Ray, many of your previous articles encouraged citizens to get informed and get involved in their local, state and federal governments. Now you seem to be saying citizen involvement is to no avail. I see that as a common reaction when people don't get their way. Take the trash plan as an example. You and others opposed it so it is labeled a debacle forced on people. However the reality of of trash in Gwinnett is the vast majority are satisfied with the plan and it has significantly reduced littering and illegal dumping.
It is hard to stay involved in government when you don't get your way but that is what concerned committed citizens do in the face of rejection.

Ray, you are, as the young folks would say, "spot on." I will be attending a meeting this (Tuesday, 09/20/2011) morning at the GCJ&A Center in which the Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners will direct questions to the Infrastructure Management Group which conducted the TAXPAYER funded study on Gwinnett County Airport Briscoe Field about the results of their study. The public will hear but they (public) will not be heard. Translated this means there will be NO public input. Whether I or my peers who oppose privatization with a commercial airline option get our so called way or not, we still hold the trump card. WE VOTE! Therefore, it behooves us that whether the issue goes our way or not to work toward removing Beaudreau, Howard, and Lasseter from public office via the ballot box. Don't know where Patrick is getting all of his Gwinnett County information as he no longer lives in our county. He moved to Blairsville, Union County, GA sometime ago. Keep the faith Ray and remember, it is imperative that we "blow TSPLOST out of the water" in 2012.

Ray, you are once again right on target. Politicians only want your vote and your tax dollars to play with. I, like you, have watched this same activity play out for far too many decades. I want everyone to take up my "no I" movement. When you go vote, if there is an (I) for incumbent beside the name, vote for anyone else, even if you have to write in somebody. That way we will insure term limits and won't need a constitutional amendment. I also want the "no I" to include voting against any politician that is in favor of "illegal" aliens, "I" for illegal. Perpetuate the "no I" movement and maybe we'll at least get "new" representatives and send a message that as taxpayers we will no longer stand for being "ignored", yet another "I".

Thanks for the comments. I will always advocate for speaking up no matter how many times it seems they do not hear us. The best place to be heard is at the ballot box, and I vote in every election no matter the people or issues involved. I advocate for being as informed as possible on every issue and every candidate so when the vote is cast it counts in the right direction. Not ever giving up on the ballot box! Be an informed voter and vote.

Its funny how Mr. Orr only complains. Blah blah blah, Whine whine whine. Why do you only criticize, do you have any ideas to create jobs and help the economy? If so now would be a great time to speak up!

Cole, if that indeed is your real name, I don't reply to those who don't have the guts to give their name, rank, and serial number. Translated, either put up or shut up.

Ray, you couldn't be more correct.
Why is it once someone gets elected, all of a sudden they think they are smarter than everyone else?
Why do they lose all common sense (if they ever had any to start with)?
Why do they get an arrogant attitude toward the people that put them there?
What makes them think they can do whatever they want to do?

I'm beginning to think that everyone needs to have a 1 term limit.

If I may be so bold- the biggest (but certainly not only) problem with politicians is the people who elect them. As a recently "elected" Snellville City Councilman, (elected is in quotes because I had no opposition) who has worked with other candidates, I've seen the election process from a number of different perspectives. But one commonality that permeates all perspectives is the lack of voter focus. In almost every race, there is a forthright candidate and a mudslinger. We have such a race in Snellville and you have at least one in Dacula, and the county had one in the recent BOC Chairman special election. It takes a minimal amount of research to find a candidate's true complexion, but most people don't invest any time at all. They vote for whoever has the nicest sounding name, the most attractive hair style, the most yard signs, or the sweetest sounding line of BS.
That isn't to say some candidates don't change stripes after they're elected. Some do so because they have a personal agenda, others because their just not particularly smart, and others because they honestly think they're doing the right thing. And some candidates DO think they're smarter than everyone else.
With so many differernt points of view about most issues, one thing is certain- someone will be unhappy with every decision an elected official makes. the challenge for voters is to elect candidates who are truly concerned with and capable of making the best decisions for the community they represent.

Yes, Cole, I remember you from your comments following Rob Woodall's Dacula Town Hall Meeting. I see you are still slithering around.