Responding to overwhelming opposition from taxpayers, the Lamar County commission met in a workshop Thursday morning to cut the proposed budget down to the bare bones.
Drastic cuts in local supplements for state-mandated services are very much on the drawing board.
Tax protestors, like these outside the courthouse August 17, have apparently gotten the attention of the Lamar County commission.
Fireman Go Green. The firefighters learn recycling and how to green up the firehouse.
Wasted! was really pleased to spend some time with the full timers and volunteers at the Lamar County Fire and Rescue. And, as it turns out, we were in the right place to do the planet some good. this crew had their act together, and made great green changes in a big way!
You see, a fire department is a fusion of profession and stewardship. The firemen are unionized, and therefore very professional and dedicated, but there is also the life saving, the danger, and emergency response aspects of their jobs. there is the added pressure of lives depending on the work these people do every day.
So it comes as no surprise that the Lamar County Fire Department was a tough, prepared, dedicated, and attentive group of Wasted contributors. When we took a tour of their firehouse and gave them some suggestions, they not only took our advice to heart, but they made going green a matter of professional pride. And the result was fantastic. a huge drop in their carbon footprint, and enormous earnings that they gave to charity because they are publicly funded to begin with.
We also learned about how complex going green can be when you are part of a municipal system: the crew was really interested in looking into biodiesel, but—because they are part of a large regional purchasing system they could not just lift themselves out of the mix to green their vehicles. And, while valiant efforts were made, getting a whole section of Georgia to switch to biodiesel just wasn't possible, because of a mixture of red tape and efficiency concerns over gelling.
But everywhere else, the fire crew's discipline paid off for the planet.
1. We scolded their heavy c-fold-towel use, and offered them xcelerator air dryers and presto! No more towels—almost a complete stop in their paper towel wastage.
2. We gave them grief for their plastic water bottle use, and the waste caused by the soda bottles they buy all the time. We gave them reusable drink bottles and Presto. Almost a complete stop on bottle wastage.
3. We pointed out how group living offers the opportunity for communal eating, which lowers the footprint of everyone in the group, and Presto! Hungry firemen stuffing their faces together like the second family they are to each other. The results in less wasted food, less packaging because of bigger portions, and less fast food purchased and packaged.
Chief Andrews would lay down the law on a green change, and that was that. the team took to the new rule and stuck to it. In a job where seconds and structure save lives, adhering to the system even a brand new system—is just another part of the job. And it is a job the team at Lamar County does extremely well.
As the day faded and we were graced with a view of Philly in the distance from the bucket of the ladder truck, we all felt like we had made a real and lasting change for the better, and it was the discipline of the firemen standing on the lawn 50 feet below we had to thank for it.
planetgreen.discovery.com/tv/wasted.
Fireman Go Green.
Real smart. Real Green. What was the cabon foot print of that idiotic stunt?
Go pat yourselves on the back some more.
Anyway, if the federal govt is such a cluster f***, why do you expect local govt to be any better.
"There may not be a millage increase after all but there will be a fire and medical service fee added to every tax bill."
To the blind and stupid, this went right over their heads. Wake up. They are adding money to your bill but calling it something else now. WHAT A SHAM! It still amounts to an increase presented to you now based on lies and deceit.
We citizens should demand a resignation from every one of them.
I am sure we could find a fire chief, for example, who would take the position for $20,000 per year, but what kind of person would we get? You all seem to be capitalists, so surely you realize that if you want the best you have to pay for it.
I sure don't know any overpaid county workers, and surely don't want the county offices staffed by people who are not professional and dedicated.
and cut there medical benefits they will be working for less than min wage
BOC why punish employees for your unability to manage money this is not right
#8 you are right you get what you pay for
I was cut 10% in Jan. 2009, double the cost
of my insurance, lost a week vacation, and
half of my 401k reinbursment.
At least my company is getting back on it
feet and maybe this Christmas we can get
out 10% back. (If we can get rid of all of
the democrats this November)
If you are representing the citizens of Lamar Co.,as you should be,poll them to see if they would support a higher sales tax!!!
The problem with this is a majority of the citizens will be dumb enough to think they won.
Now they will have a yearly fee and will be able to increase the millage next year when no one remembers.
How about limiting the scum suckers who don't have insurance or a car to how many times they can call an ambulance, and deny their trip to the ER so they don't get free care.
Government is nothing more than a business. The difference is the government can lock up or fine their customers when they don't pay. Somewhere along the way we decided that not everyone should have to carry their weight and we would still provide services for free. Hell we'll just feel sorry for the lazy and pay their way to have more. Oh yeah, we'll punish the people who contribute by making them pay more for the people who don't. Sounds like a legitimate way to run things to me.
Every species in this world continues to maintain by natural selection except humans. We nurture the weak and ignorant so they can reproduce because it's fair. We condone their lazy and ignorant lifestyle by rewarding them with the same benefits as the rest. What we've ended up with is a growing ignorance that is allowed to vote.
The first person to loose their job should be the idiot fireman that cant write a complete sentence. Take you green butt off somewhere and stop annoying people. You will never get that many fire fighters or fire stations...esp now.
To the deputies..if they cut your pay, stop writing tickets and anything else you do to bring in money!
WOW - a tax of a different color. People have beed hoaxed and don't even realize it.
People - this is still nothing more than a tax except they are calling it a fire and medical service fee.
Jay; just who do you think you're fooling? It all amounts to more money forced on the tax paying citizen. Why don't you do us all a favor and resign? I'd rather you call it by what it is rather than try and deceive the people. And the really bad thing is that 4 other commissioners are letting you get away with it. This is the reason we need a "None of the Above" on the voting ballot. So that we aren't forced to elect incompetence.
There are so many top paid employees that are rubbing the right elbows and are keeping a cushy job and not earning it. But, as government always does, they target the little people.
10% across the board doesn't really mean 10% across the board. Theres a big difference in 10% when you take it from a Sheriff's Deputy that makes $28,000 and your Commissioners that makes well, well over that.
On top of the 10% cuts, they are STILL going to add a tax! Do they really think that the public is that dumb? Ok so you're not calling it a milliage anymore, great. Now you can take what you want and call it a EMS fee. Really?!
So basically lets sum up whats happening. The public woke up, and expressed their disapproval for the way the county is being ran. The country tried to increase the millage, but were met with picketers and rage from pissed of property owners saying cut services and don't increase taxes. So, the commissioners in all of it's brightness said "Hey **** em, lets do both." They cut employee salaries --- wait. Cutting services does not mean cut employee salaries. That means cut the freaking stupid services that the county shovels ton of money to that isn't needed.
...oh and they still raise taxes. Great job commissioners. A 10% cut is a bad decision, simple as that. Across the board means you're taking it from the public service....the very thing that tax payers pay to have. Stop wasteful spending. I can't believe it has gotten this bad. I really think the Commissioners think LC residents are stupid.
Also warning!! The taxes should be on all people that have access to all the services.. not just property owners and the ones that still pay Fed. Taxes!! So much for the win!!!
recreation dept pays scorekeeper refrees etc
i know that for a fact caretaker was a scorekeeper and rec dept was paying really good money.i still think the sherrif dept could cut inmates way back thats a not a motel
kick them outside in a tent. i don/t for sure
but a commisioner told me 4.90 a day for meals
oatmeal and peanutbutter sanswiches are a lot cheaper. give them local tv cut the cable
turn the air off outside they.
not the office personel though. jail is a punishment.
senior and civic center operate in the black
mainly lamar county in not get enough revenues
thru sales tax
i agree why did the martin building go over budget 60% ?
i like the idea of renters and gordon college
paying more.i hear from several people and i am appalled at the fact the will call an ambulance for blood pressure yes the lady told me she did and then went upson co they check bp
fine sent her shees. but she has no money to pay to go to dr.
there is another meeting workshop at courthouse
monday 10 am i will be there.
now is the time
We cannot address local budget shortfalls without an understanding of state budget shortages and the revenue schemes used to mitigate shortages (not meant in a derogative sense) including the diversion of federal funds used to shore up state and local governments. Fiscal year 2011 is already underway. Fiscal year 2012 will make everyone yearn for the bad old days of 2010-2011.
Enjoy such topics as:
Georgia Once Again Faces Budget Shortfall: Gov Orders Hundreds of Millions of Dollars in More Cuts Posted: 7/27/2010
Adding Up the Fiscal Notes 2010: Gov Vetoes Revenue Drains, but Signs Law to Raise Taxes on Poor Posted: 7/26/2010
State Directs Majority of TANF Funds to Child Welfare Despite Rise in TANF Recipients for FY 2011 Posted: 6/21/2010
Deep Cuts to Government Mark Fiscal Year 2011, Budget May Yet Be in the Red
Posted: 6/16/2010
and much more.
really its the school board we should be after
its 2/3 of my taxes. the commisioners can not do anything about school board but we the people can
but i do think we can cut back county taxes to
but again school board is out of control
with a 5,300.000.00 surplus BUT they had over 6million they over spent budget this yr 1,098,000.00
fyi
Interesting article in B'ville Dispatch about Conservation Use Valuation Exemption of which nearly 1/2 of Lamar Co is enrolled in the program including 4 of 5 LAMAR COMMISSIONERS.
I am tired of seeing Steve Andrews ride around all day in a county vehicle doing his business on county time. Why are there folks living in Chapple Mill fire dept, with the county paying the utilities? I had a 360$$$ EMC bill, maybe I can move in a location. When I have a fire hydrant in my area, with water then maybe I will see some validity in a fire tax..
In the meantime If you have a cell phone, cable TV, a car with fancy rims, some of those knock off Tommy with his own parking space low riders, hair that you paid good money for that looks like a rag mop and long fingernails, then you can pay your childs lunch fee, pay for groceries, pay for healthcare and your utilities..have I left anyone out? Ya'll have a good day ..
I really don't see what Barnesville/LC has to offer that's so much better than Griffin. The pool at the civic center is full of children from the projects with no parental supervision. The park is full of the same plus drug dealers. Apparently noise ordinances aren't enforced downtown.
Plus, the folks who own downtown Barnesville have apparently made a deal with the devil since they have kept Walmart out of Barnesville for years. I know Walmart is bad for small business, but how many jobs would it create here? Plus, not everyone can drive out of town. Poor 'Fair tax' mama and her 5 kids might be able to get a job and some shoes from Walmart. Not to mention the tax money we'd make from Walmart.
Just wondering about a few things here. I welcome your arguments on these subjects, LC. And whoever this person is who's been hired to bring industry to LC, please feel free to explain why you haven't been earning your paycheck.
surplus our taxes are about 2/3 school board
1/3 county taxes
Second public hearing. School budget. Multimillion dollar.
Third public hearing. Sheriff's budget. $250,000 or 8,620,000. Or Black cuts?