xactly, I dont think it states that we have to 'upgrade our jail,' just releive the overcrowding. If there is a state statute that states that prisoners must be provided housing in "Da Rowan Regency", please post it, I am interested. Otherwise, I think the suggestion of a tent city for prisoners should be brought before the board for consideration, in hopes of relieving some of this multi-million dollar tax burden that is getting strapped on OUR backs, for THEIR benefit. Even with a sales tax increase, will the prisoners be helping to pay off that debt while in jail? NO! Or here again, are we keeping them up, free of charge? Who's the dumb ones in this picture? If they want to break the law, let them pay the consequences...in a tent city, not in ANOTHER Rowan Regency 'hotel', at OUR expense! COLD Baloney sandwiches all around for the criminals! Commissioners, I sincerely hope that you are reading these comments, and take them to heart!
Why should prisoners be afforded better 'accommodations' than some residents - like cable TV, gyms, and free room and board? Put them in a tent city, on some of this county's ALREADY-OWNED property, and let them learn what RESPONSIBLE for one's self is about! They might just learn to STAY OUT of jail then! (if not, then perhaps they will develop of love of 'camping LOL) I'm sure that some fencing and tents sure cost a lot less than a new jail annex! Just tell me where anyone can live for FREE in this county, on SOMEONE ELSE's dime, and not have to lift a finger in doing so!!! Perhaps it DOES take a 'village' - a TENT VILLAGE!
Why does it always have to be 'the lesser of TWO evils" - either property tax increase or sales tax increase? Why not trim the budget, get rid of some deadwood employees (I could name a few!), do less 'driving around with the top down', and save some of the fuel budget, less 'lunches' on the county's dime, stop buying new vehicles/machinery in all departments, and have this county tighten their own belt, like the majority of the country has had to do in this economy? Does the phase 'learn to live within your means/budget' mean anything to this panel of commissioners and county manager? Are they all that out of touch?
CON'T....
Why build a tower in Pooletown? That location is within a mile of Daivdson County. Will they (the commission) be renting use of that tower out to them (Davidson Co), if built? How much revenue will this produce, and will that profit/revenue estimate be used to pay off the debt of this/these tower?
Leaving out the SW corner of the county - this merely speaks to the 'highly paid architects and engineers' that devised this plan!
It's only a short drive 'over the river'...so if this 'temporary tax' passes, I will just start doing my shopping in other counties! I suggest everyone else does too, and let them figure out a new 'way' to "gather funds." Property tax increase isn't going to be that popular for awhile yet, not in this economy, and would be virtual election suicide to any commissioner that votes for it. Let them stew in their own juices on this. I am sure that they are intelligent enough to 'find' that necessary money somewhere...perhaps a cheaper County Manager, less commissioner retreats, more accountability from every department, people who actually DO THEIR jobs, not just there to collect a pay check?????? I am sure that they could strip away enough 'dead wood' in most departments to make up the deficient! It would be quite different if we actually got something from all of the taxes that we pay, but that isn't the case in this county. All we get here is MORE TAXES!
CON'T
Do your homework and give us some HARD, CONCISE cost estimates! You've had plenty of time for it! What if it only cost half of what your 'estimate' is now? What will you spend the 'extra' on? Food for thought at the voting booth - MAKE THEM put it in writing as to when this tax will STOP, if passed! Hold their feet to the fire and make them responsible to us, the taxpayers, the very ones who will be paying for this!
Yeah MudBone, I noticed that quote too, but my take on it was - "Gary Page is playing politics again!" Slide it in there, under the guise that it is 'necessary,' and hope for the best. They have all known that this was coming for several years now, and have done nothing to plan for it, like SAVING for future expenditures. Is this county ran by the seat of it's pants? How do they 'find' money when it IS necessary, such as their pet projects that they want completed before the next election, so as to put a feather in their caps during campaigns???? I say vote NO and send the message that they need to be RESPONSIBLE to the taxpayers, not fleecing us! Come on, show some integrity Commissioners and Mr. Page, stop trying to 'coerce' us into more "temporary" taxes, and learn to live within our budget, and SAVE for the future!
Oh FBL, they WILL apply (and probably receive the grant(s)), but they want the tax increase to fleece the taxpayers, so that they can continue with the "Status Quo" of wastefulness! It's time we had some TRUE 'statesmen" in office, from local to federal levels, not the self-serving individuals that want to drain our pocketbooks of every dime that WE work for! I don't care which party they are from, this seems to be their goal. Just remember - at each election, if they are an incumbent, VOTE THEM OUT! Give them the message, we are fed up with status quo mediocrity , and want some REAL leadership back in office, that actually works for US!
Thank you Liddy and Bob Dole...AND most especially, thank you Veterans, for help giving us The Land of the Free, The Home of the Brave! God Bless America!
So what you are telling me is Bonez...their wasteful spending is 'justified' merely so they can be just as wasteful (or even more so) in future years???? Where is it going to stop? When they totally bankrupt the taxpayers that are paying for their wastefulness?
As long as we continue to sit back, hands folded and not raise Cane with those 'in charge' of this excessiveness, then we are as much to blame as they are! Call me a renegade, but I refuse to do this! Cut the budget, in ALL depts, and stop the inordinate gluttony...on OUR dime...enough is ENOUGH!!!
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Opus