Yes, I will vote for Mike Beaudreau.

Nice Representative Harrell...I know Mike appreciates your support.

...and because of redistricting...I get to vote for you for the first time! Happily done!!

Friend with Business Benefits disclaimer here...

About Brett
State Representative
Georgia General Assembly, District 106
Committee Assignments: Transportation (Ports and Local Government Subcommittee), Regulated Industries (Alcohol and Tobacco Subcommittee), Information and Audits (Chair, General Government Subcommittee)

Atlanta native, graduate of South Gwinnett High and the University of Georgia. Former mayor of Snellville, long-time small business owner,

and now a garbageman (sales) with Advanced Disposal Services.

R,

Thanks for throwing me in the briar patch. I joined Advanced Disposal in September 2009, well after the County issued the RFP and well after the lawsuits were filed. I had absolutely nothing to do with the County trash plan.

You may be surprised to learn I am the author of HB 291 that would prohibit Counties and Cities from adding non-tax fees (garbage, stormwater) to your property tax bill.

Commissioner Mike Beaudreau is the most vocal opponent of my legislation. He and I disagree on this policy issue. I respect that he is truthful, forthright, and well prepared to discuss his position, just as I try to be in discussing mine. I recognize men of good will may differ on policy and I appreciate the fact that Commissioner Beaudreau does not spin, dodge, or cover up his true feelings. We may disagree on an issue from time to time, but I feel I have an honest representative doing what he feels is in the best interest of those he serves. So long as I have that, I can tolerate a differnce of opinion on policy.

By the way, I was also the Mayor of Snellville and Jerry Oberholtzer served as Mayor Pro Tem during much of that time. I have known Tommy Hunter for several years casually through various County events. I just recently met Mike Korom on a couple of occasions.

Brett

It wasn't a "briar patch" announcement or even a gotcha, but just disclosure from your Bio for those who aren't aware...

Well said Brett. That's one of the things I like about Commissioner Beaudreau the most.

Looking forward to voting for you in July.

And just for the record as an aside, Gwinnett County didn't get its current hauler assignments until April of 2010 after the judge approved the consent decree.

Good Day

It really was an excellent opportunity to learn more about these candidates. I had narrowed my choices down to two and last night helped me decide which man would get my vote.

Anybody who doesn't have the guts to list their name with their response is not a patriot but a coward. Man-up Mr. American Patriot !

Guy Salvatore

I'm with you Guy. I wouldn't call people a coward but it does rub me wrong that most people want to hide behind a made up name. I'm not something special because I have done something different...it's the way everyone should be (and there are several here that do not hide....to their credit).

Ed...deny and deflect? We you at the debate or at the bar and grill? Who got the huge majority of the questions during the candidate question time? Commissioner Beaudreau. How did he handle each one? Intelligent, thoughtful and accurate answers.

Furthermore, he did explain, very accurately, how people were getting trash service without paying for it.

If you're going to be a hater...fine but at least be accurate and complete about what he said.

Kristi...in another blog here...you accused me, incorrectly, of not respecting a poster's idea (about having a 25 unelected person citizen board make zoning decisions). I wonder why you are silent when someone refers to Commissioner Beaudreau as Der Komissar?

Actually Floyd, there was no accusation made. I was simply explaining my reason for saying his proposal was interesting.

C'mon, Floyd, you know damn well "Der Komissar" is German for "Commissioner". Would it make you happy if I changed it to "Le Commissionaire"?

You want to to talk about being respectful? Respect is earned. In my book, advertising yourself as a rock-ribbed conservative while practicing liberal big government policies is not worthy of any respect. So I don't give him any,.

Speaking of respect--"We you at the debate or at the bar and grill?" Nice. Suppose I was a recovering alcoholic and AA member. Think I would have found that very respectful?

Ed...it's also a well used phrase in Russian but either way...this is America and to use any other country's words was nothing but a slap at Commissioner Beaudreau. Don't crawfish...you said it, more than once. We all know your intent.

Ed, you wouldn't be satisfied with Commissioner Beaudreau even if he was one the signers of the D. of I. You accuse him of liberalism which is a riot. You're more likely to get Mike Beaudreau to kick a 35 yard field goal with a bowling ball than you are to get him to be a liberal. It's not in the DNA fella.

Ed, the bar and grill comment was not disrespectful in the least. Your description of what was said at the debate was so incredibly incomplete that I had to wonder if you were there. Notice I didn't say you were drinking or were drunk. Since, at the moment, I cannot enjoy one of my personal passions, bowling, were I up at S&S, and not at the debate, I would likely be in that room eating something and watching some baseball (or NBA finals if nothing better was on).

2 things, Floyd.

1. If you'll read my post you'll note I SAID I wasn't there (hence my asking of anyone who WAS there if the comment was made that I had heard from another person). So you're comment can't be read as anything but being a smart-ass, which is what I expect from Beaudreau's main cheerleader.

2. You're right. I'll swallow my pride and vote for the Democrat who runs against him before I'll vote for The Commish (how's that? OK?). See, I've spoken with him three times, each time met with pomposity and in one case, sarcastic condescension. And three emails in the past were never answered. So maybe you can see why I don't swallow the tripe he spews for public consumption. He may be a different person around you, but then again, you lap up everything he has to offer.

Ed...I should just sit here and watch you make a fool of yourself. Go ahead and vote for the democrat running against him....OH WAIT...THERE ISN'T ONE! Know that saying that you can't dig your way out of a hole...might wanna consider it.

Also, it's just me talking but you have been nothing but arrogant and condescending in everything you post here. Not having been present the time I can't say for certain but I wouldn't be surprised if it was YOU who was practicing a bit of sarcastic condescension.

Finally, I guess I actually have to state the obvious and point out to you that your comment about not being there is BELOW not ABOVE what I was responding to and hence I wouldn't have read it yet. I figured since you were posting you would know that but that's what I get for assuming.

For those who were able to go, did Der Komissar actually say that he "always returned emails/phone calls from his constituents", or words to that effect?

@Ed- I'm exploring the most efficient way to share audio from the debate. Let me know if this works: http://soundcloud.com/daculapatch/question-to-beaudreau-what

This is Mike Beaudreau answering how he would best serve his constituents. The part you inquired about is around the 1:30 mark.

Kristi...the quality is okay...I wish you could filter out some of the low end base. Also, the shape of the room we were in I'm sure promoted wave interference in a large way..

In case no one could understand the first couple of seconds, Commissioner Beaudreau was talking about the 90 consecutive months he's held his weekend meetings with residents.

By the way...I'd like to personally thank Jerry Oberholtzer for the shout out during his closing statement. I thought it was very kind of him to draw attention to how I was taking notes on all FOUR candidates.

"I'm not perfect"......got it.

Thats all he's got Floyd. All he can do is throw mud at everyone but himself. His whole campaign's foundation is crumbling every time he opens his mouth. He doesnt do his home work before he opens his mouth. I seen him get backed in a corner on another forum last week by opening his mouth and being clueless about what he was talking about. Whie me and you disagree on who we think should fill the district 3 seat. We can agree that at least one candidate is completly way out of his league. I'm supporting Tommy, and it's nice to see Korom self destruct.

Politics is a strange thing. By his own admission, he got in because of the airport and there is certainly NOTHING wrong with that. But he and his campaign, apparently, didn't really consider that the airport was going to be resolved very early in the next term or just as likely during this term. He needed to be as passionate about other issues as well. His other "plan" was the learning to learning thing which while it's a decent idea, it had the obvious hole of not being paid for.

Basically, he wasn't prepared for a successful conclusion to his #1 issue. In fairness...that a bit of a toughie to see coming. It has to be really really really thought through.

I'd also take care in thinking he's self destructing. The debate last night was a very good one. Cynthia did a great job with it. But as to its effect on voting? Who knows....I sure don't.

Floyd - I don't think it is unfair at all. No one expected him to give a detailed response in a two minute period. He touched on the Coolray portion then digressed into a discussion of his experience and his desire to put those issues behind him. If you were being fair, you would admit that he could've spent those two minutes differently.

Actually I am being fair. Pardon the pun but he took a lot of heat about Coolray. He addressed it. The question from Korom was about Commissioner Beaudreau's conservativism. he answered the question. The experience he has is VERY relevant.

You did, as you wrote in your blog, that he didn't address the other issues specifically without giving the reader any understanding that it simply wasn't possible.

Floyd - While I commend your defense of Beaudreau, your comment is simply inaccurate. If you reread the passage, you'll see that it covers what he said and you'll also see that he had a lot of other things to say in those two minutes. You are, of course, entitled to your opinion regarding whether or not he was capable of answering the question during the time allotted. Clearly you think he was not. Also, this is not a blog.

You talk about the two minutes here but clearly did not in the article. The way it was written gave the appearance, intended or not, that he tried to avoid the question. You pointed out the issues raised by Korom but not that they were a part of a larger point that Commissioner Beaudreau clearly addressed. That's my point.

I do, however, give you full credit for including his explanation of his vote on the trash program.

I actually did mention the two minute response time later in the article. Also, for the record, this was Korom's full question: "In light of the millions of dollars in litigation spent and created tax burdens, do you stand by your decisions in regards to Coolray Field, the Rabbit Hill cell phone tower, Service Delivery Strategy and the trash plan?"

Yes...key word...LATER...in the article. That comes after someone has already formulated an opinion that he tried to dodge the question. Good to mention anywhere of course but I think it should have appeared earlier. No matter...he did great in the debate.

Eyes? No...I just know him. Were he to become corrupt I would not drop him as a friend at all but I would not support him as commissioner.

Were you there? Unless you had a t-shirt with the letter R on it I wouldn't know who you were so I don't know. But Commissioner Beaudreau, as he has countless times before, explained exactly what the problem was with the old system.

Well lets be sure that EVERYONE knows one of the things WRONG with the NEW trash plan.

We were literally promised “competitive bidding” to select district haulers by the board of commissioners that Mike was a member of - at that time.

The ACTUAL result RECEIVED by residents was superior court legal representation that stated for the record “that completive bidding was not LEGALLY required”. Poof here we are.

I’m looking forward...

We can’t reasonably continue the mindset or thought processes that has and will continue to bring us lawsuits at every turn going forward.

When the claim is made that this plan is a “success” and it met campaign promises – it MUST be brought out that the entire county was “bait and switched” and that is hard to support as a "conservative".

R...the number of lawsuits because of decisions isn't put on Commissioner Beaudreau...it's how society operates nowadays unfortunately. Like he said at the debate last night...tough...hard...unpleasant decisions had to be made. He made them. He knows the possibility of suits is possible because of a decision but is determined to make the right one anyway. Isn't that what we ALL want in an elected official?

Yes it was a "Tuff" decision to BYPASS the county procurement process in the Trash plan and one he signed on for.

YOUR statement would apply only if he had VOTED against it…

NO sir, lawsuits are NOT a staple, in areas where integrity rules the roost.
The resulting civil settlements allow governments to get away with policies they can’t execute under normal operational regulations.

We want an elected official who can learn, and not repeat the same approach over and over and over…

Huh? Say What? Lawsuits by the bucket full are, unfortunately, the norm.

Disagree with the decision all you wish...but give the man credit for standing and not shrinking/dodging the issue and explaining, yet again, why he decided what he did. Cmon...the more you talk about why you don't like the man the more you prove why he SHOULD be re-elected...kinda like the debate last night.

But "Pink" Floyd, I am giving him the credit he is due ...
Bait and switch and increasing our cost of living.

Because his actions DIRECTLY brought the settlement consent order that we ALL pay for with regard to the Trash Plan. We even paid 2 consultants a fair amount in fees to advise us and they found putting items on the tax bill to have MAJOR resistance to the residents - so where is it now?

It's one thing to make a hard decision - and then learn from it so the situation is NOT repeated in the future, but here comes the cell tower deal... tabled 20 plus times? Per Mike B, the county won revenue BUT a citzen LOST, "tuff" luck and here comes yet another "can't comment due to lawsuit response"...
Heck after a while one learns how to stay out of court.

The "Successful" trash plan by the way that now will "allow" the county to give "discounts" of about 20 dollars a YEAR to a very small percentage of older citizens by TAXING another segment of the county populatiion (so as NOT to reduce the revenue stream)....

Thats an inprovement? That's conservative? This is how you define success? There is really no incentive for Gwinnett to fight for lower rates going forward because it CUTS into its cash flow if it does...

And to close here, what happens to the rest of us should the new city of Peachtree Corners decide to exercize their charter and determine sheltering former signers is not worth the cost and that they CAN broker a better deal WITHOUT the baggage?

Bev...you should be embarassed by this post. You insinuate that because he served in the same building with Bannister, Kennerly and Lassiter that he's associated with him. Of course, you present nothing but hysterical conjecture because he ISN'T assocated with them but freedom of speech gives you the right to do so...Enjoy.

Bev, there were several instances in the Grand Jury Report in October, 2010 that were documented as Mike's "raising his voice in protest or concern" and, I believe the words used were that Bannister made an "object lesson" of Mike and the intent was to "stick it to him." It would seem that his objections, made with the best interests of District 3, were used against him - and therefore - us. There are several instances noted of heated arguments specifically between Mike and Bannister in that report.

"there were several instances in the Grand Jury Report in October, 2010 that were documented as Mike's "raising his voice in protest or concern"

Hmmm...sounds suspiciously like he talks down to his peers the way he does to many constituents who oppose him. And they appear to think as much of him as a result.

Ed, Ed, Ed. Incredibly creative spin there, but in this case I was addressing Bev's recollection of him not "raising a voice in protest". Clearly, he was at odds with some of the misdeeds and was subject to some backlash. So if he had been quiet, in "Ed's World" that means duplicitous; and if he raised objection then that makes him argumentative. **sigh** Kinda hard for a man of ethics to battle that kind of logic.

Bev, kinda hard for me not to laugh at the term "Man of Ethics" when Beaudreau is the subject therein.

Sorry Bev, I meant Gail. Too many subthreads in here for me to keep up with.

Gail...Ed is a posterchild for the people who post here and are little more than haters. It's not creative spin...more like the rotating water after a flush.

The hysterical conjecture is amusing.

@Scott - Nice to meet you too! I like the front plate on your truck by the way -- I had the same one on my old car. Did you see my new Bama plate? RTR!

Scott...December 31, 2016 WILL end his last term as Commissioner....as he said last night.

Floyd - Correct. My "might" is that IF he should get re-elected then it would be his final term.

Kristi - didn't see your car. Any BAMA plate is a great plate! RTR!

I agreee Jimmy. The debate was well organized..the format was good...the length was right and the thing was actually pretty darn civil frankly. I enjoyed it. Cynthia did an excellent job!

Jimmy - of course. Also, just a reminder, we encourage our readers to take advantage of our blogging platform to share ideas, opinions, interests, etc. Just look for the "start a blog" link on the home page and you can write your own assessment of last night's forum or write about other topics of interest to you.

Kristi...I have always liked that about the Patch.

Floyd - You should really give it a try. You are clearly passionate about local politics -- you would make a great blogger.

Thanks Kristi...I may give it a whirl. I am definitely passionate about politics...comes from having the experience of several visits to the former USSR and to Estonia when they were having their drive for independence. In Estonia...I was among people who were nothing short of patriots. They either won or died. You can't be around people like that for consecutive seconds and not be changed.

Perhaps I will do some blogging. Thanks.

Dude, or dudette (Can't tell because you aren't using your real name) you are correct on Karom but not on Hunter, Tommy is desperately seeking power. After losing two years ago in the district 4 raced he continued to raise money, not to pay down debt mind you but building a war chest for the next race. You should check his disclosures out. Interesting list of names & talk about developer backing… Some here have called Mike B arrogant, what of Tommy’s answer to the airport issue and I paraphrase “all you have to do is show me an aerial photo of the airport and I can tell you it wouldn’t work”. His attitude of no let’s not look at it and study it, just don’t do it because I’m an engineer & I looked at a picture and made a decision. Far too arrogant & short sighted a man for me. Don't let his country bumpkin approach fool ya either, he is not an everyman. He is a “It’s My way or you are stupid” man.

http://www.gwinnettcounty.com/portal/gwinnett/Departments/Elections/CampaignDisclosureReports/CampaignContributionReports/BoardofCommissioners

Do your due diligence.

Well put Tim (and thanks for not hiding behind a fake name btw).

I'm sure he meant well but I was surprised that he would have said something that basically admitted he wouldn't study the matter to make a fully informed decision. Heck, as a licensed pilot (with training in bush piloting and aerobatics), I likely could analyze the map as good as anyone in the room. But the map doesn't tell you diddly about the economics of the situation and while he was talking about 316 lets remember that the recent runway addition to hartsfield required building it OVER 285. The map doesn't tell you that either.

Bev ... you really must stop using that pesky logical approach (Smiles)

Bev...at times being an outsider can be a tactical advantage...last night Mike Korom showed why that's not the case in this instance.

In answering the "what have you enjoyed the most about running for office?" question, after Commissioner Beaudreau gave a genuine answer, Korom, after a brief answer, started insinuating Mike was responsible for the loss of teacher's jobs and increase in class size. Nice sound bite and his supporters cheered it...ONE PROBLEM...the GCPS leadership sets the school budget. The Board of Commissioners has **NOTHING** to do with teacher's jobs or class sizes...Commissioner Beaudreau has about as much to do with the GCPS budget as he does Ice Road Truckers.

You might think that was just a slip up but look further. On June 6th, on his campaign FB page, he was asked by a voter if they could vote early. Read his response...not only did he NOT mention the weeks of walk up early voting, he said, "I believe you can by absentee ballot". He had to go back and "double check" that was possible.

I'm sorry Bev...having been deeply involved in 9 campaigns, one as CM, I have a sincerely honest respect for anyone that decides to run for office...I mean that. But the things Korom has made mistakes in show why it's not always good to be an outsider.

@Pink Floyd

This separation claim is correct in a "narrow definition" because legally they are separate entities. A claim oft repeated endlessly during the building frenzy years. Pre storm water fee.

HOWEVER, the BOC does have direct IMPACT on the GCPS by zoning approvals. And thus indirectly on the school's budget including class size.
If you remember back to the first debate, actually Mike took credit for his stance (rightly so - by the way) because zonings he fought for were suposedly done in such a manner as to be sure the school system could handle the capacities that would be required - in an attempt to end the continuous "trailer" farms.

So before you continuously repeat there is NO connection, remember you are now at odds with Mike B on his own claim to have helped create smarter development, a feather he earned the hard way.

I prefer Floyd the Barber.

Look...you can stretch this all you want. Why don't you try suggesting that there's a connection because Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners and Gwinnett County Public Schools both start with Gwinnett County.

The simple and DIRECT TRUTH here is that Commissioner Beaudreau has none...repeat ZERO direct effect on the GCPS budget...remember the School Board even has separate members elected by district.

R...whoever you are...generally speaking the purchases of land for schools is known before rezoning requests are heard so absolutely the Commission can include that in learning what the effects of a decision might be. But be truthful here...the only way Mike Beaudreau affects the GCPS budget is by paying his property taxes. You know it and I know it.

Note to Jerry Oberholtzer....Korom's comments about the schools and Commissioner Beaudreau is on page 2 of my notes.

But "Pink' Floyd
You just keep bringing more bricks for The Wall... that at times is Beaudreau.

A wall of truth that stands no matter how much you try to stretch it.

I accept the compliment.

Not sure what my current career has to do with it, yes I am a real estate agent, as is Tommy Hunter and I believe he has his broker’s license as well. I sell residential homes. In 7 + years in real estate I've done 1 commercial deal in Hall county, helped someone buy a body shop, & I currently have one listing in banks county that is 18 acres residential property, not a future subdivision but an estate lot with lake frontage. The difference from what you were trying to expose is that I do not do "land deals" and I do not do development. I never took contributions from land developers or builders. Prior to that I had a 20 year career in IT managing IT & network groups. I have participated in several large ERP Implementations as well. Most of my career was at the management level.

I ran for commissioner because I did not feel any of the other candidates were going to be concerned with my part of the district. I ran to be a servant leader and continue my work in the Hamilton Mill rd. area on fighting spot zoning and manage growth in my area as well as the rest of the district, something I’ve been doing for 10+ years. I also presume my 15 + years in management as well as experience as a business owner, I also have a small IT consultancy developing database solutions in MS Access, would be an asset to the community. Yup I too had an agenda, put a non-politician and homeowner friendly person in the District 4 Commissioner’s chair.

Him saying the old plan was socialist is rediculous. It's not socialist when the people can do buisiness with whom they so choose. Thats the end of that.I actaually love Tommy's answer on the airport. It's that simple. Just about anyone could look at it that see that it wont work that doesnt have $ on the back of their eyelids. Do we really want another Hartsfield Jackson airport up here? Another common sense answer. 316 is a parking lot right now. The new exits for collins hill and 20 are not even close to taking care of that issue. There's no need to get in to 747's flying over everyones house that lives in the flight path. Take the $$$$$$$$$ out of it Floyd and my 13 year old daughter could have come to same conclusion as and the vast majority of the voters. It's all about the $!

J. - you only love it because of who said it. Does a map tell you the economics of a situation? No. Lets also keep in mind that there was a creative situation employed at Hartsfield to make the last runway doable. giving a map a blink's worth of time and thinking you know the answer was NOT a good response. It may have played well with some in the room but it was NOT a good answer.

747's? You're starting to get a bit hysterical here. No 747's were ever planned for the area. You'll have to do better than that...MUCH better.

$ on the back of their eyelids? You are either accusing Commissioner Beaudreau of being corrupt and committing illegal acts or wanting him to be something other than a good steward and actually taking the time to make an informed decision. The common sense truth here is that Commissioner Beaudreau did exactly what he said he would do. He made the informed decision for the right reasons. The "I could have told you that by looking at a map" is nothing more than Tommy Hunter piling on after the only leader in the room did the right thing for the right reasons. Spin it all you want but Hunter basically told everyone there that he wouldn't look at anything other than an ADC map to make an enormous decision like that. My 14 year old daughter would have taken the time to get informed first.

Tim I just wanted Dacula Native and the rest of the readers to know that your a Beadreau man. Thats all. That way they could see where your coming from in your dislike of Tommy. Thanks for clearing a lot of that up.

@ Jimmy I have no idea why it is so important to to use our real names and not handles? One reason I use a handle is so we stay on point and not make personal attacks for our opinions. Some of us have professional and personal reasons why we choose to stay anonymous. Because we are blogging using a handle does not diminish our points of view and because you choose to use your real name does not make your point and any more valid.

Jimmy...I couldn't agree more.

I think you have more of a problem with my handle then anything else. Instead of using a handle I could have made up a name and you would never know the difference. There is no way to verify that people on this board are using their real names. I am just curious why you want to know my real name? Could it be you want possibly hurt me or my family for my opinions? I doubt that but that is the way it comes across. If my handle bothers you can just call me marine because that what all my friends call me. Semper Fi!

I have enjoyed this blog and have paid not attention to the author. I was unable to attend on the 14th and have found most of this very informative. The fact is there are very solid arguments for listing your real name on the www or a handle/pseudonym. I cannot list my name due to the fact that I fear becoming a target for identity theft (it happens). Regardless, keep your comments coming on the topic at hand as I have a vote to cast and this blog like others are going to help me cast a vote.

I think it means is we are heading for a run off. No way MB gets 50% or better the first try.

Ed...I'm very curious to see how the voting and voting patterns go in this primary. Having 3 opponents could do so or it could congeal around one opponent. Remains to be seen but it will be very interesting to watch.

J...getting a bit desperate there aren't you? Yeah...Mike Beaudreau spends his days going around and randomly putting signs into yards of those who didn't ask for them. Whatever.

@ "Pink" Floyd
WRONG... GUESS AGAIN .... WRONG ... GUESS AGAIN.

The man didn't state the Mike B put a sign in his friend's yard or the one across the street - he typed "someone" did.

Your response just becomes another "Brick in The Wall"

R...failure alert..."That's desperation, with a side of arrogance". Now you can believe he was talking about some random person crusing the streets and randomly putting out Beaudreau signs but the pile on at the end of the post makes it clear who he was referring to.

You lose...seems to be a pattern.

WRONG... Guess again!

For a guy who goes by EXACTLY by what is said / typed ( repeatedly) you blew it by misinterperting what he meant, maybe Dacula Weather is correct - you may need YOUR glasses ....

Wow and after all that about "correcting your errors when they are pointed out to you" too...

All and all, its just another brick in The Wall...
But we love ya anyway.

PS UNLESS "Pink" Floyd. you REALLY see YOUR man described in the text as you do...

@J as much as it pains me to defend MB I don't think he was in bed w/Bannister and that crew. In fact several of the board meetings I attended Bannister showed a lot of contempt towards him when he would not go a long with the rest of the board. I can't remember the exact issues that were being discussed but I do remember thinking to myself at the time these guys don't really like each other. My issue w/MB stems mostly from direct conversations I had w/him on the trash plan. His responses really showed his true colors to me as him being another big gov proponent. In fact I really think of him more as a democrat then a republican. If he lived in Dekalb he would be running as a democrat.

J. you can dodge parry and spin all you wish but you can't get around WHAT TOMMY HUNTER SAID. I quoted him directly. Everyone in the room heard it. He told everyone there that he'd look at a map, probably not even an faa sectional map at that, and make a decision. Sorry. your guy said it.

Commissioner Beaudreau is the last Bannister man? You are fricking nuts. Mike Beaudreau has about as much in common with Charles Bannister as Gwinnett County does with Siberia. You keep running with that.

Mike is not in serious trouble with D3 voters. I'm reading your posts about 747's landing at Briscoe, Mike a Bannister follower, Mike personally putting signs in yards of those who didn't ask for them and other assorted hysteria and frankly I can't put much confidence in your assessment of the current mode of D3 residents.

@ Floyd if you are going to quote Tommy about what he said about being able to read a map and being able to tell the airport expansion was not a good idea you should probably use the entire quote and put it in context. I am going to paraphrase because I do not have the exact words he used but they are pretty close. Tommy said he could tell by looking at a map that the airport would not work because of the rezoning that occurred from when the airport was first built. He said the zoning changed from mostly industrial to pockets of residential that probably should not have been built. He said you don't build a commercial airport into an existing residential community. He believes you should build the airport first then develop around it. That sounds logical to me. He also mentioned that 316 is not up to current standards to handle the traffic in and out of the area. For those of you who were not there and do not know Tommy I do not think he came across as arrogant or ignorant. I think it is clear he knows what he is talking about and he seemed like a genuine person. I would say the same about is true about Jerry. I believe Tommy would be a real asset for the board and represent us well. He was the only person at the debate to touch on the most serious problem facing gwinnett and that is our water issue.

sir/mamm...which ever applies...

I did quote him in context. He said what he said. He told the crowd that you could look at the map and tell it wouldn't work. The map tells you nothing about the economics and numerous other things that actually could be important in making an informed decision. Humbly speaking, I'm a pilot and am as qualified to interpret an aviation sectional as much as anyone in that room but I would not just look at the map and make a snap decision.

In the scope of things, it wasn't nearly the gaffe Korom made in not knowing how the GCPS was budgeted but it's probably something he should clarify.

BTW...in an earlier post you said that Commissioner Beaudreau wasn't in bed with Bannister. You are entirely correct about that. I laugh when I hear people trying to make that connection not out of disrespect but from how far that is from reality.

@Floyd I guess we'll just disagree on this one. I think you are making more out of the map issue then it needs to be. It was clear to every open minded person in the room what he was trying to say. You are clearly a MB supporter and biased in what you are saying about the other candidates. I am not even sure why you went to the debate. Nothing said by the other candidates would have changed your mind. I still have not decided. I am sure many others have not either. I am not a big fan of MB because of his views on gov. I do not think he is corrupt in terms of having his votes bought and paid for. I think he is very progressive in his thinking and probably would be a very good democrat. This my opinion of a man that I have had more then a few detailed conversations with. I do not mean for it to be a personal attack.

Thanks A.P. I appreciate your honest opinion.

I went to the debate to support the guy I'm voting for. He's given me no reason to vote for anyone else.

Thanks for the post!

"Mr. 747" J...your hysterical postings are becoming more and more amusing. Commissioner Beaudreau was not involved with Kennerly, Bannister and Lasseter and all you have in the way of evidence is some bizarre conjecture that reaches its peak with "no doubt in my mind". You should know your opponents better than you do.

J. hereafter known as Mr. 747...Beaudreau is full of crap? Whatever. It seems your posts have the best fly attracting scent.

YOU sir ... are ........ Insubordinate!

Run it into the ground? Huh? Yeah...we've had all this growth in Gwinnett because it's run into the ground. Nice try.

Well if you want to get rid of all politicians then you must also want to get rid of Commissioner "The Consultant" Heard as well. He served 3 terms in the state legislature alongside his good friend Charles Banister before running for commissioner.

Anyone that's been in office for more than one term. Career politicians must go.

Tim...isn't that funny how people here are trying to attach Bannister to Commissioner Beaudreau when you have Heard who obviously is and I suspect Bill McKinney as well.

Yes, yes Floyd it surly is.

Ahhh...so you did. Actually I'm wearing glasses...perhaps I should take them off. Point is granted.

on another point, look how the founders created the legislature...one half elected every 2 years in entirety...the other half elected in shifts. Both are needed.

Greg, Trash plan really? Who cares who picks up the trash as long as it gets done. I love the enhanced recycling, there are three of us at home & we usually have more in the recycling bin that we have trash in the trash can.
Stadium, really, ever go to a G Braves game? Great stuff and it is paying for itself.
Lawsuits? That is a fact of life in the good old USA. Wayne Hill had a policy of avoiding law suits at all cost. All a developer had to do was threaten to sue if their development did not get accepted, and the board would OK it.
Stealing Cell towers? What are u talking about?
Tax increase? We haven't seen one, with values falling my property taxes are lower now then several years ago.
handing out building permits? Man planning meetings use to go on well past 10PM, now they are over by 8, very little development going on these days
Teachers and government workers furloughed? You are starting to sound like the Obama. New Police facility? Really I believe the building you comment on is for the city of Lawrenceville. Not a BOC involvement there.
Airport? Really Heard was against it to win votes, he was pandering to the folks in Lawrenceville. In the political climate we are in no one could be for the airport plan and win an election

Greg...Head and Nash knew the obvious? Missed their degree in Aviation Management. They didn't know...they just stuck their finger in the breeze and measured the political winds. Everyone knows that. Each time you whack Mike for making an informed decision and praising them for "knowing the obvious" you make my point even better. Commissioner Beaudreau took the time to get informed and then made the right decision for the right reasons. Nash and Heard did not. It's that simple.

Stealing cell phone towers...yeah...Mike was trying to cover the budget deficit with cell tower revenue. Lets see...about 800 a month, roughly for a cell tower...that's 9600 a month...How many cell towers does Mike need to steal to cover the deficit? I mere 1,875. Now I see why you are upset...he's WAY BEHIND what he needs to do. That's over 5 cell towers every day (7 days a week). Yeah..I can see why you don't want to vote for Commissioner Beaudreau...he apparently sucks as a thief. Don't worry though...maybe you'll have better luck with one of the other candidates.

The last 8 years? apparently you didn't save the newspaper clips about the rest of the BOC getting frustrated with him over his being a spend thrift. When I read articles like that I get a good chuckle...it's just Mike being Mike.

Greg...I hate to tell you this but teachers getting furloughed is a GCPS thing Mike has nothing to do with it even if he wanted to.

@ J...Didn't say you didn't answer...just that your answer was nothing but spin and dodge ball. What I did say was that Tommy Hunter's answer to that question was not a good one and it revealed that he would, by his own words, would make a major decision with 15 seconds of information gathering. Look...HE SAID IT. Don't cry in your beer over it.

J...you are neither getting under my skin nor doing so with HAHAHA...facts. Yeah...facts like 747's circulating at Briscoe. You have about as much chance of intimidating me or getting under my skin as I do of having a sex change.

Like I said...if you think Commissioner Beaudreau was/is a Bannister man you are fricking nuts. I guess you just like being fricking nuts. Knock yourself out and PLEASE...PRETTY PLEASE...keep running with that.

J, be passionate about your guy. NO ONE here can understand that more than me...obviously. But when you have to resort to obvious untruths like the 747's and quasi believable things like the good friend and Commissioner Beaudreau just randomly putting out signs in people's yard you come across as completely hysterical and frankly unbelievable. If you weren't so blinded by your passion you would have immediately admitted the 747 thing was not true and I would have dropped it right then...but now...it's your nickname because it reminds everyone here what lengths you will go to for Mr. Hunter. Reality s calling on line one...time to answer the phone.

Not sure at this point. My original career was in IT and with the ups and downs of the Housing market I've toyed with brushing up my skills and getting a "Real" job. If I do this then I won't have the flexibility to take time off for county business. If I'm still in sales I might, not sure just yet. (Have to weight and see who gets indited next.)

Of course if Tommy moves back into D4 after losing in the primary I might have to run, just to spite him, :-)

Oh boy! here comes yet ANOTHER "Clown Car" Primary ... (Smiles)

Greg...Greg...Greg...Let me get this straight...the BOC is responsible for the housing bubble in Gwinnett. Of course you left out the part that building permits can't be denied if the permit is in accordance with the existing zoning for the property. Yep...doesn't even go to the BOC.

Tim you may not like Mr Heard and some agree that he should move on, BUT I hope you just fell into a hole with your posting above because seems some NEVER LEARN!...

"In the political climate we are in no one could be for the airport plan and win an election"

So what you saying here is that Mike B DIDN"T make the outstanding choice that Floyd oft repeats with regard to the airport - because Mike B is RUNNING for ELECTION and that would mean losing?

Interesting perspective coming from someone with an actual candidate's experience, NOT a self described former Campaign manager…

Interesting commentary coming from one of Commissioner Beaudreau's critics that doesn't even live in the district.

Yes it sure was - both truly enlghtening and scary at the same time ...

Not really

After reading several of your posts it's no wonder you lost in district 4. Let's hope you go back into the IT field. Clearly another progressive in republican clothing. It's becoming the norm here in Gwinnett. Gwinnett GOP needs to do a better job vetting it's candidates.

@ Kristi
We collectively thank you for helping keep "the loonies on the path"...

(Or at least on point .... Smiles)

Thank you ....
You are an excellent, even handed source of information and it's greatly appreciated.

Kristi...I think I am going to do a blog...on voter participation. Probably won't be for a few days but would you mind reading it before I post it to see how it flows?

@Floyd - I look forward to reading it.

Cool...thanks...appreciate it.

Good Audio clips

Hi Floyd - The moderator asked the candidates something like "If you were a tree, what would you be?" As I recall, Beaudreau said palm, Hunter said cottonwood, Korom said he would be a pine and Oberholtzer said oak.

Now THAT's an example of comprehensive reporting … ( smiles)

I aim to please ;) I have never heard a question like that asked at a forum before. It caught me a bit off guard. I probably should've recorded it. A couple of the explanations were ... interesting.

The headline … It’s a MAJOR scandal - All candidates running for the district 3 commissioner seat freely admit to being “Future” Deadwood!

(Oh that’s right - this isn’t the AJC is it? Oops! Smiles... all in jest folks)

Nice one R.

Nailed that one! <sorry...trying to hold back>

Tongue-in-groove...er I mean cheek.

I will admit I was sitting there trying to figure out how I would answer that question. One of the candidates actually named a tree I really like. Two named trees I dislike and one named a tree that I never would have picked had I been answering that question. Maybe their answers said more than I initially realized...

Hi Michelle - Are you talking about the comments? I don't know about other browsers, but in Chrome you can right-click and run a spell checker. That said, if you read all these comments, you have been reading quite a while! This has been a very lively debate.

@ Michelle - Welcome Aboard!
Stay awhile We're all really harmless, but Kristi will keep you "safe" if we extend the "spin cycle" too long...

Amen Sister! It was a great event! While I have my chioce and others have theirs and we don't agree but it is good to see folks Care, whatever their choice. It is so much better than appathy!