I've gotten probably five e-mails this afternoon about a campaign e-mail forwarded on behalf of BJ Mathis to pastors of local churches urging them to get their congregation members out to vote. The pastor wrote in his e-mail, "Please help B J Mathis to get elected, it will be good to have a Christian in office who is pro life and pro family."

The campaign e-mail says:

The turnout for the election is predicted to be so low that one vote could change the whole outcome. The other camp is amassing his troops, and he is getting tremendous support from the "pro-growth" group financially and physically We know that will prove disastrous to Henry County if he wins this election. So we must fight hard to protect our community. You can bet they will be pulling out all the stops. So don't be surprised with anything that may show up in the mailbox or in a commercial.

I want to address the actual campaign e-mail first. How exactly will Fred Auletta be disastrous for Henry County? Yes, I saw the direct mail pieces sent out during the primary about business dealings from 20 years ago, but I know Auletta, in his capacity as Chief Financial Officer, helped grow Bennett trucking to one of the largest, private employers in Henry County. He has a successful record and he has nothing to run from and to this point he has run a positive campaign that actually focuses on issues, though I may not agree with him on every point.

Mathis also takes a shot at "pro-growth" groups. Look, I disagree with some groups and developers on certain issues and I've be open in my disagreements with them. But this is pandering and it's sad.

Mathis has had no problem with developers when it suits her personal political interests. In March 2007, the Atlanta Business Chronicle published a story about a development that is to be built adjacent to the exit at I-75 and Jodeco Road. Paul Shailendra, senior development manager for the developer of the project, noted, "Our big hurdle is getting [GDOT] improvements on Jodeco Road."

After talk of widening I-75 started, Mathis wrote a letter to GDOT in August 2007 to say that Jodeco Road bridge project "is a priority project for our County."

I-75 is the lifeblood and economic engine of Henry County. Why would any local politician actually lobby transportation dollars to be spent on what amounts to a pork project for a rent-seeking developer? Of course, this is only one example of Mathis attempting to further her political interests. And before the accusations start, I am not alleging any wrong-doing. I am simply pointing out that BJ Mathis is a politician and she is doing exactly what politicians do to further their own ambitions.

Now, on to the comments of the pastor. I wonder if he is implying that Auletta is not a Christian, not pro-life and not pro-family. Wait, wait...this is a race for Chairman of the Henry County Board of Commissioners. Not Congress or the Georgia General Assembly where such a position on such a policies like abortion would actually matter or make a difference. When was the last time the HCBOC actually took a vote that dealt with abortion?

Churches in Henry County benefit and grow because of growth, otherwise there would be dozens of churches with closed doors all over the place. Growth means prosperity, although I will concede that many in the business community have forgotten that the best way to grow is through private investment and the free-market.

There is it, folks. I've been too busy to write about this race but this e-mail from Mathis was underhanded and deceitful and someone needed to respond to it. Politicians have had their shot in Henry County. Mathis has been there for the last four years and has been a major part of the problem. Your taxes have gone up, more of your hard earned money is being spent on wasteful projects like Nash Farm (and God help you if they find something "historical" on your property) and you are still stuck in traffic due to the fact that SPLOST funds are not being spent where they are truly needed. You make the choice: the status-quo and business as usual candidate or someone who will bring the private sector success and experience that Henry County really needs.