Chatsworth/Murray County

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A Dedication to Chatsworth, Murray County, and Everyone Who Stood Tall ❤️

Over the last few weeks, I’ve watched something truly remarkable happen here in our community. People from every walk of life stood shoulder to shoulder, spoke up with courage, and showed what real unity looks like. Because of you—your determination, your voices, your love for this land and for each other—the biofuels project has been halted.

Whether it ends up overturned or permanently suspended, what you achieved together is already extraordinary.

This is what community is supposed to look like.
This is what democracy is supposed to feel like.
And this is what happens when everyday people refuse to be ignored.

I wanted to offer something back—something from the heart.
Today I’m sharing a brand-new song called “David Stood Tall in Chatsworth.”

I’m dedicating this song to you, the people of Chatsworth and Murray County, as a reminder of the strength you showed… and the strength you still have. Let this be a marker of what you’ve accomplished together, and a reminder that when we stand united, even giants can fall.

Keep speaking up.
Keep standing together.
Our voices are always strongest when they rise as one.

With gratitude and respect,
Rob Rush

For immediate release

STATEMENT FROM ROB RUSH — CHATTANOOGA/CHATSWORTH, GA

Last Thursday Night (12/4/25 ) in Chatsworth, something extraordinary happened. A small town of fewer than 5,000 people showed the entire 14th District — and maybe even the whole country — what it looks like when a community stands together with courage, clarity, and heart. More than six hundred residents filled that gymnasium. Their voices were heard. And they won a real victory against an enormous outside corporation. That belongs to the people of Chatsworth, not to me and not to any political figure — the people won it.

I also want to address my own actions during that meeting, because accountability matters.

First, I want to offer a sincere apology to Commissioner John Burson.
He is new to his office — only a few months in — and he handled an extremely tense and emotional room with a professionalism that deserves respect. He was simply enforcing established quorum rules, and my frustration led me to raise my voice at a moment when he did not deserve it. I was wrong to direct that frustration at him, and I apologize to him personally and publicly.

Second, I want to apologize to the community for my outburst right before Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene started speaking.
While I stand firmly by the substance of my concern — especially the urgent need to address PFAS contamination that has harmed families across Dalton, Murray County, and the entire region — the way I expressed that concern was too emotional and disrupted the flow of the meeting. Emotions were running high, and with more than six hundred neighbors packed into that room, it was easy to feel overwhelmed by the intensity of the moment.

Still, I believe it is important to model respect even in moments of deep frustration, and I will do better.

To Congresswoman Greene: if my comment came across as disrespectful to you or to the audience, I apologize for that as well. My passion for the families impacted by PFAS overtook my judgment. I hope we can all work together — regardless of politics — to finally give this crisis the attention it deserves.

But let me also say what truly matters:
The people of Chatsworth rose up last night. They were united — not as Democrats, not as Republicans, not as independents — but as neighbors. As protectors of their land, their health, and their future. Their unity sent a message louder than anything I said, louder than any speaker on the stage, louder than any corporation:

This community will not be ignored anymore.

I am proud of them. I am grateful to them. And I am committed to supporting them with humility, respect, and a willingness to learn from my own mistakes.

To everyone who was there last night: thank you for showing the world what a small town with a big heart can accomplish.

— Rob Rush
Rising Fawn, Georgia