I was honored to receive the appointment to the Board of Elections for Newton County. I take the responsibility very seriously since it entrusts the board to provide oversight for compliance with prevailing election laws.

The election process lies at the very heart of our representative republic. One of the principles of our Founding Fathers is that our country will be governed by the people through the election of representatives.

We can only preserve our republic through a fair, well-managed and lawful electoral process.

The board serves as the superintendent of Elections for Newton County and is responsible for seeing that all voter registration and the conduct of elections comply with the laws set forth in the Georgia Election Code and the Rules and Regulations promulgated by the State Election Board.

Some things in life are more important than political, professional or personal gain: my God, my country and my family.

I pledge my honor and intellectual commitment to the citizens of Newton County to discharge the responsibilities of this office with strident duty
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In regard to my appointment, Commissioner Schulz commented: "I know that Mr. Perugino has in the past written some passionate and sometimes inflammatory comments in The Covington News and I would hope that we would encourage him to ensure fair elections for all voters and protect the rights for all voters regardless of the political persuasion."

I take great pride in including myself in the company of other passionate and inflammatory American writers, such as Thomas Paine, Benjamin Franklin and Thomas Jefferson.

I am a practicing patriot and consider it the responsibility of all Americans to understand the issues facing our government, stay informed on the performance and actions of the office holders and vote.

I will not compromise my principles.

"The only thing necessary for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing."
~ Sir Edmund Burke, 1781

I look forward to serving you.

William Perugino is active in local and regional politics and can be reached at 3peruginos@bellsouth.net.