The citizens of Walker County deserve correct information before voting for (sole) county commissioner on July 31. Candidate Paul Shaw would have people believe that Walker County is very deeply in debt up to the tune of up to $80 million dollars! Mr. Barry Huggins, CPA at Johnson, Hickory and Murchison PC, who prepares the annual Walker County audit and Mr. Greg McConnell, CPA in charge of Walker County finances, have both provided information, which refutes Shaw’s allegations.
In reality, Walker County has minimal long-term debt other than the $13 million dollar sales tax bond that was approved by the citizens of Walker County in 2008, and will be paid off in 2014 with sales tax receipts — NOT WITH LOCAL PROPERTY TAX. Other debt under control of the Walker County commissioner is approximately $3 million dollars.
We, as informed voters in Walker County, should understand that the commissioner’s office controls only part of the annual tax revenue. That amount supports expenses with county government including the budgets and employees in the main office, road department, fire and rescue operations, landfill, 911, animal shelter and others. The Walker County Board of Education actually receives the LARGER portion of annual tax receipts that are designated for running our local schools.
It is most important to know the facts. In reality, the only legal means of changing county government from a sole commissioner to a five-member board of commissioners is for citizens to petition the state legislature, then proceed through local-serving state representatives and on to a referendum.
We have a fine person serving local government in our area, as Bebe Heiskell is an honest, experienced, excellent county commissioner with vision for a better community for all the citizens of our area. We should all give her a vote of confidence for our county’s future on July 31!
Knowledge is powerful. Be an informed voter.
Evelle Dana, LaFayette
Dr Paul Shaw never stated that we were in 80 million dollars in debt he stated approximately 40 million dollars in debt. Secondly those figures are available via the Freedom of Information Act....Perhaps you should request them before continuing to kiss Bebe Heiskell's ass. Third the two gentlemen stated above should learn how to properly count. Considering our debt is in the upwards of the MILLIONS I completely understand if they cannot count that high. :)
Sincerely your friendly neighborhood Sandman :)
For the undecided voters of the county, your continued verbal mudslinging and language is only going to send voters away from Shaw. I don't think most voters are jumping up for joy in voting for Bebe, but a vote for Shaw, to most voters and especially those who have seen his blowups, is a reluctant vote at that.
If Ms. Dana is incorrect, how about intelligently pointing out those errors. Seems like everywhere you look now, Shaw voters have nothing but slander and mud to throw at anyone with an opposing view. And I don't want to vote for Bebe.
It is a lot like the catwalkchat and the underground. One is controlled by an outsourced employer, who cares not for this county and the other is a tool that could be used for a greater purpose, but is flooded with hearsay, rumors, and clever (yet sophmoric) comments. I mean, who really cares what Rome GA or Katie Marks thinks anyways?
One is the "officials" voice and the other is an occasional newsworthy entity, but also an opinionated gossip page that has became a lot like a tabloid. One can find bits and pieces from each that are somewhat useful, but both fail at reaching a reader on any positive growth. And both fuel anger amongst their viewers.
Just like this race and any political circus that exists.
Ms. Dana, although I may not agree with her on this, has done more to help people in this area than any of these two politicians. And if the only thing you can do is insult her and spew hot garbage, then save the neighborhood sandman catchphrase. Because the foolish man built his house upon the sand, man.
That said, it seems that the core of Evelle's argument is the debt doesn't count because it's being paid for with sales tax instead of property tax revenues. That is true, but the debt is still there and still tied to the county. So it depends on how you define it apparently.
MaggiesFarm:
Mr. Sandman is not affiliated with the Underground, and he is actually the one and only individual permanently banned from commenting on the LU Facebook page. His goal is to get attention and make all dissenters look bad. His viewpoints change day to day based on what he feels will get people the most irritated.
The problems with a Rome-owned newspaper are the reasons why there is an LU, to share information that often gets buried for one reason or another by the official media. Our goal isn't to irritate you, or get attention, but to shine light into places that have been kept in the dark for far too long.
All statements and claims are backed by media reports, multiple witnesses, or official documents. You're welcome to challenge us on a specific claim you regard as false, and if we were wrong we'll admit and clarify it.
-- LU
As a Shaw supporter, I don't think I have ever slung mud. Yes, we cut up, but our activity is no different from what her camp has done to Shaw--elections can be awful. Heiskell spent $12,000 on attack ads that were full of inaccurate information, which has done more harm than good. In return, Shaw supporters (mostly un-orchestrated by Shaw) have been extra aggressive in making a point that Bebe and her unyielding agenda is hurting the county and self-serving. I've heard A LOT about both sides, and what's put out there is only the tip of the iceberg. I swear, you couldn't write a better story.
Shaw knows that many see him as the lessor of the evils, and he is determined to change the system to better serve the people.