Political activist Joe Newton says he is not endorsing anyone in the Gwinnett County District 3 commission race.
“I don’t tell you who to vote for. All I tell you is who not to vote for,” he said.
Newton, who made headlines in 2008 during a widely publicized dispute with Gwinnett County Sheriff Butch Conway regarding the commission chairman race between Charles Bannister and Lorraine Green, has focused his attention this year on Gwinnett County District 3 incumbent Mike Beaudreau.
Newton has created a website and initiated a mass postcard mailing outlining his concerns about Beaudreau’s activities while in office.
“If there is anything [on the website] that is inaccurate or untruthful, show me the documentation that it is and I’ll take it down and apologize for it,” he said.
Newton said he began investigating Beaudreau several years ago while looking into several Gwinnett County land deals. According to Newton, he has paid thousands of dollars of his own money to gauge whether or not certain controversial land purchases were justified.
“I do this on my own and I pay for it myself,” he said. “I don’t sneak around doing it.”
That initial investigative effort led Newton to explore other ethics concerns -- issues he has outlined on his website.
“I am totally, absolutely disgusted with it,” he said. “I don’t even want to live in the county with these people.”
Though Newton is firmly convinced Mike Beaudreau should not be re-elected, he said he is not affiliated with or supporting any of the other candidates in the race.
“I don’t care who is elected as long as it is not Beaudreau,” he said. “I don’t care one iota.”
Newton also said he had nothing to do with a recent .”
While acknowledging that Beaudreau has a large support base, Newton maintains that would not be the case if people knew more about the candidate.
“His fans don’t know him. They’ve never looked into who he is,” Newton said.
Newton explained he has invested his own time and money to shed light on what he calls serious ethical concerns.
“I just lay it out there and you make up your mind,” he said.
Beaudreau declined to comment specifically on Newton's activities, saying only, “I’m not going to dignify his actions with a response.”
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If you would like to know more, please ring my cell at 404-966-5804 or email me at brettharrell@comcast.net
Joe Newton...I DO KNOW COMMISSIONER BEAUDREAU. Because of my work I am having to vote by absentee ballot. Today, I voted and the absolute FIRST oval I circled was for Commissioner Mike Beaudreau....SPECIFICALLY because I DO know him.
And Jerome, R didn't come up with the "dirt", others did. Do your research and you'll find out the truth. You don't have to dig very deep among Gwinnett County Commissioners to hit pay dirt.
IF NOT, please feel free to completely deny any purchase orders were approved. Have the equipment leases been voted on? Renewed? What more proof is required? Have there been other bids solicted during the period?
Question from Oberholtzer to Beaudreau: Don't you think you should return campaign contributions from Kennerly? http://soundcloud.com/daculapatch/001-a-029-kristi-z0000355 http://www.gwinnettcounty.com/portal/gwinnett/Departments/Elections/CampaignDisclosureReports/CampaignContributionReports/BoardofCommissioners Since the statements continue to “add on” each year until the elected official exits the office, it shows EVERYTHING collected and EVERYTHING spent. So the campaign NEVER really CLOSES per the State of GA. on hand balance 12/31/2010 for Mike B was 9K and change… Kevin Kenerly (Personal) 02/02/ 2008 2,000.00 http://www.gwinnettcounty.com/static/departments/elections/pdf/Michael%20Beaudreau%20-%20CCDR%2003.31.08.pdf http://www.gwinnettcounty.com/portal/gwinnett/Departments/Elections/ Kevin Kenerly (Personal) 09/26/2008 1,500.00 http://www.gwinnettcounty.com/static/departments/elections/pdf/Michael%20Beaudreau%20-%20CCDR%2009-30-08.pdf Kevin Kernerly Campaign 2/15/2006 1,000.00 http://www.gwinnettcounty.com/static/departments/elections/pdf/Kevin%20Kenerly%20-%20CCDR%2003-31-06%20BOC%20District%204.pdf
You see Newton has a history of spinning half truths about candidates that are opposed to his sinister cronies. Ironically he is trashing his own cronies, because their reputations are so tarnished and throwing Beaudreau in with them. The logic is something like you should not vote for Rob Woodall because he served in the same Congress as Charlie Wrangle. It is of course false logic. I am an unabashed supporter of Mike Beaudreau. Mike has worked hard for the people of Gwinnett. He has always been an honest voice for the citizens, even while those around him fell under the spell of Fat Cat developers and their big money. The Fat Cats don’t like Mike, because he says NO to willy-nilly changes to the land use plan. We need Mike Beaudreau fighting for us, thank goodness he is willing.
Thank you for laying out the connection. This tactic is hallmark J.O.
So, Mr. Newton...I'd say you have at least one apology due.
Brett, this is exactly what I believe the people of District 3 are tired of, country club Republicans that support another candidate solely because of their ‘worthiness of service’ or ‘agree, disagree, you know where he stands’ mentality. The fact is his policies of a socialized trash plan, county ownership of a golf course, Cool Ray Field tax burden, county controlled cell tower taken from a private citizen, SDS litigation etc. all fly in the face of conservative ideals. I asked you at Snellville Days how you can support Mike Beaudreau in light of your HB291 proposal that would disallow anything other property taxes on a property tax bill which flies directly in the face of Mike’s trash plan and your answer was, “Mike and I disagree on a lot of things but he’s been a long time supporter of the party and I’m supporting him.” Interpretation; you’re new to the seen, it doesn’t matter if his policies are not conservative, Mike’s a party man. And this is the crossroads to which the citizens of District 3 have arrived. Will they vote for the guy that’s ‘been there done that’ in the Republican Party and done what HE thought was right for the citizens or will they vote for a true conservative, politically unconnected newcomer? www.mikekorom.com mikekorom@bellsouth.net 404-427-6762 still-to date- no correspondence from the other candidates
Just go to the Ga Ethics Commission website and examine Beaudreau's campaign contributions. Go to Gwinnett County's website and examine the contracts the contributors have with Gwinnett County - contracts that Beaudreau voted on. To clarify - to benefit themselves or others that give money or favor. Not one of you is discussing whether this public servant Commissioner Mike Beaudreau used tax funds to go to Braves games, funerals, lunches, etc. Not one is denying how he benefits his position through contracts and jobs. Not that you need to speak for him, he could do that himself. I gave him the opportunity. Not only did he not respond, he removed my question on his Facebook. Since this time I have received several public doc excerpts verifying validity and confirming allegations. I understand they will be aired publicly. On a side note: I believe Commissioner Shirley Lassiter had blind supporters like many of you. Most politicians (including misguided ones) can do good deeds. Once they cross the threshold of taking advantage of those they represent, they need to hang up their hat and resign their position. An honorable civilian would take ownership of their actions and if need be realize it's time to call it a day.
"Roberts also said she has filed a police report in regard to a June 9 incident in which she alleges that a man approrached her residence "apparently to try to frighten me out of the race." Roberts alleges that a man named Joe Newton came onto her property this past Saturday while she was unloading groceries from her vehicle. She said Newton has recently urged her to withdraw from the race because of concerns over her residency. "I immediately called my husband to tell him to hurry home," Roberts said. "I then attempted to take a picture of Joe through my front door, and when he saw what I was attempting to do, he left our property and sped away." Roberts said she filed a police report the next day." http://brookhaven.patch.com/articles/roberts-residency-challenge-ridiculous It does matter who brings forth accusation, whether or not they are accurate, and what the person bringing the accusations forth has to gain. On all those counts Joe Newton fails the smell test. He's in this for his own gain and I guarantee you if his chosen candidate wins he'll try to get his hands on taxpayer money. He's tried it before.
We know McKinney is associated with Oberholtzer's campaign and Jerry has embraced Newton's tactics on his Facebook page. Who is McKinney's other candidate? Korom or Hunter? Since Korom was the only candidate to condemn Newton my bet is Hunter is McKinney's other guy. Be very careful folks. You can't count on Dacula Patch and Joe Newton to bring you the facts, you need to find them out for yourselves.
Confused with your last comment and the backhanded slight is noted.
I have known Mike for about nine years. I know him to be a man of integrity. He has asked me to serve on one short term panel a few years back, which I did. That’s it, no political favors. We have knocked on a bunch of doors together and received many warm receptions. Mike has held the line on the millage rate despite a sinking digest and has held the line on the land use plan. Cont.
I think what people are sick of is mudslinging. Funny thing, Newton’s mudsling has disgusted so many people, it might even help Mike B.
Mike, I believe you misunderstood and misstate my response to you here. Rather than try to "interpret" what I said, simply read what I wrote above. Brett