Letter to the Editor: Taxes raise concern

Opinion

November 29, 2012

Letter to the Editor: Taxes raise concern

Roy Dale, Jr.

Anonymous Cordele Dispatch The Cordele Dispatch Thu Nov 29, 2012, 12:55 PM EST

Cordele — To the editor Cordele Dispatch:

Taxes, taxes, taxes, when will it ever stop? School board, city commission, county commission, transportation SPLOST, then throw in the federal government hikes coming in January 2013 and I can see we need to have a TEA party in Crisp County.

Should these elected officials be RECALLED? Yes they should, but unfortunately they cannot be recalled for misfeasance. You ask, “what is misfeasance?”

Misfeasance is defined as taking inappropriate action or giving intentionally incorrect advice. Let's look at each one of these boards and see what they’re up to.

First, the school board is the biggest taker in our tax digest, and they have proposed the largest hike at almost a 14% increase in property taxes.

I attended their public hearing and listened to the rationale given for their increase and find the advice given by Jay Brinson to the Board incorrect on several fronts.

Mr. Brinson stated that he saw no savings in going to a 4 day school week as other counties in our region have. I challenge him to explain how eliminating one day a week, 18 days a semester, and 36 days a year would not reduce operating costs.

A conservative estimate of $20,000 a day in operational cost is about $3,480,000 a year. That looks like a lot of incorrect advice given by our outgoing superintendent.

Next, has our superintendent looked at cutting the fringe benefits in the school system? No, I think not. I see a ton of school vehicles driven home, sitting in driveways, and around town. I even saw a truck going up 257 in another county.

Can't these employees drive their own cars and trucks to work without us footing the bill? The biggest flub by Jay, "all our school buildings are over fifty years old.”

Well, to all the travelers going up and down I-75, that sure is a pretty building. Now, I challenge you board members who ran as republicans to look at your party platform (low taxes, less government) and tell me you are doing the right thing.

For you newly re-elected members, why did you not inform the public before the election. No, we can't recall you, but I promise I will make sure the public is reminded of how you voted on this issue. To Mr. Musslewhite, I commend you for voting against this increase.

Second, I attended the city 's public hearing and was pleasantly surprised by their attitude to cut and keep their taxes as low as possible. They made a commitment not to raise taxes if the digest is within reach. Congratulations to a body that is trying to keep some type of control on spending.

Third, the county commission came across as full speed ahead, damn the citizens on their televised meeting. Mister 14 years was very upset when questioned about their salaries.

May I remind you that you serve the public and to justify your salary in public as if someone spit in your face is pure arrogance. There is no way that this commission can justify $17,000 to $18,000 a year for your part-time service.

As for seconding a motion, Mr. Clark, why don't you bring the motion to reduce salaries to the floor so that we can see who has the intestinal fortitude to help out the taxpayers instead of taking from the taxpayers?

I think I know why. It's just like the trash situation. I have lived here 10 years, and we have the same problem now that we had ten years ago. No one will make a decision except to keep your high salaries.

I was also appalled at the total disdain shown for one citizen who was questioning the commission on how, why, and if they had looked at ways to save money. How bout ya'll earning your salary by finding ways to save money instead of saving salaries?

Roy Dale Jr.

Cordele

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Letter to the Editor: Taxes raise concern

Roy Dale, Jr.

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