Georgia Politics, Campaigns, and Elections for April 14, 2014

The first American society advocating for abolition of slavery was founded on April 14, 1775, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Benjamin Franklin would later serve as President of the organization.

On April 14, 1865, John Wilkes Booth shot President Abraham Lincoln as the President attended a showing of Our American Cousin at Ford’s Theater, seven blocks from the White House.

RMS Titanic hit an iceberg just before midnight on April 14, 1912. Among those losing their lives was Major Archibald Butt of Augusta, Georgia, who had served as a military aide to Presidents Theodore Roosevelt and William Howard Taft.

“Captain Smith and Major Archibald Butt, military aide to the President of the United States, were among the coolest men on board. A number of steerage passengers were yelling and screaming and fighting to get to the boats. Officers drew guns and told them that if they moved towards the boats they would be shot dead. Major Butt had a gun in his hand and covered the men who tried to get to the boats. The following story of his bravery was told by Mrs. Henry B. Harris, wife of the theatrical manager: ‘The world should rise in praise of Major Butt. That man’s conduct will remain in my memory forever. The American army is honored by him and the way he taught some of the other men how to behave when women and children were suffering that awful mental fear of death. Major Butt was near me and I noticed everything that he did.”

“When the order to man the boats came, the captain whispered something to Major Butt. The two of them had become friends. The major immediately became as one in supreme command. You would have thought he was at a White House reception. A dozen or more women became hysterical all at once, as something connected with a life-boat went wrong. Major Butt stepped over to them and said: ‘Really, you must not act like that; we are all going to see you through this thing.’”

“He helped the sailors rearrange the rope or chain that had gone wrong and lifted some of the women in with a touch of gallantry. Not only was there a complete lack of any fear in his manner, but there was the action of an aristocrat. ‘When the time came he was a man to be feared. In one of the earlier boats fifty women, it seemed, were about to be lowered, when a man, suddenly panic-stricken, ran to the stern of it. Major Butt shot one arm out, caught him by the back of the neck and jerked him backward like a pillow. His head cracked against a rail and he was stunned. ‘Sorry,’ said Major Butt, ‘women will be attended to first or I’ll break every damned bone in your body.’”

“The boats were lowered one by one, and as I stood by, my husband said to me, ‘Thank God, for Archie Butt.’ Perhaps Major Butt heard it, for he turned his face towards us for a second and smiled.”

Kennesaw Junior College became a senior college on April 14, 1976 by vote of the Georgia Board of Regents.

By this time, enrollment had tripled from an initial student count of 1,014 in the fall of 1966 to 3,098 in the fall of 1975. Numerous local leaders were involved in the fight for four-year status, but the two politicians playing the most pivotal roles were state Representatives Joe Mack Wilson and Al Burruss of Marietta. In time the memories of both would be honored by having buildings named for them on the Kennesaw campus

A U.S. Postage stamp bearing Georgia’s state bird and state flower was issued as part of a series including all 50 states on April 14, 1982, with first day ceremonies held in Washington and each state.

On April 14, 2010, a signature by Button Gwinnett, one of Georgia’s three signers of the Declaration of Independence sold at auction for $722,500 at an auction by Sotheby’s. About 50 examples of his signature are known to exist and six have been auctioned since 1974.

Happy birthday to former Atlanta Braves David Justice and Greg Madden, who were both born on this date in 1966.

Congratulations to former University of Georgia golfer Bubba Watson, who won the Masters on Sunday, his second green jacket in three years. Bubba’s son, Caleb, stole the show at the end of the round, as he toddled out to meet his dad after the last hole.

On the Campaign Trail

.@JackKingston4GA, @karenhandel and @toddmr at DeKalb GOP breakfast. @gapundit pic.twitter.com/3qInuefzCU

— Jon Richards (@SiteROI) April 12, 2014

@GovernorDeal discussing how jobs can help reduce dependence on government. #gapol #tcot @gapundit pic.twitter.com/qBzqDRYBpW

— Cherokee County GOP (@cherokeegop) April 12, 2014

The 10th Cong Debate yesterday! @gapundit @GaRepublicans @GaGOP10 @AthensGA_GOP pic.twitter.com/JHakytUbGF

— Cody Hall (@CodyHall09) April 13, 2014

Listening to my friend @nancy_jester speak to the Muscogee County GOP! #gagop #gapol @gapundit pic.twitter.com/5tNRkDdote

— JoshMcKoon (@JoshMcKoon) April 8, 2014

I am proud to be walking the @SusanGKomen Race today with my Mom! She is a 2 year survivor!#aci2014komen @gapundit pic.twitter.com/RIeR5HBKli

— Martin Sullivan (@MartinRSullivan) April 12, 2014

@gapundit How does a fiscal conservative get a large sign? pic.twitter.com/1roRDOAUa7

— bethbeskin (@BethBeskin) April 12, 2014

Campaigned in Appling Co. with Lee Burton for house district 156@gapol,@gagop,@gapundit pic.twitter.com/7PquKgZQ45

— Pat Tippett (@PatTippett) April 12, 2014

Sunrise over the cherry blossoms! #StandwithBarry #gapol #gapol #cd11 @gapundit pic.twitter.com/fcr1b6pJeE

— Barry Loudermilk (@Loudermilk2014) April 12, 2014

Canvassing #ga11 for #barr…@bobbarrcongress @gapundit #gapol #gagop pic.twitter.com/dx4VzrBwtt

— Greg Williams (@GregsListLive) April 12, 2014

My sweet friend Hunter is representing this morning at #BigShanty in @Kennesaw @gapundit #millionsandmillions #GA11 pic.twitter.com/YjXeSVTrV2

— Tricia Pridemore (@TPridemore) April 12, 2014

At a meet and greet fund-raising event with great friends. #gapol @gapundit #ga24 pic.twitter.com/j9WSMjybib

— Sheri Gilligan (@SheriGilligan) April 13, 2014

Fun day with Shelly at ATL @dogwoodfestival I met with economic development leaders important to GA #gapol @gapundit pic.twitter.com/28xAZcXevb

— Judson (@Judsonhill) April 13, 2014

Thanks to my good friends Tom Glanton and Dennis Robinson out helping put up signs today #gapol @gapundit pic.twitter.com/WvjyBI9GXa

— Mike Dugan (@mdugan30) April 13, 2014

Congratulations to the Lanier #TeaParty Patriots on a great rally today #gapol @gapundit pic.twitter.com/z4Wbcr6mLI

— Butch Miller (@Butch_Miller) April 13, 2014

Beautiful day for Blessing of the Fleet in Darien @DarienNewsGa @gapundit #ga1 #gapol #gagop pic.twitter.com/Jvy1ezjLSE

— John McCallum (@JohnMcCallumGA) April 12, 2014

Having a great time at the Savannah Tea Party Rally! #gapol #ga1 @gapundit pic.twitter.com/eVry75F3br

— Dr. Bob Johnson (@DrBob4Congress) April 12, 2014

Jasper Co. debate photo, Congress would greatly benefit from the use of a seeing-eye dog… @peachpundit @gapundit pic.twitter.com/m00ptavsZ8

— Gary Gerrard (@GaryGerrard10) April 14, 2014

@voteslowinski Brewster? Fire the @SpeakerBoehner Hice,Collins-Y,Sheldon,Swan-?,Simpson-N,Gerrard-N @gapundit #tcot pic.twitter.com/gPRGdwq6RF

— Brian Slowinski (@voteslowinski) April 13, 2014

Another great day going door-to-door with our volunteers. @gapundit #gagop pic.twitter.com/JxztsgFdnN

— Marty Harbin (@VoteHarbin) April 12, 2014

Great Coweta GOP meeting today. Heard from Niki Broun and Oleg Ivutin. @gapundit #gagop pic.twitter.com/P5rxWyQdM4

— Katie Frost (@Katie_Frost_GA) April 12, 2014

In Dunwoody for another listening tour stop this afternoon! #outsider #gagop #gapol #gasen @gapundit pic.twitter.com/ak3zBACgce

— David Perdue (@Perduesenate) April 12, 2014

Great to see my friends at the Lanier Tea Party Patriots Tax Day Rally! I propose eliminating the IRS! @gapundit pic.twitter.com/fkekW7FdJb

— Paul Broun (@PaulBrounforGA) April 12, 2014

@gapundit Had a great day phone banking at Collins HQ! #overhauldc pic.twitter.com/pTGCOh82E4

— Mike Collins (@MikeCollinsGA) April 13, 2014

@gapundit Jody Hice explains his support for a balanced budget amendment at the jasper debate #gapol #ga10 #gagop pic.twitter.com/0KvIYJmz7P

— Jody Hice (@jodyhice) April 12, 2014

@gapundit Jester for Georgia in Newton County…#gapol pic.twitter.com/j5M3qulYzx

— Greg Williams (@GregsListLive) April 13, 2014

@gapundit Campaigning at @GeorgiaSouthern today. Go eagles!! #ga12 #gapol #delvis4ga12 pic.twitter.com/ffzhzwWiTv

— Delvis Dutton (@delvis4ga12) April 12, 2014

Another Great Day for the Barr Campaign at the Big Shanty Festival Parade in #Kennesaw #Ga11 #GaPol #GaGop @gapundit pic.twitter.com/Pwcx1DJyfn

— Brannon Burroughs (@TackOnYourMind) April 12, 2014

Thank you to all our friends in #Kennesaw walking in the #BigShanty parade! We love this town! #cobb @gapundit pic.twitter.com/vdN3CejSqf

— Tricia Pridemore (@TPridemore) April 12, 2014

@edlindsey14: Our best volunteers in the Kennesaw Big Shanty Festival Parade today! #ga11 #gapol #gagop @gapundit pic.twitter.com/uVF6ImRHjG

— Edward Lindsey (@edlindsey14) April 12, 2014

The Team Loudermilk Sign Crew showed up in Woodstock today! Momentum continues to build. #gapol @gapundit pic.twitter.com/72CgP2qczE

— Barry Loudermilk (@Loudermilk2014) April 13, 2014

Georgia Politics, Campaigns, and Elections

For a continuously-updated list of bills signed by Governor Nathan Deal, check out his official state webpage listing of 2014 Bills Signed. This weekend, Gov. Deal signed Senate Bill 365, the third set of recommendations from the Criminal Justice Reform Council.

“Building on the success of the landmark criminal justice reforms passed in the 2012 and 2013 sessions, the General Assembly and the Criminal Justice Reform Council worked with me to revolutionize Georgia’s criminal justice standards and strengthen our state’s economy,” Deal said. “The incentives and re-entry programs included in this legislation are cost-effective strategies that will increase the number of former offenders returning to the workforce and supporting their families.”

The new law requires the Board of Corrections to create and implement a program and treatment completion certificate to assist adult offenders with re-entry into society upon release from prison. In order to earn the certificate, the offender must complete any required treatment plan and vocational training while in prison and comply with any re-entry plan while on probation or parole. This bill states that employers demonstrate due care when hiring ex-offenders that earn this certificate, providing them a certain level of immunity from negligent hiring liability that often drives hiring decisions.

This legislation also provides judges with the discretion to deviate from the automatic license suspension for minor drug offenses. This discretion is only available when the drug offense was not directly related to the operation of the motor vehicle and is contingent upon the offender’s completion of any and all treatment programs.

“It is counterproductive to devote the state’s resources to rehabilitating nonviolent offenders and then deny them the ability to independently travel to their place of work,” Deal said. “This legislation strikes the proper balance between opportunity and accountability. Along with the previous two phases of my criminal justice reform, this law will pay dividends to taxpayers and improve the quality of life for all Georgians.”

The Cobb County court system has been busy implementing “accountability courts” in accordance with earlier parts of the earlier criminal justice reform.

Cobb’s Superior Court will start another avenue for military veterans in line with recent “smart on crime” reforms to criminal justice systems around the country and in Georgia.

Cobb’s Senior Assistant District Attorney Grady Moore said the Cobb veteran court will join nearly 3,000 similar veteran courts nationwide, with 120,000 to 150,000 Americans participating in the programs.

Most cases involving felony offenses by veterans are due to a drug addiction, Moore said. Although there is a high likelihood of relapse and multiple arrests, the goal is to intervene to “break the revolving door cycle,” he said.

The veterans court is an alternative to prosecution, and the new program will be modeled on the 12-year-old Cobb drug court, focused on treatment and accountability instead of incarceration.

“We try to get away from the adversarial structure of most courtroom proceedings,” Moore said.

Questions have been raised about whether unsuccessful candidates can roll leftover funds forward to a new campaign for the same office.

Former state Rep. Bill Hembree’s exit from the political stage in 2012 was unexpected. He served the west Georgia area in the House for nearly 20 years and was the favorite to win an open state Senate seat in District 30, which covers almost all of Carroll County and western Douglas and southern Paulding counties.

But political newcomer Mike Dugan (R-Carrollton) stunned Hembree, beating him by 11 points in a Dec. 2012 runoff election.

The sting from that untimely departure from the Legislature may be why Hembree continues to defy the head of the state ethics commission by carrying over nearly $35,000 in unspent contributions from that race two years ago for a May 20 Republican primary rematch with Dugan.

Hembree, of Winston, has loaned his campaign $35,000, according to his latest Campaign Contribution Disclosure Report. And Hembree said he’s still planning to carry over $34,985.25 from his 2012 campaign despite warnings from Holly LaBerge, who heads the Georgia Government Transparency and Campaign Finance Commission, formerly the state ethics commission, that doing so is illegal.Hembree says he has consulted attorneys and feels that it is legal and appropriate.

LaBerge told the Sentinel last month it is against the law for Hembree to transfer campaign funds from one campaign cycle to the next. She said Hembree could face penalties if a citizen files an ethics complaint against him.

LaBerge said Hembree and other candidates who are out of office must also file a new Declaration of Intent (DOI), which allows candidates to begin fundraising. Hembree hasn’t filed a new DOI and said he doesn’t plan to.

After the initial story ran in the Sentinel on March 16, Hembree teed off on LaBerge, saying she “does not get to make up the rules as she goes.”

Hembree’s attorney, Stefan Passantino, who heads the political law team at McKenna Long and Aldridge, told the Sentinel last month that because Hembree is “running for the same office with the same body of electors” that he doesn’t need to go through the steps LaBerge said are required.

Months after both chambers of the Georgia General Assembly passed legislation seeking to make medicinal Cannabis oil available to some parents whose children suffer from intractable seizures, voters in Waleska, Georgia, will go to the polls on the question of whether to allow Sunday sales of alcohol by the drink and in package sales.

City Manager Aimee Abernathy said the referendum up for a vote later this year is a “big deal,” and, if approved, could allow for the sale of beer and wine, and the sale of beer, wine and distilled spirits by the drink, on Sundays.

“There will be two different referendums,” Abernathy explained. “One will be for beer and wine package sale on Sundays; one will be for beer, wine and distilled spirits pouring on Sundays.”

If approved by voters, the Sunday sale of alcohol would be allowed beginning at 12:30 p.m.

In a separate vote, the council decided to move forward with writing an ordinance to allow the sale of distilled spirits by the drink, which would go back to the council for final approval at a future meeting.

 

Events Calendar

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Tea Party Patriot Alliance: Tax Day Rally

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Rep. Paul Broun: Baldwin County Town Hall

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Rep. Lynn Westmoreland: Hosts Veterans Workshop

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Cherokee YR: Happy Hour

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Cobb GOP Women: Campaign Forum – U.S. Senate

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Rep. Paul Broun: Coffee with Your Congressman in Walton County

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Sen. Mike Dugan Campaign Kick-off

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The Cherokee County Black Republican Council: Inaugural Meeting

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Forsyth County GOP: GA House District 26 Debate

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Gwinnett County GOP: State School Superintendent Forum

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Bulloch County GOP: Gov. Nathan Deal Meet & Greet

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GA GOP: US Senate Primary Debate / Augusta

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Easter

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