The Citizen Newsletter

The Conservative Voice of Henry County

Issue # 325 February 11, 2012

Editorial / Publication Policy

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In This Issue:
TIA will do very little to help PROOF OF RIGHT: SALARY CUTS the Hack Line: Home values drop Elect Monroe Roark Henry BoC Chair William "Bo" Moss For 1st District Wayne Sequin for Henry District 1 Tommy Smith Announces for BoC Chair Gary Barham for Henry District 3 Help Newt win in Georgia! J. Randolph Evans: Column 1107 Brokered Convention on Horizon McDonough Matters Henry BoC: Vote the Rascals Out

"A bureaucrat is the most despicable of men, though he is needed as vultures are needed, but one hardly admires vultures whom bureaucrats so strangely resemble. I have yet to meet a bureaucrat who was not petty, dull, almost witless, crafty or stupid, an oppressor or a thief, a holder of little authority in which he delights, as a boy delights in possessing a vicious dog. Who can trust such creatures?" ~ Cicero

Over 33,000 reads at Scribd.com Over 4,100 subscribers

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Reality of TARA FIELD

TIA will do very little to help

Op-ed by Steve Brown Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Feb. 8, 2012
I like the fact that the Southern Crescent counties of Douglas, Carroll, Coweta, Fayette, Clayton and Henry have a gross regional product of $23.6 billion. But I also have to face the realities of the future. The region has sustained a wild spike in land use and very little in the way of transportation planning to support growth. The days of stuffing the government coffers with growth cash while not having the foresight or willingness to keep pace with expensive transportation infrastructure are just about over. I can only pray the south metro counties are paying attention and will not repeat Atlantas historically poor choices. Fayette County has succeeded, in large part, by not mimicking the traditional pattern of growth outpacing infrastructure. I believe this method could be the key to the Southsides future success. One key problem for our future is the $3.2 billion in mass transit projects in the Transportation Investment Act, or TIA. As our metro population has grown during the past 20 years, transit ridership has declined. More commuters telecommute than ride transit. Its illogical to conclude that taking an enormously subsidized transit system also approaching $3 billion in red ink for operations and maintenance, and which 95 percent of commuters dont use and making it bigger will solve anything. I have to agree with state Rep. Ed Setzler, R-Acworth, who says the TIA will do very little to relieve traffic congestion. The TIA turned into a special-interest wish list. This poorly constructed plan, with no financial accountability, represents an immense risk to the future economy of metro Atlanta. Every dollar spent bailing out a mode of transportation that commuters choose not to use is a dollar that could have promoted private enterprise and generated tax revenue for viable solutions. The TIA will impede economic growth. First, half the funding will go to a mode of transportation that will not relieve traffic congestion. Our traffic is a significant impediment to our economy and the only reason the TIA was created. Secondly, in order to pay the exorbitant costs of the future operations and maintenance of expanded mass transit, there will have to be a permanent regional sales tax. Such a permanent tax, providing little in economic production, will bleed our region of billions of dollars of funding that would otherwise fund the purchase of goods and services in the private sector, which is what creates sustainable jobs. We cannot afford MARTA now. Our state and regional leaders refuse to tell our citizens how we are going to pay the exorbitant operations and maintenance of an expanded system. Spending half of the TIA funding on transit has so weakened the public fight against traffic congestion that local leaders like Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed have begun spinning the promotion of the referendum as something akin to a jobs program. The transit projects being only half-funded in the TIA leads to a too big to fail scenario where we will have to approve another 10 years of regional transit funding just to complete them.

Throwing our future away on multi-billion dollar transit projects with a poor ridership record, forsaking more important solutions, will be a detriment to the Southern Crescent and the region as a whole. Traffic congestion has gone down each year for the last five years. Now would be a perfect time to formulate a plan that actually made sense. Steve Brown is a Fayette County Commissioner.

New post on PROOF OF

NOT-FOR-ME/

RIGHT

HTTP://PROOFOFRIGHT.WORDPRESS.COM/2012/02/11/HENRY-BOC-TO-COUNTY-EMPLOYEES-SALARY-CUTS-FOR -THEE-BUT-

HENRY BOC TO COUNTY EMPLOYEES: SALARY CUTS FOR THEE BUT NOT FOR ME
Recently, the Henry County Board of Commissioners posted an article on their website announcing the qualifying fees for the upcoming county-wide elections. Basically, when someone decides to run for a county-wide office, they must pay a fee in order to do so and that fee is based on the salary of the position for which they are running.

New post on

the Hack Line

Home values drop 14.2% in Henry County during 2011

30253 had the largest property value loss for 2011 in Henry County. Home values tumbled 20.1%. Read on.... HTTP://CHARLESMOBLEY.WORDPRESS.COM/2012/02/11/WHERE-ARE-THE-JOBS/

Elect Monroe Roark Henry County Chair Monroe Roark has filed a declaration of intent to run for chairman of the Henry County Board of Commissioners.
He will host a meet-and-greet Tuesday, Feb. 21, at 7 p.m. at the Ted Strickland Community Center in Stockbridge. A similar gathering in the southern half of the county is in the works for the following week. His web site should be up and running within a few days. Monroe released the following statement to the Citizen Newsletter: "It's time to examine Henry County's priorities. "We need the right priorities when it comes to economic development. We must focus more on having better jobs here at home than on making it easier to get to Atlanta to work. We must have a plan, and we must be united in implementing that plan. We need to make it irresistible for business and industry to invest THEIR resources here, instead of investing taxpayer money hoping business will come.

"We need the right priorities when it comes to transportation. The key here is local control, not regional control. Any future special sales tax revenue collected in Henry County should go solely toward road and intersection projects in Henry County. "We need the right priorities when it comes to the county budget. Every department that impacts the safety of our citizens must be properly funded. Every other department is optional. To take any other approach would be an unfair burden on our taxpayers as well as our county employees. We must strive to reduce that burden. "As chairman of your Board of Commissioners, I want to help ensure that our priorities are the right ones. Our future quality of life depends on it."

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WWW.CRGHENRY.ORG

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www.henrycountybeekeepers.org or for

more information call 770-473-5434 Contact Nicole Curry

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Vote For William "Bo" Moss For 1st District of Henry County Commission
Meet and Greet for "Bo" Moss Saturday, February 25, 2012, 8:00am until 11:00am Moose Lodge, 91 Hunters Chase, McDonough GA 30253
Its time for a change in the first district of Henry County. And that change can come from William Bo Moss. He is running to bring changes that are sorely needed for the district.

With over 10 years of political experience with the Henry County Republican Party I also bring with me over 7 years of experience in the United States Army Reserves as well as being a Sergeant in the Georgia Army National Guard. I know what it means to serve my country and now I am looking to serve Henry County. Watch my interview on the Agenda with Ray McBerry. You will hear specific ideas for change and not just political jargon. Henry County needs new ideas, not more of the same. http://www.sbn.tv/archives/3533

Tommy N. Smith announcing his candidacy for Henry

County BoC Chair at the GOP meeting this week.

New Chairman--New Leadership 2013

Gary Barham announcing his candidacy for Henry County

BoC District 1

Newt is coming to Fayette County on Feb. 17 for a rally at 7:30 PM. We are putting the
event together now, but I wanted you to know so you can get the word out to your team. There will be a VIP Reception at 6:30 for $500 and then the rally at 7:30 PM at Falcon Field in Peachtree City.

Help Newt win in Georgia!

HTTP://WWW.NEWT.ORG/STATES/GEORGIA

As Newts home state, Georgia is a launch pad to victory. As one of the strongest Newt networks, Georgia has the potential to serve as the most important foundation of support for the nationwide campaign. Newt has said I want to win Georgia by the biggest possible margin. And you can make it happen! Help Newt deliver in his home state by inviting out all of your friends and family to the movement in Georgia. As Newt travels the state, you can help ensure that we regain control of Americas future: 1) Calling all volunteers. We need eager volunteers to phone bank from the Atlanta Headquarters. Our hours are Monday Friday from 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM and Saturday from 10:00 AM 3:00 PM. Interested volunteers should contact Patrick Mayer at PMAYER@NEWT.ORG

Henry County is represented by two District chairmen: NEWT 2012 NEWT 2012 10th District Chairman Sen. John Douglas 3rd District Honorary Chairman
JFDOUGLAS@AOL.COM

Congressman Lynn Westmoreland

GORDONAUSTINDMD@JUNO.COM

3rd District Chairman Gordon Austin 770-834-4875 Meredith and Gordon Austin NEWT 2012 GA Finance Committee

NEWT 2012 3rd District Co-Chairmen Gordon Austin speaks for Newt at Iowa caucus 1/3/2012 HTTP://YOUTU.BE/08EECNUZXS4 3rd District Co-Chair Jeanne Billa County Chairman/Contacts Carroll Jim Watters Coweta Wendy Bloedt Fayette Marilyn Watts Also 13th District Chairwoman Henry Larry Stanley Lamar Scott Rolette Muscogee Claudette Boelter Pike Scott Rolette Spalding Scott Rolette 770-337-8159 770-251-1496 404-754-4717
JIMWATTERS87@GMAIL.COM WBLOEDT@HOTMAIL.COM NEWT2012FAYETTE@GMAIL.COM

404-273-9891

JEANNEBILLA@GMAIL.COM

404-425-2361 LRSTANLEY@HCCITIZEN.NET 770-853-6413 MEDIATIONDOC@HOTMAIL.COM 706-987-0042 CLAUDETTE@THERALSTON.COM

Do-Nothing Congress vs. Do The Wrong Thing President?

J. Randolph Evans Column No. 1107 (2/10/12) As Americans wait for Republicans to pick their nominee against President Barack Obama, there is an important subtext emerging for 2012. With the federal debt mounting, and the recovery remaining sluggish (at best), Americans increasingly wonder "is anyone in Washington, D.C. actually doing anything - especially their job?" In response to this question, an enormous public relations battle and political tug-of-war is going on between President Obama and the Congress. Of course, with the control of Congress split between the Republicans in the House and the Democrats in the Senate, whatever political message there is gets muddled. Do-Nothing Congress? An incumbent President labeling the Congress as a "do-nothing Congress" is not something new. Democratic President Harry Truman (in serious trouble of losing reelection) started labeling the Republican-led 80th Congress as the 'do-nothing Congress' in 1947. In fact, in his 1948 campaign, President Truman ran as much against the Congress as he did his Republican opponent Thomas Dewey. In what is largely regarded as one of the greatest political upsets in history, President Truman was reelected in 1948 and Democrats regained control of both the House and Senate. Things are a little different in 2012. Republicans did regain control of the House in 2010. However, unlike the 80th Congress in 1946 when Republicans controlled both the House and the Senate, the 112th Congress is split between Democratic control in the Senate (by a 53 - 47 margin) and Republican control in the House. This split in control complicates things for the President. On the one hand, if President Obama's primary focus is winning reelection without regard for Democrats, he can run against "the do-nothing Congress" including both the House and the Senate. There is fertile ground for such a campaign, since only 12% of Americans approve of the job that Congress is doing. But,

such a strategy does involve throwing Senate Democrats under the proverbial bus. On occasion, President Obama has attempted to narrow his target to just the House. This strategy has not worked so well. First, it is one layer beyond what most Americans understand about national politics. Second, and more significantly, Speaker John Boehner and House Republicans have worked to proactively preempt such an attack. The GOP-led House boasts of a long series of bills, legislation and actions - all of which have languished in the United States Senate. When the case can be made for 'do-nothing,' the focus has shifted to the 'donothing Senate' - a focus that might help the President win a battle, but lose a war. Meanwhile, Senate Democrats have had a long string of really bad months. It culminated in recent days with the White House spokesman expressing 'no opinion,' i.e., no defense, of the failure of Senate Democrats to pass a budget for over 1,000 days. This dynamic is taking its toll on Senators. Already 9 Senators have announced that they will not seek reelection - 7 of whom are Democrats. On the other hand, House Republicans seem content to be the body that blocked President Obama's march. If anything, House Republicans gladly wear their 'stop Obama's transformation of America project' badges proudly. Do the Wrong Thing President? There have been campaigns framed around 'do-nothing' Presidents. Sometimes, these were well earned labels (like President Millard Fillmore); sometimes they were not (like President Dwight Eisenhower). The best example was probably President Franklin Pierce, who started his Presidency by affirming the oath on a law book rather than the Bible. It was all downhill from there. While President Obama has little to show for his efforts during the last two years, he can hardly be characterized as a 'do-nothing President.' After all, President Obama has done, and continues his bid to do, really big things to 'transform' America. The question that voters have is whether what President Obama wants for America are good things? So far, voters are about evenly, but passionately, split on whether they approve of the way President Obama is doing his job. Yet, polls consistently show that an overwhelming majority (62%) of Americans believe that the country is headed in the wrong direction. The result - do nothing vs. do the wrong thing - is set for a collision course for November 2012. The Presidency and control of the Congress - both House and Senate - are clearly at play. All 435 seats in the U.S. House of Representatives and 33 U.S. Senate seats (23 held by Democrats with 7 retirements) are at play in the November General Election. Against this backdrop, the battle for the framing of the election will heat up. In the end, voters will have to decide whether they want 4 more years. Democrats are betting that voters will decide that 4 more years of President Obama is better than the alternative. Republicans are betting they won't. Voters decide.

Posted by

ERICK ERICKSON for REDSTATE

Mitt Romney must convince the crowd he is one of them or at least wont betray them. Rick Santorum must convince them he can beat Barack Obama. Newt Gingrich must convince them he is still viable. has

been replaced as front runner by the crowd. They are with Rick Santorum in heart, but also in money and votes. On the horizon looms a brokered convention.

McDonough Matters January, 2012

We welcome your comments, questions and/or concerns at IMATTER@MCDONOUGH-GA.GOV

Casey Case, Editor/Photographer Cathy Lacey, Distribution

Newsletters are now available at
HTTP://WWW.MCDONOUGHGA. ORG/NEWSLETTERS_MEDIA.HTML

Vote The Rascals OUT... Henry board of commissioners

The Citizen newsletter is a forum for conservative voices in Henry County and across the state. What we have in Henry County, however, is a total lack of conservatives on the current Board of Commissioners. The soft pedaling about a millage rate increase is hidden behind the sham reasons of cost of living raises and furlough days. THE COUNTY MUST SIMPLY CUT SPENDING. THAT IS THE WAY TO RESOLVE ANY BUDGET PROBLEM. We are supporting too many earmarked programs and feel-good, vote buying giveaways. HENRY COUNTY DOES NOT NEED A MILLAGE RATE INCREASE. BUT THE BOARD MEMBERS ARE APPARENTLY DRIVING FALSE REASONING TO FORCE ONE. The Blind Chairperson, BJ Mathis sees no problem with disgruntled employees so long as they think she supports them. The Blind Commissioners, always willing to provide unanimous votes to support spending, are again falling in line with Mathis. Here is the background as related to me, as editor for The Citizen: I was told that the Chairman of the BOC met with all of the Department heads at the first budget meeting last week. I was also told that she said that there would not be any furlough days in the 2012-2013 budget and that all employees would get a 3% COLA. There was another budget meeting this week with all of the Department Heads. In order to make the budget work without a millage increase, there must be at least 4 furlough days in the new budget.

As the story goes All department heads are to submit 4 separate proposed budgets for their departments. The first one has at least 4 four furlough days and no COLA, and will require no millage increase. The second with a certain per cent cut back, and will require a little more increase in the millage rate. The third will be a greater per cent of cut back and will require a little more increase in the millage rate. The fourth will be the worst case scenario, and will require the most increase in a millage increase with no furlough days and a 3% COLA. Prevailing consensus is the BOC will have to increase the millage in order give the employees a COLA and no furlough days. It appears that to keep from discussing this budget in public with the BOC members, they will have to discuss it with only three at a time. This way they will not have to have it open to the public. There has to be at least 4 to have a quorum and public the meeting. It is pretty clear to the employees that the BOC is doing this to try to keep the employees from turn coating. I understand that the new budget will be 2 or 3 million less than last year. That means it will be around $109 to $110 million. It is $112 million this year. The several people that shared this information with me this afternoon were very upset and ready to quit. I was also told that the chair really does not indicate that there is a problem. They are trying very hard to increase the millage and still get re-elected. This is really funny. The same people that got us in this mess are the same people that are asking us to trust them to get us out. Just like Congress. The taxpaying citizens of Henry deserve a Citizens Budget Committee. That would increase government transparency! KATIE QUEEN wrote: Raising property taxes actually makes it worse. Older people just can't take another hit. Houses will sell all around HC, but not here. Lower the tax rate & watch the houses fill up. Go back to what HC was, the place everyone wanted to be. Now we are no different than any other county, & there is no longer any reason to choose us over. Clayton, Spalding, Fayette or anywhere else. DON HENDERSON wrote: I have stated and will state again..... I will not support nor vote for ANY candidate refuses to pledge to the voters that, and I quote "I will under no circumstances support or vote for a property tax increase or millage rate increase while on the BoC." I will under no circumstances support or vote for the county purchasing ANY more property other than for a LOCAL road or LOCAL intersection period" I will immediately and publically demand the BoC compute their compensation to that of the current Sheriff and no longer keep it ''frozen'' at its current level under the guise of saving the taxpayers of Henry County money" This guise of saving the taxpayer money was done because the previous Sheriff was making a good deal more money than the current Sheriff thus the BoC is making more. "I will seek to dissolve any and all pension funds for the elected BoC that is funded by any taxpayer monies" AT&T Coke , Sony , Georgia Power all offer pension plans -the Henry County taxpayers do not". If a candidate is not willing to publically agree and commit to these actions I will not only not support them but will actively campaign against them...

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