Super District Showdown - Does Anyone Even Know About This Race?

Super District 8 was originally expected to be eliminated by the state law that created confusion among voters and caused many people to vote in the affirmative for SPLOST IV. 

 

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This Super District race is probably the most unexpected match-up in the July 31 school board election as most people we have been in contact with are totally unaware that it is even up for grabs.  There was significant press coverage of the SPLOST IV referendum in Nov. 2011 and the Friends of DeKalb (led by District 2 opponent Marshall Orson) spoke to much of the media about the reduction of board members being linked to a yes vote, which was incorrect. 

So, there is only one incumbant and one opponent for this area of coverage, which is roughly half the county, but still only controls one vote on any issue.  We have voice our concerns to the campaign committee for Dr. Speaks that the ballot does not include her title, where it does include titles for other candidates.  We do not believe any candidate should be set up with a disadvantage in terms of credibility while others are given the advantage of titles, surnames, nicknames, etc. which has been proven to affect voter behavior.

Although Dr. Speaks did vote yes for the cell towers on July 11, we believe she also was misled by information provided by Mr. H. Paul Womack (Incumbant, District 4) and Steve Donahue, the Director of Facilities at the time.  We have heard, but not officiall confirmed, that Mr. Donahue has since been demoted to a teaching position. 

Dr. Speaks overall has a responsible voting record and seems to have the best interest of the children in mind, however we have mentioned on this blog that we would like to see her ask more questions and to push harder for accurate information before casting her vote on important issues.  She was at least willing to contact us by phone to address our concerns in the early days of our learning about this issue, which is more than our own board member, Mr. Womack or the Chairman Mr. Bowen did. 

And, in all fairness, during the July 11, 2011, vote on cell towers, Dr. Speaks did ask about the public's rights to bring their concerns to the board or the county if they had not been properly informed, which most of the board has now admitted was the case regarding cell tower notices.  She voted yes only after hearing Dr. Eugene Walker and Mr. Jay Cunningham speak about their knowledge of people who wanted the towers in their area and after believing that the only schools/communities against having a tower were removed by the ammendment made by Mr. Don McChestney and previously voted on and approved.

We do not know aything about her opponent, Michelle Jenkins-Clark, and are trying to learn more.  As we have information available, we will post it here.  Right now, we are not awarding either candidate our "Get the Cell Out - Atlanta, Seal of Approval." 

If you have any information to share about these or any other candidates, please let us know in the comments section!  Thank you! 

And, please remember to tell everyone you know to vote NO on the ballot questions regarding telecommunications towers on school grounds.  For more details, "like" us on Facebook or email us at sayno2celltowers@yahoo.com.