Robinson Clarifies Action; Chastises Fellow Commissioner
Douglas County Commissioner Kelly Robinson today released the following letter in response to continued failure by the Douglas County Board of Commissioners to address vote “suppression” during the redistricting process.
Douglas County Commissioner Kelly Robinson today released the following letter in response to continued failure by the Douglas County Board of Commissioners to address vote “suppression” during the redistricting process.
As stated during Douglas County’s public hearing in September 2011, the process of redistricting involving drawing commission, legislative and congressional lines is sensitive. The discussion focuses on race classification of “whites and blacks”. Elected officials don’t have the luxury of being emotional about a topic that is core to how money through appropriations moves annually in Douglas County (~$73 million), GA (~$18 billion) and in the U.S. (~$3.5 trillion).
In the year following a census (2010), states and local governments redraw their legislative districts in order to balance their populations to ensure all people have equal representation. This people adjustment is required by our U.S. Constitution, but much more takes place. Party leaders can use redistricting as an opportunity to help their incumbents win reelection by swapping undesirable constituents with those more favorable to the party, they can attempt to expand their majorities by creating new districts that their party may win, and they can wreak havoc on their opponents by grouping their incumbents (those in office now) together and diminishing their reelection chances by manipulating their constituencies.
Whoever controls the re-districting process have the opportunity to shape and control economic policy which is always tied to “money” – whether at the U.S. Congressional level, the General Assembly in GA or the commission level in counties. The best political strategists, map architects, and economic consultants will tell you that all three levels should be aligned as much as possible so that access to funds along the food chain is controlled. Once donors exhaust legal limits to a candidate, then they begin to redirect money to PACs, parties and other legal aggregators of campaign dollars in the name of “issues advertising”. Commissioner Mulcare refuses to perceive that some of us are educated, progressive and can debate policy issues.
When Commissioner Robinson’s vote was suppressed, as is usually the attempt with the current BOC administration, roughly 29,000 votes were censured. After the gross negligence or arrogant malfeasance was discovered, the BOC feigned surprise when they were confronted by Commissioner Robinson about this irrefutable act and as he demanded justice: they say why?
In Douglas County, there is only one minority-majority (District 2) at 57.45%. As we all know, there were many travesties in the 60s as America matured in assuring civil, voting, women, and employment rights. While we are not in the days of poll taxes (sorry, I’m not paying Mikey) and literacy tests (Yep, Tommy, I can read), strategies are used by few to control many.
In a recent District 2 town hall, it was revealed by a delegate in the General Assembly that during the process of approving the BOCs map before heading to the Governor that it was conveyed there were no objections at the commission level. That was May 22, Primary Election qualifications occurred on May 23-25. During that period of time, the county responded to a request for the official map resolution. I was shocked and angered that my vote had not been codified in the effecting, legally-binding resolution! It was blank but I was not absent where
normally if one is not in agreement, the “opposed” or “abstained” is reflected. It’s not that there was not a majority vote, it was the fact that there was deliberate effort to “silence” any opposition. So, my statute of limitations from my discovery on May 25th is July 21st.
Read on for the full release.
Commissioner Mulcare and the BOC are at fault for taxpayers having to pick up another 6 figure payout to lawyers which they could have “avoided” by governing. Why did the BOC resort or allow this to happen? Why is Douglas County legislative or public voting process never above approach? BOC, answer me and the 33,000 people of the new District 2!
It’s insulting to those not only born in Douglas but almost half the people who migrated into the county over the past 20 years who actually get information beyond the county’s legal organ – such as NPR, the regional newspaper like the AJC, Atlanta Business Chronicle, the Wall Street Journal and other sources of internet-based information according to one’s preferences or leanings such as Huffington Post. Surely, the public can find out that there are 43 pending litigations at the Department of Justice from GA filers alone dealing with redistricting issues: litigation is part of the legal process. It is amazing how if a non-majority exercises the same options available to others it is an issue. We can turn on the TV and with 7 major news stations (some 24 hrs) and see redistricting lawsuits every where – even DOJ vs. GA is anticipated.
After a recent press conference, 2 people came up to me and stated that they were inspired by my speech and wished more elected officials showed such resolve. They were “public” defenders. There was the lady at the mayor’s swearing in ceremony who tapped me on the arm very gently and said: “I know it is tough being the lone voice, but we are watching. Keep going.”
Then, there was the email that read “I can’t vote for you in your district. But, I commend you for not being a rubber stamp for this go along gang”. In the commission under card on July 31st: 3 private supporters beats a public lb. of chap stick endorsement. We are in agreement that Douglas County needs a leadership shift and that all smart money is on the “all female” main event in November. Yes, a woman shall be our chair and lead us into the future: I like blue.
Other Douglasville Patch articles on this matter:
Robinson: Issue Is Votes 'Suppression'
Mulcare: Commissioner Resorted to Groundless Racial Pandering
U.S. Department of Justice Approves County Redistricting Maps
Commissioner's Lawsuit Press Conference, Documents Released
Robinson Files Lawsuit Against Commission's Redistricting Map
Robinson: BOC Redistricting Map Action 'A Slap in the Face'
Robinson Outraged District Declared a 'Slum'
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Fred
9:43 am on Tuesday, June 26, 2012
Can someone translate this into something coherent?
Jim J
10:38 am on Tuesday, June 26, 2012
Reads like word salad to me.
Helen Chambers
12:12 pm on Wednesday, June 27, 2012
I don't think you can get more "coherent" than this.
Mr. Robinson's entire argument starts with his claim that his vote was not counted in the meeting of November 1, 2011. Refer to the video of that entire meeting and you will see that his VOTE was counted! Follow these instructions to see the meeting live...On the county web site; Celebrate Douglas County Georgia
In this meeting Mr. Robinson also speaks of concerns that no one came to the meetings to voice their opinions on the map, if he had so much concern why did he not reach out to his voters the importance of attending? OR were they just not that concerned?
Please go to www.dctv23.com and it will convert over to the dctv23 page of the County web site. Look for the box that says “Board of Commissioners Meetings Broadcast” and click there. On that new page will be the tape of the last broadcasted meeting, and underneath that look for a green box that says “click here to see archived Commission meetings” and that takes you to the library of old broadcasts.
Cynthia B
11:21 am on Tuesday, June 26, 2012
Thank you Patch, for keeping us informed about Commissioner Robinson's efforts to ensure fairness and legality in the dedistricting process. I ask that anyone with references and/or links to additional information regarding this matter please share that information. There have been at least 2 other articles that I have read on the Patch regarding this conflict and I would like to review the full story to understand which (if any) side I agree with and need to get behind to ensure my rights as a resident are not being trampled by the BOC.
John Barker
11:48 am on Tuesday, June 26, 2012
Thanks Cynthia. There are seven links to articles listed under Commissioner Robinson's letter to the editor. All of them are concerning this matter directly. I do, however, welcome any other links to stories or information anyone would like to offer.
James Bell
11:41 am on Tuesday, June 26, 2012
When you have to "clarify" your previous statements at a press conference, your off message. So what cost "six figures"?
We need straight talk not rhymes and riddles.
Say what you mean...mean what you say. The public can sort it all out.
So Robinson is predicting Tom Worthan will not be the GOP nominee? He better focus on his own race and let the GOP sort out their ballot.
TFoster
4:29 pm on Tuesday, June 26, 2012
I'm curious how H. Fenwick Huss, Dean of J. Mack Robinson College of Business at GA State University views plagiarism by his visiting instructors? A large portion of this letter to the editor seems to have an uncanny resemblance to: McDonald, M.P. (2010, October 4). Congressional Redistricting Forecast. Huffington Post. Retrieved from http://www.huffingtonpost.com/michael-p-mcdonald/congressional-redistricti_b_749895.html
Jim J
7:32 pm on Tuesday, June 26, 2012
Hmmmmmm???? Does look like deja vu of the pen all over again........
Rodney Littles
11:30 pm on Tuesday, June 26, 2012
injustice anywhere is UnAmerican. I thought we lived in The USA. This sounds like foreign country we send Election Observers. Former President Carter's services are needed in Douglas County! Shame on the BOC including Henry Mitchelle. Where was his voice when this happened?
Chet
7:12 am on Wednesday, June 27, 2012
Just wondering why there is a district with (District 2) 57.45%. ? Shouldn't all districts be evenly distributed with all races to make it fair for the whole county?
Cynthia B
8:17 am on Wednesday, June 27, 2012
Has the BOC or any individual member of the BOC issued a formal statement/response to any of these allegations?
John Barker
10:41 am on Wednesday, June 27, 2012
Yes, Cynthia, Mike Mulcare put out his own statement, here is the link: Mulcare: Commissioner Resorted to Groundless Racial Pandering
John Barker
10:42 am on Wednesday, June 27, 2012
Okay, the link didn't work. But if you look under the above story, you'll see that same Mike Mulcare headline and that link does work. Thanks.
Jim J
8:39 am on Wednesday, June 27, 2012
The article link U.S. Department of Justice Approves County Redistricting Maps provides a wealth of information. United States Department of Justice reviewed and came to the conclusion that that the new voter map meets all requirements of the Voting Rights Act. I can't imagine that Eric Holder's Justice Department is going to OK a voting map that would skew elections in favor of Republicans until next the Census in 2020.
mommacat
12:37 pm on Wednesday, June 27, 2012
Who elected this whining moron? Because certain races choose to live in the same area we must cow-tow to them? Ridiculous!! Things have gotten terrible here in douglas county since surrounding counties cut out section 8..now they want special attention whle trying to over.run douglas? People..vote!!! We are loosinf freedoms daily.in the name of minorities and illegals. Stand up for the legal citizen and our laws over what politicians think is or isn't "fair."
Cynthia B
1:14 pm on Wednesday, June 27, 2012
Wow! This response lets me know I want no more of this discussion.
Bruce
7:02 pm on Thursday, June 28, 2012
If Commissioner Mulcare is so concerned about tax money spent for this, why did he vote to have a special election for the alcohol vote?
This one item special election cost Douglas County taxpayers $40,000. It was only a month or 2 before the Nov. vote.
Also, Commissioner Mulcare voted to have special elections for SPLOST.
Remember, each special election cost the county taxpayers about $40,000.
Tammy Stoner
8:51 pm on Wednesday, July 18, 2012
Can you add me Mr. Robinson to the petition since my land is key and I was out of state working when the meeting reviewing maps was held, and I can't vote, in DC and much of this impacts me? Due process is certainly a problem here in DC. And it does threaten our freedom. Thank you for filing. If they governed instead of throwing it all on the lawyers, at taxpayer expense, we might have more funds.
Tammy Stoner
9:02 pm on Wednesday, July 18, 2012
I contacted Carters services last summer, because I agree, they are needed, Unfortunately they are available in foreign countries. We just figure America doesn't have these problems. It is a service delivery gap, and resulting loss of freedom.
Scott H Florance
1:45 pm on Sunday, July 29, 2012
I said that time travel is controlled by the time cops now hundred percent its only fresh breathable air suplly the feeling of walking outside and odorelss the only chemical added is anti demon power. The time cops said there will be no wink them out of existance weopons on the world no phase them out of existance tech is allowed all papers and computer files on that burnt up any one or any device used to pass nuckles through ones skull is burnt up or sended to space station 30,000 light years away as long as the planet exist. Time cops of the world gov said there will be no time travel allowed in biuldings or any where where theres a door way you can only turn on magical science of interdemensional time warp tech on the road less travelled.
You can email or fax the time cops that set this in stone for all time on all worlds wherever theres movement in space also. They said you can fax 8 idias on miracles made with time travel from the future probably 4 things to fix the world at large and 4 things to ask for seriose help for your own town or household this is a mild request the time cops control it not you. And they will stay 5 blocks city sections away fgive fairy 114,000 miles goin distant for his grief and loss 45 huts not cold warm warm hut for free. 50 large objects like they got rich I love you jimmy farmenth the only life form on the planet that wasnt a hologram blind choafer.fix the sun so its 140 degrees in all the deserts
Richard Segal
2:29 pm on Sunday, July 29, 2012
So are you saying you agree with Commissioner Robinson, or do you disagree?
Jim J
3:46 pm on Sunday, July 29, 2012
I thought they outlawed the sale of synthetic weed over at the Circle K.
stacy strker
5:29 pm on Monday, August 13, 2012
one man per prison or jail gets out to a hut shack 1000 miles of the dirt road. 4000 foot strap or 3000 foot strap-locktite new clothes from the store and a picture standing in desert to give to friends tray comes with a locked lid the one scared of murduree or been there to long gets this privlige quitest spot on the map the prison warden will escort the man deliverd by the courts to the new sector one man per prison. Hospital is a lock up biulding to dont forget!! HE wants out!!!!
brenda stronghorn
4:13 pm on Tuesday, January 22, 2013
ghost are adding up the number of bodies killed and sodimized by negress witha haer radioniocs dial strapping the 5 mininute dream self to the wall is 400 quadriolion attacks in everett sacramento lynwood times 345,000 invisible man sodomizies all nite is negres fetish hell is here they want asmart machine created in goddes land killng of heaven city in the mega univeresel