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Home > Clayton.Talk > Archives > 2008 > January > 28
Monday, January 28, 2008
Will promises be kept this time?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
On Super Tuesday, Clayton will vote whether or not to continue the one-cent tax for another six years, which is expected to raise an additional $305 million dollars.
The current SPLOST collection ends in October, 2008.
Three out of the six promised recreation centers (Virginia Gray Recreation Center in Riverdale, Carl Rhodenizer Recreation Center in Rex, and Jim Huie Recreation Center in Jonesboro) are completed. One center was supposed to be built in each commission district.
According to news reports, Commission Chair Eldrin Bell stated the remainder of that money is collecting interest in a bank account, and promises to begin construction on two more recreation centers by the end of February.
If approved, the next SPLOST will also fund several new projects for Clayton cities, as well as many public safety necessities, including: new police precincts and vehicles, a new Juvenile Justice Center, a $23 million countywide Public Safety Digital Network, a multipurpose fire department building, additional fire engines, ambulances, transportation and road improvements, among many other things.
However, some residents would first like to see promises made in 2003 kept before handing over more money.
According to a Clayton NAACP press release, “Neither the cities nor the county have prioritized these projects with dates.” There were no completion dates given for 2003 SPLOST projects, either.
“Most people in the community feel the Clayton County Commissioners have not properly spent the [2003] $240 million SPLOST,” says Dexter Matthews, president of the Clayton NAACP. “So the taxpayers would be foolish to give these same people $305 million and trust them to spend it properly.”
A brochure promoting the February 5 SPLOST warns that “Without SPLOST funds, Clayton County may find it necessary to discontinue county services or increase property taxes.”
This penny tax is collected from anyone who spends money here, instead of Clayton’s property owners possibly bearing the financial burden alone.
Yet if the monies collected are insufficient to fund all of these projects, taxpayers will have to pick up the rest of the tab anyway. Or vote yes to another SPLOST in the future. Should we trust that if we vote “Yes”, promises will be kept this time?
Can we afford to vote “no” in order to hold our elected officials accountable for past unfulfilled promises?
Go to www.claytonsplost.com to learn more.
P.S. - Thanks to members of the Clayton County Wide Homeowners Association, we can now go online to complete and submit a Leadership Profile Assessment Form, which allows Clayton residents to voice opinions about what We would like to see in our next School Superintendent! Please complete by Thursday, January 31, 2008 at www.clayton.k12.ga.us/administration/boardofeducation/news.asp
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