the voting public. Instead, we was left standing by a process of elimination as one by one, the rest of the self-declared candidates dropped out of the democratic primaries before the electorate even had a chance to vote
The only reason it appears that many of the 29 or so candidates run in the first place is to shift the platform of the party, and not to actually win. That is what we see today. Kamala Harris was one of the first candidates to drop out, and yet she is as close to being POTUS as a Biden win and a resigation.
Think about that. For all of the arguments over the unfairness of the electoral college(which works exactly as it was intended), the most liberal Senator in the history of the US is as close to being POTUS as imaginable, yet could not manage more than 3% support in her own party’s primaries.
The rest of us, however, appear to have had enough of the bullshit. We are tired of the riots, the lockdowns, the forced indoctrinations on every feeling someone has that somehow we have to not only accept by support.
I’ve listened to many of Trump’s speeches. He appeals to people that just want to live their own lives.
To the media that has not mattered. Since before Trump took office there has been a concerted effort to cut him off at the knees. A biased media took it upon themselves to right the wrong that they felt occurred when Trump won in 2016 over the Clinton.
In 2016, Clinton was to have the support of nearly all women, every minority in the nation, and every other special interest group under the rainbow. And she lost.
The tears flowed freely on that election night and continue to flow today.
The full-fledged media attack has gone on non-stop. Meanwhile the same media turns a blind eye to a candidate who defends his son despite the evidence and who cannot string together s series of coherent statements that leaves great doubts as to his mental capabilities.
How is that possible?
Someone asked me how can people be so stupid as to believe that higher taxes, open borders, elimination of the Second Amendment, energy dependence on foreign nations, outsourcing our manufacturing to other countries, and elimination of the police will result in Americans being safer overall?
Mass hysteria is the only answer I came come up with.
Mass hysteria led by a media that has normalized and encouraged every sort of belief when there was clear evidence to the contrary.
Just think of the terms we hear everyday that we never heard before. Systemic racism? And that battle cry is coming from multimillionaire ballplayers who live better than 99% of the rest of us?
Black Lives Matter? And yet there are blacks being killed by other blacks in Chicago, Baltimore and other cities every day and no one lifts a finger to do anything?
White people screaming at black people for being white racists? Where does the idiocy end?
Talk of reparations to people who were never slaves paid for by people that never owned slaves? Stevie Wonder wants reparations? Seriously.
People crying over the death of a Supreme Court Justice? People crying that Trump filled a seat on the Supreme Court?
It ends with a resounding Trump victory. It will end when people quit getting participation awards for doing nothing. It will end when people are told if you want a certain outcome, you need to earn it. It is not going to be given to you.
We did not get here over night and it will not be resolved over night. But it will be resolved.
If the majority do not stand up and start challenging elected officials who then ignore the US and State constitutions, then a Constitutional Republic is doomed to failure.
Either way, a reset is coming. Socialism does not work. Communism fails. Only a free people with their individual rights protected can succeed.
As a libertarian, we are often asked how might things work in a libertarian world. The “Defund the Police” movement is an excellent example of what could be done.
Insurance Is the Solution
In today’s world, insurance is not an option for the majority of us. Insurance is a necessity that we use to manage our risks. Own a vehicle and you are required by law to have insurance to operate the vehicle. That protects us and others against the risk of operating motor vehicles.
Purchasing a home and you are going to have homeowner’s insurance. This protects us from losses with our home that we would not likely be able pay for out of our own cash reserves.
The Impact of Defunding the Police
The effort to defund the police, is going to have a negative impact on crime in those areas. Break-ins, fires, looting and other mayhem that are covered by insurance means that insurance costs will be rising.
The risks to property that is owned by the residents will be at a greater risk of loss than in other areas which still have adequate police protection.
Insurance Commissioners Need To Act
The insurance commissioners of those states that are most affected need to make sure that those cities that have defunded the police do not pass their costs on to the insured in other areas, but that those cities bear the full burden of premium increases needed to cover future claims.
Insurance Premiums Need to Rise For Defunded Cities
Once the residents begin receiving their updated costs for insurance, and are told the reasons why, they will rapidly be seeking to re-fund and reestablish police protection for their communities.
That’s how this problem should and could be addressed and addressed immediately as many of these problems have been going on for more than three months.
Approximately 1/12 of homeowners renew their policies every month. One sixth of all automobile owners do the same.
The growing chorus of residents who have had their rates rise dramatically because of the higher risks in those areas will shift the dialogue and do so rapidly.
It’s all fun and games until it costs you hard earned cash out of your own pocket. The fun and games will end and adults can resume addressing the real issues.
At some point, one has to believe the data over the hyperbole, and the facts over the fiction. But the people in the United States have become so short-sighted, it’s likely they could not even tell you where they were last New Year’s Eve without looking at their phone for visual proof, such as photos.
Ask those same people what happened to the “greatest US economy ever” and the responses will center around Covid-19-a flu that has garnered a response like none we have ever seen in the US.
But I believe that they are wrong, and that Covid-19 is being used by both parties for what they will believe can be political gain.
Third Quarter of 2019 the Slowdown Began In Earnest
The data is out there and you can prove it to yourself if you are willing to look. I have.
The third quarter of 2019 saw profit growth per share for the companies in the Value Line financial subscription fall from 15.35% growth to 1.81%. That sort of slowdown is very detrimental to the political party holding the White House.
In fact, it is slow enough that I would state that it would be likely that Trump lose in 2020 unless there was some incredible reversal, which would have needed some sort of catalyst to occur.
Fourth Quarter of 2019 Prior to Covid-19
Comparing the fourth quarter of 2019’s performance to 2018 is even more horrific. Profit growth per share was down 11.98%. Companies, on a per share basis, earned 11.98% less than the previous year.
Yet Trump and Company still kept touting this economy as the greatest ever. On the other hand, i knew we were heading towards a recession. Companies do not just stop generating profits.
Along Comes Covid-19
For years I have demonstrated how easy it is to forecast the Presidential Race by looking at just one number. Corporate profits after taxes has accurately predicted the outcome for every election since 1972 except for one-1976. And that was the only time we had a non-elected incumbent running for re-election.
I have to believe that both parties are aware of how important the economy is during an election year to the outcome. The question one must ask oneself is that if knowing the economic slowdown that was happening, would either party try to exploit Covid-19?
For instance, would the Republican Party use Covid-19 as cover for an economy that was clearly heading towards a recession, so that the flu would be blamed for the economy’s dismal performance?
And would the Democratic Party use Covid-19 to guarantee that the US Economy was in the tank as voters decide who to elect in November?
The Answer is Clearly Yes
Trump had nothing to lose by blaming Covid-19 for the sudden demise of the US economy. Without it, I feel he was certainly heading towards a loss even if Biden would ultimately be the nominee.
And the Democrats would have no problem sacrificing the economy in order to keep it in the tank as long as possible in order to help their agenda.
But rather than just stick to the economic impact, the Democrats have embraced the greatest move towards socialism we have ever witnessed. And this action just might move the mind of the voters off of the economic issues and onto the socialism issue, which will likely be their undoing.
Make No Mistake The Economy Was Grinding to A Halt
The economic damage that has happened and continues to happen all around us cannot be underestimated. It s worsening day by day.
Covid-19 will be the scapegoat for all of it. Yet I will know that Covid-19 was a political flu.
And the United States will NEVER be the same again.
It’s time to dismiss the politicians who have proven themselves inept. It’s time to quit following idiotic rules that were made by people that are clueless.
Have you asked yourself why you have outsourced the management of your life to so called experts that one moment tell you that mask do not help and then tell you that everyone should wear them?
Are you tired of actors grandstanding on social media and chastising you for not wearing a mask while they wear a crochet mask?
The only person that can decide what is best for you is you.
We have given government a great opportunity and what they have done is show us just how far they will go to violate the US Constitution and incarcerate you at home, all for your own good.
If you do not mind being treated as a threat to those around you, then wear a mask and stand on the circle and wait your turn to move.
But if you are fed up, tired at the constant rule changes and fatigued by the fake outrage of people who have said we are not going to take it any more, then take your life back.
And there is no better time to do so as we approach the Fourth of July.
You have four weeks to test the waters with your toes. Check to see if it is safe. If by the Fourth you are still willing to enforce unproven and mystic rules for engagement with others, then you are part of the problem and not part of the solution.
The way you respond to this event will set the tone for how they handle the next. And believe me, they will act faster and with more draconian measures than this time.
It’s really time to end this BS. Take your life back. End the insanity.
As we watch events unfold and slowly but truly we see the truth coming out about the data, analysis, and forecasting models used to shut us down, it seems that all of this could be avoided with better math and analytical skills across the board.
And while we are only local peons(no offense to anyone), how can we drive the conversation forward that Math does matter? That proper analysis does matter? That the “experts” are not necessarily experts?
It appears that much of the modeling used for not only traffic, but the Congressional Budget Office, epidemic forecasting, economic forecasting, global warming and more, is static, for starters. It needs to be dynamic forecasting.
Beyond that, the baseline assumptions of the “experts” are just wrong. And it is costing everyone across the nation this time.
I can already hear some saying “What difference does it make? We were trying to save lives.”
Emergencies were declared
Educations were put on hold
Jobs were lost.
Homes were lost.
Constitutions at the state and national level were violated.
Suicides rose.
Drug and alcohol abuse went up.
Domestic violence increased.
What difference does it make? It’s a matter of life and death.
Most importantly, while this is the first time this has occurred it will not be the last time. And the next time, you can anticipate that governors act faster with less information than they did this time. All for your own good.
These decisions were not based individually by all fifty governors in the US either. They instead were based on a few points of failure, namely the CDC and whomever Trump has chosen to listen to on this issue. Can we afford such single points of failure for a nation of more than 340 million residents?
Math matters. Proper analysis matters.
And emotional responses can kill people, have unintended consequences and cause mor harm than good.
Often we hear that the needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few. Or that we are doing this for the greater good.
Unfortunately, we seem to have done this for the few at the expense of the many. At what cost?
Government cannot end death. No matter how much is spent or what is sacrificed.
But you have seen what government is willing to do without solid statistical analysis.
It will take away your rights.
It will decide what is essential and not essential for you.
It will cite you and fine you for not following their ill conceived demands.
It will turn your neighbors into agents of the state and have them tell on you if you do not follow their guidelines.
With all of the things we see that can and will happen in a Constitutional Republic, just imagine what happens if the wrong charismatic leader is elected.
As the Covid19 medical crisis continues, governments continue to send mixed messages.
Governments race to take action building medical facilities to take care of the ill, the majority of them who have NOT followed the guidelines set over the last 2-4 weeks, which were to keep people from getting ill in the first place.
Why are the governments working so hard to develop rules as to what you can do and not do, and then at the very same time taking billions of dollars to be prepared to treat you when those that do not follow the rules get ill?
Maybe some of those quarantined have too much time on their hands.
While Georgia may have the second largest number of jobs relative to it’s neighboring states, the rate of job growth has Georgia only beating South Carolina.
As our tax burdens continue to increase in Georgia, and we work to attract more and more bodies to Georgia, we need to ask ourselves if we have are already being taxed at a level that is slowing business development.
Or we can just keep increasing the tax burden and hope for a better tomorrow.
There are a small but growing group of residents like myself who have been trying to hold our government accountable. We do not look the other way. We insist that our Charter be followed and not circumvented for the convenience of the Mayor or any other elected officials. The rules need to be followed otherwise they will be exploited by one or more individuals.
We are small in number. But we are growing. And we are not going away. What follows below is the result of residents such as myself that are not afraid to hold our government to a higher standard. A standard that should be the starting point and not the Exception.
Why Were Craig Kidd’s Records Requested In The First Place?
A Bit of Background
In the fall of 2015, I worked on campaigns for Coughlin and Endres. While I was at Wilson Road Elementary School, waving signs with Mark Endres for these candidates in font of the school, someone drove past and gave us the finger. All the other voters who we waved to were friendly and polite. Not this one.
“Who was that?” I asked.
“Craig Kidd”, Mark Endres replied. “He is a leader in the Republican Party.”
“No wonder I am not a Republican”, I responded.
Four Years Later
Four years later and Kidd is the Mayor’s assistant. And for several years there have been plenty of rumors about Mr. Kidd and what was going on locally. To summarize it briefly, candidates that could not be considered conservative in the least were being recruited by Kidd(A member of Republican Leadership in Fulton County) to seek office against candidates for City Council that were undeniably conservative, especially on fiscal matters.
Why would Republican leadership be recruiting candidates that were liberal? Rationally that makes no sense to someone like me, who is principled in their beliefs.
Johns Creek is small and rumors travel fast. Rumors that opponents of candidates Endres and Bradberry and Coughlin from years past were being coached by Bodker and Kidd were frequent. And as we know those candidates lost.
Time To Prove Or Dismiss The Rumors
In the spring of 2019, several things happened that heightened the awareness of what was going on to those residents that wanted to hold our government accountable.
The pursuit of Gateway Markers by the Convention and Visitor’s Bureau, led by Lynda Smith, contained threats that were not so veiled against Coughlin, who dared to challenge the return on investment Gateway Markers would provide. Coughlin was told that there would be candidates in the fall to run against him because he was not supporting the CVB.
Lynda Smith’s Text Message Regarding Candidates to Oppose Coughlin
Endres was also at the same time catching hell for daring to report to Council what she had heard at CVB meetings.
There were rumors that the Mayor and Kidd were working to turn Johns Creek “blue” after McBath and Kausche both won in 2018.
Many of us debated why so called “Republicans” would do that. The answer is simple. They want to maintain their hold on power as long as they can. And if they have to compromise in certain areas then they will do so as long as they can maintain their control.
The FOIA Request
Most of us call it a FOIA request(Freedom of Information Act). But for local governments it is a GORA(Georgia Open Records Act). In order to get to the truth as to whether candidates were being recruited by Kidd and Bodker to run against duly elected candidates(Chris Coughlin), the activities of Kidd would need to be reviewed.
Records Requested *
For Craig Kidd I seek these public records.1. Text messages on city phone including phone number/contact from January 1, 2019 – September 30, 2019 2. Telephone log of all incoming and outgoing calls on city phone from January 1, 2019 – September 30, 2019 3. Copies of all emails to and from @FultonGOP.org, 4. Audit of website activity for city phone and city computer assigned to Craig Kidd April 1, 2019 – September 30, 2019 (what websites has he visited and for how long)
As you can see, the only materials requested were from City devices. The search was limited to the issues stated above. This was not a wild goose chase but a specific and narrow search.
Five Minutes
Within five minutes of reviewing the information I had picked up from City Hall, it became very clear that the rumors were not just rumors but facts. These are not alleged, made up, contrived or fake news. The information was pulled by City Officials who are required by State Law to do just that.
The Mayor is an elected official. His assistant is an employee of the City. Here is the text exchange they had on March 2, 2019(I have bolded the crucial messages in the thread below-the “Me” in the thread below is the Mayor’s assistant as it was his text records I requested):
[3/2/19, 10:43 AM] Mike Bodker : Did you see the news about Sharon [3/2/19, 10:43 AM] Me: No [3/2/19, 10:46 AM] Mike Bodker : She resigned [3/2/19, 10:46 AM] Mike Bodker : Effective late March [3/2/19, 10:47 AM] Me: She was getting quite frustrated with the city’s lack of development desire. [3/2/19, 10:48 AM] Me: Do we know where she’s going? [3/2/19, 10:51 AM] Mike Bodker : Yep as am I [3/2/19, 10:55 AM] Me: Things will get once city hall and linear open. People need to see it. [3/2/19, 11:03 AM] Me: I spoke with Kausche’s aide. I think she and I will have a meeting this week to discuss November. I imagine I will blow her mind. [3/2/19, 11:50 AM] Mike Bodker : She said to Warren back to NY to be with family [3/2/19, 11:51 AM] Mike Bodker : Talked to Angelika Friday about the same topic she keeps getting no way from folks [3/2/19, 11:52 AM] Mike Bodker : I hope we can trust her given that Stephanie was already telling people I want dems to run [3/2/19, 11:53 AM] Me: I presume that was a leftover from the Bradberry Horton race. For the time being we will have to ignore the raw partisan talk. It will be tough but long term it’s best. [3/2/19, 11:53 AM] Me: If we can bring the chamber in on three November talks then Angelica will see how strong our intent is. [3/2/19, 11:55 AM] Mike Bodker : Arts and chamber [3/2/19, 11:56 AM] Mike Bodker : We need various Constituencies to align [3/2/19, 11:56 AM] Me: Already on that. The arts community is looking for a candidate. I told them more than one. Sadly they put all their energy into Horton so when she passed, they were left flat footed. [3/2/19, 11:57 AM] Me: I’m trying to get Baughman and Lynda Smith flaking. Somehow, they don’t know each other
Me: Craig Kidd- Mayor’s Assistant
Sharon: Sharon Ebert (Community Development)
Kausche: Agelika Kausche-Democrat who won Georgia’s District 50 Race
Stephanie: Council Member Stephanie Endres
Bradberry: Council Member John Bradberry
Horton: Vicki Horton, who ran for the same seat as Bradberry and lost in a runoff
Baughman: Maestro for JC Symphony and lead on the Legacy Center (new name for Performing Arts Center
Lynda Smith: Head of Johns Creek Convention & Visitor’s Bureau
Arts: Art Community who is pursuing a Performing Arts Center and Gateway Markers(one of the constituencies)
Chamber: Johns Creek Chamber of Commerce(another of the constituencies
Reviewing the results from a request under the Georgia Open Records Act I filed with the City of Johns Creek, it became obvious that resources(staff and equipment) were being used to engage in political activities that should have been done outside of the office and not using City equipment(cell phones, computers, etc).
You can read all the messages between the two using the link below:
The Johns Creek City Charter is similar to the US Constitution. It is a framework for the rules under which our City operates and what is allowed and not allowed. Elected officials swear an oath that they will faithfully execute the City Charter of Johns Creek.
What Does The City Charter Say About This Behavior?
Section 2.15 of the City Charter Section C states the following:
No elected official, appointed officer, or employee of the city or any agency or entity to which this Charter applies shall use property owned by such governmental entity for personal benefit, convenience, or profit, except in accordance with policies promulgated by the city council or the governing body of such agency or entity.
The replacement of Council Member Chris Coughlin from the Johns Creek City Council would have made it much easier for the Mayor to proceed with his agendas.
In the text messages using City issued cellphones and during normal business hours, we see a conversation that describes the Mayor’s frustration with the lack of development desire.
Next, we see the assistant discuss contacting the aide of Angelika Kause(D-50), our state representative. Rumors were circulating around Johns Creek that the Major and his assistant wanted to turn Johns Creek blue. These text messages confirm that there indeed was a strategy to do this.
We also see that the Mayor confirms that he has also contacted Kausche on the same topic and the answer from folks is no way.
It also makes it clear that the Mayor and the assistant were reaching out to other constituencies in an effort to field opponents for Council Member Chris Coughlin, who was going to run for re-election to the Johns Creek City Council. We also know that they were successful as Coughlin had three opponents during the race. Two of the opponents were both connected to the constituencies mentioned in the text messages above, and spent more than $100 thousand dollars in this effort.
What Needs to Happen Next?
When a resident wins election to the City Council they take an Oath to uphold three very important documents. Here are a few portions of that Oath:
I, do solemnly swear that I will faithfully execute the office of Council Member of the City of Johns Creek, and will, to the best of my ability support and defend the Constitution of the United States, the Constitution of the State of Georgia and the Charter, Ordinances and Regulations of the City of Johns Creek.
I will truthfully, honestly and faithfully discharge the duties of my office.
PORTIONS OF THE CEREMONIAL OATH OF OFFICE FOR THE CITY OF JOHNS CREEK
The second line I have included above is also critically important. To me this line means that you will do what is right, and not just what is in your own best interest.
The issue was taken up at the last City Council work session on December 9th, 2019. And it seems that this Council up to this point is delegate their responsibility to resolve this issue to the City Manager and an independent investigator.
The facts seem undeniable. City Property was used to achieve specific objectives that would benefit the Mayor for personal benefit and convenience. The Mayor directs the Assistant that he needs multiple constituencies to align. The Assistant responds that he has told them he needs more than one candidate.
We know this to be true as Council Member Chris Coughlin had candidates from the constituencies mentioned. We know that these constituencies did try to align to defeat Coughlin, although they failed.
And unless there is a policy that has been approved that states City Resources can be used for campaign purposes, recruitment of candidates, and for the personal benefit and convenience of the Mayor and his assistant, then the Charter has been clearly violated.
Residents of Johns Creek do not vote for the City Manager. While the Police Chief has the utmost respect, this is not a criminal matter. The outcomes for violating the City Charter are not necessarily criminal matters and those that violate the Charter do not necessarily go to prison.
What they did vote for are the seven bodies that serve as the Johns Creek City Council. And like it or not they have a job that they have sworn an oath to perform.
What Is Their Duty?
The City Council is required to enforce the City Charter. And they are required to enforce it for violating even one provision of the Charter. If they do not then they themselves are violating the City Charter according to Section 2.16 (a) (1) & (5) and also should be removed accordingly.
Section 2.16 of the City Charter states the following:
Sec. 2.16. – Removal of officers.
(a)The mayor, a council member, or other appointed officers provided for in this Charter shall be removed from office for any one or more of the following causes:
(1)Incompetence, misfeasance, or malfeasance in office;
(2)Conviction of a crime involving moral turpitude;
(3)Failure at any time to possess any qualifications of office as provided by this Charter or by law;
(4)Knowingly violating Section 2.15 or any other express prohibition of this Charter;
(5)Abandonment of office or neglect to perform the duties thereof; or
(6)Failure for any other cause to perform the duties of office as required by this Charter or by state law.
Can This Behavior Be Defended?
Would the Mayor argue that he does not know the Charter? He shouldn’t. Otherwise that would then confirm incompetence. Another reason to be removed from office according to the City Charter.
Could the Mayor have his assistant do whatever he desires? No. The assistant is a City employee and is also bound by the City Charter.
In Conclusion
The action of the Mayor’s assistant to knowingly pursue candidates to run against sitting Council Members, at the Mayor’s direction, in an effort to change the political makeup of the Johns Creek City Council, using City Equipment, during working hours being paid a taxpayer-funded salary and benefits, is clearly a violation of the Johns Creek City Charter.
For an individual in the Fulton County Republican machine to be recruiting democrats to run for City Council? That’s up to those that call themselves Republicans. That’s one of the reason many of us are no longer republicans. We will see if they police themselves or not.
The assistant to the Mayor reports directly and only to the Mayor. Who should have been making sure that this was not happening as a function of their daily job, rather than giving the guidance to pursue the objectives we saw stated above? Only one person: Mayor Bodker.
Where Does That Leave Us?
One or more of the Council Members need to take action and take action soon. If you are not going to enforce the Charter, I’d encourage you to resign. We can find residents who are willing to enforce the Charter on behalf of all residents, and not just when it is convenient.
It is past time to lead by example and address what we know has been going on and put an end to such behavior.
“You will earn the respect of all if you begin by earning the respect of yourself. Don’t expect to encourage good deeds in people conscious of your own misdeeds.”
Friends, Adam Thomas seems to find it necessary to suggest things about Chris Coughlin that simply do not hold up under scrutiny. Even though the “tax promise” mentioned was made during a campaign that was NOT for the seat Chris currently holds, he still has not broken that tax promise.
The above states that Chris Coughlin pushed for a millage rate of 4.3. That was lower than the millage rate in the motion that was being debated. That would have been a tax cut.
How often does one see a incumbent chastised for offering an amendment to lower tax rates and then have that used against him? This could be a first. But it gets better.
Chris never voted for a millage rate over 4 to be implemented in Johns Creek. He did support an amendment to the motion to lower the rate from the roll back rate. But if that passed, that did not mean that Chris would have then voted to set the millage rate at that level.
His flyer is deceptive at the very least. Council Members should offer amendments to motions to drive the conversation, even if ultimately they will not support it. That is how you hear the debate on the principles and positions.
It’s a shame he has to try and paint a picture that suggests something that is simply not true about Coughlin.
So, are the statements made on Mr. Thomas’ flyer campaign flyer promises he will live up to?
Do you really think Thomas will have a budget where every expenditure will be justified? Prior to implementation of this budget? Has he actually watched the budget process?
Unless he redefines what audit means, the answer would be no.
Let’s combine that with his argument that critical projects have been delayed and defunded. We know that many of these projects have shown little to no value to Johns Creek.
But they were “promised” with TSPLOST. Should not an elected official challenge wasteful spending on behalf of the residents? Absolutely.
And to answer his question?
Yes Chris Coughlin represents me. And I will be voting for him because he has represented me, challenged bad ideas pushed by the majority, improved our traffic flow on 141, and worked on many other issues to improved our quality of life.
