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MEDIA RELEASE

By Maynard Eaton



COURTNEY L. DILLARD

A NEW VOICE FOR ROCKDALE COUNTY

(CONYERS, GA) November 4, 2010. -- It was close, but no victory cigar for the compelling and charismatic Courtney L. Dillard, who fell just short in his bid to unseat the Republican Post Commission incumbent JaNice Van Ness. Still a potent political movement has now been unearthed in Rockdale with Dillard at the forefront.

Twelve thousand and four hundred voters cast their ballot for his dynamic and distinguished “Rockdale Going Forward” leadership. Make no mistake about it – Courtney Dillard has firmly established himself as a political player to be reckoned with.

“Van Ness has been in office for four years and has lived in Rockdale for 40 years, yet the Dillard campaign nearly overtook her in four months,” Dillard told his key campaign advisors Thursday. “I have the support of 12,400+ Rockdale residents and I will continue to advocate for Rockdale County. There will be no retreat because this election was far from a defeat... it was just a beginning...”

Tragically the Post 2 Rockdale Board of Commissioners race results split strictly along racial lines with the incumbent edging Dillard by a 52.3 percent to 47.5 percent margin – that roughly reflects Rockdale’s racial makeup.

“It’s been an eye-opening experience because what we’ve come to understand is the racial division in our community,” Dillard said after reviewing the unofficial results Tuesday night. We cannot allow for this type of thing to go on.

“My sole purpose in this campaign was to unite all the citizens of Rockdale County, and give voice to all Rockdale citizenry” Dillard continued. “The demographics have changed and the population has increased. My leadership style represents all those that live, do business, work and play in Rockdale. No one is excluded. We realize that citizens from surrounding counties help support our economy, that's big for business! That’s what Rockdale Going Forward means. Today we have to begin the process of bringing our community together as one community and one citizenry. That’s what the Dillard brand is all about – making sure that all the citizens of Rockdale County are represented.”

He continued, “And I want to personally thank my campaign staff, our volunteers, the Democratic Party and the 12,400 Rockdale county residents who believed in me and supported my campaign and our efforts to Move Rockdale Forward.”

Striking a more conciliatory tone Republican Consultant Brain Jenkins commented to Dillard, “Your friends will not always be your friends, and your enemies will not always be your enemies. You ran a stellar campaign, I am proud of you”

Dillard, a political neophyte, made some missteps but was mostly victimized by a “dirty tricks” campaign that attempted to disparage his reputation, vilify his family and assassinate his character through tabloid journalism. But Dillard stood tall on his faith in the face of withering personal attacks designed to drive him out of the race – with no news coverage of the issues important to Rockdale County residents, like outdated county ordinances, homeowners property tax increases and the high risk of failures in the small and industrial business sectors; our youth.

Dillard’s poise and grace under fire ultimately earned him the respect and admiration of many Rockdale County residents. Mary Johnson remarked “Courtney Dillard is the Rocky of Rockdale County. He went the distance against insurmountable odds and didn’t quit. He’s the people’s champion.”

Though Dillard was never tried or convicted of any wrongdoing, the polarizing Republican smear campaign and media assault was seemingly effective. “What happened is early on with all the mud-slinging I think that a lot of people were confused and went to the polls and did something that they probably regretted near the end of the race,” opined Stan Williams, the Rockdale Democratic Party Chairman. “The results of this race clearly indicate that the Democrats are a force to be reckoned with in Rockdale County, and given a little more time, Courtney Dillard could still have won this race.”

The smear campaign also took its toll on Dr. Gayla Dillard, Rockdale’s chief surgeon and the candidates’ wife of 22 years. “This was a very difficult process,” the candidate told a gathering of some 200 supporters at Don Tellos Mex Grill on election night. “Allow me to publically thank my wife and family for all of their support, and the many churches in the surrounding area for their prayers, but please understand that we are not finished, this is just the beginning of a power shift, ” said Dillard.

When asked, what’s next for Courtney Dillard? The candidate responded, “You don’t have to be an elected official to be an effective leader in the community. I will continue to advocate for Rockdale and surrounding counties through a good works foundation. The Dillard campaign plan will become the mission of a new entity based in Rockdale County because voters voiced their belief in "Rockdale Going Forward."

The Dillard’s plan is to transform their political campaign operation into the Courtney and Gayla Dillard Community Foundation with the focus of “doing good work” with a Georgia Going Forward humanitarian campaign.

“We are going to continue to do good work in this community,” Dillard pledged. “My wife is going to continue to help heal the people that come in to see her, and I am going to continue to stand for men and women and children in this community that need a strong man to stand for them when no one else will. This is simply who we are.