Gwinnett Buzz -

Suwanee P.D. to resume using radar 1 March

Derek C. — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 20:19:33 +0000

The Suwanee Police Department will resume its revenue enhancement efforts via radar speed enforcement on 1 March. After the recent agreement between local municipalities and Gwinnett County regarding the provision of various services, local police departments can resume using radar for traffic enforcement. Suwanee must wait for reinstatment of its radar permit because its previous permit had expired.

Here's a real knee slapper from the Gwinnett Daily Post article:

City leaders have said the need for it to return is primarily for public and highway safety, and not revenue generated by citations.

Umm...yeah. I wonder if they said that with a straight face? Apparently they think we missed the recent news that the absence of radar from Gwinnett roadways last year resulted in no significant increase in traffic accidents. As I said above - Suwanee will resume its revenue enhancement efforts via radar speed enforncement on 1 March. Watch out if you pass through the city - the City of Suwanee desperately needs wants your money.

Gwinnett government wants you to provide free labor

Derek C. — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 17:11:48 +0000

I could not help but chuckle at this one. On the other hand, maybe I should just be shaking my head. The Gwinnett County Commission has recently set a goal to obtain 1,000,000 volunteer hours per year from citizens through the Volunteer Gwinnett program.. These hours would be spent assisting the government in performing functions that it apparently doesn't have the funds to do itself. Commission Chairwoman Charlotte Nash said that the program would allow citizens to "give back" to our community.

I always find that phrase - "give back" - a little misleading. Perhaps I take it too literally, but to "give back" implies that something has been given to me. What exactly has the Gwinnett County government given me? Sure, they provide a variety of services, some of which I don't need nor want, but I pay for those services via my property tax payment each fall or by my tax payment on my car at my birthday. The Gwinnett government doesn't "give" me anything anymore than Best Buy "gives" me a Blu-ray when I purchase a disc at the store.

Don't misunderstand me. I am not suggesting that volunteering is not a worthy thing to do with your time. However, there are many organizations for whom you can provide the limited hours you have available to volunteer. You could volunteer at your church or with many community non-profits that rely on volunteers to survive. One excellent option for professionals is CCT Atlanta. While such opportunities may not technically meet the definition above of "giving back," they sure come a lot closer than a government that has the legal right to simply take money from you.

I know that Gwinnett's tax revenues have been hit by the economic downturn as well as the housing crunch. However, one cannot discount the role of the failed leadership from the Bannister commission in the financial condition of the Gwinnett County government. Tell you what. I will be happy to volunteer a few hours cleaning up my local park when I see the County Commission sell Gwinnett Taxpayers Stadium, aka Coolray Field, and recover all the taxpayer dollars that were sunk into what is essentially a business facility for a multi-million dollar private enterprise.

Rep. Brett Harrell to seek reelection to District 106 seat

Derek C. — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 16:23:58 +0000

First term state representative Brett Harrell of Snellville will seek reelection to the Georgia General Assembly in the redrawn House District 106. The new district "is comprised of the vast majority of Snellville and smaller portions of Lawrenceville, Grayson, and Loganville." Harrell is a former mayor of Snellville as well former executive director of the Evermore CID.

As part of his campaign announcement, Harrell released endorsements from the corners of District 106, including Snellville Mayor Pro Tem Tom Witts, Lawrenceville Councilman Tony Powell, Loganville Councilman Dan Curry and Grayson Councilwoman Allison Wilkerson.

The full text of Harrell's press release is shown below.

Brett Harrell will seek reelection to State House District 106

SNELLVILLE – Representative Brett Harrell, conservative member of the Georgia General Assembly, officially announced his campaign for re-election to State House District 106.

The new State House District 106 is comprised of the vast majority of Snellville and smaller portions of Lawrenceville, Grayson, and Loganville.

“I am grateful to represent the citizens and businesses in District 106 at the State House and I look forward to expanding that representation to include those newly added portions of Lawrenceville, Grayson, and Loganville beginning next session,” said Harrell.

Harrell is the former mayor of Snellville where he cut property taxes by 38% over five successive years. He successfully advanced over $130 million in projects, including vital transportation safety enhancements like the Hwy. 78 improvements as the former Executive Director of the Evermore Community Improvement District.

At the State House, Harrell serves on the Information and Audits, Regulated Industries, and Transportation Committees. He is the author of HB 291, a truth in taxation and property protection statute to prohibit billing non-tax fees such as sanitation and stormwater on citizens’ property tax bills. He has also authored legislation to reduce costs for county government, strengthen our courts, secure patient physician decision-making, and reserve our publicly funded universities for those in our country legally.

In addition, Harrell supported efforts to cut government spending and balance the state's budget without raising taxes, preserve HOPE Scholarships and make Georgia more competitive for new jobs.

Harrell is especially looking forward to serving citizens in the newest portions of District 106 and appreciates the early support of many friends in Lawrenceville, Loganville, and Grayson in addition to his home city of Snellville.

Lawrenceville Council Member Tony Powell says, “For democratic government to work well, we have to convince smart, committed, honest, public servants to run for office. Brett has demonstrated that he is all of those things and worthy to be trusted and re-elected. Lawrenceville will be well served with the addition of Brett Harrell as one of our state Representatives.”

Dan Curry, Loganville Council Member says, “I have worked with Brett previously as a member of the Centerville Business Association and I know he will represent us well at the State House.”

Grayson Council Member Allison Wilkerson says, “I have known and worked with Brett for well over a decade. He consistently delivers for those he serves. Welcome to Grayson Representative Harrell.”

Mayor Pro Tem Tom Witts of Snellville says, “Representative Brett Harrell has an outstanding record of honest public service and has delivered on his promises to the citizens and businesses of Snellville. I am proud to support him in his re-election as our Representative for District 106.”

Over his career, Harrell has started and developed several successful small businesses. For 20 years, he owned and operated an American Speedy Printing franchise that grew from a start-up in a strip center to three locations. And prior to opening his own company, Harrell was an area sales manager for a $30 billion international corporation. Today, he is a garbageman (sales) with Advanced Disposal Services.

A 39-year resident of Snellville, Brett is a graduate of South Gwinnett High School and of the University of Georgia where he earned a BBA in marketing and finance.

http://www.voteharrell.com

http://www.twitter.com/brettharrell

http://www.facebook.com/voteharrell

Newt campaigns in Gwinnett

Derek C. — Sun, 19 Feb 2012 18:57:21 +0000

Yesterday at Collins Hill High School in Suwanee, after the Gwinnett GOP Precinct Mass Meetings, former U.S. Speaker of the House and 2012 presidential candidate, Newt Gingrich, dropped in for a campaign rally. Introducing Speaker Gingrich was Mr. "9-9-9" himself, Herman Cain. As thrilled as I was to see Newt, as a strong backer of Herman's presidential bid, I was even more excited to see the Cain Train roll into Gwinnett!

Before I go further, let me say that I generally avoid national and even most state politics here on the Buzz. I make a decided effort to keep this blog focused on the news and happenings of Gwinnett County. However, when national politics sets up shop in our backyard during one of the most pivotal campaigns in the history of our country, commenting on national issues is warranted.

My strong conservatism is self-evident in my writing. Also, my agreement with Speaker Gingrich that Barack Obama is the most dangerous President in our nation's history should surprise few. The question now is who can we send to Washington to correct the massive problems this adminstration has either ignored or worsened? I know for certain that the answer to that question is not Mitt Romney. Between Obama and Romney, you have six of one, 5.5 of the other. The distinction between the two is not stark. Romney can, at best, be characterized as a moderate, and moderate policies will not get this nation out of the ditch in which the Democrats have driven us. The two biggest problems we face are Obamacare and the almost unfathomable levels of debt our government is piling on our backs. To be honest, I am not sure there is a candidate who can bend the will of Congress to repeal the looming disaster of Obamacare or significantly reverse the debt trend. However, the spendthrift ways of moderates only slightly falls short of the profligate spending of the Democrats. A moderate like Romney absolutely cannot be trusted to make any real progress on our spending problem. Furthermore, why would we ever believe that the architect of the very blueprint for Obamacare would ever reverse the federal version of his program? That makes Romney 0 for 2 and unworthy of anyone's vote who takes our fiscal problems seriously.

That leaves Newt and former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum. (Sorry Ron Paul backers; while Paul probably has more credibility on spending reduction than any other candidate, his foreign policy and isolationist views raise significant concerns in a world where terrorists still long to destroy America.) After Herman bowed out of the race, I quickly shifted to Newt. This decision was buoyed by Cain's endorsement of the speaker. However, Santorum's recent surge in the polls has me reconsidering which of these two men has the best chance of stopping Romney's coronation as the second consecutive RINO presidential nominee. As a friend noted yesterday, what does it say that Newt has to campaign in the state that he represented in Congress? I would also add what does it say when Romney has to defend his native Michigan? I would say that means Rick Santorum is on a roll and momentum can be a powerful thing.

Both Gingrich and Santorum would make an excellent president. Granted, compared to the current occupant of the White House, the bar for success is pretty low but either of these two men would have better chances to restore some fiscal sanity to America than the current so-called "front runner." To be honest, while I am still leaning toward Newt, I am not longer certain for which man I will punch the ballot on March 6. For the sake of America, we can only hope that one of these two prevail and defeat Obama in November. If not, I fear we will enter The Decline and Fall of America.

Oberholtzer to challenge Beaudreau

Derek C. — Sun, 19 Feb 2012 01:55:11 +0000

Last week I wrote about District 3 Commissioner Mike Beaudreau's reelection bid. In that post I asked who would rise up to challenge the incumbent. Former Snellville Mayor Jerry Oberholtzer will be one challenger, officially announcing this week his intention to toss his hat into the race. Mr. Oberholtzer contacted the Buzz and provided the following press release announcing his candidacy. I have blogged about the mayor as well, though not as extensively as I have about Commissioner Beaudreau. I cannot say at this time that I will ultimately support the mayor, but I am glad to see a seasoned opponent step up to oppose Beaudreau.

Jerry Oberholtzer's Candicacy Announcement:

Former Snellville Mayor Jerry Oberholtzer to run for Gwinnett County Commissioner

Snellvile, GA

Jerry Oberholtzer, who served twelve successful years as City Councilman and Mayor of Snellville, will bring his governmental experience and savvy into the race for Gwinnett County Commissioner representing the 3rd District that stretches from Braselton, through Dacula and Snellville, to the DeKalb County line at Stone Mountain.

Oberholtzer 52 and Roxann , his wife of 30 years, have lived in the district for 29 years – almost their entire married life. They have three sons, Jerry and Matthew, both Clemson University graduates, and Paul, a graduate of North Georgia State College and University. Son Jerry and wife Jessie, have the Oberholtzer’s first grandson.

Jerry, a professional civil engineer and Clemson graduate, is a twenty year volunteer on the Northeast Georgia Council of the Boy Scouts of America. Roxann is a long term employee of the Boy Scouts and all around mom to scores of scouts over the years.

“Knowing how to govern effectively, building consensus, treating constituents with courtesy and respect and sticking to Republican principles will be the hallmark of my campaign and service.” said Oberholtzer.

“Good Schools, low crime, attractive neighborhoods: I want to build on those things and make them better. added Oberholtzer. “I know we’ve had our share of problems in Gwinnett, but when the cook burns the biscuits, you don’t need to remodel the kitchen. Gwinnett’s Third District needs a new cook.”

“Dishonest land deals, unbid sweetheart contracts, airport proposals that ruin neighborhoods and grand jury investigations have resulted in a disconnect and a loss of faith in government.” continued Oberholtzer. “ These are tough economic times and just saying NO to everything, like Mike Beaudreau has done for eight years, isn’t working. Being negative drives away business and pours a cold bucket of water on progress and job growth. I’ll work to make Gwinnett the most business friendly county in Georgia.”

“I intend to use this campaign, not to complain about problems, but to offer real solutions. People who live here already know what the problems are: they want real leadership to show them the way to a better Gwinnett. I have the proven ability to keep taxes low, balance the budget, protect our neighborhoods and provide real-‐time, honest solutions to the traffic problem.” said Oberholtzer

“I look forward to a spirited campaign, grounded in the issues, leading the way to a new direction for Gwinnett. A direction that focuses on the people already here; the people that have worked hard, paid taxes and built our communities. So at the end of four years, we can say to our children and grandchildren: We left Gwinnett better than we found it.” concluded Oberholtzer.