Category Archives: Radio Commentaries

October 12, 2018 Radio Commentary

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Do-Over Election December 4

Radio Commentary, 90.7, 91.7 New Life FM, October 12, 2018 – By Sue Ella Deadwyler

On September 18th, Banks County Superior Court Judge Sweat invalidated the May 22ndPrimary Election in House District 28, that includes three counties – Stephens, Banks, and Habersham. He ruled that a do-over election is necessary to correct inadvertent errors made by election officials in that district. Meaning, voters who participate in the December 4thelection will decide who represents House District 28 during the 2019-2020 term.

Background: The incumbent, Representative Dan Gasaway, ran for re-election in District 28, but lost the Primary in May by 67 votes. Soon after the election, Mrs. Gasaway learned that a co-worker who lives in House District 28would have voted for Representative Gasaway, but his name was not on her ballot.

When the situation was investigated, Representative Gasaway learned that incorrect ballots had been cast by residents living along the border between House Districts 28 and 10. He learned that 72 people in Habersham County had voted on wrong ballots, as did two people in Stephens County, but Banks County had no contested votes. Continue reading →

October 5, 2018 Radio Commentary

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October 9th, Last Day to Register

Radio Commentary, 90.7, 91.7 New Life FM, October 5, 2018 – By Sue Ella Deadwyler

This is “crunch-time” if you have not registered to vote.  The November General Election is only a month away and, to be eligible to vote for governor and other officials on November 6th, you must be registered by Tuesday, October 9th.  Early voting and absentee in-person voting begins October 15th and ends October 31st.  The last day an absentee ballot can be mailed to you is November 2nd.  For those who cannot vote during week-days, polls will be open Saturday, October 27th.

I cannot overstate the importance of your vote in November.  The passage or defeat of critical issues depends on what happens that day.  In-state cultivation of marijuana will be adopted or rejected by legislators who are elected on November 6th.  The new governor could be faced with having to veto or sign marijuana bills that could destroy the soul of the state.

Georgia State Law: Possessing one ounce or less of marijuana is a misdemeanor punishable by one year in prison and a fine up to $1,000; possessing between one ounce and ten pounds is a felony subject to 1-10 years prison; penalties increase for larger amounts.  However, four local governments drastically reduced penalties for marijuana possession in their jurisdictions. Continue reading →

September 28, 2018 Radio Commentary

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White House Dinner for Christian Conservatives

Radio Commentary, 90.7, 91.7 New Life FM, September 28, 2018 – By Sue Ella Deadwyler

If you have referred to President Trump as “King Cyrus,” this may encourage you.  On August 27th he hosted a White House dinner for Christian conservative activists and declared “the attacks on communities of faith are over” under his watch and vowed to help “uplift our nation in prayer, defend the sanctity of life, and forever proudly remain one nation under God.”

Dinner guests included Vice President and Mrs. Pence, the First Lady, Pastor Paula White, Alveda King, Franklin Graham, Jerry Falwell, Darrell Scott, Robert Jeffress, Ralph Reed, Tony Perkins, Lester Warner, Dr. and Mrs. James Dobson, who were celebrating their 58th wedding anniversary, two Cabinet Secretaries and an Ambassador.

After extending prayers and condolences to the Jacksonville shooting victims and Senator McCain’s family, President Trump’s report of his administration’s accomplishments was often interrupted with applause. Continue reading →

September 21, 2018 Radio Commentary

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Troubling News about Smart Meters

Radio Commentary, 90.7, 91.7 New Life FM, September 21, 2018 – By Sue Ella Deadwyler

Beginning in 2007, Georgia Power and other electric companies began replacing analog meters with smart meters that record and remotely transmit power use in real time. As a result, power companies (a) don’t need meter-readers anymore; (b) they can increase prices by time-of-use; and (c) turn off high-use appliances at any time.

By 2011 Georgia Power had installed 1.7 million smart meters and continued until all analog meters were replaced.  Since Georgia Power allowed no opt-outs, complaints led to legislative action in 2012, when the Senate passed S.B. 459, but the House didn’t.

On December 17, 2013 the Public Service Commission approved a Smart Meter Opt-Out charge in Georgia Power’s 2013 rate case.  Since then, Georgia Power has allowed opt-outs, but charges consumers $19 a month to have their analog meter read.

Now the court’s involved.  Last month on August 16th the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that smart meter data collection constitutes a search under the U.S. Constitution Fourth Amendment and the Illinois Constitution.  The court, also, decided the search is reasonable, although smart meters indicate when people are home, when the home is vacant, as well as the occupants’ sleeping and eating routines.  Also, smart meters monitor and record the power usage of specific appliances, which may be targetted for peak-use cut-off. Continue reading →