The Beacon News Hour, North Fulton’s only dedicated radio show, moves to a new time starting today. Our North Fulton News and Politics show will broadcast from 9 -10 a.m. on Sunday, while the Beacon’s High School football round-up with Beacon sports editor John Breech and Beacon beat writer Tim Altork remains at its normal time, 11-11:30 a.m. every Sunday. Both shows are carried live on WGKA – Radio 920 AM. My guests today include Milton Mayor Joe Lockwood, Alpharetta councilman Doug DeRito and GOP Insurance Commissioner candidate Gerry Purcell.

THURMAN BLOWS OUT FIRST MILTON FUNDRAISER

Incumbent Milton Councilwoman Karen Thurman, being challenged by long-time Milton resident and landowner Bernard Wolff, blew out her maiden fundraiser Tuesday night at the Olde Blinde Dog pub in Milton. The event drew over 250 supporters and turned into a virtual who’s-who of Milton politics. Thurman was ecstatic at the turnout, and attributed it to the support she has earned over many years by working on Milton-related issues.

THE SHAMELESS GUILE OF JULIE ZAHNER-BAILEY

You have to hand it to Milton Councilwoman Julie Zahner-Bailey. Her shameless guile leaves no bounds.

Zahner-Bailey, who personally recruited Bernard Wolff to run against Karen Thurman, her arch ideological nemesis on Milton’s City Council, actually had the audacity to show up at her rival’s fundraiser. Perhaps afraid she would miss something, or wanting to see who showed up, Zahner-Bailey strolled into the event and mingled with the crowd, munched on Thurman’s food and sipped her pop. We did confirm that she did not give the Thurman campaign a donation, but spies at the event claimed she may have absconded off with a Re-Elect Thurman T-shirt when no one was watching.

This would be like me sneaking into a Nancy Pelosi fundraiser at the Wharf in San Francisco – without paying the $5,000 a plate required donation – and then scoffing down gobs of her fancy bay pawn shrimp and lobster while guzzling her premium beer (they don’t have PBR on the left coast) before slipping out through the kitchen window. Even I have more class than that.

Thurman said she sent an invitation to all Milton City Council members inviting them to attend, but only if they supported her re-election. The invitation specifically stated, “I would like to personally invite all those supporting my bid for re-election to the Milton City Council to join me…for a Reception/Fundraiser.“

So does Zahner-Bailey’s attendance indicate a switch in her political allegiance, from Wolff to Thurman? Crack reporter that I am, I attempted to ask Zahner-Bailey myself. After waiting patiently for 10 minutes while she finished up a conversation, I asked her the question point blank. Rather than answer, JZB said she would not talk to me, or anyone else at The Beacon, and promptly stormed off, in a huff. “Those pesky reporters, how dare they question me, don’t they know I am on a mission from God, and God says ‘No sewer in Milton,’” she may have thought. So the bottom line is: who knows?

ROMNEY DOES FUNDRAISER FOR BURKHALTER-JONES GOP CAUCAS

Failed 2008 GOP Presidential candidate Mitt Romney came to Atlanta last week to headline a fundraiser for the House Republican Caucus Committee, run by Majority Whip Jan Jones (R-Milton) and Speaker Pro-Tem Mark Burkhalter (R-Johns Creek). The event, well-attended, apparently raised a fortune for the Committee, which is committed to preserving the GOP majority in the state house. Donors at the event said Romney was at the top of his game, and sounded like a 2012 candidate for President. Burkhalter and Jones backed Romney in the last go-around, and Burkhalter personally raised more money for his campaign than any single fundraiser in the United States.

Sources say Romney wanted to raise money for Burkhalter, but the Speaker-In-Waiting preferred he help the Caucus, in lieu of himself. This is why his members are so intensely loyal to him. Burkhalter consistently places the needs of his team members ahead of himself, and his selfless work on the behalf of others is as legendary as it is authentic. Burkhalter represents a new breed of politician, where philosophy trumps personal gain. His coming reign as House Speaker promises to be one of the most exciting times in Georgia political history.

As for Romney, here’s the deal: he raised and spent upwards of $60 million in his campaign and lost…to Sen. John McCain, whose disastrous campaign made Bob Dole’s ‘96 sorrowful bid look like Abraham Lincoln. The former governor is now tarnished by the disastrous results of his Massachusetts’ all-encompassing health care plan. Romney is yesterday’s news. For 2012, the Republicans need a new, fresh face, which can lead an intellectual revolution to combat the Obama-Pelosi-Reid machine. That eliminates former governor Sarah Palin right off the bat.

Our choice? None other than Georgia Congressman Tom Price. A formidable retail campaigner with a resonating message, Price’s style and themes are tailor-made for Iowa and New Hampshire. It’s Jimmy Carter, ‘76. Can you envision Price in a series of debates with President Obama? Lights out.

HENRY GAINING IN MARTINS LANDING

Volunteers at the Henry for Roswell Mayor campaign say their candidate is now gaining traction in Martins Landing. Fresh off a series of stealth meet and greets where supporters say over 100 residents attended, they believe they are cutting into Mayoral candidate David Tolleson’s power base. But they wouldn’t release the names of the hosts, fearing that their supporters may get strong-armed by the mighty East Roswell Political cartel, run by Tolleson partisans.

HENRY BIG FUNDRAISER WITH PUG A WASHOUT?

Meanwhile, Henry’s big fundraiser at former Roswell Mayor Pug Mabry’s house last Saturday night may have been a washout. The rain and flooding apparently dampened turnout. Sources at the event said about 80 supporters braved the storm to attend. But one operative of a rival campaign, who was sanctioned to keep a guest tally from a secluded vantage point across the street, questioned that number. “I only saw about 20 cars there,” said the mayoral campaign spy. “So maybe they all went green and car-pooled, and snuck in the back door.”

HANDEL CLOSES GAP, GRABS SECOND PLACE

Georgia Sec. of State and Roswell resident Karen Handel is surging, according to the latest statewide poll on the 2010 Georgia governors race, released this week by Strategic Vision. She has now moved firmly into second place in the GOP race with 15 percent. Insurance Commissioner John Oxendine, who had his hands full this week with flooding insurance-related issues, remains the solid frontrunner with 38 percent. Gainsville Congressman Nathan Deal, embroiled in a scandal that is not going way, slipped to 10 percent and may be circling the drain. State Sen. Eric Johnson is stuck at six percent, while State Rep. Austin Scott languishes at three percent. State Sen. Jeff Chapman, who just got in race, has the unfortunate distinction of trailing States Rights gadfly and secessionist Ray McBerry, two percent to one percent.

“Oxendine continues to lead in this race and hovers right near the 40 percent mark as he has in every poll we have conducted in recent months with more support then his two nearest competitors combined,” said David E. Johnson, CEO of Strategic Vision, LLC. “He is drawing strong support among college educated voters ages 35 to 55.  Also he is cutting into Deal’s base in North Georgia and is polling very strong in the Atlanta suburbs outside of North Fulton County.  Finally he draws impressive support among likely primary voters who identify themselves as Christian conservatives.”

“Secretary Handel increased her support to move into a solid second place,” added Johnson.  “In making her gains she continues to solidify her support among female voters.  In many ways, she has demonstrated a strong comeback from several months ago when Deal first entered the race.  Her current numbers are the highest we have registered for her in any of our polls.  Her challenge is to expand her base support of support from beyond Fulton County and female voters.”

ROY VS. THE WORLD

When Democrats were asked their choice for Governor the results were former Governor Roy Barnes 45 percent, State Attorney General Thurbert Baker 30 percent, Former State Labor Commissioner David Poythress 5 percent, with House Minority Leader Dubose Porter bringing up the rear at 2 percent.

“The Democratic race remains mainly unchanged in regards to poll position and numbers,” said Johnson.  “It continues to be Roy Barnes against the field.”