Big promises, high hopes...

Newly elected Fayette County Commissioner's Allen McCarty and Steve Brown were sworn in Monday morning. Brown brought a 10-point list of promises to constituents and McCarty spoke of changes that would be made when the pair were sworn into office.

It all sounded good, especially to the crowd attending the early morning ceremony.

However, all one had to do was take a look at the faces of Commissioner Herb Frady and County Manager Jack Krakeel as they watched to see how difficult it is going to be for the two new commissioners to keep some of their promises.

The two new commissioners are going to be in the minority. If the other three commissioners stick together, as is expected, the West Fayetteville Bypass will continue to move ahead. With Frady as the new Commission Chairman, as is expected, much will be hidden and more deals will be cut behind closed doors.

The one wild card I see in the mix over the next two years is that at least two of the Commissioners will be running for re-election in 2012. Speculation is that Frady will have achieved his goal to be Chairman and, given his age, will decide not to run again. Robert Horgan has expressed a desire to run for re-election despite ethics problems resulting from his arrest for marijuana possession and use. Lee Hearn, who is recovering from a fairly serious operation that turned out to be not as serious as it could have been (thank goodness) will also probably run again.

The public is adamant that what is most often called the 'bypass to nowhere' should go nowhere. They want it stopped. The three remaining commissioners from the 'old batch' have consistently voted to move it forward.

Jack Smith, Eric Maxwell, Hearn, Frady and Horgan made the decision during their tenure to stop building the East Fayetteville Bypass (one of the projects included in the SPLOST), wasting hundreds of thousands of dollars, and chose to start work on the three-phase West Fayetteville Bypass. Phase one was a high priority, taking traffic around the hospital. Phase two and three were low priorities. They bypassed much needed road projects in the SPLOST and opted to move forward on the last two phases of the Bypass. Per those who included the bypass in the SPLOST, the last two phases of the road shouldn't have been considered for many years to come, and then ONLY if conditions in the county changed substantially.

Smith, Maxwell and the remaining trio on the Commission have said all along that they were forced to do it because we voted for it in the SPLOST... yet they chose not to do other projects on that same list, and, as said earlier, chose to stop another project already in progress. Make sense to anyone? It sure gives rise to head scratching as to why.

If Horgan and Hearn stick with the project it's a sure thing they'll go down in flames when they run for re-election. The crowd that attended the swearing in was larger than any in past ceremonies. These folks are active and they are working to make some changes on the Board. It's part of the movement that has been sweeping across the country - people are paying attention and they want accountability. Those who worked locally to unseat Maxwell and Smith will not go away and are already working on the next election.

Over the next two years, well four since that's the term of elections, we're going to be hearing about everything that happens during commission meetings. Any secret deals will be made public --- Steve Brown is known for speaking his mind and sharing with the public, so that one is a given. McCarty comes across as a quiet, thoughtful person, but I gather he is not shy when it comes to issues he feels strongly about. No matter what, like the votes or not, we will know what is going on.

McCarty and Brown may not be able to do anything other than shout from the rooftops if the other three vote in lock-step though.

My expectation is that sometimes one or more of the others will break ranks and vote with McCarty and Brown, but not on issues of any importance. I expect the other three to conspire to shut them out. I expect the three remaining commissioners to continue to vote in ways that irk the majority of voters on projects favorable to developers. Frady has a reputation for being fairly crafty when it comes to determining public opinion. I expect he'll throw the public some bones to make us think he's listening, do some things that'll garner some nice headlines and have a chunk of voters saying "awww, that's a good vote". But when it comes to substance and the direction they're taking the county, we'll be reeling for years to come.

I  hope I'm wrong. I hope that ALL of the commissioners will be able to put aside their own personal quirks, desires, and friendships to vote for what is best for the county. The problem with voting on what is best for the county is that I'm pretty sure Jack Smith was voting in ways that he felt were best for the county. Most of us have a different vision of the future than he seems to have. I suppose I should amend the sentiment in that first sentence to say I hope they'll vote for what the majority of us feel is best for the county.

It's going to be an interesting next few years!

Fayette County Commission Closes Year with Controversial Votes

Wow. I haven't been to a Commission meeting in a while but figured with the controversial West Fayetteville Bypass on the agenda it'd be a good one to hit. Especially as I'm a NIMBY (not in my back yard-er) now...the Bypass will go right in front of my home.

Yes, the Bypass was a hot issue and a number of people were there to speak against it, but other things popped up that made it a jam-packed night of controversial issues.

Former County Commissioner Harold Bost blasted the Commissioners for spreading lies about his time in office. They have said in public meetings and in social settings (that part's hearsay) that Bost was forced to resign. They said he was a disgraced Commissioner, it was discovered that he was actually a resident of Florida when he ran and / or served in office and that he was forced to resign as a result.

Bost brought tax records, voting records, homestead exemption records and proof of residency going back to his birth and showed that he was a legal resident of Georgia the entire time he was in office. He stated that no one would be able to force him not to do anything.

Eric Maxwell stared off into space during Bost's comments and finally asked Jack Smith, Chairman, to cut him off.

The Commission also voted 3 - 1 to give final approval of Democrat and Republican appointments to the Board of Elections to themselves. Up until the vote each of the two top political parties in the county appointed a member of the Board of Elections and the Commission appointed one. With this move five Republicans will now have the final say in who the Democrat and Republican Party appoint.

Maxwell spoke against the move and voted against it. Lee Hearn was absent due to illness.

The Commissioners voted 4-0 to approve a conceptual plan for the final phase of the very controversial West Fayetteville Bypass. The Bypass will continue down Lester Road cutting off the fronts and backs of numerous properties, completely wiping out four or five home properties and make major changes to the configuration of the road. It will snake down Ebenezer Church, move across Redwine, build a new segment through properties that will connect back into Harp Road then end at Hwy 85.

The meeting ended with Maxwell and Smith saying goodbye and thanks with a major part of their farewell speeches spent justifying their votes and actions. More on that later!

Herb Frady all but crowed when Maxwell said he'd be coming to the first meeting of next year to see the selection of Chairman. With a three-two majority I'd be shocked if Frady isn't selected by Lee Hearn and Robert Horgan. Especially since Smith has already carried Frady down to the ARC so he could introduce him to everyone.

Steve Brown and Allen McCarty are going to be outvoted by the trio in most cases over the next two years. However, that doesn't mean it's going to be a quiet two years as anyone who's familiar with Brown knows.

Unfortunately, with the Frady-Horgan-Hearn three-some having the majority for at least two more years we're probably going to get more of the same that we've had these past four years. Then again, Horgan and Hearn will be running for election so maybe they'll listen to the majority of Fayette voters on some issues. Frady will be up for re-election also, but who knows if he'll go for one more term.

I filmed the meeting and am in the process of putting together some YouTube videos of the important parts of the meeting for you.

Obama and Saving Newspapers

Next on the bailout agenda is the bailout of newspapers. I was framing a blog in my mind about the issue when I came across the article below by Michael Reagan. He pretty much touches on most of the points I was going to include, but you know I still have to expound, pontificate, blather a little bit...

The world of the news is changing. We're going through a shift that is rather like the industrial revolution and every other change that has occurred due to new innovations. People are in the process, especially the "next generation", of moving from the printed page to the Internet. (To my green friends: isn't that better than killing trees and wasting energy for printing, etc., etc.). I think we'll always love the printed word on paper, but maybe that's just 'cause I love to curl up on the couch with a good book. I'll have to admit that I get all, very bit, of my news from the Internet though.

Unfortunately, there doesn't seem to be a whole lot of revenue making abilities on the Internet... yet... (although we're doing pretty well most days at the Fayette Front Page, Georgia Front Page and Arts Across Georgia ;-). It'll come. At least it'll happen as long as government keeps their mitts out and allows the free market to do its thing. (side note: check out the "net neutrality" issue)

One surprising fact, or not so surprising if you lean conservative, that Mr. Obama always seems to overlook is that the more conservative leaning news print vehicles are actually thriving. Ditto on television. The failing big-guy newspapers aren't paying much attention. They'd rather go down with their bias than survive I suppose... well, guess they're not going down as long as the President is willing to bail them out, huh?

One big issue for me, aside from throwing our tax dollars at yet another business that can't hold its own, is the so-called "freedom of press" issue. We've seen the President and pals meddle overmuch in the auto industry, the banking industry and they're worming their way into other businesses and industries as I type. What happens to the writing at a newspaper when their very existence depends on government hand-outs? Ya think they're going to print the "party line" or the facts if they hurt their chances of hanging onto those federal dollars?

I don't like where we're heading in this country. I don't like big government, it's become "The Blob" from that old Steve McQueen movie. It's growing and it's going to take a lot to freeze it, then shrink it. Probably not the best analogy as I don't really think it needs to be killed, just reformed. Hmmm, maybe I'll write a script for a Blob movie remake where the hero converts it, saves it, fixes it and it does good works... Yep, I went from the ridiculous to the even more ridiculous, a bad analogy is just a bad analogy and their ain't no fixin' it. Hey, if you saw the remake of "The Blob" my idea for a new story-line has to be a heck of a lot better .

Newspaper Profitability -- Is it Critical to our Democracy?
by Michael Reagan
Today, as you read this column in your favorite newspaper, I hope that you can appreciate the irony of where I am choosing to voice my opposition to President Obama's expressed "happiness" to look at proposals to provide federal funding to help "rescue" the struggling print segment of the Fourth Estate. Just what we need.more of our tax dollars going to pick and choose segments of the public sector that the administration deems worthy of assistance.
http://townhall.com/columnists/MichaelReagan/2009/09/23/newspaper_profitability_--_is_it_critical_to_our_democracy

Catalogue of FY 2010 Earmarks

Found the following list of earmarks being requested by our elected officials via a post on JasonPye.com. Very, very interesting...

Washington Watch Blog:
Posted by Jim Harper, April 12, 2009 at 4:11 pm
(Updated July 19, 2009 to include Senate reforms and links)
In March, the House Appropriations Committee announced reforms to the earmark process, which members of Congress use to designate federal funds for projects in their districts.
The reform requires members to post their earmark requests online, including the proposed recipient, the address of the recipient, the amount of the request, and an explanation of the purpose of the earmark and why it is an appropriate use of taxpayer funds. The Senate has done the same.
http://www.washingtonwatch.com/blog/2009/04/12/catalogue-of-fy-2010-earmarks/

In case you're wondering (but I bet you're not if you follow my blog), I don't like earmarks, want to see them scrapped and think it's great that Lynn Westmoreland, Tom Price and others won't touch 'em.

Mixed feelings on the SPLOST? Hmmm....

I attended the city / county SPLOST (Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax) meeting Monday night, filmed it, posted it on the Fayette Front Page, wrote a short synopsis... and have continued to mull over the issue off and on as I edited and typed.

The County Commission and City Mayors are in agreement that they will be asking voters to approve a six-year extension of a one-cent sales tax on November 3rd. Currently we are adding two cents on each dollar spent in the county for the SPLOST in question and a fairly recently approved school SPLOST. The SPLOST the Commission and Mayors are asking us to extend is scheduled to expire March 31st 2010.

The County is proposing that their portion of the tax dollars collected be used in four areas:
1. Justice Center Acquisition, $50 million
2. Emergency OPS Center, $2 million
3. University Campus, $5 million
4. Transportation, $15 million

I'm not really sure yet how I'll vote, but I'd say I'm probably leaning toward a no vote. I'm sure many will vote yes. I've talked to maybe ten to 15 people since the meeting ended Monday night and, if their current voting choices are any indication, thus far it looks like it's a toss up as to which way the wind will blow on November 3rd. Of course, a chunk of those I talk with are in elected office, so that kind of skewed my random sampling!

Here's some of my thought process on the County's proposed project list and the SPLOST in general:

In part I think it's OK that the Commissioners are willing to hold out a carrot in front of our noses by saying they'd "seriously consider" and "would propose" doubling the homestead exemption if the SPLOST renewal is approved.

It would help offset some of the additional 1 cent tax we'd pay throughout the year when shopping in the county if they ultimately decide to give us that break.

Unfortunately, even if they consider, propose and decide to give us the carrot, it would have to be an annual vote since the current Commissioners can't obligate future Boards. I can pretty much bet that we won't get to chomp on that particular carrot every year during the 6-year SPLOST term. After all, who knows which way the economy will go, what will change and what future Board members will think about the idea?

While I'll definitely be happy to take advantage of the double homestead exemption if the SPLOST passes, and if the Commission chooses to give us back some of our tax dollars, I still think I'd rather pay less when I shop.

The idea of paying down the debt on the Justice Center isn't something that gets me all excited.

I see the point in paying it off. I really do. I'm all for eliminating the roughly $3.7 million annual payment for the Center. But am I willing to shell out an extra penny on every dollar I spend for the next five to six years so they can do it now? Especially when I'm doing double-duty trying to conserve every penny I can to adjust for the current economic problems?

I wonder what the Commission will do with the $3.7 million savings they'd realize... Once we buy the Center for $50 million the county will then have those additional funds to spend. They're going to "seriously consider" giving some of our tax dollars back to us in the form of the double homestead exemption, but what about the rest of the money?

I'm sure those extra dollars are needed by the county, especially in this economy. I don't have a problem with adding money to the County coffers. I'm just curious as to whether there's a specific plan for those additional dollars. And given a choice between having my tax dollars sitting in the county's coffers and in my bank account... no brainer.

Another thought on paying off the bond / lease for the Justice Center: $3.7 million in today's dollars versus a one-time current dollar value payment of $50 million is one thing. But $3.7 million five years, ten years, etc. from now could equate to a payment of $1 million in later-year dollar value. I am horrible, absolutely horrible, when it comes to math and devaluing money and all that mess so that might not even be something to take into consideration when making a decision as to the justification for paying an additional penny on the dollar for the next six years to buy the Center. Commissioner Smith is an accountant so I have to assume that he's taken that all into consideration.

I look at paying off the Justice Center the same way I'd look at paying off my house. There are a lot of variables and it's something I'd have to look at from a lot of angles.

I don't see the need for the Emergency Operations Center but in the scheme of things the $2 million they say that's need to build it is a pittance. It's not a show-stopper for me though given the other items the County has on their project list. If it were the only thing, it'd be a definite no.

I see absolutely no need to put money into buying up land or doing whatever it is the County proposes to do with the $5 million they've allocated in SPLOST dollars to entice a university or technical college to move to Fayette County.

I hope that someday we will have a college campus with a thriving student base in the county. However, I'm not interested in using tax dollars to entice a college to set up a campus within county lines to attract more industry to the county, which is the reason Smith gave for wanting to have a college in the county.

If it's true that companies aren't moving to the county because we don't have a college that's fine with me. I'm one of those put a moat around the county and pull up the drawbridge types. I don't want to be like other counties. I want to be Fayette, the jewel in the midst of crowded, industry heavy Atlanta metro counties.

I could be wrong, I have nothing to base my feelings on other than, well, feelings, but I really can't see a company deciding not to come to Fayette because we don't have a college campus inside the defined boundaries of the county. There are lots of colleges within easy driving distance.

Again, great to have a campus and I know it's something the business community is itching to have happen, but it's just not something that makes me want to open my already-squeaking wallet a bit further.

Transportation and road construction IS something I'd have been willing to spend an extra penny on in times past. However, after watching what the County Commission has done with the so-called "West Bypass", and with what they've done to homes in the Sandy Creek area, and the dollars we've entrusted them with over the past few years, I don't think I want to give them more money to tear up the county. New Commission, maybe I'd reconsider.

Well, this is interesting. I started writing with the idea that I wasn't really settled on whether I'd be voting yeah or nay regarding the SPLOST. But as I put my thoughts into words for this blog, I realized I don't see any good reason to vote yes.

OK, there's one that might make me punch yes if I lived in one of the cities (which I don't)... The cities appear to be willing to spend the vast majority of their dollar allocations on transportation projects such as resurfacing roads, fixing bad intersections, etc. If I lived in Peachtree City, Fayetteville or Tyrone I might, just might, vote yes.

In fact, I think the fact that the cities are going to focus on transportation needs might entice voters in their respective jurisdictions to vote yes. If the majority of voters in each of the cities vote yes that will probably mean an overall yes for the 6-year tax renewal.

Personally, I think Commissioner Smith may be wrong when he says it's harder to renew a transportation SPLOST than one project laden (to paraphrase his comments at the SPLOST meeting). I think improving roads, making it easier to travel from point A to B, and similar projects are what voters are willing to pay for... unless there's some sexy, compelling project that voters see an overwhelming need to complete.

But hey, this is a blog, there's nothing scientific about it and I haven't gone out and done the research... who knows, maybe everyone will jump to continue paying an additional tax to buy the Justice Center, build an Emergency OPS Center or plunk a college into our midst.

Another thing that may help pass the SPLOST is the passivity of Fayette County voters. There were only 3 - 5 people at the SPLOST meeting who weren't reporters, elected officials or county employees. There just doesn't seem to be a whole lot of involvement from the general population, which may make it easier to sell them on one aspect of the SPLOST or paint a pretty picture that leads 'em to touch yes instead of no.

Unless the project list changes (and it could change as what we saw Monday evening was just a proposal) I'm voting no. I bet that doesn't surprise most of my readers!

West Fayetteville Bypass Blues

Last Thursday the County Commission approved the West Fayetteville “Bypass”. It was a unanimous vote, 5-0.

[Just a tidbit in case you’re wondering --- the West Fayetteville Bypass (WFB) is not a Bypass. It’s just a road. At some point someone called it a Bypass and the name stuck. It’s not intended to bypass anything.]

It was a foregone conclusion that they were going to approve it, but not for the reasons stated in their various explanations as they voted. I know I have a tendency to be a bit skeptical about the motivation of the Commissioners, but last Thursday’s gnashing of teeth and sackcloth lamenting about being forced to vote for the By-pass was sublime theater.

A few of the Commissioners intimated that their hands were tied... There was a SPLOST (Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax), which the voters barely passed in 2003, that included the project thus they had to move forward… Those nasty Commissioners before them forced them into this tough position...

Not so.

They do not HAVE to do all the projects in the SPLOST.

The SPLOST the Fayette County voters approved is a five-year SPLOST which can raise up to $115 million. The money collected MUST be used on the projects on the list. They cannot take any of the money and use it to fix or build a road that wasn’t listed in the SPLOST. They can’t build a library or park instead, either.

As said, they don’t have to do every project in the list. In fact, there’s no way they COULD do all the projects on the list as $115 won’t cover the costs.

The Commissioners have to prioritize.

The so-called WFB wasn’t a priority until sometime in the last two years. In fact, the number one priority was the East Fayetteville Bypass which, to the best of my knowledge, is now languishing.

The current Board moved the WFB up from somewhere down the list. If they hadn’t moved it up, chances are many of the folks on Lee Road who are so rightfully upset about losing their property or having a road right out their bedroom window would be long gone from Fayette County before it had made it to the top of the list.

When the voters said yes to the transportation SPLOST the WFB was included, but a specific route was not designated. The engineering, environmental studies, surveying to determine the route are all expenses that must wait until the money from the SPLOST is available.

Many SPLOST projects for roads are adjusted, changed in scope or even dropped completely after all the costs, including public input, are analyzed.

Completing Phase 1 of the Bypass, which is the area around the hospital, was the only part scheduled for completion until the current Board got their hooks into things. That phase alone would use up the majority of the dollars allocated in the SPLOST.

Bottom line – if our Commissioners are voting to proceed with the WFB it is because they WANT to build the road, not because they’re being forced to build it.

NOW for a bit of speculation, observation and conjecture. All mine.

I noticed at least two developers and one developer’s representative in the crowd at the Commission meeting Thursday night who didn’t have any requests on the agenda. They stayed through the WFB vote.

I believe the two Commissioners who said none of the people who contributed to their campaign had property along the newly proposed WFB route. If I remember correctly, the other three didn’t pipe up and say anything, not sure if that means they received contributions or just figured they didn’t want to join in. To my way of thinking, having a contribution from a developer along the route would be horrific given the change in SPLOST priorities. Especially since many agree that there are other projects on the list that should be given higher status.

Campaign contributions or not, that doesn’t mean that developers aren’t interested and that they won’t benefit from the WFB. It also doesn’t mean that the Commissioners are or aren’t developer friendly. I don’t know the Commissioners motivation or rationale. Based on what I’ve seen and heard, they’re not doing a very good job of coming up with real good reasons for changing the priorities and pushing so hard on the WFB.

I also wanted to toss out a thought about the possibility of someday seeing an Industrial Park somewhere along this route. Commissioner Jack Smith has tried to get this one going since being put on the Board, and prior to being elected when he sat on the Fayette County Development Authority.

It’s pretty much died on the vine mainly or partially because there aren’t any good truck routes coming into the county aside from the already congested Hwy. 74.

Guess what’s going to change when the WFB is completed? Yup, a very nice route for trucks and commercial traffic to get to a brand spankin’ new County industrial park. I’m going to go back and dig through the recordings I made of the meetings were the proposed locations were discussed to see if anything in that area was mentioned. It won’t mean anything if it wasn’t --- I’ve been told (but haven’t verified for myself) there are some huge parcels of land owned by developers along the route. I’d guess at least one would make a nice industrial park.

After all is said and done, there are still going to be many road projects that need to be addressed in Fayette County. In today’s world, about the only way to afford to fix roads is to have outside-the-county governmental monetary assistance and to have a mechanism for raising money like a SPLOST.

When the money from this SPLOST runs out you’re going to see another pop up for a vote on a ballot. Whether it passes or not is likely to depend in part on how those who’re asking for the dollars have spent the current SPLOST dollars. Here’s another bit of speculation – I’d bet the voters will see some sort of civic or multi-use arts center included in the next SPLOST. That’s going to open up a whole new can of worms.

People have a tendency to wait until something is right on their back doorstep before they get involved or start paying attention. I hope that doesn’t hold true in this county. I hope that people will take the time to watch, complain, encourage and vote. Get involved. Keep up with what’s going on. Don’t wait until a 4-lane bypass is routed through your back yard.

Handel’s Online Petition Opposing Obama Justice Department Gets Over 6,000 Signatures in 48 Hours

We posted this elsewhere on one of our "political" blogs, but it is SO important I wanted to do it again on "my" blog. This has far-reaching implications and we all need to get involved, voice our opposition, and work to keep this issue in the forefront. I've included the original press release at the end of the e-Update from Karen Handel's campaign (Georgia Governor):

E-Update: June 5th, 2009

When President Obama’s Justice Department told Georgia over the weekend that it could no longer verify the citizenship of voters going to the polls, Karen Handel sprang into action. She exposed the Obama plan and revealed that it would allow groups like ACORN to actively find and register illegal aliens to vote in Georgia elections.

Karen took to the airwaves and the Internet to rally opposition to the Obama plan. She appeared on Fox and Friends, the Regular Guys and Herman Cain radio programs, as well as radio and TV news stations across Georgia.

She even started an online petition with the goal of getting 10,000 signatures of Americans who opposed this terrible plan and want to have their voices heard in Washington.

In the first 48 hours, more than 6,000 signed that petition, and Karen is well on her way to the 10,000 signature goal. If you have not signed the petition, please do so now, and be sure to forward this email along to your neighbors, friends and family members. If this progress continues, our voices will be heard.

Please help us tell the Obama Administration that only U.S. citizens should be voting in Georgia by signing the petition today.

Leading conservative activists, columnists and publications have joined Karen's fight for the integrity of our elections. Below are just a few of the stories that have run nationally this week:

The Democrats Are Already Winning the 2010 Elections — Which Is What Happens When the Justice Department Is Really Politicized
National Review, June 3, 2009
Justice Dept. shifts on voting, deportation
The Washington Times, June 4, 2009
Justice Dept. Rejects Ga. Prevote Citizenship Checks
The Wall Street Journal, June 1, 2009

Please join Karen Handel's fight for the integrity of our elections by signing the petition today.

JMac - Here are a blog on the subject and the original press release on the issue:

Obama continues to erode election integrity
Over and over I hear people saying that things are going to get so bad that by the time the 2010 and / or 2012 elections roll around the voters will put Republicans back in control. If not in control, then at least there will be sufficient Republican numbers elected to mitigate Obama's actions...

Obama Justice Department Decision Will Allow Non-Citizens to Register to Vote in Georgia
Decision Bars Georgia From Continuing Voter Verification Process

Georgia Secretary of State Karen Handel issued the following statement following the U.S. Department of Justice’s denial of preclearance of Georgia’s voter verification process:

“The decision by the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) to deny preclearance of Georgia’s already implemented citizenship verification process shows a shocking disregard for the integrity of our elections. With this decision, DOJ has now barred Georgia from continuing the citizenship verification program that DOJ lawyers helped to craft. DOJ’s decision also nullifies the orders of two federal courts directing Georgia to implement the procedure for the 2008 general election. The decision comes seven months after Georgia requested an expedited review of the preclearance submission....

Coming This Summer: Health Care WarsThis Time It's Personal

by Newt Gingrich

The Washington battle that will most directly and profoundly affect you and your families' lives is the battle for the future of our health care system, which will play out this summer.On one side are forces advocating a big government, big regulation approach that will transform the private health system into a government-dominated bureaucracy.

On the other side is a new plan that gives individual Americans control over their health care, and provides the affordability and choice that makes that control meaningful.Both sides share the goals of providing health insurance to all Americans and reining in health care costs. The difference is how each plan would get there. One by government controlling - and ultimately rationing - your care. The other by you controlling and making informed decisions about you and your families' most precious possession: Your health.

A Transformative Proposal for Health Care: The Patients Choice Act

While the nation waits to see the plan President Obama will put forward, last week Senators Tom Coburn (R-Okla.) and Richard Burr (R-N.C.), and Representatives Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) and Devin Nunes (R-Calif.) introduced The Patients' Choice Act of 2009. They should be applauded for their leadership. The Patients' Choice Act is a serious, transformative proposal that, if enacted, would dramatically improve our health care system and the health of individual Americans. Unlike government-centered plans that empower bureaucracies, The Patients' Choice Act empowers individuals.

Empowering Individuals Instead of Bureaucracies

The Patients' Choice Act takes on the toughest challenges we face: improving individual health and managing chronic disease; delivering the best quality care; expanding affordable coverage to every American; and putting Medicare and Medicaid on solid, sustainable ground. And every idea starts in exactly the right place: with the individual. Individuals should be empowered and encouraged to decide for themselves what is best for them. From choosing what doctor to see to what insurance to buy to what course of treatment to take, only an individual-centered health care system will bring about the real change we need. According to its sponsors, the main goals of The Patients' Choice Act are these:

Emphasize Prevention: Focusing on prevention not only leads to better health but lowers long term costs.

Create a Market that Works for Patients: The Patients' Choice Act gives insurance companies incentives to cover chronically sick patients, provides businesses transparent rules, and gives patients convenient and affordable options.

Guarantee a Choice of Coverage Options: Patients can choose from a variety of private insurance plans.

Insist on Fairness for Every Patient.

Fairly Compensate Patient Injuries: The bill creates a legal system that serves the interests of the injured, not the interests of trial attorneys.

No Tax Increases or New Government Spending: For each American, our country already spends almost twice as much as other industrialized countries spend on health care. It's time we got something better for our money.

Restore Accountability to Government Programs: Our children and grandchildren will face future tax increases to pay for the $36 trillion in unfunded liabilities in the Medicare program alone unless something changes. And, according to some estimates, fraud and waste account for 10 percent of all health care spending. That's approximately $100 billion each year.

Include Ideas for Governors and States: Washington has proven time and again that a one-size-fits-all mandate won't work. True health reform must include governors, states, and every American citizen.

It's Time to Move From Ideas and Options to Real Solutions

The Patients' Choice Act complements the thoughtful work done so far by Sen. Max Baucus (D-Mont.), chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, and Sen. Chuck Grassley, the ranking Republican member. They have published three detailed papers exploring what reform options are being considered in three major areas: improving the delivery of care, expanding coverage, and paying for reform. They've invited public comment throughout the process and worked with industry representatives, in public hearings and in private meetings.

The introduction of this transformative legislation is proof that it's time to move from options to real solutions. The Center for Health Transformation (CHT), which I helped found, is working with both sides of this debate to encourage legislation that encompasses a number of policy proposals that are necessary to transform our health system. Our proposals span the entire health care spectrum from improving individual health, converting to an electronic health system, combating fraud and waste in our Medicare and Medicaid programs, and expanding coverage to every American.

10 Essential Principles of Health Care ReformCHT has developed the following 10 principles which we believe must be included in any major health reform bill:

• Every American should be encouraged and incentivized to take personal responsibility for his or her health.
• Every American should have genuine access to quality, cost-effective care that best meets his or her individual needs.
• Every American should have health insurance coverage (private or public) that is affordable, accessible, and portable-no matter where he or she chooses to work or live.
• Health care providers should deliver the best possible care based upon best evidence or best practice.
• Every provider of care, from doctors and nurses to pharmacists and hospitals, should be interconnected with an electronic health record for every American.
• Payment to providers should be based on the quality of care delivered, not the number of transactions or services provided.
• Cost, quality, and performance information should be available and accessible to all consumers.
• Government should promote and encourage competitive, market-based solutions in the private sector.
• Government should offer effective, efficient, and sustainable public programs for those who need them.
• Government should aggressively invest in targeted clinical research, laying the foundations for future breakthroughs and cures.

You can read our entire plan here along with a checklist for you to grade any proposals your representatives put forth. The problems we face in health care know no political party, and neither do all the solutions. As the debates begin in earnest over how to actually solve these problems, everyone should be encouraged to offer ideas. We are at our best when we work collaboratively to put forth bold, transformative solutions.

Newt Gingrich

(Shared with permission)

One word for Atlanta Tea Party: Wow!

One word to describe it in the title, but a lot more in this short post! I'm one tired puppy right now but I had to share as I guzzle my morning caffeine. We had a blast yesterday at the Atlanta Tea Party. I didn't get home until close to midnight, then I had to watch the midnight Hannity repeat to see what I'd missed! Yawn and double yawn

Our small group of three left Fayette County for the Capitol yesterday around 4 p.m. When we arrived the place was already jamming up with fellow tea party-ers.

On our trip downtown and our walk from the Five Points Marta station to the Capitol we ran into a lot of people who, as a testament to the lack of interest by the mainstream media, didn't have a clue what was going on across the nation.

We understand there were over 800 Tax Day Tea Parties across United States. Here in Peachtree City, GA a small one was organized for noon that attracted between 400 to 500 people. Not bad for a tiny county during a work day when most commute outside the county! Ann Eldredge put together a slide show of the event on the front page of http://www.fayettefrontpage.com/ if you'd like to see it.

In Atlanta as the crowds increased the energy level increased. So many great signs, so many great people! It was a well-behaved crowd.

Speaker after speaker rose to share their thoughts. We were directly in front of the podium, right behind the press stand. Unfortunately, a television screen set rather low cut off some of our view of the stage. By the time Sean Hannity arrived we'd moved down enough so that we were almost directly behind him (he faced away from the crowd for his show so we'd all be in the background). If I'd been just a bit taller you might have been able to make me out in the crowd... ah well, no crowd fame for our group.

I won't bore you with all the details. It's one of those "had to be there" type events. Next best is the visual of television. Way down the totem pole of communication is a blog written by a very sleepy gal with a hoarse throat from yelling and chanting. There was a lot of spontaneous eruptions of 'USA, USA', 'fairtax' and other words and phrases.

The mainstream media did a great job of making our local Tea Party appear minuscule yesterday. When we were sitting in crowds two blocks deep, packed like sardines with people still streaming off Marta, the Atlanta Journal Constitution reported there were around a thousand people at the event. We had just heard it announced that we had over 10,000 in the area. Quite a discrepancy, hmmm... On the way home I flipped on the news to see what was being reported. I perked up when the announcer said "tens of thousands" but then she ruined it by saying "across the country". Ha. That kind of reporting is what's killing mainstream media.

According to most reports we came close to hitting somewhere between 15 - 20 thousand last night. Normal, everyday, average Americans showed up at the events. Sure there were a few fringe elements. I watched and noted that some of the media zoomed in on the 2 or 3 "kooks" in the crowd. I was told by friends who called that the msm was focusing on interviewing that element in many cases. I'm as fed up with the msm as I am the tax and spend government.

Ah well, I can't fix much of anything alone. But with all the groups forming across the country, with all those who are frustrated and fed up across the country, we might have an impact. The excitement and crowd last night energized me and gave me hope.

I hope the enthusiasm and momentum from last night continues. I expect it will.

I hope that those who didn't find a tea party yesterday will get involved and help the movement spread to the front steps of the White House. I think that's going to happen, too.

Fayette County Attorney Shows His Stuff…

Thursday night after the Fayette County Commission meeting the County Attorney, Scott Bennett, came over to the press area and said he wanted to talk with the press. I didn’t catch the entire statement so I asked one of the other reporters what he’d said. The reporter indicated he wanted us to stick around so he could talk to us. We immediately “assumed” it had to do with the lawsuit filed by former County Administrator, Chris Venice.

We chatted a bit about the lawsuit, then Bennett walked over and said to meet in his office. One reporter followed immediately, I had to grab my pen and paper. As I walked into the hallway leading to Bennett’s office I overheard him talking to the first reporter about me in a tone that made my ears perk up. Hmmm, not very professional for the County’s legal spokesperson to be disparaging someone to a reporter… But it got better, or worse, depending on your point of view.

He caught my entrance out of the corner of his eye, whirled around and bluntly stated that I was not invited. At first I thought he meant only press could come, and knowing that some had problems with a “newspaper” that was strictly on-line, I nicely said that I was press.

Ah, but that wasn’t his problem.

Turns out he didn’t like some of the things I wrote back when the county was in the process of firing their long-term attorney and hiring him. Given the fact that he had sued the County on behalf of one of his friends on the Commission, and that friend was one who was part of the decision making process, I had problems with the entire process, not just Bennett.

Oh darn, there I go again. Just seems that I keep letting those pesky facts from the past get in the way of trying to be friends with the County Attorney. I bet he’s going to be mean to me again.

Yep, he was mean.

He told me in no uncertain terms that he could talk to whoever he wanted and he did not want to talk to me. He said I didn’t trust him, I wrote bad things about him and he didn’t have to talk to anyone if he didn’t want to. “So there you mean old reporter, and let me stomp my foot for emphasis, take that.” OK, OK, he didn’t say “so there”, nor did he stomp his foot, but the effect was the same.

Quite frankly, I was astonished. The more I thought about it the more amazed I was that an attorney, especially an attorney serving in a position that requires interaction with the public, didn’t know how to handle the press. Gosh, even I tread lightly with my fellow reporters. Tick ‘em off and they can get a whole lot of ink working against you and those you represent.

But then I thought back to some of the reasons I’d originally had problems with Bennett. I’m not the only member of the press on his list to snub I’d guess.

Seems that back when he worked for the city council in McDonough, he got on the wrong side of the press there, too. He advised the City Council that citizens didn’t have the right to film or record public meetings. One of those banned citizens happened to work for a local television station. Not a good choice and completely wrong from a legal standpoint to boot. The sunshine law that governs public meetings and elected officials clearly states that anyone can film or record public meetings. It doesn’t even use the typical lawyer-eeze that makes a lot of laws so difficult to understand. Knowledge of the Sunshine Law is part of lawyering 101 basics, especially if you’re working for the government. Bennett managed to end up being the focus of a TV expose as a result of the issue.

Another issue that bothered me at the time the County was considering hiring him was the fact that he had sued Fayette County reference the county’s sign ordinance. He represented a national sign company that wanted to get multiple billboards along our county roads. I would bet I’m not the only one who was not the least bit surprised when the county recently cut a deal with that same billboard company to allow billboards in our county?

When I wrote my first little blog about Bennett way back when, I started getting phone calls from people who knew him or knew of his work. I didn’t share the things I was told in subsequent blogs or op-ed pieces simply because there wasn’t any supporting documentation. I think Mr. Bennett should be relieved that I didn't share some of the information, and that I chose not to go digging further. The impression I had of Bennett was not very favorable as a result of the calls from his “past” associates.

Now that Bennett has had his little hissy fit, we have a problem, or two or three. See, Mr. Bennett has put me, and the County Commission, in a difficult position. Instead of asking and getting his canned responses to questions, I’m going to have to ask his boss. If that doesn’t work then I’m going to have to go the old open records request route and/or get most of my information from the opposing viewpoints.

Bennett is in a public position that requires him to interact with the press and the public. In his position he actually has a higher accountability to the public than those in private practice. My tax dollars, along with yours, are paying his salary. Based on some of the news that was reported about him previously, if he stops talking to everyone in the press who writes things he doesn’t like there aren’t going to be very many left to talk with sooner or later.

I had pretty much put the past in the past, which I know is easier to do when you’re on the delivering side. But, while my impression of his abilities hasn’t improved after watching him in action over the past year plus, he is in the office and it’s necessary for me to deal with him politely. If he hadn’t pitched his little snit-fit I would never have brought up the past, nor would I now want to pay more attention to answering questions that have popped into my mind and been dismissed over the past year or so. He kinda forced the issue with his highly unprofessional actions.

What questions you may wonder, have popped into my mind over the past few years about Bennett? What does a full-time attorney do five days a week to earn his salary? Especially when an outside attorney has to be hired for litigation outside his expertise. How much money is being spent on legal expenses? What kind of lawsuits, aside from the one by Chris Venice, have been filed against the County this past year? What is included in his new contract? What kind of reputation has he gained working with the County? Oh, I could go on… but the list is growing longer as I think about him. Rather a shame he’s now pinged himself to the forefront of my mind. I have so many things on my list of things to do and dealing with answers to those questions wasn’t even on page ten of the list.

I mentioned Bennett’s behavior to Jack Krakeel, the County Administrator and Jack Smith, the County Chairman. I probably wouldn’t have bothered to do so if I hadn’t been after a bit of info regarding the lawsuit being filed by Chris Venice. It was kind of hard not to mention his actions when they both referred me to Bennett as the spokesperson. I don’t think it’s going to affect his job at all.

As most of my readers know I’d been taking a break from the County Commission. There’s a point where you can film and write and film and write and if no one else seems to care about what their elected officials are doing, if you have absolutely no effect on their actions, you just have to say enough and move on to other things. Bennett’s actions last night put a bee in my bonnet and now I have all the Commission meetings back on my calendar.

Guess I’m going to be seeing a lot of Mr. Bennett again.

Fayette County Commission Takes a Page from Fed's Playbook

We're all aware that the spending spree in Washington D.C. is going to cost our children and grandchildren. Choices being made by the Feds are obligating future generations for unknown amounts.

The Fayette County Commission will potentially be doing something somewhat similar, albeit on a smaller scale, tomorrow night. At the 7 p.m. Commission meeting on Thursday they are going to make a decision that could hit you and I, along with every future Fayette Countian, in the pocket book.

What could our little county be doing that could have such long term repercussions on taxes?

The Commission will probably pass a defined benefit plan tomorrow night for county employees.

Surprised? I bet you thought they wouldn't do something so costly to the taxpayers during these economic times, didn't you? I bet you thought it was a dead issue, too, didn't you?

Not so. It's on the agenda as old business. In case you've missed the history, the Commission actually approved the implementation of a DB plan in a 4-1 vote toward the end of 2007. Herb Frady, Eric Maxwell, Robert Horgan and Jack Smith voted to implement the plan, Peter Pfeifer voted no. Since the vote, the Commission has simply been fiddling around talking to providers, trying to get the best deal, possibly waiting until they thought they could slide it through quietly.

If you go to the meeting tomorrow night, you're going to hear blarney that'll make you think you're listening to the best o' the best. Fayette County is going to need to find a leprechaun's pot o' gold at the end of a rainbow to cover the tab when the bills start coming due, too.

The Commissioners are going to tell you that it isn't going to cost the taxpayers. Their magnificent plan is different than everyone else's plan.

The plan won't cost you --- now. However, across the country without any exceptions that numerous researchers have been able to find, the tax payer inevitably ends up with a huge bill that is impossible to cover. Sorry, no rainbows, no leprechauns, just a bill that requires either a cut back of services or higher taxes, and sometimes both.

DB plans have been huge contributors to the problems of companies like General Motors, Delta and others.

Another surprise to some? The group the Commission would be hiring to manage (benefit, reap the rewards from) the plan is going to be… GEBcorp. You remember don’t you? They're the ones the Commissioners had give them all the data that justified the implementation of the plan. They “volunteered” their services at no cost just to help out our great county. Wow. Such generosity! Yeah, right. Can you say “deals cut, hee hee hee, rub hands in glee at plans coming to fruition”???

If you go back through my blogs and the articles I’ve written over the past years, you’re going to find that I can now say “I told you so.”

What can you do to stop this? Well, I'd say you could fill the Commission Chambers tomorrow night and voice your opposition, but I have low expectations that you would change anyone's votes.

Herb Frady said he'd vote against it during the election (even though he voted for it, then said he didn't, but tapes proved he did). They don't need his vote. Could be it'll be a 3-2 vote for it depending on who's up for election or who thinks they need to be perceived to be on the side of taxpayers. But it appears it’s going to pass.

I won't go into details about why it's bad. I've gone over and over it in previous blogs. There have been letters written, videos made and plenty in the media.

Maybe it's time for a Fayette County Tea Party.

Previous blogs I've written on the Fayette County Commission's DB plans:
Defined Benefits Gets Temporary Government Bailout, Er, Legislation
Defined benefits are a hot topic in Fayette County, GA. Well, it's a hot topic for those responsible citizens who realize what the future holds for the county should our esteemed local commissioners vote to burden the county with it. For those of you who have been following the ongoing debate, I thought you'd be interested to know the Federal government, yep, the Federal government (that would be Congress) has just unanimously passed The Worker, Retiree, and Employer Recovery Act designed to provide temporary relief to retirees and employers sponsoring defined benefit pension plans. President Bush is expected to sign the legislation into law. This Act, among other things, addressed the unanticipated increases in pension funding requirements. Hello, Fayette County! Is anybody seeing the bailout trend? Is anyone listening?

More on Defined Benefits for Fayette County, GA
Last night the committee the County Commission selected to study implementing a Defined Benefits Retirement Plan for county employees asked for more time (Vote on Defined Benefit Plan Vendor Choice Postponed at County Commission Meeting). Since asking for bids in September the group has been reviewing the many, many plans submitted by various companies hoping to get the County's business. It's big business. It's a carrot with a short stick and a lot of companies are vying to be the ones to chomp down on that juicy veggie. (Hey, I'm the queen of bad metaphors... I'm sure before I finish I'll have you rolling your eyes to the heavens.)

Defined Benefits in Fayette County Georgia
The letter below is a letter to the editor received for inclusion in the Fayette Front Page. As many of you know, I think it's a travesty that the Fayette County Commission has chosen to implement a Defined Benefit retirement plan for their employees.Like everyone else who has ever implemented a similar plan, the Commission says it won't cost taxpayers... I have searched and searched trying to find a similar plan that IS working somewhere. All I find are horror tales. And not surprisingly, almost every government that implemented a DB plan said, when trying to sell it, that THEIR plan wouldn't come back to bite the taxpayers at some point. It was different than all the others. Guess who told 'em that? Those guys who are selling the plan of course!

Pension Problems
Across the country businesses are failing. In some cases the straw that broke, or is breaking, the proverbial camel's financial back is their defined benefit pension plan. Do a Google search and see how many references pop up regarding pension plans and company failures.

Tough Times
The Fayette County Commission has frozen somewhere in the neighborhood of 20 to 25 jobs this year. I just received a notice from Gwinnett that they've initiated a hiring freeze and expect to save roughly $45 million in a 12 month period. We know Atlanta is having problems, seemingly much of it due to their defined benefit program compounded by the current economic difficulties. The state is in trouble for the first time in quite some time. Not too long ago they had a surplus they were arguing about. Now they're in the hole.

Defined Benefits... Pension Woes...
Across the country governments are having major, major problems with their defined benefit pension plans. They are running from them like they are killer bees swarming. Not so in Fayette County. Our "leaders" voted to implement a plan. Yep, they are building hives to house the bees. The taxpayers are the ones who will someday feel the mighty stings.

If a tree falls in the forest…
The County Commission held a number of meetings where they discussed the switch to a defined benefit (db) retirement program for county employees. Unfortunately for taxpayers, they held every single discussion during their daytime Wednesday “workshop” meetings. No public comment is allowed during those meeting. And, it is impossible for 99.999% of the public to attend. They may as well have been standing in a forest with no one around.

Christmas for some, coal for the taxpayers...
Last night’s County Commission meeting was jam-packed with headline making happenings. Unfortunately (or fortunately….) I was off making money selling my pottery and had to miss the meeting. However, I do have audio from the meeting and have talked to a number of folks who were there, and I asked for and received copies of some of the statements made by concerned citizens.

The Tax Hike Cometh…
Oops, goofed, the tax hike has already cometh… However, if you think the County’s tax increase this year is something, wait until the County Commission votes to implement defined benefits for county employees! The County seems hell bent on doing what every other large business has been forced to dump if they planned to stay in business. Companies across the nation have found it impossible to fund the kind of retirement program the County wants to put in place. They’ve gone into bankruptcy; they’ve run to the government to help, they’ve closed their doors.

Wooten on Defined Benefit Plans, etc. - worth a read
State lawmakers must rid pension plans that bilk taxpayers
By Jim Wooten Monday, August 20, 2007, 09:23 PM
The Atlanta Journal-ConstitutionThe system abused by former Fulton County Superior Court Clerk Juanita Hicks and her hand-picked successor is flawed on so many levels that, but for the self-interest of beneficiaries in elected office, it would have been fixed decades ago.

Seven Fayette County Commission Chairman have spoken out... It's time to wake-up!
Seven, yes SEVEN, former Fayette County Commission Chairman have now voiced their opposition to actions of the current Board of Commissioners. That is unprecedented in the history of this county, and perhaps in any county in Georgia or the United States. They have spoken out against the firing of County Attorney Bill McNally. They have spoken out regarding the current Board’s plan to move employees to a defined benefit plan.

Georgia Republican Delegation Calls on Obama to Allow Offshore Drilling, Development of Oil Shale Fields

The nine Republican members of Georgia’s congressional delegation today called on President Obama to scrap plans to halt exploration of our domestic energy resources. News reports say Obama plans to re-impose a ban on offshore drilling and to rescind a plan to develop oil shale fields in the western United States.

The letter to Obama was signed by Senators Johnny Isakson and Saxby Chambliss as well as by U.S. Representatives Jack Kingston, Tom Price, Lynn Westmoreland, Phil Gingrey, Paul Broun, Nathan Deal and John Linder. The text of the letter is below:

January 22, 2009

The President
The White House
Washington, D.C. 20500

Dear Mr. President:

We write in regards to recent news reports that your Administration is considering ordering a hold on an executive order issued by President Bush to allow offshore drilling in previously banned areas. These same news reports indicate that the Department of Interior will rescind a plan to develop oil shale fields in the western United States. We respectfully write to ask that you not reinstate an executive moratorium on offshore energy exploration and production and that you not rescind the Department of Interior plan for oil shale exploration and recovery.

Environmentally responsible offshore oil and natural gas exploration and recovery, as well as oil shale exploration and recovery, are essential components of a comprehensive energy policy that will enable the United States to become energy independent. Exploration and recovery of these resources is critical to our national security and economic wellbeing. We believe allowing for exploration in these areas is also consistent with your priorities of economic growth and environmental protection.

Questions and Concers Re: Commission Considering Neighborhood Stabilization Program

Tomorrow night, Wednesday Jan. 14th, the Fayette County Commission is holding a special public hearing on the "Neighborhood Stabilization Program". I hope that at least a few of our concerned citizens will take the time to go to the meeting and ask questions.

Here's an overview of the program:

The Neighborhood Stabilization Program (NSP) is an emergency assistance fund
authorized under Title III of Division B, section 2301 of the Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008 (HERA) that is being provided for the redevelopment of abandoned and foreclosed homes and residential properties for the purpose of stabilizing neighborhoods. Unless HERA provides otherwise, the grant is considered a special Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) allocation.

Sounds OK, doesn't it? Basically, the government is going to give Fayette County funds to redevelop abandoned or foreclosed homes.

Unfortunately, long experience has told me that with the government, there's usually a nasty string or two attached, so I pulled up the six-page "Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008" that deals with the NSP.

There is at least one potential nasty string that's attached to the NSP: Not less than 25% of funds available to each grantee must be used for housing activities that benefit individuals whose incomes do not exceed 50% of area median income and that all funds be used to benefit individuals at or below 120% of area median income."

Click here to read the Guide to Neighborhood Stabilization Program Eligible Uses

If I'm understanding what I'm reading correctly, the government is going to require that at least 25% of the foreclosed or abandoned homes be sold or rented to people who make less than 50% of the median income of their neighbors.

Call me crazy, but isn't that how we got into this mess with foreclosed homes to begin with? People who couldn't afford to buy the houses they wanted got great deals, then couldn't make the payments?

I can understand the 120% requirement. The government doesn't want speculators and investors to buy up all these great deals just so they can flip them and make money.

In addition to my concern about potentially putting people into houses they can't afford, I don't particularly care for the idea of having our government sticking its fingers into forcing upward mobility. I don't know what my neighbors make and don't want to know. Maybe they bought down, maybe they opted to buy less house so they could spend more on vacations. Who knows and who cares.

Here's a hypothetical situation: Say there's a house in Whitewater or a similar neighborhood that I covet. If I could figure out a way to buy it, I'd be there in a heartbeat. However, for the sake of argument, let's say my income is 40% of the median income of the neighborhood. Then, continuing the scenario, "my house" goes into foreclosure and all of a sudden I can buy the house with the help of the NSP. Wow. Great deal, huh?

But then I have to buy furniture. I have a huge power bill. I have neighborhood dues I have to pay. The pipes freeze and burst. The hot water heater goes out. I have to pay for lawn service because I'm working and can't keep up the grooming. The lake behind the house overflows into the yard ruining the landscaping. You get the idea, it's more house than I might could afford, even though the monthly payment is well within my ability to pay.

Pretty soon I'm wondering how I got myself into this mess.

I don't know enough about the details of the program, even after reading the Act and looking at other counties and states who've grabbed the funds. I'm not sure that someone who couldn't afford neighborhood dues, insurance, lawn service, etc. as I hypothesized above would be allowed to buy the home.

And, I don't know what will happen when Fayette County takes the money, if they ultimately decide to do so. I "assume" that since they're holding the public hearing tomorrow night, they've pretty much decided to go for it.

In past years Fayette County has stayed away from holding their hand out to the government. We've been very, very selective about the programs we've bought into. I hope we're not looking at short-term gain to the detriment of the long-term quality of our county.

Links:
The HUD Official Documentation: Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008
Minnesota's explanation / write up: http://www.mnhousing.gov/idc/groups/homes/documents/webcontent/mhfa_007646.pdf

PUBLIC NOTICE FOR A SPECIAL CALLED PUBLIC HEARING
THE FAYETTE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS WILL HOLD A SPECIAL CALLED PUBLIC HEARING AT 7 PM ON JANUARY 14th, 2009, IN THE PUBLIC MEETING ROOM OF THE FAYETTE COUNTY ADMINISTRATIVE COMPLEX LOCATED AT 140 STONEWALL AVENUE WEST, IN FAYETTEVILLE. THE PURPOSE OF THIS HEARING IS TO RECEIVE COMMENTS REGARDING THE NEIGHBORHOOD STABILIZATION PROGRAM (TITLE III, SECTION 2301 OF THE HOUSING AND ECONOMIC RECOVERY ACT OF 2008 (HERA).

More on the Fayette County School Board...

I wrote a blog a few days ago (Fayette County, GA schools in the news... ) about the situation in the Fayette County school system. The School Board is trying to maintain the school system at its current level of service while money is dwindling. It's easy to sit on the outside and point fingers when we're not part of the internal process. I have concerns like most in the county, which I voiced in my blog so I won't repeat myself.

I asked for suggestions on what the School Board should do, what should be cut. We posted the request for ideas on the top of the Fayette Front Page, too.

I've received a number of replies, only one of them offered any suggestions for where cuts should be made. They all trashed the School Board. We chose not to publish any of the nasty comments, it's just not our style. We'll still take positive suggestions, though.

The one we included on here (Dire Straights for Fayette County Students) didn't offer any suggestions on where to cut, but the author made an interesting suggestion that parents be able to write off all the things they purchased for students on their taxes.

I thought that one was a pretty good idea. We're all being taxed to pay for the schools. Why shouldn't parents be able to write off what they "donate" to help the school system provide good education?

I've heard outrageous costs are dumped into a parent's lap if they want their child to play football, be a cheerleader or participate in many school sanctioned or run efforts. What about the cost of the band instrument? What about all the school supplies parents buy for not just their own child, but their classmates?

I don't have any young children in Fayette County schools so I can't really remember all the various things that required an additional outlay of cash. I sold plenty, and bought plenty, of wrapping paper and junky things to friends that I sure wouldn't purchase if it weren't to "help" buy extras for the schools. I'm still buying stuff from friends to help their children.

Have you ever thought about how much money is being fed to the school system outside of our taxes? I heard it's something like $600 if your child is chosen as a cheerleader...

Schools are big business. Someone told me they considered it the biggest industry in the United States the other day. It's true. It's the biggest outlay of cash for parents and non-parents alike.

In Fayette County we're lucky. We have a great school system and I know the Board is fighting within the system they've inherited to keep it that way. I know they're suffering from HUGE cuts from the State, property taxes are down, and other taxes are also down as we all hold onto our pocketbooks.

They're being bombarded from all sides.

Parents expect the same levels of service, yet the money isn't there to maintain those levels.

I don't know what the answer is on that front. But I do think having a tax write-off for parents who expend extra dollars for students is a good idea.

Dire Straights for Fayette County Students

I'm still at a loss to understand how the Fayette County Board of Education is out of money for our schools. Didn't they think to put some away for a rainy day? Or did they waste way too much of it when the economy was rolling in the green?

The students and their parents are now receiving pleas from teachers to help. Now the parents have to step up their donations to the individual teachers' needs if they want to continue with our legendary education in Fayette County. As I recall hearing from parents, just going to school in August means an outlay of cash for our public education. Now, the parents will have to increase their donations.

Sure would help the struggling parents if they could get a tax write off. I also bet the donations would go up as well.

Fayette County, GA schools in the news...

Fox News, CNN and other local news stations have picked up our local school system woes and made them national.

The School Board has asked the County Commission to re-bill property taxes at a higher rate. If that weren't bad enough, they're also asking teachers to give back their 2.5% pay raise awarded last Spring. This on top of a new school SPLOST that's going to increase the cost of purchases in the county by 1%.

I'll have to say I'm smack in the middle on this one, waffling back and forth.

I know a lot of the people on the School Board and in the Superintendent's office. I think they genuinely care about our kids and the quality of our schools. I have been at some of the meetings where they talked about budget needs, how to cut back and the requirements they have to meet.

They're in a tough position. There are State mandates they have to follow, yet the State has been cutting back on school funding. Parents in this county have high expectations regarding the opportunities for students, class sizes, and the "extras" provided as a norm in our county.

However, I also think decisions have been made by the School Board that were wasteful. I won't go into a litany of things I think were unnecessary and wasteful. I'm sure you can all point to extravagances as well as erroneous decision making.

I believe that many decisions were made with the idea that times would always be good, that growth would continue and the money would keep rolling in. Forward-planning is a difficult thing and many in office only look at today (although they'll all say they ARE looking down the road). That's an area where politics comes into play. Sometimes making tough decisions for today will mean losing an election or make you highly unpopular. Most succumb and work to make their voting public happy. When the money stops flowing and times get tough, whoever is in office or in the job catches the flack.

I also think that as stewards of our tax dollars there is an obligation inherent in the "job" of our elected politicians to do worst-case planning. When I'm making long-term plans I don't expect things will always be flush. I try to be frugal with my dollars and I expect our elected officials to do the same.

However, I understand that the School Board and Superintendent did have a reserve for bad times. It's gone. I am not privy, nor are all of those writing and trashing the Board, to the details (although they're public and we could get them). When I ask the questions at meetings I get answers that lead me to believe they've been working hard trying to avoid the situation we're in now.

The Board has a tough job. If they start cutting back on those extras, like class sizes, nurses in the schools, etc., when times seem to be good, then the parents are up in arms. Over the years while things have been booming in this county we've added this little extra here, that extra there, and now we scream when they're taken away. We don't really allow the school system to do make changes or cuts when they look down the road and see bad times coming. We don't want to believe them when they're yelling that the sky may be starting to fall.

I can point fingers and I can be up in arms about what is happening now, but I don't have all the facts. I haven't dug through the books. I'm not the one receiving mandates from the State and Feds without funding.

I'm like the rest of you, I just want them to fix it without having to pay any more.

If I were a school teacher and the Board asked me to give back my 2.5% raise during these tough economic times, I'd say no way. It would be an emphatic "no way".

I'm going to scream bloody murder if they try to come back on us for more money on our houses, too.

We're all struggling. The cost of goods is rising and we're getting ready to pay an additional tax to fund the schools. People are losing jobs. Bonuses aren't being given. Everyone is cutting back.

I don't know where the school system can cut, but I think they're going to have to take severe measures within the system. We can't pay any more.

NOTE: If you have ideas on where the school system can make cuts, send us a note! We'll post your thoughts on the Fayette Front Page for all to see. Include your name if you'd like, but it's not necessary. We will not include inflammatory comments or attacks.

Defined Benefits Gets Temporary Government Bailout, Er, Legislation

Defined benefits are a hot topic in Fayette County, GA. Well, it's a hot topic for those responsible citizens who realize what the future holds for the county should our esteemed local commissioners vote to burden the county with it.

For those of you who have been following the ongoing debate, I thought you'd be interested to know the Federal government, yep, the Federal government (that would be Congress) has just unanimously passed The Worker, Retiree, and Employer Recovery Act designed to provide temporary relief to retirees and employers sponsoring defined benefit pension plans. President Bush is expected to sign the legislation into law.

This Act, among other things, addressed the unanticipated increases in pension funding requirements.

Hello, Fayette County! Is anybody seeing the bailout trend? Is anyone listening?

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More on Defined Benefits for Fayette County, GA

If you're not from Fayette County, GA you probably won't want to read this (unless defined benefits retirement plans are a hot button for you).

Last night the committee the County Commission selected to study implementing a Defined Benefits Retirement Plan for county employees asked for more time (Vote on Defined Benefit Plan Vendor Choice Postponed at County Commission Meeting). Since asking for bids in September the group has been reviewing the many, many plans submitted by various companies hoping to get the County's business.

It's big business. It's a carrot with a short stick and a lot of companies are vying to be the ones to chomp down on that juicy veggie. (Hey, I'm the queen of bad metaphors... I'm sure before I finish I'll have you rolling your eyes to the heavens.)

While writing the "official" article for the Fayette Front Page, I went back and reviewed all the times the DB issue has come before the County Commission. They've been looking at it for over a year now. I've been at most of the meetings where it was discussed, or have a tape recording of the meeting. It's boring stuff to listen to and, if you're not in on the committee meetings, it makes not a whole lot of sense without documentation or background details.

However, I've muddled through.

One thing I had thought, but hadn't really researched, was that all the meetings regarding the DB plan were held during business hours. I was right. While there have been a number of presentations to and discussions by the County Commissioners, the public would have had a hard time being at any of the meetings if they weren't willing to take time off from work.

Not only would it be difficult for any member of the public to keep up with all the happenings in regards to the County's DB plan, it's not easy to find out when they're going to discuss it. It's on the agenda, but how many of you go check to see what's on the upcoming agenda? Especially the daytime Workshop agenda?

A lot of people don't even know that it's already a done deal. The Commission voted 4-1 to implement the plan back in December 2007. Commissioner Peter Pfeifer was the ONLY Commissioner to vote no.

During the election Commissioner Herb Frady started saying he had always been opposed to implementing the plan but he voted FOR it... and he said he was for anything that was good for the employees (or something to that affect, I'd have to go back and listen to the tape of the meeting again to give you the EXACT quote, but that's almost exact if not exact). If you go read my story on the Fayette Front Page and wander though the links at the end you'll see a video of Peter Pfeifer and Herb Frady discussing it during the election, the quote is on there.

All that is happening now is that the Committee appointed by the Commission to look into the Plans is trying to decide which company gets the business. Now there is a slim, slim possibility that the Committee will come back and say no, don't do it, but it is so slim you couldn't catch a minnow on the line.

However, while I say it is a slim, slim possibility, it's still possible. There's a group of citizens who've formed a PAC, Fayette Citizens for Open Government (FayCOG), who are fighting implementing the Plan. They don't feel that there have been enough open meetings and public input. They're asking for hearings and citizen involvement. You can get involved with FayCOG, or you can send your own emails and letters. You can come to the next meeting and voice your concerns.

Why, you might ask, should this involve the citizens of this county? Well, I might answer, it's going to cost the taxpayers a bundle in a few years. Your taxes are going to rise and / or some things aren't going to happen that should just to pay for benefits for employees.

The employees have a great retirement plan already. It's one that isn't going to drain the bank and it's not risky.

We're watching the auto bailout fiasco going on right now. A huge part of their financial woes are related to the dream benefits the employees have at the once-big 3. Everyone is running away from DB retirement plans because they are financially back-breaking. Yet here in our county we're embracing the failed plan and going in the opposite direction.

The bill is going to come due at some point. For the first few years things will run smoothly, then it's going to become a growing bubble that will burst when least expected.

I've been writing about this for over a year. It's bad news for the future of our county and it seems that not many are paying attention. At the very least, the County Commission should hold off with this taxpayer hold-up until after the financial crisis passes.

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Vote on Defined Benefit Plan Vendor Choice Postponed at County Commission Meeting
12/12/08 It appeared that County Commissioners were surprised when the newly appointed Fire and Emergency Director, Allen McCullough made his presentation regarding Defined Benefits. McCullough heads up the committee which is studying which company to select to provide and manage the Defined Benefit plan the County voted to implement last year (Dec. 5th, 2007; approved 4 – 1 with Commissioner Peter Pfeifer voting in opposition)... More

Infomercial Suspect in its Claims?

Just had to pass this article along.

ATR: Myth vs. Fact: The Obama Infomercial Lies to Taxpayers About Obama Tax Hike

PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Americans for Tax Reform released the following in response to the Barack Obama "infomercial" televised nationally on Wednesday evening:

How Do You Give a Tax Cut to Non-Income Taxpayers?

Myth: "As president, here's what I'll do. Cut taxes for every working family making less than $200,000 a year. Give businesses a tax credit for every new employee that they hire right here in the US over the next two years, and eliminate tax breaks for companies that ship jobs overseas."

Fact: According to IRS data, 33% of families don't even have an income tax liability, so it's impossible to cut their income taxes. Also, Obama's summary conveniently leaves out the fact that he would bring the small business tax rate to over 50 percent and would hike the capital gains and dividends tax at a time of market turmoil. His plan is a massive tax hike.

Obama to U.S. Companies: Don't Let the Door Hit You on the Way Out

Myth: (Ted Strickland speaking): "Think of this. Barack Obama is going to be a Democrat in the presidency who actually cuts taxes. But he's gonna cut taxes for the people who really need a tax cut. He's gonna cut taxes for the struggling families. And he's gonna do that while holding accountable those companies that take advantage of tax breaks in order to send jobs offshore and to other countries."

Fact: Obama will raise taxes by over $1 trillion by hiking the small business tax rates, the Social Security tax rate, and the nest egg tax rates on capital gains and dividends. Also, the reason companies move overseas is because our taxes are already too high. How does raising their taxes do anything but make this problem worse?

"Rocket Fuel" for Small Businesses?

Myth: (Gov. Tim Kaine) "Barack has looked at the small business side of the American economy and says 'Look, that's where most innovation and entrepreneurship is. Let's give them the rocket fuel to really accelerate rather than giving tax cuts to the ExxonMobils or the big oil companies that need not one ounce of help from the government to be very successful.'"

Fact: Under Obama's tax hike, the tax rate on two-thirds of small business profits will exceed 50 percent for the first time since Jimmy Carter. If that's rocket fuel, the U.S. economy won't ever get off the launch pad. Also, raising taxes on energy companies won't do anything except make energy more expensive for consumers.

Barack Obama, Spending Cutter?

Myth: "I've offered spending cuts above and beyond their cost."

Fact: We can't say it any better than the AP: "Obama's assertion that "I've offered spending cuts above and beyond" the expense of his promises is accepted only by his partisans. His vow to save money by 'eliminating programs that don't work' masks his failure throughout the campaign to specify what those programs are --- beyond the withdrawal of troops from Iraq."

Small Businesses and Savers Should Be Worried About Obama

Myth: "So I'm not worried about CEO's, I'm not worried about corporate lobbyists, I'm not worried about the drug companies or the oil companies or the insurance companies -- they'll be fine, they're going to look out for themselves. I'm worried about the couple that's trying to figure out how they're going to retire. I'm worried about the family that's trying to figure out how they can save for their child's college education. I'm worried about the single mom that doesn't have health insurance. I'm worried about the guy who has worked in a plant for 20 years and suddenly sees his job shipped overseas. That's who I'm worried about. That's who I'm going to be fighting for and thinking about every single day that I'm in the White House."

Fact: If he's worried about the couple about to retire, Obama should be asking himself why he wants to tank their 401(k) nest egg by raising capital gains and dividends taxes. If he's worried about the parents saving for college or struggling to afford health insurance, he should ask himself if raising their small business employer's tax rate to over 50 percent is a good idea. If he's worried about the longtime employee's job getting shipped overseas, he should ask if the fact that America has the second-highest corporate income tax rate in the world has anything to do with that.

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Barack Obama's Economic Plan Is A Big Government Giveaway

"Facing criticism from John McCain that his tax plan constitutes 'welfare,' Barack Obama recently added a work requirement to one of his proposals. 'They started saying this was welfare,' said Obama adviser Austan Goolsbee. "So, just so they would absolutely not be able to say that, we decided that for the last two percent we'll simply add a work requirement.' ...'When did this change? I'm just curious,' an incredulous Holtz-Eakin asked Goolsbee. 'About two weeks ago,' replied Goolsbee, adding that when the proposal was announced in September 2007, 98 percent of its benefits went to workers." -- ABC News

"The bottom line is that Obama is not being honest about his tax and spending plans. It is impossible -- impossible! -- for him to finance his giveaways by taxing only those making $250,000 or more. He will have to raise taxes substantially on people making much, much less than that. If you think you are going to avoid a tax increase on Obama's watch because you aren't 'rich,' remember this: A government that arbitrarily picks $250,000 as a dividing line can, using the same purely political considerations, pick any number as a dividing line." -- New Hampshire Union Leader

"Obama Tweaks Tax Plan To Rebut McCain"
By Teddy Davis, et al ABC News
October 21, 2008

Facing criticism from John McCain that his tax plan constitutes "welfare," Barack Obama recently added a work requirement to one of his proposals.

"They started saying this was welfare," said Obama adviser Austan Goolsbee. "So, just so they would absolutely not be able to say that, we decided that for the last two percent we'll simply add a work requirement."

Goolsbee discussed the change to Obama's universal mortgage credit while debating McCain adviser Douglas Holtz-Eakin at the Council on Foreign Relations on Tuesday.

The purpose of Obama's 10 percent universal mortgage credit is to aid taxpayers who do not itemize when filing taxes. The Obama campaign estimates that it would provide an average of $500 to 10 million homeowners, the majority of whom earn less than $50,000 per year.
Watch the video here.

Goolsbee referred to the number of non-working Americans who would benefit from the original understanding of Obama's plan as an insignificant "sliver" when compared to the much larger number of working Americans who would benefit from Obama's plan.

Although the number of non-working beneficiaries would have been just a "sliver" under the original understanding of Obama's plan, Goolsbee said the Democratic nominee's economic team decided to add a work requirement to it in order to block McCain from being able to characterize any aspect of his plan as "welfare."

"When did this change? I'm just curious," an incredulous Holtz-Eakin asked Goolsbee.
"About two weeks ago," replied Goolsbee, adding that when the proposal was announced in September 2007, 98 percent of its benefits went to workers.

The work requirement on Obama's universal mortgage credit was never announced publicly, prompting Holtz-Eakin to suggest that it was just made up for purposes of the CFR debate.
"I think they just made it up," Holtz-Eakin told ABC News. "They will say anything in the moment. This is like trying to pin Jello to the wall."

During a Tuesday conference call with reporters, Holtz-Eakin mocked Goolsbee's claim that Obama could have changed his plan two weeks ago in response to McCain attacks that did not start until after Obama met with Joe "The Plumber" Wurzelbacher nine days ago.

"What we saw today was just another example of the Obama campaign being willing to say potentially anything in order to avoid the tough questions of the moment," said Holtz-Eakin.
Goolsbee told ABC News that he was not exactly sure when the conversation among Obama economic advisers took place. He said it's possible that it did not take place until a week ago when McCain started hammering Obama on the issue. Goolsbee said it was also possible that it happened earlier since some conservative columnists were criticizing Obama on this point before the Republican nominee started making the line of attack himself.

Goolsbee argued that his Tuesday reference to adding a work requirement referred not to a change in policy but rather a change in what the Obama campaign was making explicit.
"Our thing has never been welfare," said Goolsbee. "It was always our intention that there was a work requirement."

Asked how the Obama campaign made its work requirement on the mortgage credit explicit before Tuesday, Goolsbee said, "We made it explicit among ourselves," adding that he thinks Obama economic adviser Jason Furman might have made this point to reporters in recent interviews conducted on background.

Goolsbee suggested that one of the reasons why the Obama campaign did not previously feel a need to make its work requirement explicit is that the refundable tax credits which exist in current U.S. tax law -- the Earned Income Tax Credit, the child credit, and the health coverage for displaced workers credit -- are all tied to either current work (in the case of the first two) are recent work (in the case of the third).

Goolsbee correctly noted that Obama's other refundable tax credits were clearly tied to work. An individual must work in order to qualify for Obama's making-work-pay credit, an individual must have earnings from a job in order to benefit from Obama's saver's credit, parents must work in order to benefit from Obama's refundable child care tax credit, and college students must perform community service in order to benefit from Obama's college tax credit.

Goolsbee also said McCain's criticism smacks of "hypocrisy" since a refundable tax credit -- with no work requirement -- is a core component of the Arizona senator's health plan.

Now that Obama has made clear that all of his tax credits are work-related, Holtz-Eakin contends that Obama has to defend the decision to strip the universal mortgage tax credit from workers who lose their jobs.

"That puts him in a position of having policies which say, 'You get laid off ... good luck,'" said Holtz-Eakin.

Goolsbee rebutted Holtz-Eakin's criticism by saying that someone who lost his or her job would not immediately lose the universal mortgage credit. The worker could still qualify by working any time in the last taxable year or by having a spouse who works.

A tax expert with an organization which has scored the candidates' proposals said he was unaware of the work requirement on Obama's mortgage tax credit. At the same time, he agreed with Goolsbee that Obama's other refundable tax credits, as well as ones in existing law, are clearly work-related.

"They might have been thinking this all along," said Roberton Williams, a principal research associate at the non-partisan Tax Policy Center. "But anytime you clarify something in a way that protects you, you are bound to draw criticism from your opponent."

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