Mathis Strikes Again

$300 Million will Walk the Walk

In an earlier post titled Conflicts of Interest allegations were made tying Commissioner BJ Mathis to a controversial development in Hampton. Recall that her campaign office address is the same as Billy Abbate, managing member of Big 5 Enterprises.

The Henry Herald has caught on with today's article:

$300 million air park mired in controversial agreements

Mathis wants this deal to block airport expansion and she has made a new friend wanting a high density, mixed use development.

With Mathis' friends like Big 5 and Shailendra Group, one wonders what happened to her old platform of slow growth and low density. But then money - lots of money - walks the walk.
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I think we crossed Political Science 101 before, but here goes:

I would not accuse Mathis of taking a bribe or cash for personal use. But she has played the same game for several years: Use her office to secure political influence, campaign funding and a support base.

Let's revisit some facts Mathis supporters have so far ignored:

* SPLOST 3 road projects for Shailendra Group's proposed mall
* Jodeco bridge over I-75 for Shailendra Group's proposed mall
* High density zoning in District 2 - which she campaigned against
* Nash Farm, to include Friends of Nash incorporated in her name
* Life Management Department - remember the director was to be the daughter
of her campaign treasurer with a nice raise
* Performing for the camera at televised BoC meetings - like speaking to
the negative side of an issue, then voting to approve it
* Press releases and 'go-to' person for quotes in the Herald

For the love o' Mike, her campaign office is in the Big 5 building!

To the extent that her official actions serve herself and her campaign for Chairman far more than the good of the county, it is called malfeasance.

Both the FAA and Clayton Commission have problems with this development. Other than political gain, why would she take on that opposition?

See the political aspect of her motivations? NO, I do not believe she is that altruistic.
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It is a political boondoggle wherein Mathis is jockeying for Big 5.

From the BoC meeting minutes:

The Atlanta Regional Commission (ARC) resolved that this particular development is not in the best interest of the region do to the FAA. It was a split vote to recommend that this rezoning was not in the best interest.

The committee voted in opposition based on Clayton County’s
objection to the request. Clayton County objected to the project because they receive Federal Funding for the airport and the grant funding states they must object to any land use surrounding the airport that the FAA expresses concern over. Clayton County did their part in objecting.

So much for Mathis defending or enforcing established land use planning.