FORSYTH CITIZENS DESERVE A GOOD SPLOST
1. WE HAVE PLENTY OF TIME TO DO IT RIGHT- - - from 12 to 20 months
- Splost VII would start July 2013. A NO vote on Nov 8th 2011 allows Citizens to help set needed improvements for a GOOD SPLOST VII in 2012.
- In the same time period, Citizens will have a better understanding of T-SPLOST, which if approved in 2012, would change the sales tax from 7% to 8%.
- SPLOST VII can be redone if enough Forsyth citizens vote NO in the Nov. 8 special election.
A 7,000 voter turnout favors special interests whose goals differ from the majority.
2. SPLOST VII as proposed IS NOT GOOD FOR THE COUNTY
- Is a $200 Million Splost and a $89 Million Bond “a smart move” in this economic downturn?
- Very little Citizen involvement or understanding on SPLOST plans.
- One "phony town hall" meeting ignored all citizen suggestions except special interests.
- No descriptions of road improvements.
- SPLOST’s $89 million bond that will raise County debt 1/3rd to almost $400,000,000.
- No alternative plans to Jail/Courthouse were analyzed despite citizen suggestions.
- SPLOST VII rushed to avoid both competition with T-SPLOST, and normal voter turnout.
- T-SPLOST in 2012 will raise sales tax to 8% if passed.
- The Nov. 8th date “guarantees” a tiny turnout on the $289 million plan & bond.
- Designed for SPECIAL INTERESTS (with a low turnout Special Election)
- City of Cumming receives:
- 12.5% of SPLOST funds ($9 million extra) despite only 3.2% mandated by the state.
- $100 million in "downtown" buildings.
- Large Property Owners gain land appreciation from 3 road widening projects based on no or “questionable” traffic studies. e.g. change Castleberry Road to a “McFarland Parkway”.
- Legal Profession lobbies for a Taj Mahal legal complex with no options to spend less.
- City of Cumming receives:
3. A Good SPLOST Should Include:
- Citizen straw polls & district meetings to obtain citizen wishes and real needs.
- Open Information in advance to citizens on potential projects all on one simple web site.
- Rigorous guidance to insure that SPLOST benefits all citizens, not just special interests.
- Multiple approaches on all projects with clear cost/benefit information.
- Pursuit of alternate approaches for Court and Jail expansion including use of existing vacant buildings - - - some already owned by the county.
- Adoption of all practical aesthetic features for any County buildings in downtown Cumming.
- Challenges to current processes:
- How can we reduce number of incarcerated non-violent prisoners (e.g. home arrest)
- What if any unique needs require Civil & Criminal courts in same building?
- Time to allow Citizens to compare SPLOST VII to T-SPLOST so if they vote NO to T-SPLOST & its resulting 8% sales tax, we can include its best transportation items into SPLOST VII.
Consider - - A NO vote on November 8, 2011 will permit a Good SPLOST VII for 2012
Please vote Nov 8, 2011
Please pass this email on to friends.
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