‘Anti-seniors’ charge is ‘grossly distorted interpretation’ of Smola’s position

Tue, 10/21/2008 - 3:25pm
By: Letters to the ...

Why does Steve Brown have a column in your newspaper?

I am sitting in front of the Janet Smola email, Mr. Brown referenced in his Oct. 8 column. He has maliciously distorted the content.

The email he misinterprets was written in response to a request by the president of the Kedron Hills Homeowners Association for clarification on millage rate increases and the SPLOST initiative. Janet Smola is responsive to information requests. The email communication [is dated] August of 2008. Per Janet’s OK, the president proceeded to distribute the email to neighbors and since that time the email has been passed around to other interested residents.

It’s an informative piece that clearly defines several different tax applications.

Obviously Steve Brown wants Janet Smola to lose her school board seat. He has already displayed outrageously aggressive behavior towards her.

Most recently, in his Oct. 8 column Mr. Brown wrote that Janet Smola has started an “anti-seniors campaign.” This is a grossly distorted interpretation of part of the email.

The information he took out of context had to do with Janet Smola explaining that senior citizens prefer supporting bonds because tax exempt seniors won’t need to contribute to a bond. SPLOST, on the other hand, asks senior citizens to join the rest of the community in paying a one cent sales tax.

I would think an elected official would need to be familiar with voting patterns – that’s all Janet pointed out. At this point in time, a bond cannot be used to solve the needs of the school system listed in SPLOST. Janet Smola also stated SPLOST is active for a five-year period – it does not go on indefinitely.

Mr. Brown further distorts the email content by suggesting SPLOST was a last-minute secret. However, if he had interpreted the email correctly, he would have understood the SPLOST initiative came about per Governor Purdue’s August announcement of additional cuts in state funding.

The senior citizens I adore in Peachtree City happen to be among the most intelligent, wise and politically active citizens I know. Their grace inspires me to be active in our church, and I enjoy sitting in classes with our senior citizens because of their shared viewpoints and perspectives on life’s challenges and joys.

I don’t know Mr. Brown’s senior citizens. In regard to SPLOST, the active senior citizens I know counsel that an educated society is a better society and they understand that in these extremely difficult financial times everybody needs to work together and do what they can to protect our schools.

Many of Peachtree City’s senior citizens have successful adult children who were educated by the Fayette County school system and would be the last to deny Peachtree City’s students the same programs their children received. There are also a great number of senior citizens in our community who care about the school system their grandchildren attend.

Drew Elizabeth Groome

Peachtree City, Ga.

login to post comments

Comment viewing options

Select your preferred way to display the comments and click "Save settings" to activate your changes.
Submitted by notjustcomplaining on Wed, 10/22/2008 - 8:05am.

To defend Janet Smola against "outrageously aggressive behavior" is rich. In neary EVERY venue I have ever seen Mrs. Smola speak, she has displayed the most aggressive, mean-spirited behavior you could imagine.

=> She shows a total lack of respect for her opponent, Nicole File
=> She shows a total lack of respect for her fellow
board members, Marion Key and Dr. Todd
=> She is condescending and rude in Board Meetings

Having been in corporate America for nearly 20 years, I have never witnessed uglier behavior, and that is saying a lot. It is one thing to disagree. It is another thing to hold contempt for those who don't share your views. Shame on you, Janet!

Submitted by tc on Tue, 10/21/2008 - 8:09pm.

In today’s article by Ben Nelms FCBOE member Janet Smola is quoted as saying: “The reason the SPLOST came up after the primary was because on Aug. 4 the governor delivered another 2.5 percent in cuts to quality education,” Smola said, noting that the cuts came after the school system adopted its budget. Since then the system is bracing for another $3 million in additional cuts, she said. (Note that school district administrator Sam Sweat first floated this "explanation" at the "state education funding meeting" a few weeks ago that was really a pro-SPLOST forum.)

In Drew Groome’s letter to the editor, he states: Mr. Brown further distorts the email content by suggesting SPLOST was a last-minute secret. However, if he had interpreted the email correctly, he would have understood the SPLOST initiative came about per Governor Purdue’s August announcement of additional cuts in state funding.

Here’s a suggestion: go to www.fcboe.org and click on the board agendas for the July 21 board work session and the second of two board meetings on Aug. 4. This shows without a doubt that the first school board SPLOST work session occurred a full two weeks prior to the Aug. 4 cuts referenced by Smola. The vote to put the SPLOST on the ballot occurred on Aug. 4 after three public meetings, the same day as the Governor’s budget cuts announcement. Mrs. Groome, please check any facts you get from these people. July always comes before August and facts are hard to disguise when the public is paying attention.

suggarfoot's picture
Submitted by suggarfoot on Tue, 10/21/2008 - 6:46pm.

didn't ....have...to send email's to a select few...she chose to do this....

it is my understanding, though the rest of us are not privileged to these 'little email trees'...

The glaring question about your
big kahuna...is

why special email trees for each area?

If you are so open...why not tell ...EVERYONE...OPENLY what you think?

I think you are being smoozed, or taken for a ride...the rest of us will never know...cause you got your own personalised warm and fuzzy...

different for each group? no? if not? why doesn't your buddy ...SMOlA...send one size fits all?


suggarfoot's picture
Submitted by suggarfoot on Tue, 10/21/2008 - 6:52pm.

years ago, before my Father died...I was shocked at the mail that was sent to him trying to take advantage of his senior mind.

one size should fit all...understand?


Comment viewing options

Select your preferred way to display the comments and click "Save settings" to activate your changes.