Mike's campaign fundraiser was very successful! A special thank you to the staff at Redz and to the McDonough Jazz Orchestra.

Here are a few photographs from the event.

 

The WE LIKE MIKE 2008 Campaign has officially begun.  Today Mike, flanked by his bride, Shirley, and children Madeleine and Reagan, made his official kick off speech to a great crowd of supporters.  Mike's speech had several tenets that tied into his vision for Henry County.  One returning theme was his commitment that as an elected official you must, "...do what you told the people you would do."  During his speech he discussed one of his reasons for running, citing his children, Madeleine and Reagan.  He wants to help shape the direction of Henry County "As a means of providing, it is critical that I continue to raise my children in the right community." 

Mike addressed the plans, Unified Land Development Code and Future Land Use Map, that the Board of Commissioners put in place and the ultimate importance these plans have on the community.  "These plans are more than a guide, they are a promise to all of us."  Referencing that Henry County has more than 250 square miles left to develop, "We need the assurance that our county's infrastructure and natural resources are available and will not be compromised."  Mike believes that we alone control Henry County's future. The elected officials will control population through zonings and land use. 

Regarding transportation, Mike addressed our current situation and further explained that he agreed with such items as the widening of Interstate 75, but until Henry County citizens no longer use the interstate as a local road, we will continue to have this problem.  Furthermore he stated, "I believe we are where we are today because of decisions that were made without vision and without the courage to uphold what our plan said we would do." 

Touching on economic development, Mike proposed an aggressive plan that diversified our business market.  "With 70% of our working population working outside of Henry, we are losing countless opportunities for our citizens." A possible element of the plan would be to implement the aspects of the Governor's New Georgia Plan.  "The future is there for the taking, we can take control of Henry County, doing what we said we would do."  Additionally Mike suggested that our aggressive plan needs to reduce our traveling workforce incrementally over the next several years by providing quality salaried jobs.

Another area Mike discussed was in the area of the arts.  "Communities thrive when we commit to ensuring that we will grow our arts programs."  Furthermore Mike said, "Citizens should not have to travel outside the county for these venues."  To Mike, the arts can also be a part of an aggressive economic plan and we need to grow and expand programs.

In his closing remarks, Mike quoted President Reagan, "Leadership is not for the fainthearted, but for the courageous."  He has the courage to lead our county, provide a vision for the future, and do what he said he would do. "With that, let's officially kick off the WE LIKE MIKE 2008 campaign."

 

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