
Shinholser Hosts First Meet and Greet
July 4 2009
On July 3, the Brandon for Athens Campaign Committee hosted its first event in Brandon Shinholser's race for the mayor of Athens.
A gathering of ardent supporters came to the Memorial Park to meet and greet with Shinholser. Andrew Pierson, a recent graduate of the University of Georgia, spoke on the importance of historical preservation. Pierson is currently working as an advisor for Brandon's mayoral campaign. A degree in history makes historical preservation an issue especially close to Andrew's heart. He believes the heart of Athens beats through its history, culture, and the citizens who make it. Pierson stated, "If elected, Brandon promises to continue the crucial work of preserving the great history of Athens." Pierson then introduced Shinholser, who began by speaking on the importance of democracy in America.
"The rights of the people have been paramount since the founding of our illustrious nation," said Shinholser. "It is the role of our government to protect the rights of its citizens." Brandon promised to achieve this goal and restore public trust through transparent government where the citizens are the most important voice.
Brandon also believes the police force is instrumental in protecting our rights. "Through interaction between our public police force and the citizens of Athens, we can ensure public safety for all," Shinholser stated. "By ensuring that the citizens of Athens are able to see how their tax money is being spent, we can eliminate waste and decrease the tax burden on the citizens of Athens-Clarke County." Shinholser believes that only in a society that is free of an unnecessary tax burden can small business flourish. "By encouraging the growth of local business we can gainfully employ every citizen," he affirmed. "Small business is the fuel of our local economy and will ensure our prosperity in the future." For these reasons Brandon has made public safety, crime reduction, and local business and economy critical planks of his platform.
