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Citizen Newsletter #319 Henry Citizen (hccitizen@hccitizen.net) hc.citizen@hccitizen.org; Wednesday, January 11, 2012 12:48 PM

The Citizen Newsletter

Issue # 319

January 11, 2012

The Conservative Voice of Henry County

Contact The Citizen at hc.citizen@hccitizen.org

www.scribd.com/Henry_Citizen View or download at www.scribd.com/Henry_Citizen In This Edition McBrayer Kickoff Breakfast John Douglas Campaign Court: Sharia Law is ok Stockbridge: Proclamation Stockbridge: New City Attorney Stockbridge: Council Meeting Icarus Pundit: Priorities Fouled YOUR VOICE Carroll County TEA Party State of Georgia TEA Party Henderson on Accountability Do you have a story to tell? Become a Citizen contributor. Submit your opinions, commentaries and articles to HC.CITIZEN @HCCITIZEN.ORG

March 6, 2012 Presidential Preference Primary:

Voter Registration Deadline: February 6, 2012

Editorial / Publication Policy at

hccitizen.org

~~~~~~~~~~

The Citizen's Persons of the Year Acclamation! This acclamation will

mimic" Time Magazine's annual "Person of the Year!" Everyone can nominate someone. Some of the criteria for nominees would be: 1.) Must be a resident of Henry County. 2.) Must have contributed to some noteworthy accomplishment that indirectly/directly benefits Henry County. The Citizen will accept nominations until January 20th. Please submit a profile and description of your nominees accomplishments, actions and specifically how he/she has brought about positive, significant benefit to our County. The Citizen will feature and profile persons who "for betterment of Henry County has done the most to influence the events of the year."

The official John Douglas 2012 Campaign committee has been formed with the submission of paperwork to the state ethics office. Our election to the county commission efforts are underway, I am really humbled by all the offers of support and positive comments. I will work very hard to represent the 1st District and ensure our residents have a strong voice in county government.

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Over 30,000 reads at Scribd.com Over 4,100 subscribers 30,000 ,0

www.scribd.com/Henry_Citizen View or download at www.scribd.com/Henry_Citizen

Court: Oklahoma ban on Islamic law unconstitutional

www.foxnews.com

An amendment that would ban Oklahoma courts from considering international or Islamic law discriminates against religions and a Muslim community leader has the right to challenge its constitutionality, a federal appeals court said Tuesday.

The Citizens 2
The framers of the Constitution held that our government should make no laws regarding an institution of religion, or prohibit the free exercise thereof. In as much as all religions, sects and manners of belief are matters of personal conviction between the individual and his Maker, making no law is appropriate. However, allowing our judicial system to consider and use Islamic law, toward determining cases of any sort in a U.S. court under U.S. civil or criminal law, IS a violation of the Constitution! To wit: In regard to religion, mutual toleration in the different professions thereof is what all good and candid minds in all ages have ever practiced . The only sects which ought to be and which by all wise laws are excluded from such toleration are those who teach doctrines subversive of the civil government under which they live. Papists are excluded by reason of such doctrines as these: that princes excommunicated may be deposed, and those they call heretics may be destroyed without mercy. By introducing as far as possible into the States under whose protection they enjoy life, liberty and property that solecism in politics, Imperium imperio1, leading directly to the worst anarchy and confusion, civil discord, war and bloodshed. -- Samuel Adams, The Rights of Colonists, 1772
1Imperium imperio: An empire within an empire

Thomas Paine, in The Age of Reason, wrote: Any system of religion that has anything in it that shocks the mind of a child, cannot be a true system. Thomas Jefferson wrote in 1813: History I believe furnishes no example of a priest-ridden people maintaining a free civil government. This marks the lowest grade of ignorance, of which their political as well as religious leaders will always avail themselves for their own purpose. With nations, as with individuals, our interests soundly calculated, will ever be found inseparable from our moral duties. (Jefferson, 2nd Inaugural Address, 1805) We cannot, we must not, allow influence, toleration or judicial precedent for honor killing, wife beating, tortuous mutilation or anything of the sort. Our government, our courts in particular, have moved very far afield from any intention of the framers. Yet, today, they mold our Constitution like wax in their hands.

Stockbridge: Proclamation to honor Dr. Michael Moon

Michael Moon
We, the Council of the City of Stockbridge, hereby take pleasure in appointing you an

Honorary Citizen
of the City of Stockbridge, Georgia, in recognition of the outstanding success you have achieved in your vocation and in appreciation of the valuable contributions you have made and are making through unselfish public service for the benefit and welfare of humanity. In Witness Whereof, we have hereunto have caused the Official Seal of the City of Stockbridge to be affixed the 9th day of January, 2012.

New City Attorney named for Stockbridge

By The Doctor The new Law Firm who will handle the duties as City Attorney for Stockbridge will be Freeman Mathis & Gary, LLP. This firm is headed by Theodore Freeman Esq., Benton J. Mathis, Jr. Esq., and T. Bart Gary, Esq. The gentleman who will handle most of the affairs of the city will be Jack R. Hancock, Esq. who specializes in municipal law. The Law Firm has access to 46 attorneys with the needs of todays clients. FMG is committed to their vision of the modern law firm: specialized in their practice, efficient and responsive to the clients needs. The lawyers at FMG are highly skilled through five practice groups: Business Liability and Insurance Law Commercial and Complex Litigation Construction and Design Law Government Law Labor and Employment Law According to their resume they use their focus and experience to make sure FMG will make the best legal decision. U.S. News and Best Lawyers has named FMG as one of the Best Law Firms in America for 2012 in multiple practice groups and a number of the Firms partners also were recognized as Best Lawyers in America. The Professional Liability Attorney Network (PLAN) is a national organization of select law firms. Membership is by invitation recognizes those firms with preeminent lines of practice. The Council on Litigation Management (CLM) is an alliance of corporations and law firms committed to

excellence in providing the highest level of resources to the defense bar and industry. They have an office locally in Forest Park, GA.

Stockbridge: First City Council Meeting For 2012

By The Doctor At the January 9, 2012 meeting of the Stockbridge City Council the three new members of the council were sworn into office by Probate Court Judge Kelly Powell. This was preceded by a wonderful reception for them at the Merle Manders Conference Center. As the meeting proceeded there was a change in the agenda as issued by Mayor-pro tem Mr. Mark Alarcon. Mayor Stuart did not like the change, but it was voted on in favor by the city council. The Mayor compared them with the previous council and words were exchanged between Mr. Alarcon and the Mayor. Mayor Stuart prides himself on doing things by the book as he is a retired veteran of the United States Army. The book here being the Stockbridge City Charter and Ordinances. My father used to tell me that if you have rules you go by them and this was a procedural change well within the right of the council. One of the new council members Mr. Alphonso Thomas spoke about not receiving the information until about four hours earlier. He was using profanity from the council seat in front of the audience which is not part of the distinction or decorum of an elected official. This was not a moral or ethical use of words on the part of the councilman. One thing that needs to be learned here is respect. Respect not only of the council members of the office of the mayor, but respect for the sitting city council members and the city administrator by the mayor. The big news of the evening was the replacement of many of the city officials by the new council. The long time city attorney firm of A.J. Buddy Welch (Smith, Welch, Webb and White) was replaced by the firm of Freeman, Mathis, and Gary LLP. Mr. Andrew Welch who represented the Welch firm handled himself with distinction and integrity during the meeting last evening knowing that they had been replaced. This young man is also the Representative for the State House seat 110th district who people should get good things from in the coming years. I personally wish him all the best. Others replaced at last evenings meeting were the City Clerk, Municipal Court Judge, Auditor and Treasurer. There were no Committee appointments at last evenings meeting. According the letter of the Charter those committees must be appointed at the first meeting of the new year. New Councilman Mr. Richard Steinberg, handled himself with distinction and integrity during the meeting. He was the professional that he has prided himself to be. New Council woman Ms. Robin Buschman handled herself as a lady and spoke with authority explaining procedures to a citizen who came forward to speak. Sitting Councilman Mr. Harold Cochran handled himself with the honor of a gentleman. Mr. Cochran is the senior council member and a man that can help in many ways. Hopefully, as time passes all will settle with the council, the mayor and the administrator over the best way to proceed with the business of the city for the citizens. No one group of citizens should be singled out over another thus giving the City of Stockbridge a better name. The people got to see government in action last night that is rarely seen locally. Most of the time when disagreements are aired it is from Washington, D.C. from the House of Representatives or the Senate. A citizen said last night that We the People are who put those in charge where they sit. That is true and We the People also must learn a valuable lesson from government and that is trust. For if our nation does not trust its leaders then why are they elected and for what reason? No one group or individual should influence the government to make it theirs because the government belongs to everyone. There is always someone in the area who is trying to promote their agenda upon the will of the people. Keep a close watch upon those who seek to do so because they are looking to control those in charge which gives them power and prominence. We the People means everyone whether they are rich or poor, black or white, educated or not, foreign or natural, that is what sets us aside from the rest of the world. We are Americans filled with pride knowing that at the end of the day We are one nation, Under God, Indivisible, with Liberty and Justice for All. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The Citizen's 2
I am working on an editorial titled, "The Mayor Stands Alone - nearly" It was clear from the start of the meeting that personality clashes and animosities exist. Yet, I am proud of the way Mark Alarcon, as new Mayor Pro-Tem, was prepared to hit the ground running. With obvious cooperation and support from the three newbies Alarcon will serve the city well. I was happy to see Robin Buschman come out strong. She offered 2nds to several motions, and once corrected the mayor about correspondence and whether members had expressed opinions about committee creation. She proved herself capable and willing to serve the public. Kudos. Mr. Thomas did not impress me. He came out as a victim, deprived of trust by the majority of council members. Poor me. I would and will "raise h___." All the while he seemed over his head because any expectations previously set by the mayor were overruled. I did expect committee creation to occur, as the charter calls for that at the first meeting. There was really no reason to table the issue. The council had two clear choices: accept Stuart's 7 committees, or adopt Alarcon's motion for 5. Confidence was not high when the mayor admitted he was not prepared to make appointments for solicitor or any other positions. My experience with our county commissioners is just the opposite. Once you know who got elected, the respective appointment process begins... often even before the election, waiting only to formalize the new "teams" in public session. I see no excuse for failing to come prepared to do the People's Business. A key phrase in the city's charter is "unless the council directs otherwise." That wording gives the council, by majority vote, authority to supersede the mayor's presumptive role in setting the agenda, making appointments, creating committees, hiring and firing.... Rumors abound that Mayor Stuart was the bundler who arranged financing for Al Thomas's campaign. It is well known that the mayor was seeking a 'slate' of candidates who would campaign together and, when elected, would do his bidding. Whatever transpired at the personal levels between Stuart and then-candidates, it was clear last night that despite his protestations, This Emperor Has No Clothes. And Mr. Thomas is not a tailor.

ICARUS PUNDIT
Charlie is the Editor of the Georgia Political Website Peachpundit.com

The Georgia Dome may not be state of the art, but neither is Atlanta's transportation infrastructure. Building a new stadium with taxpayer money while asking taxpayers to increase their own taxes for transit demonstrates misplaced priorities of our elected officials.

NEW STADIUM A P ERVERSION OF PRIORITIES

www.peachpundit.com

Much of the attention of the T-SPLOST to be voted on in the Atlanta region is focused on opposition from TEA Party filled suburbs. A significant amount of opposition remains within the urban core of Atlanta, with residents of Fulton and DeKalb counties seeking transit equity. Many are not amused that they have already paid an extra 1% sales tax for four decades and are now being asked to pay yet another 1% so that the transit system which they have paid for can be extended into the suburbs. The hotel/motel tax has already been extended in preparation of building yet another football stadium downtown, possibly even next door to the existing Georgia Dome. The Falcons want a newer facility to increase team revenues. To accomplish this, they now claim they need an outdoor stadium. They needed a Dome when their current venue was constructed less than 20 years ago. While Arthur Blank is a fine man and good corporate citizen, using approximately $400 Million of taxpayer funds to duplicate football facilities for his sole benefit is a waste of scarce resources and represents a horrible perversion of priorities. Supporters of a new stadium point to Atlantas ability to attract a Super Bowl, noting Atlanta will not see another one without the Falcons getting new digs. For those using one weekend of publicity and full hotel rooms as a reason to spend $400 Million of taxpayer funds, they may want to consider former Governor Perdues Go Fish initiative. As politicians and business leaders campaign for T-SPLOST, the rhetoric has indicated the critical nature of the vote, noting there is no Plan B and failure would send a signal that would be disastrous. Those same leaders need to be asked why the Falcons are being given a gift of $400 Million when infrastructure that will be used more than 8 Sundays a year cannot be built with available funds. For the T-SPLOST to have a chance at passing, voters must have confidence that funds are being used to maximum benefit. Taxpayers are not likely to vote to tax themselves at the same time the State prepares to needlessly squander $400 Million.

Thank you for your support!

YOUR VOICE
THE HENRY COUNTY TEA PARTY WILL HAVE ITS REGULAR MEETING THURSDAY, JANUARY 26TH FROM 6:30P.M. -8:30 P.M. IN THE COMMUNITY A NNEX ROOM AT 116 ZACK HINTON PARKWAY, MCDONOUGH. O UR FEATURED SPEAKER WILL BE MAKING A PRESENTATION ON THE T-SPLOSH TAX THAT WILL BE VOTED ON LATER THIS YEAR. PLEASE www.ProvisionProperties.com
ATTEND THIS MEETING AND BECOME EDUCATED ABOUT THIS TAX AND THE IMPACT IT WILL HAVE ON THE COUNTY. FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE MEETING, PLEASE EMAIL US AT HCTPP 1776@GMAIL.COM . THE FEATURED
SPEAKER WILL BE

BOB ROSS

FROM

FAYETTE COUNTY TEA PARTY ISSUES . HE

HAS DONE A LOT

OF RESEARCH ON THE

T-SPLOSH

AND YES THERE WILL BE A QUESTION AND ANSWER SESSION.

Cemetery Research Group

www.crghenry.org

NOTE:

FOR THE UNENLIGHTENED, FOLKS IN OPPOSITION TO THE ADDITION OF SALES TAX ON TOP OF SALES

TAXES, THE ACRONYM THE GROUND.

SPLOST

IS COMMONLY CALLED

SPLOSH

THAT SOUND MADE WHEN COW DUNG HITS

96% OF NEGATIVE SUPER PAC SPENDING SINCE IOWA HAS TARGETED GINGRICH Signature Broadcasting
WWW .BLOGS.WSJ.COM

WSJ.GIF NEARLY

ALL NEGATIVE SPENDING BY SUPER

PACS

IN THE PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN HAS GONE

TOWARD OPPOSING

NEWT GINGRICH

OVER THE PAST WEEK , A

WSJ

ANALYSIS OF EXPENDITURES REPORTED TO

Network SBN TV Were all about you! http://sbn.tv/

THE

FEC

SHOWS.

SOUTHERN CRESCENT SENIOR REPUBLICAN NETWORK

MEETING: FRIDAY, JANUARY 20, 2012 WHERE: HENRY COUNTY MOOSE FAMILY CENTER TIME: 6 PM MEETING - CAN STAY FOR DINNER AFTERWARDS OPEN TO MEN AND WOMAN - AGE 50 OR OVER

www.henrycountybeekeepers.org

CINDYE COATES ON NEW HAMPSHIRE PRIMARY

RON PAUL 2008: 18,000 -- 2012: 43,000 ROMNEY 2008: 75,000 -- 2012: 70,000 HUCKABEE 2008: 26,000; SANTORUM 2010: 18,000 RON PAUL
IS REALLY THE WINNER TONIGHT.

or for more information call 770-473-5434 ************

ROMNEY

HELD, BUT DID NOT EXCEED .

SANTORUM

DID NOT

GET THE VOTE THAT

HUCKABEE

GOT.

53% OF THOSE VOTING FOR RON P AUL IN NH CLASSIFIED THEMSELVES AS DEMOCRATS OR INDEPENDENTS . CROSS-OVER VOTERS WILL MAKE A HUGE DIFFERENCE IN THE 2012 GENERAL ELECTION AGAINST O BAMA.

Contact Nicole Curry

Did you know?

Dmcur1@bellsouth.net

Corn is an ingredient in all these products and more: Glue, asbestos insulation, plastics, aspirin, synthetic rubber, industrial alcohol, crayons, chewing gum, baby powder, carpets, latex paint, firecrackers, paper plates, toothpaste, wallboard, shaving cream, whiskey.. Of all the corn grown in the U.S. only one (1%) percent ends up eaten by people. That type is known as sweet corn. The other kind, field corn, is used to feed livestock and make ethanol, among many other things.

************

From left, Carroll County Tea Party Association Director Carolyn Henderson, Chairman Jim Watters and co-founder Bill Williamson talk Saturday about the presidential election. (Photo by Christopher Shannon/Times-Georgian)

The first thing Carroll County Tea Party Chairman Jim Watters tells people about his organization is that it doesnt officially endorse any political candidates. Our members support some candidates and we pass that along, Watters said. Some people approve of it and others say we dont need your help. He calls these support statements a service to people who dont have time to research the candidates to see which are the more conservative. Tea party support this fall seems to have helped Mike Crane, who won the state Senate District 28 special election in a field of nine candidates, and Dustin Hightower, who captured the state House District 68 seat in another special election with six candidates. The role of research provider and issuer of support statements falls on Carolyn Henderson, who along with Watters and Bill Williamson, co-founded the local group in 2009. Watters refers to Henderson as the vice-chairman of the Carroll group and the website identifies her as the director. Whatever the title, she is the person who sends out e-mails to tea party members and the general public on support to local candidates. Carolyn supported Crane and Hightower and they both won, Watters said. I dont think it hurts candidates in Carroll County to be considered the most conservative. Hightower, by e-mail, acknowledged tea party help in winning the election, but carefully qualified his words. Endorsements can often times be a double-edged sword, Hightower said. Whenever you receive an endorsement from a particular group, you get the benefit of that groups followers. However, you can also then lose the support of others who do not adhere to the beliefs of the group you have been endorsed by. The tea party members in Carroll County seem to be a very active voting body and I think having their endorsement helped me in winning my election. GeorgiaCarry.org and Georgia Right to Life also helped his campaign tremendously, Hightower said. Crane likewise acknowledged tea party help in his victory, but noted he got support in his campaign from a broad group of voters. Certainly they (tea party) had a big impact because they are so active, Crane said. The tea party is a bunch of active voters who get together. They love their country and love liberty and they think government should be constitutionally limited. I agree with that, absolutely. Were going to see increased influence from them in the outcome of elections because they are so active. To have impact, you have to be active and they are. We appreciate their support. Watters, who won the Nov. 8 non-partisan Ward 3 Carrollton City Council election with 61 percent of the vote, feels the tea party label probably helped him. I put it on my yard signs that I was a tea party Republican, he said. I think people recognize that means you are on the right side of the Republican party. Henderson thinks the tea party support definitely helped get Crane and Hightower elected. In Carroll County, we have all kinds of Republicans, Henderson said. People who have voted for these candidates have been to the right of the Republican party, more conservative. A lot of people are interested in the candidates and dont have time to do research. Those of us who do (have time) can share it. Some like it and some dont and want to make their own choices. Henderson believes that tea party backing nationwide will make a difference in who wins the 2012 presidential election. This is going to be a very important presidential election, she said, the most important in my lifetime. We want to make sure we get the best person in there who is going to turn the country around.

On its website, the Carroll County Tea Party Association says it is nonpartisan grassroots organization that believes in fiscal responsibility, constitutionally limited government and free markets. The national Tea Party movement is generally recognized as conservative and libertarian and supports reduced government spending, opposition to taxation in varying degrees and reduction of the national debt and federal budget deficit. The name tea party comes from a reference to the Boston Tea Party, a protest to British tea tax by American colonists who dumped the tea into the Boston harbor on Dec. 16, 1773. Some tea party backers say the word TEA is an acronym for taxed enough already.

State of Georgia Tea Party, LLC RENEWING OUR FOUNDING IN GEORGIA

http://stateofgeorgiateaparty.com/ I've completed the T-SPLOST calculation spreadsheet for all the regions and counties in Georgia. Using past 1% SPLOSTS and/or ESPLOST I mimicked the collections anticipated by T-SPLOST's 1% tax. Using 2011 and some 2010 numbers T-SPLOST will generate $1.4 billion per year total with $295 million being guaranteed to return to the counties. $1.4 billion goes directly into the coffers of the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT). Of all the monies collected 25% is re distributed back to the counties within the region and 75% goes directly to the GDOT for projects on the "Constrained List". Atlanta Regional Commission (ARC) is 15% guaranteed to return to the counties; 85% directly to GDOT. You must understand that no impact studies were performed on that "Constrained List", because they are waiting for T-SPLOST to pass. There is no guarantee that these projects will be approved. You can go to your Region and look at your county. Column "O" is the percentage of guaranteed tax dollars returned from what your county collected. Athens-Clarke County is the biggest loser in the state with Muskogee, Richmond, Dougherty, Lowndes, Bartow, Catoosa, Forsyth, Hall and Chatham not far behind. In almost all cases the county's would be better off just passing their own 1% SPLOST and keeping all the money they raise. The tab Executive Summary includes links to the resources I used to generate the data and it includes the STEPS to perform the calculations. I am starting a tour of the state briefing organizations next week and if you'd like I can brief your people. I would like to walk all the leaders through this at the next leadership meeting. In the end you need to contact your state rep and senator especially if they voted YES for this T-SPLOST. You really should do it if you are living in a donor county like Gwinnett, Cobb, Hall, Forsyth, etc. I will say to you that any state rep or senator that voted YES for this either did not know what they were voting for, or need to be primaried and defeated. This is the biggest transfer of wealth from the private sector into a government bureaucracy in the history of Georgia. At least I can't think of any other transfer. It is destructive economically and punishes the poor, elderly, and infirm. The biggest benefactors are the trucking industry and government special interests. The State of Georgia could most likely raise more money from a $.03 cent increase in excise tax on fuel, and the truckers who break up the roads the most would have to pay. The poor, elderly, and infirm don't drive that much. Like everything else, in the end its the taxpayers who take it on the chin and the special interests are paid-off by the bureaucrats. We will undoubtedly be having other discussions about T-SPLOST, but one thing to keep in mind. T-SPLOST stomps on the Georgia Constitution and "Home Rule" page 66 of the Georgia Constitution. At the County and municipal level you have laws and ordinances regulating eminent domain, taxation, rights of way, etc. These T-SPLOST regions are not governed in the same manner. This is a financial disaster for this state and the counties. If you have any questions please do not hesitate to ask. Bill Evelyn

Director State of Georgia Tea Party, LLC

Don Henderson on Accountability

On reading some of the issues that have been before the Henry County BoC, I was disturbed by one particular motion, seconded and past regulation that the Board acted on .... Allowing the parking of boat, RV storage POD, and other such items on ones own property.....On the surface this is a good thing for citizens that sometimes due to circumstances that are beyond their own control that they have need of doing storing their items on their property for extended periods.... Most HOA's and POA's have provisions that prohibit such activities and that is the reason many in our county live in neighborhoods that offer such protective covenants..... The problem I have with the language of this BoC passed item is this.....If an individual needs an extension or circumstances are such that they need two extensions or more they have to get approval from a County Manager who has the power to say "yes" and the same power to say "no" ....I am not comfortable with someone who I have no recourse against and someone who I did not appoint or vote in to a position of such power being able to at his own discretion dictate to me what I can or cannot do on my own property. We have seen too much of this in Henry County where those who were elected to SERVE the community no longer do that.... Much like the appointed CZARs in Washington we see folks who were appointed to positions by those we elect do what they desire to do and without accountability to We The People. More examples of such actions are the HCWASA where the board a couple of years back voted to increase your and my water/sewer bill by 5% per year without any recourse from you and I....My response from one at the HCWASA was "well Mr Henderson that is just the way it is as this is what the board has decided they need to do" What board I didn't elect anyone to the publicly owned water and sewer authority..... And one of my favorite subjects is the Cotton Fields (Henry County owned) golf course... I was told just last year by a sitting commissioner that the county received $90K a year from that $22million dollar must have piece of property and just last month they (the commission) renegotiated that fee with the lessor ,who by the way Henry County purchased the course from, that fee has now gone to a whopping $24K per year .... Yes that's right folks instead of the over burdened property owner in Henry County getting 90 thousand a year from the operator we will now get $24 thousand a year...At least the commission understands the economy has taken a nose dive ,too bad they don't realize that the private homeowner is feeling the same pinch....I

would gladly renegotiate what I have to pay the county at those kind of reductions .... If the figures I was given are correct who gets the 66K that the golf course was previously paying over and above the current $24K? Just asking. Another question I need an answer to is business tax... A close personal friend owns a recreational business here in Henry County....anyone like bowling?... He also owns an identical facility in Fayette County same business same size same everything .... His tax and operating license in Henry County are 83 (thousand} yes thousand dollars per year.....his same fees in Fayette County are 23(thousand) a difference of 60 thousand dollars... NOW Henry County leadership tells us that THEY want to attract business to our county yet as the business owner I am speaking of told me "Had I known how this county was going to change and increase my cost to do business I would have located in another county that really wants my facility but I am too deep right now to make a move.....I will not just now"... On Tuesday evening I spoke with one of our county commissioners concerning "Tara Field" or as some county employees call it "Furlough Field" I expressed my concern of the fact the economy was too fragile and uncertain for the county to use MY tax dollar to speculate on such a venture and that not only the logistics, infrastructure and lack of demand were negatives. I also stated that the cost to bring the airport up to FAA mandates and requirements to be a regional airport were cost prohibitive at this time. We discussed the race track association and it was told to me that AMS is excited and in full support for the purchase but they couldn't/wouldn't commit to more than one race per year at this time.... When I again stated my opposition and reasons for such I was informed that I was in opposition because I didn't see the big picture and I didn't understand all the implications of what this project "could" mean for the county.... I guess I don't see the big picture because it was painted behind doors that have no windows and locks that I have no keys to. I think it would have been good for the county to have had the discussions televised on Charter 14,and streamed on the internet....some of us who have gone back to work can not attend the "PRE" commission meetings....I personally resent being told "We members of the board have discussed this and this is what we think is best" instead of "We had an open discussion with the public BEFORE the decision was made to obligate you for millions of dollars and bonds your grandchildren will have to pay". I was also informed that fuel sales and hanger rental will pay the mortgage.....how long will it take to pay off at least 10 million at a profit of maybe 15 to 18 cents a gallon? I tried to do the numbers but my computer froze for lack of zeros... Too much money has been committed for projects undertaken by this BoC that are speculative and risky at best......but hey when it is somebody elses money it isn't that big of a risk is it? I will not vote for nor will I support such projects and risky endeavors when elected to the Henry County Board of Commissioners District III My positions and goals for District III and Henry County will soon be forthcoming on my web site Don Henderson

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