My New Blog

As my name has made it to the headlines this week in the Friday, Dec 21^st edition of the News Observer regarding the complaint filed with the Georgia State Ethics Commission, I feel it is now necessary to make my feelings public.

Until recently, I have never been a political person. Anyone who knows me, knows that I am usually a quiet person who likes to stay in the background. I tend to be the “administrative” type. It is for this reason that the “Keep Your Tax Dollars At Home” committee named me as the treasurer, so that I could keep the records and do the reporting. Since I have a lot of bookkeeping background, I agreed to do this. I read the State laws for reporting for a political campaign, and tried to follow the guidelines to the best of my ability.

But as the campaign began, it was brought to my attention by many individuals that the rules were not being followed equally by both sides of this campaign. A lot of money was being spent, and not being reported in a correct and legal fashion. I checked with the State, only to learn that this seemed to be true. I do not feel that any election can be fair if both sides are not playing by the same rules. This is the reason for the letter I sent to the Ethics Commission. It was not a condemnation of any church or individual, it was simply written with the intention of protecting the voters on both sides in this election, and to make sure Georgia State Election Laws were followed. It was my obligation as Treasurer of the Committee to see to that.

This complaint letter was written long before November 6^th. It was not written to frighten the “no” voters, or in any way change their feelings about the referendum, as was brought up in the News Observer article. It has not even been made public until now, long after the election.

It was written to question the tactics of the campaign. If any group or individual spends or receives more than $500.00 on any campaign or legislative election, it is the law that it needs to be reported to the State. Mr. Mark Young claims in the article in the News Observer that the Gilmer-Fannin Baptist Association is in no way affiliated with Citizens Against Alcohol. However, Mr. Claude Mathis is the chairman of Citizens Against Alcohol, and is also listed as the contact person for the Gilmer-Fannin Baptist Association. Affiliated groups are addressed in the State laws regarding reporting.

I worked hard to record and report everything I should, in an honest fashion. Shouldn’t this be the case for all involved? I simply reported my objections to the State. It is up to the State to decide if any incorrect or illegal action was taken on the part of any group or contributor.

I know what a volatile issue this is, and I am sure there are many out there who are angry at me for filing this complaint letter. To those people, I am sorry I made them angry, but I am still looking out for their best interests too. All elections should be fair and open, even in little, old Fannin County. To those people who agree with my sending this letter, please do not gloat or applaud…it is not a happy event. To all of the citizens of this fine county…this is not about Alcohol…it is about Elections…honest elections for all.

Marjorie Vernay

Blue Ridge, GA

According to the Fannin Sentinel Newspaper - Friday, Dec 14, 2007 Edition, the State Ethics Commission is investigating the funding of the Vote No Group involved in the recent alcohol referendum election on November 6, 2007 in Fannin County, GA. They have contacted the Fannin Sentinel for copies of advertising submitted to their paper.

The Sentinel spoke to the Ethics Commission media contact, Rick Thompson, who verified that due to the number of complaints they received from Fannin County residents coming into their office, the matter has warranted enough attention to conduct an investigation. The SEC will conduct a routine investigation to determine if the complaints are valid concerning the non-profit organizations activities leading up to the casting of votes on the referendum. The investigation will be on the SEC agenda of the January 24, 2008 and will determine the course of further action. This SEC meeting is open to the public.

According to the Sentinel, the investigation centers on the non-profit, religious organizations that participated in posting “Vote No” yard signs, display advertising, billboards and other forms of communication establishing a position to influence voters to cast a vote on the referendum. It has become apparent the funding for “Vote No” signage and communications is at the crux of the matter.

The results of this investigation could truly shed a different light on the election results here in Fannin County. I know it will stir up both sides again. However, due to the fact that the election was so close, how do you, the public, feel about this? I am interested to hear your opinions!

Well..just heard on the news that the foreign investors are finally spending their money on Miami real estate!  They are picking up all the deals in the real estate market there!  This is great news!  Once the real estate market starts to move again, it will have a "trickle-up" effect, and once again, real estate will be a good investment for everyone. 

I believe that this Miami news could signal that we have finally reached the bottom of the price curve.  It will take a little time for the excessive inventory of foreclosed homes and listed homes to be purchased, but before too long, the Buyer-Seller market curve should level out.  The Euro is at the best rate ever against the US Dollar, providing more buying power and creating a big incentive to invest in our real estate. 

Our market here in Blue Ridge, GA has been slow, but steady.  Prices have not dropped drastically as they have in many other parts of the country.  Perhaps this is due to the fact that we are primarily a second home market.  We are not engulfed with foreclosures as some other areas of the courntry are.  There are only a few available in our area.  Once US investors begin to see activity, perhaps they feel that the time is right to pick up some of the bargains available! This would make our US economy move again!