LIFE & TIMES
Henry County Henry County was formed in 1821 from Creek Indian lands. Georgia's 50th county was named for Patrick Henry, whose powerful rhetoric helped push the Colonies into the Revolutionary War. Although spellings differ, McDonough, the county seat, was named for Captain James MacDonough, the victor over the British on Lake Champlain in the War of 1812.
Read More... about Henry County
Contact Information
Website: www.co.henry.ga.us
Address: 140 Henry Parkway McDonough, Georgia 30253
Phone: (770) 954-2400 / Fax: (770) 954-2418
Some popular websites:
Henry County Schools
Henry County Water & Sewer Authority
Georgia Secretary of State
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Reverse Address / Phone Number Directory
posted by Larrys at 11:20 PM
47 Comments:
We all know that beggars cannot be choosers, right? Not if you listen to a small number of people complain that somebody did not do enough for folks on the Gulf Coast, or fast enough to suit them. The first complainers and finger-pointers were the very people whop failed in their duties: Mayor Nagin, Governor Blanco and (especially) Senator Landrieu. Of course the liberal chorus joined in very quickly and the news media built a national frenzy from a pack of lies and liberal whining.
The liberal mindset plagues us in Georgia, too. For example we have appointed members of the Georgia Transportation Board like Dana Lemon, appointed by Sen. David Scott to represent Clayton County and a small part of Henry County. She is a diehard advocate of the commuter rail to run from Atlanta to the southernmost reaches of the earth. Lemon, however, admits the need for funding alternatives. Her position is to follow Sen. Scott and Clayton commission chair Eldrin Bell regardless of whether the grand scheme can be financed! All the while begging for another government subsidy for Norfolk Southern Railway and greedy developers along the rail’s path, she has completely failed to provide representation for the citizens of Henry County.
Dana Lemon, supposedly serving part of Henry County, does not want to hear what taxpayers have to say. She is a stealth weapon used by liberals because she has no accountability to voters or citizens. She has ignored real elected representatives like Clayton’s commissioner Wole Ralph Sen. Seay and Henry’s Rep. Davis, commissioner BJ Mathis and the Hampton City Council. She has ignored even the 2,000 Clayton taxpayers who signed letters opposing the rail.
Henry citizens do not like taxes. But the liberal mind sees only a bottomless bowl of money and no desired project is too expensive. They will simply talk about funding alternatives while signing 50-year agreements with the state. That is because they do not respect Other People’s Money. As politicians or appointed activists, they believe tax revenue is THEIR money to be used to buy patronage, influence and votes.
We know the motivation is to remain in office and in power. Georgia’s liberals use the same plantation mentality as the failed system in Louisiana. Keep the least among us dependent on government – through us, by us and for us.
As one Henry County taxpayer, I believe a rail system would be a nice luxury but of no tangible purpose to 99% of the county. If Norfolk Southern wants to operate the system, all private enterprise and the free market dictate its funding. As for me, Dana Lemon has no credibility and I want her hands – and Scott’s and Bell’s hands – out of my pocket!
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.
I have lost my sense of humor and I'm tired of crooks in public office.
The commuter rail will not benefit Henry County. We should not support it just because Ronnie Huggins wants to make Hampton look like Riverdale. By Golly, I will never support using my tax dollars for that.
The City of Stockbridge "wants" a new city hall. Bully for them. No explanation of costs or the bonds they will ask voters to approve to pay for it. Besides, how does a new administrative building meet the same criteria as a water/sewer line or a road? How is it going to provide for the health, safety or welfare of the citizens? The reason they are taking the land is wrong. As for the remaining lots, where landowners are getting their arms twisted, taking from Joe to give it to Bob is evil.
I am still upset that Harper got $5000 from Potts and Stamey in on his payroll, and they influenced approval for Kelly Plantation. The law suit was thrown out because the plaintiffs "did not have standing." WHO in all of Henry County can citizens of District 3 turn to? Certainly not Judge McGarity. WHO in District 3 will not be affected by 1200 homes on Willow Lane? This mess stinks of graft and corruption.
Yeah, Nixon was not a crook. He was just misunderstood.
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.
Too Many Cooks in the Kitchen
Last night I attended the kickoff of the CLUP. They had a great turnout to hear about what the process entailed and how in 18 months we would have a plan in hand which the cities and the county would live by for the next 20 years.
Sitting there in the crowd listening to other people talk I realized there were so many different opinions as what was to be done that nothing could be done if all the ideas given were to be included. One person would say they liked something, another would say they didn’t like the same thing. Politicians in the audience gave marvelous and grandiose thoughts to what was needed. I don’t mean those already elected but those running for office in the cities.
How is anything going to come from this meeting and be productive?
There have been numerous meetings over the last 2 years with a star studded advisory board that had public input. It produced nothing. Why not now listen to a handful of representatives from the cities about what their thoughts are and start to work? Take what they say meld it with the public input form the previous do nothing program and hash it out.
To accomplish putting a plan together put the hired team of consultants in a room with that blotted oversight committee and say do it. I’m no genius but the more people you ask about what is needed then the more contradicting advice you get. All I ask is that someone or small team sit down in front of a computer and draw on the map what the area is going to look like. If I disagree about the final results I can move, and you, yes you reading this, if you don’t like it you can move also.
All this time, energy and money thrown away with no results is a negative reflection on those elected to office. I am so disgusted with last night and the way this CLUP is heading. Do something already, at least we’ll know what to expect form the local governments when it comes to planning. Where is your Nike footwear?
Henry County Land Use Plan
The time line on adopting the land use plan interim is very short for the impact it will have to growth and quality of life in Henry County.
I feel one (1) month does not do justice for notification and changes need to adopt and in between map so the government can proceed in a comprehensive matter to zonings. "Even though in the past this has not hampered the council to spot zone property."
Total Area of Henry County is 322.7 Square Miles. Population of 119,341. (Latest estimate 160,000) How long is the interim Land Use Plan good for? "How do we build for the future with no plan? Plan for Roads, Schools, Hospitals, Public Safety, Clean drinking Water, Sewage Treatment Plants, Commercial were jobs are brought in to a community?
I know Henry County needs growth. I also feel the tax payer should not bear the full burden of bad land development.
How about a zoning plan that matches the Land Use Plan?
The time line for the interim Land Use Plan is to short? A stance needs to be made that the moratorium needs to be extended to a FIXED date. 60 days minimum 90 days maximum.
Response to BAILEY:
I wish I could explain, with deference to honest motivations on the BoC that we must work under another "interim" plan, or why there is no transportation plan.
In my own cynical world I postulate that having a real set of enforceable ordinances and a land use plan would place too many restrictions on their ability to negotiate zonings and literally rewrite ordinances on the fly.
Their continued appointment of study committees and public hearings do nothing but continue the stalling tactic. We have spent many thousands of dollars over the years and have nothing to show for it. There are certainly political motivations and some political/proivate agendas in play.
At the end of the day, the folks we elected are not "serving" the citizens by providing a stable environment. We cannot make rational decisions about investment in homes or property because we lack the crystal ball to know where the next development will crop up. That is why I remain cynical.
Bad boy, Jason
It is right to judge a man by his words and his actions. We have seen many people enter politics for personal gain. It is sad that so few enter the job with true dedication to public service. To those who risk personal fortune and their political career to champion the little guy; or, protect and defend the moral fabric of our communities mere thanks is not enough.
Henry County Commission Chairman Jason Harper has set up shop in McDonough and begun taking clients for his new law practice. Harper said last week he has so far taken on a corporate client and a divorce case, but stands by his commitment to work full time as the county chief. The commission chairmanship pays about $57,000 a year, plus a travel allowance.
Harper, throughout his campaign for the office in 2004, said he would be a full-time chairman, a position set up as a part time job with part-time pay, but would still take cases as a special prosecutor for the state Department of Human Resources family and children division.
But he said he has relinquished the position at the Department of Human Resources.
He said he would now "dedicate the same amount" of time to the office as he did before going into private practice.
So, Mr. Harper admits that his commitment to work full-time for the county was never based in fact. And he now acknowledges that "the same amount of time" is all we will get.
At $57,000 per year, he still believes he "has to make a living" in private practice. So be it. It is no wonder we cannot get a returned phone call!
I think that someone from the new RAID group should be on one of the boards to help HC go forward. Quality Growth Council, Planning & Zoning, etc... Heck I bet one of them three ladies would do very well on the BOC. Hire them to run the Building Dept. I bet things would be done right. Even down to the inspections to the homes. These people are just fighting for it to be done RIGHT all the way through. Sounds like they have been doing a lot of reading and they can whip this county and builders in line. Visit their site and check it out.
www.raid4henrycounty.com
Henry County Planning Advisory Board
Scott McCarter
339 Jackson St.
Locust Grove, GA. 30248
Home:(770) 957-0891
Work:(770-785-7880
mailto:sdmccarter@charter%20.net
scott_mccarter@ucbi.com
District I/Commissioner Warren Holder
Pamela White
223 Birch Creek Cir.
McDonough, GA 30253
Home: (770) 898-3719
Work: (404) 643-1871
pjwhite@joimail.com
District II/ Comm. Elizabeth "B.J." Mathis
Bruce Register
985 Airline Rd.
McDonough, GA 30252
Home: (770) 954-1984
Work:(770) 954-1983
targetmarketing@charter.net
District III/ Comm. Randy Stamey
Michael Eddy
520 Hilly Ct.
McDonough, GA 30253
Home: (770) 389-4809
Work: (770) 957-6547
meddy@henry.k12.ga.us
District IV/ Commissioner Gerry Adams
Michael Hightower
1290 Kellytown Rd.
McDonough, GA 30252
Home: (770) 898-9841
Work: (770) 389-1464
mike.hightower@henry.k12.ga.us
District V/Commissioner Lee Holman
Ray McDonald
104 Club Place
Stockbridge, GA 30281
Home: (770) 474-8654
City of Stockbridge
Andy Calhoun
165 Greenway Park Dr.
McDonough, GA 30253
Home: (770) 957-7507
County at Large/Chairman's Appointee
Allen Guimarin
725 Chambers Rd.
McDonough, GA 30253
Home: (770) 954-1327
Work: (770) 957-1891
allen.guimarin@henry.k12.ga.us
Board of Education Appointee
I am not endorsing the state government plan spoken of below as the best plan. But notice, any attempt to reduce the tax burden is greeted with screams and hollers from this greedy, decadent school board.
And [Board Chairman] Hudalla has the audacity to complain about the growth in Henry County.
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.
Link: http://www.henryherald.com/articles/2005/10/11/news/news3.txt
School officials give thumbs down on sales tax proposal
By Johnny Jackson
The Henry County School Board of Education is going on record opposing using sales tax to replace property and other taxes to fund the schools.
“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.
LAND USE POLICY
(Follow the money and lose your land)
Atlanta Regional Commission – Envision 6
(Planning for a region of 6 million)
http://www.atlantaregional.com/transportationair/E6Henry.pdf
Draft Comprehensive Plan
Current Plan underway – Following tables from October 2004 Draft
Other items of note from draft comprehensive plan:
• Approximately 30% of the county may not be suitable for development
• Less than a 1/3 of the county is currently served by sewer lines
• Approximately 2/3 of the county is vacant or undeveloped
** Note the choice of terms used. If we own larger tracts of land AND LIKE IT, the county is considered Vacant or Undeveloped. There is obvious political motivation in this reporting!
Henry County Population Forecasts
Source 2000 2005 2010
Draft Comp Plan (Low) 119,341 134,683 150,025
Draft Comp Plan (High) 167,851 216,360 291,321
Draft INDEX results on existing comprehensive plan:
• 2010 population according to 2010 Future Land Use Map – 384,606
** Henry County, through its various consultants, has figured our population growth at nearly 100,000 LESS THAN the ARC. Are the numbers politically motivated to create a Land Use Policy?
The ARC projects an increase in regional population to be 2.3 million people (a 62% increase) by 2030. The forecast gives Henry County an increase of 251,000 people (a 210% increase) by 2030. This is the largest projected increase of any metro-Atlanta county.
Douglas County is projected at 147% increase and Forsyth County at 169% increase.
Henry County will represent 10.9% of the regional increase in population. HENRY COUNTY HAS 8.3% OF THE REGION’S LAND.
** The trends forecast by the ARC are toward huge population increases in counties that are not already over-built.
** Management and control of our home county must be placed as the highest agenda item for our county commission and city councils. Knowledge and planning must be the focus! Otherwise, we can expect to mirror Clayton, Fulton, Gwinnett and other areas. We chose to live here – not there!
** As taxpaying citizens we must not allow regional agendas to dictate our quality of life. Cooperation and coordination efforts must be maintained with clear knowledge that others want what we have. No government entity has a right to our lives, liberties and property. Our elected representatives must be prepared to DEFEND its citizens.
The other night my significant other and I went to dinner at the newly opened bistro on 42 in McDonough. The special was a horseradish encrusted sea bass. It was great. I truly love good fish.
My spouse isn’t a fish fan at all because every now and then one gets served a portion that isn’t fresh. We all have had that before, you know the piece of fish that has been sitting there a tad too long and has a desolate scent of fish and then when bitten it taste worst than the fishy aroma. For some reason my spouse always thinks that is what will be served.
Civil War Memorial Park ala Eminent Domain in District 2 by Chef Mathis is a bit too pungent to me.
I am a supporter of Parks and Recreation and love the thought of preserving land for our future; however this deal looks all too suspicious in its origin and the use of Eminent Domain.
Growing up I attended many North South Skirmish Association reenactments. I have studied the Civil War and know about its history. I am no expert but have a feel for this era. I would not mind a Planned Park of some sort.
Balance this with the eminent domain usage and I find this fish isn’t fresh.
The fact the BOC is using the power to secure private property for public use does not violate the BOC adopted resolution on eminent domain. There is no squabble on that point.
The BOC had not planned for a Park in that location according to any information I have heard or know of (please correct me if I am wrong.) The BOC jumps at the opportunity to grab the land. I am not privy to the BOC decision making process and have not a clue to why they deem this parcel the best place for a park other than the Civil War had a battle there. If the BOC wanted to honor the battle field a small portion of the property could be set aside and a plaque resurrected.
Spending $4,000,000.00+ on the Park today is not good for the BOC. When Chef Mathis ran on her platform I don’t recall the battle cry “More Parks and Recreation!” No I did not hear about such at all, what I heard was Transportation is our number one problem. Not only from her but from the other three 2004 elected BOC members as well. What could $4,000,000.00+ dollars do for road improvements?
There is a balancing act for the BOC to get our county into better shape. I hear there isn’t an endless pot of money the county has and not all needed items can be funded. I ask that priority be given to our infrastructure.
It is hoped the BOC will give the property owner what is rightfully due when they take the property. Using eminent domain powers to stop development isn’t correct. Chef Mathis may be very successful in her persuasion of the BOC and can pull this off. I hope the BOC examines property rights further. I hope the BOC uses planned expenditures for planned progress.
Transportation should be ordered from the menu and not the special of the day.
City Elections 2005
The nomination of Samuel Alito to the Supreme Court has highlighted a very important national debate. He is a person of impeccable character whose career has centered on defending the laws of the land. The debate is about defending our laws and institutions, or forcing a private agenda. The same debate affects our lives in Henry County.
Candidates for public office must stand for something. Will they protect and defend city and county ordinances and conform to best practices in governing? Or will they take opportunity to personally interpret our laws and plans, and thereby nullify public faith in them and the offices they hold?
Henry has been in a state of change for several years. That process of change has not been well managed. In our cities we see overcrowding, sewer systems at or above capacity and locally owned businesses failing. Countywide we have given a free ride to unmanaged development and land uses. We have ordinances and land use plans that are so plastic, so changeable that they enable mayors, councils and commissioners to achieve any personal agenda they desire.
Never mind existing laws or legal reasoning, which are annoyingly hard to refute. We live at the mercy of moneyed interests. The countywide moratorium on zoning was imposed in efforts to gain control. But the Council For Growth (CFG) policy chairman likened it to placing a fence around the county. There is no need for paranoia. There is no malicious conspiracy. In our county, all things are negotiable!
Especially in regard to land development, Henry is prime turf. When a developer is denied the ability to rewrite ordinances, a lawsuit may well be his next action. Trade organizations like our CFG demand consultation before a city or the county approve building codes, zoning ordinances or land use maps. But their logic is that nothing counts as consultation unless it results in conformity with their desired agenda.
Our school system is overwhelmed and our taxes keep rising. When new school locations are chosen their placement compounds the problems. With schools come sewer lines. Availability of sewer connections gives a green light to city councils and the county commission to completely ignore long term land use planning. If a conspiracy exists, it is by allowing locations of schools to dictate where new, high density development will follow.
Our city and county officials cannot stem one crisis without creating new ones. In what sense do we call them governing authorities? Floating on prevailing winds, we have no consistent governing philosophy. Surely, politicians are threatened with political reprisals if they refuse to knuckle under. And voters seldom turn out in sufficient numbers to unseat incumbents. Our vicious cycle leaves us with no real governance. We have laws and plans that will not be enforced. The result is voter apathy, a loss of faith. But, in the meantime, a lot of money will change hands.
In each Henry city, mayors and council members will be elected on Nov. 8th. Let us pray for the election of people with impeccable character, who will truly represent the citizens and provide for best practices to meet the needs of their city and the entire county.
Larry Stanley
McDonough, GA
In response to a letter received by Mr. Harper, our Henry County Commissions, Chair.
Mr. Harper - The candidates promised a "good hard, clean race" for Mayor of McDonough. Your letter is a pot shot at doing so. Hopefully, Mr. Copeland did not see and or approve of your approach. You just couldn't help yourself - a last ditch try to get in the way of a good "issues based" race. I would hope you are ashamed of yourself - but I know you are not - it is just your style - You are the one with the ethics violation - not the current mayor or the current candidates.
While you are trying to get the voters all excited to take the focus off "what the commissioners" are up to - try providing an update to the citizens on clear cutting - Jodeco road and Peach Dr, I-75 and 155, Kelly's Plantation - Do you see any trees there - those are all approved by the county - so get down off your high horse Mr. Harper - looks like the pot calling the kettle black. Maybe McDonough should continue to annex property to protect it from the like's of you. Remember, the City has a quicker emergency response time than the county, the ISO rating is lower and thereby garners us a lower insurance rate and our water and sewer systems are just fine thank you very much.
You would be better served by spending your time cleaning up the mess you already have and leave the candidates race to the citizens of McDonough.
Response to "We should treat them like they do in some of these other countries, if they steal we should cut off their hands."
Are you talking about certan county commissioners? Maybe the Stockbridge officials? Or maybe some of the candidates now running for office in the ciy elections? Either way, severe punishment is a good idea. They are all getting away with too much!
Response to "The brochure was about one thing and that was to tell how good King Richard was and to get Pruitt elected. "
Yes AND No. I was asked to editorialize on the brochure that Craig sent out. Before launching into my normal tirade, I got a copy and read it. I talked to the people who put it together. I researched the whole issue - something I have been known to do.
The brochure was "McDonough Progress." It was intended and designed to deliver facts about the state of the city upon the retirement of a two-term mayor. Nothing more or less. To say otherwise impunes the integrity of the people who actually created it.
Not one time was there a pitch to elect or reject any candidate now running for office. It was a factoid, and every word was true. Failing to get a muckraking, mudslinging busy-body (my new moniker) to distort the facts, Jason sent his own letter.
I believe that,as chairman, Jason would be more interested in forwarding his One Henry agenda and maintaining peace as much as possible. Instead he publicly demeaned an outgoing mayor and the sitting council. Jason knows that Pruitt and Copeland share very similar views about "annexation fever" and managed land uses. His letter intentionally slammed Pruitt by stating that only Copeland would have an interest in such issues.
For my part, Jason made Copeland look foolish.
Former Hampton candidate Ronnie Huggins lost by 18% of the vote and today Nov. 11 contested the race and has been awarded a recount. In McDonough the very close races were recounted and the losers still lost. Now the father-daughter team are filing a contest based on voter fraud. How badly do these folks want to hold office. You have to question whether they want to be public servants, or to fulfill their own agendas. Just ask a man if he is a crook. If he says "no, I give to my church" - do not trust him. If he says "No, my agenda is best" - do not trust him. Lord, protect us from the evil among us.
A True ONE Henry
Governing and managing growth has been the single largest challenge faced by our cities and the county commission. Citizens support varied angles on how things should be done and elect people they think will represent their positions. Mayors and councils have wanted to control and often expand their own borders. County officials have their agendas and have often clashed with the cities. From the outside we see money, personalities and politics ruling the day. It is not easy for the best intentioned officials to balance the needs, wants and influences they face.
The One Henry initiative was announced in January 2005 as a means to coordinate growth between the county and our cities. The new planning effort includes a countywide Comprehensive Plan, Transportation Plan and Land Use Map. It also involves state requirements to avoid overlapping and unnecessary competition and duplication of service delivery. This requires no small effort because the rights and desires of the cities and the county must be agreed upon. One Henry is the best approach yet to avoid annexation challenges, incompatible land uses, managing growth and provide benefit to the entire county. It has not been accepted by Locust Grove or Stockbridge.
Recent city elections brought out the usual clash of development interests and neighborhood activists. All in all the campaigns were clean and citizens clearly saw the issues and the candidates. In Hampton slow growth with focus on infrastructure won the day. In McDonough the mayor-elect promised to “develop our own Comprehensive Land Plan in conjunction with the Henry County Plan.” For the first time ever, a majority of the county commission and officials in two cities stand firmly on the same ground and share the same vision.
Now is the time for officials to focus on people, issues and the true reasons they were elected. Citizens must put aside conflicts of the campaigns and support an agenda of good government. Together we can make sure the four cities and the county comes together. Independent thinkers and logical approaches can till the fertile ground to produce the best Henry can be.
For so long we have seen land uses dictated by forces that seemed out of control. The commissioners, city officials and staff I have spoken with all agree they must guide and manage the rules – that is why we elected them. They are dedicated to forging lasting relationships and formalizing a True ONE Henry.
Folks, remember that hard problems reveal the best and worst in all of us. The process cannot be made into personal agendas. While money, personalities and politics will never be removed from the public arena, we need solutions and policy direction. Please pray for, and work with Mayors-elect Coley and Copeland. Help the new Hampton and McDonough council members to serve us. They know the importance of earned trust; we know we must all work together. We can have a True ONE Henry.
Earlier on this site Mary Todd wrote:
Civil War Memorial Park ala Eminent Domain in District 2 by Chef Mathis is a bit too pungent to me.
A few remarks in hopes of defending the decision and the justification for preserving the Civil War battle site are in order. Firstly, I agree that any use of eminent domain is undesired. Sometimes with very limited and strictly defined purposes, I can stomach its use. And I agree that a public park may not fall into the realm we expect, such as schools, sewer lines, roads, etc. that are warranted from necessity and provide services otherwise unavailable.
Funding for this piece of land will come from impact fees. Neither discretionary funds, property taxes, sales taxes, county or state DOT funds, or any other line-item budgeted expense. Impact fees are designated for specific purposes such capital improvements: libraries, parks, etc. Impact fees are specifically designed to provide services to the county that would otherwise be funded by general funds.
If you have but a passing knowledge of the Civil War era it is undestandable that you may not fully appreciate the value of this piece of dirt. In the Atlanta area many, many historic places like CW battlefields are now home to parking lots, shopping centers, residential and commercial development. They are gone forever. Seldom do we even see a plaque honoring the events, much less the people, whose lives shaped the world. Even then we cannot glean from a plaque the full impact, the detailed history, or the awe with which major events of the past should be viewed.
An officially designated park, a building to house artifacts and historical documentation – on the very ground where men fought and died – is appropriate. I refer everyone to Mark Pollard’s account of this battle as summarized in a recent Daily Herald article. Details were omitted due to space restrictions, but the impact and glory he wrote about are inescapably human and deserving of our respect and preservation.
Steve Cash of the Council for Quality Growth must be having a severe anxiety attack by now. What would happen if it was true and another six month moratorium was put into place? I could not imagine he or the council for Quality Growth is that much alarmed about this moratorium; it’s not in Henry County it’s in Clayton.
From the AJC 11/10/05
“Clayton Commission Chairman Eldrin Bell said the county needs to take a six-month break before considering any new zoning applications.”
The Council for Quality Growth is concerned most likely with only the Henry County area, after all it is the Henry County Chapter. It will be interested to see if a pro development group steps up and demands to be seated at the table in Clayton and then find out how other Commissioners handle it.
It seems that the Clayton County BOC is worried about its tax roll. Even though Clayton has much more in the way of commercial and retail in that county then in Henry, there aren’t enough homes for a good base on the tax roll.
From the AJC 11/10/05
“Bell said there needs to be more higher-end housing developments in the $250,000 range, "instead of continuing to build what is commonly called affordable housing, though we have nothing against affordable housing."
Who would have guessed it? Clayton County has too many affordable houses and not enough higher end houses?
In Henry County we too have a problem with “Affordable” Houses. Affordable is the PC way of saying low priced small homes on small lots. The next time the Council says a developer should be able to build smaller homes on smaller lots when it’s “quality” think about our neighboring county.
The problem is we already recognize, at least some of us, that the tax roll has remained at the low end of the spectrum.
From your fellow blogger Jason Pye’s site:
“There is only one thing to say about this, and this is my opinion, if you want your children to be taught on biblical principals, then send them to a Christian school like Eagles Landing Christian Academy or home school them, but don't expect them to be taught anything but what the government wants them to know if you send them to taxpayer funded government schools.”
The comment was made about Pat Robertson and Dover Connecticut, seems appropriate here as well.
Aye, there's the rub: taxpayer funded government schools.
You and I pay for the buildings, the teachers, the administrators, the books, even the carpet and tile on the floors.
Failing to meet criteria, even unspoken expectations, may well result in failure of future bond issues, SPLOST taxes -- or the eventual request to exceed 20 mils on our property tax. That is the only voice that will be heard from the source of all that "taxpayer funding."
I found that the reason for the name change of the student organization at Union Grove High School is because the Multicultural Club was comprised primarily of African-American students. Under the new organization’s faculty sponsor and a formal name change, the club now has about an equal number of Caucasian and African-American students.
A quotation from a senior school system official - whose reputation and integrity are impeccable:
"The PRIDE Club (Peers Rising in Diversity Education) to which you refer that was started in White County as a name change from a gay-lesbian club does not, in my opinion, have any resemblance to the Diversity Education Club at Union Grove High School. We began a county-wide initiative several years ago that we termed REACH (Respecting Equally All Cultures in Henry County). If this name or acronym has any associated connotations, we certainly are not aware; we thought that it was an originally-derived name. The primary goals of this initiative are as follows: to promote multiculturalism through collaborations among community organizations; to open dialogue regarding diversity issues of prejudice, personal bias, terminology and racism; and to close the achievement gap between identified groups of students. As I previously mentioned to you, in addition to the adults who were engaged in this initiative, we encouraged student involvement in all of our middle and high schools."
Thanks to school system staff and administrators for your efforts and providing clear answers to my queries. LS
In today’s Henry Herald, November 22, 2005, an article on the Civil War Park tells of the court settlement price of over $8,000,000.00+.
I do not debate about the importance of the civil War and the preservation of battlefields. I choose to braw my battle lines at the expense of the safeguarding our history. Quoting from the Herald:
“How can you put a price on the dead and the maimed that died on those fields?” Pollard said in an e-mail Monday. “This is our history. When is enough, enough?”
The price tag to begin with is over $8 million dollars and this is just for the land. The park being passive shouldn’t be that expensive to develop but there still is a cost. We shouldn’t forget the up keep either. This park stands to be quite costly.
As Larry wrote, funding for this piece of land will come from impact fees (another name for a tax is fee when imposed by a governing authority.) Larry continued “Impact fees are designated for specific purposes such capital improvements: libraries, parks, etc. Impact fees are specifically designed to provide services to the county that would otherwise be funded by general funds.” Can impact fees be used for road improvements? How about red lights or turning lanes to make intersection improvements? What about using impact fee to improve traffic flow around the campus grounds of the local schools? The BOC needs to prioritize the needs of the county. Our transportation system is our first need. Fix it then go to problem number two, what ever that might be.
What is most troubling is the location of the park and the way it came about. It seems there was no planning involved in the creation of the park. Was there an active effort to find a park location in the district or was this a knee jerk reaction? The location of the park is on the Clayton county line where not too many people of Henry will visit. The vast majority of the Henry population lives no where near the proposed park. Servicing the Henry population with parks and recreation is crucial when spending public money. Why would someone use this park; mainly because they live near the area? It seems the Clayton population will get as much benefit from the Civil War Park as Henry. If the BOC is going to acquire the single largest piece of property for a park in Henry (200 acres out of 1047 acres), wouldn’t one want it to be utilized to its fullest ability? To have 20% of our county’s park land in an area that 90% of the population won’t access is not good planning; but then again there wasn’t any planning involved.
When is enough, enough?
Like you, I am cnocerned about the costs involved. It is a two-edged sword. At $8M, it is about 7% of the county budget $110M. Impact fees or not, it is double the amount I expected the land to cost.
$40K per acre is very high for undeveloped land. And the developer would reap such profits only with a minimum 2 houses per acre.
Quandary: 400 new houses with the huge impact of so many people, OR buy it and preserve it?
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.
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.
Mary -- I got your attention, though, didn't I? The taxation issue is the only point I want to drive, and the real problem is shared by the BoC and BoE.
The school board (with Jack and the rest) have done a great job with the resources they have. But they are cannot expect continual tax hikes without a taxpayer revolt.
The BoC members are the real bad guys, which Part Two of my editorial series will show. They have refused to adopt OCGA 36-67-3 locally because they do not want anything to limit their powers. They will not restrict building permits (much more effective than a zoning moratorium) because campaign funds are on the table.
Other counties have addressed problems like ours. We can too.
Larry
Within 48 hours of publication of my attacking the sacred cow of taxation for schools, the Herald had two articles:
Herald, Friday, 12/30/05:
Schools face challenges, achieve successes
Elsewhere, Hudalla said he was disappointed that the Henry County Board of Education had to resort to vote on whether to raise the millage rate.
“Due to the decreasing state funds (for public education) it shifts more of the budget to tax,” he said. “In turn, we have to place more burden on the local tax payers.”
He said the decision to raise the millage rate this year was absolutely necessary.
AND:
Year brings continuing changes in Henry County
Both articles tell of positive achievements by the schools and county government.
There are good people doing well in their jobs. But I still want great focus on resolving the tax issue!
Letter to the Editor by Chairman Jason Harper in Response to Mr. Larry Stanley
In the Henry Herald December 30, 2005 edition the following letter was placed:
Letter to the Editor
December 30, 2005
Chairman responds to letter to the editor
To the editor:
I read with interest the recent letter to the editor concerning the Henry County school system and property taxes, which was written by Mr.Larry Stanley.
I don't begrudge Mr. Stanley expressing his points of view of issues, but he should state the issues factually. While his letter primarily concerns on the Board of Education, he states that the Board of Commissioners continues to raise property taxes. I will not speak on behalf of the Board of Education, but I will speak on behalf of the commission.
Nearly every sitting commissioner ran on the platform to freeze property taxes. The property value assessments are done by an independent body (the Board of Tax Assessors). Since the county commission cannot stop or legally prohibit the assessors from raising your home's assessed value, we had to look at an alternate way of freezing taxes. This was accomplished with the help of one of our state legislators, John Lunsford, and the result is that the “county” portion of your tax bill (not city or Board of Education portion) is now frozen.
The formula is simple. For example: If you purchased a home in 2005 with an assessed value of $100,000, then the value upon which you pay your county tax remains at the $100,000 until you sell the home. Likewise, the property value of homes already owned was frozen at the amount when the tax freeze legislation went into effect. The Board of Tax Assessors may raise your value over the years, and you will see the new value on the notice, but you will only pay the “county” portion of our tax bill based on the frozen assessment. We can't stop them from assessing the property for a higher value, but we are able to give you an exemption each year which offsets the entire increase.
I write this letter primarily to clear up the misinformation that was printed concerning the Board of Commissioners. However, I want to close in saying that as to the issue of the school system, not all of us agree with Mr. Stanley. Mr. Stanley implies that our principals, teachers, counselors, etc....are earning big money and producing a poor product. I don't think our educators entered the profession to become rich, and I do believe they have our children's needs at heart. I am sure in any organization there can be areas found to improve, but as a parent of two children in the public schools of Henry County I want to thank Dr. Jack Parish and the teaching staff for the job they are doing.
JASON T. HARPER
Henry County Chairman
Okay, I’m not the brightest when it comes to OCG …-…-…
Please explain why OCG 36-67-3 is going to help elevate taxes being raised.
From what I know about OCG 36-67-3 it has to do with zoning consistency.
You are on the right mind set about taxes. We simply pay too much in taxes in this county. The trouble is the way the state legislators are looking at the problem may not be the best way with a sales tax in lieu of property taxes. I think it will have to be a combination of property taxes and sales tax. If this does come about the state legislation should move the maximum rate the school system can charge down considerably in proportion to the sales tax revenue being raised. This way we won’t be getting taxed by the school board at high rates and the state taxing us at a high rate. We must be in contact with those who represent us at the BOE, BOC and down at the capital on this.
In response to "The trouble is the way the state legislators are looking at the problem may not be the best way with a sales tax in lieu of property taxes."
The legislators know the numbers do not work for a statewide sales tax for schools. The proposed 3% sales tax would fall way short of current funding levels, making more trouble than relief.
OCGA 36-67-3, along with some other code sections would control development, and therefore the need for new schools.
The old argument that “schools cannot be used as a restrictive factor in zoning decisions” is bunk! Local adoption of state law OCGA 36-67-3 (written for counties with larger population) would place priority on “whether the zoning proposal will result in a use which will or could cause an excessive or burdensome use of existing streets, transportation facilities, utilities, or schools.” Failure to adopt and enforce this provision has held the floodgates open.
I am also told the legislators are looking at a bill that would actually increase funding for school buildings - just not operational costs. They are not heartless, but someone must force all government entities to work together.
Check our Part Two, slamming the BoC for forcing property tax increases -- Op/Ed Archive: Larry Stanley. Hopefully the Herald and Henry Vent will also publish it.
Mary, you are quick and smart. You always seem to know what is coming before it hits. Please email me -- Larry
As stated earlier, Gov. Perdue will woo the the educational system and restore the cuts.
Jan 1, 2006 – Atlanta Journal Constitution
EDUCATION: Perdue heeds political lesson
http://www.ajc.com/sunday/content/epaper/editions/sunday/metro_347be88f33330039001a.html
Bridget Gutierrez reports that at the start of the last legislative session of Perdue's first term, political experts say the governor has good reason to try to woo the state's more than 100,000 public school teachers with pay raises, improved health benefits and educator-friendly policies that could bolster his re-election bid. Now, with state revenues up, local school boards are clamoring for the governor to restore the millions in budget cuts implemented when the economy soured.
Mr. Stanley Hones his Baking Skills!
Mr. Larry Stanley I just read your editorial piece on the Henrycountyonline.com dated January 2, 2006. Mr. Stanley, you are right.
Now what is it we need to do to make things better?
Note the date: January 2, 2003 - when this initiative started - after many citizen battles to gain some stability and consistency in our zoning enforcement. The capricious decisions, contract zoning and negotiated zonings happened by design, allowing the BoC members to play fast and loose.
The BoC in place at the time was the result of many hours invested by a lot of people. Maddox, Harper, Holman and Adams formed the New Day majority.
Today's Board has done a much better job and from my experience the new Dist 2 and Dist 3 commissioners are at least willing to talk about it. There is also some support among current school board members.
It is my hope that this type of local ordinance will be adopted in 2006.
Honorable Commissioners of Henry County
140 McDonough Parkway
McDonough, Georgia 30253
February 19, 2003
Gentlemen,
I have attached a letter originally sent to you via email on January 2, 2003. I have received no formal response from the board. However, conversations with individual commissioners resulted in suggestions that this request be resubmitted.
The key to consistent and sustainable growth management must be rooted in our ordinances and the Board’s enforcement thereof. As a board and individually, you have begun to meet many of the challenges presented by increased annexations and stormwater management. I pray you will also give serious consideration to providing stern zoning ordinance revisions that will serve to protect quality of life in Henry County.
The topic of local implementation of OCGA 36-67-3, consistency with OCGA 36-66-5 and recognition of OCGA 36-66-5b was posed to the house counsel for the Georgia General Assembly through the Henry legislative delegation, former County Attorney Mr. David Brenskelle, Planning and Zoning director Mr. Dale Hall and general counsel for the Georgia Republican Party Mr. Randy Evans. In each case, I was advised that Henry County has the right, and even an obligation, to implement such ordinances as deemed necessary.
Back then I thought this would clinch the deal:
Mr. Evans wrote, “In fact, impact to roads, schools, etc. are not only protected considerations in defending zoning decisions; they are expected considerations in zoning decisions.”
Even my formal appearance before the BoC made no difference.
Part of my December 16, 2002 presentation to the BoC:
Furthermore, the update we citizens requested for the 1993 Comprehensive Development and Land Use Plan—renamed Horizon 2020—was to have inclusion of estate lots, roadways and paths for alternative modes of transportation and recognition of agricultural (rather than exclusion) as a goal for economic development. In addition, the updated ordinance(s) would allow no land conversions that are inconsistent with the land use map, without a formal process of showing a need to amend the land use plan due to public safety, health and welfare. This requested update would have been a mirror of ordinances in our sister counties of Fayette and Clayton, etc. Instead, the previous majority of our Board of Commissioners has tried to twist the requested update into justifying spot zoning and allowing for higher density.
In short, we have created more problems and have run farther afield from consistent growth planning than anyone would have imagined. Since June 2002, both the Atlanta Regional Commission and the Georgia Department of Community Affairs has recommended that Henry County review and revise its zoning ordinances. These are tasks that can no longer be ignored.
Over the years I have grown to love different types of music, from Country, hard rock, to symphonic. I always love to hear variations of the same song. Back in the 70’s there was a series known as Hooked on Classics. The arrangement was a classical symphonic piece with a disco beat driving behind it. My first CD I purchased was by the Talking Heads. Their song, where the fellow with the Big Coat sang, had the lyrics asking “How did it get this way?” It was great to hear all the neat sounds on a CD that I didn’t with the vinyl. Country stations are usually what I listen to when in the automobile when I am not listening to the talk shows.
You remind me of Hooked on Classics, Talking Heads and Country Music.
I asked “What is it we need to do to make things better?”
Hooked on Classics
Your response was reviving history and mixing it with some disco beat. Your stance is widely known to those in the county on the subject and it is known you have been active. Dusting off classics to illustrate you are on the correct mind set doesn’t work. The tune is good and the new disco beat is a neat trick but what does it accomplish?
Talking Heads
You might find yourself one asking “How did it get this way?” Well you told us and told us and told us. We have just been watching the days go by. It’s same as it ever was. No one has taken a concerted effort to turn the tide. You being right about it and standing alone in front of the BOC hasn’t made a difference. You working with what ever powers that be have not changed the direction. It’s the same as it ever was.
Country Music
I believe David Alan Coe said in You Never Even Call Me by My Name, the perfect Country & Western song has to do with Mama, trains, trucks, prison and getting drunk. Well in recitation of your history you just left this part out. Let me try to help –
I was drunk the day the New Majority took over,
And I went down to the admin building in pain
But before I could get there in a pick up truck
OCGA 36-67-3 was hit by the train
Because the BOC didn’t give a f – (sorry I shouldn’t be ugly)
CHORUS:
AND I’LL HANG AROUND AS LONG AS YOU WILL LET ME
AND I NEVER MINDED STANDING’ IN THE RAIN
NO, A’ YOU DON’T HAVE TO CALL ME DARLIN’, DARLIN’
YOU NEVER EVEN CALL ME
WELL I WONDER WHY YOU DON’T CALL ME
WHY DON’T YOU EVER CALL ME BY MY NAME
Do you get my point?
What is it we need to do to make things better?
Is it rehash I was right see me now?
Is it writing more noise here on the site and in the paper?
Are you going to hang around as long as you can mud the water and not actually fix the problem?
What is it we need to do to make things better?
You nailed the quandary! Telling the truth and beating my gums is of no use. I did not know that you knew the history of presentations to the BoC. I hoped some impetus for wider community involvement would be provided by the narrative.
The political motivations for maintaining the status quo are huge. It does not matter that watershed protection ordinances are ignored - something most folks really do not understand.
What have I accomplished? Nothing. Are editorials and speeches remembered for more than 24 hours? No.
Work with me here. When a bunch of folks get motivated the thrust gets broken into factions and personal agendas. How can people be motivated to read the lyrics and see what I see?
Isn't it clear that the lonely drummer needs some new talent in the band?
Reverse Engineering
GOD HELP US if there is ever a critical emergency worse than the bit of snow we got yesterday. We will all be asking for help to our creator as Henry County Officials will not be prepared. The good ole boy system is still working in Henry County. I drove quite a few miles today on snow/ice covered streets, some main arteries and other lesser ones like Mt. Carmel Rd. I did not see any salt, gravel or clay, the usual, on any stop sign, traffic light, intersection, no streets plowed at all. Great job County Fathers, you should all be recalled NOW !! You could not handle an emergency if your own life would depend on it. SHAME ON YOU< SHAME ON ALL OF YOU.
Thank you to those brave Henry County Citizens for daring to go and drive on our streets. Your daredevilness created paths/tracks on the pavement for others to drive on a bit safer. Remember those in Government that did NOT do a darn thing for anyone when this emergency hit. Next election should reflect ya'all feelings. Teach them a lesson, we deserve better and not just leave it to nature. Again our officials were caught with their pants and skirts down as usual. Until these people are ousted, no one can expect anything better for this County.
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