Dear Mr. Mayor:

Thank you for taking the time to call me on Wednesday to clarify the Charter per my previous emails. Legal language can be confusing for a lay person like me.  After our conversation and further research, I was guided to the GA law you are referring to under O.C.G.A. § 21-2.  This is the statute that deals with the timing of special elections.  After hearing your clarification and reading this statute, I understand your explanations.     

Additionally, I am also satisfied with your explanation about the definition of a majority (GA law 50 + 1 votes and your further explanation about plurality).  

I believe it is helpful to send out a survey to the community soliciting the voter’s opinion on special elections; however, the biased information that has been published prior to the survey arguing why we should not have a special election may have influenced many voters who are not completely informed. 

I feel strongly that a special election should be held for the following reasons:

1.      By postponing the election, your experience will continue to far outweigh the experience of the current city council combined with 2 empty seats causing an imbalance without having a full council seated. 

2.      Having a special election sooner than later will expedite the learning process for the new members and bring them close to the same level as existing members allowing more comprehensive decision making.  

3.      Since we only have had a full council for about 6 months out of the last 3 years, we should get the seats filled as soon as possible so that the city is operating as designed per the Charter.

4.      Lastly, the city is currently sitting on over $30 million dollars making the investment in a special election less than 1% of available cash on hand. Full council representation is well worth this investment to make sure that there is a balance in decision making.

I want to thank you for your patience and your thorough consideration of whether to hold a Special Elections.  As a servant of the people, our opinions are not necessarily the voter’s view, so we should never influence one way or the other, but share non-biased information and let their voices be heard.  

Thank you for your patience in this matter and your service to our community. 

Respectfully, 

Thomas Radford