Steve Brown and HIS Promises

birdman's picture

There has been a lot of talk lately about Logsden and his soluitions. Well, Brown really didn't offer many solutions either. Sure he is throwing out some, but as mayor, why haven't these "solutions" been forth coming before now? Anyway, one merely has to look at what Brown considered issues in 2001, the "solutions" he put forth, and his actions. So here goes.

ANNEXATION:

The Issue: "In the world we live in today, annexation is most often a tool for developers and nothing more."

The Solution: "The bottom line on annexation: Council Members can be swayed by special interests. I want to give the power of annexation to the citizens. I want to change the charter so that all annexation requests must be voted on by referendum at the next scheduled general election. If the people want the annexation, they will vote for it."

The REALITY: Brown personally worked a backdoor deal with Wieland Homes, one of the biggest "developers" in the Southeast. He did this against the moratorium, without the help of our professional city staff, without input of our elected city council. Would that qualify as being "swayed by special interest?" And as to a "vote," it is illegal and he knew it before the election. He ran as an "anti-annexation" candidate and now can't seem to find an annexation he doesn't love.

BUDGET:

The ISSUE: "There are no more easy budgets in Peachtree City.
Our city has reached the era of deficit budget"

The SOLUTION: "Steve Brown promises that raising your property taxes will the last resort and not the first line of defense. No more wasting precious dollars on pet projects. We need to re-examine all our expenditures.
Steve Brown's number one question, "At what point do we begin taxing people out of Peachtree City?"

The REALITY: Steve Brown by his own admission has raised taxes 22 percent! Yet cut services and important projects. But he "found" $825,000 to prevent a mini-mart being built at the entrance of Wynmeade. he voted to spend $14,500 for the Dog Park (it was voted down). Would these be considered "pet projects? But we can't repair the cart paths.

REFERENDUMS:

The ISSUE:"Steve Brown believes that we should let the people decide where their tax dollars go. "

The SOLUTION:"I strongly believe that as an elected official, that significant changes that impact our community must be brought before the public. The Mayor should provide management and vision but should never force mandates on the backs of the citizens."

The REALITY: $825,000 for property, $700,000 for Senior Center, $450,000 to pave the ballfield parking lots,...well...just read John Munford's column in last weeks Citizen.

OPEN GOVERNMENT, ETHICS

The ISSUE:"As an Ethics Board Member, I had to ask myself would I be upholding my duty by avoiding this issue knowing that our ordinances state that even the appearance of impropriety requires action? "

The SOLUTION: "I have a proven record of defending open government and promoting ethics in government."

The REALITY: 2 Ethics violations. Are we to believe that the idea that "even the appearance of impropriety requires action" doesn't count for Steve?

Pretty "specific" solutions right?

Steve Brown has a proven record. But not the record he claims. He DIDN'T start all the youth groups, they were in place when he came. He may have added to them, but the youth groups were started and supported by the parents. They don't need him to succeed. He has a proven record of not cutting the budget, but spending on foolish projects without vote of the community. He has a proven record of alienating all the surrounding communities. He has a proven record of lying. Simply trying to connect anyone and everyone who questions him to evil "developers" is evidence of how willing he is to lie! Brown is quite simply willing to compromise all truth to promote himself. He sounds good, but when it comes to substance and truth, he sorely lacks. It is time for a change. That change needs to come Dec. 6. A challenger is generally "unknown." All we knew of Brown was through his rhetoric in 2001. To say an "evil known is better than an evil unknown" is to buy into Brown's scare tactics. Even the "illegal" DAPC loan has NOT been proved to be "illegal." Only Brown thinks he knows the law. The issue will be solved in court. That is where it belongs and that is where it'll be resolved.
As for Brown's charisma? Remember, Adolph Hilter and Charles Manson were also incredibly charismatic. Don't be fooled. Like them Brown will do whatever it takes to get his way and eliminate opposition.

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PTC Guy's picture
Submitted by PTC Guy on Tue, 11/29/2005 - 5:52pm.

A lot of rambling commentary that avoids the fact Logsdon has said nothing of substance beyond pay the illegal Tennis Court debt.

Is Brown squeaky clean? No.

Key issues substance from Brown:
Tennis Center Debt: researched and found illegal. Full Council under legal opinion and recommendation refused to accept the debt.
Golf Cart Paths: widening to ten feet under Brown underway.
Stormwater control: fully researched with proven concept developed for PTC and ready for the final vote to put in place. Well ahead of the 2008 legal deadline.

Substance on Logsdon:
Tennis Center Debt: Assume full responsibility and repay. Forget legalities and such.

And if you think Logsdon could fulfill all legal requirements and still cut taxes you are living in a dream world.

There are 9.1 million dollars of current repairs that MUST be made to the PTC stormwater system. The program MUST be in place by 2008.

And on top of that he would assume the Tennis Center debt raising the total to about 12 million dollars.

And this and tax cuts to boot. Miracle Man!

Time to open your eyes and see reality.

He has been totally silent on substance beyond the Tennis Center.

I keep seeing tax cuts in your efforts. Not going to happen. Cannot happen.


birdman's picture
Submitted by birdman on Tue, 11/29/2005 - 8:46pm.

Actually it wasn't rambling, I simply cut and pasted Brown's campaign promises from 2001. As you can see he failed in each. Not rambling, FACT.
As for the "illegal" DAPC loan. I think that enough is enough. Brown has stated it's illegal. The courts have yet to decide. Funny thing about America, something is "alleged" until it's proven. This is merely simple allegation by Brown until the court actually decides. If the court decides it's "illegal," then it's illegal. Until then it is simply a culmination of a very expensive witch hunt by Brown that has gone on for 4 years and cost the city a whole bunch of money. Money that could have been used to maintain cart paths, or simply not raise taxes 22 percent. By the way, keep in mind that the DAPC loan was to be paid by Hotel/Motel taxes and not city tax money. Brown changed that when he withdrew all funding. And no one has really explained where this "illegal" money went. Does anyone really think that it was embezzelled (other than Brown)? And before you answer consider that accusations such as embezzelment are considered slander.
As for the Stormwater, it was mandated by the Federal Govt. and was begun under the former administration.
Now, if you think Brown "loves you," or you think Brown really "exposed" any corruption, or you think Brown is "solely responsible" for youth programs, or you think there is any substance to anything he says, or you think he will consider YOUR input to annexation, or save money, or lower taxes, or solve any of the problems HE created, then it is YOU living in a dreamworld.
STEVE BROWN...MIRACLE MAN...SUPERMAN...SAVIOUR OF PEACHTREE CITY!
Yeah....RIGHT!


PTC Guy's picture
Submitted by PTC Guy on Tue, 11/29/2005 - 9:19pm.

Proving Brown has problems isn't a reason to vote for Logsdon who has his own load of problems.

Yes, the court has yet to decide on the Tennis Court. Meaning Brown has not been proven wrong either. And meaning your passing judgment and labeling it a witch hunt is out of line until the case is settled.

And Brown didn't withdrawing funding. The Council with legal consultation did.

Try getting the facts straight.

I don't know enough to pass judgment and neither do you. But we do know enough to say how the Dev. Auth. conducted itself at best was inadequate.

And no, the Stormwater Utility was not started under Lenox. They did mandated preliminaries and then stopped.

The Stormwater Utility concept developed under Brown and was voted on under Brown.

As for the Youth issues, I took and take no position on those other than noting Logsdon has been totally silent or negative and Youth issues are important. That is the only things I have said on those issues.

I have never said anything on taxes other than it is a pipe dream to look for those to be cut. And that Logsdon promised to hold the line and even reduce them, which is impossible with the work loads ahead.

I have never called Brown the Miracle Man. I used that as a cynical reference to Logsdon's promises on less taxes.

Of course you have the right to roll the dice for the unknown Logsdon.

But if he wins I will be waiting to hear your screaming at him when taxes go up. And they will.

Right off the bat assuming that Tennis Court debt would drop the city probably 3 million into debt. And add the inescapable stormwater issues on top.

Tax cuts. Right. Rub that lamp harder while you are wishing.


birdman's picture
Submitted by birdman on Tue, 11/29/2005 - 11:00pm.

Brown has consistently manipulated the facts. As for the witch hunt, it began before he was elected. He violated the "sunshine" laws and secured a "yes" vote for a special prosecuter PRIOR to it being brought up at a meeting. A meeting where Rapson violated the ethics laws and voted. That violation was over $27000 to the city. Rapson was finally held accoutable last month. But it is a FACT that Brown contacted Weed, Rapson, and Tennant about the "special prosecutor" prior to the meeting (a direct violation of the open meeting laws). Then he didn't even put it on the agenda, choosing to instead surprise everyone with the proposal. And he admitted publicly he purposely kept the issue from Annie McMenamin and surprised her with it. The Special Prosecutor cost us over $50,000 and DID NOT find any corruption or illegal activity! And don't insist it did. It did NOT. The whole investigation was a complete and expensive sham. But Brown was not to be discouraged. He discovered that a Development Authority couldn't run the Amphitheater and Tennis Center. So he decided on a "Tourism Authority." But Mitch Seabaugh (or maybe it was Lynn Westmoreland) short circuited Brown and had a waiver granted for PTC. This ticked off Brown so he publicly attacked Mitch (or was it Lynn). Then he simply demanded the DAPC resignation. That didn't fly so he continued the attack. It finally has culminated in the current lawsuit. Fine. The courts will decide. But there is NO DOUBT...IT was a witch hunt pure and simple. As for the Tennis Center debt...I agree it will probably cost the city $3 million or more. But not because it's illegal as Brown claims, but because we will lose and have to pay the entire debt, interest, legal fees, court fees, etc. Now this would have all been a moot point if he simply had allowed the debt to be serviced and paid off by HOTEL/MOTEL taxes as it was designed. We would have had a world class tennis center complete with college classrooms, and NO expense to the city taxpayers instead of a "no class" tennis center. But no, Brown will not be denied. By God if their exists no conspiracy, he will fabricate one regardless of the cost. We already have a failing Tennis Center and declining amphitheater thanks to Brown's "leadership." And now we...the taxpayer...will have to foot the bill for his stupidity. That is how this will play out. How about we actually wait and see who is right. But as for re-electing a bipolar meglomainiac? NO CHANCE!
Oh, as for "screaming" due to tax increases, I think that a 22 percent increase under Brown's "exceptional budget planning" has me screaming enough. I am more than happy to give someone else a chance.
As for "rolling the dice," we rolled them and gave an incompetent part time dental office manager a chance and he has failed miserably. I say send him back to the dental office where he can continue to excell at minimum wage and let a retired military officer and successful businessman have a chance.


PTC Guy's picture
Submitted by PTC Guy on Wed, 11/30/2005 - 9:01am.

When one sits on Board or Council part of the insurances paid and similar clauses are to indemnify the members from innocent legal prosecution for acts of ignorance and such.

An aspect of the guarantee is that if any charges are brought against a member they WILL be represented whether the remainder of the sitting members feel they are guilty or not. Or whether YOU or I feel they are guilty or not.

Get the point? It does not matter how you or anyone else feels the must be represented. To not do so would bar people from every sanely seeking office because all it would take is a group with money throwing legal charges at them to bankrupt them.

You have made a lot of statements here about the Dev. Auth. that do not agree with materials I have read from legal sources on this issue.

What I have seen said it needed to be addressed. Let the courts resolve it and present a clear picture of reality.

As for a World Class Center at no expense to the Tax Payers? Well, that was not happening and I doubt it every will happen.

I still think it was a foolish idea.

But, we will see. It is still there and still can prove itself. Nothing says it is dead if there is that actual potential in it.

Funny, Brown is mayor, which is powerful. But he hardly as mayor controlled it to that extent. It required at least two council members to go along with him.

But in fact all 4 did.

And as far as giving Logsdon a chance goes let him open his mouth and tell us where he stands on other big issues besides the Tennis Center.

He cannot keep his promise on freezing or reducing taxes. He is unknowing when he says nothing has been done regarding Stormwater issues.

Like the man or not Brown backs good directions on a number of issues, such as Annexation, Cart Paths and Stormwater.

But yet, he does say things that just should not be said.

Like it or not Logsdon has said nothing of substance or value on key issues other than the Tennis Center, where I disagree with not letting the court finish the issue.

In fact his hints are he will throw away all the money invested so far in the Utility and start over to try to make it General Fund so the funds can be diverted at will and the work not get done.

Is that not called wasting money and non performance? You are against wasted money, correct?

OK. We have stated our positions clearly I believe. Just wait for the election rather than repeating them over and over.

I am willing to do that and not start new arguments, only respond.


birdman's picture
Submitted by birdman on Wed, 11/30/2005 - 10:26am.

Seems as I am responding to you, you are responding to me. I agree, we are going around in circles. I clearly oppose Brown and fear four more years of him. I hope and pray I don't need to find out what those will be like.
You clearly like Brown. I certainly wonder why, but that is absolutely your right. One of us will be proven right. If Brown wins and I am right, God help us. If Logsden wins and you are right, God help us. But I think I will be proven right either way (I know, that sounds incredibly arrogant). Time will tell.

As you have said, we have our positions clearly stated so let's see what happens. But as the rhetoric heats up I will probably add my "two cents." Suspect you will too.


PTC Guy's picture
Submitted by PTC Guy on Wed, 11/30/2005 - 3:11pm.

One of the joys of posting.

I didn't say I like Brown as a choice. I said he is the better choice of the two because I know where he stands and agree with him on the big issues currently in play.

I don't like stealth candidates. Turn me off in an instant because they alway have proven to be miserable elected officials.

Hopefully that will satisfy your wondering why.

As for the rest you said I agree. Except to add we are in for a rough ride either way.

Just look forward to lawsuits against PTC if I am right on Logsdon and the Stormwater Utility. I know of some ready to file.


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