Here is something interesting for your blog Mr. Britt. It concerns a poll that was conducted by the Henry Daily Herald online edition. They asked the following:
1. Should the General Assembly decide the powers of the local government officials?
2. Should local residents decide the powers of the local government officials by a referendum?
The poll numbers so far show that two thirds of the people polled want a referendum on the issue. The numbers are 67.69% for a referendum and 32.31% for the legislature deciding. Seems like Governor Deal should have listened to the people of the county before he signed that HB 554. Also, looks like several people will be losing their jobs on a commission and in seats in the House and Senate over this one. They forgot about the people.
Emma Seavers
Henry County, Georgia
The owner of this blog makes no representations as to the accuracy or completeness of any information on this site or found by following a link on this site. Any article sent by citizens are their own property.
Here are the various forms of governments and the different sub political parties thereof to mull over. Thought it would be educational and not too hard to understand.
Liberals believe in government action to achieve equal opportunity and equality for all. It is the duty of the government to alleviate social ills and to protect civil liberties and individual and human rights. Believe the role of the government should be to guarantee that no one is in need. Liberal policies generally emphasize the need for the government to solve problems.
Conservatives believe in personal responsibility, limited government, free markets, individual liberty, traditional American values and a strong national defense. Believe the role of government should be to provide people the freedom necessary to pursue their own goals. Conservative policies generally emphasize empowerment of the individual to solve problems.
Independents are those who vote for candidates, measures, etc., in accordance with his or her own judgment and without regard to the endorsement of, or the positions taken by, any party. They want to be not dependent or contingent upon something else for existence, operation, etc.
Socialists are those who support the political philosophy of socialism, which is a governmental system that advocates community ownership and control of all lands and businesses rather than individual ownership. As opposed to a capitalist, a socialist advocates a society based on cooperation rather than competition .
Libertarians believe in free thought and freedom from government inclusion in personal lives. The core doctrine of libertarianism begins with the recognition that people have certain natural rights and that deprivation of these rights is immoral. Among these natural rights are the right to personal autonomy and property rights, and the right to the utilization of previously unused resources. These two basic assumptions form the foundation of all libertarian ideals.
Communism is a socioeconomic system structured upon the common ownership of the means of production and characterized by the absence of social classes, money, and the state; as well as a social, political and economic ideology and movement that aims to establish this social order.
Fascism is a governmental system led by a dictator having complete power, forcibly suppressing opposition and criticism, regimenting all industry, commerce, etc., and emphasizing an aggressive nationalism and often racism.
Authoritarianism is a leadership style in which a leader dictates policies and procedures, decides what goals are to be achieved, and directs and controls all activities without any meaningful participation by the subordinates.
Monarchy is a government or state headed by a monarch: called absolute when there is no limitation on the monarch's power, constitutional when there is such limitation.
Moderates are those in politics who are opposed to radical or extreme views or measures. They align themselves in the middle.
Progressives favoring or advocating progress, change, improvement, or reform, as opposed to wishing to maintain things as they are, especially in political matters.
The encourage making progress toward better conditions; employing or advocating more enlightened or liberal ideas, new or experimental methods, etc.
Anarchy a state of society without government or law and political and social disorder due to the absence of governmental control.
Republic a state or nation in which the supreme power rests in all the citizens entitled to vote (the electorate) and is exercised by representatives elected, directly or indirectly, by them and responsible to them.
The above Republic is supposed to be our form of government. But as you look at all the forms of government preceding this one you will find that many of them are integrated into our form of government. Thought this would be a good thing to let folks look over. Have a nice afternoon.
Dr. Mike Moon.
“It’s Time to Move Forward”
Henry County is the county that has missed many chances over the years, but those can be found if we try as citizens to move forward toward the betterment of our community. Now is the time to extend hands across the divide and work for a compromise to make our communities better places to live and to leave our eyes open to possibly better ideas for the future. I have been in Henry County for just over 40 years now. We bought property here to build a home in 1967 in the Luella area. Henry County is the home of my great great great grandparents Matthew and Evilene Goss who moved here in 1835 in the area between Bear Creek (Hampton) and what would become Locust Grove. This county means a great deal to me. In grade school, we lived in the southern part of DeKalb County before moving here full time.
But by looking at the past I can see a bright future if we plan it correctly and give the citizens chances to truly put their feelings into what is happening. I can seen in the years to come the Norfolk Southern Rail Yard planned for the Bethlehem Rd. area along Hwy 42. This yard will take in containers from ships at the Port of Savannah and place them on trucks to be routed in all directions for the destinations they are planned to fill warehouses for distribution.
We have the opportunity for our history to bring in dollars to the county coffers if we plan that well. There are sites from the Native American Period, the Civil War and areas where historical people have lived in our communities. This can bring in tourism and trade that will help local restaurants, hotels and stores. We are coming upon the 200th anniversary of this county in 2021. That is not that many years away now and now is the time to begin planning for this event.
I personally have discussed with other associates about the Orion Space Project that is being developed for NASA. They will need better and improved tracking systems and locations to locate them. Henry County could benefit from this project that will mean millions of dollars to the county. But that is only in the discussions as this will be something that is likely 5-10 years down the road.
Given our airport at Hampton near the raceway the airport is being lengthened and can be a new hub for air traffic and for commerce. That is something that can be worked on as time continues to move on. The airport authority is well on the path to creating a viable aircraft site for our county.
I can see something like a “Gone with the Wind” theme park in the Hampton-Lovejoy area that could benefit not only Henry County, but Clayton County as well. There are several avenues of how this can be planned and appropriated if it is worked correctly and with the right people to be behind the project.
We can invite movie studios to our County to use some of our large empty warehouses for sound stages. They can make it work for them and bring money to our area as well. This would fill an empty space and make Henry County part of the film industry in the process. This is a good idea that maybe can be brought to fruition.
The main course of commerce will be along the I-75 corridor through the county. It has built up along the path already, but this will continue to grow in the coming years bringing in fine dining and places to shop that we don’t already have here to do. It would be nice to see some even more fine restaurants locate here and for some good places for people to shop.
I remember telling people in the county years ago that we needed a flea market that would bring in people. Well, they helped to bring in Peachtree Peddlers in 1993 and look at the size of the complex today with people shopping their from all over. It has turned into a success and a success for Henry County in the process.
Let’s all be in the process of keeping our roadways clean. Adopt sections of roads and pick up the trash that looks so bad on our roads. We don’t want to be known as the trash county. And while we are cleaning up our roadways let’s clean and make our old cemeteries look good. It’s the right thing to do.
We have potential here for something even better than what we have today if it is planned and worked out correctly. We need to listen to the older generation of this county who have been here since their youth and don’t push them aside because they have created the foundation of this county and it is wrong to alienate them from the process. Give them a chance and let’s give Henry County and our towns a chance to blossom. Thank you all for reading.
It's that time of year again.
I received a phone call from a friend in the Windsong Subdivision off Eagles Landing Parkway.
He was telling me that last night he heard a sound like a baby crying so he stepped out on his deck
only to see a panther in his back yard. He said he yelled at it and it ran in to the woods. I told him that he is in a good place to see
panthers this time of year. You have Rum Creek,Reeves Creek joining Little Cotton Indian Creek. The panthers travel along the creeks and water ways
this time of year going back North to their Summer homes. I looked today in my fresh tilled garden and I found tracks as I did last year 10 feet from
my back deck. They are looking for food so be very careful leaving dog and cat food out. If you see one get inside as soon as you can. If you must get out after dark take a flashlight
and have it turned on it will help deter them from coming after you.
Alfred
Blog owner.
At the stroke of a pen today the Georgia General Assembly changed the form of Government in Henry County that was approved by the voters in 1990 by a referendum. See the attached vote. Call to Governor and ask that he veto HB-554
Governor Deal's phone number 404-656-1776
See the vote here
This article should sum up things as we currently have it here in Henry County. First, I would like to extend my honest and heartfelt apologies to Rep. Andy Welch and Rep. Brian Strickland. Gentleman, you were caught in the middle of a fray here in the county by the commissioners asking you all for clarification of the duties of the commissioners, the chairman and the county manager. Thank you for being able to sit and take a beating from the constituents, but the beating should have been toward the commissioners who decided not to show up. Only the chairman was there. The commissioners by giving so much duty to the county manager they have taken themselves out of the governing business and put in a hired employee to run the county. Think about it gentlemen you must have to get a FOIA to get information from the county manager. What does that say to you? If we are going to have a county manager run everything and make the hard decisions, then we
don’t need a BOC. That might save a few dollars in the coffers. But the people elected you to govern, not the county manager who will take charge and leave you with an empty poke. Elections cost a lot of money here in this county and there would be a savings of a good deal without the election process. But that is not how our Charter was written and you have to learn to take control and govern. If the county manager doesn’t like it fire him. You hired him and you can fire him. You all effectively took the process of this decision from yourselves and the people. The Legislature can only listen or write what is asked of them. They are not to be scapegoats as the case has become. Andy Welch and Brian Strickland are two good gentlemen who have only the best intentions. I know I said I would keep my mouth shut, but I pay taxes here and I am going to have my say when I finally have all the facts at hand. But if this continues on the path that
it has been set upon there are going to be some very hard feelings between friends and neighbors here in this county that may not be able to repair. So, contact those commissioners and let them listen to the griping because they are the ones who asked for all this, not the other way around.
Dr. Mike Moon.
Join me Jessica Patton as the 5th Annual Bubbles of Love Event comes to Locust Grove for the 1st time as I partner up with the City of Locust Grove and Locust Grove Day! A day filled with fun for all including great food, vendors, activities, arts and crafts, live music and so much more! Blowing bubbles of love is celebrated across the globe at noon to represent that all children deserve to love and receive love from all parents, great grandparents, grandparents, siblings, aunts and uncles and their extended families. This event takes place as part of Parental Alienation Awareness Day which Sonny Perdue signed and declared for the State of GA in March 2008 to only have Governor Nathan Deal in January 2015 declare it for an entire week! Mayor Robert Price will announce the signing of the same Proclamation acknowledging April 25th as Parental Alienation Awareness Day in Locust Grove as well as present me with a framed copy! Don't miss out on this very important day for the City of Locust Grove, Bubbles of Love and Parental Alienation Awareness Day. Bubbles are provided free to everyone so just bring the kids and family :)
If you would like to donate to make this event as special as it can be for our children please send me a message. Every little bit helps!! Thanks!
This Bubbles of Love Event is sponsored by Jessica Patton with the help of Mayor Robert Price and the City of Locust Grove!
https://www.facebook.com/events/1553266344944264/
There is a lot of talk about the need to build a bridge over the rail road tracks at Jonesboro Rd in McDonough.
Lets take a look at the problem. Traffic is heavy in that part of town. But a bridge is not the answer to the problem.
I have been told that some people that want this bridge are trying to force the issue. They have said that a bridge can be built across the tracks.
Well they are right, it can be built but something they do not understand and that is at what cost the bridge could be built? This is what separates
the Men from the boys. Many that have come into Henry County from other places have not taken the time to learn and understand the history and the people
of the County. The Georgia DOT has said that a bridge is not feasible for this intersection of track. Now lets look at the cost of doing this bridge. Millions of Dollars
will need to be spent on it and where is the money going to come from, you and I in the form of tax money. The DOT has stated that the run up to the bridge
from the square would need to start a few feet behind the welcome center's back wall. They need that so by the time you get to the tracks you will be high enough to
clear the trains. Also look at the lay of the land. Going out Jonesboro Rd from the square is a down hill path to just about 50 yards before the tracks. This will require
massive amounts of fill dirt. On the other side of the tracks you will need a long down slope to about the animal hospital area. Now lets look at even more cost. If you look at the map I have made.
You will see just how much destruction this bridge would cause. In the yellow shaded area is what would be needed to fill the run up. You are talking about taking a lot of homes
and historic houses of the City of McDonough. Plus it would disturb a Confederate Camp Site that is historic as well. The Georgia DOT is not going to plow up historic homes and Civil War
sites. There are other things that can be done to help the traffic. The one way pairs is a good start, as well as the by pass that needs to be finished.
At the end of the day we need to be on the look out for people that don't know what they are doing and trying to change the County. We need to remember we are Henry County
and the outsiders are just like a gnat that needs swatting and forget about. As for the people that want the bridge at any cost lets just say what my Dad would say "you are old enough for your wants not to hurt you". The bridge will not be built Georgia and Henry County has spoken.
Blog Staff.
More jobs have been lost in Henry County. If you believe everything you see on social media that we are doing great, then we have a gold bridge to sale you cheap. See below a news release from the Company that is leaving Henry County.
The blog staff.
SMEAD ANNOUNCES STREAMLINING OF OPERATIONS
Georgia and Minnesota Production and Distribution Activities to Move to Other Facilities
HASTINGS, Minn. (PRWEB) (February 19, 2015) — Smead Manufacturing today announced a restructuring designed to streamline operations and improve efficiency. The restructuring will result in the closure of the production and distribution facility located in Locust Grove, Georgia, and the transfer of the majority of production and distribution activities from Hastings, Minnesota, to other Smead locations. This will result in the elimination of approximately 150 positions in Georgia and 100 production-related positions in Minnesota. Following these changes, Smead will continue to operate four production and distribution facilities located in Utah, Ohio, South Carolina and Texas. Smead’s corporate headquarters will remain at its current site in Hastings.
In making this announcement, Smead President and CEO Sharon Avent said: “We’ve seen a long-term decline in the industry, with technology playing a larger role in the office, as well as consolidation in the industry and in our customer base. We have more capacity than is needed to service today’s marketplace. As a result, we must better align our production footprint with the market. Our new manufacturing and distribution structure will ensure sufficient capacity to meet current and future needs, while maintaining our historically strong levels of customer service.”
Smead plans to work with affected communities and the states of Georgia and Minnesota, and directly with its employees, to assist them in securing new employment. “This has been a difficult decision and we regret the impact that it will have on our co-workers and friends,” Avent said. “We will work with community partners to do everything we can to assist those who are affected.”
