THE BEACON POLITICAL INSIGHTER RADIO SHOW HAS A NEW TIME STARTING NEXT WEEK

Don’t miss today’s Beacon Political Insighter Radio show at 11:30 a.m. -12:00 p.m. on WGKA –Radio 920 AM with our special guest, Congressman Tom Price. The Congressman will talk health care, stimulus and politics.

Special Note: due to an overwhelming response, our show, “North Fulton News and Politics,” will move to a one-hour time slot starting next Sunday, September 27. We will be live from 9:00 a.m. -10:00 a.m. every Sunday on WGKA-Radio 920. Our High School Football Round-up show, hosted by Beacon Sports editor and all-around football guru John Breach, will remain in its 11:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. time slot. If you are out of town or don’t have a radio, you can catch both shows live on Beaconcast.com

HERE COME ‘DA JUDGE?

We have confirmed that newly minted North Fulton District Attorney Todd Ashley has been nominated to become a Judge in Fulton County’s Supreme Court. If the veteran prosecutor is ultimately selected, the appointment would take effect after the first of the year. Ashley said he has a solid succession plan worked out with his boss, Fulton District Attorney Paul Howard, should that scenario play out. Ashley promised that the new North Fulton D.A.’s office “wouldn’t miss a beat.”

ORLANS FIRST FUNDRAISER A SUCCESS

17-year Roswell Councilman Jerry Orlans held his first fundraiser of the campaign on Wednesday night at the Brookfield Grill. By all accounts it was a rousing success, as Orlans induced about 100 supporters to turn out, despite inclement weather. We don’t know how much money Orlans raised, but we do know this: he has by far the coolest T-shirts of any candidate. Always looking for the proverbial “freebie” I implored Brenda Orlans, Jerry’s wife, to give me one. But I came up empty. First, they didn’t have any XX-L’s which is my size. Second, when Brenda asked me when I would wear it, I answered, “to bed.” Brenda said that alone would eliminate any chance of my wife voting for Jerry, so no go.

WOOD SLIPPAGE

One source inside the Wood campaign brain trust told me last week their candidate was tracking at less than thirty percent. For an incumbent, that does not bode well. Apparently rival candidate Lori Henry has been campaigning heavily on the west side in recent weeks and digging into Wood’s natural support base. Henry operatives say privately their goal is to finish second by one vote, and get in the run-off, where their notorious ground forces can make a difference. As incomprehensible as this seemed even a month ago, it is now conceivable that Wood could finish third, and not make the run-off. Henry-Tolleson would be a doozey- Change everything VS. Change-lite. Ms. Demur VS. Mr. Rogers.

BELLE ISLE ATTACKS BEACH

Even though the D-56 state senate race is more than 10 months out, one GOP candidate, Alpharetta Councilman David Belle Isle, has already taken the gloves off. Belle Isle, during a speech at last Saturday’s North Fulton Republican Breakfast at the Horseshoe Bend Country club in Roswell, blasted one of his opponents, GNFCC CEO and GDOT board member Brandon Beach. Belle Isle blamed the state’s transportation woes on a “dysfunctional” and inept GDOT board that couldn’t manage its way out of a wet paper bag. Beach was traveling with his family, and was personally spared the broadside.

ALBERS FOR COUNCIL-NO! ALBERS FOR PREACHER! NO, ALBERS FOR?

Meanwhile another candidate in the GOP state senate race, Roswell businessman John Albers, dubbed the “energizer bunny” for his relentless campaign appearances, has started to put up signs. Problem is, they are going up next to local council and mayoral candidates whose election is this November, not next July. One reader wrote in: “What council seat is this guy Albers running for, is he a write in candidate?” We answered back: “no, but write him in anyway, maybe he’ll win.” So we all are going to write in Albers so he can win a Roswell council seat in November. That way, he’ll have something to do for the next 10 months, instead of campaigning non-stop.

But if our Albers for Council write-in ploy fails, he can run for preacher. His speech at the aforementioned GOP Breakfast was pure fire and brimstone, like a Baptist sermon on atonement day. So after listening to it, I decided I could skip church on Sunday, being that I already got my weekly sermon.

JOHNSON RESIGNS FROM STATE SENATE

Eric Johnson, (R-Savannah), candidate for Governor, announced his resignation from the state senate in order to focus on his gubernatorial campaign.  Johnson, the former Senate President Pro Tem, cited consideration for the citizens of the 1st District and a growing momentum in his campaign as factors in his decision.

“Since being elected to the Georgia General Assembly, I always sought to put the interests of my constituents first.  After thoughtful and prayerful consideration I have concluded that I could be an effective State Senator or an effective candidate for Governor, but not both,” said Johnson. “The time commitment required by either of those roles would have made it hard to give them both the complete attention and maximum effort they deserve.”

“I am fully committed to becoming the Republican nominee for Governor and successfully representing our Party’s conservative principles in the November 2010 General Election,” Johnson continued. “I feel momentum building in our campaign that is too strong to ignore.  The hard work we have put in over the past months is starting to pay off, and I want to continue growing our base of support throughout this state.”

One thing Johnson forgot to mention: if he stays in the state senate, he can’t raise money during the legislative session. He needs to rake in at least $2 million in the first quarter of 2010 to get his message out and overtake Karen Handel, Nathan Deal or frontrunner John Oxendine for second place to get in the run-off.