Vote Cherokee.com
The Battle Lines are Drawn
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The Battle Lines are drawn
Never in the history of the 5 man commission have we seen the polarity we are seeing in this county commission race. We have three positions open in this election, and the candidates have aligned themselves and their supporters into two groups, with very few people crossing over.
In the Chairman's race, the incumbent, J. Michael Byrd, has aligned himself with the "big business" community, including many developers. Sharon Statham, candidate for Post 1, and Derek Good, incumbent for post 4, have likewise aligned with the "big business, big money" community. incumbent post 1 Commissioner Harry Johnston, along with challengers Buzz Ahrens for Chairman and David Waldrop for post 4, have aligned with the people, including the increasingly powerful "Cherokee Citizens for Responsible Growth."
You can see this division as you drive around the county. Signs for the candidates are often seen in pairs, With The chairman candidates covering both sides of the county. The west is blanketed with BYRD and GOOD signs, often on property "For Sale, Potential Commercial." (How likely is that to happen???) The Buzz and Waldrop signs are in the neighborhoods. The East is likewise blanketed with Byrd and Sharon signs on commercial properties throughout the area, including both entrances to the super dense "Harmony on the Lakes." allowed by Holly Springs. Who do you have to be friends with to get locations like this. Then you look for Buzz and Johnston Signs. They are in front yards and pastures all over the area. The dividing lines are clear.
What is not clear is who is ahead, the "slow growth" team, or the Development Friendly" team.The rich Pro-Development team has big bucks to spend, for large mailers, front page advertising, and other "high cost-high impact" campaigning. The slow growth team has less money, but more "real people." They have the support of lots of people who will call their neighbors and their friends, and encourage them to get out and help elect the slow growth candidates. The choice is clear, clearer than ever before in Cherokee County.
Commissioner Johnston said it best in a forum on a horse farm in Macedonia. "Everyone likes to say slow growth. To really mean it, you have to be able to say NO. Some zoning request are just not within the plan, and friends or not, you have to say NO." This has not been the case with the other two incumbents.
VoteCherokee.com is maintained for the "Slower Growth" community in Cherokee County, so the picks in this election are obvious.
Vote Cherokee Supports:
For Post 1, incumbent Harry Johnston.
For Post 4, challenger David Waldrop.
For County Chairman, Buzz Ahrens.
Whatever your choice, whoever you want to support, we encourage you to vote July 18th, and let your voice be heard.
