There are differing opinions of our new fangled voting machines (which, by the way, I heard have just been declared outdated). There are, of course, differing opinions about candidates. There are differing opinions about the election results (or lack thereof). But there is one election opinion about which everyone seems to agree.
Could we please have some privacy when we vote? One of the foundations of our country is the secret ballot. But we sure don't have that here. Something needs to be done about this - and soon. I talked to a representative from the Secretary of State's office and was told that local election officials are supposed to arrange them for privacy. Well, that's ridiculous. Unless you have a handful of machines in a gymnasium, that will never work. You can read those machines from a mile away. I personally don't care if anyone looks at how I vote - I'm usually proud of it and will tell anyone. But a lot of people are very private about it, for various reasons - and they have the right to privacy. I know of several people who did not vote just for this reason.
There has to be a solution to this problem. Let's have some comments with ideas that you have.
I was reminiscing with some other old fogies about the old days, when we had actual voting booths. (You'll notice the expression "voting booth" is still around, although the booths are long gone.) You walked into a booth and pushed a large handle which closed the rear curtain. The ballot would not work on the machine until the curtain was closed. When you finished voting, you moved the handle back to open the curtain. That same move of the handle registered your vote and made the machine inoperable until the next person came in.
At the end of the election day was when the fun started. Each candidate could authorize a person to stay inside the precinct when the polls closed and when the door to the building was locked. The poll worker would use keys to unlock the back of each machine and call out the numbers for each candidate. When that machine was finished, all the candidate representatives would look at the numbers to be sure they were right. Then the pollwork took out the counter and put it in a locked box. This continued until all the machines were counted.
It was very exciting to be involved. As each number was called out, you would hear cheers and moans. If it was an election with lots of candidates, there could be a lot of very nervous people in that room. This was before the days of cell phones, and we were cut off from the rest of the world while we were in there. You were supposed to call your numbers into your candidate's headquarters the minute you got out - so you had already lined up a phone to use as near to the polling place as possible. When the doors opened, everyone took off running - it looked like the beginning of a marathon.
The pollworkers then took all the locked boxes to the County office and made their reports in writing. So a well organized campaign with a person in each precinct would know the results before the county did. Candidates who were missing numbers would call around to other campaigns to try to get those numbers.
One time I was at a precinct that had a lot of trouble getting the machines to open, and we were very delayed in getting out. When we burst out the door, we were totally shocked to be met by a huge crowd of people, including reporters and TV cameras. Every other precinct was in but ours, and a major election depended on the results. Pretty exciting!
Ah for the good old days!
Thursday, August 09, 2007
Tuesday, August 07, 2007
Election Night Blog
Each paragraph is posted separately and the blog is updated regularly.
The first precinct is in, and based on the results, I can safely predict that Ronny Brown will be reelected as Sheriff. No other races are so clear cut.
I am putting the results into a spreadsheet with previous election results, and basing my predictions on this analysis.
After 5 precincts, I would also say it's looking good for Reynolds Atkins for Tax Assessor at this point, but it's too early to predict.
After 9 precincts, looks like Circuit Clerk is close, but I expect it to spread out shortly. Also Darryl Grennell looks to be reelected Supervisor District 4 without a runoff.
There are 2000 absentee and affidavit votes that won't be counted for days, and this will affect most races.
The Northern Justice Court Judge race between Audrey Minor Bailey and Patricia Dunmore will definitely be decided later.
Mike Lazarus, Supervisor District 1, will definitely make the runoff. It may take a few days to find out if he can avoid the runoff by getting over 50% of the vote.
After 12 precincts, the Circuit Clerk's race is still close, and it won't be decided tonight.
The last 8 precincts are taking forever to arrive, but they'll all come at once. So hang on! I sure do wonder why those votes are taking so long to leave the Courthouse.
Well, I went to visit a few candidates and just came back. All the results are in now - at least from today's voting.
In addition to Darryl Grennell, it looks like Spanky Felter also got reelected as Supervisor District 5. The others likely will have to go on to runoffs or generals.
Apparently James Lee got reelected Coronor. It looks like a runoff in the Southern Justice Court Judge's race between incumbent Charlie Vess and Danny Barber. However, the outstanding ballots might give Vess over 50%. We can safely say there will be a runoff for Tax Collector between Peter Burns and Rose Daniel Johnson.
And of course, our very own Bob Dearing was reelected to the Mississippi State Senate, for which Adams County can be grateful.
The biggest surprise to me is the closeness of the Circuit Clerk's race. I am truly shocked Binky got that many votes. Who in the world voted for him? Right now, it's a runoff between Binky and Eddie Walker (only 5 votes apart), but that could easily change after the absentee and affidavit ballots are counted. Only 355 votes separate the top from the bottom. I predict whoever runs against Binky wins easily.
My biggest disappointment is, of course, that Ronny Brown got reelected as Sheriff. However, that was more than made up for by Reynolds Atkins winning for Tax Assessor - the most important race of all. As as extra bonus for me, at this point, it looks like George Dale was defeated as Insurance Commissioner.
The first precinct is in, and based on the results, I can safely predict that Ronny Brown will be reelected as Sheriff. No other races are so clear cut.
I am putting the results into a spreadsheet with previous election results, and basing my predictions on this analysis.
After 5 precincts, I would also say it's looking good for Reynolds Atkins for Tax Assessor at this point, but it's too early to predict.
After 9 precincts, looks like Circuit Clerk is close, but I expect it to spread out shortly. Also Darryl Grennell looks to be reelected Supervisor District 4 without a runoff.
There are 2000 absentee and affidavit votes that won't be counted for days, and this will affect most races.
The Northern Justice Court Judge race between Audrey Minor Bailey and Patricia Dunmore will definitely be decided later.
Mike Lazarus, Supervisor District 1, will definitely make the runoff. It may take a few days to find out if he can avoid the runoff by getting over 50% of the vote.
After 12 precincts, the Circuit Clerk's race is still close, and it won't be decided tonight.
The last 8 precincts are taking forever to arrive, but they'll all come at once. So hang on! I sure do wonder why those votes are taking so long to leave the Courthouse.
Well, I went to visit a few candidates and just came back. All the results are in now - at least from today's voting.
In addition to Darryl Grennell, it looks like Spanky Felter also got reelected as Supervisor District 5. The others likely will have to go on to runoffs or generals.
Apparently James Lee got reelected Coronor. It looks like a runoff in the Southern Justice Court Judge's race between incumbent Charlie Vess and Danny Barber. However, the outstanding ballots might give Vess over 50%. We can safely say there will be a runoff for Tax Collector between Peter Burns and Rose Daniel Johnson.
And of course, our very own Bob Dearing was reelected to the Mississippi State Senate, for which Adams County can be grateful.
The biggest surprise to me is the closeness of the Circuit Clerk's race. I am truly shocked Binky got that many votes. Who in the world voted for him? Right now, it's a runoff between Binky and Eddie Walker (only 5 votes apart), but that could easily change after the absentee and affidavit ballots are counted. Only 355 votes separate the top from the bottom. I predict whoever runs against Binky wins easily.
My biggest disappointment is, of course, that Ronny Brown got reelected as Sheriff. However, that was more than made up for by Reynolds Atkins winning for Tax Assessor - the most important race of all. As as extra bonus for me, at this point, it looks like George Dale was defeated as Insurance Commissioner.
The Runoff Election is Tuesday, August 28!
(But only those who voted in the Democratic Primary today get to vote.)
Sunday, August 05, 2007
Future of the County in Voters Hands Tuesday
This Tuesday, voters go to the polls in the first, and most important, round of selecting leaders for Adams County and the State of Mississippi.
Unfortunately, I will have to vote absentee in the runoff, since I'll be out of town. I have absolutely no faith in the absentee ballot process since Circuit Clerk Binky Vines is in charge of it. He is desperately trying to get reelected and is flagrantly violating the absentee rules - which is what happens when you let a crook stay in office. Absolutely disgusting! (See this article.) Some people are writing in Binky Vines for Attorney General in the hopes their ballots will not be thrown out. Hopefully, Vile Vines will be thrown out by the voters on Tuesday - so we don't have to wait another three weeks. By the way, if absentee ballots are key to certain elections, you'll definitely see a challenge.
We're also voting for our representatives to the State Legislature, which I wrote about here, as well as the Southern District Representatives to the Public Service Commission and the Transportation Commission.
There are eight statewide offices: Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Secretary of State, Attorney General, State Auditor, State Treasurer, Commissioner of Agriculture & Commerce, and Commissioner of Insurance. Six of these races really will be decided in the General Election in November, but two have heated primaries - one Republican and one Democrat. The Republican primary is between Phil Bryant and Charlie Ross for Lt Governor, and they have been busy attacking each other. However, few local voters will be involved in this decision. According to the poll on this blog, only 18% will vote in the Republican primary - and it will probably be lower. This is because all the important local races will be decided in the Democratic Primary. (See this article.)
The statewide Democratic Primary is for Insurance Commissioner, where Incumbent George Dale is being challenged by Gary Anderson. This race has become interesting because Dale is basically a tool of insurance companies, and he betrayed the voters of Mississippi after Katrina. Check out the blog A M in the Morning, described as "dispatches from Katrina's ground zero by Ana Maria" for several articles about Dale - start with Mississippi Insurance Commissioner Doesn't Get It - His Job, That Is . . . Those poor insurance companies complained so about their losses after Katrina, but the insurance industry made $108 billion net profit in 2005 & 2006, after paying taxes and Katrina claims - and fraudulently sending the federal government a $23 billion Katrina bill. According to Forbes Magazine, "Mississippi, dead last in income, is the sixth most expensive place to insure a house." To protect their cushy situation in Mississippi, insurance companies are major contributors to Dale's campaign. It's time we had an Insurance Commissioner who protects the public, not insurance companies - so vote for Gary Anderson.
On Election Night, I will be live blogging about the results, if you want to check it out. Also, the Natchez Democrat will be posting the results live online. They also have an excellent Election section, where you can learn about candidates and other election information. I wish they would do a little investigative work on some of these candidates, but otherwise, they've done a good job of providing the basic information. I was also disappointed in their endorsements - all incumbents, except for Binky.
There are seven countywide races. District Attorney, County Attorney, and Chancery Clerk have already been decided, because no one is running against the incumbent. However, the rest are very heated. Two key races, Tax Assessor and Sheriff, will be decided Tuesday, because only two Democrats are running. I have posted previous articles indicating why I think it is important to support Reynolds Atkins for Tax Assessor and Charles Woods for Sheriff. (Click here to read all articles about the Elections.)
The other three races, Coroner, Circuit Clerk, and Tax Collector, will likely not be decided until a runoff on Tuesday, August 28. Remember, that only people who voted in the Democratic Primary on August 7 will be allowed to vote in the Runoff on August 28. There are no Republicans or Independents running in any of these races, so you must vote this Tuesday to have a say in these results.
Unfortunately, I will have to vote absentee in the runoff, since I'll be out of town. I have absolutely no faith in the absentee ballot process since Circuit Clerk Binky Vines is in charge of it. He is desperately trying to get reelected and is flagrantly violating the absentee rules - which is what happens when you let a crook stay in office. Absolutely disgusting! (See this article.) Some people are writing in Binky Vines for Attorney General in the hopes their ballots will not be thrown out. Hopefully, Vile Vines will be thrown out by the voters on Tuesday - so we don't have to wait another three weeks. By the way, if absentee ballots are key to certain elections, you'll definitely see a challenge.
We're also voting for our representatives to the State Legislature, which I wrote about here, as well as the Southern District Representatives to the Public Service Commission and the Transportation Commission.
There are eight statewide offices: Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Secretary of State, Attorney General, State Auditor, State Treasurer, Commissioner of Agriculture & Commerce, and Commissioner of Insurance. Six of these races really will be decided in the General Election in November, but two have heated primaries - one Republican and one Democrat. The Republican primary is between Phil Bryant and Charlie Ross for Lt Governor, and they have been busy attacking each other. However, few local voters will be involved in this decision. According to the poll on this blog, only 18% will vote in the Republican primary - and it will probably be lower. This is because all the important local races will be decided in the Democratic Primary. (See this article.)
The statewide Democratic Primary is for Insurance Commissioner, where Incumbent George Dale is being challenged by Gary Anderson. This race has become interesting because Dale is basically a tool of insurance companies, and he betrayed the voters of Mississippi after Katrina. Check out the blog A M in the Morning, described as "dispatches from Katrina's ground zero by Ana Maria" for several articles about Dale - start with Mississippi Insurance Commissioner Doesn't Get It - His Job, That Is . . . Those poor insurance companies complained so about their losses after Katrina, but the insurance industry made $108 billion net profit in 2005 & 2006, after paying taxes and Katrina claims - and fraudulently sending the federal government a $23 billion Katrina bill. According to Forbes Magazine, "Mississippi, dead last in income, is the sixth most expensive place to insure a house." To protect their cushy situation in Mississippi, insurance companies are major contributors to Dale's campaign. It's time we had an Insurance Commissioner who protects the public, not insurance companies - so vote for Gary Anderson.
On Election Night, I will be live blogging about the results, if you want to check it out. Also, the Natchez Democrat will be posting the results live online. They also have an excellent Election section, where you can learn about candidates and other election information. I wish they would do a little investigative work on some of these candidates, but otherwise, they've done a good job of providing the basic information. I was also disappointed in their endorsements - all incumbents, except for Binky.
VOTE ON TUESDAY, AUGUST 7
THE FUTURE OF ADAMS COUNTRY DEPENDS ON IT
Tuesday, July 31, 2007
Be Careful When You Vote for Sheriff - Part II
Well, I’ve definitely stirred a hornet’s nest. Have you read the comments to Part I? Ronny Brown must be running scared – his supporters have accused Charles Woods of everything except sleeping with this sister. Maybe that’s coming next.
So many of the comments have to do with Tommy Ferrell that you might think he was running for Sheriff. Tommy Ferrell is the former Sheriff, who was defeated by Ronny Brown in the last election. I haven’t asked Tommy if he is supporting Charles Woods, but it wouldn’t surprise me if he is – since he knows first hand how Ronny runs his elections. However, I can tell you for sure that he is not involved in the Charles Woods campaign. This election is between Charles Woods and Ronny Brown and has nothing to do with Tommy Ferrell.
Last week, I told you why I could never support Ronny Brown for Sheriff. Now, let me tell you why I like Charles Woods. When he graduated from the Natchez Adams County Public Schools, he signed up to defend his country – which was not an fun thing to do in those days. They say the Army is a good training experience for youngsters, and in this case, that turned out to be true. Charles served as a policeman in the Army and fell in love with law enforcement - and he’s been doing it ever since. When he was discharged from the Army, he went to work for the New Orleans Sheriff’s Department. He then moved to California, where he worked for Lockheed and a local police department. All along, he continued his training in law enforcement.
As so many Natchezians do, he came home in 1993 and joined the Natchez Police Department. He started as a patrol officer, which he still does when he is needed. He went on to become the Crime Prevention Officer and Public Relations Officer. He has coordinated the Miss Lou Crimestoppers and the Citizens Police Academy. In addition, he worked with TRIAD, a senior citizens support organization, and coordinated over 30 neighborhood watch groups.
As you can see, Charles Woods has plenty of experience in real law enforcement, which has taught him several important lessons. One is that you have to enforce the law fairly and equitably, but with compassion and respect for all. He’s learned the importance of preventing crime before it occurs. He knows that working with the citizens on a daily basis is key to effective law enforcement. He also knows that he is only as good as his employees, and he will have only professional, trained officers. Finally, he’s well aware that he is funded through taxpayers’ hard earned money, and he will spend it frugally and well.
If you want a Sheriff that knows how to use his brain and not just his brawn, if you want a truly professional and experienced Sheriff, if you want a Sheriff with a heart, if you want a fair Sheriff that will serve all the citizens of the county, and if you want a Sheriff who will watch how he spends your money, then you should vote for Charles Woods.
UPDATE: Did you see this article in the Natchez Democrat?
So many of the comments have to do with Tommy Ferrell that you might think he was running for Sheriff. Tommy Ferrell is the former Sheriff, who was defeated by Ronny Brown in the last election. I haven’t asked Tommy if he is supporting Charles Woods, but it wouldn’t surprise me if he is – since he knows first hand how Ronny runs his elections. However, I can tell you for sure that he is not involved in the Charles Woods campaign. This election is between Charles Woods and Ronny Brown and has nothing to do with Tommy Ferrell.
Last week, I told you why I could never support Ronny Brown for Sheriff. Now, let me tell you why I like Charles Woods. When he graduated from the Natchez Adams County Public Schools, he signed up to defend his country – which was not an fun thing to do in those days. They say the Army is a good training experience for youngsters, and in this case, that turned out to be true. Charles served as a policeman in the Army and fell in love with law enforcement - and he’s been doing it ever since. When he was discharged from the Army, he went to work for the New Orleans Sheriff’s Department. He then moved to California, where he worked for Lockheed and a local police department. All along, he continued his training in law enforcement.
As so many Natchezians do, he came home in 1993 and joined the Natchez Police Department. He started as a patrol officer, which he still does when he is needed. He went on to become the Crime Prevention Officer and Public Relations Officer. He has coordinated the Miss Lou Crimestoppers and the Citizens Police Academy. In addition, he worked with TRIAD, a senior citizens support organization, and coordinated over 30 neighborhood watch groups.
As you can see, Charles Woods has plenty of experience in real law enforcement, which has taught him several important lessons. One is that you have to enforce the law fairly and equitably, but with compassion and respect for all. He’s learned the importance of preventing crime before it occurs. He knows that working with the citizens on a daily basis is key to effective law enforcement. He also knows that he is only as good as his employees, and he will have only professional, trained officers. Finally, he’s well aware that he is funded through taxpayers’ hard earned money, and he will spend it frugally and well.
If you want a Sheriff that knows how to use his brain and not just his brawn, if you want a truly professional and experienced Sheriff, if you want a Sheriff with a heart, if you want a fair Sheriff that will serve all the citizens of the county, and if you want a Sheriff who will watch how he spends your money, then you should vote for Charles Woods.
UPDATE: Did you see this article in the Natchez Democrat?
Local biofuel developer John Rivera is being sued for fraud, and the Adams County Sheriff’s Office is having trouble presenting him with papers.If you look at Ronny Brown's Campaign Finance Reports, you'll see that John Rivera gave him $5000 and also allegedly paid for that big party on the Bluff. Do you suppose this financial support had anything to do with Brown not being able to find Rivara? Do you suppose he had any trouble finding him to pick up the donation? Hmmm.
“Hopefully, we can get this worked out the first of next week,” Brown said.Yeah - after the election.
Saturday, July 21, 2007
Be Careful When You Vote for Sheriff
If you haven’t committed a crime or been the victim of one, you may not be aware there are some serious problems in the Sheriff’s Office today. Let me start by telling you why I got interested in this race.
A friend of mine served on a jury for a significant murder case. When the trial was over, this friend was absolutely livid and called to tell me we had to have a new Sheriff. Apparently, the work done on this case by the Sheriff’s Office was so shoddy that a person possibly guilty of murder got off scott free. That is pretty serious stuff!
As I looked into it, it became apparent that the problem was INEXPERIENCE – they’re just plain incompetent. When he became Sheriff, Ronny Brown had no law enforcement experience. He claimed he did, but he just worked in Parole and Probation, which, I’m sorry, is definitely not law enforcement.
So what did this inexperienced Sheriff do right after he was elected? Fired most of the experienced, competent staff and replaced them with his buddies. After all, loyalty to him was more important than any knowledge or experience. This was the first not smart thing he did.
Ronny hadn’t been in office a year when a prisoner died while in his custody. Her parents have filed a federal law suit against him, and people say they have a good chance of winning some big bucks. Guess who’ll pay for that? We will, as taxpayers.
That’s not the only cost to taxpayers. Ronny spent more than any Sheriff ever, mostly in administrative costs. So far he’s spent about a million and half dollars more than the previous Sheriff. Ronny just had to buy eight new cars last year – and then he bought eight more this year. He was driving a brand new Ford Expedition SUV while the Chief of Natchez Police drives an old Ford Taurus. There is one place Ronny has saved money though – the narcotics unit. Why does that not make me feel good?
If you check the State Auditor's Report for the first year Ronny was Sheriff, you’ll see he was cited for not giving the County the money he collected in fees in a timely fashion. He was also cited for not following the proper procedures for spending money. However, he promised to do better. Now check the audit for the following year. He’s still not paying the money he’s collected to the County as required by law, and he’s also cited again for not spending taxpayer money in the manner required by law – 32 times!. But not to worry, he promised again to do better. Somehow I just don’t believe him. (The latest audits are not available online for me to check.) This sounds suspiciously like someone else we know.
Another thing is very troubling to me. Apparently, his employees have been threatening and intimidating voters who dared to support his opponent, Charles Woods. The Sheriff’s Office has a lot of power, and abuse of that power for political purposes is abhorrent.
My final concern about Ronny is not major, but it bothers me. It’s the way he looks and dresses. He’d be perfect to play the Sheriff in Mississippi Burning. Although I hate to cast aspersions on someone for the way they look, I do think image is important. Say what you will about Tommy Ferrell, he always dressed the part.
In my next article, I’ll tell you why his opponent, Charles Woods, is the person to vote for on August 7.
A friend of mine served on a jury for a significant murder case. When the trial was over, this friend was absolutely livid and called to tell me we had to have a new Sheriff. Apparently, the work done on this case by the Sheriff’s Office was so shoddy that a person possibly guilty of murder got off scott free. That is pretty serious stuff!
As I looked into it, it became apparent that the problem was INEXPERIENCE – they’re just plain incompetent. When he became Sheriff, Ronny Brown had no law enforcement experience. He claimed he did, but he just worked in Parole and Probation, which, I’m sorry, is definitely not law enforcement.
So what did this inexperienced Sheriff do right after he was elected? Fired most of the experienced, competent staff and replaced them with his buddies. After all, loyalty to him was more important than any knowledge or experience. This was the first not smart thing he did.
Ronny hadn’t been in office a year when a prisoner died while in his custody. Her parents have filed a federal law suit against him, and people say they have a good chance of winning some big bucks. Guess who’ll pay for that? We will, as taxpayers.
That’s not the only cost to taxpayers. Ronny spent more than any Sheriff ever, mostly in administrative costs. So far he’s spent about a million and half dollars more than the previous Sheriff. Ronny just had to buy eight new cars last year – and then he bought eight more this year. He was driving a brand new Ford Expedition SUV while the Chief of Natchez Police drives an old Ford Taurus. There is one place Ronny has saved money though – the narcotics unit. Why does that not make me feel good?
If you check the State Auditor's Report for the first year Ronny was Sheriff, you’ll see he was cited for not giving the County the money he collected in fees in a timely fashion. He was also cited for not following the proper procedures for spending money. However, he promised to do better. Now check the audit for the following year. He’s still not paying the money he’s collected to the County as required by law, and he’s also cited again for not spending taxpayer money in the manner required by law – 32 times!. But not to worry, he promised again to do better. Somehow I just don’t believe him. (The latest audits are not available online for me to check.) This sounds suspiciously like someone else we know.
Another thing is very troubling to me. Apparently, his employees have been threatening and intimidating voters who dared to support his opponent, Charles Woods. The Sheriff’s Office has a lot of power, and abuse of that power for political purposes is abhorrent.
My final concern about Ronny is not major, but it bothers me. It’s the way he looks and dresses. He’d be perfect to play the Sheriff in Mississippi Burning. Although I hate to cast aspersions on someone for the way they look, I do think image is important. Say what you will about Tommy Ferrell, he always dressed the part.
In my next article, I’ll tell you why his opponent, Charles Woods, is the person to vote for on August 7.
Thursday, July 12, 2007
Do You Know Your State Legislators?
What's a state legislator? Mississippi is divided into 52 equally populated Senate Districts and 121 equal House Districts. Each Senate District elects one State Senator, and each House District elects one State Representative. The term State Legislator refers to both Senators and Representative. The House and the Senate together form the Mississippi State Legislature, and they make all the state laws that we have to obey. All legislators are up for election this year, so this is our chance to tell them if we like what they're doing.
Districts tend to be drawn across county borders, so Adams County has part of two Senators and part of four Representatives. This picture will give you and idea which district you live in - or you can check your voter registration card.
Let's start with the State Senate. Democrat Bob Dearing represents District 37 (orange on the map), which covers most of Adams County. Most of you know Bob, because he's been serving us in the Senate forever - well since 1980 anyway. Most of you probably also know about something positive he's done, since he does a good job of representing our county. Most notably, he was instrumental in the Four Laning of most of our major highways and the Bluff Stabilization Act, but he's done a lot more. I can't imagine anyone in Adams County voting against him, especially since his opponent in the Primary, William Guy, is a trial attorney from McComb.
Districts tend to be drawn across county borders, so Adams County has part of two Senators and part of four Representatives. This picture will give you and idea which district you live in - or you can check your voter registration card.
Let's start with the State Senate. Democrat Bob Dearing represents District 37 (orange on the map), which covers most of Adams County. Most of you know Bob, because he's been serving us in the Senate forever - well since 1980 anyway. Most of you probably also know about something positive he's done, since he does a good job of representing our county. Most notably, he was instrumental in the Four Laning of most of our major highways and the Bluff Stabilization Act, but he's done a lot more. I can't imagine anyone in Adams County voting against him, especially since his opponent in the Primary, William Guy, is a trial attorney from McComb. Democrat Kelvin Butler represents District 38 (green on the map) which includes a portion of Adams County, along with parts of Amite, Pike, Walthall, and Wilkinson. He lives in Magnolia. This is his first term, but he seems to have done a good job and will likely be reelected. He's Chair of the State Library Committee, so I have a special fondness for him. His opponent in the Primary, Spencer Nash, is a former Judge, also from Pike County.
Now for the House of Representatives. Two of our Representatives, Democrat Robert Johnson from District 94 (brown on the map) and Republican Sam Mims from District 97 (blue on the map), have no opposition and are already considered reelected.
Democrat Angela Cockerham of Amite County represents District 96 (orange on the map) and was elected in a special election in 2005. Even though I'm not in her district, I followed her election and was very impressed with her. She's an attorney and obviously quite smart and well spoken, but she's also very friendly and has one of the prettiest smiles I've seen in a long time. I've had a few dealings with her, and I think she is a future star of the Democratic Party. Her opponent in the Primary is Larry Lee from Wilkinson County, and so far I haven't been able to find any information about him.
Democrat America Chuck Middleton of Claiborne County represents District 85 (yellow on the map). He's a businessman and a veteran and has been in the Legislature since 1996. I don't know much about him or his opponent in the Primary, Arnold Clark of Jefferson.
So those are your choices for the Legislature in the August 7 Primary. Please note that ALL of these races are only on the Democratic Ballot. So if you choose to vote in the Republican Primary, you'll have no choices to make.
To find out more about the incumbents, you can go to the Mississippi Legislature website.
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
It's Official - Sort of
According to the Democrat, the City signed a lease option agreement with the Lane Company to continue their destruction of our bluffs by placing a casino at the bottom of Roth Hill. Although I feel certain that the Lane Company will do a good job, it's still a casino. And casinos are disasters for communities. From the article I wrote about the economic impact of casinos:
"All of the legitimate research that has been done by unbiased economists and other academics show that legalized gambling eventually causes: 1) increased taxes, 2) loss of jobs, 3) economic disruption of other businesses, 4) increased crime, and 5) large social welfare costs for society in general and government agencies."
Not being restrained by facts or research, the Mayor and Board of Aldermen were so excited with themselves today, as they unanimously approved the Mayor signing the deal. It's so sad that the beautiful community of Natchez is reduced to groveling for casinos, prisons, and coal plants. If only we had leadership with vision.
These casino operators know exactly where to go to find unsophisticated (to be kind) politicians. Sixteen years ago, all the City officials were so excited about the economic benefits of the casino coming - so much so that they signed the worse casino deal in the State. Only one problem - the benefits never appeared. In fact, the opening of the casino created a decline in sales and business downtown. Over 70% of businesses reported a decline a year later. Although casinos promised increased tourism, that didn’t happen either. But some people never learn - and unfortunately, they're our elected officials.
There is one small glimmer of hope. The agreement signed today was a lease "option" agreement. The Lane Company has six months to decide if it wants to actually sign a lease with the City. We can dream that perhaps Lane will see the futility of three casinos fighting for business that can barely support one now.
Of course, each of those three casinos thinks that it will be the one left standing after the Battle of the Natchez Casinos. Can you imagine what that Battle's going to be like? Each casino will be offering escalating incentives to get gamblers. More of our downtown entertainment businesses will close, because they won't be able to compete with the casino prices. Our city police officers will be working overtime to combat the crime that always follows gambling. There are already many families in Natchez that have been destroyed by gambling. Now there will be more, and there will be a strain on our City and County to provide the welfare and other social benefits to those devastated families. Those promised economic benefits will never appear to counter our increased costs. so our taxes will have to go up.
Be prepared for the Battle of the Natchez Casinos, because it won't be pretty.
Sunday, July 01, 2007
Why You Should Vote in the Democratic Primary
You should vote in the Democratic Primary on Tuesday, August 7 - even if you're a diehard Republican. Here's why.
In Mississippi, voters do not register as Democrats or Republicans - they just register as voters. When a Primary Election comes up, as it will on August 7, every voter gets to pick which primary they want to vote in. You don't have to be a Democrat to vote in the Democratic Primary, and you don't have to be Republican to vote in the Republican Primary. BUT you do have to pick one. (There is a court case pending to change this - click here to read about it.)
Many people make the mistake of picking the Party Primary of the Party they like, but that's a BIG mistake. Instead you should pick the Party Primary where you can most make a difference - where you have the most significant choices. And in this election, that's the Democratic Primary.
Although there are some state offices that have Republican Primaries, there is only ONE local office that has a Republican Primary - District 1 Supervisor Sammy Cauthen is being challenged by Paul Brooks. Every other local office is either unopposed (6) or has a Democratic Primary (16). So do you want to vote for one local office or sixteen? It's a no brainer!
Be careful when you go to vote. The poll worker may ask "Democrat or Republican?" They're not asking your Party. They're asking you which ballot you want.
Another significant fact that many people do not know: only the people who voted in that Party Primary will be allowed to vote in the Runoff. There will be no Republican Runoffs in this election, so if you vote in the Republican Primary on August 7, you will not be allowed to vote at all in the Runoff Election on Tuesday, August 28.
Every registered voter has the right to vote in the General Election on Tuesday, November 6. However, you'll only be able to vote for two local offices: Supervisors from Districts 1 and 2. All other local offices will be decided in the Democratic Primary: Both State Senators, three State Representatives, Sheriff, Circuit Clerk, Tax Assessor, Tax Collector, Coroner, both Justice Court Judges, and Supervisors from Districts 3, 4, & 5.
If you care about how your government is run, then you must vote in the Democratic Primary on Tuesday, August 7.
NOTE: How you vote is private. Whether you vote and in what primary is a matter of public record. People who do not vote or who vote in the Republican Primary will have no right to complain for the next four years, and we'll know who you are.
In Mississippi, voters do not register as Democrats or Republicans - they just register as voters. When a Primary Election comes up, as it will on August 7, every voter gets to pick which primary they want to vote in. You don't have to be a Democrat to vote in the Democratic Primary, and you don't have to be Republican to vote in the Republican Primary. BUT you do have to pick one. (There is a court case pending to change this - click here to read about it.)
Many people make the mistake of picking the Party Primary of the Party they like, but that's a BIG mistake. Instead you should pick the Party Primary where you can most make a difference - where you have the most significant choices. And in this election, that's the Democratic Primary.
Although there are some state offices that have Republican Primaries, there is only ONE local office that has a Republican Primary - District 1 Supervisor Sammy Cauthen is being challenged by Paul Brooks. Every other local office is either unopposed (6) or has a Democratic Primary (16). So do you want to vote for one local office or sixteen? It's a no brainer!
Be careful when you go to vote. The poll worker may ask "Democrat or Republican?" They're not asking your Party. They're asking you which ballot you want.
Another significant fact that many people do not know: only the people who voted in that Party Primary will be allowed to vote in the Runoff. There will be no Republican Runoffs in this election, so if you vote in the Republican Primary on August 7, you will not be allowed to vote at all in the Runoff Election on Tuesday, August 28.
Every registered voter has the right to vote in the General Election on Tuesday, November 6. However, you'll only be able to vote for two local offices: Supervisors from Districts 1 and 2. All other local offices will be decided in the Democratic Primary: Both State Senators, three State Representatives, Sheriff, Circuit Clerk, Tax Assessor, Tax Collector, Coroner, both Justice Court Judges, and Supervisors from Districts 3, 4, & 5.
If you care about how your government is run, then you must vote in the Democratic Primary on Tuesday, August 7.
NOTE: How you vote is private. Whether you vote and in what primary is a matter of public record. People who do not vote or who vote in the Republican Primary will have no right to complain for the next four years, and we'll know who you are.
Thursday, June 21, 2007
I'm Totally Disgusted!
I went to the meeting of the Natchez Planning Commission. They handled a few cases, and then came to the Proposed Natchez Development Code. The consultant, who has certainly never impressed me with any wisdom or vision, was there. She asked the Planning Commission to recommend adoption of the Draft Code to the Board of Aldermen. They made a few minor changes, and then passed the motion to recommend adoption. There was one abstention (I believe it was Linda Futrell), but everyone else voted yes.
As you know, I wrote extensive comments on the Draft, most of which were totally noncontroversial. I not only sent them to the Planning Department, but I mailed them to every member's home. Do you think they ever even mentioned them - much less discussed them? Of course not! Did a single one of those members express any concern whatsoever about what this Code will do to Natchez? Of course not! They just rolled over and played dead. They should all resign in shame.
We had a poll on this blog about development of the Bluffs, and 97% of you voted for something besides condos and casinos. Well, you all just lost. 75 foot condos, casinos, and liquor stores will be allowed in the historic waterfront district by right, and there will be nothing you can do about it.
The Planning Commission was so proud of itself for banning electric signs in the historic district. Well, those signs will be the least of our problems. Plus, you know perfectly well that the Board of Aldermen will allow them.
I did accomplish one thing. I requested that my comments be made a part of the public record, which they assured me they would. That will help with the inevitable lawsuits - since that seems to be the only way to accomplish anything in this city.
I don't know about you, but I'm totally disgusted!
As you know, I wrote extensive comments on the Draft, most of which were totally noncontroversial. I not only sent them to the Planning Department, but I mailed them to every member's home. Do you think they ever even mentioned them - much less discussed them? Of course not! Did a single one of those members express any concern whatsoever about what this Code will do to Natchez? Of course not! They just rolled over and played dead. They should all resign in shame.
We had a poll on this blog about development of the Bluffs, and 97% of you voted for something besides condos and casinos. Well, you all just lost. 75 foot condos, casinos, and liquor stores will be allowed in the historic waterfront district by right, and there will be nothing you can do about it.
The Planning Commission was so proud of itself for banning electric signs in the historic district. Well, those signs will be the least of our problems. Plus, you know perfectly well that the Board of Aldermen will allow them.
I did accomplish one thing. I requested that my comments be made a part of the public record, which they assured me they would. That will help with the inevitable lawsuits - since that seems to be the only way to accomplish anything in this city.
I don't know about you, but I'm totally disgusted!
Monday, June 18, 2007
Rentech Questions
The following was submitted by Jane Gardner as a letter to the Editor of the Natchez Democrat . However, it was not printed as submitted, as sometimes happens. So, here is the correct version.
I am concerned with the prospect of Rentech, Inc. establishing a facility in Natchez. I am not only worried about environmental issues but also the expense associated with building and maintaining a coal-to-liquid facility.
Rentech officials and coal industry supporters say Rentech will produce a clean alternative fuel. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency: coal-based fuel results in more than twice the greenhouse gas pollution than the conventional gasoline it would replace. It goes on to state: “Without full capture and storage of the carbon dioxide, the coal-to-liquid process results in a 118.5 percent increase in global warming pollution over traditional oil-based fuels.”
The proposed Rentech coal-to-liquid plant will be using the Fischer-Tropsch process to convert coal into a liquid diesel fuel to be used in buses, trucks, and jets. This technique was used in World War II Germany when oil embargos existed, but no company has been built on a commercial scale that also captures the carbon dioxide. Also, it is my understanding that a coal-to-liquid company does not exist in the U.S. at this time.
Even The Denver Post newspaper has spoken out against coal-to-liquid facilities and this is the location of Rentech headquarters: “But even if carbon sequestration is perfected and made affordable – and that’s a big “if” widespread use of coal-to-liquids fuel would create a fuel that still is dirtier than conventional gasoline.”
Not only are the carbon emissions a glaring negative, but the cost of these liquid-to-coal companies is so astronomical that analyst say, economically, it makes no sense. Analyst at M.I.T. estimate the cost at $70 billion to build enough plants to replace 10 percent of American gasoline consumption. The Energy Department estimated that a plant capable of making 50,000 barrels of liquified coal a day would cost $4.5 billion. The United States burns 9 million barrels of gasoline a day.
The coal and mining industries are behind the creation and push for these liquid coal industries, like Rentech. The coal industry is spending millions of dollars lobbying in congress right now to pass legislation with government incentives so these companies will have the funding to be built and maintained.
The New York Times reported that Peabody Energy, the world’s largest coal company, which has $5.3 billion in sales, told an industry conference nearly two years ago that the value of Peabody’s coal reserves would skyrocket almost tenfold, to $3.6 trillion, if it sold all its coal in the form of liquid fuels. Peabody has quadrupled it’s annual lobbying budget to about $2 million since 2004. There is no surprise Peabody Energy is investing heavily to promote Rentech.
The Chinese government announced it is considering suspending its planned $13 billion dollar liquid coal facility because of the high energy, water, and monetary costs associated with the plant.
The coal industry and Rentech are asking congress to pass bills that will give them loan guarantees for six to 10 major plants with the estimate of building one at $4.5 billion and a tax credit of 51 cents for every gallon of fuel sold through 2020, also automatic subsidies if oil prices drop below $40 a barrel and permission for the Air Force to sign a 25-year contract for almost a billion gallons a year of liquid coal fuel.
We do not have an endless supply of coal in this country; it’s already becoming harder to mine, leading to the increased use of destructive techniques like mountain top removal mining which according to the EPA, at its current rate, another million acres will disappear within decades.
Mississippi should be investing in renewable energy resources like biofuels which are based on agriculture so they’re good for America and for the farmer and they are domestically produced, not imported.
The coal industry, the most polluting industry in our nation, wants to artificially create and entirely new industry that will produce a product that emits twice the carbon and greenhouse gases as gasoline. This is outrageous and it will be at the tax-payer’s expense.
Unfortunately, I believe this coal-to-liquid scheme is nothing more than a way for the coal and mining industries to get richer at the expense of our health, our land, and our tax dollars.
I am concerned with the prospect of Rentech, Inc. establishing a facility in Natchez. I am not only worried about environmental issues but also the expense associated with building and maintaining a coal-to-liquid facility.
Rentech officials and coal industry supporters say Rentech will produce a clean alternative fuel. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency: coal-based fuel results in more than twice the greenhouse gas pollution than the conventional gasoline it would replace. It goes on to state: “Without full capture and storage of the carbon dioxide, the coal-to-liquid process results in a 118.5 percent increase in global warming pollution over traditional oil-based fuels.”
The proposed Rentech coal-to-liquid plant will be using the Fischer-Tropsch process to convert coal into a liquid diesel fuel to be used in buses, trucks, and jets. This technique was used in World War II Germany when oil embargos existed, but no company has been built on a commercial scale that also captures the carbon dioxide. Also, it is my understanding that a coal-to-liquid company does not exist in the U.S. at this time.
Even The Denver Post newspaper has spoken out against coal-to-liquid facilities and this is the location of Rentech headquarters: “But even if carbon sequestration is perfected and made affordable – and that’s a big “if” widespread use of coal-to-liquids fuel would create a fuel that still is dirtier than conventional gasoline.”
Not only are the carbon emissions a glaring negative, but the cost of these liquid-to-coal companies is so astronomical that analyst say, economically, it makes no sense. Analyst at M.I.T. estimate the cost at $70 billion to build enough plants to replace 10 percent of American gasoline consumption. The Energy Department estimated that a plant capable of making 50,000 barrels of liquified coal a day would cost $4.5 billion. The United States burns 9 million barrels of gasoline a day.
The coal and mining industries are behind the creation and push for these liquid coal industries, like Rentech. The coal industry is spending millions of dollars lobbying in congress right now to pass legislation with government incentives so these companies will have the funding to be built and maintained.
The New York Times reported that Peabody Energy, the world’s largest coal company, which has $5.3 billion in sales, told an industry conference nearly two years ago that the value of Peabody’s coal reserves would skyrocket almost tenfold, to $3.6 trillion, if it sold all its coal in the form of liquid fuels. Peabody has quadrupled it’s annual lobbying budget to about $2 million since 2004. There is no surprise Peabody Energy is investing heavily to promote Rentech.
The Chinese government announced it is considering suspending its planned $13 billion dollar liquid coal facility because of the high energy, water, and monetary costs associated with the plant.
The coal industry and Rentech are asking congress to pass bills that will give them loan guarantees for six to 10 major plants with the estimate of building one at $4.5 billion and a tax credit of 51 cents for every gallon of fuel sold through 2020, also automatic subsidies if oil prices drop below $40 a barrel and permission for the Air Force to sign a 25-year contract for almost a billion gallons a year of liquid coal fuel.
We do not have an endless supply of coal in this country; it’s already becoming harder to mine, leading to the increased use of destructive techniques like mountain top removal mining which according to the EPA, at its current rate, another million acres will disappear within decades.
Mississippi should be investing in renewable energy resources like biofuels which are based on agriculture so they’re good for America and for the farmer and they are domestically produced, not imported.
The coal industry, the most polluting industry in our nation, wants to artificially create and entirely new industry that will produce a product that emits twice the carbon and greenhouse gases as gasoline. This is outrageous and it will be at the tax-payer’s expense.
Unfortunately, I believe this coal-to-liquid scheme is nothing more than a way for the coal and mining industries to get richer at the expense of our health, our land, and our tax dollars.
Sunday, June 17, 2007
You Should Be Worried About Your Property Taxes - Part II
In the previous post, I talked about why I couldn't support Jerry Lyles for Tax Assessor. Now, let me tell you why I wholeheartedly support the incumbent, Reynolds Atkins. (Full disclosure: he is the father of my next door neighbor.)
In my opinion, he is the perfect public servant.
Accessible: He is almost always in his office and will stop whatever he's doing to talk to a taxpayer. When I first moved here, he spent a lot of time explaining to me how taxes work in Mississippi, which is quite different from the way it's done in Maryland, where I moved from. I went to see him several months ago for help writing an article for this blog about how tax assessments are done. He took time to go over the process in detail and answered all my questions. I've been in his office several times, and I've seen him deal with the public.
Honest and Fair: He has never had a complaint lodged against him in his 12 years in office. He's only had 6 appeals in all that time, and none were upheld by the Board of Supervisors. If you point out a mistake to him, he'll correct it. In fact, he pointed out a mistake in mine that I didn't even notice! He has passed all of the state audits on his office with flying colors.
Competent and Experienced: The Tax Assessor appraises property. That's all he does. He doesn't determine how much tax you pay. That's done by the County and City officials. You want someone is that office that knows about and is experienced in appraisals. Reynolds was an appraiser for 17 years before opening Atkins Lumber Co. He went back into appraisals when he was elected Tax Assessor, and he turned his business over to his sons.
When I wrote my previous post, he sent me the following statement and asked me to post it here, which I am happy to do:
In my opinion, he is the perfect public servant.
Accessible: He is almost always in his office and will stop whatever he's doing to talk to a taxpayer. When I first moved here, he spent a lot of time explaining to me how taxes work in Mississippi, which is quite different from the way it's done in Maryland, where I moved from. I went to see him several months ago for help writing an article for this blog about how tax assessments are done. He took time to go over the process in detail and answered all my questions. I've been in his office several times, and I've seen him deal with the public.
Honest and Fair: He has never had a complaint lodged against him in his 12 years in office. He's only had 6 appeals in all that time, and none were upheld by the Board of Supervisors. If you point out a mistake to him, he'll correct it. In fact, he pointed out a mistake in mine that I didn't even notice! He has passed all of the state audits on his office with flying colors.
Competent and Experienced: The Tax Assessor appraises property. That's all he does. He doesn't determine how much tax you pay. That's done by the County and City officials. You want someone is that office that knows about and is experienced in appraisals. Reynolds was an appraiser for 17 years before opening Atkins Lumber Co. He went back into appraisals when he was elected Tax Assessor, and he turned his business over to his sons.
When I wrote my previous post, he sent me the following statement and asked me to post it here, which I am happy to do:
Don't be misled!
The Tax Assessor's job is to value property by making property assessments. Jerry Lyles says in his ads that taxes are too high, and he will lower assessments. He could lower property assessments as much as he wants, but it would not change the amount that property owners pay in taxes. The Board of Superviors and the Board of Aldermen and the School Board would just increase the millage (tax rate) to get the money they need for their budgets.
In addition, the Mississippi State Tax Commission audits the Tax Assessor's offices four times a year to determine that assessments are done in a fair and equal manner. If a Tax Assessor does not follow the rules of the Tax Commission, they can decide to turn down the Tax Assessor's tax roll. If this happens, they can withhold all homestead exemption money and the one mill imposed for use for reappraisal ($190,000 a year).
Currently, all appraisals are handled by the me and my staff at no additional cost to the County. This has been a savings of over $1,000,000 in the 12 years I've been in office. Jerry Lyles has no appraisal experience and will find it necessary to hire contract appraisers for about $70,00 per year. In 2009, a reappraisal year, the cost will be over $200,000.
If you have any concerns, questions, or problems with your taxes, please come to our office. We are always available to taxpayers.- Reynolds Atkins, Tax Assesssor
BOTTOM LINE: The job of the Tax Assessor is to appraise property. Atkins is an appraiser, and Lyles is not. Who do you vote for? DUH!
Tuesday, June 12, 2007
You Should Be Worried About Your Property Taxes
One of the major sources of revenue for the City of Natchez and Adams County is property taxes. Do you know how they figure how much tax you owe? Last year, I wrote a couple of articles about tax assessments trying to explain how it worked. However, I left out a key component. Who determines the value of your house and property?
In Mississippi, that's what we elect a Tax Assessor for. There was actually a study done on effectiveness of Tax Assessors, and it ranked the states. Amazingly, Mississippi was not at the bottom, but slightly below average. What we have done right is to have it done on a county level and by an elected, rather than appointed, tax assessor. What we need to improve is enforceable state standards.
Basically, what this means is that it's up to us to vote in a competent Tax Assessor. We will have that opportunity on August 7. If you don't learn about the candidates and, even worse, if you don't vote, then I don't want to hear any griping about taxes. How you vote is secret, but whether you vote is public record.
This time the outcome will be determined on August 7. There will be no runoffs and no generals, because there are only two candidates and they're both Democrats. So if you don't vote in the Democratic primary, you'll have no say in how your taxes are determined.
Let's look at the candidates. Challenger Jerry Lyles is running against incumbent Reynolds Atkins.
I'll start with the challenger, because he worries me a lot. In the last election in 2003, Lyles ran against Sammy Cauthen for Supervisor District 1. I thought he was impressive, but I didn't feel like I knew much about him. I knew Sammy Cauthen and had no significant cause for complaint, so he got my vote.
In March 2004, Lyles was arrested and charged with three counts of false voter registration, for which he could have been jailed for 3 years and fined $15,000. When he went to court, he ran ads on television asking supporters to show up to support him, for which he was admonished by the judge.
In June, Lyles pled guilty to one count of registering a voter who did not live in the county. The judge sentenced him to one year's probation, and at the end of that year, his record was expunged. I saw no jail time or fines mentioned. (Doesn't this sound familiar?)
Because his record was expunged, he can legally run for office. Another confessed criminal is running for office. Have these people no shame? Although his crime is not as heinous as that of Vile Vines, I really do not want a criminal determining my taxes. He was interviewed by the paper for an article on this race, and of course his past was brought up. Do you know what he had the nerve to say? "Mistakes were made." I hate that phrase and anyone who uses it. Not "I made a mistake". No, those mistakes just made themselves. It means he does not acknowledge his crimes, nor does he have any remorse. Therefore, he could easily do it again.
Do you realize how open this office is to abuse? What do you think will happen if his supporters go in and tell a tale of woe? Will their assessment be reduced? How often will that happen? We'll never know, because we can't challenge or investigate every property assessment. If this man is elected, hold on to you wallets, because to make up for any favors he might do for his friends, the rest of us will have to pay more. People like me who openly oppose him might find our assessments magically increased. Of course, we have the right to appeal, but who knows what will happen in the Natchez courts.
Plus, he's going to cost us more money from the getgo. He's going to have to contract out the assessments, since he doesn't even know how to assess property. Or even worse, try to do it himself after he's taken a little course.
In my next post, I'm going to tell you about Reynolds Atkins and why I love him to death!
In Mississippi, that's what we elect a Tax Assessor for. There was actually a study done on effectiveness of Tax Assessors, and it ranked the states. Amazingly, Mississippi was not at the bottom, but slightly below average. What we have done right is to have it done on a county level and by an elected, rather than appointed, tax assessor. What we need to improve is enforceable state standards.
Basically, what this means is that it's up to us to vote in a competent Tax Assessor. We will have that opportunity on August 7. If you don't learn about the candidates and, even worse, if you don't vote, then I don't want to hear any griping about taxes. How you vote is secret, but whether you vote is public record.
This time the outcome will be determined on August 7. There will be no runoffs and no generals, because there are only two candidates and they're both Democrats. So if you don't vote in the Democratic primary, you'll have no say in how your taxes are determined.
Let's look at the candidates. Challenger Jerry Lyles is running against incumbent Reynolds Atkins.
I'll start with the challenger, because he worries me a lot. In the last election in 2003, Lyles ran against Sammy Cauthen for Supervisor District 1. I thought he was impressive, but I didn't feel like I knew much about him. I knew Sammy Cauthen and had no significant cause for complaint, so he got my vote.
In March 2004, Lyles was arrested and charged with three counts of false voter registration, for which he could have been jailed for 3 years and fined $15,000. When he went to court, he ran ads on television asking supporters to show up to support him, for which he was admonished by the judge.
"This is a court of law and will be conducted as such. This is not a circus, not a political meeting, and not a Jerry Lyles Jr. meeting. Nothing is decided by the number of supporters you turn out for court. The court decides the cases fairly. It was an outrageous and poor decision on your part. Your actions show a lack of respect for the court and were not very smart."
In June, Lyles pled guilty to one count of registering a voter who did not live in the county. The judge sentenced him to one year's probation, and at the end of that year, his record was expunged. I saw no jail time or fines mentioned. (Doesn't this sound familiar?)
Because his record was expunged, he can legally run for office. Another confessed criminal is running for office. Have these people no shame? Although his crime is not as heinous as that of Vile Vines, I really do not want a criminal determining my taxes. He was interviewed by the paper for an article on this race, and of course his past was brought up. Do you know what he had the nerve to say? "Mistakes were made." I hate that phrase and anyone who uses it. Not "I made a mistake". No, those mistakes just made themselves. It means he does not acknowledge his crimes, nor does he have any remorse. Therefore, he could easily do it again.
Do you realize how open this office is to abuse? What do you think will happen if his supporters go in and tell a tale of woe? Will their assessment be reduced? How often will that happen? We'll never know, because we can't challenge or investigate every property assessment. If this man is elected, hold on to you wallets, because to make up for any favors he might do for his friends, the rest of us will have to pay more. People like me who openly oppose him might find our assessments magically increased. Of course, we have the right to appeal, but who knows what will happen in the Natchez courts.
Plus, he's going to cost us more money from the getgo. He's going to have to contract out the assessments, since he doesn't even know how to assess property. Or even worse, try to do it himself after he's taken a little course.
In my next post, I'm going to tell you about Reynolds Atkins and why I love him to death!
Monday, June 04, 2007
The Mysterious Disappearing Meetings
Those of you who read this blog regularly know that I'm obsessed with the proposed Development Code for the city of Natchez because of parts that will be devastating to the Natchez that we love. You also know that I've told you twice that the Planning Commission and the Zoning Board of Adjustment were meeting jointly to discuss the Code and make recommendations to the Mayor & Board of Aldermen.
The first meeting was supposedly May 17. There was a meeting, but they had other items on their Agenda and only briefly discussed the Code. They decided to meet in a special meeting in about two weeks just for this purpose. After several inquiries, I was told by staff in the Planning Department that the meeting would be May 31. Others called and were told the same thing. We went to the City Council Chambers at 5:15 pm and found the building locked. I went across to City Hall and found it locked as well. Later I discovered that no meeting had been called - no members were notified. Is the Planning staff incompetent or did they lie to us?
The next regularly scheduled meeting of the Planning Commission isn't until June 21, where the staff again say the Code will be discussed. Will it really? Will the members of the Zoning Board be invited? Might the meeting happen earlier without the public being told? Will the Mayor & Board of Aldermen vote on the Code without the recommendations of their Commissions? Who know the answers to any of these questions? This is, after all, the magical land of Natchez where anything can happen. Stay tuned as I attempt to solve the riddle of the Mysterious Disappearing Meetings!
The first meeting was supposedly May 17. There was a meeting, but they had other items on their Agenda and only briefly discussed the Code. They decided to meet in a special meeting in about two weeks just for this purpose. After several inquiries, I was told by staff in the Planning Department that the meeting would be May 31. Others called and were told the same thing. We went to the City Council Chambers at 5:15 pm and found the building locked. I went across to City Hall and found it locked as well. Later I discovered that no meeting had been called - no members were notified. Is the Planning staff incompetent or did they lie to us?
The next regularly scheduled meeting of the Planning Commission isn't until June 21, where the staff again say the Code will be discussed. Will it really? Will the members of the Zoning Board be invited? Might the meeting happen earlier without the public being told? Will the Mayor & Board of Aldermen vote on the Code without the recommendations of their Commissions? Who know the answers to any of these questions? This is, after all, the magical land of Natchez where anything can happen. Stay tuned as I attempt to solve the riddle of the Mysterious Disappearing Meetings!
Tuesday, May 22, 2007
More on the Development Code Saga
For background on this issue, see my previous posts: Rape and Mutilation of the Waterfront and Save the Waterfront - Continued.
Tonight, at the recommendation of Walter Brown, the Mayor and Board of Aldermen voted to amend the City Charter to allow for the changes in the composition of the new Natchez Planning Commission as proposed in the new Development Code. No one opposes the new composition that I know of. Look for the amendment to appear in the paper (probably the Legal Section), since it must be published. I don't think anyone but Walter Brown has actually seen the wording.
In testimony at the hearing and in written comments submitted to the Planning Department, I suggested 6 changes for consideration. Since none of the changes were adopted or discussed at the recent meeting and since I don't think the members of the two Commissions had even seen my written comments, I mailed copies to all the members at their homes. Five of the changes I proposed are noncontroversial and are just common sense suggestions. However, one change is significant, and I reproduce for you below. Both Commissions (Planning Commission and Zoning Board of Adjustment) will be meeting together next week, and I hope they at least consider my recommendations.
PS. These Commissions are not rubber stamp groups, and they are willing to voice their opinion. At the meeting last week, they had the wisdom and courage to deny Walter Tipton's request to have electronic signs at the Convention Center. Their reasoning was that the code could not just grant this right to the Convention Center - such a move would immediately be struck down by the courts. Then all businesses downtown would have the right to have electronic signs, and that would destroy the character of downtown. They did allow the signs away from the historic district. So Walter Tipton could put his signs at the Visitors Center, if he wanted. Special appreciation should be given to Ed Godfrey, Chair of the Zoning Board of Adjustments, who was brilliant in his arguments, and to Karen Stubbs, who was serving as Chair of the Planning Commission, who initially raised the issue and continued to pursue it.
Tonight, at the recommendation of Walter Brown, the Mayor and Board of Aldermen voted to amend the City Charter to allow for the changes in the composition of the new Natchez Planning Commission as proposed in the new Development Code. No one opposes the new composition that I know of. Look for the amendment to appear in the paper (probably the Legal Section), since it must be published. I don't think anyone but Walter Brown has actually seen the wording.
In testimony at the hearing and in written comments submitted to the Planning Department, I suggested 6 changes for consideration. Since none of the changes were adopted or discussed at the recent meeting and since I don't think the members of the two Commissions had even seen my written comments, I mailed copies to all the members at their homes. Five of the changes I proposed are noncontroversial and are just common sense suggestions. However, one change is significant, and I reproduce for you below. Both Commissions (Planning Commission and Zoning Board of Adjustment) will be meeting together next week, and I hope they at least consider my recommendations.
DEFINITIONS:
Waterfront District 1 – Historic District
Uses By Right: Accessory Use or Structure, Antique Store, Art Gallery or Museum, Auditorium, Barber Shop or Beauty Shop, Casino, Condominium, Liquor Store, Museum, Planned Unit Development, General Restaurant, Signs, Specialty Retail Shop.
Uses By Exception: Bars or Nightclubs, Micro-Brewery (Brew Pub), Nightclubs, Offices other than medical, Residential Over Commercial, Resource Extractions
Waterfront District 2 – Not Historic District
The same except Condominiums are By Exception and Residential Over Commercial is not allowed.
COMMENTS:
This is the most troublesome part of the proposal.
To start with, it makes no sense to have the historic part of the Waterfront have less restrictions than the nonhistoric part.
Casinos, Condominiums, Liquor Stores, and Planned Unit Developments have no business being in our historic Waterfront District by Right. By Exception, fine, but definitely not by Right.
This is the only district with NO maximum lot coverage, and except for B3, the only district with no minimum yard requirements. This district is allowed a maximum building height of 75’, which is higher than all districts except B3 and I-1. This is ludicrous, since it can cut off all view of the river, our main attraction.
There is no planning vision reflected in these proposals. Is the whole waterfront going to taken up by wall to wall 75’ condominiums and casinos, as will be allowed by this proposal?
RECOMMENDATIONS:
Waterfront District 2 could stay as in except to definitely include Residential Over Commercial either by Right or Exception.
However, Waterfront District 1 should NOT have Casinos, Condominiums, Planned Unit Developments, and Liquor Stores by Right. These uses must be by Exception. This is a precious historic area of our city that must be preserved. Anything less is a crime of immense proportions.
Most importantly, the maximum building height must be lowered to 35’, and there must be minimum yard requirements and maximum lot coverage. Without a view of the river, Natchez looses its major attraction.
It can be expected that our Mayor and Board of Aldermen may put these back in the new Development Code. However, for the Planning Commission, the Planning Director, and the Consultant to recommend it is totally unprofessional.
PS. These Commissions are not rubber stamp groups, and they are willing to voice their opinion. At the meeting last week, they had the wisdom and courage to deny Walter Tipton's request to have electronic signs at the Convention Center. Their reasoning was that the code could not just grant this right to the Convention Center - such a move would immediately be struck down by the courts. Then all businesses downtown would have the right to have electronic signs, and that would destroy the character of downtown. They did allow the signs away from the historic district. So Walter Tipton could put his signs at the Visitors Center, if he wanted. Special appreciation should be given to Ed Godfrey, Chair of the Zoning Board of Adjustments, who was brilliant in his arguments, and to Karen Stubbs, who was serving as Chair of the Planning Commission, who initially raised the issue and continued to pursue it.
Thursday, May 17, 2007
What's a Good Circuit Clerk Anyway?
I know some of you thought I would have written about this before now, but I've been wrapped up in the proposed Natchez Development Code. Everyone is talking about Binkey, and no one is paying attention to the new Code, so I felt like my efforts belonged there. But I couldn't let such a good story go forever without commenting.
As you all undoubtedly know, our esteemed Circuit Clerk, Binkey Vines, was indicted on 13 counts of embezzlement of $228,760 of taxpayer money. That's not small potatoes! Then on Friday, May 4, he pled guilty, but through some bizarre ruling by a judge in another county, he basically got off with a slap on the wrist. He can still serve and run for reelection! For details, see the initial story in the Natchez Democrat.
This is my favorite Binkey quote:
This leads me to the title of this article - what's a good circuit clerk anyway? According to the Mississippi Official & Statistical Register, the Circuit Clerk is the chief officer of the Circuit Clerk and the chief elections officer. Basically, the Circuit Clerk is an administrator of two very important functions of county government. So what is a good administrator? According to the dictionary, it's someone who manages or has a talent for managing.
So are you a good manager if you:
As you all undoubtedly know, our esteemed Circuit Clerk, Binkey Vines, was indicted on 13 counts of embezzlement of $228,760 of taxpayer money. That's not small potatoes! Then on Friday, May 4, he pled guilty, but through some bizarre ruling by a judge in another county, he basically got off with a slap on the wrist. He can still serve and run for reelection! For details, see the initial story in the Natchez Democrat.
This is my favorite Binkey quote:
"I’m a good circuit clerk, and I’m a bad bookkeeper.”
This leads me to the title of this article - what's a good circuit clerk anyway? According to the Mississippi Official & Statistical Register, the Circuit Clerk is the chief officer of the Circuit Clerk and the chief elections officer. Basically, the Circuit Clerk is an administrator of two very important functions of county government. So what is a good administrator? According to the dictionary, it's someone who manages or has a talent for managing.
So are you a good manager if you:
- Misplace almost $230,000 - especially when that amount is about equal to the annual gross income of your office? Think of your annual salary, and then try to imagine misplacing that amount of money.
- Fail to file annual reports with the State that are required by law for several years running? Try to imagine not filing your income tax returns for one year, never mind several years.
- Still have not filed the latest report? If only Uncle Sam was so lenient.
- Blame an employee who was out sick for all your problems? Was she sick for three years?
- Refuse to accept any responsibility for misdeeds? He is totally innocent, since this is all a sinister political plot by his enemies.
- Consistently get "findings" (bad reports) in your annual financial audit and don't even bother to respond? Sort of like getting failing grades on your report card and totally ignoring them.
I'm sorry, but this man is not only a bad bookkeeper, but a bad Circuit Clerk. Actually, "bad" is not a strong enough word - I prefer abhorrent, appalling, atrocious, awful, beastly, dangerous, desperate, dire, disastrous, disturbing, dreadful, extreme, fearful, frightful, ghastly, gruesome, harrowing, hateful, hideous, horrendous, horrible, horrid, horrifying, loathsome, monstrous, obnoxious, odious, offensive, petrifying, repulsive, revolting, rotten, serious, severe, shocking, terrible, unnerving, unpleasant, unwelcome, vile. Oooh, I like that last word - Vile Vines!!
Do you really want Vile Vines in charge of your elections? Do you want Vile Vines managing your courts of law? YUCK - NO!! Anyone who still votes for this man is either missing a few brain cells or is not in contact with reality.
ADDENDUM: How could I have forgotten? Are you a good manager if you keep bouncing checks to repay loans? And how does he solve this problem? By cutting staff, of course! I wonder if that poor sick bookkeeper is one of them. (See article and editorial in Democrat.)
Wednesday, May 02, 2007
Save the Natchez Waterfront - Continued
In November 1999, Natchez adopted a Comprehensive Plan, which is required by state law. And it was done the right way, by professionals utilizing an incredible array of data and research and with ample opportunity for public input. It is very well written and makes interesting reading. There is a copy available at the Library, and I recommend it to you. In the Introduction, there is a wonderful statement, which they bolded for emphasis:
Does this make you think of our Mayor and Board of Aldermen?
After establishing Goals, Objectives, Policies, and Principles, the Plan then lays out a Land Use Plan, complete with map. By state law, all zoning decisions must be based upon the adopted Land Use Plan, as well as the policies outlined in the Comprehensive Plan. So far as I know, the Comprehensive Plan adopted in 1999 has not been amended. Therefore, the proposed Development Code must be based upon the Plan. But is it?
The map of the Land Use Plan is large, and I could not copy it all. However, I did copy one section.
The red line sticking into the river is the bridge, which is the southern boundary of Waterfront District 1 (WD1). The red line that veers off to the right is Canal Street. The street above that is Broadway, which is the eastern boundary of WD1. The river is of course the western boundary. If you follow Canal Street you'll see two small red rectangles. Right on the other side is Madison Street, which is the northern boundary of WD1.
A community desperate for development without regard to the quality of that development will not be able to successfully compete with communities that are more concerned with the quality of development and other quality of life issues.
Does this make you think of our Mayor and Board of Aldermen?
After establishing Goals, Objectives, Policies, and Principles, the Plan then lays out a Land Use Plan, complete with map. By state law, all zoning decisions must be based upon the adopted Land Use Plan, as well as the policies outlined in the Comprehensive Plan. So far as I know, the Comprehensive Plan adopted in 1999 has not been amended. Therefore, the proposed Development Code must be based upon the Plan. But is it?
The map of the Land Use Plan is large, and I could not copy it all. However, I did copy one section.
The red line sticking into the river is the bridge, which is the southern boundary of Waterfront District 1 (WD1). The red line that veers off to the right is Canal Street. The street above that is Broadway, which is the eastern boundary of WD1. The river is of course the western boundary. If you follow Canal Street you'll see two small red rectangles. Right on the other side is Madison Street, which is the northern boundary of WD1.Two interesting things about WD1 on this map.
First, it's a little hard to see, but there are 3 shades of green on the map designated for Parks: the darkest (not in WD1) is for public parks, the light green is the National Historic Park, and the middle shade is for parks and open space. I didn't see any mention of open space in the proposed Development Code.
Secondly, the rest of WD1 is pink, as is most of the downtown area. These are the Preservation Districts. This designation is to protect the architectural and historic integrity of Natchez. Two of these districts are in WD1, and this is what is said about these two districts in the Plan.
- Natchez on Top of the Hill Historic District. Mixed Use by Right: Single family detached residential with "indoor only" commercial uses. Uses by Exception: farmer's market stalls, single family residential uses upstairs above commercial uses on the first floor, single family residential units on the first floor with street frontage, and multiple family uses. Compare this list of rights and exceptions to the one in the proposed Development Code (see my previous article).
- Natchez Bluffs and Under the Hill Historic District. "Indoor only" commercial uses only by Right. Uses by Exception: multiple family residential. Single family detached residential use is not permitted by Right or by Exception.
Just to make matters worse, look at the Waterfront District 2 (WD2), which is south of the bridge. This area is red, which is General Commercial. Now compare that to the proposed Development Code, which is more or less like WD1, only more restrictive. (Why in the world is the historic waterfront district less restrictive than the non historic???)
I don't know about you, but I think the 1999 Comprehensive Plan did a very good job, and I only wish our proposed Development Code matched it. I know the law says it has to, but this is Natchez where the law doesn't seem to matter. If the Mayor and Board of Aldermen adopt the proposed Development Code, I predict some lawyers will be very busy.
UPDATE: One of my lovely friends has provided me with a copy of the 1999 Comprehensive Plan and the map that goes with it. Since files cannot be attached to blogs, I have posted them on my website.
UPDATE 2: The Planning Commission met tonight. The good news is that final implementation will be delayed. They will make recommendations to the Mayor and Board of Aldermen at their first June meeting, with the suggestion that their final approval come during the second meeting in June. The code would then go into effect on August 1. The most interesting news came via Walter Brown, who said the City Charter (basically it's constitution) would have to be amended before the Code could go into effect. This requires at least a 60 day delay. I have a copy of the final draft, and I will write more later. There will be an article in the Natchez Democrat Friday morning detailing some of the discussions.
Wednesday, April 25, 2007
The Rape and Mutilation of the Natchez Waterfront
Natchez is about to lose her historic waterfront. We might soon see wall to wall development along the Waterfront Historic District, which is from Broadway to the River and from Madison Street south to the bridge. You thought one condo was bad? Try a whole row of 75 foot buildings blocking your access and your view of the river.
If, as expected, the proposed Development Code goes into effect, this is what owners of that property will have the right to build along our waterfront:
If, as expected, the proposed Development Code goes into effect, this is what owners of that property will have the right to build along our waterfront:
- Casinos
- Condominiums
- Planned Unit Developments: a tract of land under single ownership that is planned and developed for commercial, retail, or office use
- Liquor Stores
- Restaurants
- Auditoriums
- Specialty retail stores
- Barber or beauty shops
- Art Galleries or Museums
- Antique Stores
There will be no hearings about whether the citizens of Natchez want the development. There will be no recourse to the courts. The law will say they have the right to build these things.
Owners will still have to abide by building codes and planning & preservation guidelines, but the use of the land is not up for debate or discussion. So we may have historic condos, but we're going to get condos.
To make matters worse, this is what owners can build if they get the so-hard-to-get approval of the Mayor and Board of Aldermen:
- Bars
- Nightclubs
- Brew Pubs
- Offices
- Resource Extractions: Extraction of minerals, ores, soils, and any other solid matter from its original location, including but not limited to quarrying, open pit, mining, drilling, tunneling, strip mining and any other such activities YIKES!
You may be thinking that much of the Bluff is public property and exempt from this. But the City has already sold public property to developers and has plans to sell more. So don't let that soothe you.
There was a hearing about the proposed Development yesterday before the Mayor and Board of Aldermen. Were you there? Probably not. What most people said was "Why bother to express an opinion before the Mayor and Board of Aldermen when they don't listen anyway." Good point! There were lots of people at the hearing but only two of us mentioned the Waterfront District. I'm sad to say most people have no idea what is about to happen.
What you can do now:
- You could provide a written opinion to the Planning Director Dennis Story in City Hall by 5 pm Friday.
- You can also attend the next meeting of the Planning Commission on Thursday, May 17 at 5 pm in the City Council Chambers. You will likely not be able to speak, but your presence will say a lot.
- Vote in the poll on this site, so we can get an idea how citizens want our Bluffs developed - and ask your friends and neighbors to vote.
At its meeting, the Planning Commission is set to make changes based on the public hearing and send it on to the Mayor and Board of Aldermen for final approval on Tuesday, May 22.
If you don't want a 75 foot wall of buildings on the Bluffs, you'd better do something NOW!
Monday, April 23, 2007
Things Are Looking Up!
I don't want to be overly optimistic, but I'm starting to feel good about the demise of the condos on the Bluffs.
The potential developers of the condos, Larry Brown, and Ed Worley, got permission from the Mississippi Department of Archives and History many months ago to tear down the old Pecan Factory PROVIDING they followed certain very reasonable requirements. As we all know, those requirements were totally ignored, and they tore down the building without getting the required permit - and to add insult to injury, they did it while MDAH was meeting in Natchez. It would surprise me if there were not some angry people at MDAH. Most government agencies do not take kindly to having their laws ignored.
You have to hand it to Worley Brown - they definitely have balls. They wait a couple of months and apply for a permit to build the condos. I guess they think MDAH is just a bunch of wimps they can ignore and intimidate. The Permit Committee met a couple of weeks ago and recommended some very restrictive requirements. For details, see this article in the Natchez Democrat. I especially love the quote from Larry Brown.
Yeah, right, Larry.
This past Friday, the MDAH Board of Trustees, who has final authority, met to consider the recommendations of their Permit Committee. Gwen Ball and several other Natchezians attended that meeting and made a very professional presentation about their many concerns. (See this article in the Democrat.) The Board said they had to take it under advisement until their next meeting, which is not until July. So we get another three months breathing room. (And don't forget, there's still the lawsuit hanging over their heads.) Of course, Larry Brown is still in a state of denial.
Larry, give it up. You're never going to get these condos. They were a stupid idea to begin with, and you're getting stupider by the minute.
The potential developers of the condos, Larry Brown, and Ed Worley, got permission from the Mississippi Department of Archives and History many months ago to tear down the old Pecan Factory PROVIDING they followed certain very reasonable requirements. As we all know, those requirements were totally ignored, and they tore down the building without getting the required permit - and to add insult to injury, they did it while MDAH was meeting in Natchez. It would surprise me if there were not some angry people at MDAH. Most government agencies do not take kindly to having their laws ignored.
You have to hand it to Worley Brown - they definitely have balls. They wait a couple of months and apply for a permit to build the condos. I guess they think MDAH is just a bunch of wimps they can ignore and intimidate. The Permit Committee met a couple of weeks ago and recommended some very restrictive requirements. For details, see this article in the Natchez Democrat. I especially love the quote from Larry Brown.
“I briefly talked to my attorney, and he said it was all right. He said the conditions were pretty standard and nothing out of the ordinary.”
Yeah, right, Larry.
This past Friday, the MDAH Board of Trustees, who has final authority, met to consider the recommendations of their Permit Committee. Gwen Ball and several other Natchezians attended that meeting and made a very professional presentation about their many concerns. (See this article in the Democrat.) The Board said they had to take it under advisement until their next meeting, which is not until July. So we get another three months breathing room. (And don't forget, there's still the lawsuit hanging over their heads.) Of course, Larry Brown is still in a state of denial.
“Based on questions some of the board members asked, they seemed confused. They elected to take some time to get more information and talk at their next meeting."The Board of Trustees is confused? I don't think so.
Larry, give it up. You're never going to get these condos. They were a stupid idea to begin with, and you're getting stupider by the minute.
Wednesday, April 11, 2007
Preservation Follies
In addition to the Board of Aldermen meetings, I've also been trying to attend the Planning and Preservation Commissions' meetings. Tonight I went to the Preservation Commission meeting and really got an earful. Judge Al Johnson owns a house on Clifton Avenue on the bluffs above the river, right smack dab in the middle of the Historic District. He apparently decided to build a fence and didn't bother to obtain the appropriate permissions and permits. He could plead ignorance, but he is, after all, a judge. Aren't judges supposed to know the law? A neighbor informed his son that a permit was needed, but the neighbor was ignored and called a name. Someone apparently informed the authorities, and the Judge was before the Planning Commission trying to get after the fact permission.
Not only did he build it without appropriate permission, but the fence didn't even conform to the guidelines. He asked the Commission to approve his application anyway. He said it was similar to a fence at his neighbors. However, his neighbor's fence was built before the guidelines were in place. There were neighbors there testifying about how the fence was nonconforming, but the best testimony was given by Gwen Ball, of condo fame. She said the issue was a matter of enforcement, especially in these times. The guidelines are a part of the law, and the Commission's job is to enforce those guidelines. She said she expected that a judge, whose job it is to enforce the law, would willingly abide by the rules. Hmmm - is this another case where an elected official thinks he is above the law?
It is the Commission's responsibility simply to determine if an application meets the standards of the guidelines. It was obvious this one did not. Although the Commissioners were in agreement about their decision, a motion was made to approve the application, since that's the proper procedure. However, the motion died for lack of a second. Judge Johnson was visibly angry as he stormed out of the room.
I'm wondering if he will appeal the decision to the Mayor and Board of Aldermen, which he has the right to do. And I wonder how the Board will vote. Will they vote to uphold the law, or will they vote that the Judge should be treated differently from anyone else? This is the same Judge that ruled in favor of the City on the condo issue - as well as the Fat Mama's zoning decision. But of course, that has nothing to do with anything.
UPDATE: In case you missed it in the Legals section of the paper, there has been a special meeting of the Preservation Commission called to deal with this issue again! It will be Monday, April 23 at 5:15 pm in the City Council Chamber. Should be very interesting!
UPDATE 2: Preservation Commission decisions regarding private property must be appealed to the Circuit Court. Apparently, the Judge was so upset about having to follow the law that he threatened to go to Court - oops, I thought he was the Court. Oh well, this is Natchez.
It seems that the fine print somewhere says if no action is taken on an application by the Preservation Commission within 60 days, the application is deemed approved. Since the Commission failed to approve the Judge's application but did not deny it, this might be considered a lack of action on the application. So the Commission had to have the special meeting to be sure their decision was made properly. This time, they approved the application with conditions - basically that the fence be changed to conform to the guidelines. The Commission also entered into the record a notebook provided by the Historic Natchez Foundation on guidelines for historic fences. (Remember, they have to worry about going to Court.)
No word yet on whether the Judge will abide by the conditions or continue with his appeal to the Court.
To make matters even more interesting, the Judge owns another house on Commerce Street, also in the Historic Distric, where a similar fence has been installed. Wonder if anything will happen with that fence.
Not only did he build it without appropriate permission, but the fence didn't even conform to the guidelines. He asked the Commission to approve his application anyway. He said it was similar to a fence at his neighbors. However, his neighbor's fence was built before the guidelines were in place. There were neighbors there testifying about how the fence was nonconforming, but the best testimony was given by Gwen Ball, of condo fame. She said the issue was a matter of enforcement, especially in these times. The guidelines are a part of the law, and the Commission's job is to enforce those guidelines. She said she expected that a judge, whose job it is to enforce the law, would willingly abide by the rules. Hmmm - is this another case where an elected official thinks he is above the law?
It is the Commission's responsibility simply to determine if an application meets the standards of the guidelines. It was obvious this one did not. Although the Commissioners were in agreement about their decision, a motion was made to approve the application, since that's the proper procedure. However, the motion died for lack of a second. Judge Johnson was visibly angry as he stormed out of the room.
I'm wondering if he will appeal the decision to the Mayor and Board of Aldermen, which he has the right to do. And I wonder how the Board will vote. Will they vote to uphold the law, or will they vote that the Judge should be treated differently from anyone else? This is the same Judge that ruled in favor of the City on the condo issue - as well as the Fat Mama's zoning decision. But of course, that has nothing to do with anything.
UPDATE: In case you missed it in the Legals section of the paper, there has been a special meeting of the Preservation Commission called to deal with this issue again! It will be Monday, April 23 at 5:15 pm in the City Council Chamber. Should be very interesting!
UPDATE 2: Preservation Commission decisions regarding private property must be appealed to the Circuit Court. Apparently, the Judge was so upset about having to follow the law that he threatened to go to Court - oops, I thought he was the Court. Oh well, this is Natchez.
It seems that the fine print somewhere says if no action is taken on an application by the Preservation Commission within 60 days, the application is deemed approved. Since the Commission failed to approve the Judge's application but did not deny it, this might be considered a lack of action on the application. So the Commission had to have the special meeting to be sure their decision was made properly. This time, they approved the application with conditions - basically that the fence be changed to conform to the guidelines. The Commission also entered into the record a notebook provided by the Historic Natchez Foundation on guidelines for historic fences. (Remember, they have to worry about going to Court.)
No word yet on whether the Judge will abide by the conditions or continue with his appeal to the Court.
To make matters even more interesting, the Judge owns another house on Commerce Street, also in the Historic Distric, where a similar fence has been installed. Wonder if anything will happen with that fence.
Thursday, April 05, 2007
Here We Go Again - Mississippi at the Bottom
Mississippi has the highest tax on food in the country (most don't tax it at all), even though we're one of the poorest states. In addition, we have one of the lowest taxes on cigarettes, while we also have one of the highest rates of cigarette related deaths. Does this make sense to you? It sure doesn't to me. So why is this?
For two years in a row, the Mississippi Legislature has tried to change this situation by lowering the tax on food and making up the lost revenue by increasing the tax on cigarettes. Not only does this make logical sense, but it is extremely popular in an election year. Should be a no brainer, right? Not if you're Republican Governor Haley Barbour. He is the ONLY reason the Legislature did not pass this bill. The bill passed the House overwhelmingly and has wide spread bipartisan support in the Senate. However, the Governor promised to veto it, and the Legislature was just shy of enough to override it.
(By the way, all of our local legislators except Republican Representative and Barbour toady Sam Mims, supported the bill.)
Barbour was elected to represent the people of Mississippi, but he seems to have forgotten that. He is much more interested in protecting his friends in Washington. Before becoming Governor, he was a partner in what was the most influential lobbying firm in Washington DC, and he represented all the major tobacco companies. Obviously, they are more important to him than we are.
Does Barbour admit this is why he's against this bill? Of course not. He has two reasons for opposing the bill . Not only are they both ridiculous, but they contradict each other.
For two years in a row, the Mississippi Legislature has tried to change this situation by lowering the tax on food and making up the lost revenue by increasing the tax on cigarettes. Not only does this make logical sense, but it is extremely popular in an election year. Should be a no brainer, right? Not if you're Republican Governor Haley Barbour. He is the ONLY reason the Legislature did not pass this bill. The bill passed the House overwhelmingly and has wide spread bipartisan support in the Senate. However, the Governor promised to veto it, and the Legislature was just shy of enough to override it.
(By the way, all of our local legislators except Republican Representative and Barbour toady Sam Mims, supported the bill.)
Barbour was elected to represent the people of Mississippi, but he seems to have forgotten that. He is much more interested in protecting his friends in Washington. Before becoming Governor, he was a partner in what was the most influential lobbying firm in Washington DC, and he represented all the major tobacco companies. Obviously, they are more important to him than we are.
Does Barbour admit this is why he's against this bill? Of course not. He has two reasons for opposing the bill . Not only are they both ridiculous, but they contradict each other.
- He'll veto it because he promised in his campaign he would not increase taxes. Of course, he has no problem proposing other taxes, like a tax on hospitals - but he calls that an "assessment", not a tax! Well, how about we have an "assessment" on cigarettes.
- He'll veto it because we can't afford a tax cut because of the effect of Katrina. Yeah, right.
Sorry Governor, but you can't have it both ways. Is it a tax cut or a tax increase? Actually, it's neither. It's a tax swap. It was specifically designed to be revenue neutral. There is no reason to oppose this legislation - unless, of course, you're in bed with the tobacco companies.
This is such egregious behavior by our Governor, that it's made the New York Times.
Do you see that? He doesn't have to worry about us, the citizens of Mississippi. Do you know why? He thinks we're too stupid to figure it out. I guess we'll find out in November if we are."Gov. Haley Barbour, a former tobacco lobbyist, has other ideas. Studies, polls, protests at the Capitol, legislative sentiment and America’s highest cardiovascular disease rate notwithstanding, the governor of the poorest state is not budging, for the second year in a row: no cut in the 7 percent grocery tax and no increase in the 18-cents-a-pack third-lowest-in-the-nation, cigarette tax. Mr. Barbour, the former Republican National Committee chairman and big-time Washington lobbyist whose clients included the five major tobacco companies, is a busy man these days, and a powerful governor. . . (The veto), to some, is a true measure of Mr. Barbour’s power. He need not worry about political fallout from rejecting what is, in most reckonings, a popular initiative. "
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