Sunday, September 28, 2008

GET BILL GILLESPIE ELECTED TO CONGRESS!!

Many of you have had the opportunity to meet and speak with Lt. Col. Bill Gillespie, as he has spent an inordinate amount of time and attention here in Camden County since he began his campaign almost a year ago. Camden County is not the biggest county in Bill’s congressional district, but he has been here at least once a month, and in some instances, much more. He spent the entire Fourth of July weekend here, one of the busiest, and therefore, one of the most important weekends of a political campaign.

Bill recently spent a full day in Camden, meeting privately with leaders in government, education, business, and community/military partnerships. As a result, he has an excellent feel for the needs and opportunities that Camden County represents. Over and over, he heard a similar comment from practically every one of these leaders; because of its unique location, its unique transportation systems, its skilled labor force (especially true of naval retirees who decided to make Camden County their homes), and its wonderful year-round weather, Camden County should be attractive to a wide variety of companies looking to relocate. Yet, in spite of the boom in some other counties here in southeast Georgia and northern Florida, any increase we’ve seen in new businesses is primarily in the service sector. In fact, this sector is so overloaded, that restaurants must bring in workers from out of the county. During the course of these conversations with our leaders, several of them seemed to have an “Ah Ha” moment, as the focus always seemed to end up on lack of leadership by our senatorial and congressional representatives. Jack Kingston has been in Washington for over 14 years now, and other than a few new defense contractors based at Kings Bay, what significant new business has he landed for Camden County? Quick, quick, a show of hands! What? No hands? Well, no businesses either!

I think there’s two very simple reasons why this is so:
1) Jack Kingston is beholding to businesses that have no fit with the economy or the business environment of Camden County. Just check online and see who his big corporate contributors are, and ask yourself if they really are a fit with Camden County. So then why do they support Jack Kingston? Because he pays off for them with his efforts in Washington. It has nothing to do with what’s best for the First Congressional District of Georgia or Camden County, Georgia. It has everything to do with returning the investments his big, out-of-state contributors have made in keeping Jack Kingston working for them in Washington.

2) Jack Kingston hasn’t had an original or creative idea in the 14 years he’s been up there! He can’t see what new industries, what new technologies, and what new skill sets are going to make up the next-generation business giants. He’s too focused on what’s good for him now.

Bill Gillespie CAN see the future for Camden County and for all the other counties in the First District that have been declining or stagnant over the past decade. He sees what will be needed to attract the future to Camden County. He knows what we have to offer, and how to connect those attributes to the companies that are looking for precisely those attributes. Bill realizes that the economy of a county in southeast Georgia usually revolves around one, or maybe two major employers. Bill also knows who the companies are that are looking for what southeast Georgia has to offer. His success in the U.S. Army has honed the leadership skills he can bring to make these connections happen. Bill Gillespie is the leader we’ve been looking for in southeast Georgia, and we need to work as hard as is required to make him our congressman!

Tomorrow night many of us will be gathering at our headquarters at 500 West King Avenue in Kingsland to watch the first Presidential debate. I am asking every person who attends to take at least one Bill Gillespie yard sign and as many Bill Gillespie bumper stickers they can carry as they leave to go home. These yard signs are particularly impactful, and generally, we’ve done an OK job of getting them out in the neighborhoods. What I’m asking for now is to make sure the signs are placed along major thoroughfares like route 40. Find a high-visibility location and make sure it is not violating any ordinances about right of ways, and if it’s on private property, that the owner gives permission. With the number of members we now have, we should somehow be connected to every property owner along route 40, so let’s get it done! We should have enough bumper stickers to be on every Democrat’s car in Camden County, too. Let’s get them on!

We have rented a 50” Zenith TV for the headquarters so we can watch the debate, which will help Barack Obama get elected president. But that’s only part of the job. We also must give Barack the Senate and Congress he needs to get his progressive programs enacted. Bill Gillespie will be a great asset to Barack Obama. Make next week GET EXCITED ABOUT BILL GILLESPIE WEEK by getting up the signs!

Be at the headquarters no later than 8:40pm tomorrow night so everyone will be in their seats when the debate begins. Bring your favorite folding chair, a beverage or two of your choice, a snack, and get ready to cheer on Obama.

Dave Southern
Chairman, Democrats of Camden County

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