As of Saturday, February 2, 2013
© Copyright 2013
Rockdale Citizen
Rockdale County Commission Chairman Richard Oden delivers the 2013 State of the County address in the Rockdale County Auditorium Thursday evening. Oden said the county is continuing to move forward through teamwork. Staff photo: Lee Depkin
CONYERS -- Focusing on a theme of "Reuniting, Rebuilding and Re-energizing," Rockdale County Board of Commissioners Chairman Richard Oden said Thursday night that Rockdale is in a "rock-solid position to move forward."
In his annual State of the County address, Oden pointed to the contributions of those inside the county government as well as the school system, faith-based organizations and nonprofit groups in building the community.
"Rockdale County is an example of a model community, I believe, and I see so many positive things moving forward," he said.
Oden outlined advancements and improvements from 2012 in all county departments, recognizing each department head and their contributions to the county. He noted in particular that the homestead option sales tax exemption for county homeowners has increased, and the tax digest for commercial properties increased 4 percent and the digest value for industrial properties increased 1 percent. In addition, he said the county has been able to maintain aa2 and aa3 bond ratings despite tough economic times.
Oden said teamwork is the key to continue to make good things happen in Rockdale County.
"As we move forward to re-energize the community, we must continue to work together as a team," said Oden, who was elected to a second term in November. "I've been accused a lot of times of having an 'I' on my chest, but I'm a team player, and I may be anal sometimes, but the teamwork is what makes it work. As a quarterback, if you don't want to go in the game, I will call the play. We will succeed and Rockdale, we are succeeding."
In the current year, Oden said the Board of Commissioners will be focused on keeping neighborhoods safe; pursuing economic development; providing excellent customer service; creating clean, beautiful and livable communities; and continuing to make road improvements.
The county also presented the annual Charles P. Cole Citizen Involvement Award on Thursday night to Maryalyce Phillips, a devoted volunteer for Rockdale County Clean and Beautiful. The award was established in 2004 to recognize individuals who have demonstrated a true commitment to the betterment of Rockdale County
In presenting the award, Post 2 Commissioner JaNice Van Ness said Phillips had "always had a heart and drive to help her community."
Phillips was recognized not only as a community volunteer but as a former educator, church volunteer and community activist who had lent her assistance to other community leaders like former Atlanta mayors Maynard Jackson and Andrew Young, Rep. Hank Johnson and former DeKalb County CEO Vernon Jones.
Post 1 Commissioner Oz Nesbitt described Phillips as "an outstanding civic-minded individual who has made a true commitment to the betterment of Rockdale County."
In expressing her appreciation, Phillips said she has enjoyed living and volunteering in Rockdale County.
"Little did I know that picking up a little trash would get me here," she said. "This is such an honor. I really don't know what to say. Just as they say it takes a village to raise a child, it takes many communities to keep a county clean and beautiful. And that was my job -- to keep Rockdale County clean and beautiful."
The State of the County address was given at the Rockdale Auditorium at a total cost of nearly $5,000. Costs for the event were broken down as follows:
-- $150 for programs.
-- $2,256 for the Annual Performance Report.
-- $300 for a three-piece jazz ensemble that entertained prior to and after the presentations.
-- $114 for awards and engraving.
-- $1,580 for technical services including staging, sound, video, lighting and labor.
-- $350 for teleprompter operator, including time for two walk-through rehearsals and the event.
-- $52 for refreshments for volunteers and students who participated in the program.
More like this story
- Rebuild, reunite and re-energize ( January 26, 2012 )
- STATE OF THE COUNTY: Public safety, housing Oden's top goals ( January 24, 2011 )
- Business, taxes focus of State of County address ( January 19, 2010 )
- Oden uses State of the County speech to emphasize economic development efforts ( January 27, 2012 )
- Rockdale's Oden receives Commissioner of Year Award ( April 4, 2012 )
Comments
lakeridge 3 months, 2 weeks ago
Thank goodness a $350 teleprompter operator could be found. The $300 jazz band seems like a waste. Im just surprised it wasnt held at stonecrest.
INJUSTICE_FOR_ALL 3 months, 2 weeks ago
That OBAMA sticker on your car should say i'm stupid.
Elmo 3 months, 2 weeks ago
Too bad OdenBama couldn't get Stevie wonder or the Rockettes to come in for his showboat extravaganza.
A jazz band for the official State of the County speach?
I guess next year it will be a gala light show and pyrotechnics.
It took the equivelent entire property tax of at least two Rockdale homeowners to finance this debacle.
This guy seems as narcissistic as his idol, totally "ME, ME, ME" and "SPEND, SPEND, SPEND"
Well, like the old saying goes, "If you can't dazzle them with brilliance, the baffle them with B.S."
BUBBA 3 months, 2 weeks ago
If we are moving foward Where is foward?---dekalb??
Frustrated 3 months, 2 weeks ago
I especially liked the part about Oden being a "team player". Guess in his eyes he is a one person team because he sure doesnt want to play with the other two.
REK 3 months, 2 weeks ago
A jazz ensemble ? A teleprompter ? Technical services ? What was the theme of the message,,,,,how to produce government waste?? "Reuniting, Rebuilding and Re-energizing," Rockdale County .....you are not off to a good start.
callmecrazy 3 months, 2 weeks ago
If Oden is so bad, why did yall vote him back in?? Just sayin'.. And yes, we are the new Dekalb County! It is the reason our schools have gone to pot (literally).
Frustrated 3 months, 2 weeks ago
maybe we are among the ones that actually didnt vote for him
callmecrazy 3 months, 2 weeks ago
Me neither, but there is nothing we can do so stop complaining or move. I'm considering moving eventhough I grew up here, went to school here, and now work for the schools. They are so bad and the county doesn't even take a look at that side of things.
roots 3 months, 2 weeks ago
Don't blame the Commissioners for incompetence and unwise use of the peoples monies. We put them in office and we are getting just what we voted for. Suck it up or leave. We survived through the years of a one Commissioner government and it was really bad then, so, at least these have not had the ability to destroy the County as the previous Idiots did. Rockdale County will NEVER be the ideal or grand place that many have perceived that it was.
My family's tree goes back more than 100 years in this county. The Rockdale Government has always been a Second Class group trying to follow or keep up with the failing Counties to the west. We were destined to become a East Atlanta/Dekalb clone.
The one, and only one good thing that our county Government accomplished was the water reservoir and processing system.
roots 3 months, 2 weeks ago
"Any man who thinks he will be happy and prosperous by letting the government take care of him better take a closer look at the American Indian." -- Henry Ford"
I love this!! Both of my great-grandmothers where American Indian.
trOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOL 3 months, 2 weeks ago
want a cookie?
Back2reality 3 months, 2 weeks ago
Bless their hearts. But wait..... There is something we can do....get involved in it. I think there are many seats available at these town meetings. Come sit and make yourself known. Dont just hide and complain.... Get in their face and complain or praise... But get involved. There is power in numbers... We the people can make the difference if we participate. Get back to reality folks. Have a great day
Lorenzo 3 months, 2 weeks ago
This event was attended by less than 100 people. Oden sat on a chair next to a display of golden fruit until it was his time to speak. There was, in fact, a jazz band there and the place sounded like a nightclub prior to the beginning of the event. Oden's ego combined with his lack of common sense and intelligence mean that irresponsible spending will be the rule from our County Commissioners. I don't know how he made a living as a motivational speaker because he can't enunciate nor does he use those words he manages to pronounce properly. Listening to him just makes me tired.
Southside 3 months, 2 weeks ago
It makes you wonder about the type of people he motivated.
Elmo 3 months, 2 weeks ago
And, what he tries to motivate them to do...
REK 3 months, 2 weeks ago
He lost me at hello
MsKito 3 months, 2 weeks ago
Why can't the State of the County be delivered at a regular session, at the regular location, at the regular session time, without all the hoopla thereby costing taxpayers nada? Can we all suggest/ insist/ demand this?
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