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Tuesday, July 24, 2007
splost renewal vote september 18...
1% sales tax for schools, including a new football stadium.
will you vote yes or no?
will the jocksniffers get their new stadium or not?
I will vote NO. Until they can be held accountable for their actions, I see no need to add fuel to the fire. Today SPLOST and next year new tax increases.
I'm voting yes. As a land owner, I"m tired of paying for everthing. Let's let the walfare people pay for their kids. They might not own any property, but they sure buy cigarettes and beer every day.
They want to build a 25,000 seat stadium. The county only has 14 or 15,000 people in it. That's counting every single person. Not even 10% will go to the ball games which means maybe 1500 to 2000 if it's a big game. That is the most ridiculous idea I have ever heard. What do they plan to use all those extra seats for? The Olympics are held only every four years. Truby says they can use it for regional games and stuff. Still that's only once a year. Why waste all that money for something that is not going to be used except for a few weekends, and then not be close to being filled. "If you build it they will come" only works in movies. This is just another case of irresponsible spending on the part of the BOE. A huge waste. Obviously I vote no.
I will vote no. Although the school board promises they will not raise taxes, if you read the paper, they are already raising taxes. They claim that they are not, but those of us whose property was reassessed again (mine has been reassessed 3 out of the 5 years I have lived here) will be getting a nice property tax increase from our lovely school board with some of the lowest ranked schools in the state. A 25000 seat stadium? Please. What a waste of money. That should really move us out of the bottom of the heap. According to the US Census Bureau, Lamar County's population is only 16,679 people. If every person in the county showed up for a football game, there would still be 8300 seats available for guests. Every person on the school board should be voted out. How about giving the teachers a raise and give them the authority to discipline so children can learn again. The school board needs to learn how to control its budget.
Logic tells me that this extra penny needs to stay in place because it is the only "fair" option on the table...but...our school board spends like we have an endless supply of cash on hand. While I applaud our professional educators for wanting to be on the cutting edge of technology and for wanting to build amazing facilities that could without a doubt last us for a generation, it is up to our elected leaders to bring balance and to watch our nickels and dimes. This is where our disconnect has always been. It's a tough call to vote yes on the splost. If the elected board of ed will not keep a watchful eye and occassionally say "no" then it will be time for the electorate to speak for them.
yes, i say build a dome, it could double as a venue for concerts and alot of other things to help pay for it. oh yea we already tried that with the ag authority
Don't feel the BOE and spending money is isolated to Lamar County -- it's the exact same thing in every county in Ga. But voting no to splost is absolutely the most absurd thing any property owner can do. You may think you have seen your property taxes increase in 3 of the last 5 years but if that penny tax goes away "you ain't seen nothing yet."
I will be voting NO I agree until the school systems start being accountable and responsible for our children then NO. My friends son was injured last year at school and they total ignored the situation until she emailed the governor and his office made a call to the school The principal at the Primary school said that she is not responsible for the children out there and I think that it bad to have someone over there that not responsible. Her son is 6 years old and he got his finger cut off in the door to the class room this happen last November and he wasn't able to return to school He has had to have seven to ten operations from where he has had staph infection Its really sad that this child has been through all of this and the school doesn't even acknowledge that it happen because there not responsible.
a 25,000 seat stadium...get real. Bring in events and new business...just like the ag expo did! Vote no. If it were being used for a worthwhile purpose, maybe...but not for this.
I'm not concerned about the size of this project. in most cases, systems must build educational facilities that are already inadequate for the student population served BEFORE the door is ever even opened. at least in this case, the facility would be built to accomodate future growth. I think that is a good thing!
If they will take the Stadium of the SPLOST proposal, I may vote for it. If the, as Scoop called them, "Jock Sniffers" want a new stadium, let them pay for it.
WOW.... Nice support for the kids here. So I take it we are not embarrased by the current field?? Small minded people thinking that this stadium will only attract football people. Always nice to go to a graduation where EVERYONE can sit. Nice to go to outdoor concerts. Would be nice to attend a soccer game in a better sradium. Maybe this place will bring pride to our kids. But hey, just my thoughts
the last i checked we dont have anymore students now than we did 4 years ago, growth, what growth. the only thing i see growing is gordon. these people that are moving to lamar county are getting on i 75 and going to work and their kids are going to private schools. isn't that the kind of support we need. instead of flowery branch the falcons could use the field and stay in gordon dorms
2:52 anon -- You are right. There hasn't been a ton of population growth as to date. However, this General Protecht thing is going to be so economically huge, you are going to see a tremendous change in the B'ville and Lamar County landscape in the next 5 to 10 years. The BOE has this one right; they have to plan for the long range future -- and we are only talking about 10 years. Depending on how old you are, 10 years can go by pretty fast.
wdm you got to be the biggest horses patoot on the blog. Bud, you are full so of it and I don't mean smarts either. I don't know if you get your info from some person, the wish book, the book of fairy tales, or if you try to make it up, but you need to get smarter about what you post before you post it. I think you need to investigate a possible career in baseball. You could be an ace in left field. I think you spend a lot of time out there.
the bottom line is that the stadium WILL BE built. whether with the SPLOST funds or the property tax payers paying for it. the smart thing is to vote YES. bitch and gripe and complain all you want but if SPLOST is not passed and they build the stadium anyways, which they WILL DO, and jack up your property taxes, then shut the hell up
Sincerely, Just watch and see Jacko. In 10 years I will say, see I told you so and you will be saying, damn, he told me so. Don't be mad that you can't see down the road a bit.
VOTE NO!!! i agree if the damn jocksniffers want a stadium let them build it,give them some place to go and sit with their little buddies and talk sports and dream because they could never compete in any sport thats what a jocksniffer is somebody who could never compete so they have to run around quoteing scores and other junk about some football or baseball player to try and boost themselves up in the eyes of other people VOTE NO !!!!!!
The stadium will not be built without SPLOST because the BOE will not have the balls to raise the millage rate to do it. All you property holders who think this will give you a break are living in a fools paradise.
Why should the taxpayers pay for a football stadium? Many other high schools across the country form non-profit corporations, which raise money from the private sector & use low interest loans to build facilities, then lease them back to the school district. This requires no tax dollars. Why not have the private sector build it, then the biggest donor can have their name on it such as Protech field.
8:48 anon You have forgotten that the school board no longer owns Summers Field. The BOE has no choice but to build a new stadium. Property taxes will increase if the splost isn't extended.
Due to shortsightedness on the part of the BOE, we do not have a stadium. One must be built. A 25,000 seat stadium would look good in a quad AAAA county. Lamar is not. The BOE want's to spend money like this is one of the wealthiest or most populus counties in the state. We are not and won't be in ten years. Fiscal irresponsibility bordering on malfeasance is what this is. Even if you pass SPLOST, we will not raise the funds that they say we will and they will still raise taxes, because they went and spent too much money. The BOE has to learn to live within OUR means. Not because it looks good or even because we need it. If I NEED something I can't afford, I don't buy it. I suffer until I EARN the money. And as Mr. Sexton noted, they have actually raised our taxes. They cut the millage but raised the tax base and then say, well we didn't really raise taxes. Oh YES they did. Don't be fooled by the jargon they use.
The tax situation here has gone completely beyond understanding. My reassessment was full of errors about what exists on this property, but they insist on increasing the value anyway.
If you look at the ridiculous situation beside the church as one example. I pass there daily and have yet to see the tennis courts in use. Someone has to say ENOUGH, you can't have every single thing on your "wish" list.
I agree with the splost but the size of the stadium seems a little extreme. How can we justify building a 25,000 person stadium. That's the same size of Georgia Southern's stadium. How big is Valdosta's high school stadium?
i told ya'll! if walter would charge a penny for cussin' and two for being a racist realist, the stadium would be built by christmas. we could all meet there for a giant tag team match.
i like 11:19's idea but hardly think a Chinese corporation is going to fork out the money to house a stadium where a sport they know nothing about is played. but maybe rock springs could fund it or rudy vaughn.
6:44 PM i think that says it all i would not be suprised if the people of this county wanted to name the new stadium "RUDY FIELD" and then the county could have a jocksniffer bowl
SPLOST VOTE September 18......1% sales tax for schools, including a new football stadium. Will you vote yes or no?
Will the jocksniffers get their new stadium or not?
Perhaps another question should be: Is it legal? Does anyone care?
SPLOST Authorized Projects - Although O.C.G.A. § 48-8-111 (a)(1) contains a list of specific types of projects which are eligible for SPLOST funding, counties and municipalities are not limited to that list and may fund any capital project so long as it is owned or operated by a county, qualified municipality or a local authority [O.C.G.A. § 48-8-111 (a)(1)(D)]. Essentially, this provision gives counties and municipalities complete discretion over the type of capital project selected.
• ….fund any capital project so long as it is owned or operated by a county, qualified municipality or a local authority [O.C.G.A. § 48-8-111 (a)(1)(D)].
This SPLOST request is not from the county. Apparently it's an ESPLOST. Not from the county but from the BOE. Therefore, it falls under different guidelines. The county can zap a penny under SPLOST and the BOE can zap another penny under ESPLOST.
I wonder why it's not called what it is. The BOE was directly responsible for our last big tax increase and now slipping in under a veil to impose even more taxes.
Their ESPLOST is about to run out and, as I understand it, this is an attempt to make it continue.
Take a look at the taxes in Butts, Monroe, Spalding, Pike and Upson counties, and then ask yourself that question again. The lower taxes in Lamar is the ONLY reason I remain here
i wish i personally had the money to donate to purchase a new stadium for the kids to play in. maybe they would name it after me. ANONYMOUS STADIUM yeah, that's it!!!
I'll tell ya 12:50 just keep playing the lottery and you'll be donating 50% of what you play. Then, if you ever win, you can pay to build that thing out of your pocket.
I've got a good idea. All those people that want a stadium so bad, let them pay and extra 2 cents and the others pay 0 cents. It should work out that way being it's split about equally of yes and no.
I haven't had kids in school for a long time. Those that have kids in school, let them pay. I don't ask all of you to help me pay for a new lawn mower for my yard do I?
WDM, it's a losing battle trying to convince people that taxes in Lamar County are a bargain compared to other counties. They gripe about everything being sub standard in Lamar County from the school system to the rec department, yet they can't seem to realize that we get what we, the citizens of the county are willing to pay for, and from what I'm reading here, that isn't much.
The ESPLOST is not JUST for a football field...It includes monies for classroom improvement aka technology upgrades and other items needed for Lamar County to have a "World Class School System"! PLEASE do not get hung up on the football field part of the equation. Look further.... Ignorance will stagnate our school system. We have an awesome Superintendent who is making GREAT improvements in Lamar County...THANK YOU Dr. Truby!
The ignorance or arrogance of people that address this blog never ceases to amaze me. Some of you are intelligent and want to see facts and information that relate to some of the subjects. Still others just want their way and could care less if the means to obtain it was legal, or how it might affect some other people (senior citizens for example), or even how other people might feel about the subject. ESPLOST is only one example. There have been several other subjects from the national level, to state, and to local issues. Regardless of how you feel about something, everyone is not going to agree with you. And, you demonstrate your intelligence (or lack of) with your name calling because you are not agreed with. You also demonstrate your support about an issue with the lack of intestinal fortitude to attach a name to your comments. It carries no weight. You just as well say that this is what I want but I don’t want it bad enough to let you know who wants it.
Personally I think SPLOST/ESPLOST is good. However, I don’t agree with the methods and ways that we arrived at this particular one. The under the table handling of the Ag Authority assets and the giving away of Summers Field are prime examples of what I consider corrupt politics and under handed deception. I do not support that and never will.
Every time the government brings up yet another SPLOST (otherwise knows as Special Purpose Local Options Sales Tax) proposal, I tend to pull more and more of my already short hair out of my head, in total disbelief of how the American people continue to willingly reward the downright ineptness of government by continuing to vote to increase their already outrageous tax burden. Interestingly enough, the government never seems to find any justifiable reason to repeal or refund any of these tax increases, even if they bring in more money than they allege that they need. Rather, they simply keep the money and find other ways to spend it. Does this mean that we believe that the government does a better job of managing our money than we do? I sure hope no one believes that to be the case. Government already overtaxes us for income, property, sales, tags, licenses, investments, savings, unnecessary fines and traffic tickets (you name it—their hands are already all over our financial lives) and they are ruining it by their constant mismanagement of the funds taken from us through theft and deception. The theft should be obvious, hence the tremendous tax burden we are forced to pay against our will. However, SPLOST proposals are the government’s way to deceive the citizenry by instilling a belief that they need more “resources” to “improve” the school system, for example. They also present the proposal to the local citizens as a mere “penny” sales tax increase, when the truth of the matter is that SPLOST proposals are a 1 percent increase in the sales taxes on the goods and services we buy. The government also banks on the local citizens falling for the deception of the SPLOST proposals that are supposed to benefit “the children.” These are major deceptions that must be exposed. When the government proposes a 1 percent sales tax increase, it’s across the board; and in many cases far EXCEEDS one penny. For example, $100 purchases would cost the consumer another $1—just to pay the increased sales tax on that purchase—that’s 99 cents more than a penny. How about an auto purchase? A $20,000 automobile would now include another $200 increase in the sales taxes on the car—that’s $199.99 cents more than a penny. When we vote to approve SPLOST, we are actually voting for tax increases that are contingent on the amount of goods and services we buy from a merchant—and they are NOT limited to only $1 transactions either. Therefore the increase we are voting for isn’t anywhere near a damn penny. As for the “doing what’s best for the children” deception, there isn’t a greater case of total government hypocrisy than in this case. If the government were so concerned about the best interests of children, they would move to strengthen the state’s Child Services Departments. If this department were taken more seriously, many of these children would be removed from parents who are obviously unfit to care for them properly. Furthermore, if the government were so concerned about “the children,” then they would require that EFT (food stamps) benefits could only pay for nutritional foods—not snack cakes, sugary drinks, candy bars, and salt-laden potato chips, for example. Instead of addressing these obvious problems with children, the government continues to suggest drugging alternatives to “control” their behaviors instead of altering the poor nutrition patterns the children are experiencing. In short, the government doesn’t care about the children any more than unfit parents do. They use the children to deceive the public to voluntarily increase their own tax burden to cover up the government’s obvious incompetence. When the government presents a SPLOST proposal to us, we should have some idea of how much the government is already spending to “educate” (used very loosely) the children in these grotesque institutions. If the American people had a true grasp of the amount of money that is the government is already wasting on education, we would all be in Washington with pitchforks. The government now spends anywhere between $5000 to $17,000 per student each year to educate them (poorly, I might add)—and after 12 years of this crap many still can’t read! The saddest part of all of this is that despite the fact that the government spends more of our money on education than ever before, the education system in this country is worse than it has ever been. So does that mean that more money (funding, resources, whatever you want to call it) is the answer? Not only no, but hell no. How long are the American people going to continue to willingly reward this incompetence? If the government needs more of our money to spend on this garbage called public schools, we should require that our elected officials put their name on the proposal and justify the need for the tax increase, and see if they could win their next election by drafting such a proposal. That’s why we hire elected officials to represent our best interests. However, when we vote to increase our own taxes, we have no one but ourselves to blame when our finances continue to dwindle as we continue to be tremendously underserved by the government.
Taxes keep going up every year on my property also but nothing new has been added to the property. It has been the same every year for twenty years. I don't know that much about SPLOST but if it keeps me from being taxed more then I say yes. Let everyone pay the extra penny instead of the property owners footing the bill. A lot of the property owners don't have kids in school now anyway.
We had all better get used to taxes going up. They will continue to rise as Atlanta grows. This town will grow as well. You will start to see Wal-mart, liquor stores, bars, increased traffic, and people on welfare (not to mention more SPLOSTs because of the influx of new people with children who work in the above mentioned locations). It is inevitable. You can do absolutely positively nothing about it....except leave.
Are you all really that stupid? The people have the power only you are all to stupid to weild it. SPLOST can only be approved by a majority vote of the people and leadership will not raise taxes when the people say no or I'll replace you next election.
People that will vote NO on the SPLOST are hard headed and have tunnel vision!! You DO NOT want Barnesville and Lamar County to grow. Just sit on your fanny and grip and complain and B'ville will never be anything but what it is and has been for the past 20 years!! the funds from a SPLOST can only be used for what it's voted for, (stadium,technology, ect) A SPLOST is usually the only way counties can build new schools and facilities! What's wrong with people in Barnesville, do they not want the best for thier children? A penny sales tax, that's 1 penny on the dollar. At least that way you're getting money from people that do not pay taxes, people that drink beer and all the other folks that just don't care about children or life in general. Good grief people, Lamar County only has 1 high school, middle school and elementary school. Have some PRIDE in you county, town, and the education system. These children are the future of Barnesville, GIVE THEM THE BEST!!!! No, I'm not a board member, I don't even live in Barnesville; however, I was born and raised in Barnesville and I would love to be proud to call my Barnesville my birthplace!
I think its the 3 same stupid people posting " vote no" comments on here trying to make it look like a lot of people are againts this. All I can say is GET OVER IT YOU ANAL TIGHT WADS!!!!
OK then let me say no.And what do you mean williams? Where do we get the money 4 schools? what about the school tax? And if they need more, if they need a stadium how about some ot the parents who are carpenters and some who are in building suplys get to gather with some more parents who mostly want to put there children off on sombody else to raise and want tax payers to pay for it. Yall get to gather and build a stadium for ya kids and say we are doin this for our community any contribution will help!....I bet that wins joke of the week.
You know, a good school system is something that potential families look for when deciding where to live. Now, you may not have children or maybe you don't care about your children, but you do care about who moves in next door.
Of course, there are some folks who want this to stay a sleepy little town in a fairy tale world. It won't happen. We can't stop growth, but...we can have a hand in HOW the town grows. That starts with the schools. From the looks of things, the schools appear to be improving academically (maybe slower than we want though), but improving nonetheless. Let's help foster that image by building a facility that we (and prospective buyers and investors) can have pride in. It is said that kitchens and bathrooms sell houses....well...schools sell cities. So you see, wether you have children or not really doesn't matter. Just look next door at that house that is being built. Who would you like to move in there?
I've changed my mind. I will vote yes. Barnesville and Lamar County will grow whether we want it to or not. If we don't have educated children then we will be supporting more and more people with our taxes.
If you don't want to support the splost in Lamar County it's simple. Just take your a$$ to Thimaston, Griffin, or Forsyth and shop. Then you can support their splost and their school systems!!!
This is for 6:48 PM. Barnesville does get my pennies when I visit. I was in Barnesville last month to put flowers on my parents, brother, and grandmother's graves. However, your are correct in saying that I should mind my own business. I live in a county that has 5 high schools, 8 middle schools, and 23 elementary schools and the property owners are very happy to vote YES on SPLOST renewals every time they expire! But, I live in a county that wants to grow and knows that it takes a good education system to atrract investors and homebuyers. Good Luck and Best wishes to Lamar County for much success in producing successful and high achieving students.
Thank you, B Williams for your input.Some people in Barnesville could best serve the community by minding their own business instead of trying to keep Barnesville from progressing. I'll bet most of the people who don't want Barnesville to grow, and who don't support the school system are the same people who complain about the obnoxiousness of Barnesville's youth.
I was goin to let it be because Williams made some good points but what do you mean mind my own buisness 8:25 I pay taxes in this town IT IS MY BUISNESS. More tax will not help anything! We pay to much tax already and get nothing for it, So the answer is tax some more? Youre an idiot. How about they spend it more wisely and give our money less freely to those who will throw it away on nothing and call it progress. TAX IS NOT YOUR FRIEND. It robs as much from the poor as it does the ritch!...POWP
IDIOT? You, with your poor grammar, spelling and punctuation appear to be the idiot. If you think we get nothing for our taxes, I sure hope you never need to call 911, never need the services of the fire department, never cast a ballot, never need to use the county courthouse and/or the personnel there, since all these services are funded by our tax dollars. Taxes are not just about the school system.
OK idiot thats why i said idiot I was talking about school tax! The law in this town, county and city, Are bar none the best in any county around and i have nothing but RESPECT for any man who will come put my house out when its on fire. I think they are all underpaid. And the road dept.in lamar county is doing a fine job.The city streets are clean and county roads are smooth. And i LOVE FOOTBALL ! I also love kids, So lets make sure the teachers are getting are paid what they should and are not short handed. Make sure the studints have every thing they need to learn and pass there classes. Then get the new stadium. ON THE TAX WE PAY NOW! As far as the ( poor grammar bad spelling and punctuation) I never said i was the smartest ass,Just a smart ass.
Maybe you should concentrate less on being a smart ass and more on becoming more intelligent. Perhaps then you would be better able to to convey your intended message without confusion.
95 comments:
I will vote yes!
What in the hell is this "jocksniffer" stuff Scoop?
Jocksniffer? Got a problem with athletes, Scoop?
I will vote NO. Until they can be held accountable for their actions, I see no need to add fuel to the fire. Today SPLOST and next year new tax increases.
And you can take that to the bank.
The blind leading the blind.
I'm a property owner but I'm still voting no. I'm going to lead the revolution if they try to raise taxes too.
Somtimes you have to send the message and sometimes that message hurts.
NO SPLOST!
NO NEW TAXES!
LEARN TO CONTROL YOUR SPENDING!
Then we can consider it.
i was digging at those who have called sports fans 'jocksniffers' in the comments on the michael vick post.
they are opposed to sports so i assume they are opposed to new sports facilities.
hard to find a bigger sports fan than me.
I'm voting yes. As a land owner, I"m tired of paying for everthing. Let's let the walfare people pay for their kids. They might not own any property, but they sure buy cigarettes and beer every day.
They want to build a 25,000 seat stadium. The county only has 14 or 15,000 people in it. That's counting every single person. Not even 10% will go to the ball games which means maybe 1500 to 2000 if it's a big game. That is the most ridiculous idea I have ever heard. What do they plan to use all those extra seats for? The Olympics are held only every four years. Truby says they can use it for regional games and stuff. Still that's only once a year. Why waste all that money for something that is not going to be used except for a few weekends, and then not be close to being filled. "If you build it they will come" only works in movies.
This is just another case of irresponsible spending on the part of the BOE. A huge waste.
Obviously I vote no.
I will vote no. Although the school board promises they will not raise taxes, if you read the paper, they are already raising taxes. They claim that they are not, but those of us whose property was reassessed again (mine has been reassessed 3 out of the 5 years I have lived here) will be getting a nice property tax increase from our lovely school board with some of the lowest ranked schools in the state. A 25000 seat stadium? Please. What a waste of money. That should really move us out of the bottom of the heap. According to the US Census Bureau, Lamar County's population is only 16,679 people. If every person in the county showed up for a football game, there would still be 8300 seats available for guests. Every person on the school board should be voted out. How about giving the teachers a raise and give them the authority to discipline so children can learn again. The school board needs to learn how to control its budget.
Logic tells me that this extra penny needs to stay in place because it is the only "fair" option on the table...but...our school board spends like we have an endless supply of cash on hand. While I applaud our professional educators for wanting to be on the cutting edge of technology and for wanting to build amazing facilities that could without a doubt last us for a generation, it is up to our elected leaders to bring balance and to watch our nickels and dimes. This is where our disconnect has always been. It's a tough call to vote yes on the splost. If the elected board of ed will not keep a watchful eye and occassionally say "no" then it will be time for the electorate to speak for them.
I'm voting no on any tax money spent outside education.
We need to teach kids basic skills like speaking, reading, writing, science, and math.
This hobby stuff can wait until after the kids learn to count change and speak properly.
yes, i say build a dome, it could double as a venue for concerts and alot of other things to help pay for it. oh yea we already tried that with the ag authority
Don't feel the BOE and spending money is isolated to Lamar County -- it's the exact same thing in every county in Ga. But voting no to splost is absolutely the most absurd thing any property owner can do. You may think you have seen your property taxes increase in 3 of the last 5 years but if that penny tax goes away "you ain't seen nothing yet."
I will be voting NO I agree until the school systems start being accountable and responsible for our children then NO. My friends son was injured last year at school and they total ignored the situation until she emailed the governor and his office made a call to the school The principal at the Primary school said that she is not responsible for the children out there and I think that it bad to have someone over there that not responsible. Her son is 6 years old and he got his finger cut off in the door to the class room this happen last November and he wasn't able to return to school He has had to have seven to ten operations from where he has had staph infection Its really sad that this child has been through all of this and the school doesn't even acknowledge that it happen because there not responsible.
how about this, the people that rent pay 8% the rest pay 6%
a 25,000 seat stadium...get real. Bring in events and new business...just like the ag expo did! Vote no. If it were being used for a worthwhile purpose, maybe...but not for this.
F T S
I'm not concerned about the size of this project. in most cases, systems must build educational facilities that are already inadequate for the student population served BEFORE the door is ever even opened. at least in this case, the facility would be built to accomodate future growth. I think that is a good thing!
YES!!!!!!
If they will take the Stadium of the SPLOST proposal, I may vote for it.
If the, as Scoop called them, "Jock Sniffers" want a new stadium, let them pay for it.
I will vote yes.....I just hope the football team we have dont stink up a brand new stadium.
build it and they will come. what? build it and they will come. what?
build it and they will come. what? so on and so on
WOW.... Nice support for the kids here. So I take it we are not embarrased by the current field?? Small minded people thinking that this stadium will only attract football people. Always nice to go to a graduation where EVERYONE can sit. Nice to go to outdoor concerts. Would be nice to attend a soccer game in a better sradium. Maybe this place will bring pride to our kids. But hey, just my thoughts
opps.... not sradium, STADIUM! haha
Here's a thought.... with all the new homes being built, shouldnt we be concerned that the OLD high school isnt up to par?
Scoop,
If we had a tean that was worth a crap maybe we would consider it. But to build a stadium for the current coach and team. NO WAY!!
the last i checked we dont have anymore students now than we did 4 years ago, growth, what growth. the only thing i see growing is gordon. these people that are moving to lamar county are getting on i 75 and going to work and their kids are going to private schools. isn't that the kind of support we need. instead of flowery branch the falcons could use the field and stay in gordon dorms
New Stadium - millions
Taxing the people - 1%
finding a head coach who knows what they are doing - PRICELESS
now that was good thinking
2:52 anon -- You are right. There hasn't been a ton of population growth as to date. However, this General Protecht thing is going to be so economically huge, you are going to see a tremendous change in the B'ville and Lamar County landscape in the next 5 to 10 years. The BOE has this one right; they have to plan for the long range future -- and we are only talking about 10 years. Depending on how old you are, 10 years can go by pretty fast.
wdm you got to be the biggest horses patoot on the blog. Bud, you are full so of it and I don't mean smarts either. I don't know if you get your info from some person, the wish book, the book of fairy tales, or if you try to make it up, but you need to get smarter about what you post before you post it. I think you need to investigate a possible career in baseball. You could be an ace in left field. I think you spend a lot of time out there.
the bottom line is that the stadium WILL BE built. whether with the SPLOST funds or the property tax payers paying for it. the smart thing is to vote YES. bitch and gripe and complain all you want but if SPLOST is not passed and they build the stadium anyways, which they WILL DO, and jack up your property taxes, then shut the hell up
Sincerely, Just watch and see Jacko. In 10 years I will say, see I told you so and you will be saying, damn, he told me so. Don't be mad that you can't see down the road a bit.
VOTE NO!!! i agree if the damn jocksniffers want a stadium let them build it,give them some place to go and sit with their little buddies and talk sports and dream because they could never compete in any sport thats what a jocksniffer is somebody who could never compete so they have to run around quoteing scores and other junk about some football or baseball player to try and boost themselves up in the eyes of other people VOTE NO !!!!!!
The stadium will not be built without SPLOST because the BOE will not have the balls to raise the millage rate to do it. All you property holders who think this will give you a break are living in a fools paradise.
Shut up you panzzzzzzy
8:55,you are not only a jerk,but a fool and will be fleeced one penny at a time.
Why should the taxpayers pay for a football stadium? Many other high schools across the country form non-profit corporations, which raise money from the private sector & use low interest loans to build facilities, then lease them back to the school district. This requires no tax dollars. Why not have the private sector build it, then the biggest donor can have their name on it such as Protech field.
8:48 anon You have forgotten that the school board no longer owns Summers Field. The BOE has no choice but to build a new stadium. Property taxes will increase if the splost isn't extended.
Due to shortsightedness on the part of the BOE, we do not have a stadium. One must be built. A 25,000 seat stadium would look good in a quad AAAA county. Lamar is not. The BOE want's to spend money like this is one of the wealthiest or most populus counties in the state. We are not and won't be in ten years. Fiscal irresponsibility bordering on malfeasance is what this is. Even if you pass SPLOST, we will not raise the funds that they say we will and they will still raise taxes, because they went and spent too much money. The BOE has to learn to live within OUR means. Not because it looks good or even because we need it. If I NEED something I can't afford, I don't buy it. I suffer until I EARN the money.
And as Mr. Sexton noted, they have actually raised our taxes. They cut the millage but raised the tax base and then say, well we didn't really raise taxes. Oh YES they did. Don't be fooled by the jargon they use.
No, Hell no!
The tax situation here has gone completely beyond understanding. My reassessment was full of errors about what exists on this property, but they insist on increasing the value anyway.
If you look at the ridiculous situation beside the church as one example. I pass there daily and have yet to see the tennis courts in use. Someone has to say ENOUGH, you can't have every single thing on your "wish" list.
Soaring taxes are exactly why Weyerhaeuser left Barnesville and Georgia.
They could not continue to pay the tax load for the vast areas of timberland they owned here and sold out.
Trying to spend your way out the education hole in Georgia will never work.
So I will vote no. A line must be drawn somewhere and this is a good place to start.
I agree with the splost but the size of the stadium seems a little extreme. How can we justify building a 25,000 person stadium. That's the same size of Georgia Southern's stadium. How big is Valdosta's high school stadium?
eyes rent and eyes going to vote know let all them rich foke that on land pay for my 12 kids to go to scolle like the govement pay for them to eat
I'm confused about the poll on the hg homepage. Don't poor people move from places other than Clayton Co. ? Is being poor considered a crime or a sin?
sin in this town
I think we need a new football field, yes. 25,000 seat stadium? That's a bit much.
They're asking for a pennie because I wouldn't give em' a dime.
Sneaky little bastards!
Rev.MJB
i told ya'll! if walter would charge a penny for cussin' and two for being a racist realist, the stadium would be built by christmas. we could all meet there for a giant tag team match.
POWP
Delta is ready when you are!
aman
i like 11:19's idea but hardly think a Chinese corporation is going to fork out the money to house a stadium where a sport they know nothing about is played. but maybe rock springs could fund it or rudy vaughn.
I will be voting YES. To vote no is absurd, especially for property owners.
6:44 PM i think that says it all i would not be suprised if the people of this county wanted to name the new stadium "RUDY FIELD" and then the county could have a jocksniffer bowl
we could call the stadium dane bishop field or dane stadium or dane field at bishop stadium
THE QUESTION:
SPLOST VOTE September 18......1% sales tax for schools, including a new football stadium.
Will you vote yes or no?
Will the jocksniffers get their new stadium or not?
Perhaps another question should be:
Is it legal?
Does anyone care?
SPLOST Authorized Projects - Although O.C.G.A. § 48-8-111 (a)(1) contains a list of specific types of projects which are eligible for SPLOST funding, counties and municipalities are not limited to that list and may fund any capital project so long as it is owned or operated by a county, qualified municipality or a local authority [O.C.G.A. § 48-8-111 (a)(1)(D)]. Essentially, this provision gives counties and municipalities complete discretion over the type of capital project selected.
• ….fund any capital project so long as it is owned or operated by a county, qualified municipality or a local authority [O.C.G.A. § 48-8-111 (a)(1)(D)].
The BOE is not a county.
The BOE is not a qualified municipality.
The BOE is not a local authority.
helluva point there!
This SPLOST request is not
from the county. Apparently it's an ESPLOST. Not from the county but from the BOE. Therefore, it falls under different guidelines. The county can zap a penny under SPLOST and the BOE can zap another penny under ESPLOST.
I wonder why it's not called what it is. The BOE was directly responsible for our last big tax increase and now slipping in under a veil to impose even more taxes.
Their ESPLOST is about to run out and, as I understand it, this is an attempt to make it continue.
Tell me again why I want to purchase property here in Lamar County?? WAY TOO MANY TAXES!
THE ROCK
THE ROCK
THE ROCK SAID
Take a look at the taxes in Butts, Monroe, Spalding, Pike and Upson counties, and then ask yourself that question again. The lower taxes in Lamar is the ONLY reason I remain here
i wish i personally had the money to donate to purchase a new stadium for the kids to play in. maybe they would name it after me.
ANONYMOUS STADIUM
yeah, that's it!!!
I know Monroe and Upson taxes are less. Not sure about Pike and Butts. Fairly confident that Spalding would be more.
What we need in Georgia is a good ole tax revolk. Anyone interested in starting one up?
I'll tell ya 12:50 just keep playing the lottery and you'll be donating 50% of what you play. Then, if you ever win, you can pay to build that thing out of your pocket.
I've got a good idea. All those people that want a stadium so bad, let them pay and extra 2 cents and the others pay 0 cents. It should work out that way being it's split about equally of yes and no.
I haven't had kids in school for a long time. Those that have kids in school, let them pay. I don't ask all of you to help me pay for a new lawn mower for my yard do I?
I just got a Butts County tax bill for an investment house I own there...it's fmv is $154k and the tax bill is $2,200 annually.
WDM, it's a losing battle trying to convince people that taxes in Lamar County are a bargain compared to other counties. They gripe about everything being sub standard in Lamar County from the school system to the rec department, yet they can't seem to realize that we get what we, the citizens of the county are willing to pay for, and from what I'm reading here, that isn't much.
40+ acres and a 4 yr old home in Monroe county 2006 taxes 452.00 can't beat that!!!!
The ESPLOST is not JUST for a football field...It includes monies for classroom improvement aka technology upgrades and other items needed for Lamar County to have a "World Class School System"! PLEASE do not get hung up on the football field part of the equation. Look further.... Ignorance will stagnate our school system. We have an awesome Superintendent who is making GREAT improvements in Lamar County...THANK YOU Dr. Truby!
FYI
Do Local Sales Taxes For Education Increase Inequities?
The Case Of Georgia ESPLOST
http://www.ecs.org/html/offsite.asp?document=http%3A%2F%2Ffrp%2Eaysps%2Egsu%2Eedu%2Ffrp%2Ffrpreports%2Freport%5F72%2Frpt72text%2EPDF
gary m,you stupid
anonymous 2:29 you coward
The ignorance or arrogance of people that address this blog never ceases to amaze me. Some of you are intelligent and want to see facts and information that relate to some of the subjects. Still others just want their way and could care less if the means to obtain it was legal, or how it might affect some other people (senior citizens for example), or even how other people might feel about the subject. ESPLOST is only one example. There have been several other subjects from the national level, to state, and to local issues.
Regardless of how you feel about something, everyone is not going to agree with you. And, you demonstrate your intelligence (or lack of) with your name calling because you are not agreed with. You also demonstrate your support about an issue with the lack of intestinal fortitude to attach a name to your comments. It carries no weight. You just as well say that this is what I want but I don’t want it bad enough to let you know who wants it.
Personally I think SPLOST/ESPLOST is good. However, I don’t agree with the methods and ways that we arrived at this particular one. The under the table handling of the Ag Authority assets and the giving away of Summers Field are prime examples of what I consider corrupt politics and under handed deception. I do not support that and never will.
SPLOST: Stupid People (Who’ve) LOST (their minds)
BY B.J. ELLIS
Every time the government brings up yet another SPLOST (otherwise knows as Special Purpose Local Options Sales Tax) proposal, I tend to pull more and more of my already short hair out of my head, in total disbelief of how the American people continue to willingly reward the downright ineptness of government by continuing to vote to increase their already outrageous tax burden. Interestingly enough, the government never seems to find any justifiable reason to repeal or refund any of these tax increases, even if they bring in more money than they allege that they need. Rather, they simply keep the money and find other ways to spend it. Does this mean that we believe that the government does a better job of managing our money than we do? I sure hope no one believes that to be the case. Government already overtaxes us for income, property, sales, tags, licenses, investments, savings, unnecessary fines and traffic tickets (you name it—their hands are already all over our financial lives) and they are ruining it by their constant mismanagement of the funds taken from us through theft and deception. The theft should be obvious, hence the tremendous tax burden we are forced to pay against our will. However, SPLOST proposals are the government’s way to deceive the citizenry by instilling a belief that they need more “resources” to “improve” the school system, for example. They also present the proposal to the local citizens as a mere “penny” sales tax increase, when the truth of the matter is that SPLOST proposals are a 1 percent increase in the sales taxes on the goods and services we buy. The government also banks on the local citizens falling for the deception of the SPLOST proposals that are supposed to benefit “the children.” These are major deceptions that must be exposed. When the government proposes a 1 percent sales tax increase, it’s across the board; and in many cases far EXCEEDS one penny. For example, $100 purchases would cost the consumer another $1—just to pay the increased sales tax on that purchase—that’s 99 cents more than a penny. How about an auto purchase? A $20,000 automobile would now include another $200 increase in the sales taxes on the car—that’s $199.99 cents more than a penny. When we vote to approve SPLOST, we are actually voting for tax increases that are contingent on the amount of goods and services we buy from a merchant—and they are NOT limited to only $1 transactions either. Therefore the increase we are voting for isn’t anywhere near a damn penny. As for the “doing what’s best for the children” deception, there isn’t a greater case of total government hypocrisy than in this case. If the government were so concerned about the best interests of children, they would move to strengthen the state’s Child Services Departments. If this department were taken more seriously, many of these children would be removed from parents who are obviously unfit to care for them properly. Furthermore, if the government were so concerned about “the children,” then they would require that EFT (food stamps) benefits could only pay for nutritional foods—not snack cakes, sugary drinks, candy bars, and salt-laden potato chips, for example. Instead of addressing these obvious problems with children, the government continues to suggest drugging alternatives to “control” their behaviors instead of altering the poor nutrition patterns the children are experiencing. In short, the government doesn’t care about the children any more than unfit parents do. They use the children to deceive the public to voluntarily increase their own tax burden to cover up the government’s obvious incompetence. When the government presents a SPLOST proposal to us, we should have some idea of how much the government is already spending to “educate” (used very loosely) the children in these grotesque institutions. If the American people had a true grasp of the amount of money that is the government is already wasting on education, we would all be in Washington with pitchforks. The government now spends anywhere between $5000 to $17,000 per student each year to educate them (poorly, I might add)—and after 12 years of this crap many still can’t read! The saddest part of all of this is that despite the fact that the government spends more of our money on education than ever before, the education system in this country is worse than it has ever been. So does that mean that more money (funding, resources, whatever you want to call it) is the answer? Not only no, but hell no. How long are the American people going to continue to willingly reward this incompetence? If the government needs more of our money to spend on this garbage called public schools, we should require that our elected officials put their name on the proposal and justify the need for the tax increase, and see if they could win their next election by drafting such a proposal. That’s why we hire elected officials to represent our best interests. However, when we vote to increase our own taxes, we have no one but ourselves to blame when our finances continue to dwindle as we continue to be tremendously underserved by the government.
Taxes keep going up every year on my property also but nothing new has been added to the property. It has been the same every year for twenty years. I don't know that much about SPLOST but if it keeps me from being taxed more then I say yes. Let everyone pay the extra penny instead of the property owners footing the bill.
A lot of the property owners don't have kids in school now anyway.
We had all better get used to taxes going up. They will continue to rise as Atlanta grows. This town will grow as well. You will start to see Wal-mart, liquor stores, bars, increased traffic, and people on welfare (not to mention more SPLOSTs because of the influx of new people with children who work in the above mentioned locations). It is inevitable. You can do absolutely positively nothing about it....except leave.
Are you all really that stupid? The people have the power only you are all to stupid to weild it. SPLOST can only be approved by a majority vote of the people and leadership will not raise taxes when the people say no or I'll replace you next election.
People that will vote NO on the SPLOST are hard headed and have tunnel vision!! You DO NOT want Barnesville and Lamar County to grow. Just sit on your fanny and grip and complain and B'ville will never be anything but what it is and has been for the past 20 years!! the funds from a SPLOST can only be used for what it's voted for, (stadium,technology, ect) A SPLOST is usually the only way counties can build new schools and facilities! What's wrong with people in Barnesville, do they not want the best for thier children? A penny sales tax, that's 1 penny on the dollar. At least that way you're getting money from people that do not pay taxes, people that drink beer and all the other folks that just don't care about children or life in general. Good grief people, Lamar County only has 1 high school, middle school and elementary school. Have some PRIDE in you county, town, and the education system. These children are the future of Barnesville, GIVE THEM THE BEST!!!! No, I'm not a board member, I don't even live in Barnesville; however, I was born and raised in Barnesville and I would love to be proud to call my Barnesville my birthplace!
b williams why dont you send a big donation. p.s. and mind your own business if you are not paying the penny.
I think its the 3 same stupid people posting " vote no" comments on here trying to make it look like a lot of people are againts this. All I can say is GET OVER IT YOU ANAL TIGHT WADS!!!!
7:20 F-Y-2
OK then let me say no.And what do you mean williams? Where do we get the money 4 schools? what about the school tax? And if they need more, if they need a stadium how about some ot the parents who are carpenters and some who are in building suplys get to gather with some more parents who mostly want to put there children off on sombody else to raise and want tax payers to pay for it. Yall get to gather and build a stadium for ya kids and say we are doin this for our community any contribution will help!....I bet that wins joke of the week.
You know, a good school system is something that potential families look for when deciding where to live. Now, you may not have children or maybe you don't care about your children, but you do care about who moves in next door.
Of course, there are some folks who want this to stay a sleepy little town in a fairy tale world. It won't happen. We can't stop growth, but...we can have a hand in HOW the town grows. That starts with the schools. From the looks of things, the schools appear to be improving academically (maybe slower than we want though), but improving nonetheless. Let's help foster that image by building a facility that we (and prospective buyers and investors) can have pride in.
It is said that kitchens and bathrooms sell houses....well...schools sell cities.
So you see, wether you have children or not really doesn't matter. Just look next door at that house that is being built. Who would you like to move in there?
$.02
Here's a good idea. Let those who like the idea vote YES and those that don't vote NO. The most votes win.
Now everyone can shut-up about it.
I've changed my mind. I will vote yes. Barnesville and Lamar County will grow whether we want it to or not. If we don't have educated children then we will be supporting more and more people with our taxes.
If you don't want to support the splost in Lamar County it's simple. Just take your a$$ to Thimaston, Griffin, or Forsyth and shop. Then you can support their splost and their school systems!!!
This is for 6:48 PM. Barnesville does get my pennies when I visit. I was in Barnesville last month to put flowers on my parents, brother, and grandmother's graves. However, your are correct in saying that I should mind my own business. I live in a county that has 5 high schools, 8 middle schools, and 23 elementary schools and the property owners are very happy to vote YES on SPLOST renewals every time they expire! But, I live in a county that wants to grow and knows that it takes a good education system to atrract investors and homebuyers. Good Luck and Best wishes to Lamar County for much success in producing successful and high achieving students.
Thank you, B Williams for your input.Some people in Barnesville could best serve the community by minding their own business instead of trying to keep Barnesville from progressing. I'll bet most of the people who don't want Barnesville to grow, and who don't support the school system are the same people who complain about the obnoxiousness of Barnesville's youth.
I was goin to let it be because Williams made some good points but what do you mean mind my own buisness 8:25 I pay taxes in this town IT IS MY BUISNESS. More tax will not help anything! We pay to much tax already and get nothing for it, So the answer is tax some more? Youre an idiot. How about they spend it more wisely and give our money less freely to those who will throw it away on nothing and call it progress. TAX IS NOT YOUR FRIEND. It robs as much from the poor as it does the ritch!...POWP
IDIOT? You, with your poor grammar, spelling and punctuation appear to be the idiot. If you think we get nothing for our taxes, I sure hope you never need to call 911, never need the services of the fire department, never cast a ballot, never need to use the county courthouse and/or the personnel there, since all these services are funded by our tax dollars. Taxes are not just about the school system.
OK idiot thats why i said idiot I was talking about school tax! The law in this town, county and city, Are bar none the best in any county around and i have nothing but RESPECT for any man who will come put my house out when its on fire. I think they are all underpaid. And the road dept.in lamar county is doing a fine job.The city streets are clean and county roads are smooth. And i LOVE FOOTBALL ! I also love kids, So lets make sure the teachers are getting are paid what they should and are not short handed. Make sure the studints have every thing they need to learn and pass there classes. Then get the new stadium. ON THE TAX WE PAY NOW! As far as the ( poor grammar bad spelling and punctuation) I never said i was the smartest ass,Just a smart ass.
Maybe you should concentrate less on being a smart ass and more on becoming more intelligent. Perhaps then you would be better able to to convey your intended message without confusion.
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