Developer's Dream

NO Truth in Advertising!

Chamber of Commerce executive director Kay Pippin addressed the South Metro Development Outlook Conference Jan. 31 at the Georgia International Convention Center in College Park. The story was printed by the Henry Neighbor Newspaper on February 8.

Ms. Pippin said Henry County has been a developer's dream since early in 1990s, "and that dream has manifested itself into the county being the second fastest growing county in Georgia and the 13th in the nation."

Henry has more than tripled in population as it enters 2006, growing from 59,000 in 1990 to 170,000. In housing starts, Henry continues to be among the nation's leaders and is now the fourth fastest county in this area.

"Henry offers young families what they want and need," Ms. Pippin emphasized. "Our schools have come from being good to being great and we have much to brag about regarding our schools and over students."

Here are some facts and opinions that Ms. Pippin DID NOT share with the Developer’s Conference:

For sure, Henry County is a developers dream. The Chamber of Commerce, hugely supported by county commission chair Jason Harper, will bear any burden and foist any tax to promote increasing so-called economic growth.

Our schools are heavily burdened by the increase in students. With over 35,000 students the system is expected to grow by at least 8% in 2006-07. All but four schools will have trailers on their campuses. We are creating separate but equal trailer communities, social and ethnic factions and lost sense of personal identity. Even the best intentioned teachers and counselors cannot overcome the overwhelming number of students.

Michael Turner, director of public safety for the Henry County Fire Department said, "Our population is rising between 5.7 and 6.2 percent, while the calls have been between 9.7 and 10 percent. We have nine ambulances and they're taxed."

Bryan Harris, a contract public relations officer for the Henry County Water and Sewerage Authority (HCWSA) said it provided water to about 19,000 residents and businesses in 1995 but that number has topped 50,000. The HCWSA staff and ARCADIS, a group of consulting engineers, have joined forces to develop an improvement program for the HCWSA.

Henry County provides a great place to work – in retail and fast food. The large number of jobs Ms. Pippin brags about provide only minimum wage. But there are lots of them thanks to the strip malls and fast food restaurants. And development, the realm of Henry’s power brokers, provides only about 2,600 jobs in the county.

There is no truthful way for Pippin or Harper to truthfully tout real economic growth as the results of their efforts. Quality of life is officially defined as “More is better:” More people, more congestion, more crowded schools, more stress on roads, more impact to police and fire services, and more development.

The county owes thanks to a progressive Chamber of Commerce with no vision for the future except profitability for its members. And Chairman Harper, whose political base is largest among Chamber and Growth Council members, should be congratulated for helping make Henry County a developer’s dream.