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- Tuesday, May 21, 2013 Gainesville, Georgia
Archive By Section - Letters to the editor
Bloated county government can't justify raising taxes
Why do so many politicians resort to sob stories and scare tactics when they are forced to get the government's financial house in order? Tom Oliver's antics are no different from the big government apologists in Congress; he simply raises the specter of slower emergency response and shuttered libraries instead of threatening Medicare cuts and the loss of cowboy poetry festivals.
Hall County workers have sacrificed all they can
As a Hall County resident and employee, I have tried to educate myself on the pending budget crisis as best as possible, but I can only speak from personal experience. I have to wonder how much longer residents and county officials can expect the budget to be balanced solely off the backs of the employees.
Other expenses could be cut to balance budget
Why is it every time the budget needs to be cut, we look to public safety, parks and usually education? Surely there are other areas where efficiency can be instilled?
Reservoirs will run up huge bills, debt for Hall taxpayers
T. Boone Pickens says that "water is the new oil" and he should know, as he has put his money into major water infrastructure investments. Why is the Hall County Reservoirs issue important for everyone to understand? The reason is how much this will cost in property taxes.
Drastic steps are needed to trim Hall County’s spending habits
In response to a recent headline, it is about time that we start taking some drastic steps to a drastic problem. Cutting these services is a great start. However, I would like to make two points.
Hall commissioners inspire no confidence with austere cuts
I am compelled to write to you in support of the three letters published Saturday. Brandi Barnes, Neil Boykin, and Jean Hudson all seem to have the same idea in mind.
Too many budget cuts damage our county’s ‘product’
I was concerned by the article on the front page of The Times today that delineates potential cuts in county services if no additional revenue can be identified.
Higher taxes will allow us to fund needs for everyone
I've noticed that, when times are good, lawmakers recommend a tax break. When times are bad, lawmakers recommened a tax break.
Corps’ water releases from Lake Lanier remain inconsistent
I just read the June 2 article in The Times about the pending study to increase water inflow needed in Florida to save their endangered mussels once again.
County has a spending crisis, not a tax crisis
Hall County's spending crisis did not blindside us; clear warnings have been issued time and again. Anyone even casually glancing at The Times foreclosures sections since the financial collapse knew trouble was coming.
Keep agricultural center open, close soccer fields instead
Why is the Chicopee Agricultural Center going to be closed? Ninety-five percent of the shows bring in visitors to the county from out of the state and county and thus sales taxes. The Allen Creek Soccer complex only serves the local community and does not bring in revenue from outside of the county.
County’s budget cuts are fine, but raising property taxes is not
I agree with some of the proposed cuts like parks and community centers but am concerned with the property tax increase. We have so many families struggling to hold on to their homes with lost jobs and reduced incomes that an increase in taxes could be the end of them.
County should find different items to cut from budget
As a voting citizen of Hall County since I was 18, I am deeply concerned by the proposed budget cuts in the county. Cutting two ambulances, laying off 77 employees and cutting another 25 positions is totally out of line and absurd. The county is so large that we need the ambulance and firefighter coverage badly. Cut something that is not so crucial.
Is county jail a Ritz Carlton? Only if you haven't seen inside
Frank Norton, sir, do you really see the Hall County jail as a Ritz Carlton? The Hall County Sheriff's Office as a kingdom?
Hall leaders should make decisions that are best for county
I am a lifelong resident and homeowner in Hall County. My children attend school in the Hall system and my husband is a Hall County officer. My family and I have a lot invested in Hall County.
Articles by Section - Letters to the editor
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.
Your Views: Evaluations don’t factor in art of teaching
Your article on the Teacher Keys evaluation system was accurate, but failed to discuss the critical issue; that is, is it possible to evaluate teaching using any evaluation tool regardless of its sophistication or intricacy? There are at least a few loud voices in the field of education, mine included, which reject the fundamental concept of teacher evaluation through an objective measurement device.
Your Views: Take time to thank teachers for their impact on our children
Our son's elementary school, Wauka Mountain Multiple Intelligences Academy, is honoring its teachers this week as part of Teacher Appreciation Week. Since this is his last year at the school, we began to reflect on all the wonderful teachers that have been a part of our lives these last six years.
Your Views: Power workers hustled to fix lines knocked down by storm
Saturday night, our power went out because a tree fell on a power line near our house. This happened shortly after 11 p.m. All night, we heard Jackson Electric workers cutting the tree and working in the pouring rain. At 6 a.m., our electricity came back on.
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