Wouldn't the pastor who sent out this email lose tax exempt status for his church by taking this political action?
Dark Knight

Did he send it from a church email address?

She couldn't be pro-life cause her spending habits are killing me and destroying our family.
Don

In any political race this type of use of religion is wrong. People forget when they use this type of tactic it only causes more bad feelings and angst in the community. Only God really knows what is in the hearts of the two candidates. We are not God and man should never try to play His role. We are only His servants and as servants many and most times we fall short of His glory. Being pro-life or pro-family is not the issue. It is whether the two people running for the job are ready to take the position.
The Doctor

Where is Larry?

I was fairly certain Mathis was going to make the runoff because she talks a good game. The problem she has is that we've got almost 4 years of seeing what she actually does. A lot of people want to get past Nash Farm, but that is the issue that shows us the real Mathis. She doesn't care about the Bill of Rights. If she did, she wouldn't have used the thug-like power of the government to take property away from its rightful owner. Every time the government gets away with that, it makes it easier the next time around and none of us is safe. She doesn't care about how much of our money she's wasting either. $8 million (and probably only the tip of the iceberg before it's all said and done) for a cow pasture on the county line? Please.

I don't know the entire story behind Nash Farm, but was eminent domain used to take the property or was the property sold by the owner? Also, I've heard it said by the Mathis Campaign that no taxpayer money was used in the purchase of Nash Farms, that it was all donated money and money raised through fundraisers. Any truth to this?

Also, I've heard it said by the Mathis Campaign that no taxpayer money was used in the purchase of Nash Farms, that it was all donated money and money raised through fundraisers. Any truth to this?

Scott, you have been told an outright lie. I don't know the dollar figure, I'll let Larry or somebody else who knows post that, I think it was to the tune of 8 million in taxpayer money.

Scott,

Eminent domain was used to take the property and the funds ($8 million, here is a copy of the canceled check) came from the general fund of the Henry County Board of Commissioners, not from any private group. Governments are required to give "just compensation" through the Takings Clause in the Fifth Amendment of the Constitution. The owner would not have sold if he wasn't forced to.

Jason,

Thank you for your quick reply. I'm trying to talk some sense into my friends and family that are BJ supporters, and I want to make sure I have my facts straight. What is the status on Larry's Ethic Complaint?

I would also like to know, "Where's Larry?"
He is missed...

Scott,

Nash Battlefield was bought with impact fees NOT out of the general tax fund. Impact fees can only be used for parks and roads that is the law. And yes the park was acquired though the use of eminent domain but the developer/owner is happy with the sale to the county. The majority of the voters in Henry County are also very happy with this arrangement.

There is some very explosive information on the Agenda with Ray McBerry featuring Mr. Auletta and Mrs. Mathis. This is related to Mr. Fred Auletta’s financial investments.

It has been discovered that Mr. Auletta owns over $10,000 in shares in Northfork Southern Railway. Fred sort of kind of admitted it only after the moderator confronted him. The actual figure he has invested could be much, much more. The reason I say “sort of kind of admitted it” was because memory seemed to fail him about his ownership.

Mr. Auletta will stand to make a mint from his investment if the commuter rail if is approved. So where do you think Fred will stand on this commuter money pit coming into Henry County? A real no brainer here!

I found his investments in the railroad (proposed commuter rail) a real eye opener but the other things he said I found even more alarming. For example, he said that he probably had stocks in other railroads. Okay, I can buy that but if he owns stock in other railways then why did he not divulge the other railways in his disclosure? Also he said he wasn’t sure he still owned his stock in Northfork Southern. R.R Come on Fred, the disclosures were dated May 8th 2008 and you can‘t remember? This is a wealthy man with flyers and a website that states what a great businessman Fred is????

If Fred is an astute businessman then why did he act so ignorant to his own personal business dealings? Do we really want someone who is so unaware of his own finances to shepherd Henry County‘s money? I personally think Mr. Auletta is not as ignorant as he acted. Instead I think he was just BUSTED wide open.

Please go to “The Agenda” with Ray McBerry and watch for yourself. Please do not take my word or anyone else’s word for who you should vote for in the Commission Chairman race. I am a Mathis supporter and it is pretty apparent that Jason is not. That does not mean that Jason nor I are bad people we just have different ideas especially on who we are pulling for in the HC election. I have a vested interest and a distinct advantage over Jason in this election because I am a resident of Henry County and Jason is not. So his opinion does not mean squat when it comes time to vote.

Be an informed voter. Our freedom of choice is what makes this county so great!

Nash Battlefield was bought with impact fees NOT out of the general tax fund.

Everyone is entitled to their own opinions, but not their own facts, or "truth" in your case.

When I did my open records request last year, I asked about the funding mechanism. In a response on February 25, 2007, Deputy County Attorney LaTonya Wiley said, "The $8 million payment came from the County’s General Reserve Fund. It is virtually impossible to determine the source of this fund because it is comprised of various revenue generating sources such as property taxes, sales taxes, etc."

It would have been an illegal use of impact fees to use them in this way. Use of impact fees is limited, "development impact fees shall not be expended for any purpose that does not involve building or expanding system improvements that create additional capacity available to serve new growth and development" (County Code Sec. 3-6-86b).

I am a former eleven year resident of Henry County (I moved in August 2007) and I still commute to Stockbridge virtually everyday and I pay SLPOST taxes because most of my purchases are made there. As much as I tried to buy a house in Henry, it did not work out the way I wanted it to and I was running out of time to find a place to live. If you don't believe me, ask John Lunsford (he was my agent).

This is an issue to Mathis supporters because they cannot respond to empirical evidence with anything more than the talking points she e-mails to them.

Regarding Only the Truth (as you see to tell it)

Um, I am a Henry County voter and I am not "happy" with the arrangements. I would be happy with, oh I don't know the money going where it's suppose to go? I have never been to the Cash Park and never plan to go so I will get nothing for my tax payer money. Getting around Henry County made easier by more efficient roads, now that would make me happy!

And yes the park was acquired though the use of eminent domain but the developer/owner is happy with the sale to the county.

Nice try, but that is not true. In fact, Mathis has pushed for the Board of Commissioners to attempt to get part of the $8 million back from the property owner that the land was stolen from through the police power of government. I'm sure the property owner is just giddy about that.

The majority of the voters in Henry County are also very happy with this arrangement.

How can you possibly speak on behalf of the all voters of Henry County? That is really an absurd assertion. A majority of voters didn't even vote in the primary, barely 1/5 of them did.

And, also...let's not hide the fact that Ray McBerry is a Mathis supporter. He took The Agenda over from Mathis after she announced her intention to run for office.

"What is the status on Larry's Ethic Complaint?"

the ethics complaint was rejected by the state.

"After the commission rendered its decision, Stanley acknowledged he has no other options available to pursue the issue at this time. In addition, the McDonough man said he is open to the idea he is in the wrong, concerning the commissioner's intentions."

article is here

Does Ray McBerry bring Mathis the support of the League of the South?

That would be scary.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/League_of_the_South

Here is the way I see this runoff election. Fact, Mathis deceived the taxpayers and her fellow commissioners about Nash Farm. Fact, Auletta is for the commuter rail in Henry Co. that will cost our children millions. Fact, Mathis was helping to bring the Jodeco Mall at the expense of Georgians that travel on I-75. Fact, Auletta has stock in Norfolk Southern the line that will need to be brought up to date, no wonder he supports the rail.
With this said neither one of them should hold the office of the chairman. That is my opinion and I am unanimous in that.
Now on to the topic of this thread. Is it right for a pastor to subvert other pastors to vote for BJ. Also his statement "it would be good to have a christian in the office of chairman. That is not only saying Mr. Auletta is not a christian but that Chairman Harper is not a christian. What he is really saying is if you don't agree with him then you are not a christian. He appears to be judging people and being a pastor he should know there is only one judge. It is sad no matter who becomes chairman that the taxpayers of Henry Co. lose.

Dark Knight

Why would the county have used eminent domain if the owner of the property was happy with what the county wanted to pay him? It doesn't make sense and it's obviously not true. If my memory serves me correctly, Mr. Price expected to make $22 million off of that property and the county gave him $8 million when they stole it.

If you think that's fair, go to Legacy Ford and take a $22,000 car off the lot and leave them $8,000. Let me know how that works for you. It's would be a criminal act and so was the Nash Farm.

If you vote for Mathis, you're an enemy of freedom.

Excellent Dutch and a very good comparison.

You know I spent much of the last year pointing out every Mathis misstep. Nash ($8 million and eminent domain), Jodeco bridge (vs I-75 lanes), dueling developers (Baker vs. Shailandra), and more recently the Life Management department creation. These past issues have created some apparent ill will among board members, though each one is very diplomatic about being able to work with either candidate after the election.

Go to A Look at the Dark Side for a list of related articles.

Here is the way I see it.

Commuter rail will be Fred's undoing. Although the SBN interview was something of a setup, Fred did say, "I have people who say they support me to bring commuter rail to Henry." His personal land investments, the Baker-Lassiter ownership of 4,000 acres in the rail's path, his open support from the Chamber....

Although Fred is and intelligent and capable person, people are seeing the influences around him.

There will be another low voter turnout, which is to Mathis's favor. If we see 5%-10% (only 14% voted in the primary) Mathis will walk into office.

You guys ought to subscribe to the Henry Citizen newsletter. Go to www.henrycitizen.org and subscribe.

Dutch,
I think any person or any group for that matter wants to see someone in office that they feel has views similar to their own. I am sure this Pastor knows Mrs. Mathis' faith and the way she has lived her life and has seen her devotion and loyalty to her husband and family and also her service to the Henry County community over many years. I am sure he also knows that she attended the commission meetings and was vocal on issues long before she decided to run for office the first time.

As for your statement:
“If you vote for Mathis, you're an enemy of freedom” please explain to me how in the world you could make such an off the wall assumption?

I think Mr. Auletta has some good people who support him. Although, I also think that Mr. Auletta’s money ties to the RAIL and the support by the Chamber of Commence, the Quality Growth Club and especially his marriage record makes him the wrong person to be the leader of Henry County Commissioners.

My choosing not to vote for Mr. Auletta does not in any way makes me an enemy of Freedom. As a matter of fact by my casting my vote for whomever I choose is a statement of the freedom that I cherish.

You are devoid of truth.

“If you vote for Mathis, you're an enemy of freedom” please explain to me how in the world you could make such an off the wall assumption?

You need to explain your own assertions first, especially how you can determine how a majority of voters in Henry County feel about Nash Farm. At least Dutch has something to back up what he wrote, which is Mathis' disregard for private property.

I think Mr. Auletta has some good people who support him. Although, I also think that Mr. Auletta’s money ties to the RAIL and the support by the Chamber of Commence, the Quality Growth Club and especially his marriage record makes him the wrong person to be the leader of Henry County Commissioners.

Where do I even start. Please address the items in the original post as far as Mathis opposing widening of I-75 over the Jodeco Bridge project. She was doing the bidding of a rent-seeking developer. But you manage to ignore that. How convenient.

You also need to explain yourself on the hit on marriage. That claim was debunked here a long time ago and it amounted to nothing more than a lie perpetuated by Mathis supporters.

I don't particularly care for the ties to the Chamber, but there are some good folks involved with the Henry Council for Quality Growth that understand the free market. So that is not a disqualifer by any means.

Auletta has strong business skills and experience and he would be an asset. Henry County voters would serve themselves well to put him in office.

The majority of the voters, nearly 40% said they approved of Mrs. Mathis and that is not an assumption it is a fact! She took all but two precincts losing one by four votes! I don’t think there has ever been a Chairman race in this county where the voters so overwhelmingly came out to say we support a candidate therefore her actions. Could you believe it ? Wonderful and with six candidates in the race. Nash Battlefield was the major catalysis that brought these voters out. I am not guessing about that I have heard it from many of her voters themselves. By the way I forgot to thank you, Larry, and Doctor for all the votes that you got for my candidate, Mrs. Mathis. We in the Mathis camp had gotten a little edgy when you had stopped your Mathis threads. The more you try to slander her reputation the higher her numbers grow. Now bashing a Man of God is really going to help assure her victory.
So thanks again.

Three marriages were never debunked! Mathis supporters did not come up with the lie about the bigamy. From the disgusting flyers that were send out I think it was obvious where that came from.

As a heavily taxed voter I do not feel Auletta best suits my needs and he does not share my values.

Impact fees ARE paying for Nash Battlefield. I do not doubt what Jason said he was told but he was not told the truth. We have an intricate accounting system with checks and balances in our county and the money is subdivided into at different "funds". It is a shame that the attorney did not know this. In certain instances it is illegal to do ANY co-mingling of funds exceptions are made on short-term disbursements.

Below in layman’s terms is a simple definition of where developmental impact fees are allowed to be spent.
Henry County Ordinances

Ord. No. 03-08, adopted Oct. 7, 2003, pertained to development impact fees

Public facilities means: (a) Parks, open space, and recreation areas and related facilities; and (b) public safety facilities, including police, inmate housing, fire, animal control, emergency medical, and rescue facilities; (c) libraries and related facilities; and (d) roads, streets, and bridges, including rights-of-way, traffic signals, landscaping, and any other components of state or federal highways.

The majority of the voters, nearly 40% said they approved of Mrs. Mathis and that is not an assumption it is a fact!

That is not what you wrote. You wrote, "The majority of the voters in Henry County are also very happy with this arrangement."

You mean the plurality of the 1/5 of Henry County voters that voted in the Republican primary. That's not much of a mandate. She got lucky that voter turnout was low. Let's not make it more than it really is.

Impact fees ARE paying for Nash Battlefield.

If this is really true, and I have every reason not to believe it is considering what I was told. Then impact fees that are being paid by developers are taking away from improvements that are supposed to be made in areas near new developments. Either way it is a wash.

The costs of Nash Farm, whether through impact fees or the general fund, have been a burden to the county. It has taken funds away from much more needed projects and improvements. No matter how you spin it, that is a fact.

Did you let Mathis write this? Seriously, completely different writing style from some of your other comments.

Anyway, I am not running for office. My residency is not an issue and I will not allow you to bring it into question because you don't like what I am writing about your candidate. Many of my readers live in Henry County and this was e-mailed me by five different people, asking me to respond. I had no intention at all of writing about this race until that point.

I don't mind debate, discussion or disagreement with me or my views. But bringing up my residency shows that you have nothing. This blog is my property and I will write about whatever I please, whether you like it or not.

An enemy of freedom is someone who tramples on the freedom of others. It could also mean anyone who knows a candidate is an enemy of freedom and votes for them anyway.

Let's do a little simple math. $22 million - $8 million = $14 million. That's $14 million dollars of economic liberty stripped from one man. That's OK with Mathis & her supporters though - Mr. Price is rich anyway (wealth envy).

I don't care where the money came from. It was money taken from the public (taxes) and wasted on 200 acres of cow pasture instead of improving the horrible traffic issues we have.

I don't think Mathis should worry though. She has a great appeal to the great unwashed. She probably knows that the majority of voters are either ignorant of the concept of liberty or they simply don't care as long as the government puts something in their hands when they stick them out. I posted this over 2 years ago about the Nash Farm stunt and it's still true today: "I don’t know that it was a political mistake for her. The anti-development crowd likes it even though it was really insignificant at stopping development. The significant number of Confederate flag wavers like it. The tree huggers like it. The only question is the number of people who believe the money could have been better spent elsewhere and the handful of people who still believe in the Bill of Rights."

"Only the truth", thank you for bringing us your views that is what we were looking for.

Now, on to the comments of the pastor.

Watch out here. I was informed that the good Dr. Brand is not a pastor of a church. He has, however, Real Life Ministries Intl. Inc. Is this not considered to be faith based?

Also, Barbara Brand is CFO of several churches in the county. That is documented on the Sec. of State website.

I have no problem with Christians doing and promoting and being active. You ought to know that.

It is just like BJ had Life Source Ministries of Henry County Inc. And she was on the board of The Church at Lake Spivey. She never pastored a church but she has been involved with the ministry and has talked about that since her beginning in politics.

We must be very sensistive that nobody is persecuted for their beliefs.

I have always said that people cannot be divided between their religious beliefs and their civic existence.

If we condemn a leader of a non-profit for using that organization for political purposes, we may be stepping over the line. We may be persecuting him for rhis religious calling.

Mathis tried to pull a fast one on property located on Hampton-Locust Grove Road (Graham property). She created a deal where the developer (Greg Ivey) would develop a "conservation subdivision." The only problem was that the "conservation area" was designed to be in the future r-o-w for the widening of Hampton-Locust Grove Road so that it could be "donated" to the County. Thus, the "conservation area" would be paved in a few years. Marketing the zoning as a conservation subdivision, when in reality it is merely smaller lots, was deceptive. We do not need this kind of leadership.