On July 31, Suwanee Votes and Speaks Out

Suwanee voters were active on Tuesday, July 31, the latest election day. And they weren't shy, either.

Bob Dalbey, a retired teacher, said he voted for the transportation sales tax, "with reservation."

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"What relatives are going to get all the contracts to do the work?" Dalbey said outside Epiphany Lutheran Church on Tuesday afternoon after voting. "Are they going to keep it non-political? I don't think it's been done in Georgia history."

Dalbey was referring to what also has been known as the TSPLOST, the one-percent sales tax that would be used to fund transportation-related improvements in Gwinnett and metro Atlanta.

The transportation measure also was an important subject to Chuck Edmonson, a resident of unincorporated Suwanee.

He voted no on the TSPLOST. "I agree we need it (improvements), but I disagree with the way they are going about it," he said.

So controversial were the ballot measures and the election atmosphere in general that the local electorate was indeed motivated. A poll worker at Epiphany Lutheran said that turnout was "steady busy, but not slammed." There are about 3,000 voters in this particular precinct.

On the transportation measure, Edmonson added, "I don't think they've studied it properly to find out where the real headaches are. It'll take 25 years to get the shopping list accomplished."

"Look at McGinnis Ferry Road, how long it's taken them to get that bridge done."

Also catching Dalbey's attention was the question on casino gambling, which was on both the Democratic and GOP ballots.

"I question whether gambling should go for education," Dalbey said. "We have the lottery (for education). I don't know if we should open up gambling for it. I'm not real enthused."

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Patch will have continuing coverage of Tuesday's election.