randy green is as worthless as a screen door on a submarine. he is just one of the few joe JERKins has on his team to continue to run the city austell in the ground. nothing will change as long as the select few are still in office. just your typical good ole boy syndrome ! this city can and will change for the better with the right group in office. VOTE FOR SUZANNE THOMASON AND LANCE LAMBERTON.

Chaz,
what points can you bring to the table that proves randy green is "running the city in the ground"? also explain to me how the "good ole boy syndrome" works!

I would love to know exactly what Randy Green has done in his 12 years on the council. I haven't seen any changes in Austell in a very long time. It's the most "unattractive" city in Cobb County. Have you seen Powder Springs, Smyrna, Kennesaw and Acworth lately? Promising to make changes now that someone else is hot on his trail seems a little late to me.

To "Austell Tax Payer" you didn't tell us anything Randy has done. Please give me some examples. To say "Randy Green has done alot for the citizens of Austell" doesn't fly without examples/evidence. 12 years is a long time so I know you can tell me several things he has done.

Does Randy have a facebook page or social media page to help people see his accomplishments??

I will absolutely not vote for Randy Green and I will tell you why. It is to my understanding that Randy Green is going around town advertising that he would like to clean up the downtown area. According to the minutes from a recent special called meeting, Mr. Green made it clear that nobody looks at the buildings downtown, because they are focused on driving and dealing with traffic. Funny thing is apparently his views have drasticallly changed since he has a huge sign downtown at this time. It is funny how quick Mr. Green's view changed now that somebody is actually running against him. Your 12 years in office has produced nothing for this city, from what I have seen. Mr. Green you may be able to fool some people, but you will NOT fool us all.

Wow, J D! Thanks for sharing such informative information! I grew up in the city of Austell and have seen very few improvements in the city over the years, so for you "AustellTaxPayer" to say that Mr. Green has "done a lot for the citizens of Austell" is NOT saying much! A few weeks ago some friends from North Fulton visited my home in the city of Austell, and to my dismay they compared the city of Austell to Southwest Atlanta. To say the least, I was very embarrassed. For someone to say "you can move" as quoted by "AustellTaxPayer" is ridiculous! We shouldn't have to move just because we want more from our city! Austell could be just as great as its surrounding cities. It seems to me that those who refuse to show their "real" name such as "AustellTaxPayer" and "For the People" do not have much vision for the city of Austell. Could they possibly be some of the city of Austell's outstanding council members or possibly even the mayor??? It sure would be interesting to know. As much as I hate to say it, the city of Austell could probably benefit from a tax increase! Maybe the tax increase would help clean up our city and provide the city with more police protection. Very few people know that the city of Austell only has 2 patroling officers on each shift as quoted by Chief Starrett at the September Festivities in the park when police and fire were honored. Kind of scary when you think about how large the city is! I do want more from our city and WILL NOT vote for Randy Green.

I ask two questions and no direct answers.I guess no one knows.

"Run the city in the ground?" A screen door on a submarine? What's going on here? Just remember "what goes around comes around." The next election is just 2 years down the road like Christmas it'll be here before you know it.

It's amazing how quick the claws come out when people share their opinions... but attacking folks because they don't think a candidate has done much for the city is no reason to go for the juggler.. but listing specific issues with the city of Austell would be helpful. As for my personal experience - I think the "good ol boy syndrome' applies to Austell and Mableton and well the Cobb County for that matter. But if your definition and my definition of "good ol boy syndrome' are the same - I would have to say it is a factor in any small locale where a candidate has had the same position for any significant amount of time. I am not a fan of the way Austell PD operates -and have friends directly affected by the questionable practices of the Austell PD - And I am talking about people being accused, arrested and issues over and over again. Even after the case was resolved and found not guilty, the citys continual clerical "errors" or unwillingness to correct inaccurate information have created a nightmare situation for them after the fact. I know that has nothing to with the candidate - but just thought I would vent!

What difference does a name mean J. D., Nicole, Austell Taxpayer #2 how do know who anyone is that sits at a keyboard. Would you like for me to come up with another handle?

Well...at least you could be original! LOL!!! And...a name is always nice unless that is what you are called by your friends!

They could call me that because that is exactly what I am an Austell Taypaper. Like my original name?

Ok Nicole, Just this year: Before council came to an agreement with Global Sports Authority leaser of Legion Field. Randy negotiated with them to form a FREE rec ball team for the kids of Austell. He also supported Council to change the zoning of the National Envelope Building (when they closed) to allow a recycling company to move in. Utilizing an empty building and bringing jobs to the city.

Hello everyone! If you have questions for Austell candidates, please post them here and we may ask them in our upcoming virtual forum! http://patch.com/A-mPC8

@ Austell Taxpayer: Again as mentioned I do not understand the reference to my mom as she has no affiliation with anyone in this town and never has. I am simply a supporter of the said candiates and stating my case. I have first hand knowlege of the mentioned statements and if you can read "LMAO" (it is completely understandable) and find something better to pick at such as "there or thier" and get off your "fat and sassy" now that I know who this is, you may very well could of made difference yourself!

Nicole, I know exactly where this trailer is I've been by there several times. Randy did by himself negotiated with GSA for a FREE rec team for our kids. I stated Randy supported Council to change the zoning. That is consider a whole. As far as me trying to change your mind as to whom you will vote for, no way that's your right.

NAME: Ann
In 1995 I CHOSE to move into Austell because it had/has a small-town atmosphere. And coming from the North East I understand small-towns. This means: People keep their noses out of other people's businesses, until and only when it impinges upon their noses. The town center is small, physical boundaries make it so, but it is not unpleasant to walk. Yes, it lacks amenities of larger places; yes, it has a number of antique-second chance stores; yes, it lacks a real grocery store. But, the things lacking can be easily reached within 5 miles to either side ( on VMH ). It is an old community ( 126 years ), and was undoubtedly settled by railroaders after the First People discovered the mineral springs nearby. The current owners of the old Frog Rock spring-bottling place are planning to rejuvenate the spring, (bottling and selling the waters) and would like to restore Austell to something like the spa-type destination it once was (back at the beginning of the 19th Century). Yes, some will say the spring is probably in Douglass County, but accommodations for visitors would be in Austell, if the project goes forward. We, as citizens, could contribute to the positive side if we cease tearing each other down by bickering and do our parts to help. Oh; what do you mean, precisely, by " clean up the city?"

Man, I will take Randy Green any day over the challenger.

I found out a long time ago that if something ain't broke, don't fix it.

If Austell is not "good enough" for the challengers, let them move to Buckhead of some other place like that. Maybe they should move to a gated development.

You know, what's so weird is that I've been by the challengers' homes. They're not such big deals.

I may be an told timer, having lived here in the City for may a year, and have never met Randy Green but have know of him and his dad, Ralph. They are great folks and both he and his dad have done great serve to Austell. Thanks to the city, I have pre-voted, for Mr. Green and Mrs. Ragan. I applaud all they have done for the city. And ready to see them to do more.

Enough about the downtown area. Has anyone drove through the areas in the city limits that were destroyed by the floods two years ago? Take a ride in your cars one day and tell me that something doesn't need to be changed in Austell. The heck with moving to Buckhead, these people would just like to have a home without vacant, dirty, smelley half houses sitting all around them. What is the Austell City Council going to do about this??? Bruce, maybe you would like to move into one of those homes since you don't like Buckhead.

Hey, Nick, I thought homes that had been flooded have just been bulldozed. The city had to work through the federal govt., which takes a while. Now it has been done. Other houses have been or are being repaired.

Hey, Nick, maybe you would like to volunteer some of your time or contribute your money to help out, like Mayor Jerkins has done all around Austell. There are other Austell City officials who have helped out too, and not by trying to fine citizens & VOTERS because they don't like the way their properties look because there are some leaves in the yard.

Search "Lance Lamberton" on Patch and read about his wife's numerous police reports about candidate Lamberton.

By the way, Nick, the kind of flooding we had is what the federal govt. is for: to help locals during a time of disaster.

How can we pay for it locally? Call your Senator and Congressman.

Bruce - Thanks for your reply but I was actually asking Mr. Green what he and the other council members plan to do to help these people. Unless you are a council member that can handle these things for Mr. Green (?) There has to be something that can be done on the local level to get the process started to help these people. It not only affects the value of the houses in that area, but also, the value of all the homes in the city. Can't something be done to make the mortgage companies demolish the houses that are sitting vacant? BTW - I am asking Mr. Green and would love to hear his personal response.

Nick as a taxpayer what do you suggest the council do? We need to realize that these home were built in an obvious flood zones. The mortgage companies should have required flood insurance to protect themselves. To bad for them, why should we bail them out?

Apparently, the city has done everything it can do. Do you expect the federal gov't to do anything fast? They are still dealing with flooding in New Orleans.

One thing the council can do is prohibit any further building in the flood areas. They rolled the dice on the 100 year flood and lost.

Buyer Beware! and fully insure your property.

I have no sympathy for someone who buys a home in the flood zone or the beach

James Bell is right. How much govt. do we want or need? That is a good question.

Should mortgage lenders, developers, builders and home buyers have to take some responsibility about where they build and the inherent dangers of a location, or should taxpayers bailout everyone who has a problem?

What about people who build a house by the sea and their house is flooded by a hurricane? Should we, as taxpayers, be expected to rebuild their seaside home? Or should the home owner and mortgage company have to accept responsibility (financial loss) for their own actions?

If you build in a flood plain, should my money be taken from me by force of govt. to rebuild your home?

Good thoughts, James.

Thanks Mr. Duane Demeritt, Floodplain Administrator for City of Austell, for your comment 2 above this one on Friday, Nov. 4, 10:49 p.m.

Nick and Kiri and anyone else, if you have some questions about what the city govt. is doing for flood victims, this is the man to speak with at duane@austell.org

Let's also not forget that 2 council members who support the 2 new candidates for Austell city council have been on that council for 2 years...since the flood.

Kiri, I hope you will interview Duane and take up his offer to answer questions about the flood.