Bob Ettensohn, membership transfer from Lakside South Fl. 

Jude Holmes, guest of Doug Robinson 
Lance Hammonds, guest of Lawrence Sharp
Elizabeth Sullivan, guest of Jason Conn
Mac Willett, guest of Jason Conn
Dee Raeside, guest of John Bennett
Chief Scott Richards, guest of Andrea Arnold
Michal Duchon, guest of James Herndon

Birthdays this Month
David Ewing, June 24
Todd Speed, June 26

Rotary Anniversaries | June
Dan Coursey, 40 years
Bedros Sharian, 25 years
Herb McCoy, 24 years
Lonita Broome, 1 year
Jennifer Topple, 1 year
Jen Schuck, 1 year          

 

 

 

 

Pete Pfeiffer throws his name into the pot for the drawing

 

 

Make plans to March on July 4 at 5:30 pm in the huge Decatur City Parade along with your fellow Rotarians.

 

Chris Harvey earned a BA in Political Science and Criminal Justice from The Citadel, The Military College of South Carolina, in 1989. He attended graduate school and taught high school before starting work as a DeKalb County Police Officer in 1994. He served terms as the Chief Investigator for the DeKalb County DA Office, the Director of the Cold Case Homicide Squad for the Fulton County DA Office, and the Chief Investigator for the Secretary of State’s Office.

 

In 2015, he was appointed State Elections Director for the Georgia Secretary of State’s Office, just in time for the most volatile six years in elections in Georgia’s history. In July, 2021, he was appointed as Deputy Executive Director of the Georgia Peace Officer Standards and Training Council (POST.

 

Chris Harvey has consistently emphasized the critical importance of protecting the vote to maintain the integrity of the democratic process. He argues that safeguarding elections is essential for several key reasons:

 

1. Public Trust: Harvey believes that the cornerstone of a functioning democracy is the public's trust in the electoral process. If voters doubt the legitimacy of election outcomes, it can lead to widespread disillusionment and disengagement from the political process. Protecting the vote ensures that citizens feel confident their voices are heard and that election results are fair and accurate.

 

2. Preventing Fraud: One of Harvey's primary concerns is preventing election fraud and tampering. By implementing robust security measures, such as secure voting machines, paper ballots, and comprehensive audits, election officials can detect and prevent fraudulent activities. This is crucial for ensuring that election outcomes reflect the true will of the people.

 

3. Resilience Against Threats: In an era of increasing cyber threats, Harvey underscores the importance of protecting the voting infrastructure from hacking and other forms of interference. This involves close collaboration with cybersecurity experts and federal agencies to identify vulnerabilities and implement safeguards.

 

4. Democratic Principles: Harvey often highlights that a secure voting system is fundamental to upholding democratic principles. Every eligible voter should have the opportunity to cast their vote without fear of manipulation or disenfranchisement. Protecting the vote is about ensuring equality and fairness in the democratic process.