Keep Hall County Moving or Stop Infrastructure Improvements?

During this “economic downturn” some are saying Hall County needs to halt infrastructure improvements while other think that infrastructure improvements are vital to the future of Hall County. 

It’s no surprise to anyone who drives down Mundy Mill Rd. or Atlanta Hwy. that there’s a lot of construction going on.  Everywhere you look there are orange cones, DOT machinery and best of all, lane closures.  This project has been long overdue and much anticipated.  We weren’t ready for the explosion of growth in the last few years and that’s how we’ve ended up in the traffic nightmare that we are in now. 

Some folks think we need to nix some projects, take a step back and wait on the economy.  As I was at the last Hall County Commissioners meeting Mr. Craig Lutz said the following to the Board;

 

…we are not in an urgent economic position where the infrastructure has to be done now. I believe this would be a good time to pause and calibrate the needs in South Hall.

Lutz is a Flowery Branch City Councilman and apparently opposes infrastructure improvements during this bad economy.  I disagree.   We need to put folks to work.  With the largest unemployment rate in 15 years, I don’t think it will hurt to improve the quality of life here in Hall County.  If we don’t brace ourselves for even more growth after the recession then we will again be blindsighted and face congested roads, over crowded schools and lack of sewer services.  If SPLOST is approved in March then why not go ahead with infrastructure and improve the quality of life for Hall County citizens?

Here’s an excerpt from an article in The Times regarding Chairman Tom Oliver’s opinion of infrastructure improvements.

Oliver said a good way to lay the groundwork for the county’s growth is through the Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax, which will be up to voters on the March 17 ballot.

“It’s our road map to the future,” Oliver said of the upcoming SPLOST.

You can read the entire article here.

They Did It

The Hall County Commission approved the new sewer rates for South Hall select citizens. Chairman Oliver motioned to approve, but delay the increase until 2010. Phyllis Mercer presented a great speech in opposition of the rates and also raised SPLOST and infrastructure questions to the Commission. I’ll blog more about this later tonight but just so you know Bobby Banks and Steve Gailey voted against the ordinance.

Commission To Vote On Sewer Hike

On the agenda for tomorrow’s County Commission meeting is a highly controversial water and sewer services price.  I won’t bore you with the deatails of the prices but I will say this, it’s pretty extreme, I think somewhere aroun 30%!  Only a few South Hall residents will be affected by this.  But they are madder than a wet hen.  Iv’e heard from some folks who would just love to give Commissioner Bobby Banks a piece of their mind.  I believe this a done deal, approved.  The county needs this revenue to jump start South Hall’s sewer and to spur economic growth in South Hall.

Flowery Branch Divided, Again.

It seems as though Flowery Branch has some “good ol’ boys” and some young blood as well.  Fetterman and Lutz have pushed twice for a change of Council meeting times, to make it more convienent for the public.  Hall County meets on Thursdays at 5:00, while Oakwood meets at 4:00.  But Flowery Branch meets at 9:30 in the morning.  Now honestly who can make that time?  Not your average citizen.  I’d be a little upset if I lived in Flowery Branch.  It seems that councilmen Bryans, Zalewski and Jones have some beef with Lutz and Fettermen. But Flowery Branch has a history of creating a rift.  See this article, http://www.cviog.uga.edu/spotlight/news/item.php?id=285.

Also, Flowery Branch is creating a TAD (tax allocation district) for the downtown renovation and have decide to appoint an oversight committee, good idea I think.  But Fettermen motioned to have himself,  Allen Bryans and Mayor Diane Hirling to the board, that motion was defeated and Zalewski motioned to name herself, Bryans and Jones to the committee.  I think they good ol’ boys have it for now but this Fall when Flowery Branch elects new council members some folks might be slightly shocked.

The 2010 Cycle

With most of the state and local offices up for election in 2010, you could imagine folks putting their foot in the door. Here’s what I’ve heard:

Governor:
Casey Cagle, Karen Handel and Herman Cain.

Lt. Governor:
Sen. Eric Johnson (R-Savannah) and Sen. David Shafer (R-Duluth)

David Shafer has already come ibto the race throwing punches. He brought up that Johnson had contributed to a Democratic nominee for the State Senate. Johnson rebutted by pointing out that the Democrat supported school vouchers and as did he.

Secretary Of State: Brian Kemp, he’s the one that ran for Ag. Commissioner a couple years back.

Agriculuture Commissioner: Gary Bkack I’ve been told that Tommy Irvin will NOT seek re-election. Shocker!

I hope Perry McGuire will step up and run against Thurbert Baker for Georgia Attorney General.

Hello Everyone!

Well, I’m back. This time with what I think is a catchy name. Here you’ll find all kinds of information on local issues and politics. I hope you find this blog informative and relatable. I don’t plan on consuming myself with blogging and i think it will be hard to blog often enough, everyone knows I can’t keep up with Left On Lanier’s posting frequency =). But I’ll try not to leave it unattended for long periods of time. Please check back soon!