You cannot read this and be anything but disappointed over Speaker Richardson’s workers paradise.
Look folks, I practiced law for over five years and during that time billed a great many hours on DOT work. The DOT sucks. And Mike Evans has been one of the good guys.
I realize if you read House propaganda you would think otherwise, but Evans has been a good guy and a reformer.
It’s ludicrous to me that the Speaker intends to replace him with Rep. Reece, who didn’t run for re-election after lobbyists threw him a wedding party. Come on people, we’re trying to clean up the DOT, not turn it into a favor factory for the GOP.
[UPDATE:] By the way, this came out in the AJC on March 24, 2006. The title is “Lobbyists shower legislator with party.” This is the Speaker’s pick to replace Mike Evans:
The engagement party invitation let guests know that the loving couple could use a set of martini glasses and a place setting for 12 of their china.Nothing out of the ordinary there — except that the bridegroom is a state legislator and the 21 people hosting the wedding shower are lobbyists, many with interests in some of the biggest bills under consideration by the Georgia General Assembly.
The betrothed, Rep. Stacey Reece (R-Gainesville), called the event held in his honor Tuesday night at the private, upscale 191 Club in downtown Atlanta “appropriate.”
“Whether someone buys you a vase or a dish towel has no more bearing than if a lobbyist takes you out to a committee dinner and pays for that,” Reece said.
Others thought the event crossed the line. House Republican leaders noted the distinction between a committee dinner and an engagement party and questioned Reece privately about the appropriateness of having lobbyists pay for such a personal affair.
“I would have handled it differently,” said House Majority Leader Jerry Keen (R-St. Simons Island). “But I accept Rep. Reece at his word that he viewed this as friends wanting to do something for him and nothing more.”
Public watchdogs said most Georgians don’t see it that way. Jill Johnson of the Georgia Public Interest Research Group said the party feeds the perception that lobbyists and legislators have too cozy a relationship.
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Especially since Rep. Reece is notoriously stupid when it comes to separating himself from the influences of lobbyists.
Bill, sounds like you just described the Speaker.
Oh wait…sorry, Erick…you SAID that…except you misspelled “threw” which thoroughly threw me though I should have known…
Moves like the power play the Speaker is trying to pull at DOT is why I don’t trust him to reform taxation. I think he is drunk on the power that comes with the Speakers Office. It appears that he wants to control all aspects of the every level of government in Georgia. If he uses the DOT Board to get even with those who opposed him, what will he do when a City, County or School Board does something he does not like. I can see using the appropriations of local revenues to maintain control over all 159 County Commissions, the more than 4oo City Councils and the nearly 200 Boards of Education in the State.
The beginning of the end of the Richardson Reign of Terror starts tomorrow, right after the Secret GDOT Board Member Vote:
http://www.whatsthebigidea.us
http://www.ajc.com/metro/content/printedition/2008/01/31/dotelect0131.html
Then we get to celebrate Ground Hog’s Day.
Jerry Keen had the audacity to flat out lie to Dick Pettys on the Anderson race. GOP leaders across the state caught wind of their scheme to elect a Democrat to the DOT and replace Anderson. now they’re scrambling and lying and doing everything they can to cover it up.
The election results will tell the story. Anderson loses = House Republican leaders made a deal with the devil. Evans loses = the House GOP has sold out.
When will the House finally have the courage to get rid of Richardson, Ehrhart, Burkhalter, and Keen? They’re a disgrace to all real Republicans.
Someone needs to tell Richardson, “He is no Tom Murphy !” You reap what you sow and when you slop with the hogs you will get mucked up. Oink Oink Glenn
Had enough
At least we do not hide like a frightened child behind a fake name and personally attack people.
Which is more disgraceful? Your attacks or our honesty?
Come out come out frightened little rabbit
Transportation as a GOP favor factory? That started five years ago when Perdue appointed out of work and office Steve Stancil as GRTA’s Executive Director.
How did you like that vote in the Speaker’s office today earlie?
runna kinda scared now aren’t ya!
It’s funny how Earl leaves out of these discussions that the House Dictatorship called all the House members into the Speakers office today. Railed and threatened all of them. Demanded they vote for lobbyist loving reese.
They voted for Evans by secret ballot.
Why did you leave that little tidbit out Earlie?
I hope that news Had Enough has shared is correct – we’ll see soon enough.
Good idea to remain anonymous Had.
Georgia folks love the lynch mob!
Ever notice that the Georgia State House is chock full of people who look like they left their sheets at home?
Georgia gummint – what happens when the kkknuckledraggers take control.
What a disgusting bunch.
Stay tuned! Had enough
Lets just see where all these Evans supporters are when it starts to come apart.
Campaign helicopters, plastic checks and NOW
Mike and no bid contracts for friends.
Yes very principled. You can stand for that and I will stand against it.
Earl,
Caution Macon is looking forward to working with you on the “No-Bid Contracts for friends” issue. Doc Holliday and crew are about 10 years ahead of the curve on exposing GDOT corruption, where were you guys back then?:
http://www.macon-bibb.com/CAUTION
“Lets just see where all these Evans supporters are when it starts to come apart.”
Clear signals of desperation from a person with a TRACK record of brutish*, childish behavior as a “l-e-g–i-s-l-a-t-o-r”.
(*THIS definition of “brutish”: showing little intelligence or sensibility)
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