I’ve been a Forsyth county resident for the last 12 years and my three
kids have a total of 29 years in our school system. The growth has not been
perfect over that time. Along 141 we have too many car washes and storage units
and not enough offices and light manufacturing. We also lack for affordable housing.
That said, I believe that FoCo has improved in the 12 years that I’ve been
here, thanks at least in part to Brian‘s service and leadership.
In addition, there are several aspects of his opponent’s campaign and
positions that I can’t support.
First is his argument to repeal the state income tax. I had this
conversation sitting across the table at Starbucks one on one with Greg back in
the fall. His argument was that he knew people who made $1 million a year who
were separating from their spouses in buying property in other states to avoid
the 6% state income tax on their million-dollar earnings. I can’t relate to
people with these “troubles” (there are first world probs, then there are the
0.1% probs) and I doubt many of us can. If this is the constituency he is
looking out for, what is he doing for the rest of Georgia?
Next is the general tone of Greg’s campaign. “I stand with Trump on
Immigration” stinks on a good day. On a day like today (5/8/18) when Trump’s AG
stands up and vows to separate families coming to America fleeing persecution
back home it’s downright offensive. We’ve done this before and it remains a
stain on our national reputation. Closely behind this ad is the “I beat Obama”
meme. No, you didn’t.
Finally, and perhaps most important to me, is that Greg is endorsed
by our current sitting state Senator Michael Williams and Greg claims Michael
as a member of his steering committee. As a state senator, I found Michael to
be completely unresponsive to any time I reached out to him (as opposed to Mike
Dudgeon, who was always cordial and responsive even though we disagreed). As a
candidate for governor, Michael has continually embarrassed Georgia and Forsyth
county with his antics Including, a bump stock raffle, and unwanted protest at
a Cherokee county high school, and his repeated appearances on national media.
Forsyth county is better than that. Side note, Williams is no longer
listed as a steering committee member on Greg’s page, but he was when we met a few
months back and I’ve never heard Greg publicly disavow any of Michael’s behavior.
Plus, back in Brian’s favor, Brian Tam strikes me as a genuinely
nice guy who has worked hard for our county for over a decade. And there is no
nicer evening than a great steak and bottle of wine at Tam’s followed by a show
upstairs at the Cumming Playhouse. Also, Brian, from what I’ve seen, has run a
high road campaign compared to his opponent.
Finally, I am turning off comments. Not to suppress speech. People
can say whatever they want to on their own thread. The last time I posted to
this page there was lots of general nastiness and personal attacks and name
calling and that’s how most posts seem to go. I’m a big boy and I can handle
it, but I don’t feel any obligation to provide a platform.
Peace, from your friend and neighbor.
