I am writing this letter to share with you some of my findings and thoughts on those running for the Augusta Commission races.

I do not live in any of the districts on the ballot, but I have researched those running. I even went and met one gentleman running for District 1: Butch Palmer. The things I found in researching the candidates were candidates who had served prison time and those who seem to have difficulty paying taxes for years.

I was hoping that Augusta would have some candidates with good moral backgrounds and wanted the job to actually serve their community that is electing them. What I found was only one candidate in District 1 who fit that bill, and so I had to go meet him to see if he was for real. Butch Palmer grew up in District 1 and has always lived in the district, and has worked hard to serve his community and keep it safe.

The other candidate I found to be outstanding in his community is the Rev. Bobby Hankerson, running in District 5. I could not find anything negative or dishonorable about him or his character.

I think the citizens would do themselves and the community proud by electing these two gentleman to the Augusta Commission. They are not being backed by the elitists in Augusta who run this city in the background; they are being backed by Joe Public -- people who just want someone good and honest to represent them.