The 2001 LP DeKalb Award Winners: New Activist Impact Award (Tie) - Pat Brookshire, David Brookshire Party Fundraiser Award - James and Becky Scheaffer Community Outreach Award - Bob Wamsley Hospitality Award - Brian and Peggy Fenton Lifetime Performance Award - Allan Wallace

First Annual Charity Social and DeKalb Christmas Family Adoption an Unqualified Success!
Dunwoody, GA (December 8th, 2001) and Decatur, GA (December 18th) - Read the December Torch PDF report on these activities. See lots of pictures of both the Charity Social and the gift giving to LPDC's adopted Christmas family. Both events were great fun with a deep sense of positive community togetherness.

Enjoy an evening of food, fun, music, and fellowship while helping a DeKalb family in need this Saturday December 8th at the LP DeKalb Charity Social
Dunwoody, GA (December 8th, 2001) - Socialize with fellow libertarians and their families. Enjoy good food, blues/ragtime music, and the fellowship of local freedom lovers. Help the Libertarian Party of DeKalb sponsor a DeKalb family for the holidays through Our House, Inc. Enjoy special musical guest and world renowned piano player Bob Page. Bob is a Blues and Ragtime piano player with the Shadows. Bob plays regularly here in Atlanta on N. Highland Ave at the famous Blind Willies. This event is being hosted by LP DeKalb Treasurer Brian Fenton and his wife Peggy. The social is scheduled for 4pm to 8pm at 5304 Saffron Dr., Dunwoody, GA 30338-3114. Here is a special, handy, one page printable invitation in JPG format or PDF format, containing directions for your convienance.

The Libertarian Party of DeKalb has adopted a Decatur family through Our House, Inc. in Decatur for Christmas 2001 as our charity. Our House is a child care and support center for homeless families. Our House: Offers up to 4 months of free child care to homeless families. Serves up to 40 children - from 2 months to 5 years old - Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., year round. Helps parents obtain housing, jobs, and transportation. Serves more than 10 homeless shelters and transitional programs in Dekalb County. Provides parents with job training and counseling. Provides clothing, meals and medical care to children. Relies on more than 65 hands-on volunteers each year. Saturday we will be collecting donations and ideas for making this year's Christmas special for this family of five.

The family of Jamal and Marquita Seymour has 2 small children and a teen to be sponsored. ...>> Read More

LP DeKalb wraps up the 2001 monthly meetings on October 24th at the Doraville Civic Center
Doraville, GA (October 24th, 2001) - Doors opened at 7 PM, meeting ran from 7:30 PM to 8:30 PM. Instead of one main speaker, we had a variety of speakers reporting on - success of the LP DeKalb garage sale; DeKalb County property taxes; 2004 LP national convention coming to Atlanta; 2001 LPGa municipal candidates; LP DeKalb annual holiday party in January; new LPGa affiliates including Georgia Tech; and some open forum time for member comments. It was great libertarian conversation.

Sandy Thomas, candidate for the LPGa U.S. Senate nomination, visits DeKalb at the September 26th monthly meeting.
Doraville, GA (September 26th, 2001) - Claude "Sandy" Thomas, LP member from Cobb County, was our featured speaker. The presentation was very interactive, with a lot of feedback and questions from DeKalb members. Sandy is seeking the Libertarian Party of Georgia's nomination for Senate in 2002. In addition to being well-versed on the principles of the Libertarian Party, he is an excellent communicator. Read his biography here. He was introduced by LP Cobb Chairman and LPGa Press Secretary Mike Powers. LP Atlanta Chair Tracee Avery also joined us. We also discussed the annual LP DeKalb garage sale, joining the Atlanta Outright Libertarians in the AIDS walk on October 14th, and other LP DeKalb business.

Please donate items to the annual LP DeKalb garage sale set for October 13 and 14
Tucker, GA (October 13,14, 2001) - The annual LP DeKalb garage sale is set for Saturday and Sunday, October 13 and 14 at 2107 Aldah Dr. Tucker, GA 30084. This is one of our two major fund raisers each year. Remember your local county Libertarian Party affiliate is totally self-funded. No funds come from the national or state party (we do get some resources from the state like this web service). Proceeds from our fundraisers fund our monthly Torch newsletter, outreach activities, candidates, and other political work at the county level. We want to extend a huge thanks to longtime Libertarian supporters James and Becky Scheaffer for hosting this years garage sale.

So we really need those sellable items you don't use anymore taking up your valuable storage space. This includes household items, clothing, electronics, collectables, toys, automobile accessories, etc. We're not asking for money, just stuff we can help get off your hands. A good rule to follow is sell anything you have not used for a while. Or if you don't forsee ever using something again, sell it to someone who will. You will both benefit from the sale. Let your friends and family know you are having a sale. They might have items they are willing to donate. Bigger garage sales attract more shoppers.

If you have stuff to donate, please drop it off at the garage sale site (2107 Aldah Dr. Tucker, GA 30084) between 5 pm and 7:30 pm on Friday October 12th ... OR ... contact Tom Freese (liberty@tomfreese.com or 404-634-4589) or Denise Frix (770-939-5459) to make other arrangements like pick up or early drop-off.

We will also need a few volunteers to work the sale. Setup time on Friday evening is 5pm until perhaps 9pm. Sale hours are 8 am to 3 pm both Saturday and Sunday. If you can help with the sale contact Bob Wamsley (wamsley@bellsouth.net or 770-451-9139).

Georgia House Representative Fran Millar speaks about political reapportionment at our August meeting
Doraville, GA (August 22nd, 2001) - Representative Fran Millar of Georgia House District 59 spoke at our LP DeKalb monthly meeting on August 22nd at the Doraville Civic Center. House District 59 includes parts of Chamblee, Doraville and Dunwoody. Millar is involved in the redistricting of DeKalb's Congressional District served by U.S. Representative Cynthia McKinney. Fran has introduced a redistricting map for a proposed 13th Congressional District. This new district would stretch from north Decatur and Stone Mountain through Dunwoody, a portion of southern Gwinnett County and up into Alpharetta.
Future meeting dates: (Always the 4th Wednesday of the month, except Nov. and Dec.)
* September 26th, October 24th, and January 23rd. (All at the Doraville Civic Center)

Georgia House Representative Fran Millar to speak about political reapportionment at our August meeting
Doraville, GA (August 22nd, 2001) - Representative Fran Millar of Georgia House District 59 will speak at our LP DeKalb monthly meeting on August 22nd at the Doraville Civic Center. House District 59 includes parts of Chamblee, Doraville and Dunwoody. Millar is involved in the redistricting of DeKalb's Congressional District served by U.S. Representative Cynthia McKinney. Fran has introduced a redistricting map for a proposed 13th Congressional District. This new district would stretch from north Decatur and Stone Mountain through Dunwoody, a portion of southern Gwinnett County and up into Alpharetta.

We also have important LP DeKalb outreach activities to discuss in our pursuit of obtaining at least 10% of the DeKalb vote in 2002 for our state wide candidates. In 2000 we got 7% for our PSC candidates in DeKalb. This also builds support towards Libertarians winning their local races in DeKalb. Among these outreach activities are the Tucker Day parade on August 25th and the Stone Mountain Park Chili Cook-Off on October 6th. Of course we are always working in our meetings toward becoming more politically influential in order to secure more liberty in all our lives now and for the future.

The Doraville Civic Center (3770 Central Ave, Doraville, GA 30340-1132) is behind the Doraville City Hall (3725 Park Avenue, Doraville, GA 30340-1132), right off Buford Highway just inside I-285 and very close to the Doraville MARTA Station. Doors open at 7 pm, meeting runs from 7:30 PM to 8:30 PM. There will be beverages, snacks, door prizes, and great libertarian conversation. LP DeKalb shirts will be there available for purchase. Remember - "All politics is local". Want changes in Washington D.C.? Start right here in DeKalb. We need participation from all our members. Please join us.
Future meeting dates: (Always the 4th Wednesday of the month, except Nov. and Dec.)
* September 26th, October 24th, and January 23rd. (All at the Doraville Civic Center)

LP DeKalb monthly meetings move to newer and bigger location starting with the Wednesday July 25th meeting. Please join us at the Doraville Civic Center. We need your valuable participation and input. Doraville, GA (July 25, 2001) - This month we are moving our monthly meetings to a NEW meeting location - the Doraville Civic Center (3770 Central Ave, Doraville, GA 30340-1132) behind the Doraville City Hall (3725 Park Avenue, Doraville, GA 30340-1132), right off Buford Highway just inside I-285 and very close to the Doraville MARTA Station. This should be far easier to find for first time attendees than the Tucker Library. Doors open at 7 PM, meeting runs from 7:30 PM to 8:30 PM We will conducting LP DeKalb business such as strategic planning, outreach and OPH planning, and city council candidate planning. We have great opportunities to gain political power in the name of liberty in this the political off-season. The Republican and Democrat Parties aren't doing much right now. This is our chance to make up ground. But we need as many of our 300 DeKalb members to participate as possible, as often as possible. Our meetings always have great libertarian conversation. We will have our new LP DeKalb T-shirts and golf shirts for sale (see below), beverages, snacks, and a T-shirt door prize!
Future meeting dates: (Always the 4th Wednesday of the month, except November and December)
* August 22nd, September 26th, and October 24th. (All at the Doraville Civic Center)

Is your bodily information your private property or state property?
Privacy advocate Sandra Lance gave us the inside scoop on Georgia's policy to demand your fingerprints in exchange for a driver's license at our May 23rd monthly LP DeKalb meeting at the Tucker Library.
Tucker, GA (May 23rd, 2001) Ms. Sandra Lance has researched the laws and lack of laws, attended the GA Board of Public Safety meetings, lobbied at the state capitol, founded the Fingerprintsayno.com - Fingerprint and Eyescan Objectors organization, refused to give her own fingerprints, and is the foremost expert on this issue in Georgia. She says retinal eye scans are next. Why do these government officials demand your fingerprint, your bodily information without due process, without probable cause, without just compensation, in exchange for a GA driver's license or ID? Who do they share this information with? Why was gubernatorial candidate Roy Barnes against fingerprinting, but governor Roy Barnes is for it? This issue effects each and every one of us. For more information visit www.fingerprintsayno.com.

Another great LPGa annual state convention was held in DeKalb County. Dunwoody, GA (April 27,28,29 2001) For the second year in a row, DeKalb County was host to the LPGa state convention. Local Libertarians, including a huge presence from DeKalb, learned from the Libertarian political masters. A powerful new Executive Committee organization authorized, with 3 LP DeKalb members elected. The Libertarian Party of Georgia annual state convention was a great success in large part thanks to all the LP DeKalb volunteers working the event. ...>> Read More

The 19th Annual LP DeKalb Tax Day Event is a Big Success!
Decatur, GA (April 16, 2001) - By all measures, the LP DeKalb tax day event at the Decatur Post Office was a big success. We got a lot of press coverage - at least 4 LP DeKalb members did a combined total of at least 8 interviews with three radio stations (WSB, WGST, and WCNN) and two newspapers (The AJC and The DeKalb Neighbor). LP DeKalb member Tony Trauring's WSB interview was played a number of times on the air. The "Libertarian Party of DeKalb County's Annual Tax Day Protest at the Decatur Post Office" was mentioned many times on WSB and WGST yesterday. Talk show host Neal Boortz specifically mentioned our LP DeKalb protest on his nationally syndicated WSB program yesterday. Also the DeKalb Neighbor and the AJC took a plenty of pictures. Once again we in the LP Dekalb turned this normally negative day into an opportunity to spread the message of liberty, remind people that the United States did not always have an income tax, and let them know we would be better off without an income tax.

We handed out lots of LP literature - at least 1000 postal customers got some LP literature. We gave out 500 LP DeKalb "Does the Income Tax Benefit a Free America?" flyers, about 700 "Why Join Today" LPGa brochures, and LP Million Dollar Bills to all. We displayed more professional signs than ever before - thanks to LP DeKalb members Pat and David Brookshire. We found a few old or out of touch LP members interested in helping us, had some new volunteer participation, we received increased positive feedback from postal customers than last year, and even got a unsolicited cash donation from a postal customer. If you are aware of news coverage we got not mentioned here or have pictures of the event, please e-mail our Chairman Tom Freese. Thanks to all 25 of you that joined us in this event. Your efforts are appreciated (many, many postal customers thanked us for being out there) and will be recognized. ...>> Read More

2001 LP DeKalb Executive Committee elected at March 28th monthly meeting
Tucker, GA -- Four new LP DeKalb Executive Committee officers were elected by the LP DeKalb membership at the monthly meeting at the Tucker Library. The new officers are: Chairman - Tom Freese, Vice-Chairman - Bob Wamsley, Treasurer - Brian Fenton, and Secretary - Bill Casino. Also Denise Frix was elected as the DeKalb County delegate to the 2001 LPGa state convention. We wish to extend a special thanks to the 2000 LP DeKalb Executive Committee officers: Chairman - Paul Jennison, Vice-Chairman - Tom Freese, Treasurer - Doyle Jones, and Secretary Don Schiff. They accomplished a lot in this past year. All are expected to remain active with LP DeKalb, as we continue to become a more influential organization in DeKalb & Georgia politics. ...>> Read More

Very successfull LP DeKalb garage sale brings in almost $1000
Tucker, GA (October 13,14, 2001) - The annual LP DeKalb garage sale was held Saturday and Sunday, October 13 and 14 in Tucker. Other than some early Sunday rain, the weather turned out quit good. This year's gross income turned out to be $984.16. With expenses limited to about a dozen signs and balloons totaling $54. The $930 net income far exceeds last year's hastily put together sale income of not quite $400. It also exceeds 1999's approximate $800 result.

This is one of our two major fund raisers each year. This is important because your local county Libertarian Party affiliate is totally self-funded. No funds come from the national or state party (we do get some resources from the state like this web service). Proceeds from our fundraisers fund our monthly Torch newsletter, outreach activities, candidates, and other political work at the county level.

We want to extend a huge thanks to longtime Libertarian supporters James and Becky Scheaffer for hosting this years garage sale. They were great hosts, their home proved to be a superior location and facility, and they even chipped in to help with the sale.

We want to extend another huge thanks to all the many Libertarian donors, including some from other counties, for all their great stuff. This was key to our bottom line results. A lot of great stuff was donated and sold.

Yet another huge thanks go to all the sale volunteers, headed up by coordinator Bob Wamsley. First star honors goes to volunteer Denise Frix for her superior effort and experienced and savy garage salesmanship. Also volunteering to make the sale the success that it was - Cara Emery, Lee Cromley, Chuk Vinson, Hunter Scheaffer, David Brookshire, Tom Freese, Pat Brookshire, George Batchelder, and of course James and Becky Scheaffer.

LP DeKalb parades for Libertarian support before hundreds at annual Tucker Day festival
Tucker, GA (August 25, 2001) - Eleven Libertarian Party of DeKalb members along with two Gwinnett members marched in the annual Tucker Day parade on Saturday morning August 25th. This was another great opportunity to build political support in DeKalb by promoting our party in front of the 25,000 person Tucker community. It was fun, free, and it's more publicity for the Libertarian Party on a beautiful morning in DeKalb. We want to expand a special thanks to event coordinator Doyle Jones. Pictures from the event have been added to the photo gallery.

LP DeKalb monthly meetings have moved to newer and bigger location starting with the Wednesday July 25th meeting. Please join us at the Doraville Civic Center. We need your valuable participation and input. Doraville, GA (July 25, 2001) - We have moved our monthly meetings to a NEW meeting location - the Doraville Civic Center (3770 Central Ave, Doraville, GA 30340-1132) behind the Doraville City Hall (3725 Park Avenue, Doraville, GA 30340-1132), right off Buford Highway just inside I-285 and very close to the Doraville MARTA Station. This should be far easier to find for first time attendees than the Tucker Library. Doors open at 7 PM, meeting runs from 7:30 PM to 8:30 PM We will conducting LP DeKalb business such as strategic planning, outreach and OPH planning, and city council candidate planning. We have great opportunities to gain political power in the name of liberty in this the political off-season. The Republican and Democrat Parties aren't doing much right now. This is our chance to make up ground. But we need as many of our 300 DeKalb members to participate as possible, as often as possible. Our meetings always have great libertarian conversation.

Twenty-two freedom lovers promote the Libertarian Party to the public behind LP DeKalb banner for first time ever in Decatur Independence Day parade.
Decatur, GA (July 4th, 2001) Despite afternoon and afterdark thunderstorms, the evening parade celebrating liberty went on as planned in dry conditions in downtown Decatur. We had a blast and it looked like we had the largest single group in the parade. We certainly had the most signs. More event details still to come. A few parade pictures are now posted in the photo gallery. There are more pictures to soon be posted.

Our own elected Libertarian, Bruce Van Buren shares his political wisdom and interesting stories at the June 27th monthly meeting.
Tucker, GA (June 27th, 2001) We had a rare treat this month. We got to hear from a Libertarian currently elected to office in Georgia. The only currently elected Libertarian in Georgia in fact. Bruce Van Buren was our featured speaker. LP DeKalb member Bruce Van Buren was first elected to the Avondale Estates City council in 1995. He was reelected in 1999. He shared with us what it was like to run and WIN a city council race in DeKalb County. He shared with us what it is like to serve as an elected official as a Libertarian. If you missed this meeting, you missed one full of valuable political insight. We can elect more Libertarians like Bruce this municipal races this fall. We need willing candidates. These positions usually only meet once or twice a month to set policy. You can be the one to steer your city government in a fiscally responsible and non-meddlesome direction to the benefit of all your cities residents.

Lynn Krogseng, the first-ever official Libertarian Party of Georgia Volunteer Coordinator also joined us to speak about her new position, giving us an inspiring speech about the importance of volunteering with the Libertarian Party. She shared how she can help you turn even a small amount of time into progress toward securing your liberty, property, and pursuit of happiness. Lynn is an experienced Toastmaster and computer software professional.

The Wednesday, June 27th LP DeKalb monthly meeting was held once again at the Tucker branch of the DeKalb County Library. The 2 new LP DeKalb 8 ft x 3 ft banners were unveiled at the meeting.

LP Dekalb denied political chili entry at Stone Mountain Cook Off
Stone Mountain, GA (October 6th, 2001) - The annual Stone Mountain Chili Cook Off officials have decided that we could not participate in the Chili Cook Off if we wore political shirts or displayed political signs. Since this too severely limits our outreach ability, we have decided not to enter a Libertarian chili in the contest as previously announced.

LP Dekalb to cook for freedom at Stone Mountain Park event
[PARTICIPATION CANCELLED]
Stone Mountain, GA (October 6th, 2001) - What do liberty and chili have in common? They both taste great and they both require effort, patience, and talent to get just right! So it is with great party spirit that the LP of Dekalb has decided to participate in the 22nd Annual Great Miller Lite Chili Cook Off to be held on Saturday, the 6th of October at Stone Mountain Park. Because this event draws hundreds of participants and thousands of chili tasters, it should prove to be a gold mine opportunity for our Operation Politically Homeless booth, which will be cleverly disguised as a chili cook off vendor booth. ...>> Read More

LP DeKalb to parade for Libertarian support before hundreds at annual Tucker Day festival
Tucker, GA (August 25, 2001) - The Libertarian Party of DeKalb members are going to march in the annual Tucker Day parade on Saturday morning August 25th. This is another great opportunity to build political support in DeKalb by promoting our party in front of the 25,000 person Tucker community. Please join us. We want as many LP members as possible to join with us in the parade. It's fun, it's free, and it's more publicity for the Libertarian Party. As the third largest political party, with few elected officials, we need to publicize and market ourselves as much as possible in our community. And do it in a positive, upbeat manner, so when we criticize today's government policies people take us seriously. Tucker Day is another great chance to do that. The more visible we are, the more the currently elected officials will listen to our message of limited government.

We need to gather on Cowan Road (which is one block south off Fellowship Road, which is the continuation of Main Street on the south side of Lawrenceville Hwy (US-29)) at 9 am on Saturday morning, August 25th, with our banners and signs, wearing our Libertarian T-shirts. The parade is a short one and in the morning, so the heat and the walk shouldn't be a problem. Please spend a small part of your day with us to promote liberty in Tucker! The banners and signs will be provided, just show up in your LP T-shirt, casual clothes, and walking shoes. Children are most welcome to join us as well. You might want to stay for the Tucker Day festival that follows as well. It's a family event full of food, entertainment, and art exhibits. Please contact Tucker Day event coordinator Doyle Jones with your questions and with your intentions to participate. We also discuss this event at our August 22nd monthly meeting.

Show yours friends and neighbors that you are a champion of liberty, responsibility, and community with our new Libertarian Party of DeKalb T-shirts and golf shirts. The Libertarian Party of DeKalb County T-shirts and Golf Shirts are now available for you to purchase. Come to your next LP DeKalb monthly meeting and get yours. These high-quality shirts are going fast. They are great for Libertarian outreach events, OPH booths, attending city-council meetings and property tax increase hearings, wearing to ballgames, and many more public events. Just be ready to answer some questions about why the Libertarian Party is the only political party that respects everybody as unique and competent individuals. And why they should VOTE Libertarian! You might want to be carrying some pocket sized World's Smallest Political Quizes. ......>> Read More for price, color, & size details.

You can promote liberty in DeKalb on July 4th. Please join the LP DeKalb to walk in the Independence Day parade in Decatur.
Decatur, GA (July 4th, 2001) All libertarians, their families and friends of all ages, are invited to join us in the annual Decatur Pied Piper Parade Wednesday evening July 4th in downtown Decatur, GA. The parade starts at 6 PM. It is followed by a concert on the square at 7 PM and fireworks at 9 PM if you are interested in sticking around after the parade. We will gather at 5 PM at the First Baptist Church parking lot on the corner of Clairmont Ave. & Commerce Dr. in downtown Decatur. We will have LP DeKalb & LP Georgia banners 1 in front and 1 in back of the group, LP DeKalb T-shirts, a 2001 Sebring convertible automobile, children of all ages, and of course our own Lady Liberty (Christine McMahon will be in costume in the car - thanks Christine). Plan on joining us to have great fun and promote ourselves, the only party respects individual liberty, to the local community on this most libertarian of holidays. Contact event coordinator David Brookshire at aquapel@mindspring.com to RSVP or ask questions. We want to show as big a presence as possible! Please join us. Bring a friend. They don't have to be a party member. Please contact David today! We also plan to issue a press release related to this event and the libertarian spirit of the holiday. This is OUR holiday as free, individual American citizens. Patriot costumes, appropriate signs, and other expressions of the love of freedom are welcome. Or just come as you are.

Last year the Libertarians in Cobb County had 45 people walk with them in the Marietta Freedom Parade. They will be doing this again this year the morning of the 4th. Let's match their spirit of celebration.

Where to meet: First Baptist Church parking lot on the corner of Clairmont Ave. & Commerce Dr. in downtown Decatur
When to meet: 5 PM, Wednesday July 4th, 2001 (Parade lineup starts at 5:30 PM)

370 Quiz takers visit the 9th Annual LP Operation Politically Homeless Booth at the Atlanta Gay Pride Festival June 22-24 in Piedmont Park
Atlanta, GA (June 22,23,24 2001) Once again the Libertarian Party of DeKalb County cosponsored with Outright Libertarians one of the largest libertarian OPH booths in Georgia. Event crowds were estimated at over 100,000. Booth organizer, LP DeKalb member, and Outright Libertarians National Chairman Allan Wallace (allan@outrightusa.org) said that 370 Quiz takers was "Not a record but good none-the-less". We had a LOT OF FUN and we collected 160 names with contact information of those that scored libertarian on the quiz and wanted more information about the libertarianism, the Libertarian Party, and/or Outright Libertarians. That's 43% of the Quiz takers! Dozens more came by and grabbed Libertarian literature without taking the quiz. Thousands more walked by and saw our Libertarians signs. This was a great event for Libertarian exposure. For more information about the Outright Libertarians, visit www.OutrightUSA.org or ask Allan. For more information on Atlanta Gay Pride visit their web site. Also note that Outright Libertarians were the ONLY political group to donate money as a sponsor to the Pride event, the Stonewall Democrats and the Log Cabin Republicans were conspicuous in their absence as Pride sponsors. See more pictures here.

As advertised at the OPH booth, there will be a chance to mingle with both new and experienced metro Atlanta gay & lesbian defenders of individual liberty at an upcoming social gathering. This is designed for the all new contacts at the Pride OPH booth and the existing Outright membership to get to know each other. The Welcome to Outright Libertarians - A Meet & Greet Social will be held Saturday July 14th, from 7 PM to 9 PM at the Innovox Lounge Coffee House (www.innovoxlounge.com) at 699 Ponce De Leon in Atlanta. It is a social, casual event. Come as you are.