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- Thursday, May 23, 2013 Gainesville, Georgia
Archive By Section - Letters to the editor
County should cut to the bone before raising taxes
The Hall County Board of Commissioners is currently debating raising the millage rate by 1.4 mills. Essential services to run the civilization we call home are important, but this is a time for bold leadership, fiscal conservatism and thoughtful stewardship of the people's money (it's ours, not the county's). It's time to demonstrate restrained government spending before you tax us again.
Hard to fight local governments in overturning tax assessments
A recent letter to the editor encouraged us to all contest our property assessment if it looked high given the current market. Here is the problem: If they reduced our assessment amount to reflect the current market, then revenues would drastically decrease.
Obama deserves credit for his policies
Trevor Thomas' column of May 12 was disingenuous and misleading. In it, he stated that President Barack Obama rode President George W. Bush's coattails to find and kill Osama bin Laden.
Appeal those tax values as housing market tumbles
I just got my tax assessment in the mail, showing no change from previous years despite the soft real estate market. And I know the game; I think I've filed a formal appeal twice in the last 30 years, successfully. The assessment board will ask me questions like, "Well, would you sell your house for the assessed value?" I'll say no. And then they'd tell me how there aren't really any comps nearby, ...
Don't like commentary on this page? Look to the 1st Amendment
Once more it is appropriate to thank The Times for daily giving us a handy opportunity to read the First Amendment: Check out the upper right-hand corner of the daily Opinion page.
Easy answers to our problems require only common sense
As I ponder the things I see and hear on the news each day, I am appalled and confused by the obvious gullibility and a complete lack of common-sense solutions to so many of the important issues plaguing our nation by those who have been entrusted with leading our nation. I'd like to suggest just a few things that I think might just work.
Local governments don't need to waste more federal money
An item in The Times on May 16 seemed ironic when Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner later said that the United States had reached the $14.3 trillion debt ceiling. He said he could juggle finances around and we could make it until sometime in August.
Block schedule is preferable to county’s new 7-period plan
I attended Flowery Branch High School. I am writing to you to cover the change to the seven-period schedule from the block schedule.
Not all letters printed should reflect views we agree with
Re: Reaction to the Jim Scharnagel letter that expressed his feelings concerning Muslims. The Times printed the letter May 13 and I observed two somewhat scathing responses since then condemning The Times for printing his opinion.
Let what flows into lake flow out
I believe the solution to the water issues regarding Lake Lanier is very simple: What goes in comes out. Let God and nature regulate the flow of water from the lake.
There's too much animosity in our political discussion
Lately the level of extremism and anger that the media has allowed to trickle down to the public has appalled me. Whether it is on television or in the newspaper I cannot watch or read it without seeing people that hold different views tearing at each other's throats.
Obama missed chance to heal after successful military mission
From a newspaper reader's comment, "Obama's favorite words are I, me, my, mine." Pondering that comment, I thought it really is true. A man who can't accept criticism but is quick to give it is obviously an egocentric person. His personality and policies have pushed the rift that always exists in a multiparty society, from a split to what I deem to be downright hate. Recently, our president went to his job and did it ...
Tax assessments are inflated beyond the real market value
I received notice of my property assessment for 2011 this week. I am appalled that our assessment is the same as it was for past years. It certainly does not reflect current market values by any stretch.
Letter attacking intolerance showed intolerance itself
Re: "The real threat to America comes from intolerant views." The original article by Jim Scharnagel regarding his views of Islam was rebutted by a follow-up editorial by Kyle Shook. Shook's theme was all about intolerance.
Convicted deputy should have received a stiffer sentence
I am in the Army, and have been away from my hometown of Gainesvile for some time, but I do keep up with local events. Former deputy Michael Nix, being convicted of child molestation and only receiving 10 years' probation is a complete travesty of justice.
Articles by Section - Letters to the editor
Your Views: Military heroes are a national treasure to US
To the families of the courageous men and women who served in the United States military: These veterans; our treasure in earthen vessels, these soldiers left a strong foundation for which we can stand.
Your Views: Push to raise Lanier’s level based on costs
In response to a concern about our push to increase the full pool of Lake Lanier to 1,073 feet: While we don't like to see public recreation areas and personal property compromised by high water levels, it is very instructive to see what the effects of 1,073 are on the surrounding lake areas.
Your Views: Administration continues to fuel an overall distrust of government
The Obama administration is at it again. According to President Barack Obama, he doesn't know half of what is going on in his administration, since he finds out things when he sees it on the news, like the IRS scandal. Then there was Benghazi, which the administration blamed on a movie instead of an organized terrorist organization. Then Hillary Clinton says "what difference does it make," like who cares?
Your Views: Campaign signs are out of place at veterans’ events
As Memorial Day approaches, I'm reminded of a disturbing trend I've noticed over the past several years. I've been serving in the U.S. Army and the Georgia Army National Guard for more than 17 years now, and the amount of support we receive from the community is very much appreciated.
Your Views: Parents have lost control of their kids, based on public behavior
Have you ever been in a department store or grocery store and felt like you were among a bunch of wild animals? I despise parents who are controlled by their children. Who is in control? Obviously, not the adults.
Your Views: Raising Lanier’s full pool 2 feet now seems an unworkable idea
For the last several years, the Lake Lanier Association and several advocates, have drafted plans of action to address issues regarding the lake's delicate balance, of its water quality and the constantly fluctuating levels, not to mention all the downstream demands made on this pristine North Georgia jewel.
Your Views: Sensible gun legislation will protect our rights and safety
State Sen. Steve Gooch has emphasized the need for more work on Second Amendment rights for Georgia citizens. He correctly states that, in 2008, the U.S. Supreme Court affirmed the individuals right to keep and bear arms. If you wanted guns to be outlawed except for militia use or some version of that scenario, then your argument is lost.
Your Views: Hall, Gainesville need an effective transit system
The Hall County Family Connection Network is a collaboration of agencies and organizations that serve families and children in Hall County. In this capacity, we write to express our concern about the future of the public transportation system in Gainesville and Hall County.
Your Views: Administration won’t be honest about threats facing nation
It seems we are continually confronting a threat or threats: radical Islam, economic meltdown, Obama scare, war, etc. However, one of my greatest concerns is the lack of honesty in our leaders. Their response, unfortunately, is always an effort to mislead and cover up. If I recall correctly, this administration promised to be the most transparent in our history. It appears to me we have a trust deficit much larger than our fiscal one.
Your Views: Left-turn ban is not best answer to city’s traffic
As you can imagine with a business that employs more than 100 people on Green Street, and one that has operated successfully on the street since 1967, we oppose the banning of left turns on Green Street as the only solution to Gainesville's traffic problem. It is a easy, knee-jerk public action but will only marginally affective in reducing the affect of traffic through our city.
Your Views: Citizens need guns for protection from an oppressive government
It appears that Jim Scharnagel still doesn't understand the history of this country or what our Constitution and Bill of Rights are all about. In his recent letter, he left out possibly the most important reason for maintaining an armed citizenry, namely protection from an oppressive government.
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