As of Wednesday, July 25, 2012
© Copyright 2013
Rockdale Citizen
CONYERS -- Rockdale Board of Commissioners candidates for chairman and Post 1 commissioner took questions from moderators at last weekend's political forum, touching on topics ranging from the T-SPLOST referendum to employee pay raises.
The forum, held at Peek's Chapel Baptist Church on Old Salem Road, was the second one hosted by the Rockdale NAACP, the Citizen's Progressive Club and NewRock Legal Society.
David Shipp with the Rockdale County Republican Party and Stanley Williams with the Rockdale County Democratic Party moderated the forum.
• Board of Commissioners Chairman
Richard Oden was elected BOC Chairman in 2008 and is seeking reelection. He will face fellow Democrat Brian Jenkins in the July 31 primary election. The winner of that race will run against former BOC Post 1 Commissioner Jason Hill, a Republican, in the Nov. 6 General Election.
Jenkins did not attend Saturday's forum.
During the two-minute introductory period, Oden touted his successes during his first term, including closing a $5 million budget deficit, improving inefficiencies in the water department and reducing the number of foreclosed properties through the Neighborhood Stabilization Program.
"I took office at the best time in history," he said, suggesting things could only get better. "I have brought about transparency and have attempted to level the playing field."
Hill, who lost his reelection bid to Post 1 Commissioner Oz Nesbitt in 2008, disputed Oden's characterization of the state of the county at that time.
"I think what the chairman inherited was quite good," Hill said.
He said the county was in sound financial shape, beautification efforts were under way and steps had been taken to improve the water department, including implementing a rate increase.
"Let me set the record straight, there was no $5 million shortfall. We never spent more than we took in," Hill said.
The first question Shipp asked the two candidates was about their opinion of the upcoming referendum on July 31 that would impose a 1-percent sales tax for regional transportation projects.
"I'm not going to vote for T-SPLOST," Hill said.
He pointed out that he fully recognizes the traffic problems and believes that a sales tax is probably the best way to raise revenue to solve many of those issues.
"I'm not in favor of it because of the way it has been handled," Hill said. "We need to keep more local control."
Oden, who in the past has been a vocal proponent for the T-SPLOST, did not come down clearly on one side or the other. He described the process of bringing local projects to the Atlanta Regional Commission, which ultimately whittled all the transportation projects for the Atlanta region down to certain ones.
"We had three projects that were thrown out," Oden said. "There are some positives and some negatives."
In response to a question about protecting small businesses in the county, Oden said he has begun to focus economic development efforts along the Sigman Road corridor by offering a $3,500 tax incentive to new businesses that locate there.
Hill said he would look for ways to help business owners keep more of their money, such as reducing some fees. He also said Rockdale County could use existing SPLOST funds to improve the Ga. Highway 138 corridor, which would have an immediate impact on commercial growth.
• Board of Commissioners Post 1
Two Republicans and two Democrats are vying for the Post 1 seat on the BOC: Democratic voters on July 31 will choose between incumbent Oz Nesbitt and Jerry Shepperd; Republicans will vote for either Tom Harrison or Sam Smiley.
Smiley said he is running on a platform dictated by fiscal responsibility, pointing out that the millage rate has increased three times in the past few years. He said he would work to increase quality of life in Rockdale with minimal cost to the community.
Shepperd said beautification and clear planning would drive economic development. He said he has a plan that he will release in a few months.
Harrison said his experience on the Conyers-Rockdale Planning Commission and on the Metropolitan North Georgia Water Planning District, as well as his professional experience in the water and sewer industry qualify him for the post.
Nesbitt said he has worked over the past four years to provide leadership that serves the entire community and pledged to continue to move Rockdale "progressively forward."
Each of the candidates agreed to focus on public safety, but said all county employees deserved raises. Smiley pointed out that the current administration has given a "selective placement of raises" for some employees and has hired employees in certain departments, although none in public safety.
Harrison pledged that the first thing he would do upon taking office would be to figure out where to trim the county's budget to give all county employees a raise.
Nesbitt stressed that he led the charge on giving each county employee a $1,000 bonus earlier this year.
All candidates agreed that economic development is key to a healthy budget. Harrison, Nesbitt and Smiley said coordinating ordinances -- the sign ordinance, in particular -- with the city of Conyers would go far to encourage businesses to locate to Rockdale County. Harrison said improving infrastructure, such as water lines, is also important to attracting new businesses.
With that said, each of the four candidates voiced strong opposition to the upcoming T-SPLOST vote, saying it would not benefit Rockdale County.
Shepperd: "We don't need millions of extra tax dollars just to supply a wish list;
Smiley: "No, I do not support the T-SPLOST. We need projects that will actually benefit Rockdale County." He added that the 2010 SPLOST has $33 million earmarked for local transportation projects.
Nesbitt: "Absolutely not. ... Everywhere I go, door to door, storefront to storefront, barber shop to barber shop, I hear, 'We don't want it.'"
Harrison: "The way it is written, I do not support it. Rockdale County needs its own SPLOST to help our own roads. It would be unfair and ineffective for Rockdale County."
More like this story
- Harrison defeats Smiley in BOC race ( July 31, 2012 )
- Post 1 candidates sound off on economic development ( June 14, 2012 )
- Post 1 candidates speak out on code enforcement, Channel 23 ( September 20, 2012 )
- Nesbitt forum criticized as campaigning ( April 26, 2012 )
- Comment during meeting raises Nesbitt's ire ( September 26, 2012 )
Comments
Clark 9 months, 4 weeks ago
Great, guess I can't vote for any of them, if they can't recognize the benefits to the T-SPLOST to Rockdale County, how will they recognize any benefits of any project?
johndoemo_ 9 months, 4 weeks ago
Clark, you sound like a smart person and you have made some decent points about this topic. But the bottom line is trust. I have very little trust in these guys. Just because they say something is going to happen doesn't mean it will. I do not trust them. So Yeah, I see benefits to the plan. Just like there were benefits to the original social security plan and others. But the trust is not there. And these politicians do not understand that you don't build trust by asking for more money. There number one job in my opinion is to start acting fiscally responsible and start putting big amounts of money aside to start funding what they want to do. They can take money from other programs that are wasting it.
Clark 9 months, 4 weeks ago
You have a valid point about trust, but trust is a two way street. If the people vote down everything simply because they don't trust the politicians, how will the politicians ever be able to redeem themselves? The SPLOSTs are a good way to do this as the laws governing them are very strict and the funds can't just be diverted as they can for projects from the general funds. There is unfortunately waste in government, and short of making all politics illegal, we'll always have it, like it or not, or at the very least, projects will be called waste by their opponents. Putting money aside sounds good, but consider that there has also been a reduction in tax revenues because of reduced consumer spending, and increased unemployment. There is no money that can be put aside, and if those of us fortunate enough to still have a job, and still be able to spend money, must be willing to give a little of ourselves (in this case, in the form of taxes) in order to bring our society around as a whole. I'm not saying the government should blindly ask for handouts, or that we should blindly hand out money to anyone who asks for it, but the fact is that to invest in the future means to make sacrifices now.
jhill 9 months, 4 weeks ago
If I might clarify one thing from the story. I do not remember saying we implemented a rate increase, if I did say that, it came our incorrectly. While we did do a rate study, information came out during that study that led me to believe there were great operational and billing and collection improvements that needed to be made. These corrections, I believed, might keep us from having to increase rates at that time. I was not prepared to ask for more money from rate payers if we weren't doing the best job we could with the utility and its operation. We immediately took action to correct those problems. Only after the current chairman took office did the rate increase occur. I believe within the first year of the chairman's term. The easy thing to do is require more of the tax payers or rate payers money. I prefer to work hard to keep from doing that first. The current administration took a different approach and raised rates. I would be glad to discuss this or any other issue that was discussed in more depth. You can email me at Jason@electjasonhill.com........ Jason Hill
johndoemo_ 9 months, 4 weeks ago
Thank you for that clarification. it makes a difference.
Sundance 9 months, 4 weeks ago
"He also said Rockdale County could use existing SPLOST funds to improve the Ga. Highway 138 corridor, which would have an immediate impact on commercial growth."
Then why isnt he and the board doing this already? Dont tell us what you COULD do. Do it if it is good. I guess he is just coming up with ideas now that he is trying to get re-elected. The county COULD have already been doing a lot of things in the past four years. also, That tax break you speak of should be modified to include businesses with 20 or more employees. I don't think giving nail salons and check cashing stores and liquor stores tax breaks helps our economy.
Elmo 9 months, 4 weeks ago
He's riding the wave of power mongering iand showboating to the max. He's Obama II, and the only job he's really worried about is his own.
jhill 9 months, 4 weeks ago
That was actually me that said we could use future SPLOST funds to improve traffic congestion along our main economic corridor. I'm not sure why they chose not to do this in the last SPLOST, but to spend money on maintenance instead. Jason Hill
Elmo 9 months, 4 weeks ago
"liberalspeak" thrives on the "woulda, coulda, shoulda" game. The actual truth is avoided for risk of exposing the tactic used to get (re)elected.
Politicians have a habit of not walking their talk, and voting for a person based on what the say, without considering what the have done, and their history of credibility, is for the foolhardy sheep being led to the slaughter.
The "gonna do's" of candidates rarely come to fruition. Like carnival barkers touting "the bearded lady", yet after you buy a ticket you find that the "beard" is held into place by ear hooks.
Television has conditioned many to be totally enamored by a slick delivery, but sometimes the "ShamWow" turns out to be just a sham. Instead of substance, we're offered colored beads and glass baubles in exchange for our vote. No sale!
Offering pay raises to county employees doesn't play well to the people without jobs and tring to make ends meet, and there are plenty of them. Tax cuts would be good, not spending $60,000 to hire out-of-town cronies to do a job which is being done well by a local firm, would be a gesture that would demonstrate a genuine interest in the people and the county.
Telling the truth about the three-ring circus called TSPLOST, would be a good start, too.
The "how can we fool'em today" method of leadership has the cauldron boiling just beneath the surface, waiting to erupt. Spending taxpayer money like stoned lottery winners will put Rockdale in the same financial state as the National economy.
Not having the authority to print money, or borrow from the Chicoms, means that each and every dollar comes from "we, the people". With the Bush tax rates about to expire, and the 30+ new taxes promised from obamacare, we are being asked to join a scam that would make Bernie Madoff cringe with envy, TSPLOST.
When does Atlas shrug? When is enough, enough?
The ability to spend other peoples money is not the sign of a great leader, anyone can do that. Instead of making our lives better, it increases the misery index of every taxpayer. Meanwhile, the votes bought with our money only insures tha more of our money will be required to maintain their stipend.
Rewarding non-producers creates ghost towns haunted by thugs and criminals.
johndoemo_ 9 months, 4 weeks ago
"Oden, who in the past has been a vocal proponent for the T-SPLOST, did not come down clearly on one side or the other."
Anyone who has heard Oden speak knows he wants t-splost. He just sees opinion going the other way and doesn't want to alienate any voters. But he definitely supports it and has since the beginning. I believe he was backed by Atlanta money to become the Commissioner here for that main reason. He is on that big transportation board that helps MARTA. His Main claim to fame is public transportation. It is his specialty.
Frustrated 9 months, 4 weeks ago
Maybe Nesbitt has been living in a different county but how can he truthfully say he has worked to provide leadership that serves the entire community? The last four years he and Oden have done nothing but be self serving and cater to a certain group, mostly from out of the county. The vote Tuesday has shown that more than anything.
Lawrence8 9 months, 4 weeks ago
"Oden touted his successes during his first term, including closing a $5 million budget deficit"
I've seen what Oden means by this. Under his watch the county fell short of revenue and had to find means to close this $5 million gap. He didn't help it at all by canning the previous chief of staff (who did multiple jobs, and did them well), and adding two new ones (one at about $70,000 and the latest at about $90,000). He didn't have success with the $5 million; the tax payers did. He furloughs employees, made deep cuts into all budgets, and increased the millage rate so that all of us tax payers would have to cover for his outlandish spending.
Lawrence8 9 months, 4 weeks ago
"I have brought about transparency and have attempted to level the playing field" - Transparency? He brags about how his BOC department is spending less than the previous leadership. I've seen the budgets of the departments and I know undoubtedly he has moved some of his expense line items to other departments like Public/Community Affairs and the Finance Department. Speaking of transparency, why is it that I can never find any budget information on the web site? They call us East DeKalb and Oden wants us to be just like DeKalb. Finding budget information on DeKalb is very easy. He doesn't want us to see the budgets because then everyone will know it's just a magic trick of money. I want to see all departments budgets and their expenses as they occur (excluding confidential transactions of course).
vocalone 9 months, 4 weeks ago
I tried posting to this blog several hours ago, and my comments were not posted. Is this blog being censored? I know I did not use any profanity, so why was my comments not posted?
vocalone 9 months, 4 weeks ago
All talk, little action. The only action(s) that they're all concerned with are the items on their election/re-election Action Items checklist promoting their own self centered political agenda to secure a paycheck. Now I am supposed to take unpaid time off from work to go vote for a bag of hot air; As the saying goes -"vote for the lesser of two evils... NOT." I am tired of all this show boating. It should be a requirement that politicians bring a contract that states their plans in detail, that the public can hold them accountable to in a Court of Law (heck you're running for public office). Only then will we ever get down to real business.
T-SPLOST = Bad idea for Rockdale. I haven't seen any major improvements in transportation from the last T-SPLOST funds -what are the funds being used for -economic development?
Traffic congestion -come up with a plan to discourage folks that drive around aimlessly -Vote for that!!!
Make it a requirement that Big Businesses in Rockdale do business with Small Businesses in Rockdale -PERIOD! POINT in FACT: My primary business -I am an IT professional, tried getting job, and government contracts in Rockdale county -no success -I travel 2 hours one way to work every day, and I can only imagine some other IT professional is traveling a shorter distance to Rockdale to work. My secondary business -I have a trucking company here in Rockdale county, and to date I cannot get a single contract from any of the Big Manufacturers in Rockdale county. I get contracts in Gainesville, Athens, Rome, Atlanta, but not Rockdale. Must be the Good Ole Boy network at work. Try busting that up!!!
Here is the breakdown: My wife and I give to Rockdale County, contributing to the community by means of Ad Velorum taxes, and Property taxes. We absolutely do not shop in Rockdale county. We shop in Dekalb, and Newton counties -Period.
Here's a new concept to implement concerning government employees: (a) start early retirement for all government employees, (b) all new government employees will have a maximum tenure of 5 years, minimum salary increases within that period, subject to termination under the "At Will" law, and then you get a raise up out of there -go find a new job in the private sector, some other county for that matter of fact, and a new batch of employees come in. People these are public service positions we are talking about, not government opportunity/job security/pay my house off positions. Government will run more efficiently, because we'd be getting rid of the Good Ole Boy network -busting it up.
HEY -these positions would be ideal for graduating High School students that can't decide on a career path. It's a great way to get them employed, they'd be highly enthusiastic, and can save money to springboard their career. WoW what a novel idea!
We need LEADERS uniquely qualified in business, and economic development, to serve the people, and strengthen our economy.
Clark 9 months, 3 weeks ago
The last SPLOSTs very clearly accomplished their goals and projects, most of which weren't aimed at large-scale congestion improvements unlike the current T-SPLOST. In fact, there has never before been a referendum like the current T-SPLOST. I also fail to see what you mean by "folks that drive around aimlessly." The 60% of the working population that leave Rockdale every day certainly aren't driving around aimlessly, they're just trying to get to and from work, something that will be easier once the T-SPLOST passes and the projects are built.
Sundance 9 months, 4 weeks ago
In May of 2011. Rockdale County Sheriff's Office deputies were called to Nesbitt's home where he was arrested and charged with one count of simple assault, family violence, and one count of misdemeanor battery. Does anyone know what his sentence was? It was fairly recent and I don't remember seeing an article about how it all turned out. I will definitely not vote for him but I was just wondering if all that was cleared up or still ongoing and what the final punishment was. Here is a link with picture
http://www.rockdalecitizen.com/news/2011/may/10/nesbitt-comments-on-arrest-family-violence-charges/?opinion
by Sundance
superman 9 months, 4 weeks ago
Ha-Ha. Wasn't expecting to see his mugshot here... I think the charges were dropped by his wife. If I were him I'd rather stay in jail then be sent home with my wife! This isn't Nesbit's only run in with the law. I'd post all of the links but there are just too many. Following his election in 2008 he was in court (I believe for not paying his rent or child support). He is a class act...
Frustrated 9 months, 3 weeks ago
chargeswere later dismissed because his wife didnt want to cooperate with the prosecution. In other words..he talked her out of it.
VPublicola 9 months, 3 weeks ago
Don't forget this one, which along with others establsihes a pattern of behavior defining his "leadership" quailities!
http://chronicle.augusta.com/stories/1998/10/07/met_241140.shtml
AND, this one: http://www.rockdalecitizen.com/news/2...
Frustrated 9 months, 3 weeks ago
seems Oz had a problem sleeping when he should have been working..not much different from today now is it?
vocalone 9 months, 4 weeks ago
Forget about T-SPLOST -it is LOST...
We need PROVEN LEADERS that are uniquely qualified in business, and economic development to architect and build our local economy, not show boating, slick marketing, self centered politicians with their own personal agenda/ideas of what Rockdale citizens need.
Rockdale County needs BUSINESS LEADERS, not Government Leaders. We need to run our Government as a Business, and not a Government institution.
Here's a new concept to implement concerning government employees: (a) start early retirement for all government employees, (b) all new government employees will have a maximum tenure of 5 years, minimum salary increases within that period, subject to termination under the "At Will" law, and then you get a raise up out of there -go find a new job in the private sector, or some other county. People these are public service positions we are talking about, not government opportunity/job security/pay my house off positions. That will get rid of the Good Ole Boy network -busting it up. HEY -these positions would be ideal for graduating High School students that can't decide on a career path. It's a great way to get them employed, they'd be highly enthusiastic, and can save money to springboard their career. WoW what a novel idea.
VPublicola 9 months, 3 weeks ago
This pretty much sums up TSPLOST so that even a caveman can understand it...
Even a Caveman can understand this message! by VPublicola
Clark 9 months, 3 weeks ago
Wow, a flier that uses big bold exaggerations and flat out attacks rather than stating and debating the issues. If exaggerations and insults are all the T-SPLOST opponents have to offer because they know they can't expound upon the downsides in a civilized manner, then I guess the T-SPLOST really IS a good idea.
VPublicola 9 months, 3 weeks ago
Clark,
If this tax were such a reasonable and grand solution to the transportation woes of metro Atlanta, then Citizens for Transportation Mobility would not have to spend $6.47 million, or more, in a "push campaign" to get the citizens to vote for it. Based on the contributions to this front group, it should be Road Builders and Developers for Transportation Mobility. A review of the contributions clearly shows this is not a "citizens" group. While I may agree that both sides have not been 100% factual in their claims, 75% of the claims made by Citizens for Transportation Mobility have been half truths or false.
vocalone 9 months, 3 weeks ago
Clark -Then what are the other 40% drivers doing when 60% of the drivers are trying to get to work?
What I hear you saying is that because 60% of the population is experiencing congestion, we need TSPLOST. T-SPLOST is not a solution to anything.
I can't afford TSPLOST, and I am sure other can't. If you, and others are able to afford TSPLOST, then you can also afford to close up your house, pay your property taxes, sell your houses, and move to the most perfect, and ideal communities where there's no congestion, and conveniences are at a snap.
We need leaders that can focus on economic/business development, and attract existing outside businesses, corporations, and manufacturers that have deep pockets to invest in Rockdale, and help build our local economy. Only then will we generate the revenue needed to fund the same type of projects TSPLOST proposes to offer -and best of all it will be funded by the additional revenue to county brings in, and not by the grand scheme the TSPLOST architects propose. How much of the monies projected for Rockdale do you think will actually make it into Rockdale? Not only that -I bet you Rockdale projects will get cut, if not all together, and then we're stuck paying one cent for projects outside our community, on roads we don't even travel. Is that the risk you are willing to take?
Fact is infrastructure is only supposed to moderately grow in proportion to economic development, especially for a small county with a very small economic footprint.
TSPLOST is not Economic Stimulus. It will not bring jobs to Rockdale. The road crews on the road projects will all be transient workers from outside our community that already have the required skills (workers that work on Federal/State funded road projects). I know, I own dump trucks that work these federal/state transportation projects ran by DOT. My crews go from town to town, city to city, working and sleeping in motels. When the projects are done we leave. What permanent jobs do you think come out of that for local citizens? NONE!!
The economic blue print for Rockdale: give 10/15/20 year tax breaks to corporations that will put up money upfront to build/improve roads/transportation, build schools, and hospitals. When these corporations move into our community, they create jobs, provide job training (transferable skills) stimulate housing development, business, and job growth, and needed amenities; Reduce property tax, and utilities. The list goes on...
Short of this -I hope we all can keep the little money we don't have in our tight pockets, and put up with congestion, and long commutes until we get business leaders (not government public servants) with foresight that can plan the future of our community.
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