Cobb Republicans Remain Static Despite State Gains

8 November 2006 - Despite a strong showing statewide by the GAGOP last night, Cobb GOP failed to make any major inroads into South West portion of the county last night. State Senate Districts 6 and 33 remained in the hands of Democratic incumbents and Terry Johnson held off Cindye Coates in the House 37th. This was despite a well organized get out the vote effort by the Cobb County Republican Party which included phone banks, candidate recruitment, and sign parties.

Conservative Sentinel feels the Cobb GOP should implement the following strategy for '08:

1. Continue to run viable challengers for the State Senate 6th and 33rd and the House 37th as we did this year.

2. Recruit challengers for districts where Democrats run unopposed - the House 39th (Alisha Thomas Morgan), the House 40th (Rob Teilhet) and the House 44th (Sheila Jones).
No district should go unchallenged.

3. During '07 focus on building the party by recruiting delegates to the mass precinct meetings, the district, county and state conventions.

4. Lead at the State Convention. Cobb has never realized its potential to be the 900 pound elephant at the state convention by virtue of the number of seats assigned to it because it could never recruit delegates to fill all those seats.

5. Develop an agenda for Cobb and the state based on 1. TABOR (tax payer bill of rights), 2. Immigration law enforcement. 3. Fair Tax advocacy (OK, I know that's a national issue, but we can still promote it).

I saw a lot of potential and teamwork that worked at the state level this year and I feel Cobb has all the pieces in place to solidify it's Republican Majority in '08.

Marietta Rally For Immigration Enforcement

October 19, 2006 - If you are wanting to do more than just complain about the effects of illegal immigration on the Cobb County Community Tuesday, October 26 is your chance. D.A. King is holding an anti-illegal immigration rally outside the Cobb County Board of Commissioners meeting This Tuesday, October 24, from 6:30 to 8:30 PM. See the link to D.A.King's website for all the details. King is a local Cobb resident who's fight against illegal immigration has garnered him national attention. He is the real deal, a pro legal immigration advocate, who works through the system to get his message across. He has been in front of this issue long before it was fashionable on Capitol Hill.
So the rally will be during worker friendly hours (6:30 - 8:30), legal, close (Cherokee Street in Marietta), and the weather will be beautiful.

Please pass this message along to everyone you know!

I will be sure to be there taking pictures to share with everyone!

See you there!

North GA State Fair Showcases Cobb GOP

September 27, 2006 - This week the the Cobb GOP showcased the Republican candidates for the state and county races at the Cobb County Republican Booth at the North GA State Fair.
Several candidates and their volunteers took the opportunity to pass out information and answer questions from the always crowded booth. With the elections less than 40 days away, the voting public is starting to get serious about issue and candidate education, and this was evidenced by the large number of people stopping by the booth and asking questions like who the candidate was from their district and what the major issues were. If you hadn't had an opportunity to stop by yet the Fair runs through this weekend.

One fact that was evident is that dispite raising over $600,000 for race for the 13th Congressional District against incumbent David Scott, Dr. Deborah Honeycutt still suffers from lack of name recognition.

Special Thanks to Bob Koncerak for photo of yours truly at the State Fair.

Bill Byrne to Run for County Commissioners Board (Again)

September 2, 2006 - Give credit where credit is due. Back in May 2005, Conservative Sentinel observed that Bill Byrne was talking like a man who was running for office. He is, only instead of the govenorship, he is seeking a return to the Cobb County Commission in 2008. Byrne the led the commission prior to Sam Olens.

Conservative Sentinel has it rumored that Sam Olens is campaigning heavily behind the scenes for a federal judgeship and may not finish out his turn. Byrne will launch his web site in January and has already begun to file the paperwork.

Byrne has been dissatisfied with all 3 levels of the Republican lead Government (local, state, and federal) for their reckless fiscal spending and disregard for traditional conservative values.

Stay tuned for more!

Southern Cobb Key to Republican Consolidation

August 26, 2006 - With the General Election just ten weeks away it is quickly becoming clear that if Cobb County is to remain the Republican strong hold of the state, the inroads that the Democrats are establishing in south Cobb must be halted.

Key races in this area are Dan Hoppe vs. Doug Stoner in the 6th State Senate District once held by Ginger Collins, Mark Grant vs. Steve Thompson in the 33rd State Senate District, and Cindye Coates versus Terry Johnson in the State House 37th District. While all 3 candidates trail their Democratic Incumbents, a strong grass roots effort by the county's GOP Party, in the form of phone banking and door to door campaigning is closing the gap. The strongest negative for these 3 challengers is the lack of name recognition. Coates is the only candidate having run for the legislature before.

Running against incumbents offers the opportunity to discuss voting records, something that I believe would benefit the challengers. The only problem is, with the election still 10 weeks out, is anyone listening yet?

In the coming weeks I plan to examine the candidates and their stance on the issues. So stay tuned....

Primaries Head for Final Stretch

July 8, 2006 - With the Fourth of July behind us, the Georgia Primaries are heading into the final stretch. The Cobb County GOP Barbecue was an unqualified success, attended by just about every GOP candidate whose name will appear on a Cobb County ballot. Nothing says "Southern Politics" like hot weather, sweet tea, barbecue and the Fourth of July.

The crowd was large and good humored. The straw poll results are still being hotly debated on the internet at both the peachbuzz and the AJC blogs.

Politics like American football is a full contact sport and anytime the stakes are high and the contest close you will see emotions get equally elevated. Witness the mudslinging in the Taylor-Cox and the Cagle-Reed campaigns.
The ultimate goal of politics is to affect idealogical and social change for the community and that always upsets a few people. I have seen the worst things said about some of the most noble people simply because they were upsetting the status quo. My advice to any voter is to attend a campaign event where you can meet the candidate one on one and question him on one or two relevent topics. It takes time and effort, sure, but eventually this is the best way to separate the pretenders from the contenders.

If you missed the Marietta parade this Tuesday, like I did, you can catch it on Comcast channel 23 at the following times:

July 8th at 4:30 p.m.
July 9th at 4:30 p.m.

Roy Barnes and the Democrats managed to find one more liberal minded, activist judge, who thought he was the ultimate "decider", to block the implementation of the voter I.D. Act. Don't worry, this poor excuse for a legal ruling will be quickly overturned by the Georgia Supreme Court.
Roy Barnes and the rest of the far left liberal democrats are about to go kicking and screaming into the Georgia political sunset. While the Jackass (okay, I know it is a mule) is an apt mascot for the party, I recommend a co-mascot of a dinosaur, a symbol of old ideas, old ways and a soon to be extinct ideology of victimization and fear.

Have a great weekend, and dont forget to vote July 18th!

Cobb GOP Picnic Tuesday

July 1, 2006 - The Cobb GOP will have their annual Fourth of July Picnic this Tuesday, July the Fourth at Jim Miller Park, 2245 Callaway Road in Marietta, GA.The picnic will run from 11:30 AM to 4:00 PM.

There is expected to be a lot of national news coverage and a "Surprise" activity. (You have been warned!) A straw poll will also be conducted. This will be agreat chance to meet the State and Local Republican candidates.

If you still need tickets you can purchase them from yours truly ($15.00 for members, $20.00 non-members) by emailing me almeyer62@comcast.net. For a $35.00 membership in the Cobb GOP, we will throw in a free ticket.

If you already have your ticket we are in desperate need of volunteers to work the ticket tables for the more than 1000 guests. You can e-mail me on that also. Just drop me a line with your phone number and I will call you back.

See you at the picnic!!

Forums /Debates as County Moves Toward Primary

June 9, 2006 - With little more than a month to go before the Primaries, both parties are vying with summer vacation and baseball for the voting publics attention. While not well attended, all the debates and forums have offered political junkies like myself a little unexpected exitement.

For instance, at the May 31st League of Women Voters forum where Tom Price had the controversial no show. He left early at another forum at Mountainview Community Center later that evening where his Republican Primary opponent John Konop took advantage of the opportunity to criticize Price for his record on free trade.

At the Cobb GOP debates held at the Kennesaw Business Center June 5th where the gloves came off between Cobb School Board Candidates John Abraham and Chris Callaghan. Things also got testy between Secretary of State adversaries Karen Handel and Bill Stephens.

While the Mountainview event drew 90 people, the debate at KSU was witnessed by only about 40. A sure sign of voter apathy that perhaps shows dissatisfaction more with the national government than the local.

If you missed the first set of forums and debates be sure to cath the next one - On June 19th, the debate will be held at Marietta Middle School - 121 Winn Street Marietta, GA 30064 - in the auditorium. The participants will include all GOP candidates for Commissioner of Agriculture, School Board post 6, and County Commissioner post 1. Debates start at 6:30 p.m.

Keep your eye on the political events calendar on this site for the latest information!

Cobb School Board Wars Update

April 22,2006 - Boy, I haven't had this much fun since I watched the U.S. backed Northern Alliance tackle the Taliban back in December 2001!

In our latested instalment Kathie Johnstone has decided to activate Cobb County's version of the "Nucular Option" by opting to run for reelection.

Johnstone gained the ire of parents and teachers alike when she sided with Joe Redden in the now infamous Cobb Laptop Scandal.

So, our score card now looks like this:

Kathie Johstone (Post 6 incumbant) IN Conservative Sentinel says :
Johnstone's reelection bid is DOA, the battle here will be between Al Rowe and John Crooks.

Laura Searcy (Post 4 incumbant) OUT - Conservative Sentinel says challenger John Abraham will be the successor.

Curt Johnston (Post 2 incumbant) IN - Who's running against him??

It promises to be an interesting primary.

Cagle Speaks To Cobb GOP Breakfast

April 15 2006 - Casey Cagle addressed the Cobb GOP Breakfast on Saturday April 15, and discussed his candidacy for Lt. Gov. He covered his views on immigration reform, tort reform and education. Cagle was introduced by supporter Senator John Wiles and enjoys the support of the majority of the GA Senate.

Other candidates who spoke at the breakfast include Senator Bill Stephens who is running for Secretary of State, Perry McGuire running for Attorney General and Brent Brown seeking the office of Labor Commissioner.

Bill Stephens said he supports strict implementation of the Voter ID act and wants a verifiable paper trail at the ballot box as part of election reform. He advocates a continued downsizing of government.

Perry McGuire is promoting a state wide prosecutorial database and promised to take on the ACLU on several of the more controversial issues.

If elected Labor Commissioner Brent Brown wants to set on the board of education to develop a better relationship between the state education system and the requirements of the state's future workforce.

Also in attendance were State Senator Chip Rogers, author of State Bill 529, who received a standing ovation, and State Representative Bobby Franklin. Rumor has it that the left wing is searching for an opponent to run against the conservative Bobby Franklin. Conservative Sentinel says Franklin is reelected easily.

Senator Chip Rogers asked everyone to call the Govenor's office (404-656-1776) this week to advocate the signing of 529. Conservative Sentinel says the election conscious Perdue will sign next week with little fanfare.

Congressman Dr. Tom Price will hold an Open Campaign Qualifying Celebration Sunday April 23, check the calendar for more details.

Upcoming events include a Cobb GOP Coffee in Smyrna on Monday, April 17 at the Atlanta Bread Company in Smyrna.

See the calendar for more events and details.

Cobb "Survives" Latin Day Of Dignity

Yesterday, March 24th was the opening round in the Final Chapter of the Illegal Immigration debate in Georgia. Sometime next week SB529 should be passed and the Govenor should sign it into law, and that will be that until the courts step in. The action to close Latin owned bussinesses and for immigrant workers to not report to work seem to bring out a couple of points that should not be lost in all the emotion of the debate.

These points are indisputable:

1. Not all Hispanic Immigrants are Illegal.

2. Not all Illegal Immigrants are Hispanic.

3. The law has no effect on legal immigrants.

Question:
Why have a boycott to protest the enforcement of illegal immigration laws titled as a Latin Day of Dignity?

Answer:
In order turn an issue on law enforcement into a racial issue so the libs can play their favorite old tune-- the race card

Come on! Can't you guys on the left come up with something new for a change??

I'm sure it won't be long before the Reverend Jackson will be making a whistle stop appearance in Atlanta to help set things right. After all where ever there is racial strife or tension there's a camera to grab and money to be made !

I bet all the illegal Chinese, Brazilians, and British are really feeling left out.

Another hint to those protesting next time - try waving the American instead of the Mexican flag, you might get more sympathy from the American public. - They already love ya down in old Mexico. ;)

3 Amigos of Cobb Senate Address County GOP Breakfast

February 19, 2006 - State Senators Judson Hill, Chip Rogers, and John Wiles addressed the semi-monthly Cobb GOP Breakfast last Saturday (February 18). The 3 Republican Senators gave an update on Senate Activity and answered questions from a crowd of approximately 30 people. Here is a summary:Senator Chip Rogers said the 3 main issues to be addressed by the senate this session would be
Sexual Predators
Eminent Domain
Illegal ImmigrationIf these three pieces of legislation are signed into law, these will be the toughest pieces of legislation to address these respective issues in the entire country.Senator Judson Hill said that the new Sexual Predator Act would protect the mentally challenged as well as minors. Other pieces of legislation also include a requirement for 2/3 approval from the House and Senate for any new tax increases.The establishment of a Georgia Healthcare Standards Commission supported by the CDC.Last week the Senate passed the Katie Beckett Waiver Program for families who are no longer eligible for services under the federal program.John Wiles spoke about his work on the State and Local Government Committee. There will be test voting machines used in 3 Counties, one of which will be Cobb, in the upcoming elections. Judicial elections will be moved to November to increase the number of people voting for judges.John Wiles continues to advocate for an ATM 911 button for ATM machines.There are currently 2 Bills pending in the State Senate concerning incorporation. It seems that the mass exodus from Fulton County Services has begun and that very soon there will be no unincorporated areas left to Fulton County. # new cities are looking to incorporate: the City of South Fulton, Chattahoochee Hills, and New City.With the 4% -7% raise given to teachers this session, Georgia teachers will be the best compensated teachers in the country based upon the cost of living.John Wiles departed the breakfast early to attend the funeral of Linda Church, not, as he put it, to go get a haircut.Bill Byrne, still sounding like he was running for Governor, thanked the 3 legislators for their work on the Voter I.D. Bill and then made 3 points:
Any excess revenue the state takes in should be returned to the voters in the form of a rebate. The state budget is growing too large.
Education should be increased, but the State should not be telling school districts how to spend the money, as in the 65% classroom mandate recently passed down.
Redistricting issues should be kept local also.Senators Wiles, Hill and Rogers responded to each of the issues.On the first issue, Chip Rogers mentioned a taxpayer’s bill of rights (TABOR) which may be acted upon next session. Apparently the governor’s people felt was better to wait until after the election to address tax cuts. The model being looked at is Missouri’s model.In other notes – There will be a Cobb GOP committee meeting March 14.

My apologies to Senator Wiles for not publishing photograph :)

Mass Precinct Meeting For Cobb GOP

February 4 2006 - The Cobb County Republican Party held its Mass Precinct Meeting at Osborne High School on Saturday, February 4 from 10 to 12 noon. There was a wide collection of State Representative and Senators, School Board members and wanna-be's and an occasional Precinct Chairman or two.

One of the more interesting announcements was the affirmation by Cindye Coates that she will run for the State house seat again. After narrowly losing last time this came as no big suprise.

A real outsider, John Konop, seems to be gaining some steam in his challenge to Tom Price for the 6th District seat. He addressed the audience on Saturday and has also done several radio appearences. He is challenging Price on immigration, budget, and free trade issues.

Dr. Teresa Plenge welcomed everyone to "Her House", and gave the story about how SPLOST money was used to help rennovate Osborne High School.

John Wiles gave a background briefing on the emminent domain issues.

There were also representatives from the Ralph Reed, Casey Cagle and the Tom Price camps.

Looks to be an interesting campaign season with lots of money to be spent!

Cobb Takes Measures to Curb Illegals

February 2 ,2006 - Although no one will admit to it Cobb County has finally started to take initial steps to address the issue of illegal immigration. According to the Marietta Daily Journal , Cobb County commissioners unanimouslyapproved an ammended ordinance that restricts the the number of unrelated people living in the same house to 4. The revision is effective immediately and does not allow grandfathering.

The move was prompted by the case of Jose Cruz Rodriquez who was accused of housing 12 people in his home.

Fines will range from $100 to $1,000 and jail time. complaints can be filed online at www.cobbcounty.org under the community development agency icon.

What do you think??

Debate Over Hillgrove Attendence Zones Draws Crowd

January 14, 2006 - The Cobb County Republican party drew a larger than usual crowd last Saturday thanks to a face off between Representative Earl Ehrhart (R-Powder Springs) and Cobb Board of Education Chair Dr. Teresa Plenge (Post 7) over the Hillgrove High School attendance zones.

The meeting opened with a presentation from Fulton County Commission Chair Karen Handel who is running for Secretary of State. During the presentation she adressed ther issues of voter fraud and election voting reform endorsing the revamped voter ID bill now moving through the Georgia legislature.

She was also in favor of denying illegal immigrants drivers license and punishing employers of illegal immigrants.

She advocated for a papertrail for voters and wanted to replace the current voting machines with newer models that were more secure. She endorsed the Cobb Pilot Program for paper trails. There are approximately 2,000 voting machines in Cobb County.

Karen Handel was followed by a question and answer session with State Senator Earl Erhart and Cobb Board of Education chairperson Teresa Plenge. During the Session Dr. Plenge retracted her earlier statement that "the use of racial diversity in school redistricting comes down to being in compliance with the No Child Left Behind Act." (East Cobb Neighbor, Thursday, 26 January 2006).

Angry parents lambasted Dr. Plenge while Ehrhart looked on. While the discussion was still in full swing, Dr. Plenge excused herself for a hair appointment.

Among all th talk of how the new Cobb Hillgrove High School is using race to determine the new school zones, the question is begged - What should be used? Is it race, geography, socio-economic demographics, or academic performance? How does one level th playing field in order to provide educational opportunity for all? Let me know.

State Reps Address Issues At Townhall Meeting

January 14, 2006 A townhall meeting was hosted by State Senator Chip Rogers on Saturday, 14 January 2006 at the Mountainview Public Library from 9:00 to 10:30 AM. He was joined by State Representative Bobby Franklin and State Senator Judson Hill. The audience included about 30 individual including Cobb County School Board member Johnny Johnson.

Anumber of issues were discussed including the following:

1. Voter Id

2. Senate Resolution 652 dealing with Eminent Domain

3. Term limits for the School Board, and reducing term from 4 year to 2 years.

4. Illegal Immigration Reform.

5. Fixing a "Loophole" in the Hope Scholarship.

6. Passing a Sexual Predator Bill which would be the toughest in the country.

The legislation coming up in the House and Senate this year is going to be very controversial despite this being an election year and much of the MSM (Main Stream Media) predicting that only softball legislation would be addressed. Part of the reason for this I feel is the activity at the grassroots level demanding some action be taken and representatives be held accountable.

Check the Political Calendar in the left hand colum for future activities.

Next week is goung to be verry busy with both a Cobb GOP breakfast and a Christian Coalition rally on Saturday January 21st.

Get Active!