Opinions

1/02/02

Quote of the Week: Not About Money
Quote of the Week: Not About Money "We never turn down someone in need. We're not about making money, what's most important is providing services to the community as needed." - Nancy Minyard, director of Wimberly House Ministries. See story, page 3 of the True Citizen.

County Pay
Burke County employees are getting a pay raise - not what their bosses had desired and campaigned for - but still an increase. At the same time, residents will see new user fees in the coming year in the form of a 911 charge on their telephone lines and a garbage collection and disposal charge. The 2 percent cost of living raise sounds like a little hike, but when you consider the number of people in our community without jobs, it's better than nothing.

The salary increases, along with benefits, will cost the county $216,000. To get the money to finance the salaries meant the county commissioners had to cut other items from the budget and thus far, they have done this with what we believe to have little impact on the services that Burke County citizens are used to receiving. The 2002 budget probably is the toughest budget the panel has had to wrestle with in many years. In this recession period, there have been demands for higher pay and better benefits and funds for capital outlays from department heads and constitutional officers. In more than eight hours of budget deliberations, we believe the commissioners have come up with the best possible budget they can and keep the level of services where they are now. In the next several weeks the commissioners can expect the usual "experts" to come forward and tell the governing body how to do it better . mainly by reducing or in some instances, doing away with services.

The commissioner's freshman member, Wayne Crockett, has been a refreshing voice during these budget discussions asking questions and at times making motions to cut programs that are not necessarily within the county scope of operations. For several years the commissioners have discussed a 911 fee but have done nothing about it. Now with budget demands greater, they decided to implement the fee based on $1.50 per telephone line - a fee that will raise close to $200,000. With the fee also will come a tax rollback to help offset the cost to the taxpayers. The cost of operating the county landfill has increased tremendously because of the various state and federal guidelines that the county must meet, and this made the garbage fee necessary. Just how much it will be has not been determined, but it will by the time a public hearing is held on the 2002 spending plan.

The Year 2002
The Year 2002 We are now in a new year ... 2002 ... and we know not what the future will hold for us this year. Little did we think when we began 2001 that our great country would be under siege during that year. The terrorist attacks in Washington, New York City and Pennsylvania on Sept. 11 have changed the way we think and go about our everyday lives.
Here in Burke County, Sept. 11 has affected us in many ways and will continue to do so. We as a country are united, and the same must hold true for us as Burke Countians if we are to thrive in the coming year.

We believe 2002 will be an interesting year. While we are in a recession now, most observers believe by the middle or near the end of the year we will recover and be back on our feet. The same holds true for Burke County. Our farmers experienced another bad year because of the drought but maybe, just maybe, 2002 will be the year we see adequate rainfall that will once again see our agricultural economy flourish. Sooner or later this is going to happen and maybe it will come in 2002. Despite losing two industries last year that saw a loss of 215 jobs, Burke County still is in better shape than many Georgia localities because our existing industries continue to grow despite the recession. Burke County is fortunate to have Wal-Mart located in Hopkins Corner. This store which also employees over 100 has brought many from outside to Burke County to shop and continues to draw them here where they can spend money at our many other establishments nearby. Yes, 2002 at this point must be considered a year of uncertainty, but we at The True Citizen believe this is going to be a better year for all of us because the foundation of our community is strong.

My sister sent me this jewel on the Internet. I have no way of knowing who first composed it. I know she had reared some kids and I know I could never improve upon her humorous plan for getting even. Maybe I have a perverse sense of humor but I could hardly read this for the belly laughs it produced. Substitute gender as befits your status and just enjoy. My sister prefaced this masterpiece by saying, "I'm doing it." She's living with her youngest. When I'm an old lady, I'll live with each of my kids, And bring so much happiness... just as they did. I want to pay back all the joy they've provided, Returning each deed, Oh, they'll be so excited! (When I'm an old lady and live with my kids) I'll write on the wall with reds, whites and blues, And bounce on the furniture wearing my shoes. I'll drink from the carton and then leave it out. I'll stuff all the toilets and oh, how they'll shout! (When I'm an old lady and live with my kids) When they're on the phone and just out of reach, I'll get into things like sugar and bleach, Oh, they'll snap their fingers and then shake their head, And when that is done I'll hide under the bed! (When I'm an old lady and live with my kids) When they cook dinner and call me to eat, I'll not eat my green beans or salad or meat. I'll gag on my okra, spill milk on the table, And when they get angry I'll run... if I'm able! (When I'm an old lady and live with my kids) I'll sit close to the TV, through the channels I'll click; I'll cross both my eyes just to see if they stick. I'll take off my socks and throw one away, And play in the mud 'til the end of the day! (When I'm an old lady and live with my kids) And later in bed, I'll lay back and sigh; I'll thank God in prayer and then close my eyes. My kids will look down with a smile slowly creeping, And say with a groan, "She's so sweet when she's sleeping!" (When I'm an old lady and live with my kids) If you are over 40 nobody will have to explain this resolution's appeal. But the truth is, every single devious payback is a precious memory of years past and children growing up. If you're under 40, just look what you have to look forward to. Happy New Year!

Here is a fictional transcript of Gov. Roy Barnes' first press conference of the New Year. Repeat: This is made up. It is not real - but maybe it ought to be: GOV. BARNES: Good morning, ladies and gentlemen, and happy New Year. I don't have any announcements. Let's go to the questions, if you have any. PRESS: Governor, even as the new Legislature is about to convene, your critics continue to chastise you for your tactics last year in adopting a new state flag. They say you acted unfairly and in opposition to the will of the majority of Georgians. They say they will not let the matter drop and will make the state flag an issue in the upcoming election.

Now, a year later, how would you respond to those still very vocal critics? GOV. BARNES: I would say to them: "Get a life." The Civil War is over. We have a new flag. That is more representative of the state's history and population. But let me also say this. Only one flag counts now - the American flag. I think most of us have been acutely aware of that since Sept. 11. PRESS: The state is in the throes of a recession. How bad is it? And what can state government do about it? GOV. BARNES: At my insistence and over the objections of some of my Democratic colleagues, we have raised our rainy-day surplus. We have enough money in the state treasury to avoid layoffs and serious cutbacks in services. Still, we ought to look at this economic downturn as a challenge, not a crisis. We ought to think about how we might make state government more efficient and more responsive in these difficult economic times. For instance, we should examine all state offices and agencies to see whether they really serve a need - or do they just shuffle paper, take up space and consume tax dollars?

Take the Public Service Commission, for instance ... PRESS: Governor, you have been severely criticized for your role in redistricting the Legislature and the congressional delegation. Your detractors say the new maps created by you and the Legislature are based solely on partisan considerations. These new maps were created without consideration of communities of interest or other factors usually included in formulating fair and representative legislative districts. Your opponents say you are interested mainly in punishing your Republican adversaries and helping your Democratic allies. How do you respond to those allegations? GOV. BARNES: I do not discuss cases pending in federal court. PRESS: What do you see as the most important item on this year's Legislative agenda? GOV. BARNES: Adjournment. I'm not being facetious. This is an election year. By law, legislators cannot raise campaign funds while the General Assembly is in session. They also will be loath to tackle any controversial issues. So completing the budget and getting out of here as soon as possible will be the main orders of business. PRESS: Is it true that Speaker Murphy is trying to work out a compromise between Rep. Larry Walker and Rep. Terry Coleman to avoid a major fight over his successor? Under Murphy's plan, Coleman would become speaker and name Walker appropriations chairman. What do you have to say about that? GOV. BARNES: No comment. That is a legislative matter.

As you know, I don't meddle in the Legislature's business. PRESS: Some observers say your appointee to the U.S. Senate, Zell Miller, acts more like a Republican than a Democrat. Do you have any regrets that you named him? GOV. BARNES: No. Zell is just funning - most of the time, I think. His appointment saved me a lot of headaches. No one could really argue with sending Zell to Washington. He also has made a distinguished senator, and the polls say he is the state's most popular politician right now. I hope our senior Democratic senator, Max Cleland, will observe Sen. Miller's performance and take heed in the current election campaign. PRESS: What do you think of Congressman Johnny Isakson's proposal to place management of Atlanta's Hartsfield Airport in the hands of an authority? GOV. BARNES: A bad idea. Besides, I'm not about to propose taking control of Hartsfield away from the Democratic-owned-and-operated Atlanta City Hall. This is an election year. You must be new here. PRESS: Are you worried about your re-election chances? GOV. BARNES: I'll have a $10 million re-election fund shortly.

My poll numbers are satisfactory. My opposition is having difficulty raising money. But the election is 10 months away. And, in Georgia politics, anything can happen. So the answer to your question is, yes, I'm worried. PRESS: You've been mentioned as a possible Democratic candidate for vice president or even president in 2004. Any thoughts on that? GOV. BARNES: Yes. I have this thought: If nominated, I will not run. If elected, I will not serve. I have no interest in national office. Any further questions? If not, let's get on with the New Year.