On this day in 1754, Georgia got her first Governor, as Captain John Reynolds arrived in Savannah. The Reynolds administration included plenty of political intrigue.

Following instructions from the Board of Trade, Reynolds established a structure of royal government, including courts, a council, and the Commons House of Assembly. Reynolds then directed the council to move into a new building when the original structure collapsed during his first meeting with that body. He acted decisively when the assembly faced a challenge from Augusta legislator Edmund Gray (or Grey), an immigrant from Virginia. Gray excited fears among the people about the extent of royal authority and tried to maneuver elections and assembly support to control a significant voting bloc within the Georgia legislature. Reynolds refused to be intimidated, and his forceful leadership encouraged the assembly to expel the Gray faction in January 1755.

Forty two years ago today, on October 29, 1975, Duane Allman was riding his motorcycle in Macon, swerved to avoid a truck, and hit the truck or a crane. Hours later he died.

Last week, outside Fox Bros barbecue, I asked Rep. Jack Kingston which Allman Brothers song is his favorite and he named, “In Memory of Elizabeth Reed.” Duane Allman was buried in Macon’s Rose Hill Cemetery, where the original headstone that inspired the song title is still located; Duane would shortly be joined by bass player Berry Oakley, who also died in a motorcycle accident.

Cameron Crowe, who wrote the classic Fast Times at Ridgemont High, who went on tour with the Allman Brothers for three weeks as a writer for Rolling Stone at age 18, wrote about the death of Duane Allman and the effect it had on the band in “The Day the Music Died.” Crowe later wrote the semi-autobiographical Almost Famous about his days as a young rock and roll writer.

Election monitors for Georgia?

Senator Vincent Fort (D-Atlanta), who never met a camera or microphone he didn’t like, is asking U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder to monitor Georgia’s elections next week.

“There has been documented evidence that the Georgia Secretary of State voter registration data is rife with flaws.  This is a situation which will impact all of Georgia’s 159 counties when our citizens head to the polls on November 5.  Election directors from several metro Atlanta counties including Cobb, Gwinnet, and Fulton have repeatedly voiced their concerns about the widespread problems with voter registration data they have received from the state.

Therefore we are calling on Attorney General Eric Holder to send monitors from the Department of Justice to observe the election on November 5.  We are also asking for Attorney General Holder to communicate with Secretary of State and do whatever is necessary in order to prevent problems during early voting as well as on Election Day in November.”

WABE did some follow up on the story:

“We believe whether it’s intentional or unintentional this is a voter suppression issue, that there are going to be people who aren’t going to be able to vote if there is not intervention in this situation,” Fort said.

Fort, who represents parts of Atlanta, named Fulton, Cobb and Gwinnett counties, among others, as places where election officials have voiced concerns.

Last week in Fulton, the county received about 20,000 cards that listed the wrong poll location – a few hundred of which were mailed out.

Richard Barron, director of registration and elections for Fulton County, says the problems stem from the state switching over to new voter registration software, which began late last year.

Forbes: Atlanta 9th most dangerous city

Forbes magazine analyzed FBI crime statistics and concluded that Atlanta is the ninth most dangerous city in the United States. With a violent crime rate of 1,379 per 100,000 residents, Atlanta ranked behind Memphis, TN and Birmingham, AL.

Clarkston City Council Member pleads Not Guilty

Last week, the Feds indicted Clarkston City Council Member Joan Swaney, accusing her of embezzling more than $50k from the Clarkston Community Center by forging the signature of the center’s director. Yesterday, Swaney entered a not guilty plea and was released on signature bond. I believe Swaney will be on the ballot for reelection next week.

Real PAC advertising heavily on YouTube

Nearly 60,000 views for the above video, a 15-second spot that apparently runs as pre-roll advertising. And more than 20,000 for the following spot that features House Speaker Pro Tem Jan Jones, the highest-ranking woman in the Georgia legislature.

YouTube is a great advertising medium, and we suggest you talk to Adsworth Media if you’re interested in learning about YouTube for political campaigns.

If you’re in Augusta tonight

Augusta is getting a double-helping of Georgia politics tonight. The Georgia House of Representatives “Small Business Development Committee” will hold a public meeting at 5 PM at the Snelling Center, to listen to businesspeople about challenges that state government poses to them.

At 7 PM, head on over to Pride and Progress of Augusta-Richmond County’s meeting at University Medical Center South, 3121 Peach Orchard Road. Brian Robinson, who serves Governor Deal as Deputy Chief of Staff for Communications, will be speaking.