surepip

Sound Guy, I believe the chronilogical sequence of the preliminary budget proposal was prior to the tax commissioner's preliminary tax digest. Hence, the original budget proposal was based on much higher expected revenues. What choices do you want the BOC to make when they find themselves, and the rest of us, faced with a 17% reduction in property values for the upcoming year ? I don't see anywhere they could cut another 17% and still provide basic services. The average NET tax bill will still be approximately 3% to 4% lower than last year. The only other alternative would be

HeeHaw, I have never pulled any punches with my distaste for the previous administration and all connected to it. And I have publicly eaten my plate of crow numerous times for the fact I actually supported Shearin and his group in 2000 and 2004, actually driving around with a sign on my trunk supporting him. In the fall/winter of 2005, and going into the spring of 2006, I learned first hand how indeed the county was run, and who was really in charge. Over the course of the next 4 years, after filing suit against the BOC and the developer for amoungst other things Zoning Fraud, we learned

Sorry, I was just doing a quid pro quo. And Beverly did indeed know about the event, she sent in a question for Todd even though she no-showed.

NewsJunk Come on now. Beverly knew the event at the Chamber was taking place, and sent in an email with a question for her opponent even though she chose to sit it out on the sidelines. It was on the Chamber website. Pubby has publicized today's event as well. Beverly and Tony knew about these but chose to stay away as they have the previous public appearances with the balance of the candidates. If they allow themselves to answer questions which will be recorded for future reference, then they open themselves up to be made out to be liars at some point in the future as King Jerry

From where I sit, this is a proposed millage rate increase, but will still be a net tax decrease. A 14% millage rate increase against an average 17.5% assessment decrease. Your net tax bill will still decrease by an average of 3.5%. The tax commissioners office, along with the assessors have come up with a net tax digest for this year which will be 17.5% below last year. In order to maintain minimal county services I don't see where the BOC has much of a choice but to increase the millage rate to compensate for at least part of the tax digest decrease. When King Jerry and company would

Because I feel the public, i.e. voters, have the right to know where the candidates stand on various issues brought up in a public forum where there will be records if it down the road [remember "Read my lips....no new taxes"?]. And one of the questions Beverly was asked at the public event 5-6 weeks ago about SPLOST, she refused to answer stating commissioners cannot give public comments or support for SPLOST. And she is not a commissioner best I know. David Barnett and Todd Pownall have been out front and have replied to everything asked of them. I guess for me it boils down to

Unless you have done some major improvements, you should be welcoming the assessors this year. They will in all likelyhood be LOWERING your assessed value. Ours went down by 25%.

Speaking of King Jerry, I saw him yesterday at the corner of 92 and 278 holding a Nathan Deal sign. I have to assume that Karen Handle is NOT one of Jerry's Girls ?!? Beverly Cochran and Tony Crowe have not made themselves available for any public gatherings since the primary and only sporatically before then. I am just wondering why ? Beverly, come out-come out, come-out where ever you are and talk to us. Tell us some of your plans as a potential commissioner and how you are going to work to improve Paulding county. Todd has been pretty much out there since this race started.

There was another event sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce yesterday for all of the candidates in the local run-off elections. The various candidates responded to general questions asked by the Chamber, and each opponent was allowed to ask a question as well. Stout and Braddock were there. Lane and Donovan were there. Todd Pownall was there. David Barnett was there. Beverly Cochran and Tony Crowe were NOT there. However, Beverly Cochran did email the Chamber a question to ask Todd Pownall. Why won't Beverly and Tony participate in any of these public events ? Just makes yo

I have never understood why Yorkshire Puddings are not more common on this side of the pond. They are simple and easy to make....eggs., flour, milk, and rendered beef fat. Muffin cups and a hot oven. The kids were always impressed with the ones that would get 6 or 7 inches tall. We do a brown gravy and a red-wine reduction. I have a RibEye Roast in the freezer which I think I will get out tomorrow to age for next weekend.

No one cooks it rare enough for me. And I like a nice Yorkshire Pudding with mine to sop up the juice. Just wish the price would come down a little every once in awhile.

Like Whitey, I have heard that both Tony Crowe and Beverly Cochran have been canvassing the neighborhoods going door to door, but I have not seen, or heard anything first hand about WHAT they are stating, claiming, or any details of what their plans are. Hence why I would like to see them in a Roundtable discussion. And again, I have to ask "Why are they not willing to participate?"

No, there is no hear-say tactic. Each Post elects their Commissioner, but that commissioner is very much involved with what happens in the entire county. Cochran and Crowe have made little effort to let the citizens know where they stand on the issues. In one of her few appearances, Cochran refused to even tell us where she stood on the SPLOST referendum, saying commissioners were not supposed to promote the SPLOST yet she is not a commissioner. It would be nice to find out where Cochran and Crowe stand and I wish they would both agree to sit down on camera with Barnett and Pownall. Bu

Because Kirby, Powell, and Ragsdale vote to not sit down and negotiate a settlement with us. I have to assume after 4 years of paying out the nose to litigate they did not want to change tactics. As of now we are waiting for Judge Beavers to rule on a motion which was argued on March 17th. At least we offered. As of now, we would prefer to go to trial and let a jury formulate the settlement.

And while you are dreaming, think about the $1Million+ the BOC has spend defending themselves and the developer buddy in our lawsuits, .....money spent just to keep us from getting into the courtroom, while laying off county employees and making others take furlough days. We are just waiting for our day in court, and dreaming about that day.

No, I think you will find that many of the politicians, and the candidates have been active in the local GOP in the past. It just seems the leadership of the local GOP started shifting into the hands of a select few prior to the elections 2 years ago in which they did not fare too well. They lost the Echol's seat to Tommie Graham and Shearin got his tail whooped 73% to 27%. Then add to that mix the Richardson debaucle last December and the fact the same "Group" is who is pulling the strings today. Hence my Jerry's Girls remark. And I would have to say that includes Virginia as well.

Our illustrious Pubby used to be the editor of the Paulding Neighbor, and saw the opportunity for a web based news outlet instead. And so we all get to find out what is going on with P.com instead. And, neither the New Era, the Neighbor, or the Sentinnel will publish hard news. They are all fluff and social only. Thanks Pubby!

And there is nothing to stop Cochran and Crowe's supporters from coming on p.com and posting about their candidates. I, for one, would like to know why Cochran and Crowe refuse to have a roundtable discussion on p.com with Pownall and Barnett. Why won't they participate ?

Your Dark Side is hard at work promoting Jerry's Girls. They lost control of much of the politics 2 years ago, and now they stand to lose the rest. Hopefully that will come to fruition, and they will pack up and leave Paulding once and for all.

No, if you knew Pownall and Barnett, you would know they are both for real and legit. I think back on the time, energy and effort Todd devoted to Relay for Life for so many years, and the fact he never got paid a penny for that either.

No new superior court judges have been appointed [since Osborne] in several years, but we are due for I believe 2 more judges which have been held back because of a lack of funding.

You have been drinking far too much of their Kool Aid if you really believe what you wrote. And I did not say it was "Wrong" for previous elected officials from the local GOP to actively campaign for their slate of candidates in the primaries. I just pointed out there was a group doing just that, and they are all supporting the same slate, including both of Jerry's Girls. There are indeed 2 distinct factions in the local GOP, and it has driven a lot of previous members away. I have know Paulette for many years and just do not see her as a good representative for Paulding County. A

Well DAYAM, Animal and I agree on something. What is this world coming to ?!

No outrage, just misgivings on the Arizona law in the way it is written. I repeat, I would like to see ALL illegals deported ASAP. But using bad laws it not the way to achieve that goal.

It might have made her Umms more audible.