Comments on: Patti Garrett Receives Endorsements From Two Former ONA Presidents, One VP

By: Fred Boykin

Fred Boykin — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 19:40:01 +0000

One of them is for Fred Boykin. I guess the complex is covering their bets?

By: CSD Snowflake

CSD Snowflake — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 18:32:41 +0000

By the way, I actually found a 5-sign yard! It’s the small apartment building at the northwest corner of Scott and Clairemont. I was able to detect two Radford signs, a Marc sign, another candidate’s sign who I don’t remember, and I was through the intersection before I could read the fifth sign. Maybe we are supposed to indicate level of enthusiasm with the number of signs we post in our yards? I.e., if I will vote for a candidate, that’s one sign; if I donated money, that’s two of their signs; if I’ll leave Decatur if they lose, that’s three signs for them, etc. Or maybe individual tenants of the building are voting in which case I’ve identified a rabid Radford den.

By: CSD Mom

CSD Mom — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 13:59:42 +0000

The link: http://www.ajc.com/news/atlanta/mayoral-hopefuls-try-social-168753.html

By: Scott

Scott — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 13:54:23 +0000

Related bit in today’s AJC, from former ATL Mayor Sam Massell:

He’s fond of saying, “He who has the most yard signs wins” in local elections. He still believes that’s true even in a day when it can be hard to have a conversation with three people without one reaching for her Blackberry.

Yard signs, Massell reasons, translate into direct support and votes and also increase name identification.

“A sign in a yard is an endorsement from 2 1/2 people,” Massell said. “It affects passersby as well. Yard signs can be very effective.”

By: Emily Kandetzki

Emily Kandetzki — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 13:45:07 +0000

Snowflake, the yard signs serve several purposes, all equally valid depending on who you are. They may sway indecisive voters who are not able or willing to do the research but still want to participate by voting. My friends and neighbors who do not have children in the school system may not stay current on school board issues, but they know that I have kids in the system and they trust what I think about it. So they say, “I’ll vote for whomever you tell me to vote for”–whether or not that’s a good strategy, it’s still one that people use. It’s also about name recognition. A lot of people in Westchester and Clairmont areas know who Rob Pope is, but getting some strategic signs in Winnona Park or Oakhurst helps the campaign by furthering his name recognition. (I agree that Rob’s signs are the cutest.)

I don’t think it’s so much about peer pressure or igniting neighborhood wars. But I think particularly Decaturites like to tell everyone else what they think, and yard signs are a great way to do that! For the record, I have three signs in my yard.

And I agree that seeing the different combos, while confusing for the less-informed voter, is particularly fun!

By: Nelliebelle1197

Nelliebelle1197 — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 12:19:44 +0000

I am endorsing Kyle & Rob. Because I am Nelliebelle. Kyle is adorable and Rob has cute signs.

By: George

George — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 03:02:49 +0000

And how do you think I feel. My wife and I are both former ONA presidents, and since we moved to District 1 nobody ever asked us for our endorsements. Wah!

On the serious side, a couple people have asked me my opinion because they just don’t keep up with the issues (not because people care or are swayed by what I think.) So I agree that word of mouth and casual endorsements by friends and neighbors are important when we’re only talking about dozens of votes separating candidates.

And don’t think because we’re a small town that these decisions aren’t important. Annexation, historic designation, school budgets, etc have a significant impact on your family and your finances.

By: Decatur Metro

Decatur Metro — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 02:28:57 +0000

Now there’s a post…”An Expose on Decatur’s Ruling Families.” Although no one would comment on it.