The Citizen Newsletter

The Conservative Voice of Henry County

Issue # 340

April 18, 2012

Over 39,000 reads at Scribd.com

In This Issue:
Page Feature 2 3 4 7 8 9 9 10 11 Crunch Time for Henry Budget A matter of Principle District 13 GOP Convention Southern Crescent Republicans Stanley for Henry BoE Henry BoC Still Spending! Jason Hill for Rockdale Chairman Rep. Steve Davis Cook Out The Chamber s Leadership

Our tax dollars are spent to advertise and promote T-SPLOST. This picture we call MAVEN s KNOT appeared in a mailer sent by CTM. OUR CAPTION: FIND YOUR MONEY. If you vote for

T-SPLOST your money will be in that knot. Gone forever! Your grandchildren will pay for the never-ending tax.

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Editorial / Publication Policy

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Henry County Budget

It s Crunch Time

It is now crunch time for the Henry County board of commissioners. Facing the legal requirement to produce a balanced budget for FY2012-2013 the board must make a public proclamation detailing specifics of that budget. About two weeks before County Manager Fred Auletta spoke before the board in public session expressing his desire for an appointed citizen panel he called The Citizen editor to outlay the idea. Mr. Auletta wanted honest input about the idea. He wanted to provide absolute transparency for the process he was tasked to oversee. He wanted to hear positive and negative input concerning the anticipated budget shortfall. He wanted to know what sentiments exist in the communities concerning county revenues and expenses. Some folks believed the citizen panel was devised to provide political cover for a property tax millage increase. Some thought the panel was formed so the board of commissioners could abdicate their responsibilities. Neither assumption was true. The role of the panel appointees was no more or less than to review the county s budget and make known their ideas and opinions to Mr. Auletta. As the new county manager Mr. Auletta was tasked with submitting a set of proposals to the board of commissioners. Whatever the proposals include is the result of Mr. Auletta s research and analysis, and was never intended to be a consummate project devised by the citizen panel. Mr. Auletta has combed through comments and opinions made by the panel members. He has exhaustively labored over each of the county s sixty departmental budgets. While acknowledging the board commissioners in 2011 pruned low-hanging fruit from the budget, he also explains that personnel is the largest single budgeted item for the county and was the logical place to cut spending wherever possible. Personalities and ego notwithstanding, the panel members accurately described the probable property tax millage increase. Some panel members expressed doubt that certain county programs or departments should exist. One common theme emerged in support of Public Safety as the first priority of county government, and should therefore be exempt from further budgetary reductions. The Henry County budget of $112 million in FY2011-2012 is about $10 million higher than next year s anticipated revenues. That means the FY2012-2013 budget faces three options: a. Dissolve certain county programs and departments, or b. Increase the property tax millage rate c. A combination of spending cuts with a tax increase These are the facts. They are not disputed. We are not alone. Every county is faced with the same reduction in property values about 20% - which means reduced tax revenues across the board. Gwinnett County recently reported a balanced budget and reduction of property tax rates for about 80,000 of their 200,000 taxpayers. The arduous task can be done. Among the suggestions for budget cutting are (1) the county transit program, (2) Parks & Recreation, and (3) senior centers. Remember we are facing a $10 million deficit. Completely dissolving all three expense categories is still below $7 million. And the positive quality of life outcomes that are addressed by each expense would no longer exist.

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For example, the transit system costs about $600,000 annually or about $10 on the tax bill for a $127,000 residential property. Over 7,000 people utilized the system last year with the vast majority of riders being senior citizens going to a senior center or a disabled citizen travelling to work. Senior centers average an annual cost of $1 million each for maintenance and operation. Parks & Recreation accounts for less than $3 million annually. While fees for service remain options, it is not feasible to dissolve the quality of life afforded to Henry s citizens. While a major goal of county government is economic development, imagine the outcomes from an Atlanta Journal headline reading, Henry County closes senior centers, disbands parks for hundreds of sports teams. The long term negative impacts to our economy would not be recoverable. As an activist, writer and opponent of taxation it is very difficult to grapple with the awesome and difficult tasks that have fallen before Mr. Fred Auletta. In addition to managing county operations through various division and department heads, he has spent two months on research and analysis of a very real budgetary crisis. Responsibility for balancing the county budget rests with the board of commissioners. Whether they receive applauds or negative fallout will result from the specific decisions they make. The commissioners will own the FY2012-2013 budget. Neither the county manager, nor finance director make the final decisions. How the elected board members determine to reduce spending, or to generate the full $10 million through higher property taxes will certainly affect campaigns for re-election for three of them.

It's a matter of Principle

The GOP district conventions were held on Saturday and there is great uproar over events and issues arising from District 13 convention held at Austell. To make full disclosure, I am a Republican. I live in District 13. I am editor of The Citizen newsletter. Today I received an email reminding me that I should stay out of these issues because I am running for Henry School Board. I was told of the many friends and associates who could be rallied against my candidacy. I was asked to call Chip Flanegan for an account of the District 13 Convention, and was told by the District 13 GOP Chair, I am sorry, but on the advice of counsel, I have no comment regarding this. My response was simple: I have no interest in furthering the ongoing issues between the factions in Henry County. I have no interest in hurting the GOP. The letters of complaint of which I have received copies (as editor of The Citizen) are important and must be answered. As 13th Chair, I think you need to speak publicly. About my own candidacy, that stands apart from any political opposition that may come from parents and friends of others who do not want me to address GOP issues. I am running for school board, which is first a non-partisan post and secondly it is largely not influenced by the regimen of political strategies. The Constitutionally created school board stands outside political parties for a reason.

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Georgia s District 13 GOP Convention

The following is excerpts of comments and complaints made by attendees of the District 13 GOP Convention held at Austell. The Citizen acquired permission of the authors to reprint. To-date at least seven complaints and appeals have been filed.

I just got kicked out of the 13th District convention because I called for a point of order because they did not seat our delegates and were seating alternates instead. Chip Flanegan stated that his wife would be executed if she did that. I yelled out, Then execute me! Police tried to carry me out and I lay on the floor! What happened yesterday would have made the Black Panthers proud; what with voter nullification and intimidation tactics Flanegan, Hekmati, and their thug squad of sergeants-at-arms is traitors to liberty and the democratic process. In addition to the Austell police, there was several off-duty Henry County police in black tee shirts with "POLICE" on them. There needs to be an audit of the 13th District books because she is known to have comingled personal and RWHC funds in the past and it seems that her Conservative Woman's group is making donations to nonpartisan mayoral campaigns. There was nothing in yesterday's debacle that had anything to do with defeating the current occupant of the White House. It was all about the self-serving, self-aggrandizement of two of the most dangerous egomaniacal traitors to the American way of life I have ever encountered. The nominating committee, chaired by Mark Alarcon (an elected official- Stockbridge City Council- who under state rules may not even be an officer in the GOP but is a VP in the 13th) nominated Sahar and a friend of hers and someone from Fulton County. Alarcon's wife is an officer in the Conservative Republican Women- Sahar Hekmati s organization. The following is the text of the email sent to Georgia GOP Chairman Sue Everhart: My husband and I are duly elected delegates from Henry County to the 13th District Convention held in Austell today. We pre-registered and paid with a check for $80 ($40x2) and were issued delegate name badges at the door when we checked in. The agenda was never adopted but the 13th district chair Sahar Hekmati started following an agenda that was never distributed to the delegates. The call was never read. Shortly after the chair started talking, she said we were in session and asked for the pledge. She then spent about 10 minutes giving her personal history. I rose to a point of order and asked that the agenda be adopted and we return to follow it and have the invocation which had been skipped. I was told I was out of order and she attempted to have me removed for asking that we acknowledge our God. The 2 sergeants-at-arms attempted to remove me but I had taken my seat and I refused since under Roberts Rules I was not out of order. I was threatened with felony criminal prosecution by one of the sergeants at arms. On at least 2 occasions the 13th district chair came to the podium and stated that she had a motion and a second without ever calling for the same from the assembled body. Once to recess for lunch, once to reconvene. Since we had never officially convened, we could not recess, or reconvene, nor could any motions be heard, seconded or voted upon. Never were the individuals identified that made said "motions" or seconds. After over 4 hours the credentials committee returned and began to seat the Henry County Delegation. Both my husband and I as well as at least 18 more of the duly elected delegates were disqualified with no

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explanation and alternates and even one guest were seated in our places. Numerous attempts to get an explanation via points of order were ignored and ruled out of order. There were so many rules violations it is impossible to enumerate them all. This was the most despicable miscarriage of democratic procedure we have ever seen or been a party to. North Korea would look like a democracy compared to the travesty perpetrated on the Henry County 13th District delegation today. I am physically sick to my stomach that this could happen in this the greatest country on the planet. If our state Republican Leaders do not intervene and nullify this travesty of a convention, we will find it extremely difficult to continue to support the organized GOP with our time and or funds Various comments: I ve been a Republican for 52 years and today I am ashamed to be a member of the 13th District. My rights to be a delegate was rejected by a power hungry chairperson of the 13th District, I was to leave because I had some literature that someone was giving out at the entrance of the convention. The chairperson said that I could not enter that this was HER convention and I corrected her that it was OUR convention. She called the police and had me removed. What difference does it make what kind of literature I have in my possession? I feel that my rights were violated. Give some people power and they become dangerous.

Let it be said here and now that Chip Flanagan who is a candidate for 13th District House seat was
the chair of the credentials committee and subsequently appointed convention chair was complicit in the travesty perpetrated on the Henry County Delegation and upon freedom and liberty itself. He will make a first rate dictator. I call on all my Republican friends to actively seek to see that this man NEVER holds political office. Not only were registered delegates not seated, we were not even allowed to speak for a justification as to why the credential committee did not recognize us. The district cannot change the delegate list that was RIGHTFULLY elected at the county convention. This is a new low; of course all that made this happen clearly have very low ethical standards and managed to still slide under that threshold.

The Citizen also received the following letter of complaint

Georgia Republican Party Appeals Committee 3110 Maple Drive Suite 150 Atlanta, GA 30305 I went to the site of 13th District convention on Saturday, 4/14/2012; however, I was not able to attend the convention. After I completed my convention registration, I returned to the parking lot to distribute to convention attendees a document that stated how the 13th District rules were in conflict to the state party rules. I have attached a copy of this flyer for your review. As I was passing out this information, 2 police officers approached me and told me that upon instructions from the 13th District Chair, I was to stop passing out convention materials, and if I did not neither I nor any attendee who possessed this flyer would be allowed to enter the convention hall. The police officers told me that I was not violating any city, county, or state laws by passing out the flyers.

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I promptly stopped passing out these flyers and placed them inside my vehicle. Afterwards, I returned to the convention hall, and was stopped at the door by the Sergeant-at-Arms, Patrick Kelly, Chip Flanegan, and Sahar Hekmati. I was asked if I was passing out flyers, and then I was told to leave by 13th District Chair Sahar Hekmati. I asked if I was violating any 13th District rules or 13th District Convention rules; however, I received no answer. I asked for my refund for my registration, since the convention had not yet started and my request was denied by the Sergeant-At-Arms. During my Q&A with the Sergeant-At-Arms, Mr. Chip Flanegan began to harass me, until I turned around and left. Due to this harassment, I completed a police report with the Austell Police Dept. Case # 313, received by Officer Koutlas. My experience at the convention was not something I would expect from fellow Republicans. I ask that the Georgia Republican Party and its Appeals Committee respond to the issues that exist in the 13th District and to the problems that rose from the 2012 13th District convention. Regards, Shelley L. Crayon, III Georgia Republican Party State Committee, 13th District And this one: To: Georgia State GOP Executive Board 13th District Executive Board All Republicans I attended the Georgia District 13 Convention today and was totally embarrassed by the mismanagement of the Convention, the lack of following State Rules, and the lack of following Roberts Rules of Order (current edition.) As a delegate, and the grandfather of the President of the newest Teen Republican club in Georgia, I was appalled at the action of this austere group of so-called leaders, especially since I invited my grandson to be a guest. First of all, the simple organization of the event was poor to say the least. The process registration was slow, the incident at the front door of not allowing people to enter because they received an unauthorized handout supposedly on the convention site outside the building, the placing of refreshments in the same room as the Credentials committee, not giving everyone an agenda, the Credentials committee taking three hours to verify delegates, serving a $6.00 lunch and charging $30 for it and for hiring local police to do the bidding of the Convention Chair, and much more added to the displeasure of those attending. However, those are not my real concerns. First of all, the appointed temporary convention chairman, Chip Flannigan (sp?), called for a vote to accept the agenda. The Nays definitely, by a 2 to 1 margin, did not want to accept the agenda that had already been compromised. I requested a division, as well as many others, to do a head count of that motion, and was denied, which irritated a majority of attendees and me. He definitely did not rule in favor of the majority of the body of those present. Secondly, at no time was a Chairman for the convention voted on. I believe the delegates to the Convention elect the Convention Chairperson who will rule over the convention. Without an elected Chairman of the Convention, I do not believe in its validity. No motions were allowed from the floor, except at the end, to close nominations, and to close the convention and many who stood to be recognized on points of order were either not recognized or were removed from the convention for what was considered a disruption. Even my grandson, who should not have spoken out as a guest, was

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removed on the first violation. I believe all points of order are to be heard according to Roberts Rules of Order. There was a very inappropriate remark made by Chip Flannigan (sp?), Appointed Convention Chair, when he responded to a woman s remark. He told the woman that if she was in his wife s country of origin, she would have been executed. Where does anyone get off with such a remark? He also made a snide remark, when an individual asked for a point of information and requested the restatement of the convention strength by County. His remark was something to the fact that, "If you want to go over it again and waste more time, okay". It took less time to restate the strength of the convention, than it did listening to his babbling. Based on rules of the 13th District, which are in conflict with Georgia GOP rules, I believe an investigation should be undertaken by the State Executive Committee, as to the validity of our Convention. Incidents like these, and the arrogance of our leaders, is why so many shy away from the party. We are supposed to by an all-inclusive organization, and not lambs led by the elite clique . I am sure that Sahar will be voted out of office next convention, but until that time, we need to follow the desires of the members as long as they fall within the confines of the State Party Rules. We were here today to LEGALLY elect three delegates and three alternates to the National Convention. We should always do so under the legal rules. If these are in conflict with the State rules, it could have been addressed quickly and had the issue put behind us. Respectfully, Richard L. Radzik Delegate

Southern Crescent Senior Republican Network

Friday, April 20th at the Henry County Moose Lodge, Hwy 155 in McDonough.
Join at 7:00pm in the ballroom.

Bring your family and friends for an End of the Year Legislative Update from Representative Steve Davis. Also hear Candidate for District 1 Board of Commissioners, William Bo Moss speak about his platform and plans for District 1.

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Visit & Like on Facebook: HTTP://WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/PAGES/STANLEY-FOR-HENRY-BOARD-OF-EDUCATION/284100898334521

Campaign Committee: Stanley for Henry Board of Education 260 Oak Leaf Drive, Stockbridge GA 30281 Larry Stanley, Chairman

I have spoken with some school system employees who shared concerns about compensation. I have been told that system rank and file has not had a pay raise in four to five years. However, central office staff has received compensation in form of raises and/or bonuses. Specifically mentioned were department heads and office staff at the county office.. I have requested a listing of employees, by job titles, who have received either pay raises or bonuses during FY2010-2011 or FY2011-2012.

Here is the response provided:

The Administrative Salary Schedule was on the agenda for the November 14, 2011 Board meeting, due to a re-organization that resulted in the elimination of four central office positions and the addition of three. The four positions eliminated were: Assistant Superintendent, Coordinator, and 2 Directors. The three new positions of Executive Officer were added to the salary schedule. I believe some individuals read this agenda item on eBoard and incorrectly assumed that all Henry County administrators received a salary increase. Board of Education employees have not received a salary increase for three consecutive years. The exception would be employees that transferred to another position in which the pay grade was higher than the previous position. For ex: an Assistant Principal moving to a Principal position.

I trust this answers the question.

Larry Stanley
Candidate, Henry County BoE

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Proof of Right
County Buys Bank Building While Threatening Public Safety Layoffs
Next month HCBOC Chairman BJ Mathis will tell you that your property taxes must be raised in order to avoid layoffs of our police officers and firefighters. This is a lie. As taxpayers, we want our elected officials to cut all unnecessary spending before taking the drastic step of raising our taxes, right? And, most reasonable people agree that public safety is one area that should never be sacrificed unless absolutely necessary. But that s not what s happening and I can say with certainty that the Board of Commissioners are in fact about to raise our property taxes in order to close the budget gap. They simply are not serious about cutting unnecessary spending. If they were, they would not have just done this. On December 19, 2011, the HCBOC PURCHASED (p.14) the property formerly owned by Peachtree National Bank. It is located at 530 HIGHWAY 20/81, west of I-75 across from Animal Control. The price? MORE THAN HALF A MILLION DOLLARS. $547,000 to be exact. Continue reading at HTTP://PROOFOFRIGHT.WORDPRESS.COM/2012/04/16/COUNTY-BUYS-BANKBUILDING-WHILE-THREATENING-PUBLIC-SAFETY-LAYOFFS/

JASON HILL For

Rockdale County Chairman From the Jason Hill Campaign:

The Jason Hill Campaign for Chairman is growing stronger every day. We are organizing the strongest grassroots campaign that Rockdale County has ever seen. We have dedicated precinct captains in place who are busy making phone calls and finding more volunteers. Starting in May, we will begin placing yard signs throughout Rockdale County. If you would like yard sign or would like to volunteer to help us in other ways, please send us an email or sign up THROUGH THE WEBSITE, HTTP://WWW.ELECTJASONHILL.COM/ . Please join us at our PANCAKE BREAKFAST FUNDRAISER AND MEET AND GREET on April 28, 7:30 am to 9:30 am at Still Lumber Company, 1515 OLD COVINGTON HWY IN CONYERS.

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I want to personally share the message of better government with you and create more excitement for the campaign. Please forward this message to anyone you know that has an interest in Rockdale County and our goal to bring better vision and leadership to your government.

Rep. Steve Davis Cook Out

with Speaker Ralston and Ag Commissioner Black
I would like to invite everyone to join the Speaker of the House David Ralston, Agriculture Commissioner Gary Black, and myself for a nice family friendly steak dinner with live entertainment.

Wednesday, May 9, 2012 -- 5:00pm until 8:00pm 1042 Millers Mill Rd Stockbridge, GA 30281
$10 Steak and Potato dinner (Kids eat free and we will have some choices for them) Salad, corn, bread and dessert and tea Live Music Family Friendly Lots of playground area for the kids
HTTP://WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/SETTINGS?TAB=NOTIFICATIONS#!/EVENTS/3817568485309

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Re-Elect Rep. Steve Davis (R-109) Georgia House of Representatives

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The Citizen wants to make perfectly clear that this depiction of the LEADERSHIP at the Henry Chamber of Commerce is considered factual. The executive director of the Chamber launched a campaign against Rep. Steve Davis because his conservative principles would not allow him to carry legislation that failed to protect the citizens of House District 109. The executive director has even demeaned Rep. Davis during new member orientation. Since Rep. Steve Davis took office he has refused to simply do as he is told by the high-and-mighty. He has consistently served and protected taxpaying citizens regardless of the attacks he has received because of these stances. The Double Standard from Chamber and their puppets is appalling. Rep. Davis s conservative voting record and his tireless efforts on behalf of taxpayers simply not accepted by the Gimme-Your-Tax-Dollars for our agendas leadership at the Henry Chamber. Ironically, Rep Davis has 100% rating with the Georgia Chamber of Commerce that has praised him for his work to reduce taxes and regulations on the businesses of this state. He has also had the support of National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) for his positions to protect small business. This depiction of the Chamber s leadership DOES NOT mean to lump all 700+ Chamber members with the political actions of the executive director. Numerous examples exist wherein the executive director has depicted her position and role as representing over 700 businesses in Henry County. As recently as her letter to the Henry Legislative Delegation begging opposition to charter school legislation gave the impression that all the members also opposed the legislation. That legislation passed both the House and the Senate setting a national standard for education. The constitutional amendment will be decided by Georgia voters on the November ballot. Whether you businessmen and women support or oppose state funded charter schools, it is doubtful that all 700+ members agree and desire to be lumped into the leadership s agenda. That type of illusory so-called leadership should give the entire organization question about how they are represented. Re-Elect Rep. Steve Davis - a real Conservative with no strings attached!

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