I would like to thank the citizens of Douglas County for stopping the SPLOST. I believe the correct decision was made. Questions about the jail and SPLOST remain, as well as the question of what other options ought to be considered in lieu of a new jail. Many citizens voted “No” because this tax was being forced upon us suddenly, and because of the seemingly secretive nature of truthful information about it. None of this tax proposal made sense. So, again, thank you citizens of Douglas County.
To the Sheriff and the county commission: I believe you lost considerable credibility through this ordeal. You continually misinformed and deceived the public on this issue. This battle would have been entirely different, had the truth been told about the jail, the SPLOST and the reasons, but you felt a need to deceive, believing your buddies and your political connections would force it through. I voted for both of you, but I would have difficulty doing so again. The integrity of both the Sheriff’s and commissioners office is essential to stability in the county, and I believe you have damaged that.
And to the citizens again: Expect the county commission to place this tax on the ballot again– soon. They will say to you, “What do we have to tell you so you’ll approve this tax?”, then they will tell you what you wanted to hear, then they will place the tax on the ballot again, expecting you to vote for it this time. Expect the county commission to try to retaliate by raising property taxes in the county. It’s a child saying “if I can’t have this, I’m gonna take that!” But those bonds will have to go through the citizens, just like the SPLOST did. Please get with your County Commissioner and find out why everyone is “falling in line” behind the chairman, instead of thinking individually– this splost looked like a scam that the entire commission was in on, but your commissioners were being browbeat into agreeing with it. I’d still like to know why. The Douglas County Taxpayer’s Coalition will remain and guard against citizen abuse in the future, if the citizens will help.
This SPLOST was not about a need; it was about a desire to grow government, and a power base.
Mike Raiford
DCTC
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