More Endorsements for Poythress

Got this in an Email from the Poythress Campaign:

MORE ENDORSEMENTS FROM RURAL GA: SHERIFF PEACOCK, COMMISSIONERS SMITH AND HUBBARD, MAYOR GREENE, COUNCILMEMBERS CULLARS AND MAHONEY, AND ATTORNEYS BOOKER AND WOODS MILLER

I am pleased to announce eight more endorsements from dedicated leaders from three different districts of Georgia. Our travels across the state have brought us face-to-face with public servants who share my vision for a more prosperous Georgia. Earning the support of these community leaders shows the growing strength of our campaign in rural Georgia.

My new friends in Georgia’s Washington have been very welcoming to me. As with many smaller communities across the state, these local leaders are feeling neglected by the current administration and are seeking a candidate with the proven ability to put plans into action. City of Washington council members Maceo Mahoney and Nathaniel Cullars, Sr. know the daily struggles of local governments to balance their budgets, provide needed services and keep taxes low.

Councilman Cullars is a two-term city council member and is widely respected among his constituents for standing up for the little guy. Never afraid of a good ol’ fashioned political fight, Councilman Cullars is in my corner because he believes that I am “the right man for Georgia right now.”

Councilman Mahoney is also a two-term city council member and serves as assistant director of the Georgia Municipal Black Caucus. He believes that I “can give us the fresh, new leadership that Georgia deserves.” And council members Cullars and Mahoney are confident that I understand the positive role that cities play in economic development.

Ms. M.V. Booker, prominent attorney and community activist, has generously agreed to serve as my campaign chair for Washington-Wilkes. Ms. Booker is concerned about education and the survival of small town Georgia. I have earned her support because she sees that I have “the experience and concern for the citizens that is needed in Georgia, especially after the neglect and lack of leadership of the current administration.”

Likewise I am delighted to have attorney Stephanie Woods Miller, managing partner of Taylor Miller, LLC, leading my team in middle Georgia. Ms. Woods Miller is dedicated to rebuilding and reinvigorating the Democratic Party, and she sees me as the strongest candidate in the field. She will use her experience as a field organizer for the Democratic Party of Georgia and her network of other Obama delegates to 2008 Democratic National Convention, NAACP members and young professionals to execute a successful outreach plan.

Don Peacock, two-term sheriff of Upson County, also shares my dedication to the public good. We have known each other for a long time, and all Georgians appreciate his 34-year career as a Georgia State Trooper and his service as an Air National Guardsman. Sheriff Peacock is looking for a Governor who will support our law enforcement leaders, and he is certain that my collaborative style of leadership is just what Georgia needs.

Johnny C. Smith is a former Barrow County commissioner and superintendant of public works for the city of Gainesville. He retired from the U.S. Army after 23 years of service and now sits on the Barrow County Personnel Review Board. Commissioner Smith wants ordinary Georgians to “have a seat at the table,” and he believes that I am the leader who will make sure the voices of his neighbors will be heard.

Elbert County Commissioner John B. Hubbard has also worn many hats in his career. He served as assistant police chief, assistant city manager and city marshal of Elberton. Commissioner Hubbard knows all the details of local government and is a leader in regional economic development. He likes my common sense approach which brings stakeholders together to take thoughtful actions to create solutions to our pressing problems.

Blue Ridge Mayor Robert E. Greene is a U.S. Navy veteran and has served as mayor for 27 years. “I trust him and believe he has the best welfare of the state in his heart and is working for that as his goal.” Rural Georgia is often overlooked by some candidates but not by me. As you can see, my outreach is producing great results!

PATRIOTISM SOARS ON FLAG DAY

It was an honor to be invited to deliver the keynote address to the 2009 Flag Day Celebration, hosted by the Elks Lodge in Griffin. There was a great turnout of patriotic Americans, and I always enjoy watching the local Boy Scout troop learn the details of formal ceremonies. Special thanks to Wayne Johnson for the invitation to speak to these community leaders who work all year long to support our veterans and encourage young people to excel.

In Griffin and at our campaign headquarters Open House event, I shared some history of our national anthem and all of the verses. Take a moment to admire the power of the last verse of “The Star Spangled Banner.”

O thus be it ever when freemen shall stand
Between their lov'd home and war's desolation,
Blest with vict'ry and peace, may the Heav'n-rescued land
Praise the pow'r that hath made and preserv'd us a nation.
Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just,
And this be our motto, "In God is our Trust."
And the Star-Spangled Banner in triumph shall wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave.

Elizabeth, our campaign staff and I love welcoming visitors for our periodic Open House events. This Sunday’s event brought friends from as far away as Thomasville and Summerville.

VETERANS IN SERVICE TO OTHERS

Elizabeth and I enjoyed a visit at this year’s State Convention of the Department of Georgia Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States (VFW) in Macon. It’s always a delight to see my VFW friends of long standing such as Adjutant/Quartermaster Albert R. Spears, Commander H. Dwayne Epps, Judge Advocate Pledge M. Cannon and Surgeon Ed Irby. They were kind enough to let me address the convention about our continuing need to stand up for our fellow veterans. Our dear friends Earl Parris and Bobby Boss made sure that my campaign materials reached the hands of every interested member. Commanders Arnold Parsons, Kevin Singleton and Sonny Bailey extended invitations for us to visit their posts.

VISITING THE GORGEOUS GOLDEN ISLES
TO VISIT GUARD FAMILY AND NEW FRIENDS

The highlight of the week was spending nearly two days on Jekyll Island with our Guard family during the State Conference of both the National Guard Association and the Enlisted Association of the National Guard of Georgia. I can’t tell you how much we enjoyed visiting with our friends and former colleagues. Once again I must thank Tanya Brinkley for her promotion of Patriots of Poythress; everywhere you looked you saw my face on one of those buttons.

We took advantage of our trip to the conference to reach out to voters in Glynn County. Jim and Nance Melcher made everyone feel at home in their charming restaurant, Jim’s Corner Café in downtown Brunswick. It was terrific to see Democratic Party leaders who continue to be enthusiastic about turning Georgia “blue” next year. I must thank Vincent Joubert, Jr.-Davis for inviting local Democrats to come meet Elizabeth and me.

Former Senator Ed Boshears, Dr. Joe Iannicelli, David Egan and Zaidee Carruth were kind enough to invite their friends to join them in supporting our campaign. The folks in the packed room were shocked to hear of the GOP secession chatter and pleased that I was taking them to task. They were also pleased that I am the only Democratic candidate for Governor who has been bold enough to criticize the sweetheart land deal that the Governor and his friends have given their close political supporters.