OUR OPINIONS: Status quo won't do
Lorraine Green has the energy and experience to be Gwinnett commission's next chair

By Mike King
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Published on: 07/31/08

Republican voters in Gwinnett County still have a chance to provide fresh leadership to the County Commission: On Aug. 5, they can nominate Lorraine Green to be the new commission chairwoman. Green is the superior candidate to incumbent Charles Bannister, who upset longtime chairman Wayne Hill in the Republican primary in 2004.

At a time when Gwinnett continues to face major challenges, Bannister's tenure has been less than inspiring. The county has become home to vicious criminal gangs. Demographic shifts are exacerbating the income differences between the north and south ends of the county. And Gwinnett has only recently started to tackle traffic gridlock fed by decades of commercial and residential growth.

Both Bannister and Green joined the commission in the same year, but Green was quicker to make her mark. When The Atlanta Journal-Constituton provided details about millions of dollars in secret land deals that the commission had approved, Green took up the cause. She forged a consensus to stop the unlawful practice of buying property in secret and telling voters about it only after the deal had been closed. Bannister, on the other hand, seemed content to maintain the status quo.

The new process has worked well for the county —- with at least one notable exception. Earlier this year, the county secretly purchased land to make available to the Atlanta Braves so the baseball club could establish a minor-league franchise in Gwinnett, and Green put aside her open-meetings stance to jump on the Braves bandwagon. She should have known better.

Green also has floated the idea that Gwinnett should switch to a homestead option sales tax as the primary method of financing county government operations —- a process already in place in DeKalb and Rockdale counties. The concept has some appeal because it is supposed to replace property taxes.

Green remains a better candidate than Bannister. She has been an energetic commissioner, full of ideas, and with her background as a homeowner activist, she remains in much better contact with her constituents than the present chairman. Gwinnett could use her leadership.

Pirkle to back Green

By Camie Young
Senior Writer

LAWRENCEVILLE - Glenn Pirkle, the third-place finisher in this week's Republican primary for county chairman, has endorsed challenger Lorraine Green in the Aug. 5 runoff.

"I'm very happy to have Mr. Pirkle's support," Green said. "We both campaigned on the issues that we need to make a change in Gwinnett County. With hard work, we can do just that."

Pirkle said he met with Green and incumbent Charles Bannister before reaching his decision Thursday. He chose Green because the county reserves have dipped from $159 million to an expected $71 million at the end of the year during Bannister's first term.

"Under his leadership, the county has done nothing but spend money. We don't need him back in," Pirkle said. "We can't stand four more years of him, can't afford it."

Bannister pointed out that the county got permission from three bond-rating agencies before deciding to switch from a reserve policy of three months of operating cash to two months worth. Green agreed to the change, he noted.

"That was not done by myself alone," Bannister said. "Both he and Lorraine are spinning the numbers. Neither of them want to put the honest information out there."

Bannister said he believed Pirkle's decision was motivated by members of his Buford/Sugar Hill community, including Wayne Hill, whom Bannister defeated in a primary runoff four years ago.

In Tuesday's primary, Bannister won 17,897 votes or 49.40 percent, just shy of the needed majority. Green brought in 14,657 or 40.46 percent with Pirkle taking 3,764 votes or 10.14 percent.

Pirkle said he would introduce Green to his supporters and would help her campaign in any way she would like.

"It's time to give someone else an opportunity. We can't do any worse," he said.

Because Pirkle often spoke out for citizens who did not feel their voices had been heard, Green said she would be happy to reach out to them.

"They are just people who want a change of status quo," she said. "We can get Gwinnett County moving in the right direction again."

The Chairman's fund raising efforts have netted close to a million dollars.

(Lawrenceville) —   The Gwinnett Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) has announced that it has chosen to endorse Republican Lorraine Green for Gwinnett County Chairman.

“Lorraine Green has proven she’s a strong advocate of public safety on all levels and we’re pleased to endorse her,” said FOP President Ray Dunlap, “We’re confident that she will push for the law enforcement resources Gwinnett needs to take on the challenges of gangs, violent crime and quality of life issues throughout the county.”

“I’m humbled that the men and women who put their lives on the line to defend us have placed their trust in me,” said Green.  “They understand what’s taking place in our county and understand that a strong stand must be taken - today.  As Chairman, working with our law enforcement personnel to make Gwinnett safer will be my top priority.”

Earlier in June, Lorraine Green also received the endorsement of Gwinnett County Sheriff, Butch Conway.  This makes her the only candidate to be endorsed by public safety representatives.

Sheriff Butch Conway Endorses Lorraine Green for Chairman

"Make no mistake about it. It's time for new leadership in Gwinnett.

We can't wait four more years."

--Sheriff Butch Conway

(Lawrenceville)—Gwinnett Sheriff Butch Conway Monday offered his endorsement of Lorraine Green and her bid to serve as the next Chairman of the Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners.

“I have had the privilege to serve along side Lorraine Green, and I offer her my full support without reservation,” Conway said.  “Lorraine has been a tremendous asset to those she represents in District 1, and I know that she will bring the same dedication to excellence as chairman.”

"Make no mistake about it," said Sheriff Conway. "It's time for new leadership in Gwinnett. We can't wait four more years."

Conway credited Green’s recently released “Leadership Plan for Gwinnett” as a key reason for his public endorsement.  Green distributed thousands of copies of her unique, multi-faceted strategy for improving Gwinnett, and thousands of online users have reviewed the document on her site.

Among Green’s many positive quality of life initiatives, Conway said he particularly favors strengthening enforcement against illegal immigration and improving anti-gang taskforce efforts.

“Because of her record of accomplishment, I know I can trust Lorraine Green when she says she has a plan to make Gwinnett even better,” Conway added.  “We definitely need new direction and decisive leadership.  I am convinced we will only realize these necessary changes by voting for Lorraine Green for Chairman.”

Green said she is honored to have Conway’s support, and she will continue her strong support to enhance and improve all aspects of Gwinnett’s public safety and law enforcement.  “I can say that we have had no stronger leader for public safety than Butch Conway, and I am pleased to know that I can count on his support,” Green said.

Lorraine Green unveils her tax plan, which will eliminate the County portion of homeowners tax bills.  Instead a 1% sales tax will be used to fund county operations.  This plan will have to be submitted to and approved by the voters.

After a one hour discussion, the Commissioners finally approve the funding necessary to begin the 287g program. 

Lorraine Green calls for the 'talk' about 287g to cease and instead actually fund the personnel required to operate the program

Lorraine's ordinance requiring only legal workers are used passes BOC

Part 2 of GDP article

Lorraine announces proposed local ordinance to deal with illegal immigration.

Lorraine introduced a local ordinance dealing with illegal immigration.  The ordinance required that all Contractors verify that only legal workers are being used on government projects.

Part 2 of article

Column by Rick Badie discussing www.cleanupgwinnett.com, a website started by Lorraine to help with neighborhood clean-up efforts.

To address issues with illegal taxi's commissioners enacted a new ordinance requiring, among other things that driver's speak English, that all cabs be clean and sound mechanically.

Lorraine and Commissioner Mike Beaudreau requested an ordinance that would ban panhandling and other activities in certain areas of the county

Lorraine issued a challenge to Gwinnett DOT officials to increase output by 25% in 2004.  Staff responded with a 46% increase!

Gwinnett leaders visited Fairfax, VA to gleen information regarding their efforts to be a world-class community.

Lorraine and Sen. Renee Untermann call for tougher of ethics laws in the wake of recent scandals.

Lorraine is awarded by the AJC for her open government efforts

Op Ed in the AJC for Open Government Award

On March 12 ,2006 Lorraine was named a Hero of Open Government by the AJC for her work to open Gwinnett County government to the public

Green calls for moratorium on land purchases until a more open process can be developed.

Lorraine calls for an end to buying land behind closed doors.

Lorraine called for an end to the decades old practice of purchasing land behind closed doors.  A new policy was developed that is now one of the most open in Georgia

Lorraine's first proposal after election was to broadcast all meetings live so that the public could see their government in action, without editting.

Lorraine's first effort to broadcast meetings live.

2nd part of AJC article

Lorraine's initial proposal to air all commission meetings live.