Wednesday, October 17, 2001
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Wednesday, October 17, 2001 |
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Faulkner: Opponent has contradictions There are other issues I would rather write about this week, but last week The Citizen newspaper misquoted me concerning my stand on the budget, and I believe citizens have a right to know where I stand on issues that affect them. Please visit my website at www.nancyfaulkner.com for more information about my stand on other issues. My opponent and I do not see eye-to-eye on the city's budget. I believe his political aspirations may be clouding his judgment. My opponent is employed as a budget manager within Fulton County's 17-member department of finance division. While I have a sound understanding of government finance and procedures, I will concede that if we were both applying for a budget manager position, he would be better qualified. But that is not the position we are competing for. We are competing for a position of leadership. A position that would be best filled by one who is committed to candor. If you listen to my opponent you will hear many contradictions: Agreeing that it was mistake to roll back the millage rate last year, but then wanting to roll back the millage rate this year is a contradiction. Wholeheartedly supporting the bond referendum to purchase the Braelinn Baptist Church while serving as the church's financial advisor, but opposing a tax increase when considering the resulting half-million dollar operating expenses is a contradiction. Supporting the adoption of financial policies to deal with budgetary issues and then avoiding their implementation is a contradiction. Inflating revenue projections to avoid a tax increase during an election year but committing to support a 28 percent increase next year is a contradiction. Refusing to acknowledge the need to maintain a revenue increase due to reassessed property values to help offset increased expenses due to inflation is a contradiction. I will not contradict myself. I do not support extravagance and foolish financial decisions. I still believe our budget is the means in which council provides guidance and direction to the administration and that we need to improvement communication. I will do everything I can to help keep our property taxes low, but we do need to acknowledge the fact that our taxes are low. I have criticized the city's lack of commitment to provide open government, but I will give credit where credit is due. Overall, the financial operation of our city is run very efficiently. To put it in perspective, consider the fact that last year Fayette County's fire tax was 3.78 [mills] while Peachtree City's entire city tax was 3.84. Think about it. We provide an entire array of city services including recreation, police, fire, EMS, public works, developmental services, building inspection, code enforcement, administration, etc., for little more than what the county can provide for fire service alone. We obviously can do more for less. We could actually make a profit if we were to provide first emergency response to areas just outside our city limits if the county would agree to give us their fire tax in return. My opponent has told you he feels that he is the better choice because he has an ability to influence people. However, my vision for our City Council is one of unity and consensus without intimidation or force. While I do not back down from a challenge or cower in the face of adversity, I do believe that community leadership requires compromise. And in order to achieve compromise one needs to have all of the facts and replace personal aspirations with community objectives. A vote for Nancy Faulkner on Nov. 6 is a vote for someone who will give you the facts, make decisions with integrity and common sense, and place community objectives above political aspirations. Nancy Faulkner nfau@bellsouth.net
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