People Making Money With SPLOST

Those of us who don’t want another SPLOST in Henry County understand that there are people who do want the SPLOST.  Some give reasons that are tailor-made responses being passed around by the group that wants the SPLOST.  Another group of people are voicing their approval of the SPLOST and trying to make John Q Public think it is a wonderful idea.  But what is troubling is that some of these who are pushing for the SPLOST are making money off the SPLOST that is put in by the taxpayers of the county and from outside the county.  Sure they want the SPLOST so they can build the line share of the large ticket items on the project list.  And what does this show?  It speaks of greed, gall, ego and above all deception.  The old cliches about why we need a SPLOST have worn old when we finally see where the money taken in goes.  It looks bad to see people promote a SPLOST and then benefit personally from it, especially those out there having a hard time making ends meet.  We hear from those who have relatives working on the SPLOST committees that just a few short years ago raised the roof about the SPLOST.  This tax is a slush fund for the mediocre leadership in office and those who benefit from it that have ties to the leadership.  It has been a never-ending trip down the rabbit hole to a bottomless pit and the projects are not completed and some go back several years.  Just keep in mind, you get what you vote for in office.  It is time to cut the ties between them and the slush fund.  Vote NO For SPLOST V.


The Staff

Malfunction Junction and They Want Your Money?

“Malfunction Junction and They Want Your Money?”

The Henry County Board of Commissioners recently voted to not approve the Bethlehem Road exit for I-75 on the proposed SPLOST V list for the ARC.  The Board had it put on the SPLOST IV ballot about five years ago.  Now they don’t want to follow through on it.  This is why you don’t need to continue a SPLOST program because they are sending your money down a rabbit hole to nowhere.

Even Commissioner Gary Barham made the following statement at the meeting:

“Gary Barham noted that funding for the interchange was clearly defined on the last SPLOST program approved by voters several years ago. “We can’t ask voters to approve SPLOST V if we can’t follow through with SPLOST IV projects,” he said.”

The three voting block commissioners who have their own agenda and like to travel to Washington for training for African-American politicians made sure to block the vote by voting against the interchange.  Little do they know that Norfolk Southern who owns a vast amount of property in that area plans to build an inland container port there.  This is a Federal project and when the railroad wants something they will get it regardless of the petty commissioners.  That interchange will go in and someone’s tax dollars will pay for it.  

Those who are handling your money on the BoC cannot be trusted to open an umbrella much less than to handle your money that is so hard to earn.  VOTE NO ON SPLOST V.  This has to end.

The Staff

Too Many Cronies Have Hands in the Cookie Jar

“Too Many Cronies Have Hands in the Cookie Jar”

The best thing a voter can do this year at the polls in Henry County is to vote no for another SPLOST.  They call it SPLOST V and it is just another way for the commissioners to have a private slush fund on you the taxpayer.  And they said your property taxes will go up without it.  Guess what, they are anyway.  With the increase in valuation of the property your taxes are going to be higher.  They love to throw out that veiled threat every time this subject comes up.  Just follow the money and see where the funds have gone in years past.  The rules are plain and simple on SPLOST.  A list of projects is supposed to be approved by the voters.  But in years past much of this money was not all used, many projects haven’t gotten done from earlier SPLOST’s, and where is all this going?  It is going down a rabbit hole or abyss to nowhere.  It also laughable that those who are encouraging people to vote for SPLOST such as the Chamber of Commerce, those barking it up are those who work for the Chamber.  This cash cow is going to be even larger this time around.  Remember all that is built and approved through SPLOST must be maintained over the years by guess who, yes you the taxpayers.  Don’t let a mere 8-10% of the registered voters get away with pushing this multi million dollar tax extension any further.  This has to end so the taxpayers can have a little piece of mind.  Think about this: there are plenty of county roads that need widening and improving.  Monies have been set aside from earlier SPLOST and there are still dirt roads in the county and Why?  The county is a giant bureaucracy that is continuing to spiral out of control.  Those on the commission have let you all down by not doing their due diligence.  There is a commissioner who several people in the Stockbridge area have contacted about a proposed development on Miller’s Mill Rd and this commissioner apparently feels it is beneath them to answer those constituents.  Remember and keep notes as to what these BoC types are doing when the next elections come around.  If they can be elected they can be defeated at the polls.  The people of Henry County who work hard all week, come home and have to deal with crime, and roads that you can’t move on want better.  It is time for the people of Henry County to take the county back away from those who don’t care what happens on the local level.  They are all ladder climbers waiting to move up that next wrung.  If you go to the polls and  vote for this SPLOST and you feel something hit you in the back it will be your change. Because all you are doing is giving in to those who are laughing all the way to the bank.  Step up and remember these words  We the People and we want our rights restored that have been systematically removed from the local level to the halls in Washington where many of those there today began on the local level.  Vote No For SPLOST V in Henry County for the betterment of the county and it’s taxpayers.


The Staff

Eighteen Years Of Sorrow And Heartache

It’s been eighteen years since I lost the love of my life Lisa in the terrorist attacks on 9/11/2001. I have been through every emotion you can imagine and some you can’t. I think of her every day of my life and I miss her so much that it hurts my very soul. My life has changed so much since that day, I am not the same person I was before the attacks that took her away. 

I see my country going down a path of destruction that we may not be able to stop. We are seeing the very kind of people that killed Lisa being elected to public office and that is wrong on so many levels. Seeing this hurts so much. But what hurts me more is people that I thought were my friends have turned out to be just as bad as the terrorists themselves. You see showing the photos and videos of the towers on fire and falling down is very, very hard for the people to see that lost loved ones. I have written a blog about why they should not be posting photos and videos of the event. But they are so ignorant and stupid they keep doing the same thing to try and get a political message out. It shows a lack of intelligence on their part that they have to use the photos instead of their words to get their point across. These people need to be ostracized from the community for being just as bad as the terrorists.

Sweetheart, I miss you so much I think of you every day. I remember all of our plans for our life together. I remember you designing our house your dad was going to have built for us. We were on track to a great life together as man and wife and a few kids. I miss holding you in my arms and telling you how much I love you. When I was hurt in the line of duty you stood by me and told me we would work it out because I was your everything in your life. You told me we would have a beautiful life together full of love and grace. But that did not happen for us. I guess I am still bitter about losing you because I love you so much and would do anything for you. If I could I would have taken your place, but I feel a part of me died that day too. I will never be the same and I will never be happy for the rest of my life. I lost my best friend and my love of a lifetime. I love you, darling. 

Alfred Britt.

Our Song  Love Of A Lifetime

More Court Action For Stockbridge?

More Court Action For Stockbridge?

It looks like there will be more Court action for the city of Stockbridge. After a fiery debate at the July 30th 2019 work session meeting. Near the end of the meeting the city council took up a resolution to censure councilman Alexander. the censure came on the heels of an article in the Henry Daily Herald about councilman Alexander falsely accusing the city council members of not supporting certain initiatives that he believes should be front and center. The initiatives are a senior center and youth center for the citizens of Stockbridge. Councilman Alexander on his Facebook page said that the city council did not support the centers to be built. In actuality the city council does support the centers to be built, however they must go through a process in order for it to be done legally.  Councilman Alexander in the past has done things like this on his Facebook account that has led him to be censured before. Councilwoman Gantt read the censure document however she was constantly being interrupted by councilman Alexander at one point councilman Alexander held a manila folder up to his face while still interrupting councilwoman Gantt. This shows councilman Alexander's lack of moral fiber in conducting himself as an adult. It seems to this writer he acts more like a child who has been caught with his hand in the cookie jar and does not want to face the consequences of his actions. At multiple points in the meeting it appeared to be a free-for-all as the mayor seemed to not have the meeting in control and was flabbergasted at the whole situation asking multiple times of the City attorney what he should do. 

During councilman Alexander's rebuttal of the charges he kept saying that his first amendment rights were being violated.  Councilman Alexander does not understand the Constitution of the United States of America of which he swore to uphold when he became a councilman. He does not believe in freedom of speech I know this first-hand. when I ask to speak to the city council to request a Confederate Memorial Day Proclamation he set out to not have me speak at all and he has boasted about that on his Facebook page. Councilman Alexander kept requesting that his Facebook postings were private.  Councilman Alexander in the opinion of this writer is a moron and should be thrown out of office. Councilman Alexander  has disrupted the city workings of Stockbridge since he became a councilman nearly four years ago. It is because of him that the city has been in court on numerous occasions and it appears now they will be headed back to court. Councilman Alexander said at this meeting he will take the city to court for violating his First Amendment rights to free speech. One can only hope that the judge will see through the shenanigans of councilman Alexander and maybe just throw him in jail and throw away the key or find a nice padded cell for him that would be the best thing for Stockbridge and her citizens.  Stockbridge you can do a lot better than councilman Alexander.  A bowl of limp noodles would be better in my opinion. 

The Staff

What Is Wrong With People Today

What Is Wrong With People Today

I grew up in the 70’s and early 80’s. I remember back then people were different than they are today and it’s not for the better. Back then you could count on your neighbors and friends to help out when times were tough. We came together to help each other when someone got sick or lost a job and needed to get food people would help them out without even being asked. I remember helping friends and family as a child and it always felt good to be able to help. I also remember being down to having to pick up aluminum cans so we could eat breakfast that day. I have been on both sides of being poor and being okay and just getting by. 

Six years in Federal Law enforcement I have seen some ugly things that would turn your stomach and make a maggot puke. But what I am seeing today makes me sick down to the core of my being. That is the war that is being waged on poor people by people that call themselves Christians, but they are far from it. 

For some time I have been trying to sell a few things so I can get the house that I have paid for while being on disability in my name. The people that I bought it from died and their children can’t be found. So, to get the home in my name I have to go to the courts to get a judge to sign off on it. This costs money as well as what I have to pay my attorney. To pay for my home I sacrificed a lot. I lived on bologna sandwiches, I cut my utilities down as much as I could. As for a social life I had none, no movies, eating out was not done. All this took a toll on my health. I have heart failure, I am diabetic that has caused my feet and legs to go numb so walking is hard and is getting harder every day. 

I have sold only one thing on Facebook. In my posts, I ask people to share the post if they are not interested in what I have for sale so more people would see it. But only two-three have done so. No one seems to care whatsoever, no one even asked how I am doing with it. I even posted a poll to ask what I should do. I got one saying I should not start a go fund me to see if I could get donations. One said yes and about four said to do both sales and do the go fund me, I even had one said who cares. 

What hurts the most is that when I post something about my love I lost on 9/11 just a few of my so-called friends say or do anything on the post, that I will not stand for at all. When my Cousin Mike Moon moved from next door from me he asked four of our friends to keep a check on me to make sure I was okay. That was three plus years ago and only one of our friends has done that. The other three I have not heard from them, but one did call me because they wanted me to do something for them. Note get this one friend lives about 200 yards from me and I have not heard not one thing from them at all. It reminds me of what my Mom would say that they are just “two-faced sons of bitches”. 

I have run tests on Facebook with the help of a family member that we both have a good number of friends in common. We post the same thing like a photo of the American flag or a puppy. We give it 24 to 48 hours and look at the results. The family member would have a lot more likes than my post sometimes 4 to 1 or more. Sometimes I would get nothing at all. That tells me something about most of our friends we share please note I said most not all. For me, it’s not about being popular I just don’t want to be ignored. Sometimes I post very important stuff and it is ignored with no likes. I could understand if I had done something wrong to someone, but I try to help anyone I can. It makes no sense to a sane person that would like to help and now needs some help. I am at my wit's end as to what is wrong with people cause I know it’s not me, I have done my best to help others. People need to start acting right and stop acting like a child who wants his way all the time. Act more like a Christian and God would look on you with more favor.

Alfred Britt.

   

Reason For Voting No To SPLOST

"Here is an example of why the voters should not approve a SPLOST V in Henry County this fall.   The article makes it clear about the BOC wanting to reallocate the money already voted upon by the citizens of the county for the Bethlehem Rd interchange on I-75.  This is the same interchange that will help the flow of traffic as Southern Railway builds the inland rail yard for the Port of Savannah.   The same commissioners who have been causing issues in the county are the ones who want to move the money.  Read closely as you will see the 5th district commissioner admitting they have moved SPLOST monies before which is illegal.  The prudent citizen can see that they are likely wanting this money moved to the convention site at Stockbridge near I-675 and I-75.  Read the article below from the Henry Times Newspaper."

Fate of I-75 interchange uncertain
 Monroe Roark    May 27, 2019    
  Will a new interchange on I-75 between McDonough and Locust Grove ever happen?
Although the process has been in the works for some time, a few members of the Henry County Board of Commissioners have their doubts that it will ever come to pass and they decided to not spend some $4 million earmarked for design work on the project, saying that the money could be better spent in other areas.
The problem with that reasoning is the money in question comes from SPLOST funding and its use is strictly limited. Other commissioners who want the project design to proceed stressed that the will of the voters who passed the SPLOST referendum, with this item clearly included on the project list, should be respected.
The vote at the May 7 regular Board of Commissioners meeting was to table the issue so more information could be provided in a workshop setting.
 Commissioner Dee Clemmons was the most vocal in opposition to moving the design forward, saying that past history shows there is no guarantee the state or federal government will follow through on the project and she didn’t want this kind of money spent with such uncertainty. She said there were several examples of this with regard to state highways in the county that should have received improvement funding by now but kept getting pushed back on the calendar.
 “We cannot be fiscally responsible as a board if we spend $4 million without knowing for sure [if the project will ultimately be approved],” she said.
 Clemmons’ position was shared by Commissioner Vivian Thomas, who also said the money can be better spent elsewhere.
A recent letter from the Federal Highway Administration states that the proposed interchange project near Bethlehem Road is “acceptable” and could happen pending completion of a required environmental process and placement on the Transportation Improvement Project list (TIP).
But Commissioner Bruce Holmes said the predecessor of one of the officials named on that letter told him several years ago the interchange would never happen because the result would be multiple interchanges too close together.
“Until we get clarification from the FHWA that they will fund it, we should redirect these funds,” he said.
When county manger Cheri Hobson-Matthews pointed out that it is a Tier 1 capital project in the SPLOST program and money cannot simply be redirected, Holmes replied, “We reallocate SPLOST money all the time.” But Matthews reiterated that, by law, the funds must be spent only on certain listed capital projects.
The initial allocation for this project was $5.5 million, according to SPLOST transportation director Roque Romero. A feasibility study was conducted looking at four possible locations between the current interchanges at Hwy. 155 and Bill Gardner Parkway. The results of that study were approved by the Georgia Department of Transportation.
Romero noted that the design work would be done in phases, with the first step actually costing about $500,000. The rest would not be spent if the project didn’t get the go-ahead, but it will be dead for certain if nothing is done, he said.
 “You’ve got to start somewhere,” said Romero. “If you don’t start today, you’ll be further behind.”
Board chair June Wood said the design should go forward.
“This county is so far behind,” she said. “We need to come together as one voice and advocate for our priorities.”
Wood added that the project ties into a regional concept and will help the county as well as the Atlanta area. “This is funding that the voters have already voted for.”
Commissioner Gary Barham agreed. “I don’t see how we can sit on this and not move forward,” he said.
Clemmons said that Henry County could do everything it needs to do in these areas with funding from a T-SPLOST if it were placed before the voters. She did not mention the fact that a regional T-SPLOST was soundly defeated at the ballot box a few years ago and citizens have been very vocal in opposition to another one since then.   Thomas made the motion to table the issue, directing county staff “to prepare a complete workshop” to study the details. Wood seconded.

"The Henry County Watchdog Group"