Wait...Wait, nope...nevermind, I thought I saw it kick.

Joe,

I'll beat the horse until Mathis is out of office.

If you don't like it, don't read about it.

70% of the county is undeveloped?!?!??!

Fire up the bulldozers, its time to cut down all the trees, level the land and put up McMansions.

I am anxious to see the documentation. It is important to know whether a loan was taken against the general fund. The funding mechanism does matter.

I’m sure the county commissioners and their serfs would love to see all discussion of the Nash Farm go away. It’s not going to happen. Four of the six county commissioners who had a hand in it are still in power. They believe the government has a right to your property for any pandering project they can dream up. If that doesn’t bother you, you don’t understand how fragile freedom is and you certainly don’t recognize a tyrant when you see one.

Beyond that, there are issues on funding and nobody seems to know how that is being handled. Did we borrow the $8 million? By the time we pay it off, will it have cost much more? What about the improvements to the property? It looks like the Nash Farm is the ripoff that keeps on taking. If the horse is still eating, it’s not dead.

This is why we have such inferior infrastructure in Henry County. Our "elected" officials keep wasting tax dollars on things that some people "want" rather than what we all "NEED"!

I'll beat the horse until Mathis is out of office.

If the horse is still eating, it’s not dead.

I think the analogy skewed a bit but, whatever.

I admit I am new to the area but, I am trying to understand what issues you have with Nash Farm. You come across as having a personal vendetta with Mathis or looking for an issue to 'champion', if not, here is what I have gathered so far.

Mathis is the issue,eminent domain is the issue, how it was funded is an issue, anyone associated with Nash Farm is an issue, Harper is an issue because he asked for money for Nash Farm...what else did I not mention? Who on the Board, outside of the new guys, do you like?

Also, I've noticed several times you mentioned a slave memorial or the 'tragedy of slavery'. What is that about? Is there talks of starting a slave memorial at Nash Farm?

To be perfectly honest with you, I have nothing personal against Mathis, as far as her as an individual. I've always thought of her as an engaging person. I think Larry can back me up on that, based on private conversations we've had.

But I have serious issues with her politically.

At one time I would have supported her if she ran for commissioner chair in 2008, which she was planning to do until recently. We were on friendly terms until this past summer. For awhile I ignored what happened with Nash Farm and I tried to overlook it, but I felt like I was betraying my principles and I decided to speak out.

It was an unnecessary use of eminent domain. The developer was going to use half of the land as a memorial to the "battle."

I have issues with using money from the general fund, money that should have gone towards the transportation needs of the county.

I've never liked Harper. I think he is devious person and outside of Buddy Welch, he may be the most dangerous person in the county.

I like Stamey, as a person, I think he hasn't done what he said he was going to do during his campaign and he has become a "yes"-man. I don't know Holder, but I can't say I have anything against him, besides some votes he has cast while on the board. And despite the fact that I backed someone else other than him during the last election, I liked Lee Holman as well.

There aren't many local politicians that I like. I don't have anything against the current group in Hampton or Locust Grove...and I absolutely adore Mayor Lindsey.

The slave memorial is something that I brought up that I'd like to see come to fruition. I'm working on a plan for it, through private funding only.

I will "back up" Jason's statement regarding Mathis. His gripe is not personal. For my part, the relationship goes back to BJ's mother, Miss Ruby, whom I loved as a person and for the fact she cut her teeth on two-faced local politicians.

About Stamey, I am not sure how he hasn't done what he said he was going to do during his campaign and he has become a "yes"-man." I have had several dealings with Randy (as a commish) and have always found him to act professionally; to listen to constituents; and, to work out situations with a keen eye on the land use plan and to always use a well-grounded sense of fair play.

I join his position on Harper, though I believe he is "dangerous" only because we put him in office. Out of office, I am sure he will only be an annoyance.

I have known Holder for years and have great respect for him and his 30+ years in public service. Although we have jousted and had many disagreements, I believe his tongue would fall out if he ever told a lie.

It has become nearly impossible for me to separate the person from the office-holder. Although, something typically "happens to people" once they get elected. When I have a gripe and there is a personal relationship, I tell them privately - before going on my rants!

It's fairly simple for me. Any politician who uses eminent domain unnecessarily is a enemy of the Constitution and has disqualified himself (or herself) from ever getting my vote.

I've never liked Harper. I think he is devious person ...

I moved to Henry County three years ago. I went to all of the candidate forums and ended up voting for Harper. He is an excellent campaigner. I don’t know whether I was naïve or stupid, but I voted for him. I have since discovered how duplicitous he can be.

It is fairly simple for me. It Jason Harper is for it, it can not be right.

Joe, don't beat yourself up over voting for Harper. When it came to a runoff between him and Gail Notti's son Herman, I even had a large Harper sign in my front field.

The Lesser of Evils Principal has driven Henry politics for too long.

To create a memorial that chronicles the daily lives of slaves in Henry County is a commendable idea. Any attempt to erect a commemration of the enslaved on a battle site that represents the attempt at the preservation of that damnable "instutition" will require some serious dialogue and soul searching on the parts of many.

I’m not in favor of the government removing money from my pocket to remember anything. Having said that, we should remember slavery for the same reason we should remember the Holocaust…lest we forget what mankind is capable of doing to fellow human beings.

That’s one of the problems I have with this glorification of the Civil War. A lot of people are in denial over the cause of that war. It’s amazing to me how some people celebrate it like no other war in our history and feel completely comfortable, if not downright proud, waving the Confederate flag – the one symbol guaranteed to cause division between the races. I’m no psychologist, but any reasonable person would conclude there’s some deep seated racism in that mentality.

Tom, are you for it, or against it? The problem will come on getting the BoC to fund it with the same enthusiasm and interest.

If it is for historical preservation, then tell the whole story. I am sure there were slave in Henry - and some decendants could surely be found.

Money, The Holocaust and slavery are totally diffrent.

Larry;
Based on the reluctance on the part of many in Henry County (both black and white) to honestly confront the reality of slavery in our fair region, I remain pessimistic about the desire to confront on a on-going basis, the 800 pound gorilla sitting in the corner. Jason has suggested the creation of a private sector funded campaign to erect a monument that chronicles the damnable institution. I support the effort, but the crafting of a visible (and uncomfortable) dialogue that seeks to engage the legacy of slavery would be equally beneficial. The Holocaust of the mind would be addressed now so our children won't have to face its ugly reality so directly in the future.

Mr. Stamey rarely returns his constituents calls or e-mails. That tells me he doesn't listen to his constituents.

Mr. Stamey campaigned under several premises-one of which he convinced his constituents he would look out for their best interests. With that said, Mr. Stamey knows full well his district contains a majority of homesteads that have, on average, at least 3/4ths an acre. Lo and behold--we find out he has voted for several R2 developments, especially in the North Ola community. Furthermore, our lovely water authority (a/k/a "We lay the pipes and cut down centuries old oaks so you can build high density") has been, in a stealth-like manner, laying the developer-coveted sewerage infrastructure to allow R2 developments.

I have to completely disagree with you on this one, Larry. Stamey has not listened to us.

Not related, but is: Does it scare anyone in our county that Buddy Welch is the attorney for the: Water Authority, Henry County Board of Education, City of Stockbridge during the Meeks' eminent domain issue, AND represents the vast majority of the developers who operate in this county?? Sounds like a control freak to me.