Gwinnett Buzz -Articleshttp://www.gwinnettbuzz.com/articles/2012-05-10T16:11:27ZSquarespaceHunter enters District 3 racehttp://www.gwinnettbuzz.com/articles/2012/5/10/hunter-enters-district-3-race.htmlDerek C.2012-05-10T15:59:15Z2012-05-10T15:59:15ZIn a very exciting development in the District 3 race for Gwinnett County Commission, Republican Planning Commissioner Tommy Hunter has thrown his hat into the ring.  He joins a field that already includes incumbent Mike Beaudreau, Mike Korom, and Jerry Oberholtzer.  I am very excited about Hunter's announcement as he was my clear favorite in the 2010 race for District 4.  I even told my mother, who lives in that district, a vote for Tommy Hunter is a vote for me because our views align so closely on the majority of the issues.  While this is not quite an endorsement, I can definitely say Hunter's entry into the contest brings new energy to the race for me.  

Hunter released the following earlier this week:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Planning Commissioner Tommy Hunter Announces Campaign for Gwinnett County Commissioner (District 3)

Current Gwinnett County Planning Commissioner Tommy Hunter announces campaign for Gwinnett County Commissioner (District Three) to give constituents an open door policy to the office.

BUFORD, GA (May 8, 2012) – Republican Planning Commissioner Tommy Hunter is throwing his hat in the ring as a candidate for Gwinnett County Commissioner (District three).  Facing important issues such as the county water supply, transportation needs and the county budget, open communication with residents is essential.  Mr. Hunter believes that constituents are no longer given the access that is needed to make them comfortable with the decision making process.  He plans to change that.

Mr. Hunter stated, “This is a wonderful district that I have loved my entire life, it deserves a County Commissioner who has an open-door policy toward constituents.  I will offer that open-door if I am fortunate enough to serve you in this office.”  Mr. Hunter went on to say, “I will not forget who my boss is when elected – which are the residents of district three.”

For those interested to learn more about Tommy Hunter and his campaign, please visit www.electtommy.com.

Mr. Hunter, a Civil Engineer, worked eight years for Gwinnett County serving as a Senior Construction Manager coordinating projects between Gwinnett County Department of Water Resources and the Gwinnett County and Georgia Departments of Transportation. He currently works as an engineering consultant with a local infrastructure construction company and owns two small businesses. Mr. Hunter served over four years as a member of the Gwinnett County Water and Sewerage Authority, serving as Secretary of the Authority in 2008.   He currently serves as a member of the Municipal-Gwinnett County Planning Commission serving as the Commission’s representative on the Development Advisory Committee.   Mr. Hunter lives in the Buford area with his wife of 17 years, Judith, and children Lauren (15) and Devin (13).

 

Contact Information:
Tommy Hunter
(770) 533-1601
www.electtommy.com

]]>Been a busy couple of months!http://www.gwinnettbuzz.com/articles/2012/5/5/been-a-busy-couple-of-months.htmlDerek C.2012-05-05T18:42:43Z2012-05-05T18:42:43ZWow, has the last couple of months been busy!  Some big deadlines for work, a little bit of travel and the usual getting out and about with the arrival of nice spring weather.  I am planning to get some updates to the Buzz this weekend or early next week.  Some exciting news in the District 3 Commissioner race.  Not sure it is news at this point, but you can bet I have an opinion!  Stay tuned.  While I don't necessarily have the time to post full articles to the Buzz, definitely follow my Twitter feed at @GwinnettBuzz; I do a much better job of keeping tweets coming!  Enjoy the spring weather and check back over the next few days!

]]>The Buzz has lunch with Beaudreauhttp://www.gwinnettbuzz.com/articles/2012/3/13/the-buzz-has-lunch-with-beaudreau.htmlDerek C.2012-03-13T23:22:00Z2012-03-13T23:22:00ZTwo weeks ago, I sat down with Commissioner Mike Beaudreau for a ranging discussion of various issues in Gwinnett County.  In addition, we touched on the upcoming Republican primary in District 3.  Given my background, we spent much of our conversation discussing his work and evolving perspective on cell phone towers as well as his viewpoints on the larger issues and realities of governing with respect to property rights.  As long-time readers of the Buzz know, I have never been a supporter of Commissioner Beaudreau; in fact, I have been very critical of him on property rights and socialized garbage.  At the same time, I have found Beaudreau to have the most responsible and conservative position on other issues.  The opportunities presented by privatizing Briscoe Field is the primary example where the commissioner, unlike other members of the board, has kept an open mind to the possibilities.

While I have met with and spoken with Commissioner Beaudreau on a few occasions, this was the first time I have had the opportunity to sit down, one-on-one, and talk with him.  The thing that impressed me the most is that he is a very friendly and genuine person.  I have encountered enough slimy politcians to recognize the type and I can safely say that Commissioner Beaudreau does not fall into that category.  No matter where I may or may not agree with him with politically, I do think having a down-to-earth person in office is a benefit. 

One thing our conversation left me wondering about is how much has the political dynamic in District 3 shifted in the last eight years?  In 2004, Mike Beaudreau was clearly the "homeowner candidate."  Though I am a homeowner myself, I do not use that description positively.  Too often, "homeowner candidates" are hypocritical opponents of property rights.  They loudly claim to support propoerty rights when defending their homeowner association allies but quickly change their tune when it comes to supporting the rights of property owners who wish to commercially develop their land.  This positioning was precisely why I strongly supported the incumbent in 2004, former Commissioner John Dunn.  Fast forwad 12 years and, based on initial impressions of the candidates in this race, Mike Beaudreau no longer appears to be the left-most candidate with respect to property rights.  That title seems to belong to Dacula resident Mike Korom.  Korom is not just "homeowner" friendly, he is the President of the Apalachee Farms HOA.  This is a red flag about the size of one of those banners you sometimes see unfurled to cover a football field.  Granted, initial impressions can be wrong, but in the early stages, Korom appears to be this year's incarnation of 2004's Mike Beaudreau and, as such, likely the last person I will ultimately endorse in the race.

The wild card candidate will be former Snellville Mayor Jerry Oberholtzer.  Unlike Korom, Oberholtzer is an experienced politician and has an extensive record to run on.  Where will he fall on the issues?  Will he wind up making Beaudreau the most desirable candidate of the three?  The possibility is why I ponder the dynamics in this race.  Could I find myself come election day supporting...Mike Beaudreau?  My, does politics have some strange twists and turns, or what?  This should be a fun race to watch!

]]>Last week in Gwinnetthttp://www.gwinnettbuzz.com/articles/2012/3/5/last-week-in-gwinnett.htmlDerek C.2012-03-05T13:58:26Z2012-03-05T13:58:26ZBusy week last week and I didn't have time to post to the Buzz.  I wanted to take a minute to highlight a couple of local stories of interest.

Gambling Complex Proposed for Norcross

Developer Dan O'Leary is seeking to build a $1 billion complex near Norcross "that would include a hotel, theater and a game floor with 7,500 video lottery machines."  I don't generally support gambling in Georgia but, even if I did, video lottery machines?  While I am not an avid gambler, I have been to real casinos and I cannot even fathom how these type of machines could compete with gambling options in nearby states.  Seems to me that the clientele for such an establishment would be those hard-up for any gambling fix.  As such, I would question whether it would ultimately generate the revenue that the developer is projecting.

Mitt Romney Hosts Pancake Brunch at Brookwood

On Sunday, Republican (sic) candidate Mitt Romney hosted a pancake brunch at Brookwood High School.  I am not sure whether I should dislike Romney more for hosting an event at Brookwood - I still don't like them 20+ years removed from Central Gwinnett! - or dislike Brookwood more for hosting Romney.  Nevertheless, whether you like or dislike Romney - I say dislike because I consider him a full-blooded RINO in the vein of Bob Dole and John McCain - his visit to Gwinnett coupled with the recent rally by Newt Gingrich at Collins Hill High School demonstrate the importance of our county in tomorrow's presidential primary.

Another item from last week is that I had lunch with District 3 Commissioner Mike Beaudreau.  Go ahead - pick yourself up off the floor.  No blood was shed, no screams or shouts were heard from our corner of the restaurant.  We had a very nice visit.  Later this week, I will post some thoughts on Commissioner Beaudreau and the District 3 commission race in light of our meeting.  I think you will be surprised at what I have to say.

]]>Cross Pointe Church to hold free car care clinic for single parentshttp://www.gwinnettbuzz.com/articles/2012/2/26/cross-pointe-church-to-hold-free-car-care-clinic-for-single.htmlDerek C.2012-02-26T14:41:18Z2012-02-26T14:41:18ZOn Saturday, 3 March, Cross Pointe Church at Gwinnett Center will hold a free car care clinic for single parents - moms and dads. The clinic is scheduled from 9A to 1P at the church campus at 1800 Satellite Boulevard in Duluth.  Participants will receive:

  • A free car wash and vaccuum
  • Basic maintenance inspection
  • A coupon for a free oil change

You can RSVP at the church website.



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