Thank you for having a place for the people to voice their real thoughts. I was at the BOC meeting on Wednesday morning when the millage rate was set. The chairman Mr. Smith and district three Mr. Barham voted against the type of roll back that will cost us more in taxes due to the big jump in property tax values. But you try to sell your home what they claim it is worth and you will be badly disappointed. Here is what was said according to the Henry Herald Newspaper: “Commissioners could have chosen to keep the millage rate at 14.298 but it would have cost the taxpayers more. It would have generated an excess of $2.4 million in the unassigned fund balance. If commissioners had approved a 100 percent rollback to 13.234 to generate the same amount in taxes as last year, the county’s unassigned fund balance would be about $1.157 million below the required 25 percent, according to county projections. Smith has maintained that he campaigned on not
raising property taxes. However, Commissioner Brian Preston argued that Smith created the budget that was approved, which would require an increase. Smith countered that the needed funds could come from the reserve account, and that the numbers presented are merely projections of what may or may not happen regarding dipping into the unassigned fund balance. Commissioner Blake Prince said he would not support taking money from reserves in the future, which could potentially cause a government shut down. After discussions, Smith asked for a motion to approve a millage rate, but after a long silence, no motion was made. Interim County Manager Cheri Hobson-Matthews attempted to speak more on the millage options in an effort to get a motion when Commissioner Bruce Holmes made the motion to approve the millage rollback to 13.873. Preston seconded the motion.” Always remember when you are shelling out those hard earned dollars for taxes that Commissioners
Holmes, Preston, Moss and Prince put them upon your backs. They had their minds made up long before these public hearings were held. They are a pathetic bunch if they think the public is that stupid. Remember all this if these money grubbers decide to run for public office again. They have no place in handling the money of the people of these county whom they swore an oath to represent.
Patricia McNeill, Ellenwood resident.
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.
Hello there this is about the governor of Georgia Nathan Deal's stance on gambling in the state.
Justin Sims
McDonough,GA
ATLANTA (WXIA) -- Several recent reports have seen major casinos showing interest in the state of Georgia, both in downtown Atlanta and at Turner Field. Gambling is illegal in Georgia, and Governor Nathan Deal has said he has no desire to change that. But is his stance changing?
"I am opposed to casino gambling," Governor Deal reiterated Monday. "I think it does not offer benefits that outweigh the negatives."
Deal then offered a caveat.
"Once you have the vote of the people," he said, "and it expresses the will of the people of this state, that certainly puts implementing legislation in a different light."
Basically, he said, if the people want casinos, he might not prevent them. This would require two parts, the first being a Constitutional amendment to legalize gambling. That would require a two-thirds majority from the state House and Senate. It would then go to a vote from the public -- no governor's signature required.
The second part? Legislation to grant permission for casinos.
"I don't have to sign anything for it to become law," Deal said.
He simply needs to get out of the way. When a bill comes to his desk, the governor can either sign it or veto it. But he can also do nothing – stand by for 40 days – and the bill automatically becomes law without his signature.
Is Deal surprised that the casino industry has shown interest in Georgia despite his protestations?
"No, it doesn't surprise me at all," said the governor. "They're willing to take the gamble."
None of this, of course, would happen until the legislature begins its 2016 session. That's six months for those in favor of gambling to build support from the state House and Senate.
Hi there at the Henry County Community News Blog. I am Richard Marks of Rockdale County and have been watching the events over in Henry County. I have done an extensive study of the crime in your county. It is very apparent that 62.45% of the crimes that are committed are by African Americans. Most of the violent felony crimes are committed by them. This is a dramatic increase since 2005 when at that time 45.6% of the crimes were committed by African Americans. I am an African American myself and I see a horrible trend here. Families need to become more active in what is happening to their youngsters since gangs and other problems such as drugs are so prevalent in the community today. I have watched as the northern section of the county has become more and more in line with these types of crimes. Home burglaries, thefts, robbery and even some other heinous crimes. As a community that has shifted more to the African American’s you can do
better. This is beginning to spill into Rockdale County. If this trend continues then the area will become more blighted like what happened in Detroit. I am afraid not for myself, but for my grandchildren as they will have to live in this turmoil. There have been some in both the white and black communities who have tried to put a wedge in between the races and cause more trouble. It is evident if you just look around at what is happening under your noses. It shouldn’t be left up to some community organization, police or government to correct this problem it must begin at home. But woefully many of those who have children in crime are criminals themselves. The children are just living the lifestyles of the parents. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. said in 1967 that in order to have better relations that we must do better ourselves.
Richard Marks, Rockdale County
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
Clayton County Commissioner Sonna Singleton Gregory is hosting a community day/back-to-school/job hiring event with Castellini, Inc., a company that she worked hard to locate to her district. The company is based out of Cincinnati, and will be hiring more than 300 people.
Castellini is a produce company and they will be offering a wage of $13 an hour initially for positions along with full benefits, including health insurance. The company will open in September. During this event, the Castellini company will hold a hiring fair targeted toward Clayton County residents. There will also be a back-to-school supplies giveaway and more. The event will be held at Castellini on Aug. 8, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. The location is on Highway 42 after the Anvil Block exit, but before you get to Conley, on the right.
M.L. McDonough, GA
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.
Now there is a Georgia State Senator who wants to do away with Confederate Memorial Day. He has caused trouble in the past with people about the day set aside to remember the veterans from Georgia who died in the Civil War. The gentleman is wrong in this.
Sen. Vincent Fort announced Wednesday he plans to introduce legislation this winter prohibiting the state from designating holidays or officially recognizing the Confederacy in any other way.
He can propose and if this is carried out it will not keep people from recognizing the day on their own. This only feeds into the current dialog that is being pushed by those who do not like the white segment of our population. It is called reverse discrimination.
The Blog Staff.
