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!

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

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

EVERYONE NEEDS TO REGISTER AND VOTE THIS NOVEMBER!!!!!!!

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!

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.

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.

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

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!

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!

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:

http://www.legis.ga.gov/legis/2009_10/versions/hr75_LC_28_4399_a_2.htm

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

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.

Listen to it here:  http://www.marthazoller.com/calendar.asp

I would not miss this if I were you !

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

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!

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

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

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

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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

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.