Rome City School board considers 3rd SPLOST
By Andrea Freygang / RN-T
Wednesday November 14, 2007 1:42:28pm


A third special purpose, local option sales tax may be in the works. The Rome City School Board approved having the superintendent, Gayland Cooper, set up a joint meeting with the Floyd County School Board to discuss the possibility of a SPLOST III to pick up when the current SPLOST ends in March 2009.

“I recently invited an architect to come up here to look at the facilities plan,” said Cooper, highlighting specific needs for additional athletic facilities and 10 classrooms at both Rome Middle and High School. “The ideal time for a vote is September 2008, so we need to have a joint meeting to talk so it’s a timely process.”

The meeting is anticipated to be at Rome-Floyd County Library sometime in late November or early December. Floyd officials have previously expressed an interest in a SPLOST as well.

“Both the board and I support moving forward with another SPLOST,” said Kelly Henson, superintendent with Floyd County Schools, after a recent board retreat.

Both anticipate a heavy focus on classroom space and technology. The current SPLOST was for a total of $75 million, with $48.8 million to Floyd County Schools and $26.3 million for Rome City Schools.

Also during Tuesday night’s meeting, the system presented United Way with a check for $34,871.31, which will go toward the organization’s campaign goal of $1,234,567. “Each year Rome City Schools does a fabulous job,” said Rich Lampkin, executive director for United Way. “It helps teachers start teaching students how to give back. They have been with us most of our 50 years here.”


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GLADIATOR
Comments: 3
Joined: 02/23/2008
02/29/2008 10:32:33 PM
been away for a while, so i'm just getting caught up on thing's, i read with great interst the editoral's
in 2/28/08 and 2/29/08.in the paper stating the ROME NEWS-TRIBUNE'S STANCE on just how wrong
it is not to SCHOOL TAXES FOR T.A.D.'S. AND HOW MUCH TAXES MIGHT BE CREATED IN THE FUTURE.
so really the way i understand this it's o.k. to take money from children's edication right now,but with
the promice that in the future, children will be better off,because of the MONEY THE RICH JUST MIGHT
PAY IN TAXES. I THOUGHT THE G.A. SURPREME COURT HAS ALREADY SAID NO LOCAL GOVERMENT'S
CANNOT DO THIS? WHY MUST THE TAX PAYERS OF THE STATE OF G.A. PAY FOR THE IDEA'S OF
DEVELOPER'S, IF THEY DON'T HAVE THE MONEY TO DO IT, WITH OUT TAX MONEY, THEN IT SHOULD
NOT BE DONE.
 
GLADIATOR
Comments: 3
Joined: 02/23/2008
02/23/2008 10:49:31 PM
as a new member i just want to say that yes DOGWOOD i did notice that little article about where only
school taxes can be used for school purposes only,not T.A.D.'S, and i agree with you,if the ledbetter
family, and david doss or any one else want's to use public money for their own use, then the very
least they could do is after the project is completed, it should become public domain property, and
the tax-payers should bo the only one's to profit from the project.not mr.doss or the ledbetter family,
or any one else, including the city commissinor's.from doing business behind closed door's.
the city attorney must really be great at his job to even think that he know's more about the ruling
that the g.a. surpreme court judges handed down,about the use of school taxes,again DOGWOOD
you are right. and you know what i just hope the city's attorney get's the chace to prove that he is
right in front of these very same judges, that their ruling only affects atlanta, thought the state of g.a.
included rome but i guess not?
 
DOGWOOD
Comments: 13
Joined: 11/23/2007
02/15/2008 05:01:21 AM
ONE OTHER THOUGHT WHILE I'M HERE I THOUGHT A TEACHERS JOB WAS TO TEACH,IF A CHILD OR YOUNG PERSON DO'ES NOT WANT TO LEARN NO AMOUNT OF MONEY IS GOING TO CHANGE THAT.
TAKE ALL OF THE PROPOSED T.A.D.'S AND PAY THE TEACHERS WHO REALLY DO GIVE A HOOT ABOUT THEIR JOB,AND PROVIDE THEM WITH THE NESSARY SUPPLY'S TO DO THE JOB.

 
DOGWOOD
Comments: 13
Joined: 11/23/2007
02/15/2008 04:54:33 AM
ANYBODY NOTICE IN TUESDAY'S PAPER THAT THE HIGHEST COURT IN THE STATE RULED THAT ALL
SCHOOL TAXES MUST BE USED FOR SCHOOL PURPOSES ONLY, NOT T.A.D.'S EVEN IF THIS STUPID TAX PASSES NOW, I WON'T FEEL SO BAD ABOUT IT. BUT THE LOCAL CITY LEGAL ADVISOR MUST
BE SMARTER THAN THE JUDGES ON THE BENCH CAUSE HE SAID IT MIGHT NOT REALLY AFFECT THE
CITY OF ROME, ONLY ATLANTA? I GUESS THIS REALLY THROWES A MONKEY WRENCH INTO THE PLANS,OF THE LEDBETTER FAMILY, AND THE TRAIDOR MR. DOSS. IF THEIR PROJECT'S ARE SO
IMPORTANT TO THE CITY WHY DON'T THEY JUST USE THEIR OWN MONEY, AND NOT THE TAX
MONEY INTENDED TO AT LEAST GIVE OUR CHILDREN A DECENT EDUCATION, INSTED OF JUST MAKING A FEW RICH OFF OF THE MONEY INTENDED FOR OUR CHILDREN MAYBE IT'S NO SO EAZY TO TAKE CANDY FROM A BABY AFTER ALL.

 
DOGWOOD
Comments: 13
Joined: 11/23/2007
02/11/2008 10:19:20 AM
ALL I REALLY WANT TO SAY IS WITH THE PROPOSED S.P.L.O.T. I'M WONDERING IF THIS HAS JUST
NOT BECAME ANOTHER PERMANENT TAX FOR THE CITY AND COUNTY GOVERMENT'S TO SLAP ON US,
EVERY YEAR?ANY THING AND EVERY THING THAT NEED'S TO BE DONE IT SEEM'S LIKE THE ONLY WAY
TO PAY FOR IT IS WITH A NEW S.P.L.O.T. TAX, ONE OF MY QUESTION'S MIGHT JUST SEEM STUPID BUT
ARE BOTH THE CITY AND COUNTY GOVERMENTS BROKE? AND JUST WHY ARE TEACHERS BUYING THINGS OUT OF THEIR POCKET? IF I REMEMBER RIGHT THE MAJOR REASON THE LOTTERY PASSED
WAS BECAUSE MOST OF THE PROFITS WERE TO GO TO THE EDUCATION OF OUR CHILDREN WHERE
HAS THAT MONEY GONE, ALONG WITH THE EVER INCREASING PROPERTY TAX'S, PERSONALLY I JUST
DO NOT UNDERSTAND WHY BOTH SCHOOL SYSTEM'S HAVE TO HAVE A S.P.L.O.T. EVERY YEAR? IF
THE SCHOOL SYSTEM CAN NOT AFFORD ENOUGH SUPPLY'S THAT THEIR EMPLOYEES HAVE TO PAY
FOR THEM SOME THING IS VERY WRONG WITH IN BOTH OF OUR SCHOOL SYSTEMS!FROM BOTH SCHOOL BOARD'S, SUPERERINTEDENT'S,PRINCIBLES, TEACHERS, AND OF COURSE THE PARENTS
WHO LET THIS SITUITATION GET VERY BADLY OUT OF HAND. BY ELECTING THE SCHOOL BOARD
MEMBER'S, AND NOT HOLDING THEM RESPONCIBLE FOR THEIR ACTION'S. I THINK IT'S WAY PAST
TIME FOR THE VOTER'S, AND THE PARENT'S OF BOTH THE CITY AND COUNTY SCHOOL SYSTEM'S
STAND UP AND DEMAND A FULL ACCOUNTING OF THE ACTION'S OF BOTH BOARD'S.
 
lincoln
Comments: 44
Joined: 02/05/2008
02/05/2008 09:05:33 PM
I've been following this.
It's rediculous that our government has a hand out for money every time they have a need.
What are property taxes? Where do our property tax dollars go to?
More land and buildings needed at Rome High? WHy wasn't this considered in with the original construction?
SPLOSTS are not an open invitation for more taxes. SPLOSTS are as needed, when it is a necessity.
Since when did our government cease to exist for lower taxes? Can the school board account for where tax dollars are going?
 
hoosiermama
Comments: 401
Joined: 11/14/2007
02/05/2008 07:49:59 PM
bump for Lincoln's review
 
DOGWOOD
Comments: 13
Joined: 11/23/2007
01/06/2008 09:49:38 PM
I HAVE BEEN GONE FOR THE HOLIDAYS,BUT WITH ALL OF THE COMMENTS I'VE BEEN ABLE TO READ
I JUST WANT TO SAY, FORGET ALL OF THIS FUND RASING CRAP,I AM OLD ENOUGH TO REMEMBER
JUST HOW BAD I HATED THIS FREE LABOR FOR SOME SPECIAL GROUP,I THOUGHT THE JOB OF A TEACHER WAS TO TEACH THE CHILDREN. NOT SOCIAL WORKER,OR POLICE OFFICER,OR ANY OF
THE OTHER DUTIES AS GIVEN BY THE ASIDINE SCHOOL BOARD. IT'S TIME FOR ALL OF THE PARENTS
TAX-PAYERS,AND YOU KNOW WHAT EVEN THE CHILDREN TO JUST SAY NO.WE SEND OUR CHILDREN
TO SCHOOL TO GET AN EDUCATION. FROM MY VIEW POINT THE TIME THE CHILDREN ARE OUT OF
THE CLASS ROOM DOING THIS SORT OF CRAP,ARE WE REALLY NOT JUST DENING THEM THE BEST
EDUCATION OUR MONEY IS SUSPOSE TO BE PROVIDING THEM WITH? IF THE SCHOOL BOARDS
EVER WANT ME TO VOTE AN EXTRA TAX ON MY SELF ALL THEY HAVE TO DO IS PUT IN WRITING
THAT ALL OF THE MONEY WILL GO TO GETTING AND KEEPING THE BEST TEACHERS,IN OUR SYSTEMS
AND FORGET ALL ABOUT ALL OF THIS EXTA DUTIES, FUND RASING,SOCIAL WORK, THAT OTHER
AGENCY'S SHOULD BE DOING.
 
msla
Comments: 569
Joined: 12/29/2005
12/19/2007 08:41:40 AM
You could take the dumbest child in the world, place them in our system, and he/she would become a pro at sales by the second grade. I'm sick of it.

For my children and grandchildren, we simply do not fundraise. I will send in a check for $5. That's it. Now I do let them fundraise for a church thing or a Scout thing. But not the school. If I did, we'd be out selling almost every month. I will not do that to them or to the people we know.

Brian, I'd love to hear from your wife. I've never, ever heard your sort of opinions from any teachers. I have family in education and I've substituted in different grade levels in different systems. Your stand doesn't hold water against what I know about the teaching field. They don't 'just teach.' They are social workers, referees, janitors, babysitters, as well as trying to teach their subjects, manners, courtesy, hygiene, and etc. Now they have to teach safety and rescue emergency response because of the crazy people out there who enter places and start shooting! I haven't come close to listing all the things a teacher has to do these days. Their responsibilities are too much for their pay scale - it has nothing to do with their time off. It has everything to do with the value of our students and how these people can meet their needs. In general, people won't take care of these students at home. Or, they are not at home so they can't take care of their offspring. Who do you think fills that hole? The teachers who spend the most time with these students. Now add on the required responsibilities and things begin to run amok. If a teacher has to spend X amount of time trying to get little Johnny or Susie to behave, how much less time is spent teaching all the others what they have to know? Believe me, X amount of time just escalates as the students get older.

Why do you think there is a shortage of teachers? Especially since one of your points has to do with the vacation time a teacher can get? Because the point is not valid anymore. That's a very old way to think and you may as well throw that out. The daily intensity of the job is not something a person can do anymore with the idea that they can wait around until summer comes in order to get away from it for an extended period of time. And teachers are recognized everywhere they go. If they are well-liked, they really have to put up with 'personal invasions.' There are no breaks for those people. Now let's put their salaries into this mix. ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Well, no wonder the profession is losing new ground! How would you like to be legally, morally, professionally, ethically, and etc., responsible for many children year after year? Most of us wouldn't want that position.

So, no. I'm not with you on the idea of making a teacher do one darn thing else. Not until these students are policed by someone else; behave better and stay awake; take baths, brush teeth, put on fresh clothes - that can be an entire social case all in itself to get fresh clothes; are fed and not hungry all day; and on and on. I'll also say no until the teachers are not spending their own money unless they want to buy something on their own. I think we've taken them for granted way too long and I'm sick of that too. A teacher shouldn't have to furnish things in order to have basic abilities available. The entire thing makes me furious. As for school systems living within their budgets, I refer to my posted statements about the costs of living and getting what we settle for. (By the way, most white collar theft does not occur in school systems. That's why I'm against auditing them all the time. It's too expensive for too little return. Usually, their in-house comp trolling details their spending to the letter.)

Brian, I love your enthusiasm. But, I can't go fishing with you down this river. It's already filled with the mud from our society's negligence.

 
maggie
Comments: 1420
Joined: 01/08/2006
12/19/2007 08:15:38 AM
I always resented the stuff my kids (and now my grandchildren) had to sell and the pressure put on them by these companies. In order to quailfy for the party or whatever they promise they have to sell so much, etc. Well, I had four kids in school and that got to be quite expensive, as well as the fact that if you sold to co-workers, then you felt obligated to buy from their children. I would have rather just written a check and sometimes I did. I have to agree that most of the stuff sold is overpriced and often not worth even half of what you pay for it. My kids did play sports, but FB, I agree, I think academics and athletics should all be equal.

I also understand that costs, etc. go up for the school system as well as for everyone, but I see what Brian and others are saying. I think there should be an accounting (in plain English) of what the school boards take in and what their actual expenses are. I know from working in the Catoosa County School system years ago, that the money for payroll was sent to the county by the 20th of the month, but payday was not until the last school day of the month, so they were gathering interest off this money while it sat in their bank acct. for anywhere from seven to ten days. That is extra money that most people don't know school systems have access to. Also, don't know about other counties, but in Catoosa, over the last fifteen years, we have experienced phenomenal growth and have a lot of homes which equate more property tax and a huge portion of these homes are in the 250,000 and above range, so they bring in quite a bit of school tax, which is the majority of our property taxes. Now, I understand with more houses comes more kids, etc., but they are using splost money to finally build new schools, (they were needed when my kids were in school!!!) I also, don't think teachers should have to pay out of pocket for schools supplies, but neither do I think parents should be hit everytime they turn around. Parents in my county are hit the first day of school with a 35.00 "contribution", which if they don't pay are sent reminders until they do. I also, don't think teachers are paid enough, but they are paid much better then they used to be and they have a good retirement system in our state. I don't think there are any easy answers to these questions, but I do think every county in this state should publish a complete accounting of their financial status, including all funds on hand, what they receive from the state, from local counties, splost money, etc.
 
failedbelle
Comments: 393
Joined: 01/11/2006
12/18/2007 09:19:14 PM
Great subject. I used to have more of an opinion on this when my kids were in school. I don't know enough about what is going on there now to say what I think should be cut and what should not. I remember though, how irritated I was when the kids were sent home on the first day of school with something that I had to take to work and sell or send them in the neighborhood. The last straw was when I took some of the items to my coworkers that they had purchased and I was ashamed to ask for the money because the items were of such poor quality. They said it was okay because it was for a good cause and I bought things that their kids sold but like some of you, I would rather have just written them a check from time to time.

When my kids were in school I had a real problem with the sports programs. Sure it's important just like art and music which is being cut. But you would think that it is all important at the school my kids attended. The phone announcements hyped the athletes and the academic achievements were forgotten. The school newspaper was the same way. My kids were not into sports, they were just very smart, and it was not valued or even encouraged in some cases. My son in his senior year could have taken a PE class every period if he wanted but he couldn't get the higher level classes that he would have like to have taken. Now don't any of you tell me that sports is privately funded because you know it's not true. If it were, we wouldn't have the big expense of the football field or the gym and the huge expense for their upkeep.

I've got an idea. Whey not let the kids move ahead at their own speed. Many of them could graduate high school with today's standards in the 5th grade. that would save a lot of money.

 
bloggeye
Comments: 290
Joined: 08/18/2006
12/18/2007 07:59:41 PM
At our school the children made their own books with the help of the author/artist. I don't think it was a necessary unit in which the whole school participated, but it was an enrichment program for which the PTO used its funds they made from selling cookie dough, etc.. Personally, I had rather donate the money I would have spent on cookie dough directly to the school. We have had creative and performing artists where the students created masks and participated in a performance. They don't seem to do these every year, but every other year. Brian, I just don't think teachers, aides, etc. should have to go door to door to pay for necessities for their classroom. They already use so much of their money.

Brian, you just got under my collar and I usually have thick skin. Sorry if I seemed to go over the deep end. Merry Christmas. Hope your daughter like the computer from Santa.

 
bloggeye
Comments: 290
Joined: 08/18/2006
12/17/2007 08:28:42 PM
Brian, I have to disagree. As a teacher in a Georgia school district. I have had to buy copy paper and stock the room well above the stipend and the tax break. My lunch was spent with my class and I stayed late after school and attended many school functions and fundraisers. Many teachers coach and are in charge of extracurricular activities. Your right teachers don't go into teaching to become a millionaire; however, many would like to pay their bills and spend a little time with their family. So much is expected from teachers; they are educators, social workers, psychologist. Good teachers spend much of their time planning and continuing their education. In addition, most of the parents contributed and participated a lot in my classroom as well. I do believe it is a right for all children in our country to receive an education even those children being raised by grandparents on fixed incomes. I don't think anyone should have to go around soliciting donations for public education. I also don't believe administrators should be forced into selling candy and ice cream to make extra money for the school. Teachers are underpaid and underappreciated as it is. No wonder our schools don't have enough money when some equate kids washing cars to raise money for cheerleading camp with educating our children. So I have a masters and am required to wash cars for my salary. Here's a similar, but preposterous idea: let's also have our soldiers stand in the road with buckets selling flowers to raise money for artillery. Maybe you would like injured veterans wash your car to pay for their medical bills. I also don't like fundraisers and the kids aren't required to participate nor are you required to buy. The school my son now attends has fundraisers by the PTO but it is to bring in special guests to bring the children unique learning experiences with different authors and/or artists.
 
hoosiermama
Comments: 401
Joined: 11/14/2007
12/17/2007 07:24:50 PM
brian,
Thank you for taking the time to explain your position. Even though it would only be approx. 8 hours per school year per teacher, I can't with a clear conscience send any teachers out in the community to scavenge for donations. It just wouldn't feel right, just as it doesn't feel right to me to have to continually fundraise. I would not be comfortable seeing a team of educators out on a street corner holding "Car Wash" signs....let alone donating money to them to actually wash my car. There just has to be a better way.
 
hoosiermama
Comments: 401
Joined: 11/14/2007
12/17/2007 04:48:01 PM
brian,
I'm not sure that I understand what it is that you want teachers to do for that 2 hours every couple of months. Am I understanding you correctly that you would want them to do fundraising for necessities such as copy machines? I realize that your wife is a teacher. Do you really want her to spend her weekends doing fundraising? And when does the fundraising end exactly? Back in the day (quite a while back actually) I do not remember bringing any sort of fundraising pamphlets home from school for my parents. Now it is progressively gotten to be more and more and more. I remember doing very little fundraising for school when my 25 year-old attended public schools. With my 10 and 11 year olds, though, it is a totally different story. I guess what I would like to know is why we cannot stay within the allocated educational funding for schools. Can we trim more fat ? Like my previous examples concerning transportation costs, and heating/cooling costs, are there areas where we are wasting money? Let's cut the waste and if we still need more money to support the schools, then I will be the first one to support a tax increase.

 
romegasir
Comments: 1608
Joined: 03/14/2007
12/17/2007 03:29:10 PM
settle down, lol.
I have no doubt that having babies, paying taxes and marrying a teacher makes you more qualified than I.
I would have no problem with any amount of required contributed time, even if it was 8 hours every saturday and sunday, so long as they tell the teachers up front that it will be required.
 
romegasir
Comments: 1608
Joined: 03/14/2007
12/17/2007 02:42:36 PM
I'd have no problem with it, so long as they included in the teacher's job description when they applied "You will also be expected to go to parents and beg them for the amount of money necessary to educate THEIR children......should they refuse to give the money necessary to educate THEIR children, it will be reflected in YOUR evaluation."

Pretending that I have, had or will have children in school, I would have some gall to ask my child(ren)'s teacher to spend their off time trying to raise enough money to educate my children, while at the same time sitting at home griping about the amount of money they take from me forcefully (through taxes) to educate my children.
 
romegasir
Comments: 1608
Joined: 03/14/2007
12/17/2007 10:45:49 AM
brian, with the number of parents out there who want to make sure that their child gets one better than what every other child gets, I think Sally Foster is ingenious. Probably ingenious for the limo company too, because you know there are parents out there buying their children the limo ride to make sure their little psyches aren't hurt when they don't win.

As far as demanding that teachers do fundraisers for copier machines.......surely you're not serious? I can see making the BOE administrators doing it, but forcing those teachers who already have to put up with idiotic parents, the idiotic parents' bratty kids, and spend their own money or beg for money from the parents just so they will have the proper supplies for their class, to now wash cars for a copier machine, is a bit much. In fact, should that ever be required, I'd suggest that the teachers refuse and let the parents and BOE figure out how to give assignments and tests without a copier machine.

What's next? the cashier at mcdonalds has to provide their own cash register? Teachers need a copier machine so that the students can do written assignments and now we're going to tell them "Well, if you want to teach my child properly, I suggest you take your days off and raise money for my children".........
 
hoosiermama
Comments: 401
Joined: 11/14/2007
12/17/2007 09:29:45 AM
brian,
I empathize with you completely in regards to school fundraisers. I have 2 children in the Catoosa County school system. So far this year, the elementary school has had approx. 6 fundraisers...yes 6! Add to this 2 fundraisers for my child in the middle school. Last year it just about ran my husband and I into the poorhouse. We DON'T usually purchase $10 rolls of gift wrap as the Sally Foster campaign has....WE usually purchase our gift wrap AFTER Christmas when it is marked 75% off. That is what our budget allows. While I would NEVER begrudge the school the supplies they need to provide a good education for my children, I would like to offer some advice: tighten your budget where you can BEFORE you send my children home with any more fundraiser materials.

I have to send my children to school during the warm weather months with jackets because the air-conditioning is set so low that they shiver! I am not joking! And it isn't only my children that are cold, many of my neighbors have the same complaint.

In addition, my neighborhood is serviced by 3 schools: elementary, middle and high schools, yet on any given day there are at least 4 and sometimes 5 school busses picking up children. Why is this?

I am more than just slightly irritated at the number of fundraisers and a lot of other parents are as well. As of now, I am simply choosing to participate in one or two, otherwise my household budget will not be able to withstand it.

Shame, shame, shame on the school administration that thinks it is okay to offer wonderful "limo" rides and other adult extravagances on elementary school children as an incentive to SELL, SELL, SELL!!! I know you need funding, but I agree with Brian, just give me an amount and I will write you a check. ...and guess what...you can have 100% of the proceeds.

Rant over.
 
romegasir
Comments: 1608
Joined: 03/14/2007
12/15/2007 10:26:36 AM
msla, AGREE.
I went to a PTO meeting the other day and my mouth dropped open when I realized that the outlays for the year included necessities such as a copier machine. That's ridiculous. I think donations from the PTO should pay for the little extras that enhance education for those particular children. And I'm willing to pay more taxes to ensure that the current parents of the students are not paying for necessities such as copier machines. I know the "fiscal conservatives" will scream, but having been one myself, and being one at heart, I don't listen to them any more. the republicans budget was worse than the democrats, so in my opinion, they've lost all their credibility.
Make it clear so that I can know where my money is going, and I'll be more than willing to pay enough taxes to meet the needs of the schools.....and should I decide to donate to PTO, I'd like to know that it is ENHANCING my child's education, not just making ends meet.
You also mentioned parents not supporting the teachers...........this is not directed to you, but the readers.......If you've never had a teacher tell you a story about bad parents who believe all of their child's trouble are the fault of the teacher, it might be because you're one of those parents and the teacher doesn't want to upset you. EVERY year I talk to the teachers and they tell me the stories of the parents who blame the teacher for all the child's trouble and failures, both academically and behavior.



 
msla
Comments: 569
Joined: 12/29/2005
12/15/2007 09:54:14 AM
Hi all, I live in the county but I'll be in the boat with the rest of you so I thought I'd add my opinion.

I'm all for accountability. Heck, it should be done all the time no matter where you work. On certain levels, this is already being done anyway. Departments do have to justify the spending. As for public accountability on specific items, pursue your answers. The school boards are public. The funding is public. Other than some personal privacy issues that are law, go get what you want. Spending more money on more studies simply isn't warranted unless there are cracks. That's why there are accountants, comptrollers, managers and etc. If you have studied your answers and you find some areas of fault, then blow the whistle and spend that money to get that area studied in depth. Otherwise, I would only support major, outside audits every so often. The system of checks and balances works fairly well. How many of you have got copies at the meetings about budgets or items, expenditures, etc? Or even called to get copies? Remember though - these all cost the same money no one wants to spend.

Instead, I think the 'beef' is in generalizations that we all tend to make. For example, the lottery money. It is specifically earmarked for certain things. That's it. It cannot be used for salaries, buildings, cafeterias, and on and on. If you want to change this, change the law. And this money is a also allotcated completely differently than whatever the local areas happen to want right then. The money has all sorts of criteria it meets before distribution. Go find out. Then when you gripe, you'll have tons of knowledge behind your statements.

The beef about our property taxes: all your personal complaints about trying to make ends meet at home can be magnified many times over and you'll start to understand what our school system faces. It amazes me that for years we have heard so much about teachers spending their own money year after year to the point that now they get tax breaks for even being a teacher! And some states offer packages and bonuses just to get teachers to teach. Georgia recently gave teachers sort of a 'gift card' to help pay them back for what they spend out of pocket. But listen to the rest of us. We don't want to teach. We don't want to pay them. We don't want to support their environment. And what does that boil down to really mean? We do not take care of our students - much less take care of them the best we can or are able. Some of us act like we've never heard that there might be a problem! Shame on us for being "two faced." When we want to give sympathy for a person we know in education, we give it. But then we turn around through funding and chop off their feet.

The price of everything does go up and up. And here we are with a city and county system we refuse to consolidate for all sorts of personal reasons because any other reason doesn't fly (not according to all the other studies done - lots of money and time and effort and logic used). No, we don't really want to be told the truth after the money is spent unless the truth is what we want to hear. And then we don't want to pay for our choices because we won't listen to the truth. But we'll all faithfully show up here and blog out angrily because we don't want to pay for our own stubbornness. If our students understand all this, I wonder what we look like to them?

Meanwhile, the price of everything still goes up and up. And the legal responsibilities go deeper and deeper for these educators. They 'must' implement programs and people in places they - meaning us - never had to place and pay for before. For example, just on the buses, things and costs have changed. We pay for them. Now, does the bus system actually teach? Not in the regular way although certainly in social and behaviorial skills. But we must pay for those changes in order to protect us from worse consequences. And no, I'm not even talking about the price of fuel.

As we throw our words around, because we have the luxury, administrators have to act quickly and responsibly. They can't wait around. The choices they make can be painfully obvious to us, but a horror to people who truly want to serve students instead of legal forces. And how many school offices do you go into that now have to employ at least one more person just to handle the paperwork we demand?

Are you folks honestly saying that the pain of trying to make ends meet at your house doesn't help you understand the pain these systems are in? If the tax rate has stayed the same but the costs have gone up, what do you think has been paying for these differences? SPLOST has actually been paying for the physical expansion around here. And SPLOST collects money from people who don't even live here - folks who might just pass through but spend a little money; tourists - folks like that. That is an advantage with SPLOST. All of us can second guess the original plans about things, but who doesn't have that problem too? Maybe the money wasn't there - as in the case of Rome High area. (At home, all sorts of reasons get in my way. I won't bother going into those since I know you can all think of the same things!!) I challenge all of you to attend a function at Model High School's auditorium. The system is outdated and can't hold up anymore. I got sick in there the other night. What a shame. We left after one of my grandgirl's performed. We've never, ever done that before. Left. My own children could participate in plays, concerts etc. But this group now is in need. They turned on the air conditioning around lunch time but it couldn't cool the place at all. NOT AT ALL. We were roasting. Now this situation isn't a matter of bad planning. It's OLD. It's completely OUTDATED and cannot hold the crowds anymore. Your property taxes cannot afford anything more. Heck, they can't pay for what's there now. And that's when a SPLOST can step in and rescue the situation.

Thank goodness we have some of the better superintendents. They do try things like using chicken fat for fuel to save thousands and thousands. And combining tech classes and gifted programs area-wide. And Mr. Cooper, with the city system, is not speaking for any individual about HR900. He put out a statement of perspective from the schools because of the preference in funding. It's the same thing as any agency putting out a statement objecting to shaky policies. Dalton posted the same statement a few days earlier. Other areas were outspoken before that. (A personal interjection: if you don't stand against HR900, we can discuss that further. What a stupid thing to do. Just research a few places where this was used and has already been changed back. I don't feel like going down that road of mess!!)

SPLOST money for education funds so many things we simply do not get any other way. With budgets tightening, we probably won't get the big items without this method. HOWEVER, I also think that SPLOST should not be taken for granted or used lightly. There is absolutely no reason to have a line item vote with SPLOST because of the way it is researched. If any citizen wants to get involved, there are plenty of opportunities. PLENTY. You are begged for! Where are all of you when they want your ideas at the committee levels? Even before that? At the meetings? And if you really want something off, gather some folks together, call a couple of media people, go to the meetings and you'll get heard! And then you can get your momentum going until you get that idea killed. Good grief. Remember the meeting when one woman simply took her clothes off to make a point about praying and religion? You don't have to take your clothes off to be heard but you should at least get off a blog site and voice your opinion in person. If enough feel the same way, you will have your majority. Maybe we'll meet one another there!

I know this has been wayyyyyyyyyyy too long, but I'm tired of the endless rhetoric with blind eyes to the reality of life. If cost goes up, it goes up for all. And if you folks are going to get together to demand audits, then please at least get together after it's over and agree to open your eyes about the truth they reveal. So far, the track record for absorbing the truth is about zero around here.

 
romegasir
Comments: 1608
Joined: 03/14/2007
12/13/2007 08:39:45 PM
Blow, I have no problem with that........most of them are doing their jobs, problem is, they're doing it for a year or two and then going somewhere else.............that's not good for public safety, it's not good for the county budget.........and yes, you're correct, the officer takes an oath to uphold the law, however, the state law gives officers discretion when it comes to misdemeanors.......
.THANK GOD.........like i said before, the officers would never get a mile away from the station once their shift started.....they'd have to stop (under your plan) every jaywalker, every car with a cracked windshield, low tire tread, loud muffler, headlight out, taillight out, taglight out, weaved over the center line or fog line; in fact, EVERY time they ran lights and siren to a call (although I don't know when they'd have time due to the previous sentence), they'd have to stop 1 out of every 3 cars who didn't get over for the blue lights......so they'd never make it to the call.................expecting officers to enforce every violation they see is just unreasonable and impossible........in fact, I can sit outside on Broad St when eating at Jeffersons and point out 100 moving, equipment or parking violations in 45 minuutes......How many cops you willing to pay to keep up with that? 75 officers just on Broad st? come on, I think you must be joking. right?

As far as the gas issue........suppose Ms. Smith drives a school bus in the pepperell district and drops off her load at Pepperell Primary at 8:00........then she works at Dollar General on Maple St from 9-2......and she lives on Wax Rd..........You'd have her drive 8 miles home, get her car, drive to work, then drive back to wax rd at 2, get her bus, drive 8 miles back to school to pick up the kids..........when she could just drive 2 miles to dollar general, then two miles back to the school? So you'd rather her drive 16 miles a day, rather than 4 miles..............is that just to teach her a lesson or is that part of your fiscal responsibility plan? With thinking like that, you should run for US Congress.
 
GOOFBALL
Comments: 4
Joined: 12/13/2007
12/13/2007 08:34:10 PM
as a new member to this it seems to me that three blogers, has gotten of the issue of the s.p.l.o.t.
tax that is being proposed.personaly i think we can take up the other issues with our local P.D.'S,and
how our community is being ran, but right now i think that the new tax that has been proposed need's
all of our attention.I am not in favor of this at all,and i just do not belive more money is going to solve
our problems,here in rome and floyd county school systems.more gym space and newer buldings are
not going to teach one student any thing, nor is paying the superentendent's,and all of his support staff
why do'nt we take that money and pay for and demand high quality teachers,and pay them on a
performance scale of their ability to teach our children,a wage that they can not only live on but make our local school systems the best in not only the state but also the nation. if i have offended any one
Ideeply apologise
 
BLOWHARD
Comments: 5
Joined: 12/08/2007
12/13/2007 07:16:25 PM
ROMEGASIR.SIR I'M NOT IN AN ARGUMENT WITH YOU MUCH LESS A RIDICULOUS ARGUMENT. I'M
JUST STATING MY OPINION, THAT IF YOU KNOW THE PAY SCALE FOR THE POSITION OF A FLOYD
COUNTY POLICE OFFICER,AND THE STARTING PAY FOR THAT SAME POSITION. IF YOU CAN NOT
MAKE ENDS MEET NO ONE IS FORCING YOU TO EVEN TO APPLY FOR THAT JOB. BUT I WAS RAISED
TO BELIVE IF YOU ACCEPTED A JOB TO DO YOUR JOB.AND IF A BETTER JOB COMES ALONG AND
YOU CAN GET IT WHY NOT IMPROVE YOU LIFE AND THE LIFE'S OF YOUR FAMILY. WHILE ON DUTY
IS AN OFFICER NOT SWORN TO UP HOLD THE LAWS, NOT JUST THE ONES THE OFFICER CHOOSES TO
NOT TO SIT AROUND AND GRIPE ABOUT EVERYTHING THAT WRONG WITH THEIR JOB'S. I HAVE NEW'S
FOR YOU THAT GO'ES ON AT EVERY WORK PLACE NOT JUST GOVERMENT WORK PLACES. AND YOU
ARE RIGHT THAT ANY THING CAN GET STOLEN FROM ANY ONE AT ANY TIME, BUT YOU ASK IF THAT
MEANS THE COPS ARE LAZY WELL SIR I DONT KNOW IF THE COPS ARE LAZY OR JUST DON'T CARE
ENOUGH ABOUT DOING THEIR JOB'S. I SEEMED TO HAVE TOUCHED A SORE SPOT WITH YOU
BECAUSE I STATED THAT I'M AGANST ANY NEW S.P.L.O.T. TAX, AND I ALSO AGANST THE HIGH
PROPERTY AND SCHOOL TAXES, HERE IN FLOYD COUNTY, I JUST DO NOT THINK IT'S FAIR THAT
BOTH MY WIFE AND I HAVE TO WORK TWO JOBS JUST TO MAKE END'S MEET,AND COUNTY EMPLOYEES
ARE USING COUNTY OWNED VECHILES TO GET TO THEIR SECOND JOB'S AT MY EXPENCE. YOU
STATED YOU WOULD HAVE STAYED WITH THE COUNTY FORCE IF YOUR PAY HAD BEEN BASED ON
PERFORMANCE,THE REALLY GOOD OFFICERS SHOULD GET TOGEATHER BYPASS THE LOCAL
POLITICTIONS, AND FORCE THE DEPARTMENT TO GET RID OF THE BAD ONES, YOU MIGHT JUST
BE SURPRISED AT HOW MUCH THE GENERAL PUBLIC WOULD BE BEHIND THEM.
 
romegasir
Comments: 1608
Joined: 03/14/2007
12/13/2007 04:16:05 PM
there is one redlight camera, not "lots", the department that is 13 short is floyd county police, they have zero red light cameras in their jurisdiction...........and I hardly think they're job consists only of writing red light tickets; if it did, then I'd be a proponent of putting a camera at every intersection and doing away with the police dept altogether.
I would have stayed at the police department had my pay been based on performance, but it's not......those officers who stay at convenience store the entire shifts get the same raises, if they get one, as the rest of the department..........by the way, on another note, when you pay the entire department diddly, you can expect to have officers that don't meet your expectations.......the good ones are snatched up by other departments, very quickly...........there are a few good officers still there, they are dedicated to the county, stuck in the county or have been there too long to go elsewhere.
once again, the statue is in the city, under the city police jurisdiction, but I will say this, if you want to steal something, you can steal it without the police seeing you......there is one cop covering all of broad st and between the rivers........one cop......so if he's on second ave, who has broad st? that's a ridiculous argument.......things get stolen every day, does that mean the cops are lazy?
Lastly, of course officers choose which laws to enforce when it comes to misdemeanors (with the exception of family violence in which they have no discretion).........You want a cop to be watching the capitoline statue 24/7 and also writing fire lane tickets on Hicks drive? You better hire A LOT more cops.
 
BLOWHARD
Comments: 5
Joined: 12/08/2007
12/13/2007 12:21:03 PM
AS A RETIRED PERSON,IJUST READ ALL OF THE COMMENTS ON THIS S.P.L.O.T.AGAIN AND I WOULD JUST LIKE TO SAY IF ANY ONE CAN TELL ME HOW THIS TAX IS REALLY GOING TO HELP THE CHILDREN
IT SEEMES TO ME THAT WHEN A CHILD CAN NOT READ OR MAY BE UNDERSTAND THE BIG ORANGE
SIGNS THAT SAY LANE CLOSED 1/2 MILE AHEAD AND THE LANE CLOSED 1/4 MILE A HEAD, OR A
CHILD CAN NOT TELL WHAT TIME IT IS WITH OUT A DIGITAL WATCH, WE JUST MIGHT BE FALING
THEM ALL THE WAY AROUND? FANCY NEW BULDINGS ARE NOT GOING TO HELP AT ALL. SOME ONE
SAID THE PTO'S WERE BUYING THE BASIC'S, MY QUESTION IS WHY? WHERE HAS THE MONEY FROM
THE LAST S.P.L.O.T. GONE? WHAT HAS HAPPENDED TO THE MONEY FROM THE SCHOOL TAXES THAT
EVERY PROPERTY OWNER PAY'S. THAT ARE ALREADY WAY TO HIGH. IS IT BEING MIS MANAGED
SO BAD THAT THE LOCAL TEACHERS,AND PARENTS MUST PAY FOR THE BASIC EQUIPMENT AND
SUPPLY'S TO TEACH OUR STUDENTS? LET'S JUST GET TOGEATHER AND MAKE SOME ONE EXPLAIN
WHAT IN THE WORLD IS GOING ON, ALL I AM REALLY SAYING IS IF EVERY YEAR WE JUST HAVE TO HAVE A S.P.L.O.T. TO VOTE ON PLUS THE SCHOOL TAXES, IT JUST SEEMS MIGHTY FISHY TO ME
THAT THE PTO'S AND PARENTS HAVE TO BUY A DAD GUM THING, LET'S HOLD SOME ONE OR THE
WHOLE SCHOOL BOARD'S ACCOUNTABLE FOR ALL OF THIS MONEY.
 
DOGWOOD
Comments: 13
Joined: 11/23/2007
12/13/2007 11:51:12 AM
ROMEGASIR. YOU HAVE NO PROBLEM WITH THE LOCAL GOVERMENTS PROVIDING EMPLOYEES
THE USE OF GOVERMENT VECHILES, AND FUEL TO GET TO ANOTHER JOB? THEN SIR CAN YOU
EXPLAIN TO ME WHY I MUST WORK TWO JOBS TO HELP OFF SET THE COST OF NOT ONLY THE
FUEL AND WEAR OF A VECHILE THAT BELONG'S TO THE CITY OR COUNTY. AND SIR. I REALLY
DID NOT MEAN TO OFFEND YOU AS TO THE LOCAL POLICE DEPARTMENTS, BUT WITH ALL THE RED
LIGHT CAMARAS, BEING 13 OFFICERS SHORT REALLY DO'ES NOT SEEM LIKE A LOT TO ME.AND
AS YOU STATED WITH ALL THE TRANING A PERSON MUST GO THROUGH TO BECOME AN OFFICER
AGAIN PAID FOR BY THE CITY AND COUNTY ( TAX PAYERS ) WHY NOT INCLUDE HAVING THAT
PERSON SIGN A CONTRACT THAT THEY WILL NOT LEAVE THE FORCE FOR AT LEAST THREE YEARS
AND IN THAT CONTRACT STATE THAT THEY WILL RECIVE A RAISE BASEDED ON JOB PROFORMANCE
AT LEAST TWICE A YEAR. INSTED OF HANGING OUT AT ALL OF THE CONVINCE STORES,DURING
THE THIRD SHIFT? REMEMBER WHEN LOW LIFES BROKE ALL THOSE WINDOW'S ON BROAD STREET?
WHERE WERE ALL POLICE OFFICERS? AND WHEN SOME ONE HAD THE GUT'S TO STEAL THE STATUE
RIGHT OFF OF THE STEPS IN FRONT OF CITY HALL AGAIN WHERE WERE THE POLICE OFFICERS?
IT JUST SEEM'S TO ME IF YOU CAN NOT PROTECT BROAD STREET YOU JUST MIGHT NOT BE DOING
THE JOB YOU WERE HIRED TO DO. I AM IN NO WAY AGANST HIRING TRANING, OR PAYING ANY ONE
TO BECOME A POLICE OFFICER, BUT AT THE SAME TIME I DO EXPECT THAT PERSON TO DO THE
JOB. AND BRIAN IS ALSO RIGHT THE OFFICERS DO SELECT WHICH LAWS THEY WANT TO ENFORCE
SIR. RIDE THROUGH JUST ABOUT ANY SHOPPING CENTER AND LOOK AT HOW MAY CAR'S ARE
PARKED IN THE FIRE LANE,I KNOW THE EXCUSE I'M JUST GOING TO BE A MINUTE,WHAT IF SOME
ONE HAS A HEART ATTACK IN THAT MOMENT? OR ANY TYPE OF AN EMERGENCY HAPPENS?
ALL I'M REALLY SAYING SIR IS THAT MY WIFE AND I SHOULD NOT BE WORKING TWO JOB'S A
PEACE, TO HELP PAY FOR SOME ELSE TO GET TO WORK,AND IF YOU ACCEPT ANY JOB PLEASE
JUST DO THE JOB YOU WERE HIRED TO DO? IF AS A TAX PAYER I AM HELPING PAY YOU TO DO IT.
 
alever
Comments: 1
Joined: 12/13/2007
12/13/2007 11:39:07 AM
brian1222 just wanted to let you know that there is a site with info on county/city superintendent salary
www.audits.state.ga.us , you go to the salary/travel hope this helps
 
romegasir
Comments: 1608
Joined: 03/14/2007
12/13/2007 10:02:54 AM
LOL Brian, they don't get any of it, I assure you........Funny thing is, I noticed they wrote over 2000 seatbelt tickets ($15 a piece)........thats $30,000 in fines.......had they ignored seatbelts and focused on equipment violations (tag lights, taillights, headlights, tire tread, crack windshields, etc) 2000 tickets would've produced $130,000 ($65 for every equipment violation)...........but I doubt it would've made anyone safer........so it seems to me that they're focusing on safety violations and not Revenue generators....what do you think?
 
romegasir
Comments: 1608
Joined: 03/14/2007
12/12/2007 07:49:50 PM
Yes Dogwood..........I have no problem with a bus driver parking their bus at a second job while waiting for school to let out......why make them drive the bus a further distance to get their personal vehicle to drive to the second job? that would just be nonsensical.
And yes, the cops know the pay when they take the job, what is NOT advertised is that you get one or two raises every decade and very quickly you find out that the people you went to the academy with are making LOTS more than you are...so you leave and go to a different department to make decent money, which requires Floyd county to hire new officers, train them and start all over again....and that would be wonderful if what you said was true "ON THE FIRST DAY ON THE JOB WHEN THEY
HAND YOU A GUN, NIGHT STICK,PEPPER SPRAY', but it doesn't actually work that way.....the cops do 10 weeks in the academy, four weeks of in house training and then 8 weeks with a field training officer PRIOR to ever doing their first day on the job as an actual solo cop.........so there is over 5 months of paying them their salary, insurance, uniforms, equipment...just so they can leave and go elsewhere in less than 18 months later.......that's the statistics, you don't believe me, go find out for yourself....Of coruse the people in floyd county have your attitude of "if they dont' like it then leave"...the best part? they are taking your advice in droves. They are 13 short right now...that's fine if you're NYPD, but when you only have 70 positions, 13 short is huge.......take out administration, investigations, drug unit, dui task force, internal affairs, training and all of these positions that are either required by law or supported through grants (which means if you do away with them, you lose the money to pay them) then you end up with every shift being 2 or 3 short...........and that wouldnt' be so bad, but that leaves 3 or 4 people covering all of floyd county constantly.
the best thing for the officers? there are HUNDREDS of vacancies at other departments willing to snatch them up quickly......so they only suffer for the few short months they spend protecting you.
 
DOGWOOD
Comments: 13
Joined: 11/23/2007
12/12/2007 07:32:13 PM
romegasir. ALSO AS AN EX GOVERMENT EMPLOYEE I WOULD JUST LIKE FOR YOU TO KNOW THAT
I WOULD REALLY SUPPORT FOR AN AUDIT. NOT BY OR CONTROLED BY THE CITY OR COUNTY MANAGERS OFFICE. I HAVE SEEN WAY TO MUCH WASTE IN OUR LOCAL GOVERMENT'S.
AS FOR THE COST OF GAS, AND OR DEISEL FUEL, RIDE AROUND THE LOCAL SHOPPING CENTERS
AND SEE HOW MANY SCHOOL BUSES ARE PARKED IN THEM AND CALL THE SCHOOL BOARD OFFICE
TO FIND OUT WHY? ALREADY DONE IT AND WAS TOLD THE SUPERVISOR GAVE THE DRIVER
PERMISSION TO USE COUNTY OWNED PROPERTY AND FUEL TO GO TO THEIR SECOND JOB!
AS FOR THE POLICE FORCES, I JUST THINK THAT WHEN A PERSON APPLIES FOR THE POSITION
HE OR SHE IS MADE AWARE OF WHAT THE PAY IS,AND ON THE FIRST DAY ON THE JOB WHEN THEY
HAND YOU A GUN, NIGHT STICK,PEPPER SPRAY,ANY ONE JUST MIGHT THINK THIS JOB IS DANGROUS
AND THE CITY OR COUNTY GOVERMENTS ( THE TAX PAYERS ) PAY FOR ALL OF THE OFFICERS
TRANING! AS FOR THE SCHOOLS YOU ARE RIGHT THE P.T.O.'S SHOULD NOT BE BUYING SUPPLY'S
BUT WHEN THE LOCAL SCHOOL BOARDS PAY EACH SUPERENTENDENT ABOUT WHAT THE
GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF GEORGIA MAKES YOU KNOW IT DOSENT LEAVE MUCH FOR ANY
THING ELSE.
 
romegasir
Comments: 1608
Joined: 03/14/2007
12/10/2007 10:20:20 PM
PTOs are buying normal everyday equipment for schools....copiers, etc...........which leads me to believe that either 1) we are being undertaxed because all of the capital improvements are being made through SPLOSTS, and PTOs are buying small stuff such as copiers and computers OR 2) the money is being mismanaged...
I'd have no problem with an audit, but only if the naysayers, assuming the audit turns up no discrepancies, would agree that we need to stop expecting a trillion dollar school system on a million dollar budget. Being an ex government employee with floyd county, I know the deal...........the county commission tries to keep taxes from being raised forever, while at the same time the price of EVERYTHING increases over time, including gasoline which triples in price over a decade......yet no tax increase......I think we may be expecting too much.........and we end up with schools who rely on parental contributions to supply their day-to-day needs, and police forces who are 20% understaffed and can't keep decent officers from leaving to go to the megalopolises, such as Polk county.
 
BLOWHARD
Comments: 5
Joined: 12/08/2007
12/10/2007 08:43:08 PM
BRIAN,SIR. YOU ARE RIGHT THAT NOT ONLY YOU BUT EVERY TAX PAYER, OR PARENT THAT HAS A CHILD IN EITHER SCHOOL SYSTEM,SHOULD BE ABLE TO SPEAK FOR THEM SELFS. PERIOD. THE
SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENT'S ARE HIRED BY THE SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS WHO ARE ELECTED BY
THE LEGAL TAX PAYING VOTERS, OF THE CITY AND COUNTY, WHO IN JUST MY OPINION RUN OVER
THE VERY PEOPLE WHO VOTED THEM INTO OFFICE!I CAN PROMICE EACH AND EVERY INCUMBANT
IN EVERY LOCAL OFFICE THAT I AM LEGALLY INTITLED TO VOTE ON THAT NO MATTER WHAT THEY
SAY OR PROMICE, NO MATTER WHAT THE PERSON RUNNING AGANST THEM SAY'S OR PROMICES
THERE IS NO WAY IN THE WORLD I WILL VOTE FOR THE INCUMBENT.THEY NEED TO REMEMBER THAT
THEY MESSED UP AND CALLED FOR A SPECIAL ELECTION ON THIS S.P.L.O.T. BEFORE THE GENERAL
ELECTION,THIS TIME.WITH INFLATION UP AND JUST ABOUT EVERY ONE I KNOW JUST TRYING TO
MAKE END'S MEET,AND OUR LOCAL LEADERS JUST KEEP COMMING UP WITH MORE AND MORE
SPECIAL TAXES PLUS THE ALREADY HIGH PROPERTY TAXES, AND THE SCHOOL TAXES HERE DO'ES
NONE OF THEM READ THE LEGAL SECTION IN THURSDAY'S PAPER, PEOPLE ARE LOSING THEIR HOMES
BECAUSE OF ALL OF THESE TAXES! OR IS IT THAT THEY REALLY JUST DON'T CARE BECAUSE IT'S
NOT THEM?
 
BLOWHARD
Comments: 5
Joined: 12/08/2007
12/08/2007 05:03:31 PM
AS A NEW BLOGGER I'VE BEEN READING ALL OF THE BLOGS, AND I THINK THAT GAHICK MIGHT JUST
BE RIGHT ABOUT A COMPLEATE AND TOTAL RECALL OF ALL LOCAL ELECTED OFFICIALS,IN BOTH CITY
AND COUNTY OFFICES. AND THE WE THE TAX PAYERS STAND UP AND DEMAND A COMPLETE AUDIT
OF BOTH GOVERMENT'S AND BOTH SCHOOL SYSTEMS. I'M BEGENNING TO WONDER IF ALL OF OUR
LOCAL GOVERMENTS ARE NOT REALLY BROKE? WHY WHEN AN AUDIT IS DONE IT'S THROUGH THE CITY OR COUNTY MANAGERS OFFICE? IS IT SO THEY CAN CONTROL THE OUT COME?
WE AS NOT ONLY THE TAX PAYERS, BUT THE PEOPLE WHO LIVE IN ROME AND FLOYD COUNTY HAS THE
RIGHT AND RESPONCIBILITY TO DEMAND THE THE FOLK'S THAT WE ELECT USE COMMEN-SENCE,
WHEN IT COMES TO SPENDING OUR MONEY. THAT'S RIGHT IT'S OUR MONEY,NOT THEIR MONEY TO
DO WHATEVER THEY WANT TO DO WITH IT.
 
averagejoe
Comments: 48
Joined: 05/27/2007
11/29/2007 08:00:29 AM
from my understanding of the SPLOST law we can only approve or disapprove the entire package, we aren 't allowed to pick and choose the projects. It looks like the only thing we could do is demand that the city/county allow a public vote prior to a SPLOST election to allow the citizens to decide which projects to include in the package.
 
averagejoe
Comments: 48
Joined: 05/27/2007
11/28/2007 10:28:21 PM
>>>If SPLOSTS are going to be forced on us, we need to have line item votes on SPLOSTS instead of packaged wishlists!

Brian, I agree with this but it will never happen. They put them in packaged lists so they will pass. Single item votes would rarely, if ever pass.
 
averagejoe
Comments: 48
Joined: 05/27/2007
11/28/2007 10:24:32 PM
>>>negotiate with homeowners in Celanese to buy the land behind Rome High that butts up to the school's property

Brian, This may be for the secondary access road into the school that was passed in the last splost.
 
DOGWOOD
Comments: 13
Joined: 11/23/2007
11/28/2007 07:13:43 PM
I BEEN READING THE COMMENTS WITH GREAT INTREST, AND ALL OF THEM HAVE BROUGHT UP A LOT
OF QUESTIONS IN MY MIND. SINCE THE STATE CREATED THE S.P.L.O.T. IT DO'ES SEEM THAT EVERY YEAR THAT WE DO HAVE ON AT ELECTION TIME.MOST OF THEM ARE FOR THE SCHOOLS.WHAT HAPPENS TO THE MONEY FROM THE SCHOOL TAXES? WHY DO'ES THE CITY AND COUNTY SCHOOL
SYSTEM NEED A OVER PAID SUPERINTENDENT? WHY DON'T THE CITY AND COUNTY QUIT GIVING
OUT TAX BREAKS FROM SCHOOL AND PROPERTY TAXES TO ANY AND ALL BUSINESSES, AND REVOKE
THE ONES THEY ALREADY GAVE.IF A DOG GONE S.P.L.O.T. IS NEEDED EVERY YEAR AND EVERY ONE
PAY'S THEIR EQUAL SHARE WHY NOT ANY AND ALL THE BUSINEESES DO THE SAME. I JUST DONT
BELIVE THE KID'S ARE GOING TO SUFFER ANY AT ALL IF THIS TAX DON'T PASS.OH-BY THE WAY
GA.HICK YOU MAY BE RIGHT IT MIGHT BE TIME FOR A FULL ACCOUNTING BY BOTH SCHOOL BOARDS
I THINK I MIGHT UNDERSTAND POLITICS JUST A LITTLE MORE IF OUR LOCAL OFFICIALS JUST TOLD
US WHAT WAS REALLY HAPPING NOT JUST WHAT THEY WANT US TO KNOW
 
GAHICK1
Comments: 13
Joined: 11/06/2007
11/28/2007 06:31:47 PM
AS SUPERINTENDENT COOPER STATED IN THE PAPER LAST WEEK THAT HE HAS ALREADY INVITED AN
ARCHITECT UP TO LOOK AT THE PLANS FOR ROME HIGH AND ROME MIDDLE SCHOOLS! IS HE NOT ONLY STATING A WISH LIST, MR. COOPER ALREADY STATING THAT THE PROPOSED S.P.L.O.T. HAS
ALREADY BEEN APPROVED AND PASSED BUT THE VOTER'S? I GUESS IT'S JUST GOOD OLE BOY
BACK ROOM POLITICS FOR MR. COOPER TO COME OUT AND SAY THEY ALREADY HAVE PLANS,AND
AN ARCHITECT ON BOARD. IN JUST MY OPINION THE VOTERS NEED TO START A MAJOR RECALL
OF ALL SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS,CITY AND COUNTY COMMIISSIONERS. AND HOLD AN ELECTION
NOT BY ELECTRONIC MEANS, TO NOT ONLY REPLACE THE RECALLED OFFICIALS, BUT TO HAVE WHAT
I BELIVE WOULD BE AN HONEST VOTE ON ANY FUTURE S.P.L.O.T.'S, AND MAKE THE ELECTION OFFICE
PRODUCE PAPER BALLOTS TO PROVE IF ANY S.P.L.O.T. OR ANY OFFICE IN OUR LOCAL GOVERMENTS
ARE REALLY ON THE UP AND UP.
 
GAHICK1
Comments: 13
Joined: 11/06/2007
11/27/2007 05:00:49 PM
NOW THAT THE S.P.L.O.T HAS BEEN ANNOUNCED,NOT JUST CONSIDERED,I PERSONALY THINK IT'S
TIME FOR EVERY PROPERTY OWNER TO GO TO BOTH CITY AND COUNTY SCHOOL BOARDS AND
DEMAND A FULL AN COMPLETE AUDIT,OF EACH SYSTEMS FINANCES BY AN OUTSIDE FIRM. AND
MAKE THEM ACCOUNT FOR EVERY PENNY FROM PAST S.P.L.O.T.'S.EVERY YEAR A NEW S.P.L.O.T.
IS GOING TO BE ON THE BALLOT?WHY DO WE EVEN PAY THESE HIGH SCHOOL TAXES?
ONLY A S.P.L.O.T. CAN SAVE OUR CHILDREN. OH BY THE WAY YOU CAN JUST BET ALL OF THE
SUPPORTERS OF THIS WILL SAY WITH OUT IT THE CHILDREN WILL SUFFER. WELL GUESS WHAT WITH
ALL OF THE PAST S.P.L.O.T.'S THAT HAVE PASSED THE CHILDREN ARE NOT GETTING ANY SMARTER.
WITH THE ELETRONIC VOTING WE NOW USE THERE IS NO WAY THIS WILL EVER FAIL.
 
love4god751930
Comments: 1
Joined: 11/27/2007
11/27/2007 12:15:52 PM
This whole splost thing is getting ridiculous. Property tax is for education, the lottery is for education. Where the heck are they putting all of the money they are getting already? Maybe I should go to work for the Board of Education because evidentally they are paid ungodly amounts of money. Will we ever see 5% tax in Floyd County again? Looks like the answer to that question is a big NO!!!!!
 
maggie
Comments: 1420
Joined: 01/08/2006
11/14/2007 08:19:02 PM
I have always wondered this same thing in Catoosa County, so don't feel stupid.
 
GAHICK1
Comments: 13
Joined: 11/06/2007
11/14/2007 07:04:09 PM
I KNOW THIS IS A STUPID THOUGHT ON MY PART, BUT JUST WHAT IN THE HECK DO WE AS THE
TAX-PAYERS, PAY THE HIGH SCHOOL TAXES ON OUR PROPERTY FOR? EVERY YEAR THE SCHOOL
BOARDS OF THE COUNTY OR CITY,COMES UP WITH A NEW S.P.L.O.T. JUST WHAT IS OUR TAX DOLLARS USED FOR? FROM THE TIME LOCAL LEADERS DISCOVERED THE GOLDEN EGG THAT
S.P.L.O.T'S ARE WE HAVE TO HAVE ONE ON THE BALLOT EVERY ELECTION?WHY EVEN PAY TAXES
JUST HAVE A S.P.L.O.T TO PAY FOR EVERY THING.
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