Monday, July 28, 2008

Runoff Advanced/Absentee Voting

You can vote in advance for the Republican Primary Runoff in Cobb County this week. This includes the Joe Thompson and Bob Ott District 2 Cobb Commissioner runoff. You do not to give a reason to vote in advance. Voting is open Monday thru Friday. You need to vote in person at one of the following locations at the listed times:

Elections and Registrations Office
736 Whitlock Avenue
Marietta, GA 30064
8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

South Cobb Service Center
4700 AUstell Road
Austell, GA 30106
8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

East Cobb Service Center
4400 Lower Roswell Road
Marietta, GA 30068
8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

North Cobb Senior Center (Kenworth Park)
3900 Highway 293 (Old Hwy 41)
Acworth, GA 30101
8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

West Cobb Parks & Recreation District Office
(Lost Mountain Park)
4845 Dallas Highway
Powder Springs, GA 30127
8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Regular voting will be Tuesday August 5.

Again, you do not need to give a reason to vote early. If it is easier, do it. Any registered voter who voted in the GOP Primary or who did not vote at all in the primary is eligible to vote. Only those who voted in the Democratic Party primary are ineligible.

For those of you who do not remember, Joe Thompson is the commissioner who introduced the anti-cycling ordinances in an attempt to ban many cyclists from Columns Drive, a very bad precedent for all cyclists. (A history can be found at: http://bikecobb.blogspot.com/)

Bob Ott seems to be more interested in traffic solutions which include access for cyclists.

Wednesday, July 23, 2008

Bob Ott Signs Vandalized

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Bob Ott has forced anti-cycling Commissioner Joe Thompson into a runoff for the Republican nomination in Cobb County's District 2 Commissioner race. Thompson received 45% of the vote while Ott received 40%. This is a great chance for cyclists to show support for officials with balanced transportation plans that support cycling, and to help show that we will work against those without. Story on the primary here. The winner of the GOP primary in District 2 will win the election.

During the primary and now leading up to the runoff, there have been reports of Ott's large signs being vandalized, including one on Johnson Ferry near Columns Drive, which has been destroyed repeatedly. Hopefully awareness will help stop this.

For your own signs, and to help support a pro-cycling candidate, visit Bob Ott's website.

Joe Thompson is the commissioner who introduced the anti-cycling Columns ordinances. Supporting his opponent will show that cyclists take such behavior seriously. The runoff is August 5, and any registered voter in District 2 who did not vote in the primary or who voted on the GOP ballot During the primary is eligible to vote. Only those who voted in the Democratic primary is excluded from the GOP runoff election.

Tuesday, July 1, 2008

Election on July 15th!

Answers to questions you may have about the election on July 15 for the evil Cobb County Commission.

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Every single incumbent voted against the Column's issue and none spoke favorably on cycling during the two contentious hearings. I would say they are all anti-cycling.

Concerning District 2, Bob Ott has done triathlons in the past and has done loops on Columns. I do not know if Ron Sifen cycles. Bob has a much better graphics designer. I do not know who designed Sifen's signs, but they really blow. You almost have to get out of the car and walk over to see what they say.

Vote for either and hope we can hold Thompson under 50% so we get a run off. Then vote for whoever is not Thompson during the run off.

Remember, to vote you will need a picture ID now. When you arrive at your polling place, you will be asked which primary ballot you want. You can take either a Republican or Democratic ballot. In Georgia you do not declare your party when you vote- although your choice in the primary binds you in case there are any runoff election. Thompson, Ott and Sifen are on the Republican ballot. If you wish to vote against Thompson, it is advisable to take the Republican ballot. Some guy is running for District 2 on the Dem ballot, but he will never win in Cobb County District 2, and to my knowledge, the Dem has not even campaigned. (Nothing partisan implied, just the facts.)

Basic Map:

http://www.cobbcountyga.gov/boc/index.htm

FAQs on voting here:

http://www.lwvga.org/elections/index.html

Sample Ballots:

http://www.cobbelections.org/

Vote, and get everybody you know to vote. If cyclists can help take out one incumbent, other politicians will be much more likely to listen to us.