TPC Pages

28 March 2015

HB1, FTW! ~

The Piedmont Chronicles 

~ est. 2010 ~


[State of GA]
[Newton Co.]


Our thoughts on this and the pic below (pic courtesy of the Times Free Press):
As soon as we saw this picture - we wept. Like literally, instantly started to cry. Tears of joy. The people needed a win.
Now, more work to be done next year.
And budget shortfalls moving forward? In-state growing, thy brothers & sisters, un-state growing  - private, in-state growing. Because tax revenue and all that. 


Maybe Nathan Deal isn't such an asshat after all, although, allegedly, per that o'er boy that stay down the street - he is mean to old folks, small children, and dogs, AL-LEG-ED-LY, that is!

Developing...

-CC- 


25 March 2015

Possible Murky Title in re the Landfill situation?

The Piedmont Chronicles 

~ est. 2010 ~


[State of GA]
[Newton Co.]

(Covington, GA - 25 March 2015) If a certain Citizens' Advocate (and a no-nonsense, get-it-done marvelous lady to boot) were to visit the Records Room of Newton Co. with a certain Neighborhood Activist and possibly a Citizen Journalist (who may or may not have been in the real estate game and can work the RR as good as a lot of lawyers), were to really get after it and start workin' them Deed Books and them Grantor and Grantee indexes, there's a whole lot of stuff you can find.

Copies have been made and forwarded to the Covington News. If a mistake was made, and sometimes when you try to get cute and creative - errors and emissions are bound to arise, then that can create major title issues. Many times these things take years, if not decades to get fixed. It is this Editor's understanding that the current function of said land could continue, but it only in that capacity. But that methane gas, y'all. It could be one of the saviors of our county's floundering financial situation. Why the hell would we give it up?

Hey. It could be nothing; it could be everything.

Developing...

`M

24 March 2015

Newton Co. is a Hot Mess: Legal Fees Edition

The Piedmont Chronicles 

~ est. 2010 ~

[State of Georgia]

[Newton County]

(Covington, GA * 3.24.2015)

"It costs what it costs...I'm not going to apologize."

From the Covington News:


According to the finance department, the rates of Craig and Jenny Carter went from $195 per hour in FY2013 to $220.95 per hour in FY2015, while the rates of Banks Craig, Andrea Gray and Lara Benz went from $150 per hour in FY2013 to $169.95 per hour in FY2015.
Also this:


 According to the most recent financial report, the General Fund has reached 120.7% of its legal budget, just more than halfway through the fiscal year.

And for good measure:


 “It costs what it costs,” [Craig said, in regards to budget overruns for legal expenditures].  “Sorry if we’ve exceeded the budget, but I’m not going to apologize.”
Craig’s firm billed the county more than $1.1 million for the 2014 calendar year while owing millions in federal income tax and penalties.

So the big take-aways from this:


  1. Wm. Thomas Craig, Esq. is an Asshole.
  2. Newton County deserves everything that's coming down the track. 
  3. John Douglas and Levie Maddox should start acting like Republicans. If not, they should both resign tomorrow. 
This is just the Newton Co. way, didn't you know?

...developing...

21 March 2015

Miscellany and What-Not: 21 March 2015

The Piedmont Chronicles 

~ est. 2010 ~

  • Bourbon just for men? Not hardly as this write-up can attest to. I can also speak to this as I've seen more and more women drinking really good bourbon in my line of work. I think it's great!
  • Another feather in the cap of the incomparable and mega-talented Georgian Nathalie Dupree. This lady is so cool and is such a genius in the kitchen. I once had the pleasure of cooking for her in Newborn, GA some years back. Good on her.
  • Perhaps one of the best Country singer-songwriters out there, the one and only Elizabeth Cook is back on it after taking a break. This woman...she's just the best. I think she might be the savior of Country music. Check out her most well-known song here. Amen, sister, ain't that the truth!
  • Some good art can be found at the Georgia Museum for the next month. The works of Pierre Daura.
  • One of my favorite towns in the great state of Georgia. Eatonton, GA is so beautiful and has a lot going on these days. I was so glad to play at their Briar Patch festival last Fall and we're hoping on playing down there again very soon.
Hope everyone has a great weekend. We'll see you first of the week if not sooner.

Best,
-M

The Die is Cast: One, Brave GA Legislator Stands up to King Deal

The Piedmont Chronicles 

~ est. 2010 ~

 21 March 2015

[State of GA]
[Newton Co]




- Newnan Legislator lashes out at the Governor -


Finally, a member of the Georgia Assembly has found the bravery to publicly state what many of us have known for quite some time. This is what David Stover from Newnan had to say:
“The executive drives every decision under the Gold Dome,” he said. “We worry what will happen if we vote against the governor’s bill or the lieutenant governor’s bill. The answer is quite simply punish those who disagree with these bills...as [quoting Locke] -Locke 'refuted the divine rights of kings,' I’m here today to refute the divine rights of a single authoritarian branch of government.”
Well, well...finally somebody in the Gold Dome has stood up. Our esteemed Governor is not a member of the Assembly and his egregious actions continue to violate the seperation of power clearly enumerated in the Georgia State Constitution. Let's see if anything comes from it. The only way it will is if some of our other State Legislators are willing and able to follow Stover's lead.

`M 

20 March 2015

A new, pretty cool Podcast out there - "In the Arena"

The Piedmont Chronicles 

~ est. 2010 ~

 

...

Our good friends Jason Pye and Aaron Brooks have started up a new podcast that usually comes out about once every week or two. This editor - who may or may not have been the original third member and the one who came up with the name, and who still may technically be a part of it, and who one day might actually have the chance to participate again - is a pretty big fan. 

 

The latest incarnation deals with local hijinks, shenanigans, and skylarkings  of the Newton Co. GOP establishment (also been covered by Peach Pundit, Freedom Outpost, Fox News, WSB, and the Covington News), March Madness, and a few other things. Always a good time, take a listen here. 

...

Excerpts from State of Georgia Constitutions over the years

The Piedmont Chronicles 

~ est. 2010 ~


- From the original 1777 document. Do you know the eight original counties?

Article IV. The representation shall be divided in the following manner: ten members from each county, as is hereinafter directed, except the county of Liberty, which contains three parishes, and that shall be allowed fourteen.
The ceded lands north of Ogechee shall be one county, and known by the name of Wilkes.
The Parish of Saint Paul shall be another county, and known by the name of Richmond.
The Parish of Saint George shall be another county, and known by the name of Burke.
The Parish of Saint Matthew, and the upper part of Saint Philip, above Canouchee, shall be another county, and known by the name of Effingham.
The Parish of Christ Church, and the lower part of Saint Philip, below Canouchee, shall be another county, and known by the name of Chatham.
The Parishes of Saint John, Saint Andrew, and Saint James shall be another county, and known by the name of Liberty.
The Parishes of Saint David and Saint Patrick shall be another county, and known by the name of Glynn.
The Parishes of Saint Thomas and Saint Mary shall be another county, and known by the name of Camden.
The port and town of Savannah shall be allowed four members to represent their trade.
The port and town of Sunbury shall be allowed two members to represent their trade.
Article V. The two counties of Glynn and Camden shall have one representative each, and also they, and all other counties that may hereafter be laid out by the house of assembly, shall be under the following regulations, viz: at their first institution each county shall have one member, provided the inhabitants of the aid county shall have ten electors; and if thirty, they shall have two, if forty, three; if fifty, four; if eighty, six; if a hundred and upward, ten; at which time two executive councillors shall be chosen from them, as is directed for the other counties.

- Also from the 1777 document:
 Article LXII. No clergyman of any denomination shall be allowed a seat in the legislature.


- The very beginning of the 1945 Constitution:
 PREAMBLE

To perpetuate the principles of free government, insure justice to all, preserve peace, promote the interest and happiness of the citizens, and transmit to posterity the enjoyment of liberty, we, the people of Georgia, relying upon the protection and guidance of Almighty God, do ordain and establish this Constitution.
ARTICLE I.

BILL OF RIGHTS.

SECTION I.

Paragraph I. Origin and Foundation of Government. All government, of right, originates with the people, is founded upon their will only, and is instituted solely for the good of the whole. Public officers are the trustees and servants of the people, and at all times, amenable to them.
Paragraph II. Protection the Duty of Government. Protection to person and property is the paramount duty of government, and shall be impartial and complete.
Paragraph III. Life, Liberty, and Property. No person shall be deprived of life, liberty, or property, except by due process of law.

- Interesting, and relatively unknown, parts of the 1976 edition:
SECTION XI.
MILITIA

Paragraph I. Organization of Militia. A well regulated militia being essential to the peace and security of the State, the General Assembly shall have authority to provide by law how the militia of this State shall be organized, officered, trained, armed and equipped; and of whom it shall consist.
Paragraph II. Volunteers. The General Assembly shall have power to authorize the formation of volunteer companies, and to provide for their organization into
battalions, regiments, brigades, divisions, and corps, with such restrictions as may be prescribed by law, and shall have authority to arm and equip the same.
Paragraph III. Pay of Militia and Volunteers. The officers and men of the militia and volunteer forces shall not be entitled to receive any pay, rations, or emoluments, when not in active service by authority of the State.
Paragraph IV. Discipline of the Militia. When not in Federal service the discipline of members of the Militia shall be in accordance with the applicable provisions of the Constitution and laws of the United States, Acts of the General Assembly, and directives of the Governor in his capacity as Commander-in-Chief of the Militia. Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Constitution, the General Assembly shall have the authority to provide for trial by courts-martial and non-judicial punishment of members of the Militia, for the initiation of charges and subsequent procedures thereon, rules of evidence, venue, and all other matters necessary and proper for the maintenance of a well regulated and disciplined Militia.

- and then also this in re the Judicial Branch. Also from 1976:

SECTION VII.
JUSTICES OF THE PEACE

Paragraph I. Number and Term of office. Unless it has been otherwise provided by the General Assembly, there shall be in each militia district one justice of the peace, whose official term, except when elected to fill an unexpired term, shall be for four years: Provided, however, that the General Assembly may, in its discretion, abolish justice courts and the office of justice of the peace and of notary public ex-officio justice of the peace in any city of this State having a population of over twenty thousand, and establish in lieu thereof such court or courts or system of courts as the General Assembly may, in its discretion, deem necessary, conferring upon such new court or courts or system of courts, when so established, the jurisdiction as to subject
matter now exercised by justice courts and by justices of the peace and notaries public ex-officio justices of the peace together with such additional jurisdiction, either as to amount or subject matter, as may be provided by law, whereof some other court has not exclusive jurisdiction under this Constitution; together with such provision as to rules and procedure in such courts, and as to new trials and the correction of errors in and by said courts, and with such further provision for the correction of errors by the Superior Court, or Court of Appeals, or the Supreme Court, as the General Assembly may, from time to time, in its discretion, provide or authorize. Any court so established shall not be subject to the rules of uniformity laid down in Paragraph I of Section IX of Article VI of the Constitution of Georgia: Provided, however, that the General Assembly may, in its discretion, abolish justice courts and the office of justice of the peace and notary public ex-officio justice of the peace in any county in this State having within its borders a city having a population of over twenty thousand, and as well in the County of Glynn, and establish in lieu thereof such court or courts or system of courts as the General Assembly may, in its discretion, deem necessary; or conferring upon existing courts, by extension of their jurisdiction as to subject matter now exercised by justice courts and by justices of the peace and notaries public ex-officio justices of the peace; together with such additional jurisdiction, either as to amount or to subject matter, as may be provided by law, whereof some other court has not exclusive jurisdiction under this Constitution; together also with such provisions as to rules and procedure in such courts and as to new trials and the correction of errors in and by said courts, and with such further provision for the correction of errors by the Superior Court or the Court of Appeals or the Supreme Court as the General Assembly may, from time to time, in its discretion, provide or authorize. The civil court of Fulton County shall have jurisdiction in Fulton County and outside the city limits of Atlanta either concurrently with, or supplemental to, or in lieu of justice courts, as may be now or hereafter provided by law. Any court so established shall not be subject to the rules of uniformity laid down in Paragraph I of Section IX of Article VI of the Constitution of Georgia.
Paragraph II. Jurisdiction. Justices of the peace shall have jurisdiction in all civil cases arising ex contractu and in cases of injury or damage to and conversion of personal property, when the principal sum does not exceed two hundred dollars, and shall sit monthly at fixed times and places but in all cases there may be an appeal to a jury in said court, or an appeal to the Superior Court under such regulations as may be prescribed by law.
Paragraph III. Elections and Commissions. Justices of the peace shall be elected by the legal voters in their respective districts, and shall be commissioned by the Governor. They shall be removable on conviction for malpractice in office.

SECTION VIII.
NOTARIES PUBLIC

Paragraph I. Appointment; Number; Term; Removal. Commissioned notaries public, not to exceed one for each militia district, may be appointed by the judges of the superior courts in their respective circuits, upon recommendation of the grand juries of the several counties. They shall be commissioned by the Governor for the term of four years and shall be ex-officio justices of the peace, and shall be removable on conviction for malpractice in office.

`MM

18 March 2015

Sweet Harmony playing at the Newborn Opry this Saturday Evening


The Piedmont Chronicles 

~ est. 2010 ~

 



18 March 2015
`MM 

[State of GA]
[Newton Co]

(Covington, GA; Staff Report):

- From local music group Sweet Harmony -

,,,

*This Saturday we will once again be participating in the Front Porch Series of the Newborn Opry. That's at the old Schoolhouse, and we'll be going on at 7PM. If you haven't seen it, it's pretty cool - Old-Timey style, basically just one open vocal mic and one instrument mic - and the players and performers have to work it. Move around, swap places, etc. It's really cool! Our set will be heavy, heavy on the Country for this one. Can't wait!
*Next Friday, March 27, we will be at our beloved C-town musical home base, Amici Covington. It's always just such a pleasure and joy for us to play there. We love that place and those wonderful people, not to mention the amazing food. We've got at least 4 new tunes plugged into the set list for that one, including a song I've wanted to play live for years and years - "Strawberry Wine." Oh my Goodness, so can't wait for that one.


###
-

A word from us...

The Piedmont Chronicles 

~ est. 2010 ~

 M. McCart - Editor - 678.712.8652



18 March 2015
`MM


[State of GA]
   {Newton Co.}

(Covington, GA) - We'd like to take a moment to say a few things:

  • The Chronicles have decided to start posting more regularly. Whereas this site has averaged pretty much a post a month here lately, the content will increase significantly starting tonight. As a very wise woman recently said regarding a local Covingtonian political issue - we've kept our powder dry - and we're ready to get to work. Also, content. And quite a bit... 

  • Content will include several new things and corresponding discussions of: 
    • Local & State Politcs
    • Music
    • Art
    • Food
    • Distilled Spirits, Beer & Wine
    • Miscellany [ Including but not limited to beautiful women]
    • What-Not [ Ain't no tellin']

History, human interest stuff, et al will still, naturally, be firmly in our Wheelhouse, but we're quite excited and very much looking forward to it.

Our neck of the woods of the GA Piedmont w/ Militia Districts

Talk to you soon. Thanks & Bye...

    08 March 2015

    Past Piedmont Chronicles: The History of St. Patrick's Day

    St. Patrick's Day

    By Marshall McCart
    ~from the March 2011 issue of About Covington to Madison~

    Greetings everybody! Hope all is well out there. As I write this column, we find ourselves in the third week of some wonderfully warm and spring-like weather. It’s been great. It’s hard to believe that we’re already having to put a “3” in the date section of our checks, isn’t it? And as March comes, so does St. Patrick’s Day—one of my favorite celebrations.

    The old saying is that everybody’s Irish on St. Patrick’s Day. I’m actually part Irish so I have somewhat of a vested interest in this celebration. As far as I’ve been able to gather, my great, great, great, great-grandfather, James McCart, was the one who traveled from the Mother Country to the States. It was his son and my 3rd great-grandfather, William Marion McCart Sr., who brought his clan to the Covington area in the mid 1800’s by way of Abbeville , SC and Lavonia , GA. But that is another tale for another time; one that I plan to write about in a future column.

    So, what is St. Patrick’s Day exactly? It’s the celebration of St. Patrick, a 5th century A.D. Christian missionary who spread the good word and “cast out the serpents” from Ireland. The serpent bit is not literal or factual as it is believed that post-ice age Ireland never had any snakes. The serpents are more likely a symbol of the pre-Christian paganism and heathenism that gripped Ireland prior to Patrick’s arrival. More specifically, the Druids were the primary religious force in Celtic Ireland during this time. The Druids also acted as judges, teachers, and historians. They were also, unfortunately, the ones who carried out the sacrifices.

    And this brings me to another family tie-in (sort of)—one of the last “High Kings” of pre-Christian Ireland was one Cormac Mac Airt (McCart), whom some McCarts are thought to be descended from. Cormac’s legend is somewhat questionable but it is thought to be at least partially rooted in fact. Cormac was prone to magic and received counsel from the Druids and met his demise by choking on a salmon bone after several years of rule. I’ve thought about trying to go to Ireland to retain the family’s rightful throne, but I don’t think the folks over there would be too impressed. But I digress…

    Patrick, by all accounts, was a great man and almost single-handedly turned a pagan society into a Christian one. The celebration enjoys much interest in the cities and areas of our country that traditionally have had a lot of Irish immigrants. Boston , New York , Chicago , and other cities have large parades, green rivers, and lots of other festivities. Good ole Savannah , GA is known as one the best destination locations for those wanting to celebrate St. Patrick in the South. And as a quick aside, it’s not St. Patty’s Day—it’s St. Patrick’s Day!

    But perhaps the best part of this holiday, for me personally, is that it is a perfect opportunity to fix one of my all-time favorite meals—Corned Beef, Potatoes, & Cabbage. I’ve been told by a few folks that I make the best they’ve ever had, so I thought I’d share my recipe with y'all.
    Buy yourself a corned beef brisket at the store. It will come with some seasonings. Get yourself a bag of new potatoes, 2 medium onions, and a head of cabbage. Some say you have to use carrots to make it a truly Irish dish, but I disagree. I love carrots in a pot roast, but not for this.

    I like to do mine in a Crock-Pot. Put it on high and fill it a little under halfway with water and add 6 oz. of Harp Lager and 2 shots of Irish Whiskey and throw in your brisket with the seasonings it came with. Then either quarter, third, or halve your potatoes (depending on how big they are) and throw them in. I’ll usually use 10-12 smaller ones or 6-8 larger ones. Add some of salt and pepper and let it cook for about an hour. Then cut up your onion and put that in with a touch more whiskey and beer (about a shot of the former & approx. 4 oz of the latter. Turn it to low and let it cook during the day while you’re at work. Then about an hour before you’re ready to eat, cut up your cabbage and put it in and add a touch more whiskey, beer, salt, and pepper. An hour later, and you're ready to eat. You can also do it in the oven at 350. Do the brisket and potatoes for an hour; then the onions for an hour; and then the cabbage for an hour.

    When you're ready to serve, remember to cut the meat against the grain. If you're industrious, you can Google the recipe for Irish Soda Bread to go with the meal. I just use loaf bread. In terms of drink, I like to accompany my meal with Bushmills, either neat or on the rocks, and a nice “Half & Half.”—never to be confused with its more popular cousin, the “Black & Tan”, a ½ & ½ is created by pouring a half glass of Harp Lager and topping it with an equal amount of Guinness Stout.

    Happy St. Patrick's Day everybody! And remember to wear something green or you just might get pinched by a rogue Leprechaun!