June 2, 2012

By Syndicated Columnist Cathy Harris

Political season is here and as much as most of us don't want to hear about it -it's right in our faces.  Soon many 'unethical' politicians who have been in hiding for the past couple of years or more --will surface to try to win their seats again.

Like others I am not a big fan of this season.  But it's time for us to open our eyes and really look at the 'big picture' and look at the power we have to put good politicians into office and vote bad politicians out.  For instance let's look at my Commissioner Lee May, my representative from District 5 in Dekalb County, GA, which is one of the largest and most affluent African-American communities in this country.

Commissioner Lee May is the youngest person in the history of DeKalb County, GA, government to be elected to serve on the Board of Commissioners http://www.co.dekalb.ga.us/boc. He was elected into office back in 2006.  Everyone said let's support him because he was young.  We thought he would take the seat and get a mentor and do a good job for us.  But that did not happen! 

Let's look at the type of mentors he has in his life.  As a son of a pastor himself and a member of the mega church New Birth, May did not choose to walk away from the church when it was proven that Bishop Eddie Long, molested young boys.  So what does that tell you about Lee May and his plans to assist other young black men and others in his district?

As a Commissioner, Lee May serves as the Deputy Presiding Officer of the Board of Commissioners, Chairman of the Budget & Finance Committee and a member on the Public Safety and General Safety Committee and oversees a $1 billion budget.

On the Finance, Audit, & Budget (FAB) Committee he reviews the Chief Executive Officer's (CEOs) proposed budget in accordance with the Organizational Act and makes recommendations on the budget and related policies prior to its final adoption by the Board of Commissioners. This Committee also has the authority to review and recommend any items that affect revenues or expenditures that cross different subject areas. General departments and areas over which this Committee will have oversight are Debt Services Funds, Finance Department, Property Appraisal, and the Tax Commissioner.

Lee May is an influential voice in setting the county's annual spending plan but has racked up nearly $1 million of personal debt after a series of bankruptcies.  His debts include a $35,000 loan from the DeKalb Enterprise Business Corporation, a nonprofit affiliated with the county that makes small business loans.  Records show May paid just $8,500 of that money back before defaulting.

Court records show that Lee May used his southeast DeKalb home and his parents' home in Arizona to come up with the $250,000 needed to open the 8-screen Cinefe theater at Panola Road and Covington Highway in 2005.  The DEBCO loan and small investors also helped with the purchase.

The business struggled from the start.  County tax records show May didn't pay his 2006 and 2007 business property taxes until 2008.  Shortly after he covered the $3,500 payments, he closed the theater. Lee May first filed bankruptcy then agreed to court-ordered payments to repay his debt.  His $38,000 salary as a county commissioner was 'GARNISHED' to pay back the nearly $850,000 owed for his purchase of the business and rent for the space.

Salary 'GARNISHMENTS' also were set to repay $79,500 in student loans and $700 in federal taxes, according to county records.  Everyone knows if you neglect to send in student loan payments for nine  (9) months, you are technically in default.  If anyone default on student loans, the government can take their income tax; Garnish their wages (10 to 15%; Take them to court; and they might not be able to renew a professional license. 

In this case let this professional license be a seat on the Board of Commissioners.  I don't know about you but I am uncomfortable having Lee May sit on one of the most powerful seats in the county but he can't even pay his own bills.  Six years is long enough. By reelecting Lee May to this position again --we will send all politicians a strong message - that we, the taxpayers, don't care what they do!  But now moreso than ever in this fallen economy, we need to send a strong message, starting with not reelecting Lee May, that we are watching what they are doing and we will vote them out of office.  

Not only should Lee May lose his seat because of his financial woes but keep in mind that this commissioner and his staff NEVER answers or returns phone calls, emails or allows taxpayers, his constituents, to set up appointments to meet with him. So he is not "ACCESSIBLE" to the people he represent.

During the last politician season, Katesha Sagers-Aguayo, former Miss Black Georgia 2004, made an attempt to run for this seat, but was unsuccessful.  She said the only reason she ran for the seat was the fact that Lee May NEVER returned her, her family members and friends in the district phone calls, emails or allowed them to set up appointments to meet with him.

Politicians are leaders and the number one trait for a good leader is "honesty" and a good leader should be financially accountable especially in his own life.  Let's face it -Lee May is a lousy politician and business owner and this is not a person we want our kids to follow -so I strongly urge everyone to vote Lee May out of office.

I am putting all my support behind Publisher Andre White who along with his family has successfully run a local newspaper, the Georgia Sentinel (www.tsn360.com), for over 20 years.  Most newspaper publishers and editors have their hands on the pulse of the people and the community and this is why we should put all our support behind Andre White.  Her motto is "Putting People First" and I believe he can deliver!

We are urging everyone to go to Andre White's website at www.ElectAndreWhite.com and make a donation --even if it is as little as $1 or $5 --and volunteer for his campaign and tell your family members, friends, and colleagues who live in District 5 which include area codes --Conley, GA 30288, Decatur, GA 30032, 30034, 30035, Ellenwood, GA 30294, Lithonia, GA 30038, 30058 and Stone Mountain, GA 30083, 30088 to make a donation and volunteer for his campaign. Remember "Freedom is Not Free" --and we must fund our own fight! 

Cathy Harris is an Empowerment and Motivational Speaker, Political Consultant/Strategist, author of "Politics 101: How To Win Your Political Seat" and 12 other self-help books.  She is available for lectures, seminars, and workshops and can be contacted through her company, Angels Press, P.O. Box 5288, Atlanta, GA 31107, Phone: (770) 873-2072, Website: http://www.AngelsPress.com, Email: info@AngelsPress.com.

Copyright 2012 Cathy Harris. All Rights Reserved

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