Saturday, August 26, 2006
Remaining Unincorporated
The future of South Fulton is remains up in the air. There is one thing we know for sure, Chattahoochee Hills will not create its own city. They are asking to be annexed by Palmetto. For areas not adjacent to any city annexation may not be an option. The remaining options are voting for incorporation of a new city in June of 2007 or no voting for a new city and remain unincorporated. Remaining unincorporated has become the option most folks don't want to talk about. There are various opinions on what happens if South Fulton remains unincoroporated. What are your thoughts?
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Chattahoochee Hills wants to join Palmetto
Mon, 08/28/2006 - 12:50pm
By: Ben Nelms
A group of Chattahoochee Hills residents did what seemed at the outset to be unlikely, even improbable. They decided two weeks ago to forego the plans of having their own city and to link up instead with the City of Palmetto. In that two weeks, organizers said they obtained the signed petitions of more than 60 percent of the registered voters and 60 percent of property owners, the requirement for obtaining annexation. City officials are currently validating the petitions so that the mayor and city council can take up the issue.
Though the 40,000-acre Chatt Hills area dwarfs Palmetto, residents believe their fate is better served as citizens of Palmetto due to recent changes in development plans for one of the areas three planned villages when Vanguard Properties sought and received annexation into Palmetto. Area residents believe a second village was all but lost after the General Assembly earlier this year included the area for the location of another village in the City of South Fulton. Though those 7,900 acres might be returned to Chatt Hills once the South Fulton is formed next year, Hill country residents maintain that such a move has no guarantee attached.
“People in our community know growth is inevitable, they know it’s coming, they don’t want to stop it. But they do want a voice at the table. They want to manage it, to preserve it,” Chatt Hills resident Rodney Peek explained. “With losing one or two of the villages we would be fractured. With one village being in Palmetto and one being in the City of South Fulton it would be very difficult to keep the original Chatt Hills plan.”
So with what they see as the handwriting on the wall, Chatt Hills residents two weeks ago began the rush to amass the blessing of the required 60 percent of registered voters and 60 percent of land owners needed to be annexed into Palmetto. And by Thursday’s deadline they succeeded, with more than 100 Hill Country residents showing up at city hall with what they said were the required number of petitions to gain entry into the city.
“I am amazed at how our community has been united together for this cause. In most communities you know your neighbors but so many times everybody is going in different directions. But with this, everyone saw the benefit and the whole community got organized and came together. I’ve never seen anything like this in my lifetime, Peek said. “It happened in two weeks. Neighbors came in and recruited helpers. They were people I didn’t even know. They just wanted to help. Younger people and older people. One older lady said she would never have thought about going into Palmetto. We talked about the pros and cons and she said she wanted to help.”
Long-time Hill Country resident Molcie Trimble did not initially support the move to join Palmetto, yet is in favor of the attempt to become one of its newest citizens. Joining many of her fellow Chatt Hills neighbors Thursday at city hall, she expressed complete support for the move to bring the Hill Country into the city limits.
“I didn't vote for it but I worked my heart out in the last 12 days. We worked day and night and I’m happy with the outcome and I support it,” Trimble said. “This will be good for the community and for Palmetto.
For Peek and others in the Hill Country, their work is done. Now they wait to hear the outcome of their efforts.
“I can’t believe what has happened. It’s exciting,” Peek said smiling. “I hope the City of Palmetto will look at what’s happening, look at us as an asset, as something that doesn’t want to take away, but as something as wants to add to the city. We just want them to preserve the overlay we’ve worked so hard for. It can be an asset to the whole community.”
The petitions are currently being validated by city staff. If found in order, the annexation request will be taken up in coming weeks by the mayor and city council.
http://www.thecitizen.com/node/9691
PRESS RELEASE
From Sandtown and West Cascade Community Petitioners for Annexation
The Sandtown and West Cascade community petitioners have requested that the processing of their application for annexation to the city of Atlanta be suspended at this time. This request is made as a result of the 1/8th rule for the 60% method for annexation that prevents us from including all the citizens in the petition for annexation that would like to be included. Another factor which slowed the process of Sandtown and West Cascade meeting the legal requirements was the fervent opposition from our own political representatives working to deny us the right to choose annexation.
Despite many efforts by our own representatives, including their participation in public forums on how to remove names from annexation petitions, we had an overwhelming response from our community to join our petitions for annexation to Atlanta. It is unfortunate that our legislators, specifically Mr. Roger Bruce, did not think to offer or allow for additional choices for all citizens of West Cascade and Sandtown. He helped pass legislation that would force us to participate in a vote for a new city with other parts of unincorporated South Fulton county that have interests vastly different than ours.
We do not want to be the financial base for starting a new city from scratch that has no real commercial or industrial tax base, and that would mostly benefit developers and large land owners not in our community as well as would-be elected officials for this new city.
Our choice is to join the established and renewed city of Atlanta. Our community is comprised of many professionals and working class people such as doctors, lawyers, teachers, pastors, entrepreneurs, board members and volunteers who work for and with many public and private businesses and civic organizations in Atlanta. We already work, play and invest in Atlanta.
Hopefully, our political leaders will respond to the homeowners in these areas who have requested that we be given a choice on a referendum other than the one that has been listed on their own agenda.
We should have the right to choose rather than being forced into a preconceived direction of starting a new city from those who pretend to represent us. Hopefully, our political representatives will be sensitive to the fact that the vast majority of homeowners in our area signed petitions for joining Atlanta rather than being forced to participate in a vote for a new city with other parts of unincorporated Futon County that have vastly different interests than our own.
Sandtown and West Cascade Community Petitioners for Annexation
FROM THE DESK OF COMMISSIONER EDWARDS
WHAT ARE YOU RUNNING FROM…AND
WHO ARE YOU RUNNING TO?
South Fulton Residents, you are a wonderful people and I appreciate you from the bottom of my heart. I say to you, thank you so very much for your support and vote of confidence on July 18, 2006 when you went to the polls. By a margin of 72%, you showed me that you still believe in me and the direction, with your continued support, that South Fulton is going and that you trust me as your leader. Your vote of confidence also let me know that together we can do anything to make South Fulton even greater than it is today. For this I want to say THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!!!
Now to the matter at hand. There is a wave of restlessness running throughout South Fulton County that is weighing heavily on my heart. You, the citizens of South Fulton County have worked so hard together on your communities’ hopes and dreams, through agreements and disagreements to set standards and guidelines that would make your tomorrows better for you and your children. Yet, now we are letting people with limited information and misinformation come in and destroy the bond that got us where we are today. Communities are fighting communities, neighbors are fighting neighbors, and for what? I refuse to give up the dream that you came to me with, so allow me to attempt to shed some light on the situation before us.
As citizens of Unincorporated South Fulton, the issues for decision are as follows:
1. Annexation
· Municipalities have until October 31, 2006 to submit annexation packages
· Municipalities MUST have 60% of the registered AND 60% of the land owners. The 100% method is used ONLY when you have one land owner at stake.
· Communities may opt to be annexed into a city, however, the 60/60 rule still applies
2. Form a new city
3. Remain Unincorporated South Fulton County
After reviewing data, statistics, and most importantly our finances, this is where I stand on all of these issues:
AGAINST
I AM 100% AGAINST ANNEXATION BY ANYONE!!!
I AM 100% AGAINST BECOMING THE CITY OF SOUTH FULTON!!!
SUPPORT
I AM 100% IN FAVOR OF REMAINING UNINCORPORATED!!!!
It is because of you, the citizens, that I support remaining Unincorporated. Let me tell you why this is the best option for you and me, because I live in South Fulton just like you.
· First and foremost, South Fulton’s millage rate of 5.731 is the fifth lowest in the County
· Growth for Unincorporated South Fulton County, to date, for 2006 is $962,985,016. Keep in mind, the year is not over.
· Fulton County is in the top one percent of counties adding the most housing units in 2006
· South Fulton County has an ending Fund Balance of $6,649,945
· Fulton County has the highest short-term note credit rating possible
· Fulton County’s financial health places it in the top one percent of county governments nationwide
· The three national credit rating organizations, Standard and Poor’s, Moody’s and Fitch each ranked Fulton County’s financial health among the nation’s credit rating elite
Some residents have generated petitions in favor of being annexed into the City of Atlanta. Others want to form the City of South Fulton, and because you look so good and have money in your pockets, surrounding municipalities are using devious tactics, or better yet, predatory annexation tactics to take portions of your South Fulton County.
I think it’s reprehensible that some existing municipalities are using these predatory tactics to scare our good citizens, especially seniors, into the belief that if they don’t sign the petition, they will no longer have police and fire. This is an inexcusable misrepresentation of the truth and I have alerted our legal department that we may have to take legal action to protect our citizens.
Ladies and Gentlemen, remember, the Bible says, “TOGETHER WE STAND, DIVIDED WE FALL.” Now is the time for us to come together and show what we can do when we work together as ONE. We are ONE SOUTH FULTON. Yesterday, with a dream and a vision we got started; Today, we’re moving forward with impressive courage to persevere in the RIGHT direction; Tomorrow, we stand as a shining jewel for all to see. Now, ask yourselves,
WHAT ARE YOU RUNNING FROM?
WHO ARE YOU RUNNING TO?
Life teaches us many lasting lessons as it weaves stories that last a lifetime. I often refer to the story about when we were in school, it was prom time, in preparation we selected our date, picked up our date and went to the prom. Once we arrived, we danced with the date that we brought. In that same vein, I say to you, I am committed to ride the horse that brought us to where we are today and will stand by us as we continue to ride toward our even brighter future. Your vote showed that you believe in my leadership and the direction we are going, so I ask that you STAND WITH ME, AND I PROMISE YOU, SOUTH FULTON COUNTY WILL BE THE CROWNING JEWEL OF THE REGION.
I have attached for your reference, the financial statistics as developed by Dr. Arthur Ferdinand. Please review this material very carefully in helping you to weigh your decision. If you have further questions concerning the tax implications, please contact Dr. Ferdinand at 404-613-0114.
As always, thank you for giving us the opportunity to serve you in District 7.
Sincerely,
William “Bill” Edwards
Commissioner, District 7
404/730-8230 (Downtown Office)
770/306-3079 (South Fulton District Office)
It appears in reading the three comments above, and in considering the fact the only two small, compact neighborhoods nestled right up against the City of Atlanta along Cascade Road, Cascade Glen and the Horseshoe communities, have made the cut and qualified for annexation into the City, and the success of the Hill Country in being included in the City of Palmetto, that what is right and good prevailed. What happens, happens for a reason. Hopefully, the remaining portions of Unincorporated South Fulton County can come together, realize that we are blessed with a bright future and build toward a tremendously diverse and prosperous community. We have to look forward to the 2007 Fulton County Budget process and the General Election in November, and realize it is not over and the fat lady has not sung.
The crime rate is still many times higher in Atlanta than South Fulton. The 5 or 6 of the High Schools are in the bottom 10 in SAT scores -FACT!!!
I am sure the 9 residents who were burglarized in Promenade Oaks last week will differ with your assessment of safety in South Fulton.
Since you want to share some facts, here are a few more since I gather you prefer Fulton County Schools to APS.
Sandtown MS and Westlake HS did not make AYP last year - FACT.
There are 28 portable classrooms housing 6th graders in the parking lot at Sandtown MS - FACT.
Schools in South Fulton lag far behind North Fulton. FCS has done nothing to close the achievement gap. As they tout SAT scores in North Fulton note that South Fulton SAT scores are at the bottom - FACT.
FCS has only built one complete school in South Fulton with SPLOST II dollars - FACT.
Student enrollment is on the rise in Fulton County, it is decreasing in the city of Atlanta. The student-teacher ratio is 1 and 16 versus Sandtown schools, which is 1 and 29 - FACT.
Atlanta Public School test scores are inching up, whereas Fulton County remains stagnant - FACT.
For the last 11 years, the 4 high schools in South Fulton have performed below the county, state and national averages. Fulton County has not developed a strategy to help the South Fulton Schools - FACT.
Yeah I know it is tough when FACTS contradict our preconceived notions....time to stop drinking the Kool-aide!
James it looks like Commissioner Edwards agrees with your desire to remain unincorporated. Have the successful annexations caused you to question the financial viability of remaining unincorporated? Do you think the idea of cityhood is becoming foolhardsy?
Here are the SAT Scores for Southside Schools -
APS
Carver 1145
Douglass 1205
Mays 1331
South Atlanta 1147
Therrell 1238
Washington 1216
FC
Banneker 1190
Creekside 1303
McClarin 1148
Tri-Cities 1274
Westlake 1336
Inching up - ha ha
If you look closely at the numbers given to the BOC on Wednesday. There will be nearly a $1.6 million deficit for 2007 for unicorporated SF. A 1/2 mill tax increase will cover that easily. Remaining unincorporated is what makes sense to me at this time. We don't have the what it takes to re-create the wheel. Folks need to remember - the Fulton Industrial Business District will not be incorporated. The annexations that are taking place won't have any bearing on an unincorporated SF.
Quick Question?
WHY DO WE ALWAYS HAVE TO RUMMAGE THROUGH THE FULTON COUNTY SCHOOL STATISTICS AS COMPARED TO THE CITY OF ATLANTA SCHOOL STATISTICS when the schools are not at issue in the "incorporation" question, and the grand annexation effort did not succeed. We will remain Unincorporated South Fulton County for some time now, and we need to carefully watch the North County representatives over the next nine (9) months, because they still have the four (4) votes necessary to control the 2007 Budget Process. While we fight among ourselves over non-issues, they do what they do best, vote to control the money. Hummmmm!
Edwards urges residents to stay in county
Mon, 09/11/2006 - 9:35am
By: Ben Nelms TheCitizen.com
It was all Bill Edwards and his vision for South Fulton County. Shared with 40 Chattahoochee Hills residents at a Sept. 5 community meeting Rico Community Center, the Fulton County commissioner stressed the need for the area to forego establishing a new city next year and remain a part of unincorporated Fulton.
Edwards has voiced his opposition to the rush by South Fulton cities to annex large portions of the unincorporated landscape. He has voiced his opposition to forming the new cities of Chattahoochee Hills and South Fulton in a vote to be held in June 2007. For Edwards, the best thing for residents to do is to stay as they are.
“Everywhere I go people don’t understand. They think they only have two options,” Edwards said. “But there is another option, to stay where you are, where you and your families have been all your lives.”
Referencing the moves by Atlanta and the cities of South Fulton to annex tens of thousands of acres before the Oct. 30 annexation deadline, Edwards described some of those efforts as predatory annexation. He cited Fairburn as an example, where a woman was reportedly told that she would not have police and fire protection unless she annexed into the city.
Edwards asked Chatt Hills residents to consider that, if formed in 2007, the new city would have no credit. Fulton County, on the other hand, maintains an excellent credit standing, he said, while the millage increase of two mills a instead of the projected three mills along with $6 million in reserves puts unincorporated residents in an enviable position.
“So financially you’re in good shape and you’re going to be in better shape,” Edwards said.
Few questions followed Edwards’ presentation. That relative silence will eventually give way to other questions, positions and visions as the vote to accept the charter of the City of Chattahoochee Hills approaches next summer.
http://www.thecitizen.com/node/10071
Fulton County could have five folks representing SF in some sort of fashion if folks go to the polls to vote for Edwards, Darnell, Boxill, Pitts and chair candidate Eaves.
If Atlanta and South Fulton go to the polls. We don't have anything to worry about.
After living in Union City for many, many, years we moved to unincorporated Fulton to get away from VERY aggressive police officers and taxes. The biggest mistake we as citzens of unincorportated Fairburn can make is to annex into Union City. Ask anyone that lives in Union City about the police officers and the high price tickets!
Otis, I'm not in total agreement with giving away assets. My point is the federal government is not going to give away Ft. MacPherson. Atlant and East Point may want it but, it's not going to be free. We all paid taxes for it. What's the difference between that and the parks in north and South Fulton?
As for the long term. State law requires County's to provide municipal like services to unincorporated areas. If that changes then we're in trouble. The tax base is strong in SF and I believe it's going to get better. There's nothing that I know of that can stop Fulton County from putting the SPLOST Sales Tax back into the area it was taken from. That's money for roads. (What a unique concept?) (Nearly Genius!!!)
Park Initiative
In South Fulton we have a unique problem that everyone is ignoring. With the rise in development we are neglecting the need for park space for all the children that will come along with those developments.
We have a large contingent of parents throughout South Fulton working on ensuring we have quality educational resources. That's good and should be on the front burner but, having adequate space for the children to exercise and become physically fit should be close second.
Developers should be required to pay impact fees for schools and park services. I'm fortunate enough to have children and they are involved in school activities and sports programs. The schools and park facilities are inadequate all over South Fulton.
I'm proposing that we create a volunteer non-profit organization to take this to the developers. Request them to pay $2,000 per home built. For homeowners which will surely have to pay the fee that amounts to $5.55 per month on a thirty year mortgage. What about the homes already here? We file for a referendum to tax every home with residents less than 65 years of age a $5.55 monthly fee that is passed through the county.
The money is divided among the schools and goes to building a sports complex large enough to house soccer, baseball, softball and football fields.
This park initiative is viable now while the cost of land is still relatively inexpensive and attainable. Otherwise, we should ask the county to lease the land to the organization.
- James Reese
I think this whole City of South Fulton thing is just an attempt at “Me too” to copy Sandy Springs.
Monkey see Monkey do.
Let’s make major streets cities too.
Amazing
1) Bill Edwards flips and is against a new city and no comments
2) SFCC sues to stop annexations and no comments
3) Atlanta annexes Midwest Cascade and no comments
Is this BLOG still active?
http://www.bloglanta.com/archives/174
Remaining Unincorporated Fulton County is a great option if we can legally and legislatively put a halt to this annexation madness. Right now we have the best of the best. There is a reason Unincorporated Fulton remained unincorporated for generations, now the Legislators under the Gold Dome are working overtime, behind closed doors, to get a piece of the rock. South Fulton is Hot! and if we are not strategic in our planning and develop a means of stopping the Cities from picking our bones, there won't be anything left of "Unincorporated South Fulton County". And don't forget the Bill to divide Fulton County in two, and create Milton County in the north. HUMM SWFulton
Thanks to Sandtown for sharing the article from the Business Chronicle. One must admit that the North Fulton officials were playing politics on the statement of all the “spending” going to South Fulton. Those of us in South Fulton can only ask: Where did the spending go? On what service, park facility or infrastructure was money diverted? Understandably, North Fulton has every reason to be frustrated with the BOC but not at South Fulton. If we can avoid being defensive, this article clearly lets us know the shape South Fulton will be in when Milton County is created in two years. Those who don’t see it are simply choosing not to be informed. North Fulton politicians are taking care of their own. We should do the same.
The scenario will read: 2008—Milton County created. 2009- Milton County School District developed. South Fulton School System will also be created by default but without proper funding to attract and keep adequate staff. 2010- The reduced income apartments on Roswell Road which now house the working poor will be privatized to high end condominiums. The government projects existing in Roswell city will become mixed income for diversity sakes. North County gets to keep more of their tax dollars. MARTA and Grady go without.
Do we need to continue the scenario? When will we realize that creating a new South Fulton city is political and economic suicide? Unfortunately, some of the South Fulton politicians were so bent on justifying a city to keep their power base that they could not consider a study to advise the remaining cities on the best land distribution which would be in the interest of keeping South Fulton viable. No, instead, they chose to advocate for one more struggling city in which they could be “in charge.”
We should expect nothing from some of our politicians but their continual self-serving efforts and lack of vision. One would think that our South County School Board members’ legacy could be to make the transition to Atlanta seamless. But advocating for children, and not politics, would be a selfless act and too much like right. Any advocacy for children will be as it has always been up to the children’s parents and community advocates.
It would take 15 years to straighten out what has gone wrong with Atlanta schools since the 1990's. Consolidating
with the Atlanta system is not the answer.
If NF crosses the huge hurdle and is able to succeed. A federal court would surely not allow the schools to go the same way since the school board over the years has all but neglected the systems southern arm. It's simply taxation without representation. We don't have representation but we have paid an enormous tax over the years to pay for the growth of the new schools in north county.
When was the last high school constructed in SF? How many high schools were built in NF during the same time period?
I received an email the other day saying if Maynard and Shirley would not have been mayor Atlanta would not be where it is today. In addition, the message stated we owe everything to Atlanta. I disagree whole heartedly.
If not Maynard and Shirley it would have been Marvin and Gloria. Atlanta was destine for success long before Maynard because those before him set the city on its path. Atlanta is the home of the Civil Rights Movement and Olympic Games. Both shaped the city in its own right and will continue to shape the city for years to come.
You see Atlanta and Chattanooga started out about the same time. Atlanta became progressive and the hub of the South while Chattanooga remained under the control of "old money" and its bigotry.
I don't owe Atlanta anything and I don't wish to live within her borders. I had numerous opportunities to move there and each time I preferred to remain on the outside.
History can't be rewritten. Much like every major city in the world. Towns and communities spring up in the shadows. Atlanta is no different.
? James....you sound like you are a transplant to Atlanta! Are You?
Born at Grady Hospital
Remaining Unincorporated South Fulton County is certainly a viable option ONLY, AND ONLY IF the State Legislature removes the 3-mile limit exemption they provided to allow for the passage of the bills providing for Sandy Springs, Johns Creek and Milton up North. We, in Fulton County, never had a problem as long as the 3-mile rule was in place, which DID NOT ALLOW for the incorporation of a new city within 3 miles of an existing city. But in order to provide for the passage of the Sandy Springs bill, the 3-mile rule was relaxed. Now, the question is, since all of the bills have been passed by the State Legislature within that window of opportunity, then that door must be closed. Then Unincorporated South Fulton County will be safe (?) from being annexed by surrounding municipalities, PROVIDED THE ANNEXATION PROCESS ENDS OCTOBER, 2006!! And the rest is up to our State officials holding the line on any further land grabs throughout the 2007 General Assemply Session. I don't know if the statements I have made above are legally correct and in order, and are only my understanding of the issues. If we can get some comments from our Representative and/or Senator as to the correctness, that would be great! Before the end of the year, 2006, we should have some financial date from the new Study indicating any change in the cost/benefit analysis of the City of South Fulton vs Unincorporated South Fulton. Still better than being annexed by the City of Atlanta. Keep the Faith. SWFulton
What is the difference between SouthWest Fulton and South Fulton?
We live Old Fairburn Road. Seems like there has always been this effort to split the two areas. At the end of the day...it's all unincorperated...
I think the distinction between Southwest Fulton and South Fulton, both Unincorporated, goes back to the day when Southwest Fulton was Commission District 5 and South Fulton was Commission District 7, and Cascade Road was in its early development stages being confronted with properties subject to rezoning, and the need to protect Cascade Road resulted in the creation of the Overlay District Regulations. I don't ever think there was any rivalry or division, only an attempt to be able to control and contain the character and quality of development by those property owners living closer in and around Cascade Road and I-285. Old Fairburn Road is beautiful, but more mature, and a little harder for us to get our arms around. My personal belief. SWFulton
After the runoffs and when the general assembly is in session…..
I want to organize a march from ATL City Hall to the Fulton County Government Center to the Gold Dome….
This will be an informational march directed to: ALL PUBLIC ELECTED BLACK AND AFRICIAN AMERICAN OFFICE HOLDERS.
The issue is the Fulton County Jail.
The message is….LETTERS FROM THE INMATES OF THE FULTON COUNTY JAIL…TO: THE BLACK & AFRICIAN AMERICAN OFFICE HOLDERS…
Dear Sirs and Madams,
WE LOOK JUST LIKE YOU; OUR SKIN COLOR IS JUST LIKE YOURS! WE, LIKE YOU ARE BLACK AND AFRICIAN AMERICIAN. WE MAKE-UP 95% OF THE POPULATION OF THE FULTON COUNTY JAIL! WE ARE MEN AND WOMEN… WE STILL LOOK JUST LIKE YOU. OUR HAIR IS NAPPY, JUST LIKE YOURS. OUR GOD IS BLACK, JUST LIKE YOURS! WERE WE BORN IN THE WOMB OF A BLACK OR AFRICIAN AMERICAN WOMAN, JUST LIKE YOU?
WHY HAVE YOU NOT STEPPED UP TO DEMANDED JUSTICE FOR US? WHY HAVE YOU NOT STEPPED UP AND DONE SOMETHING, ANYTHING ABOUT US CONVICTS HAVE TO SLEEP ON THE FLOOR…HAVING TO LIVE IN HUMAN WASTE…HAVING TO LIVE IN THE SAME CONDITION AS OUR PEOPLE COMING TO AMERICA ON THE SLAVE BOAT?
THE ATLANTA CITY COUNCIL IS COMPOSED OF SIXTEEN MEMBERS, 11 OF YOU MEMBERS LOOK JUST LIKE US!
ATLANTA GEORGIA HAS AND BLACK AFRICIAN AMERICA MAYOR, SO DOES EAST POINT AND UNION CITY!
THE FULTON COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS CONSIST OF SEVEN MEMBERS, 4 OF YOU ARE BLACK AND AFRICIAN AMERICAN JUST LIKE US!
THERE IS A GROUP OF BLACK AND AFRICIAN AMERICIANS THAT ARE STATE SENATORS AND STATE REPRESENTATIVES THAT REPRESENTATE THE PEOPLE, WHERE IS YOUR VOICE FOR THE DEPOLORABLE CONDITIONS THAT WERE ARE INCERACATED IN? AFTER ALL, OUR COLOR OF SKIN IS THE SAME COLOR AS YOURS.
WHERE IS THE CONCERNED BLACK CLERGY?
YES, WE HAVE BEEN FOUNG GUILTY OF A CRIME, WE ARE STILL GOD’S CHILDREN AND ARE HUMAN BEINGS.
WE THE INMATES OF THE FULTON COUNTY JAIL ASK THAT AS YOU DRIVE YOU BMW’S AND GO TO YOU BIG HOUSES, THAT WHEN YOU LAY YOUR HEADS ON YOU GOOSE DOWN POLLOWS, REMEMBER US SLEEPING IN WASTE AND ON THE FLOOR.
WHY DO WE ALWAYS HAVE TO WAIT FOR THE WHITE FOLKS TO DO SOMETHING? THEY DO NOT HAVE FRIENDS AND FAMILY INCERATED HERE!
Harry King – President, Thaxton Pointe Homeowners Association
4035 Lendy Ln
Unincorperated South Fulton County 30349
404-344-6480
You heard it here first...under a republican state government Fulton County is going to be severely punished. With a 5-2 majority on the board of commissioners the state legislature is seeking ways to punish Fulton and thus Atlanta. Watch for a newly created Milton County (rules will be changed to allow a vote only in north Fulton), Grady and MARTA will continue not to receive state support although both are invaluable to the entire state.
I wrote the "Fix is In" nearly 18 months ago and it's all has come to pass thus far. Here's the entire piece.
I can’t prove it but, the fix is in…
April 1, 2005
I’m going to repeat the title a number of times. This is no April Fools joke. You may read the AJC or the tea leaves either way you will soon come to the same conclusion.
State republicans pushed through a vote on self determination for Sandy Springs. Meanwhile the democrats are trying to get the number of the train that hit them. Unknown to the rest of the world the republicans tacked on a little amendment that keeps tax revenues in North Fulton. Again, democrats aren’t sure whether they’ve been mugged or not. What does this mean to us? It doesn’t sound good.
I can’t prove it but, the fix is in…you see they also created a storm with an ID voter bill. While democrats attempted to raise the dead and posture republicans snuck another in – a bill to make the rest of North Fulton a city named Milton in 2006!
Did you ever wonder why the rest of North Fulton didn’t seem to mind the creation of Sandy Springs as a city? No complaint about how their taxes would be affected. I can’t prove it but, the fix is in…they knew they would be next on the block. In the mean time Fulton County becomes less of a factor.
I have to give it to the republicans they figured if they couldn’t win Fulton County at the polls they would just dismantle it, district by district. I can’t prove it but, the fix is in… Check it out some guy in the AJC predicted the demise of Fulton County in the future because it will lose its tax base – so they think.
The fix goes even further. Over the last few years, the Fulton County School Board has built 17 new schools in Sandy Springs and North Fulton. There’s even a plan to build two new elementary schools in Sandy Springs with current and future funds when in reality there’s incredible growth in the south end of the county. In fact the BOE “Keeping Promises” report shows at least four new schools to be built in North Fulton and Sandy Springs (page 22) while the “Per Pupil and Capital Resource Allocation” shows only two.
A point that is even stranger, read the following from the “Per Pupil and Capital Resource Allocation” report.
Graph not available
What significant growth in Sandy Springs? If you review page one of the “Continuing to Close the Gap” report you will see a map that shows an area that is 1/10 of the size of the for South Fulton.
Interesting enough quite a few of the Board of Ed reports break out Sandy Springs as it own entity along with North and South Fulton. It’s just their way of letting the Sandy Springs “100” know they are supporting them.
I can’t prove it but, the fix is in…after Sandy Springs then, Milton and a legislative slight of hand by the state legislature that will help the Fulton County Board of Education secede from the south end of the county. While the parents in South Fulton complain about the BOE they are quietly working on a plan to free themselves.
Unfortunately, that’s not the end. The republicans will move to consolidate a couple of South Georgia counties (the good ol’ boys will be willing to take one for Sonny), while creating a new 159th county north of Atlanta with six cities and no unincorporated area.
There you have it, the “fix” that will move Fulton County to the door step of insolvency. What’s worse, Chattahoochee Hill Country our neighbor right here in South Fulton is exploring city hood also. We have one chance to rescue our way of life from the hands of the bigots that seek their utopia.
In the remaining years we should work with our schools to improve them by rewarding those who are committed to teaching our children and getting results, build strong communities and work with our remaining elected officials to draw Fortune 500 companies to shore up our tax base. Otherwise we will be in a fix.
James Reese
www.southfultonliving.com
>>>Get some understanding quick...hopefully this is the WAKE UP CALL for all Unincorporated South Fulton County...so goes ATLANTA, so goes South Fulton...like it or not...our power is in unity with ATL. Our only change for survival is to get under the protection of Atlanta Ga. Forget remaining unincorperated or creating these so called new cities.
So...in your mind, what is the future of unincorporated S.F?
For me Atlanta is not an option. Joining Atlanta is not going to save Grady or MARTA. A newly created county to the north will cause more of a problem for Atlanta than the rest of unincorporated south Fulton (USF). You see most of the libraries, social service programs (Health Centers, Senior Centers, Grady etc) dollars are being spent in the city of Atlanta. A reduction in tax dollars from the northside will have a devastating effect on the city. USF will see very little impact when it comes to the cuts in libraries and social programs. We are already paying for our own fire and police which are more important to me.
Because the area is so undeveloped for the most part there was little if any programs taking place in USF. MARTA is another example of a project that will be devasted by a newly created county. Again MARTA is concentrated in Atlanta. So joining Atlanta does nothing for us.
With a 5-2 split democrat/republican on the commission FC has to provide the municipal like services to USF by law even if it went the other way.
USF will be fine just as it is. A new city will be very difficult to get off the ground because of annexations by Union City that have taken away much of what I would think would have been the commercial zone along South Fulton Parkway.
Otis, Atlanta is still not an option. You see, the creation of a new county to the north will devastate the city of Atlanta far more than SF. Dollars and most of the libraries, social programs, health centers, Grady, MARTA bus stops and station are concentrated in Atlanta. When FC loses those tax dollars those are the programs that will most likely get cut first. Thus Atlanta will suffer unbelieveable cuts to programs that are design to assist the city's less fortunate residents. Atlanta has a large population of underprivelege residents, some estimates put it at the 8th largest in the country. SF has very few if any of those programs because the area was pretty much undeveloped for so long that's why NF has been complaining for years. It's development boom only took place over the last 15 years and there were no need for most of the social type programs.
USF is just fine the way it is. With a 5-2 dems vs gop commission the area will continue to thrive. There is no need for a new city since the area has lost its largest commercial tract to Union City annexations.
Otis, Atlanta is just not what it's cracked up to be. Those Fortune 500 companies aren't lining up to give out jobs to those that will be hurt by the creation of the new county. They will be the first to leave when things start going down hill.
where is your economic-live line in USF?
so you have the same vision as ziz-zag bill edwards...be very, very careful in who you follow!!!
I find it very, very intresting that you in SW Fulton have never taken into account us Black folks that live to the south of CampCreek Parkway. I case you have not had the time in you busy lives to check us out, come see. Why the wall between black folks in USF?
Otis and Ms. White I applaud you in your civil discussion on the issues at hand. My stance for remaining unincorporated is rooted in the need for less government. Why is it necessary to create more government when the one you have is working? The question of self determination is nothing short of rhetoric. Everyone has a right to have the government of their choosing. For that reason it's fortunate that we are NOT an island unto ourselves.
Otis, I don't think for one second that the state legislature will require or allow for that matter Milton County to pay FMV or any price for any school or associated property. Under the current republican administration they will do everything possible to keep Milton County from paying for the schools. Their argument is they have already paid for them when in fact tax dollars from SF paid for them.
At one point over the last few years I estimated that there is at $2 billion worth of school property in north Fulton. Do you think we'll see any return on the investment that was made there? I don't believe so.
Creating a new city will be a very difficult task. At this point the real commercial districts that would have created a viable revenue stream has been taken by Union City.
*The only alternative is to create a city and immediately annex the balance of what is Chattahoochee Hills along the extended SF Parkway to Douglas County.
*Where is the center of a city of SF?
*Is there a commercial/industrial area that can be used as a "townhall"?
*Do you lease fire and police/jail service from Fulton County for 5 - 10 years while the city gets its footing?
*What remaining services does the city take on?
*Where will our children play organized sports in the meantime? The county parks are being leased to non-profit organizations. Does the city continue are issue bonds to build real park facilities that can sustain themselves?
...edwards said...i cannot make up my mind...so I will just come up with what I think you chumps will believe, because you do not hold me accountable anyway...he saod he will stay in the hip pockets of the builders and developers and they will feed my insurance business and I will see that they build a house anywhere thay want...he said the mice of the 7th did not even take the time to see where I got all my $$$$ from to run for re-election...he said I got I made and screw the people of the 7th!!!!
Take the new Survey on the Future of South Fulton County at http://www.southfultonliving.com
This is the opportunity for you to give your opinion on annexation, incorporation and remaining unincorporated.
James Reese
southfultonliving.com
Does Bill Edwards want to be the Mayor of the new City of South Fulton? I bet he does.
- AtlantaWannabe
Bill Edwards and Roger Bruce will say they don't plan to run for Mayor but they don't have to because they'll have their lieutenants from South Fulton Concerned Citizens in place in the new city's city council to keep developers happy and their pockets full.
The same cast of characters that are anti-everything but cityhood will run for office to secure the sellout of South Fulton to developers and get jobs and contracts with the new city.
(A few of their designated underlings are Benny Crane, Reggie Tatum and Mark James)
Judge upholds south Fulton annexations
By D. L. BENNETT
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Published on: 11/21/06
A judge on Tuesday upheld the annexation of more than 13,000 acres by cities across south Fulton County.
The ruling, by Superior Court Judge T. Jackson Bedford, was hailed by leaders of cities from Atlanta to Palmetto. The cities have been in an annexation frenzy over the past several months in a frantic attempt to expand their boundaries before new cities are created that take away all the land in unincorporated south Fulton.
"I'm ecstatic over it," said Palmetto Mayor Clark Boddie, moments after the ruling. "The law gave us the right to annex and we followed the letter of the law."
The group of south Fulton residents who filed the suit complained that the annexations — primarily by Palmetto, Union City and Fairburn — would damage the proposed city of South Fulton.
"This is absolutely an atrocity that it could go this way," said Benny Crane, a south Fulton insurance agent who was part of the group that filed the suit.
http://www.ajc.com/news/content/metro/atlanta/stories/2006/11/21/112106metfulton_web.html
From Andre,
The City of South Fulton suffers a setback...
...Yesterday, Judge T. Jackson Bedford dismissed a lawsuit filed by the South Fulton Concerned Citizens to overturn the 13,000-plus acres annexed by the existing municipalities in South Fulton prior to the October 30th deadline imposed by SB552, the City of South Fulton legislation.
"A Fulton County judge refused Tuesday to overturn a wave of annexations that has seen more than 13,000 acres south of Atlanta taken into cities.
In dismissing a lawsuit filed by a group of local activists, Fulton Superior Court Judge T. Jackson Bedford said he believed the law setting up two proposed south Fulton cities intended to let the existing cities add to their boundaries before the new cities can be created." [Source: 11/22/2006 AJC article "Judge upholds south Fulton annexations"]
Here are links to the annexations done by Union City, Fairburn, and Palmetto. Right now, I think that a new feasibility study should be done on the proposed City of South Fulton taking into account the annexations that have been upheld by Judge Bedford. The major question on my mind is whether a City of South Fulton can survive without the land that was gobbled up by the existing cities, and I think that any feasibility study done now should include an answer to that question.
If the City of South Fulton can remain fiscally solvent, while keeping taxes at current levels, and not cutting the level of existing services provided by Fulton County, then I still believe that incorporation is a good idea. However, if a City of South Fulton runs deficits and has to cover those deficits by either raising taxes or cutting services, then I believe that we should re-think a new City of South Fulton.
Plain and simple, a new feasibility study is needed to examine all the facts, both new and old.
posted by Andre
http://georgiaunfiltered.blogspot.com/2006/11/city-of-south-fulton-suffers-setback.html
You are smart enough to do your own study...here is how...fill up your gas tank...get your best friend to ride along...spend 1 full tank driving South fulton County and spend 1 full tank driving North Fulton County...there is your study!
To anyone that reads this...when are you going to start asking questions as a community about the FULTON COUNTY JAIL? THERE YOU GO COMMUNITY WITH YOUR HEADS IN THE SAND...PLEASE!
Are you suggesting that the black folks in the jail are in there because they are black?
If we really cared about our people in there, maybe we need to consider criticising our sheriffs even if they happen to be black.
The sheriff is just half of the problem...like it or not...the black 4 commissioners are the other half of the problem. If you would like for me to come back in detail...I will be happy too.
Please elaborate on the commissioners being the other part of the Fulton jail problems.
We are always blaming stuff on "the man" and don't look at our own representatives.
For some strange reason we inherently believe everything our black politicians tell us as though they can tell no lies.
By the way has anyone heard or seen Roger Bruce since the lawsuit against annexation failed? Is he hiding out after tearing his pants over his pro-city zeal?
To Anonymous that wants to know the commissioners roles in the Fulton County jail isses...please read this first...me name is at the end of this letter I mailed...
11/01/2006
After the runoffs and when the general assembly is in session…..
I would like to organize a march from ATL City Hall to the Fulton County Government Center to the Gold Dome….
This will be an informational march directed to: ALL PUBLIC ELECTED BLACK AND AFRICIAN AMERICAN OFFICE HOLDERS IN THE GREAT STATE OF GEORGIA!
The issue is the FULTON COUNTY JAIL!!!!
The message is….LETTERS FROM THE INMATES OF THE FULTON COUNTY JAIL…TO: THE BLACK & AFRICIAN AMERICAN OFFICE HOLDERS IN GEORGIA…
Dear Sirs and Madams,
WE LOOK JUST LIKE YOU; OUR SKIN COLOR IS JUST LIKE YOURS! WE, LIKE YOU ARE BLACK AND AFRICIAN AMERICIAN. WE MAKE-UP 95% OF THE POPULATION OF THE FULTON COUNTY JAIL! WE ARE MEN AND WOMEN… WE STILL LOOK JUST LIKE YOU. OUR HAIR IS NAPPY, JUST LIKE YOURS. OUR GOD IS THE SAME COLOR AS YOURS! WE WERE BORN IN THE WOMB OF A BLACK OR AFRICIAN AMERICAN WOMAN, JUST LIKE YOU?
WHY HAVE YOU NOT STEPPED UP TO DEMANDED JUSTICE FOR US? WHY HAVE YOU NOT STEPPED UP AND DONE SOMETHING, ANYTHING ABOUT US, CONVICTS, HAVING TO SLEEP ON THE FLOOR…HAVING TO LIVE IN HUMAN WASTE…HAVING TO LIVE IN THE SAME CONDITION AS OUR PEOPLE COMING TO AMERICA ON THE SLAVE BOAT? TELL US, IS IT THAT YOU BELIEVE THIS IS JUSTICE?
THE ATLANTA CITY COUNCIL IS COMPOSED OF SIXTEEN MEMBERS, 11 OF YOU ARE BLACK OR AFRICAN AMERICAN, AND YOU LOOK JUST LIKE US!
ATLANTA, EAST POINT AND UNION CITY GEORGIA IN FULTON COUNTY HAVE BLACK AFRICIAN AMERICAN MAYOR’S AND YOU LOOK JUST LIKE US! WHERE IS YOUR CALL TO DUTY?
THE FULTON COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS CONSIST OF SEVEN MEMBERS, 4 OF YOU ARE BLACK AND AFRICIAN AMERICAN JUST LIKE US! WHERE IS YOUR EMPOWERMENT?
THERE IS A GROUP OF BLACK AND AFRICIAN AMERICIANS THAT ARE STATE SENATORS AND STATE REPRESENTATIVES THAT REPRESENT THE PEOPLE, WHERE IS YOUR VOICE FOR THE DEPLORABLE CONDITIONS THAT WERE ARE INCARCERATED IN? AFTER ALL, OUR SKIN COLOR IS THE SAME COLOR AS YOURS.
WHERE IS THE VOICE OF THE CONCERNED BLACK CLERGY? WHERE IS THE VOICE OF THE NAACP? WHERE IS VOICE OF THE SCLC? WE ARE IN A PENAL SYSTEM REMINISCENCE OF THE CHAIN GANG!
YES, WE HAVE BEEN FOUND GUILTY OF CRIMES, WE ARE STILL GOD’S CHILDREN AND ARE HUMAN BEINGS.
WE THE INMATES OF THE FULTON COUNTY JAIL ASK THAT AS YOU DRIVE YOUR BMW’S AND GO TO YOUR BIG HOUSES, THAT WHEN YOU LAY YOUR HEADS ON YOUR GOOSE DOWN PILLOWS, REMEMBER US SLEEPING IN WASTE AND ON THE FLOOR AT THE FULTON COUNTY JAIL!
WHY DO WE ALWAYS HAVE TO WAIT FOR THE WHITE FOLKS TO DO SOMETHING? THEY DO NOT HAVE FRIENDS AND FAMILY INCARCERATED HERE!
Harry King – A BLACK MAN… President, Thaxton Pointe Homeowners Association
Founder of “THE CLEAN SLATE”
4035 Lendy Ln
Unincorporated South Fulton County 30349
404-344-6480
cc: Mayors Union City, East Point and Atl, Ga., G. Fann, A. King, C.T. Martin, Lisa Borders
cc: Rev. T. McDonald, Rev. F. Taylor, Dr. R.L. White, Bishop E. Long, Dr. C. Dollar
cc: Rep. S. Watson, Fulton County Comm. Dist 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2 & 1
http://georgiaunfiltered.blogspot.com/2006/12/i-want-democratic-sheriff-in-fulton.html#links
Mr. King:
Fulton County has a long list of problems with the jail. Committing a crime then screaming don't arrest me because I'm black is a ridiculous. Somehow I believe you may be confusing the issues. Most if not all of the problems with the jail are due to overcrowding. Why is it overcrowded? Too many people committing crimes. Besides it didn't help that Shirley Franklin and the city added more inmates a few years ago because they didn't want to take care of their criminals.
We can go a long way in keeping the jail population down by teaching our young people and old for that matter to be responsible adults. There are three very simple rules for living - Get an education...Get a job...Don't have children out of wedlock. I guarantee you 95+% of the successful folks black, white, Asian, Hispanic and what have you have followed those simple rules.
In addition, it would do us well to improve our education system and recreational programs to get children off the street and into something more beneficial to them. Trust me the youngsters that are involved in extra curricular activities in school are the ones graduating and recreational programs in our communities can build strong minds and bodies for young men and women.
In South Fulton we lack the resources to build parks. Parks are needed as well as bike trails and walking trails. Yeah the jails is problem, but blaming elected official won't get you anywhere. Use less you are willing to become one of those elected officials.
Remember it's always easy to throws rocks at the glass house, but can YOU live in the glass house?
James Reese
southfultonliving.com
Mr Reese...You say a lot about how it should be...so you let the people elected to solve the problem of the hook...so you have no sence of urgency...you sound like bill cosby...yet you disown the problem... do you have a answer to what to do with 3,000 inmates in a jail that had 2,000 beds. You are to out of touch...do you think your solution to solveing the problem is something new? We have been trying this for 100 years...education, home training...yet the reality is that 60% of the inmates in GA today are black like you and me...so you say it not your problem right my brother...Have you noticed how our community has nothing to say? I find your atitude to be the same as other people...Are you scared to ask your commissioners what is their plan...are you scard to hold your elected officials accountable...or do you make excused for them...I think all you do is make excuses. I put my action where my words are...I have toured every floor of the Fulton County Jail...I speak from what I know...what about you? Stand for something SIR!
last blog posted by Harry King to James Reese.
11/22/2006
To: Fulton County Board of Commissioners
District 1, 3 and 4
From: Harry King, Jr.
As a believer and follower in the philosophies and teachings of Dr Martin L. King, Jr, our community is very, very disappointed in comments made during this past election. Disappointed in comments made by the current mayor and a past mayor of Atlanta Ga, and comments made by the Congressman of Georgia’s 5th Congressional District.
Dr. King was a drum major for justice. Dr. King was the winner of the Nobel Peace Prize! Dr. King said: “Like an unchecked cancer, hate corrodes the personality and eats away its vital unity. Hate destroys a man’s sense of values and his objectivity. It causes him to describe the beautiful as ugly and the ugly as beautiful, and to confuse the true with the false and the false with the true.” Dr. King said: “We must learn to live together as brothers or perish together as fools.” Dr. King said: “Now, I say to you today my friends, even though we face the difficulties of today and tomorrow, I still have a dream. It is a dream deeply rooted in the American dream. I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed-‘We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal.’ Dr King said: Nonviolence is the answer to the crucial political and moral questions of our time; the need for mankind to overcome oppression and violence without resorting to oppression and violence. Mankind must evolve for all human conflict a method which rejects revenge, aggression, and retaliation. The foundation of such a method is love.” Dr King said: “I’ve seen too much hate to want to hate, myself, and every time I see it, I say to myself, hate is to great a burden to bear. Somehow we must be able to stand up against our most bitter opponents and say: We shall match your capacity to inflect suffering by our capacity to endure suffering. We will meet your physical force with soul force. Do to us what you will and we will still love you…But be assured that we’ll wear you down by our capacity to suffer, and one day we will win our freedom. We will not only win freedom for ourselves; we will appeal to your heart and conscience that we will win you in the process, and our victory will be a double victory.
Dr. King did not say: On November 7th we face the most dangerous situation we ever have. If you think fighting off dogs and water hoses in the ‘60s was bad, imagine if we sit idly by and let the right-wing Republicans take control of the Fulton County Commission.” Dr King did not say” The efforts of Martin and Coretta King and many others will be lost. Dr. King did not say: Unless you want them to turn back the clock on equal rights and human rights and economic opportunity for all of us. Your very life may depend on it.” Does this sound like words of Dr. King?
In my home and from the reactions in my community, we believe in Dr. Martin L. King, Jr and are not moved by intimidation or scare tactics from a mayor, a former mayor or a congressman, all politicians. My community considers this to be an insult to our integrity! These people are not our leaders!
We should all be very, very careful when invoking the name of the greatest leader for people of color, Dr. Martin L. King Jr!
With Respect, Integrity and Dignity to you!
Harry S. King Jr. – President, Thaxton Pointe Homeowners Association
4035 Lendy Ln
Unincorporated South Fulton County – 30349
District 7
Cc:FulCo BOC Dist. 2, 5, 6 & 7
CC: Mayor ATL, A. Young, J. Lewis, Comm. Elect. Dist. 1
I've always wondered about Watch Night Service. Why it was called "Watch Night Service"? why did black people participate and not others? A friend sent me this message and it all became clear.
---------------------------------
Many of you who live or grew up in Black communities in the United States have probably heard of "Watch Night Services," the gathering of the faithful in church on New Year's Eve. The service usually begins anywhere from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. and ends at midnight with the entrance of the New Year.Some folks come to church first, before going out to celebrate. For others, church is the only New Year's Eve event. Like many others, I always assumed that Watch Night was a fairly standard Christian religious service -- made a bit more Afro centric because that's what happens when elements of Christianity become linked with the Black Church. Still, it seemed that predominately White Christian churches did not include Watch Night services on their calendars, but focused instead on Christmas Eve programs. In fact, there were instances where clergy in mainline denominations wondered aloud about the propriety of linking religious services with a secular holiday like New Year's Eve.
However, there is a reason for the importance of New Year's Eve services in African American congregations.The Watch Night Services in Black communities that we celebrate today can be traced back to gatherings on December 31, 1862, also known as "Freedom's Eve." On that night, Blacks came together in churches and private homes all across the nation, anxiously awaiting news that the Emancipation Proclamation actually had become law. Then, at the stroke of midnight, it was January 1, 1863, and all slaves in the Confederate States were declared legally free. When the news was received, there were prayers, shouts and songs of joy as people fell to their knees and thanked God. Black folks have gathered in churches annually on New Year's Eve ever since, praising God for bringing us safely through another year.
It's been 142 years since that first Freedom's Eve and many of us were never taught the African American history of Watch Night, but tradition still brings us together at this time every year to celebrate "how we got over".
Harry King -
Mr. King:
The trappings of election year politics causes people to say and do things they don't necessarily believe. I was just as disappointed in the way that situation was handled. It wasn't necessary.
Back to the jail and elected officials. Somehow you are laying the blame for jail overcrowding and the fact that they are black on elected officials. Fulton County is working on a solution to increase the size of the jail. The cost is going to be astronomical. Are you prepared to pay the price? We won't have a choice.
You speak of my attitude. I say it is my up bringing/home training. I didn't have the luxury of parents after the age of 18. They died. Therefore, I had to make decisions for myself. I like think I made the right ones. I got an education, job and didn't have children until I was married. Therefore, I don't much compassion for young people choosing to become criminals. Even as a very young child I knew right from wrong. I didn't grow up in the perfect home but it didn't take much to get me back in line as it doesn't take much to slap a childs hand when they are wrong.
Out of touch? I have a nephew in the system. What did I say to him. "Get your life together or this will all you'll ever know". He didn't listen. Am I concerned? More for my sister. She did all she could possibly do for him.
Education, prevention programs and getting young people involved in extracurricular activities are a deterent. It's simply a "pay me know or pay me later" scenario.
You have to understand I have family in law enforcement on the federal and local level. I've heard horror stories and all goes back to education, home training and other deterents to committing crime.
Non-violent drug offenses are the only kinds of crime I can tolerate if any. Being jailed for being in possession for a small amount of crack is ridiculous. While you can walk free for the same amount of powdered cocaine. That's more of an injustice than anything. That particular offense (notice I'm not calling it a crime) has more to do with the race of the purpetrator. That's a congressional mandate.
Your argument is tainted with a dislike and I will say hatred for those you and your neighbors have elected. I suggest you throw your hat into the ring to run if things are just that unbearable. Make the jail your issue.
People have choices in life and I believe they should choose their paths carefully.
James Reese
My Brother...you are to be rewarded for pulling your self up and getting your life together. You are the typical black american success story that says I did it so can you (the white man lives for you to say that)...so that is how you rationalize your existance in life. You give our own black elected officials a pass, yet you wait for white politicians to screw up and you are ready to jump on them...For as long as I can remember back to Jackie Barrett, these condition have been this way...all along we have had a majority black fulton county board of commissioners. It is my right to critize...because I vote...If I did not vote, I would keep my mouth shout! I owe nothing to any of your buddies that are elected, black or white...I will continue to ask for accountability, why don't you my brother. BTW...who ever put you up to suggest that I run for office...tell them to keep their eyes and ears open...when is the last time you have asked the person you voted for, for accountability?
last blog sent from Harry King in reply to James
METRO
A different Christmas
It’s the hardest time of year for the children of inmates
The Department of Corrections relies on programs like Georgia’s Angel Tree to help inmates’ children through the holidays. CREDIT: Courtesy of Angel Tree
By Dolores Bundy
For about 100,000 children in Georgia, the holidays will be particularly difficult. According to the Department of Corrections, that’s how many children have at least one parent in prison.
The effect and degree to which a child will be affected by parental incarceration varies according to a number of factors, like the child’s developmental level, the specific relationship that exists between the child and the incarcerated parent, and the gender of both the incarcerated parent and the child.
Current estimates suggest that approximately three-quarters of federal inmates in the U.S. are fathers. When a woman with children is sentenced to serve prison time, her family faces an entirely different set of circumstances: While incarceration of a loved one is always difficult, researcher agree that children of incarcerated mothers are particularly victimized.
“There is some difference between incarcerated fathers and mothers in that the children of incarcerated fathers typically continue to be cared for by their mother, but the children of incarcerated mothers are rarely cared for by their father,” says Sandra Robinson, an ordained minister in Atlanta and advocate of Mothers of Juvenile Justice. “I do know firsthand when children are left behind the child is left with emotional trauma. If they’re lucky and not placed in the system, a grandparent will take them.”
And the holidays are the toughest.
“During this time of year for women with children left behind, it’s a particularly hard time for the children,” says Robinson. “It is a crisis. The incarcerated parent can be hundreds of miles away in prison. Shame and embarrassment are an issue, as well as lack of money and emotional instability.”
Carol Shapiro is a social psychologist and the director of Family Justice in New York. By her estimate, as many as 2 million children have one or both parents incarcerated. Her goal: To put prisoners back in the context of their families.
“The impact on children is profound,” she says. “Our work is really to try to change the lens of our criminal justice system from one that is demonizing to one that looks at the strength of families, social networks and culture.” To that end, Family Justice provides support services for the children of prisoners and works with law enforcement, as well as corrections, parole officers, probation officers and nonprofits in engaging families in inmates’ lives.
Several major themes have emerged from research regarding the impact of parental incarceration on children. Separation from a parent is likely to be traumatic, disrupt personal and family bonds, and worsen the family’s social and financial situation, all of which lead to behavioral problems. And the numbers keep going up.
“The volume of incarcerations for drug-related crimes has increased,” Shapiro says. “These sentences are steep. That’s the volume of people that are cycling in our jails and prisons. And that’s the group of people that are affecting the children.”
However, to date, most of the research in the areas of incarceration and family relationships focuses on mothers and the problems they confront as parents in prison.
In the few studies examining the characteristics of incarcerated men, poverty is pinpointed as the most prevalent cause—and consequence.
“Fatherhood is rising as an area of focus for incarcerated and non-incarcerated families,” says state Rep. Tyrone Brooks (D-Atlanta). “Poverty is the No. 1 enemy in the destruction of families. When you reduce poverty, you reduce crime.”
Abandonment, stress and fear
As for those left at home, “What we know is that, during the holidays, families who have loved ones in jail worry a lot,” Shapiro says. “And a lot of prison visitation and telephone policies make it very difficult for families to connect during the holiday. Incarceration affects the entire family.”
One consequence: a sense of abandonment. Tal’ja, a 16-year-old whose father was incarcerated when she was 11 years old, says Christmas is the hardest time of year for her. “When I was younger,” she says, “I never got a present from my dad. And when my [half] sister got presents from her dad, that made me very, very sad. I would cry a lot because I thought my dad didn’t care.”
Another side effect is overwhelming responsibility. Such was the case for Jasmine, a college student whose major is family law. “When my mother was incarcerated it was around Christmas time last year, which was especially hurtful,” she says. “My concern was for my mother, whether or not she would have a mental breakdown in prison. We were a very close family and I was frightened. I was especially scared about having to take care of myself and my 17-year-old sister, who is bipolar.”
The parents have different concerns, like maintaining their legal parenting rights while incarcerated. They also feel a sense of dependency on friends and family outside prison for economic support of their families and for things as seemingly simple as picking up their children and bringing them to the prison for scheduled visitation—to say nothing of the shame and awkwardness involved in explaining incarceration to children, which is often so great that some fathers opt out of the relationship altogether. Others take a different approach: Worried that their children will reject them, they encourage their families to lie about their whereabouts. But such deception has consequences.
Soy, whose father was first incarcerated when he was a teenager, didn’t know where his father was, a circumstance that led to anxiety: “I didn’t understand why my father was not there. And I had nightmares for three or four years after the fact. It seemed I was going crazy. My father did call me on Christmas and birthdays and he wrote to me all the time. And my granddaddy was around and that made a difference.”
And beyond the usual feelings of guilt and shame, incarcerated parents have the compounded concern that someone else will replace them and that their children will forget them. Then, near the time of release, they worry that they won't fit back into home life since the family has learned to get along without them.
Yolanda Thompson, spokeswoman for the Georgia Department of Corrections, says the DOC partners with community groups to help them and their families during the holidays specifically. The largest such program is Angel Tree, a division of the faith-based Prison Ministry.
“Prisoners would like to keep their relationships intact and one way that people can help them do that is by providing gifts to their children on behalf of the inmates so they know that their parents have not forgotten them,” says Michelle Farmer, a spokeswoman for Angel Tree. The program’s parent organization, Prison Fellowship, had 14,000 children in Georgia sign up for Angel Tree this year and they’ve all been matched with gift-givers.
But the organization won’t stop there: There are 1,200 children of inmates in Mississippi who still need to be assigned “angels” largely because Hurricane Katrina so devastated and scattered those kids’ families.
Help them now or help them later
Author and sociologist Mwalimu Baruti, who has formerly taught at Morehouse College and now directs enrichment and after-school programs in predominantly black neighborhoods in Atlanta, addresses the larger concerns surrounding inmates’ families.
“Children are being raised in an environment that is conducive to immoral, illegal and unethical thinking,” he says. “Prison has become an extension of our community, part of our neighborhoods.”
The issue, he says, is our shifting morality and lack of leadership.
“It is important to understand that when we look at this phenomenon in our society, that we recognize that we have produced this particular type of criminal personality,” he says. “That we have disproportionately produced criminal activity as a low-level element for which the morality of criminal activity is not seen as something that is wrong, but rather criminal behavior only if you are caught. This kind of behavior is glorified through videos, movies, video games, etc. We have lost a good deal of moral leadership.”
Ben Roy, a Columbus, Ga. psychiatrist, has a solution: Break the cycle of poverty that causes incarceration in the first place, thereby reducing the number of vulnerable children who are more likely, because of their social and economic circumstances, to end up in prison themselves. The choice is clear, says Roy: Either help the poor avoid incarceration—through adequate health care, education and social services—or provide those services once they are incarcerated, the latter situation only perpetuating dependency on the system.
“It’s a health issue, not necessarily an objective issue,” he says. “If you are poor in America, health care is largely through the criminal justice system. Because [once one is incarcerated] you have all the cohesive enforcements of child welfare, parole officers, public housing officials all in your home. It’s a vicious cycle.”
From Harry King
>>>My Brother...you are to be rewarded for pulling your self up and getting your life together. You are the typical black american success story that says I did it so can you (the white man lives for you to say that)...so that is how you rationalize your existance in life. You give our own black elected officials a pass, yet you wait for white politicians to screw up and you are ready to jump on them...For as long as I can remember back to Jackie Barrett, these condition have been this way...all along we have had a majority black fulton county board of commissioners. It is my right to critize...because I vote...If I did not vote, I would keep my mouth shout! I owe nothing to any of your buddies that are elected, black or white...I will continue to ask for accountability, why don't you my brother. BTW...who ever put you up to suggest that I run for office...tell them to keep their eyes and ears open...when is the last time you have asked the person you voted for, for accountability?<<<
Mr. King...My existance is by the grace of God. I had a choice like everyone has a choice. I didn't look for anyone to come to my rescue. They couldn't afford to.
How do you know who I'm holding accountable? I cast my vote very selectively. To my dismay a lot of folks I cast a ballot for are never elected, but that doesn't prevent me from insisting those that are elected to fully represent the interest of the commmunity.
I have small circle of friends and none have ever been elected to anything. I don't take orders very well (except my wife) that's why I didn't take the military commission.
You should run for office maybe you can make a difference. Someday, I just might.
Given the dynamics of change created by the incorporation of Sandy Springs, Milton and Johns Creek, many residents of south Fulton no longer desire to stay as unincorporated Fulton County. Also, now with over 13,000 acres of the most economically viable portions of south Fulton already annexed, few residents are desirous of creating a new city of South Fulton, which has no real commercial or industrial tax base.
You should advocate giving residents in south Fulton an option to join Atlanta in a referendum as opposed to only having the option to choose to create a new city of South Fulton on the ballot in June 2007. This choice of joining Atlanta should have been provided when the legislation was drafted giving residents the right to choose to create a new city, but was not.
Providing a choice for residents to join Atlanta should not be thought of as a loss for Fulton County, but as an additional opportunity to create a more efficient Fulton County. Fulton County should look at the economic efficiencies and synergies of consolidating many of its services with Atlanta. For example, fire stations for Fulton County and Atlanta are within walking distances of one another in the midwest Cascade area. Why not consolidation? Minimize the politics and work toward real economic solutions for everyone. With the loss of revenue from the incorporations in the north, consolidation of services makes even more sense. Let's work toward providing a choice for residents to join Atlanta if they so desire and also in creating a more economically efficient Fulton County through a consolidation of services between Fulton and Atlanta.
James Harris, Atlanta
Fulton jail falls short in report to federal judge
By RHONDA COOK
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Published on: 01/05/07
The Fulton County Jail fell short of meeting minimum staffing levels for the first 19 days of October, yet officials said in a report to a federal judge that they met basic standards most of that time.
Officials did not file a report for September, but internal records indicate the jail was understaffed most of that month. The court-mandated staffing minimums are designed to make sure jail employees and inmates are safe.
The October report and September records provide the first public look at a 49-day period when there was never a day when the jail completely met court-required staffing levels in any 24-hour period.
The records, obtained by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution under the Georgia Open Records Act, are produced daily at the jail by the watch commander for every shift. Those documents contradict an October progress report submitted to the judge by the sheriff that said the jail met staffing requirements 87 percent of the time.
In an order signed almost a year ago, U.S. District Judge Marvin Shoob required at least three guards at all times in each of the jail's 13 cellblocks. In addition, there must be a tower guard in each cellblock and one supervisor for each of the seven floors. All but one of the floors have two cellblocks.
But according to the October staffing records, only four of the 13 cellblocks in the main jail were properly staffed — for just one of three shifts a day.
On Oct. 16, for example, 51 people worked in 13 cellblocks in the main jail on the evening shift. Twenty of the 51 were paid overtime, with at least eight of them working double shifts, to fill staffing gaps. The court order called for 59 people to be on duty.
Jail officials said they were in "full compliance" with the judge's order because they had "at least three (3) officers on floor" 87 percent of the time. The order specifies three officers in each cellblock, however, not on each floor.
Randy Turner, an attorney for Sheriff Myron Freeman, whose office runs the jail, said the October report is accurate. He did not explain apparent discrepancies between the monthly report and daily records.
Slow to fulfill requests
The Journal-Constitution asked Oct. 19 for staffing records for all of September and those produced so far in October. State law allows officials three working days to hand over public documents, but two months passed before sheriff's office officials provided the requested reports with no explanation for the delay.
Delays and refusals to release public documents have been ongoing problems, even for the lawyers involved in the jail lawsuit. The sheriff's office has not responded to four requests from the Journal-Constitution pending since October and one that was made in August.
The Journal-Constitution requested on Thursday the staffing records for the rest of October and for November and December.
Short staffing can lead to a variety of problems, including fights among inmates, dangerous situations for guards and delays in releasing inmates. The chronic short staffing at the jail is typical; taxpayers resent spending money on people charged with or convicted of crimes. In addition, turnover is historically high because jobs are stressful yet pay relatively low wages.
Jail expert Patrick McManus, the federal monitor appointed to track conditions at the jail for Shoob, expressed concern about the apparent discrepancy between the progress reports and the staffing records. McManus, who has not seen the staffing records, said he doesn't know what to believe.
He said the October report is an "assertion they [jail officials] are in compliance [with the court order], but there is no way for me to determine" if the report is accurate, McManus said.
McManus, who lives in Minnesota, is limited for now to quarterly visits to the jail, and he makes assessments for the judge based on those visits and the jail's reports.
Turner, the attorney who signed the October report, said the numbers are correct. "The numbers are what have been reported by the Sheriff's Office and I believe they are correct. We have to stick by the numbers the sheriff has given me."
The October report is the first the sheriff's office has made to the court since June, even though the judge's order calls for monthly reports. Earlier reports were done in narrative form and did not include numbers.
The jail has consistently had problems making court-ordered reports to either the monitor or Stephen Bright, an Atlanta attorney who filed a lawsuit on behalf of inmates in 2002 that said the jail was dirty, dangerous, overcrowded and unconstitutional.
Both Bright and McManus have complained several times that jail officials are not providing current and detailed information.
"We have to get the reporting on a factual and reviewable basis so I can look at records and clearly be able to say to the court 'Yes, this is true' and stake my reputation on it," McManus said.
Bright said his staff is now analyzing staffing records requested from the jail months ago that he received only in the past two weeks. He plans to compare them to the progress reports.
"All agencies have a tendency to present evidence in the light most favorable to their position and I think our role in the case is to look at those and see if they are accurate and to see if they are not," he said.
Neither Freeman nor John Gibson, a consultant who oversees efforts to comply with the court order, would answer questions about the apparent discrepancies.
As he has in the past, the sheriff issued a statement through a spokeswoman: "The information [provided to the court] has been thoroughly reviewed and we stand by what has been reported," the statement said.
Short staffing might have contributed to problems at the jail over the past year, inmate advocates say.
For example, in March, a disabled inmate died of kidney failure in the jail after apparently being lost in the system for two weeks. The man never made a court appearance or spoke to an attorney. He and his cellmate begged for help repeatedly on the morning he died but their requests were deferred while staff and orderlies attended to other duties.
Vacant positions unknown
In another incident last year, a Georgia Tech student stopped for speeding was held almost three days after a judge ordered him released because there were too few employees to do his paperwork.
Bright said there have also been fights among inmates. "That's the purpose of having three people [in each cellblock]. It makes it less likely [fights] would happen," he said.
In October, the Fulton County Commission authorized Freeman to reclassify some jobs so they could be filled with lower-paid workers. The sheriff said then that he could use the money saved to hire more jail employees. At the time, Freeman said he was short 300 people at the jail.
Sgt. Nikita Adams-Hightower, a spokeswoman for the department, said last week the sheriff had hired 18 people to fill 100 of the vacancies created by the reclassification. She would not provide the number of vacant positions remaining at the jail.
Rhonda Cook can be reached
at 404-526-5966.
submitted to blog by Harry King
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Harry are you ready to clean the slate and join the recall Myron Freeman effort yet?
Mr. Harris
I'm no more interested in joining Atlanta or East Point or College Park or Union City than I am interested in having a hole in my head.
If you would like to have a piece of the $4 billion sewer project and $250 million "wish" list then you are welcomed to it. My mother in law is now paying more than $250 per for water and sewer. That's ridiculous!!!Atlanta has unique problems that will not be solved with consolidation.
Don't think I'm going to cry for Atlanta when Buckhead pulls out. Atlanta was very quiet in the Sandy Springs secession. Do you know why? Atlanta raised hell until SS assured Atlanta that it's SPLOST would not be touched.
James,
We pay for the Atlanta Sewer improvements in South Fulton on out water bill that we get from the City of Atlanta now. Staying unincorporated will not change the fact that we are paying for the sewer upgrades in Atlanta.
Franklin seeks bigger budget without tax hike
By DAVID PENDERED
Published on: 01/09/07
Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin renewed her call Tuesday for the city's budget to rise nearly 40 percent — an additional $250 million a year — to improve city services and fully fund health care for retired city workers.
Franklin said the city has to increase the amount of money it receives from the state and federal governments. She said she has not recommended a tax increase.
In her State of the City address to several hundred business leaders, Franklin said she has identified three programs that are worth extra money.
The city's center for the homeless, The Gateway Center, needs an unidentified amount of additional funding, Franklin said. Contributions should be provided to build Atlanta's Beltline. And the proposed civil and human rights center should be built so it can become a global focal point in the city's collection of attractions, Franklin said.
....From Harry King....No I am not ready to recall the Sheriff of Fulton County...M. Freeman suffers from what is call the "Peter Principle". The best solution for good leadership for the Sheriff of Fulton County is for the job no to be elected!...treat is like the County Manager, or the top Marshall...the job should go to the person that is best qualtified, not the one that got the most votes!
The Publisher's Corner
by James H. Welcome
PUBLISHERS NOTES: In the past, wealthy, popular celebrities have spoken with absolute exemption and meaningful opposition from criticism. In this commentary these learned men have initiated credible opposition to statements made by two of America’s wealthiest and most adored celebrities. Nonetheless, their comments are significant and provide a different perspective not usual to their background and education; they are true “Newsmakers” in any case worth hearing.
OPRAH WINFREY, BILL COSBY FACE GROWING CHALLENGE BY PROFESSORS
Prominent African-American professors Dr. Marc Lamont Hill and Dr. Boyce Watkins have appeared on CNN recently to challenge Oprah Winfrey regarding her perceptions of black males and inner city students. Dr. Hill, a Professor at Temple University, appeared on Showbiz Tonight and Dr. Watkins (Syracuse University) made similar statements on CNN's Paula Zahn Now. Both men are respectfully concerned that Winfrey's statements and actions may have a detrimental effect on poor African-Americans, especially men.
When asked why she built a school in Africa instead of America's inner cities, Ms. Winfrey replied, "I became so frustrated with visiting inner-city schools [in the U.S.]. If you ask the kids what they want or need, they will say an iPod or some sneakers. In South Africa, they don't ask for money or toys. They ask for uniforms so they can go to school."
Dr. Watkins agrees that Oprah's perceptions are misguided. "How in the world can you look at the deplorable statistics in our inner city schools and say that the kids are to blame for this?" says Watkins, the author of Everything you ever wanted to know about College. "She can spend her money as she pleases, but don't attack and throw away our kids in the process."
Watkins also feels that Oprah's statements about inner city students may also relate to her general perception of black males. On CNN's Paula Zahn Now, Dr. Watkins questioned Winfrey's representation of black men on her show. "It seems that Oprah has no problem with the Grammy and Oscar winners, but when it comes to rank and file black males, she tends to ignore or misrepresent them. Her frustration with rappers even led her to edit out the comments by (hip hop star) Ludicris on her show. I was offended by that."
Hill and Watkins are also outspoken critics of Bill Cosby for his attacks on the inner city. Hill's comments in The Baltimore Sun Times and Watkins' comments on The Wendy Williams Experience have led to a powerful backlash from Cosby himself.
"Our greatest enemy in the black community is the elitism that leads some of us to think that we are better than others," says Dr. Watkins, the author of What if George Bush were a Black Man? "It's easy for Bill and Oprah to says 'What's wrong with those Negroes?' It's much harder for them to engage in critical and constructive dialogue."
Dr. Marc Lamont Hill is Assistant Professor of Urban Education & American Studies at Temple University and the editor of www.barbershopnotebooks.com. He makes regular appearances in the national media, including CNN, FOX News, and various other media. Dr. Boyce Watkins is a Finance Professor at Syracuse University and author of "What if George Bush were a Black Man?" He makes regular appearances on ESPN, CNN, FOX and other networks.
Posted by Harry King
Jail improvement costs leap past $250 million
By D.L. BENNETT
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Published on: 01/10/07
The price to resolve Fulton County's jail crisis has soared past $250 million.
The staggering numbers combine current construction, proposed jail expansions and new deputies, jailers and administrators that could expand what is already Fulton's largest agency by nearly 80 percent.
Fulton County's Board of Commissioners could consider part of the request during today's budget work session.
Roland Lane, chief deputy for Sheriff Myron Freeman, said the huge numbers are beyond the control of the sheriff — a function of the number of inmates, their medical and mental health conditions, how fast they are processed by judges and juries, and other factors.
"Our budget, we have very little discretionary spending," Lane said.
The potential cost to taxpayers includes:
•$54 million now being spent for new systems and other improvements at the chronically crowded Rice Street jail;
•a consultant's recommendation to spend $150 million to add much needed jail space; and
•$35 million a year to pay for 300 new positions, plus operating costs for the new jail;
Now, Freeman wants to go on an unprecedented hiring spree adding 488 new positions by 2010 at a cost of more than $21 million. That would fill out the staff at the existing jail and add more deputies to serve warrants and secure the courts.
Lane said the sheriff made the latest request after spending months poring over his organization and seeing where resources could be cut and more must be added.
"One thing that was lacking was a long term strategic planning," Lane said. "The sheriff's vision is the be more effective and efficient. ... He is taking a leadership role."
The sheriff's office already has about 1,000 positions, with a total budget costing taxpayers about $90 million a year.
Freeman's plan to add 488 positions would expand the workforce by almost half. The proposed jail expansion would add another 300 positions, bringing the total under the sheriff's control to about 1,800 sworn and civilian personnel.
Freeman said in a statement the new money, facilities and folks are all needed.
"I am complying with a federal consent order," Freeman said. "It all comes down to safety, order and security. People arrested all over Fulton County, from Palmetto to Alpharetta, come to the Fulton County jail.
"We must have a constitutional sound facility. It benefits citizens by not being found in contempt by the federal courts, which can resort in fines, attorney fees, etc. which could lead to further financial liabilities."
The sheriff wants commissioners either today or next week to approve the first phase: creating 107 new positions at a cost of $4.5 million, all to be filled this year.
He hopes to add a similar number of employees over each of the next three years.
The staggering scope of the request has county officials scrambling to understand it. Today, 24 of 35 general fund departments employ fewer people than Freeman wants to add to his department each year just to properly staff the current facility.
"I think we are going to have to pour more money into it," said Commissioner Tom Lowe on Tuesday. "I think he could use 100 people. I'd have to look at some national standards and see what happens elsewhere" before considering more.
If he gets the funding for the 488 new positions, the sheriff would put most of his new resources into deputies and jailers.
His request calls for 196 jailers and 192 deputies — nearly 80 percent of the total. The detention officers would all go to the lockup, while the deputies would expand services of warrants and security at the county courthouse. Lane also said new civilian positions would free up deputies from administrative posts.
"This is more bang for your buck," Lane said. "There's a benefit for taxpayers. We are being more efficient with what we have."
Commission Chairman John Eaves said he was reading through the 100-page plus request filed by Freeman to support the 488 positions he's proposing now. He wasn't ready to say yea or nay.
"My commitment is to being as open as possible but at the same time to be critical," Eaves said. "It is a lot. But, I'm committed to examining his requests."
Find this article at:
http://www.ajc.com/metro/content/metro/atlanta/stories/2007/01/10/0110metjail.html
Posted by Harry King
To: James
From Harry King...yes I put all blame on the 4 Black-African-American Fulton County Commissioners...All the people of N.F. wanted was a road now and then, but our 4 commissioners decided not to befriend North Fulton... they even took my tax dollars and voted to sue sandy springs when they wanted created their own city...your friend(s) the commissioner(s) had your people beliving that north fulton did not provide the revenue for south fulton, and you believed it...now the hand that was feeding s.f. is gone and pretty soon north fulton county will be gone....This so call flush of cash that fulton county says they have is fool's gold. According to the county finance director, fulton has serious potential cost looming with a new county jail, lawsuits stemming from the court-house shooting, pension liabilities and deferred maintenance on older county buildings.
Look close behing the windfall...16 million one time sale of county quarry to Atl (not on the books for 2008). 14 million in unanticipated sales taxes (not expected in 2008). $14 million extra property tax from increased assessment (your tax will rise in 2008). 7 million in extra utility fees that should have come in 2005. (do not expect this in 2008). 5 million in unexpected intrest. (do not expect in 2008)...All of this unexpected is not expected in 2008...Then you and your commissioner(s) want to spend money on a Amphitheater...what about police and fire protection? you better ask for a projected 5 years income projection before you go spend what you think is a windfall!!!
PAY BACK IS HELL!
North Fulton/Forsyth
More changes on horizon for shape of Fulton
By D.L. BENNETT
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Published on: 01/11/07
Georgia lawmakers waited three decades before opening the door for Sandy Springs.
A year later, the change begun in one community in the suburbs north of Atlanta has already remade Fulton County in ways no one envisioned. With a number of other communities across Georgia also talking about forming new cities, the state finds itself facing a shifting political landscape.
"When it's all said and done, we are going to look back in 10 years and say, 'Wow. Look at all that's changed,'" said state Rep. Wendell Willard, a Sandy Springs Republican.
After the creation of Sandy Springs, two other north Fulton areas successfully lobbied legislators and residents to become new cities, and Johns Creek and Milton began operations Dec. 1. Two southside cities, Chattahoochee Hill Country and the city of South Fulton, could be formed this year, leaving Fulton with no unincorporated land.
Though the attention has been on new cities being formed, three existing south Fulton cities are exploding from blips on the road map to substantial areas. Palmetto, Union City and Fairburn all annexed enough land to more than double their footprints in advance of new cities trying to form adjacent to them. Even Atlanta got into the act, scooping up a couple hundred acres.
"Certainly, the incorporation of Sandy Springs created a path of change most people did not anticipate," said Karen Handel, who just ended her run as Fulton's former Board of Commissioners chairwoman and is now secretary of state. "What has happened is that citizens in Fulton County are taking an active role in deciding the form and nature of their government. That's a good thing."
The change already in motion has given credibility to an idea that once was dismissed as a fool's errand — splitting Fulton County in two.
State Rep. Mark Burkhalter (R-Alpharetta), who was re-elected Monday as the House's speaker pro tem, has championed the idea for more than a decade. Now he sees possibility where there once was none.
"For me, it's a nice kind of momentum builder," Burkhalter said. "The dream, while it has seemed large in the past, is shrinking by the day. It seems a possibility."
Legislation that would allow all of Fulton north of Atlanta to break off into a separate county was introduced by Rep. Jan Jones (R-Alpharetta) on the first day of the General Assembly. If the Legislature passes the measure, it could be before voters in November 2008.
Whether the change has been good or not is still a matter of heated debate. Annexations and incorporations have put residents at each others' throats.
The restructuring across Fulton has clearly been a boon to Palmetto, Fairburn and Union City. All three have expanded their borders dramatically, taking in property owners who feared the uncertainty of remaining unincorporated or possibly going into a new city.
Fulton's southernmost city, Palmetto, nearly went from 3,300 acres and 4,000 people to 10 times as large, spanning the entire southern border of Fulton County. Eventually, the city did annex about 3,500 acres, which stands to triple the city's population.
That's a big change for a tiny town.
Palmetto Mayor Clark Boddie thinks his city has charted a new direction that will bring increased prosperity, prestige and improved services. The last six months, Boddie contends, have been the most important for Palmetto in the last 150 years.
"Next year is going to be a turning point for Palmetto," Boddie said. "We definitely recognize change is coming."
But the sweeping annexations by Palmetto, Union City and Fairburn have upset scores of their neighbors.
Many fear the cities will allow development that Fulton County would have blocked. They also are concerned zoning restrictions imposed by Fulton will be lost.
And they complain the annexations of critical business corridors and industrial parks have damaged the viability of the proposed city of South Fulton. A judge on Nov. 21 threw out a lawsuit seeking to overturn the annexations.
"When they voted yes to Sandy Springs, I said, 'OK. Good,' " said Sandra Hardy, who lives near Fairburn. "I could see it coming. I didn't see everything. I think it would have been healthier if we had been left alone."
Hardy and her husband, Paul, live on two acres just outside Fairburn. The annexations around their home make them worried they will eventually be forced to join a city they don't want to be part of. The retired couple raises show chickens on their property, a land use a city would not allow.
While Sandy Springs was part of a long political crusade, there was no such effort behind any of the other new or proposed cities. They've all just sprung up in reaction to Sandy Springs.
Many feared the loss of Sandy Springs tax dollars would mean other areas would be forced to pay more taxes to Fulton County. Others jumped at the chance to take control of services long provided by a county government they complained was inept and inefficient.
"We are doing in one year what Sandy Springs did in 30," said Mike Bodker, who went from northeast Fulton activist to the first mayor of Johns Creek. He contends northeast Fulton will be much better served through dedicated local control provided by a city council.
Bodker said he wished Fulton had been more responsive years ago and all this never would have happened.
"It is really sad to me that to get better, we had to create more government," Bodker said. "I'm against more government."
Mr. King again you are just angry and bitter. If you understood how Fulton County has worked over the last 20 years you would know, requests for projects by individual commissioners are granted all most without question. The commissioners from the northside didn't ask for anything that is why they were not approved. It wasn't the four black folks that stopped them. There's a golf course that was built upon a old land fill. There aren't any golf courses down here. Parks and other facilities were not sought by those elected on the northside. They didn't want trash pick up they wanted to use their money to acquire land.
For your information South Fulton built North Fulton. I guess you don't remember Fulton Industrial in its hey day? It was once the largest industrial park east of the Mississippi. Where did that money go?...NORTH!!!! Why is Sandy Springs so congested? Tons of money from FIB was used to build it out. After it was built out folks moved to what is now Johns Creek. By that time the money was drying up from FIB but nothing had been done for South Fulton. Once South Fulton started to grow it was time to play catch up. Too bad the folks up north spreaded their lies about not having services. If they truly wanted services they should have talked to their elected officials, they didn't and came to blame everyone but themselves and their elected leaders.
They cry about the lack of libraries. The truth is the library system was once Atlanta's and was built out long before it was merged with Fulton County's. That's why there are so many branches in Atlanta. When it was time to spend money on libraries it had to compete with other problems that plague Fulton County like poverty.
Grady Hospital takes a large chunk of county dollars as does MARTA (more than $200 million per year). Of course if Fulton and Dekalb didn't provide that 1% those less fortunate would not have public transportation or health care. Again decisions are made to help those less fortunate.
Those in north fulton will be judged by God for their mean spirited move to rid themselves of those less fortunate than themselves. You champion their move as smart. It's selfish and short sighted.
For now South Fulton has money to make it another year. Through the grace of God it will have more money in 2008. The money you speak of is GENERAL FUNDS MONEY!!!! South Fulton is on a PAY AS YOU GO PROGRAM. If we don't have they money we won't get the service. The general funds doesn't effect our police, fire, parks or community development departments.
If you didn't know it. Atlanta is one of the poorest cities in the country and its safety net is Fulton County. Atlanta doesn't have ANY programs for health, wellness, seniors or transportation. Without Fulton County Atlanta would be closer to New Orleans after Katrina.
Does washing a pig change him on the inside? Take a pig and take him into your living room and into the bathroom and give him a good bath, put a ribbon around his neck, bring him in the living room, you’d say, “Now, I’ve got a new pig. He’s turned into a perfect gentleman. Look at him sitting over there.” You open the door, let the pig out, and see where he goes. His heart hasn’t been changed. Only the outside has been changed. And that’s the way with some of us. We’ve been changed some on the outside to conform to certain social standards or certain things that are expected of us, and yet down inside we’ve never been changed. You need changing inside. You must be born from above. That’s a supernatural act of God.
Billy Graham
From Jim Wooten of the AJC Opinion Section:
• Fulton County commissioners find themselves with excess collections of $90 million. What to do? “We are going to do a little bit of everything,” said Commissioner Bill Edwards. “I’m happy, man. The money’s there. It’s just a matter of what we spend it on.” And we wonder why Milton County beckons.
Milton County beckons to be "free" to only associate with "whites only". That's the truth. If you think it's anything else then you have your head in the sand.
Since North Fulton is now fully incorporated there is little that Fulton County can do for or do to them. The remaining mandated functions are justice and health/social programs. If they think they are going to get out of funding Grady and MARTA then they are really naive.
1/24/07
To: Sheriff Myron E. Freeman
From: Harry King – President,
Thaxton Pointe Homeowners Association
4035 Lendy Ln. Atlanta Ga. 30349-1788
Subject: State of the Fulton County Jail
The taxpayers, people, and community are the voters that make up the constituency of Fulton County, Ga. We request from the Sheriff of Fulton County a report indicating, the state today, tomorrow and plans for the future of the Fulton County Jail, including any alternative proposed plans.
We recognize and fully understand that you as the Sheriff of Fulton County must be held accountable for the situation as it exists today at the jail. Rightly so, you are proud to point out to us that you are the one that submits and controls the budget after approved by the Fulton County Board of Commissioners! We feel very, very strongly that accountability and ownership is jointly shared between the Board of Commissioners and you the Sherriff of Fulton County.
We respectfully request that you develop and present an official white paper from the Sheriff of Fulton County that gives us an understanding of what is currently evolving and what we can expect regarding all the issues concerning the future of the jail. As we all have observed, you the Sherriff make your reports to the Board of Commissioners but you as the Sherriff has never made a report to the community, taxpayers, and constituents of Fulton County Ga.
The report to the community could be in a public forum at the Fulton County Government Center Assembly Hall and posted on the Fulton County Sheriff’s Office web site.
We as taxpaying, voters of Fulton County consider this issue to be of great importance and of a highly urgent nature.
Thank you for your consideration and cooperation in this matter
Respectfully,
Harry King, Jr – Unincorporated South Fulton County – Dist. 7
Cc:Mayors: Alpharetta, Roswell, ATL, Mountain Park
Cc:Mayors:Sandy Springs, College Park, East Point
Cc:Mayors:Fairburn, Palmetto, Union City, Milton, Johns Creek
Cc:Fulton County State Delegation, FulCo BOC Dist.1,2,3,4,5,6,7
Posted by Harry....
Friday, January 26, 2007, 01:05 PM
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
House Speaker Glenn Richardson met with a hand-picked group of reporters on Friday to talk about a range of issues.
One of topics was the establishment of a Milton County. Richardson says he’s neither for it nor against it, but is leaving that issue in the hands of his No. 2, Speaker pro tem Mark Burkhalter of Alpharetta — as he did with the creation of the city of Sandy Springs.
There’s no meaning to be drawn from House postponement of action on the secession from Fulton County this year, Richardson said — because it would likely require a constitutional amendment. That would require a two-thirds vote in both chambers, followed by a statewide referendum that can only be placed on general election ballots.
But the speaker acknowledged the existence of a back door on the issue, should pro-Miltonists fail to get their way with the Legislature. It’s a tough door, but a door nonetheless.
A constitutional amendment would be required to increase the number of Georgia counties from 159 to 160. But suppose two small counties in rural Georgia decided to consolidate, or could be persuaded to do so. Would the creation of Milton County then require a two-thirds vote in the Legislature?
“No,” the speaker replied.
This is what I'm been predicting for a year now. The republicans will trash whatever laws necessary to have it's way.
A little prediction from 2005...strangely enough it has all come to pass....I told you so...
I can’t prove it but, the fix is in…
April 1, 2005
I’m going to repeat the title a number of times. This is no April Fools joke. You may read the AJC or the tea leaves either way you will soon come to the same conclusion.
State republicans pushed through a vote on self determination for Sandy Springs. Meanwhile the democrats are trying to get the number of the train that hit them. Unknown to the rest of the world the republicans tacked on a little amendment that keeps tax revenues in North Fulton. Again, democrats aren’t sure whether they’ve been mugged or not. What does this mean to us? It doesn’t sound good.
I can’t prove it but, the fix is in…you see they also created a storm with an ID voter bill. While democrats attempted to raise the dead and posture republicans snuck another in – a bill to make the rest of North Fulton a city named Milton in 2006!
Did you ever wonder why the rest of North Fulton didn’t seem to mind the creation of Sandy Springs as a city? No complaint about how their taxes would be affected. I can’t prove it but, the fix is in…they knew they would be next on the block. In the mean time Fulton County becomes less of a factor.
I have to give it to the republicans they figured if they couldn’t win Fulton County at the polls they would just dismantle it, district by district. I can’t prove it but, the fix is in… Check it out some guy in the AJC predicted the demise of Fulton County in the future because it will lose its tax base – so they think.
The fix goes even further. Over the last few years, the Fulton County School Board has built 17 new schools in Sandy Springs and North Fulton. There’s even a plan to build two new elementary schools in Sandy Springs with current and future funds when in reality there’s incredible growth in the south end of the county. In fact the BOE “Keeping Promises” report shows at least four new schools to be built in North Fulton and Sandy Springs (page 22) while the “Per Pupil and Capital Resource Allocation” shows only two.
A point that is even stranger, read the following from the “Per Pupil and Capital Resource Allocation” report.
What significant growth in Sandy Springs? If you review page one of the “Continuing to Close the Gap” report you will see a map that shows an area that is1/10 of the size of the for South Fulton.
Interesting enough quite a few of the Board of Ed reports break out Sandy Springs as it own entity along with North and South Fulton. It’s just their way of letting the Sandy Springs “100” know they are supporting them.
I can’t prove it but, the fix is in…after Sandy Springs then, Milton and a legislative slight of hand by the state legislature that will help the Fulton County Board of Education secede from the south end of the county. While the parents in South Fulton complain about the BOE they are quietly working on a plan to free themselves.
Unfortunately, that’s not the end. The republicans will move to consolidate a couple of South Georgia counties (the good ol’ boys will be willing to take one for Sonny), while creating a new 159th county north of Atlanta with six cities and no unincorporated area.
There you have it, the “fix” that will move Fulton County to the door step of insolvency. What’s worse, Chattahoochee Hill Country our neighbor right here in South Fulton is exploring city hood also. We have one chance to rescue our way of life from the hands of the bigots that seek their utopia.
In the remaining years we should work with our schools to improve them by rewarding those who are committed to teaching our children and getting results, build strong communities and work with our remaining elected officials to draw Fortune 500 companies to shore up our tax base. Otherwise we will be in a fix.
James Reese
www.southfultonliving.com
You are on point James. Along those lines why don't we (South Fulton parents) demand that the schools in South Fulton are as good as or better than the schools in North County? Those parents who want to keep that option open of having their children enrolled in North Fulton schools are focused on the evils of annexation when they should be fighting the school board and demanding better schools in south Fulton.
Imagine if the energy expended by South Fulton Concerned Citizens, Roger Bruce and Bill Edwards was focused on Fulton County Schools?
Fulton Schools throws us a bone with a few new buildings and we forget the issue of the educational achievement gap between North and South Fulton.
We fight to stay in Fulton Schools and avoid Atlanta Schools without looking at the facts to find that the difference between South Fulton Schools and Atlanta Public Schools is a wash in both performance and discipline.
It’s like the days of slavery when the master causes in fighting among the slaves thinking each is the master's favorite as he plans to sell them all.
What they don't realize is when even if they don't become a part of Atlanta, when all is all said and done they still won't be able to send their kids to North Fulton Schools that will become Milton County Schools. To your point if we do not realize we are being bamboozled, all we’ll have are the left over parts of the pig the master doesn’t eat.
James,
Yes, the chickens are coming to roost. Those that take comfort in the requirements of raising the allowed number of counties need to consider there are other alternatives. Although a constitution amendment requires a 2/3 majority of the house, a 2/3 majority of the Senate and 2/3 of the GA voters approving it in a presidential election year, there is another means.
If two counties consolidate forming Milton would not require a constitutional amendment only a “local” referendum. Hence you would only need a simple majority in the house and senate and just a majority of the voters in Fulton County, not the state of Georgia.
Fulton Co. Comm. Bill Edwards, the worst elected official in the state, is downright gleeful that Fulton Co. finally gets some good news on revenue, so he gets to spend, spend, spend. Roll back some $$$ to taxpayers? Use it to fix unglamorous stuff like county buildings & infrastructure?
Nope, Mr. Bill is ready to spend like a drunken solder on leave after a lonely, lonely tour of duty...
Will any, any elected official ever call him out? This is the guy as reasonable as anyone else for the Fulton Co. jail & sheriff mess, tax assessor mess, etc.
You're either part of the problem or part of the solution. Bill Edwards IS the problem.
http://www.ajc.com/print/content/printedition/2007/01/06/metfulton0106a.html
Commissioners, of course, are busy making up wish lists for what to do with all the cash and predicting an uncommonly easy 2007 budget cycle.
"We are going to do a little bit of everything," Commissioner Bill Edwards said. "I'm happy, man. The money's there. It's just a matter of what we spend it on."
He said he would like to see more money go to parks in south Fulton, a Southside amphitheater, Grady Hospital operations and transportation for senior citizens.
Likewise, Commissioners Robb Pitts and Lynne Riley are also working on lists.
By Trackboy1
Funny when Bill Edwards talks about how Fulton County is doing a good things, he doesn't talk about crime (horrible), jails (under Federal Supervision) or roads (non-functional)...oh and there is a LOT of talk about how great our Senior Centers are.
2/6/07
TO: State Representative Bob Holmes
FAX – 404.656.0250
From: Harry King – President, Thaxton Pointe HOA
Founder, The Clean Slate
4035 Lendy Ln
Atlanta, Ga. 30349
Unincorporated South Fulton County
Subject: The Fulton County Jail
We are very, very much concerned of the entire dysfunction that we as Fulton County taxpayers have, of accountability at the Fulton County jail!
The budget of the jail is 86 million dollars. You pay taxes like us Bob! You know the history better that anyone!
Please think about, and then introduce legislation that will bring some reality to this unacceptable situation.
I had a conversation with John Sherman with the Fulton County Taxpayers Assoc. His suggestion is to have the Sherriff’s office accountable to the County Manager. I suggest accountability should be with the Finance Department of Fulton County.
What does matter is that we need some help from the Fulton County Delegation to bring some sanity to the entire Fulton County Sherriff’s Department in Fulton County Ga.
Respectfully,
Harry King
404.714.1221 (o)
404.344.6480 (h)
404.580.0524 ©
James,
SFCC continues to execute a disinformation campaign that lacks factual evidence of the viability of financial case for a city.
The evidence that the annexations have delivered a death blow to the already shaky numbers is how they are desperately seeking legislation to include revenue from Fulton Industrial.
Any vote on FIB would be countywide and the other parts of the county are likely to relinquish the general fund revenue from FIB to a new city of SF.
Furthermore thus far there is no news of Dr. Eger re-doing his study in light of the annexations.
SFCC has new signs that reveal their motivation all along was to create a new city. The signs paid for by Miller Zell are like putting lipstick on a pig - its still a pig!
PS: James If you run for Mayor you'll have my vote. Maybe Harry King will run for Fulton County Sherriff too. LOL
To anonymous....
From: Harry King....be very, very clear on my position about the city of South Fulton Ga. I am OPPOSED! There is not tax base or economic lifeline! I do not agree with the Fulton County Commissioner from district 7! I believe that in the next 2 to 3 years, all of Fulton County will be in a city limit. I believe that it will be best to annex into existing cities. Pick one :-).
I find it amusing that you give a pass to the situation in the Sherriff office. They have $90 million of your tax dollars that you do not have the nerve to ask accountability for...that's what I am trying to get accomplished. James and I may agree to disagree, but one thing I was told about James was that he holds the people he votes for accountable...WHAT DO YOU DO?
What's Happening to the South Fulton?
Two words - Union City. It's as if Sherman's March to the Sea has revived itself as Union City marches across South Fulton County. In an unprecedented fashion this once small dying city has sprouted wings in all directions, taking in pasture land and undeveloped potential commercial nodes along South Fulton Parkway. Union City has progressed where as it will become nearly impossible to manage.
Meanwhile, the proposed city of South Fulton and Chattahoochee Hills have lost some 21,000 acres in a frenzied rush by once sleepy municipalities wanting a piece of the pie. How will all of this play out? No one seems to know. Speculations are the proposed city of South Fulton is truly ham strung, especially if the cloak on Fulton Industrial Blvd is not lifted. You see, FIB by law can't be a part of a city without a county-wide referendum. It was put off limits years ago to keep it out of the hands of Atlanta.
I'm still wondering about the Old National corridor. A close look at the map above and you'll see it seems to be land locked by Union City and pray tell College Park. Can that area be considered as part of a proposed city of South Fulton when it's not contiguous? Time will tell.
In the meantime, state legislators are seeking to change laws regarding annexation and how counties can object. Will any of it help South Fulton? Time will tell.
Certainly, Union City isn't alone in its land grab. Fairburn has leap outside of it's boundaries down to the Fayette County line and surrounded the Oakley Industrial area. Palmetto is now larger too. It's walked into Coweta County as well as bitten off a large chunk of what was Chattahoochee Hills promised land. That move forced Chatt Hill to momentarily reconsider cityhood and asked to be annexed into Palmetto. They were pushed away and now Chatt Hill is forced to go at it alone with a slightly altered plan. Some of Sandtown hasn't given up joining Atlanta at this point either.
I'm offering up a suggestion that will certainly be rebuffed by all parties involved. Chalk it up to the cult of personalities. South Fulton Concerned Citizens and Chattahoochee Hills Alliance should sit down and work out a an agreement to combine into one municipality, if not share resources. Neither seems to have the population nor commercial resources at this time to survive alone.
What ever happens come June a decision is going to have to be made and who ever can get their constituency to the polls is going to get to rule. No one affected by this issue can sit on the sidelines and become a spectator. Whether you agree with incorporation, which seems to be the plan as our surveys have shown, get annexed or you rather be left "the hell alone". Either way you are going to have to take a stand on June 19.
SFCC is touting the obsolete Dr. Eger study saying the city is viable, while seeking unlikely legislative attempts to go after Fulton Industrial because they really know the financials are shaky.
Time will tell whether voters will stay home and watch others vote for a new city bound to crash and burn.
Take time to consider the important incorporation decision on June 19th
When my wife and I moved to Atlanta in 1995, we had a big decision to make — where to raise our family. We chose unincorporated SW Fulton. Before we did, we researched area schools, zoning trends, parks, police and fire services and housing.
Now South Fulton residents are being asked to make a potentially even bigger decision: Do we incorporate?
I think the question is valid, but I am greatly concerned by the rush to judgment from supporters. I have read many of the stories in the newspapers and on the internet, attended meetings conducted by South Fulton Concerned Citizens and I am not convinced that anyone clearly understands the long-term effect.
I'm still waiting to see a comprehensive assessment of how communities and traffic would be affected.
We should be able to choose the type of local government that best serves our needs.
But we shouldn't rush to create more government without knowing if it would improve the lives of South Fulton residents.
That sounds like something I read in AJC...
Take time to consider important decision
When my wife and I moved to Atlanta in 1995, we had a big decision to make — where to raise our family. We chose Dunwoody. Before we did, we researched area schools, zoning trends, parks, police and fire services and housing.
Now Dunwoody residents are being asked to make a potentially even bigger decision: Do we incorporate?
I think the question is valid, but I am greatly concerned by the rush to judgment from supporters and opponents alike. I have read many of the stories in the newspapers and on the Internet, and I am not convinced that anyone clearly understands the long-term effect. I'm still waiting to see a comprehensive assessment of how schools, communities and traffic would be affected.
We should be able to choose the type of local government that best serves our needs. But we shouldn't rush to create more government without knowing if it would improve the lives of Dunwoody's residents.
HOWARD SCHECTER
Can anyone explain the reason why Chattahoochee Hills was carved out into their own city instead of being a part of the City of South Fulton?
Were our own black state legislators complicit in creating a vote for a segregated oasis city in South Fulton for those fair skinned folks not wanting to be a party of a city that’s 80% black?
Will some mislead and sell out their constituents forming a new city to build their power base knowing full well the city is doomed to fail?
Does one wonder why a County Commissioner, who was an advisor to those wanting to form a city, suddenly flips after the election to being against it? Election posturing? Is that all there is to it – is anyone checking campaign disclosure records?
Will we start making decisions based on what we check out for ourselves instead of making choices with longstanding consequences based on what comes out of the piper’s flute?
A tactic the slave master used was to turn one slave against another to further his power. Do you think there’s an analogy pitting the incorporation folks against the annexation folks to keep us unincorporated? Just wondering….
To: Anonymous posted 3/6/07 @ 5:50pm
From: Harry King
Please execute your right as a taxpayer and get the campaign disclosue record of the County Commissioner that you talk about in your 4th paragraph and share the information with the community. Go the the Fulton County Board of Elections downtown at the government center...only cost 2 cents per copy...note, you will need to go back 4 years because commissiones build up warchest...you will need to do it in person...this will take you no more that 30 minutes...we will be waiting. I made the mistake of asking for the past 12 months and found out the commissione had already build his bank...we need more history.
FYI from what I understand those in Chattahoochee Hills requested to be there own city from the start. They never had any intentions of being part of the Greater South Fulton. They had put together their own "city" before all this had come about.
I don't think those in power were happy with it in the beginning.
After Chattahoochee Hills decided they wanted to do their own thing, William Bill Edwards experienced the feeling of betrayal SW Fulton residents felt for years because of him.
He like Michael Hightower did not get many votes from SW Fulton and was re-elected because of South Fulton and the Old National corridor.
If you think he will serve unincorporated SW Fulton anymore than he's demonstrated in the past, think again.
I'm willing to take a chance. I don't have much of a choice since there is no business plan for the proposed city of South Fulton. Either way I go it's all risky but, I'd rather take my risk with a known entity than an unknown one.
James,
I agree I would rather deal with the likes of William Bill Edwards in an unincorporated South Fulton than relinquish our fate to a new City of South Fulton and the cast of power hungry characters running South Fulton Concerned Citizens.
He is indeed a known quantity and we know his tactics. There is a measure of oversight of his activities by Fulton County ethics and the media and other commissioners will likely continue to keep him in check remaining un-incorporated. If not he might have the opportunity to get free state accomodations like his predecessor Michael Hightower.
Hopefully folks will stop drinking the "cityhood at whatever cost" Kool-Aide and recognize how high the stakes are. It's not wise to "play city" just because "the man" did it in North Fulton.
The clue that this is only about political power is the incredible energy expended pushing for a city by State Representatives Roger Bruce, Virgil Fludd and even political lobbyists like Andre Walker of the Georgia Unfiltered Politics BLOG.
When you ask about proof that this is a wise financial choice or where's the business plan, their eyes glaze over and they instinctively launch into their prerecorded speaches about local control. But local control by whom I ask? By a group from the lower part of South Fulton that wants to run ALL of South Fulton?
You'll notice that Kasim Reed has wisely not jumped on the "cityhood no matter what" bandwagon even though he sponsored the senate bill to allow the vote in the first place. Perhaps he's read the tea leaves and realized that annexations dealt the death blow to the financial viability of a new City of South Fulton, GA.
Think folks... all is not what it seems....
Word is Chattahoochee Hills County Club has plans to enlarge their territory after they vote to become a new city June 19th by annexing land in unincorporated south Fulton to make up for what they lost to the Fairburn annexations.
If this is happening in the new city of Milton, what kind of mess do you think will happen in a city of South Fulton?
Instead of Jan Jones, it would be Roger Bruce trying to run everything!!
"SPARRING FACTIONS IN MILTON TURN TO PERDUE"
By DOUG NURSE
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Published on: 05/17/07
Political jousting in the city of Milton has spilled over and roped in the governor.
The latest sparring started when Republican state Rep. Jan Jones engineered changes to the city charter in the recent legislative session, including term limits for the mayor and six council seats.
Mayor Joe Lockwood has cried foul, claiming he was blindsided by the changes, many of which he said reduce his authority.
After the governor's office on Monday asked Lockwood to weigh in on the changes, he wrote a letter asking Gov. Sonny Perdue to veto House Bill 811, sponsored by Jones.
Several members of the council now are sending letters of their own asking Perdue not to veto the charter changes. The governor's office was circumspect in discussing the controversy.
"The governor will decide whether to sign based on its merits," said Bert Brantley, spokesman for the governor's office. "He takes into account all points of view." Jones authored the legislation creating the city in 2006. Jones, who supported Lockwood's opponent for mayor last year, said the recent changes were simply a matter of fine-tuning the city's charter or its constitution and bylaws.
Among the changes in House Bill 811 were provisions taking away some of the mayor's authority to appoint City Council committees.
The bill limits the mayor and City Council members to two four-year terms.
Jones said she was "surprised and puzzled" by Lockwood's objections and said she has the support of a majority of the City Council.
http://www.ajc.com/metro/content/metro/northfulton/stories/2007/05/16/0517metmilton.html
To the Anonymous comment dated 5/17:
Chattahoochee Hill Country is planning on annexing land that was originally supposed to be in Chattahoochee Hill Country. There was 7,000+ acres of Chatt Hills included in the proposed city of South Fulton because of the fact that with those acres, Chatt Hills wouldn't have the required density to form a city. If/when a city of Chattahoochee Hill Country is formed, the lines would be re-drawn to include the 7,000 acres. Kasim Reed stated over a year ago that this was planned when the bills were drawn, which was before the annexations took place.
S. White,
That's interesting background and a slightly different slant than is on the CHCC Website. Even the Chattahoochee Hills organizing committee in their FAQ say they didn't know why the acreage was not included!
However they also said it was not automatic that those those 7,000 acres would be added to the boundaries, they would have to be annexed.
In that light HB725 precludes any annexations after April 2, 2007 and before the South Fulton referendum which at the earliest is September 2007. Since the 7,000 acres is not in the CHCC boundaries, it must be in the proposed City of South Fulton territory and thus off limits unless voters say "NO" to a city of South Fulton or they de-annex.
On their Website it says "The committee has not been able to get an answer on why this change was made, but it is possible to have the 7,000-acre area added back. If the City of Chattahoochee Hill Country forms and the City of South Fulton does not, the 7,000 acre-area could annex into the City of Chattahoochee Hill Country if the residents so desire. If the City of South Fulton does form, the landowners within the 7,000 acres would first need to de-annex from South Fulton and then annex into the City of Chattahoochee Hill Country. South Fulton Concerned Citizens has publicly supported that change."
Source:
http://www.chatthills.org/documents/CH-FAQ-051607.pdf
I actually read that before I posted my comment. HOWEVER, it was stated at a meeting over a year ago by Kasim Reed that the boundaries would be changed if the two cities were approved so that all of Chatt. Hills would be included in their city. He said there's a minimum density that is REQUIRED to form a city, and Chatt. Hills didn't have that required density. They didn't want to just leave part of Chatt Hills unincorporated and put the rest in the proposed city boundaries (probably out of fear of that small portion being annexed by an existing city), so they instead included it in the proposed city of South Fulton, with the plans of changing the boundaries later.
As far as the Chatt. Hills organizing committee is concerned, I can't speak for other people and why they do or do not know certain things. That's like asking me why Commissioner Edwards didn't know the township bill failed when he stated township was an option at the South Fulton town hall meeting.
I see Bill Edwards has another listening session Thursday, May 31 at 7 p.m at the South Annex.
That's pretty funny, I didn't know he listened to ANYONE anymore...LOL
Anyone want to buy some Vote Yes to a City of South Fulton signs? I heard they'll be available at the South Fulton Concerned Citizen's yard sale.
It seems no one wants them in their yard so the only place SFCC can put them is on vacant land and there's quite a surplus.
The proceeds are said to go toward their debt. Since it is not clear they are really a chritable organization as they claim, who knows where the money will go?
I moved to unincorporated south Fulton because I did not want to live in a city. Can someone out there that thinks we need to form a city of South Fulton tell me why?
Whatever happened to that study that was supposed to show the city would not go bankrupt. Did they decide not to release it because it showed that the city won't fly?
It’s really reassuring that the Keystone Kops of South Fulton Concerned Citizens are planning the city of South Fulton on our behalf.
Who anointed them as our city planners? Did I miss a vote?
What are they planning besides their campaigns to run for elected office in the new city?
When are they planning to share their plans and assumptions their flawed study was based on?
Chattahoochee Hills planned everything out front and in the open. You can find it all on their website. There was unity of vision and purpose and no lack of leadership. Anyone looking would be confident that they will succeed.
By contrast South Fulton Concerned Citizens plans without any dissenters invited. They see those that do not want to participate in this municipal experiment as the opposition.
They stopped publishing their meeting minutes on their website in March of this year to hide the disruption, division and disorganization that took place in their meetings and the fact that there were typically fewer than a dozen attendees.
They plant unsolicited signs on private property or deserted lots in the public right of way in the dark of night because that’s how they operate. The public slogan masters just repeat the same silly arguments, devoid of any substance or depth.
They wave a marginal financial study at you quickly saying here’s the proof as though even if true that finances are the only challenge and now it’s a slam dunk we’ll succeed. But they cannot manage their own money.
They spent money they did not have on failed lawsuits to overturn the legal constitutional choices that 60+ percent of the property owners and voters made to join existing cities instead of starting one from scratch. Then they have yard or bake sales to try and pay the lawyers.
Then they commissioned a study and could not pay for it. Yes these are the people we want to manage our tax dollars and lead us.
Oh yeah I am really persuaded that SFCC is planning something - the question is what and for whom.
If you want to turn the quality of life that you chose in an unincorporated area over to this bunch of deceivers beware. The nightmare of high taxes and sorry services has not yet begun!!!
SFG
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