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

Monday, September 22, 2008

Jim Powell Endorsed by PSC Incumbent Angela Speir

HIAWASSEE, Ga. - Jim Powell, Democratic nominee for Georgia Public Service Commission, District 4, has received the endorsement of the current holder of that office, Commissioner Angela Speir.

Speir, a Republican, said she wholeheartedly supports Powell’s candidacy because of his superior qualifications and commitment to stand up for Georgia consumers, which she said are more important than political party affiliation.

“I endorse Jim Powell for the Public Service Commission because he is the best person for the job,” Speir said. “Jim is knowledgeable and ethical. He understands that public service is about serving the people and making honest, fair decisions on their behalf. I have worked tirelessly on the Commission for the betterment of our state. I am proud to support Jim because I know he will do the same.”

Powell said, “I am deeply honored to receive the endorsement of Commissioner Angela Speir. During her service on the PSC, she has made the interest of consumers her top priority and has taken a stand on numerous occasions for open government and ethical conduct on the part of the commission. I also intend to follow Commissioner Speir’s example by earning Georgia voters’ support in this election against a career politician who is beholden to the special interests and lobbyists who are financing his campaign.”

Powell, a first-time candidate for office, retired in February 2007 after 35 years of public service. He served as a Senior Executive with the U. S. Department of Energy, managing a number of initiatives and a budget of over $300 million, and as the Southeast Regional Director, based in Georgia. Jim and Karen, his wife of 37 years, live in Hiawassee. They have two adult sons and two adorable granddaughters.

On July 15, Powell received 85 percent of the statewide primary vote to earn the Democratic nomination.

For more information, visit http://www.jimpowellforgapsc.com/.

DEBATE WATCH PARTY

Camden Democrats;
The first of the three presidential debates will be held Friday evening, September 26. At this time, I do not know the time for the debate, but there will be plenty of advertising between now and Friday. The Democrats of Camden County will have a debate watch party at the party headquarters at 500 West King Ave. in Kingsland. We want a big crowd there to watch Barack Obama in his first opportunity for the American voters to have a face-to-face comparison between him and John McCain. These debates will probably decide the issue for anyone who has yet to make up their minds, so we Democrats are extremely confident about our candidate’s chances.

Please come out and watch with fellow Democrats, bring a folding chair just in case, a snack or two, and something to quench your thirst. We’ll have ice on hand. This is going to be an exciting event, and one in which we can take a lot of pride. Watch for the time, and then be sure to be at least twenty minutes early so we can get everyone seated and still for the beginning of the broadcast.

Dave Southern
Chairman, Democrats of Camden County

Wednesday, September 17, 2008

Democrats not motivated by race at festival

Dear Editor, I am writing in response to Michele Marano's letter of Sept. 10 describing the local (Barack) Obama campaign as a "racial campaign."Allow me to share the facts with you. Marchers in the Catfish Festival Parade were Camden Democrats. The campaigners in the parade said, "Democrats of Camden County." If someone along the parade route reached out for a flyer or asked for one, they were given a flyer.

The flyers were from the Democratic Party of Camden County with a stamped message regarding the grand opening of our headquarters. The Democratic flyers, not Obama flyers, were given to anyone who showed an interest in receiving a flyer.Democratic campaigners and marchers have been treated disrespectfully in past parades by some citizens watching the parade. For example, they have been called vulgar and obscene names, spat upon, and some parents have told their children not to take beads and pulled their children away from campaigners simply because they were Democrats.Every effort was made to ensure the campaigners did not experience "some of the same." The actions of the campaigners were in no way racial actions. I would like to invite you to visit the Democratic Party Headquarters, Highway 40 near Dollar General in Kingsland, and witness racial diversity first hand.Information regarding Obama and our local Democratic Party has been mailed to Ms. Michele Marano.


Reeney Adams

Tuesday, September 2, 2008

Game On!!

Camden County Democrats;
Labor Day is traditionally the official kickoff of the general election campaign, and the Democrats of Camden County did it in style! We had a great turnout of marchers in the parade in Kingsland, and an even greater turnout for the official opening of the Democratic headquarters at 500 West King Street in Kingsland. During the day, close to 200 people came by to meet other Democrats, have some good eats, and sign up to volunteer their time. Congressional candidate Bill Gillespie, Mayor Kenneth Smith of Kingsland, and our own Kelvin Blue, candidate for Tax Commissioner, were some of the dignitaries who participated in the ribbon-cutting ceremony.

I want to thank all the people who made this day possible, like Dawn and John Bowen, John King, Robert Cummings, Nelson Cummings, MacArthur Hill, Searcy and Kelvin Blue, Ed Sprouhl, and Richard Hellesto. This event showed just what Democrats can do when they get excited and get involved. Stay tuned for more events coming up. We will be discussing these at the next monthly meeting on September 9th at 7:00pm, at our regular meeting in the annex building next to the county library. Bill Gillespie and Tony Harrison, candidate for Superior Court Judge, will be our special guests.

I saved the best for last. Many of you know how hard our very special friend and guide from the Obama organization, Sonia Hinson, has been working for us and with us here in Camden County. She has been the manager of, and the inspiration behind the voter registration drive in our county. Sonia and her volunteers brought in 30 new registrations yesterday alone, so our total so far has now topped 400! That is phenomenal! BUT SONIA IS NOT HAPPY!! She has established a goal of 800 before October 6th, and will not be satisfied until we get there. We have only 33 days, including 5 weekends, to make Sonia happy. LET’S MAKE SONIA HAPPY! Volunteer for one of Sonia’s registration teams and help put us over 800. You will find it to be one of the most gratifying things you will ever do. Call Sonia at 404-66-6693, or the party phone at 912-882-7840, or me at 912-882-1313, and help make Sonia happy!

It’s a special time to be a Democrat in Camden County! Thank you for making it so.

Dave Southern
Chairman, Democrats of Camden County