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LPPT

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Posts posted by LPPT

  1. I don't know what to say about people that don't support their own county when they can.

    This is our home, any and every effort should be made to support endeavors.

    For every success their are millions of failures, you only have to look around to see that successful people are a minority.

    I have never intentionally tried to make anyone fail. I sincerely want every effort to improve the economy here to meet with success.

    Sometimes things have to change to reach success, that is a simple truth that we all personally now.

    I hope that we never elect officials that want something as large as an airport project to fail.

    Something is wrong in this community. I have never seen so much negativity and seen positive people insulted and degraded as I have here.

     

    You have a minority struggling against the flow to do good things here.

    • Like 1
  2. Well you need to ask those folks you are supporting what they intend to do to make general aviation work.

    I am open to any and all ideas that will make the airport that I own a piece of successful.

    Perhaps when they get their websites up they can explain in detail exactly how it is to be done.

    I may even support them in the election if the ideas are sound and doable within the law.

    Surely they understand the law and procedures enough to know how to accomplish it.

  3. MH, I think he has been very honest in discussing a legal process.

    Our leaders are taking full advantage of the laws to accomplish what they believe is best for this community.

    This being a predominately Republican community it may have been hard for the leadership to know ahead of time that folks would have problems with this.

     

    This is the foundation of the party. You believe in electing officials that will do things your way by using the law to do so.

    An elected Republican expects his constituents to allow him to rule them by the law of the land.

    I have almost never seen a republican protest about the morality or fairness of a law.

    As long as Republicans are making them it is assumed that these laws benefit the people. They often only benefit special interest, but that seems to be beside the point .

     

    This is not a democratic way of doing things, they do not have to consider the protest of the majority of the citizens unless it is time for re-elections.

    Manipulation of the law is how the game is played.

    Pubby has been bluntly honest in how the law was used in this issue.

    He demonstrates how anyone in these elected and appointed positions can accomplish their goals and the goals of special interest.

     

    There is of course a solution to this that may be considered.

    You have 2 organizations that are working independently within the laws that pertain specifically to them and their powers.

    The only control elected officials have is to fund or not fund them, yet they are being held accountable for the things these organizations are legally doing.

     

    We saw it demonstrated that these organizations can try to create laws giving them more power.

    The only way elected officials can control these organizations is to dissolve them.

    It would be a double edged sword in that they have done good things, but on the other hand not being able to control them is not fair to the taxpayer. We can ask our elected officials to disallow certain things but at the end of the day these 2 organizations can do as they please as long as it is within the law.

     

    I am not even sure if these organizations legally have to inform our commissioners of what they are doing.

    The only reason they know is because elected officials sit on the boards.

     

    I assume when you are in the AA or IBA meeting you wear that hat. When they decide unanimously to keep something secret as part of that board you go along.

     

    I am not making excuses for any of the things they did, I am simply pointing out that it is all legal.

    Most of us aren't aware of the laws governing these boards until something like this happens.

    It was very interesting that as much power as they have they tried to pass a law giving them even more power and our commissioners that we elected even less.

     

    I am not sure that our commissioners are as much of a problem as these 2 independent boards are.

  4. I don't think Pubby as any intention of trashing Todd. He has not criticized him. He has said I believe I can do it better.

     

    One thing that is bothering me is I know of a citizen that tapes all the AA meetings. Surely he and his associates picked up on something?

    There are so many unanswered questions about new construction, who was paying for it. Surely someone ask.

    Even with the use of code names you can pretty much tell what is up. The information is there they are simply filling in the blank with a different name.

    If Blake blatantly lied to Todds face even purposely mislead that is a serious issue. As far as I know he does not have the authority to do that to any sitting commissioner that basically signs the checks for the organizations he works for.

    If he has permission from the commission to do this type of dirty work we have a corruption problem that needs to be addressed.

  5. I was definitely a more productive tax than one that allows multimillion dollar parks to be built all over the county for us to be taxed for maintenance until the end of time. Nothing but money pits.

    If you ask folks they always say oh, I love our parks.

     

    Pretty little packages to suck in more residential and commercial growth. I guess industrial parks and airports were people can make a decent wage to support their families and purchase their own recreation and entertainment are ugly and annoying.

    We just learned that everything goes to crap when people don't have jobs.

    Folks have very short memories.

  6. I think the issue with the director of the airport and IBA needs to be addressed.

    If the commissioners holding seats don't make an effort to address it before the election then they need to be replaced with people that will. I have not yet gotten around to talking in depth with those running for Tommy's seat but I will.

    As I mentioned they all effect my life no matter the post.

    We have some serious problems with not only those organizations but with their legal council.

    I am even more concerned that more than one person with the firm is adept at manipulation without regard to the hard working people of this county.

     

    The commercialization of this airport without public knowledge is simply another symptom of some deep rooted issues when it comes to county business.

     

    Taking advice to keep this quiet and the efforts made to do so are indicative of something very wrong.

    If you feel that you are doing what is best for this county then you stand up for it. You already have the power to do it regardless of a 1000 or less citizens that will not agree.

     

    Part of elected office is making the hard decisions and dealing with the fall out.

    It was bad advice period and it makes one wonder what other bad advice is being given that will ultimately hurt the community. The BOC needs to get control of these organizations writing checks that we have to cash. None of the organizations get a dime of money without the commission,

    The writing of checks without permission should not sit well with any of them and the meeting I saw it is not only checks but legislation.

    We may not be able to hold these organizations accountable but we hold those commissioners accountable. The buck stops with them. Legal advice is nothing but an educated opinion and they have the right to disagree with it.

  7. Now NJ you know that you given the choice between a Republican and a Democrat will always be of the opinion the Republican is the best candidate.

     

    I am going to stand behind Pubby. I know that he values the truth above all things.

    I also know that he believes that compromise is essential in politics.

    He is also smart enough to work out a compromise.

    Doing nothing with that airport because some people don't like the airport will not be an option as it should not be.

    I can tell you that he would fight hard for a compromise out there that would certainly leave those severely impacted much better off than a commissioner that has been totally shut out. Pubby would do the necessary research to know exactly what they are entitled to.

     

    He would fight for them and do his best to make the airport a success.

    Those people are entitled to relocation and it may be that by simply commercializing that it may be imminent.

    It would be the best for those folks out there.

     

    If there is criteria that we are not meeting because of general aviation (number of flights, size of planes) these people will have to suffer and deal with the annoyance and we will be stuck with a failure.

    I know Pubby he will do the research and ask the questions.

    He has been the champion of many in this county over the years, it is not just enough to feel sympathy you have to do something and he will.

  8. I m not sure what you expect them to do to help it make money.

    All of the folks that live in the county and own planes lost them in the tornado.

    I think it was around 20 or more. That is 20 planes worth over a million each registered here paying tax here plus parking fees and fuel.

    Airport off line for months probably losing potential clients if just for fuel.

    Our local clients may have been understanding about our piece meal efforts at improving our airport, but those shopping may have seen some serious short comings that are being corrected.

     

    The bottom line you make it work because it is your job to do so.

     

    While I agree that post 2 people were deprived of representation, not all of them want the airport to fail by not having any planes flying in and out. Who was he supposed to represent the folks that want no planes and failure or folks that want it to be successful. Every single commissioner effects the lives of everyone in this county, not just their post.

     

    I have not heard of him or any other commissioner address compensation for those people severely effected. That sounds like a compromise to me.

    I certainly will feel no ill effects over here in North Paulding by commercialization but I still want those people treated well with my tax dollars.

     

    You don't see me arguing about tax money better spent in my post than theirs.

    One of the things that annoy me about this county is the win lose attitude and many times you see an extra vengeful kick aimed at the loser.

    It is not anything to be proud of for sure.

    Success for many when it comes to this airport is zero planes. They were fighting the general aviation. Why did we not hear about it, because of the tornadoes there were no planes to bother them.

    They thought they had won with the exception of the yearly air show which was marketing of the airport.

     

    You are welcome to believe that they would settle for general aviation if you want to. It is simply a strategy to get back to zero planes at that airport.

  9. Whitey a sell out is your perspective of the situation.

    You might be surprised at the many out there saying finally, we are on the road to success with the airport.

    There is no way we will rival HJ without a much larger runway and probably a second runway.

     

    As far as I can see those against expansion want as few as possible planes in and out of that airport.

    That means failure for the airport.

    I know that you want it to fail because it was rammed down your throat as you put it.

    As far as I can tell David has not done any of this with the intention of hurting any citizens.

    He makes the hard decisions, I am sure this was a hard one and he definitely made a mistake in the way he allowed it to be done.

    For the life of me I can not imagine someone campaigning on the platform of making sure that airport fail by finding a way to limit planes going in and out of it.

     

    I think that you are exaggerating the impact of an airport that will be small for many years.

    • Like 3
  10. Whitey I don't understand what you have an issue with. This airport has been being built piece by piece for years.

    This is not news, anyone keeping up with it knows that. The plan has been in place for years. Not just the airport but preparation for it to be a major industrial area.

     

    I read your rant about the Atlanta airport ,it was fine for those people to make all the sacrifices so you and 1000's more could have good paying jobs and good retirement.

    The time has come that our people are sacrificing trying to support their families here. The fuel prices and time away from family has become too much. They want local jobs and a healthy local economy.

     

    I know, I put my son in a school in Powder springs, it took us slightly over 20 minutes each way. 10 years later it took close to an hour. We started out with six lights to get him there and in 10 years we had over 18 traffic lights to go one way.

     

    You see only what you want to see. You talk to your own peer group and those that geographically are most likely to agree with you.

     

    You may think that only your post commissioner controls what happens in your district. All the commissioners effect all of us.

    I concern myself with other post as much as my own.

    We have some problems with the way we are doing business, that needs to change.

    The airport needs to expand and be profitable period. I would be more concerned if a commissioner claimed he would keep it in the red to keep his constituents happy.

     

    Failure is not a positive thing.

    • Like 2
  11. I have to ask those folks that are finally aware of what is going on how would you get all the details about county business that you seek?

    I have spent the last few years, attending meetings and asking questions. Pubby has published many, many, meetings just to see the front page videos get fewer than 50 views.

    It is not easy to go to multiple meetings a week getting up early and sometimes staying late to get the rest of the story.

    Those that did watch tended to have negative responses, nothing wrong with that, p.com is all about free speech.

    I can tell you his videos and the community criticism did not endear him to county officials and still does not.

    They all know what is being said on here if not firsthand then repeated by those that follow us.

    The folks that utilize the site the site have zero appreciation of him or the site because they don't agree with him.

    I have told him many times that as a democrat he has become an upfront target for those that blame the ills in their life on the democratic party.

     

    So back to all the secrets and things you didn't know about.

    Where exactly would public official publish everything you want to know?

    What citizen has the responsibility of attending every meeting and reporting to you?

    Why don't you go to all meetings open to the public?

     

    The announcement that the airport is going commercial and the brew ha ha has caught people up on almost 2 years of secrets that were not secrets but knowledge they lacked because it was not published or they did not make any effort to find out.

     

    Are all the road improvements over the next few years a big secret, according to some folks they are because nothing was published about them over the last year.

    All of the BOC meetings are taped. Has anyone bothered to get them and publish them for all to see?

    So all those BOC meetings are secret because they have not been published.

    I highly doubt anyone attending an AA meeting directly asked what was being discussed.

    Code names are not new, you won't be given the company name, but there are plenty of details if you ask.

     

    The struggles of those effected by the airport could easily have been published for years. On here, on facebook, or even a personal blog. Have they been keeping secrets from you?

     

    If the so called secrets are an issue for you then you need to do something about it. Ask that your county tape and publish these things or do it yourself.

     

    I have had every reasonable question I have ever ask answered. Now if you come at folks with an attitude don't expect the answer to be as freely given.

     

    I generally know the status of many of the issues that seem new to many of you.

    In fact I know a lot of secrets, and I don't tell. You know why? because many so called secrets are unsubstantiated rumors. I am not going to go around telling something that I don't know is for sure is the truth.

     

    I have known for a while that things at the airport are not going well. The tornado wiped out all the progress made over the years.

    We lost all the planes that were paying taxes, we had to close the airport down for awhile, then had to work hard to get the word back out that we were open.

    The little company that was working out there leasing the terminal was left with no income for a few months until the repairs were finished and their income did not come back up because the plane owners did not immediately replace their planes.

     

    I knew that we had to do something quickly in the near future out there.

    We were running out of time and money. The companies looking at our airport needed to see more before they considered moving operations there and we did not have the money to provide more.

    Something had to give and it had to give soon.

     

    It is our airport we should all want it to be a great airport. It is like buying your first home, it is not exactly what you want but you can't afford better. Do you not take care of it? make it the best little house it can be, because it is your home and you are proud of it.

     

    I want us to have a good airport, I want it to be the best little airport it can be. I can not take pride in it if we destroy it's neighbors in the process and I have been clear on that.

    As Pubby said it is what it is a place for airplanes to fly in and out of. A parking garage for very large machines that make our lives better when we want to travel.

    It can generate jobs and tax dollars for our community. There is nothing bad about that. It certainly is no worse than the bumper to bumper traffic we deal with to support our families.

    • Like 1
  12. Whitey:

     

    They did what they did. They were within their rights under the law to do what they did. I judge what they did on the merits of the project.

     

    That said, I would hope - I would think - that I would be involved enough to first of all know what was going on.

     

    Second, as I do believe in the public's right to know, I would have figured a way to communicate what I feel was great news more adroitly than having it announced by the AJC and TV three months after the retreat.  The contract may have been written a bit differently and may have been silent on some issues at the beginning (requiring an additional contract at

     

    There are two key things to keep in mind.

     

    The first thing I know that you and some others would have opposed it regardless of how it would be presented.

     

    Second, the inevitability of the project and its importance to the economic future of the county and its residents would have given me the courage to ask the question of approving the item be placed on the agenda, allowed it to lay on the table for two weeks and then have the authority agree to it after a period of public discussion.

     

    I have no doubt that those on that board or on the county commission would endure a hellacious two weeks.  They might be cajoled, threatened, argued with and more but  I have confidence that those same people - those same LEADERS -  who are being vilified now would understand that despite the arguments they would hear, their decision at that time is and was a good one for the future of the county.  The measure would have passed by the same majority and the system would have been celebrated, rather than criticized.

     

    The point is, when something needs to be done like this needs to be done, then waiting two weeks and listening to folks and not just saying you have nothing to hide but showing you have nothing to hide, will result in it happening with the least amount of drama.  The best leaders have the confidence to do this.

     

    This is not to say that our leadership is not good or even great; rather it is simply acknowledging that on my part, the leaders we have learned much of their leadership by seeing the sometimes not too great leaders do things the way they were done here.  Heck, the entire state of Georgia, going back to its history of sole commissioners who were both executive and legislator in one body (Talk about problems with open meetings law when the sole commissioner, when awake, constitutes a quorum of one) it is no wonder.

     

    The point is what I'm suggesting is simply a different way of doing business.  I'm about doing a campaign differently (you'll see soon) and when it comes to governing, I'm about accomplishing what can't be accomplished with law, with process.

     

    And that process is simply based on the notion that one of the main antidotes to the world of instant gratification is delayed gratification. I think government should lay every new ordinance, some of its spending requests, and some other stuff on the table two weeks ... out in the open and with the champion of the measure being either the sponsoring commissioner (or chairman) or a member of the county staff.

     

    Government is supposed to be thoughtful, government is supposed to be wise, government is supposed to be deliberate and government is supposed to be deliberative and most of all, government doesn't need to be in too big a hurry as a rule.

     

    Now all that said ... there are exceptions and sometimes rules need to be broken. (Recognize I use the term rule as opposed to laws.)

     

    Yes, I say that we need to talk, we need to think, we need to reason, we need to think some more and then, after about two weeks, we need to act if that seems like the thing to do.

     

    Even with the flood and snowmeggeddon - no county ordinances passed regarding either - which were handled appropriately by public safety and the county's executive powers; there were no extremely urgent bits of government business that couldn't be handled by the board of commissioners.

     

     

     

     

     

    I hope people take the time to really let your idea sink in maybe read it a second time.

    I don't think people really realize the deep thought and consideration that went into your reasoning.

     

    I probably know you better than most.

     

    I came into local political awareness more recently than many.

    I don't remember being aware of the airport before I came to work for you.

    In fact the first time I was truly aware is when Bob called who lives at the end of the airport runway and told me his situation.

    I had to ask Pubby about the airport.

    I probably know more about the early days than some that have jumped on this cause.

    Bob wanted us to tell his story and Pubby wanted Bob to tell his story directly on here.

    I heard from Bob time to time over the years.

     

    I always knew there would one day be many planes in and out there regardless of size they would be there.

     

    I have heard plenty of stories over the years about the ugly side of progress.

    I always felt compassion for those that had sad tales.

     

    I have realized that those whose homes and lives are deeply and profoundly changed by the decisions of those with power need to be heard.

     

    They need that pain to at least be acknowledged and respected by those that have inflicted it.

     

    It does not mean that the progress or change will be stopped by giving these people a chance to speak out.

     

    Not, listening, not caring, and not respecting causes those in our community to be deeply wounded and distrustful.

     

    Things have got to change, every issue like this, every election leaves walking wounded, hatred, and vengeance.

     

    My heart goes out to everyone that has been hurt, ignored, and disrespected as this county has progressed.

     

    I still stand behind progress, I have no objection to the limited commercial service that will come with a single runway.

     

    In the end the powerful always get their way. They lose nothing by listening and respecting those that feel a deep and personal loss over the progress in our community.

  13. CPR confirms, the information in the presentation was factual.  He can't dispute the facts so he attacks the presentation and the presenters.  There are MANY people that don't know the make up of the IBA and the Airport Authority, that the same 6 people with their counsel sit on both boards.  They also didn't realize Blake Swafford gets TWO paychecks.

     

    When people begin to get involved you have to start at point A, not somewhere in the middle as some want you to.  You are supposed to ignore the fact that there is and has been a rather incestuous relationship between the IBA and the AA, that needs to change.  See that's how they want you to think, it's a slight of hand, watch THIS, not THAT!!

     

     

     

     

     

    I don't have a problem with the same people on both boards. The intent up until recently has been to manufacturing, maintenance, and repair to the airport. One needs to know what the other is doing.

    These are volunteer positions. You can't fire volunteers for mistakes.

    I can tell you that I am very concerned about rubber stamping going on with both boards.

    I was told that the FAA said that we didn't need environmental studies expand the airport.

     

    Did the FAA lie to the AA board? Because of that issue our airport has been left virtually inoperable. Meaning that the small companies out there are losing money due to things beyond their control. These are people with families to feed that signed on in good faith with our airport.

    That is not a glitch it is a big mistake.

    It is a very costly mistake.

    I have no issue with elected officials sitting on both boards because they in truth seem to be the only ones that can be held accountable.

  14. We asked for a public meeting...... No we begged for public meetings, I personally asked David Austin for town hall type meetings. David could come to any meeting. The only public meeting that David has discussed this issue was in front of the select group at the Chamber, He has now waited until the  FAA has now forced a public meeting through the settlement of a law suit.

    All the commissioners should hold or attend the meetings associated with the airport.

     

    Is all this Davids Fault...... No sir they were ten folks on the Airport Authority negotiations and seven folks on the IBA and their involvement all the same folks.... They were loaning each other millions, The same seven folks, Then commissioners Carmichael, Barnett, and Graham even got into the deal and used $2,900,000 general fund tax dollars to complete a taxi way project knowing fully well that the citizens of this county had been told that none of our tax dollars would be used..

     

    LPPT where are you coming from.. The AA board has just said they need at least $38,000,000 more dollars. Why should the citizens be required to pledge their property for this non sense.

    Not being open, Honest and transparent was what caused the vacuum, This is a PR night mare that is out of control.

     

     

     

     

    I know were I am coming from. I want that airport to generate money instead of eating it.

    I have no issue with us entering into public/private partnership to make it happen.

    It just seems to me the process should be much smoother than what we have now.

    I don't even object to the money being spent to bring it up to where it needs to be.

     

    Our commissioners had no choice but to find a way to make it pay. They did not start this project. They desperately need the tax revenue that can come from it.

     

    In taking this project on and trying to make it pay, to quote Mr. Carmicheal "We are not doing anything wrong"

     

    There has been zero proof that any of them or anyone on those boards will directly benefit from that airport.

     

    Your group is welcome to believe that they will replace people on that commission and gain control of what does and does not happen at that airport and you are wrong. That airport can only go forward and it will take cash to do so.

     

    I think some of the bumps in the road were avoidable and that has me questioning the lack of success in the past.

     

    I am not on the anti airport side. It is ours, we own it, we make it the best that it can be.

  15. Would you be happier if they put them in the same envelope???   I don't understand the need for multiple checks but hardly understand what that has to do with wether or not expanding the airport is a good idea.

     

    If the Commissioners had held a public meeting about this would you all embrace it???  Doubt it, so get past that.  They screwed up the PR - got it.  Water under the bridge.  Is it a good idea to expand it or not?

     

     

     

     

    Not having a public meeting left a huge vacuum with no factual information for people to make up their minds. That vacuum has now been filled with rumors, gossip, misinformation and anti airport people.

    So those that may have supported it have very little to go on.

    I don't think it is fair to place people in the category of either you are with us or against us because they have questions.

    It seems as though there is little faith in people to listen to the facts and make up their minds.

    • Like 2
  16. This group no longer wants answers. They already have them.  They just don't like the answers or the facts.  They held a meeting to vent and bitch.  Nobody is on the take, no collusion, no secret deals, no pockets being lined (except the Paulding 6 and some of their groupies maybe).  What proof do I have???  The same amount of proof this group has in reverse...

     

    They (and Delta) don't like the project, period.  So somebody has to be blamed for their lot in life.   Simple as that.  If you can't expand this airport as sparsely populated as it is within three miles in any direction, then you can't build one ANYWHERE.

     

     

     

     

    I agree that I have not seen a shred of proof that anyone is personally profiting.

    It is very difficult to support those trying to make the airport a success when they have not opened up to the public.

    I don't care if the handful severely impacted don't have a pot to pi$$ in. They deserve to be fairly compensated for relocation. I have yet to speak to anyone that does not agree with that.

     

    When the article came out and it said we expect very little opposition except for a few that don't count, how do you think most people took that? And everything that has followed has been in line with that statement.

     

    Nobody has the resources to fight for themselves when a government entity has a bottomless pit of taxpayer money to fight them.

     

    It is naturally concerning to everyone in this community.

    The airport can and should be a success. The lack of a success is not due to a lack of Propeller or similar companies looking to invest and that is all I will say on that matter.

    • Like 1
  17. Everyone that attended this meeting and hoped to learn something should remember one important thing.  You heard one side of the story.  And only what the folks with either an axe to grind or had a political agenda wanted you to hear...

     

     

     

     

    I know some have gone for answers, answers that commissioners and board members of the AA and IBA

    should have answered in a similar type of setting.

     

    People needed to speak up publicly and stand behind what they believed a while back.

     

    Not doing it was probably the single most negative thing ever.

    I know it is hard, I will never forget the Toll road meeting and how scared I was after coming out in support of it.

     

    It needed to be done in this circumstance.

    This is not going to turn out well and I hate it.

    Whats done is done.

  18. Wow.

     

    Collusion, seriously.

     

    You know, I really wanted this airport thing to work, but not like this.

     

    What they have done is wrong on so many levels.

     

    Regardless if you were for it or against it, you should open your eyes to what our representatives are doing and have done.

     

    Wrong is wrong.  If it weren't for concerned citizens like the ones at this meeting and the other meetings, we would have all sit here led by the nose like blind sheep, including myself.

     

    I just don't know how people can be so callous and power hungry.

     

    At this moment I feel that David is no better than Jerry. Maybe worse.

     

     

     

     

    The question is, have they broken the law?

    Laws do not have to be moral or fair.

    You can say they are mean, immoral,unfair, greedy and just plain wrong all day long.

    Our taxes pay for the lawyers that keep them from breaking the law. At the end of the day that is really all there is to it.

    They may all lose their post eventually but nobody can break the law to overturn what they have done. We are one of the most conservative counties in the country, and we act surprised by this?

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