The only restriction on the blog is no profanity. Other than that,there will be no deletions of any topic that users wish to discuss. UNLIKE some blog forums, I will not censor or be bias regarding your opinions and concerns,this is a true open forum. Even though I moderate this blog the only reason I would need to delete or change your comment would be due to profanity in the comment.

That is the one and only reason that your comments are moderated. I hope you will enjoy your participation on this blog and feel you can finally be heard regarding issues that concern you in your county.


Have post topic suggestions or questions, email me at:


united4change@charter.net




Monday, June 14, 2010

Affecting District 2 of Henry County Town Hall Meeting Tuesday, June 22, 2010, 7-8 pm

COME TO THIS MEETING TO SEE HOW YOU FEEL THIS WILL AFFECT YOU AND YOUR FAMILIES.

Planning & Zoning Staff


Dutchtown Activity Center

Town Hall Meeting

Tuesday, June 22, 2010, 7-8 pm
 This meeting will be held at Dutchtown High School at 149 Mitchell Road Hampton, GA 30228.

Proposed Dutchtown Area Master Plan

The Planning and Zoning staff would like to hear from you on what you would like to see in the Dutchtown Area. As a result of comments received, staff would like to host a 2nd Informal Meeting, to allow you an opportunity to look at various land use types, and design characteristics, which are a fundamental tool in the development of a Master Plan. This meeting will be held at Dutchtown High School at 149 Mitchell Road Hampton, GA 30228.

The primary purpose of the meeting is to get a better understanding of what we heard as it pertains to the future development and future land use types in the Dutchtown Area. We will also provide visual photos for you to look at and decide if those land uses and design characteristics are appropriate for your area.



What is an “Activity Center”?

• Activity Centers are included on Henry County’s Future Land Use Map within the Comprehensive Plan to be master planned at a later date.

• Master planning means determining where various types of new development can go, including streets, private property, and open space.

• The “master plan” will be enforced by a change in the law called an “overlay district.”

• The “overlay district” will also determine what new construction will look like.

What is a “School Node?”

• A “school node” has been determined to be a particular type of activity center centered around certain schools in Henry County.

• The activity center planned for the Dutchtown area is centered around the Dutchtown school complex and therefore is a “school node.” For an example, please view this PDF.

Why Dutchtown?

It is not just the Dutchtown schools.

• The plan assumes that clustering “new development” around schools will modify people’s driving behavior.

• The assumption is that if new residents live close to their child’s school, they will not have to drive so much.

There are many Henry County schools planned to have activity centers, encouraging “new development” around them.

Tuesday, May 18, 2010

House Representative Steve Davis District 109 Henry County Georgia......THANK YOU SIR

I want to send a big thank you to Steve Davis for standing up and voting NO to the Redevelopment Powers Bill that our board of commissioners pushed so very hard to get passed and place upon the November voter ballot this year. It sure looks like Steve Davis stood alone by his NO vote; he did however show to me and many other citizen voters where his heart and concern for the citizens of Henry County really is. In my opinion he believes in doing the right thing.


No one citizen in this county of ours should vote in favor of this on the November ballot this year. Many citizens have already been adversely affected. There are already several examples of the poorly thought out voting practices that many neighbors in areas such as Winslow at Eagles Landing, the Industrial Warehouse surrounding an entire neighborhood which will store Clorox products and no telling what other chemicals.


Then there is also a subdivision just off Jodeco road that by a 5 to 0 vote by the current board of commissioners, excluding Mr. Roark of course, which has allowed 7 days per week from day light until dark regulation sized league soccer and football fields, in addition to using the 12 acres for recreational recess for a church and school. This property is jammed up against 13 homes, just 20 foot from homeowners property lines.


If you vote in the up coming November election, all I ask is that you keep this in mind. Do you want to give the board of commissioners of this county even more power? Especially redevelopment powers! I ask that you please educate yourselves as to all that will include, do your research. Ask questions. Larry Stanley is very well versed on this issue. The way you vote on this issue will affect you and your family’s way of life if you intend to remain here in Henry County. With that said, the vote of YES or NO is in your hands.


It could be your neighborhood's next that become unbearable places to live, that were once peaceful. It can change in an instant and be turned into an industrial nightmare. Those that voted in favor of these issues turning quiet neighborhoods into now unwanted properties to buyers do not have to live there, otherwise they would not have voted on these matters as they did!


I will vote NO on the ballot on this issue, how will you vote?
THIS IS THE ISSUE, READ THE BILL:
House Bill 1347 authorizes Henry County to exercise all redevelopment and other powers under the state Redevelopment Powers Law, and to provide for a referendum on the issues. It also allows the county to undertake community redevelopment projects, create tax allocation districts, and issue tax allocation bonds.

Monday, May 3, 2010

This is total BULL CRAP from the Henry Herald regarding the Henry County budget for 2011

I took these paragraphs below from the ridiculous article that Mike Bush and the county manager Butch Sanders are talking about. Double talk that is all it boils down to. They not only want to take the SPLOST tax money that is supposed to be spent solely for SPLOST projects but also want the millage rate to go up by 11.75!!!!!!!!!  If this county had managed the tax payers money in a manner that it should have been managed in the first place, then the budget for 2011 would not be such a dramatic affair with taxes being increased because of the current BOC'S management practices.

Read our lips,NO more tax, NO millage rate increase! Have the employee's take furloughs, have the BOC take a pay cut, decrease your retirement accounts, do something good for the citizens for a change. Any way you look at it, your plan is to take the SPLOST money to pay for other things and or raise the citizens taxes one way or another. Why not SELL the 166 plus acres the county purchased from the Abernathy's, Where did the county get FOUR MILLION DOLLARS to pay for that???????? we never needed it, we do not need it now. Where are the BOC'S priorities?

By the way does this millage rate increase include the millage that Big 5 Enterprises was asking for? has that been decided yet? no one has heard any more about that lately.


FROM THE HENRY HERALD:

Fiscal year 2011 begins July 1. The county expects to adopt next year’s budget during its second meeting in June, according to Henry County Manager James “Butch” Sanders.


Under one scenario, the county would raise the millage rate to 11.24 mills, said Mike Bush, county Finance Director. Under the second scenario, the millage rate would be hiked to 11.5 mills, and under the third scenario, the millage rate would be increased to 11.75 mills, Bush said. The current millage rate is 10.969 mills.

Bush said the first two scenarios would require the county to make withdrawals from its fund balance (or reserves), but the third scenario would allow the county to add to it. He said he supports the third alternative. “Any time I can build the fund balance, it adds to the financial health of Henry County,” said Bush.

Also, County Department of Transportation salaries, and expenditures on county-wide paving projects, would be removed from the 2011 budget, and replaced with dollar-savings realized from previous Special Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST) projects, which cost less than anticipated, said Sanders. The total amount of those two items removed from next year’s budget would amount to a $4,463,553 reduction in expenditures, he said.


Other measures under consideration include: A 15-percent reduction in payments to Helping In His Name Ministries Food Pantry, A Friend’s House, Hands of Hope Clinic, Community Gardens, the Flint Circuit Council on Family Violence, and Prevent Child Abuse, said Sanders. The county may decide to eliminate funding for the Southern Crescent Sexual Assault program, he said.

Tuesday, April 27, 2010

A call to all Veterans....................the Veterans wall of Honor at Heritage Park in Henry County needs you to march!




Would any Veteran or their family want a dog jumping over their inscribed dedicated veteran bench in Heritage park at the Veterans Wall of Honor?

The county manger can say what ever he wishes, however no one is buying the lame explanations. The few will take there stand very soon and all will become known to the entire arena regarding the Veterans Wall of Honor in Heritage Park. This photo is but one example of the disregard of an area that is sacred to all Veterans past, present,future and all of their families.

It does NOT matter whether the dog was from McDonough Mr. Sanders, McDonough is after all Henry County! This is totally outrageous and deserves a PUBLIC APOLOGY TO ALL VETERAN'S FORTHWITH!

Thursday, April 15, 2010

Our Taxing Days By: The Doctor

The nation we live in today is full of what the founding fathers fought to rid themselves of so they could have peace and tranquility. The public knows that a certain amount of taxation must occur to continue the works of the government which is to keep the people safe and free. It is not to make slaves of a populace who works daily for no fruits at the end. Freedom to live with some peace at mind and not have to worry about paying a tax that is far too much not even for your paychecks, but your homes and everything you buy.

We the people deserve far more than just a worry and a grind. This time of life in our society should be far from where we have taken ourselves and should be rested from the government. Conservatism must mean truly conservative ways within those who run our government from the local venue all the way to Washington, D.C. Being conservative does not make one a total monster to the liberal faction of government. What one must understand is that we understand there has to be taxation but on a more conservative level.

The working man and woman in our society must be given a chance to pursue that life, liberty, and happiness that was given to them in the Constitution of the United States of America. Follow the Constitution and those in leadership will find that their job will not be as hard as they have made it. The size of government has become so large that it cannot sustain itself without further taxation. Those in the leadership know this and it must be stopped before it happens. We have future generations to worry about besides ourselves. Can we do something now to curb this run away taxing nation? Yes, we can and if we the people say yes it can be done then it will happen. It might take time, but it will happen.

Thank you for listening.

The Doctor

Tuesday, April 6, 2010

The Veterans Wall of Honor and It's Meaning to a Veteran, A MUST READ FOR ALL

The Veterans Wall of Honor and It's Meaning to a Vet
By TheDoctor

This article is about what the Veterans Wall of Honor means to a Vet here in  Henry County, GA. The monument rises upon a hill inside of Heritage Park on Lake Dow Road. This grand structure is a fitting tribute of not only those who gave their lives in war for this nation, but for those who have come home to a place of solitude and rememberance.

The Wall of Honor was the vision and idea of a good hearted American who fought for this nation in World War II. He would pass away before it's completion, but the Wall would be an awesome experience for anyone who visits it.

Today the Wall is getting some much needed help from the Veterans Wall of Honor Preservation Committee formed to see that repairs that are needed are done. This group's sole mission is to see to the repairs of the Wall and to make sure that it is cared for in the future.

Time honored traditions of love, honor, and valor to one's nation are seen in the bricks that line the walk up to the monument. All the wars which our nation has been involved have a home on the Wall. To me and other veterans it is a sacred place where we can come and remember the past and look to the future.

YOU HAVE TO WATCH THIS VIDEO

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JVAhr4hZDJEhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JVAhr4hZDJE

Friday, March 26, 2010

Winslow@Eagles Landing,the campground Road extension and The LCI (Livable Centers Initiative)




WELL? what are the BOCHC (Board of Commissioners of Henry County GA) going to do for these citizens with the four lane highway coming through their subdivision? It will cut the club house and pool in half! this is an outrage! Will the BOC meet with the Mayor Lee Stuart of Stockbridge to try and resolve this crisis issue?

"If" there is no other routes to take this corridor through. Will they build a pedestrian bridge over it? Will they build a tunnel underneath this monstrous eye sore and hazardous intersection. It will be a hazard to all the people from noctious fumes and noise! I hope none of these citizens and their children suffer from asthma! and or other conditions that will be exacerbated from all the 20,000 plus cars and commercial traffic per day coming through this area. Though it has been stated that this corridor has been proposed to alleviate traffic congestion. Is it the best idea? Is there a solution that is better for this subdivision and the families living within it? Where is the compassion after all?

A CONTINGENCY "LAWSUIT!" comes to mind for me on this issue. You can also forget any wild life surviving in this entire area of the Jodeco and Hudson bridge area, due to this huge by pass highway and the 13,000 acres proposed for the livable activities center and Bayer properties LCI deal. The deer population are walking around in a daze already through our neighborhoods. No trees for the squirrels to raise young in, no trees for what will have been abundant bird species. Birds eat insects you know. The entire balance of nature will be affected by this massive developing. What has happened to our ruralness?

I for one do not want to live in a clustered environment, it will be to industrial and made up. Furthermore Henry County can not take care of the lands they have acquired now. Parks go lacking, damages go unrepaired.

Definition of LCI: Many different commercial,condominium, government assisted housing,store fronts,assisted living facilites,all clumped together in one area. I do not think there will be any exclusions to what can be built by the private sector.

You can see more about this at this link: http://www.tunspan.com/hudsonbridge/

Citizens need to vote NO on the up coming ballot this year that will ask for tax allocation districting. It is just a play on words, believe me it is all about getting more of our tax dollars to build these habitat killing ventures that some of these officials are seeking.

While you are voting in November of this year, you need to vote out the district 4 and 5 commissioner's to start with. In 2012 the remaining commissioners need to be voted out until we have all new leadership,who honestly show compassion and interest toward their neighbors. That is the only way anything will get better for all of us.

God bless these citizens at Winslow @ Eagles Landing who have stood up against all odds and are still unwaivered in their justful cause. If you need my help just give me a shout! I love all those T-shirts, can I have one? Keep it up, you are in the right on this big time!

Monday, March 22, 2010

A REMINDER FOR THE HENRY COUNTY VOTERS / MORE REASONS TO VOTE THIS NOVEMBER

BULLET AND LAND VIDEO'S:

The real facts about recently retired Henry County Chief of police Russ Abernathy land purchase of over 166 acres by our commissioners.

Fox 5 news uncovered the real story. This is but ONE, how many other land acquisitions have been completed under the guise of ? (whatever they wish to make up)

Our Henry County commissioner's at their finest!

Think about it, can we really afford to keep any of these people in office? when they are responsible for making the huge decision's that affect our hard earned tax dollars?


http://www.myfoxatlanta.com/dpp/news/i-team%3A-bullet-and-land-020810
Reported By: Dale Russell

Edited By: Leigha Baugham

HENRY COUNTY, Ga. (MyFOX ATLANTA) - Henry County officials say a stray bullet from a police firing range was the catalyst for buying land for a new police training facility.

But the bullet incident didn't happen the way the county claimed it did and the land for the police training center was sold by the police chief and his nephew.

A FOX 5 I-Team investigation has examined police records and land deeds in the case of the stray bullet and $4 million land deal.

County leaders and police insist that they needed a new firing range and police training center, after a firearm training accident. But, the police department's own records tell a different story.

Friday, March 12, 2010

An Ugly Truth in Local Politics

By TheDoctor

Here in Henry County where politics have always had a bite to them is not letting itself down at this time either. I remember years ago when Henry County was 90% Democrat and they couldn't get along then just as the Republicans have been having problems as of late.

The problem here in the Republican Party is that we have the main party and two split factions of the Republican Women of Henry County. Any time a party splits it's self for any reason shows weakness in the party structure and will give those who are working to make the party strong a hard row to hoe.

Just as happened before the Civil War in the Democratic Party it split itself and lost the Presidential Election to the newly formed Republicans. Now this was not the first or last time this has happened either.

When a party begins splintering itself, then various platforms are revealed which could go against one another. That way it is assured that whom ever they support will be hurt by this type of activity.

It doesn't matter who is in charge of the party they will have a terrible time until this seam is sewed back together. Most of the time when a split comes it is because people cannot get along with one another. But they should put personal differences aside to make the party whole and strong once again.

The understanding of keepng the whole together and not rushing to dissolve it's effectiveness is the wrong road to travel. This will only hurt the candidate and bring about hard feelings with them and their base. But that is what happens when personal problems seem more important than the party as a whole.

The Republican Party of Henry County has a good leader at this time. But the rival factions that have broken themselves apart will give him a hard time promoting the standards of this county's Republican Party. So if you are truly a Republican and believe in the party's principles you must start working together for the whole of the party or you will just become a club for people to gather and have conversation and that doesn't get people elected.

Saturday, March 6, 2010

Our Voices Can Be Heard

"We the People of the local County of Henry, of the Soverign State of Georgia,in these United States of America, do demand and resolve that the voice of the populace will be heard upon the walls of Freedom which echo across this land. Those who etched a start here in 1821 found a way to survive the elements and the wilds of the day. Across the panorama of time this county has seen change upon change. Men and women taken from bondage, during a war of brutality brought home for all to see. The days of rebirth and the construed nights of hard decisions that led this county into the early years before the Great Depression. Those families who struggled to survive and did so by shear human strength and with the helping hand of God to bring us to where our county lies today.

The people of this county great and small all have the same voice. If they do not have the same level of distinction then this clamour through our past was for nothing. The people have the voice granted to them by the man articles written in the past. The Declaration of Independence, The United States Constitution, The Monroe Doctrine, and the many Amendments created by our land to make our path easier. Freedom of Speech is a guaranteed right to the people and denying that right is the pretense of tyranny. Gather all eyes and ears and hear the voice of Freedom as it cries to be heard. Man has served himself a dish of sour milk here that needs to be sweetened by the stand up for freedom that is sorely needed. We the people of Henry County do declare that we deserve and we shall receive our voice before the shadow of tomorrow sets upon that right.

Written by: The Doctor

Saturday, February 27, 2010

WATCH MARCH 2,2010 9AM REGULAR BOC MEETING AND SEE WHO'S POCKETS WILL BE JINGLING A BIT HEAVIER OVER THE LAMBERT BID BEING APPROVED BY THE BOC?

Watch listen and learn how the deals are getting done here in Henry County. It does not take a rocket scientist to figure these folks out.

There is a very extensive list of very questionable deals made within SPLOST(tax payer funds)also with stimulus funding.

I have said it before and know it to be true. What goes around will come back around. We are almost back to full circle now. It is just a matter of time before the balloon will bust,when it does then the citizens of Henry County will have prevailed against the evil doers of this County.

WE DEMAND FULL DISCLOSURE OF "ANY" OTHER BIDS CONSIDERED!

Sunday, February 21, 2010

Work will begin on a $192,515 facelift at the 70-acre Alexander Park in McDonough to prepare it for more walking trails.

For this amount of money, I'll grab my weed wacker and rent a backhoe.

I even think I could have this completed all by myself in an earlier time frame.

The amount of money this county is spending never ceases to amaze me!

Friday, February 19, 2010

ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT AMENDMENTS TO OR CONSTITUTION TO BE VOTED ON IN 2010 INTRODUCED BY AUSTIN SCOTT: CANDIDATE FOR GOVERNOR 2010, HE HAS WHAT IT TAKES TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN GEORGIA!

09 LC 28 4399

House Resolution 75
By: Representative Scott of the 153rd

A RESOLUTION

Proposing an amendment to the Constitution so as to provide for state-wide grand juries; to provide for the jurisdiction, powers, and duties of state-wide grand juries; to authorize the General Assembly to provide by law for procedures for the summoning and empaneling of state-wide grand juries; to provide for a presiding judge; to provide that the Attorney General or his or her designee shall act as the legal adviser and prosecutor for such state-wide grand juries; to provide for the submission of this amendment for ratification or rejection; and for other purposes.

BE IT RESOLVED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:

SECTION 1.Article VI of the Constitution is amended by adding at the end thereof a new Section XI to read as follows:

"SECTION XI.

STATE-WIDE GRAND JURIES

Paragraph I. State-wide grand juries. (a) State-wide grand juries shall be summoned and empaneled upon petition of the Attorney General to the Supreme Court under procedures provided by law.(b) A state-wide grand jury shall consist of not fewer than 13 nor more than 23 persons. The jurisdiction of a state-wide grand jury shall extend throughout the state, and it may investigate and return indictments for crimes committed anywhere within the state. The term of any such state-wide grand jury shall not exceed 12 months.(c) The Chief Justice of the Supreme Court shall designate a superior court judge to act as presiding judge for each state-wide grand jury. Upon designation by the Chief Justice, the presiding judge shall summon and empanel a state-wide grand jury in accordance with procedures provided by law.(d) The Attorney General or his or her designee shall act as legal adviser to any state-wide grand jury. The Attorney General, in his or her discretion, may designate any member of his or her staff or any district attorney to provide legal advice, counsel, or assistance to a state-wide grand jury.(e) The subject matter jurisdiction of state-wide grand juries shall extend to the investigation and indictment of persons and other legal entities for any crime involving corruption in the executive, legislative, or judicial branch of the state, any political subdivision or municipality of the state, or any authority or instrumentality of the state, a political subdivision, or municipality; fraud by a vendor or recipient of goods or services for which funding has been provided by the Department of Medical Assistance; any violation of the election laws of this state; violation of the oath of a public officer; bribery; false statements, representations, or writings concerning matters within the jurisdiction of state and local governments; conspiracy to defraud the state or any political subdivision or municipality thereof; and any other criminal activity for which the Governor has directed the Attorney General to petition the Supreme Court for the empaneling of a state-wide grand jury.(f) It shall not be necessary for a proposed bill of indictment to be presented to a state-wide grand jury prior to its engaging in investigative activities. The attendance of witnesses and the production of documents at such investigations may be compelled by subpoena, signed by any official authorized by the state-wide grand jury to issue such process."

SECTION 2.The above proposed amendment to the Constitution shall be published and submitted as provided in Article X, Section I, Paragraph II of the Constitution. The ballot submitting the above proposed amendment shall have written or printed thereon the following:

"( ) YES


( ) NO


Shall the Constitution of Georgia be amended so as to provide for state-wide grand juries which shall have the authority to investigate and indict for crimes committed anywhere in the state, including those committed by public officials; to provide for the types of offenses which may be investigated and acted upon by such state-wide grand juries; to provide for a presiding judge; to provide authority for the Attorney General or his or her designee to act as legal adviser and to prosecute any indictments rendered by such state-wide grand juries; and to further authorize the General Assembly to establish by law procedures for the summoning and empaneling of such state-wide grand jurors?"


All persons desiring to vote in favor of ratifying the proposed amendment shall vote "Yes." All persons desiring to vote against ratifying the proposed amendment shall vote "No." If such amendment shall be ratified as provided in said Paragraph of the Constitution, it shall become a part of the Constitution of this state.


SEE THE SAME AT THIS LINK:


REGISTER TO VOTE, YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE
BY VOTING YES ON THIS AMENDMENT IN 2010,YOU WILL BE VOTING TO STOP NON-ACCOUNTABILTY OF OUR ELECTED OFFICIALS IN THE FEDERAL,STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT
TAKE BACK YOUR VOICE ON DECISION MAKING AND PUT A STOP TO THE BACK ROOM POLITICAL CORRUPTION

Monday, February 15, 2010

PRESS RELEASE: THE VETERANS WALL OF HONOR PRESERVATION COMMITTEE WILL MEET WITH THE COUNTY MANAGER AT HERITAGE PARK ON WEDNESDAY 2/17/2010

Out for concern for the current state of the Veterans Wall of Honor, VWOH, located at Heritage Park in McDonough, GA, a group of private citizens have organized a preservation committee to ensure that this important tribute to our fallen military heroes and their families is maintained. The Veterans Wall was the vision of Ms. Joanne Consalvo-Mulvaney and her father Mr. Joseph Consalvo, a World War II veteran, to honor all of our military heroes who have unselfishly fought for our freedom and paid the ultimate price for us. The VWOH was dedicated in November 2008. Since the dedication, the monument has not been properly maintained by the Henry County Board of Commissioners and has received little preventive maintenance subsequently causing structural and or façade damage.

It is the goal of the Veterans Wall of Honor Preservation Committee, VWOHPC, to work with the BOC and the community to ensure that the monument is maintained and continues to exemplify the meritorious work of our brave men and women. Members of the committee are Alfred Britt, Robin Earnest, Mike Eddy, Susan Edwards, Don Henderson, Mike Moon, Larry Stanley, and Lee Stuart.

The committee has been gathering information as to the condition of the site and will be meeting with Henry County Manager, Mr. Butch Sanders, on Wednesday, February 17, 2010 at 11:45 AM. The meeting will take place at the VWOH site in McDonough and will focus on needed maintenance as well as other pertinent VWOH information. Anyone interested in assisting the Veterans Wall of Honor Preservation Committee may contact Mike Eddy at 678-641-2746 or via email: mikeeddy@att.net.
Chairman, Henry County Republican Party

There is MORE:
A slight change with regard to the interview:

TIME CHANGE ONLY: 11:30 AM on WEDNESDAY 2/17/2010

Look at the Martha Zoller Radio Show calendar: Look at the Martha Zoller Radio Show calendar:
The interview via conference call will be on 2/17/2010 Wednesday at 11:30 AM

The discussion will include: The Veterans Wall of Honor Monument and The Veterans Wall of Honor Preservation Committee.


I would not miss this if I were you !

Saturday, February 13, 2010

The St. Valentine's Day Massacre: Henry County Style

Most of us have heard about the famous murder that took place in Chicago labeled the St. Valentine's Day Massacre where warring factions of the mob establishment killed several people in a warehouse. Al Capone was believed to have been the one who ordered the job done. Now let's fast forward about eighty years to today. Henry County has proven to have itself a St. Valentine's Day Massacre of it's own brewing.
Here though we are not talking about mob hits and just down right murder we are talking about something else entirely. We are talking about the murder of taxpayers money through a system that seems to have a bottomless pit. The taxpayers have been lined up against the wall of greed and have been drained of their money to create things in this county that we just don't need.

Look at the plans for the Hudson Bridge Rd-Jonesboro Rd. Corridor. This is ridiculous wanting to bring such a creation to Henry County. The people don't get the quality service of roads, schools, and other amenities as it is already. Why would anyone want to bring such a creation to the county? Because they have not the forethought to see the problems that it will create and the troubles it will bring with it.

The taxpayers are being fleeced as it is through land deals such as the one that made the Abernathy family very rich and the taxpayers $4 million dollars poorer.

Not to mention the land deals that helped to make the former Sheriff's family a good deal more richer. A massacre in the making at the wallet.

Let's show how a massacre is accomplished with a person who has lived here all their lives. The Chamber of Commerce and Board of Commissioners finds out about a company wanting to locate within Henry County. Then either one of the rich in the group will go out and pay those good people what they feel is a nice sum for their property or threaten them with eminent domain. Then there is the idea of getting a good friend of the Chamber and BoC to sell their property at a premium to the folks who want to locate here. Of course they have no respect for their neighbors and friends they have known for years.

Money talks and the rest ..well you know the story.

So, we would like to wish everyone a happy St. Valentine's Day here in Henry County. Just be careful to watch your wallet because that massacre is lurking around the corner.

The Doctor

Tuesday, February 9, 2010

BREAKING STORY FROM FOX 5 NEWS INVESTIGATOR DALE RUSSELL UNCOVERS ANOTHER DIRTY DEAL IN HENRY - LAND BOUGHT WITH TAX PAYER FUNDS TOTALING FOUR MILLION

http://www.myfoxatlanta.com/subindex/news/iteam#

The story is listed by title: Bullet and Land
IF YOU HAVE NOT SEEN THE FOX FIVE BREAKING NEWS STORY...................YOU NEED TO RIGHT NOW!

Will tax payers take heed now and VOTE?

BREAKING NEWS AFFECTING YOUR COUNTY

The Henry County Chamber of Commerce has a new leader. Andy J. Welch, III, was installed during the organization’s 43rd annual meeting Saturday, at Eagle’s Landing Country Club in Stockbridge. He replaces Charles Woodroof. Mr. Welch stated in the article that he would like to see the county build a technical school in Henry County. “The budget’s tight this year, but the need for a technical school in this county still remains,” he told attendees. “It remains a strong and high priority of this chamber, and of our economic strategy for Henry County."  See the full article here: Henry Herald

As I read this article, one thought came to mind for me as a tax payer in Henry County. The wordage in the first paragraph was key (installed) connections, connections, connections, like a big fish bowl!

Now my fellow tax payer's and voter's; I think a technical school would be great for Henry County, I do not however think that Henry should ask our legislators TO REQUEST more funds to build it. Henry has dipped enough stimulus and grant money out to last for quite some time. WE tax paying American's will be paying this money back now, THEN leaving it for future generations to pay back.

I highly recommend that our county sell NASH FARM BATTLEFIELD to pay for the technical school, in fact this property will be the perfect location for a revenue gaining facility to be constructed. I state Battled Field due to the fact that the BOC still have not moved forward to change the signage on the property to reflect Nash Farm Park. This park has been a drain on our county since purchased under
eminent domain by, you guessed right, the County Commissioners voting practices. SO let's sell Nash Farm for what it is really worth, make a huge profit as usual, due to taking someone elses land by under paying for it and build a technical school for our citizens. Put it to good use.

The citizens were not asked if they wanted to purchase Nash Farm, they were told.  

Why not place this matter to the people of this county by vote?

It should read:

(Shall Henry County sell Nash Farm Park and the funds be spent to construct a Technical School for the citizens of Henry County)

We have enough parks, we have an over abundance of soccer fields, bike trails and questionable historical sites. At this time due to our economic challenges we owe it to ourselves and our families futures to do with a little less. To proceed in obtaining what we REALLY need instead of what we may want.

HEY HENRY:         
"NO MORE STIMULUS MONEY!"

"NO MORE GRANT'S"

"STOP THE SPENDING SPREE!"

And NO to Broadband Fiber Optics!

Monday, February 8, 2010

Henry BOE takes a vote today to cut Orchestra Program, do they need to take budgeting courses?

The kids were given one-day notice of the board meeting to discuss cutting the Orchestra programs at all high schools I just posted the following at their FaceBook site:
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=281760218575&ref=search&sid=1164014160.1393891337..1&v=info#!/group.php?gid=281760218575

Just invited 36 Friends from around Henry County. What I am most concerned about is that our BoE has known for a couple years the tax base was dwindling. Last year they tried to get a $256-million bond for new schools. Thankfully the referendum failed. Now they are trying to cut $46-million from the budget -- that i...s what I call great forethought and planning! How about looking at adminstrative staff salaries, costs of athletic programs, the counseling staff at every high school... hey even Mr Surma can take a pay cut. The last thing to go on the chopping block should be beneficial programs for outstanding students!!! It is simply wrong to penalize students for the board's failure to manage their $500-million-plus budget.

Larry Stanley
McDonough, GA
Cell: 404-425-2361
http://www.hccitizen.org/
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
----- Forwarded Message ----
From: "adeal0820@charter.net"
To: hc.citizen@hccitizen.org
Sent: Sun, February 7, 2010 6:52:46 PM
Subject: Fwd: Fw: Orchestra Update

My name is Meghan Deal, and I am a junior attending Union Grove High School. I am also an extremely active member of one of several Orchestra programs in Henry County, a program that is on the chopping block. The Henry County Board of Education has decided that to save money, the Orchestra program should be cut. We are doing everything in our power to try to prevent them from making such an irrational mistake. You met my fellow friends at the Kroger, and they gave me this e-mail address. I have forwarded you a parent letter that supplies Board of Education Member e-mail adresses. Please send e-mails, make phone calls, and sign the petition.

Your assistance is greatly appreciated.
Please preserve the smiles of over 700 students here in Henry County.

Forever Grateful,
Meghan Deal

Date: Thu, 4 Feb 2010 08:18:05 -0800 (PST)
From: PAUL & JEANNE BOLTON Orchestra Update
On Thu, 2/4/10
From: Cindi Chambers
Subject: Orchestra Update

To: "Craig Chambers"Cindi Chambers"
Date: Thursday, February 4, 2010, 7:57 AM

Dear Orchestra Parents,

After attending yesterday's School Board meeting, I am very concerned about the continued existence of the Orchestra Program in Henry County schools. The Board members will vote Monday (2/9) on whether or not to retain the Orchestra. It was obvious to me that from body language and wording that the vote will not be in our favor.

At this point, we, as a group (parents, students and other supporters), need to email or call the School
Board with concerns. Be aware that the School System is looking to cut 41 million dollars from the budget. Orchestra is self-sufficient. The county pays for the instructors salaries only. I am not sure that the school board understands the importance of a string program to the students that are involved. I did not hear of any athletic programs (or band/chorus) being cut or even trimmed. I feel that a cut of all programs in order for all programs to survive would be more equitable in this hard economic time.

We need the board to understand that these are the top academic students that will apply to major universities. They need the string program to help them spring board their futures when competing for coveted college acceptance and scholarships. A statistic I have seen states that "20% of Orchestra students are in the top 10% of their class, even though they make up less than 5% of the student population"...this is from a study performed by professors from Ohio State and Kent State (http://www.jstor.org/pss/3345761).

Here is the link to the Board of Education
http://www.henry.k12.ga.us/398board.htm

Please send emails and make phone calls to express your concerns and ask questions of your elected officials. They owe us answers.
My questions are:

1) What is the cost per orchestra student to the county vs. the cost per athlete?

2) How much does the school system spend to maintain the immaculate football and baseball fields?

3) What is the percentage of students that participate in orchestra that go on to enroll in college vs. the percentage that participate in athletics?

4) What is the percentage of students that receive scholarships vs. those that participate in athletics?

I have nothing against athletics and support them whole-heartedly. I certainly do not want to come across as attacking the valuable athletics programs at our schools. My concern is that these programs seem to have priority in situations like this, when maybe they should be more equal. I would be willing to bet that there was absolutely no study commissioned to look at the impact that orchestra has on a school system.

Also, there is a Facebook page that was created by a High school student to support the orchestra.

If you are on Facebook you should probably consider joining this group as it may be a good way to disseminate information. http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/group.php?gid=281760218575&ref=search&sid=1164014160.1393891337..1

We have 2 days to be heard. Feel free to copy and send to friends even it they are not orchestra parents, their support is needed.If we do not advocate for our children, no one else will.

Craig and Cindi Chambers

One person did send a message to all the BOE members today:
This is an urgent message.

Date: Monday, February 8, 2010 7:18 AM
From: A very concerned tax payer
To: Ray.Hudalla@henry.k12.ga.us, Pam.Nutt@henry.k12.ga.us, jbp@preston-cleveland.com, Charles.Vickery@henry.k12.ga.us, Erik.Charles@henry.k12.ga.us
Subject: WE NEED TO KEEP OUR ORCHESTRA IN THE BUDGET
Size: 1 KB
Dear Board: The parents of Henry County need , want and deserve answer's to the following questions before you vote today!

1) What is the cost per orchestra student to the county vs. the cost per athlete?

2) How much does the school system spend to maintain the immaculate football and baseball fields?

3) What is the percentage of students that participate in orchestra that go on to enroll in college vs. the percentage that participate in athletics?

4) What is the percentage of students that receive scholarships vs. those that participate in athletics?

Thank you,
A very concerned tax payer

Saturday, February 6, 2010

My choice is Austion Scott for the next Governor of Georgia




Scott for Georgia
Campaign Update - February 5, 2010

Dear United4change,
This has been another fantastic week at Scott For Georgia. We've gained many new supporters since Austin's debate last night, enjoyed lots of good press coverage, and Austin has continued to work hard to bring jobs to Georgia. Thank you for your support!

Austin Successful in Second Debate

Austin enjoyed another successful debate last night, this time in Alpharetta. It was an opportunity to explain his platform of job creation, education, and ethics in front of a group of more than 500 North Fulton Republicans, many of whom came up afterward with one thing on their minds: "Austin won it...hands down."

Austin's career-long track record on ethics and his solid, realistic proposals to fix the issues facing Georgia were very well-received. He told the audience that as a legislator, he does not conduct business with the state, nor does he accept campaign contributions from lobbyists. If elected, he promised to make our budget the most transparent in the nation and to reduce taxes to bring more jobs to Georgia.

"We're six months from putting our nominee forward to face a strong Democratic challenger and I'm the only candidate who's articulated a clear plan for our economy," Scott said. "That's what our Party needs going forward."

Austin introduces tax cut measures in GA House

Georgia needs jobs. On Monday, Austin introduced two tax reform measures in the Georgia House aimed at immediately bringing more jobs to the state. HB 1029 proposes to eliminate the corporate income tax in Georgia, and HB 1037 will cut the long-term capital gains tax in half. If passed, these two measures will move Georgia to the top of the list for many companies evaluating their relocation options.

"We have an opportunity right now to bring jobs to Georgia from manufacturing industries in the Northeast. These tax cuts will send a strong message around the world that Georgia means business," said Scott.

Click here for the full article from the Atlanta Business Chronicle.
Coming Soon: Austin on Education

Austin Scott takes the success of our education system personally. Next week, we release a detailed look at his thoughts and plans for public education in Georgia.

We will discuss a variety of issues in Georgia education, including student performance, SPLOST funds, teacher compensation and retirement funding.

Remember, you can change the way we govern. Tell your friends and family to vote Austin Scott on July 20th.
Sincerely,
The Scott for Georgia Campaign Team

In This Issue
Debate Update!
Less Tax=More Jobs
Coming Soon
Featured Articles
Quick Links
Facebook
Twitter
More About Austin
Walk of Georgia
Featured Articles

Peach Pundit explores political corruption that Austin Scott fought against for two years.
And, from the Fayette County News: 'Scott holds promise'.

Scott for Georgia
PO Box 988
Tifton
GA
31793

Friday, February 5, 2010

Governor Perdue wants to change state government by giving the Governor elect in 2014 the power to appoint some state constitutional officers. Your thoughts?

News broke that Gov. Sonny Perdue would like for some state constitutional officers to be appointed:

Gov. Sonny Perdue is proposing that four state constitutional officers now elected by the public should instead be appointed by the governor. The four are state school superintendent, agriculture commissioner, labor commissioner and insurance commissioner. The change would require two-thirds approval in each house of the Legislature, and would have to be ratified by the state's voters.

The governor elected in 2014 would be the first to appoint people to the four positions. It will require two thirds approval in each house of the legislature and would have to be ratified by the states voters.



Comments:

I will be voting for Austin Scott for Governor he is by my standards honest,trustworthy and most importantly wants Georgians to get back to work, he will demand Government transparency,which we have been yearning for.

I think Governor Perdue would be proud of my choice. Austin Scott holds the same standards that I voted for in Mr.Perdue.

I agree most completely with Governor Perdue regarding the position of Governorship having the power to appoint positions to Insurance,School,agriculture and Labor board's. I also adamately believe most importantly County commissioner Board's should be appointed by the Governor of Georgia and not by votes within the counties.

The county commission board is where the trouble starts,there are to many related people that have to many family ties and supporters through decades of generations within Henry County. How could this not perpetuate special considerations to certain individuals and companies that desire considerations. I know this practice occurs in Henry County, why would any other county be different?

The political game needs to cease. Commissioners in Henry County have been running their own agendas.

Citizens in Henry County are sick of it. They will be voting in 2010 and 2012 until the county is kulled of the good ole boy and one girl back door politics that the citizens of this county have indured for far to long.

Citizens in Henry County are finally taking a stand on it! it is time for change in their county. The current BOC has just pushed the last citizen to the breaking point.

I will be writing Mr. Perdue and ask him to add County commissioners to his list of county officials that should be appointed by the Governor of Georgia. I know that BJ. Mathis has been appointed by Mr. Perdue to head the committee for the 2010 census, however does he really know all there is to know about BJ? we shall see.

Posted by: votingin2010

Sunday, January 31, 2010

This coming week be on the look out on channel 14 for the commissioners, the word is that the topic will be COUNTY OWNED FIBER OPTICS

If you have not already, you need to send an email message to not just your district commissioner but to all of them. Tell them: We do not need it, we do not want it and we especially do not want to taxed for it, not now, NOT EVER!

If these sitting commissioners pass this fiber optics nonsense that they are trying their best to pursuad the Henry citizens is such a good thing, then get out your already half empty wallets my friends. There is no way that an endeavor of this size will not cost the taxpayers. If they get away with this now,after they are voted out, (which many of us striving toward) their replacements will ultimately be saddled with the contract debts incurred while these commissioners were in office. Most of the time they do not listen to us, perhaps 3 of them will on this issue, it will take 2 no votes and 1 to obstain or recuse himself, to stop B.J. Mathis's agenda she has planned. Of course that is a really BIG long shot no doubt considering the tract records of these sitting commissioners of their voting. I would not place good money on it.

So my fellow citizens if you really want to see what your district commissioners are made of watch the meetings. If you can not watch them on TV and you have access to a computer, the meetings are archived and video viewable at http://www.co.henry.ga.us/

On channel 14 you can view real time BOC meetings: the first and third Monday of the month at 9AM. The first Tuesday at 9AM and the third Tueday at 6:30PM, all these meetings are held a the Henry County Administration Building, 140 Henry Parkway, McDonough. These meeting are open to the public. Citizens can sign up for public comments, public comments can be about any topic a citizen wishes to address.

Thursday, January 28, 2010

Fiber Optics/ a new topic by a fellow Henry citizen and poster

The Doctor has left a new comment on your post: "It's time to start your own topic,email with a to...":

Why is more fiber optics needed for Henry County? The county is traversed to and fro with fiber optics from AT&T (the parent company), Charter, Comcast, and who knows what else. On my street the fiber optics cables run over head and underground, I guess to cover all the bases. But the point being this project smells of more than just adding something for the county.

The county appears to be wanting to get into the business themselves or are they doing it for a benefactor. The person in charge of the gathering of this material is Clark Rainer. Now Mr. Rainer is a very bright and smart young man. He is out promoting the fiber optics plan on the local cable tv show that is home to our Chairperson Ms. Mathis.

It has been shown that this type of plan has failed several times before right here in Georgia. It has been said and by Mr. Rainer himself that the plan was not to make money for the county, but he has also stated that revenue could come from telecommunications outlets. We can't have it both ways.

This has been a proposal ever since our Chairperson got into office. And it is interesting that it is continuing to be a hot topic for a person who knows little on the subject.

The people of Henry County should be given the chance to say whether the county should spend their money in this way. It doesn't matter whether it comes from bonds, grants or stimulus it has to be paid back.

Listen to the talk and watch the body language and the story can be told very vividly. This project is our new "Nash Farm" all over again. It's about time it stops and we get down to the real business of the people.

Posted by The Doctor to Henry County Citizens voices at January 28,

2010 10:02 AM

It's time to start your own topic,email with a topic and it will have it's very own header and comment section,moderated "only for profanity" NOT CONTENT

Wednesday, January 20, 2010

Austin Scott wins first GOP debate/Focuses on job creation, education, ethics

Wednesday, January 20, 2010
                                                                                                    

Athens - Rep. Austin Scott enjoyed an excellent performance in the first debate between GOP candidates for governor, held last night on the campus of the University of Georgia in Athens.

"I'm going to take the politics out of deciding what's good for our children and the education system," Scott said, when asked about how to improve education in Georgia.

The event, which was hosted by the Athens-Clarke County Republican Party and the University of Georgia College Republicans and broadcast live by major news networks around the state, was a resounding success for Rep. Scott.

"I understand the issues being faced by this state," he said. "To create jobs, I will eliminate the corporate income tax in Georgia. Think about the message that sends to the nation and the world: Georgia is ready for business."

Throughout the debate, Rep. Scott's focus was on three key issues: the economy, education, and ethics. These three areas have formed the basis for his platform for governor of Georgia.

He was mentioned by name by the panelists and moderator more times than any other candidate.

"I feel very confident about my campaign going forward," said Scott.

Rep. Austin Scott is a 14-year member of the Georgia House of Representatives and a candidate for governor of Georgia. For more information, visit ScottForGA.com or WalkingWithAustin.com.


Contact:
Hank Gurley
404-583-0455

Tuesday, January 19, 2010

White House press secretary Robert Gibbs "DUGH"

I think this guy should wipe the brown off his nose! he evades answering direct questions. Obama sure picked one to run interference for himself. Gibbs kept spouting that he rejects the idea that a win for Scott Brown tonight would kill the Healthcare bill. We shall see?

If these Obamatons try to sneak in voting on the healthcare bill before Scott Brown is sworn in and gets his chance to vote! I think instead of 50 thousand AMERICANS waving tea party signs and AMERICANS wearing their yellow don't tread on me shirts, we need to amass around 100,000 on the White House lawn, that would be the ticket.


I could just stand up and yell hoooooooooooooray!

Scott Brown wins by 62%, against democrat Martha Coakley, he will be taking over the senate seat in Massachusetts. Obamacare beware, the American people have spoken. We will not let you take our life and liberties away, not without a huge fight! They tried to push socialized medicine down the American peoples throats, to which they loudly replied tonight: NO WAY, ENOUGH IS ENOUGH.

Since 1953 the senate seat in MA has been held by a democrat, This is one for the history books!

Still we all need to email our senators,house reps and get your blogs rolling. We have only begun this fight against being Obamasized.

When you get out to vote in Henry County for the people holding key positions that affect your way of life in your county. I hope you will all keep this night in your minds. When you vote,when you speak out, you will be making a difference in your way of life and your children's lives for generations to come.


Votes being cast today for senate seat of the late Ted Kennedy in MA

Of course if I were in MA I would vote for Scott Brown (Rep). Obama of course ran out to a crowd at the very last minute to talk up that Martha Coakley(Dem).

This is a big one,we do not need the dems running the show,look at what they have gotten us into thus far since Obama went in!

If you do not want the government looking over your medical chart and bank records, plus a whole lot more detrimental items in this healthcare bill,we need to vote out the bad apples this year. Obama is only backing this Coakley person to get his healthcare reform piece of crap voted in by an out numbering of DEMS to REPS ratio in the house if she is elected.

 So if you know anyone in MA call them to get out and vote.

Friday, January 15, 2010

As I listened to Sonny Perdue's 8th and final State of the State address,this portion really hit home, we can not allow our county to continue on this stimulus spending spree any longer.

In Sonny Perdue's own words, this is a portion taken from his published speech, our Governor realizes that stimulus money does have a price to future generations

What stands out most is to me each generation’s willingness to pick up the yoke and move our nation forward. It has not always been pretty,but what has never happened in this nation  is for one generation to drop the yoke and wait for the next to pick it up, never have they weighted them down with unbearable burdens!


This is our time to carry a heavy load and do the hard thing now for the sake of our children and grandchildren.

For our generation, the economic storm we now find ourselves in is unlike anything we’ve ever seen. These are hard times for Georgians, many have lost jobs and others are working harder and longer for less and checkbooks are harder to balance.

Here in this chamber, this time has forced tough decisions on us.

We spent the first six years of this administration, before this recession even began, making government more responsive … more efficient … more value-driven. And then came the biggest state revenue drop since the Great Depression.

Together, we've worked hard to find the best solutions and we asked our state team members through out our state for more, in an effort to maintain services with fewer resources. But, ladies and gentlemen, if we fail to do the hard thing now, our government will be spread far too thin to ensure that Georgia is more educated, healthier, safer and continues to grow.

It would be easy to sit back, as we sometimes do, point fingers at Washington, but even here in Georgia, we must remind ourselves that we need to avoid the temptation to serve the needs and wants of today at the expense of tomorrow. We must reject the course that promises the next generation little more than an expensive bill ,crushing entitlements and unfunded mandates.

We cannot vote ourselves ease and comfort at the expense of our children and grandchildren. Alexis de Tocqueville said it well, frighteningly, almost prophetically two hundred years ago:
“A democracy can only exist until the voters discover that from that moment on the the majority always votes for the candidates promising the most benefits from the public treasury. With a result that a democracy always collapses over lousy fiscal policy, always followed by a dictatorship. The average of the world’s great civilizations before they decline has been about 200 years. These nations have progressed in this sequence: From bondage to spiritual faith; from faith to great courage; from courage to liberty; from liberty to abundance; from abundance to selfishness; from selfishness to complacency; from complacency to apathy; from apathy to dependency; from dependency back again to bondage.”
There has never been a cautionary tale so well-suited to a time and place as this one is to America, today here and now.

I love this one story that Thomas Paine recounted from the days of the American Revolution. He told of a tavern keeper at Amboy, who happened to be a closet Tory, for whom Paine had little respect. Paine described the scene:

“He was standing at his door, with as pretty a child in his hand, about eight or nine years old, as I ever saw, and after speaking his mind as freely as he thought was prudent, finished with this unfatherly expression, ‘Well, give me peace in my day … Give me peace in my day.’”
Thomas Paine goes on to say that a loving parent should have said, “If there must be trouble, let it be in my day, that my child may have peace.” And Paine is right … “This single reflection, well applied, is sufficient to awaken every man to duty.” We must recover the spirit of that loving, sacrificing father.

I believe I stand with most Georgians, when I say, I am for doing with a little less if it means a lighter burden and a brighter future for the next generation. There is an honor in sacrifice and we must never pervert it into the distain of dissatisfaction!

I’ve talked a lot over the last few years about building a culture of conservation here in Georgia, using only what we need and being better stewards of our natural resources. At its core, that culture of conservation is a simple call to be satisfied with only what we truly need and it extends to every aspect of our lives. Going forward, we must forego the excesses of our time and reject the gluttonous instinct of this age.

These times demand that we worry less about bringing home the pork, and more about empowering our people to grow their own hogs. These times call for true leadership in our communities, calling people to create a better Georgia … elevating them out of the easy way of dependency. We have to call every Georgian to build rather than consume … to give rather than take.

And we must begin that transformation here!

Wednesday, January 13, 2010

The State of the County Address fact or fiction?

Well it sure looks like a new fiber optics network owned by Henry County is certainly still on the agenda.

We got painted a pretty well rehearsed painting of how all these, expansions into residential neighborhoods will benefit the county. The taxpayers are the county. Fiber Optics will have to be upgraded to keep in step with growing technology, Upgrades that will require a new and continual budget for the department that will oversee it. I wonder did B.J. Mathis not listen or did she choose to ignore public comment from Deanna Jones, the representative from Charter Cable who spoke during public comment.

Where will the revenue come from for this budget? TAX PAYERS OR MORE BORROWED MONEY FROM STIMULUS. The tax payers now, their children, Grandchildren and their children to infinite, stimulus money is not free money!

A venture of this magnitude that will be affecting every citizen and their families for years to come should be required to be brought up for a special vote to the taxpayers. This should not be a decision made by 5 elected officials.

It is fine for someone to smile give a speech and tell you to look at the world as if it were a dream. Sorry but most of us all live in the real world of reality.

The county bought 61 forecloser homes, 6 sold. Woo Hoo! bring out the band!, unemployment rate is 10.3 for Henry county and 10.2 in Georgia, now that is reality.

The commissioners of this county need to listen to the citizens and allow a county wide vote on fiber optics

Tuesday, January 12, 2010

Veteran's Wall of Honor in Heritage park STILL in need of many repairs.


The parks and recreation department has been notified of damages caused by rain,erosion and vandalism. The few repairs that were perform were mere quick fixes that were not meant to be permanent ones.

A committee of citizens has formed to oversee that this great monument to our Veteran's does not go into more disrepair. There are more photo's on the http://www.crghenry.org/ website.


                                                                       

                                        

Friday, January 8, 2010

I currently support Austin Scott for State of Georgia Governor


I will not be voting for Karen Handle or Ray McBerry and of course not John Oxendine. I have been following Austin Scott, his campaign rings true. We all know who our county hopes to win. Just like in our county, we need someone new as Governor who has none of the usual ties to certain persons within Henry County. I sent emails to both Handle and McBerry asking them about how they feel our county is being managed. I got no replies, does that sound familiar to you?

Wednesday, January 6, 2010

This is not Camelot and Nash Farm sign debate?

I have heard (1) commissioner speak up against obtaining stimulus monies for Nash Farm, then they go ahead and persue it. I think we all know that Stimulus monies are not free, the county itself may get the money but it has to be paid back by every American that pays taxes,their children,their Grandchildren and on and on.

I heard the BOC just yesterday discussing taking out a LOAN to purchase the McDonough recreation/senior center. Sure it would be great to have BUT do we really need it? It looks like the current managers of the county pot have spent out splost funds before they have all been gathered. The contract has already been signed and now they have to honor the purchase. You should not agree to buy a property if you can not pay for it with the funds that were designated for that property. It is borrowing from Peter to pay Paul. This is how all these folks that obtained mortgages that were not able to sustain the payment got into trouble. No one can predict the future, our country is in a current crisis or does the BOC think they are immune to failures. I would think that most municipalities would be tightening the reigns on spending and especially those who face layoffs,pay cuts,furlows and foreclosures due to our current economy. Henry County is not immune. What will it take I wonder to get this county going in the right direction again. After all, this is not camelot and the Kennedy's do not live in this county.


The Veterans Wall of honor at Heritage park is a perfect example. I have seen the damages at this monument and I think it is a disgrace that those who are responsible for keeping this area in the condition in which it looked when constructed are not taking care now. The BOC has already publicly stated that they can not take care of what they have now as far as Parks. They are purchasing a new one and it will have to be maintained, it makes no practical since what so ever! What on earth will it take? for them to see the light.
 
Question: What ever happened to the NASH FARM SIGN? debate, has it been discussed any further? will they move the sign? will they change the name?

Tuesday, January 5, 2010

Camp Ground Road Extension/Home owners speak out in BOC meeting this morning

I finally got a good look at this 4 lane that will divide this neighborhood of 300 plus people directly in half. The highway is adjacent to the club house swimming pool. Every where lately in Henry county it seems that residents are loosing out to the BOC votes to big business. Citizens who elected these commissioners to look out for the very welfare of their families are having their property values sliced in half! Their children's lives are disrupted and parents are even in fear of their children not being safe.

I feel certain that this year will mark a change for the better for the citizens when they vote this year. Furthermore 2012 will be a time for a change as well. It may not help the citizens that have been so unfairly treated already, that is unless the BOC wakes up and starts listening to the people that voted them in.

From the BOC's ongoing actions in my opinion they do not intend to listen to us the citizens or vote on anything other than their own desires. Do they not work for us?..................I can answer that question myself, no, none of them are working for us!

Hoorah for CHARTER Rep..Deanna Jones of Duluth Georgia

Even though the BOC wanted to squash bringing up the Fiber Optics venture this morning due to Mr. Jeffares of District II being out of town. At the end of the meeting just before executive session a bolt of lightening came in the form of a public comment: Deanna Jones, a representative for Charter communications gave a bold,honest and to the point overview of why municipalities should not enter into their own Fiber optic network. She went on to say that she requests that the county provide all citizens with studies performed that show this venture to be a viable one for the citizens. Deanna also stated that no one from Henry County has approached current providers to join discussions in order to gain other opinions or options before spending this mass amount of money by the County.

I urge everyone that has access to view this January 5, 2010 meeting. If you can not then I will have it on DVD and you can come to my house and watch it! It was GREAT!

You gotta keep your eyes on these guys every minute!

Sunday, January 3, 2010

Posting this for Joan Scott.............call the commissioners with your concerns,perhaps they will listen this time?

Henry BOC Votes Tuesday on Massive Fiber Optic Plan
By Joan Scott

On Tuesday morning, January 5 at 9:00 a.m., while most of us are working and unable to attend, the Henry County Board of Commissioners will hold a meeting to vote on a $14 million resolution to construct, operate and maintain a “community-owned” Fiber Optic Broadband Network. In other words, they want to become an Internet Service Provider and they want you to pay for it.

Chairman B.J. Mathis touts this as a cost-saving measure that would rid our schools and other county government offices of the data-connectivity costs of doing business with private sector providers such as AT&T and Charter.

In addition, the County owned fiber network would, says the BOC, also have the capability to serve small and large businesses in Henry County, where there are currently no direct fiber options available to our business community.

But history shows that municipally owned telecommunications systems ultimately become a ball and chain to their taxpayers. This will be no different in Henry County and will leave taxpayers on the hook for years to come.

Misuse of The Stimulus Act

Just to be clear, the $14 million price tag is a conservative estimate according to the feasibility study commissioned by the BOC in September. And, they say the project to lay 180 miles of fiber optic lines over a two year period will be paid for using funds from the Stimulus Act, but not before they put us on the hook for it with bonded debt first.

The $787 billion American Recovery and Reinvestment Act set aside $7.2 billion to bridge the digital divide and provide poor citizens with online access. It is intended for projects that establish broadband service for the first time to “unserved” area and to enhance services in “under-served” rural areas. Henry County is neither of those.

And, just in case the BOC hasn't been paying attention to the Tea Party protests, the stimulus spending is borrowed and printed money that our children and grandchildren will be burdened with repaying. So, why don't we just not spend it to begin with, instead of pretending that it's free money given to us by the federal government.

Track Record of Failure

According to a March 2009 policy paper by Americans For Prosperity titled “Municipal Broadband's Record of Failure” the results of recent projects that have already been undertaken, almost without exception, have been overwhelmingly negative.

They had this to say about a 2005 project in Philadelphia, PA:

“While the city struggled to get the system in place, the private sector forged ahead with innovation; in three short years the entire project was out of date”.

After two years and running 30% over budget a group of private investors completed the project with the help of some non-profit organizations.

In a related op-ed that ran in the Atlanta Journal Constitution in March of this year, Philadelphia city councilman Frank Rizzo warned this of municipal broadband experiments:

If federal policymakers now allow the stimulus funds to be used on highly experimental and speculative taxpayer-financed municipal networks — particularly where there already is broadband service and where the municipal networks thereby face daunting economics — they will be inviting the kind of pork and waste that President Obama has forsworn.

AFP also cites similar projects in Chicago, IL and Houston, TX that failed because private internet service providers were already effectively serving the area.

And, says AFP, smaller cities, too, have made the mistake of underestimating telecommunications cost and competition.

Lompoc, CA signed up only 281 customers for their municipally owned wireless network after estimating they'd need at least 4,000 to break even. In the mean time the taxpayers are having to subsidize its operation.

Ashland, OR incurred a $15.5 million dollar deficit when it folded its cable TV business.

St. Cloud, FL taxpayers opted to pay higher fees to private providers rather than put up with government mismanagement of their wireless network.

Apparently, Chairman Mathis thinks things would be different here in Henry County.

Free Market Competition

Right out of the box there simply will not be enough subscribers (residential and business) to pay for the network because high quality, low cost, free market services are already available in this area. These include Clear, AT&T, Charter, and Comcast to name a few.

While these companies continue to innovate, develop and upgrade equipment and services to meet consumer needs, I don't see any of them rushing into Henry County to lay fiber optic cable. The Henry BOC, however, claims a supposed demand exists for it simply because one Fortune 500 company decided they couldn't locate here without it.

The Information Technology & Innovation Foundation (ITIF), a non-partisan think tank whose mission is to formulate and promote public policies to advance technological innovation and productivity, in March of 2009 had this to say about municipal broadband projects (page 17):

“The promise of affordable, ubiquitous fiber broadband service and the potential economic development opportunities that come with it are so enticing that a number of cities are considering the municipal fiber route. But despite the promises of municipal fiber, the actual success rate of these community fiber projects has been lukewarm at best and in many cases a failure at worst.”

They go on to say DSL and cable technologies have yet to reach their ceiling performance, which when increased incrementally based on market demands, is more cost-efficient.

So, as I see it, if the county can't keep up with these innovations it makes them a poor competitors. But, if the investments are made, the cost of sustaining this massive project will necessarily need to be subsidized with other tax dollars. This might be in the form of higher water or other utility costs or another rise in property, sales, or some other tax. That, by definition, is a form of wealth distribution.

This project will start out in debt and remain that way indefinitely. I urge all Henry County citizens to contact the Board of Commissioners and voice their opposition to this wasteful experiment.