Quitman Ten, Judge Porter's decision, News Media Outlets, Is Another Investigation Needed, and can Justice Be Found In South Georgia?

January 31, 2010

TO:  Editors, All Citizens of Good Will, Internet, http://kvci.blogspot.com and beyond

A real free press is very much needed here in South Georgia so citizens will not be left deaf; dumb; and blind to what goes on in their community.  This is becoming crystal clear; even in the Brooks County School Board of Education Election Race of 2010; wherein I believe the entire election process concerning the Quitman Ten arrests should be fully investigated by outside agencies including outside news media outlets.  http://kvci.blogspot.com/2011/01/quitman-10-news-media-were-they-fair-in.html

Since the Honorable Judge Richard Porter ruled that Brooks County Board of Education members Gary Rentz and Myra Exum were in compliance with the law and would remain as write-in candidates for the Nov. 2 General Election.  Then he too should be investigated because Judge Porter is a Sonny Perdue appointee, who got into office in early 2009, see O.C.G.A. 21-2-133, page 139 to better understand the judge’s ruling.

So how many times must one win an election here in the State of Georgia?  That is when; the Honorable Linda Troutman beat Gary Rentz (White) twice---once as a primary opponent in July, and a second time with Rentz as a “Write-in-candidate.”  The Honorable Elizabeth Thomas accomplished the same feat against Myra Exum.  But it appears Rentz and Exum’s name on the ballot may have BROKEN a Georgia election law.

(d). NO PERSON SHALL BE ELIGIBLE AS A WRITE-IN CANDIDATE IN A GENERAL OR SPECIAL ELECTION IF SUCH PERSON WAS A CANDIDATE FOR NOMINATION OR ELECTION TO THE SAME OFFICE IN THE IMMEDIATELY PRECEDING PRIMARY.  (O.C.G.A -21-2-133).  http://southgajustice.blogspot.com/2011/02/ocga-21-2-133-giving-notice-of-intent.html

So who convinced the Honorable Judge Porter on October 25, to approve the names of Rentz and Exum on the November ballot?  

After personally walking the streets of Quitman and Brooks County along with a local pastor at the time; asking questions to voters; that were negatively impacted by the GBI Investigation and alleged voter intimidation.  We were amazed by the comments and experiences endured by the voters.  Yet, no South Georgia News Media Outlet; had interviewed a single person to get their stories published as to what they endured during the GBI Investigation. 

The alleged voter intimidation; unprecedented questions asked to parents; their children working in Valdosta; and where they were asked to drive in order to meet with investigators.  These complaints were unreal and reminded us of the 1960s; but NO news media published their concerns to the general public.  There were elderly citizens in Quitman and Morven that were afraid to return to the polls in and vote in the November election.  Many citizens believed the real problem stemmed from the fact that for the first time in Brooks County the School Board would be dominated by blacks.  Therefore some had to put a stop to this domination of the school board by any means necessary.

Regardless of what happened before, during or after the election.  It is obvious that our local news media have failed to ask questions, and interview the voters in Brooks County that has constantly complained about voter intimidation without a single person being interviewed our published in the local press. 

So have the general public been properly served?  Do they know what is going on in this case and do citizens have a right to know? 

Therefore the Quitman Ten case must not be decided based upon information that favors one side over the other.  Especially when the citizens of Brooks County already have little to no confidence in receiving justice under the Southern Judicial System based on past history and this includes those that conducted the investigation concerning the Quitman Ten.  God bless our form of government and the will of the people.

GEORGE BOSTON RHYNES

Retired United States Armed Forces Military Veteran

A concerned citizen and brother of all humanity

O.C.G.A. 21-2-133, Giving notice of intent of write-in candidacy; filing of a affidavit; limitations or candidacy; certification of candidates......

(O.C.G.A. 21-2-133),  

-  Giving notice of intent of write-in candidacy; Filing of affidavit; limitations on candidacy; certification of candidates.

(a) No person elected on a write-in vote shall be eligible to hold office unless notice of his or her intention of candidacy was filed and published no earlier than January 1 and no later than the Tuesday after the first Monday in September prior to the election for county, state, and federal elections; no later than seven days after the close of the municipal qualifying period for municipal elections in the case of a general election; or no later than seven days after the close of the special election qualifying period for the special election by the person to be a write-in candidate or by some other person or group of persons qualified to vote in the subject election, as follows;

      (1) In a state general or special election of county officers, notice shall be filed with the Secretary of State and published in a newspaper of general circulation in the state;

      (2) In a general or special election of county officers, notice shall be filed with the superintendent of elections in the county in which he or she is to be candidate and published in the official organ of the same county; or

     (3) In a municipal general or special election, notice shall be filed with the superintendent and published in the official gazette of the municipality holding the election.

(b)  In addition to the requirements contained in subsection (a) of this Code section, the person or persons giving notice of intention of candidacy for the write-in candidate shall also file, with the appropriate official specified in paragraph (1), (2), or (3) of subsection (a) of this Code section, a copy of the notice as published with an affidavit stating that the notice has been published and including the name of the newspaper and the date of publication, not later than the fifth day after the deadline for filing and publishing such notice.  The affidavit may be made by the person giving notice of intention of candidacy or by the publisher of the newspaper in which the notice was published or by an employee of the newspaper designated by the publisher.

(c)  No person shall be eligible as a write-in candidate in a special or general primary, a special or general primary runoff, or in a special or general election runoff.

(d) No person shall be eligible as a write-in candidate in a general or special election if such person was a candidate for nomination or election t the same office in the immediately preceding primary.

(e)  The Secretary of State of appropriate municipal official shall certify to the election superintendent of each county affected at least ten days prior to the general or special election the names of all persons who have filed notices of intention to be write-in candidates with the Secretary of State or appropriate municipal official. (Code 1933, SEE REMAINDER OF (O.C.G.A. 21-2-133) retyped here but see original from actual document.  G.B.R.