HANLEY SET TO ENDORSE WOOD TOMORROW

In a major press conference set for tomorrow at 2 p.m. in the Roswell City Hall Rotunda, Shawn Hanley, Fulton County GOP Chairman plans to personally endorse Roswell Mayor Jere Wood for re-election in the Dec. 1^st runoff with former Roswell councilman David Tolleson, sources say.

Although the race is non-partisan, several Republican officials close to the situation have told us that Hanley believes Wood is the true Republican in the race, and liberal Democrats, notably former councilwoman Paula Winiski and campaign manager Randy Whatley dominate Tolleson's campaign brain trust.

Hanley told The Beacon today that Wood has worked hard to promote Roswell's interests in the county and the state. "Although I cannot officially represent the FCGOP in this endorsement, I personally believe that Wood is the true fiscal conservative left in the race, and I intend to work for his re-election myself," Hanley said. "In hard economic times like these, we need a businessman who can make the tough decisions to run a city the size of Roswell."

Roswell Councilwoman Lori Henry, who finished third in the race, endorsed Wood last week. Henry previously has said she broke with Winiski, a former political ally, in 2008 over her support for President Obama. Henry was a McCain supporter and billed herself as the "authentic conservative" in the mayoral race.

Whatley is a political strategist who works primarily for Democrat candidates.

Roswell Councilman Kent Igleheart endorsed Wood last night as well.

IGLEHEART'S ENDORSEMENT

"I am voting for Jere Wood in the runoff on December 1st," Igleheart said in a press conference held last night held at city hall. 

"Wood is the only independent, proactive leader in this runoff.  He’s also the only one in this runoff to stay on a positive message for Roswell and is the only one who will have the time necessary to truly work hard for all of Roswell," Igleheart, a long-time political foe of Wood, added. 

"He respects the political process and regardless of the issues, even when he and I disagree, he has always stayed within the boundaries of the political game." 

Igleheart said that much has been made about their disagreements but, confirmed that he and Wood have seen eye to eye on most major issues facing the city, including "billboards, transportation , environmental policies, and my sustainability programs."

"The Mayor and I were the only ones against a Crossvile Road rezoning that would have brought higher density into [The Brookfield Country Club] neighborhood area. On the major issues that are important, I’d say we agree more than we disagree. Regarding the biggest disagreement we’ve had, Charlie Brown, Jere has shown he can listen to the voters and change his position.  I can respect that," Igleheart asserted. 

Igleheart blasted Tolleson's claim that the city council is divided and dysfunctional. 

"To those who have made a big deal about supposed divisions among on council, I say: grow up." Igleheart offered that there is value in considering different sides of issues. 

"[Tolleson] seems to be pushing for a group that gets together and sings Kumbaya and everyone just goes along to get along.  That’s just not good for the creation of public policy where there are differences of opinion that need to be listened to and hashed out and where people need to take a stand on an issue, make compromises, make difficult decisions and really work together for the best interests of all of Roswell," Igleheart claimed.

"Mayor Wood calls me and others to talk about whatever his latest issue is.  Some might even cringe when you hear his trademark - “do you have a minute”?  But he is open to talking, listening, compromising and figuring out how to make things happen," Igleheart said. "But in the past few years I cannot recall one time where David Tolleson called me about an issue or had a substantive discussion about anything."  

Igleheart acknowledged that endorsements don't mean much. "My opponent was endorsed by quite a few folks, including the unprecedented endorsements of sitting Councilmembers.  In the face of that plus an onslaught of negativity, outright falsehoods and dirty politics, I was still able to just barely squeak out a win.  And don’t forget these same folks are also the ones running David’s campaign," Igleheart added. 

The councilman said he asked for nothing, and was offered nothing, for his backing of Wood. 

"Apparently, there are all kinds of rumors about Mayor Wood promising me the moon for my endorsement. Rumors and innuendo are the way the folks running against us operate.  But the truth is I just told him last week I would support him and didn’t ask for anything in return and he didn’t offer anything," Igleheart reiterated. 

"If you voted for me because you think I will be the best watchdog for your tax dollars then you need to vote for Mayor Wood.  He has agreed to take a harder look at how we can make budget cuts and operate differently to provide better service and save money," Igleheart promised. 

BLASTS TOLLESON CAMPAIGN

Igleheart said he had little regard for the Tolleson campaign.
"My opponent was endorsed by quite a few folks, including the unprecedented endorsements of sitting Councilmembers.  In the face of that plus an onslaught of negativity, outright falsehoods and dirty politics, I was still able to just barely squeak out a win.  And don’t forget these same folks are also the ones running David’s campaign," Igleheart charged.
"I cannot count the number of times that you never knew where David stood on an issue and he is very good at not giving any indications.  You never know until the final stage of a vote and even then you have to wait to see what his final comment will be or how he will vote," Igleheart said."Doesn't building consensus involve being engaged in the evolution of the solution," Igleheart asked. "Waiting to be the last vote so you can see how the vote is going is not consensus building," he alleged.

TOLLESON: IGLEHEART AND HENRY JOINED AT THE HIP
Tolleson, however blew off the endorsement, and said it would not likely influence the outcome of the election.
“I’m proud of the fact that the elected officials and other community leaders who have endorsed me over the last several months have done so by giving positive reasons why I would be a good mayor, not by calling press conferences to attack my opponent.  I believe that’s indicative of the kind of mayor I would be and the type of campaign I’ve run," Tolleson said.
 
“My successful leadership in developing community consensus on projects like Centennial Walk and East Village is well-established.  I’m not surprised that Kent would follow Lori’s lead.  They’re usually in lockstep with one another.”
Tolleson is running for mayor on the notion that he is better listener and consensus builder than his opponent, Wood.