July 2, 2008

LOCAL

In today’s meeting we annexed in a piece of property on the corner of Spout Springs Road and Hog Mountain where a Walgreens will be built as well as a few out parcel units.

 

I would first like to commend the staff and the council on balancing the Solid Waste Fund, however, I am at odds with how we got to this point to add a $1.00 service fee to balance the fund. 

 

The prior council, during the October 3, 2007 council meeting, on page 5 you will see how the council voted on adding a $1.92 charge per customer per month to pay for new 96 gallon trash cans, at no extra cost to the customer.  During that time, the service fee was $11.00 per month per customer, as it is still today, but the city was paying Red Oak only $8.50 per customer per month for and estimated excess revenue of $57,500. Per the minutes, the excess revenue was supposed to cut to $32,092.  Well, it did not cut the excess revenue to $32,092.  The estimate we were given less than a year later was $17,500 for the FY09 Budget. 

 

What happened?  All I know is there were only a few residents in Flowery Branch who needed new trash cans, while the majority still had relatively new ones. Now a $1.00 service fee, that I might add does cover certain expenses incurred to run an enterprise fund, must be added to once again balance the Solid Waste Fund.  A figure of somewhere in the area of $32,000 is needed to pay for the yard debris service that the city will pick-up, and I agree with that, but shame on those council members, from the previous council, who voted to mismanage your city budget dollars and now we have to play catch-up to balance the Solid Waste Fund.

 

That is why the vote was 3-2.  Craig Lutz and I voted no.

 

STATE

I applaud the State of Georgia to allow the, law-abiding citizens of Georgia, to carry concealed weapons in more places to defend themselves and their families from predators.

 

In the same breath, I am disappointed, but not surprised, that the “bass ackwards” city of Atlanta is fighting the law as it pertains to the Atlanta Airport.  You can read the crazy thought and comments form some of the city officials here.  Remember this is the same city whose last mayor is in prison and lied that he had a drinking problem to get early release.  God I love the ATL – always a good laugh.

 

If Obama gets in and he gets to put three new justices on the United States Supreme Court – bye bye Second Amendment.

 

FEDERAL

My only comment is.  When will the people of this country, Democrat and Republican, kick in the doors of their U.S. elected officials and say, “Drill Here. Drill Now. Pay Less”.  Please sign-up now.