Igleheart’s Matters

I have read the recent “poor me” columns by Kent Ingleheart and agree that Kent’s numerous tax problems should not be an issue in the current campaign.  One should note, however, that Kent is the one who has publicized these tax problems and has made them an issue. He appears to be doing so to distract voters from his record and, given Kent’s record,  that is a brilliant political move.

What is Kent’s record?  Kent opposed billboards in Roswell.  He failed.  Kent opposed tree cutting on GA 400.  He failed.  Kent claims to be a fiscal conservative, yet he has presided during the eight years when Roswell has had it largest tax increases.  Of course, these tax increases meant little to Kent since he lived in an apartment and did not pay real property taxes.  Kent says he favors economic redevelopment.  That is a joke.  

Moreover, despite the fact the Council formally meets less than in previous years, Kent has only attended 70% of those meetings.  Kent blithely refuses consider rezoning petitions, no matter how reasonable or necessary.  By doing this, he does not need to work, to do his job, to research them.

Kent has been ineffective and lazy.  That is the record that Roswell’s voters should focus on in the coming days.

 
Steve Dorvee,
Roswell

To Split or Not To Split

There has been a lot of talk of late about North Fulton leaving (seceding from) Fulton County and forming a new county called Milton.  Many in Fulton County have cried foul, ascribing such an action to racial bigotry or racism.  Others, more open to rational thought) suggest that the reason is simply economic.  That is, taxpayers in North Fulton provide far more than their fair share of the Fulton County budget.  These taxpayers resent having to pay so much for the follies of Fulton County Government.

In North Fulton there is a growing recognition that the new Milton County would approximate the old Milton County which was annexed by Fulton County.  However, many forget that this annexation was an act of relief when Milton County was bankrupt.  Fulton “rescued” Milton in 1931 by taking them in.

Today, however, North Fulton has a much healthier economic outlook and Fulton (particularly South Fulton) suffers from a deteriorating infrastructure, a declining tax base, corruption and flagrant waste.Solutions are not easily found.  Certainly this is true if a solution acceptable to all is to be desired.  A reasonable solution will not be found if we continue to throw slogans at one another.  It will not be found if leaders of all factions do not sit down and look for a real solution designed to help the people.  These leaders must forget their own political aspirations.  They must forget lining their own pockets at the expense of the tax payer.  The people are tired of this kind of governance.

Would it not make sense first to merge Atlanta and Fulton County.  Imagine the elimination of duplication possible from this act.  And, the New City of Atlanta and County of Fulton could then turn over the management of Hartsfield Jackson Airport to a private company and receive a substantial fee from that private company.

We could even eliminate the name Fulton and call the new entity City and County of Atlanta.  This is certainly done elsewhere with great success.

As to Fulton County north of the Atlanta city limit, the County of Milton is reborn.  But, wait a moment.  What of the huge part of the Fulton County budget which would be lost?  Some services could continue to be provided by the City an County of Atlanta to Milton County for equitable fees over a phase-in period of, perhaps, five years.  This would provide funds to the City and County of Atlanta while Milton develops its’ own services.

Now, you will note that another subject is mentioned in the heading of this letter.  (And What About MARTA?)

This is really a subject for a later review because MARTA is broken.  The service provided is abominable, schedules ridiculous and ridership declining.  Suffice it to say here that MARTA must extend to Milton County and schedules must be enhanced taking the needs of its’ ridership in mind.  No one should have to spend six or even seven hours a day just getting to work and no one should be unable to get to work because MARTA has cut a schedule.

I suggest that the leadership of each of each of these entities (including those hoping to create Milton County) get together, sit down and hammer out solutions with solely the needs of the citizenry in mind.

Remember, you work for us.  Not the other way around.

Bruce Maynes,
Alpharetta

How to pick the right candidate in November

Many people have asked me about the candidates in the local city elections.  I know most running and some very well.  These are good people who deserve our prayers and respect.  As a candidate in the 2010 election for State Senate, I choose to remain publicly neutral. However, I am willing to share my method of review and benchmarking candidates.  I may be considered old fashioned, but my main criteria are: conservative values, hard work and serving others.   

Let’s begin with hard work.  As I learn about those running for office or re-election, I look at their work ethic.  We face serious challenges in all levels of government; and apathy and complacency must be expressions of the past.  Show me the candidate or incumbent who is working tirelessly and going far beyond the call of duty.  My father taught me work ethic unmatched by anyone while growing up.  This work ethic has served me well throughout my life. Who do you think is working hardest for you and vote accordingly…

A servant leader and heart is the key to my vote. I want to see a candidate who serves others and sheds the notion of ego and self interest. I evaluate these actions by their involvement in the community. The candidate or incumbent that has my vote is helping charitable organizations, schools, public safety, neighbors and the faith based community. There is no greater way to glorify God than to serve other people.  My mother taught me the value of my strong faith and serving others which guides every decision in my life.  Who do you think will serve our community the most and vote accordingly…

Last, but certainly not least is conservative values. I want the candidate or incumbent that has demonstrated these principals in their personal and professional lives. My favorite president and hero is Ronald Reagan.  President Reagan without hesitation shared his conservative vision for America and made us the lighthouse for democracy, prosperity, strength and compassion around the globe. I want the candidate who shows fiscal responsibility, lower taxes, smaller government, family values, and pride. Who do you think best represents your values and vote accordingly…

November 3rd is the ultimate expression of our democracy during 2009.  Remember all those who scarified so much to allow us the opportunity to choose our leaders.  It is our duty to vote and get involved.  Encourage your friends, neighbors, co-workers, Sunday school class, and anyone else to learn about those running for office and cast your ballot.

John Albers,
Candidate for State Senate

Whatever Happened to ‘The Buck Stops Here’?

Recently Roswell Mayor Jere Wood attacked challenger, Lori Henry, using what has become his signature modus operandi: misrepresentation, spin and outright falsehood. His attack is addressed at Henry’s expressed concern about the rise of crime in the city and the need for more and better resources to cope with it.  

In what looks like a deliberate and cynical misrepresentation of her position, Wood wrote in a letter to the editor of the Roswell Neighbor that Henry is criticizing the Roswell Police Department.  He then said in so many words that if there’s anything wrong with the police department or with crime in Roswell, it’s Henry’s fault because she chairs the Public Safety Committee.  He then says everything is fine with the police force and he paints a picture that would make you think Roswell is practically crime free.  

Well, it’s time to call Wood’s hand.  Henry is not criticizing the Police Department; if anything she is pledging greater support for the criminal justice area.  Secondly, as Wood knows full well, the chair of the Public Safety Committee has no executive authority over the police department.  That is a liaison position between the council and an operating unit.  The idea is for the chair to be positioned to assess the department’s operations and its needs for the purpose of making budget and policy recommendations to the full council and the mayor – who does have executive authority over the Police Department.  

In his letter, Wood crows about his record on criminal justice using partial-truths and more artful deception.  Here’s the real record.  The 23 sworn officers Wood so proudly takes credit for adding during his twelve years constitute a mere 15 percent increase in patrol officers while at the same time Roswell’s population has increased 75 percent.  

Time and again Chief Williams has asked for additional manpower, yet Wood has either ignored those requests or cut them deeply.  For example, in FY 2000 Williams requested 10 new officers and stated publicly for the record that without that modest increase, Roswell’s Police Department would transition into a “reactive force.”  And that is precisely what happened.  Wood’s outrageous spin on crime stats not withstanding, we citizens are paying the price.

Here’s an example of how Wood spins crime stats.  He says the crime rate has gone down.  That’s true but very misleading.  “Crime rate” is a measurement of the incidence of crime per capita over a period of time.  If you compare crime rates from year to year when there has been little or no change in population, crime rate is good indicator of what’s happening on the street.  However, when a significant number of residents are annexed from what is essentially a crime free area, like Horseshoe Bend, the comparative “crime rate” doesn’t mean much.  The fact is the incidence of crime – the absolute number – has doubled in Roswell on Wood’s watch while he handcuffed the Police Chief, putting citizens and officers at greater risk.

If you think Wood is the only one asleep at the switch on this issue down at city hall, you might want to take note that as usual, David “speak no evil” Tolleson, who chaired the Public Safety Committee longer than Henry, has little of substance to say on crime accept he’s against it and he favors motherhood.

He’s been doing that for ten years on the council and now he wants us to give him four more years to do more of the same as mayor!  

Am I missing something?

Richard Arena,
Roswell

Prescription for Disaster?

This is what happens when you follow the Republican prescription for medical care. A person walks into an emergency room with a life threatening issue.  The patient waited a long time before going to the doctor because they weren’t sure their insurance was going to cover it or, if they did, they would jack their rates up, hence it became an emergency. Procedures and a short hospital stay produce a huge bill because they use every test known to mankind trying to avoid lawsuits.  If instead of working to limit lawsuits or amounts for malpractice, what if Congress had worked with medical experts to come up with a list of best procedures per diagnosis?  Follow these procedures and you limit lawsuits.

The patient could wait on a voucher or a tax credit but what government agency will manage those, who qualifies and how fast can the patient get them? The patient could be seriously ill or dead before they or the hospital and health professionals get reimbursed.  We’d rather pay the health professional ourselves rather than pass it thru an insurance company. More money for the people that do the actual work. Where would a voucher or tax credit come from? We the taxpayers.

What if the patient is a neighbor, friend and long-term employee of a well-known company, but is diagnosed with cancer and gets dropkicked out of their insurance program, amasses huge bills and loses everything? What if this patient was an illegal immigrant working at your local restaurant while carrying and spreading typhoid?

 
Insurance companies are rationing and paneling people now into what’s good for their profit. Rep. Tom Price and other Republicans think anti-healthcare reform is simply an excuse to raise money for the Republican Party. Who’s really on the patient’s side?

Patrick Thompson,
Woodstock