~ The Piedmont Chronicles ~
- est. 2010 -
[State of GA]
[Newton Co.]
(Covington, GA * 2.14.2016) - Howdy, readers! Hope all is well out there, and Happy Valentine's day to you all.
So, it's been a pretty big news week at least as it relates to the 1st district of the Newton Co. Board of Commissioners.
It hit both The News & the Newton Citizen that John Douglas will not be running for reelection. Well...just damn! With him and Keith Ellis and presumably Levie Maddox all NOT running again, who are we gonna be able to bitch at now? Jeez, what a drag!
Ha, ha. Seriously though, as much as editor M.B. McCart and John Douglas have disagreed and/or had public blow-out feuds on FB, etc., there is a glimmer of...dare I say it - sadness - that "Pandering John's" public service career is coming to an end. For one thing, you could set your clock by the consummate politician. You always could count on that Otis-lookin' fella to lick that thumb, cock it in the air, and see which way the wind was blowing. Of course, half the time he'd do that and still go full-on dumbass, but hey - none of us are perfect, right?
So now, we find ourselves without an incumbent for BOC 1. Who's up?
In terms of declared candidates, there is only one at the moment. Nathan Lee Bradley, aka the "Super Trooper," who you may have read about after he cared for some kids after their folks where killed in a car wreck until their family could come in from out of town. Him and his wife took them in that night rather than turn the kids over to DFCS. Good story. And by all accounts, Mr Bradley seems like a swell guy. I actually met with him and a few other folks a few weeks ago when he was contemplating on running. He's retained the services of Jesse Head, President of the NewRock YRs to head up his campaign, and that seems like a smart move. Jesse's been impressing a lot of folks with his youthful passion, energy & activism.
There are concerns from many about Bradley's age, though. Also, some have wondered if it's just too much, too fast. I know for a fact he's been talking book deals and movie rights, which, if he does that he would most likely help out those kids even more, and we've seen what he's done with the go-fund-me account for them young 'uns. But one has the think maybe he should just concentrate on that and being a Trooper and save the politics for when he's maybe 30 or so. Who knows? Again, he seems like a nice enough fella.
To that point, however, a grassroots campaign has sprouted up to "Draft Stan Edwards for BOC 1. Stan is currently the Rep. of the 1st for the Board of Education has told several that while he is humbled and grateful for the confidence and support to possibly run as a Commissioner, he felt like he made a promise to the voters of the 1st to serve a full term on the BOE. That's where this recruitment campaign comes in - the several folks who are really wanting Stan to run and wanting to let him know that they feel as if the district needs him to do this, and they want him to see it with his own eyes.
I've known Stan for several years and I think a whole lot of him. He's a multi-generational Newtonian like me, though I don't think he can claim 6 generations like I can. He's smart, hard-working, and very passionate about the home county. If he does run, I'd most likely support him in any way I could.
Regardless, I think the 1st, just like the 5th, seems to be in good hands. We're very fortunate there.
Write-ups coming soon:
- The ongoing saga of the Newton Co. GOP
- A potentially damning piece about the Newton Co. Board of Elections and/or the GA GOP.
- A look at BOC 5
- A look at the Hwy 278 CID
- A look at the Covington city council getting serious about improving financials and efficiencies.
- A full report on Stanton Springs and potential hijinks & shenanigans w/ the JDA.
And much, much more. And next weekend - a long-awaited Sunday Edition from your local Piedmont Chronicles.
Y'all keep yer powder dry, and stoke up those fires and send out some smoke signals or hit us up at one of the various HQs if you need us. You know the drill, ear to the ground...
Your pal,
MBM
Tonto
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