SPLOST

[givemeabreak]

Please check out the following web links before you vote in the splost election in November. The first link is a down-loadable pdf file.

www.cviog.uga.edu/ncsc/note-splost.pdf

dctc.wordpress.com/2007/09/12/splost-voting-yes-higher-property-taxes/

dctc.wordpress.com/

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special-purpose_local-option_sales_tax

www.accg.org/content.asp?contentid=794

dclp.blogspot.com/

www.doe.k12.ga.us/fbo_facilities.aspx?PageReq=FBOFacilitiesSPLOST

[oscarwho]

There is no end to the school board and Tommy Stephens asking or taking your money . I will vote no .

[givemeabreak]

Thanks for the input oscar.

[bubbadebubba]

Another tax!!!! e-gads!!

[sometimeman]

Thank you givemeabreak.

[AskTheWiseOldMan]

Haven't we all grown up and figured out by now that SPLOST monies invariably get spent on projects other than the ones you voted for - and that the cash ultimately winds up in the bank account of the contractor?

Who's the primary contractor and/or material and labor supplier in Towns and Union County? Who makes sure subcontractors don't work on projects unless there is some "tribute" paid to him?

If you figure it out then you'll know who benefits most from SPLOST.

[shortcircuit]

I'm going to break ranks and vote for it for one simple reason. If it doesn't pass then Tommy and the BOE will just raise our property taxes even more. Tommy threatened to do that the last time the SPLOST came up for renewal so that he could have his way. At least part of the funds will come from tourists who don't live here. I support the bill that will eliminate our ad valorem taxes and replace them with a sales tax so that crap like this won't happen anymore. Hopefully there will be a stipulation in the bill that will put a cap on the sales tax. And wiseman, you are 100% correct in what you said, we will get a cheaply built football stadium and auditorium and a certain general contractor and his friends will get their pockets filled with $$$$.

[shortcircuit]

Crooked politicians will do what they want as long as we allow them to. Voting Liemar out of office will send a strong message to the other crooks.

[eddie]

shortcircuit said:

I'm going to break ranks and vote for it for one simple reason. If it doesn't pass then Tommy and the BOE will just raise our property taxes even more. Tommy threatened to do that the last time the SPLOST came up for renewal so that he could have his way. At least part of the funds will come from tourists who don't live here. I support the bill that will eliminate our ad valorem taxes and replace them with a sales tax so that crap like this won't happen anymore. Hopefully there will be a stipulation in the bill that will put a cap on the sales tax. And wiseman, you are 100% correct in what you said, we will get a cheaply built football stadium and auditorium and a certain general contractor and his friends will get their pockets filled with $$$$.

Short: I suggest that you should reconsider you vote and here's why.
1- The County and School traditionally alternate on those obscene property tax increases. The school just hit us for over 50% increase.
2- So next year its' the Countys' turn to financially rape and pillage us all in property tax increases.
3- Also, history has proven that in the first year of each of Lamars' terms, there were enoromous increases in property tax due to millage increases or re-assessments. In the off chance he is re-elected again, get ready for another.
4- So, if history again repeates itself, the 1% will pass and then also the County will have a massive tax increase next year.
5- They (County and School) always threaten that if the 1% does not pass that property taxes will increase. When it does pass, property taxes go up anyway. We always get double crossed and the masses don't even realize it. If they do, its too late anyway and nothing they can do about it.
6- When these various 1% sales taxes began, they were promoted as a one time only tax, but they have never gone away. Now, they tout this as not a new tax but a mere continuation of an existing tax.
7- This is not about the kids or the community, its' all about control of large sums of money. Just imagine how popular you would be if you had the decision making power as to how and to whom 20 million dollars were to be spent. This idea of a fine arts center has in the past been a County (Lamar) proposition but now it seems convenient to shift it to the school system since they are running out of the current 1% tax.
8- Most importantly, is the 20 million or more debt. Who do you think will pay for this should the sales tax not be enough. Property owners. And its' a sure bet that this will be another project that is underestimated and under budgeted and the rest will have to come from property taxes.
I am not against needed capitol expenses, but adamately oppose them funded by long term debt. Cash has always been king and always will be. I say pay as you go especially when using someone elses (taxpayers) money. Further, I seriously question the estimate that 40% is paid by tourists. I wonder just what stats back that up. Can anyone provide that?

[eddie]

Ever notice or wonder why the various 1% local option taxes are always the on a ballot with nothing else or rather not in conjunction with any other election?
Low turnout increases the passage.

Who pays the election costs for this item only?
You, the taxpayers.

Who pays for the upkeep, maintenance, utilities, insurance, employees to operate these capitol improvements, etc. after the 1% tax builds it?
You, the taxpayer.

Please read the links someone provided at the beginning of this thread.

Oh well, Tommy probably has more relatives that need a job/position created for them.

[bubbadebubba]

the ballot reads textbooks- I thought that was in the general budget?
the next thing you know they will want an extension of the tax to pay for pencils.

[AskTheWiseOldMan]

Maybe things have changed but back in "the day", UC teachers were given paid time off to vote if SPLOST was on the ballot.

[bubbadebubba]

I hope givemeabreak don't mind, but I copied his posts and placed them on the Blairsville.com website

[tessa]

Thanks for the information givemeabreak. Seems like our school board has gone overboard with this proposal. What did they do have a brainstorming session and throw everyone's pet wishes into the pot just because SPLOST "will" pay for it? There's a lot of fat that needs cutting out. My husband and I will be voting "NO"!

[bubbadebubba]

I've got a novel idea- why don't we all personnaly call the Board of Ed and tell them to put on the splost ballot to use the sales taxes to reduce property taxes.- oh wait, I can't find their phone numbers in the phone book. seems like most all county officials are not listed.