Mr. Happel’s words about the necessity for safety’s sake of fixing Elbert County road berms still ring in my ears. The Thomasson’s supported the tax too, and now resent the tax being used in the same way, almost down to the same picture (!!) as it was sold.
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They gave the county a blank check forever, the county did exactly what it was told to do, and now they’re whining about it. Perhaps worst of all, the chance they will learn from this expensive lesson is approximately zero.
Thank you for reading abe21.net Brooks. You probably need to read it a little closer in order to fully understand the concept behind what we actually said. I think you need to get your mind around the difference between a “ringing” endorsement and a “tepid” endorsement. That was the term we used. I clearly articulated the possibility that the current administration could abuse the tax increase. I personally voted against the measure, but as the ECN is always a week behind, was unable to withdraw even the “tepid” version. I am flattered that you think that we had the power to flip election. I guess when you were unable to win the lawsuit that you needed a scapegoat. We are glad to accept your endorsement of power. I really think you do not understand just how much money it has taken to do the work out on these roads that lead to one commissioner’s house past a possible future commissioner’s house and development. Perhaps you are satisfied with wasting money, but I do not think so. Nope, you are too smart for that. I think if you check, you will find that this road work has been going on for a period of time that predates 1B. People are dying on poorly maintained roads, Brooks and you want to blame a Democrat. That is a tough sell in a county where the Republicans have been in control for decades. The measure that drives you so crazy was dreamed up by your friends over at Republican headquarters to benefit the few. It did not have to be that way, but if it did not turn out the way you wanted it to, then take it up with Charles and his cronies. They did not get a dime from me. Somebody paid for that flyer and it wasn’t the Dems. Misplaced anger. Misplaced blame.
People may be dying ON poorly maintained roads, but if people are dying BECAUSE OF poorly maintained roads, then the proof ought to be available and I’d like to see it. I’d like to also see how the tax increase will mitigate conditions that, apparently, somehow, everybody just knows cause deaths. That’s all I ever expected out of this boondoggle and my expectation remains. Show me the evidence.
Some time back I posted a matrix from county road&bridge that ranked roads according to traffic load. It is my understanding that road maintenance is allocated according to this analysis. See http://elbertcounty.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2007/09/elbert-county-traffic-counts.pdf . I didn’t find County Rd. 105 ranked on the list.
I lost my lawsuit because a technicality overcame a large preponderance of evidence to the contrary. I would make the same argument again in a heartbeat. Public contractors in bed with the county paid for the flyers. It was a ridiculously cheap investment for them.
No question, in Elbert County it’s Republicans who grew government, grew taxes, and grew government spending, though you have to admit, those are traditionally Democratic traits. But you also know that political party is no indication of political philosophy around here. It has been a long time since the fiscal conservatism of a Kennedy (as in JFK) Democrat has been seen in the land. Maybe you can change that in your bid for commissioner.
I sincerely hope the following comment does not damage your run for office, but I hope your candidacy represents a move toward a viable two-party system in Elbert County. I hope your party will attract the cadre of liberals currently masquerading as Republicans, and that important debates for issues and candidates will be taken out of the control of the current single-party farce.
You are mistaken if you think I have any friends left at Republican headquarters, or the directorships of our infamous local quasi-governmental non-profits. If I ever did, those ships have certainly sailed. Purveyors of the status quo like their ability to control the options ultimately presented to voters, be it issue or candidate. It’s basically a Stalinist approach without the guns. No. They definitely don’t like me.
Where are the District 2 candidates?