Griffin Lotson elected as National Commissioner of the Federal Gullah Geechee Cultural Heritage Corridor Commission

On Friday, Feb. 11, former candidate for Lt Governor & 2010 candidate for State SenateGriffin Lotson of Darien, Georgia was On Friday, Feb. 11, Griffin Lotson of Darien, Georgia was elected as National Commissioner of the Federal Gullah Geechee Cultural Heritage Corridor Commission. Lotson received an unanimous vote from the state of Georgia's threeelected experts on the commission: Jeanne Cyriaque, Althea Sumpter and CharlesHall. Final approval and appointment will come from the White House office ofthe U. S. Department of the Interior and the National Park Service.

"I am humbled, knowing that others consider me worthy to serve as the nextState and National Commissioner of the Gullah Geechee Cultural HeritageCorridor," said Lotson, who currently manages the nationally-acclaimed Geechee/Gullah Shouters, soon to be performing in Washington, D.C. Lotson looks forward to making a big a difference in his new position with the Commission.

"Now the hard work begins, as we review what has already been accomplished andwhat areas we need to improve upon in the future," he said. "We must continue tobuild a strong infrastructure of citizens, elected officials, community leadersand volunteers who live and work within the Gullah Geechee Cultural HeritageCorridor."

Gullah-Geechee is the traditional African culture brought to America by Africanslaves who worked the fields and plantations along the coasts of Georgia,Florida and the Carolinas. Lotson credits U. S. Congressman Jack Kingston, theSapelo Foundation’s Phyllis Bowen and Sams Memorial's Dr. Raquel McClendon forrecommending him to perform an important role that will ultimately helpprotect this fragile coastal culture from extinction.

The goal to preserve a dying way of life prompted former President George W.Bush to sign the Gullah/Geechee Act into law on Oct. 12, 2006. The Bill Sponsor was U.S. Congressman Rep. James Clyburn of South Carolina, thereby creating a federal commission to manage the Gullah Geechee Cultural Heritage Corridor. Commissioners work in partnership with the National Park Service and the State Historic Preservation offices in Florida, Georgia, North Carolina and SouthCarolina.

The United States Department of the Interior, which is the executive branch ofthe U.S. Government responsible for the management and conservation of mostfederal land and natural resources, is currently being administered by Secretaryof the Interior Ken Salazar of Colorado. The National Park Service is a bureauof the U.S. Department of the Interior.

Griffin Lotson is presently the manager of the nationally acclaimed Geechee/Gullah Shouters. Who will add to their list of accomplishments, performances at Smithsonian Museums in Washington, D.C.. Lotson received an unanimous vote from the state of Georgia's threeelected experts on the commission: Jeanne Cyriaque, Althea Sumpter and CharlesHall. Final approval and appointment will come from the White House office ofthe U. S. Department of the Interior and the National Park Service.

"I am humbled, knowing that others consider me worthy to serve as the nextState and National Commissioner of the Gullah Geechee Cultural HeritageCorridor," said Lotson, who currently manages the nationally-acclaimed Geechee/Gullah Shouters, soon to be performing in Washington, D.C. Lotson looks forward to making a big a difference in his new position with the Commission.

"Now the hard work begins, as we review what has already been accomplished andwhat areas we need to improve upon in the future," he said. "We must continue tobuild a strong infrastructure of citizens, elected officials, community leadersand volunteers who live and work within the Gullah Geechee Cultural HeritageCorridor."

Gullah-Geechee is the traditional African culture brought to America by Africanslaves who worked the fields and plantations along the coasts of Georgia,Florida and the Carolinas. Lotson credits U. S. Congressman Jack Kingston, theSapelo Foundation’s Phyllis Bowen and Sams Memorial's Dr. Raquel McClendon forrecommending him to perform an important role that will ultimately helpprotect this fragile coastal culture from extinction.

The goal to preserve a dying way of life prompted former President George W.Bush to sign the Gullah/Geechee Act into law on Oct. 12, 2006. The Bill Sponsor was U.S. Congressman Rep. James Clyburn of South Carolina, thereby creating a federal commission to manage the Gullah Geechee Cultural Heritage Corridor. Commissioners work in partnership with the National Park Service and the State Historic Preservation offices in Florida, Georgia, North Carolina and SouthCarolina.

The United States Department of the Interior, which is the executive branch ofthe U.S. Government responsible for the management and conservation of mostfederal land and natural resources, is currently being administered by Secretaryof the Interior Ken Salazar of Colorado. The National Park Service is a bureauof the U.S. Department of the Interior.

Griffin Lotson is presently the manager of the nationally acclaimed Geechee/Gullah Shouters. Who will add to their list of accomplishments, performances at Smithsonian Museums in Washington, D.C.

Griffin Lotson, William Ligon Talk Issues instead of slinging Mud in Debate for Senate District 3

Mike Morrison of The Florida Times Union has the story.

We've got a week to go," Lotson said Tuesday. "I think we'll make it."

The race in state Senate District 3 has remained a calm competition during a turbulent political season, with Democrat Griffin Lotson and Republican William Ligon vowing to hold down the mudslinging.

"Ligon said he and Lotson have focused on the issues, purposefully avoiding the negative campaigning and bombastic rhetoric that seem to characterize today's political campaigns.

"I've been stating my position, and he's been stating his," Ligon said. "That's what we've done."

Lotson is a Darien resident, a minister and CEO of a nonprofit he founded. Ligon is a Brunswick lawyer and former municipal court judge. They are vying to replace Jeff Chapman, a popular and independent-minded legislator who made an unsuccessful run at governor instead of seeking another term in the Senate.

The district includes Brantley, Charlton, Camden, McIntosh and Glynn counties.

For Ligon, this is his first foray into politics. Lotson has been in numerous races - Darien mayor several times, City Council, Soil and Water Commission - and has lost each time. He also made a long-shot run at lieutenant governor.

Despite representing parties that are about as far apart as they can be, the two candidates agree that job creation, the economy and education are the to*****ues they would face in the state Senate.

To Lotson, the job issue is so important that he lists it twice.

"Jobs, that's the wheel that turns the economy," he said.

Having an educated workforce in place is imperative in luring new employers to the area, he said.

"You have to have a work-ready force ready to fill the positions," he said. "That's something businesses consider when they're considering going into a new area."

Ligon said the General Assembly needs to take a long look at how it does business.

"We've got to keep government growth and spending under control," he said.

It will also be important for whoever is elected to keep an eye on the district's natural resources, he said.

"We've got to make sure we're guarding our natural resources, specifically our water resources," he said.

With Atlanta's thirst for water steadily increasing, it will be necessary to that ensure that its withdrawals don't deplete the downstream flows that nourish the ecosystems along the coast, he said.

Regardless of who comes out on top in the election, the two candidates say they will remain on good terms. Both do work for Habitat for Humanity in McIntosh County.

Coastal Democrat Griffin Lotson to run for Senate District 3 Seat

Down on the coast, Griffin Lotson (D-Darien) will qualify tomorrow to run for State Senate 3 district seat, which is a open seat being vacated by Jeff Chapman (R-Brunswick) who is running for governor.

Lotson, moderate to conservative democrat ran for Lt. Governor in 2006 will try to win the open senate seat that already have two republicans in Terry Carter & William T Ligon.

Lotson is a Businessman and Chief Executive Officer of a Prominent Nationally Award Winning non-profit organization: Sams Memorial Community Economic Development, Inc, in addition has served as a National White House Consultant on Faith Based, and Community Programs under former president George W. Bush. Lotson raised over $10 million dollars for Georgia Families in the areas of housing, economic development, and educational after school programs.

Lotson develops family programs nation wide through his consultant and motivational speeches and holds several Board Seats which includes Habitat for Humanity of McIntosh County, McIntosh County Citizens Association, Rural Georgia Collaborative. and he was voted in as Citizen of the year by the Rotary Club of McIntosh county Ga,
also was Voted a national award winner as the top Rural leader of America by NCRC (The National Reinvestment Coalition) in Washington DC Education.

He was at one time campaign manager of State Rep. Al Williams (D-Midway), & is a former civil servant with FBI and CIA clearance and 20 years of federal and state experience. Lotson is also a seasoned consultant that's even been called upon by the White House, the Georgia Municipal Association, the Georgia Department of Community Affairs and the United States Department of Agriculture, where he served as a consultant.


He attended Harvard University Business School, Boston, Ma & is married to wife Carolyn for over 30 plus years & have three children, all in the military: Griffin Lotson U.S. Navy , Montrell Lotson Former U.S. Air Force, now working in Washington DC, Carlinda Lotson U.S. Air Force.

State Democrats need to support Gfiffin in his run for SD 3. With the lack of candidates running for the State Senate this year, they can put resources behind Lotson's candidacy.

Griffin Lotson to run for State Agriculture Commissioner in 2010

Griffin Lotson will run for State Agriculture Commissioner, he said in a message I received late last night. Lotson is the first democrat to jump into the race to succeed retiring incumbent Tommy Irvin (D) at the position. Lotson last ran for statewide office back in 2006 for Lt. Governor & previously ran for mayor of Darien back in 2003, only losing by a narrow margin. Lotson would be the first African-American to become Georgia's Agriculture Commissioner if elected.

Other possibilities for Ag Commissioner include: Deputy Commissioner Terry Coleman (D-Eastman), Rand Knight (D-Atlanta) & a new name mentioned on Georgia Politics Unfiltered, State Senator J.B. Powell (D-Blythe).

There are two republicans who have announced their intentions for Ag Commissioner & they are 2006 candidate Gary Black, president of Georgia Agribusiness Council & Darwin Carter, an ex-USDA Official.

Lotson is a Businessman & CEO of Sams Memorial Community Economic Development,Inc, a prominently Nationally Award winning Non-Profit Organization & served as a National White House Consultant on Faith-Based & Community Programs & worked as a consultant for the U.S. Department of Agriculture. In addition, he is a pastor at the Church of God in Christ in Darien, Ga

'06 Lt. Governor Candidate Griffin Lotson is "Leaning Towards" running for State Agriculture Commissioner in 2010

Rural Democrat Griffin Lotson (D-Darien) is "leaning towards" a run for State Agriculture Commissioner in 2010 to replace retiring Tommy Irvin. Lotson, 55 hails from the Coastal Georgia city of Darien & would be the first democrat to announce his intentions to fill the seat being vacated by Tommy Irvin & woild be the first African-American to run for Georgia's No. 1 Economic Industry.

Here is some info on Lotson:

Griffin Lotson is the Chief Executive Officer and founder of Sams Memorial Community Economic Development, Inc. in Darien, Georgia. For the past 20 years, Mr. Lotson has overseen the development of low-income housing in rural coastal Georgia. Under his oversight, Sams Memorial was the recipient of the inaugural Lieutenant Governor's Award for Rural Housing, and was also recognized as the Coastal Georgia Area Community Action Authority's Organization of the Year in 2003. Mr. Lotson, who has raised over $10 million for housing and small business development, received the 2005 James A. Leach Award as the best Rural Leader in America.

He is also a member and Pastor of the Church Of God In Christ in Darien GA.

Lotson has served as a National White House Consultant on Faith Based, and Community Programs. Lotson has FBI and CIA Clearance with 20 years of Federal Government service working in the state of Georgia & Washington D.C.

Griffin Lotson raised over $10 million dollars for Georgia Families in the areas of housing, economic development, and educational after school programs & develops family programs nation wide through his consultant and motivational speeches.

Lotson holds several Board Seats which includes Habitat for Humanity of McIntosh County, McIntosh County Citizens Association,Rural Georgia Collaborative, and several more.

Lotson was: Voted in as Citizen of the year by the Rotary Club of McIntosh County Ga

Lotson also was Voted a national award winner as the top Rural leader of America by NCRC (The National Reinvestment Coalition) in Washington DC

He has worked as a consultant for the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Georgia Department of Community Affairs & Georgia Municipal Association & once served as campaign manager for State Rep. Al Williams (D-Midway) & is a former mayoral candidate of Darien

Lotson 53 married 33 years to Carolyn
Three children, all in the military: Griffin Lotson U.S. Navy age 30, Montrell Lotson Former U.S. Air Force age 28 now working in Washington DC, Carlinda Lotson U.S. Air Force age 26.

Others have been mentioned as possiblities as well such as State Senator J.B. Powell, Randolph Knight, '08 U.S. Senate Candidate, but the one Dems are waiting on is Deputy AG Commissioner Terry Coleman. Coleman might wait until after the legislative session to announce, or he may run for State Insurance Commisisoner, or he might not run at all.

And don't get me started on the Lt. Governor's race, ( get to that later), but you would think the No. 1 Economic Industry in Georgia, that someone on the democratic side would have by now stepped up to mount a challenge to Irvin's seat. Agriculture may not matter to most democrats, but if you live in rural Georgia, in which every rural county economy relies on agriculuture for it livelihood, this is a race that definitely matters.

Griffin Lotson to run Statewide in 2010?

According to Andre Walker over at Georgia Politics Unfiltered, former Lt. Governor Candidate Griffin Lotson is considering a run for State Agriculture Commissioner in 2010. Lotson hails from the coastal Georgia city of Darien & would be the only democrat from that part of the state to run statewide if he chose to.

For months the names of Rand Knight of Atlanta & Dodge County Democrat Terry Coleman, who is Deputy Agriculture Commissioner hae continued to come up as possibilities to replace Irvin. Agriculture is the No. 1 Economic Industry in Georgia & its a surprise that a single democrat hasn't come forward yet to announce a run. I say go for it Griffin?

H/T to Andre Walker over at Georgia Politics Unfiltered

Judge denies Lotson's challenge to November election

A Superior Court judge has denied Griffin Lotson's (D-Darien) challenge to his Nov. 4 election loss to Robert Monroe

Judge Louisa Abbot of Savannah, in an order issued Tuesday, ruled that McIntosh County elections officials did not mishandle absentee ballots as Lotson asserted, nor did they improperly prevent any lawfully registered voters from casting their ballots.

Lotson lost by one vote to Monroe in the race for the unpaid position and needed only to prove one ballot was improper or one person was illegally prevented from voting.

Lotson ran for Soil and Water District supervisor in McIntosh County.

Lotson named Elections Superintendent Doll Gale and the Board of Elections and Registration as defendants in the complaint he lodged six days after the general election. Abbot heard evidence at a Jan. 28 hearing at the McIntosh County Courthouse, including testimony from voters who claimed they were wrongfully denied the right to vote.

Lotson, a McIntosh County businessman and community activist, said he's not bitter about the judge's decision.

Lotson ran for Lt. Governor back in 2006 but failed to win the nomination. Wonder would he run for congress if Jack Kingston leaves his seat to run for governor in 2010?