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May 18, 2009
RONNIE PAYNE—THE
SILENT COMMISSIONER
Ronnie Payne, the new commissioner for District 3, was
elected by the ABJ (Anybody But Jack) vote.
Everyone had high hopes for a Board of Commissioners that could and
would work together, but something happened after the February night
meeting. Things have become touchier and
it is obvious to anyone attending the meetings.
Comm. Payne discusses very little in meetings and not much
when talking to people in his district.
Comm. Payne campaigned on planning and setting long range goals. He also said he would keep “a keen eye on
what monies are coming into the county and how these monies are spent.” He has never asked one question during the
financial presentations at the BOC meetings and acts almost hostile toward any
commissioner that questions the County
Manager on the
figures. TWG can not think of any cuts
that Comm. Payne has suggested. Long
range goals should include keeping property taxes from increasing and cuts are
going to have to be made to do that.
When “search for a county manager” was on the agenda
and came up at the 5-4-09 meeting, Comm. Payne automatically wanted this item
discussed in executive session not in an open meeting. He voted with
Comm. Pennamon and Comm. Hill to have the new county attorney interviewed in
executive session. Comm. Payne wants a
retreat out of the county so that the people of this county will be left in the
dark. This was another 3-2 vote with Comm. Pennamon and Comm. Hill. He seems to forget that he represents the
people and spends their tax money. Why
does he want most discussions out of the public eye? He said in his campaign ads that the citizens
mattered. What happened?
Comm. Payne stated in a BOC meeting that it was a waste of
his time to sit and listen to road maintenance problems in the meetings. He said he talked with the County Manager
about the problems in his district. Road
maintenance is the biggest problem in this county, and solutions need to be
discussed in open meeting. As observed
by anyone attending meetings and by those that have called in for help, the County Manager
never seems to follow through on things he says he’ll do, so why would Comm.
Payne’s requests be any different?
Comm. Payne has said publicly, and on more than one occasion
said, he wishes he had never run for county commissioner. What kind of representation can the people of
District 3 expect when their commissioner wishes he wasn’t one?
Comm. Payne, please give us your cost cutting ideas and your
long range goals. We need to know that
the citizens really do matter to you and you are working for them and what is
best for all of Jasper
County.
TWG
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Mission
Statement:
** To keep the taxpayers of Jasper County, Georgia
informed as to where and how their tax dollars are
being spent.
** To keep the taxpayers abreast of local policies
and laws being discussed and enacted.
** We advocate more open government, less government
spending, and lower property taxes.
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