David Austin Just Jumped the Shark
“Jumping the shark is an idiom used to describe the moment of downturn for a previously successful enterprise.”
I just returned back from Rose’s Store with this week’s Dallas New Era in-hand. As I flipped through “Section Two” of the paper, I came across the following political ad authored by the current Paulding County Commissioner Chair on page 3:
POST 2
Dear Post 2 Constituents,
Many of you know that Post 2 in the New Georgia and Nebo Communities are the home places of my Austin and Pace Families. I would like to see that Post 2 Commission District be represented by a strong, hardworking, honest individual with family values that people respect. I would also like to serve on the Commission with someone that I respect as a businessperson with new ideas that will be looking to the future and not backwards from the past chairman.
In my opinion Todd Pownall will bring new ideas and not drudge up the past or hold back the Commission. Todd has not spent the last 12 to 18 years drawing a Government paycheck and his pledge is to serve without receiving a paycheck for the next two years as your Post 2 Commissioner. For job creation, conservative values, road improvements and public safety join me in supporting Todd Pownall as a strong conservative leader for Post 2.
Vote Todd Pownall – “A Man with a Hero’s Heart”
Sincerely,
David A. Austin
While I have many thoughts running through my mind at the moment, let me just cut to the chase and reference the following quote from David’s endorsement:
Todd has not spent the last 12 to 18 years drawing a Government paycheck …
Hello?!?!? Are you serious Mr. Austin? This is an obvious reference to Beverley Cochran’s (Todd’s opponent) years of service working for Paulding County.
Todd has not spent the last 12 to 18 years drawing a Government paycheck …
Hello?!?! Mr. Austin you are currently a county employee and last time I checked a pretty well-paid one at that. Mr. Austin you are also the chief executive and boss of all our county employees. Is Todd Pownall’s profession (realtor) more honorable than that of the people who work for you?
Todd has not spent the last 12 to 18 years drawing a Government paycheck …
Hello?!?! Mr. Austin we have all sorts of county employees who have served this community for 12 or more years. I’m sure we have police officers, sheriff deputies, firemen, teachers, etc., who have had long, honorable careers serving the citizens of Paulding County. Are they all guilty of “drawing a Government paycheck” as you put it?
The answer to all my above questions is obviously, “No”. Mr. Austin, you most likely have great respect for all of the people who have served the county no matter if it was for one year or thirty years. Heck, you’ve probably had your picture taken handing out plaques to county employees who served twice as long as Mrs. Cochran ever did.
However, Mr. Austin, in your zeal to hand-pick the winner of the Post 2 Commissioner race, you have insulted, belittled, and disparaged every current and past employee of Paulding County. If I were you, I would take out another advertisement in the Dallas New Era and apologize to them. Or else, this could be your “Jumping the Shark” moment.
Good points made here. How distasteful to speak against someone who has served our county – all the while you are receiving a government paycheck.
Had the good chairman kept his word and not broken a written agreement, he would not have any issues about Ms.Cochran’s candidacy and her desire to give the people in Post 2 a voice – and a commissioner that will make themselves available for all citizens.
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thank you for speaking up for all past and present employees
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Yes thank you for speaking for all of the employees who are terrified of losing their jobs if they speak and being replaced by more Cobb County buddies.
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Thank you for speaking for the employees. This administration has ruled with fear and intimidation for too long. I have never seen more corruption in the 14 years I WAS employed by Paulding County.
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Sounds to me that Austin’s picks are a bit nervous they won’t get elected so coming out and slamming Beverly, who honorably served the people of this county, is their last desperate tactic.
And to even say what Austin said about county employees who are paid, is as low as it can get. Of course, I like how he states “government” payroll when it’s actually “We the People’s” money, not the government’s.
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I completely agree with David. Paulding County needs to move forward, not stay entrenched in the past politics of the previous County Commissioner nor his assistant. Having had buisness dealings with Mrs. Cochran during Jerry Shearin’s time as County Commissioner, she is not qualified to hold the Post 2 Commission Chair. She constantly withheld invoices for work performed. Sometimes up to 6 weeks at time. She constantly would send invoices back because she didn’t like the font or the wording of the invoice. She withheld one invoice until she recieved a verbal guarantee that we wouldn’t raise our prices. She attempeted to have evidence in a court case with the county destroyed. Is this a person that should be leading Paulding County?
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Gotta hand it to the libturds Whitey, Surepip, DOT, Maddox, and Feelip of their assinine comments on Pcom.
The lies coming out of their mouths is so evident.
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I think it is unethical for a sitting Chairman of the Paulding County Board of Commissioners to endorse a runoff candidate for Post 2 and explicitly publish his support in the local newspaper that person being Todd Pownall by name, that he would like to serve on the Board with him to get another favorable vote for the developers who financed his campaign, like the other post 4 candidate. We should vote NO to Special Interests, and Vote NO to big money, and Vote Yes for the only honest candidates in both races. Beverly is that person for Post 2, and Tony Crowe is that person for Post 4.
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Tom Milanese Reply:
August 13th, 2010 at 12:46 pm
Thank you!
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I agree, Earl!
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Thad who goes by the screen name of Surepip is such a whiner, spreads lies, etc. for his own agenda. He is upset because since Austin came in, his useless lawsuit didn’t happen like he thought he would. So if he can trash everyone but Barnett and Pownall to get his way, that is what he is doing. It is Thad’s agenda, plain and simple.
Don’t fall for it.
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The issue here really is freedom of speech and hypocrisy. If the rule is that county employees may not publicly support specific candidates (blatant violation of freedom of speech) then the chairman should follow the same rule or eliminate it.
In reality it should be ok for anyone to voice their opinion on any political race regardless of their position, including the chairman. Again, freedom of speech…
Just sayin’…
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I recently retired after collecting a government paycheck for 25 years of honorable service in the US Army. During that time, I deployed to Saudi Arabia for Operation Desert Storm, Afghanistan for Operation Enduring Freedom, and Iraq for Operation Iraqi Freedom. My son has been collecting a government check for the last 8 years serving this great country of ours in the US Army. He is currently serving his third tour of duty in Iraq.
I don’t appreciate David Austin’s remark, “Todd has not spent the last 12 to 18 years drawing a Government paycheck.” It comes across as though anyone who works for a government entity is some kind of lowlife sponging off taxpayers. It’s an insult plain and simple.
Lets make Austin a one-term Chairman. Perhaps I’ll start campaigning against him now.
Gary Fox
United States Army Retired
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Tom Milanese Reply:
August 21st, 2010 at 12:01 am
Thank you for you and your son’s service!
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