Should The County Borrow Ten Million Dollars For Proposed School Improvements?
This topic was requested by a poster.
posted by Allen Barrett | 10:53 PM
Giles Free Speech Zone
The purpose of the "Giles Free Speech Zone" is to identify problems of concern to the people of Giles County, to discuss them in a gentlemanly and civil manner, while referring to the facts and giving evidence to back up whatever claims are made, making logical arguments that avoid any use of fallacy, and, hopefully, to come together in agreement, and find a positive solution to the problem at hand. Help make a difference! Email "mcpeters@usit.net" to suggest topics or make private comments.
Contributors
- Pardon Me If I Don’t Celebrate Earth Day
- Good Easter Greetings
- Support For Windows XP Ended on April 2014
- April Meeting of "The Giles Patriots"
- Yet Another Crisis For County Government
- These Are The Names Of Those Having Qualified For ...
- Why Did The Economic Development Commission Spend ...
- Elections are upcoming what are your thoughts
- Legalization of Marijuana Yes or No and Why?
- Should The County Borrow Ten Million Dollars For P...
73 Comments:
No.
A $9M +(?) school bond was recently paid off from the hosital money, now they want another loan.? If the new director can submit a balanced budget then he can find funds to make repairs to the schools. The raping of tax payers goes on and on. People are getting to the point they cant afford to buy food and more and more homes are going into foreclosure, only to be snapped up by the 'house flippers'. You have to wonder.
Yes! Yes! Yes!
Yes! We cannot grow our community with substandard schools!
I don't believe you can call the school budget balanced when there is 10M dollars of repairs needed to buildings. The school board needs to return to the drawing board and develop a plan to cover the 10M. Buildings should have never been let go to that degree to begin with. That just shows in the past the school board was not doing a proper job.
Wait till it's a crisis and then impose the harshest solutions is how it has worked until now. Hopefully with Dr. Webb and a few new faces on the Board and a real leader in the executive's office governing by crisis will end and competent leadership will get us back on our feet again.
Dick W.
Agree with you and that is what I was saying in the first post on this thread. Funds have not been managed well in the past and unless we get some changes on who is managing OUR money, it will continue - want, want, want and we'll just increase taxes to get it.
3:59 We DO have a real leader in the county executive's office. Her name is Janet Vanzant. I know that's not what you want to hear, but that's the reality.
Have you noticed that NOT ONE DEROGATORY WORD has been said on here about her opposition? That speaks volumes to voters.
My problem is that money should be found to cover the repairs of the schools and there is where the money will be spent. I still question saying that we needed to lay off teachers and then turn around and pave every square parking space at the University of North Giles. Money was given to a "buddy of the director" to install cameras on the front doors. It was never bid to get the cheaper cost by people who are as qualified. I say lose all the present board members and get some fresh ideas and new people. Competence at the board and director's posiions is imperative.
Could you tell us where you got your information about the cameras, 6:01? At least say how you know it was a friend and there were no other bids for the job.
I thought someone wanted a post about all the positive information coming out lately about the school board and the superintendent. Is Barrett such a turd, he can't create a positive post about it? Does his campaign consist of pure negativity? He should know by now it doesn't work.
And yes, they should borrow the money to get the repairs done so time and energy can be spent in other areas. Anyone not wanting to repair the schools must not give a damn about our kids education.
5:59 Mrs.Vanzant doesn't have to say anything she has (you) CG saying enough.
Barrett has told the commission how to raise the money without borrowing it or having a wheel tax or property tax increase. I was there when he made the case and it was rock solid and what was Vanzant's reaction a flat no because she didn't want to upset the city administration. Barrett has some great ideas but because he's not a commissioner some won't listen to him and Vanzant just sneers at him no matter how nice he is.
8:49 I'd sneer at Allen Barrett too if he had treated me the way he has Mrs. Vanzant. You would as well, so what's your point?
8:459 Please enlighten the readers as to how Barrett thinks needed funds can be accumulated without increased taxes or borrowing, particularly after the county department heads have already trimmed their budgets? And it's not arguable that they have not trimmed their budgets. So where does the money come from? I hate taxes as much as anyone else does, but they are a necessary evil.
With the exception of Southside, Richland School and Richland Elementary the schools in Giles County are probably 75 years old. Do you really think that we can keep ignoring those buildings? There is not 10 million to spend out of the school budget. We cannot go back and undo what was spent prior to Dr. Webb. Do you ignore your own home? All of the schools need to be improved to make them safer. How old is the wiring in the schools? The Central Office was condemned years ago, the wiring in all these places is awful and no way can it be safe or keep up with the new technology that is now required. Something has to be done or someone is going to get hurt.
If they get the new money, will they rewire any of the schools?
Is Elkton and Minor Hill 75 years old?
I remember the old ones burning and I'm not 75 years old.
I agree schools need to be kept up, but no need to lie to get it done.
6:11 aka enabler,
Seems like you have been proven a liar by Barrett one more time. I bet you get tired of being proven a liar over and over. I know I would stop posting if I had absolutely nothing to support my claims.
While I am not the 8:459 poster, I will be glad to answer your question as that gives you a response straight from the source.
First let me say that your premise of department heads having cut their budgets is absolutely in error. I have posted on a new thread the actual numbers for the 2012/2013 budget, the 2013/2014 budget and the proposed budget for this budget year, with requests from each department head. It clearly shows that those budgets instead of being cut or even remaining the same have actually increased over that period.
You asked about my proposal to raise the funds for school improvements without, raising property taxes or creating a new wheel tax. I never said to not borrow the money, it’s needed now. I just offered a means of paying off the loan without a property tax increase or wheel tax.
A few years ago the county voted to give the city the proceeds from an increase in the local option sales tax, 1/4 of 1%, for twenty years. This was to pay for a loan to make repairs on Sam Davis Park. That tax has generated far more than the annual payments on that loan and the city has used those funds for other expenses. In addition to this the county gives the city over $50,000 a year for parks and recreation. Take back those funds or a large portion then make some actual cuts in such places as Industrial/ Economic Development; Dead Animal Pickup (why shouldn’t the animal owner pay at least a portion of the cost of this service). Cut part of the 200,000 budget for courtroom security. There are a number of other areas where a 1 to 10% cut would not even be felt. In fact cutting the budget to the exact amount approved last year without amendments would cover the cost of a ten million dollar loan.
Mr. Barrett....YOU are the one in error. It is true that Mrs. Vanzant has asked all department heads to cut their budgets, and that is what they did. However, inflation and an ever-increasing cost of doing business and providing county services have skyrocketed. And even with cuts in budgets, more money is required because of those horribly increasing costs. So why not talk about that aspect of it.
Are you actually saying that the departments cut their budgets but inflation caused the budget numbers to go. That is the most stupid thing I have ever heard of. If a budget was cut that means there was less money than last year regardless of the cost of inflation, the price of eggs in China or the price of air in Tennessee. A cut means less, additional means more. The departments have asked for additional money in their budgets, many far and above the 2% rate of inflation.
Did you even look at the actual numbers of the budget that Barrett posted on the thread ahead of this one?
Your defense of Vanzant and the departments is your dumbest yet.
According to Barrett, we should budget like it's 1975 yet be progressive and try to grow. That doesn't make sense to me. Don't let his numbers in the new post fool you into thinking departments aren't doing all they can to cut costs and still be productive. There is a reason he is known as a trouble maker and an enabler of bullshit.
Barrett, stay out of county politics. You keep a small group stirred up over nothing. You are a sore thumb to this county and will be until they put you 6ft under.
Telling someone to do something and them doing it is two different thing.
You can call yourself a crazy goose but that doesn't alter the fact that you are just a stupid jerk that can't stand the facts that show reveal you as that stupid jerk instead of the crazy goose.
4:45
On the contrary, department heads can and have cut their budgets, BUT the costs of doing business and providing services swallow that up. That is SIMPLE economics, and I am amazed that you choose to misunderstand it.
Here's an example of the concept. Let's suppose a route salesman spends $200 per week for gas to run his route. Gas prices go through the roof, and he finds various shortcuts to running the route. He cuts back on mileage and yet spends more money than before or fuel. He cut back on mileage,but it still costs him more to do the job.
When you find yourself in a hole the advice is to stop digging not get a bigger shove;.
The statement was that department heads had cut their budgets not that they had found a shorter route to work. Up is up and down is down. You can not cut your budget while spending more. Of course you can cut one area but if you increase another area it is more spending not less. Each year the departments have increased their overall budgets and Vanzant has used reserves including the hospital money to cover the more than million dollars a year increases.
You can slice a stale biscuit many different ways but you can't make it a piece of chocolate cake. You only look stupid when you tell people the stale biscuit is chocolate cake and you treat those people disrespectfully when you try.
10:24
How on earth can you argue with simple economics? People cut their personal budgets all the time and still find there's not enough money to go around. It's so simple that I am persuaded that you just do not want to acknowledge it. You absolutely CAN cut your budget and spend more at the same time if the cost for the things you must purchase keep going up. You can see that if you want to.
Speaking of the Hospital Fund, why don't you ask a few commissioners why some of that money was used? You want to blame Mrs. Vanzant. How convenient.
By all means ask some of the commissioners to tell what happened to the hospital funds and you'll find out that Mrs Garner spent them without authorization and Mrs Vanzant covered it up until a big chunk was gone then she convinced enough commissioners to approve the spending after the fact. It was either approve the spending or be faced with a very negative audit and a condemnation from the commission. That approval opened the flood gates.
6:53 I can understand what you're trying to get across, that departments can cut parts of their budgets while spending more money. It seems what Charlie G. and some other posters including me are looking at is the total budget while you are looking at different line items within that budget. I agree that specific line items can be cut while having the total budget increase.
So you are right in that, line items within a budget can indeed be cut while having an increase in the total budget.
Others are also right in that, spending has continued to increase over the entire budget which includes each department. The bottom line is at this moment, even with the very large increase in taxes to the county, the proposed budget stands with spending over a million dollars more than income.
The problem is that when you look at the budget line by line item very few of the line items have actually been reduced. Starting with last years budget and simply adding to it will seldom produce as positive a result as starting with zero and working from there. Too often, numbers are just put on the paper without ever giving any justification for those increases.
Every request for funds should be justified or not be granted.
If a person makes $200 a week and spends the $200 only on food and necessities but then the price of food and the cost of necessities increases by 10% what do you do? Look for cost saving measures and alternatives so you may survive within your budget? Or spend the money you do not have?
Keep in mind, you do not have a bottomless pit of taxpayers you can burden by forcing them to pay your bills.
10:59 You are right. Things keep going up and you still have to find a way to cut because there is no more money.
Some people seem to think money grows on trees. They don't care if an older couple have to do without their medicine so they can pay their property taxes or loose their home for taxes.
Sounds like a few selfish people.
You are both right 11:33 and 10:59 that is one of the reasons I fought so hard to get the county to adopt the state authorized Freeze on Senior Citizens Property Taxes. Unfortunately they refused to adopt it and those on fixed incomes have continued to fall farther behind in their financial difficulties.
With the proposed budget there is more than a million dollar shortfall, and guess who is gonna have to make that up if it passes. An increase in property taxes and a wheel tax will hurt everyone but those on fixed incomes will bear the greater burden.
In the 7th district I have attended meetings that even our elected commissioners will not attend, only Commissioner Harwell and I, from the 7th district, was at the budget meeting this morning and only I questioned the added expenses requested by different entities.
So I ask you are you being served by the absence and silence of your representatives or do you deserve to be represented by someone who will speak up for you and look out for you. I believe that many of our representatives and especially those from the 7th district have lost sight of who they represent and choose to look out for the government's interest instead of the interest of the people.
Mr. Barrett
Especially those in 7th District. How transparent of you.
12:49 CG has spoken!
It doesn't bother him that some commissioners aren't interested in anything enough to go to a budget meeting.
How perceptive of you CG your epic discovery that what Mr Barrett plainly stated was transparent means there is a possibility that you can understand something after all.
Why raise funds to pay for repairs to schools when education is not important in this county. If education was so important as some say, these needed repairs and the money for them would have come long ago. Go to surrounding counties and see that their schools are receiving the attention that our schools need so badly. Until our children and education is valued as it should be, NOTHING will be done.
2:51
But your perception of what I was saying is wrong. Mr. Barrett was quite transparent when he just had to throw in a jab at 7th District commissioners. Why can't he just run his own campaign without having to take cheap shots at his opposition? He's guaranteeing himself a solid fifth place finish in the August election.
It doesn't matter what campaign he runs, he is going to lose. The citizens have had enough of his crap over the years. He, and the county, would be better off if he moved or disappeared.
Can't say it all in one post. lol
If there were no other commissioner from the 7th district there how is it taking a jab at them when they should have been there. Barrett even said that Terry was there so it can't be a jab when it's just basic facts being told.
Don't speak for me 8:34 Barrett is getting my vote.
10:15/10:4/11:07
Can't you say it all in one post?
I wrote 8:16 but not 8:34.
Concerning the jab at 7th District commissioners, I did NOT say that his cheap shot was directed at Terry Harwell. I believe Barrett made that statement just to get in another clever little jab at the 7th District commissioners. You see, if he can discredit a couple of them, then he has an outside chance of getting elected. But that's not likely to happen, so your vote is wasted. My opinion.
Mine to 11:07. He's showed me that he's the only guy in any of the races that has the guts to stand up and speak out for the people who can't be there. He keeps us informed and that's what that bunch in now can't stand.
In the past four years I have not had one single call returned from any 7th district commissioner and not one time have they answered there phone, it's always that dam machine. I'm tired of it.
7:20
When are you going to quit making a fool out of yourself. I only posted 11:07. Seems like you would get tired of being wrong and called out on your idiotic accusations all the time.
7:23
I hear you, believe me I know.
To bad Barrett didn't run for county execute. Then cg could really cry.
Glad he is in my district so, me, my family and friends can vote for him.
Now cg can call us uneducated again.
9:47
Look, if you and your entire block wants to vote for someone like Barrett, go right ahead. He's still going to lose. And if he were running for county executive, I would work against him night and day. I have as much right to be against that guy as you do to be for him. Think about that.
7:38 How about you thinking about some have as much right to be for WAB as you do to be against him.
You get all bent out of shape when anyone is for WAB. Think long and hard about that.
The question of this topic was borrowing money for the schools. What happened that the conversation got off the subject?
7:55 That is simply not true. I have said on numerous occasions that we should ALL vote for and /or support the candidates of our choice and respect the rights of others to do the same. Vote for whoever you please, but respect my right to cast an opposing vote if I so please. Thank you.
My spouse and I often vote for different people, but we get along just fine. I respect her right to vote for who ever she wants to and she respects my right.
We never say things about the other's candidate to each other like CG does against Barrett.
Why was this subject reposted?? Once again the right Rev. B is all about drama
Any new director going into the position would make a terrible mistake by not recognizing the need to build trust, provide stability, and afford all stakeholders the opportunity to share frustrations, aspirations and vision for what they feel is important for the district to thrive and excel. All this to say I would be sensitive, work hard to build trust and mend fences (and) take time to evaluate different perspectives, but ultimately outline a district plan to move forward.
6:09 cg Someone asked for a new threads about the school system. I guess they didn't want to go down to the old thread.
Sorry it didn't meet your approval.
Now who really likes the drama to be all about him?
Think about that.
7:25 Yours is the most laughable post I have yet to see on this "free speech" blog. You were talking about how we ought to respect the rights of others to vote as they choose. THAT is precisely the message I have been sending to Mr. Barrett and his one or two blog followers, yourself no doubt being one of them. I have asked Mr. Barrett on numerous occasions to stop throwing rocks at his opposition and run a clean campaign. But in all fairness, he has toned down the rhetoric recently, and that is commendable. Perhaps he realized that trying to tear down his opposition only hurts his chances? I think so.
8:13
I did not make the 6:09 post.
Telling the truth about someone is not throwing rocks cg it's informing the people to be knowledgable voters. Would you rather vote for someone who has hidden their past like Obama or would you rather have the facts before voting. If someone is a murderer, a thief a deadbeat what ever that would impact my life I want to know so I don't vote for them.
You keep telling everyone you should be able to vote for who ever you choose then try to make others change their minds about h=who they support that's hypocritical. If you want others to vote as you do then tell why they should, give examples of what your candidate has done to better our life. You say you are working hard for Mrs Vanzant but why if it's not to get people to vote for her and that's all others are doing for their chosen candidates difference is you give no reason to vote for her other than she is a nice lady, well other candidates are nice also the question is what separates them from each other.
7:18 So you rule the roost in your house and your spouse has to vote the way you want. Now that is what the most laughable post on this free speech blog is.
I pity your family.
As for as getting Mr. Barrett to respect others choice, When will you respect Barrett's rights? Pot sure loves to call the kettle black.
7:25 Pay no attention to CG. It's good to know some people can vote the way they want and not have family and friends get mad at them for killing their vote.
10:13/10:16
I believe what your candidate of choice as well as you and perhaps as many as one or two others have been practicing on this blog is called dirty pool. Why can't you folks just run a clean race based on your candidate's platform instead of trying to tear down the opposition? I know that kind of dirty politics is carried on with gusto at the state and federal levels, but this is Giles County! Again, go vote for whomever you please. I don't agree with you, so my vote and/or support is with the opponent. I'm sorry if you just cannot digest or accept that. But people have a right to vote for those they want to represent and to vigorously oppose those they don't want. And that is WITHOUT having to explain to people like you why they support the ones they do. That's a private thing and none of your business. If you don't believe me, just ask a few people at random why they support the ones they do.
Oh, and I'm not trying to change anybody's minds about who they plan to vote for. I have repeatedly said that we should vote for the candidates of our choice and respect the rights of others to do the same.
My reasons for voting for and supporting Mrs. Vanzant are also none of your business. But I will tell you that, besides being the nice lady that she is, I admire the way she does her job quietly and without needing a bunch of fanfare or pats on the back. I respect her for being unafraid of the troublemakers. I greatly admire her for not retaliating against people like you and Allen Barrett for the evil things that have been said about her right here on this blog. And, this is pretty important as well. Mrs. Vanzant has not said one negative thing about her opposition. What about that?
6:15 You say " But people have a right to vote for those they want to represent and to vigorously oppose those they don't want."
"Oppose those they don't want"
That seems to be alright for you, but not for others. Looks to me like that is what others are doing "Opposing the ones they don't want same as you."
Mrs. Vanzant doesn't have to say anything, you do more than enough for her.
7:27
Look, go out and support and vote for those of your choice and respect the rights of others to do the same. How many times do I have to say this?
But here's the key ingredient: Vote for and support your candidates without throwing stones at their opposition. You guys are the only ones throwing rocks at Mrs. Vanzant and all but one of the 7th District candidates. Makes you look pretty desperate.
12:26 How about you doing what you said:
"Look, go out and support and vote for those of your choice and respect the rights of others to do the same. How many times do I have to say this?
But here's the key ingredient: Vote for and support your candidates without throwing stones at their opposition."
Anyone else has as much right to post as you do. I don't care who anyone votes for, but I don't like the Hippocraticly way you post.
If a person is a dead beat and a thief or has a DUI in a different county and they are running for office the public needs to know before they vote. If a person is always voting to raise taxes and add wheel taxes and never supports any cuts in spending the voters need to know before they vote.
If people had known the truth about Obama before the election do you think he would have ever been elected.
Give the people the facts and let them decide.
2:04 Then stop throwing rocks at those you don't intend to vote for.
8:34 You must be crazy. I didn't throw rocks at anyone but YOU.
I think someone needs to stand up to you and not let you get away with thinking you way is right and no one else has the right for a different opinion.
You attack Barrett and think others shouldn't attack the ones you like.
I want be voting for Mr. Barrett. I only vote for the one I support when there are several running for one position. To vote for another person would be a vote against the one I'm for.
8:34 Oh, and you do a splendid job of throwing rocks at me, don't you? But I know why, so it's all good. You just can't stand it that people are on to what's going on here. And trust me when I tell you that lots of people know. Don't take my word for that. Just ask around.
Not let me get away with thinking? Oh, that's a frightening statement. Thank God, you aren't in charge of me. The last time I looked, we were a free society, and this is still called a "free speech" blog.
If you think my asking Mr. Barrett to run a clean campaign and stop trying to belittle his opposition is an attack, then so be it. I call it an admonition to do the right thing. And, to his credit, he has scaled down the rhetoric. I think he knows it only works against him. Would you agree with that?
Good for you, you got Barrett to do partly what you want him to do. Does that make king or God.
More of you can do anything but no one else can. 8:34 just said back to you what you said.
I'm begining to wonder about your sanity. What will you be like by the time of the election.
I ask the same question you have ignored several times cg is it better to know the truth about a person before and election instead of finding out about them after they are elected?
Would you vote for someone that has been proven to be a thief to watch your tax money, someone proven to be a liar, someone who can't manage their personal finances, someone with a DUI? Where do you draw the line on voting based on character?
9:24
Then why don't you go out and try to dig up dirt on commissioner candidates in the other 6 districts if you are so concerned with voters being able to make informed choices?
Exactly who are you accusing of being a thief and a liar? What about the DUI? Now's your chance to step up and tell all.
Do you people lay awake at night trying to think up nasty things to say about others? Just asking.
Terry Harwell is a liar.
6:07 It's none of your business!
cg has always suffered from mental issues but it appears to be worsening with all this defending he has to do lately. He constantly contradicts himself and can only substantiate his crap with rumors. Feel pity for him if you must, but please don't buy into his paranoid delusions.
10:17 You got that right.
I have already said some things that were less than flattering about Beech, who I believe is not in the 7th district. Did you just conveniently overlook that or just ignore it because it didn't fit in with your patented response? Either one just makes my opinion about you being stupid that much more accurate.
4:54
Not at all. The difference between what has been said about Tommy Beech and the 7th District commissioners is that Mr. Barrett (a 7th District candidate) has been on here saying a variety of negative things against HIS OWN OPPONENTS. Granted, he has scaled down his verbal assault on them, and I think perhaps he saw that it was hurting him rather than helping.
Oh you dumbass you. How do you know I am not running for office? You presume way too much, as usual.
10:50
No, I am simply telling what we BOTH know to be the truth. You just don't want to admit it. The record is right here on this blog for all to see.
7:07 You know 10:50 isn't running for office? You are such a joke.
Post a Comment
<< Home