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Published Friday, July 11, 2008 in Local
Solicitor candidates disclose campaign collections
The Times-Herald
[Editor's note: On Friday we profiled the Coweta solicitor's race. Today we provide a breakdown of campaign contributions from the two candidates' disclosure reports.]
Through June 30, Solicitor General Robert Stokely has collected $12,112.17 in campaign contributions and challenger Randy Coggin has collected $14,137.16.
The two men are vying for the post to handle prosecution duties for Coweta State Court.
These totals do not include loans candidates made to themselves.
On June 30, the end of the reporting period, Stokely reported expenditures of $12,547.57 and cash on hand of $4,165.14.
Coggin reported expenditures of $12,018.39. No number was entered in the space for net balance on hand.
Candidates must report every contribution over $101, and who made it. Contributions under $101 must be reported as a total, but the contributor is not listed.
The following are Coggin's reported contributions:
Two thousand three hundred from Newnan law firm Stemberger Cummins and Arnall; $500 from Carrollton attorney Allen Trapp; $250 from Toccoa attorney Nina Svoren; $250 from Lawrenceville attorney Richard Ryczek; $150 from Peachtree City attorney Michelle Lundy; $250 from Statesboro attorney W. Keith Barber; $150 from Atlanta law firm Head, Thomas, Webb and Willis; $1,000 from Newnan attorney Scott Cummins; $150 from Tifton attorney G.G. Joseph Kunes Jr.; $1,000 from Atlanta attorney B. Thomas Cook Jr.; $300 from Atlanta attorney Larry Kohn; an additional $500 from Carrollton attorney Allen Trapp; $500 from Coweta media specialist Anne Quinn Powell; $250 from Atlanta attorney Charles T. McGarrahan; $200 from Diamond and Jewelry Source, Newnan; $250 from Cordele law firm Wright and Pack; $682.17 from the Coweta County Republican Party; $200 from Newnan mortgage banker Joe Powell; $400 from Robert S. Mobley, a retiree from Brunswick; $200 from Newnan attorney George Rosenzweig; and $200 from Fairburn attorney Clay Collins.
Coggin also reported $4,454.99 in contributions of under $101.
Stokely reports the following itemized contributions:
$500 from Earl Adams, a retired Sharpsburg cabinet maker; $250 from Newnan attorney Mike Kam; $250 from Moreland contractor Charles Carmical; $1,000 from the Diamond and Jewelry Source, Newnan; $500 from Mike Fitzpatrick, Newnan car dealer; $150 from Newnan Home Improvements; $125 from Newnan Councilman Rhodes Shell; $125 from retired educator Mary Shell; $250 from Newnan attorney Arthur "Skin" Edge and his wife; $250 from Newnan attorney Parnell Odom and his wife; $500 from Guy and Lynn Milette of Newnan, who work in automobile repair and maintenance; $200 from Bob and Chris Fauls of Newnan, who work in transportation and freight forwarding; $150 from Atlanta attorney Larry Burnat; $500 from Atlanta attorney Jeanne Smith; $1,000 from Newnan homemaker Krista Frost; $150 from retiree Ralph Presley of Newnan; $682.17 from the Coweta County Republican Party; $300 from Joe and Elizabeth Crain of Crain Oil, Newnan; $250 from contractor Mark and Tracie Camp; $200 from Newnan attorney Charles C. Witcher; and $200 from Donna Douglas of Newnan.
Stokely also reported $4,580 in contributions of under $101.
Stokely has said that Coggin is getting donations from high powered DUI lawyers because Stokely won't make deals on DUIs.
Coggin said he does not know the vast majority of the out-of-town attorneys, but "I think they have donated based upon the recommendation of other lawyers who know me and have dealt with me.
"If he's trying to say they're trying to buy me off ... nothing could be further from the truth," Coggin said. "What I've heard all along is they are tired of being treated terribly in that court."
Stokely said that many of the contributions to his campaign simply showed up in his mailbox. "I'm proud that many people think that much of me, and most of them sought me out and offered without me asking," he said. "I don't know what better endorsement I can have than a person that not only will give me their vote but will give me their money when I didn't ask."
Comment On This Story
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Stokely has definitely gotten contributions from attorneys , two who defend dui's . How's that for kind of fishy ? He is also not supported by all employees in the justice center. I know of several who don't think he should be in that office anymore. Can't you read what Stokely has done ?
Posted by Sheree at 8:33 PM
I didn't understand your post. I don't think either one has a government issued car. And I think Coggin left his position with the judicial circuit in Griffin. I could be wrong, but just wondering what you meant. Please clarify.
Posted by Flash5 at 12:22 PM
Well I guess you don't see Coggin on the other counties time campaigning at the police and sheriffs office, also in his government issued car. Whats the difference???
Posted by mystified at 2:47 AM
Can you read? In the article there are also contributions from attorneys and justice center employees. Everyone in our family will vote for Stokely and we will also campaign for him every chance we get.
Posted by Ann at 12:36 AM
Kind of fishy that no fellow attorneys are supporting Stokely.
Posted by Debra at 10:59 PM
Kind of fishy that Randy Coggin has nothing but attorneys. See who is there for the ole boy system and who is there for the common man.
Posted by Coggin vs. Stokely at 10:12 PM
Ladies , forget that you "never heard of Coggin" , just Stokely every day. Forget that both sides are passionate about this race , and have made "negative" comments. Look at the Facts. Look at Coggin's site. Do you think all of it , even Stokely's own letters, are untrue ? And if you care about Newnan, then you care about our police and our community safety . Ask any cop , deputy, or trooper if Stokely works with them to protect our county. That's what he should do , but doesn't do .
Posted by Tim at 4:24 PM
I have never heard of this Coggin guy either. I have seen his campaign documents and I see him as a mudslinging bully who has called in all of his "Hotlanta" buddies to contribute to his campaign. I doubt seriously if he is concerned about Newnan at all. Proabably just looking for a stepping stone...My vote will got to Robert Stokely on any day that ends in "y".
Posted by Janis at 12:50 PM
A lot of the things stokely has done did occur a long time ago,Coggin is the first to challenge him. If you want an honest opinion stop and ask any police officer,deputy, state trooper,game warden or any courthouse employee.stokely is an embarressment to coweta county.
Posted by Rick at 11:35 AM
OK, why don't you put your money where your mouth is? According to his website, Stokely "moved to Newnan in late 1992." He's originally from Atlanta, by way of Florida. Coggin was born in Coweta, and graduated from NHS. So if where someone is born determines who you will vote for, then you must be voting for Coggin, right?
Posted by Sick of stupid reasons to vote or not vote for someone at 11:05 AM
Stokely is a great guy, but I have to vote Coggin on this one.
Posted by Cheryl at 9:19 AM
Because they have to work with Stokely. They want to work with Coggin because he's not a nut case. Downtown people feel obligated as "friends" to donate. Many of Stokely's "friends" aren't going to vote for him because morally it's the wrong thing to do.
Posted by Person at 9:15 AM
It bothers me that so many out of town people have so much interest in Coggins.
Posted by Sam Little at 8:49 AM
You can tell the same person is writing all of these comments negative about Stokely. I can't believe so many people are so passionate about this office as to raise all this negativity unless they have a dog in the fight. I could careless who wins this office personally so it is obvious just reading the comments who I will not vote for.
Posted by Susan at 8:42 AM
Our community has already been influenced by enough people from the Atlanta area. They moved here. We do not need any more of their influence in Coweta. Vote STOKELY!!!!!!!!!
Posted by Sick of Atlantans at 8:28 AM
Exactly. I 100% agree. I work downtown and I see Robert all the time. He is fun to shoot the breeze with. He does have charisma - but that's about it. For a long time I assumed he was retired as he was always at the RedNeck or around town - never at work. I hope that people will turn their brains on and check out Coggin. He has character, he is a good man and he works hard enough that he doesn't have time to go out and socialize for votes - or use deceased family members (God rest his soul) for votes.
Posted by Worried at 8:26 AM
I know both of these men on a personal level and while I believe that they are both good men, my vote is for Coggin. I think that Robert Stokely does some very shady things. I don't think that he is trustworthy. I feel as if he has used his son's death in the war to advance himself in the campaign. He has a very bad temper and he mistreats people. He told a woman that he would take her out back and "beat her like a man". He very much has a temper and acts childish. No classy. Coggin IS classy. I highly recommend not basing your decision on this article alone. It seemed a little one sided to me. A lot of home town people that know Stokely probably felt obligated to donate. I even have heard a few people say, "I am friends with Stokely, but I just can't vote for him." These people even have his signs in their front yard. Read up on the facts - not just one article to make a decision. This is a big deal.
Posted by VERY CONCERNED at 8:16 AM
People think Stokely does NOT give deals on DUI ? Just last month he reduced a DUI while the arresting officer was gone serving our country in the military. He reduces or dismisses DUIs all the time , he just TELLS you he doesn't , and you don't know better , and he acts so nice outside the courthouse , so you just believe him. And he does DUI "deals" for lawyers from Atlanta , and from Coweta, and elsewhere . Check the courthouse records . And the article shows Stokely has gotten money from several DUI Lawyers , and from local friends who are NOT cops , or Judges , or courthouse employees who know what Stokely is really doing . Everyone should look at the facts , and the truth , before they vote .
Posted by Also Informed Downtown at 7:32 AM
Regardless of who you vote for, take a few minutes to visit http://votecoggin.org. There, you will see the actual documents relating to Stokely trying to arrest himself, etc. In addition, see if anyone has records of how often Stokely is at work...as someone who works downtown and knows all the players, I can tell you for a fact he MIGHT be in his office 20 hours a week. Despite his incompetence, he will win the election. Stokely is a nice guy, easy to shoot the breeze with, and more charismatic than Coggin. He also works hard...for votes. Most people who support him know him as a nice guy...they don't understand or see the nonsense he puts everyone else through on a daily basis. Stokely counts on this general ignorance to stay in office. This election has nothing, I hope, to do with Stokely's son. That was a tragedy that should have little impact on whether or not he can effectively perform his duties...or whether he bothers showing up for work more than part-time...or whether taxpayer's money is wasted on idiotic schemes he hatches up every 6 months or so.... Here's an oldie, but a goodie: "Stokely tried to arrest Commissioner Lawrence Nelms, 72, for installing his campaign signs along public easements."
Posted by Informed in Coweta at 2:25 AM
What do Atlanta lawyers have to do with our courts? What about our local lawyers? I AM SO GLAD Stokely doesn't deal on DUIs. I was left permantly disabled by a drunk driver-there should never be a deal for a drunk. Personal note-Mr. Stokely always took extra time to walk with my disable daughter at the school and when he held a race-he made sure she got a medal which made her so proud. Also-never heard of this Coggin until now so he must not be very well known around here.
Posted by Theresa at 2:25 AM
The people saying he is using his son's death obviously have never lost a child - God help them that they never do - this man has been to hell and back, and just the fact he can do his job is amazing - he does a phenomenal job, and I don't know of 'anyone' who could do it better - God bless you, Robert - we're behind you all the way!!
Posted by Trish at 12:24 AM
All I can say is that the man put out a warrant for his own arrest. Good grief. As much as I see him around town when I am on the job, I don't know how he gets any work done.
Posted by Not an Atlanta Attorney at 9:58 PM
Somehow I'm just not very surprised to see how little of Coggin's support actually comes from within the borders of Coweta County.
Posted by McGehee at 9:54 PM
COGGINS IT IS ALL THE WAY FOR ME AND MY ENTIRE FAMILY. WE WOULD EVEN LOVE TO HAND OUT CAMPAIGN INFO. i DO NOT WANT ROBERT STOKELY AS OUR COUTNY SOLICITOR. HE SITS BACK AND LETS TO MANY THINGS GO ON. HE HAS THE ABILITY TO HELP MANY BUT CHOOSES TO HELP FEW. IF IT HAS TO DO WITH HIS SONS MEMORIAL FUND IT COMES FIRST EVEN OVER HIS JOB. HE USES HIS SONS DEATH TO GET VOTES WHICH IS TERRIBLE.
Posted by JENNY at 7:47 PM
Thanks for this info. I wasn't sure which way to vote until I saw the number of Atlanta attorneys behind Coggin. That settles it for me!
Posted by Concerned voter at 6:09 PM
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Worried?
7/14/2008
Link To This Comment
I feel sadness for anyone who would dare try to claim that Robert Stokely has tried to use his son' death as a reason to vote for him. I was his son's friend and fellow soldier. I served with Mike Stokely and mourn his loss everyday. I have no idea what it is like to lose a son, but I do know what it is like to lose a brother. Robert has not thrown his son's death out there for votes. The only time I have seen it is when a supporter of Randy brings it up. Before you ever think about dishonoring my friend's death in any way, remember if not for those who sacrifice for you, the ability to say what you are about to say what not exist. I hope every citizen votes on Tuesday. I hope every citizen cast their ballot for the candidate that best represents their beliefs. I am a proud American and hate to read the rhetoric of under handed and cowardly annonymous posters. Stand behind your words and your comments with your name. Do not be afraid to let everyone know who you are. If you are brave enought to write it be brave enough to show it. Maybe people are afraid thier lies and misleading half truths will be seen by thier neighbors and freinds. Be proud and exercise that right to free speech, but do not be cowardly or sneaky.
Posted by Chris Bell at 6:41 PM