Wednesday
Feb112009
« Playing catchup on Gwinnett news »
Wednesday, February 11, 2009 at 8:28PM
Fortunately, my day job has returned to normal, so I hope to get caught up here at the Buzz in the coming days. And this just after I had finally gotten caught up and cleared a backlog of stories!
In the interest of not falling behind on current events, here is a summary of Gwinnett from the last week and a half with some light commentary. I have saved the bigger matters for separate posts I hope to have up by the weekend.
Another garbage meeting, same ole topics
Frankly, there is little to say here. The top issues at the meeting held on Thursday, February 5 were hauler choice - makes perfect sense to me - and truck traffic - I still don't get this one. The next meeting is tomorrow night, Thursday, February 12 at the George Pierce Community Center in Suwanee. According to Gwinnett Views, the meeting starts at 6:30.
Gwinnett cities negotiate property tax level with county
Gwinnett cities are negotiating with the county on the level of county property tax their residents have to pay. At issue is paying full the county tax rate even when some county services are duplicated by municipalities. Police protection is specifically mentioned. I think Commission Chairman Charles Bannister makes a valid point in saying, “Even where cities have a police force, you will find the county involved in varying levels with accident investigations, crime scene work, SWAT, the radio system or animal welfare.” Even if cities agreed that county police would not conduct any law enforcement activities within their city limits, can you imagine the outcry the first time something of major significance happened and the county police did not respond? Besides, who is going to actually deal with real crime with city police departments occupied with running their speed traps? I could see a "discount" on county taxes for duplicated services that only occasionally call on similar services from the county but not complete elimination of this portion of the property tax.
Here is a better idea. Why do we have so many municipalities? These cities are quite obviously duplicating many services that the county already provides. This places a greater burden on individuals and companies doing business in Gwinnett because they have to negotiate varying rules, processes and procedures between the various jurisdictions. Also, look at the shenanigans going on with the Snellville City Council. Why exactly does a few miles of GA 124 and US 78 need its own government, especially when half of their elected officials behave less maturely than members of the South Gwinnett High School student government? If you ask me, rather than creating new cities in the state, the Georgia State Legislature should be setting minimum population requirements for municipalities in order to eliminate excessive, inefficient and unnecessary layers of government.
More than 900 Gwinnett inmates to be deported
This is the result of the targeted enforcement effort by the Gwinnett County Sheriff's Department and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. I am very supportive of Sheriff Conway's effort to get Gwinnett included in the 287(g) immigration enforcement program. However, not everyone sees things in the same light.
Those who oppose enhanced immigration enforcement continue to use flimsy excuses for their opposition. An examination of the list of offenses of those to be deported shows less than 300 of the approximately 900 deportees who stand accused of not having a driver's license, violation of a city or county ordinance, or other traffic violations. That means that over two-thirds were jailed for more serious crimes. (You could argue that not having a driver's license is potentially serious because these drivers likely do not have insurance and, in the event of an accident, would be more likely to flee. Someone involved in an accident with these individuals would likely get stuck with the repair bill.) Even if we ignored the fact that all of these individuals are here in the U.S. illegally, those who committed more serious violations should forfeit any claim to the benefits of living in America. If you come to America but will not respect our laws, why should you be allowed to stay?
As for the local enforcement of immigration, Rev. Blagec has a point. However, with the prospect of immigration enforcement being dealt with in an effective manner by the Obama administration, that leaves no one other than states or local governments to deal with a problem that is placing a large burden on their infrastructure.
Gwinnett agencies to get federal aid
This type of federal aid is hard to oppose. I have long said that government has a role to help people temporarily when they are in dire straits and cannot help themselves. Certainly, in the current economic climate, there are many people in this situation. This type of aid is reasonable and humanitarian and is a far cry from so much of the Democrats' "porkulus" package which is little more than an effort to enlarge the federal government and make Americans increasingly dependent on government. When they become more dependent on government for their ongoing, non-temporary needs, they become more dependent on the liberal politicians who provide it.
Commission backs Springbrook golf course loan application
The County Commision voted 4-1 to back a loan application by the operators of the Springbrook golf course. The dissenting vote was by Mike Beaudreau. I can see arguments on both sides of this one. I can see how supporting this $250,000 loan keeps alive the possibility that the Springbrook Golf Commission will eventually be able to pay back the entire $3.3 million dollars still owed to Gwinnett County as well as possibly avoiding county liability for an additional $1.7 million. However, I wonder if this is not throwing good money after bad, especially for a non-critical recreational entity in a weak economy that has already shown an inability to pay its debts.
Commission approves Norcross waste transfer station
In a bit of a surprising move, the Gwinnett County Commission approved a waste transfer station in Norcross next door to a Catholic church. I have to admit, I have never known for sure where I stand on this one and I would have a hard time criticizing a vote in either direction. Hopefully, the restrictions on the project will ensure that the property rights of the church are not violated. Unfortunately, by the time that becomes apparent, it may be too late. It sounds like we have not heard the last of this one.
In the interest of not falling behind on current events, here is a summary of Gwinnett from the last week and a half with some light commentary. I have saved the bigger matters for separate posts I hope to have up by the weekend.
Another garbage meeting, same ole topics
Frankly, there is little to say here. The top issues at the meeting held on Thursday, February 5 were hauler choice - makes perfect sense to me - and truck traffic - I still don't get this one. The next meeting is tomorrow night, Thursday, February 12 at the George Pierce Community Center in Suwanee. According to Gwinnett Views, the meeting starts at 6:30.
Gwinnett cities negotiate property tax level with county
Gwinnett cities are negotiating with the county on the level of county property tax their residents have to pay. At issue is paying full the county tax rate even when some county services are duplicated by municipalities. Police protection is specifically mentioned. I think Commission Chairman Charles Bannister makes a valid point in saying, “Even where cities have a police force, you will find the county involved in varying levels with accident investigations, crime scene work, SWAT, the radio system or animal welfare.” Even if cities agreed that county police would not conduct any law enforcement activities within their city limits, can you imagine the outcry the first time something of major significance happened and the county police did not respond? Besides, who is going to actually deal with real crime with city police departments occupied with running their speed traps? I could see a "discount" on county taxes for duplicated services that only occasionally call on similar services from the county but not complete elimination of this portion of the property tax.
Here is a better idea. Why do we have so many municipalities? These cities are quite obviously duplicating many services that the county already provides. This places a greater burden on individuals and companies doing business in Gwinnett because they have to negotiate varying rules, processes and procedures between the various jurisdictions. Also, look at the shenanigans going on with the Snellville City Council. Why exactly does a few miles of GA 124 and US 78 need its own government, especially when half of their elected officials behave less maturely than members of the South Gwinnett High School student government? If you ask me, rather than creating new cities in the state, the Georgia State Legislature should be setting minimum population requirements for municipalities in order to eliminate excessive, inefficient and unnecessary layers of government.
More than 900 Gwinnett inmates to be deported
Federal immigration officials flagged for deportation 915 foreign-born inmates at the Gwinnett County jail during a 26-day surge that ended on Thursday.
Of the inmates identified as being in the country illegally, 489 had a previous criminal history, said Gwinnett County Sheriff Butch Conway.
This is the result of the targeted enforcement effort by the Gwinnett County Sheriff's Department and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. I am very supportive of Sheriff Conway's effort to get Gwinnett included in the 287(g) immigration enforcement program. However, not everyone sees things in the same light.
Rev. Tracy Blagec, a spokesperson for Atlantans Building Leadership for Empowerment (ABLE), said she suspects many of the undocumented aliens in the Gwinnett jail committed only traffic violations.
“This is local enforcement trying to enforce something that should be corrected at the national level,” Blagec said.
Those who oppose enhanced immigration enforcement continue to use flimsy excuses for their opposition. An examination of the list of offenses of those to be deported shows less than 300 of the approximately 900 deportees who stand accused of not having a driver's license, violation of a city or county ordinance, or other traffic violations. That means that over two-thirds were jailed for more serious crimes. (You could argue that not having a driver's license is potentially serious because these drivers likely do not have insurance and, in the event of an accident, would be more likely to flee. Someone involved in an accident with these individuals would likely get stuck with the repair bill.) Even if we ignored the fact that all of these individuals are here in the U.S. illegally, those who committed more serious violations should forfeit any claim to the benefits of living in America. If you come to America but will not respect our laws, why should you be allowed to stay?
As for the local enforcement of immigration, Rev. Blagec has a point. However, with the prospect of immigration enforcement being dealt with in an effective manner by the Obama administration, that leaves no one other than states or local governments to deal with a problem that is placing a large burden on their infrastructure.
Gwinnett agencies to get federal aid
This type of federal aid is hard to oppose. I have long said that government has a role to help people temporarily when they are in dire straits and cannot help themselves. Certainly, in the current economic climate, there are many people in this situation. This type of aid is reasonable and humanitarian and is a far cry from so much of the Democrats' "porkulus" package which is little more than an effort to enlarge the federal government and make Americans increasingly dependent on government. When they become more dependent on government for their ongoing, non-temporary needs, they become more dependent on the liberal politicians who provide it.
Commission backs Springbrook golf course loan application
The County Commision voted 4-1 to back a loan application by the operators of the Springbrook golf course. The dissenting vote was by Mike Beaudreau. I can see arguments on both sides of this one. I can see how supporting this $250,000 loan keeps alive the possibility that the Springbrook Golf Commission will eventually be able to pay back the entire $3.3 million dollars still owed to Gwinnett County as well as possibly avoiding county liability for an additional $1.7 million. However, I wonder if this is not throwing good money after bad, especially for a non-critical recreational entity in a weak economy that has already shown an inability to pay its debts.
Commission approves Norcross waste transfer station
In a bit of a surprising move, the Gwinnett County Commission approved a waste transfer station in Norcross next door to a Catholic church. I have to admit, I have never known for sure where I stand on this one and I would have a hard time criticizing a vote in either direction. Hopefully, the restrictions on the project will ensure that the property rights of the church are not violated. Unfortunately, by the time that becomes apparent, it may be too late. It sounds like we have not heard the last of this one.
Categories: Entertainment and Sports, Gwinnett Business, Gwinnett County Commission, Law Enforcement, Planning and Zoning, Taxes Tags: ABLE, Atlantans Building Leadership for Empowerment, Barack Obama, Butch Conway, Charles Bannister, Democrats, George Pierce Community Center, Georgia General Assembly, Gwinnett County Commission, Gwinnett County Sheriff, Gwinnett County jail, Gwinnett Police, Holy Vietnamese Martyrs Catholic Mission, ICE, Immigration, Law Enforcement, Mike Beaudreau, Norcross, Planning and Zoning, Rev. Tracy Blagec, Snellville, Snellville City Council, South Gwinnett High, Springbrook Golf Commission, Springbrook Golf Course, Suwanee, Taxes, US 78, business, church, federal aid, federal government, garbage, golf, government, liberal, loan, police, politics, pork barrel spending, property rights, property tax, waste transfer station
Entertainment and Sports, Gwinnett Business, Gwinnett County Commission, Law Enforcement, Planning and Zoning, Taxes Tags: ABLE, Atlantans Building Leadership for Empowerment, Barack Obama, Butch Conway, Charles Bannister, Democrats, George Pierce Community Center, Georgia General Assembly, Gwinnett County Commission, Gwinnett County Sheriff, Gwinnett County jail, Gwinnett Police, Holy Vietnamese Martyrs Catholic Mission, ICE, Immigration, Law Enforcement, Mike Beaudreau, Norcross, Planning and Zoning, Rev. Tracy Blagec, Snellville, Snellville City Council, South Gwinnett High, Springbrook Golf Commission, Springbrook Golf Course, Suwanee, Taxes, US 78, business, church, federal aid, federal government, garbage, golf, government, liberal, loan, police, politics, pork barrel spending, property rights, property tax, waste transfer station
Reader Comments (2)
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