In Gwinnett, grand jury exposes ugly truth
In Gwinnett County, developers and county commissioners have a tradition of entanglement that goes back decades.
That’s true to a degree in almost every county, of course. Developers need rezonings and other favors; commissioners need campaign funds and votes. But as documented in a new grand jury report, the symbiotic, often corrupt relationship between developers and politicians is particularly strong in Gwinnett County.
The biggest news out of the grand jury was its decision to indict Commissioner Kevin Kenerly on charges involving $1 million in alleged bribes. While its public report is largely silent about the evidence that led to Kenerly’s indictment, the report nonetheless documents case after case of “decisions involving millions of dollars made with little or no information or for the most venal reasons.”
Take, for example, the purchase of 8.3 acres from a financially troubled but well-connected developer. Gwinnett paid $1.2 million for the property, almost four times its price four years earlier, even though commissioners were told the parcel was useless as parkland without a $1 million footbridge to make it accessible.
At one point in the negotiations, then-Senior Superior Court Judge James Oxendine even summoned a county staff member to his judicial chambers and — as a favor to the property owner, a friend’s son — strong-armed the county into raising the price it paid.
According to the grand jury, in fact, the only explanation for the property purchase was “to bail out the son of an old friend of several members of the Board of Commissioners.”
While investigating another transaction, this one involving developer Marvin Hewatt, the grand jury discovered that Hewatt had given Commission Chairman Charles Bannister free use of a campaign billboard and a van — neither was reported as a contribution.
Bannister was instrumental in arranging the purchase of land from Hewatt’s firm for twice the amount set by county appraisers. He also denied meeting with Hewatt about the transaction, a claim directly contradicted by witnesses.
Rather than be indicted for perjury, Bannister resigned.
Bannister told the grand jury that he had pushed the sale in part as payback to a fellow commissioner who opposed it. As the grand jury concluded, the deal was used “to benefit a long-time friend and political supporter of Charles Bannister. Just as disturbingly, over one million dollars of taxpayer money was used to make a political point.”
The nonchalance with which Bannister, Kenerly and others used taxpayer money to reward friends and punish enemies is pretty stunning, and suggests a long-standing cultural mindset on the Gwinnett commission. The good work of the grand jury, assisted by District Attorney Danny Porter, may help alter that culture, but only if voters do their part.
For example, state law allows county commissions to use executive sessions to discuss property transactions. The theory is that public knowledge of potential land deals could drive up the cost to taxpayers.
In Gwinnett, however, secrecy was used for the opposite purpose, to hide artificially inflated prices. As a result, the grand jury recommends that all executive sessions be taped, which makes sense. The mere fact that a meeting is being recorded would discourage abuse of executive sessions for illegal or unethical purposes.
In fact, the suggestion makes so much sense that it ought to be applied to all local governments. Until such a state law can be passed, however, Gwinnett voters ought to insist that commissioners implement that safeguard on their own.
Ordinarily, two other safeguards also discourage corruption in land-use and land-acquisition decisions. The first is a reliance on professional staff to produce decisions grounded in fact and law; the second is the necessity of getting a majority of commissioners, not just one, to back a decision.
In Gwinnett County, both safeguards were circumvented. Staff was given little input into property deals, the grand jury found, leaving decisions to be made on a political basis.
Through a practice known as “district courtesy,” commissioners also gave each other complete leeway on decisions affecting their district, making each commissioner a king or queen of their piece of the county, without real oversight.
Apparently, that made it easy to forget that they are public servants, rather than royalty.
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273 comments Add your comment
Nice Guy
October 29th, 2010
9:09 am
“Ask me about cupcakes, and we’ll talk.”
Wow…just, wow.
Nice Guy
October 29th, 2010
9:09 am
You know, being a “firstie” really doesn’t feel that great……
Just sayin.
Bosch
October 29th, 2010
9:10 am
Ohhhh. scones. My day is looking up!
Nice Guy
October 29th, 2010
9:10 am
md – “And tell us oh wise one, where in the Atl area does this not apply?”
LOL!
Doggone/GA
October 29th, 2010
9:10 am
“Who ever said this??”
Don’t even give it another thought…he was just taking the “scattergun” approch to telling me I wasn’t welcome in “his county”
godless heathen
October 29th, 2010
9:10 am
“One of the first questions I ask a local politician when they are asking for my vote is how they feel about development and the water issues. If they are for new development, I tell them they can not count on my vote.”
Bosch’s community had exactly the correct number of people in it the very day he arrived.
Bosch
October 29th, 2010
9:10 am
Nice Guy,
So, you like cupcakes too? I do. They’re great. So are cranberry scones.
Gale
October 29th, 2010
9:11 am
Southern ATL, Perhaps the lack of identification with the population is what leads to corruption of the elected/appointed officials. There is a lack of interest in building community. I like my neightborhood; quiet and neat. However, even in my tidy neighborhood, we witnessed an eviction this week. :sigh:
John K
October 29th, 2010
9:11 am
The amount of new, and empty space is ridiculous. The development at 316 & Duluth Highway, nearly dead. There’s a new one on Horizon just north of L’ville Suwanee, nearly dead. Go to the old Target plaza on Pleasant Hill.
md
October 29th, 2010
9:12 am
Well Bosch – the economy has always been cyclical, so what you describe is a given at any given time in history and probably the future. On the flip side, when the economy is at the other end of the cycle, those places will be full and generating tons of tax money to pay for all the nice programs everybody wants.
Greg
October 29th, 2010
9:12 am
Niceguy..in a round about way…you did!!
“What does make it bad is the changing of demographics that have brought a huge crime wave, which no longer makes it a desirable place to live.”
Brenda
October 29th, 2010
9:12 am
What I don’t understand is why the developers taking the cash aren’t being indicted for fraud, etc.
Nice Guy
October 29th, 2010
9:13 am
I do Bosch, but only the good ones.
But I’m no expert.
jm
October 29th, 2010
9:13 am
Oh, and USinUK. My yield was an approximation from the drop in treasury yields over the past several years, because no matter what, your conclusion was so out of whack, I didn’t have to be accurate within even a second order of magnitude. I could’ve said 6% and been correct. But if you need some data on 2 yr treasury yields, hear you go.
09/2007, 4.01
10/2007, 3.97
11/2007, 3.34
12/2007, 3.12
01/2008, 2.48
02/2008, 1.97
03/2008, 1.62
04/2008, 2.05
05/2008, 2.45
06/2008, 2.77
07/2008, 2.57
08/2008, 2.42
09/2008, 2.08
10/2008, 1.61
11/2008, 1.21
12/2008, 0.82
01/2009, 0.81
02/2009, 0.98
03/2009, 0.93
04/2009, 0.93
05/2009, 0.93
06/2009, 1.18
07/2009, 1.02
08/2009, 1.12
09/2009, 0.96
10/2009, 0.95
11/2009, 0.80
12/2009, 0.87
01/2010, 0.93
02/2010, 0.86
03/2010, 0.96
04/2010, 1.06
05/2010, 0.83
06/2010, 0.72
07/2010, 0.62
08/2010, 0.52
09/2010, 0.48
http://www.federalreserve.gov/releases/h15/data/Monthly/H15_TCMNOM_Y2.txt
AmVet
October 29th, 2010
9:14 am
BTW, Jay you serve an invaluable purpose by informing us on these matters of import.
Which is exactly why the dead red hyper-partisans hate it.
And why they feast endlessly on red herring breakfasts, lunches and dinners.
Rather than ever doing the manup thing and denouncing one of their own Republican thieves. And gawdknows it is not as if there are so few to pick from!
I’m still chuckling at all of the (fill in the blank here) who deflected and genuflected for that piece of Kentucky filth earlier this week.
Speaking of which, here is another stick in the eye for the disgusting apologists. And the author alone is bound to set some to violent slobbering…
There she was, thrown to the pavement by a Republican in a checkered shirt. Another Republican thrusts his foot in between her legs and presses down with all his weight to pin her to the curb. Then a Republican leader comes over and viciously stomps on her head with his foot. You hear her glasses crunch under the pressure. Holding her head down with his foot, he applies more force so she can’t move. Her skull and brain are now suffering a concussion.
The young woman’s name is Lauren Valle, but she is really all of us. For come this Tuesday, the right wing — and the wealthy who back them — plan to take their collective boot and bring it down hard on not just the head of Barack Obama but on the heads of everyone they simply don’t like.
Teachers union? The boot!
Muslim-looking people? The boot!
Thinking of retiring soon? The boot!
Living in a house you can no longer afford? The boot!
Doing a bit better with your minimum wage? The boot!
Stem cell research, the bullet train, reversing global warming? Ha! The boot for all of you!
What? You like your kids being covered by your health plan ‘til they’re 26? The boot for them and the boot for you!
In love with someone of your own gender? A double boot up the ass for every single one of you sick SOBs!
Hoping there’s a few jobs left here in the U.S. when you graduate? How ’bout just a nice boot to your head instead?
And most importantly, the last boot is saved for the black man who probably wasn’t born here, definitely isn’t a Christian and possibly might be the Antichrist sent here to oversee the destruction of our very way of life. A boot to your head, Obama-devil!
http://www.michaelmoore.com/words/mike-friends-blog/boot-head-michael-moore
Nice Guy
October 29th, 2010
9:14 am
Greg – “in a round about way…you did!!”
Don’t get your undies bucnhed up so easily.
My statement is true, BTW.
Bosch
October 29th, 2010
9:14 am
md,
Yeah, I understand that and see your point and agree, but out of control development like what I was actually talking about, I see as not good for a community.
Greg
October 29th, 2010
9:14 am
No Doggone….what I was saying to you…
If you make a decision on buying a home and choosing a place to live because of your pets…that is pretty much out there in space…if you ask me.
Greg
October 29th, 2010
9:16 am
Nice Guy…..no you are not true.
I agree that there may be a crime issue in parts of Norcoss and small sections of Duluth…but the last time I checked that is not all of Gwinnett county…right?
Nice Guy
October 29th, 2010
9:16 am
AmVet – “I’m still chuckling at all of the (fill in the blank here) who deflected and genuflected for that piece of Kentucky filth earlier this week.”
Chuckle if you must, but remember, actions have consequences. And that wench learned this lesson the hard way.
jm
October 29th, 2010
9:16 am
USinUK – what else do you have in your bare cupboard to throw at me?
Amazing
October 29th, 2010
9:16 am
But the Dawgs play the Gators tomorrow, so who cares about rampant, deeply ingrained political corruption?
USinUK
October 29th, 2010
9:17 am
jm – “of course bond yields were high 2 years ago. We were in the throes of the financial crisis. They were at an all time high”
yes, and now they are at an all-time low … and, given that the Fed isn’t going to raise rates anytime soon and growth is expected to remain low and slow, rates aren’t expected to rise much in the coming year to 2 years. THUS, the increase in premiums.
“And what matters, since the assets and liabilities are short duration in nature, is the 5.0% to 3.7% drop in yields. In case you can’t do math, that’s a 1.3% drop in yield.”
given that, for most insurance companies, net investment income is what funds their business operations, a 26% CHANGE in yield makes a huge difference in operating budgets.
I agree with your last statement about the other issues that drive it – I just disagree with the 90%
Nice Guy
October 29th, 2010
9:17 am
Greg – “but the last time I checked that is not all of Gwinnett county…right?”
Right.
Jimbo
October 29th, 2010
9:17 am
Now I’m going to sue the gwinnwtt county, Cause I’m stuck with this land, should get 10 million for what a paid 1 for.Hurry up before the taxpayers hear about this.
Nice Guy
October 29th, 2010
9:18 am
“But the Dawgs play the Gators tomorrow, so who cares about rampant, deeply ingrained political corruption?”
Ohhhh yeah baby!
USinUK
October 29th, 2010
9:18 am
dangitall, Bosch – quittit with the food! I’m hungry!!!
Bosch
October 29th, 2010
9:18 am
“If you make a decision on buying a home and choosing a place to live because of your pets…that is pretty much out there in space…if you ask me.”
I’m actually going to re-do a room in my house so the pups can have their own room. Is that weird?
lucy
October 29th, 2010
9:19 am
gwinnett is great
Balance Our Budget
October 29th, 2010
9:19 am
Amvet
Prepare for Tuesday my friend.You may want to stock up on Tylenol and whatever other pain killers you use.
USinUK
October 29th, 2010
9:19 am
Bosch – the owner is building out her 2nd location which will be the HQ for mail order … will let you know when it’s up and running!
flagger
October 29th, 2010
9:19 am
thats why we have the impervious tax and senior citizens have to pay school tax till they die
because good ole boys and girls on the commission see it just like every other form of
government we have from city, county, state, and federal … its their own little piggy banks.
a million here a billion there and trillion somewhere else. its like a monkey peeing in a cash
register, pretty soon it runs into money!!!! throw the bums out!!!!
USinUK
October 29th, 2010
9:20 am
jm – 9:16 – I’m keeping in nice, here … I would hope you would do the same.
jm
October 29th, 2010
9:20 am
USinUK 9:17 – do you understand insurance underwriting loss and profit? If so, you would understand your “26% change” is not what matters.
Greg
October 29th, 2010
9:21 am
“I’m actually going to re-do a room in my house so the pups can have their own room. Is that weird?”
To me MY OPINION….yes…its weird!
Amazing
October 29th, 2010
9:21 am
Woof, woof, woof.
Bosch
October 29th, 2010
9:21 am
Balance our Budget,
I’m actually excited about the GOP takeover.
Nice Guy
October 29th, 2010
9:22 am
Uh oh, AmVet has gone silent….he must be Googling something delicious for us all….
@@
October 29th, 2010
9:22 am
That’s true to a degree in almost every county, of course. Developers need rezonings and other favors; commissioners need campaign funds and votes.
How ’bout developers in need of zoning approval who ARE commissioners. Sure, they abstain, but the other board members serve as their vote. A corridor to outside power brokers too.
I always laugh at the idea of executive sessions. If they can’t discuss it in public, chances are it shouldn’t be being discussed at all.
Clayton County is rife with this kind of behavior. Do our residents respond as one voice? No! As long as it’s not in their backyard, they couldn’t care less.
USinUK
October 29th, 2010
9:23 am
jm – given that I’ve worked in P&C for the last 7 years, I think I do.
Greg
October 29th, 2010
9:23 am
Ok…I apologize…my statement about re-doing the house for your dogs is wrong. I am not a pet person…I don’t understand the love affair with animals that many people do. Again…I am sorry.
Doggone/GA
October 29th, 2010
9:24 am
“If you make a decision on buying a home and choosing a place to live because of your pets”
So are you contending that I should move somewhere where they aren’t welcome? Where I would be in danger of having them confiscated and DESTROYED because of some power-smitten snerd? (It nearly happened to a friend, SHE had to move out of that county to save them)
Sorry, but just as I would move TO a family friendly place if I had children, I will NOT move to a pet UNFRIENDLY place. Luckily I moved to a MUCH more pet friendly county and have been happy here. And, hey! I’m JUST over the border with Gwinnett. All the advantages, and NONE of the disadvantages. Best case scenario.
Bosch
October 29th, 2010
9:24 am
Greg,
Why do you think it’s weird if you have the room? I’m going to paint it and put toys in there and a bed and a little obstacle course for them to run around and work off energy so they won’t tear up furniture and eat shoes and stuff. Of course they’ll have their own old shoes to eat if they choose.
I think it will be great. And this way they’ll have something to do during the day when we Bosches are all busy.
USinUK
October 29th, 2010
9:24 am
Bosch – 9:18 – it’s only weird if they get their own flat-screen and XBox …
Amazing
October 29th, 2010
9:24 am
Greg, what about the Dawgs?
TaxPayer
October 29th, 2010
9:25 am
Growth to a Republican is just another word for backdoor increased tax revenues. The next thing you know, these lame Republicans will be telling us how increasing the property appraisal while maintaining the millage rate is not the same as a tax hike. Oops! Too late! They done beat me to it.
Del
October 29th, 2010
9:26 am
Yes indeed Chicago politics.
Bosch
October 29th, 2010
9:26 am
“Bosch – 9:18 – it’s only weird if they get their own flat-screen and XBox …”
I was saving that for Christmas. Okay, so that’s a little much, huh?
md
October 29th, 2010
9:27 am
“Yeah, I understand that and see your point and agree, but out of control development like what I was actually talking about, I see as not good for a community.”
Well, I see telling folks what they can and can’t do with their own property as “not good for a community”. If someone wants to take the risk and build a strip mall, have at it. If you don’t agree, then by all means buy their property and do as you please with it.
Greg
October 29th, 2010
9:27 am
LOL…Amazing…the dogs are in Athens which is not in Gwinnett…but yeah…I like dem Dawgs…even though they are not winning and seem to like jail….LOL
USinUK
October 29th, 2010
9:27 am
Bosch – just don’t get them a wii … they may get the wrong idea
Nice Guy
October 29th, 2010
9:28 am
“just don’t get them a wii … they may get the wrong idea”
Yikes!
Bosch
October 29th, 2010
9:29 am
md,
I see that point too actually, but when what the person does with their own property affects all the other property owners, then I think a little intervention is necessary.
I’m a filthy socialist marxist communist fascist that way I guess.
AmVet
October 29th, 2010
9:29 am
Speaking of chuckling, Guy, have you considered a name change? Your current one is inappropriate.
The consequences of your writings?
BoB, you labor under two major delusions.
You are actually so gullible you think things are going to be different based on what happens next Tuesday, don’t you?
I have voted in every single election, since 1972. I have seen endless swings back and forth, between the Tweedledeers and the Tweedledummers, and in every instance, nothing fundamentally changed. Not for me, my family, my friends or my business colleagues. Other than the constant swirling of the Middle Class going down the toilet.
Your other major delusion is that you think I am as gullible as you…
mike
October 29th, 2010
9:29 am
Let’s see. Some of the elected officials on the Gwinnett County commission turn out to be crooks and some of you folks are blaming the diverse makeup of those other people who have moved into Gwinnett County. Well that’s the best reason I have heard yet. Must be a republican county. Always blame someone else.
Gail
October 29th, 2010
9:30 am
Bannister is gone, but we’re left with a mess. Including land re-zoned for 2 or 3 waste transfer stations of which at least one is owned by one of Bannister’s long time friends. As the song says – “Bad to the Bone!”
Doggone/GA
October 29th, 2010
9:30 am
Greg – if it helps any, my dogs are DOGS…not “fur people”
Bosch
October 29th, 2010
9:30 am
USinUK,
If I get them a Wii, they could download doggie porn on it right? Can’t you download movies through your Wii? I couldn’t risk that.
Bosch
October 29th, 2010
9:31 am
Oh Wii, I get it now. D’oh.
Nice Guy
October 29th, 2010
9:31 am
Bosch – “I’m a filthy socialist marxist communist fascist that way I guess.”
I think Libertarian would be more appropriate.
Redneck Convert (R--and proud of it)
October 29th, 2010
9:32 am
Well, he is a good Conservative Republican—I mean, you got to be to get elected in Gwinnett. I say we give him a pass and a public apology for smearing him and let him stay. What’s a few million bucks among friends? If you don’t take care of your own, nobody else will do it for you.
Have a good day everybody. I’m hauling like crazy and getting ready for your weird music swap tonight.
Greg
October 29th, 2010
9:33 am
Mike….said
“Must be a republican county. Always blame someone else.”
I’d also say….and make up stories, cover-ups and stir up the loonies as they walk into office to steal money.”
and no I am not a Liberal Dem…I am actually A Conservative Leaning Indy
Nice Guy
October 29th, 2010
9:33 am
AmVet – “Speaking of chuckling, Guy, have you considered a name change? Your current one is inappropriate.”
Glad I could brighten your day. Besides, why change my name when you already drop the ‘Nice’ on your own?
And if I did change my name, and you found out, you would call me a fraud. Why do you want to set me up like that AmVet?
Bosch
October 29th, 2010
9:34 am
“and no I am not a Liberal Dem…I am actually A Conservative Leaning Indy”
Who hates dogs.
JK
godless heathen
October 29th, 2010
9:34 am
“Chuckle if you must, but remember, actions have consequences. And that wench learned this lesson the hard way.”
She should try to deliver a present to President Obama in a similar fashion and see what she gets.
USinUK
October 29th, 2010
9:34 am
Bosch – 9:31 – assume the lowest common denominator and you’ll rarely be wrong …
md
October 29th, 2010
9:35 am
“but when what the person does with their own property affects all the other property owners, then I think a little intervention is necessary. ”
Oh, so “all the other property owners” did their thing first so they have more say in the matter??
I’ll never understand that one. No liquor next to the church is unconstitutional, rights are being violated. Same with your scenario.
jm
October 29th, 2010
9:35 am
USinUK 9:23 – well then I don’t know why I need to go to this trouble. But I guess I will despite the fact it will be a waste of time.
Theoretical Company A at 2008 or T0:
Revenue:
Premiums Earned: $1.00 B
Investment Gains: $0.06 B
Expenses
Overhead $0.15B
Underwriting Losses: $0.80 B
Net Profit: $0.11B
ASSUMING a company has pricing power and can reunderwrite premiums up to account for reduced investment yields (a bold assumption, but your implicit assumption)
Theoretical Company A at 2010 or T1:
Revenue:
Premiums Earned: $1.03 B
Investment Gains: $0.03 B
Expenses
Overhead $0.15B
Underwriting Losses: $0.80 B
Net Profit: $0.11B
Well, we had to have a 3% increase in yields to offset the drop in investment yield.
If you need a more specific example, feel free to use this one, or since one should do some amount of self education, just go read a variet of insurance company 10Q’s or K’s.
http://yahoo.brand.edgar-online.com/displayfilinginfo.aspx?FilingID=7394213-4448-12436&type=sect&dcn=0001193125-10-178552
You must be a Lloyd’s employee….
just kidding. Bad jm, bad jm.
Doggone/GA
October 29th, 2010
9:36 am
“Who hates dogs”
Nah, I wouldn’t say that…just intolerent of those who have them, or in this case it’s a true NIMBY!
AmVet
October 29th, 2010
9:36 am
No worries Guy.
I won’t try to disabuse you from casting you lot with violent thugs and sewer rats like Mr. Proffit.
Even if you were to denounce him instead of the defenseless woman he assaulted, it would be as transparent as your silly moniker.
OK, off to be a good little capitalist and pay for more welfare for the wealthy.
Later, peeps…
Don't know Talmo
October 29th, 2010
9:37 am
I see that point too actually, but when what the person does with their own property affects all the other property owners, then I think a little intervention is necessary.
But if I want to use my land to process wastes through direct application on the land or in holding ponds, that is my right. So what if smells a little and burns a little and other stuff. I follow all the rules as required by law to make sure that I don’t kill nothing that would not have died eventually on its own.
Doggone/GA
October 29th, 2010
9:38 am
“No liquor next to the church is unconstitutional, rights are being violated. Same with your scenario”
You might understand a bit better if someone buys out your neighbors and builds a garbage processing plant right next door to you.
BW
October 29th, 2010
9:38 am
AmVet
Which is the best county to live in? Everyone in the area have their own problems and traffic will be a constant regardless
Union
October 29th, 2010
9:38 am
this kind of issue happens all the time.. at least until they get caught.. seem to remember some deal about 32 million or so for some papers to be kept in atlanta. shame they dont have that money now.. might have kept some people from getting laid off.. or even help to pay for that train to the king center?
Strippin' Mall
October 29th, 2010
9:40 am
Liquor is not the only thing folks in these parts won’t let you have next to their church. Funny how their property rights only extend so far… or so close to where they are a sittin’.
Greg
October 29th, 2010
9:40 am
Who hates dogs”
Nah, I wouldn’t say that…just intolerent of those who have them…
Yeah…especially to those owners who walk them and never clean up after them. That is soo soo pleasant.
I don’t mind pets…as long as they are not in my house and stay in your yard.
Nice Guy
October 29th, 2010
9:41 am
Gotta run. Be back later. Y’all play nice now, ya hear!
md
October 29th, 2010
9:41 am
“You might understand a bit better if someone buys out your neighbors and builds a garbage processing plant right next door to you.”
I understand just fine thank you – we aren’t currently discussing zonings.
Bosch
October 29th, 2010
9:41 am
md,
“Oh, so “all the other property owners” did their thing first so they have more say in the matter??”
That doesn’t make sense. It appears you are grasping at straws, but how is that the same?
While I do believe that people should be able to do what they want with their property, I do believe in limits — and those limits include when their right to do what they want infringes on others, and affects the value of another person’s property.
That isn’t right to me.
So, should people be able to smoke wherever they want?
PMC
October 29th, 2010
9:42 am
Let this be a lesson to everyone. Power CORRUPTS! IT is VITAL to vote these guys out of office repeatedly.
If it’s supposed to be “public service” then you don’t need to be doing it as a life long career.
If you still feel called to serve after 1 term… VOLUNTEER!
Vote out incumbants people. REPEATEDLY.
AmVet
October 29th, 2010
9:42 am
heathen, one last observation.
In your efforts to support him, it is very interesting hat you compare the highly professional and courageous Secret Service to that scumbag.
You blood-lusting apologists will never get it, will you?
She had been removed a considerable distance away from the candidate and only then did those gutless pukes needlessly assault her.
Go shine your jackboots, boys…
Trey Calder
October 29th, 2010
9:43 am
The corruption of Gwinnett County started with Wayne Mason and has progressed to the levels seen today. When attaching blame, let’s not forget “the Mason boys”!!!
md
October 29th, 2010
9:43 am
“Yeah…especially to those owners who walk them and never clean up after them. That is soo soo pleasant.”
I equate these folks with the smokers that give themselves the right to litter every time they through a butt out the window……………
Greg
October 29th, 2010
9:44 am
No liquor next to the church is unconstitutional, rights are being violated. Same with your scenario”
You might understand a bit better if someone buys out your neighbors and builds a garbage processing plant right next door to you.
Well that has more to do with the “Free For All” zoning laws in the county. Those are terrible too!…probably kenerly and bannisters doing as well!
The Ghost of Lester Maddox
October 29th, 2010
9:44 am
JayBama -
I think you may be on to something…..secret meetings….well-connected insiders cutting sweetheart deals….preferential treatment for people close to certian politicians…..avoiding public scrutiny……running from consequences once discovered…..OH WAIT…
You are talking about Gwinnett? I am talking about the events leading up to OBAMA-CARE!!!!
Hmph….why wasn’t this secrecy WRONG when YOUR party did it on a national scale? Hmm?
Greg
October 29th, 2010
9:44 am
Md…exactly!
Bosch
October 29th, 2010
9:45 am
Well, if you are an Episcopalian like me, having a liquor store next to the church could save you a few steps.
jm
October 29th, 2010
9:46 am
Trey – amen.
TaxPayer
October 29th, 2010
9:46 am
Most folks up here in our devoutly Republican county yammered on and on about how they had to protect their rights to do what they want with their land until they got beat to the punch and their neighbors did unto them first. Then, they started talking about the need for restrictions and zoning. Uh Huh.
md
October 29th, 2010
9:47 am
“While I do believe that people should be able to do what they want with their property, I do believe in limits — and those limits include when their right to do what they want infringes on others, and affects the value of another person’s property.”
If what they are building is in the long term use plan, then those their “first” should have no say in the matter.
To clarify, I was discussing within current zoning limitations. Rezoning is another matter entirely, and most times is open for public discussion………..
Doggone/GA
October 29th, 2010
9:49 am
Can’t remember who it was yesterday (and I’m too lazy to go back and look) who was foaming at the mouth because of alleged felon voting for Al Franken…but it looks like there’s been a resolution of the investigation, and a WHOPPING 47 votes have been found to be fraudulent and files charged:
“A County Attorney in Minnesota — where Tea Party and conservative groups are staging an anti-voter fraud push — has charged 47 individuals in voter fraud cases stemming from the 2008 election”
http://tpmmuckraker.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/10/minn_conservative_groups_voter_fraud_allegations_about_five_percent_accurate.php
(and if you have a problem with the site, please don’t bother telling me…I know nothing about them)
@@
October 29th, 2010
9:49 am
When “comedian” and “The View” co-host Joy Behar lambasted GOP Nevada Senate candidate Sharron Angle this week as a “b*tch” who would be “going to h*ll” for using images of illegal alien gang members in a campaign ad, Angle responded by sending a lovely bouquet of flowers and a good-humored note: “Joy, Raised $150,000 online yesterday. Thanks for your help. Sincerely, Sharron Angle.”
Outgunned in the comedy department, Behar sputtered nonsensically and with bitter, clingy vulgarity: “I would like to point out that those flowers were picked by illegal immigrants and they’re not voting for you, b*tch.”–Michelle Malkin
I would love to have been there when Joy read the accompanying note.
Schnirt!
Greg
October 29th, 2010
9:49 am
You are talking about Gwinnett? I am talking about the events leading up to OBAMA-CARE!!!!
….zzzzz…yawn… Nothing to see here…move along.
Obamacare was not done in secrecy. It was out there before the election. Obama said lets do it…Republicans said not a chance.. things got tweeked..and it was voted in…..
Land deals, stadium deals…school land acquisitions….all done in secrecy. That’s the problem.
Doggone/GA
October 29th, 2010
9:49 am
“I don’t mind pets…as long as they are not in my house and stay in your yard”
As I suspected…NIMBY!
catlady
October 29th, 2010
9:50 am
Throw every one of them out who voted for this. Obviously these people don’t understand the obligations to the office to which they were elected.
USinUK
October 29th, 2010
9:50 am
jm – not a lloyds employee – but I can see them from my window!
Greg
October 29th, 2010
9:50 am
Bosch said…
“Well, if you are an Episcopalian like me, having a liquor store next to the church could save you a few steps.”
LOL…we have something in common…..
Normal
October 29th, 2010
9:50 am
Off topic, but there’s no excuse now…
http://www.navytimes.com/news/2010/10/ap-military-survey-says-majority-back-ending-gay-ban-102810/
Doggone/GA
October 29th, 2010
9:51 am
“we aren’t currently discussing zonings”
If you think anyone should be able to do anything they want with their own property, that is EXACTLY what we are discussing. It is zoning that STOPS that garbage unit from being built next door to you.
Greg
October 29th, 2010
9:51 am
Doggone wrote….”As I suspected…NIMBY!”
Nimby pimby namby pamby…LOL….
You sir are funny!