July 29, 2008

LOCAL

As I type this, I believe we are getting a little beneficial rain for Lake Lanier.

 

FYI

I guess Barack Obama thinks his tail wing sign is better than the United States Flag.  Why would he not proudly fly the flag on his campaign plane?  That’s right – you do not need to wear a United States Flag lapel pin to be patriotic.

July 28, 2008

 

LOCAL

Tonight I attended the Joint Local Government Association in Lula where all the city officials come together to talk about a number of issues in the county and municipalities, and I would like to thank Lula for their hospitality.  There are a number of great things happening, but it appears SPLOST or special-purpose local-option sales tax was what was everybody’s mind.

 

FYI

For those of you who are worried about global warming and wonder how big you carbon footprint is – well here you go.  I believe the earth may be warming, a bit, but not because of the reasons some are claiming.  This issue is going to take time to study to get real answers to the question.

July 27, 2008

LOCAL
I posted this in a previous post.

“Another issue is this article about this woman who was awarded $150,000 because her former fiancé broke of the engagement. Well, I would like to be the first person to announce I am going patent the pre-engagement agreement to protect men or women from someone taking their money because they later find out the person they thought the loved turned out to be a bit – off the hook.”

So this makes national news. And now we have another one. What is this world coming too?

STATE
Here is an article on our school system in Georgia as a whole as Hall County. I have found out that Spout Springs Elementary, per the article, was not supposed to be on the list and did pass the standards. My problem is I am not a big fan of the government school systems because there is no competition amongst them. You either have government, private, or home schooling. I believe the last two are superior and I am a huge fan of school vouchers – maybe someday they will happen.

FUNNY
Another spoof on politics.

July 24, 2008

LOCAL

First I would like to wish Craig Lutz a speedy recovery from his knee injury.  He was playing softball when he blew out his knee.  We both play softball and I told him it might be time for us both to retire.

 

Another issue is this article about this woman who was awarded $150,000 because her former fiancé broke of the engagement.  Well, I would like to be the first person to announce I am going patent the pre-engagement agreement to protect men or women from someone taking their money because they later find out the person they thought the loved turned out to be a bit – off the hook.

 

I can sympathize with this guy.  I paid off my wife’s credit card prior to us getting married to find out she charged it up again.  I only took her card, and I guess after 15 years in August, it worked out for me.  But to the jury of this case – shame on you.  This man was the victim – not the woman. 

 

Why should someone spend the rest of their lives with someone they find out not to be compatible.

 

FEDERAL

Here my Barack Obama comedy of the day – 57 states.  I guess the other 7 plus the one he still needs to go to are, what he would like to be to get the votes are: China, Russia, Cuba, Venezuela, Syria, Iran, North Korea, and the one he needs to visit is France.

July 23, 2008

LOCAL

I would like to take a moment to give my deepest sympathies to the family of U.S. Army Corporal Matthew Britten Phillips of Cumming.  He is yet another patriot who gave the ultimate sacrifice so we may live free everyday.  As a former U.S. Army solider and a veteran of Operation Desert Shield/Storm, my heart hurts when a brother has fallen.  Deciding to raise your right hand and offer your life to defend this country takes special people and creates a bond amongst those who have done so in the past and who are currently doing so today.

 

STATE

With the recent rains, hopefully Lake Lanier can maintain its current level, but we may need a tropical storm to come through North Georgia.

 

FEDERAL

Today the minimum wage goes from $5.85 to $6.55 – WOW! 

 

If you are over the age of 25, or working in an industry that is traditionally has a lower minimum wage such as waiters and waitresses at a restaurant, because they earn tips, you are not doing something right.  All an increase in the minimum wage does is put undo burdens on small business that may lead to higher prices for small business services or layoffs from small businesses.

 

Her are the facts from the Department of Labor of the characteristics of a minimum wage worker in 2007.  Please take some time to read the insignificant amount of people who earn minimum wage and see that most of them are under age 25.

 

Okay, I am not a big fan of Jon Stewart’s politics, but his show is funny.  Here is a clip.

July 20, 2008

This is my blog and I am going to do something different.  I am going to write a column.

 

AND THE BRAVES WONDER WHY THEY DO NOT SELL OUT!

Yesterday I took my wife, son, and in-laws to the Braves game against the Nationals for my father-in-law’s birthday.  It had been some time since he had been to a game and the first with his grandson.

 

The weather was almost perfect, a bit warm, but hey that is summer baseball in Atlanta.

 

Prior to getting to the game, we stopped by the store and bought an Official Major League Baseball, which we all know saved me a fortune, and a Sharpie marker.  We had field level tickets and got to the ballpark two hours early so we could take our two-year old son to get autographs from the players.  We had to stand down along first base line along the wall and waited and watched as the Braves did batting practice and shagged balls.  I watched several players run onto the field and understood it was their time to warm up and get ready for the game. 

 

While we watched the players, my son was on my shoulders, and he threw the ball out onto the field near a security guard some ten feet away.  I yelled for him to get my son’s ball and he acted as though he did not hear me.  I yelled again and asked him to get my son’s ball and he said he did not see him throw it on the field.  Then several other fans chimed in saying my son had thrown it on the field.  Still the security guard did not attempt to get the ball.  I asked for his supervisor and all he did was point to him.  As I became more upset, the Braves finished up practice and began to run off the field when one of the players picked up the ball and began to run in to the dugout with it and thanks to all the other fans yelling, one of the players tossed another ball towards us and my son got a ball – but not his ball.  Here is my problem.

 

The ball my son threw onto the field was an Official Major League Baseball and the balls the players use during batting practice are Official Training Ball.  I cannot understand when I told the security guard about the difference, he would not respond.  I only have three reasons why he did nothing: he did not care, he felt he had power over powerless people, or both.

 

As with anything in business, customer service is key, and yes we are customers to the Braves and we expect good service.  We may not get to go no the field and chat with the players, as NASCAR allows, but a little friendly time would be nice.

 

The whole time we were waiting, only one player signed autographs, Brent Lillibridge, a youngster who was brought due to so many injuries, and he singed everyone’s balls, tickets, pictures, and shirts.  Way to go Brent.  I would also like to point out a few coaches signed as well.

 

As for the rest of the Braves and management, you may run a business and be at work, but your future depends on fans paying to see you play.

 

These types of events are also the same for elected officials: some are in it for the power, some for the title, some to protect their interests, or any combination of them.  But, there are others who do it for the people and customer service is involved by talking to those who have questions and call them back, reply to a letter or email, or go visit them at their homes.

July 16, 2008

LOCAL

First I would like to congratulate all those who won their respective races yesterday and wish the best of luck to those who have a run-off.  I do know how hard one must work to win a campaign.

 

Now onto Flowery Branch business.  I have been quiet on how I was going to vote on Ordinance 376, which will create a new historic district in Flowery Branch.  I already knew how I was going to vote based on my own personal beliefs on the matter.  I am a firm believer in individual property rights and I believe that, through the years since the creation of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, governments have translated a well-intentioned act to fit their needs.  Here is the article in the Gainesville Times.

 

I am having trouble with the link, but here is my comments I read today at the meeting.

 

I think most actions by a legislative body, such as the creation of ordinances, resolutions, codes, bills and acts, that become law, which people must follow, start of with the best intentions and through time become translated and twisted to fit the needs of government.

 

The National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 states;

 

“ . . .the historical and cultural foundations of the Nation should be preserved as a living part of our community life and development in order to give a sense of orientation to the American people”. 

 

 And the Georgia Historic Preservation Act of 1980 states;

 

“The General Assembly finds that the historical, cultural, and aesthetic heritage of this state is among its most valued and important assets and that the preservation of this heritage is essential to the promotion of the health, prosperity, and general welfare of the people.”

 

As I read the entire National Historic Preservation Act and the Georgia Historic Preservation Act, I read about the preservation of historic property with “few remaining examples of past architectural style”, or

“the preservation of this irreplaceable heritage is in the public interest”.

 

But nowhere could I find where it stated where a government should create a historic district, allow people to tear down the buildings, and have something built back that has a historic feel.  All I found was how we are supposed to “preserve” historic property.  Yet in Chapter 8, Historic Preservation in the Flowery Branch Comprehensive Plan states, “Flowery Branch should prepare a comprehensive master plan for the redevelopment of Old Town that includes the existing historic resources in downtown as a foundation of the planning process”. I never read the word redevelopment in either the National Historic Preservation Act or the Georgia Historic Preservation Act.

 

We already have an extensive zoning code, Ordinance 378, which has already had a number of amendments, which shows our ability to work with citizens, businesses, and developers to build aesthetically beautiful buildings.  Look at the Stonebridge Village, and the new homes at 5506 and 5510 Chestnut Street, as well as the remodeling at 5502 Chestnut Street.  All these were built or remodeled in the past year under the guidance of our zoning code and planning department and they are not in any kind of historic district and they all are aesthetically beautiful.

 

Flowery Branch already has the Flowery Branch Commercial Historic District, which was added in 1985 and consists of 20 acres and 12 building on Main Street and Railroad Avenue with a registration number 85001932.  Looking at these buildings one could say – yes, they look and feel historic and need to be preserved.

 

Ordinance 376 is a clear case of government gone wild. The National Historic Preservation and Georgia Historic Preservation Acts started with good intensions and, through the years, have become property rights issues. 

 

And as every other community in this great nation, they all have a great history, but not everything is historic.

July 15, 2008

Today is Election Day for the primaries and I hope you all voted – I did!

 

There appears to be a highly contested race for two of our Hall County Commissioners race and I guess we will have the results in the morning.

 

Tomorrow is the first vote on Ordinance 376 about setting the boundaries for the historic district.  Please come to the meeting, unfortunately, at 9:30 AM. If you do not have to work, and would like to hear my comments and see my vote, please come by.

 

STATE

There is also a highly anticipated race to see who will challenge Saxby Chambliss in November as well as if John Lewis will be the Democratic nominee for his house seat.

 

FEDERAL

I hope the federal politicians get their heads out of their sphincters and fix our energy crisis.  It is not rocket science, but I guess they are worried about the power instead of the people.

July 12, 2008

LOCAL

If you read the article and look at the chart, you can see that Flowery Branch’s population has increased119.06% between 2000 and 2007, while other cities in Hall County have lower population increase on a percentage base: Clermont at 82.57%; Lula at 63.21%; Oakwood at 51.10%; and Gainesville at 36.12%.

 

Why is this significant?  SPLOST (special-purpose local-option sales tax) is at stake and the county, based on population, divides it up.  My concern is the SPLOST should be divided up on a percentage of growth based on current estimates from a reliable source and not based on the population size.  The SPLOST can be used to upgrade and plan infrastructure and if, by a percentage base, an area is growing faster – then that area needs more funds to ensure proper growth.

 

A simple analogy is if a $100 stock goes up $10 in a day, everybody is excited, but if a $1 sock goes up $.10 in a day, everybody is like ho hum.  Guess what – they were still both a 10% increase and everybody made the same money on a percentage basis.

 

You can also read the article how the local, smaller cities feel about the census numbers.

July 10, 2008

LOCAL

Tonight we had our second public hearing on Ordinance 376 that, as expected, was a full house full of emotion.  There were great points given from both sides, and that is what makes this a difficult decision.

 

From one point, there is a developer spending upwards to 15 million dollars who will bring added value to the area and possibly increase land values. 

 

On the other hand, who is the government to change the rules on people’s property after they bought it?

 

Please come to the July 16, 2008 meeting, and I am sorry that it is still at 9:30 AM and not in the evening as Craig Lutz and I proposed on the January 2, 2008, and listen to my first public comments on this touchy subject.

 

I promise to express why I vote the way I do and not just vote without an explanation.

 

STATE

Other than the fact we are getting some rain, I would love to see more over the Lake Lanier Basin.

 

FEDERAL

Can Jessie Jackson step in it or what? Here is what one truly feels when they think they are not being listened to, and then tries to apologize.  There are those who think Jessie Jackson’s remarks will help Obama – what!

 

I guess we need to change Lee Greenwoods song to God help the USA, if Obama wins.