OP/ED Archive for MARY TODD
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Mary Todd is an unknown, but very astute observer of all things in Henry County and our four cities. These writings are certainly worth saving and savoring! Thanks, Mary for your contributions.
posted by Larrys at 9:14 PM
8 Comments:
Mary Todd said...
“Remember these urchins passed a school bond in 2004 which was based on increased growth (and then raised the mileage rate this year). These people slap taxpayers in the face with a grin.”
Wow, I’m not sure weather to scratch my head, wince, or laugh at the statement.
The 2004 school bond was for capital projects. School buildings did not bring in additional families to Henry County. The BOC made the problem with its growth stance. The BOC has never taken in consideration quality of life issues like over crowding schools. The stance the BOC has taken is that they can not deny on the grounds of inadequate school facilities.
At the time of the bond referendum the new schools to be built were going to be overcrowded with just the zoned developments the BOC had already passed. See the school system is always in arrears in building new schools due to the way they are funded.
Your implied connection between taxes going up due to the bond referendum is not correct. The portion of taxes that flows to the payment of the bonds has never increased, standing at 3.06 mills.
If you had attended the hearings the school board held on raising the millage rate you would be educated (by the school board – isn’t that their charge to educate, I guess if the pupil doesn’t attend they can not learn applies here as well) and that statement you made would be so blaringly incorrect to you as it is to me. You would know that the formula the State of Georgia uses to fund school systems has been discarded by the means of austerity cuts. Money was taken from this portion of the budget because of a slow economy and lower intake of state revenues. Over the last three years the state hasn’t funded their portion of the school budget. Therefore the portion that Henry County is liable for has increased.
The Education Board has done a grand job of keeping expenses at barebones. Fact be known the Henry school system spends about $6700 on educating a child where the state average is $8700. We my friend, are $2000 below the average school system and our progress in education is improving by SAT standards. The State’s SAT average is in the 900 range where the average for Henry is about 1090. I think the county that has the highest SAT average was at 1140.
So why did our tax rate increase this year? Operational costs. What you should know is that our taxes would not have gone up if the austerity cuts were not induced. Where your bellyache should be directed to is to our State Representatives and State Senators demanding that austerity cuts be done away with and the State’s own formula on funding should be followed.
It is hoped that Republicans in office will realize they have been empowered to make things right. The State is running a surplus in tax revenues and school systems need to be supported.
I have not made my mind up on the 3% sales tax yet. It sounds great to get rid of my property tax but the details of the plan have not been addressed and the current mumble jumble being flaunted isn’t going to work.
Your statement about slapping tax payers with a grin is uncalled for, again look at the record of the school board to see what was said by those who wrestled with the facts. Please remember written words have meaning and those uneducated will fall for anything just because it was written somewhere.
Mary Todd said...
There’s a saying, if you keep doing the same thing over and over again and expect to get a different result you’re just crazy. Okay it isn’t exactly how the saying goes and you better believe I don’t even know who might have said it, but I understand it.
Most of the people in the world don’t quite grasp the meaning of change. In the case of electing people to office most voters go with the incumbent or a tired dog. Why? Because it is familiar to them and this gives them comfort with their choice. They want to make a connection with the name on the ballet.
The problem is many people want to change the way something is progressing and do little but gripe. They complain about the local government and say things about them on vents and bloggs to air their frustration and it builds like a feeding frenzy and nothing is accomplished but a bunch of hard feelings.
The 2005 elections are here for our little piece of the world. Many of the old names that are in office or have been in office or have been in the public eye for some reason or another seem to be bantered around as the end to all the problems or maybe make the problems smaller / better.
There are a few names though that one might not know of and are not familiar to, but they will most likely throw them to the side.
Here’s where that saying I messed up at the beginning comes into the thought process. Change. Why keep hitting yourself with a hammer and expect it not to hurt?
I have found that good ideas come from places seldom looked to before, that’s why they are new.
Take the 4th and 5th Districts in Henry. They come up for election next year. All you hear about are names all too familiar to us and none are all that tantalizing. They are tired old names with no new ideas. Look at the 2nd and 3rd districts elected in 2004. Both of the two elected were names few ever recognized before. Both of the new commissioners have brought good new ideas to the table and have made healthy sparks of inspiration to the process.
Hopefully there will be some names that are not all that recognizable and come across as intelligent well educated choice. Let’s not keep electing the same old tired dogs.
Mary Todd said...
A basic principal of economics is supply and demand. If demand for something is great the elasticity of price is huge. If there is an abundance of supply then the elasticity of price is small.
To make a profit you have to have revenue above your expenses. There are all kinds of accounting tricks to learn about this basic principal, but the bottom line is you can not spend more than you make or you will not profit.
Many years ago the rail system flourished. It was a major means of transportation for long distances. By today’s standards long distance is much further than it was when the trains were the for the most part the only major transportation. As our country grew and new technologies became available, cars, the trains began to only make a difference in transporting people in greater lengths, say hundreds of miles versus 25 miles. When airplanes became more efficient and hit critical mass, people stopped using the trains in even greater numbers.
Today trains have become more of a niche mode of transportation than a viable means. Airplanes are more effective in moving people and therefore the train has less rider ship. Currently the ability to get from one area of town to another is not all that cumbersome. It takes as long or longer to ride public transportation as it does to drive. There is no convincing factor for trains for the giant majority at this point.
What I do not understand is why we are going to spend millions of dollars on this project to get it up and running only for it to loose money. One of the biggest gripes I have is that this is federal money and if we do not spend it we will not get more money in the future. I have heard this more than once from elected officials and even people at the Henry Chamber of Commerce.
Many officials are concerned that if we do not show progress with expanding our public transportation system we will be cut off form future funding. My question is why spend money on something that is bound to loose money year after year so we can get more money to loose in the future on similar projects?
If train transportation is a needed why is it the market, that place where people go to make money, providing it?
The reason is the real world dictates if you loose money you will not be in business long. Let’s face it, if there was money to be made in train transportation the rail system would be providing it. The government manufactures money from people’s blood sweat and tears.
I as a conservative Republican and fed up with our Republican Leadership and their spend spend attitudes. Currently the Republican leadership has done little more than is a democrat in sheep’s skin.
I will say though U.S. Representative Westmoreland voting against the $51 billion dollar relief package for LA was refreshing, he sited there were no measures for accountability in the spending of the funds. It was refreshing to see someone concerned enough to ask questions.
I agree with those who are for the new train system, yes it would be nice to have as an alternative means of transportation. I ask though that it be self sufficient and not take money from my pocket to subsidize its failure. It will turn out to be similar to government entitlement programs and we’ll throw money at it hundreds of years and it’ll never be enough.
Let us have the rail but do not take money from people who do not ride. If it looses money then it should be shut down. I would be for perhaps subsidizing it for say five years. After the five year period if it wasn’t self sufficient then it stops cold turkey. But that is the most I would compromise as an official responsible to the people.
Well I am not an elected official and what I say means little to nothing.
Mary Todd said...
There are always the distant notions of an advanced intelligence behind all unexplainable state of affairs. When it’s difficult to justify and comprehend people turn to the suggestion of a higher power. This helps some explain the existence of Aliens, a higher power which makes it easy to rationalize crop circles.
With the case of Stockbridge and the Law firm representing them one could try to make a case that the city is clueless in what they are doing and have no responsibility for their actions. The wicked attorney is to blame and led the sheep down the trail on eminent domain for private development. I say poo poo to such mindless consideration.
The lack of detail and innuendo charging the Law firm of being the master mind behind the scheme is a bit far reaching, similar to the second shooter in Dallas. I am in no way endorsing what the City of Stockbridge is doing with their abuse of eminent domain, however to put the blame on the law firm is incorrect. The law firm is not to blame for using the ruling to the client’s advantage. The rendering of the US Supreme Court gave credence to eminent domain for private development. So to kill the messenger for the news is wide of the mark. Changing the law is what’s needed.
Mary Todd said... November 23, 2005
Clayton County Commissioners versus Henry County Commissioners
Twelve days after the AJC had an article about Clayton County announces they might need a moratorium on residential building the Clayton Commissioners impose a six month moratorium. Clayton wants to increase the value of its tax roll by having higher priced homes built ($250,000+ minimum) and get away from the starter market.
What is interesting about this is the fact they placed a moratorium without any input from outside lobbying organization permission. They also made it for six months - not three, they did not agree to a minimum of applications being accepted during the moratorium nor did they bow down to not extending it if it was necessary. The audacity of the commissioners in Clayton not asking permission and doing something on their own is just amazing – to a Henry County citizen.
Shane Short, the Clayton County Chamber of Commerce President it was a good idea for the county to do this. He said that the county needs better residential development. Where did the Henry County Chamber of Commerce weigh in on the three month moratorium in Henry County? I never saw a quote from Kay Pippin.
The Henry County moratorium was implemented so the county could have time to get a CLUP in place and a transportation plan in place. Neither of these has been completed. I do not think the commissioners have adopted the interim plan yet as well. The BOC doesn’t have the ability to look at (otherwise known as vision) what’s needed in Henry and move on it; a moratorium of residential zoning and permits until the needed plans are in place. Our BOC should not let a lobbying group, known as the Henry Council for Quality Growth, dictate terms of a moratorium. Who runs the county any way?
Do our elected commissioners have the guts to say no to Steve Cash the lobbying group? I do commend the HCFQG on thier keen lobbying ability. They are really good at it.
Mary Todd said...
Mr. Stanley's Letter to the Editor
Over the Christmas holiday I love to bake and cook for those special to me. My significant other is always amazed at the creations I cook and loves to boast about the mess I create. In the rush to partial out to the loved ones, things can go askew by just not taking the time to read a recipe or substituting an ingredient or not cooking at the correct temperature or even just letting the young ones help out in the kitchen.
Mr. Larry Stanley would make a bad baker.
The letter to the editor in the Henry Herald about the Board of Education (BOE) in the December 28, 2005 edition was just half baked. Mr. Stanley has the audacity to insinuate the BOE has been negligible in their financial planning and administering of our tax dollars.
From the view of the well-versed, the BOE has illustrated their ability to serve Henry citizens most admirably in times where austerity cuts forced cut backs and restructuring. The recent news stories about how the BOE and the schools system coping with adversity is not necessarily foreshadowing an increase in our tax rate. With a surplus running in the state coffers and tax revenue collection increasing, the austerity cuts placed on school systems should be reinstated. After all the Governor and other Republicans need a hook to gain votes in 2006. The BOE has stated that without the austerity cuts our tax rate would have decreased this past year versus increasing by 50 basis points. Yes I have heard that without the cuts being reinstated not only our BOE but others will have to ask for approval of raising tax rates higher than 20 mills. This is not comforting at all. Higher taxes are not the solution. Funding the state designed formula for school systems is and where Mr. Stanley’s argument and displacement should be funneled is with the delegation which represents Henry down at the capital.
Representative’s Lunsford, Yates and Davis, Senator Douglas (and SS Jones along with those other Democrats) should be inundated with phone calls, emails and letters stating their mission should be to lower taxes of the citizens of Henry County by reinstating the slashed budget in education.
Mr. Stanley asks “Why is every school built on the same under-sized plan, requiring trailers in their first year of operation?” Either he does not know or he is trying to stir the pot. All schools in Georgia are financed via a state mandated formula based on need not anticipated need. Henry County has to show a need with current enrollment figures and not projected. Once again the BOE has used the SPLOST to build our schools in the most efficient manor possible. Also Mr. Stanley asks “Why are new schools located in far-flung locations?” The cost of land is the primary reason. Infrastructure needs of the school do not lead to higher density housing. The Zoning Board has three representatives of the county seated that are employed by the school system. Population growth is a key concern and density does not strictly follow sewerage lines. Mr. Stanley has seen personally the Zoning Board is not going to let higher density encroach where it is not warranted. On this site he has helped organize petition drives to garner support to not let the East Lake property become R2 where sewerage was available. The Zoning Board denied R2. Traffic congestion though is a concern and our BOC should be addressing this quandary and not flaunting eminent domain powers to buy $8 million dollar Civil War Parks.
The BOE is guilty of not pressuring the BOC to address the growth issue. Mr. Stanley is correct when he states neither board has the balls to call out for reform. It was hoped when Brian Preston was elected to the BOE he would be more vocal about county concerns. Mr. Preston has been an asset to the BOE but he has never addressed the growth concern.
The BOC must work with the school board to determine the proper level of growth which can be managed. Throughout the country many places have set up growth rates for which their communities can manage. If the BOE states they can educate our children while growing the school system at X% then the BOE needs to set the county growth rate at X%. Once the permits have been issued and X% has been obtained then no more residential permits can be issued until the next year.
“There are no easy answers. But we all know that growth policy (and enforcement) requires true coordination between the Board of Commissioners and the Board of Education” Mr. Stanley wrote, is true, and “It is time to contact the Board of Education members, our county commissioners and our state legislators. We must demand solid long-term planning with true cost analysis and attainable management criteria. Otherwise we have the wrong people in these elected positions.” This is the correct action to be taken. If everyone would fully read the recipe and become educated on the facts and not go off half baked so much would be accomplished.
December 28, 2005 9:14 PM
Posted January 28, 2006 at Henryherald.com Forum regarding the Henry Chamber of Commerce:
http://community.cnhi.com/groupee/forums/a/tpc/f/693102711/m/747107941
In the Republic of these United States we have the ability to choose Representation in government, a true freedom. These representatives listen to the concerns of their constituents to govern. Representative Lunsford, Representative Davis and Senator Douglas have listened to the Henry County citizens and support a referendum on the proposed commuter rail line. Kay Pippin on the other hand is running the chamber without listening to all the membership. The Chamber’s Board needs to fully examine the membership’s desires by polling them. It would be interesting to see how the rank and file would vote. Perhaps it would be supportive but broad backing is waning for the commuter rail as it has been presented. The blank check policy Kay Pippin and the closed door policy makers of the chamber might be surprised at the results of asking their membership what is wanted in Henry County.
It is time to change the face of the Chamber with a more responsive less totalitarian leadership.
The amount of animosity between the elected state delegation and the Chamber’s leadership is amazing and shameful. It stems from Kay Pippin’s defeat for State Representative to Representative Lunsford in 2000. Pippins loss could be the problem with the lack of relationship between the two entities. Pippin finds herself at odds with the delegation and takes time to publicly brow beat them at Chamber functions. Representative Davis has been the brunt of many out lashings by Pippin over the last year due to Davis asking that all information be discussed and not just a slanted foggy view by Pippin. Recently at a Chamber breakfast function Pippin verbally thrashed Representative Lunsford for asking that the tax payers have a voice in the decision on the commuter rail line. This public beating of our elected officials when they are not there to answer the falsehoods is Pippin’s hallmark and is distasteful to say the least. Pippin is constantly finding ways to point out dissention and never offers to work with the delegation. She is the wrong person for the face of Henry County’s businesses. We need to see the Chamber look at proactive leadership for the betterment of all Henry County. Pippin’s stance is wrong and her tenure needs to end.
The irony if this is the Chamber of Commerce is supposed to be looking at how to expand the economy of Henry and not constricting it. By forcing additional taxes upon citizens they take money out of the economy.
What happens when you give people a chance to keep more of their money? The economy expands by more spending. Henry County is fast becoming known in the Atlanta metro area as an overtaxing county and by adding more taxation to subsidize the blank check Pippin offers up is absolutely wrong. Today when people struggle to pay rising heating costs, when people struggle to pay mortgages, today when they struggle to pay for higher gasoline and struggle to send their children to college or save for retirement Kay Pippin’s stance is dead wrong for the homeowners of Henry County. The last twelve quarters of economic growth and prosperity stems from President Bush’s 2003 lead tax cuts. More jobs have been created in the last three years than in Japan and Europe by not taking more taxes from the American people. Kay Pippin’s blank check for more taxes could easily cost as much as $100,000,000.00 over the life of the rail. How much money does she want to take form Home owners? The answer is not to raise taxes as Pippin desires. Spending cuts and tax cuts are a better way to improve Henry’s economy not by adding additional taxes and additional spending.
I opt to trusting the American people with their money and not levying additional burdens to pay for luxury items. You just can not take money from people by writing blank checks because Kay Pippin thinks it is a good idea and she thinks she is better able to manage our money.
It is time to voice your opinion with the Chamber of Commerce. If you see a membership sign at a business let them know how you feel about the commuter rail and Kay Pippin’s involvement. Let them know your view on openly trouncing our elected officials she is at personal odds with. Tell that business owner Kay has got to go! If that doesn’t work then vote with your dollars and boycott Chamber members businesses and tell them why.
Pposted at the Henry Herald Forum on February 1, 2006:
I support and appreciate those that have taken a stance on the Commuter Rail. Our State Senator and State Representatives that have spoken out for or against the project have made their mark in the sand. Commissioners Stamey and Mathis have spoken. Those commissioners and other elected officials that continue to sit on the side lines and do nothing are the worst type of politician. They remind me of the Clinton administration.
The people of Henry County should come first. A politician that refuses to take a stand is either scared or uninformed. Commissioner Chairman Harper is a nervous Nelly frozen with voter fear. His business community, represented by democrat Kay Pippin of the Chamber of Commerce, demands no public input. Chairman Harper realizes without the public he gets no votes. It is hoped that Chairman Harper reaches down within himself to take a public stance for or against the commuter rail. Which ever way his opinion blows the other two undecided and up for reelection commissioners would surely follow. Commisioner Holder is his own man but needs to be public on the commuter rail as well.
Call the commissioners that have not openly taken a stance and urge them to make a descion to tell us, their constituents where their thoughts are at.
Administration Building - 770-954-2400
Lee Holman - (770) 507-0205 district5@co.henry.ga.us
Gerry Adam - (770) 914-7999 district4@co.henry.ga.us
Jason Harper- (678) 432-3446 chairmanharper@co.henry.ga.us
Warren Holder - (770) 957-5547 district1@co.henry.ga.us
If these numbers are wrong I apologize. I looked for them online.
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