Rematch: Jody Thompson to run against Chas Hardy

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Friday, March 30. 2012

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Jody Thompson has announced his entry into the District 2 county commissioner race in Jackson County.

Thompson, the former county commissioner for District 2, is the husband of Brandy Thompson and father to daughter Natalie 11 and son Aubrey 7. Thompson is a police officer with Athens-Clarke County and has been recognized as the Employee of the Quarter and recipient of the Life Saver Award.

He lost to current District 2 commissioner Chas Hardy in 2008.

Thompson is a certified county commissioner, a graduate of Leadership Jackson, Association of County Commissioners Leadership Academy and Leadership in Police Organizations. Thompson is also a martial arts instructor with Aikido Schools of Commerce.

Regarding the future of Jackson County, Thompson said he intends to end excessive spending, stop employee furloughs and improve services throughout the county. He said he is committed to bringing more jobs to Jackson County and improving the relationships with current employers to ensure they remain a part of the community.

“The citizens of Jackson County have come to me asking me to run for county commissioner,” Thompson said. “In the last four years I have grown exponentially as a professional and look forward to leading Jackson County into a new age of industrial and commercial growth.”

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#1 Dying Laughing on 03/30/12 at 09:36 PM

Is he serious? The people already told this clown to hit the road one time.

#2 Joe Christmas on 03/31/12 at 12:54 PM

In the last four years I also have grown "exponentially", but not enough to vote for this guy.

#2.1 Anonymous on 03/31/12 at 07:35 PM

Have you ever met the guy or are just drinking the kool aid?

#3 Anonymous on 03/31/12 at 07:21 PM

And what has Chas done?

#3.1 Anonymous on 06/29/12 at 10:49 AM

Skipped meetings.

#4 been watching on 03/31/12 at 07:56 PM

Yeah, I've talked to Jody. He's a moron. What he never figured out was that his election to office was a rejection of Sammy Thomason, not an endorsement of Jody. Hardy may not be spectacular, but he's thoughtful and solid - not words anyone ever used to describe Jody.

Thompson will get some votes, but Hardy's going to be re-elected.

#5 Anonymous on 03/31/12 at 08:14 PM

Moron is a bit extreme. He might not be popular, but he isn't stupid. Other than wanting to run for commissioner again . . . Hardy's crew plays dirty pool.

#6 Anonymous on 04/01/12 at 02:49 PM

The words "thoughtful" and "Chas" should never be used in the same sentence. I think you have your candidates mixed up.

#7 Take a hint Jody on 04/02/12 at 08:57 AM

Chas is probably the best commissioner we have and I know he is the best of him and Jody. Jody can you not take a hint? You weren’t voted in the last time, what makes you think you will be this time?

#7.1 works for the county on 04/04/12 at 07:39 AM

News Flash! Chas has only spent money with nothing to show. He has a terrible voting history and has missed several meetings. How does a county manager blow over a million dollars and your "best" commissioner missed it? We are still being furloughed and the BOC doesn't care. That's the facts.

#8 JPatrick on 04/03/12 at 07:07 PM

I wish Jody the best of luck. Many people don't like him but I think he's a decent guy. He actually cares about the benefit of the citizens of Jackson County and is not in it for personal reasons or gain.

Perhaps instead of slamming on the guy, people should take the opportunity to meet with him. It's quite possible that a few minds would be changed.

#9 Hey Jody! on 04/04/12 at 10:03 AM

Hey Jody,how many times are you going to respond to this article? I count at least 5 times.

#10 Local Resident on 04/09/12 at 01:51 PM

Jody may not be the cookie-cutter politician, but he's a pretty decent guy and I know he wants the best for Jackson County. Although he may be a little odd, he comes from a nice, working class, friendly family.
So, Good luck to you, Jody.
Now...Get out there and shake some hands. Don't let this be a popularity contest, again. We need someone who will actually attend the meetings and who will work to make Jackson County a better place!

#11 Jody is Dillusional on 06/27/12 at 10:47 PM

Jody Thompson is so damn dense he would have to go to school for three years to get an idiot's license. Voters kicked him to the curb before. I don't know what he's been smoking that makes him think he has a snowball's chance in hell, but he needs to realize that people in this county wouldn't vote for his moronic butt to be dogcatcher.

#11.1 Heather Boswell on 06/28/12 at 03:45 PM

Dude, yeah you sound like a "dude" to me. You sound as though you've already graduated idiot's school and was the head of your class. If you're gonna blast a politician at least use some big words like YOU know what YOU'RE talking about. And I'd rather have a guy that Has smoked something than not(not that I know he has). Maybe something will get done creatively.

#12 Anonymous on 06/28/12 at 10:37 AM

Wow Chas, how many times have you responded to this. I was at the forum, Jody wiped the floor with you. All you did was talk about how great you are and debt, debt, debt.

It is clear you are scared with all this mudslinging!

#13 Eddie R on 06/28/12 at 04:42 PM

This is probably the same person who has been stealing my sign from my yard. Thompson will get my vote and everyone I can talk to. Taking the sign just makes me more angry and makes me want to talk to more people.

Comments like these above makes Chas and his supporters look like children. Seriously, calling a man a moron?

#14 How? on 07/17/12 at 09:05 AM

I am curious as to how Jody can say that he made the Quality Foods intersection safer. This has just been completed and Chas has been in office 4 years. Come on Jody and his family … quit tooting your own horn.

#15 Anonymous on 07/17/12 at 07:20 PM

Because Jody got the funding and the project started 6 (six) years ago. Thompson posted it on his website and I found it in the minutes of the meetings over 6 years ago to verify it.

If you knew what you were talking about you would know the project got held up for nearly 2 years by a property owner suing the DOT over a tree that was cut down.

#16 Anonymous on 07/17/12 at 09:13 PM

You know why Chas isn't talking about it, because he had nothing to do with it. He hasn't said one thing about what he has gotten done, because he hasn't done anything. The only people who are voting for him are people who want to keep their peer pressure social group happy. Most the firemen don't like him and are not voting for him. I voted early this week and Hardy did not get my vote.

#16.1 Debbie Durham on 07/18/12 at 10:00 AM

Whoa… We've known Chas & Sabrina and Jody & Brandy for many years. I couldn't (& wouldn't) speak for the other firefighters or their wives, but our family has a good rapport with both the Hardy's and Thompson's.
MY vote won't be based on popularity, friendship, or how well our son plays with their son. I'M voting on how I feel did the best job at each of the debates.

#16.2 joined at the hip on 07/19/12 at 10:00 PM

Who's joined at the hip? Hunter and Chas... the former quit when things got tough in the 9th Congressional race, the later skips meetings, is arrogant and doesn't have the best interests of the citizens of his district in mind when he votes. They both have a whiff of Gwinnett county politics to them. Let's not give the quitter and the arrogant meeting skipper another term.

#17 Kim G on 07/18/12 at 08:29 AM

Why does everyone want to talk so much but always fails to give their name? Yes, I agree with the above comment that Jody is NOT qualified to be a dog catcher. He & his wife are really living in their own little strange world. Chas..nice guy, but hasn't done anything great. Until someone else decides to go against either of these guys we have no other choice. It's one or the other for now so we're all screwed!

#18 debbie durham on 07/18/12 at 09:21 AM

I appreciate Jody Thompson's hard work getting the intersection near Quality Foods updated. Because I work near the intersection, I either had to deal with it, or drive completely around it when I wanted to make a quick trip to the store.
I hope the future candidate can work with DOT to make some type of upgrade to the 441/98 intersection. I don't know why it seems to be such a nightmare, but its yet another intersection I try to avoid.

Voters - Please make wise, educated choices when selecting your candidates for Commissioner, Sheriff, and Probate Judge. The person with the most signs is not necessarily the best choice. Please attend or view the debates and find out a who you're electing.

#19 Anonymous on 07/20/12 at 08:41 PM

Kim G - Why is he not qualified as a dog catcher? It seemed like every other week the newspaper printed him getting commended or awarded as a deputy or cop in Athens. He helped me when he was a commissioner with a nightmare of a rezoning. Very smart young man. The only time I had to call Chas, he was nice, but really didnt seem to know a whole lot.

I found the youtube videos helpful on the sheriff's race. I also found it helpful with the commissioner race.

#19.1 Kim G on 07/27/12 at 09:10 AM

Again...ANONYMOUS name. Why? As far as the great Officer/Deputy that Thompson is or was where is that information? Search Athens Banner Herald & it is LOTS of articles in regards to Jackson Co, election, etc. I am interested to read this wonderful info that you speak of!

#19.1.1 Anonymous on 07/28/12 at 04:54 PM

http://search.onlineathens.com/fast-elements.php?querystring=jody%20thompson&profile=athens&type=standard

Wow over 10 pages about him. 2 whole pages on Chas. Hard to write articles about doing nothing.

http://search.onlineathens.com/fast-grid.php?querystring=jody+thompson&navigators=contentclass%2CS%2C^images%24%2CS%2CContent+Class%2CS%2Cimages%2CC%2Ccreationtime%2CS%2C[2010-03-02T00%3A00%3A00Z%3B]%2CS%2CPublication+Date%2CS%2C2010-03-02+or+after&offset=0&filters=%2Bcontentclass%2Cimages&hits=24&hc=y&type=images&profile=athens&tags=jody+thompson

Thompson has been awarded the Employee of the Quarter and the LIFE SAVER award for saving a woman from death.

#20 Anonymous on 07/21/12 at 08:52 AM

I work with Jody and just now found this article and comments. I don't live in Jackson County but I after working with him I wished I could move there to vote for him. Whoever has written these insulting comments apparently does not know him or is just trying to make themselves feel better. He is one of the hardest working and caring officers I have ever had the pleasure of serving with.

I had heard that the politics were nasty but the insulting nature of the comments above only fuel that claim. How about asking some of the people he works with daily about who he is.

#20.1 Anonymous on 07/23/12 at 10:55 AM

I am glad you work with him; I really hope I do not have to work with him as a citizen in his district. I really hope the "new guy" gets voted in. That way we can have some "new blood" and see what he can get done.

#21 Marie Thomas on 07/26/12 at 07:45 PM

The new guy walked away when Chas and Jody went to shake his hand after a debate....is that the type of person that you want to work with as a citizen in this district?

And just so you know, Mr Thompson is a very smart man and made great achievements in Jackson County, when he was commissioner before. He actually stands up for the people and is very honest and offers educated solutions. He is dedicated to the citizens of Jackson County. Watch the you tube debates and you will see that he is the better person for the job.

Also, I have a couple of questions for all of the folks that are bashing Mr Thompson......have you ever met him personally? And what has he done to you personally, to make you not like him? For Commerce to be such a Christian Community.......I shake my head with amazement at all the judgement's that have been placed upon some one that you have not even met in person.

Another thing, I do not think it was cool that his family was mentioned by one of the above critics. This grade school gang bashing, shows the childless behavior and character of Mr Hardy's supporters. I am going to pray for every single one of you, sounds like you folks need it.

#21.1 I know him ... on 07/27/12 at 10:59 AM

Were you at that debate or are you just going by what was said. I was there and yes he did walk away to talk to one of his supporters and then came back to shake hands.

What great achievements did he make while he was commissioner? He claims that he got the Quality Foods intersection done. If you do your homework you will find that it was in the DOT works well before he was in office. There was a lawsuit because of a tree. That is why Mr. Thompson can take credit for it. If you watch the you tube videos you will hear him say that he was involved in multi-million dollar chains. Yeah Seiko and vacuums are multi-million dollar companies but he did NOTHING but supposedly run a store at the outlet.

You also ask if I know him … I am sad to say yes I do know him personally and in my opinion he is a snake in the grass. What has he done for you that makes him such a good person in your eyes?

I am glad you say you are going to pray from Mr. Hardy’s supporters at least I know I have someone else praying for me. Prayers are GREAT!!!

#21.1.1 I Was There on 07/30/12 at 08:06 PM

I was at the debate that she is referring too and Max did not seem like a happy person. He did a what ever sign, up to Chas and Jody, who were being very respectful. Max never went back to shake their hands. He was rude and unprofessional.

And he never gave solutions to anything. At least Chas and Jody gave solutions. The two of them spoke very well and focused on the issues that would help the county the most. I personally was having a hard time deciding on Chas or Jody. They are both good men. Now, Max he was eliminated from my vote, he gave no solutions and only spoke of the airport. There is more to the county, than the airport.

I finally did some research at the court house, to see which candidate has done the most for our county. By the way, there are no records of a tree lawsuit on file at the court house. That sounds like you have been told some misinformation.

From all the records, Jody has helped the county more, than any Commissioner has in the past 12 years. Researching the candidates is the best way to make an educated vote.

#21.2 Debbie Durham on 07/27/12 at 02:07 PM

Was my comment the one referenced? As both couples are friends of our family, I wouldn't post negative comments about either.
However, as the candidates themselves have mentioned their families in the newspaper and on YouTube, my mention was to implore the voters the need to do their own research to gain an opinion. Read the newspaper, watch the videos, and ask questions.

#22 Jane B on 07/26/12 at 07:57 PM

Wow, Can't believe that all of this anger, is toward someone that is so good for the county. He saved Jackson County A LOT of money the last time he was in office and has my vote again.

What I have seen from Mr Hardy is missed meetings and lots of money spent. Was a fire training center that important, when Jackson county could have used the one in Hall county for FREE??? Wasting money is not a winner for Jackson County. We are still trying to recover from the court house......so grow up critics, be smart and vote for good economics for Jackson County!!!

#23 Mark on 07/26/12 at 08:56 PM

Okay - okay guys and gals, calm down. Breath in and out and count to ten. Do some yoga and meditate.

Here's my opinion:

Jody Thompson is the most educated and most qualified person to be our commissioner. I have been to the debates and Thompson has solutions and wants to help Jackson county. He is not in it for social circumstance or because he feels that he is entitled to it. He is in it for the people!!!

Thompson is against T-Splost, while Hardy is for it. Thompson wants to cut spending, while Hardy enjoys spending the county's money.

Watch the debates on youtube so you can make a more educated decision. It does not fall on your social standing, but who will serve Jackson County with the best leadership.

#24 nutshell on 07/27/12 at 02:43 PM

To simplify things:

Thompson - the most qualified
Hardy - good ole boy
Allen - none of the above

#25 So glad it is over on 08/07/12 at 10:15 AM

I am so glad this is over now maybe Jody will stop replying to this article.

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Rematch: Jody Thompson to run against Chas Hardy

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Rematch: Jody Thompson to run against Chas Hardy

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