Cherokee County Brouhaha - Chapter 2
by Bill Simon
A Cherokee County Magistrate Judge has decided there is enough evidence to charge Mary Wilhite with disorderly conduct in the matter between her and Lee Martin (Read the thread below first to get caught-up to now on this story).
For the record, I will point out that Mary Wilhite DID have a choice in this matter to avoid the disorderly conduct charge: Martin offered to drop the charge during a mediation session (as well as several out-of-court discussions between lawyers) IF Wilhite agreed to make a public apology on her actions and statements to Martin during the incident on August 7.
For the record, Part 2, I had a phone conversation with Mary about a week after the incident in which she told me HER side of the story and she claimed that Martin called her the “fat, racist pig” insult first. AND, she claimed to me that she would be filing a counter-charge against Martin.
Apparently, that claim by her was just angry fluff because no counter-charge was ever filed against Martin. And, I also believe it proves she had ZERO standing on a claim of Martin “assaulting” her.
For the record, Part 3, I was at the courthouse all day on August 18, ready to be called as a witness for Lee Martin to testify on my phone conversation with Wilhite. As such, I had to remain outside the courtroom and wasn’t privvy to seeing the testimony of her, Martin, or any of the other witnesses.
But, apparently, the stories from Martin’s witnesses were enough to counter Wilhite’s witnesses (and, Wilhite’s claim that Martin was the one doing the assaulting) to convince the judge that Wilhite was the one who instigated the altercation and she should be the one charged.
Again, those of you who might go around musing “This is unfair to be charged for defending yourself in a political race…”, well, again, Mary went a tad bit over the line, AND she could have avoided the charge (and the warrant against her now) had she just owned-up to losing her cool and making a public apology.
Sphere: Related Content
August 26th, 2006 at 11:01 am
Bill,
After reading the racist remarks by Republican Party VC Bart Brannon toward Mary,”she gained votes because of her skin color as she made it an issue” she was given little choice.
When you throw in the Gina Carr situation it looks like an element in the Cherokee Republican party wants blood for anyone who dares runs against the choosen candidate by throwing them in jail.And this Fight is lead by an elected official Mrs. Bryd.
It looks even worse that Mrs. Bryd a so called elected official, Bart Brannon VC Republican party…… are at the court house hanging around like it is old time hanging. I thought Bart and his hate group Republican Renegades might be selling T-shirts and popcorn.
The bottom line the issue is bigger than Gina , Mary,Bart,Lee Martin, the Byrds.I for one ,as you know did not vote for Mary. Yet the idea of Party members and elected officials actively supporting and paying to put your opposition in jail looks like Communist China to me.
August 26th, 2006 at 12:07 pm
Jackpot! Finally Konop found a way to put China into this debate — LMAO!
August 26th, 2006 at 7:42 pm
BB,
I have heard from many other people after reading your statements on the blogs, who wonder if you are in the Klan.
I am not saying you are in the Klan, only how it appears.
August 26th, 2006 at 7:54 pm
John Konop,
It’s really more like the Poliburo. I think you are getting your communists confused. What you are describing is something more akin to the old Russian system.
August 26th, 2006 at 8:02 pm
caroline,
You make a good point as usual.
August 26th, 2006 at 8:44 pm
caroline,
Bart, would feel more confomable, with the Russian Communist, since they are white people in Russia.
We all know Bart, has that “skin color” issue on his mind.
Bart, never did tell me how Mary used her “skin color” in the election. I also wonder how does one campaign without anyone not seeing any “skin color”.
That is why Bart needs to be a WHITE COACH. He could teach all of us how to be a WASP.
August 27th, 2006 at 4:23 pm
Reading all this makes me thankful I’m still in Cobb. At least Anthony Scott-Hobbs is an effective enough cult leader that these things don’t happen here. LOL
August 27th, 2006 at 7:15 pm
Charlie,
The part that is even more crazy is Bart Brannon the VC of the CC Republican was arrested for running a dirty campaign. And , he is in charge of communication for the party.
Read what Bart Brannon VC of the Republican said about Mary on the PP,
“Comparing Wilhite to McKinney is easy…both have exhibited out of control behavior against those who oppose them during elections with charges filed against each. They have both lost twice in their districts over the past few years. Both supported former Mayor Bill Campbell. Both supported and voted for Al Gore. Maybe if Wilhite runs for office a few more times, the DOT will name the 575/Towne Lake Parkway intersection where she accosted Lee Martin after her i.e. McKinney and Memorial Drive”
And than you made this racist comment,
“More than likely she gained votes because of her skin color as she made it an issue in both of her runs for this seat with some voters wanting to show how open they are to diversity in Cherokee County”
And then he called Mary a racist,
“This is not an error in judgement, it is an intentional act of racial profiling that could have easily been averted by simply asking the man about his citizenship status”.
And when I called you on the carpet about calling Mary a racist he said,
“Are you saying a “black Republican woman” cannot be a racist just because she is black, or a Republican, or a woman? Not sure I get your point on that one”.
And Bart is still the VC of the Republican party in CC. And the same crowd goes after Mary and Gina like they have some higher moral ground.
August 28th, 2006 at 7:03 am
John,
As a junior in college, I am amazed at the extent to which you have dragged this out. I voted for you in the Republican Primary earlier this year…as a matter of fact, I even called friends and family on behalf of you. I thought you offered solutions to problems instead of rhetoric, something Washington already has plenty of. It saddens me to se you continually re-emphasize the same points again and again in an effort to degrade other Republicans. Sure, Bart has made some mistakes, but who hasn’t? What gives you the right to continually attack, or to use your line, take “some higher moral ground.”
I’ve made mistakes too, and I’m not proud of them, but I’ve learned…and it seems to me that Bart’s efforts within the GOP have served as his pennance for prior mistakes. You need to face the fact that yes, although Mary Wilhite could have had a drastic change in political thought, some people are still not convinced of a genuine change. I have questioned this in my own mind, as a voter in this district. Mary is active in my church on Sunday mornings, but it still seemed to me as if there were some remaining unknowns, which is why I voted for Farrow in round one and Jerg in round two.
Ronald Reagan’s 11th commandment is applicable to both parties involved here. Although I am still “young and naive”, I still believe Republicans can come together after (as well as during) primaries to ultimately make the party stronger. Step back, re-read your rants, and then realize the damage you’re doing to the GOP as a whole is much greater than the serivce you may be seeking to do.
Respectfully,
D. White
August 28th, 2006 at 9:36 am
D White,
I was at a meeting at a conservative think tank group meeting Saturday, and the thoughtful question you brought up, about Republican sticking together no matter what was one of the topics.
I will give you the counter argument to that position.
1) During President Reagan time we did not have districts fixed like they are today, most are Republican or Democrat. When you have no debate or real challenge to the system that leads problems like a 9 trillion dollar debt and growing.
2) We as Republican most be consistent in our core issues and point out our own problems. So when Bart Brannon makes racist comments it only gives energy to the other side , if we say or do nothing. After reading what Bart said and the party does nothing, how would you defend the party in a debate?
3) If the district is fixed to have no opposition from the other party, And the party in power attacks people within who speak up ,why would see any change. The system is set up to protect both parties and office holders. The country is bigger than the party.
The odd part is I did not vote for Mary. Also I have never said anything negative about the Martin’s, if anything I have said they seem like nice people. I made it clear under different situation ,I might not have the same opinion. I also like Sean, and think he has a good chance of doing a great job.
The reason I am speaking out is this makes all of us look bad. The first article in the AJC is how this story will break, which I predicted. And when they read the racist comments From a party official like Bart Brannon, or find out about Dick Hall’s behavior at the debates how do you think this will look?
Do you think Mary’s not going to hire a top gun lawyer and PR firm ?
How bad will it look if Bart Brannon the VC of the CC Republican party is called to testify after the racist statements he made?
As I said the only winner will be Mary Wilhite. I talk to Bill Simon as well as others when the story came out and ask him what I said. I am not the only one who did not support Mary and think this looks bad. Thanks jk
August 28th, 2006 at 10:41 am
Konop,
No candidate has the right to erroneously racial profile employees of their opposition as Mary did. The same Mary who sent out pictures of her signs after they were damaged and spray painted so that she could gain media attention regarding possible racist acts in Cherokee County. Mary Wilhite cannot play it both ways Konop seeking sympathy when she is allegedly targeted based on her skin color then turn around and falsely accuse her opponent of hiring illegal immigrants based on a picture of a hispanic (legal citizen with a family) man on a Jerguson job site.
I said Mary used her skin color in both campaigns. She did both publicly and privately in conversations with me and others. One example, I quote from Bill Simon, “I was, as you recall, pretty much on Mary’s side on this house race until SHE pulled the race card bullshit against Lee by calling him a “fat, racist pig.” This is not a racist comment Konop, it is a fact. I have nothing against Mary because she is black. In fact I wish more blacks like JC Watts, Herman Cain, Michael Steele, Lynn Swann, Dylan Glenn and Condolezza Rice would seek elected office as conservative Republicans so that we can finally end this false perception that the GOP does not welcome blacks into the party.
I disagree with Mary because she attempted to deceive voters with a mailer attacking an American citizen of hispanic descent hoping to create a false perception about Sean Jerguson. Reverse racism does not advance the cause of black people personified by Martin Luther King who said, “I have a dream that my four children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.” Mary strayed from this dream both in action and word.
I disagree with Mary because she went after me personally during both of her campaigns even though I don’t even live in her district. Mary Wilhite sought my counsel for her campaign in one breath while planning to disparage me via a direct mail piece in another. As I stated many times, I have numerous thank you notes from Wilhite for my volunteer efforts on behalf of CCRP throughout this election season.
Your sanctimonious cries of racism are totally off base attempting to defend a woman now charged for using race to verbally assault a campaign worker volunteering for her opponent. I welcome anybody to review my record with regard to race and support of conservative black candidates.
Thanks D. White for understanding. You are an asset to the GOP and I appreciate all you have done in Cherokee County to get young people involved.
August 28th, 2006 at 11:20 am
John,
Thanks for the response. I want to take just a couple of the things you said though, and just add some discussion.
You say: “We as Republican most be consistent in our core issues and point out our own problems. So when Bart Brannon makes racist comments it only gives energy to the other side , if we say or do nothing. After reading what Bart said and the party does nothing, how would you defend the party in a debate?”
I say: I agree we must be consistent in our platform as well as the energy we put into promoting that platform. That being said, with Mary making race an issue in the contest, Bart’s comments are not out of line. Mary made it a point, on and off the record, to mention the need for a black (woman) Republican representative in Georgia, simply to show that the party is diverse. On that point, I agree with her, but the fact that Mary made it part of her campaign shouldn’t go unnoticed.
You say: “And then he called Mary a racist,
“This is not an error in judgement, it is an intentional act of racial profiling that could have easily been averted by simply asking the man about his citizenship status”.”
I say: I recieved the mailer in question. Indeed, Mary’s mailer listed the name of someone she assumed to be an illegal immigrant. She wrongly mass-distributed false info, I’m sure causing some embarrassment to the man in question. Bart’s statement is entirely true, it could have been avoided by Mary asking the man a simple question.
You say: “1) During President Reagan time we did not have districts fixed like they are today, most are Republican or Democrat. When you have no debate or real challenge to the system that leads problems like a 9 trillion dollar debt and growing.”
I say: I agree. If Republicans would start acting more like Republicans and less like Dems we wouldn’t have this issue. Even though we’d still have fixed districts, spending, taxation, and other issues now in question wouldn’t play as big of a role. It’s time for the GOP to get back to the basics.
You say: “Do you think Mary’s not going to hire a top gun lawyer and PR firm ?”
I say: Should we cave to anyone who threatens to hire a top gun lawyer and PR firm? So what…fight for truth. Mary can hire whoever she wants, but if it’s not the truth, eventually it’ll come undone….no matter how “good” it looks.
I agree with you that the country is more important than the party…no questions asked.This is not a national issue…as a matter of fact, it’s not really a local issue. Both candidates claim to be ultra-conservative, so it could be said that the difference is more style than substance. I don’t see Brannon’s comments (as listed on this site) as racist in anyway, he was simply commenting on previous statements made by the candidate herself. It seems to me that this is getting more attention than deserved, and that by continuing discussion you are only feeding the fire.
Respectfully,
D. White
August 28th, 2006 at 12:16 pm
D White,
You made a very thoughtful argument.
As far as Bart Brannon racist comments.
1) As a party official he should have no public comment until the trial is over at least. I think Reagan would of been on my side not Bart Brannon on this one. The crazy part is we have party officials green lighting attacks on fellow Republicans.
2) Even if you give Bart a break on his “skin color” comment, he could of made his point like you did. Also to compare Mary Wilhite to Cynthia McKinney like Bart did does not help his case.
As far as Bart calling Mary a racist.
I agree with you ,and in fact said so , she used poor judgment. That does make her a racist. When I ask Bart about that, he never back down in calling her a racist. Once again for a party official to use harsh words like that toward a fellow Republican candidate is wrong.
As far as the lawyer and PR firm.
I agree with you that the facts will come out and this should not scare people away. The problem is , the facts surrounding the case with Dick Hall behavior at the debate and Christmas party toward Mary as well as Bart Brannon comments and behavior will likely come out in a trial. My point this will be hard for the Martin’s and the party to shake off right or wrong. Had the party done the right thing , and made it clear the Dick Hall and Bart Brannon behavior is unacceptable , this would be a different situation.
As far as the bogs like this keeping this story alive. Bart Brannon has already given enough choice statements to give this story oxygen.. Bart is like a kid at a candy store , with anything he can use to attack Mary or Gina. Thanks jk
August 28th, 2006 at 12:27 pm
Bart,
As I have said to you in the past I am not sure if you are a racist or just a hateful person, You can only answer that question?
The sad part is you are a smart guy , yet the hate in you has held you back.
August 28th, 2006 at 12:34 pm
John,
The plural of “Martin” is “Martins” without the apostrophe.
August 28th, 2006 at 12:43 pm
Bill,
I am sorry for my (sp) mistake.
August 28th, 2006 at 3:22 pm
Great points D., too bad Konop refuses to take what you write to heart. As I wrote in another post, he seems to live in a constant state of vengeful anger that will only be satisfied by dragging others down with him.
Question Konop, who did you vote for in the district 22 runoff (doesn’t really matter other than you constantly pointing out that you did not vote for Mary or Sean)?
August 28th, 2006 at 4:08 pm
From a Mary Wilhite press release dated 4/5/06 posted on her website, http://www.votemary.us — “Congresswoman McKinney has stated she is a victim of “racial profiling”. Mary Wilhite is the first and only female African American from Georgia who has publicly rejected the idea of “racial profiling”.
“the first and only female African American from Georgia who has publicly rejected the idea of ‘racial profiling’”…Hmmmm, only took a couple of months for her to reject her own rejection. And hard to believe Wilhite was the “first and only female African American from GA” to reject racial profiling…how did she research that proclamation?
August 29th, 2006 at 4:37 am
Ok everyone play time is over move on nothing to see here. If John like you said you have no feelings for Mary then move and let the party start facing the issues of the County and District. The banter between you and Bart can give the average person a headache. If you have so much hate in you to go after one person then yes you have the problem not the party. I have no problems stating my issues with Sean and he has none stating issues with me. Sean and I made a pledge to campaign on the issues and all the ranting with you and Bart is making more of an issue then the news and online blogs. I have no issue with Bart and he has not said anything regarding my run for office which on the other hand at the Cagle Farm Rally whenever a press person stepped up to talk to me you ran over and ranted about the Georgia Gang. I was out campaigning this weekend and 3/4 of the people had no idea of the case. One would think this would be a great chance for a Dem to step all over and run this in the ground but I sit back and watch and wait for the outcome not run to judgement. Heck more then 3/4 of people did not know there was a contested race in Nov for the District.
Kevin M. Bailey
August 29th, 2006 at 6:27 am
Kevin,
The issue is not about Bart. The issue Kevin is about our political system. If party officials are going to throw people in jail who challenge within the party, this is not Democracy.If party officials do not give challengers a fair chance, this is not Democracy.
Look at the Gina Carr case. You have an elected official paying a law firm to throw a challenger in jail over signatures. This is a clear abuse of the system.
The problem is you have the same crowd backing both cases.Do you want a system ,if people speak up they go to jail?
August 29th, 2006 at 8:59 am
Bart,
I told this to many people you know before the run-off.
In my opinion Sean was a better candidate than Mary.
I, like many of the people you know did not like the involvement of your hate group.I also have concerns about the home builders and controled growth.You can ask Sean, because I said it to him.
All said I did not vote for Mary or Sean.I would of voted for Sean if your hate group was not helping.
August 29th, 2006 at 9:05 pm
Kevin M. Bailey,
Maybe the reason Bart doesn’t have a problem with you is because you stand 0% chance of winning. Ask him…
August 30th, 2006 at 8:36 am
Chris,
At least Kevin is honest with his party affiliation unlike some others seeking office in Cherokee County. I respect him for that and hope he enjoys the experience even though he has very little chance of winning.
August 30th, 2006 at 1:51 pm
Dear “COMRADE” Bart,
We are all glad to know that you have appointed yourself judge and jury. In fact, why even hold elections or trials? We should just ask you.It would save the tax payers money.
BART KNOWS BEST just ask him !!!
August 30th, 2006 at 2:43 pm
“BART KNOWS BEST”…now we’re getting somewhere Konop. There may be hope for you after all. LOL!
August 30th, 2006 at 3:35 pm
Bart,
Glad you are on board. By the way, are you willing to stand in for President Bush, debating Iran’s president Mohammed Khatami?
Some of your Cherokee County political stratgies might be effective:
1)Accuse him of not being a “real” Muslim.
2) Tear down his posters.
3)Fix the question and have Dick make faces durring his answers
4) Pack the audience with paid supporters who’ll cheer no matter what you say.
If you do well here we will get you a ticket to Lebanon
August 30th, 2006 at 9:58 pm
Bottomline - this is bad for everyone involved. First of all, it’s a BIG WASTE of TAXPAYER dollars. It implies terrible things for the Cherokee County GOP (true or not) and makes our County look ridiculous. (Aren’t we trying to attract businesses to the Bluffs?)
I would think the Jerguson camp would say this is not good for the party, not good for Cherokee County and it’s citizens aka taxpayers. I am not a legal scholar, so perhaps a Magistrate Judge can’t do so, but I would think he would say “This is a case of he said, she said - Wilhite - you were out of line for “x” and Martin you were out of line for “x”. This is not good for either of you, the party or Cherokee County. Let’s do you both and the voters a favor and throw this case out.”
The voters will see it as a waste of our money, and whether Wilhite did or did not “assault” someone double her size - the public will ask why Jerguson and his camp and/or the Cherokee County GOP didn’t put a stop to it before it became such a circus.
August 30th, 2006 at 10:27 pm
I swear, you guys should have a radio show or something….it’d be wildly popular.
Think about it, in the middle of traffic on Friday afternoon - Konop v Brannon on 640 WGST.
I’d listen….if not for content for entertainment.
I’ll do sports or something.
August 31st, 2006 at 4:51 am
D. White,
I think Larry from Hiram would get upset that John and Bart would steal his bit and for the sports hell since they canned Pete the sports sucks. So atleast you would not have our head exploding or wrapping it in duct tape like Glenn Beck used to say. Imagine the Kimmer having to break John and Bart up after the bit makes for good radio like you said.
Kevin M. Bailey
August 31st, 2006 at 6:28 am
t.summer,
You are right, and that is what I said to Sean. I like Sean, and told him he could show leadership and use this issue to reach out to Mary’s supporters in a close election and bring the community together.
I warned him that all this will do is fuel the supporters of Mary and divide the community. You are right this is not good for our community trying to promote new business if this becomes a circus.
August 31st, 2006 at 7:55 am
John Konop,
You should hear what people in Cobb county are saying. They’re calling Cherokee county to home of neo confederate hillbillies. This whole incident apparently has reinforced the bad opinion people in other counties already have of Cherokee. Sad isn’t it?
August 31st, 2006 at 8:27 am
Cherokee’s “neo confederate hillbillies” used to be East Cobb’s yuppies until they ran from the growth. Thanks caroline, but really, who cares what Cobb says about anything?
The only sad part is that Wilhite did not take the offer during mediation to simply apologize and move on. This is not the fault of the Martins, the Cherokee County Republican Party, Sean Jerguson, Judge Ben Abney or anybody else other than Mary Wilhite. She broke the law. She refused to settle through mediation. She now faces the consequences of her out of control antics (35 minutes til her appointment with the jailer, is Jesse going to be with her and will the mugshot be on smokinggun.com??).
If Cobb wants finds her antics acceptable, then by all means as the self appointed spokesperson for Cobb caroline, invite her to move there.
August 31st, 2006 at 8:34 am
t.sumner,
The “Jerguson camp” and Cherokee GOP do not have authority over a magistrate judge, thus neither has the power to put a stop to this so-called “circus”. Wilhite could have stopped it by simply apologizing as recommended by the mediator, she refused. Now she will suffer the consequences which means our judicial system worked.
Had the roles been reversed with big Lee Martin accosting tiny little innocent Mary, you, caroline, Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton would have demanded Martin be punished (severely, probably without opportunity to set an appointment to go to jail as is the case with Wilhite). Why is it not OK for Lee to seek justice based on the circumstances as they occured?
August 31st, 2006 at 9:18 am
John,
I think I’ve told you this before, but Lee Martin is a separate human being from Sean Jergusen and Martin DID NOT get Jurgusen’s approval for this legal action.
You keep talking as though this action was initiated and controlled by the Jergusen campaign. I know Lee Martin and this is a decision that once HE made it, Sean was not really going to be able to stop him.
AND, as Lee has oft-said to me, he does think there is a crime committed here by Wilhite in her actions to interfere with his right to campaign.
I’m fed-up with hearing about the “size” differences between the two. Only real stupid people would conclude that Lee would be “safe” because he “outweighed” Mary by 200 pounds. I outweigh some scrawny black-belts by 140 pounds, yet those folks know how to deliver a punch with all 140 pounds behind their blow when all I have is brute force.
August 31st, 2006 at 9:34 am
Bart,
Well, I didn’t direct my comment to you so if you don’t care what people in Cobb think why did you respond and go on the attack?
I don’t have a dog in this fight and I really don’t care. I just thought it was funny what people were saying. LOL
August 31st, 2006 at 9:48 am
caroline,
You wrote in the latest post, “I just thought it was funny what people were saying.” Yet before you wrote about what people are saying, “Sad isn’t it?” Funny - sad or Sad - funny? Help out this former E. Cobb yuppie now Cherokee “neo-confederate hillbilly” to understand — is it sad or funny or sadly funny or funny sadly?
August 31st, 2006 at 1:31 pm
Bill,
Lee Martin is Sean’s campaign director.
His wife runs Sonny’s campaign in Cherokee and is a local party official.
Many of us think Sean is smart enough to work with the Lee Martin who seems like nice guy, to make this go away for the community.
You are right that the ultimate decision to drop the case is up to the Lee Martin. That is why I said it would take leadership from Sean to make it go away.Sean must convince Lee this would help the community more than going forward with the case.
Caroline and T.summers are right about this hurting the perception of people livivng in Cherokee county.
In Business you learn perception is reality.That is bad for getting new business in our County. I am sure Lee does not want to hurt the community.
August 31st, 2006 at 1:43 pm
Bill,
By the way I think Lee could take Mary in a fight. Lets call Don King, it could be a HBO special.This could pay for the trial.
Bart and Mary however would be pick’em.
Tell Bart to wear a black-belt it might help.
August 31st, 2006 at 1:52 pm
caroline,
You make good points again. I do care what people think ,we need more business in Cherokee county.
This would help with taxe revenue with less social service cost.Also the more local jobs less traffic.
August 31st, 2006 at 2:34 pm
John,
I’m going to try this again: Lee was Sean’s campaign “chairman.”
It is a volunteer position that holds no authority and no responsibility.
AND, the person who was MOST in control of having this go away was Mary Wilhite for 2 reasons: 1) She should not have been personally accosting Lee on the corner in the FIRST place, and 2) When offered the opportunity to simply APOLOGIZE (like a freakin’ responsible ADULT) for her actions, and Lee would drop the charges, Mary REFUSED TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR HER ACTIONS.
So, now that Mary has pursued this case to the point of getting charged with the diorderly conduct charge, neither Lee NOR Sean has ANY control over this case. It is now up to the Solicitor’s office to decide whether this is a case that should be prosecuted and presented to a jury.
August 31st, 2006 at 2:43 pm
Bill,
More importantly could we make money on a fight between Lee amd Mary?
Do you think Mary could take Bart?
You could book the bets on the PV !
Think of the promotional opportunity!
August 31st, 2006 at 3:20 pm
Konop,
First correction — Jenny Beth is not a local party official. She does help out quite a bit, but holds no office with CCRP.
Second correction — ditto Bill’s posts.
Third correction — This story is not effecting Cherokee County’s ability to attract business development. That is being done by having anti-growth, anti-business commissioners like Harry Johnston and Jim Hubbard on the board. Their collective actions will do much more to deter business development than this little legal squabble.
Finally, the Martins, Byrds and others have done more than you (and Mary) will ever do in your entire life to benefit the community in Cherokee County. You have zero standing in this community to dare question Lee Martin’s intent relative to the community. Get involved, raise hundreds of thousands of dollars as they have been doing for years, then maybe your statement about community involvement will have some credibility. Right now it rings as hollow as that space between your eyeglass holders.
August 31st, 2006 at 4:22 pm
Bart Brannon,
I guess you could say it’s sad for some and funny for the rest.
August 31st, 2006 at 6:18 pm
Bart,
I forgot we all must check with “COMRADE” Bart who knows all !
I never question what the intenet was of Lee Martin. My only question is how this looks bad due to Hate mongers like you being envolved past and present.And he may have to cover for your past sins!!!
And when people refer to Cherokee as “neo confederate hillbillies” due to your behavior and you say “who cares” one has to wonder if you understand business.
And now you attack Harry Johnston , who always shows class.You could learn from Harry on how to act in public.
By the way, do you think you could win in a fight with Mary ?
August 31st, 2006 at 6:21 pm
caroline,
That was good comeback with COMRADE Bart.
September 1st, 2006 at 5:20 am
John,
If you want to address institutional racism within the Republican Party, perhaps Virginia, not Cherokee County, is the place to go. Have you seen the picture of then-Gov. George “Macaca” Allen at a CCC function? The CCC (Council of Conservative Citizens) is a well-documented white supremacist front.
Back on subject, Mary needs to apoligize for the incident with Lee Martin. Period. She needs to accept the fact that, due to her loss of self-control at that moment, her credibility has been damaged, and it may be for someone else to reveal certain ugly truths. The message must alkways be more important than the messenger.
September 1st, 2006 at 5:21 am
‘always’, not ‘alkways’
September 1st, 2006 at 5:36 am
Charlie,
I do not think we have “institutional racism” in the Republican Party.We have an issue with a hateful element within the party here in Cherokee County.As I predicted this would come out in the press due to past behavior of people like Bart and his gang.
My point this is not good for anyone in our County. Read the latest article.
Will the real GOP please stand up?
By: Gerry Yandel
Boy, the local politicos sure have been keeping our law enforcement folks busy.
Barely had I finished shaking my head over the questionable and inane “assault” warrant sworn out by Sean Jerguson’s campaign worker Lee Martin against candidate Mary Wilhite, when an even more surprising incident report from the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office crossed my desk.
Rep. Charlice Byrd, R-Woodstock, has asked for an investigation into whether Gina Carr committed voter fraud over Carr’s petition drive to qualify as an independent candidate against Byrd in the general election. The drive became a non-starter more than two weeks ago when Carr failed to get enough signatures. Byrd says Carr actually… wait for it… got some erroneous signatures in her petition drive. “People running for public office need to be held accountable for the consequences of their actions,” Byrd told me.
I certainly agree with that. But proving that Carr intentionally set out to defraud the Secretary of State’s office with duplicate signatures, as opposed to simply being disorganized and following sloppy procedural standards, seems like it would be hard to do.
Nonetheless, it’s hard to disagree with Byrd’s premise that either way – intentionally criminal or procedurally sloppy – Carr may not be the best person to hold elected office. While I personally feel that starting a sheriff’s office investigation into the matter is a waste of time and political overkill, Byrd has every right to pursue the matter and see where it leads.
On the other hand, the whole debacle involving Wilhite and Martin (who is, coincidentally or not, Byrd’s campaign manager) just seems mean and vindictive.
Lest we forget, a sheriff’s deputy was called to the scene of the “crime” on Aug. 7 and, after hearing both sides, told the two individuals to stay away from each other while campaigning. Why Martin chose to pursue the case, even after Wilhite conceded the race to Jerguson, defies reason.
Nonetheless, pursue it Martin did, and the resulting proceedings burned an entire day’s worth of time in Magistrate Court Aug. 18 before, unbelievably, being continued into the following week.
Perhaps I am mistaken, but after Chief Magistrate Judge Ben Abney tossed out the assault charge early in the proceedings and an attempt at mediation failed, shouldn’t his next and immediate action have been to send the case onward for trial or dismiss it outright?
Is it really in the Magistrate Court’s province for the judge to offer up an apology, which reads like a press release, for Wilhite to recite, as Abney allegedly did? Isn’t the penalty the responsibility of the judge who actually hears the criminal case?
Even more befuddling, is why Byrd, who wasn’t at the scene on Aug. 7, would testify in the hearing about a months-old conversation she had with Wilhite about Wilhite’s alleged connection to Bill Campbell. That has absolutely nothing to do with the exit ramp fracas and seems like 100 percent political character assassination. On what grounds could Abney even allow Byrd to testify?
I can’t help but wonder what the heck is going on here, nor can I believe I am the only one wondering that very same thing.
In fact, it seems as if there are two GOPs in Cherokee County. On the one hand, there is a small cadre of people who seem to take the “kick-em-when-they’re-down,” attack-style approach to politics.
These are the folks who dominate an Internet bulletin board consisting primarily of name-calling and shouting down opposing points of view. They’re the ones who verbally assault people in public, as Martin did to a Ledger-News reporter at a Jerguson campaign event. And, they’re the ones who sit in County Commission meetings, muttering commentary to no one in particular, but loud enough to be heard around the room.
Meanwhile, there seems to be a silent majority of Republicans in the county, like the ones who elected Buzz Ahrens, who aren’t so enamored of in-your-face politics.
Could it be that they might just be more interested in issues, as opposed to personalities, name-calling and tying up our judicial system with frivolous complaints?
September 1st, 2006 at 9:55 pm
Sure glad I don’t live in Cherokee County
September 2nd, 2006 at 6:48 pm
Josh,
The sad part is Cherokee County is a nice place to live. Also Lee Martin is not a bad guy. As I said Lee and his wife seem like bright people who care about the county.
The problem is all the bad history of the hate mongers who are party off icials who seem to enjoy hurting people. I do not think Lee has any bad motives relative to this case. I do think others in the party look at this as a chance to throw dirt as demonstrated by reading what Bart Brannon said about Mary Wilhite.
You are right to have your opinion, because most do not know the details. And they will look at it like you did. Thanks jk
September 2nd, 2006 at 8:37 pm
Konop,
Mary Wilhite has been arrested for her out of control antics the day before a runoff election. Mary Wilhite despite her own proclamation against racial profiling erroneously depicted a hispanic male as an illegal alien based solely on his appearance (he is a legal citizen). Mary Wilhite refused an opportunity to simply apologize to Lee Martin in a mediation hearing.
You are correct that hate mongers like yourself and Mary Wilhite create a bad perception for Cherokee County…why don’t you stop?
September 3rd, 2006 at 12:02 pm
John,
I do believe there is “institutional racism” in the Republican Party, which is why I left, and you need to do the same.
September 3rd, 2006 at 12:39 pm
Charlie,
I have a question for you. Since members of both parties voted for trade deals with slave and child labor created goods…is that “institutional racism” ?
Also we have both parties with members bought off to get cheap labor with no rights for the multi-national corporations’ bottom line…is that “institutional racism” ?
Are not both parties really supporting illegal immigration or work visa programs with no rights, which is against human rights, and hurts the middle class ?
Are not both both parties supporting bringing back the slave trade?
I think it is a lack of morals and greed from both parties.
Thanks jk
September 4th, 2006 at 11:12 am
Not to steal the thunder from John and Bart’s ongoing duel. Before I give my new web page address I was wondering since John is for the event to raise money at the courthouse. The Democrats could sponsor a boxing match in the square maybe some of the funds could go to repair the gazebo. The new web page address is http://www.kevinforhd22.com
Once more I would like to thank John and Bart for keeping me amused in the past two weeks. For those worried the actors John and Bart would not be hurt in the boxing match had to include the disclaimer in that line.
Thanks,
Kevin M. Bailey
September 4th, 2006 at 2:20 pm
Where do you live Josh?
September 4th, 2006 at 2:24 pm
Report is trial for Wilhite scheduled Dec. 19th…plenty of time to get that “top gun lawyer and PR firm” on board…LOL!
September 4th, 2006 at 8:14 pm
Bart,
You do not like American Black “skin Color” because they have rights. You like brown ” skin color” because most are illegal and do not have rights.
Your racial profiling arguement demonstrates what a hypocrite and partisan hack who lacks any real conviction.
You attack Mary for being a former Democrat ,yet support Sunny who has a simular resume.And then you look the other way with Cagle who gave money to Taylor. At the end you stand for nothing.That is why the system is broken on both sides because of people like you in both parties,end of story.
September 4th, 2006 at 8:18 pm
Kevin,
Going after me is not going to help you. If you want to talk issues I am all ears. So what is your plan for the county?
September 4th, 2006 at 8:55 pm
The only bias I have Konop is against self professed know it alls from Ohio who move to GA so they can tell us how smart they are.
Who did you vote for in the runoff…none of the above? When will the announcement of the “top gun lawyer and PR firm” be released…can hardly wait.
September 4th, 2006 at 10:33 pm
John,
No one is going after you here and you seem to like Sean so its pointless to talk to you plus a State Rep works for the state and the District. I do admit a match between you two could pay for some mailers.
Kevin
September 5th, 2006 at 4:59 am
John,
We’re getting off topic here, so Bill might snip this. That said…..
A majority of Democrats voted against NAFTA, CAFTA, and permanent MFN for China. A majority of Republicans voted for those agreements. If trade is your #1 issue, then you are closer to being a Democrat.
If you have a problem with the establishment of a permanent Latino underclass, courtesy of the status quo and/or a guest worker program, then perhaps you would like to move these hard-working individuals directly to citizenship.
As that idea lacks political viability, the very least we could do is refrain from cutting their children off from educational opportunities and immunizations. There is no better way to insure the presence of a permanent underclass than to deny education, and history bears me out. Before the Civil War, teaching a slave to read was considered a worse crime than murder in the South. Why? Because THAT was a fundamental attack on a way of life.
We must hope that some mistakes are so profound that they will not be repeated. Still, I come back to Mary Wilhite’s signs, and hope flickers.
September 5th, 2006 at 6:32 am
Charley,
The majority of Democrats in the senate led by Clinton , Gore and Kennedy Did vote for the trade deals.
As far as illegal immigration the open boarder movement supported by many on both sides is it for freedom or cheap labor.
Ceasar Chavez told congress that immigration was a tool to drive wages down. Also Mondale, Robert Abernathy demonstrated with the Chavez brothers to block the boarders from illegal immigration.
The guest workers program and illegal immigration is a tool to get cheap labor with limited rights to kill the middle class.
September 5th, 2006 at 7:06 am
Kevin,
Your District is 100% in Cherokee County. I live in your district.
I like and respect your father. But at the end of the day , All I ever heard from you is sound bites. What is your plan to help the district. Try using some details, not sound bites.
September 5th, 2006 at 10:30 am
John Konop,
Here’s the voting stats on NAFTA and fast track:
NAFTA:
House:
Republicans: 132 yes 43 no
Democrats 102 yes 156 no
Senate:
Republicans: 34 yes 10 no
Democrats 27 yes 28 no
Fast track
House:
Republicans: 151 yes 71 no
Democrats: 29 yes 171 no
So while, yes, both parties are to blame the Republicans must take a larger share of the blame in this issue. 75% of Republicans in the house voted for NAFTA while 39% of Democrats voted for it. In the Senate, 77% of Republicans supported NAFTA while only 49% of Democrats did.
I hope you voted for Perot in 1992 if this is such a big issue for you because Bush Sr. was a supporter of NAFTA too.
I was a supporter of NAFTA but have since changed my mind (hey, it’s a woman’s perogative isn’t it?). I don’t see the benefit of it. I think that we should say that we tried it and it didn’t work. What is wrong with American politics that you can’t say “it was a mistake” and we need to correct it?
September 5th, 2006 at 12:28 pm
caroline,
Democrats that voted against the trade deals yet support open borders and guest worker programs are hypocrites. Read for yourself they are selling out American workers for cheap labor with no rights.
http://preview.denverpost.com/nationworld/ci_4193619
Republicans that talk border security and vote for the immigration bills that are masked as trade and visa bills that flood us with 50% of illegals in our country are hypocrites.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/S._2611
Both parties are filled with low level hacks like Bart, who would support anything to win the election. At the end we all are left holding the bag while multi- national companies have bought off the system.
September 5th, 2006 at 12:35 pm
Bart,
You should call Mary if you want to know the lawyer. I would bet you will find out soon , with all the racist comments you made being a party official.
As I said I like Lee Martin. He just may regret knowing you!
September 5th, 2006 at 2:53 pm
Konop, how much do you wanna bet….oops, never mind, you don’t payoff when you lose.
Would love to expose Mary for her racist profiling…bring it.
September 5th, 2006 at 4:23 pm
Bart,
One I would never bet with you.
Two I am not a lawyer.
Three I am not part of any team or any group helping Mary.
I am just a parent, husband and Business owner calling the strikes and balls.
September 5th, 2006 at 4:29 pm
Bart,
By the way, when you “expose Mary for her racist profiling” is that before or after you give us all a play book on how not to use your “skin color in an election.
How is that “skin color” business going? Are you still the “WHITE COACH” ?
September 5th, 2006 at 6:46 pm
John,
This is one of my pledges as Candidate Elect House Rep District 22.
Thanks for the kind words regarding my father. In the past campaigns my father and I worked in tandem regarding state issues. I would like to think it has rubbed off on me and maybe why I am running in the House Race to better protect the citizens of Cherokee. You asked my views well as a politician
I would say look at my web page. Second like I have told most just due to the fact I have a D next to my name do not underestimate me.
3rd The facts are there are better ways to govern an area then rule by morals instead of substance.
4th Yes it is known I hate everything Goldman Sachs stands for and other brokers stand for. I am not in favor of turning our roads and Highways into leases and payback over the years. Goldman Sachs should never be able to finance any State or Federal roads or Hwys. The last time I checked our taxes fund the DOT and the buildings of roads, if roads supplies are costly tell Goldman to go short on the commidities and stop running the prices on products.
Look at 400 the guardrails had to be replaced, potholes the size of a car formed. The reason the people who built the roads were not DOT they had no idea how to build a road. I see county workers paving and doing work but still the city and state farm the work out and it maybe done cheap but look at the last company who did work for the State. The company had a an audit and had to return a hefty check. The taxpayers do not benefit from half-done roads.
5th I know this is your favorite immigration all I have to say on the subject get in line like the rest and come over the proper way. I could go on but Bill would cut me off. Feel free to get my number off my page and call me.
6th Schools damn it this pisses me off the most cut funding then raise it and call it a good thing. The only thing done was get some votes. There is not full funding class sizes are big teachers are stretched. Parents drive there kids to get them on time since some buses run late. That backs up roads and hwys no good. People complain no companies come here due to union in the south. That’s the biggest load I have heard the graduation rate, the text books, SAT scores and overcrowded schools keep companies from coming.
7th The damn growth in this county is like a ballon ready to burst. How can you keep the schools funded the roads up to date,keep the funding for the public safety fire and police, protect streams and buffers protected, maintain the proper water supply, business will not come to an area which is choked by growth with nothing for there family to do and feel protected. The airport runway yeah sure build it 45 miles from Atlanta that will have them come. The better idea should have been have a helicopter worth a million dollars to fly them from Cobb and Atlanta. The growth is to damn dense with no impact fees to pay for the need improvements with the area.
7th Spend the tax dollars the best way needed, even if you need to look over and find duplicate spending.
8th Protect the future of the State make sure each kid is insured and it will take care of sick days lost by parents. Have managed care even if you need to bring Hospitals, Doctors, and Insurance to the table do it and lock the door.
9th Protect your parents dang it they raised and protected you and deserve the best care and protection. If that is a needed prescrption card to pay for pills and medical supplies or acess to a Doctor they deserve the protection. You and many will be in the same shoes in 10 or 20 years.
10th Shorten any loopholes regarding builders being licensed. Protect the homeowners in lawsuits with builder make a law stating a builder needs to set up an escrow account with the county and new homeowners to handle any problems after the warranty expires.
Thanks,
Kevin M. Bailey
Candidate Elect House Rep 22
September 6th, 2006 at 4:40 am
John,
What is the more racist act: establishing a guest worker program, or expelling people at the point of a gun?
September 6th, 2006 at 6:10 am
It depends how you establish the guest woker program. Is it done to get third world people to lower wages and give them limited rights? Is it your job or wages at risk to feed your family ?
As far as expelling people , is it racist to enforce any law at gun point ?
In LA the police had a gang unite that did racial profiling and do to complaints they stop the program. Now violent crimes are up 15 % in the area and people living there are mad.If you were living there what would you want ?
September 6th, 2006 at 7:18 am
Konop talking out of one side of his mouth…”I would bet you will find out soon” 9/5 - 12:35pm
Then Konop showcasing his deficient short term memory from the other side of his mouth…”One I would never bet with you.” 9/5 4:23pm
No wonder you have such a hard time handling factual data Konop, you can’t even keep up with your own statements.
BTW, do you and Kevin share keyboards…seems like y’all have some keys out of order.
September 6th, 2006 at 10:14 am
Bart,
Show me a wager you and I ever made.
The truth is I have dyslexia.
I do not tell people often , because I never wanted anyone to feel sorry for me.
In someways it has been a gift. The best therapy is reading as much as possible.Also it taught to put up with nasty comments from people.
I have talk to kids about the issue. I am big on not feeling sorry for yourself.
September 6th, 2006 at 8:29 pm
Bart,
I was typing so John would understand maybe we have the same keyboard. I was wondering we could be brothers naw just people who think.
September 7th, 2006 at 5:54 am
John,
Now you are just being deliberately evasive. Its almost like you consider an American-born child of illegal immigrants being educated in a public school as grave a threat as an armed robber holding bank customers hostage. The two are apples and anvils, and in no way require the same response.
There is some gang activity where I live. I am comfortable with the police using legal and established techniques to deal with the problem. Racial profiling would be neither appropriate or effective. Is my job at risk? Theoretically, yes; as a practical matter, no.
September 7th, 2006 at 6:34 am
Charley,
So what do you do with an illegal immigrants that flood our schools with children and pay very little if anything for the education (10k per kid)?
Is that fair to American parents and kids who pay the bill and deal with lower wages?
Caroline and Charley,
If someone acts or looks like a gang member why not profile them? This is how New York cleaned it self up.
As far as Muslims why not focus on them. If they attend a mosque and radicals are welcome at the place are they not being indifferent if not supportive?
September 8th, 2006 at 9:05 pm
Wow, I don’t read this for a couple of weeks and all hell breaks loose. What a thread!
Everybody is missing the point (I think). The point is, during campaigns there are often tense confrontations. I remember when I was helping a Cherokee candidate, this total asshole John Wallace puts a bunch of Chip Rogers signs RIGHT IN FRONT OF MY SIGNS for Wes Frye. I told him to move them. He started to BS me and we almost got into it. He called me several names. I didn’t do anything about it — mainly because I didn’t want to hurt the guy I was helping in any way. But I didn’t take the guy to court!
Now, this total wuss Lee Martin, weighing in at over 300 lbs., takes Mary Wilhite to court because he felt threatened??? Please. What a load of crap. He is doing this for the same reason that POS Charlice Byrd is making a ruckus over Gina Carr — because he is a thug.
The only reason that corrupt judge Abney allowed Mary to get arrested was because of the Sonny Perdue, Jenny Beth Martin (Lee’s wife and head of Sonny’s Cherokee campaign) connection. Abney wanted a higher court appointment. But he didn’t get it — hilarious!
Gang, I have moved out of Cherokee County. You can have it. Chip Rogers (who has EVERYBODY fooled — but not me), Derek Good, Charlice Byrd, Sean Jerguson, Donnie Henriques (gotta love a mayor named Donnie), Bart Brannon, Patty Baker, etc. — good riddance. I have no doubt that good will eventually win out over these thugs. Not to mention one “D. White.” D., if you are with these thugs, you are on the dark side, my friend.
Mary’s case will get dismissed. I guarantee it.
September 8th, 2006 at 9:08 pm
And, Bill Simon, why should Mary apologize if she has done nothing wrong? Come on!
September 8th, 2006 at 9:13 pm
Bill,
Why did you have to move when I decided to run for State House can you still tell anyone in the 22nd to vote for a southern dem.
September 8th, 2006 at 10:37 pm
Kevin, I hope you win. I really think you’ll get a lot of votes. This could be an interesting race. You will get the vote of anybody with a heart and a conscience and brain in Cherokee County.
Thank God I no longer live there, though.
September 8th, 2006 at 10:40 pm
Thanks Bill and I hope you enjoy your new home and town.
September 8th, 2006 at 10:41 pm
BTW, is Cherokee sheriff Roger Garrison any better than these other thugs? I can say this now that I live outside of Cherokee, in a civilized city. Garrison basically endorses thugs like Charlice Byrd. His wife works in a plum job at Cherokee Bank. He lives in a home valued at over $400,000. A police officer? In a home over $400K?
A sheriff should not be political. He or she should enforce the law. This is par for the course in Cherokee County, though.
Thank God I’m outta there.
September 8th, 2006 at 10:42 pm
Kevin, how can I contact you via email?
September 8th, 2006 at 10:48 pm
BTW, ironic that I can rip both Garrison and Brannon since they both hate each other. Politics. In Cherokee County.
It’s a shame, since Cherokee County natives are fine people. But the Yankees have taken over. And Garrison is kissing their asses.
September 8th, 2006 at 10:54 pm
Bill,
This is my email and web page. The Tribune is running a story on the race in Saturdays paper. I have no idea how it will look or turnout.
kevinforhd22@yahoo.com
http://www.kevinforhd22.com
September 8th, 2006 at 11:01 pm
Kevin, thanks. I will be in touch. I think you will be shocked by the results. There are so many good people sick of the GOP in this county, you may just pull it out. It would give me hope that there maybe is a God.
How many ice cream socials has Jenny Beth given for her cronies. Including the Towne Lake ROA SOBs.
Oh, am I glad to be out of Cherokee County. But I’m still pulling for the good guys.
Everybody, GOP or Democrat, please vote for Kevin.
September 8th, 2006 at 11:06 pm
Bill,
Expletives…when one resorts to expletives it shows a lack of ability to express one’s self in a competent verbal way.
Hear this, I’m not part of any group of “thugs” or any “establishment”; I’m not a member of the CCRP; and I don’t support all of the establishment candidates. I am however with Sen. Chip Rogers. I guarantee you won’t find a state senator in Georgia who has represented his constituents any better than Sen. Rogers. Regardless of whether or not you LIKE him, you have to acknowledge that he has done his job of fighting for what his constituents want - the number one priority of a citizen legislator.
Examples:
1. Penalties for Illegal Immigration.
2. Opposing Tax Increases
3. Promoting the Family
4. Natural Resource Conservation
Arguably, these are the four most important issues to people in Cherokee County. Whether or not you like him doesn’t have anything to do with his job performance - which is stellar. So in essence, Chip hasn’t “fooled” anyone, he’s simply done his job and the people have noticed.
Side note: I actually voted for Wes Frye - he was WAY more qualified for the job(not even close). Don’t make the straw-man arguement and try to roll everyone who disagrees with you into one big group - that’s a frail argument at best.
Hopefully you’ll respond with a little more class and thought next time, leaving the logical falacies behind (i.e. Oversimplification, False Analogies, Ad Hominem, and Sweeping Generalization to name a few). Bring a real post, with real facts and real conclusions, and then the conversation is worth having.
Respectfully,
D. White
September 8th, 2006 at 11:25 pm
Nothing wrong with expletives, D. That is a myth that using explatives is indication of lack of vocabulary. I got plenty of vocabulary. Unfortunately, the explatives pack more punch than other words.
D., with your punctuation, syntax, use of caps where they shouldn’t be, etc., don’t be throwing stones at me. OK?
As for Chip, you forgot he also sponsored the NASCAR license plates! Thank God for that. I was going to have a heart attack if we didn’t have a Dale Jr. license plate. Yet another controversial topic we all can agree on. My point here is that Chip hasn’t done anything that any of us — GOP or Democrat — would not agree on. So he’s for immigration control. Well who the hell isn’t?
However, Chip is also a THUG who has authorized the TEARING DOWN of his opponents’ signs. This I know as the GOSPEL TRUTH. He even has Bill Simon fooled on this one. But not me! For a month, I did rounds for Wes Frye. I saw all of Chip’s opponent’s signs destroyed. Chip could have stopped this. He is sign-aware as any candidate ever. But he didn’t. I also saw Chip break every rule of sign erecting. He posted signs on private property without permission; he posted signs on properties for sale, without permission; he posted on ROWs illegally. Every sign I posted I had permission for — and none was in a ROW.
He has charmed and sweet-talked even Bill Simon to his side. What a sucker. But not me! Never.
D., I want to thank you, though for voting for Wes Frye. Let me ask you: Do you know who authored the flyers against Wes that went out right before the election? If you tell me this, I’ll apologize to you for everything I’ve said.
September 8th, 2006 at 11:26 pm
No edit feature here! Pardon typos! I can spell — really!
September 8th, 2006 at 11:30 pm
D., as for the “family” and “family values.” What do you think of Charlice Byrd voting against Sunday booze sales…BUT she is a total BOOZER SLOSH at the same time??? She is legendary at the Winchester for KNOCKING THEM DOWN?????
What do you think about that?
Oh, how nice it is to express myself, now that I don’t live in fear of Roger Garrison and his boys. I know the Chief of Police where I live and I know the Sheriff. They are honorable men and they wouldn’t let Garrison’s boys lay a hand on me.
September 9th, 2006 at 2:04 am
In this excessively verbose vein, I would like to commend D. for maintaining civility and exhibiting an amount of maturity not found among many of the posts.
The issue to me is what D. focused on earlier, the fact that the voters of the county are not convinced of Mrs. Wilhite’s commitment to a party she has seldom supported throughout her political career. Not to wholly preclude any chance Mr. Bailey might have in November, I think it is still safe to say that the (R) next to a name on a ballot is the most important factor in determining who a person votes for in Cherokee County. Even if there is a block of voters that are disgruntled with the current federal administration, these people rarely vote in midterm elections.
Consequently, the issue is that many view Mrs. Wilhite as clothing herself in a Republican cloak solely to get elected, rather than out of a genuine shift in values. I believe that someone on the Pundit thought it noteworthy to point out her GRTL certification, which is determined by a questionnaire. The GRTL survey can be answered out of convenience rather than conviction in the same way an oath claiming to be a Republican can. Her past record as a Republican (or lack thereof) combined with the fact that there was a substantiated altercation with her and a volunteer of her opponent indicate to me that she is desperate for office rather than issue focused.
I find it interesting to note that her opponent was capable of not being similarly charged, which leads me to believe that he doesn’t put himself in situations to be charged with a crime limiting speech because he has the couth, intelligence, and etiquette to not bicker with his opponent’s volunteers or staffers. To me, this whole charge proves that she is still a Democrat at heart, since desperate liberal candidates typically employ such juvenile tactics.
September 9th, 2006 at 6:12 am
Bill,
I can understand your frustration.
Yet to go after Sherrif Garrison is strange to me. All I know is he was very helpful to me when some in that hate group went after my family.
As far as Chip , I also think he has done a good job. And he, also was very nice to me durring a event that my 12 year old was a victim of the hate group.
As far as Charlice, I think it is wrong to attack her on a personal level. I also think her voting record on spending was very good.
I do think that her going after Gina was wrong and an abuse of power. But to take a personal attack at Charlice lowers you to Bart Brannon and company.
BTW Wes is a good guy.
September 9th, 2006 at 9:01 am
I go after Garrison because he should not be political. He should enforce the law and stay away from endorsing people, which he basically did during the Brannon-Byrd fiasco. As I recall, he said that Charlice was a “shoo in” to win if Brannon would stay out of the way. He should not have said that. BTW, I don’t think Garrison would do anything to harm me. But in a F-ed up county like Cherokee, you never know.
Chip is nice to everybody, John. That’s part of his schtick. He is a charmer. The thing about him, as I’ve said, is that he doesn’t need to tear down signs. You really couldn’t sculpt a better politician than that guy. He has it all. Why does he have to be a thug? And he is a thug. I’ll argue this any time. I love straightening people out on this one.
I don’t appreciate you comparing me to Brannon. I supported you strongly and met you twice. If Charlice is going to dish out personal stuff, like she did against Gina regarding the student loans, etc., then she should be able to take it in return. I think how a politician behaves in public is not “personal.” It is relevant and voters should know about it.
Anyhow, John, I’m a little offended by your shot against me, but I would vote for you again. You ran a great campaign.
September 9th, 2006 at 9:03 am
Bill,
“As for Chip, you forgot he also sponsored the NASCAR license plates! Thank God for that. I was going to have a heart attack if we didn’t have a Dale Jr. license plate. Yet another controversial topic we all can agree on. My point here is that Chip hasn’t done anything that any of us — GOP or Democrat — would not agree on. So he’s for immigration control. Well who the hell isn’t?”
Here you go again Bill, trying to connect two things that are totally unrelated. It’s almost comical now to read your posts, simply because you have so much lingering hate for Chip Rogers. What does the NASCAR license plate have to do with the issue of illegal imigration? traffic? spending? - NOTHING, so quit oversimplifying the debate.
“However, Chip is also a THUG who has authorized the TEARING DOWN of his opponents’ signs. This I know as the GOSPEL TRUTH. He even has Bill Simon fooled on this one. But not me! For a month, I did rounds for Wes Frye. I saw all of Chip’s opponent’s signs destroyed. Chip could have stopped this. He is sign-aware as any candidate ever. But he didn’t. I also saw Chip break every rule of sign erecting. He posted signs on private property without permission; he posted signs on properties for sale, without permission; he posted on ROWs illegally. Every sign I posted I had permission for — and none was in a ROW”
I was Chip’s campaign manager during this period of time. Every sign that was erected was erected after written approval had been recieved through email or mail, or after personal verbal permission was given. The night before the election every candidate puts signs in the ROW, it’s a common political practice and has been for a long time. When we helped Sonny Perdue on election night guess where his signs went….further, guess where we were TOLD to put them? The same is true for Steve Stancil, Mike Beatty, Bob Barr, John Linder, Bobby Franklin, and Saxby Chambliss. Again your sweeping generalization here is only a biproduct of your utter disgust for Chip, which obviously doesn’t allow you to discuss these things with a balanced mindset.
“D., I want to thank you, though for voting for Wes Frye. Let me ask you: Do you know who authored the flyers against Wes that went out right before the election? If you tell me this, I’ll apologize to you for everything I’ve said.”
I don’t have a clue who authored those flyers, but I will tell you that it really pisses me off when candidates have to result to hings like this. We’ve seen it dozens of times in and around our county, and it continually blows my mind. It’s unbelievably desparate, and tells me all I need to know about a candidate.
“D., as for the “family” and “family values.” What do you think of Charlice Byrd voting against Sunday booze sales…BUT she is a total BOOZER SLOSH at the same time??? She is legendary at the Winchester for KNOCKING THEM DOWN?????
What do you think about that?”
Well, here’s what I think about it: I think once again you’ve taken two different comments I made, smashed them together, and twisted them to benefit your viewpoint. I didn’t even mention Charlice Byrd in my last post, but I did mention that Chip was strong on legislation that promoted our classic “family values”. This is another prime example of how your extreme bitterness has clouded your ability to reason.
As far as I’m concerned, you still haven’t responded to the main issue contained in my previous post. Chip has represented his constituents desires as good as or better than any other State Senator. The facts are behind me, the verdict is in and on that point there is no argument. Chip gives creedence to the term “man of the people” because he has indeed, been a man both of (and for) the people he represents.
God Bless Bill,
D. White
September 9th, 2006 at 9:57 am
I have to wonder if the people in Towne Lake support Charlice Byrd’s expansive fundamentalism. I wonder if Sunday Liquor sales actually came to a vote if it would pass. I know in Woodstock that FBCW killed Sunday liquor sales once but when it came to a vote it passed IIRC.
September 9th, 2006 at 1:52 pm
I’ve been meaning to ask: Who is Bill Simon? Former politician? Writer? Or just interested in politics? I’m just wondering.
September 9th, 2006 at 2:56 pm
Bill,
I will say a little regarding Bill Simon. Bill is a man I respect and admire he stood up to the Cobb Gop
at the county convention walking in and staring the people down who were trying to pass some resolution against Bill since he was not a fan of some people. I have wondered if Bill ran for office would he be a D or an R or an I but whichever he would do just fine. To clear the air I voted not to censure Bill Simon the Delegate meeting.
September 9th, 2006 at 3:52 pm
D White,
In fairness to Bill this was in the local newspaper. I would like to hear your opinion.And What do you think about Bart Brannon, Robert Trim,Dick Hall….. ? Is Bart telling the truth when he said “We strive to increase membership and participation from all who consider themselves Republicans.”
Some say local GOP hurt by clique
By Tom Brooks
tombrooks@ledgernews.com
The Cherokee County Republican Party is stifled by a clique of party officers and members, according to some Republican candidates who say the small group treats them like outsiders.
Among those who claim the organization often fails to foster a welcoming environment for people who are perceived as not part of the alleged tight group are some candidates who ran in the July 18 partisan primary – both successful and defeated.
Despite its status as the dominant political party in the county, the critics say the Cherokee GOP leadership, with the exception of Chairman Pete Castello (RIGHT), appears unfriendly to candidates who are deemed as not aligned with them but insist they are loyal Republicans blocked by its alleged clique.
County Commissioner Harry Johnston, who defeated challenger Sharon Statham by a 2-to-1 margin in the primary, said there are thousands of county residents who supported candidates who don’t find a welcome into the local party.
“(The party insiders) tend to exclude people who aren’t their particular allies,” Johnston said, adding recent election returns indicate those left out are the majority of the county residents.
Johnston (LEFT) and the other candidates who say a clique exists declined to name the members of the group.
“I think there is a small faction that tends to make new members uncomfortable,” said Johnston, who received 6,104 votes in the primary and is unopposed in the Nov. 7 general election.
The party “should be a lot bigger,” Johnston said.
Castello said he hears the claim the Cherokee GOP is allegedly controlled by a clique supportive only of so-called insiders is circulating among politically active local residents. That claim is hardly new or accurate, he said.
Talk of the party being overly favorable to a small group lined up behind particular candidates has surfaced in the county over the years, Castello said.
“I want to keep Republicans involved,” Castello said.
Politics and the crafting of public policy are frequently rough-and-tumble enterprises, Castello said.
Although some officers of the party have sided for and against particular candidates, party rules only prohibit two members of the organization’s Executive Committee – the chairman and vice chairman of candidates recruitment – from taking public stands on candidates until a nominee is selected, he added.
Mary Wilhite, who lost the State House District 22 primary runoff to Sean Jerguson, said party insiders didn’t treat her fairly during her candidacy.
Wilhite said she hasn’t felt welcomed by the local Republican Party. She has been questioned about her past support of Democrats by some local GOP leaders in the party, but dismisses claims she isn’t a loyal Republican, she said.
Wilhite, who was arrested under a warrant taken by Jerguson supporter Lee Martin for misdemeanor disorderly conduct following a roadside dispute the day before the Aug. 8 runoff, said she will continue attending Cherokee County Republican Party meetings.
“I’m conservative,” said Wilhite. “I believe in the Republican Party.”
Not every candidate says he or she can’t get a sound reception from the local GOP.
Political newcomer Buzz Ahrens said he was “treated fairly” by the party in his successful campaign to defeat incumbent County Commission Chairman Mike Byrd.
As chairman, Ahrens said he will choose, if necessary, county interests over party interests.
State Sen. Chip Rogers, R-Woodstock, said the Cherokee GOP appears open to new members and candidates of various views.
The political world involves vigorous debate that can turn emotional, Rogers said.
The experience from campaigns is helpful as party candidates are elected to legislative positions, he added.
“Public policy is what it’s about,” Rogers said.
Johnston, the Post 1 county commissioner, said “personality” concerns often trump “policy” in the party.
“There may be some policy differences, but I think personality differences are the bigger factor,” Johnston said. “If you’re not part of the inner circle, it’s very hard to be part of it.”
Bart Brannon, the party’s vice chairman of communications, said Cherokee GOP leaders work hard to bring in new members through a variety of events.
“It is difficult for me to understand why anybody would claim CCRP is attempting to dissuade new membership based on the actual track record of this Executive Committee under the leadership of Pete Castello,” Brannon said. “We strive to increase membership and participation from all who consider themselves Republicans.”
Towne Lake resident Gina Carr, who lost her 2002 Republican bid for the House District to Rep. Charlice Byrd, R-Woodstock, and failed to collect enough signatures to challenge Byrd’s re-election bid as an independent candidate, said several citizens have told her they don’t feel comfortable at local GOP meetings.
“Many people consider themselves strong Republicans but they don’t go to the meetings,” Carr said. “They don’t foster an environment of participation outside their group.”
Castello said the party is open for change.
February is the time for precinct meetings where delegates are elected to choose party officers at the March county convention, Castello said.
In the wake of the July 18 Republican primary election, there has been widespread discussion among political activists – and a continuing debate in “blog” postings at http://www.politicalvine.com and http://www.peachpundit.com on the Internet – about the Cherokee GOP’s future.
Cherokee County School District Superintendent Frank Petruzielo said his job requires him to be officially non-partisan, but he is part of the GOP “phone tree.”
Petruzielo said he has been shown odd comments from Cherokee GOP insiders from the blogs.
“I think, on balance, these people have a very inflated value of their own importance,” Petruzielo said of the bloggers.
September 9th, 2006 at 8:11 pm
John Konop,
What did you think of that article? Is Bill Simon and his blog now famous?
Kevin,
Censure a member? Are these people really that petty and vindictive? It sure sounds like it from your post.
September 9th, 2006 at 8:56 pm
caroline,
This is a letter I wrote about the issue that I sent to the Ledger.
A person would have to be blind not to see the hateful treatment demonstrated by some Cherokee GOP party officials. I did not vote for Mary Wilhite, yet I was shocked to see how nasty she was treated.
I read on blogs a party official calling Mary Wilhite a black Republican a racist for her stand on illegal immigration.
I read on blogs a party official comparing Mary Wilhite endorsed by conservative groups like Right to life as the same as Cynthia McKinney.
I saw party officials not even open a door for her at the GOP Christmas party with her hands full of gifts she bought supporting the party.
I saw debates where party official picking questions at the debate making faces at the crowd showing disapproval of Mary Wilhite’s answers.
How a party officials can say “we strive to increase membership and participation from all who consider themselves a Republican ” is a joke. The same party official have made hateful comments about Harry Johnston, Dr. Petruzielo,Gina Carr, Mary Wilhite……..
The issue is not about agreeing with everyone in the party or community. Harry Johnston is right we need all party officials to make people comfortable to express their views without feeling attacked. The party needs to remove any party officials who are part of this hate group. Not only would this grow the party, but it would help bring the community together
September 9th, 2006 at 9:19 pm
John Konop,
Well good luck with what you are trying to do. Really, what’s going to have to happen is for them to lose elections-I’m talking within the party and local house and senate elections. As long as people keep rewarding bad behavior, it will continue.
I’m truly amazed at the ugliness directed at Harry Johnston.
September 9th, 2006 at 9:31 pm
Bill Simon, why are two of my posts still not up on the board? I have not said one thing that isn’t the truth. Not a thing. Put my posts up or I will not post here again.
September 9th, 2006 at 9:33 pm
caroline,
I do agree the problem is both parties keep “rewarding bad behavior” as well as protecting the office holder. This is why I am speaking up, you are right the change needs to come from the people.
This change needs to come from a coalition of Republicans, Democrats and Independents willing to stand up.
Harry Johnston is a gentleman.Bart and his crew could learn from Harry how to show class.
September 9th, 2006 at 9:34 pm
D., regarding Chip’s signs, you are wrong about him having permission to post for every sign that was erected. I’ll give you just one specific example. No, I’ll give you two. On Putnam Ford Road, right next to the office suites (which is next to Stonebridge Restaurant), there was an old abondoned house with a Chip Rogers sign in front of it. I called the number on the for sale sign and said, “Since Chip Rogers has a sign on the property, can I put one there, too?” The owner responded, “Chip Rogers never got my permission to put a sign up and I will be taking it down. He has signs up, without my permission, on many of my properties for sale.”
Another example is on Moccasin Trail in Deer Run. There was a Wes Frye sign in a yard on Running Deer Pkwy and Moccasin Trail. I asked the homeowner, who I know, for permission to put the sign up. Later on that day, a Chip Rogers sign appeared. I called him and asked why he allowed that sign. He said that he did not and that he had already taken it down.
There were several other property owners I called, asking for permission, who told me that they did not give permission to Chip to put up the sign.
The point I was trying to make when I brought up the NASCAR plates is that Chip is simply doing things that everybody can agree on. He DID do a good job on the immigration bill, but really that is it. However, I have said on here many times that he does represent my own personal views very effectively. This is why I don’t understand why he has to be a THUG, which he most certainly IS.
Yes, I know that putting signs up on ROWs is allowed close to election time. But Chip had his up way before then, in ROWs. There is nothing unbalanced about what I am saying! These are facts.
I have a feeling that Chip Rogers has the governor’s mansion in mind. If he ever decides to go that route, I will remind people and the media OFTEN about the old days of Chip Rogers and his thuggish tactics. Until then, fortunately he no longer represents me.
And, D., remember this:
http://politicalvine.com/news/newsview19147.html
and this:
http://politicalvine.com/news/newsview17953.html (scan down the page a bit)
and this:
http://politicalvine.com/news/newsview15840.html
Some good reading!
September 9th, 2006 at 9:37 pm
Gang, I have two long posts that are still “awaiting moderation.” Don’t tell me that there is censorship here. Especially when I am telling the truth.
September 9th, 2006 at 9:41 pm
Bill,
you can send it to me at john@johnkonop.com
September 9th, 2006 at 10:25 pm
John, just sent you an email with my posts. Please let me know that you got it by confirming to my email.
September 9th, 2006 at 11:03 pm
John,
Yes Bill Simon had made the Cobb Gop upset and he showed up hats off to him. John maybe the reason I am running as a Dem is to bring some change to the District and leadership. I still have my views and nothing will change that its principles over party.
September 10th, 2006 at 8:36 am
Bill,
I do think Chip Rogers has done a good job. All I can say Chip always treated me fine even in front of Bart and his crew. He also understands policy and is a smart guy. I do think he would make a good Governor some day.
As far Sheriff Garrison he sent out a letter supporting Tom Price . I do think that is his right and he is an elected official. Yet like Chip he treated me fairly and has done a good job as sherrif.And once again was always friendly and treated me well in public.
As you know many other party officials and office holders acted nasty to my family and I. My father in law a Republican judge from Texas made the comment as well as others is they acted like the KLAN. The intimidation tactics most stop by party officials
I am sorry that you took my comments as comparing you to the Bart Brannon and his crew. I think Harry Johnston is right that people need to feel welcome to express their views without the attacks.
Bart Brannon endorsed verbally attacking my 12 year old. Robert Trim was intimidating him at a Republican party event. What did the party do ,nothing!!!
And anyone who saw the debate between Tom Price and I in Cherokee would have to be blind not to the bias behavior. What did party officials do, nothing !!!! Once again I was ask many times is this the “Klan or the Republican party”
I do understand the frustration trust me.If I do not run again it would be over protecting my family. The hate group in the CCRP is destroying our system in Cherokee county bottom line.
September 10th, 2006 at 8:59 am
Damn Konop, you are the biggest whining cry baby sore loser in quite some time. You give me far too much credit for your loss and ability to control CCRP. If I had as much influence as you imply, believe me when I say you would have been challenged in a much more public way than my personal thoughts expressed via various blogs. Your lies, deceit and scurrilous accusations are now legendary in political circles throughout Metro Atlanta raising your stature in the world of wackjobs to a level just below Cynthia McKinney.
Again as I have written many times, if you don’t like how CCRP conducts itself, run for chairman. Show us how a psuedo Republican like yourself would run a local political party…start each meeting by singing Kum-ba-yah, to be followed with a hand-holding ’say hi to your neighbor’ session then publicly flog any member who dared to write or say something that can be construed as negative about another member.
Konop, you were right when you wrote something to the effect of “politics may not be something I should pursue” after losing against Tom