Peter stands up for his principles which is the farthest thing from being a ship without a rudder. He also has integrity and is looking out for the best interests of the citizens. The other commissioners are motivated by some hidden agenda, mostly likely self-interest and political paybacks. Take a look at their recent decisions to fire the county administrator and county attorney, raise our taxes, pursue a pension plan that could bankrupt our budget, hold the commissioner's retreat out of town....I hope Peter continues to shout out to the public what they are doing.

The other commissioners are motivated by some hidden agenda, mostly likely self-interest and political paybacks.

And Linda, Sprayberry, Dunn, Burrell, Price, Bost, and others didn't? Give me a break Birdbrain.

As for your claim above I have to ask this. Does "most likely" mean that you have indisputable evidence? Or are you just hoping something emerges so you can say "I told you so"? Personally, I'm hoping these guys don't turn into the likes of the list of characters I mentioned above.

Hey! Side Note! Does anyone have the actual percentages of tax increases that each branch of our local governments is increasing? Is it 1,4, or perhaps 10 percent? Taxes go up every year. I'd like to see the percentages. Honest percentages that is. Even those from years past.

**** GIT REAL TOUGH ON CRIME ****

"That man was Griffin Judicial Circuit District Attorney Scott Ballard".

CLICK HERE FOR THE REST OF THE STORY

Don't know about Price, but Sprayberry and Burrell were legend for their "good ole boy" decision making process.

But I do take exception to the comments about Wells and Dunn (and even Bost). Dunn and the sheriff were at odds. Call that an agenda if you will, but it was anything but hidden.

Be sure we stick to the meaning of these two statements.
Political payback would be doing something for the specific benefited a political supporter or group of supporters.

Give me one example of a political payback or a decision rooted in self interest by the past board. The sheriff controversy does not qualify because Dunn would have wanted to have the removal of Randall as sheriff be truly political payback. That was never the case and you know it.

In fact, the case was exactly the opposite. Wanting accountability from constitutional officers in the spending of tax dollars is not politically motivated, but Dunn certainly paid a political price.

Self interest would be some gain derived by the decision makers from a particular decision or group of decisions. Sticking with your political philosphy as a decision criterion does not meet the test.
Saying you will stick with the land use plan, then doing it, is not self interest.

Ball is in your court.

I've heard it from their own mouths repeatedly in the past. Rest assured each former commissioner mentioned (except for Linda, I never ran in her circles... I was a man you see) has been personally overheard (and often in more than one occasion)espousing their support to various political wings and groups. Often times these conversations were not pleasant in nature. Now to quote the famous statesman Mr. Forest Gump.... "That's all I'm going to say about that".

As far a Rick Price goes.... His agenda was to build alliances so he could market insurance and worthless annuity policies to people he wooed into his corner. I'll never forget the day (regarding the fountain) when Rick stated that the fountain didn't cost the taxpayers any money to build. He said they sold the property where the Holiday Inn now stands and used that money to pay for the fountain. LOL.... at no cost to the taxpayers. I was stunned. From that day on......

Saying you will stick with the land use plan, then doing it, is not self interest

For this I have never faulted Linda, Greg, or Peter. For what it's worth I commend them on defending the land use plan. It will require a little tweaking down the road but that thought is about as scary as tweaking the Constitution in my feeble mind.

**** GIT REAL TOUGH ON CRIME ****

"That man was Griffin Judicial Circuit District Attorney Scott Ballard".

CLICK HERE FOR THE REST OF THE STORY

Peter is a hypocrite.

He was elected in a special election in 2001. He specifically boasted that he was a fiscal conservative. He spewed the same garbage that he spewed in this letter.

Less than two months in office he voted for an increased budget, an increased mill rate and a substantial increase in taxes.

He is the typical local RINO that has no concern for the promises he makes.

Your comments are strictly based on your dislike for Pfieffer.

You make this statements which, when properly analyzed, are true, but not accurate.

An increased millage rate? Are you sure of your facts? An increase in taxes? Based on what? An increase it property values? Oh darn,
your property is more valuable. We should try to do something about that!

Even if you do not want to hear it, the truth is this. The property values are appraised annually because the state did not want the county to wait every two or three years. The "stick shock" of occasional re-appraisals is far more painful than the impact of your property values going up marginally each year based on increased value. By the way, this new board passed a tax increase that included (for the first time in six years) no roll back of the millage rate to account for increased values. That is a REAL tax increase and you should scream bloody murder, but you won't.

If you want lower property taxes, move to Clayton County. Those property values are falling so fast that the taxes are actually going down. What a concept!

Your emails are a whole lot sizzle, with very little steak.

Yes, Pfeifer voted to INCREASE the mill rate AND take adavantage of the increase in assesed values. While many people are fooled by your argument that "the state makes us re-appraise the property and that's why your taxes went up", but I am not.

There are two things that lead to property tax increases: (1) increase in the value of the property and (2) the rate of taxation imposed by the Commission.

With values going up, the Commission COULD choose to lower the rate of taxation and thus the total tax bill would stay the same (or be lowered).

What Peter did was to watch the values go up and then also stick it to us with a tax rate increase. Thus, he gave us the double whammy. My statements are true, accurate and oops embarrassing to Peter and Greg.

However, Fayette Countians don't really give a damn about taxes going up either at the county or in the cities. Just based on jacking up our taxes--- he would not get voted out because everyone else does it. Frankly that is not the biggest issue--- public safety is. And the failure on public safety is what got Greg and will get Peter.

So quit carping about $150 room rates.

Let me carp about those hotel rates. I'm with Peter on this wasteful expenditure. I've also got more credibility than the one that thinks she's above the law, as I've historically protested Peter's tax increases in the past. Thanks for clarifying how that works Turtle Man.

**** GIT REAL TOUGH ON CRIME ****

"That man was Griffin Judicial Circuit District Attorney Scott Ballard".

CLICK HERE FOR THE REST OF THE STORY

First one in 6 years.

What distractions are you referring to exactly? Those pesky cell phones? Oh wait they work down there too.
Away from the e-mail? Oops, they have wireless at Callaway.

If there are distractions it is more likely going to a vacation destination like CALLAWAY and everything that goes on down there.
I do not think that anyone can give one good reason for having to leave the county with 9 people for a meeting that could be held right here in the county as it has for many years.

This board never ceases to suprise.

Mike, if you have no problem with them spending your tax money, out of county when it could be spent within the county write them a check.
That way the rest of us would not have to pay for this boondoogle.

How many out of town trips did the former commissioners take? Don't lie now.

I'm actually with you on this trip issue. Having a "Lock-In" in the commission chambers with a catered meal from the City Cafe would be acceptable to me. The trip to Callaway is indeed offensive.

Now truthfully.... how about the trips did you guys take????

**** GIT REAL TOUGH ON CRIME ****

"That man was Griffin Judicial Circuit District Attorney Scott Ballard".

CLICK HERE FOR THE REST OF THE STORY

And it seems that at least for the last two years only Herb Frady attended any out of town conferences (ACCG) at all. Herb had intended to go to a conference in Hawaii a few years back, but when no one else thought it was a good idea he backed off.

One of the advantages of having a board that has been around awhile is that they typically do not feel the necessity of attending this types of meetings. (except Frady) I would assume it is just like the annual convention of any civic or fraternal organization, one time is more than enough.

This does not count Dunn's participation in the ARC meetings which were held with considerable frequency and was attended by all of the chairmen from all of the counties. To not be represented here would be a major mistake. Whatever cost incurred for mileage etc. is more than offset by the value of participation.

We do agree GR. This is a bad idea and a waste of time and money.

The trip to Callaway IS a bad idea and a waste of money. Time is another issue. I do apprecitate the personal time elected officials make if this time is indeed spent on benefiting the citizens of the county and not themselves.

Let's not discuss the ARC. Completely different issue. Reminds me of the UN.

Perhaps it would take some digging but I am certain the former commissioners took out of town junkets themselves in the past. I'm sure others might shed more light on this. Chuckle.... perhaps it would not be such a good idea for Git Real to go to the County requesting travel expenses for former commissioners.

**** GIT REAL TOUGH ON CRIME ****

"That man was Griffin Judicial Circuit District Attorney Scott Ballard".

CLICK HERE FOR THE REST OF THE STORY

His letter stated it was a bad idea, you seem to agree.

Frankly, the direction this Council has taken on a few items makes me wonder what they are up to.

I sincerely hope they don't start varying from the Land Use plan. In my mind, this is the most important thing a County Commission has to do. EVERY decision they make about zoning has an effect on spending/staffing etc.

There.... are you happy.

Re-read Dawg. I never went after him on his comments. I commented about what the other ex-commissioner commented on. Again as I re-call (not claiming this as fact at this moment)the previous administrations also took their fair share of taxpayer funded junkets at the taxpayers expense.

Now let's see what other wasteful spending expenditures he [Peter] can cut to make up for all the wasted litigation fees he [Peter] enabled along with the previous regime. And that's all I'm going to say about that.

**** GIT REAL TOUGH ON CRIME ****

"That man was Griffin Judicial Circuit District Attorney Scott Ballard".

CLICK HERE FOR THE REST OF THE STORY

He was all in favor of PTC residents being double taxed for Fire/EMS services. That's one issue every PTC mayor has agreed upon getting fixed, and Pfeifer was opposed. Yes, I do know he lives in PTC too. If he's in favor double taxation for services, he can contribute his own money to the county since the rest of the commission finally saw the light and ended the gouging of PTC.

NUK

"Eric and Jack's decision to get away from the annoying press coverage and the even more annoying citizens who speak out with their opinions?"

I really really hope this was sarcasm. I appreciate Peter and really hope the others quickly take a cue to remember who they are working for and what they are working toward(that would be those annoying citizens).

That's funny, Bob...At the time a lot of people wanted you to be far, far away, too. Thank goodness Steve made it happen.

I have to agree though that Peter ain't hitting on all 8 cylinders here. He has been spending money like a drunken sailor on lawsuits and lawyer fees and now he's worried about a $150 a night hotel room. It's laughable.

:That's funny, Bob...At the time a lot of people wanted
:you to be far, far away, too. Thank goodness Steve made it happen.

What are you talking about? I assume it's not Bob Lenox and Steve Brown since we all saw what happened after Brown picked a fight with Lenox; he lost his job to someone whose main qualification was that his name wasn't "Steve Brown."

NUK