By John Fredericks / Beacon Media
Incumbent Milton Councilwoman Tina D’Arversa has made a legislative living by playing in the uncommitted center of Milton’s often-charged political sandbox.
She has managed to deftly straddle the middle, while enjoying the support of both of Milton’s political factions –those who support Councilman Julie Zahner-Bailey’s limited development agenda and those who prefer Mayor Joe Lockwood’s controlled community growth policies.
D’Aversa, who is being challenged by Crooked Creek Homeowner Association CFO Joe Longoria in November, said she has the endorsements of both Lockwood and Zahner-Bailey. “Mayor Lockwood has endorsed my re-election, as have Council members Julie Zahner-Bailey and Alan Tart", said D’Aversa.
Lockwood said he is committed to re-electing his incumbent team, which includes Lusk and Thurman, as well as D’Aversa. “We have made tremendous progress in the last year,” Lockwood said. “I believe that we need continuity and purposeful leadership to keep moving Milton in a positive direction. Our council is working well together and I am committed to keeping our current legislative team intact through this election cycle.”
Zahner-Bailey, who is supporting Thurman challenger Bernard Wolff, did not return phone calls.
D’AVERSA TAKES A STAND
When pressed to give a definitive commitment to which policy agenda she will ultimately support if re-elected – Zahner-Bailey’s or Lockwood’s – D’Aversa finally made the jump to one camp, in no uncertain terms. “I stand tall with Joe Lockwood,” she said. But D’Aversa stopped short of endorsing Thurman, Lockwood’s candidate, over Wolff, who was recruited by Zahner-Bailey.
D’Aversa said she is confident of victory. “I will continue to work hard in this campaign and I am committed to serving all of Milton,” D’Aversa said. “I am knocking on doors, meeting with folks, listening to their concerns and getting my message out,” she added.
Regarding her opponent Longoria, D’Aversa said she has attempted to contact him – to no avail. “All I know about him is that his name is on the ballot,” D’Aversa said. “Nothing more.”
LONGORIA FOR CROOKED CREEK?
?One Longoria supporter, Gordon Hunter, who ran for city council unsuccessfully against Zahner-Bailey in 2006, said that his candidate would bring a unique combination of talent and skills to the Milton council. “Joe is a financial executive and an entrepreneur, as well as being a Crooked Creek homeowner for many years. He would bring a fresh perspective to our government.”
But for the third week in a row, Longoria did not return phone calls and could not be reached for comment.
One longtime Milton political observer said Longoria’s strategy was simple: Get 900 votes out of the Crooked Creek subdivision – Milton’s largest – and if 1,750 Milton voters show up in November, Longoria wins. “It’s a no-brainer for him,” the observer said.
But another longtime Milton resident and political activist, who supports Lockwood, said there was danger inherent for the community if that scenario plays out. “What’s next?” the activist asked, “A White Columns candidate in 2011? We need council members who represent all of Milton, not subdivision fiefdoms. A Longoria victory will set a dangerous geographical precedent that is divisive at its core. It has the potential to pit geographical myopic entities against each other for years to come, with chilling consequences.”
16 comments:
I bet Longo was surprised to read
he hadn't just had a conversation with Tina.
It's not surprising to see Gordon Hunter supporting Longoria. Remember he was an avid supporter of Roger Santi.
There are many out there that will support Longoria, like Hunter, because they are just trying to get back at Julie and Tina is the closest one to her that is up for re-election.
Seems like Lockwood is the one who has jumped certainly into one camp, that of Thurman. It pays to have money and be connected doesn't it? I would have never imagined Joe supporting her after the vicious repeated ethics violations that she kept throwing at him to get him removed from office. I guess they have kissed and made up. Nevertheless, the people of this city are not stupid. Most of us are aware who voted for every variance and every development issue that came down the pike, check the voting records, it's apparent.
Who do you want representing you? A person who has deep pockets who is surounded by developers and wealth, who need a leg in by having someone on council there to vote to repay them for supporting her, or someone who is unaffected by lobbyists and developers around here, and represents your average resident, taking complete consideration for what the law dictates with no favortism? Did you see the advertisement list of Hosts on Karen Thurman's party last Tuesday at the Ole Blind Dog, she listed them all. Take a close look at the list people. It's good when politicians are so transparent. No mystery here. Ironic, she probably thought she was impressing the little guy with all her big names throwing her a party, but it did the opposite.
Vicious repeated ethics violations? Like what? One hit dismissed with little impact, when he has been mayor of a real cesspool?
Joe has actually flown under the radar and is lucky to have the support and cover of some like Karen. She has gone way out on a limb to support Joe, her longtime friend and deserves much of the credit for his success these last couple of years. Unless we missed something, Joe has escaped much of the ethics pain flying around Milton these last years. Most who know Joe wouldn't expect Karen to get a pass if she were behind anything. He is good at retribution, like most rich, connected folks. Maybe they stick together.
Was there anything that was voted on and passed that wasnt already in the comp plan and legally right?
This is another biased reporting by the BEACON. Tina has only been
"in the middle" for the last 6 months because of the upcoming election. For the past 2 years , she has been part of the problem.
She has helped to waste tax money by the following examples: filing ethic complaints, she has pushed out city managers, spent our money by calling the lawyers directly instead of dealing with the city managers , and caused money to be spent on psychological counseling.
She also showed no compassion when the discussion of working with our community for paying taxes was considered because of the recession.
One only needs to check with past newspaper reports and voting records.
The real question is how our Mayor has allowed himself to be represented with those that have not be supportive until the last 6 months.
I have seen Tina in action and she just doesn't have the intelligence to serve on the Council.
Karen is a very thoughtful and intelligent woman and a real voice of reason. She and Joe are real assets to our City and the Council.
Don't worry about a White Columns candidate. Ragsdale ran for mayor and was so disliked in White Columns for all of his HOA grandstanding that he couldn't even carry the majority in his own subdivision.
I believe it was Lusk and Thurman who requested the therapist, not Tina. Stupid, nonetheless.
Oh and please stop it with the gooey comments about how Joe and Karen are long time friends, and how she is such a thoughtful intelligent woman. There isn't a thoughtful bone in her body that isn't self serving, and working with numbers as an accountant doesn't mean you have common sense. Counting beans doesn't automatically make you a strong leader. It does pay though.
You gotta hand it to The Beacon! One week they come out with a piece that appears pro-D'Aversa and one blogger says, "hey the Beacon is biased FOR D'Aversa." The next week they skewer her like a squirrel on a roasting stick, and then others say, "hey, the Beacon is biased AGAINST D'Aversa!"
Maybe its not them. Maybe she is just a lousy councilwoman. Ever thought of that?
Tina is just not smart enough to lead or act on her own, so she just rides the debate and looks for the easy path. The woman can't make a decision.
Too bad there is not a third candidate for District 1. Thurman cares very little for the average Milton citizen; she is rude and selfcenterd. Attempted to hog the spotlight a Joe D's. event.
And then we have a "real farmer"? Don't try to sell that bridge! We all suffer on these choices.
Too bad there is not a third candidate for District 1. Thurman cares very little for the average Milton citizen; she is rude and selfcenterd. Attempted to hog the spotlight a Joe D's. event.
And then we have a "real farmer"? Don't try to sell that bridge! We all suffer on these choices.
Two truths: Bill Bailey has wilcome homeand Tina will not subscribe to the Beacon.
So Bill Zahner took his mower and moved out?
I guess Julie wont have to harass all the lawn service folks any more, that may save us a few hours of meeting time.
You should stop the heavy drinking before you post.
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