* FayCOG commits to defeat 1-cent sales tax initiative

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Fayette | News

FayCOG commits to defeat 1-cent sales tax initiative

Sun, 10/04/2009 - 11:10pm

By: Ben Nelms

Fayette Citizens for Open Government (FayCOG) is gearing up to attempt to defeat the 1-cent Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST) initiative up for vote in November. The group held a planning meeting on the issue last week.

Organization member Harold Bost suggested, and others agreed, that the most efficient way to get their message out would be through a mailer. Bost presented a check for $2,000 and a sample half-page mailer, saying that he wanted to do his part to demonstrate how strongly he feels about defeating the SPLOST initiative.

Bost said the mailer would cost approximately $10,000 in production and postage if it was sent to 25,000 households.

The mailer contained a significant amount of detail on the SPLOST project. After some discussion, the consensus of the group held that the message should be sharpened and that it should be mailed only to residents who vote regularly. The group agreed that mid-October should be a tentative target date for the mailer.

Also at the meeting, FayCOG member and former commission chairman Greg Dunn gave his impression of the need for the 1-cent sales tax.

“If SPLOST is a no-go you won’t notice any change in how we live now,” he said, adding that some of the proposed SPLOST projects will be needed at some point in the future.

The SPLOST is projected to collect up to $135 million in tax revenues over a six-year period if it is approved by voters in November

How Arrogant can Bost Get/ Vote YES

Submitted by Save Fayette on Mon, 10/05/2009 - 3:47pm.

If you live in one of these cities, this should make you Mad.
This guy does not speak for Fayette County.
Just because He does not want a City Hall in Woolsey does not mean the Citizens in Woolsey want that. Roundabouts move cars with minimal accidents, people run Stop signs. Stop BOST!!!

By Mary Moore

The Fayette County Citizens for Open Government led by former county commissioner Harold Bost met Tuesday night at Whitewater Country Club to voice concerns about the SPLOST.

FayCOG is planning a nonpartisan campaign to defeat the SPLOST renewal that will appear on the Nov. 3 Fayette County ballot.

“This is a laundry list SPLOST. It’s just a supplemental annual budget,” stated Bost, who cited several SPLOST projects he deemed extraneous.

“I don’t want to build Woolsey a City Hall. I don’t want to pay for library building debt retirement for Brooks. I don’t want to pay for retirement of general obligation debt for Peachtree City, and so on,” Bost listed off at Tuesday’s meeting.

“And why does the county need to pay $800,000 to build expensive roundabouts when they could just as easily pay $2,000 for stop signs?”

“Fayetteville and Tyrone want 3.5 million to replace their fire stations. Those fire stations are supposed to be paid for by fire taxes. Why do they need more money?” former County Commission Chairman Greg Dunn added rhetorically.

“If it were for a good reason we were trying to raise all this money - then okay. You do not get something from nothing” said Bost.

“But why pay something for a bunch of stuff like this? For example, this one cent extra sales tax will cost you $400 on a new $40,000 car.”

Bost passionately advocated raising County awareness about the SPLOST and has formulated a plan to reach local voters.

“A low voter turnout will ensure that the SPLOST will pass,” he explained.

“I want to reach everyone who is eligible to vote in this election.”

“No one knows anything about it this year. This should be called the stealth SPLOST,” added Dunn.

Bost plans to mail flyers to 25,000 homes encouraging county residents to vote “no” to the SPLOST in the Nov. 3 election.

He estimated a total cost of $10,000 to print and ship the flyers.

Bost wrote a check for $2,000 Tuesday night “to show how passionate he is on this issue” and is planning fundraising initiatives to pay the remaining $8,000. The target mailing date is Oct. 15, two weeks before the election.

“People should know that if we vote down the SPLOST - then nothing will happen,” explained Dunn.

“Residents won’t see a decrease in the quality of life - the County just won’t do these projects. Some of these projects might be needed 10 years from now - but not right now.”

County resident Michael Myer offered to consult with a marketing company on the flyer and other meeting attendees made plans to discuss fundraising strategies with local retailers.

not one dime!

Submitted by aliquando on Mon, 10/05/2009 - 9:43pm.

I will not vote them one more dime of my money after the last two splosts. The county built a road no one wants. The schools have new technology and pissed off teachers because they had to cut their pay. Brilliant leaders we have here?

Not this dime either

Submitted by doright on Tue, 10/06/2009 - 4:33am.

Aliquando,

I agree with you about the SPLOST. Corinth Road got paved with SPLOST money and it did not need (not a single thing wrong with the road) it took almost a month and then they had to completely redo the road because they did it wrong. A total waste of money.

There is no responsible oversight of SPLOST money ever. I work hard for my money and am debt free and let the county listen to Dave Ramsey and find the liberation of debt free governing.

How arrogant Bost? not at all! ...How arrogant you..? A lot!

Submitted by suggarfoot on Mon, 10/05/2009 - 4:14pm.

I remember you...you are for sewer everywhere, so we can, as you put it," send it back to a stream somewhere." Well that is what has happened with the last flood, big time.

From your past post, it sounds like you would like to play 'kissy face' with Horgan. In my eyes, getting that clown out would have sent a message to the rest. We are tired of being stepped on. It is even more insulting that it was by a buffoon who's tag was expired for a month and an officer could smell the pot before he even got to the car!

And I for one am glad that Boss and Dunn have stood up for what is right!

I don't doubt that you own property somewhere along the by pass to no where they want our money to build.

In case you haven't noticed, we that pay the taxes...DON'T HAVE ANYMORE MONEY!

If you need money for your bussiness venture, I suggest a bank. That is where the rest of us have to go. I hope that we scare the crap out of the commissioners!

We ain't taken it anymore!
Go back n play with your 'sweet thing' some more!

No extra money

Submitted by heatjam on Mon, 10/05/2009 - 5:00pm.

This SPLOST doesn't add any more money to what you are already paying. It is just a continuation of the penny sales tax that they already collect. It is just going to be used for different projects - some that actually help the smaller towns in the county and not just Peachtree City and Fayetteville. If SPLOST passes, the tax rate will remail at 7%.

heatjam

Submitted by suggarfoot on Mon, 10/05/2009 - 5:16pm.

Have you noticed...some of us don't have any money? I would ...love...that 1cent back. I'll take all the money back I can get. I haven't seen anyone giving any out.

My taxes are 3400 this year. Did I get 300.00 a months worth of good out of living here? Hell no! Coweta's taxes are not as high as ours and their schools are as good. With the extra money the schools got from Smola's splost...did it help the teachers? no, Kids? no parents? nope

Will the by pass help us? nope...could the county show some compasion and give us back some money? nope!

I would like to see everyone just not pay their property taxes all at once, and see if someone didn't start showing a little more accountability.

suggarfoot

Submitted by heatjam on Mon, 10/05/2009 - 5:42pm.

It's sad when people just focus on the bypass and don't look at other parts of the SPLOST that will help the whole entire county, such as paying off the debt for the courthouse. If this happens your property tax will go down. That will help everyone (at least all homeowners).

You mention that Coweta Cty schools are just as good...I'm not sure but did all of them meet AYP? Did all of Fayette County's?

Personally I have never voted for any SPLOST, but I am seriously thinking of voting in favor of this one. The reason being is that it won't take any more money out of my pocket that isn't already being taken, plus it will help even the smaller towns in the county with their projects and not just the big towns such as PTC and Fayetteville. It's about time!

Bypass, bad; courthouse, good. Happens every time

Submitted by mudcat on Tue, 10/06/2009 - 5:04am.

They put enough worthwhile projects in the SPLOST to get exactly this reaction from heatjam which causes enough people to vote for it even though it contains a bypass that we don't want and don't need. Then the commissioners point to the SPLOST tax passing and it gives them cover for what is obviously a developer road - at a time we don't need that.

I will be voting for it this time, but I think it will not get enough yes votes to pass - mostly because of the bypass getting so much flak. What should happen then - if the commissioners are smart - is to bring it back as soon as possible with everything in it except the bypass. Then they will learn what the citizens and taxpayers actually want. It is our county, you know - not just the 4 1/2 of them that sit up there and vote on things.

Get a clue

Submitted by Save Fayette on Mon, 10/05/2009 - 4:45pm.

Dunn was the Chairmen during the last SPLOST, he was the one who put on the West By Pass and East By Pass. I am just like you buddy, I don't have money for taxes, that is why a one cent sales tax is better than when who ever is a commissioner is and they say they need money for improvment and raise your property taxes. The only reason your tax when up this year is the State of GA did away with HTRG and our great school board has taken it to the max at 20%. I am sure you will be the first to complain about how bad roads are, you are tired of waiting in trafic. You will be the guy to complain when your house burns down because it took to long for the fire truck to get there. And yes I am for sewer but not back into the stream, the stuff you put in your septic tank is going back into the water systerm. You need to get your facts right. Both Dunn and Bost are washed up, wanta be commissioners again, one quit and the other was voted out two times.

Fear from Save Fayette

Submitted by doright on Tue, 10/06/2009 - 4:43am.

That is more then a bit extreme Save Fayette. Fear tactics is a Federal Government ploy and should not be used to get people to support irresponsible spending and voting for SPLOST.

It's time we learned to live within our means.

Before my taxes are raised again

Submitted by suggarfoot on Mon, 10/05/2009 - 4:49pm.

someone will show me good reason, if they don't, and I find dishonesty is the mix, THEY WILL GO TO JAIL! I'm sick of being stolen from for everyone's friends projects!

raised taxes?

Submitted by heatjam on Mon, 10/05/2009 - 5:15pm.

Do you think that your taxes will be raised with this SPLOST?

I'm not giving anyone any more money to

Submitted by suggarfoot on Mon, 10/05/2009 - 5:20pm.

tee tee away. I have seen no leadership or direction out of the BOE or the county commissioners that suggest they are capable of doing anything for the taxpayers. I think this county and the residents have been sold down the river.

With One exception

Submitted by doright on Tue, 10/06/2009 - 4:46am.

I will stand up for Commissioner Maxwell. He has never sold county residents down the river and in fact took the ONLY STAND against Horgan to resign. He is one commissioner that is looking out for the residence of Fayette County and listening to them.

Now the chairman.. He needs to run fast down to Wal-Mart and buy himself a backbone.

I wished you had that same attitude

Submitted by S. Lindsey on Mon, 10/05/2009 - 5:04pm.

for the Federal Government!!

"A Government big enough to give you everything you want, is strong enough to take everything you have." Thomas Jefferson

I do!

Submitted by suggarfoot on Mon, 10/05/2009 - 5:08pm.

I'm just hoping to God that someone will do something for us. Obama got elected and I'm hoping that he will stop some of this. I'm hoping that he just under estimated how crooked these people are and will regroup and try again. It isn't that I like or dislike him, I'm just hoping he will do something. The last group sure didn't and most everyone they ran for election this past time was a clown!

If you think...

Submitted by S. Lindsey on Mon, 10/05/2009 - 9:37pm.

this group of thugs are going to give us Tax Relief.. I want what you are smoking..

Your taxes are about to go sky high.. The Bush tax cuts are about to expire.. Not only will you see your taxes increased to what they where you will also see new "FEES" as Obama calls them..

Bend over and just say "Thank you may I have another.."

"A Government big enough to give you everything you want, is strong enough to take everything you have." Thomas Jefferson

Michelle Obama's new "FEE" for us to pay..

Submitted by PTCGOIL on Mon, 10/05/2009 - 10:22pm.

The First Lady has no constitutional responsibilities.
Laura Bush had 17 staff for a cost of 1.25 million to us.
Michelle Obama has 22 staff for a cost of 1.75 million.
Her chief of staff is the highest paid in history.
Now, that's all part of the "CHANGE" we needed, right?

SPLOST Voting Poll

Submitted by grassroots on Mon, 10/05/2009 - 3:16pm.

Take a SPLOST voting poll now by going to http://splostpoll.blogspot.com/
It's the only tax that you have control over.

That is a great link!

Submitted by suggarfoot on Mon, 10/05/2009 - 4:55pm.

Looks like 70% are saying they would vote against it. WE DO NOT NEED THAT NEW BYPASS TO NO WHERE. If you morons we have in office can not see we are in a depression, and don't nix that bypass, you will find some more of you up in front of an ethics committe, or if anyone can find any land deals....???? that aren't covered well enough by LLCs, then I hope you will enjoy BuBu and the color orange.

People have had enough!

SPLOST

Submitted by Gene61 on Mon, 10/05/2009 - 12:33pm.

The SPLOST is projected to collect up to $135 million in tax revenues over a six-year period if it is approved by voters in November..

As long this has a sunset cluse in it, it seems like this 1% will do useful projects in our county. I would suppport the SPLOST, with a clause. I remember the tax we agreed to in Fayettevilley to help build the new library, it was worth while and benefited us all. One way or another the roads, and other projects will need to be funded. Pay now or pay later when the cost will go up for said projects.

Personally given the cost os tags, I think we're getting hosed by the state when it comes to our share of DOT funds.

Vote Yes on SPLOST

Submitted by normal on Mon, 10/05/2009 - 10:57am.

Easy as that

not just no, but

Submitted by aliquando on Mon, 10/05/2009 - 9:44pm.

heck NO!!!!!!

Boss Hog & Dum Dunn At it again.

Submitted by Save Fayette on Mon, 10/05/2009 - 9:23am.

When will these two washed out hazbens get out of our lives? Boost and Dunn have more money than the average citizen. If Boost has $2000 dollars just to stop it that should tell you something. Who has $2000 dollars to waste these days? I read where Boost said that if you buy a $40,000 dollar car it was going to cost you $400 from the 1cent sales tax. Who is out buying $40,000 dollar cars, people like Dunn and Boost. Oh Ya he needs that $40,000 dollar car to drive to Falcon Field to his $140,000 dollar airplane he has. Do you people know who this Guy really is? Hell, is airplane is parked in Fayette County and he has it registered out of the state so he does not have to pay Fayette County tax on it. Dunn was a county commissioner during the last SPLOST. All of the projects that the current commission is doing is what he put on the slate. If the county does not have a way to pay for road projects, paying off debt, improving our infrastructure, guess what. We the citizens will pay for it with a tax increase. I have read the project list and I think it is very good. Don’t forget that the cities in the county have a part in this. PTC and Tyrone have a lot of improvements they need. A SPLOST is a great way for paying for it.
We are currently paying the 1cent now. Just keep it going. That is not breaking my back.
However if we get any more tax increases on my tax bill every year, that is going to make me mad. I would love to have some kind of collage here in the County, which to me is forward thinking on the Commissioners part. Why not pay down debt while we can, what if the economy continues to go south, which will help us citizens. What Boost and Dunn fail to tell you is that the payment of the Court House Center is well over 10% out of the Current General fund. Our Tax Money.. VOTE YES for the SPLOST

Good advice savefayette - I will vote yes on the SPLOST

Submitted by mudcat on Mon, 10/05/2009 - 6:32pm.

I was tired of Bost when I first met him and Dunn and Janet are getting old as well.

If they are against it, then I am for it. I would have voted the other way, but they turned me around, those clowns.

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FayCOG commits to defeat 1-cent sales tax initiative

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