Citizen Newsletter #151

From: Henry Citizen <hccitizen@charterinternet.co... Add to Contacts Fri, January 29, 2010 10:07:41 PM
To: henrycountycitizen@yahoo.com

Citizen Newsletter
NEWSLETTER # 151
January 30, 2010 The Conservative Voice of Henry County

Announcements & Info

In This Issue

1. Subsidizing Competition
2. Mathis Wins Award
3. Good money After Bad
4. Can We Get a Loan?
5. Fight Against Cell Towers Contact Henry Citizen at hc.citizen@hccitizen.org
6. Your Voice Henry Citizen Newsletter Opt-In
7. Cutting Off Your Nose Unsubscribe
8. Schools Down $45-million Your comments and submissions are always
9. Fiber Optics: Another Gov’t Takeover welcome!
10. Deficit Spending
11. County PR Machine at Work
12. Henry Republican Party News

Editorial / Publication Policy

You've got to see this video!

MAILBAG
I live and work in Henry County and I feel that
http://www.MassachusettsMiracle.com the people of Henry County have the right to
vote on the Broadband Fiber Optic Network.
Fiber Optics Initiative The people of Henry County are struggling to
By petecook pay the taxes now and we do not want any
new Taxes.

See Pete’s article at Henry Neighbor online
There have been other communities such as Cobb
County and Tifton that have tried this and it did not
work. The company the county is dealing with today is
under the same gentleman who had those companies
then : a Mr. Allen. The idea has even been televised
on local cable TV where Mr. Rainer was interviewed
about the subject by Mr. Vaughn. Promotion of this
issue is at a steamroller pace.
Found this on YouTube - it is great: The Day
Obamacare Died
http://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=bpevc2t_Frw
BJ Mathis needs to be made a ware that we do
not want anything jammed down our throats.
And I think the votes in Mass. showed that
the American people will not be run over.
Brenda Seymore
In the upcoming meetings for the BoC their
agendas have been posted. They are talking
about the fiber optics in both meetings. The
question though that I have is this about
them buying the Conference Center as a ARRA
2009 project. What in buying this building
will add to the work force of the area as
described in the project rules?

Mike

Thank you for reading the Henry Citizen Newsletter

Please send your comments or submissions to hc.citizen@hccitizen.org

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 Thank you!

THE MOST COMMON WAY PEOPLE GIVE UP THEIR POWER IS BY THINKING THEY DO NOT HAVE ANY. REMEMBER, YOU ARE NOT
ALONE. YOU - WE - ARE THE DEFENDERS OF LIBERTY!

Subsidizing Competition
By Michael Turk for Digital Society

The Notices of Funds Availability (NoFA) contain significantly different rules from the first round funding
restrictions.

4.8 Billion Taxpayer Dollars Are Going To Do What?

As many trade publications have noted, the new NoFAs make it much easier to qualify for funding.
However, while the agencies argue that the new rules make it easier to target specific priority areas, the
more likely scenario will see government funds being used to subsidize competition with existing providers.

Previous rules that would require applicants to provide service in underserved and unserved areas, have
been seriously relaxed in the second round. In some cases, the un/underserved requirement was changed,
in others it was outright eliminated. NTIA, for instance, has gone from having an un/underserved
requirement, to simply making that a factor in scoring – thus allowing grants to be issued in urban areas or
areas with existing providers to subsidize competitors to existing businesses.

By lowering their standards to include served and urban areas, NTIA/RUS have conceded that there simply
aren’t that many places where broadband is unavailable, and few companies wanting to invest in them.

Is This A Good Use Of Taxpayer Funds?

Broadband is important to our daily lives. Getting America connected should be a top priority to be sure. However,
using government funds to compete with private business undermines the market. As many have argued, the best
use of public funds is to reach areas where private companies, due to cost, are simply unwilling to go. Changing
the grant/loan split was move in the right direction as it put more money into directly building in these areas.
Taking away the requirement that those areas be served negated that wise move.

The question we should be asking now is simple. If government couldn’t find applicants willing to serve the areas
that need broadband, is it a good use of taxpayer dollars to simply give them away?
Mathis Wins Award
Mathis Wins Award - Press Release

The Center for Fiscal Conservatism (CFC) organizes and sponsors training geared toward citizen activism and
oversight of government fiscal policy. Their aim is to foster hands-on involvement with local government toward
influencing sound spending and debt. Taxation is the key motivation for these activities.

John Cloverleaf, Director of Georgia operations, described the annual award for fiscal waste as the lowest
recognition the organization can bestow an elected official. High performance in office, public positions and actions
proving dedication to lower taxes and smaller government would nullify the criteria for consideration.

Cloverleaf said that Chairman Elizabeth “BJ” Mathis of Henry County has certainly earned this recognition: a bust
to be presented at a formal ceremony in March 2010. The sculpture is a replica of one of the Washington
National Cathedral Gargoyles: Crooked Politician (93) in Washington, D.C. by Jay Hall Carpenter, Walter
Arnold

Citing Mathis as a deceptive conservative (DeceptiCon) whose values demonstrate the lowest concern for
taxpaying citizens, Cloverleaf listed her involvement with use of eminent domain and spending over $8-million to
acquire Nash Farm Park and expenditures exceeding $250,000 for events at the park; and, creation of Life
Management Department for social programs and promotion of her campaign treasurer’s daughter to a
directorship at a greatly increased salary. In 2007 Mathis designated three new road projects from the county’s
SPLOST program to benefit a campaign supporter’s proposed development. During planning stages by the state
D.O.T. Mathis influenced decision makers by saying the Jodeco Bridge widening was the most important project in
her district, even more valued than adding traffic lanes to I-75. Most recently Mathis has gained recognition for
attempting to creatively spend over $14-million in tax revenues for a government owned broadband fiber optic
network.

Cloverleaf said, “These are examples of consistently disregarding the interests of taxpayers.”
During Mathis’s campaign for chairmanship of the county commission she was interviewed for Business Life, a
show produced for SBN Television in Henry County. In her own words, hear Mathis describe her involvement with
the acquisition of Nash Farm. Watch the YouTube video: BJ Elizabeth Mathis - Nash Farms. Mathis
clearly said the property was purchased using Impact Fees, that the funds did not come from tax revenues. She
also pointed to the archaelogical studies and over 1,000 found artifacts to be displayed at the Nash Museum.

Cloverleaf acknowledged Nash Farm was, in fact, acquired using general fund, taxpayer dollars as confirmed by
the county finance office. He also recognized Mathis’s stories about historical significance are refuted by the
National Park Service and the Georgia Battlefield Association. Cloverleaf said, “A small number of people actually
believe these facts. And to get elected you only need to fool some of the people some of the time. ”

Like Al Gore and global warming, or President Obama’s economic agenda, it is all a hoax. Some people
go deaf, dumb and blind. They will believe anything Mathis says. Also likening Mathis to Obama, Cloverleaf
suggested many voters must now feel buyer’s remorse!

Good Money After Bad

Good Money After Bad

By Larry Stanley, for The Citizen

A few years ago when I was aging and having already faced three lay-offs in my chosen industry, it was time to
become an entrepreneur. Knowing I was just as smart as the average bear and that a little cash was available I
bought a company geared to sell commodity items that surely everyone would want and use. It was also in the
plan to capitalize on relationships and good will. Between 2004 and 2005 the competition grew, housing
construction fell off, money became tight.

I did what my Daddy always warned against. I did what my own principles forbade. I threw money at a failing
business plan. With all available cash exhausted, accounts receivable growing, customers unable or unwilling to
patronize this homegrown business, and creditors knocking, the business was lost.

If the frog had wings he would not bump his butt.

If there had been available cash, the plans and schemes could have been pursued a while longer. But not
indefinitely. Sooner or later the debt must be repaid. Finally seeing all that was at stake it was fruitless to seek
outside funding. The business model was simply too expensive to be profitable. There was no free lunch then or
now. Lessons were learned and principles reinforced.

In government there is a bottomless well filled with available cash. The taxing authority of local government
allows plans and schemes to move ahead on the backs of taxpayers. Unfortunately those in elected office look for
ways to impress or benefit particular constituents or feed their own ego. They have no personal responsibility.
They are not legally accountable. They push and pull on heartstrings and follow Woulda-Coulda-Shoulda
reasoning.

Government owned businesses require violating every principle of the free market. Competition with market forces
negates the backbone of American industry. National examples are readily found in the auto industry, banking &
finance, health care. Local examples are found in the tax-funded budgets of our Parks & Recreation department
and Life Management department. It all provides a false sense of security and feel-good accomplishment when
government steps in to take care of “our needs.” Instead of working, earning and building through individual toil
and innovation, we become wards of the government. People lose understanding of needs and actually expect
society to pay for their wants.

The job of economic development involves creating and maintaining a business friendly environment. Low taxes,
reduced regulation, available markets for goods and services are pieces of the puzzle. The free market will create
jobs. Long term stability does not come through short-term political maneuvers or so-called public-private
ventures. Growing the economy requires that government simply gets out of the way!

The highest and best role of government must focus on its primary mission: health and safety. Police and Fire
departments; Health maintenance and emergency preparedness; water and roads. All else falls under social
engineering. Cutting unnecessary programs and refusing to incur debt are the responsible paths.

Henry County’s tax revenues will fall in 2010. County government and our school system will face salary
reductions, furloughs and lay-offs. It is unavoidable. The job cannot be left half-done. Our governing authority
must take steps to reduce its size and scope to escape eventual bankruptcy. Voters must refuse any attempts by
government that allows debt including additional bonds, special tax districts, or increased sales tax. The most
effective economic stimulus is allowing citizens to keep and manage their own money – not having government
take the biggest chunk for itself.

There is no Free Lunch

Grabbing for Stimulus funds, issuing revenue bonds and borrowing money we cannot repay increases the size of
government and irrationally changes its mission. We are citizens and taxpayers with the power to stop out-of-
control spending. That is our first and best mission.

Can We Get a Loan?

The Henry County government should win awards for garnering loans, grants, and bonds that cost the county each
year in payments. Why they even know how to let the taxpayers stick it to themselves through SPLOST and now
they want us to stick it to our selves through Tax Allocation Districts.

But as a citizen try to get a loan right now. That is one of the hardest things to do today except for governmental
bodies. It is like giving them a credit card without a limit. They will spend it all as soon as possible.
Somewhere along the way they forgot how to be conservative. The general public has to be conservative with
their spending because they don't have a lot to spend to begin with.

If they were more conservative then our outstanding balances on the loans made by the Henry County government
and that is not only the BoC, other bodies such as the BoE would be as high as it is today.

That is why our taxes and millage rates are the highest in the Metro Atlanta Area. With the area in which we live it
should not be this much. But trying to bring in further and further business and people will not fix the problem.
The government will just want more and more money from taxes as they see the base grow. Take a good look at
Fulton, DeKalb, Cobb, and Gwinnett counties. Do we really want to look like those counties?

We are well on our way to being just that if something doesn't change. But those in charge today don't want to be
conservative with our growth. Maybe changes will be made to correct this problem with time.

The Doctor

Fight Against Cell Towers

Update on Henry resident's fight against the T-Mobile cell tower on Kellytown Road. The immediate community
efforts have caused the County to rewrite the planning and zoning code relating to cell tower applications and they
also have issued a 6 month moratorium. This rewrite was written after T-Mobile applied for 7-8 towers in Henry
County. The BOC have the power and can reject this particular application and prevent T-Mobile from diminishing
our RESIDENTIAL neighborhood with a 160' tower directly in the back yards of up to 200 residents. This will
negatively affect the value of our properties even more than the 10-40% depreciation of home values, we've
already experienced.

We have 10 towers within a 10 mile radius of our neighborhood. There is a 1996 Telecommunications act that
prevents us from using health risks as rationale for defeating the tower. This Act used information from the 80s
and 90s and everyone knows that there have been many recent studies that suggest that microwaves can cause
health issues.

The BOC may decline to reject this application for fear of a lawsuit by T-Mobile. This tower is the closest tower to
residential property in our county - we must stop this! Your neighborhood could be next. As a fellow citizen I
implore you to write your commissioner and attend the meeting at 6:30 PM on February 16th. We need a good
turnout to let the Commissioners know we don't want this tower. Aren't you tired of your voices not being heard
by our President, and our Congressmen? I am! We have to speak louder!! Be there, and help us defeat
this invasion of our neighborhoods. Your support would mean so much to Henry County and your neighbors.

If you have any questions, you can E-Mail tami.hoover@yahoo.com

Thank you,

Jack Fox
Lost Forest Dr

Your Voice
The Wild Bunch

Several articles and opinion pieces in The Citizen have pointed to the frequency of unanimous votes by our board
of commissioners. It too often appears that decisions, compromises and political maneuvers have been
orchestrated before the issues are publicly presented. It is odd that five or six board members will discuss and
comment, often recognizing the negative aspects of an issue, yet still vote in favor of passing it.

We are reminded of Butch Cassidy & the Sundance Kid. Cassidy, Sundance and their gang – known both as the
Hole in the Wall Gang and the Wild Bunch – were masters of the big heist. They perfected the technique of the
three-man robbery.

Note that only three votes are required to pass any measure before the board of commissioners.

One man would hold the horses, one would hold a gun, and one would grab the cash.

The gang was particularly famous for their stylish technique. When they took a train they blew up the baggage car
with dynamite, but never caused physical harm to passengers or crew. And the robberies were always well
planned out from start to finish – which accounts for their long and lucrative careers.

It is clear that Butch and Sundance were among the cleverest outlaws ever to emerge. Perhaps it is appropriate to
dub the collective membership of the Henry Board of Commissioners as The Wild Bunch!

Dear friends

We here at the CRG have added an update to the Kelley-Green Cemetery.

We have also added some new videos to our video page.

They are The Kelley-Green Cemetery, The Dailey-Selfridge Cemetery and the Johnson Family Cemetery.

We are still trying to get the Kelley-Green and Johnson Cemeteries repaired however the Commissioners of the
districts have not responded to our E-Mails, we will keep trying.

We also want to let you know we have a newspaper article with link below about the ongoing problem with the
Kelley-Green Cemetery. We will also soon have a video of the cemetery on our site for you to view. Thank you for
viewing.

Newspaper article: http://hen.nn.marietta.new.adqic.com/detail/155930.html

The Staff of the CRG

www.crghenry.org

Protect Your Money from the "Obamunists"

Despite recent setbacks, the free-market revolution unleashed by Ronald Reagan continues to make strides in
country after country.

Unfortunately, those countries don't include the United States.

Here, the trend is towards what has been dubbed "Obamunism," which, if coined by one of his czars, was surely
meant as a compliment. This same economic philosophy used to be known as Carternomics, described by Reagan
as: "If it moves, tax it. If it keeps moving, regulate it. If it stops moving, subsidize it."

Fiber Optics or Bust

With all the push to get the fiber optics program started for the county, you would think it was the best thing since
iced tea. Mr. Clark Rainer being interviewed on SBN TV by Mr. Vaughn who is our Chairperson's co-host for Good
Day Southside makes the push even stronger. The next two upcoming BoC meetings will have the fiber optics
program discussed.

This program is going to cost money. And money to keep the cables and machines in working order. Oh and by
the way the money will be coming from us my friends. More to take care of, tax wise, and more to worry about.
The county is headed into a business that has many variables and can leave communities in trouble down the road.
Sure the presenters make the deal sound good like they are trying to sell you a used car. Like they say in the
commercial on TV where is the facts sheet?

Before the county continues to find ways to spend more and more of our money they should take a moment and
see the little child standing at an intersection holding a cup needing money to eat. Or the family living out of a car
and having no warm place to stay.

Even those living in the woods behind shopping areas who come out to find what they can before it gets dark. This
is a problem that was created by greed. Many of these people are those who lost their homes and have nothing.
Take a good look, because this could be our future if we don't learn to curb useless spending.

The Doctor

Mathis serves up Obama-talk

“The $14 million estimate is shown as ‘conservative,’ because we have overstated costs, and understated
revenue,” said Mathis. “The word ‘conservative’ has been used to show that we have planned for the worst-
case scenarios. Reality is that costs are likely to be less than projected, and revenues are likely to be more
than projected.”

Choosing the same consultant whose work left other Georgia communities in a financial lurch is bad enough. But
saying revenues will be high(er) is a joke! Exactly where are all the customers Her Highness will be selling
services to?? Government monopoly is Obama’s agenda…. And apparently BJ’s as well.

MR EDITOR

I would like to echo and say a big "amen" to the comments The Doctor made about Billy Carter in the last edition
of The Citizen.

I've known Billy and his wife, Gladys, for almost 40 years and he has been a friend both to me and my late Father,
Franklin Rivers. He is a true "scholar and gentleman" and Gladys has been by his side for a long time, helping him
to do many good and worthwhile things for Henry County.

God bless you, Billy and Gladys, and thank you for your dedicated service to Henry's citizens. May your life
continued to be "blest with the best" that life can offer.

Randy Rivers Sr.

Hampton, Georgia

Randy Rivers is still....."AMAZED BY GOD'S GRACE"

Obama Asks Governors to Commit Sovereignty Suicide

If history has taught us anything, it is to beware of “cooperative partnerships” between the federal government
and states. They invariably result in an expansion of federal authority and reach at the expense of the states

Read on.....

Please leave your feedback about the post as a comment on the article itself!

In liberty,

Michael Boldin
Tenth Amendment Center

A Plea for Prayer

FRANKLIN'S FARM RECOVERY CENTER

Randy Rivers is still....."AMAZED BY GOD'S GRACE"
P. O Box 418
Hampton/Lovejoy, Georgia 30250
770 946 4100

Dear Friends,

Please consider this as one of your important prayer requests today. We are facing some major decisions that must
be made soon and we NEED your prayers for God to help us make the right ones.

Franklin's Farm may very well be closing soon. We must have $2500.00 each month to keep this ministry going.
So far we have received $400.00 total for January. Five residents were laid off from their jobs in December.
Another hasn't been able to find a job in the four weeks he's been here..

I know God is in charge, His ways are above our ways, His plan is being worked out though we don't necessarily
know what He's doing. I know we're to trust God and that's what we're doing. We have a $950.00 electric bill due
in two weeks plus propane, insurance, car gas, grocery and other expenses that need to paid. So you can clearly
see the crisis we're in.

Do I worry? Yep. Am I asking God to deliver from this fear? Yep. Am I asking Him for more faith in Him and
what's He's doing? yep. Now I'm just waiting on Him.

Please pray. I firmly believe that if it's God's Will for this ministry to continue then He'll supply our needs. If He
doesn't, I'll have to believe He wants us to cease operation .

Since 2002 Franklin's Farm Recovery Camp has been helping homeless alcoholics and addicts by providing them a
place to live and eat ,a sober environment and a 12 step recovery program. The first several weeks they're here
we provide everything they need at no charge. After that they pay weekly amounts beginning at $60.00.

Some have been sent here whose churches paid for them to be here. Some have been sponsored by their
families. (God has blessed us with wonderful results as we have ministered to over 300 people. TO GOD BE A L L
THE GLORY AND PRAISE!)

This is not a plea for contributions but a sincere request that you ask the Lord to help us if He desire's this
ministry to continue. However, if you do want to contribute, please respond to this email.

I'M STILL AMAZED BY GOD'S GRACE!

Randy Rivers

Scott for Georgia Campaign Update

Dear Henry County Citizen (Henry County),

The past two weeks on the campaign trail have been exciting for us. Now that we're into debate season, Austin's
fourteen years of service in the Georgia General Assembly are starting to shine through. As ethics comes to
the forefront of the GOP primary, voters are looking for someone who has been walking the walk on ethics
since the very beginning. Did you know that Austin Scott accepted less from lobbyists in the past five years
combined than many of his competitors took in 2009 alone?

We've been getting some good press, too.

And of course, we're always thankful for our supporters around the state. Thank you!

We hope to welcome you again soon at ScottForGA.com or at one of our campaign events around the state!

Sincerely,
The Scott For Georgia Campaign Team

Follow Austin Scott on:

Facebook Twitter WalkingWithAustin.com
Thanks again to all of you who submitted articles. Due to space some of the pieces will have to wait
for the next issue….. Just keep ‘em coming!

Cutting Off Your Nose

…….. To spite your face. That is the two-edged blade of municipal debt. Cities, counties and the state are
funded by taxes. It is a simple formula that can work out to provide essential services and avoid sending citizens
into a rage. The problem is that feeding The Beast is not about essentials, but actually finding more and more
types of ways to gather and distribute our money.

The Henry Development Authority is in the business of economic development. The executive director will readily
tell you, “I am all about private industry without government interference.” The role of the development authority
includes facilitating financing the private industry cannot achieve on their own. Using the bond rating (good faith
and credit) of the county, bonds are issued to provide needed capital. In the two most recent cases the bonds are
specifically not secured by the local taxing authority of the county.

Over many years voters in Henry County approved every bond issue and SPLOST tax requested by the Board of
Education. Tax revenues are dropping like rocks in a lake, and the school system may see as much as $70-million
budget shortfall in 2010. The problem now is over $500-million in long-term debt.

County government will also see dramatic ($15-million or more) budget shortfall in 2010. We can expect salary
reductions, furloughs and layoffs. Much more will be needed, though, to secure fiscal stability. That means
cutting and ending departments and programs that fail the “essential services” test.

This summary is meant to give focus to the real problems in Henry’s government. While we point fingers and
define best practices for the future, we must make sure the commissioners stop acting like a croupier or dealer
who takes and pays out bets or otherwise assists at a gambling table.

The County already “bought” Cottonfields Golf Course and more recently a failed Recreational Vehicle business
site. A few years ago we taxpayers were soaked for over $8-million from the general fund to buy the 200-acre
Nash Farm. If we still had this $30-million in the bank, maybe layoffs and furloughs would not be
necessary.

At every commission meeting we hear scary proposals and talk. Commissioner Holder proposed construction for
senior centers using general fund money, and maybe paying it back from SPLOST if those revenues allowed it.
SPLOST Funds cannot in any manner be commingled with other county or municipal funds [O.C.G.A. §
48-8-121(a)].

Chairman Mathis is dedicated to the broadband fiber optic network and even keyed on it in her State of the County
address. The up-front cost is $14-million. The long-term financing may come from Obama’s Stash of Stimulus. In
either case, the County must issue revenue bonds to provide initial capital funding for the boondoggle.

Although nothing has been said publicly in a while, the commission is still eyeing the purchase of Tara Field from
Clayton County. The cost has been estimated at $20-million. More bonded debt.

Reality Check

The U.S. municipal bond market will become a "casualty" of massive deficits the 50 states likely will chalk up once
the federal stimulus program ends. It's an inexorable casualty of un-fundable deficits. A total of 48 states already
have deficits in their current fiscal years that add up to $179 billion, according to the Washington, D.C.-based think
tank, the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities.

Although Henry County retains a solid rating today, The nearly $3 trillion U.S. municipal bond market, comprised of
debt sold by states, counties, cities, hospitals, museums, turnpikes and the like, has been pummeled through the
credit crisis.

There are two key constraints for municipalities: severe municipal deficits, and poor municipal management. The
state of Georgia is $3-Billion in the hole; Uncle Sam is printing worthless Monopoly Money. We cannot expect
anyone to save us except ourselves!

Government deficits will bring higher taxes. Existing debt will require higher tax millage rates. Creative
accounting and Voodoo Financing, the apparent fallback position our commissioners are using, cannot be accepted
or tolerated. NO MORE DEBT!

Hudalla: Budget may shrink by $45 million

Hudalla and his merry troupe never cease to amaze me. He said at the end of the article below that they needed
to find different ways to do things. I wonder when that rock fell on his head.

Hudalla: Budget may shrink by $45 million

By Johnny Jackson
jjackson@henryherald.com

The Henry County Board of Education is bracing for major cuts to its fiscal year 2011 budget, according to school
officials.

Hudalla said the school board will consider ways to slash school system expenses over the next several weeks in
anticipation of state funding cuts, and potential shortfalls in local tax revenues.

“We’ve been looking at a lot of different things, from cutting the overall budget at the central office ... to cutting
from programs,” Hudalla said. “We’ve identified almost $30 million worth of potential cost-saving items for the
school system. [But] we believe we’re looking in the area of approximately $45 million to cut from the 2011
budget.”

Hudalla said the school board plans to continue its hiring freeze at its central office and continue the freeze on
employee pay raises for an additional year.

Fiber Optics: Another Government Takeover

In the following article from the Henry Herald of January 26, 2010, there is a difference between what is stated
for the fiber optics network, and the county wishes to become involved with.

Here is the article:

The director of technology for Henry County is trying to gauge public opinion on whether the county should
install its own fiber-optics network.

At their Feb. 1 workshop meeting, county commissioners are scheduled to discuss a $14.1 million plan to
give the county that option. The issue will be discussed again at a public meeting on Feb. 2.

“The primary goal [of the network] is not to make money,” said Clark Rainer, the county’s technology chief.
“First and foremost, it’s a way for us to save dollars and increase the level of service. That’s not green-
lighting the project,” he continued. “That just means they’ll give us the OK to get more information and
explore the different financing options.”

The commission will consult the county’s finance department to research financing options, and present a
cost/benefit analysis to the board, said County Commission Chairman Elizabeth “B.J.” Mathis.

“The $14 million estimate is shown as ‘conservative,’ because we have overstated costs, and understated
revenue,” said Mathis. “The word ‘conservative’ has been used to show that we have planned for the worst-
case scenarios. Reality is that costs are likely to be less than projected, and revenues are likely to be more
than projected.”

Currently, there are 66 cell towers throughout the county, according to officials. If the plan is approved, the
county will focus on laying the network for governmental entities, utilities, and schools, said Rainer.

The county uses AT&T and Charter Communications for its communications needs, at a cost of $1.5 million
a year, Rainer noted. The Henry County Board of Education pays $72,000 a month to connect all schools
with a communications network, he said.

“That’s money they’ll never see again,” Rainer said. “Even if we finance it, [the fiber-optics system] it will
be less than what we’re currently paying,” he added. “It’s cheaper to own it than to rent it.”

With its own fiber-optics network, Rainer said the county will get 20 times the current level of Internet
services –– for less money.

Commissioners had originally scheduled a vote on a resolution for a fiber-optics broadband network during
their meeting on Jan. 5, but the item was postponed. The delay was due to efforts to ensure that the plan is
sound before rolling it out, said Rainer.

“We had some questions, internally, about some of the numbers in the [feasibility study conducted in
September 2009] ...” he said. “We are being overly cautious. We want to make doubly sure that what we
are going to present to the public is something we can actually do.”

The project is expected to take less than two years to implement, he said. The proposal, however, has
already generated opposition, even though nothing has been approved by the commissioners.

Deyanna Jones, Charter Communications’ Government Relations Manager for Georgia, defended her
company’s fiber-optics role in the county, and elsewhere. She said taxpayers will ultimately foot the bill (for
the county’s fiber-optics network).

“Providing data, video, and voice services is a highly competitive and capital-intensive business,” Jones
said. “Charter continues to make significant investment in our fiber-optics network in Henry County, in
order to meet the entertainment and communications needs for consumers and businesses. Construction,
development and operation of a county-wide fiber-optics network would be an expensive, ongoing
expenditure for the county and its taxpayers.”

Jones referred to what she called “failed projects” that other governments have attempted by establishing
fiber-optics networks. She said that three municipalities have come up short by instituting their own
systems.

“Tifton lost $5.8 million of its $10.7 million investment,” she said. “Marietta lost $21 million of
its $35 million investment, [and] Newnan lost $8.5 million of its $13.5 million investment,”
Jones continued.

Joan Scott, a McDonough resident, who has been monitoring the county’s fiber-optics proposal,
said she believes it “will leave taxpayers on the hook for years to come.”

Rainer countered, however, that if the county were to have its own fiber-optics communications system,
and sell its services to cell phone providers, those sales could generate revenue.

Now as you can see at the beginning of the article Mr. Rainer stated that the county is not trying to make a profit
with this project. But here at the end he speaks of cell phone providers that could generate revenue. It has
always been clear that the county has wanted this fiber optics network to be in contention with any other
companies that serve the county. This is a gamble the county cannot afford at this time and should not even think
of going into the private sector business of free enterprise. When the government starts down this path then we
are truly in trouble. They have started this in Washington and they want to copy this action here in Henry County.

They better think about the outstanding debts that we already have and think about who is going to ultimately pay
the bill, especially in the maintenance part of this adventure. All this will be coming up in the next meetings of the
BoC. Let your commissioners know how you really feel about this agenda. It is our future of debt that we are
talking about. So let's don't waste more to get less.

The Doctor

Deficit Spending

Government & Politics

It's the Deficit, Stupid
Barack Obama apparently suffers from his own brand of ADD -- Addiction-to-Deficit Disorder -- as demonstrated
by his recently unveiled proposal to freeze one tiny portion of government spending at current levels for three
years, which by the way wouldn't begin until 2011. He highlighted the proposal again Wednesday night in his State
of the Union address.

At first blush, the idea sounds like something conservatives would cheer. In fact, other than Democrats, who isn't
for stopping the spending juggernaut?

The Henry board of commissioners is suffering the same malady. On every turn there is a push to borrow more
money. Issue more bonded debt.

The one thing we must do here and now: get solid promises from District 4 commissioner Bowman and District 5
commissioner Basler to oppose and vote against every effort to waste our money; and to support and openly
defend cutting and eliminating from the county budget and long term debt.

Failing those promises, we need new blood on the county commission!

Fiber Optics: County PR Machine at Work

It was strange to me that Chris Vaughn of Good Day Southside today, found it necessary to mention
during his interview with Clark Rainer that "well you can not vote on it" regarding the Broad Band
Fiber Optics that is being pushed upon the Henry County citizens! (The tax payers)

Chris Vaughn, by the way is BJ's little buddy that does all her interviews on channel 22 the SBN
channel. This is her agenda, she does not care if you like it or not! She does not care if the citizens
would like to vote on it or not. SHE DOES NOT CARE IF YOU WILL BE EVENTUALLY TAXED ON IT OR
NOT!

My dear citizens, you are currently being taxed already by paying for the private broad band that
serves the county now.

Fiber optics "has" to be upgraded to keep up with technology, (All the time there are new viruses, new
ways to get rid of them, upgrades with different services that become obsolete) the list goes on and on
at how much MONEY will be needed in keeping up with the technologies. I can guarantee that if they
get this, it will cost the tax payers of this county much more down the road than they would ever have
paid to private broad band providers.

All the photo ops, pre-rehearsed BOC meetings and the choreographed interviews are now basically
looked upon as SILLY! We the citizens of this county do not want it any longer! We need change in
leadership for the better. It is like the Senate and the House representatives, even though they have
served a long time, we think their time has come to move on down the road, NEW BLOOD FOR THE
CITIZENS, that is what we really need, representatives who will truly take on the tax payer's interest
at heart.

These county commissioners are OUT OF CONTROL ON THIS! Not only on this one issue, but many
other issues. Believe you me, many more instances that have affected so many citizens adversely in
this county will come to light before election time. WE intend to inform the Henry County citizens
before they cast their votes. WE intend to rally them together.

For once the current BOC needs to listen to the people they serve. Do you think they will?

Since the tax payers are already paying for the private broad band services then they should get the
opportunity to vote FOR or AGAINST changing the current services!

Do we not live in a democratic republic?? I THOUGHT WE DID.

You Mrs. Mathis work for the people that pay taxes in this county. They also pay your salary and all of
the other elected persons sitting on that board. Have you forgotten that fact? You all act as if you have.
Perhaps you have so much already that your salary is mute next to your political endeavors? It makes
a citizen wonder after reviewing your actions toward the people that elected you into your positions.

The tax payers of this county are sick and tired of your NASH FARM, and etc. etc. agenda voting of 5 to
zero junk which is taking all the counties hard working citizens further into debt! The board members
that backed Mrs. Mathis on this endeavor are all included in this statement.

I need to speak of all the tax paying homeowners that have been affected by your reckless voting
regarding the Eagles Landing four lane going through an entire subdivision. I see these people coming
into all the meetings you are holding. During public comment homeowner after homeowner, I see them
all but get on their knees and beg you officials to save their homes, their children’s environment and
their very way of life. The very essence of their lives. As CHRISTIAN people serving on this BOC, how
can you listen to these pleading parents and do ABSOLUTELY NOTHING about it! You have the power,
you can change it, you do it all the time. IT IS CALLED "INCOMPATABILTY" to an existing property,
look it up. Every citizen has a right under the law in the state of Georgia to enjoy their property.

All I can say is, we need to vote, we need to send a message loud and clear. JUST LIKE
MASSACHUSETTS DID WITH OBAMA! IN 2010 and 2012, the people of this county should unite just as
they did in MA and send a message, we are tired of this and we will not take it any longer!

I can tell you now, I will go door to door to unite these people before this 2010 election year, and I will
not be alone! I will do the same in 2012, it has become my goal in my life to help the people in Henry
count when they speak, and they have not been heard thus far by the current leadership of this county.

Voter4Change

Henry Republican Party News

Greetings!

Last Tuesday's election not only caught the attention of all Americans, it sent a clear message to the President and
the Congressional Leadership that the direction that they have outlined for our country is not what Americans'
want. The recent Gubernatorial elections in Virginia and New Jersey helped to set the stage for a dramatic GOP
Senate win in Massachusetts, mandating that Republicans capture the moment and outline a better path for
America. As Republicans, we need to stay true to our beliefs and outline a path that will ensure a better
tomorrow. All of this can be achieved if we focus our efforts on education through a comprehensive grassroots
campaign. We need to knock on every door, call friends and acquaintances, write letters, send emails, and
maximize the use of social networking. We need to present facts and foster a climate of thinking. Today we start
for tomorrow will be too late. Get involved in the party and consider getting involved in a candidate's campaign.
Again, last Tuesday's momentum needs to continue throughout the year!

Beginning this month, the Henry County GOP will have a pre-meeting dinner at the HCBOC Administration
Building. Dinner begins at 5:30 PM and will consist of chili and cornbread. The menu will change every month
and in lieu of selling dinner by the plate, we are asking for a donation. The food will be graciously prepared by our
excellent GOP volunteer chefs. The pre-meeting dinners are going to be a great time to build relationships. Thank
you to our volunteers!

For our upcoming monthly business meeting, February 2, 2010, we will have State Senator Jeff Chapman as
our guest speaker. As you are aware, Senator Chapman is campaigning to be Georgia's next Governor. Our
meeting begins at 7:00 PM and will convene at the Board of Commissioners Administration Building.

Please make plans to attend and invite a guest. Again, this is a great opportunity to hear from one of our
Gubernatorial candidates. And as always, if there is anything that I can do for you, please do not hesitate to
contact me.

Happy New Year!

Warmest Regards,

Mike Eddy

Meeting Notice

February 2, 2010

7:00 P.M.

Henry County Administration Building

Community Room

140 Henry Parkway

McDonough, GA 30253

Special guest speaker:

State Senator Jeff Chapman

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