A Good Man For Stockbridge!!

There is a man who is running for Stockbridge City Council who by far is well qualified for the position.  He once held the position and can still make a difference in Stockbridge.  That man is Alphonso Thomas.  Mr. Thomas has done much over the years to help the people of Stockbridge.  He began the Stockbridge Business Association and has always been one to be at the meetings to let those in office know what the needs are of the people.  He has been a friend to many and will continue to be that friend when he is elected once again.  The city needs his leadership and his morals.  He knows what is right and wrong in Stockbridge.  If ever anyone has been a friend to Stockbridge it has been Mr. Thomas.  A good man for the job.

The Staff.

The Madness Must Stop

The Madness Must Stop

Over the past few days law enforcement has taken a beating over various things. I have seen FBI bashing on Facebook over the director’s comments and lack of prosecution about Hillary Clinton’s EMail scandal. I have seen people that I thought were friends say things like the FBI are a bunch of thugs and are trash. As someone that worked in the Federal Law Enforcement field for six years till I was injured on the job,  I find this very offensive and shows a lack of understanding. There is a lot about law enforcement the general public does not understand unless you have lived it yourself. 

As I write this I am thinking of the fine men and women of the Dallas Police Department on the loss they have suffered of losing officers in a premeditated attack. Back in the 1990’s, I would go and visit my now late fiancee in Dallas and had the opportunity to interact with the very professional officers of the Department. They were some of the finest I had come across. They are hurting right now and need our support as they deal with the events that took place July 7th 2016. I ask that you pray and think about the families of the officers lost and those that are still keeping you safe. The families go through so much that you may not realize. When I got hurt my fiancee cried on the plane ride from Texas to Georgia worrying how I was and how bad I was hurt. Even before I was hurt she would worry about me knowing the job and the dangers and it took a toll on her. These families are now going through this same thing and some are going through a more difficult time with funerals to plan and attend to say goodbye to their loved ones for the last time. Christian Chaplains are being flown in from around the nation to help comfort members of the Dallas Police Department and the families of those who lost family members and had others who were wounded.

So, please I ask you to stop the madness of bashing law enforcement until you know the facts. And if you can’t do that then if you're on my Facebook friends list I will delete you as a friend and hope you can learn to understand, so you understand the wrong you are doing. 

Alfred Britt.

Chairman of County Commission WRITE IN CANDIDATE DON HENDERSON

Chairman of County Commission WRITE IN CANDIDATE
DON HENDERSON·MONDAY, JUNE 13, 2016
This morning I filled out the paperwork that is necessary to become a WRITE IN CANDIDATE for the Henry County Georgia County Commission.
Why a WRITE IN CANDIDATE? Because of two reasons.....Reason number one is that I am not a Democrat nor Republican and if I wanted to run as an Independent I would have to gather over 55oo signatures to gain ballot access,something the Democrats and Republicans have been very successful in controlling, and I WILL NOT PAY TO PLAY as the saying goes..
In order to have your name on the ballot you have to PAY almost 1700 dollars and that is not going to happen with me.....

As time goes on I will post some of the many reasons I moved to Henry County but I want to tell you WHY I want to stay in Henry County and what I believe will better the county with your help.

If elected I will be beholding to NO ONE other than the citizens who WRITE IN my name on their ballot and I will make no promises that I can not keep.

My first motion will be to reduce the compensation of the county commission members by 50% and if that is not supported I will challenge each member to contribute 20,000 dollars to a police/fireman fund that will be used off set unforeseen expenses that they , the officers and fireman incur due their duties in public safety AND I will do said same whether other members do or not....This fund will fall under the authority of the Quartermaster and 1 member of the police department, 1 member of the sheriffs department and 1 member of the fire department. It will be they who determine who receives benefits and how much....not some appointee of the BoC.

Secondly I will appoint or cause an audit of EVERY DEPARTMENT in Henry County Government as well as an inventory of all county owned equipment.

I will cause to be initiated an inventory of ALL county owned property ,its use, its value, and the reason the county MUST maintain ownership of any property not in current use. If a use is not deemed immediate then I will initiate thru proper channels that the property be disposed of on the open market....this will be done by a lottery system among qualified Realtors whose business is located in Henry County and have a proven ability to market said properties.

I will DEMAND that all government contracts be offered to Henry County businesses and if after review by qualified purchasing agents the contracts are deemed excessive only THEN will they be submitted to outside the county contractors...

I will under no circumstance vote for,support or initiate a tax rate increase,a millage rate increase,or any act to create a new tax including SPLOST....I have always had to live within my budget I do not believe that governments should not be held to the same constraints.

I will hold ALL department heads and staffers who have access to a government credit cards,government check books, government cars or any government owned asset to be accountable and random audits will be conducted on a regular basis.

Folks I believe government has but three purposes , PUBLIC SAFETY being number one.If we are to be a great county then we need the best equipped police and fire departments.
We need the best trained police and fire departments and we need the best PAID police and fireman...as it stands now a sitting commissioner in Henry County Ga makes more than an entry level policeman who puts his life and the future of his family on the line EVERY SINGLE DAY 24/7......THAT IS WRONG.

Secondly infrastructure/roads/intersections/traffic flow......and on Jonesboro Rd, Mcdonough Rd and Jodeco Rd...it is shameful that the railroad controls traffic flow, funny how Mr. Bowman when he was district IV commissioner got a bridge on Rock Quarry Rd ...and least folks from Stockbridge can get to the hospital in an emergency.

Thirdly government should create an environment and tax structure that attracts businesses not attacks businesses...and I do not ascribe to the principle of government and private business  partnering to do business because the TAXPAYER always winds up losing.
I use to think that government should be run like a business but a very wise gentleman who WAS a commissioner when I said that told me “you can’t run government like a business” and I am seeing that he was correct....business is easy to run government is like trying to herd a pack of squirrels because each department wants to be first to the pecan tree...

Now what I believe ...
I am PRO LIFE period
I am PRO 2nd AMENDMENT 
I believe that marriage is between ONE WOMAN and ONE MAN
I am PRO MILITARY and PRO AMERICAN
I don’t believe in spending more than I make
I believe that EVERYONE must play by the same rules ( or we won’t have rules)
I believe in free enterprise
I am a Capitalist
I oppose both NAFTA and TPTA
I am neither a Democrat nor Republican
I am equal opportunity
I am 100% for term limits in all levels of government
I do not support government unions
I do not believe that welfare should be a career
I believe the down trodden deserve a hand up not a hand out
I believe that as long at there is a jobs wanted ad in the paper there should be no unemployment payments made....no one is over qualified for low level jobs.
I believe parents should be held responsible for the actions of their minor children.PERIOD
I believe in prayer and I know I am nothing more than a sinner saved by Gods grace.
I have said things I wish I could unsay and I haven’t said some things I should have said.
My wife, my sons and their families are the reason for my getting up in the morning.
I have been retired from Delta Airlines for almost 17 years 
Prior to working for Delta Airlines I was a full time musician for 15 years my claim to fame was as the touring bassist for Ronny & The Daytonas  of “Little GTO” fame
My hobbies are , music,writing,shooting,fishing,hunting,my Harleys,our boat and motorhome,cooking jambalaya,yard work,recording in my studio,a little bit of golf but mostly trying to spoil my wife because you can see from above that she has spoiled me for over 46 years.

Folks I currently have two of my three sons serving in the United States Army ...Major Ronald Henderson and C O 2 Thomas Henderson a Blackhawk instructor pilot so please know the Henderson family love America and Henry County and I will never ever do something to discredit their service or our name...

If you will write in DON HENDERSON for Henry County Commission Chairman I will do the job that you hire me to do or will resign....

I do ask one other thing that I know isn’t politically correct but neither am I 
PRAY FOR ME.

Racism is Alive and Well in Stockbridge, Georgia

Hello, I am writing today about the youtube shout out I did the other day about the City of Stockbridge not including me on the agenda to ask for a proclamation for Confederate History Month and Confederate Memorial Day.  Many people have been calling and emailing the city officials about this situation.  The so called councilman Elton Alexander answered one person by saying that the city will not recognize this and it is time to move past this.  Well, we celebrate Black History Month, Proclamations are doled out to different groups as long as they are of color.  It has been very obvious that this city council has become racist towards the white sector of Henry County.  Alexander has in the past called me a racist well look in the mirror dude because you are talking about yourself.  Strange that the City of McDonough the county seat held a program to issue a proclamation for Confederate Memorial Day as well as the Henry  County BOC.  But Stockbridge doesn't really want to be a part of Henry County.  They want to set themselves aside from everyone else.  All you have to do to verify all this is to go back and watch all the meetings since January and you will see the racist tone.  It was okay for me to help with the MLK, Sr. Heritage Trail and even Black History Month, but to hell with everything else.  They want to include everyone, but they really don't. And all those who had me put off the agenda for that meeting voted as racist councilmembers.  Even though the State of Georgia didn't issue a proclamation the workers still got the day off.  And the blacks were included.  Strange the United States Government honors the soldiers of the Confederacy, but not the hick town of Stockbridge where they want to be the New Atlanta South.  And whether he or any of the other council members like it a great majority of those who come to visit Stockbridge and Henry County is for the Civil War History  so just keep that in mind when you piss on the white people.  It is their money that keeps the tax flow moving into the city.  That can change with this type of attitude.  I will continue to honor our fallen ancestors who fought for the Confederacy and the Union as well.

Call To Action Video

Alfred Britt, III

Blog owner.

Castellini Inc. Is Hiring And Helping School Kids

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.

Do Henry County Restaurants Care About Your Safety ?

Mr. Britt here is a piece that I noticed tonight.  Since the restaurant in Henry County that was raising the roof because they didn’t pass the strict health department rules had a retest and passed this time.  The local newspaper has five links on the homepage referencing the new article which pretty much roles the health inspectors over the coals like they are villains.  They are doing their job and they have taken the scoring to a new high to make sure the restaurants are safe for its patrons.  That is what most people want.  But instead the paper wants to help tout around the innuendo about the health inspectors.  If someone gets food poisoning and dies, then the public will want the head of the inspector who looked the other way to satisfy a owner of a eatery who can’t take it.  This is known as attack mode by them and even spreading the word around that the county doesn’t want restaurants.  Any one looking around will see restaurants on every
 corner.  And there are some good ones who regularly have good inspections and if they happen to falter don’t go on attack mode with facts and figures from around the state.  The people of Henry County better worry about Henry County and be thankful that these inspectors are doing an outstanding job.

Sean Putnam
Henry 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.

So you Want To Run For Office

Here’s another tidbit on what to remember when running for political office. The main thing that the people of a city or county want to hear is about what is a candidate’s ideas on the essential services of everyday life. They want to know about plans for police, fire, water, sewerage, garbage, and the like. They want to make sure that the candidate has these basic needs in hand. Amenities always come second to essential services. It is something that I have always taught my children that you don’t have all the nice extras until the essential bills are paid and food is in the house. The same principle works in the real world. People worry about paying the rent, mortgage, electric bills, gas bills, water bills, and taxes. And they worry about making sure their family is fed and safe.

These citizens all have one thing in common they are seeking life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. If the candidate only discusses amenities and pushes for pie in the sky then they don’t have life in their interests for the people. Then, they can’t push for things that will take years to build and expect personal liberty to not be effected. And everyone wants to be happy and the candidate cannot make everyone happy. As citizens who wish to become our policy makers they soon find out that the job is filled with pit falls and people who will take them down by watching their every move while in office. That is the right of the citizen to watch those who they elect to make sure they are doing what is best for the citizens and not placing themselves on a pedestal for their ego.

All candidates must remember that We the People are the government of this nation and of these communities. No one wants to be dictated to and the citizens will not put up with it. If they see themselves as some present from the great beyond to fix all problems and know all about everything involved then you have a pompous person who will only be there for self.

No one expects a candidate to be perfect. We are not perfect and we make mistakes in who we often elect because they wear one face and then the real person comes out after they are elected. People want to see truth and honesty for a change in politics and it can only be found by those sitting in those seats find in their hearts that they do make mistakes and show some honesty then the people will feel different and want to get out and vote and stop the voter apathy.

Over the years I have watched many people come and go in elected office in our community and have watched the mistakes they have made over and over again. There is a time and place for everything and if a person running for office cannot stop and talk with a constituent for a few minutes and listen to their problem without brandishing them then they do not need to seek a public office.

Politics can be an ugly thing and in our county over the years that has been the case on many occasion. But the key thing a candidate must remember is that they work for the people and not for their personal gratification. So, remember some of these few little tidbits about being a candidate for political office and look into yourselves if you are the person attempting to gain a political seat and see if you have the qualities that make a statesman a lady or gentleman and can have a thick skin in the process.

Dr. Mike Moon.

It’s Time to Move Forward

“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.

Smead Shutting Down Henry County Plant

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.”

Georgia Not Doing As Good As We Have Been Told

Here’s some news from Gallup-Healthways Inc. about the poll they have been doing since 2008 ranking the states with the highest and lowest well-being index that covers,
Purpose-like what you do each day and being motivated to achieve your goals;
Social-having supportive relationships and love in your life;
Financial-managing your economic life to reduce stress and increase security;
Community-liking where you live, feeling safe and having pride in your community;
Physical-having good health and enough energy to get things done daily.

Georgia’s ranking in 2013 was number 27 in the 50 states.  The 2013 Purpose rating was 13; Social rating was 18; Financial rating was 23; Community rating was 35; and Physical rating was 38.

Georgia’s ranking in 2014 took us down to 30 in the 50 states. The 2014 Purpose rating was 21; Social rating was 16; Financial rating was 47; Community rating was 37; and Physical rating was 25.

The number 1 state for 2014 in the US was the State of Alaska.  They jumped several numbers to become number 1.  Georgia slid 3 numbers to 30th in the nation.

This poll was devised by the Gallup and Healthways Groups to show the well being of the people in each state in all aspects from health to finances.  And Georgia clearly has some problems to overcome before it can become a true key player.  This poll was devised with the support of the Chamber of Commerce of each state to find out how their states were performing overall nationally.

Here are the top 10 states in the nation in ranking: 1. Alaska; 2. Hawaii; 3. South Dakota; 4. Wyoming; 5. Montana; 6. Colorado; 7. Nebraska; 8. Utah; 9. New Mexico; 10. Texas.

Here  are the lowest 10 states in the nation in ranking: 41. Missouri; 42. Michigan; 43. Arkansas; 44. Tennessee; 45. Alabama; 46. Mississippi; 47. Ohio; 48. Indiana; 49. Kentucky; 50. West Virginia.

We Are Not Atlanta!!!

An article for the Henry County Community News Blog from a long time Ellenwood resident.

On February 17, 2015 at the Henry County Board of Commissioners meeting  I watched these people take away some of the rights of private property owners and this will be met in court when certain businesses want to come into the area and are denied.  Fairview has always been a quiet and nice little community that didn’t need all the hype it is receiving as of late.  My husband said it is a lot of sh*&t and he is not the only person who feels this way.  We moved to this area in 1983 from Atlanta to get away from the problems that were feeding that area.  Now we see the same problems growing here.  When taking property rights from owners who might have an opportunity to sell  a piece of their property to a business such as a pawn shop then it is getting to the point of dictatorship and appeasing a certain sector of the society.  This leads to more corruption and more under the table deals of people in the area wanting a property fixed to put in a park or
 other place such as this doctors complex.  Many are asking questions as to how much money was put under the table to fill the accounts of those in power.  My neighbor told me to look at a website and see how they are trying to make this Atlanta instead of where we live.  This is the kind work that has hurt this county in the past because they are looking out for themselves and their ego driven purposes.  Wonder when property owners take the county to court over this issue will it still be the in thing.  We are not Atlanta and we will never be.

Alice Cummings
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.

Pay Raises, Politicians and the People

Pay Raises, Politicians and the People


Pay Raises



If you’re not already in the “know”, the City of Stockbridge City Council will be voting on whether or not to give themselves a pay raise from their current salaries: $8,700 a year for council members and $10,700 a year for Mayor Tim Thompson. I wonder what the line would be on the likelihood of this measure passing if Las Vegas odds makers were to get involved. Would you take that bet?



Following in the most hallowed traditions of our U.S. Congress, Georgia State Legislature and the City of Atlanta, the newly elected members of the Stockbridge City Council have found themselves facing the incredibly difficult task of judging their intrinsic worth 11 months into their new term.



This seemingly innocuous agenda item will be voted on this coming Monday, November 11th, at 6:00 pm during the regular monthly session.



Since the City of Stockbridge so graciously allows citizens three (3)-minutes to speak to council members on any subject they wish, I was a little surprised to find that I was the only person to get up and speak to the mayor and council on this topic.



I started off by saying that theirs is one of the only professions that I know of where the “employees” get to vote on if they deserve to be paid more. We should all be so lucky!



Then I sincerely acknowledged the fact that I know all of them on a personal level; I know that each of them came to the “job” not motivated by how much money they could make, but by their dedication to the community and desire to serve.



You see, part of the reasoning that went into the decision to propose a pay increase, is the fact that, compared to the other 14 or so municipalities that have a similar population to the City of Stockbridge, our city council members on average are paid roughly about $900 a year less. And our mayor is paid about $1,300 less annually.



But since we are “comparing ourselves among ourselves”, the Stockbridge City Council got wind of what they pay Mayor Billy Copeland and his council members down in McDonough. Well, not to be “outdone”, they felt that since the City of Stockbridge has a slightly higher population, they should be paid at least as much as our neighbors to the south, which is $12,000 a year for each council member and $18,000 a year for Mayor Tim Thompson.



The problem with this, I pointed out with the two minutes I had left, was that this comparison wasn’t really apples to apples. First of all, the City of Stockbridge pays for the medical insurance premium of the mayor and city council members that gives them and their spouses’ full coverage, which is not included as part of their compensation package for salary calculations. “How ‘bout them apples?”



My second point was, what exactly have they done to deserve a pay raise? I’m not suggesting that they haven’t been working hard. However, from everything I know, it’s the city attorney, the city manager and other appointed lawyers who do most of the heavy lifting.



Also, let’s consider the four (4) lawsuits that the City of Stockbridge is embroiled in: 1) a suit brought by former City Clerk, Ronda Blackmon, for wrongful termination, 2) another suite brought by the Downtown Development Authority (DDA), 3) a countersuit against the DDA by the city and 4) former Councilman Richard Steinberg’s lawsuit against the city for excluding him from executive session. You may begin to appreciate the price-tag the citizens will end up bearing: nearly $750,000 in legal fees this year alone with no end in sight. And city council is considering a pay raise?



Going back to the now infamous eminent domain case against the Meeks’ flower shop, to the removal of Mayor Stuart by City Council, to the more recent ceding of property and slightly over $26-million dollars given away to the DDA, and finally the forced resignation of a council member, the City of Stockbridge continues to engage in activities in which tax payers are not gaining any tangible benefits, but are certainly paying the price.



Politicians



Most would agree that the negative impact of these self-inflicted wounds that our city’s politicians have brought upon us over the past several years is incalculable. The brand that is Stockbridge has been severely tarnished.



So, with one minute to go I offered a suggestion. Since any council-approved vote on a pay increase doesn’t take effect until the next election cycle year (2016), why not pose the question to the public in the form of a referendum? In other words, what’s the rush? A community vote, if you will, on whether or not our elected officials have actually done enough in the minds of the citizens to warrant a pay raise would go a long way to re-establishing trust.



I finally ended my comments by stating my belief that if they voted on the measure without a referendum, then they were just like typical politicians in Washington, D. C. or Atlanta.



As you could probably imagine, my comments were received by a deafening silence (if only looks could kill). But if you don’t agree with your friend from time to time, isn’t the whole point of being a “real” friend that you tell them the truth, even when they may not want to hear it? And continue being their friend even when they don’t agree with you?



The council members may think a raise is merited given the incredible amount of time needed to “fix” the mess left by the last administration. Time spent away from family. Time spent going to Georgia Municipal Association and Atlanta Regional Commission meetings to learn how to be good government servants. But when you run for office, you should know the requirements of the job before you “apply”, and an “employee” shouldn’t have to self-promote for a raise. Their actions and tract record will warrant one.



Now, in all fairness to Mayor Tim L. Thompson, he doesn’t actually get a say in this matter, because he doesn’t vote unless there’s a tie. But he hasn’t spoken out against the measure either.  I mean, why speak out against a measure on which you have no say? The council might just spite you and increase their pay, but not the mayor’s. Oh, what a tangled web we weave!



The People



I respectfully challenge the mayor and city council members of Stockbridge to ask any citizen in the city limits, “Name one thing that the newly elected mayor and council have done to materially improve your situation?”



As a property owner, I see the value of my home being negatively affected by the general appearance of the Hwy 138/ North Henry Boulevard corridor. Homeless people inhabit the area off of the I-75 and I-675 exits. Trash and unkempt landscaping all dissuade real estate professionals from bringing clients to view the homes in the north end of the city. For all of his faults, Ted Strickland spent our tax dollars wisely and kept Stockbridge looking clean, which is one of the things that attracted so many transplants like me to move here in the first place. Incidentally, I raised these same issues over a year ago.







I’m going to go out on a limb and imagine what some of the residents of Stockbridge might articulate if asked:



If I’m jobless, help me to find a job by hosting a job fair. McDonough has one every year. Why don’t we? If we’re going to start comparing ourselves to McDonough, maybe we should start by doing some of the things they do in McDonough to make life better for citizens.



If I’m a parent, give me options! How about an early childhood development option, like allowing Head Start to use the old police station that’s sitting there on Burke Street collecting dust? Or allowing the Boys & Girls Club to use the old fire station on Berry Street to promote programs that provide at-risk teens after school alternatives?



If I’m an adult, with no high school diploma, how about using some of the un-used space at the Merle Manders Conference Center to provide access to G.E.D. classes taught by the Southern Crescent Technical College? I think many residents would be shocked to know that it’s been about three (3)-years now since they stopped providing this valuable resource to the community since the library started its furlough days.



Not one of these ideas actually “costs” us any more than what we’re already paying for in taxes. Each of the aforementioned buildings either has the space, or is already being maintained by the city -though they are not being utilized, or both. And if Rudy Kelly and Ted Strickland could figure out a way to amass a $20+ million dollar Reserve Fund and keep the city looking clean every day, then surely our politicians can figure it out, considering all the money we’ve seen walk out the front door lately!



Again ask the people, what exactly have they done to deserve a pay raise? If the people vote, “Yes”, then I’m all for a pay increase. If not, then it’s back to the people’s business.



You know what? Come to think of it, I should be getting paid for writing this article.







-by Houston E. Nelson, III
A resourceful, penny pinching, outside-of-the-box thinking, unconventional suggesting, fiscally conservative and socially progressive, tax-paying, family-focused, God-fearing, concerned citizen of Stockbridge, Henry County, Georgia



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Henry County Goes Democratic in 2014

The 2014 November 4th Midterm Georgia Election—Henry County



The election was held on a beautiful day in Henry County.  Of the 120,143 registered voters in Henry County, 29,788 cast votes thus 24.79% voted.  That is better than the usual 15% that will vote.  The people should when voting vote for the person they feel will do the best job.  For decades Henry County had voted hard shell Democrat until the mid-1980’s, thus creating a Republican stronghold in Henry County.  That stronghold would last until the election of 2014.  This year the county voted Democrat for Senator with Nunn receiving 53.75% and Perdue receiving 45.16%.  The Libertarian Ms. Swafford received 1.09% of the vote and was no decisive factor in Henry County.  Then, for Governor, Carter the Democrat took Henry County with 53.51% and Deal received 44.97% of the vote.  The Libertarian Mr. Hunt got 1.52% of the vote and was no factor between the two in Henry County.  For Lt. Governor, Stokes the Democrat received 51.04% of the vote and Cagle 48.96% of the vote in Henry County.



For Secretary of State the Democrat Carter received 51.74% and Kemp received 48.26% of the vote.  For Attorney General Greg Hecht the Democrat received 52.98% and Sam Olens received 47.02% in Henry County.  For Commissioner of Agriculture Democrat Irvin received 51.05% and Black received 48.95% in Henry County.  For Commissioner of Insurance Democrat Johnson received 51.16% and Republican Hudgens 46.48% and the Libertarian Metz 2.36% not a factor in Henry County.  State School Superintendent Democrat Wilson 53.22% and Woods 46.78% in Henry County.  The Labor Commissioner Democrat Shipp 52.21% and Butler 47.79% in Henry County.



Dist. 4 PSC Republican Everett 61.66% and Liberatarian Monds 38.34% in Henry County.  Dist. 1 PSC Democrat Blackman 51.28% and McDonald 45.15% and Liberatarian Gilmer 3.57% in Henry County.



US House of Rep. Westmoreland Republican 100% no opposition.   US House of Rep. Dist. 10 Republican Hice 69.48% and Dious 30.52% in Henry County.  State Senator Dist. 17 Republican Jeffares 100% no opposition.  State Rep. Dist. 73 Republican Yates 53.64% and Driver 46.36% Henry County.  State Rep. Dist. 76 Democrat Scott 100% no opposition Henry County.  State Rep. Dist. 78 Democrat Douglas 75.19% and Deraney 24.81% Henry County.  State Rep. Dist. 90 Democrat Stephenson 100% no opposition Henry County. State Rep. Dist 109 Rutledge 100% no opposition.  Henry County.  State Rep. Dist. 110 Welch 53.10% Republican and Shipley 46.90% Henry County.  State Rep. Dist. 111 Strickland Republican 50.32%  and Nichols 49.68% Henry County.  State Rep. Dist. 130 Knight Republican 100% no opposition Henry County.



Henry County District 3 Commissioner Republican Barham 60.76% and Payton 39.24%.  Henry County District 4 Commissioner Republican Prince 100% no opposition.

Henry County District 5 Commissioner Democrat Holmes 100% no opposition.

Henry County Soil and Water  No Party—pick 3  Rollins 30.70%; Turpin 25.42%; McQueen 22.19%.



Amendment #1  Yes-74.83%  No-25.17%

Amendment #2  Yes-70.83%  No-29.17%

Referendum A   Yes-76.61%  No-23.39%



The results are unofficial and do not count the provisional Ballots.



Out of the 27 votes taken in Henry County for Party affiliation, 16 went to the Democrats and 11 to the Republicans.  This is a significant shift in the voting record for the county.

At the time of this printing Deal and Perdue were winning handlely in the State as a whole.  But Henry County is interesting.

Update as of 1045pm the provisional ballots came in and Gov Carter took Henry County. Senate Nunn took Henry County. Cagle came back and took Henry County. Kemp took Henry County. Olens took Henry County. Black came back and took Henry County. Hudgens took Henry County. Woods took Henry County. Butler took Henry County. Mcdonald took Henry County. 
Just over 50% of the voters voted in the County. This is a good turn out. That is 64,065 Citizens came out to vote.  

Save Henry's Rural Life Style

Why does Henry County want to completely destroy any vantage of the rural life here? Many families moved here from the hustle and bustle and wanted a quieter place to live. Destroying the country atmosphere where crops grow, cows graze and chickens crow is a crime against all that is wonderful about country life.

Bringing a Dollar General Store to Old Jackson Road and Leguin Mill Road will only destroy further more and more of that ideal of life.  Why continue to strip away at the quiet life for our children.  We moved here to raise a family in a quiet setting with fresh air and little noise.  Bringing commercial properties to the country is a really stupid idea.

For some strange reason the county leaders are condoning the rape of Henry County by commercial entities.  What does this say about those leaders?  There are only small pockets of the rural life left in Henry County and more is being encroached upon in the dealings of the backrooms of Atlanta.  We didn’t need a Family Dollar on Walt Stephens Road in Stockbridge and we surely don’t need this Dollar General on Old Jackson Road.  The farmer made this county what it became and we are letting those in power and in business sweep them under the carpet.  They are treated like second class citizens to these people.  Just remember if this is allowed by the Zoning Advisory Board and the Board of Commissioners then you know what to do at the polls next time.

Neighbors Trying to Save Old Jackson Road.
NTSOJR

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Watching Henry Move Backward

There is one sure thing in this life and that is the fact we have bills..bills..bills.. and to pay those bills we have to have jobs.. jobs.. jobs..  Then in order to have those jobs..jobs..jobs.. we must work..work..work.  And to find work..work..work.. we must allow companies..companies..companies.. to build.  If we protest..protest..protest against companies..companies..companies then they won’t come..come..come.  There are other localities that will love to have them to help their tax base.  Stand alone business is better than strip malls and bars which will come.  Then crime..crime..crime will rule the day..day..day.  There has been a mistake..mistake..mistake in the northern part of the county and it is because of a child..child..child minded person who wants press..press..press.  Ignorance has become a virtue and is growing like a wildfire to the extent that it will only have to burn itself out because no one has sense enough to get a hose.

Watching Henry Move Backward

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County Manager May Have Stepped Over The Line

The County Manager Might be infringing the 1st Amendment

According to an article in the Henry Daily Herald by Rachel Shirey, the Henry County Manager Mr. Jim Walker, has taken steps to take any requests for a FOIA away from the County Clerk Shay Mathis.  He said that any request made to access the records or property of any Commissioner or County employee outside the parameters of the open records must be approved by Walker.

All experts on the 1st Amendment say those records must be made public.  Attorney David Hudson, constitutional law expert, says there is nothing inherently wrong with keeping a log of the request or notifying officials, but a policy has to be in place for such action.  Hudson said that all emails, letters that concern government matters sent or received by government supplied equipment must be made public.

Georgia Assistant Attorney General Stefan Ritter said that a public document is any kind of information paper, power point, electronic versions, tape recording, video recording, post it notes, texts, email and data in computer servers.  Ritter said that if it is government business, then the record is open regardless of the equipment it is on.

County Manager Walker feels there is a shortcoming in the record keeping system, and he is taking steps to strengthen the system for open records requests.  He said that the county has not been doing a proper job of keeping track of who requested information, and what information was requested.  He said they were not properly notifying the leadership and employees about requests made about them.  Mr. Walker told in an email that county officials will remain transparent and in full compliance with open records laws.  But when a request is made about a commissioner, county manager, or a high level county leader, they will be notified who made the request and what the  request consists.  He said that he will check all requests to date and make sure they have a valid open records request attached.  If any problems are found he would notify the board.

This is raising red flags in the media.  This is where those in power forget that they work for the citizens.  Every penny going into a government is from the people and hiding information or giving the appearance thereof only brings about more questions.  And lawsuits by the press to gain information will be likely.  Thus, this involves the people’s money once again.  And if a commissioner or public official goes after a private citizen for asking for information, then not only lawsuits, but possible jail time will ensue.  The State of Georgia put into play rules about information and hiding or destroying information has happened in the past.  It will happen again and the people only want those they elect to remain honest.

Citizens for a Better Henry County

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The Henry County BOE is going on the offensive

The Henry County BOE is going on the offensive now about the closing of McDonough Elementary School. And they are receiving help from one of the weak minded in the county which is not surprising.  Any way back to the BOE.  Remember these are the same people who wanted to close Smith-Barnes Elementary in Stockbridge and move Patrick Henry High over there.  The local citizens fought it and the BOE found it would be politically in their favor to leave all alone.  Now they are proposing the same thing by wanting to close a newly renovated McDonough Elementary by busing those students to other schools and now they are wanting again to move Patrick Henry High to McDonough.  The red lights should be flashing here as why do they really want to move Patrick Henry High and who wants the property?  Here is the offensive Q &A about the McDonough Elementary.  They try to sugar it up good.
1.What is the proposal for McDonough Elementary being proposed by the Board of Education?  Their plan is to rezone the school district to move those children to Walnut Creek, Tussahaw, and Wesley Lakes.  And then move Patrick Henry High from Stockbridge to McDonough.  (The key here is this proposal is by the Superintendent Mr. Bowler and not the BOE.  That is why he didn’t get what he wanted at the BOE meeting the other night.  There will be two meetings for the people of the area to voice their opinions.)
2. Why is McDonough Elementary’s building being proposed for repurposing?  They feel that it would be good to have Patrick Henry High there so the students would have a short walk over to the tech school.  (This is again another smoke screen.  Patrick Henry Academy as they want to call it is an alternative school for children who have problems and a way to keep them in school to get their diploma.  Some go on to tech school and even college, but the majority do not.  Again causing hardship for the teachers from both McDonough and Stockbridge.)
3. What if anything, can current students and their families expect different at their new zone school?  All functions are part of the cluster school already so little would change according to the BOE.  (Anytime you split up a school where children have friends and send them on buses to other facilities will cause problems and friction with the students.  And don’t say it can’t happen because it does everyday.)
4. Are any other zones being changed as a result of the proposal?  Only McDonough Elementary is involved.  (What about Patrick Henry High?  Those students will have to travel in many cases much farther which in turn could affect drop out rates.  These ideas are being handled much like the BOE tried a few years ago wanting more tax money and the people said no on the ballot.)
5. What does the future hold for McDonough Elementary?  The proposal doesn’t mean that this is the end of the school because with the E-Splost that possibly in the future there will be more elementary, middle and high school set ups.  (They are reaching on this one.  Once this McDonough Elementary School is gone it is gone.  Again, trying to bribe the public with something that very likely will never happen in this generation.)

The Board of Education spokesperson is just doing her job by trying to coax the opinion toward them.  But here is a  novel idea: put it on a special ballot and let the people vote for it because it is about their money and their children.  And leave out people who have no clue as to what is really happening behind those walls at the BOE.  Money, power, and real estate go a long way in handling where our children will go to school.  This is being read and listened to around the nation currently and it is getting bad reviews just as the eminent domain issue in Stockbridge of a few years ago that cast a cloud over that city that remains to this day.

The Citizens Who Want to Keep McDonough Elementary Open

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Chairman Smith Under Attack (Unwarrented)

I am not going to call any names here, but someone has taken a direct attack upon Chairman of the Board of Commissioners Tommy Smith claiming it is his fault that unemployment is 8.1% and that he hasn’t brought in the jobs.  Let’s look back to when Chairman Smith took office.  When he was sworn into office in January 2013, unemployment at that time was 9.1% which means that the unemployment rate has dropped 1% during that time period.

One year ago at this time, there were 9,556 people unemployed in Henry County.  Today, there are 8,503 people unemployed.  That means 1,053 people have found work since this time last year.  This is due to expansion of work in existing jobs at warehouses, new restaurants, and stores opening.  It’s not rocket science believe me.  It’s just common sense and knowing how to look at the statistics.

The citizens must remember that the chairman is not the only commissioner sitting on that board.  There are five others who must make decisions.  We all see how each votes and how they work either to not be in favor of something the chairman wants or not.  Just recently he wanted to keep our in house attorney as with any county that has grown to this size we don’t need to out source that position.  That can make for manipulation of those involved.  It was a 5-1 vote with the chairman casting the no vote.

Most of the problem lies with the Henry County Development Authority.  The problem is that they have not sought to bring in the better jobs that everyone would like to see come to our county.  But until some new faces are seen on that Authority, then the status quo of up and down unemployment will continue.  Also, another factor involved here is that we are still fighting hard times in not only Henry County, but Georgia and the United States as a whole.  Sure, some areas are doing fine, but not all areas.

Maybe in the future when someone writes a derogatory blog about someone, they will get the facts together first and then open their mouth.  Never walk into a loaded room with a butter knife because it will get mighty ugly in that fight and the loser is usually the one with leaving their cards at home.

Politics is an ugly thing.  When you enter that field of attacking a political figure, you must understand, they have friends and were elected by a sizeable amount of folks.  Never under estimate a man just because he has a different way of working.  They will fool you.

The Staff of the Henry County Community News