Libraries and Taxes and Bannister – Oh My!
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I finally had a little free time at the end of 2009 so I jotted down some thoughts I have had on major issues facing the County and State as we start 2010. Each one could have been an article by itself, so feel free to just browse below and scan items that may be of interest…
Gwinnett Commissioner Recall Effort
When this surfaced in December I had never heard of the person heading up the effort. Add to that the original idea of collecting names at libraries, the inclusion of Commissioner Beaudreau and the need to gather signatures over the holidays and I figured it had no chance of success. This effort will be like running a campaign – it requires massive organization, special knowledge about how to reach registered voters and proper publicity.
The first hurdle is to get 126,000 signatures of registered voters – almost 90,000 more than voted in the 2009 primary and more people than voted for Bannister’s opponent in the general election last year. Twenty years ago a group failed in a recall of Chairman Lillian Webb when they could not produce just 44,000 names. But here are the reasons I think the Chairman should be at least a little bit worried this time:
- Additional groups who can mobilize the required volunteers have joined the effort behind the scenes. These groups know how to organize, use the Internet, reach the right people and use the media
- The effort has focused on just the Chairman and suspended while they develop the necessary infrastructure
- The Gwinnett Daily Post seems to be on board, writing articles and giving the e-mail address for the organizer every time the recall is mentioned
- Some local candidates may see this as a way to make a name for themselves and tap into a powerful organization effort
- There is a great deal of frustration and anger among the citizens of Gwinnett
The conditions for recall in Georgia are subjective, and even if they get the names they will probably face a legal challenge. Grounds sited for recall of Commissioner Webb in 1989 were a $52,000 business related trip to New York and County donations of more than $6,000 to local charities. These were called into question even while the group was working on getting signatures.
Healthcare and States Rights
I believe that very soon we will have a healthcare overhaul by the current administration. I originally thought there would be at least a speed bump in the Senate, but after We the People paid for lavish bribes to key Senators a bill is on its way back to the House. I don’t even hold out hope that it will slowdown during Reconciliation – it is possible the House will just pass the exact version that came out of the Senate and plan on making changes after the President adds his signature.
How does this affect Georgia? I believe the most profound impact may not be directly related to healthcare. I think it is possible this will be more fuel for a resurgence of the State’s Rights movement. I have heard very little from our State Representatives, but I would not be surprised to see many Republicans coming out strongly in favor of distancing Georgia from the Federal Government. These local reps are much closer to the Georgia voters than those in Washington are and have heard the outcry. They are also looking for some causes they can champion that will make everyone forget about the ‘unpleasantries’ they went through at the end of 2009.
Finances, Taxes and Fees
I believe this will be a huge problem in 2010. Talk with almost anyone in government and they are worried about funding. Revenue is down and will continue to decline through the year while many of the expenses (unemployment payments, for one) will be rising. The coming problems with commercial real estate alone will reduce the County tax digest by at least $2 billion. Look for ‘fees’ to pop up all over to help fund County and State spending addictions. Super Speeder fines, ‘convenience’ fees, surcharges on your water bill, increases in development fees, etc. The County has even hired a company to go out and collect delinquent fees, paying them with a percent of the money collected. Higher fees increase revenue without having to come out and say taxes were raised. People don’t tend to complain when asked for an extra $5 for something, but do that 500,000 times and you raise $2.5 Million.
The problem for the County is that people just don’t have the money. More homes are falling into foreclosure, more small businesses are failing, more people are losing jobs. As a small business owner myself I would love to see the economy rebound in 2010, no matter who gets the credit. I just don’t see it yet.
287G
This program will be effective in reducing crime in the County. How much remains to be seen. It is not often that law enforcement gets a new tool and it will be comforting if it works to remove at least some of the criminals from the area. It is just too bad that we don’t have a way to remove the criminals that are here legally as well.
Sheriff Butch Conway attributes the decrease in the number of illegals booked into the County Jail in the last few weeks of 2009 (as compared to 2008) to 287G. The Sheriff certainly knows more about these things than I do, but I would guess that a large portion of the decrease can also be attributed to the economy. Many of the aliens who were in Gwinnett in 2008 were associated with the housing industry in one way or the other, and I am sure a number of these have moved on due to lack of work. [NOTE: Since writing this I have been contacted by Butch Conway. As I suspected, he does know much more about this than I do. It turns out that while the homebuilding industry has been in trouble for a long time, the number of illegal aliens booked into the jail did not start to decline until 287g. The sheriff looked for another factor, but it seems the new program may get the credit].
I expect some of the candidates running for County and State positions will jump on this movement. There are a large number of legal residents who are out of work (or who know someone who is out of work) and would benefit by having less competition for the few jobs that are available, and taxpayers resent paying for education, medical aid and other expenses given to illegal aliens.
Gwinnett County Library
During visits to the Suwanee branch of the Gwinnett Library I have often been disappointed with the lack of conservative books. Even some of my favorite history books (“The Real Thomas Jefferson“, for instance) are missing. I am not saying they don’t have them in the system, but they evidently don’t have enough.
Rather than just complain I thought I would take some of my own money, raise some more from likeminded Gwinnettians, and purchase some books for the library.
Turns out they won’t let you.
On the County Library’s website, it states:
“Professional librarians carefully maintain and select the library’s collection using established guidelines and criteria to best meet the needs of the community. While we do not accept donations of books or other materials, we thank those who think of us as a place to donate these items.”
So – the County is hurting for money, but the library won’t take book donations?
I sent an e-mail to the Library Board asking for some guidance but did not receive a response. I understand the need for oversight on library materials. But if there is an objective standard, why not publish it and then take book donations that meet that standard? In this economy it would seem that every little bit would be helpful.
So – there you have it. If anyone is still reading this, please send me an e-mail and let me know your concerns for 2010. I would love to hear from you, and, if you send me a mailing address I will even add you to my list for free. Contact me anytime at david@dhancock.com.
Have a wonderful and prosperous New Year!
