Loch Lomond Estates

NOVEMBER 5TH ELECTIONS

Oct 17, 2002

The November 2002 election is just around the corner and as quiet as it?’s kept, this election is extremely important for the African American Community. Many of the achievements, which our community has experienced on both the state and county levels, could be lost depending upon who wins the Governor?’s race and who wins the race for the Fulton County Board of Commissioners at large seat. Both of these races require that voters in our community come out to vote in large numbers for candidates who are more supportive of issues which impact our community.

Governor Roy Barnes faces a tough race to get re-elected due to the amount of resentment throughout the rural areas of the state for his support of the new state flag and for what he has done for members in our community. This is the same Governor who publicly acknowledged the fact that votes from African Americans made the difference in his first election; who began his Inauguration Day with a worship/prayer service at an African American church in our community, and who appointed more African Americans and people of color to high levels of management in his administration that did the previous two governors added together. Governor Barnes has also been very supportive of initiative undertaken by Mayor Shirley Franklin for the City of Atlanta when other governors chose to ignore or de-emphasize the role that the City of Atlanta plays in the economic picture for Georgia. Without your vote and the vote of all most everyone you know the demographics are such that he will lose this election and the African American Community will lose a tremendous supporter.

Rob Pitts also needs our community to come out and vote for him for Fulton County Commissioner, or the voting majority which African Americans worked so hard to establish on the Fulton County Board of Commissioners will be lost and North Fulton representatives will have control of the commission. If this happens, the divisive agenda planned by our current Chair of the Board of Commissioners would not benefit South Fulton County residents at all.

Rob Pitts has the experience to be an effective spokesperson for issues impacting African Americans in Fulton County. He has the skills to facilitate negotiations and to reach compromises with the commissioners. While he served in politics in the City of Atlanta, he was known for his ?“public servant?” approach to elected office and elected leaders in the City support him. Again, as in the governor?’s race, Rob Pitts needs a large turnout amongst voters in the southern part of the county to offset the tremendous numbers of votes, which will be cast by North Fulton County residents for his opponent.

In both of these races, a lot is on the line for us as African Americans and residents of South Fulton County. We all need to be aware of what is at stake. Please vote and encourage as many people as you can to vote as well. Remember, this year that truly every vote does count!!!

Loch Lomond Friend and neighbor: Patrise Perkins-Hooker