Rooster's Crow

Blog: Bold Spicy News by Team Bold Spicy on Bloggers

2011-04-11T15:19:00.000-07:00

Blog: Bold Spicy News by Team Bold Spicy on Bloggers

Join Winestyles Tasting Events This Week-Snellville | Bold Spicy News

2010-11-29T14:23:00.000-08:00

Join Winestyles Tasting Events This Week-Snellville | Bold Spicy News

Winestyles Snellville
1350 Scenic Hwy, Suite 424
Snellville, GA 30078
770-985-8356

Trish Gates

Our Bissinger Chocolate collection is finally here...Indulge yourself to some awesome chocolates. We have some amazing wine pairings for the chocolates.

A delightful treat!!!!!!! And they make awesome gifts to friends, family and business associates & acquaintances.

This Week’s Wine Tasting Events

Tuesday, November 30^th, (6:00pm - 8:00pm)

Wine Event Party

Hosted and Sponsored by “Trunk Show Artist”

Featuring Semi-Precious, Gemstone Jewelry

Come and enjoy wine (free) on the “Trunk Show Artist” and get a sneak peak on their Jewelry line. It’s going to be a fun evening

Thursday, December 2^nd, (6:30pm - 8:00pm)

Wine Tasting Theme: Great “New” Wines!!!

We will like to introduce you to some great new wines that we have just brought in for your pleasure.

Friday, December 3^rd, (6:30pm - 9:00pm)

Live Music!!! From 7pm – 9pm

You are allowed to bring your own food

Wine & Your food (BYOF)

We will help you select and pair your food with the right “other sauce” - Wine

Saturday, December 4^th, (4-6pm)

Weekend Wine Tasting

($10 for Non-Wine Club Members, $7 for Wine Club Members)

(All featured wines will be 15% off)

From all of us at Winestyles Avenue Webb Gin, we say Thank you
Our best regards,
James, Elbie, Trish, Janice & Ed

CBN TECHnologies: How to Link Facebook and Twitter With LinkedIn

2010-11-19T11:12:00.000-08:00

CBN TECHnologies: How to Link Facebook and Twitter With LinkedIn: "How to Link Facebook and Twitter With LinkedIn | eHow.com Log in to your Facebook profile. Click on the 'Account' tab on the upper right-h..."

The Communication Corner -Business Networking | Bold Spicy News

2010-11-17T05:12:00.000-08:00

The Communication Corner -Business Networking | Bold Spicy News

Master Networker Damon Ladd-Thomas as WBCX Guest

LISTEN TO FULL AUDIO RECORDING HERE

After starting my business in 1997, I knew I needed to expand my networking skills. While it’s true that making vital professional connections had been important in my previous occupation–twenty-three years as a fund raiser–starting my own company required building a new network. Soon I started studying the most widely known network gurus. I read Harvey Mackay’s classic, Dig Your Well Before You’re Thirsty. Not long afterward, I read Bob Burg’sEndless Referrals. Although I met Harvey and Bob, and established an ongoing friendship with Bob, until today I had not interviewed a networking authority in “The Communication Corner", my weekly hour-long interview program for WBCX, 89.1 FM, “The Voice of Brenau.” Fortunately, this morning I hosted Damon Ladd-Thomas, an amazing networker.

Based in Grayson, Georgia, not far from my office in Gainesville, Georgia, Damon and I had met through the Internet, and through his primary Web sites I learned about his ability to attract, engage, and create bonds with prominent achievers. Check those two sites:

DAMON LADD-THOMAS.COM

GEORGIA COMMERCE CLUB

What’s most amazing: Damon’s so-called “day job” identifies him as an Investment Advisor. While you listen to our interview, Damon will amaze you with his networking prowess. He accomplishes more with his avocation than many leaders do in their real jobs.

You will become a far more productive networker when you listen to Damon’s advice about:

*The relationship between networking and exceptional success
*How he incorporated the work/balance life style advocated by Timothy Ferriss in his book, The 4 Hour Work Week
*The power of a contact management system
*The most personal “touch base” tactics that keep us in touch with clients, colleagues, and prospects
*Creative, memorable ways to acknowledge promotions and birthdays
*What Seth Godin means about associating with “tribes”
*Why your support group should be neither too negative nor too complimentary
*Why “you-centered” networking prevails over “I-centered” flaunting of your own credentials

LISTEN TO DAMON LADD-THOMAS’ INTERVIEW
To hear my interview with Damon Ladd-Thomas, click the link below.

LISTEN TO FULL AUDIO RECORDING HERE

ADD YOUR COMMENTS

We welcome your comments and questions about networking. Just go to the end of the blog entry in the section below and click NO COMMENTS if none have been made, or if comments have been made click 1 comment, 2 comments, or whatever the comments button says. The comments section will appear.

SUBSCRIBE TO MY NEWSLETTER FOR ADDITIONAL COMMUNICATION TIPS
To sign up for my online complimentary newsletter, “Winning Words and Ways,” just enter your name and e-mail address in the slots provided on the home page:

Complete Communicator

ORIGINAL ARTICLE

BLOG WITH BILL REGULARLY
Also, be sure to access previous blog features by scrolling back through the various posts. And you can initiate a steady feed of new articles by clicking the RSS button at the top right of this page.

LISTEN TO FULL AUDIO RECORDING HERE

Producer, General Manager, and Chevy's Mom Extraordinaire Kristina Rhoades

Five Most & Least Fattening Cocktails | Bold Spicy News

2010-11-12T07:48:00.000-08:00

Five Most & Least Fattening Cocktails | Bold Spicy News

FIVE MOST & LEAST FATTENING COCKTAILS

Posted by BS NEWS on Nov 12, 2010 in Body, Cocktails, Featured, Food and Drink, Health & Fitness, Holidays, Lifestyle, Nutrition | 0 comments

POSTED BY TWORSTER ON NOV 12TH, 2010 IN FITNESS, HEALTH TIPS, NUTRITION, WEIGHT LOSS, WHAT’S NEW | 0 COMMENTS

I thought it would be a good idea to piggy-back on Ricardo’s last post, as I know the holidays are often the curse of death when it comes to diets and waist-management. Ah, the holidays … we eat, we drink, we indulge — and then we pay for it. According to theNational Institutes of Health, pounds put on during the holidays account for half of all weight gained annually. The unsuspected culprit, many times, is alcohol.

“Calories from cocktails don’t fill you up like calories from food. “And, after one or two drinks, you may be more likely to say yes to that pecan pie.”For every alcoholic drink, you should down two glasses of water to fill you up and keep you hydrated. Then, pick your potion wisely. Remember it takes about 30 minutes of high intensity interval training to burn 300 calories or about an hour of medium to hight intensity strength training. Pick wisely and decide ahead of time if you can “pay the lady” in terms of time to exercise it off the next day…..

Five Drinks to Avoid:

1. Eggnog: Six fluid ounces of eggnog without alcohol, has 257 calories and 14 grams of fat (more than a Snickers bar). Add some distilled spirits and your drink of choice is more than 300 calories.
2. Hot Toddies: A hot toddy with 2 ounces of liquor is about 200 calories, and that’s without the whipped cream. Creamy liquors like Baileys, Kahlua, Amaretto and Schnapps are particularly dangerous averaging about 100 calories an ounce.
3. Martinis: Anything that has a sweet taste and a sugar rim is probably bad news (think lemon drops, appletinis, cosmopolitans).
“Most martinis have 2 to 5 ounces of liquor, and the sugary syrups they’re made with can add up to more than 800 calories in one drink,” says Gidus.
4. Margaritas: A regular margarita has about 400 calories. Couple it with a heavy Mexican meal and you have a recipe for diet disaster.
5. Mixers: One and a half ounces of 80-proof spirits is 65 calories. Add 6 ounces of calorie-laden soda or a variety of syrups and you’re well over the calorie count for a “light” drink.

Five Smarter Sips:

1. Champagne: At 100 calories, ringing in the New Year with this traditional toasting beverage won’t wreak havoc on your waistline.
2. Wine Spritzer: With 3 ounces of wine and 3 ounces of club soda, wine spritzers top out at about 60 calories and zero grams of fat.
3. Wine: The typical glass of wine weighs in at 100 calories. Opt for red and you’ll get a healthy dose of disease-fighting chemicals called flavonols, too.
4. Beer: Light or regular, a bottle of beer is a much better option than most cocktails.
“Drink from the bottle instead of the larger servings from draft beers,” says Gidus. Regular beer has 150 calories to the bottle, while light has about 100.
5. Vodka (or Gin) & Soda: Most mixers with 1.5 ounces of 80-proof spirits and diet or club soda have less than 100 calories and no fat.

Make your plans each week for your pay back exercise sessions and have a wonderful time!!! Any more good ideas out there, let me know!

Barack Obama Blames Bad Marketing? | Bold Spicy News

2010-11-07T19:56:00.000-08:00

Barack Obama Blames Bad Marketing? | Bold Spicy News

The President just appeared on 60 Minutes to re-energize his limping party into their 'lame-duck' holiday season. Assuming this is one of the most tactful Presidents and Administration, one would think the political spin that is rumbling is about to become deafening. Only two years until possible reelection and you can bet that the President will not stop campaigning. Has he ever?

Bad Marketing Verses Bad Policy

Is it good form for President Barack Obama to promote that his recent political 'shalacking' was more about bad marketing of his message than just plain bad policy?

This seems quite odd coming from the most masterfully powerful and brilliant political marketing train ever created. This administration commandingly owns most all of the media, including this new thing called the internet, and this even newer media venue called social media. Appearances on The View, Jon Stewart, and late night talk programs as well as stumping at numerous Democratic political rallies did not seem to explain or communicate well, the path of this Administration's governing direction. Their marketing failure was not for lack of spending or appearances.

Saying it was their marketing communication limitation that caused the Democratic implosion this November is like listening to a child tell you they did not crap their own pants or perhaps it was on purpose. "Daddy, someone else must have pooped in my pants, it wasn't me." changed into "Daddy Crapping my pants is cool and is best for everybody, I just forgot to explain it well".

Mr. President, crapping your pants is bad and Americans just changed your adult diaper. The best marketing plans can fail if the end product is a a terd-bucket. Marketing is not your liability, it may just be your policy.

Is this, at least, more refreshing than blaming the previous administration?

Possible Bad Policy

The fundamental weak link in President Barack Obama's theory, spoken in his interview tonight, is that we may need some 'rich folk' taxes to make up a $7 Billion shortfall in the budget. A 'shortfall in the budget' is political spin for 'oh no! we spent too much'. When budgeting household budgets it is logical and undeniable that when there is a 'shortfall' we can do only two things;

#1. Make More, or #2. Spend Less.

#1-The President wants to make more money for the budget by increasing tax revenue without stimulating the taxable base. No incentives to grow the economy and organically creating more revenue. What is the taxpayer funded payroll for all of these economic geniuses that have decided this? (Make More...folks pay)

#2- The American Electorate has decided that it would rather spend less on Earmarks, Bailouts, and Inefficient Government Projects.

This is the more logical, Economics 101 approach and must have been the one class that was not offered to the President or his advisors, at Harvard.

Guided by fear and uncertain policy, american capitalism, as managed by business owners large and small have been following #2. (Spend Less) This has directly increased private sector unemployment.

The Government that should be frugal and creating incentives is incorrectly following #1.

Conversely, the economy and the jobless numbers will only get better if Corporate America does #1 and let this Administration continue what they seem to be good at....

Going Number 2!

Op-Ed and only posted as a stimulant to heated debate. All comments and arguments welcome.

Bold Spicy News gets all new Look! | BS News

2010-11-05T04:50:00.000-07:00

Danny Cavanaugh, artist and graphic design 'phenom' has given us a whole new look. The Mike's Ad shop team just gets better everyday!

New to the Mike's Team:

Danny Cavanaugh (Graphic Design ‘Phenom’)

Danny studied Commercial and Fine Art at duCret School of Art. His uncompromised artistic and computer graphic skills in the advertising field have earned him National accolades. From ‘web’ graphic design, packaging & display, and direct mail advertising, Danny has the ability to understand an incredibly diverse customer. His ability to transition conceptual ideas into tangible design to meet targeted goals and objectives, sets Danny and his craft apart from the competition.

Let Danny and the team know what you think...

and the Bull's Head with attitude! www.boldspicynews.com

Coming Soon...

2010-08-09T06:41:00.001-07:00

Empire Avenue (Beta)

2010-08-08T17:20:00.001-07:00

Holy Cow! another awesome new Beta project we have to share.

(This may be “Part One” and watch for a second installment about Empire Avenues due to the awesome compexity of their product.)

This is Social Media Monopoly meets WALL-STREET!

I have to admit, because of my profession, I am slightly biased about a site that blends a virtual and fictitious,

stock-trading system with a fast action social media site.

Instructions:

First you sign in and self-assign a “stock-like” symbol (and vanity URL) to your profile for social dollar trading tha called “EAVES”. The traded commodity is you, your profile, and all of the members based on influence and popularity. Your “IPO” is the standard $10 of “EAVES” to start and I am not certain how many shares are issued. Your dashboard tells you what percentage of your shares are outstanding and there is no lack of information of what transpires throughout the entire community.

Next the sites guides you in a very clear and simple step-by-step process shown on the right of your home-page at all times. There is even a video on how to use the site.

Without details, you earn cash to trade when you do various connection activities and raise your level of coolness and connect-ability. Then you buy other members’ profiles that are listed by symbol based on your perception of their influence. As transactions occur and you build your portfolio, prices fluctuate and your entire portfolio moves across the top of the site as your “Ticker-Tape” keeps your eyes on the real time movement of the value of all of your holdings.

There are social groups that are Geo-Segregated and quite a few Topically cataloged so you can venture out to find friendly potential buyers of…. YOU.

This site is for the more advanced social media user and may be frustrating for those looking for a more simple or less complicated time-waster.

Good

1. Vanity URL, which we always love. ex http://empireavenue.com/DAMON

2. FaceBook and Twitter integration and friend finders.

3. The most organized beginner’s check list and sequential profile building of any social media site we have navigated. All instructions are simple, in plain English, and available in a video format.

Bad

1. Navigation is complex and the features are not for the novice.

2. The interaction can suck you in and you would want to open this up at your desk, on a work day .

3. Some of the features are limited for newer users and users without a higher EAVES value.

4. If you are not thick skinned or your emotional maturity is limited, when someone sells you or your values decrease, you may need therapy or medication.

P.S. On a side note I am available for non-licensed therapy sessions for $65 an hour as needed.

BTW, my value is up almost 1.5% in my first day, look:

http://empireavenue.com/damon

Chloe Pink and Snellville Framing and Fine Art (Up Close and Personal in Lilburn)

2010-06-07T15:04:00.000-07:00

http://damonladd-thomas.com/

2010-05-23T04:32:00.000-07:00

http://damonladd-thomas.com/

French Open Widget

2010-05-23T04:04:00.000-07:00

http://grandslamwidget.edgesuite.net/en.html?share=true

Top Ten Reasons to Join The Florida Commerce Club

2010-05-11T20:15:00.000-07:00

10 Reasons to Join the Florida Commerce Club

Free Personal Profile - so customers and civic leaders can join, even if they are not a business owner.

Free Business/Commercial Listings - no limit to how many businesses, charities, churches, or groups you may want to promote.

Free Group Page - Great for chamber promotion and open discussion from experts in their fields

Free Community Calendar - controlled, owned, and updated by the members to promote their own events for business or other.

Free Real Time Instant Chat - Network 24 hours a day when you have time. Great for those that are too busy for events or cannot leave the office enough to meet new networking partners.

Free Blog "Feed" - Instant Blog capture that is added to your profile even when you blog with your current provider so that others can find your most recent posts.

Free GPS Google Map - So that your new clients and prospects can find you.

Free Job/Resume Board - Let's keep Florida Working!

Free "One-Click" Sharing - to all the most popular social media sites right from one place to save time signing in to multiple sites.

Free Photo Album Style Portfolios- Great for artisans, musicians, and clubs to post their art or activities.

PS-Did we mention the classifieds?

Social Media in the Investment/Banking World

2010-04-07T06:46:00.000-07:00

The investment advising/banking industry is slow to open up to the idea of social media. I liken it to the way China controls search engines. This way the SRO's and financial companies can control their registered reps. and keep them drinking the "Kool-Aid".

I have heard that it is all in an effort to protect the folks from predatory investment practices. Lord knows that Madoff and Stanford bilked billions of dollars right from their Facebook pages.

The truth is most Investment Advisors and the Broker/Dealers cannot afford the cost or the time to police the content that is being shot around the world by everyone in their employ. The easiest/cheapest way to control this it to keep it out of the work place. "This will keep the employees more productive and focused." say the expert Six Sigma Black Belts. I remember working for a large B/D that I will not mention (rhymes with "Terrell Pinch") and seeing how many computers had Solitaire and Mah-Jong on their screens while the advisors avoided human interaction as much as possible, especially during the "down market" days.

Years ago folks got to know their local professionals through church, temples and civic organizations. (Just like all of Bernie's Clients) Today we are defined by our Internet Presence and much of that is social media. I say let folks see what their local licensed professionals are like so they can make an informed connection.

Maybe if Madoff and Stanford had pictures of their yachts and private jets on their Facebook page their clients, or better yet a representative from the SEC or FINRA may have questioned who was really paying for all of those shameless toys and international mansions.

Top 10 Reasons to Join the Georgia Commerce Club.

2010-03-07T17:29:00.000-08:00

Join Our New Website (or tell us why not?)

Our website has been live since January 4th and has become extremely popular for businesses and "networkers" that use social media in Georgia.

We are averaging over 100,000 hits a day in our first two months.

Make sure these hits land on you.

www.georgiacommerceclub.org

Our team has worked hard to add many features generally not available for free on most conventional websites. Let's just list 10.

1. Free Personal Profile - so customers and civic leaders can join, even if they are not a business owner.

2. Free Business/Commercial Listings - no limit to how many businesses, charities, churches, or groups you may want to promote.

3. Free Group Page - Great for chamber promotion and open discussion from experts in their field.

4. Free Photo Album Style Portfolios- Great for artisans, musicians, and clubs to post their art or activities.

5. Free Community Calendar - controlled, owned, and updated by the members to promote their own events for business or other.

6. Free Real Time Instant Chat - Network 24 hours a day when you have time. Great for those that are too busy for events or cannot leave the office enough to meet new networking partners.

7. Free Blog "Feed" - Instant Blog capture that is added to your profile even when you blog with your current provider so that others can find your most recent posts.

8. Free GPS Google Map - So that your new clients and prospects can find you.

9. Free Job/Resume Board - Let's keep Georgia Working!

10. Free "One-Click" Sharing - to all the most popular social media sites right from one place to save time signing in to multiple sites.

All of this wrapped up into a Free Business/Personal/Civic/Association Interconnected Digital "Base Ball Card" for social media networking.

Join Today and let us bring Commerce to you.

If you have already joined you may have missed some of these extra features, and it may be time to check them out.

This is our gift to you, take advantage of it.

Damon & Taty

Founders

www.georgiacommerceclub.org

Also, if there is some reason that you have not joined we want to hear from you. This site was built entirely on what business owners in Georgia have asked us for. If what you are looking for is not on our site, just ask. If what you do not like is on our site, tell us and we will fix it.

You may post a message to us on the wall on FaceBook, in our Inbox, or through email. (We prefer public conversations because then some folks with similar questions may get the answer through open discussion.)

Damon@georgiacommerceclub.org

Taty@georgiacommerceclub.org

The Gwinnett Citizen's Founders' Article (Click to enlarge)

2010-02-03T17:52:00.001-08:00

http://www.gwinnettcitizen.com/0110/networking.html

New chamber club calls for unity of Georgia

2009-12-30T13:04:00.001-08:00

By Brian Arrington
The Loganville Tribune

Published January 1, 2010

Think of it as a Facebook for businesses statewide.

Formed in August after 10 years of planning, and located in East Gwinnett, the Georgia Commerce Club is a new group founded by businessmen for businessmen and has a goal of uniting other chambers and civic groups in a statewide network.

“The Georgia Commerce Club will ultimately support all Georgia communities, their chambers, civil organizations, Rotary, Kiwanis, PTA groups, school sports booster clubs, Georgia schools, Georgia parks and recreation and, most importantly, Georgia business owners and their specific markets,” said GCC President Jamie Dempsey.

GCC officials say all of the money raised will go back to the business community it supports, some through the GCC and the other through designated charities. The group is a non profit organization and everyone involved is an unpaid volunteer, officials said.

“This vision was born out of all of the obstacles that other groups may unknowingly create,” said co-founder Damon Ladd-Thomas. “The vision started with what we do not want to be. It is now, clearly, what we will be. Tatyana (Kravchuk) and I founded the group to be an ethical, supportive cooperative. This remains today and will be the foundation for the future. The ultimate direction of the group and the mission’s adjustments to a constantly changing economy will be determined by the membership and the brilliant, vibrant elected board of directors that will be credited with all of the future success this group will most definitely encounter.”

After bylaws and organizational requirements were fulfilled, the group turned its sights to a pool Facebook and GCC Web site users who are expected to compose most of the group’s membership. There are also attempts to bring in outside members from locations across Georgia, officials said.

“The growth rate is pretty staggering, here at the onset,” Dempsey said. “And why wouldn’t it be? As GCC continues to build tangible benefit for members, through discount programs, a credit union, education and networking opportunities, our inaugural dues are as little as $25. There is even a ‘Peachseed Program’ to help companies and individuals that may have financial hardships that make even that small amount difficult to swing. The idea here is to be inclusive and be able to help businesses all over the state, regardless of size, revenues, or type.”

Dempsey said there are plenty of communities looking to work with GCC, which officials said will send information online to create a network of information sharing.

“We are the second largest Georgia-based commerce club/chamber presence on FaceBook — even bigger than the U.S. Chamber of Commerce,” Ladd-Thomas said. “Four hundred and seventy-seven and counting. We are less than 60 Facebook members away from the biggest. On our official Web site — www.georgiacommerce club.org — we have 95 members and growing quickly.”

Candidate Questions from The Walton Tribune/ The Loganville Tribune

2009-10-19T14:31:00.000-07:00

Dear candidate:
The following questions are part of our election 2009 coverage.
We will run the responses verbatim in The Walton Tribune Oct. 28 and The Loganville Tribune Oct. 30.
Please have the responses back to us via e-mail no later than Oct. 22.
We are also looking to meet with you personally for an endorsement interview.
We can meet Oct. 19 from 9 to 12 p.m., Oct. 20 from 2-5 p.m., Oct. 21 from 9-5 p.m. or Oct. 26 from 9 to 12 p.m.
Please let us know when we can meet.
Thanks and good luck.
Brian Arrington
Managing Editor
The Walton Tribune/ The Loganville Tribune
Monroe and Loganville, Ga.
770-267-2492 (desk)
770-267-7780 (fax)
brian.arrington@waltontribune.com
brian.arrington@loganvilletribune.com
The Walton Tribune/ The Loganville Tribune
124 North Broad Street
Monroe, Ga.
30655

The Tribune Candidate Questionnaire
You must keep responses to 200 words per answer.

Name: Damon Eric Ladd-Thomas Sr.
Age: 39
Address: 720 Glenns Farm Way Grayson, GA 30017
Professional occupation: Financial Advisor
Immediate family: Fiancé: Tatyana Kravchuk; Children: Damon Junior 9, Emma Kathleen 7, Madelyn Eve 6

Position you are running for:

Mayor of the City of Grayson

Have you ever been arrested or charged with a crime?

If so, what and when? What was the court's ruling? N/A

Have you ever run for office before?

If so, when? If you lost, to whom? N/A

Have you ever held political office? NO

If so, when? N/A

Why did you want to enter political life?

I have always been politically active and very active in Gwinnett County. I have worked in politics on National and Local Levels. On a local scale changes can be made that positively impact a community in an immediate way. I would like to see more community involvement in City Politics by the Citizens of Grayson.

We plan on making our City Government, Council Members, Council Meetings and their Agenda, and the decisions that are being made about our City more accessible to all of the residents, not just a select few.

Grayson may be kept “the best kept secret” in Gwinnett, just not the “best kept secret” from its own Citizens.

What do you see as the five most important issues facing the residents who are able to vote for you?

1. Management of Growth and Retraction Issues in our subdivisions and our commercial areas.

2. Safety for our kids, families, and property.

3. Beautifying our Downtown Area before 2030.

4. Connecting City Government to the Residents and Business Owners in an inclusive and supportive way.

5. Allocating DOT monies to address the traffic and intersection limitations and safety concerns.

What do you plan to do to address these issues?

3 Steps:

1. Get Elected in our first Mayoral Race in 27 years and open the doors to the entire community with complete transparency and inclusive meritocracy.

2. Share new ideas from everybody and let all the citizens help guide the City Officials’ management of the City’s Agenda.

3. Support Local Businesses and attract entrepreneurs to stimulate a more family friendly and vibrant downtown area and help manage and budget for some of the slightly vacant and stalled, newer subdivisions.

What is something you would like to see change with the position you are running for if you get elected?

Apology for redundancy, though it is simple. The Mayor needs to be the ears for the people and the “voice of reason” for the Citizens. Personal agendas need to be removed from City Politics and Code Enforcement needs to be fair and equally enforced without forgetting the City’s primary responsibility: to be as supportive of all individuals and businesses they serve.
What are some of the good things the leaders of the political body you are running for have done?

The Codes that protect the City are very well written, though I do take issue with the lack of consistency of their enforcement. The family events in the park are wonderful and will continue and expand when I am elected.

What are some of the bad things?

1. Lack of transparency.

2. Inconsistent level of Code Enforcement for certain businesses as well as a system of completely benign obstacles for businesses that do not slow growth but burden local merchants trying to survive and contribute revenue to help beautify our entire City.

How do you plan on keeping in contact with your constituents?

My phone number (404-538-7606) and email (dladdthomas@gmail.com) have always been public and open to anyone. I am also willing to participate in any discussion in any forum anytime with a group, HOA, Local Chamber, or an individual. I am not afraid to knock on constituents’ doors and call to ask their opinions. I am certain that has not happened in the past. I know I have not been asked since I have lived here.

If you could talk to each voter, what would you let them know about yourself and your candidacy?

I am not a career politician. I get things done. I believe in family first. I have no agenda. The only agenda that matters is what my constituents want from their local City Government. Please cast your vote for an inclusive and transparent City Government by electing a new Mayor on November 3^rd.

-Damon Ladd-Thomas

The Walton Tribune

2009-10-09T06:21:00.000-07:00

Hinkle faces first challenge in 10 years

By Sharon Swanepoel
The Loganville Tribune

Published October 9, 2009

For the first time in almost a decade there will be a mayoral election in Grayson this year.

Mayor James “Jim” Hinkle, 76, is seeking a fifth consecutive term after being elected unopposed in 2001 and re-elected unopposed every two years since. Hinkle also served as mayor from 1981-1991 and as city attorney from 1979 to 1980, giving him 31 years of service to the city of Grayson.

Taking on Hinkle this year is Grayson businessman Damon Ladd Thomas, 39, who said although it is his first run at public office, he is no novice when it comes to civic matters. He is a supporter of such organizations as Kiwanis, The Georgia Commerce Club and The Foster Children’s Foundation and recently resigned his post as community relation’s director at the Greater Grayson Chamber of Commerce to take on the mayoral race.

Hinkle said there are a couple of important projects currently under way in Grayson he would like to see fully implemented while still in office.

“The first one is the Transportation Enhancement grant the city received from the (Georgia Department of Transportation),” Hinkle said. “This prestigious grant is for the purpose of enhancing the quality of life in our city by providing a pocket park at the intersection of Highway 20 and Rosebud Road. We plan to make this a passive park with sidewalks, benches and lush plantings to provide a gateway to Grayson. A period clock tower is also planned for this area to provide a focal point. The project will include pedestrian lighting around the central area of Grayson to provide a period look to the downtown area.”

Hinkle said the second project implement another GDOT grant to beautify the medians of the recently rebuilt Highway 20 through Grayson. Both projects are still in the design phase pending approval by GDOT.

Ladd-Thomas said his decision to run against Hinkle was prompted by his local community involvement and a commitment to serving all the residents equally.

“Residents and local business owners that we support have been voicing their concerns for new leadership that would be more inclusive and democratic for quite some time. It has just taken almost 30 years to find a candidate that is ready to oppose the current city leadership to make the government more inclusive,” Ladd-Thomas said, adding he believes he is that candidate. “I am not afraid of a little hard work and the crosswinds of hard-line networks. I am more connected and representative of, not only the citizens that have lived here for a while, but also those that are the newest families that represent most of the recent growth of this city in the past eight years.

“I am most guided, like most of the residents, by the perspective of a parent of three school-aged children and how a community should protect and enhance family life in a charming city like Grayson.”

Hinkle said his experience gives him the edge to being an effective mayor as evidenced by his record over the past eight years as well as his support from the city council.

Both candidates say they want to preserve the small town, family friendly community of Grayson and place a strong emphasis on controlled growth.

Hinkle, a former Marine and longtime Grayson resident, has been married to his wife, Barbara, for 31 years and is the father of five children and 10 grandchildren. He also has a degree in engineering as well as a law degree and currently serves as a magistrate judge in Gwinnett County.

Thomas, a financial advisor, is the father of three young children and is engaged to Tatyana Kravchuk. He moved to Georgia from Massachusetts in 1993 and holds a degree in economics from the George Washington University.

The mayor of Grayson is an unpaid position and it is what is known as “a weak mayor” form of city government with both the legislative and executive power held by the council.

The mayor only votes in the case of a tie, something Hinkle said he hasn’t been called on to do since his election in 2001.

The Walton Tribune

2009-09-12T16:36:00.000-07:00

The Walton Tribune

Elections to be held in Grayson, Loganville

By Sharon Swanepoel
The Loganville Tribune

Published September 04, 2009

Qualifying for the Nov. 3 city elections wrapped up in Loganville and Grayson Wednesday with elections to be held in both cities.

In Loganville, four people qualified for the three at-large seats up this year. According to City Clerk Kristi Ash, incumbent Councilmen Wendell Geiger, Jerry Price and Pedro Vega qualified as well as political newcomer Danny Curry. After qualifying unopposed, Vega took the seat vacated by former Councilman Austin Jones earlier in the year when Jones moved out of the city. Vega, who has served on the council since April, is now defending his seat along with Gieger and Price. Curry, who hasn’t previously run for public office, is currently a member of the Loganville Planning and Zoning Committee.

On the ballot this year will also be a referendum on whether residents want the council terms to be extended to four years as opposed to the current two-year terms. If approved, the new limits will be phased in with those elected in November serving two years, those elected in 2010 serving three years and in 2011, when the three posts up this year are up again, those elected will serve the full four years. If implemented, after 2011 the city will only have to face possible elections every other year instead of every year as it is now.

In Grayson, incumbent Mayor Jim Hinkle faces a challenger for the first time since he was elected in November 2000. According to City Administrator Laura Paul-Cone, the mayor, seeking a fifth term in office, will face political newcomer Damon Ladd-Thomas. Incumbent Councilmembers Allison Rooks and Marcus Hinton qualified unopposed for their seats.

Qualifying for Snellville closes at 4:30 p.m. today but as of Thursday morning incumbent Councilmembers Robert Jenkins and Barbara Bender had qualified with newcomer Tom Witts qualifying to challenge Jenkins for Post 3. Another newcomer, Mike Sabbagh, qualified for Post 5 to be vacated by Councilman Warren Auld, who announced he won’t be running for re-election. Auld will instead challenge former Snellville Mayor Brett Harrell in 2010 for District 106 in the state House of Representatives. Auld and Harrell are both Republicans. Current District 106 state Rep. Melvin Everson (R-Snellville) has announced he will be running for the state-wide post of labor secretary in 2010.

Running for Mayor of Grayson, GA

2009-09-06T09:02:00.000-07:00

Campaign to Elect Damon Ladd-Thomas as the New Mayor of Grayson, GA. If you want a Voice Of Reason and to have your Mayor's Ear as well as his consistent and constant involvement in your city, we need your vote this November 3rd!
Support Your Right to be heard when decisions are made concerning your city.

On FaceBook:

http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=126571011769&ref=ts

WebSite:

http://damonladd-thomas.com/

"Perfect"

2009-05-25T09:04:00.000-07:00

Without even the littlest of flaws "Perfect" would have nothing to push itself against. ie Perfect defines itself against what it is not, or should not be, not what it is. -Damonism #1081 and #1082. #1083 Perfect is never a static state. When static, perfect becomes instantly laced with mediocrity. Perfect must always lie just beyond our sight and mind's comprehension.

Topsy Turvy

2009-05-13T14:49:00.000-07:00

This is one of four, of our new Topsy Turvys. I am also modeling Taty's beautiful, hand-made tropical shorts and hat combo. We planted Tomatoes, Sweet Potatoes, Cucumbers, 5 different Peppers, Peas, Beans, Watermelons and Honey Dews.

Clear Vision: Talk Gwinnett

2009-05-13T13:26:00.000-07:00

For Clearer Vision, Think Like a 5 Year Old.

When did it become Cool to pay Taxes?

2009-04-20T08:24:00.000-07:00

All of a sudden it is cool to pay taxes.
If you are Anti-Taxes and Anti-Spending and perhaps Pro-Fox News= (Then you are)
Anti-Government=
Anti-Obama=
Anti-Democratic Congress=
Anti-NBC/CNN/ABC/CBS. (this is obviously flawed)

Fiscal Responsibility is not a Republican or Democratic notion. It is definitely not Anti-Obama. When did not liking paying taxes become Racist and Un-American?

I think it has been more of the Libertarians driving this. I am not sure they were ever big fans of the last 8 years of spending and they are definitely against the current spending.
It is interesting that the media thinks they need to aggressively attack folks that are simply against Government Spending as if they have a vested interest in quashing this movement like it is a Pro-Bush rally.

There are only two possibilities of why the media is "Anti-Tea Party":

1. Maybe the liberal media is getting ready to be the next in line for the bailouts and may need future tax increases to fund their failing businesses?

2. There may be a promise for President Obama to hand deliver "Excellence in Journalism" awards to all media outlets that pan these Tea Party Events.
Does this sounds humorous? Katie Couric just won an award for her "beat down" on Sarah Palin. Who voted for that?

It seems that the media is determined to continue to brainwash America and make it "Cool to Pay Taxes".

StockTwits

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Our newest creation