Let's Start Thinking About the Next Election

Good Evening.  I've been quiet for a long time which for many is probably a good thing.  Since the last election our newly elected City Councilmen and women have been hard at work learning their new roles, responsibilities and opportunities.  The Marietta Daily Journal has been running showing continued interest in our fair City, especially when we deny the Mayor a boondoggle trip to Dallas.  Thank you City Council for your foresight.

I've been a vocal opponent of unbridled City spending, access to City Credit Cards, pensions and The Museum and Gardens.  On the subject of pensions, it is acknowledged by most professionals that look at cities and municipalities across the county that we have a problem.  Pensions are not sustainable and the health care programs are drowning cities in debt.  

I believe the voters of this city are beginning to "Wake Up" and realize that the spending has gone on for too long.  All one has to do is become familiar with the City's budget.  The pension and OPEB are eating a hole in the future liabilities of our City.

Therefore, as we look forward to the election of a new Mayor and someone to run against Tim Killingsworth, let's frame what we want done in our City.  Look at Sandy Springs and how they have outsourced some of their services?  Our City has started down that path (inadvertently I might add), by selling off the Sanitation Department.  Why can't we do the same for the Museum and Gardens and save the City nearly $1mm per year?  Think it cannot be done?  It can't if we get the same politicians such as our Mayor, ex-councilman Duckett, ex-councilman Reidemann, or any of their ilk. 

Let's begin to have a conversation Kennesaw about how we want the City to be run.  (Oh, and let me get back on one of my old saw-horses....the City Manager should have to live in the City he manages in order to hold the position.  That should be a pre-requisite, yet he lives outside of the City...and we provide him with a car.)  Let's begin to find new leadership for the next election, not the same worn-out-tires that seem to pop up at each election, but some bright faces with forward-thinking ideas....men and women that want to shrink the government, make it more efficient, while strengthening things the City should be really good at such as an outstanding police force and collecting taxes.

In a City of 30,000 there has to be several we can find.  I am not on that list.  But I'll support anyone that has ideas to move the City forward and simply try to work themselves out of a job by shrinking the size of government, keeping taxes low and understanding the value of the taxpayers money.

Wake Up Kennesaw.  Mayor Mathews couldn't muster the votes to go to Dallas....He no longer has the quorum he needs to spend your money.  He no longer has Duckett or Reidemann to control.  And you can be sure Mr. Duckett is eyeing a run for Mayor....or maybe he'll run against Killingsworth.  In any event, we cannot let these guys back into leadership.