Stockbridge Florist Fund

Thank you for making our media launch a success!

Wednesday, December 16, 2009

Today we held our first news conference. In front of our flower shop, Stockbridge Florist & Gifts, and flanked by anti-eminent domain abuse demonstrators, we accepted our first opportunity before the Atlanta broadcast media. Look for us and our supporters this afternoon and this evening on WSB-TV (Channel 2, ABC), WGCL-TV (Channel 46, CBS), and WXIA-TV, (Channel 11, NBC).

Our many thanks to the stations for sending crews.

2010 Will Signal New Hope, But With Same Challenges

Monday, December 14, 2009

On December 31st, we will witness history as a new chapter in the book of our city is written. On this final day of the year, Lee Stuart will be sworn in as the city’s next mayor. We knew Stuart, a veteran of the war in Iraq, loved our country. And from that, Stuart would convince all of us of his love for our fine City of Stockbridge. His initial reason for declaring his candidacy touched Regina, my wife, and I in a way most will never truly understand. Stuart’s bid for mayor was born from our once quite private struggle over eminent domain that one day was anything but private.

“In 2005 while I was in Iraq I heard on FOX News that the City of Stockbridge was trying to implement eminent domain law against a local florist shop. I was shocked and dismayed that this was happening in my hometown,” Stuart told reporters and supporters at a candidate meet-and-greet. “Since returning home I have looked very deeply into how the city is managed and found it to be an archaic good ole boy system and out of touch with its citizens.”

In 2010, when Mr. Stuart takes office, he will seek to change that “good ole boy” system that has deprived us of our right to own property, happily. He will seek to change the way the city acquires land in the future. And while he won’t be alone, it is important for us to realize that he will likely be opposed by some who remain in office from an era gone by. He’ll need our support and my wife and I pledge that to him. We encourage you to make your support known too.

We hope to see you on December 31st at Stockbridge City Hall for Lee Stuart’s swearing in ceremony.

We know we’ll see a new day. Together, we can make it a different day.

Election Day Victories!

Sunday, November 8, 2009

Regina and I couldn't be more pleased as voters elect both Lee Stuart as Mayor of Stockbridge and Mark Alarcon to the city council. Congratulations!

Election Day: And The Candidates Are Talking About Our Plight

Tuesday, November 3, 2009

Today being election day in Stockbridge, Georgia, I thought I'd share some of what the candidates are saying about Stockbridge Florist and Gifts and the battle my wife and I endure over eminent domain. Click the television screen to launch a video.

Lee Stuart, Candidate for Mayor of Stockbridge, tells voters at a recent gathering how he learned of our battle over eminent domain while he was stationed as a civilian in Iraq. Stuart says he tuned to Fox News and couldn't believe his eyes. (Video edited for time.)

>>Click To Launch Video (Requires Windows Media Player)

Stockbridge City Council Candidate Mark Alarcon tells voters at a recent gathering how he believes fears over eminent domain abuse are causing some business owners to leave the City of Stockbridge. (Video edited for time.)

>>Click To Launch Video (Requires Windows Media Player)

Our Support is Just Beginning

Wednesday, October 28, 2009

We are about to soft launch the Stockbridge Florist Fund and already we're getting positive response from elected officials and several of those running for office. We're starting in Stockbridge. Last week, my wife and I met with several hopefuls who not only endorse us, but we endorse them. Following are some photos taken at the official opening of the city hall that towers over our property. It was the city's "open house," but we also had one of our own!

Above: My wife and I meeting with Charles Reid,

Stockbridge City Council Candidate.

Above: My wife and I meeting with Lee Stuart,

Candidate for Mayor of Stockbridge.

Above: Mark Alarcon, Stockbridge City Council Candidate,

meeting with my wide and I.

WSB-TV Features Stockbridge Florist & Gifts

Monday, October 26, 2009

Hi! This is my first blog entry in this exciting time. Today, Channel 2 (ABC, Atlanta) reporter Jeff Dore reported on the City of Stockbridge's latest attempt to silence our voices and meddle with our property. After we allowed a candidate to place a sign on our private property, the city decided it would stack up bales of hay so no one could see it.

Watch the video here.

Read the story and watch the slideshow here.





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