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Claire Bartlett
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January 18, 2013, Sandy Springs, GA – Amid calls for the Fulton County Department of Elections and Registration to “regroup” and the resignation of a key Fulton County Republican Party member on the Board of Elections, the Fulton County Republican Party takes steps to restore confidence and professionalism to the Board by nominating former Atlanta mayoral candidate, Mary Norwood, for immediate appointment to the Fulton County Elections Board to be ratified by the Fulton County Commission. 
 
Pursuant to Article II, Section 14 of the Fulton County Code of Law, two members of the Fulton County Board of Elections shall be appointed by Fulton County based on nomination from the Fulton County Republican Party Chairman, Roger Bonds.
 
“With the resignation of our County Party stalwart and former judge, William Riley, from the Board of Elections and the ongoing investigation by the Secretary of State’s office, we had to act quickly to find someone with the high caliber of intellect and ability to effect change,” said Bonds.  “Mary Norwood is just that kind of person.  Her background as a small business owner, community activist, and former elected official gives her the political savvy and professionalism that makes her the ideal person to continue the clean-up work Riley started.”
 
As an Atlanta City Councilwoman, Mary Norwood ran for mayor of Atlanta in one of the city's tightest political contests, coming within 1% of victory.   Her volunteer work has spanned over 40 organizations in over 120 volunteer capacities.   Prior to serving on the Atlanta City Council, Norwood interacted with elected officials on dozens of issues resulting in an extremely high track record of success.   
 
“Our election process is one of the cornerstones of our country.  As the county seat for the capital of Georgia, Fulton County should set the example for the other 158 counties in our great state.  It is imperative that Fulton County conduct elections that are accurate and impartial,” offers Norwood.   “I am looking forward to ‘rolling up my sleeves and getting to work” to make sure that our upcoming elections are smooth, effortless, and fair for every citizen and every candidate.  Our citizens deserve nothing less.”
 
“Today’s FultonGOP is committed to be part of the solution when something goes awry in Fulton County,” states Bonds.  “We selected Mary because she is an independent thinker and independent voter.  We believe that voter integrity isn’t a Left or Right, Republican or Democrat issue.  All citizens of Fulton County have the right to insist on ballot integrity.  So it is our goal at the FultonGOP to get us back to the rule of law, with fairness being defined by the state and US Constitutions.”
 
The letter of nomination for appointment is below and will be soon available for the public to view at www.FultonGOP.org. 
 
 
About Fulton County Republican Party
Fulton County Republican Party in a grassroots, member-based organization that believes in the founding principles of our nation and applies those principles to both local and national candidates and elected officials.   Those principles are: limited government at all levels, constitutional basis and rule of law, fiscal responsibility, and low taxes. 
 

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January 18, 2013
 
Mr. Mark Massey
Clerk to the Commission  
Fulton County Board of Commissioners
141 Pryor Street, SW, Suite 10076
Atlanta, Georgia 30303
 
RE: Agenda item for Fulton County Board of Commissioners Meeting for January 23, 2013
 
Dear Mr. Massey,
 
As Chairman of the Fulton Country Republican Party, I am nominating Ms. Mary Norwood of 3371 Habersham Road, NW, Atlanta, Georgia 30305-1160 for appointment to the Fulton County Board of Registrations & Elections replacing William F. Riley for the remainder of term: July 1, 2011-June 30, 2013. Included with this letter is Ms. Norwood’s resume and biography.
 
This appointment is made in accordance with Fulton County Code, Article II, Board of Registrations & Elections:
 
Section 14-33 Composition: member qualifications; method of appointment –
Board members shall be appointed in the following manner; two members shall be appointed by the governing authority of Fulton County from nominations made by the chairman of the county Executive Committee of the Republican Party.
 
Section 14-35 Appointment deadline; notifications; record; issuance of Commission –
The appointment of each member shall be made no later than 30 days preceding the date at which such member is to take office by notifying the clerk of the Superior Court of Fulton County in writing of the name and address of the person appointed.
 
Thank you for placing this appointment on the agenda for the January 23, 2013, meeting.
 
Sincerely,
 
Roger Bonds
Chairman
Fulton County Republican Party, Inc.

Enclosures
 
cc: John Eaves, Chairman, Fulton County Board of Commissioners                          
      Liz Hausmann, Commissioner
      Robb Pitts, Commissioner
      Emma Darnell, Commissioner
      Bill Edwards, Commissioner
      Tom Lowe, Commissioner
      Joan Garner, Commissioner
      Honorable Cathelene Robinson, Clerk of Superior Court, Fulton County
      David Ware, County Attorney and Interim County Manager
      Stan Matarazzo, Fulton County Board of Registrations & Elections
      Claire Bartlett, Executive Director, Fulton County Republican Party
      Cameron Fash, First Vice Chairman, Fulton Country Republican Party