By allowing ads to appear on this site, you support the local businesses who, in turn, support great journalism.
LETTER: 'Newby’ to Georgia politics offers ‘fresh’ perspective ahead of primaries
Letters

Dear Editor:

I hope you don’t mind a fresh set of eyes, a different perspective than what I am hearing in Georgia. Remember I’m a newby to Georgia politics, but a veteran in the conservative Republican movement.  

I grew up in Iowa where we have elected Chuck Grassley over and over because we like him. He is the real reason I am against term limits. He was a successful land owner/businessman/farmer, so nervous at first the old-timers still laugh about how he shook and rattled when he would get up and talk. But he visited all 99 counties every year, made friends all over the state at his town hall meetings, went around so much sometimes he visited them twice or three times a year. He still gets on his mower and mows his own lawn too. His wife, Barbara, gives beautiful generous gift baskets with interesting things from Washington, D.C., each year for the IowaFRW fund raisers, too. 

Not everyone who goes to D.C. has affairs or becomes a millionaire immediately. Grassley was already independently wealthy before he went. If it hadn’t been for Sen. Chuck Grassley’s experience he couldn’t have guided us through the nominations of three conservative supreme court justices. He wasn’t even as lawyer but he got put on the judiciary committee in time to save our nation’s highest court. He was like a wiley old fox getting Gorsuch, Kavanaugh, and Comey Barrett onto the Supreme Court. He even got Lindsay Graham to call the false allegations against them crap. 

I used to like Lindsay Graham at the time of the Graham Rudman Act, because he held the keys to fiscal responsibility, but I think even he is loosing his moorings. When he poked so much fun of Donald Trump at Faith and Freedom Coalition, I quit sending him money. 

And Ted Cruz, another person with presidential ambition, has been tied to the term limits movement too by the leftists. I cannot believe he doesn’t understand how term limits takes away the voter’s ability to keep in office the good ones and get rid of the bad ones. Let us not forget that term limits were started by left wing socialists wanting to get rid of some solid Republicans they didn’t like in Congress. 

And don’t let anyone tell you they’re going to get rid of Nancy Pelosi, not until California constitution changes. They can get her off of committees and off of being speaker but she is elected and reelected in the kind of jungle election that got us running Loeffler and Collins against Warnock. She runs against another Democrat with a criminal record and a weak Republican every time, and the person with the most votes gets elected. So, until Californians start having a fair partisan primary, and quit sending her to Washington, she will be there dividing, chewing and spitting out people who don’t agree with her. 

But Chuck Grassley even sent my money back one time when his PAC wasn’t needing it.  Like Donald Trump, Grassley has a wonderful relationship with his wife and family too. He is hailed around the nation as a hero for supporting President Trump in getting three conservative SC justices nominated. The never Trumper movement has done tremendous damage to the GOP. Up in Iowa, they have gone underground because people see how their divisiveness and deceitfulness has hurt us. U.S. Senators and U.S. Reps like Grassley of Iowa, Cotton of Arkansas, Louie Gohmert of Texas, and Billy Long of Missouri who vote their own consciences, listen to the voters, and who cannot be bought are what we need in D.C. Ryan Zincke of Montana is another one.  

I believe the RNC needs someone other than the hard working Ronna up there.  I’m sorry Liz Cheney, Mitt Romney, Lisa Murkowski and Adam Kinsinger are so far to the center. But voters are well informed these days. Information is readily available. You have to comb through many publications and listen to many candidates to decide who is right to represent us. Even after the 10th District forum Saturday, which held some real surprises, I left undecided. Only one held out against term limits. Colonel Mitchell Swan. But I REALLY like some of the other candidates too.  We shall see.  

Lynn Vogel Flessas

President, Newton County 

Republican Women


LETTER: Linda Hays
"A New Chapter for Newton County"
Linda Hays 1
File Photo

After 42 years of serving as the Clerk of Courts in Newton County, I decided to retire and step aside from this position that has been such a significant part of my life. It has been an honor and a privilege to serve our community, and I will always carry with me the memories of all the citizens and colleagues who made my career so fulfilling.

Just two days before Valentine's Day, I was humbled and honored to receive an unexpected request from Governor Brian Kemp to serve as the Interim Chairman of the Board of Commissioners for Newton County. I did not seek this appointment, but I accepted because I believe in the people of this county and want to help guide our future in the best direction possible.

I understand there are rumors circulating about the reasons behind my appointment but let me make it clear: my only commitment is to the citizens people of Newton County. I am not beholden to any individual or political group. I have served this county with integrity for over more than four decades, and that will not change as I take on this new role. In fact, I believe in serving this county so strongly to the point where I am not taking a salary for this position. I will not be earning a salary as Interim Chair, nor be receiving a county vehicle or pcard. My focus will remains solely on what is best for our community, and I will work tirelessly to ensure the needs of our county are met for as long as I hold this seat.

The Chair of the Newton County Board of Commissioners holds a critical leadership role in shaping the direction and future of our community. As the presiding officer of the Board, the Chair plays a central part in the county's governance and ensures the smooth operation of our local government. It is vital to preserve our way oflife and the community that we have all come to enjoy and love!

I want to highlight the Chairman's responsibilities because I know there have been many questions and some in our community may be unaware:

  1. Leadership and Oversight: The Chair leads the Board of Commissioners and guides the decision-making process. This involves setting the agenda for Board meetings, ensuring discussions are productive, and helping to establish priorities that align with the needs of the community.
  2. Facilitate Communication: The Chair acts as the primary spokesperson for the Board, fostering clear communication between the Board and the public. They ensure that important updates, decisions, and actions are conveyed transparently to the citizens of Newton County.
  3. Collaboration with County Departments: The Chair works closely with the county manager, department heads, and staff to ensure that county operations run smoothly. They ensure that policies are implemented effectively and that county resources are allocated to where they're most needed.
  4. Representation of Newton County: The Chair represents Newton County in various external meetings and forums, advocating for our county's interests at the state and federal levels, and working to secure funding and resources to support local initiatives.
  5. Voting and Decision-Making: As part of the Board, the Chair is actively involved in voting on important matters, such as the county budget, ordinances, and policies that affect the lives of every citizen in Newton County should there be a tie amongst the Commissioners.
  6. Promote Community Engagement: The Chair ensures that the public has opportunities to engage with the Board and have their voices heard. This includes overseeing public hearings, town hall meetings, and making sure that citizens' concerns are addressed.
  7. Crisis Management and Leadership: In times of crisis or unforeseen events, the Chair takes the lead in coordinating the county's response, ensuring that our residents are supported and that the county is prepared to navigate challenges efficiently.

Being the Chair of the Newton County Board of Commissioners is both a responsibility and an honor. It requires a dedication to service, leadership, and a deep commitment to the well-being of all those who call Newton County home. As Chair, I am committed to working collaboratively with my fellow Commissioners and all our county employees to continue to build a brighter future for Newton County and its residents.

Newton County is where my family has lived for generations - my children, my grandchildren, and my great-grandchildren call this place home. This is where my roots are deep, and it is for them, and for every resident of our county, that I am committed to doing the work ahead. I am excited about the opportunity to serve in this new capacity and work alongside the citizens, commissioners, and county employees to ensure that Newton County continues to grow and thrive.

Thank you for allowing me to serve you all these years. I am looking forward to this next chapter, with a deep sense of responsibility to the people of this county who I care so much about. Together, we will continue to build a brighter future for Newton County.

Sincerely,

Linda Hays

Interim Chairman, Board of Commissioners 

Newton County