Fort Oglethorpe incumbents ousted; challengers make clean sweep
Tuesday November 6, 2007 8:59:43pm
By the numbers: Quick look at vote tallies at the end of this article.
Fort Oglethorpe voters spoke loud and clear Tuesday. When the new year arrives, the city will have a new mayor and two new council members.
Ronnie Cobb said he is pleased with his 920-301 victory over two-term incumbent Mayor Judd Burkhart and he thanks the voters for their support.
“The high turnout was what we were looking for,” he said.
He said he plans to work in the coming months to pull the council together to work as a team rather than as individuals.
Burkhart congratulated Cobb on his win following the announcement.
In the other races, two-term incumbent Jane Moye lost 253 to 963 to opponent Charles Sharrock while first-term council member Richard Egeland was forced to give up his seat to opponent Johnnie “Red” Smith after a 422 to 795 vote.
Sharrock said he plans to get the council working together for the same interest of doing what’s right for the city.
“I’m thankful for (winning) and focused on doing what’s right for the citizens and the city as a whole,” he said.
Moye said she wished the new council member well.
“I’d like to thank everyone for all their hard work during the campaign,” Moye said. “I’ve enjoyed serving the city for eight years and I wish the new candidates all the luck in the world.”
Egeland comments in his loss were limited to “At least I don’t have an office to clean out.” He was the only council member who didn’t maintain an office at City Hall.
Smith said, “I appreciate the support and thank the people.”
The turnout for the election was heavy, election superintendent Orma Luckey said.
“As far as we can tell its one of the bigger (elections in Fort Oglethorpe),” Luckey said. “It’s hard to compare (with the last election) because the other one was just city council and this one is mayoral plus city council.”
She added that mayoral elections always bring out more voters.
Some 1,244 or 28.8 percent of the city’s 4,310 active registered voters cast ballots. Of those, 347 were cast the week of Oct. 29-Nov.2 during advance voting. There were 90 paper absentee ballots.
Luckey said that voters did not have any trouble providing photo identification.
Staff writer Randall Franks contributed to this story.
BY THE NUMBERS
Mayor
Judd Burhhart (incumbent) -- 301
Ronnie Cobb -- 920
City council, Ward 1
Richard Egeland (incumbent) -- 422
Johnnie “Red” Smith -- 795
City council, Ward 4
Jane Moye (incumbent) -- 253
Charles Sharrock -- 963
Fort Oglethorpe voters spoke loud and clear Tuesday. When the new year arrives, the city will have a new mayor and two new council members.
Ronnie Cobb said he is pleased with his 920-301 victory over two-term incumbent Mayor Judd Burkhart and he thanks the voters for their support.
“The high turnout was what we were looking for,” he said.
He said he plans to work in the coming months to pull the council together to work as a team rather than as individuals.
Burkhart congratulated Cobb on his win following the announcement.
In the other races, two-term incumbent Jane Moye lost 253 to 963 to opponent Charles Sharrock while first-term council member Richard Egeland was forced to give up his seat to opponent Johnnie “Red” Smith after a 422 to 795 vote.
Sharrock said he plans to get the council working together for the same interest of doing what’s right for the city.
“I’m thankful for (winning) and focused on doing what’s right for the citizens and the city as a whole,” he said.
Moye said she wished the new council member well.
“I’d like to thank everyone for all their hard work during the campaign,” Moye said. “I’ve enjoyed serving the city for eight years and I wish the new candidates all the luck in the world.”
Egeland comments in his loss were limited to “At least I don’t have an office to clean out.” He was the only council member who didn’t maintain an office at City Hall.
Smith said, “I appreciate the support and thank the people.”
The turnout for the election was heavy, election superintendent Orma Luckey said.
“As far as we can tell its one of the bigger (elections in Fort Oglethorpe),” Luckey said. “It’s hard to compare (with the last election) because the other one was just city council and this one is mayoral plus city council.”
She added that mayoral elections always bring out more voters.
Some 1,244 or 28.8 percent of the city’s 4,310 active registered voters cast ballots. Of those, 347 were cast the week of Oct. 29-Nov.2 during advance voting. There were 90 paper absentee ballots.
Luckey said that voters did not have any trouble providing photo identification.
Staff writer Randall Franks contributed to this story.
BY THE NUMBERS
Mayor
Judd Burhhart (incumbent) -- 301
Ronnie Cobb -- 920
City council, Ward 1
Richard Egeland (incumbent) -- 422
Johnnie “Red” Smith -- 795
City council, Ward 4
Jane Moye (incumbent) -- 253
Charles Sharrock -- 963
Post a comment: You must be logged in order to comment.
RabbitNFOComments: 37 Joined: 10/30/2007 |
11/16/2007 12:30:20 AM
Does anyone know where Sharrock stands on these issues? I've not heard much about him, much less from him. |
CSS4Comm4Comments: 160 Joined: 10/09/2006 |
11/15/2007 10:05:07 PM
I ask again, for what reason were people unhappy with Dinley. No, I never worked with nor under Dinley. But, if people were unhappy, why not make the reasons public so everyone will stop viewing Dinley as the victim. Otherwise, everything is looking more and more like Burkhart, Moye, Goulart, Brandon, and Hamm are just little pawns of wealthy developers like Russell and squeeky trouble makers like Bales.Give evidence or give up! |
lee2854Comments: 19 Joined: 09/07/2007 |
11/12/2007 08:18:38 PM
Comm did you work for Dinley....if you did then I am surprised you feel that way b/c everyone else who worked under the man wasn't too pleased. He did not care for this city and proved it over and over. Fort Oglethorpe is just a magnet for bad city managers. I think the best one was from decades back... |
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CSS4Comm4 Comments: 160 Joined: 10/09/2006 |
11/12/2007 07:46:09 PM
I guess some of these "men of God" have gotten some of you brainwashed into thinking they are "men of God." Jim Dinley did absolutely NOTHING wrong! And those lying, deceiving low-lifes went in there with the intentions to fire the man because of a few squeeky wheels who ran their ignorant mouths, told bare-faced lies, and helped get these "men of God" elected. And, now, that same little squeeky click, led by Emperor Burkhart and Joker Goulart, is working on discrediting Chief Black and his department. You speak of "mistreatment." What exactly are you talking about? Make it public so we will all understand. What "mistreatment" was Jim Dinley guilty of? And, what "mistreatment" is Larry Black guity of? If you're talking about the Botts case, Black had nothing to do with that. And, the officer was following procedure. Be sure you read the whole story and get your facts straight.Dinley and Black were two of the most professional leaders the City of Fort Oglethorpe ever had. But, you mark my word. Chief Black will be gone by December 31 because those "Godly men," as you refer to them, are out to get him. Yeah, real Christians! |
pleaseComments: 128 Joined: 08/17/2007 |
11/09/2007 07:36:43 PM
Brandon and Hamm are preachers, grace. That's why they are called "godly". Don't know Brandon, but do know Hamm, and he is a man of God. He also knows right from wrong, and he knows some of the mistreatment citizens have endured. We will see if he is man enough to try to correct it. |
bygracethrufaithComments: 1272 Joined: 07/13/2007 |
11/09/2007 11:11:46 AM
This is the second time I've heard someone mention the "godly men of the council." Who are they, and what is making them "godly?" |
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RabbitNFO Comments: 37 Joined: 10/30/2007 |
11/09/2007 09:44:02 AM
If Brandon and Hamm are gunning for Larry Black, and Judd is wanting rid of him, and Jane is Judd's puppet, then why hasn't the council already gotten rid of Chief Black?!? The answer is that the get rid of Black rumors were started by Egeland and propogated on the Sassy Goat Milk show. The election (for me anyway) didn't have anything to do with Larry Black. I think he's doing his job and should be allowed to continue. As I have said before, with all due deference to the former chiefs, I think Larry is the most qualified. As to Comm4's comments about the 'busy bodies who hang out at all the city council meetings', I think more people should attend the meetings and really hear what goes on. And if you had ever been to a past council meeting, say one with Cobb as a councilman, you would have seen his actions towards the public. This scares me. Another reason to attend council meetings is that Judy O doesn't always show all of the meeting, as we have seen in the past few weeks. She doesn't show those things that don't agree with her polical agenda (i.e. chief Howell's remarks to the council and Egeland's tirade). She can bemoan that she is accused of slanting the issues all she wants. I think she did give every opportunity to all candidates during the election cycle. That much is true. But her comments to, and actions towards those callers who had opposing views were obviously slanted in favor of Cobb and Egeland. |
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CSS4Comm4 Comments: 160 Joined: 10/09/2006 |
11/08/2007 10:29:40 PM
Go ahead and "control the vote." You and your little click get together, make your phone calls, show your ignorance and get Larry Black fired, and watch the voters swiftly remove two more of your little "religious" hypocritical pawns who claimed to be "men of God" only to get elected. I'm still trying to figure out which god they claim to "men" of. Their "fruits" don't seem all that "Christian" to me. When they went in there with a vendetta to get rid of Jim Dinley and Larry Black, and fired Jim Dinley, the voters woke up. Larry Black goes, and you can kiss those two good bye as well in 2009. The voters are sick and tired of the majority being bullied around by a small click of busy-bodies who hang out at all the council meetings constantly trying to stir up trouble. I'm just glad to see the voters making changes now instead of waiting on funerals to make the changes for the better of the city. |
sleepingbeautyComments: 19 Joined: 10/30/2007 |
11/08/2007 08:15:09 PM
One thing each of you keep forgetting is we still control the vote!! |
bluelineComments: 2 Joined: 11/07/2007 |
11/07/2007 11:04:53 AM
Larry is the best for the job in City of FO. Before him hit was Chief Blevins that got the boot for not doing what the mayor told him to do (i.e- not write tickets to family and council). Pay attention to the next council meeting, you will see the support for Larry. We badly need a professional chief following the law, not a good old boy.and yes, Judd got the message we sent. Maybe the other two will also. We have had enough bull. A elected official should not use their job for self improvement. I would love to compare Judds income prior to mayor, to now. Went from pauper to a millionaire....wow, only in Ft oglethorpe can being mayor make you rich. I know Cobb well and I guarantee, he will not use his position to make himself rich. |
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sundevil1 Comments: 13 Joined: 08/10/2007 |
11/07/2007 08:12:41 AM
Oh. One more thing. Secure City Hall. No one moves papers, files, property or other items out of that building without police escort.No one in the offices without surveillance. Change the locks and protect all records. Sorry, but that's the way it's done. if that hurts someone's feelings,then they will have to have their feelings hurt. |
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sundevil1 Comments: 13 Joined: 08/10/2007 |
11/07/2007 06:44:17 AM
Pow ! Boff !Like a fight on the old "Batman" show,this one was entertaining and you just knew how it was going to end (with the bad guys in a heap over in the corner). It doesn't matter whether Larry Black will survive. He wasn't on the ballot yesterday. Judd Burkhart and the rest of his regime WERE on the ballot and they did not survive. If for no other reason,this will be a lesson to the next little Judd Burkhart out there that if they turn the council and administration into a circus,they are in danger of being the next unemployed (and darn near unemployable) politician shown the door. Make no mistake ; every election in which there is an incumbent is a referendum on that incumbent. After 8 years of making F-O government a punchline,voters (by 3-1) said that they had seen enough.The new mayor (and council members ) were given a mandate in this election. STOP THE STUPID,PETTY BICKERING AND RUN THE CITY. THATS WHAT WE PAY YOU FOR ! Now. As they would say in council meetings, Old Business. Using non published,material information gained as a result of official duties to enrich oneself is certainly unethical and very likely illegal.Now that he has to live by the same laws as the rest of us,it's high time that the GBI or other law enforcment mechanism is brought to bear on the former mayor and anyone else tat may have benefitted from his tactics. |
ringgoldoneComments: 615 Joined: 07/24/2006 |
11/07/2007 05:42:58 AM
There are still 2 months left and there is no guarantee that Mr. Black will survive. This election is more about the people of Fort O being fed up with politics as usual than it was a mandate to keep Black as police chief.If the council will unite around an agenda that is best for the citizens, it could be a peaceful couple of years. Time will tell. They will have to select a city manager, and maybe a police chief. |
WatchtowerComments: 20 Joined: 03/15/2007 |
11/06/2007 09:08:26 PM
Wow! The people's voices were heard loud and clear. Maybe this will get the attention of two other council members. Let Mr. Black do his job. |
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Comments: 1272
Joined: 07/13/2007
If Hamm knows right from wrong...then why didn't he know that it was WRONG to engage in this Hogue escapade rather than encouraging him to go thru the PROPER channels.....If Hogue wanted a "statement" that his complaint was "heard," then why didn't they just give him a copy of the complaint form that he filled out at the police department.....oh, probably because he wasn't encouraged to fill out one by the mayor, councilman Hamm or Gulart. He only did that AFTER his "statement" was signed by Hamm, Gulart & Burkhart. If there is a procedure to be followed, then why is this guy so "special" that he doesn't have to follow it? Isn't it WRONG to allow a person special privileges rather than having them follow procedure???
Rabbit - concerning Sharrock: In light of everything else that is going on....perhaps "NO news is GOOD news." LOL. Hopefully he will be one who tries to dis-associate himself from the turmoil and actually serve the people.