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Airport and IBA steering committee meeting tonight?


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Here is one persons opinion

http://ponytailpatriot.com/section-blog/250-free-speech-already-partially-prohibited-in-paulding-politics

 

I have attended many public hearings, Council meetings, Commissioner meetings etc. But this one by far was the most ridiculous meeting that I have ever attended.

 

The Austin boys put on the final push last night for total control of the Board of Commissioners, Industrial Building Authority, And the Paulding County Airport Authority..

 

In the grand scheme of things they appointed a committee to overturn a constitutional Amendment enacted and ratified by the citizens of Paulding County, and another committee to make changes to the Paulding County Airport Authority.

 

In the usual dominant manner Chairman David Austin allowed selected speakers. Boyd Austin, Blake Swafford, Ken Thigpen to address Both of the appointed committees. And totally refused to allow any Citizen a chance to speak one single word of rebuttal as to what they said. In fact had the Marshall escort out of the meeting anyone that attempted to speak one single word of disapproval

 

David Austin also appointed David Barnett and Tommie Graham two lame duck commissioners to sit in on the committee formed to make changes to the Constitutional Amendment that Created the Industrial Building Authority..... Boyd Austin also had the opportunity to address this committee earlier.

 

David Austin also appointed Larry Reinhart a very outspoken pro airport opponent, who was/ is the administrator of the face book page supporting the commercialization of the airport, And the Chamber of commerce appointed Cecilia Mc Michen (BeachBum) to the Airport committee..

 

Folks these two committees have now been charged with looking into two very important authorities that presently have too much authority to spend tax dollars without having to be accountable to the voters.

 

The Board of Commissioners should abolish these two Authorities and do the job that they were elected to do and stop throwing millions of dollars into failed endeavors like the movie studios and the Airport.

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and Boyd kept saying that the IBA needed more funding. I guess they will pushing mils on the taxpayers for the IBA. 2 more mils heading our way---- but, if you property values are going down, its not really an increase... lol, they think we are stupid.

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Cronyism is alive and well in PC. This just proves that fact. The committee does not represent the citizens of PC. The fact some claim never to have known Austin personally is appointed.....give me a break. This is just more screwing of the people of PC. Larry is nothing but a lackey and so is BB for the Austin machine.

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and Boyd kept saying that the IBA needed more funding. I guess they will pushing mils on the taxpayers for the IBA. 2 more mils heading our way---- but, if you property values are going down, its not really an increase... lol, they think we are stupid.That

That is what ticked me off so much, the Austin boys and some others (citizens) and non resident non taxpayers had the opportunity to address both committees, but the Paulding County citizens that were present could not even ask one question.

What little I was able to hear of the IBA meeting not one word was mentioned about the pending law suit against the IBA.

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and Boyd kept saying that the IBA needed more funding. I guess they will pushing mils on the taxpayers for the IBA. 2 more mils heading our way---- but, if you property values are going down, its not really an increase... lol, they think we are stupid.

Sure they do. Instead putting up spec industrial buildings on county land in the Commerce Park, they are paying out $4,000,000 to put the top cost of asphalt in the subdivisions abandoned by so many of the RBMDs.

 

And take note that some of those same RBMDs are building more homes in those same subdivisions under a different company name but the same players. And THE FIRM is closing the sales. These same RBMDs were campaign donors to Austin and other local politicos.

 

Manufacturing and warehousing business's will not move here until there is an inventory of available space move in ready.

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Here are some photos and videos of last night meeting.

 

https://www.facebook.com/savepauldingco

https://www.facebook.com/savepauldingco

From Martina...

 

Here is my speech to the BOC from early April about the steering committees. As usual, David Austin did everything he could to avoid citizen participation in organizing these steering committees and their objectives. As usual, we are ignored and reviled by our county chairman. It's very clear that he does not care what the people want and he wants to dictate rather than conduct things in a democratic fashion...

 

"Today, I'd like to address the subject of the proposed IBA and PCAA steering committees, which was introduced at the last work session. Thank you for understanding that the citizens want a more active role in their county government and thank you for addressing the NEED for citizen involvement in the affairs of the IBA and the PCAA. Citizen participation is vital to good government. In my opinion, and in the opinion of many other concerned taxpayers, circumventing citizen participation has resulted in an oligarchy engaging in high risk government spending, skirting around laws and avoiding proper procedures meant to protect the citizens... it has resulted in questionable business deals and a lack of due diligence in the fiduciary responsibility to the taxpayers. Circumventing citizen participation eventually results in pitting the citizens against their own government to protect their own tax dollars.

I believe that we are now facing the right direction, but whether we actually MOVE in the right direction depends on proper planning. At this crucial point, we need to work TOGETHER to ensure good planning and good communication between county government and the citizenry in establishing these steering committees. It is important to create fair, objective and effective committees which adequately represent the citizens of Paulding County and address the needs of the taxpayers.

 

Haste and poor planning can result in committees that are no more than an extension of cronyism and illusive citizen participation. Without proper planning, it could become a counterintuitive effort which would be detrimental to the welfare of the residents of Paulding County. Poor planning can result in spurious legislation similar to Resolution 14-05 which could increase the power that the IBA has over spending and would make the citizens powerless over their own tax dollars. I agree with what Mr. Graham touched upon at the last meeting, in that these committees should serve vital roles in proposing ways to control the spending of the IBA and PCAA in addition to providing oversight, transparency and accountability of these authorities to our fellow taxpayers.

 

Of particular importance is properly evaluating the efficacy of airport commercialization and the consequences of accepting federal and state grants. Accepting these grants for commercialization are, in effect, the same financial model of taking out a second mortgage on your home to buy lottery tickets... the odds are very much not in your favor, you go deeper into debt, you risk losing everything yet STILL you have to repay your financial obligations. These grants come from OUR tax dollars... they are not a "present" to us, as I have heard them referred to in the private company's presentation. These federal "presents" come with taxpayer obligations. These "presents" cease to be grants and often become HEAVY taxpayer debts to the federal government when a municipality needs to rein in their losses or needs to regain control of the property on which the airport is situated.

 

Therefore, I hope you agree that the citizens can provide valuable insight and should be an integral part in planning these committees. I volunteer to help Mr. Jones and the Board of Commissioners work on organizing the bylaws, mission, composition and requirements for the proposed committees. I have experience serving on county boards, I'm knowledgeable of the issues at hand, I'm dedicated to restoring democracy in Paulding County and, best of all... I work for free in the interest of my fellow taxpayers. TOGETHER, let's draft, encourage public input, establish procedure, AND THEN appoint." Citizen participation is crucial in organizing these committees because they are ultimately... for and of the citizens. So let's get it done, let's get it done together and let's get it done well

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and Boyd kept saying that the IBA needed more funding. I guess they will pushing mils on the taxpayers for the IBA. 2 more mils heading our way---- but, if you property values are going down, its not really an increase... lol, they think we are stupid.

The IBA needs to go away.

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Does anyone know when these committees will be meeting? I would like to listen in on their meetings.

 

Does anyone know when these committees will be meeting? I would like to listen in on their meeting

IBA meets June 26,2014 6:00 pm ADMINSTRATION building

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Sure they do. Instead putting up spec industrial buildings on county land in the Commerce Park, they are paying out $4,000,000 to put the top cost of asphalt in the subdivisions abandoned by so many of the RBMDs.

 

And take note that some of those same RBMDs are building more homes in those same subdivisions under a different company name but the same players. And THE FIRM is closing the sales. These same RBMDs were campaign donors to Austin and other local politicos.

 

Manufacturing and warehousing business's will not move here until there is an inventory of available space move in ready.

They have mismanaged taxpayers money and should have used the money for spec buildings, grading for pad ready sites..

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Sure they do. Instead putting up spec industrial buildings on county land in the Commerce Park, they are paying out $4,000,000 to put the top cost of asphalt in the subdivisions abandoned by so many of the RBMDs.

 

And take note that some of those same RBMDs are building more homes in those same subdivisions under a different company name but the same players. And THE FIRM is closing the sales. These same RBMDs were campaign donors to Austin and other local politicos.

 

Manufacturing and warehousing business's will not move here until there is an inventory of available space move in ready.

 

Sure they do. Instead putting up spec industrial buildings on county land in the Commerce Park, they are paying out $4,000,000 to put the top cost of asphalt in the subdivisions abandoned by so many of the RBMDs.

 

And take note that some of those same RBMDs are building more homes in those same subdivisions under a different company name but the same players. And THE FIRM is closing the sales. These same RBMDs were campaign donors to Austin and other local politicos.

 

Manufacturing and warehousing business's will not move here until there is an inventory of available space move in ready.

 

 

Sure they do. Instead putting up spec industrial buildings on county land in the Commerce Park, they are paying out $4,000,000 to put the top cost of asphalt in the subdivisions abandoned by so many of the RBMDs.

 

And take note that some of those same RBMDs are building more homes in those same subdivisions under a different company name but the same players. And THE FIRM is closing the sales. These same RBMDs were campaign donors to Austin and other local politicos.

 

Manufacturing and warehousing business's will not move here until there is an inventory of available space move in ready.

 

 

Sure they do. Instead putting up spec industrial buildings on county land in the Commerce Park, they are paying out $4,000,000 to put the top cost of asphalt in the subdivisions abandoned by so many of the RBMDs.

 

And take note that some of those same RBMDs are building more homes in those same subdivisions under a different company name but the same players. And THE FIRM is closing the sales. These same RBMDs were campaign donors to Austin and other local politicos.

 

Manufacturing and warehousing business's will not move here until there is an inventory of available space move in ready.

 

 

Someone needs to really dig into this mismanagement of funds... BUT WAIT..... they are digging into the mismanagement and misuse of tax Dollars.

 

At the present time there is a case pending in the Paulding County superior court charging the Industrial Building Authority with a improper $1,000,000 interest free loan to the Airport Authority from money derived from tax dollars of Paulding County..

 

This case needs to be resolved before any changes are contemplated by this committee or the State Legislature.

 

The entire steering committee deal is a farce to change the meaning and intent of the Industrial Building Authority And the Paulding County Airport Authority, in order to make the law suit a moot issue.

 

The courts of Paulding County should be allowed to hear , and make a ruling on the improper loan of tax payer dollars before any hearing, or proposed changes to the Constitutional Amendment that created the Industrial Building Authority is made.

 

Any misuse of tax dollars should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

 

And to think that we were told that budget cuts had to be made and taxes increased and all the time they were covertly pouring millions of tax dollars in the Airport money pit.

 

If you have had enough e-mail or call your commissioner and David Austin

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I have asked this before but did not get an answer. What authority do these committees have?

Just to start;

Article V, Section IX of the Constitution is hereby amended by adding at the end thereof a new paragraph which shall read as follows:

... D. The powers of the Authority shall include, but not be limited to, the power:

(1) To receive and administer gifts, grants and donations and to administer trusts;

(2) to borrow money, to issue notes, bonds and revenue certificates, to execute trusts agreements or indentures, and to sell, convey, mortgage, pledge and assign any and all it's funds, property and income as security thereof;...

(1962 Ga. Laws, page 1176, s 1)

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Just to start;

Article V, Section IX of the Constitution is hereby amended by adding at the end thereof a new paragraph which shall read as follows:

... D. The powers of the Authority shall include, but not be limited to, the power:

(1) To receive and administer gifts, grants and donations and to administer trusts;

(2) to borrow money, to issue notes, bonds and revenue certificates, to execute trusts agreements or indentures, and to sell, convey, mortgage, pledge and assign any and all it's funds, property and income as security thereof;...

(1962 Ga. Laws, page 1176, s 1)

I was speaking of the newly formed citizens committees.

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They are advisory committees whose power is in persuasion.

 

FYI, and you probably didn't know this either NJ - they have the same status as does the Planning and zoning commission whose decisions are also wholly advisory to the commission which is not formally obligated to accept the recommendations, lists of stipulations or other elements of their views on zoning decisions in the county.

 

The decisions of the planning and zoning commission are generally accepted, however.

 

Presumably, this would be so for the airport and IBA citizen commissions as well.

 

The unwritten understanding is that once the commission is appointed and organizes itsself, its decisions are independent of those who made the appointment and, other than an arrest or some other formal request, once a person is appointed to the advisory commission, they are there for the term.

 

pubby

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They are advisory committees whose power is in persuasion.

 

FYI, and you probably didn't know this either NJ - they have the same status as does the Planning and zoning commission whose decisions are also wholly advisory to the commission which is not formally obligated to accept the recommendations, lists of stipulations or other elements of their views on zoning decisions in the county.

 

The decisions of the planning and zoning commission are generally accepted, however.

 

Presumably, this would be so for the airport and IBA citizen commissions as well.

 

The unwritten understanding is that once the commission is appointed and organizes itsself, its decisions are independent of those who made the appointment and, other than an arrest or some other formal request, once a person is appointed to the advisory commission, they are there for the term.

 

pubby

In other words they have no real authority. I did know that about planning and zoning. I think it is an exercise in futility. It will not change the minds of the people of Paulding who actually get to vote. I think they are stirring a hornets nest but what do I know?

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Please revue the list of folks that has been selected to serve on the Steering Committee for the Airport Authority And the Industrial Building Authority. If you know any of those folks who have been appointed and you are or have been doing business with any of these folks give then a call and remind then that they need to be open and transparent. And that a large group of folks are watching them to insure that all citizens of Paulding County are being fairly represented.









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I have asked this before but did not get an answer. What authority do these committees have?

News Junky this entire deal started at this Board of commissioners meeting the discussions starts at around 14.25 and is really worth the time to listen at the commissioners at work. This was the beginning of the idea for the Steering Committee and I will follow up this post with some other videos that go into a little more detail.

I am very curious as to why the written minutes Of the Commissioners meetings did not have a little more detail.

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1unv7BnX8Tw&feature=em-share_video_user

 

More videos to follow later!!!

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Here is the March 25th Board of commissioners meeting where this steering Committee was discussed again conversation starts around the 9:15 mark, I am sure you will pick up on the date this was suppose have the appointments made (April 15,2014) and you will probably here one of the clearest definitions of the purpose of this committee here in this video by Commissioner Graham.

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5wBMm-xtINI

 

More videos to follow

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They are advisory committees whose power is in persuasion.

 

FYI, and you probably didn't know this either NJ - they have the same status as does the Planning and zoning commission whose decisions are also wholly advisory to the commission which is not formally obligated to accept the recommendations, lists of stipulations or other elements of their views on zoning decisions in the county.

 

The decisions of the planning and zoning commission are generally accepted, however.

 

Presumably, this would be so for the airport and IBA citizen commissions as well.

 

The unwritten understanding is that once the commission is appointed and organizes itsself, its decisions are independent of those who made the appointment and, other than an arrest or some other formal request, once a person is appointed to the advisory commission, they are there for the term.

 

pubby

Pubby I guess I missed the meetings where this citizens Advisory committee was officially formed and voted on and passed by the commissioners, can you provide a date/video of this vote?

 

Do you have access to the county video of the First meeting on June 5th ? if so will you post that for all to see?

 

I thought the Planning and Zoning commission was approved by the Commission by a vote, and is a permanent committee that reviews hears and makes recommendations to ne Board of Commissioners on all zoning matters.

 

Do know that the Planning and zoning committee allows public participation on each and every zoning issue that comes before it, And allows the applicants an opportunity to explain their reason for the zoning or special use and it also allows for citizen input for those that may be for or against the zoning or special use permits equal time.to voice their opinions.

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Pubby I guess I missed the meetings where this citizens Advisory committee was officially formed and voted on and passed by the commissioners, can you provide a date/video of this vote?

 

Do you have access to the county video of the First meeting on June 5th ? if so will you post that for all to see?

 

I thought the Planning and Zoning commission was approved by the Commission by a vote, and is a permanent committee that reviews hears and makes recommendations to ne Board of Commissioners on all zoning matters.

 

Do know that the Planning and zoning committee allows public participation on each and every zoning issue that comes before it, And allows the applicants an opportunity to explain their reason for the zoning or special use and it also allows for citizen input for those that may be for or against the zoning or special use permits equal time.to voice their opinions.

Whitey, I have attended every BOC, PCAA & IBA meeting since early October. I remember discussion about forming these committee's in a morning work session. The way I remember the discussion County Manager Mike Jones was given the task of writing up a process and he was to bring it back to the BOC. I do not remember these committee's being on any agenda thereafter. Also I do not see this subject on any agendas after that original discussion. Maybe videos of meetings will prove my memory wrong.

 

On Public Partisipation during Planning & Zoning meetings, the last meeting was the first one I have attended since Bobby Hollis was Chairman. During this most recent Planning and Zoning meeting the one requesting the change and supporters of the change were allowed 15 minutes, then those opposed to the proposed change were allowed 15 minutes, then if the one requesting the change had any time left from the original 15 minutes, that person was allowed to return to the podium to address the opposition's positions.

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Whitey, I have attended every BOC, PCAA & IBA meeting since early October. I remember discussion about forming these committee's in a morning work session. The way I remember the discussion County Manager Mike Jones was given the task of writing up a process and he was to bring it back to the BOC. I do not remember these committee's being on any agenda thereafter. Also I do not see this subject on any agendas after that original discussion. Maybe videos of meetings will prove my memory wrong.

 

On Public Partisipation during Planning & Zoning meetings, the last meeting was the first one I have attended since Bobby Hollis was Chairman. During this most recent Planning and Zoning meeting the one requesting the change and supporters of the change were allowed 15 minutes, then those opposed to the proposed change were allowed 15 minutes, then if the one requesting the change had any time left from the original 15 minutes, that person was allowed to return to the podium to address the opposition's positions.

 

Mojo... the planning and zoning commission was established by the county's zoning laws to conduct the public hearings.

 

I'm thinking that the citizens advisory committees may have to be formally recognized by the IBA and AA ... They would report and hold hearings, etc. for those bodies and would need to be authorized by them.

 

The chairman could direct them to be formed but since they wouldn't be reporting directly to the BOC ... and their budget requirements (if any) would be miniscule - a few hundred to a few thousand dollars and that would be assuming they engage an attorney at all which they may not - their 'import' is that they are recognized by the AA and IBA as an advisory group.

 

Those boards would be inclined to recognize them because of the support given them by the BOC since the BOC provides the boards their budget money.

 

pubby

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