“Commissioners Consider A Wheel Tax”
“Commissioners Consider A Wheel Tax”
That was the headlines in the newspaper but there was much that was left out about the consideration for a Wheel Tax.
According to the paper the Financial Management Director says the proposed Wheel Tax of $50.00 would provide $1,600,000.00 a year for the Highway Department if all the money went to the Highway Department. While I agree the Highway Department needs to be properly funded this is not the way as it creates an additional financial burden on citizens at a time when many are hardly making ends meet. There is sufficient money in the county revenues to fund the Highway Department even give an increase over last years budget but it would require cutting the hefty budgets of other less necessary departments.
Some Commissioners led by Commissioners Campbell, Holt and County Executive Vanzant are using the same scare tactics as the federal government liars who continue to pad their own pet projects while crying that any cuts would result in Grandma starving.
Have you ever had someone ask you to buy their beer and cigarettes for them? I’ve had many people come and ask for help paying their utility bill or buy groceries for their kids while they reeked of tobacco or beer. You see some people will use the claim of need as a means of getting others to pay for their wants. This is what some on the Commission are doing now, using the Highway Department to increase revenue while continuing to spend wastefully in other areas. They have blown through six million dollars in reserves because they lack fiscal discipline and responsibility. If a Wheel Tax is passed it will only free up other money for these same spendthrifts to waste.
Another tactic is to make people believe that if a Wheel Tax is implemented there will be no need for a property tax increase or even the more outrageous lie that a Wheel Tax will mean a reduction in property tax. Incompetence and stupidity have not balanced the books in Giles County for several years and as long as the arrogant incompetence that currently exists continues to lead the budget will never be balanced regardless of how much money is made available.
Another thing that’s driving this desire for a Wheel Tax is envy. Some have expressed the idea that not everyone pays a property tax and a wheel tax would make them pay their fair share. To date no one has told me how they would be better off paying a $50.00 Wheel Tax because someone living in an apartment is paying it.
People who rent do not pay a direct property tax but they do pay the tax indirectly. It would be a terribly poor manager or government official to not pass the expenses of owning a property on to the one renting that property. How can a person who owns their own home have envy toward one who has to rent theirs? Does a person whose income is $80,000.00 a year envy the person’s salary that is only $20,000.00. If the tax must be imposed at least don’t let it be because of envy and contempt for the poor among us.
The proposal is for a Wheel Tax of fifty dollars for twenty years but the truth of the matter is that there is nothing, absolutely nothing, that can be done by this legislative body that can inhibit future legislative bodies. In other words if later on the desire is to increase the amount of the tax, it can be done. If later on the desire is to extend the time, it can be done? After the tax is implemented there’s nothing to prevent changes being made as has been done in every other county that has adopted a wheel tax. Some started with a mere five dollar tax for schools now it’s increased to seventy dollars for schools, highways, recreation facilities, salaries, practically any and every thing government desires it for.
Another thing to question is why a private act? By doing this with a Private Act it simply takes away any involvement by the citizens the tax will be imposed on. In other words silence the voice of the voters. Understand there is absolutely nothing that legally requires Representative Bass to accept this and present it to the state legislature for approval. It is merely a courtesy and normally is used for non-controversial things such as state recognition of a person, an event or a place. A private Act to impose an unwanted tax increase on citizens is as sleazy as politics gets.
That was the headlines in the newspaper but there was much that was left out about the consideration for a Wheel Tax.
According to the paper the Financial Management Director says the proposed Wheel Tax of $50.00 would provide $1,600,000.00 a year for the Highway Department if all the money went to the Highway Department. While I agree the Highway Department needs to be properly funded this is not the way as it creates an additional financial burden on citizens at a time when many are hardly making ends meet. There is sufficient money in the county revenues to fund the Highway Department even give an increase over last years budget but it would require cutting the hefty budgets of other less necessary departments.
Some Commissioners led by Commissioners Campbell, Holt and County Executive Vanzant are using the same scare tactics as the federal government liars who continue to pad their own pet projects while crying that any cuts would result in Grandma starving.
Have you ever had someone ask you to buy their beer and cigarettes for them? I’ve had many people come and ask for help paying their utility bill or buy groceries for their kids while they reeked of tobacco or beer. You see some people will use the claim of need as a means of getting others to pay for their wants. This is what some on the Commission are doing now, using the Highway Department to increase revenue while continuing to spend wastefully in other areas. They have blown through six million dollars in reserves because they lack fiscal discipline and responsibility. If a Wheel Tax is passed it will only free up other money for these same spendthrifts to waste.
Another tactic is to make people believe that if a Wheel Tax is implemented there will be no need for a property tax increase or even the more outrageous lie that a Wheel Tax will mean a reduction in property tax. Incompetence and stupidity have not balanced the books in Giles County for several years and as long as the arrogant incompetence that currently exists continues to lead the budget will never be balanced regardless of how much money is made available.
Another thing that’s driving this desire for a Wheel Tax is envy. Some have expressed the idea that not everyone pays a property tax and a wheel tax would make them pay their fair share. To date no one has told me how they would be better off paying a $50.00 Wheel Tax because someone living in an apartment is paying it.
People who rent do not pay a direct property tax but they do pay the tax indirectly. It would be a terribly poor manager or government official to not pass the expenses of owning a property on to the one renting that property. How can a person who owns their own home have envy toward one who has to rent theirs? Does a person whose income is $80,000.00 a year envy the person’s salary that is only $20,000.00. If the tax must be imposed at least don’t let it be because of envy and contempt for the poor among us.
The proposal is for a Wheel Tax of fifty dollars for twenty years but the truth of the matter is that there is nothing, absolutely nothing, that can be done by this legislative body that can inhibit future legislative bodies. In other words if later on the desire is to increase the amount of the tax, it can be done. If later on the desire is to extend the time, it can be done? After the tax is implemented there’s nothing to prevent changes being made as has been done in every other county that has adopted a wheel tax. Some started with a mere five dollar tax for schools now it’s increased to seventy dollars for schools, highways, recreation facilities, salaries, practically any and every thing government desires it for.
Another thing to question is why a private act? By doing this with a Private Act it simply takes away any involvement by the citizens the tax will be imposed on. In other words silence the voice of the voters. Understand there is absolutely nothing that legally requires Representative Bass to accept this and present it to the state legislature for approval. It is merely a courtesy and normally is used for non-controversial things such as state recognition of a person, an event or a place. A private Act to impose an unwanted tax increase on citizens is as sleazy as politics gets.
posted by Allen Barrett | 1:01 PM
50 Comments:
Mrs. Garner said everyone would pay if we had a wheel tax. I would like for her to tell me where these people live that don't pay tax? Does the person owning the property that is rented not go up on rent to take care of their property tax.
If they live in public housing, does the government not give them money to pay for their wheel tax?
Why can't they cut employees and not spend so much.
Send Loretta Garner and everyone in her office home and go back the way it use to be. How much would that save?
About $500,000.00 a year
In defense of the Finance Office, there are some good ones in there. However,history has proven that Loretta Garner is not among those few.
If the wheel tax passed, would that be all the highway department got or would they still get what money has been given to them from the county also.
I'm not saying the highway department don't need it because the roads are getting bad after this past winter.
If the get both what extra tax can we start to help other departments?
Highway department has too much fat in their budget already. Barry and others could drive a stripped down vehicle instead of top of the line with special CD player, tinted windows and all. Stop the $500 Christmas party and breakfast for everybody at the committee meetings. Thats just for starters. They like to make as if they're hurting but its not like they make out.
How much money would the county save if they didn't run the Ambulance Service? A private ambulance company would give just as good (or better if they want to stay in business) service as the current way of operation. The present employees could get jobs with the private company so they would still have work. The money spent for the Ambulance would go far to pay other bills of the county. Privately run businesses have a better track record than govt. run.
If the Financial Mgt Act had been implemented correctly we wouldn't be in this mess. For starters, the most qualified person was passed over because she was smart, had experience in that job, wouldn't have been able to be controlled by S. Jackson and VanZant. Someone needs to be the Fin. Mgt. officer who knows what he/she is supposed to be doing.
Here, here!! You hit the nail right on the head 1:03.
I wonder how many people tried to call their commissioner only to have them not take the call.
As of this afternoon, my grandfather said that he had only gotten 3 calls. 1 for and 2 against. 1 said that he didn't care if 31A was full of potholes. I guess he didn't know that it is a state road. I figured the phone would have been blowing up.
DAW
DAW
Your grandfather is in my district and I didn't call him or the other two. I figured what I said would make no difference.
I'm not sure how I feel about the wheel tax. If it passes, I'll leave off some of my medicine to be able to pay it.
But in time past the commissioners agreed on to much spending, now we are in a mess.
Should Social Security be cut and more people loose jobs, where will the money come from to pay any county employee? If houses are foreclosed on, who's going to buy them and pay taxes on them?
11:48 according to Bluegill people are buying houses so fast in this county that he had to raise the value of property just to keep up.
The newspaper made a mistake in putting all those forclosures in them
and it's just kids playing jokes that putting all them for sale signs in peoples yards. Heck the real estate market here is booming and real estate is soaring.
Something for both sides of the issue to think about is why is Commissioner Campbell and County Executive Vanzant trying to force this wheel tax on the people through a private act instead of giving us an opportunity to vote on the matter?
Why haven't there been any public meetings about the wheel tax where all citizens can express their thoughts either for or against?
No these "leaders" choose to totally leave out the people and use a cheap underhanded political trick to get their way, but that isn't that unusual for this administration.
I know the answer but would like to know what others think about this very underhanded way of imposing the will of a few on the majority.
With a representative form of government it seems there would be a greater interest in actually representing the will of the people instead of imposing against their will. I understand that not every issue can be voted on by the people but when the means are available to simply pass the wheel tax then allow the people to petition to stop it would be the most reasonable means of knowing what the people want other than to simply have public meetings on the issue. Ask yourself why is it so hard to get a phone call through to some commissioners including Commissioner Campbell, why is it near impossible to get in contact with Mrs Vanzant whenever there is a controversial issue to be decided?
WAB,
I was an attendant at the highway dept. meeting. When Mr. Hyatt gave them his budget, they all started to discuss what needed to be done. Mrs. Garner said that after looking at the budget, she thought that the best way to get the revenue to keep a level of service that Mr. Hyatt wanted to provide was to have a wheel tax. Then the commissioners starting debating rather the cost should be $25 or $50. In the end, it was determined that $50 would be needed. Mrs. Vanzant said that if the committee was going to vote to have it brought before the full commission, she would have to call Eddie Bass to see if he could get it through. While awaiting his call the commission voted against the the measure. Later, after more discussion, the chairman, Mr. Pope, decided that they should bring it back up. He changed his previous vote and the motion passed. Mrs. Vanzant was following the will of the committee. Eddie Bass told them that he needed to know ASAP if they were going to vote on it. It didn't leave any time to approach it in the way that most would see it as proper.
I am not defending anyone. I am only stating why the process happened as it did.
Thanks,
DAW
Garner ain't said a word without Vanzant's hand moving her lips since she took the job. Why do you think she has lied and connived since being their Garner is a nice but weak person and Vanzant has used her like a dish cloth to clean up her messes.
Vanzant is a witch that has an allergy to the truth.
9:49,
Do you really feel good about yourself after making comments like that?
DAW
Daniel,
That's just the way these people run.
The truth ain't supposed to make you feel bad 9:49 and you said the truth.
Did any of you hear the honkimng of horns yesterday? It was so hilarious. They were out there honking when the wheel tax question had already been pulled. Hilarious. Looks like Mr. Barrett would have gone outside and told them to stop.
Why stop, show them you will be back.
Maybe some of them didn't know it was pulled.
OR
Could of been a lot of honking just because they could.
6;15 A.M. Once again you don't know what you're talking about. The resolution was at the end of the agenda and it was not OFFICIALLY pulled until Mrs. Vanzant announced it when it came up on the agenda. Get with it 6:15. The way I understand it, the protestors didn't care if it was pulled or not. They had a message to the Commissioners, Eddie Bass and Mrs. Vanzant and it was heard LOUD and CLEAR!
Wonder if the same thing will happen to Campbell and Holt that happened to Harris and lovell? People do not forget things and if I were either one of the two I would start being worried. You never know what lurks in the minds of people when you start messing with their money. Stay tuned.
6:36
That is possible if people listen to sleazy comments made about them on this blog and recently in the paper.
5:44
People do listen and if no one comes to their defense with good answers, well..
Mr. Barrett,
I am wondering when you and your little group of friends will start pushing hard for the so-called home rule charter that we don't need? I noticed a recent editorial wherein the writer said the vote for the charter will be an "opportunity" for Giles Countians. I would agree with that, but my view is somewhat different. I see the vote on the charter as an opportunity for Giles Countians to defeat it. And NO, I have nothing to hide or cover up, and I'm not a part of what you like to characterize as good ole boy politics.
To 6:13
You state, "I am wondering when you and your little group of friends will start pushing hard for the so-called home rule charter that we don't need?"
You are so confusing in some posts you claim I am despised and nobody likes me while in others you claim I have a whole group of friends that obediently follow my every word.
Your post drips with ignorant sarcasm that reveals only an infantile understanding of an issue that will have profound benefits for the people of this county.
I was a leader in getting the Charter to the point of having the people elect Charter Commissioners that actually wrote the. I believe it is overall a good work that will benefit the people of the not not necessarily those in county government and that is where the rub is.
Now, if you don't like the Charter then vote against it, no big deal I'm sure there are others you are just as opposed at having some control over how much of their money is taken each year by the big spenders in county government.
You state, "And NO, I have nothing to hide or cover up..." if that was actually true why do you post as anonymous? It seems the only consistency in your mind and actions is ignorant postings and hatred of me. Congratulations, you have accomplished nothing.
I am glad the guy that wrote about the charter in the paper this week referred to us a "regular citizens". Is he somehow sitting on a throne above us?
DAW
Mr. Barrett
No, I said you have a small group of followers. I believe that number to be even smaller than before.
No, it's not ignorant sarcasm on my part. You just can't stand it that someone has the guts to point out what you are trying to do.
No, I do not believe a charter would provide profound benefits for the citizens of Giles County.
Yes, I will not only vote against a charter but will vigorously work to see it defeated. It is my opinion that those in elected positions are not the villains you portray them to be. It is my belief that the real "rub" here is the fact that you can't get yourself or those of your cghoosing elected to anyth8ing, and a charter seems to be a plan for getting rid of those you deem unfit to hold office. Well, who appointed you the judge of them? It is also my opinion that not onloy Mrs. Vanzant but others whom you constantly belittle are acting in what they believe to be the best interests of the people of Giles County. Having said that, exactly why do the people need a charter?
No, I have nothing to hide or cover up, so don't even bother making that accusation. It would be a lie.
Perhaps I have accomplished nothing, but neither have you other than to stir up a lot of trouble throughout the county. My opinion.
great post
To the anonymous 5:04 poster.
You state, "You just can't stand it that someone has the guts to point out what you are trying to do".
The problem with that statement is that you have neither shown any guts, nor intelligence in pointing out "YOUR OPINION" of what I am trying to do. You neither know me nor my motivation unless you are once again proclaiming yourself to be God. I have not lost a moment of sleep worrying about whether you vote for or against the charter in fact I haven't lost any sleep with any thought about you.
I have posted reasons and facts in support of everything i have said on this blog you have returned with only asinine accusations and simpleminded claims of knowing my motivations. It would be easy and accurate to dismiss you as a fool but that would be slanderous to the many fools that have populated the world throughout history.
Why don't you just enjoy the blog and the opportunity it affords you
or just not visit it since it seems to bring out only the vile hatred you hold personally against me.
Mr. Barrett
You may have a "problem" with the statement I made, but it sounded perfectly ok with me. My opinion of what you are trying to do is based on what I see, read, and hear. It is likewise my opinion that you are a great troublemaker and the primary source of discord in Giles County. It astounds me that you cannot see that, because I know for an absolute fact that I am not the only one who has told you.
Once again proclaiming myself to be God? That sir, is a bald-faced lie. Oh, but you never lie; I forgot (sic).
You claim that you haven't lost a moment of sleep worrying about me? May I point out a bit of hypocrisy? If you profess to be a man of God, then why wouldn't you be worried about me if I am such a bad person? Why don't you try to encourage me toward righteousness? Oh please don't bother, because your actions are much too deafening. I couldn't hear a word you might have to say to me.
Vile hatred I hold toward you? That's a lie. To use your words, you do not know me or my motivations, so how can you see into my heart? You can't.
You are just too easy to engage.
WAB,
What you don't seem to understand is that people that disagree with you aren't attacking you personally. They are simply stating their case and that allows you to state yours. It is easy to see when you feel someone is saying something with meaning because you try to attack the person rather than the argument. I rarely see you give any definitive sources for your information. When it is refuted with factual references you seem to disappear. As in the case of John Evans. You have yet to admit that he had some very serious allegations against him. You seem to have no problem with some of the anonymous posters. Why would you be pressing the issue with 9:34? Is he not entitled to his opinion? Afterall, that is what the blog is for, right?
DAW
To DAW,
What you don’t seem to understand is that people that disagree with me are not a problem. When the same semi-literate thug continues to make personal attack after attack, making claims that are completely untrue then trying to cover them up with more lies I do take that personally. The enabler has for more than two years in his very cowardly way tried to derail every subject, he has lied in the most flagrant ways claiming proof and evidence from things not furnished and blathering on and on about why I do this or that, that I’m not even a Christian much less a Minister. His ignorance has become legendary and the odorous stench of his self proclaimed hypocritical righteousness has caused more than a few to give up trying to have a reasonable conversation.
Now you make the false claim, “It is easy to see when you feel someone is saying something with meaning because you try to attack the person rather than the argument.” I would very kindly ask for some examples of this other than what might involve the enabler. As I have said many times before I will treat people the way they treat me. I have disagreed with many commissioners but continue to have a good relationship with them.
You make another false claim in your statement that, “I rarely see you give any definitive sources for your information” and “When it is refuted with factual references you seem to disappear. As in the case of John Evans. You have yet to admit that he had some very serious allegations against him”.
Please show where I have failed to show evidence supportive of any definitive claim I have made.
Now for the situation with John Evans, I do not know Mr Evans nor have I ever met him, however I stand by everything I said concerning him. I never claimed he didn’t have any “allegations” against him only that he had not been convicted of any criminal activity or by legal action been denied the opportunity to sell insurance. I also stand by the fact that he continues to do business in the State of Tennessee. While we are on the insurance perhaps you would research the situation with Mr. Alsup, as thoroughly as with Mr. Evans, as to his involvement in writing the requirements for the insurance then bidding on that same insurance when bids are required which they are not for all county and school insurance.
I admit that there are serious allegations against Mr. Evans just as there are against Mr Alsup, however an allegation does not a crime make.
As for “disappearing” I’m not chained to my computer. I try to read the posts daily but don’t always and seldom do on the week ends, a fact some have used to try and sneak in some rather obnoxious things.
Most anonymous postings, especially those that seek only to personally attack without provocation I don’t usually respond to but the enabler is a different matter. While I try not to respond to him the temptation is just to great sometimes when his outrageous cowardice and lies become to much too ignore. I apologize if my reaction to his personal attacks are a distraction to others.
Mr. Barrett
You have a lot of nerve calling anyone a liar. You just don't get it, do you?
So another nerve was struck, and you start calling names. How unbecoming of one professing the things you do. I wouldn't be condemning anybody's self-proclaimed righteousness if I were you. The apology for your outrageous reaction is noted.
Lastly, if you are unhappy with anonymous postings, why don't you do away with that as an option? That would be far better than threatening to get one's ISP or whatever you call it and expose him or her because you don't like what is being written.
Oh you sound worried 6:34. If nothing Barrett says is true then why does he bother certain ones so much. Certain ones like you. He is a threat to you, that you will not admit because he stands for everything you do not..the "TRUTH". Move on and apply yourself somewhere else if Barrett poses no threat to you. In the meantime, anyone who continues to badger him, gives more credibility to him and portrays themselves as someone who has much to lose and hide. You make yourself look guilty with your behavior toward Barrett. Again, if he is no threat, then why do you and others act like he is a threat? Can't wait for your response on this!
1:04
Barrett poses no threat to anybody that I'm aware of; he's simply (my opinion) a nuisance and a troublemaker who will not stop. Hey, don't think that I am the only person in Giles County who holds that view. Just ask around. He is politically impotent, so why would anyone fear anything he might do? That's a ridiculous argument.
I think you confuse my seeing him as a threat with, in reality, seeing him exactly as I just described.
I guess being "politically impotent"
means he can't punch a citizen and call them names and then yell "I'm a county commissioner what you gonna do about it."
I agree Barrett won't get elected here because he ain't a suck up living in the 19th century.
5:09
Gracious, are you by any chance Mrs. Barrett?
No, politically impotent means that Barrett has no political power over anything. And it's not likely that he ever will hold an elected position around here, but that's his own fault. He (my opinion) chose to behave as he does, and that cannot be blamed on anyone else.
That's what i said you miserable piece of wasted protoplasm He can't get elected so he can't go round punching people and calling them hate words then challenge people with "I'm a county commissioner, what's you gonna do about it"
What ever else Barrett is he's not so cowardly to be anonymous on here.
I remember seeing on the news about a man in Nashville thought it was ok to only go to work half time and nothing would happen. It wasn't an elected official that got him in trouble.
so one day Barrett just might get someone in trouble. I think that is why so much complaining about Barrett goes on.
It seems lately there is a lot of attack going on about Barrett, are you running scared?
7:19
In my opinion, that is what he's out trying to do. I honestly believe he would gloat if he could find something to get someone into trouble.
You mentioned running scared. That's a laugh. You can't seem to understand that, to put it in simple terms, he is a pain in the rear for so many people. It's not a matter of those he targets feeling they must hide something but rather their disgust that he is constantly digging at them, calling them names, and making accusations. Would you like that? Don't take my word for any of this. Just ask around town. I hear his name fairly often, and the comments are NOT good.
To 6:29 For a person who poses as a spotless Christian it sure seems you have a lot of involvement with gossip. You know it seems like the old adage about opinions is true everyone has an opinion and a digestive exhaust, seems the prudent thing for some folks would be to their opinion as covered as their digestive exhaust until they have something to back it up or the integrity to be identified with it.
Stupid accusations made by an admitted gossip and coward isn't worth spit n a hot stove in my book.
Barrett
You are right. Opinions are like noses; everybody has one. I would think that a more appropriate example than the one you used (digestive exhaust).
Now, as for spotless Christianity, I'm afraid you are once again wrong. I am a very imperfect human being who needs God's grace every day of my life. I never claimed to be spotless; those are your words.
You mentioned stupid accusations. Well, don't you make more than your share of them? I think so.
Mr. Barrett, where did anyone claim to be a spotless Christian? I missed that one. I went back and read and cannot find that anywhere. As you know there is no such thing as a splotless Christian, we are all sinners, born that way and live that way. And please don't accuse me of being one of the people you call names because I have not posted in months.
Mr. Barrett
Looks like you could find something better to do with your time than follow a trash truck around to see if the boys ever take a break in this hot weather. That sounds really productive.
I'm sure you have some idea about what you're talking about but I certainly don't have a clue about what your mindless statement is about or means.
Right. So hilarious.
If anyone has a clue about what the 1:02 and 9:17 are talking about would you please post the information.
My thought is that simply passing on gossip is no longer enough, they now have decided to just make up outrageous stuff and post it.
I have no concern about how many breaks the sanitation department worker takes they certainly need to be careful in this heat just like anyone who is working outside now.
I do think that in this heat they might be better off moving pick-up times to later in the day or earlier in the morning to avoid the worst of it.
The 1:02 poster has simply made a stupid charge to match their brain activity.
wab
It was merely an example. Could you not tell that I was being facetious?
The county would save a bundle if the Ambulance was taken over by a private company. When a person works 36 hours a week and get paid time and a half for vacation pay that very same week, there is something very wrong. They don't mow the yards, nor clean the buildings, with free time, no the set and watch TV and play on the internet, and to think we pay for that what a joke. The service we would receive would be much better and with an education to boot. I vote for private company!!
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