Public Responds to Tax Increase
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It was an amazing turnout at the two public hearings Gwinnett County held on the proposed property tax increase. If the County did not know where the citizens stood on this issue they certainly do now. Whether they will take the right action remains to be seen. Citizen turnout and enthusiasm was fantastic – County preparation for the meeting and response so far has been disappointing (to put it mildly).It was disappointing that our elected officials were not available to answer questions or address concerns. It was disappointing that the County forced three to four hundred people (many of them senior citizens) to stand for several hours in a hallway because they didn’t want to use a meeting room. It was disappointing that the County gave themselves 1 hour to do a “‘presentation” (which took about 15 minutes) but only gave all the people who took time off from work and made special arrangements to be there just 30 minutes for comment.
I am sure the County liked the idea initially of setting up in the hallway, but like many decisions they have made lately it backfired. Keep people standing up for two hours and they get even more upset and determined, and the acoustics of the hall made their cheers and boos all the more impressive. Plus there were people all along the second and third floor balconies that added to the ‘mob’ effect. We should have passed out pitchforks and torches…
We were told when we checked in that the elected officials would not be answering any questions. This was, after all, a “public hearing” (the lady at the sign-in desk made sure to speak slowly so that we could understand) and all they would do was hear our comments. However even that turned out to be the case. Each speaker was allotted two minutes to speak, and the comment period was cut off after exactly 30 minutes. I was at the table when they had 36 people signed up – more evidence the County needs to work on basic math skills. Only the first 16 or so even had a chance.
Bannister simply stood there
The hearing was not designed to get public input. There were lots of charts and a number of staff people, even a PowerPoint or two. But every piece of information presented by the County was to promote the tax increase. This was not a case of the County trying to see what the residents want – it was a case of the County trying to sell the tax increase. Chairman Bannister was there, but clearly was not happy to be so. He was not taking notes. Was he listening or just trying to remember if he left the stove on? We will never know…
Many, MANY people are e-mailing and calling their Commissioners. Their voice mail system is full and I am sure their e-mail server is bulging. But we need to keep up the pressure. Yesterday I had my doubts, but now I believe it may be having an effect. Here is my take on each of the Commissioners:
Mike Beaudreau – On the record as planning to vote against the tax increase. Please take a moment to encourage and thank him, even if he is not in your district – he is doing the right thing on this one and should get credit. 770.822.7003 or Mike.Beaudreau@gwinnettcounty.com
Bert Nasuti – Up for reelection in 2010 so should be one of the best swing votes. I have heard that he is now considering voting against the increase so give him as much of a push as you can. He doesn’t want to give anyone an easy issue against him next year. 770.822.7002 or Bert.Nasuti@gwinnettcounty.com
Kevin Kenerly – His term is up in 2010 and the rumor is that he will not run – but he has said that before. He cares very much about what businesses think, so if you own a business in his district be sure that he hears from you. 770.822.7004 or Kevin.Kenerly@gwinnettcounty.com
Charles Bannister – Toughest vote of all. Not up for election until 2012 and probably thinks people will have forgotten by then. 770.822.7010 or Charles.Bannister@gwinnettcounty.com
Shirley Lasseter – Not up for election until 2012. Where does she stand? Who knows – I certainly don’t and she probably doesn’t either. If the vote starts to shift away from the tax increase I don’t imagine she will want to be standing on the wrong side. 770.822.7001 or Shirley.Lasseter@gwinnettcounty.com
What can the County do? I guess pretty much anything they want, but remember that the 2009 budget spends more money than they did in 2008 and has a line item that shows a 27% property tax increase. They may be an attempt to adopt, at the most, last year’s millage rate and force the county staff to cut expenses drastically.
There are groups that are trying to get together a rally for Monday of next week, and if it happens I will let you know – and ‘tweet’ it at http://twitter.com/hancockdavid . Let’s keep the momentum!
P.S. Did you receive a ‘personal’ response from your Commissioner? Did it look something like this?
Thanks very much for your email. I value and appreciate your concerns and opinion, as well as those of all the citizens of Gwinnett County. Your concerns have been duly noted, and I will take them into consideration when making a decision on this very important vote.
Thanks again for your email and for helping to make Gwinnett a great place to live and work.
Chairman Charles Bannister will vote for the budget (he has to… it’s his budget) and Bannister’s “Mini Me,” Shirley Lasseter, will do whatever Bannister does.
That leaves D-2 Bert Nasuti as the swing vote on Beaudreau’s plan. My purpose is not to put any unwarranted pressure on Commissioner Nasuti; he is a good friend, an intelligent and thoughtful individual; and will vote his knowledge and conscience.
But if you do not believe that a tax increase is warranted, you will want to express your support of Beaudreau’s effort when the time arises.