Roach

I am in the race for Fulton County Commissioner because I believe Fulton County government is in desperate need for leadership at the highest level.

Every year that passes sees Fulton County losing jobs and people to other surrounding areas. This trend must be reversed at the highest levels of local government. The leaders of Fulton County must create an atmosphere of economic prosperity and neighborhood spirit so that Fulton can continue as an area where families will want to work and raise their children.

In my campaign I have pledged: to work harmoniously with the 10 cities of the county; to preserve fiscal soundness and to guard against wasting taxpayers’ money; to preserve and enlarge our parks and recreation system; to maintain the integrity of Grady Hospital; to develop an equitable tax situation between the cities and unincorporated areas of the county.

I plan to establish satellite town hall type meetings to make the commission more accessible to citizens.

I will seek to establish citizen advisory committees in the areas of the county’s responsibilities, to work as task forces and to report regularly to the commission.

Biographical Data

Leo Roach, 41, is a captain for Delta Air Lines, having moved to the Atlanta area and joined the company in 1961 as a second officer (flight engineer).

Lee’s concern for Fulton County government reforms manifested itself five years ago when he spearheaded a recall movement against two Fulton commission incumbents, followed by a 1974 race for one of their seats. As a heretofore-unknown private citizen, Lee finished a close second to the incumbent in a field of five candidates, but a federal court order prevented a runoff.

As a resident of Fulton County, Lee is a member of local Chambers of Commerce, a former trustee of the Community Planning Council of Sandy Springs and its land use committee, a member of the South Fulton Citizens Alliance and a member of the Optimist Club of Old Campbell.

In 1957 Lee joined the U.S. Navy and was assigned to Glynco in Brunswick, Georgia, for airship pilot training, receiving his officer’s commission and Navy wings in 1958. Active service included training in anti-submarine warfare, communications, tactics, and weapons. As a squadron communications officer, he was cleared for top secret by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Naval Intelligence.

Lee is married to the former Natalie Jane Oster and they have four children, Patricia, 17; Michael, 14; Christopher, 5, and 4-year-old Theresa. The family attends St. Jude’s where Lee is an usher.

Before making his home in Georgia 19 years ago, Lee attended Fordham University and New York State Agricultural and Technical Institute, graduating in automotive and diesel engineering.

Thompson

If I had to guess the three things, out of many, which are most important to the voters of Fulton County in selecting their next Fulton County commissioner, I would imagine that they are as follows:

1. The views of the individual on consolidation and annexation of the city and county governments;
2. Whether the individual elected to replace Shag Cates has any connection with Shag Cates;
3. The experience the individual elected can bring to the county government.

On the first point, I do not support consolidation and annexation of Atlanta and the balance of Fulton County.

On the second point, former County Commission Chairman, Shag Cates, has been so discredited by the press that I do not believe anyone associated with him or his group can be elected to the Fulton County Commission.

I have never had any connection with Shag Cates or his group and would estimate that in my entire lifetime, I have not talked to him for more than a total of two minutes made up of “Hello, how are you?” statements.

Yet, on the morning before the election of February 22^nd, the Atlanta Constitution, in a most effective editorial and cartoon, obviously intended to implant in the minds of voters a message that I was part of the “Shag Cates Gang.” Though effectively conveyed, this impression is totally unfounded and untrue.

On the third point, concerning experience, if you had $85 million and wanted to invest it, would you invest it with someone of proven experience in the field of financial management or would you choose someone who has no experience or training in the field, but is a nice person?

If you needed a delicate operation, would you want an experienced medical doctor and surgeon or someone who has no experience, but is a nice person?

If you wanted to fly on a jet airplane from Atlanta to New York, would you want a pilot experienced in handling jets to fly you or would you want someone who has no experience, but is a nice person?

Obviously, in each instance you would want a person with experience because this person will serve your best interest.

So it should be when you elect your next Fulton County Commissioner.

The person elected to the Fulton County Commission is going to be thrust onto the county commission with no time for training and he must be able to immediately, effectively represent the interests of the people of Fulton County on the first day in office. More than $85 million of your tax dollars will be spent by the Fulton County Commission this year. Those commissioners still in office know the complexities of allocation and apportionment of $85 million tax dollars for various programs throughout the county. Your new commissioner needs experience to be effective and to serve your interests, for without it he would be lost in a confusing and confounding maze of governmental bureaucracy and could have “the wool pulled over his eyes” without his knowing it, and though he may be a nice guy, he will not be able to effectively serve you.

Should you elect me as a replacement for Shag Cates, I will bring to the commission experience money cannot buy and only that which time and service to the people can provide.

As a state senator and thrice elected United States congressman from the 5^th District, I learned of the important relationship between county and state governments and gained valuable knowledge about the workings of government and the importance of federal programs to Fulton County. This experience will be of immeasurable value in helping me serve the needs of the people of Fulton County.

Should you elect me to the Fulton County Commission, I will endeavor to conduct myself in a manner that will bring dignity, integrity and stability to the Fulton County Commission and to serve the best interests of all people in Fulton County. Please vote on March 15^th and I hope you will vote for me, Fletcher Thompson.

I will not betray your trust.