“Let each citizen remember at the moment he is offering his vote that he is not making a present or a compliment to please an individual — or at least that he ought not so to do; but that he is executing one of the most solemn trusts in human society for which he is accountable to God and his country.”

—Samuel Adams, in the Boston Gazette,
April 16, 1781

If you have not voted yet, this Tuesday will be one of the most important elections of our time.

Here in Newton County we can vote for a representative to serve us in the Georgia state house.

Both candidates, Dave Belton and Patsy Harris, live outside Newton County and both have promised to represent one of Georgia’s largest counties well.

If they serve us half as well, it will be better than how we have been served over the last 10 years.

The two major state races involve the run for governor and for senator.

Our current Governor was responsible for helping insure that the Baxter International plant located here in Newton County. He also had strong family connections to the county, as he was a first cousin to the Mallard family former owners of the News. He has told us that he spent every summer of his life until he was 18 living in Covington with his cousins.
The ads that imply he destroyed the Hope Scholarship are pure political lies; he, in fact, made moves to insure the scholarship will be around for at least the next 10 years.

Georgia is not in the bad shape that is being painted by the Democrats.

We recommend you vote for Nathan Deal for Governor.

For senate: To tell you the truth, we are not crazy about Republican David Perdue or Democrat Michelle Nunn.

We do know that we have to have a U.S. Senator who is going to be able to vote with a majority that will curtail the president’s mighty pen over the next two years. Vote your gut on this one.

There are also numerous other state positions up for grabs. We urge you to do your homework and understand what policies each candidate will pursue over the next four years.

We, as a county, a state and a nation have a lot on the line in this 2014 midterm election. Our values are being questioned, the Constitution is being attacked and our nation is in jeopardy with potential health issues and terrorists threats.

We ask you to take a few minutes of your time Tuesday to vote, and don’t vote by your heart or by what party you are member of, vote with a clear mind, because your vote may very well determine what our nation may become over the next two years.