Contact: Carrisa Baptiste
Campaign Manager, Sneed For Senate 35
campaignmgr@georgesneed.com
South Fulton Resident George Sneed Declares Intent to Run for GA Senate District 35 Seat
ATLANTA – Jan. 31, 2009: On the principles of leadership, common sense government and accessibility to the constituency, George Sneed today announced a campaign to succeed Kasim Reed in the Georgia State Senate. Reed currently represents the 35th District and is expected to resign at some point to further his campaign for mayor of Atlanta.
Sneed, 37, filed paperwork with the State Ethics Commission in late December, 2008. He will file with the Secretary of State upon Senator Reed’s resignation. Sneed has organized an online information campaign at www.georgesneed.com.
"I want to be the next State Senator of District 35 because I’m qualified to lead on the issues of healthcare, education, and economic development" Sneed said. "Our campaign is an inclusive tent and recognizes that we all want safe neighborhoods and good schools for our children."
Sneed is a registered nurse and 12-year resident of Fulton County. He currently resides in the area near Camp Creek Marketplace with his wife Carmen and daughters Chloe Summer and Maria Nicole. George is an active member of the Fulton and Douglas County Democratic Parties and was selected in 2008 as an Obama Fellow, representing the South Fulton County area. Other affiliations include Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity and the Auburn University Diversity Alumni Council.
Georgia Senate District 35 is the state’s second-largest district by land mass and spreads across Fulton and Douglas counties.
All communications are provided by friends of George Sneed for Senate 35.
Friday, January 30, 2009
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Woodward Community 1/24/09
I visited the Woodward Community Neighborhood Watch last Saturday. It was a rainy morning and I wasn't sure if they would still have the meeting. But I drove out to the community, a more established area along Old National Highway, because I was invited by their president Kimberly. The rain stopped about 5 minutes before the 12pm meeting was to start at the intersection of Old Rocky Rd. and Topaz Trail. The location and setting is significant to me because there were about 15 members of this neighborhood who came to a meeting in inclement weather to discuss issues affecting their neighborhood and they don't even have a neighborhood clubhouse.
Members of the Fulton County police attended the meeting also. Officer Eric Rosser who regularly patrols the area, and two other officers a Lieutenant and Captain respectively attended. The officers provided crime statistics and suggestions about how to reduce crime. The area where we were meeting was an intersection but it was also connected to a road (kind of a Y shape area) which was a dead end. The dead end led to a trail that several neighbors reported was the source of much of the crime in the area including assaults, drug transactions and an escape route for thieves. The trail actually crossed several neighborhoods and poured out to a shopping center along Old National Highway anchored by Walmart. I offered that the neighbors could contact the builders of the neighboring development of Woodward Hills townhomes. If the owner could fence their land, then it would block people who use the trail from passing through their neighborhood. While we were meeting, very suspicious-looking characters considered to use the trail and saw the presence of law enforcement and were deterred.
This community utilizes a very active website which now posts photographs of criminals who have committed crimes in the area. The residents who operate their neighborhood site obtain the photos from the Fulton County Sheriffs department after the arrests are made. The records are public for all adult arrests. This information is useful for residents when they can review the sight and compare the information to suspicious characters they may see walking around their neighborhood. I feel like they have the right idea and just need to reach a greater number of neighbors to regain the safe neighborhood they desire. But I think we can all take something away from the good things they are doing in the Woodward community. We all have to watch out for each other, and don't hesistate to all 911 for suspicious characters.
Members of the Fulton County police attended the meeting also. Officer Eric Rosser who regularly patrols the area, and two other officers a Lieutenant and Captain respectively attended. The officers provided crime statistics and suggestions about how to reduce crime. The area where we were meeting was an intersection but it was also connected to a road (kind of a Y shape area) which was a dead end. The dead end led to a trail that several neighbors reported was the source of much of the crime in the area including assaults, drug transactions and an escape route for thieves. The trail actually crossed several neighborhoods and poured out to a shopping center along Old National Highway anchored by Walmart. I offered that the neighbors could contact the builders of the neighboring development of Woodward Hills townhomes. If the owner could fence their land, then it would block people who use the trail from passing through their neighborhood. While we were meeting, very suspicious-looking characters considered to use the trail and saw the presence of law enforcement and were deterred.
This community utilizes a very active website which now posts photographs of criminals who have committed crimes in the area. The residents who operate their neighborhood site obtain the photos from the Fulton County Sheriffs department after the arrests are made. The records are public for all adult arrests. This information is useful for residents when they can review the sight and compare the information to suspicious characters they may see walking around their neighborhood. I feel like they have the right idea and just need to reach a greater number of neighbors to regain the safe neighborhood they desire. But I think we can all take something away from the good things they are doing in the Woodward community. We all have to watch out for each other, and don't hesistate to all 911 for suspicious characters.
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
The Inaguration of President Barack Obama 1/19-21/09
I arrived to Washington D.C. a little after 9a.m. on 1/19/09. The flight went very smoothly. It began with the Airtran pilot setting the tone in Atlanta with a good morning and welcome of, "Yes we can fly safely to Dulles" Once in DC, I got my rental car and headed about 10 minutes down I-66 to Manassas, VA, where I was staying at the Red Roof Inn. I booked my package around September, 2008, after having a personal revelation that Obama would win. I checked into the hotel and then proceeded to call and text several of my friends who told me they would be in town. My wife took a later flight and wouldn't arrive til about 9pm. So I just couldn't stay in the room, though while flipping channels, I caught a PBS special on the Emmit Till murder, Montgomery bus boycott, and Dr. Martin L. King Jr.'s rise in the Civil Rights movement. It took my attention away for about 30 minutes, then I watched some CNN, and finally decided I needed to meet some of the people who were in town.
So I jumped in the car and headed back toward D.C. and found a Metro station. It was cold and snowing but still reasonably visible outside. To my surprise there was a very, very, very long line just to get a Metro card (train admission). The long and short of it, is that I stood in line for 2.5hrs to get the card, 30 minutes in the snow, and 2 hours in just brutal cold. But it was very necessary to make the rest of the weekend go smoothly. I'm happy that I learned this lesson on 1/19, rather than 1/20. It would prove to be extremely beneficial. Many people had to stand in similar lines later that evening and also on 1/20. So, I finally boarded the train and left to connect with a friend in the Cleveland Park area of D.C. It took a little coordination, but we all finally met. We enjoyed some Mexican food and sangria and caught up with one another, shared stories so far and plans. By this time, I really hadn't done much, but after dinner, I left my friends and continued on the Metro line to the Green Belt station where I was closest to BWI airport where my wife Carmen was arriving. By now it's 8:30pm and I'm down to one bar on the phone, so I'm texting Carmen and leaving messages frantically to coordinate with her. My phone eventually died, and I had to use a pay phone, but she got my message and as an experienced traveler found the bus that took her to the station where I was waiting for yet another hour plus in the cold. (Someone should really consider heating train stations). Finally, Carmen and met, I helped her with her luggage, we caught the train and headed back to the hotel. To put things in perspective we were at the end of one line on the Metro and needed to go to the end of another line to get the car. (Imagine North Springs to the Airport x2). By the time we got to the car it was nearly 1a.m. on 1/20/09. Then of course we were hungry again, so we stopped for a food and drinks at a late night restaurant near the hotel and I began to regain my excitement about what would happen later.
We ate and went back to the hotel. We then planned out the next day, based on sleep requirements and CNN reports of crowds and left for D.C. around 6 a.m. We drove as far east as we could on I-66 and caught a train around 6:30a.m. that would ultimately pack to "fire hazard" capacity. We rode like sardines from Falls Church (VA Tech/U of VA) to Federal Center. It was unbelievable how many people were on the train and how many people wanted to get on the train at each stop. Imagine leaving a Falcons game from Vine City, but then everyone at Georgia Dome actually gets on the train with you. Finally we exit the train, and walk thru the Woodrow Wilson Center, very nice area if you ever visit D.C., then things became familiar to me again. We passed a few protests of people accusing Obama of "advocating abortion", but generally there were thousands everywhere just trying to see what they could see. It was about 8:50a.m. by this time. (Yes it took that long on the train). We took in a few more sights and then figured we had better take our place on the mall. There was no security check. We had heard so many rumors of "only being allowed 1 bottle of water, bag checks, etc." None of that was the case and I'm happy because it would've just complicated matters even more. We just walked through gates and took our place on the grass. We were about the 3rd jumbotron back from the Capital. We could easily see the capital but it was about 9:02a.m. and still freezing outside. The other direction of course was the Washington Monument in the distance and there was at this time plenty of space to fall in line. This is the hurry up and wait moment. The program wouldn't begin until maybe 1130a.m. with the arrrivals of official guests. So we sat on the blanket, bundled up and talked to the people around us. Some were playing cards, eating snacks, standing, sitting, listening to ipods, filming, photographing or just doing whatever to pass the time. By this point text messages and phone calls were not transmitting. You could feel the excitement in the air, everyone was jubilant, waving American flags. I explain it as somewhere between Christmas Eve and Mardi Gras. Finally the dignitaries began to arrive, and the temperature began to warm a little, and the sun came out.
I will say, there were mostly cheers but definitely a few jeers. I think the only people who were booed were V.P. Cheney in his wheel chair after suffering the injury from moving boxes (go figure?) and of course President Bush. I don't like Bush, but by this time there was no need to disrespect the office of the President. Presidents Carter and Clinton got a lot of love from the crowd. And any citing of Michele and Barack caused an uproar of cheers with the waving of American flags. It was a special sight to see. So finally it's about 12:03pm. and I'm telling the guy next to me that technically he's already President according to the constitution, (the high noon) part. At any rate once he said the oath and became President everyone lost it, people were hugging, kissing, crying, cheering and jumping up and down and screaming. It was such a big release of emotion that for me had been built up since I first saw him live at Georgia Tech, April, 2007. It was then that I decided he was my candidate and I needed to dig in and help get him elected. As an Obama fellow I organized house meetings, voter registration drives, door to door canvassing and phone banks. At that moment all of the hot days and long nights flashed before my eyes. The debate parties and primary results viewings, and DNC convention, and election night all came to past. I got emotional. I witnessed history. I was part of making history. It felt good. We listened to his inaugural address and I really appreciated his words. The poem wasn't all that to me, but I enjoyed Rev. Lowery's benediction. So then we got the big idea to defy CNN's challenge and tried to make our way to the parade which was scheduled for 2:30p.m. It was by now 12:40p.m. We left the area, and had a good jump on the crowd, and immediately met chaos when the street toward the Woodrow Wilson area was now fenced off. It was probably 20 people deep just on the sidewalk. Once we got out of that jam we faced it about 2 more times and then found an underpass to escape. We basically walked in about a three city block square only to find yet another blocked exit. Now I'm feeling caged like I did in NY during "Y2K" in 1999. So I asked one of D.C.'s finest and he was cluest, but did offer that since the Smithsonian station was closed (bad idea on D.C. planners), we should try L'efannt which was another 6 blocks away. But we were by now like okay, whatever it takes, because we just wanted to leave the area thinking we needed time to rest up for the Southern States Ball which we would attend at 8p.m. So we get to the station and it was madness. We were about 20 feet of people from the entrance and people were moving in all directions. There were National Guardsmen on the scene for crowd control. They were encouraging people to remain orderly and not push. It was now kind of funny to me, but the line was moving. Apparently, they had several trains in a row and it was working but it took some time. So that took another 30 minutes in the cold before we reached the escalator and we were on the train. Once you get to the train, everything is fine.
We made it back to Falls Church station in about 20 minutes. It seemed so much faster going back and we got to our car and grabbed a bite to eat. We watched the parade on CNN and a local NBC station just for comparison. I think they all had the same feed from the back of a Toyota pickup truck but the commentators were stationed in different places and gave a little different detail. We took a much needed nap and that would turn out to be a good call for later. When we woke from our nap, ironically the parade was still on and we began to get ready for our first formal inauguration Ball. The Southern States Ball was held at the D.C.
Armory and I got tickets through the Georgia Democratic Party. So please join, donate, and support them. We were meeting friends and decided to head out for the train about 7p.m. There is a Stadium/Armory station on the train line so that really worked well for us. When we arrived there were National Guardsmen at the exit of the station checking tickets before you even got into the general area. Once passed that it all seemed like wonderland. There were really nice, I mean nice portable restrooms. The kind with faux wood, that smell nice and were clean. So after coat check, we immediately took the official photo with the Presidents seal in the backgroud. I can't wait to see it online. It's a must buy. We then entered the arena which was very well decorated, warm, with plenty of cash bars. I must say the snacks were a little lacking, basically hors d'oeuvres, fruit and deserts but plenty of it. It wasn't what I expected but again that excitement was still in the air. The first famous person I met was Avery Johnson, former coach/player of the San Antonio Spurs. I saw him with his wife and camera and took a photo for them, and then we posed for another. He's a really nice person. I ran into a few Georgians who I knew personally. Then there was Evander Holyfield and Bishop Eddie Long. I also met my fraternity Kappa Alpha Psi's Grand Polemarch DeWayne Murray. It was just that kind of night bumping into who's who. There was very little dancing but Susan Tedeschi was the entertainment. She's kind of a blues/country mix. Not too bad, but like a Sheryl Crow-lite to me.
So my wife and I mingled with friends and ate and drank until the rumor mill reached a climax about what time Obama would arrive. First a bartender told me 2:20am., then a friend said 1:00a.m., another 1:30a.m. We were all hearing different times. Finally one guy told me that he saw several secret service members and it was now about 12:15a.m., so I stayed close to the stage and sure enough a few minutes later the program began. First V.P. Biden and his wife Jill came out. He spoke to the crowd for a few minutes and they left. Then a color guard appeared about 10 minutes later. Next a miliatary brass band about 3 minutes later. Finally what we had all been waiting for President Obama and Michele Obama entered the room. It was so cool. He looked great and so did she. We were Ball #9/10, so the stories of them arriving in the late hours were incorrect. He gave a quick 3 minute speech, really good words and then they danced. Cameras were flashing and recording. It was so beautiful. And then just like that they were gone and despite there being another band ready to play most people left. We then headed for the train and made our way back to the car. By now it's about 1:30a.m. and it was freezing outside. I didn't have a hat and it was so windy. But we didn't care because we again had connected with our President on a personal level and he left me feeling really special and excited about the work we have to do as Americans to get the country back on track. So we made it back to the hotel, a little after 2:00a.m and got ready for bed. I had a 7:00a.m. flight but Carmen, my wife, had an 8:30a.m. flight. At any rate I had to drop her by the station around 5a.m. which is when the first train began running and then return back toward Dulles to drop off the car and take a shuttle back to the airport. It all really went smoothly. I was checked into the airport and eating breakfast by 6a.m. My flight took off and landed on time and I arrived back in Atlanta around 8:30a.m. I was exhausted and could feel a slight cold coming on. But I was so excited looking at the the Washington Post and Times covers. I would later buy USA Today and the AJC as souvenirs. While getting my luggage I saw a local news crew at the airport, I think Channel 2. I kind of avoided them because I was still at the point of not putting into words my experience. Only now can I do so. I will never forget it.
So I jumped in the car and headed back toward D.C. and found a Metro station. It was cold and snowing but still reasonably visible outside. To my surprise there was a very, very, very long line just to get a Metro card (train admission). The long and short of it, is that I stood in line for 2.5hrs to get the card, 30 minutes in the snow, and 2 hours in just brutal cold. But it was very necessary to make the rest of the weekend go smoothly. I'm happy that I learned this lesson on 1/19, rather than 1/20. It would prove to be extremely beneficial. Many people had to stand in similar lines later that evening and also on 1/20. So, I finally boarded the train and left to connect with a friend in the Cleveland Park area of D.C. It took a little coordination, but we all finally met. We enjoyed some Mexican food and sangria and caught up with one another, shared stories so far and plans. By this time, I really hadn't done much, but after dinner, I left my friends and continued on the Metro line to the Green Belt station where I was closest to BWI airport where my wife Carmen was arriving. By now it's 8:30pm and I'm down to one bar on the phone, so I'm texting Carmen and leaving messages frantically to coordinate with her. My phone eventually died, and I had to use a pay phone, but she got my message and as an experienced traveler found the bus that took her to the station where I was waiting for yet another hour plus in the cold. (Someone should really consider heating train stations). Finally, Carmen and met, I helped her with her luggage, we caught the train and headed back to the hotel. To put things in perspective we were at the end of one line on the Metro and needed to go to the end of another line to get the car. (Imagine North Springs to the Airport x2). By the time we got to the car it was nearly 1a.m. on 1/20/09. Then of course we were hungry again, so we stopped for a food and drinks at a late night restaurant near the hotel and I began to regain my excitement about what would happen later.
We ate and went back to the hotel. We then planned out the next day, based on sleep requirements and CNN reports of crowds and left for D.C. around 6 a.m. We drove as far east as we could on I-66 and caught a train around 6:30a.m. that would ultimately pack to "fire hazard" capacity. We rode like sardines from Falls Church (VA Tech/U of VA) to Federal Center. It was unbelievable how many people were on the train and how many people wanted to get on the train at each stop. Imagine leaving a Falcons game from Vine City, but then everyone at Georgia Dome actually gets on the train with you. Finally we exit the train, and walk thru the Woodrow Wilson Center, very nice area if you ever visit D.C., then things became familiar to me again. We passed a few protests of people accusing Obama of "advocating abortion", but generally there were thousands everywhere just trying to see what they could see. It was about 8:50a.m. by this time. (Yes it took that long on the train). We took in a few more sights and then figured we had better take our place on the mall. There was no security check. We had heard so many rumors of "only being allowed 1 bottle of water, bag checks, etc." None of that was the case and I'm happy because it would've just complicated matters even more. We just walked through gates and took our place on the grass. We were about the 3rd jumbotron back from the Capital. We could easily see the capital but it was about 9:02a.m. and still freezing outside. The other direction of course was the Washington Monument in the distance and there was at this time plenty of space to fall in line. This is the hurry up and wait moment. The program wouldn't begin until maybe 1130a.m. with the arrrivals of official guests. So we sat on the blanket, bundled up and talked to the people around us. Some were playing cards, eating snacks, standing, sitting, listening to ipods, filming, photographing or just doing whatever to pass the time. By this point text messages and phone calls were not transmitting. You could feel the excitement in the air, everyone was jubilant, waving American flags. I explain it as somewhere between Christmas Eve and Mardi Gras. Finally the dignitaries began to arrive, and the temperature began to warm a little, and the sun came out.
I will say, there were mostly cheers but definitely a few jeers. I think the only people who were booed were V.P. Cheney in his wheel chair after suffering the injury from moving boxes (go figure?) and of course President Bush. I don't like Bush, but by this time there was no need to disrespect the office of the President. Presidents Carter and Clinton got a lot of love from the crowd. And any citing of Michele and Barack caused an uproar of cheers with the waving of American flags. It was a special sight to see. So finally it's about 12:03pm. and I'm telling the guy next to me that technically he's already President according to the constitution, (the high noon) part. At any rate once he said the oath and became President everyone lost it, people were hugging, kissing, crying, cheering and jumping up and down and screaming. It was such a big release of emotion that for me had been built up since I first saw him live at Georgia Tech, April, 2007. It was then that I decided he was my candidate and I needed to dig in and help get him elected. As an Obama fellow I organized house meetings, voter registration drives, door to door canvassing and phone banks. At that moment all of the hot days and long nights flashed before my eyes. The debate parties and primary results viewings, and DNC convention, and election night all came to past. I got emotional. I witnessed history. I was part of making history. It felt good. We listened to his inaugural address and I really appreciated his words. The poem wasn't all that to me, but I enjoyed Rev. Lowery's benediction. So then we got the big idea to defy CNN's challenge and tried to make our way to the parade which was scheduled for 2:30p.m. It was by now 12:40p.m. We left the area, and had a good jump on the crowd, and immediately met chaos when the street toward the Woodrow Wilson area was now fenced off. It was probably 20 people deep just on the sidewalk. Once we got out of that jam we faced it about 2 more times and then found an underpass to escape. We basically walked in about a three city block square only to find yet another blocked exit. Now I'm feeling caged like I did in NY during "Y2K" in 1999. So I asked one of D.C.'s finest and he was cluest, but did offer that since the Smithsonian station was closed (bad idea on D.C. planners), we should try L'efannt which was another 6 blocks away. But we were by now like okay, whatever it takes, because we just wanted to leave the area thinking we needed time to rest up for the Southern States Ball which we would attend at 8p.m. So we get to the station and it was madness. We were about 20 feet of people from the entrance and people were moving in all directions. There were National Guardsmen on the scene for crowd control. They were encouraging people to remain orderly and not push. It was now kind of funny to me, but the line was moving. Apparently, they had several trains in a row and it was working but it took some time. So that took another 30 minutes in the cold before we reached the escalator and we were on the train. Once you get to the train, everything is fine.
We made it back to Falls Church station in about 20 minutes. It seemed so much faster going back and we got to our car and grabbed a bite to eat. We watched the parade on CNN and a local NBC station just for comparison. I think they all had the same feed from the back of a Toyota pickup truck but the commentators were stationed in different places and gave a little different detail. We took a much needed nap and that would turn out to be a good call for later. When we woke from our nap, ironically the parade was still on and we began to get ready for our first formal inauguration Ball. The Southern States Ball was held at the D.C.
Armory and I got tickets through the Georgia Democratic Party. So please join, donate, and support them. We were meeting friends and decided to head out for the train about 7p.m. There is a Stadium/Armory station on the train line so that really worked well for us. When we arrived there were National Guardsmen at the exit of the station checking tickets before you even got into the general area. Once passed that it all seemed like wonderland. There were really nice, I mean nice portable restrooms. The kind with faux wood, that smell nice and were clean. So after coat check, we immediately took the official photo with the Presidents seal in the backgroud. I can't wait to see it online. It's a must buy. We then entered the arena which was very well decorated, warm, with plenty of cash bars. I must say the snacks were a little lacking, basically hors d'oeuvres, fruit and deserts but plenty of it. It wasn't what I expected but again that excitement was still in the air. The first famous person I met was Avery Johnson, former coach/player of the San Antonio Spurs. I saw him with his wife and camera and took a photo for them, and then we posed for another. He's a really nice person. I ran into a few Georgians who I knew personally. Then there was Evander Holyfield and Bishop Eddie Long. I also met my fraternity Kappa Alpha Psi's Grand Polemarch DeWayne Murray. It was just that kind of night bumping into who's who. There was very little dancing but Susan Tedeschi was the entertainment. She's kind of a blues/country mix. Not too bad, but like a Sheryl Crow-lite to me.
So my wife and I mingled with friends and ate and drank until the rumor mill reached a climax about what time Obama would arrive. First a bartender told me 2:20am., then a friend said 1:00a.m., another 1:30a.m. We were all hearing different times. Finally one guy told me that he saw several secret service members and it was now about 12:15a.m., so I stayed close to the stage and sure enough a few minutes later the program began. First V.P. Biden and his wife Jill came out. He spoke to the crowd for a few minutes and they left. Then a color guard appeared about 10 minutes later. Next a miliatary brass band about 3 minutes later. Finally what we had all been waiting for President Obama and Michele Obama entered the room. It was so cool. He looked great and so did she. We were Ball #9/10, so the stories of them arriving in the late hours were incorrect. He gave a quick 3 minute speech, really good words and then they danced. Cameras were flashing and recording. It was so beautiful. And then just like that they were gone and despite there being another band ready to play most people left. We then headed for the train and made our way back to the car. By now it's about 1:30a.m. and it was freezing outside. I didn't have a hat and it was so windy. But we didn't care because we again had connected with our President on a personal level and he left me feeling really special and excited about the work we have to do as Americans to get the country back on track. So we made it back to the hotel, a little after 2:00a.m and got ready for bed. I had a 7:00a.m. flight but Carmen, my wife, had an 8:30a.m. flight. At any rate I had to drop her by the station around 5a.m. which is when the first train began running and then return back toward Dulles to drop off the car and take a shuttle back to the airport. It all really went smoothly. I was checked into the airport and eating breakfast by 6a.m. My flight took off and landed on time and I arrived back in Atlanta around 8:30a.m. I was exhausted and could feel a slight cold coming on. But I was so excited looking at the the Washington Post and Times covers. I would later buy USA Today and the AJC as souvenirs. While getting my luggage I saw a local news crew at the airport, I think Channel 2. I kind of avoided them because I was still at the point of not putting into words my experience. Only now can I do so. I will never forget it.
Monday, January 12, 2009
Women in the Halls Legislative Kickoff 1/8/09
I attended the Women in the Halls Legislative Kickoff party hosted by Planned Parenthood. There were several other co-sponsors including: ACLU of GA, Atlanta 9 to 5, Atlanta WAND, G-CAPP, League of Women Voters of GA, and the Sierra Club. This was a great event almost celebrating the influence of women in the GA legislature while spotlighting the advancements in public policy. Though the event was attended predominantly by women, there was a definite male presence from the public and legislators. Senators Nan Orock and Robert Brown received awards for their work on the Georgia Medical Privacy Act which was a constitutional amendment in 2008. Senator Orock also discussed the failure of the transit funding bill by 3 votes on the last evening of the last legislative session. She hopes the bill will pass this year.
Transit funding is an issue I'm passionate about and believe will improve our environment and create jobs. Moreover transit funding may align Georgia with President Obama's plans to renew America's infrastructure. Nikema Williams of Planned Parenthood offered all who attended an opportunity to become a citizen lobbyist. Every Wednesday at 9:00am at the Coverdell Legislative Office Building, room 306, Planned Parenthood and citizens of Georgia will lobby the legislature. There will be lobby training hosted by the ACLU's "By the People" program. Citizens will be briefed on pertinent legislation and how to lobby your elected officials. Then you'll be armed with talking points, facts sheets, and everything you need to articulate your views to members of the General Assembly.
Julie Edelson, the legislative consultant for PPGA discussed how the current budget shortfall may affect the populations they serve. Governor Perdue required that all state programs be cut by 6% and family planning funding was disproportionately slashed by 34%. She called the cut shortsighted, and said it will certainly result in increased rates of unintended pregnancies, teen pregnancies, abortions, high risk pregnancies and poor birth outcomes in our state. As a registered nurse in the Emergency Department at Crawford Long Hospital, I see these populations every time I work. The funding is needed for this at-risk population of women. I support more funding and will fight to preserve it if elected.
Transit funding is an issue I'm passionate about and believe will improve our environment and create jobs. Moreover transit funding may align Georgia with President Obama's plans to renew America's infrastructure. Nikema Williams of Planned Parenthood offered all who attended an opportunity to become a citizen lobbyist. Every Wednesday at 9:00am at the Coverdell Legislative Office Building, room 306, Planned Parenthood and citizens of Georgia will lobby the legislature. There will be lobby training hosted by the ACLU's "By the People" program. Citizens will be briefed on pertinent legislation and how to lobby your elected officials. Then you'll be armed with talking points, facts sheets, and everything you need to articulate your views to members of the General Assembly.
Julie Edelson, the legislative consultant for PPGA discussed how the current budget shortfall may affect the populations they serve. Governor Perdue required that all state programs be cut by 6% and family planning funding was disproportionately slashed by 34%. She called the cut shortsighted, and said it will certainly result in increased rates of unintended pregnancies, teen pregnancies, abortions, high risk pregnancies and poor birth outcomes in our state. As a registered nurse in the Emergency Department at Crawford Long Hospital, I see these populations every time I work. The funding is needed for this at-risk population of women. I support more funding and will fight to preserve it if elected.
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
Hallie Hills North 1/6/09
I visited with residents from the Hallie Hills North community at the neighborhood recreation center off Creel Rd. in College Park. The community is made up of mostly senior aged residents, however, over the past few years there has been an influx of renters, specifically Section 8 according to the secretary of the neighborhood association. The meeting was attended by 16 residents and apparently was a significant increase over previous meetings. Residents had multiple concerns but the central theme seemed to be crime in their community and the response time of local law enforcement. I listened to many of their concerns and suggestions and finally offered my own.
When the subject of how to increase turnout to meetings came up I suggested using email in addition or instead of the flyers they have used to announce meetings. Furthermore I suggested placing a contact name and email on the flyer so that those unable to attend the meetings could respond. I also suggested the officers obtain the original covenants which one member stated may be 30 years old from the county and plan to update them. The present community members could add new language and vote to make it binding and hold owners accountable whether they physically live in their properties or choose to rent them. Finally, I suggested that neighbors have to watch out for each other. I believe that is the most effective policing available when we show concern for our neighbors and are willing to call the police if we observe unusual behavior. I was invited to come back next month and am excited to do so when city and county representatives will be present.
When the subject of how to increase turnout to meetings came up I suggested using email in addition or instead of the flyers they have used to announce meetings. Furthermore I suggested placing a contact name and email on the flyer so that those unable to attend the meetings could respond. I also suggested the officers obtain the original covenants which one member stated may be 30 years old from the county and plan to update them. The present community members could add new language and vote to make it binding and hold owners accountable whether they physically live in their properties or choose to rent them. Finally, I suggested that neighbors have to watch out for each other. I believe that is the most effective policing available when we show concern for our neighbors and are willing to call the police if we observe unusual behavior. I was invited to come back next month and am excited to do so when city and county representatives will be present.
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
Georgia Politics Unfiltered: A Primer For The 35th State Senate District
Below is a link to a blog which mentioned the forthcoming State Senate District 35 race. It failed to mention my candidacy. I responded to announce our campaign. We indeed have more work to do.
Georgia Politics Unfiltered: A Primer For The 35th State Senate District
Georgia Politics Unfiltered: A Primer For The 35th State Senate District
Sunday, January 4, 2009
New Year Prosperity 1/3/09
Last night I attended a House Party/Meeting of sorts. It reminded me of working as an Obama Fellow during the presidential campaign. The gathering was called a "Prosperity Party" hosted by the Campbell family in College Park. It was themed as a prosperity party in an effort to give friends, family, and other guests an opportunity to express their hopes and wishes for a prosperous 2009. It began as a typical New Year's party with snacks, playoff football, and networking. Later the host opened the floor for people to express their feelings about how they would contribute to making 2009, a great year and what they hoped it would become.
As a candidate for State Senate District 35, I took this incredible opportunity to discuss my platform with would be voters as many were residents of College Park, and south Fulton county. I discussed affordable healthcare for Georgians, how the state can help to prevent home foreclosures, and my ideas about the development of an improved transist system for Georgia. I introduced myself to those who were new, but many were co-workers and some I had met briefly on other occasions. I spoke briefly and gained a few volunteers too. But overall I enjoyed the atmosphere and spirit of the occasion. I look forward to attending more intimate gatherings as we move forward in our campaign.
As a candidate for State Senate District 35, I took this incredible opportunity to discuss my platform with would be voters as many were residents of College Park, and south Fulton county. I discussed affordable healthcare for Georgians, how the state can help to prevent home foreclosures, and my ideas about the development of an improved transist system for Georgia. I introduced myself to those who were new, but many were co-workers and some I had met briefly on other occasions. I spoke briefly and gained a few volunteers too. But overall I enjoyed the atmosphere and spirit of the occasion. I look forward to attending more intimate gatherings as we move forward in our campaign.
Friday, January 2, 2009
Welcome to the 35th District
I would like to introduce you to the first posting of the 35th District. I am George Sneed, a native of Mobile, AL, and 13 year resident of South Fulton county. This blog will serve to bring you my opinions and beliefs about issues occuring and affecting State Senate District 35. The 35th Senate District covers: parts of Atlanta, East Point, College Park, Union City, Fairburn, Palmetto, and parts of Doulglas county. I look forward to you tuning in to view posts and encourage your comments. It's a new year with a new president in an ever changing world. As a long time community organizer, I am now offering myself for public service as your next State Senator. I offer Leadership, Common Sense Government, and Accessibility.
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