TPC REAL Politick: Raffensperger Running for Governor. Other Dominoes to Fall?

 Hello again. 

So, the news hit today (somewhat surprisingly to this writer), that current GA Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger has actually decided to run for Governor of Georgia. 

He'd previously put out feelers but many had figured he wouldn't actually do it. 

After all, his political capital in our great state doesn't seem to be overly strong.

Trump hates him, by all accounts, and two state heavyweights - Burt Jones, current Lt. Governor & Chris Carr, current AG - have already announced & declared for this race. 

So the question is begged - why would B-Rad do this? 

Well, in my humble estimation, it's the same reasoning as behind his original run for the Holder & Custodian of the Great Seal of Georgia (Secretary of State) back in 2018: 

spend a shit-ton of money & run in a crowded field where you might make a runoff. Then, w/ enough money, you might just steal the damn thing...

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For those who know, that's exactly what he did seven years ago. 

*****

Again, he doesn't seem to have the ability to do this. Obviously, Trump hates him. An extreme majority of the GA GOP despises him; however, never doubt the ability of money combined w/ a crowded field. 

Again, that's exactly what happened in 2018. Just ask the current Chairman of the GA GOP. 

Homeslice bought that office.

Spent a shit-ton of money w/ the aim of making it to a runoff (paying big money to landowners on major thoroughfares to put up signs plus a whole bunch of other stuff). 

And as those who know, in a runoff - all bets are off.

It's all about turnout (read:  $$$). 

W/ Carr & Jones running, he knows he just has to spend enough money to finish second in the primary (Jones will be first). Then he's hoping if he does finish second, he'll be able to get enough of the Carr votes to possibly win the runoff (w/ enough of that $$$). 

Not saying I'm right on this, but...

*****

So, Trump's archnemesis will not be running for a third term for Secretary of State (SOS). 

Therefore, that means that Tim Fleming is definitely running for SOS. 

So...

that means that GA HD 114 is

W I D E   O P E N 

DEVELOPING... 

Best, 

- MBM 

[Recent City Happenings] - Covington East Ward Post 1 Now a 2-man Race

 Greetings, Fearless Readers. Hope it is all good out there. 

So, the news hit just today that Rev. Eric Threets has withdrawn his candidacy for the open East Ward, Post 1 race. 

I was actually made aware of this the end of last week but was trying to get additional information as to why he was withdrawing (had a few sources tell me it was due to a certain reason) before reporting the story. 

As has been the case a few times over the years, that other paper stole my thunder & beat me to the punch. 

According to its article, and this was confirmed by a member of staff of the Newton Co Board of Elections, it was due to "family demands," as per a letter that Threets submitted. 

Again, I was told by various sources that it was due to another issue. I have communicated w/ the City of Covington to confirm the exact reason but as of press time I haven't gotten a response (big surprise there, right? Government, what you gonna do...). 

Regardless, that means that this is now a 2-man race. 

That other paper - The Covington News by the way - erroneously reported that now there are three running but Cole Inman, as we understand it, also withdrew his candidacy, so now it's just between Dwayne Turner & Donny Cook. 

Dwayne Turner

Donny Cook 

I've had several folks that I know & trust tell me they're supporting Cook in this one. I'm hoping to have a sit-down tete-a-tete w/ him soon. I do know, based on his social media presence, that he is NOT a fan of apartments, and seems to be rather conservative regarding the spending of taxpayer dollars. 

We'll be keeping an eye on it. 

Will keep you updated if we get additional info on the Threets situation. 

Best, 

- MBM 

If You Don't Know, Now You Know: Greetings & Welcome to TPC!

The Town Square Podcast

 

Hello, all. 

I meant to publish this post last night in anticipation of today's drop of the latest edition of The Town Square Podcast hosted by old friend & current Newton Co BOE member Trey Bailey w/ yours truly - Marshall McCart - as the featured guest. 

While I know a pretty good number of folks who have listened (or will listen) to that podcast are already familiar w/ what we do around here, I'm sure at least a few are not so I thought I'd give you a bit of an intro. 

As we discussed on the show, I'm self-described as equal parts Citizen Journalist, "semi-professional ant hill kicker" & public advocate. I'm passionate about the home county (Newton), home city (Covington) & the Glorious Georgia Piedmont (particularly the quad-county area of Jasper, Morgan, Newton & Walton). 

Politically, I'm basically a conservative-adjacent, libertarian-leaning independent; or, to quote another writer - I'm usually being liberally conservative when I'm not being conservatively liberal. Basically I'm GDI. A true independent around the intersection of a Ron-Paul-Republican & Zell-Miller-Democrat. 

I'm for good government, and wise spending of tax dollars. 

I also tend to be inclined that many elected officials need a watchful eye upon them in order for them to do the right things & do things right. 

Mainly, I try to capture the REAL Politick, and always doing my best to keep it real. 

You can peruse some previous readings if you so desire. 

As I mentioned on the podcast, my posting has been a little light here lately but I do have a few things coming down the pike. Plus, we've got the off-year municipal elections this fall so we'll certainly be keeping an eye on that. 

Okay for now & hope all is well out there. 

- MBM 

A TPC Check-in: Taxes Going UP; News on the State House & Senate Races; Odds & Ends

 Howdy, Folks! Hope it's all good out there. 

Well, TPC enjoyed its annual summer vacation (forgot to put up the Gone Fishin' sign again ), but we're ready to get back at it. 

Property Taxes Going Up 

After the summer tradition of the budget process, we've now seen everything become official in terms of the setting of the millage rates. 

Quick aside. You may be wondering - "what the hell is mill?!" A mill is one-tenth of one percent, or, in decimal format: .001. So, ten mills would be .01 (or 1%).

Why still use this archaic form of math to quote ad valorem tax rates? Good question.

It's either because of the famous 6-word motto of most governments & large institutions: "We've always done it this way,"; or, it's because they know most folks have no idea what a mill or millage is & that's exactly how they like it, folks not knowing what's going on. 

Here's some real estate Dad-type humor for you. You know the old saying - that's just the old 2 cents. You could start to say - "That's just the ole 20 mills!" Hardy hardy har. 

So, the home county's tax rate went up 10%. The City of Covington? 11%. Hell, at least we're not Walton Co. They went up 20%! 

Something's gotta give soon. We're going to really have to rethink the proper size & scope of local government. Property taxes are out of control. We're pricing the lower & middle class folks as well as seniors on fixed incomes out of our beloved home. We need to get some serious people elected willing to make serious decisions leading to serous cuts of government spending. 

We'll see... 

State House 

Right now it's still a two-way race between Wendell McNeal & Brett Mauldin though apparently a certain former Newton Co Constitutional Officer is still mulling a run. 

As many have said it would be nice to have a Newtonian representing us in the lower chamber of the Gold Dome for the first time in a decade. 

With that said, if this person were to run then naturally I would be 100% behind him. If not, I'll definitely be supporting Brett in this one. 

State Senate 

I'm going to take this opportunity to make the rare, official MBM/TPC endorsement. 

I hereby fully endorse & support Bret Dunn for this race. I've known Bret for right at 10 years & have always thought a lot of him. I've been talking w/ him a good bit lately & I'm very excited about his vision for the 42nd Senate District of the Great State of Georgia. 

Newton BOE Member Trey Bailey also endorses Dunn 

More to follow down the road...


Odds & Ends 

- Looking like they're about done getting Floyd St repaved. That's been a long time coming; however, as many have noted, they're going to have to do something about those traffic islands. 

- This upcoming Wednesday. August 13th. 9am. Morgan Co Courthouse. A battle against government overreach & the Kemp/Carr/DCA/JDA/Economic-Development leviathan. A fight for freedom & basic constitutional rights. Be there! 

- 23 days until we have UGA football! 

Okay for now, scamps, 'til next time. 

- MBM 

[TPC Guest Post] --TWG/TaxDogs: [Jasper Co] BOC DECLINES TO SUPPORT RESOLUTION FOR FEAR OF STATE RETALIATION [in re Rivian]

*originally posted at TaxDogs 

 July 13, 2025

At their meeting on July 7, Commissioners were presented a Resolution Opposing the Pursuit of Legal Fees by the State of Georgia and the Joint Development Authority against Concerned Citizens.  Commissioner Asher Gray (District 4) added this Resolution as the last item on the agenda.   (See copy of the Resolution below.)

When this item came up Commissioner Gray started the conversation saying that it was wrong to sue citizens fighting the Rivian plant with their own money.  He also made the point that the BOC had been lied to with emails they had received about this issue.  He wanted the Jasper County BOC to condemn the action and support the citizens’ rights to do so.

Commissioner Steven Ledford (District 5) said if this resolution was passed they would bite the hand that gave out LMIG (road) funds. 

Commissioner Rob Alexander (District 3) said this action by the JDA and State was wrong, wrong, wrong.  He added that Rivian was never vetted and he questioned if it would be a viable company.  Commissioner Alexander also asked what would happen if the JDA decided that Jasper County would be the host county for a hazardous waste landfill for the Rivian plant.  Would the BOC let that happen if citizens here in Jasper County fought it?

Commissioner Gray asked if anyone had any trouble with the wording of the Resolution.

Commissioner Ledford said he personally felt the same way as Commissioners Gray and Alexander, but was hesitant to sign a resolution that could possibly result in the county being adversely affected when it comes to money from the State.

Commissioner Gray read the resolution out loud, and then he made a motion to have the commissioners sign it. That motion failed 2-3. Gray and Alexander voted for it, with the other three voting no.

For more information on this case refer to a previous post—Pure Citizen Intimidation
https://taxdogs.wordpress.com/2025/06/21/pure-citizen-intimidation/

This court hearing will be August 13 at 9am in the Morgan County Courthouse.

“If you are neutral in situations of injustice, you have chosen the side of the oppressor.”—Desmond Tutu

Resolution by the Jasper County, Georgia Board of Commissioners

Opposing the Pursuit of Legal Fees by the State of Georgia and the Joint Development Authority Against Concerned Citizens

WHEREAS, six citizens of Morgan County—Edward Clay, Candance Beam, Alan D. Jenkins, Felton Jenkins III, Deborah Crowe, and James Gunn—filed lawsuits seeking judicial clarity on the legality of zoning exemptions and land use decisions related to the $5 billion Rivian Electric Vehicle (EV) factory slated for development on a 2,000-acre site between Rutledge and Social Circle; and

WHEREAS, these citizens—known collectively as the No2Rivian plaintiffs—acted in good faith out of concern for the environmental health, rural character, and lawful governance of their communities, particularly as it relates to potential impacts on groundwater, creeks, wells, and other shared natural resources; and

WHEREAS, the State of Georgia and the Joint Development Authority (JDA) of Jasper, Morgan, Walton, and Newton counties have initiated legal action to recover nearly $1 million in attorney’s fees from these plaintiffs, including $600,000 tied to the Morgan County case and $365,000 related to a near-identical case in Fulton County; and

WHEREAS, the pursuit of legal fees from private citizens—who were exercising their constitutional right to petition their government and seek judicial oversight—represents a troubling escalation that could deter future civic engagement and public accountability across the State of Georgia; and

WHEREAS, such action may create a chilling effect, sending a message that ordinary citizens who challenge powerful state-backed projects may face financial ruin for asserting their legal rights and raising community-based environmental and land use concerns; and

WHEREAS, this tactic sets a dangerous and undemocratic precedent, undermining trust in government institutions, discouraging public participation, and compromising the fundamental American principle that access to the courts must be available to all, regardless of income or political influence; and

WHEREAS, the Jasper County Board of Commissioners believes that citizens must be free to question, challenge, and participate in government decisions without fear of retaliation;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Jasper County, Georgia Board of Commissioners formally opposes the continued pursuit of legal fees by the State of Georgia and the Joint Development Authority against the No2Rivian plaintiffs;

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Board respectfully urges the State and the JDA to withdraw all petitions for reimbursement of legal expenses from the plaintiffs and to refrain from using public resources to pursue punitive legal actions against private citizens engaged in lawful democratic processes;

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Jasper County Board of Commissioners affirms the right of all Georgians to seek judicial review of governmental decisions—particularly those that affect environmental health, public resources, and community planning—without fear of reprisal or financial intimidation;

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that this Board encourages civic and legal advocacy organizations across Georgia to stand in defense of the citizens’ right to petition the government.

Denied  this _7th__ day of ___July______, 2025, by the Jasper County Board of Commissioners.

Citizens, be informed and stay informed!  Only by being informed, can the citizens understand what is being done and talked about, and then press our officials to make good decisions for everyone in Jasper County. 

 TWG    
www.taxdogs.wordpress.com
www.facebook.com/taxdogs

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This, to me, notwithstanding all of the other stuff going on at the national, state & local level, might be the single, most important issue right now in the GA Piedmont. My sincere thanks to Mary for being on the front lines of fighting this good fight. 

To Hell w/ Kemp, the DCA & the JDA & the all the rest of them no account bastards! 

'Til next time, 

- MBM 

An Update on Things, including Yours Truly; Local REAL Politick; Odds & Ends

 Peteetong, Fearless Readers! 

Hope it's at least okay out there. 

And these days, okay ain't half bad. 

So, after a flurry activity, the ole site's gone a little quiet the last week or so. As longtime, regular readers can no doubt attest to, that is nothing new for TPC; however, this latest break in the action was a little different. 

I won't be going into much detail but I'll just tell you that I've been dealing w/ that thing known as life. Specifically, what many have to deal w/ once you've reached a certain age & when those most closest to you are older than you are. 

For the last week most all of my time has been dedicated to familial responsibilities & that seems to probably be the case for a good while moving forward. I will try to do my best to do some pieces here & there but am certainly not promising anything. 

Appreciate your understanding. 

Local REAL Politick 

Fleeta. 

I'm tempted to just leave it at that. 

So apparently she's been telling folks for quite some time that she never has voted for or been involved w/ any of the approvals of the plethora of multi-family developments we've seen over the "last six years." Interesting timeline as that's when she was first elected to the Covington City Council. 

However, this is obviously a falsehood as she did vote for the rezoning of the Billy Fortson property to facilitate the apartments behind the west-side Ingles/Five O'Clock shopping center (along w/ ole "Dirty" Don Floyd). Furthermore, she voted for the apartments next to the east-side Ingles across from the old Newton Package Shop (it obviously ain't NPS anymore, is it?) naturally as it benefitted one of the old money families. 

So, by all accounts, a misrepresentation. 

And even though we're TWO years away, Sista Mayor has already announced she's running again for Mayor because she has to.

I've been seeing some very interesting screenshots from some who've communicated w/ the ole gal. Some late night (alcohol-induced?) rants & screeds. 

Sad. 


Movin' & Shakin' 

As some have known for months, Tim Fleming has officially announced for the Custodian of the Great Seal of Georgia - the Georgia Secretary of State. Apparently he's got Trump's endorsement as well as the GA GOP power elites. We'll see. But most likely it's a slam dunk for him. 


State Senate 

As previously reported, Newton BOE member & righteous dude Trey Bailey has decided that his passions remain w/ the Board & he is not running for this seat. With that development, I think Bret Dunn is a lock. 


HD 114 

As previously reported, Newton BOE member & righteous dude Trey Bailey is not running so for now we have Wendell McNeal & Brett Mauldin who've officially announced. I know both of these gentlemen & I like both of them. Wendell is a big mover w/ the state GOP. Brett seems like a really good man. The wild card for this one would be a certain former constitutional officer of the home county that is seriously considering a run. 

It'd be nice that have Newton Co folks representing us in the GA General Assembly again for the first time in years. 

Was planning to get into the July 3rd celebration & a couple of other things but I've changed my mind. 

Best, 

MBM 

[TPC] - Around Town & REAL Politick, 6/30/25: Talkin' 3rd of July, Apparently Georgia Hates Its Citizens, Fleeta, Odds & Ends, etc

 

 

Hello, friends, and welcome back. 

So, apparently in order to placate Fleeta (more on her in just a bit), the City of Covington has decided to hold its 4th of July celebration on the 3rd of July. 

More on her later. 

Georgia Hates Its Citizens, as well as Free Speech, Apparently 

When the news broke a few weeks ago that the State of Georgia was actually going to do this - to try to harass, punish & silent those citizens of the GA Piedmont who rightfully tried to redress their grievances against our state government for this egregious violation of home rule - so many were so appalled. 

Surely, given the context & the optics, Chris Carr - especially since he's running for Governor - would NOT actually do this?

UPDATE: Apparently Carr the AG is not involved at all. Mainly, as I'm told, this is Kemp along w/ possibly the DCA & GA Director of Economic Development. 

We're going to be researching this further & will report more later.  

Sad. 

Madam Mayor Fleeta 

So, as maybe a few of you already know, that gal was the guest of the latest rendition of a local podcast. 

It was everything Fleeta wanted, apparently, while her hosts, by all accounts, fully facilitated it. 

She was in full-on "bad ass, bad momma, boss mayor mode." 

Allegedly.

I sure as hell didn't waste my time listening to it. 

Per the word, she basically told the entirety of the home city to suck it.

Either recall her, run against her, or just simply STFU. 

Quick sidebar. 

For the life of me, I can not figure out why some of our fellow citizens bow down to this woman. 

I mean, I can get that she's a natural politician, but I just don't get how some of the people in our orbit - decent, seemingly smart folks that I have respect for - are so enamored w/ her. 
I really don't.

It all seems to be a cult of personality.



 




Also, as I've been told by multiple sources for some time, she's allegedly still bragging about how she still has me blocked on social media (what a bad, weak look for her. Not to mention the fact that she's using her personal FB page in her official capacity of Mayor [LAWSUIT potential, anyone?]). 

To that point. 

Fleeta is a magnet for lawsuits.

As has been reported by the other local news outlets, -- allegedly Fleeta was the main reason for a lawsuit brought by a former Fire Battalion Chief against the home city a few months back. 


Allegedly a gal pal of Fleeta's got an inappropriate picture from someone. Purportedly, she then shared it w/ Fleeta.

Fleeta, being Fleeta, naturally, shared it w/ half of Covington, supposedly. 

Just a profound lack of judgement. 

And, people - as some of you know - that's simply Fleeta. She just can't seem to help herself, or get out of her own way.  

I know it.
You know it.
Everybody knows it. 

Sad. 

At least she's not browbeating city employees as much these days as I understand it.  

Also, I'm hearing that Fleeta has told folks that she's had nothing to do w/ any of the multi-family development we've seen over the last six years (interesting timing considering six years ago was when she was first elected to the council). Well, I know for sure there's one that she did vote for. Will be doing a dedicated piece on that soon. 

Odds & Ends

Well, the news recently hit that Trey Bailey bailed on running for either State House or State Senate. 

Sad, but not all surprising. I don't think his heart was fully into it. The BOE is where he wants to be. 

Regardless, he would've had a tough row to hoe taking on Bret Dunn in the Senate race, but I believe he could've. Now, barring a big name jumping in, It's looking as if Bret's going to be a lock for the upper chamber of the Georgia General Assembly. 

And, considering this news, this writer is assuming that there's a former county constitutional officer of the home county who is running for the State House seat. 

We'll keep an eye on it. 

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Until next time, 

- MBM