It probably comes as no surprise to anyone that I do have my favorites in the upcoming local primaries – one of those covering Polk and Haralson counties, and the other Polk and Paulding.
I’m usually not one to endorse any candidates whatsoever, because I believe firmly that A) other than advertising and general information, it is a good idea for the news to not provide endorsements and B) I like to keep friendly relations with all people, and not take sides personally.
HOWEVER, I’m changing my position on that subject now that I have a site dedicated to opinions and such, and not focused at all on any kind of news content. I’m not telling you that YOU have to support these candidates, only that I’M supporting them.
You decide how you want to on the matter.
First and foremost, I’ve written about my thoughts on Judge Lim before here and thus it should come as NO SURPRISE to anyone that I am fully behind Local Judge and Attorney Andrew Roper to bring to a close what has turned out to be not-so-great leadership under the current Chief Judge of the circuit.
I’ve known Andrew for several years, and am glad that I can provide my public support to his campaign. He’s deserving of your vote and support in our community – especially down in Haralson County – during a time when our court needs to undergo some real change in order to be trusted fully by the community when it comes to serving the cause of justice.
He’s done a good job as far as I can tell (no one has complained to me about it, and I would know. I’m the news. People LOVE to complain to me about goings on in the community no matter what facet of life it involves. Nature of my job.)
Andrew’s served as magistrate court judge for several years in Cedartown and Rockmart, and for the county as well.
Beyond that, you can find out more about Judge Roper’s campaign here.
Additionally, I’m throwing my full support behind Republican challenger Scott Richards against State Rep. Trey Kelley.
I got the chance to meet Mr. Richards at two of our events in town here in Polk County last week, and it says a lot when he shows up to events that State Rep. Kelley wasn’t at this year. I understand it is in the middle of the session, but when you send a video to provide a message to the community and can’t be bothered to memorize what you’re saying to us, that to me says a lot.
Along with the fact that those in attendance at the State of the Community address last week didn’t bother to provide applause after the video finished playing.
Past coverage will give you an idea on where I stand on State Rep. Kelley as well, but to be honest here is how I feel about him: I lost my ability to take him seriously as a person and a source when he was dishonest with me.
A man who is willing to lie to me in my professional capacity, while they sit across my desk and smile while talking about the death of a man, makes me sick to think about again several years later.
I’ve seen the evidence. No one can convince me otherwise that he didn’t know what was going on the night of Sept. 11, 2019. The courts might disagree and let him off with a technicality. I can’t let it go.
That happened. Along with other items I care not to share on that particular subject since it is still the matter of a criminal case in our courts.
But I will tell you this: it isn’t just about what happened to Eric Keais. It’s a lot of things, personal things that I care not to share because they involve other people who probably wouldn’t appreciate having dirty laundry aired online without permission.
Some of you will argue that I’m taking personally what should be nothing more than bad choices and circumstances that are professional in nature.
The problem with that logic is that everything is personal when it is happening to you, when you’re the one who has to translate what is going on in the community to people who don’t always like what you have to say, or what you do.
I am nowhere near a perfect person. I have plenty of faults and missteps in my past – some public, others private. We all have the right to second chances, that also is true.
Yet I ask you this question: when it comes to leadership on the state level and on the bench in our courts, don’t we deserve people we can at least trust to do the right thing in moments when it really counts?
I expect that in our leadership. I think you should too. That is where I draw the line on second chances. The old adage of fool me once, shame on you applies in my mind here.
That’s why I’m supporting Judge Roper and Scott Richards in their campaigns respectively for the Superior Court and 16th District House Seat. I think you should too.
If for nothing more than to know that you know you’ll at least have people who respect the jobs they are elected to do, and not just enjoy the opportunity to be in power.
I’ll add this as I finish this particular opinion piece: we all have the right to speak out about what we believe is right and proper. I respect the choices of those readers out there to disagree with what I have to say or write on any particular subject.
What I won’t do is the following: bend to any particular pressure to change the way I provide coverage to Polk County. If you don’t like what I have to say, then click the X button and go away.
I will likely be adding to the list of those candidates I support in local elections this year. Stay tuned through the month of April if you care to read more.
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