Following are remarks by Dave Richard regarding the "Jack Conway full-page ad" in Sunday's Forsyth County News:

Congratulations, Jack! You've made the first installment of Campaign Corner!

Not for what you've actually done, but what you're trying to take credit for doing. Or rather, what your "supporters" (meaning those who have or expect to directly benefit from your policies) claim you have done. The issue with this ad is that a politician should never take credit for policies that simply pass under their time of service; they should take credit for things that they personally took the lead on. Using that measuring stick, this recent ad looks more like a work of fiction than fact.

Increased transportation funding? Sorry, would have happened with any combination of Republican county and Republican legislature. This is more about being in the right place at the right time.

Aggressive sewer and water line extensions? Sorry, but this one is directly attributed to Charlie Laughinghouse and A.J. Pritchett, who really led the fight to end private sewer plants in this county. If it weren't for Jack's policies, we'd actually have less private plants and more public sewer already in the county. Look for him to push to clean up another private plant he mistakenly allowed in the next couple of weeks.

National Library Recognition? What specific policy of Jack's was created to get this one? Sorry, but this was accomplished by the BOC in general, not due to any specific policy in place by anyone.

State Greenspace Awards? Jack Conway has never attended nor endorsed Charlie Laughinghouse's Greenspace Initiative meetings, he voted against the recent Tree Canopy study, and been responsible for deforesting much of Forsyth County over the past 3 years with his policies.

Big Box Ordinance approved? This was Charlie Laughinghouse's baby from start to finish, right up to the point where it had to be weakened. Then Jack voted 3-2 to neuter this ordinance.

Master Land Use Plan implemented? Yeah, it was done under Jack's watch, but it was also mandated by the state. Not exactly what you'd call forward thinking, right? And who has been the King of Land Use Map violations since it was created? None other than Jack Conway. So creating one only to ignore it later is not something I'd be hanging my hat on in 2006.

Maintained the Lowest Tax Rate in Metro Counties? Is this the same Jack Conway who voted 3-2 to raise the millage rate in 2003? The same Jack Conway who, with two other commissioners, has been responsible for spending about $1.2 million extra tax dollars in 2005? Yeah, that's a real fiscal conservative for you!

Improved Government Relations? I'll give him credit for this one, since he virtually destroyed the city/county relationship in 2004 with his lack of communication skills! Heck, if you can drag something down to it's lowest level in years, you have no place else to go but "improved."

Ten items his supporters claimed he is responsible for, when possibly only one can actually be attributed to his direct involvement. A first pathetic attempt for the new campaign season. What is really sad is that some of the people who signed onto this ad are good people; but only a few. Well over a dozen of them are simply opportunists and glad-handers who are looking to hang onto some shred of power and influence in order to rig the government in their favor. Most of them want to profit at your expense by having government do their dirty work.

I expect to see even more fiction from others as their campaigns progress.

Source: Dave Richard’s Web Site, "The Campaign Corner" - 1/22/06

EDITOR'S NOTE: Jim Harrell, General Manager of Cumminghome.com has announced his candidacy to challenge Jack Conway in his upcoming reelection bid. As of the date of his announcement, Jim has no authority or input into editorial content of this site. As always, we strive to be fair and balanced, and we welcome the opportunity to publish opposing viewpoints.

Click HERE to see response to this article from Jerry Bowman