Congratulations Local Winners

Now that the campaigns are over, hearty congratulations are in order for the winners, but also for the voters who equitably decided the elections. 

I would like to congratulate the Mayor-elect of Cumming, Troy Brumbalow, who has a vision for the city, which if successfully implemented will upgrade the image of Forsyth’s county seat to one he assures will attract commerce and provide an increasingly pleasing streetscape.  Best of luck with those efforts.  The Cumming voters have chosen change, and they will likely get it.

I would also like to credit outgoing Mayor Gravitt for the good things he has done for Cumming for the past decades serving as its leader.  It was Mayor Gravitt, not the Forsyth County Commission, who years ago took the initiative and pursued the rights to draw water from Lake Lanier.  It was Mayor Gravitt who upgraded the City of Cumming water plant capacities to provide water for not only the city, but also the entire county.  I recall a time when wells all across the county were running dry.  The water distribution system was overwhelmed by growth.  Mayor Gravitt’s efforts and foresight closed the gap quickly.  A plentiful source of clean drinking water is the foundation for building a vibrant community.  And the revenues from Mayor Gravitt’s shrewd undertaking were used to build the Cumming Fairgrounds, and other city improvements which we all enjoy.  His annual Memorial Day celebrations, and the War Memorial itself, are a testimony of Mayor Gravitt’s heartfelt patriotism and concern for our American veterans.  It is time for a change, which is inevitable.  But Ford Gravitt has left as lasting favorable mark on the City of Cumming, and the people of Forsyth County.  He will be fondly remembered for his service to the community.  Mr. Brumbalow stands on Mayor Gravitt’s shoulders.

I want to congratulate Marc Morris, elected as the next state rep for Forsyth’s 26th District.  I met Marc in July and was impressed by not only his authentic, personable demeanor, but very much by his presence.  With Marc, it’s not about him.  It is truly about the people of the 26th he will represent. There were two other qualified candidates running for that post; but the voters of the 26th chose Marc overwhelmingly because he will listen to them, learn from them, use sound judgment and always keep their interest in mind.

Okay, I’m done with all the hearty congratulations.  Now it’s time for some heartfelt, albeit unsolicited advice to the winners.

To Mayor-elect Brumbalow, honor and welcome the right of the people to know the innerworkings of the management of city affairs.  Change is difficult, but is best brought about when the people are informed and come to agreement prior to the change.  Do not force objectives, inform them. Co-opt the support of the people and local businesses, gather political momentum and then proceed with a vision knowing you have a strong wind at your back.  Best of luck and congratulations again.

And now for Representative-elect Morris.  This is the same advice I gave our State Senator Michael Williams over three years ago, before he sat convened for his first General Assembly.  Senator Williams had to see it for himself and eventually did.  Here we go:

Implicitly trust no one at the state capitol, not even the house member who shares your office.  The offices of Georgia State Government, held by this Governor, this Lieutenant Governor, this Speaker and this General Assembly have increasingly become the means by which the governor’s office has played favorites, consolidated power and generated revenue streams for anonymous, private interests.

Over the past two gubernatorial terms, the task of representing the people has devolved into one that is more accurately described as protecting their interests, protecting their power, and protecting public tax dollars from a state government that is all-too-ready to use its general fund as a money laundering vehicle, for political purposes and private gain.

Do not support a bill unless you are convinced that it helps the people of your district and the state as a whole.  Do not trade favors if a favor you grant works in any way against the people.  Judge each bill by its merits, as measured by what a bill actually says, not what its sponsor says the bill means.

Never judge a bill by its title.  A title is rarely accurate respecting the authorities a bill might encompass.

Finally, those who wish to co-opt your support will attempt to convince you that a bill’s powers are directed to further certain noble objectives.  They will point to language in the bill that supports what they say. But they will not speak to the additional legal language legislative attorneys have inserted into the bill, which invariably creates larger government, more demand for tax dollars, concentrates additional political powers and generates private income streams.  And so that you do not gain a reputation as a “Dr. No,” offer to support bills once those provisions are removed.

The people have spoken.  They want open government and for their concerns to be felt at the levels of city and state government.  I congratulate the winners again, understanding how wisely the people have judged these elections.