Political Chatter...

Saturday, May 31, 2003

By PV Staff (PoliticalVine@aol.com)

U.S. Senate

Rumors have it that DeKalb CEO Vernon Jones(D) is taking a serious look at jumping into the Senate race for the Donkey side. He is waiting to see if AG Thurbert Baker(D) will run.

PV Is Tickled: Wow! If either Vernon or Thurbert exits their positions, WHOO-HOO! Party-on!

8th Congressional District

Rumors have it that State Senator Seth Harp (R) is eyeing the race that already has State Senator Mike Crotts (R) and House Minority Leader Lynn Westmoreland (R) in it. Another Republican reportedly pondering the race is Fayette County Commissioner Greg Dunn.

Fulton County Sheriff

Daryll A. Triplett (R), a deputy with the Fulton County Sheriff's office, has announced his candidacy to take-on current Dem Sheriff, Jackie Barrett. PV talked to Triplett and we think he will be a strong candidate to face Barrett.

If you wish to find out more about Daryll or join his campaign, checkout his Website at Triplett For Sheriff.

House District #1 - Third Time's The Charm?

The re-re-match of Republican Jay Neal vs. Democrat Mike Snow is set for this July 22. There have been two previous races between Snow and Neal that were tossed-out by a judge. State Rep. Sharon Cooper, Chairman of the House Republican Trust, has issued this letter to all Republican activists:

Dear Republican Activist,

I need your help! Last November, our candidate for HD #1, Jay Neal, won a narrow victory against Democrat Mike Snow, a 17-year incumbent. The race was overturned due to voter irregularities. Early this year, Snow narrowly won the re-match... BUT, once again, the court overturned the election due to voter problems. Apparently, the registrar in Walker County just couldn’t "get her act together."

The third election for that seat in less than 10 months is now scheduled for July 22 and I desperately need your help in raising funds for Jay. He is not a wealthy man and three races so close together would drain anybody’s pocketbook.

The contrast between the two candidates is stark! Jay Neal is married with a family, a pastor and one of the finest men you will ever meet. He is a natural leader and will be a great asset to our caucus.

Mike Snow, is just the opposite. He is single and he doesn’t seem to take his legislative responsibilities seriously. During the years he was Chairman of the Ethics Committee, he drew several thousand dollars from the state for committee work, yet the committee NEVER met.

PLEASE help Jay today. All donations are important, large or small, and will be greatly appreciated. Make checks payable to Jay Neal for State House.

Thank you for helping Jay and for all you do to advance the Republican cause in Georgia. Isn’t it great to have a Republican Governor and a Republican Senate!!!

Remember, we have one last frontier to conquer... a Republican Majority for the Georgia House. We’re looking for good candidates NOW — so let me hear from you if you have any potential candidates we need to contact (770-956-8357). Also, if I can ever be of service, don’t hesitate to call.

Sharon Cooper
Chairman
Republican House Caucus


Make checks payable and please mail them to:

Committee to Elect Jay Neal
813 Windy Trail
LaFayette, Ga. 30728



House District 42, Post #1

PRESS RELEASE

Mike Crifasi, who had a successful 20-year career at IBM and has worked for 11 years as a Certified Financial Planner practitioner, has announced his candidacy to represent the 42nd district in the Georgia State House. “The people of the 42nd continue to speak clearly,” Crifasi said. “Property taxes are still too high, and governments at all levels need to discipline their spending.”

Crifasi said, “High property taxes remain voters’ top concern. Everywhere I go in the 42nd the message is the same. Whatever their party, whether they are liberal or conservative, voters want property taxes cut, and we will cut them.”

"High property taxes are especially harmful to young families, first-time home buyers and retirees," Crifasi said. “We all know that rising property taxes often force older people, who have been in a house for many years, to sell their homes. But high taxes are hurting younger people as well.”

“As a financial planner”, Crifasi said, “I bring two qualities especially important to curbing government excesses and improving its effectiveness: first, discipline in spending- I make clear to my clients that to get ready for retirement they have to be willing to curb spending now; second- getting a solid return on investment. Government is a big investment. And we need to see that we get a better return on that investment in our schools, roads, hospitals—everywhere we invest taxpayers’ money.”

Crifasi said that in his 2002 campaign for the 42nd seat he came to know the district much more intimately —its neighborhoods, schools, businesses, elected officials, groups and voters in general. “I’ve built a foundation for a successful campaign, and I look forward to representing the people of the 42nd in the State House, working to cut their property taxes and to reign in health care costs.

Crifasi and his wife Judy recently celebrated their 36th wedding anniversary. Their two daughters and four granddaughters all live in Fulton County. He is an active member of Our Lady of the Assumption Church in Dekalb County. Crifasi moved to Atlanta while still a baby. He graduated from Georgia Tech, served during the Vietnam era as a Lieutenant in the U. S. Army, was both President and Chairman of the Georgia Society of the Institute of Certified Financial Planners, and now works out of his office on Roswell Road.

For further information contact:

Michael L. Crifasi, CFP
4651 Roswell Road, H-702
Atlanta, GA 30342

Mike Crifasi


PV Staff