Ognio: Hearn has voted to raise your taxes, fees
Tuesday, June 12, 2012 - 4:34pm
Submitted by Letters to the ...
Submitted by Letters to the ...
I first want to respond to Commissioner Hearn’s letter of May 29, 2012. He stated, “A careful look at your tax bill will find that your county taxes have come down the past three years because your assessed value of your home has come down.”
I’m not real sure what he wants to take credit for here. Is he trying to take credit for your property value going down? He cannot take credit for your taxes going down because he voted to increase the millage rate to the General Fund and the Fire Fund.
Along with those increases, if you look closely, you will notice a new E-911 tax. He voted for all this and it passed with a 3 to 2 vote.
If that was not enough, then he voted for a stormwater fee to be added to all property owners. Why a fee and not a tax? Because if it is called a fee, churches will not be exempt. The stormwater fee passed and goes in effect this year.
Commissioner Hearn said he does not support transit. When Jack Smith was chairman and voting with the ARC for transit, Commissioner Hearn did not speak out against it. At the March 2, 2011 workshop meeting Commissioner Hearn voted against a resolution that would keep transit out of Fayette County.
Commissioner Hearn said he is unhappy with the TIA/Transportation SPLOST, but he did not say he was against it even knowing that 52 percent of the funds will go to transit. I guess the citizens will have to decide what they think his position is.
Now I want to turn my attention to my other opponent. I don’t know anything about this person. I have looked back through the commissioner meeting minutes and cannot find this person’s name where they have spoken up on any issue.
So I don’t know what this person stands for or what their goals are for the county. This person openly admitted not ever attending a County Commission meeting. So, what is the motive here?
Citizens, please take time to look back through the minutes. You will find my name many times stating what I stand for ... and against.
My message to the citizens is please research the candidates and vote July 31st. Better yet, vote early on July 9th. Visit my website and learn more about me — www.ognioforcommissioner.com.
Please check it out.
Randy C. Ognio
Candidate for Commissioner Post 3
Fayetteville, Ga.
Sat, 06/16/2012 - 9:00am
#2
Steve: I Don't Agree!
Citizen Steve
It is down right wrong to twist the truth and spin it for your own benefit.
Stating that Mr. Hearn raises taxes is simply not correct. In fact many of us are paying less.
No one has been cheated as you allege. Look around Fayette County, many citizens are doing well. Compare our tax rates with surrounding counties and you'll find our County is still strong.
BBQ
Fri, 06/15/2012 - 1:37pm
#3
BBQ, Citizen_Steve Is Absolutely Right
In addition to property taxes being down because of the economy, some people in Fayette County are experiencing an even greater reduction in property values due to intervention by some commissioners which includes Commissioner Hearn.
For example, a West Fayetteville Bypass home was assessed at $185,000 but sold for $100,000 about two months ago because of the W. Bypass and the economy.
Hearn did absolutely nothing to help that situation. He did, however, help push through the W. Bypass, and the W. Bypass will benefit his relatives who stand to make a great deal from a mega high-density development along the Bypass.
If you had attended the county budget meetings (Mr. Ognio did attend those meetings) you would have known that Mr. Hearn did vote to increase the millage rate. That means all Fayette property owners are paying more tax than they would have if Mr. Hearn had not voted to increase the millage rate.
As far as Mr. Hearn being for or against transit in Fayette County, it is quite clear that he says one thing and does another.
On March 2, 2011, during the commission workshop meeting, Mr. Hearn had an opportunity to vote in favor of a proposal that would keep transit out of Fayette County. The proposal was in opposition to the Regional Transit Plan known as "Concept 3," of which Fayette County is included. However, Mr. Hearn voted against the proposal.
According to the minutes for the regional Transit Planning Board - Thursday, October 25, 2007: "The primary goal of Concept 3 is to connect people throughout the region to the major employment/activity centers. This will be accomplished by providing an interconnected and expanded regional transit network; that will capture a large portion of the employment trips to activity centers and to include the supporting network of local bus service and the development of land use regulations and patterns that support transit uses. This will be a multi-modal. network that: Is activity center focused; is an expansion of the rail network and existing transit infrastructure; had different types of bus service; is not constrained by political boundaries (is regionally seamless for the user)."
Fri, 06/15/2012 - 1:03pm
#4
Citizen Steve & Property Taxes
You're on target! Commissioner Hearn had zip to do with the decrease. BTW, you'll notice BBQ Jones only comes out to play when he/she wants to criticize or demean someone.
Sat, 06/16/2012 - 9:15am
#5
The Truth Always Prevails
I only comment to provide a different point of view. There's no character assination or false accusations in my comments.
Why is okay for Ginga & Company to make all kinds of FALSE ACCUSATIONS against current Commissioners and Officers in the County, but not okay for me to point out misleading statements?
You all don't like the TRUTH!
Remember where's there's smoke there's fire!
BBQ Jones
Thu, 06/14/2012 - 8:38pm
#6
Mr. Ognio - These Are Misleading Statements
Mr. Ognio: I am paying less in taxes than a few years ago. My taxes haven't gone up... hence you are not correct. I bet you paid less in property taxes last year compared to 4 years ago? I believe we can check with the Tax Office and find the answer to this quesion.
The 9-1-1 millage is a fairer way to collect funds for the operations of the Center. It does not have double taxation for PTC and Fayetteville. The Storm Water requirements are set by GAEPD which is an unfunded mandate. The Storm Water fee is a fair way of collecting funds to meet State requiremets. No double taxation again for PTC and Fayetteville. It is clear to me that you simply don't understand how government works and funds things. You also don't understand the issues relating to decisions being made.
I have talked with Mr. Hearn and he doesn't support transit for Fayette County. I'm not sure why you keep bringing this up. All you do is present criticism, and misleading statements. You don't seem to have solutions.
I challenge you to post your Top 10 priorities for Fayette County in a Letter in the Citizen. Then we can judge you on what you will bring to the County Commission. What do you stand for?
Will you support Steve Brown for Chairman?
How do you propose to pay for items needed by the County?
How will you deal with growth?
I look forward to your response.
"Where's there's smoke there's fire!"
BBQ Jones
Thu, 06/14/2012 - 8:45pm
#7
Huzzah!
Way to go - someone actually calling one of the "Chosen ones" to task! No Ogino!
Until last year Fayette county cheated us by holding valuations above market rates, forcing us to pay higher taxes than we should have. I believe it was GA Senate Bill 346 that required assessments to include distressed/foreclosed properties. If not for that bill the extortion would have continued, and as far as I know, Hearn didn't do anything to address the problem and I expect had the bill not passed, he wouldn't have done anything about it. Please correct me if I'm wrong.