Bravo, Mr. Banks… But Your Just Too Late

Recently, Hall County Commissioner Bobby Banks has sent out a letter to nearly every elected official in the County.  The letter state his strong disapproval of Gainesville’s annexing a few miles of I-985 between GA 60 and US 129.  The Times ran an article about it today; and you can read it here.  I applaud Banks’ letter and his distaste of a possible speed trap.  But let’s get honest right here…  Banks said;

“I’m not going to tolerate a speed trap in my district,”

Well Commissioner Banks, if this is so true, then why was Oakwood allowed to annex a few miles of winder HWY?  I’m sure they didn’t want to park their police on the sides of the brand new four lane highway and prey on motorists…  I wonder why there was hardly anything said against Oakwood when they wanted to annex Winder Highway.  It really angers me when Banks is angry with Gainesville wanting to annex almost nothing on a northern border of his district, but when there’s a possible annexation from a city whose police agency is famous for doing nothin but writing trumped up tickets, it’ ok.  I guess he can tolerate driving home everyday and seeing Oakwood all over GA 53,  I guess he just has beef with Gainesville.  I’m glad that Mr. Banks is standing up against the annexation of Gainesville, after all, that’s what he campaigned on.  I guess he was “busy” when Oakwood was ready to set a speed trap just 200 yards from the front steps of his home. 

Also in the letter;

“It would appear that the City of Gainesville is taking the same approach that the City of Oakwood has taken for years to use their police force as a principal means of revenue generation,” the letter stated.

In response to that statement, Patti Doss-Luna, Oakwood’s acting City Manager stated the City of Oakwood was very disappointed in being referenced as a speed trap.  Well, I’m sure if your city wasn’t a speed trap, that comment wouldn’t have been made.  It’s plain to see, no one that I know has ever had anything positive to say about Oakwood, especially their Police Dept.  If Chief Moon wants to shift the public’s perception of his agency then he really needs to change the way he does business.  And thus far, nothing has been done.  Ms. Luna, I am very disappointed that people consider driving through your city a hassle, not entirely due to roadwork on Mundy Mill Rd. but mainly due to your police department looking for and waiting on Hall County motorists.  I hope you’ll see that your city has a reputation equal to the municipalities along US 129 in Jackson County…

In Loving Memory of Mrs. Mary Curtis Mundy Oliver

A staple of the community, Mrs. Oliver will be dearly missed.  She has made countless contributions to the people of Chestnut Mountain.  Thank you Mrs. Oliver, thank you.

Hall County Schools Cut 100 Jobs

It was definitely a sad day in the School System on Friday after 100 teachers learned their contracts would not be renewed.  Its’ no fun but it had to happen.  I would rather have seen the School Board take into consideration Zero-Based-Budgeting instead of cutting jobs.  I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, there is alot, too much waste in local education.  We really need to get down the basics in every level, agency and department of government.  Please, please, cut taxes, cut spending, cut waste.

Local SPLOST Campaign Heating Up

Hall County’s special election to decide the fate of SPLOST and Hall County is coming up on Tuesday, March 17.  I hope everyone will take some time to make it to the polls and vote.  It seems everyone has stared up their campaigns this weekend.  I’ve seen only one “Vote No” sign and nine “Vote Yes” signs.  I hope that’s an accurate depiction on how the people really feel about this.  We as citizens really need this  extra tax.  This extra penny really does go a long way.  If approved, in the next six years, SPLOST is expected to generate an estimated $240 million.  I believe the County must and will go ahead with many of these capitol projects, mainly because they are much needed and long overdue.  If approved the County would receive those funds through this one cent sales tax, otherwise property taxes are expected to increase.  Would you rather have an increased property tax bill or a mere one cent sales tax?  And of the funds generated by SPLOST, 40% is paid for by residents out of the County.  So let’s breakdown the SPLOST VI Projects.

• Public Works will recieve %72 million.  The Gainesville Bypass is included in this.
• $28 million is dedicated to building projects such as the relocation of the Green Street Post Office, a North Hall Library, expansions to the Health Dept. and various law enforcement buildings.
• The Old Hall County Courthouse is now overcrowded and needs a renovation to accommodate more Courtrooms.  The Administrative offices will then need to be relocated to the Annex.  $17 million will be provided for this.
• $53 million is to be used for sewer and water services to promote economic growth and prosperity throughout the rural parts of the County.
• Fire and Emergency Response is also budgeted $4 million, this will provide ambulances and a new ladder truck.
• Parks and Rec will receive $21 million to build two more community centers, one in South Hall, the other in North Hall.
• What ever is left over will go to municipalities within the County.

With all of the positive things SPLOST has done for Hall County in the past, why not continue it?  What are the real negatives to it?  Please remember to vote YES on Tuesday, March 17!