The Citizen Newsletter

The Conservative Voice of Henry County

Issue # 333 March 16, 2012

Over 36,000 reads at Scribd.com

Islam s Useful Idiots

As Israel is being bombarded with rockets from the Gaza Strip, nearly 200 since Friday, forcing 500,000 citizens into bomb shelters... Islam s Useful Idiots i.e. The E.U. and the U.N. urge Israel to show restraint and restore the peace. Israel?!? If they really want peace why don't they try the OBVIOUS....Tell Hamas to stop launching rockets at Jews. Reading Maureen Downey's opinion in last Sunday s AJC and nearly choked! She called Israel's existence a 45-year occupation and stated the world is growing tired of it. It is the soft-headed liberals who cannot and will not correctly identify our friends in this world.

In This Issue:
Page Feature 2 3 4 4 5 6 6 7 8 8 9 GA 400 Toll Lanes Georgia Charter Schools Henry Chamber Opposes HR1162 Rep. Steve Davis Responds The Citizen s 2 on HC Chamber Jason Downey for Bibb School Board Chris Vaughn for US Congress On Target With Pipkin Southern Crescent Senior Republicans Senate Guts Anti-Diversion Bill Pursuit of Americanism

Do you have a story to tell? Become a Citizen contributor. Submit your opinions, commentaries and articles to hc.citizen@hccitizen.org View or download at
WWW.SCRIBD.COM/HENRY_CITIZEN

Contact The Citizen at hc.citizen@hccitizen.org

Editorial / Publication Policy

~1~

North Fulton and Friends Tea Party

GA 400 Toll Lanes Headed Your Way

The Georgia DOT is taking the first step toward installing new Tolls Lanes on GA 400 north of I-285 - with the "GA 400 Express Lanes Feasibility Study". The toll lanes already installed on GA 400 (south of I-285) were scheduled to be removed after 20 years, but in 2009 the state decided to keep the tolls in place. The recently installed new Tolls Lanes on I-85 have angered many I-85 commuters. Three information meetings about the GA-400 Toll Lanes are scheduled in March 13-20 from 5-7 PM (when most GA-400 commuters are still commuting). Dates and locations are listed below. The project is listed by the DOT under "GA 400 improvements". You can submit comments using the attached form or the survey below - the form must be received before March 30. You can also submit your thoughts about new GA-400 Express Lanes to your elected representatives. The elected representatives for East Roswell are listed below (you can cut and paste the E-Mail addresses)

State Senator John Albers INFO@SENATORALBERS.COM State Rep. Wendell Willard WENDELL.WILLARD@HOUSE.GA.GOV Roswell Mayor and Council MAYOR&COUNCIL@ROSWELLGOV.COM Liz Hausmann, Fulton Co. Commissioner LIZ.HAUSMANN@FULTONCOUNTYGA.GOV John Eaves (at Large), Fulton Co. Commissioner JOHN.EAVES@FULTONCOUNTYGA.GOV Robb Pitts (at Large) ROBB.PITTS@FULTONCOUNTYGA.GOV Governor Nathan Deal does not have a publically available E-Mail address. You can submit messages to his office via his web site. All of the following Information is copied from the DOT web site
WWW.DOT.GA .GOV

Overview "Project includes preliminary design of managed lanes along GA 400 between I-285 and McFarland Parkway. In this case, managed lanes means high occupancy toll lanes ... Two managed lanes in each direction (four total) are proposed between I-285 and Holcomb Bridge Road and one managed lane in each direction (two total) between Holcomb Bridge Road and McFarland Parkway... The estimated cost of design services for this widening is approximately 8 million dollars.... The design will take approximately 4 years to complete and it is expected that plans will be completed by 2014." Survey "You can share your thoughts about Georgia's Express Lanes System here. Begin Survey" Public Information Open Houses Georgia DOT has scheduled open houses to keep the public informed about the GA 400 Feasibility Study and seek input as options are developed to improve commute times. Email and Phone Email: ManagedLaneInfo@dot.ga.gov Phone: (404) 347-0185 Voice Mail Hotline

~2~

Georgia charter school decision could set national precedent

http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2012/03/11/georgia-charter-school-decision-could-set-national-precedent/ --

Minority of lawmakers in a standoff

http://www.ajc.com/news/georgia-government/minority-of-lawmakers-in-1380363.html
The Georgia Legislature is hotly debating a bill that would allow the state to cover the costs of charter schools even if local school boards reject them, setting up a case that could set national precedent on educational reform. The legislation to amend the state constitution would allow the Peach State to create its own parallel K-12 system to local boards, drawing on the same limited pool of Georgia's taxpayer funds -- a decision that the Georgia Supreme Court said was illegal just one year ago. "In the education reform battle often times things boil down to a turf battle, and that's what we have here. We have some local school systems that are worried that by virtue of having state charter schools that some of their turf is getting interfered. But it's about the children and the choice," said state Rep. Ed Lindsey, R-Atlanta. "It's a control issue, and it always has been." The amendment would codify the authority of the Georgia Charter Schools Commission, an organization created by the state in 2008 after complaints that school boards were turning down charter school applicants, preventing competition. Education spending accounts for almost half of the state's yearly budget but GOP leaders promise no money will be taken from school districts. "This bill in no way touches any kind of local funding," Lindsey said. "In fact we put in to the Constitution a specific provision that guarantees there will be no local money used for these state charter schools. But keep in mind also that these schools that are in the more rural areas. It's a lot of these kids that need charter schools the most and it's the children in those areas we're most concerned about." Lindsey said charter schools are a beneficial addition to the education world -- they build, not break down, community education.

~3~

Henry Chamber of Commerce Opposes Charter School Bill

Re: Please Vote "NO" on HR 1162 (Footnotes added by The Citizen) Dear Members of the Henry County State Legislative Delegation, The Henry County Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors appreciates your strong presence in the Georgia General Assembly and your steady representation on behalf of the Henry County community. Thank you, too, for being open to input from your constituents. With regard to House Resolution 1162, the legislation calling for a referendum on a proposed amendment to the Constitution that seeks to authorize the state to establish local charter schools, please be aware that the Henry County Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors has voted to support the Henry County Board of Education's position on this bill1, therefore, we urge legislators to vote "no" on passage of HR 1162. The Chamber Board's vote was unanimous among all members present and voting at our Board's regularly scheduled meeting on February 22, 2012, and represents near 700 members/businesses. 2 Please understand that the HCCC Board of Directors supports the concept of local charter schools that have been approved by the locally elected board of education. 3 Thank you for your time and consideration and, as always, please call on the Chamber anytime we can be helpful to you. Sincerely, Kay Pippin4 President Henry County Chamber of Commerce
Footnotes:
1

The HCBOE has not taken an official position on HR 1162 either for or against.

Please note that Ms. Pippin says she represents 700 members & businesses. Perhaps taxpaying, voting citizens should consider our financial support of those businesses whenever we see Chamber Member posted in the window. The Henry Chamber s leadership in opposing HR 1162 places them squarely in the in the camp of the Senate Democrats holding up passage. In recent commentary on a local blog the writer rebuked Rep. Davis for not standing with the county. The meaning was clear, but real Conservatives are not puppets! Rep. Davis stands with, and represents our citizens. Standing with the county too often means standing against the taxpaying citizens. We heartily commend Rep. Davis for his conservative values, votes and dedication.
3

Local school boards, including Henry County, were turning down charter school applicants, preventing competition.
4

Lifelong Democrat and purveyor of liberal, tax-and-spend agendas.

~4~

Response from Rep. Steve Davis

Thank you for the email with this position but I am a little confused and maybe you could help me. The Georgia Chamber of Commerce has been the leading advocate in support for this measure and has made it a scorecard vote. Additionally, your email states that your Board of Directors was voting to support the Henry County Board of Education (HCBOE) position, however the HCBOE has not taken an official position on HR 1162 either for or against. Furthermore, your email said that the bill allows for the state to approve local charter schools but HR 1162 actually allows for the state to implement state charter schools with state funds with no impact to any local funds. Among other clear language, the bill specifically states no deduction shall be made to any state funding which a local school system is otherwise authorized to receive pursuant to general law as a direct result or consequence of the enrollment in a state charter school of a specific student or students who reside within the geographic boundaries of the local school system. And lastly, to be clear any future state charter schools authorized under HR 1162 will be public schools and all of the teachers will have the same salary, health and retirement plans as any other public school teacher. I hope that in the future that when your Board is going to take votes on legislation of this magnitude that our delegation be contacted to provide additional information for your board so that they could make the best and most informed decision with the most current information. HR 1162 has passed the Georgia House of Representatives by a vote of 123 - 48, with my affirmative vote. It now resides in the Senate for their approval. Representative Steve Davis Chairman Information and Audits Georgia House of Representatives

The Citizen s 2
And so it goes in Henry County. The needs or desires of the citizens are not considered when the Henry Chamber gets involved. On every turn their hands are out for control of governmentfunded this and government-supported that. Let us be honest. It is all about money and control. The Democrat controlled Henry Chamber of Commerce fears that our taxes may be spent where we want them. Charter schools will never be approved by the Henry BoE a fact proved year after year. Even with declining enrollment this year and projected for some time to come, the Chamber and BoE remain in league to promote bond issues and of course, the beloved SPLOST taxes. Two years ago it was a bond referendum to build ten (10) new schools, a measure even teachers and school employees voted down with a 70% - 30% loss. There is one local blogger dedicated to smearing Rep. Davis in a series of posts. With no more logic or reasoning than providing unexplained statistics or half-truth headlines, his posts are now banned from two adjoining county GOP websites. He is no longer posting the smear campaign at the Henry GOP website. In the most recent attack the blogger changed focus to belittling established stalwarts of the Henry County GOP, an unforgivable sin for a past chairman!

~5~

With so many variables involved in the learning process our teachers are held at higher standards than the Representative This representative is well liked by many and because of such they look past the fact he has flaws and requires others to perform at higher standards than he has too.
As the post indicates, support for the six-year conservative representation citizens have enjoyed lumps us together with the followers of Brother Jim Jones at the Kool-Aid table. Conservatives in District 109 are most interested in how much of our hard-earned state tax dollars he has helped bring back home. We have not agreed with everything Rep. Davis has done, but we think he has done a good overall job representing his constituents and their conservative values. He has also achieved a level of State House leadership that takes several years to reach. As the blogger reportedly confided, this [negative attacks] is what you do in a political campaign. Yet he continues to deny he is fronting for the Chamber Drone candidate anointed to challenge Rep. Davis. Smear tactics rely on ignorance and short memories. But that is What RINOs do. Candidates with backing of the Henry Chamber s leadership are the ones to avoid and defeat at the ballot box. We are working too hard to remove the socialists from Washington; we certainly do not need them locally!

Jason Downey for Bibb School Board

Jason E. Downey, a local attorney and political activist in Macon, Georgia, plans to run for the Bibb County School Board. The official announcement was made Tuesday, March 13, 2012 at 7:00 p.m. during the Community Concern Forum for Bibb County Schools at Lizella Baptist Church in Lizella, Georgia. Downey will seek the District 6 seat in North Macon, currently occupied by term limited board member Gary Bechtel. Downey plans to serve as a voice for the residents of his district. "Superintendent Dallemand has taken what he sees as a unique opportunity and has introduced the Macon Miracle," says Downey." The plan has lofty goals to transform the Bibb County Public School System in to one of greatness. A plan such as this is bound to be met with criticisms and some support. Both criticism and support are necessary as we move forward with this plan." Downey does not believe that questioning aspects of the Macon Miracle are out of line or foolish, and in fact encourages the community to question and stay engaged. "Everyone in Bibb County is a stakeholder in the Macon Miracle and Bibb County Schools. You must question, respectfully, to hold the Board and Superintendent accountable. That s what we need to be doing now. Support the Miracle, but ask questions." Facebook: HTTP://WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/PROFILE.PHP?ID=1168218067

~6~

J. Chris Vaughn for US Congress - A Christian for Congress: GA Fourth Congressional District Race
CONYERS, Ga., March 13, 2012 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -Pastor J. Chris Vaughn, one of the first openly Christian candidates on the political landscape in some time, has announced to seek Georgia's Fourth Congressional District seat running on the Republican ticket against Democrat Hank Johnson. "During this time of economic and social upheaval, the current Congressional Representative consistently displays fringe, extremist beliefs and actions that are out of touch with the 4th District: in our jobs, energy needs, family, life, and faith. A change needs to come..."-- Rev. J. Chris Vaughn Currently Georgia's Fourth District Congressional Seat is a case study of representation that is out of touch with the constituents; neither embracing nor supporting the strongly held values of fiscal responsibility, faith, family, and life. Change isn't change until there is a change, and Georgia District 4 voter's must choose a Candidate whose values are based on timeless values that 90% of the voters state they believe in, and the values that will right the course of our Metro Atlanta, and our Nation!
Read more from the Committee to Elect J. Chris Vaughn at HTTP://WWW.MARKETWATCH.COM/STORY/J-CHRISVAUGHN-FOR-US-CONGRESS-A-CHRISTIAN-FOR-CONGRESS-GA-FOURTH-CONGRESSIONAL-DISTRICT-RACE-2012-03-13

Low Country Boil & Turkey Shoot Fundraiser

A family event in support of Trea Pipkin

On target for Pipkin

~7~

Saturday, March 17th 10 AM to 2 PM Southern Belle Farm 1767 Turner Church Road, McDonough

Southern Crescent Senior Republican Network

Please join us in welcoming the Honorable Judge Kelley Powell of the Henry Probate Court for an update on the many jobs of the Probate Court and any changes in the law we may need to be aware of. Judge Powell will also discuss Living Wills including healthcare issues.

Special Guest US Rep. Paul Broun

Friday, March 16, 2012

6:00pm in the Ballroom

Henry County Moose Lodge, Hwy 155 McDonough GA

Senators Gut Anti-Diversion Bill - A Senate subcommittee on Monday took up a House bill
that seeks to stop the state from diverting those funds measure and added language that virtually shreds the

HTTP://WWW.AJC.COM/NEWS/GEORGIA-GOVERNMENT/SENATORS-GUT-ANTI-DIVERSION1383983.HTML

Sen. Don Balfour (left), chairman of the Senate Rules Committee, talks with Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle in this January photo. We have been [diverting fees for other purposes] for 20 years, and I still keep getting re-elected, Balfour said Tuesday. House Bill 811 would force legislators to make sure that money from the fees and fines for example, the $1 fee on new tires

~8~

goes where it s supposed to go, or they would have to lower the fees and fines the following year. So, for example, if the tire fee generated $1,000, and the Legislature spent only $500 on cleaning up old tires using the rest to cover gaps elsewhere in the budget the tire fee could drop by as much as 20 percent the next year.

The Relentless Pursuit of Americanism

HTTP://WWW.REDSTATE.COM/NEDRYUN/2012/03/13/THE-RELENTLESS-PURSUIT-OF-AMERICANISM/

Posted by Ned Ryun Tuesday, March 13th It should be no secret to anyone who reads my columns in The American Spectator or my posts here that not only do I strongly believe that America is in crisis but that the values espoused by the conservative movement are being trampled to dust, which is such a gentle term for the reality of what is actually taking place. Why this is happening is open to some debate and there isn t one cause to be sure. However, it is indisputable that the left has long had better grassroots organization and has approached the pursuit of their damaging statist agenda relentlessly. After all, if you believe that government exists to provide to the masses, then you re going to encourage its expansion for your own benefit. Americans need to realize that we are up against a group of agitators that have very well-funded and, consequently, very large platforms for driving the political debate and writing the rules to their liking. Among those involved in a constant fight against conservative values, and often American values are the media, Hollywood, public employee unions, and progressive groups backed by leftist billionaires. It leads one to wonder, Where is our full-time army? Sure tea partiers and the conservative grassroots certainly made their voices heard in the 2010 elections. They took to the streets to not only rally, but to get involved in the process, actively supporting and promoting candidates who advocated systemic change in government. But unlike the progressive forces, armies for our cause the foot soldiers for conservatism did post2010 what they usually do after a big win. Weary from the fight and gratified by their accomplishments, they disengaged from the day to day fight against statism and left the battlefield to be overrun by their opposition. We see this trend all around us in the decline of the Republican Party establishment from coast to coast whose aging and dwindling committee members often lack the energy to run vibrant grassroots campaigns at the local level. We see it in the local Rotary Club luncheon where large percentages of active members have long-ago retired or closed up their businesses. We see it in pillars of our American communities like service organizations, business associations and religious groups that today are crumbling along with our bridges, dams and tunnels. Those institutions are victims of widespread apathy among younger generations who either don t see the value in them, or can no longer afford to take time to participate in their good work, thus providing openings for pro-government forces to tighten their grip on our nation s communities. So charities fail? So what? Government will provide the same services. So religious institutions suffer? So what? Government will run the soup kitchens and be the source of solace for those in need. Who really wants our children to get a parochial education when the taxpayer is paying through the nose to support

~9~

the teachers union? That attitude spells the end of the America we love, and quite frankly, crushes the essence of the American spirit. Government can t truly minister to the deepest needs of the human being, no more than an educational system focused on benefiting the unions can actually give our children a vibrant future. When Americans who share our conservative values are content to work hard for an election cycle, then pat themselves on the back and leave the fight to the Washington think tanks and television talking heads, they have in effect surrendered to the advancing left. The conservative movement, if there truly is one, is playing tiddlywinks on the sidelines while the left plays smash mouth football. That s why despite this being a center right country for decades, over taxation, runaway spending, ballooning debt and the decay of the American family have continued year after year. We need to learn this lesson now. Often times conservatives think themselves above the fray or too polite to argue, or so convinced they are right that the logic of the argument is apparent to everyone. Conservatives are more likely to agree with the old ridiculous axiom that you never discuss politics and religion. Like the tea party members who got engaged in 2009 and 2010, everyone who appreciates Americanism our core values of freedom, limited government, free enterprise, individual liberty, the can do entrepreneurial spirit have to make sounding the alarm about the need for these principles a part of their daily lives. This isn t about Republicanism, or Democratism. It s about common sensism. America needs everyday Americans, who believe in American values to adopt a strategy of continuous engagement on local, state and national issues. It can be as simple as talking to your children, colleagues, friends and neighbors around your dining room table about America, its greatness, and its challenges. It s about acknowledging the magnificent role America has played and can continue to play in world history. It could be about joining existing political or civic organizations and not being ashamed to let people know where you stand on protecting America.

A former presidential writer for George W. Bush and son of former U.S. Congressman Jim Ryun, Ned Ryun is the President of American Majority
(WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/AMERICANMAJORITY), a national non-profit that identifies and trains candidates to run for state and local office on free market, limited government principles. Ned resides in northern Virginia, with his wife, Becca, and four children: Nathaniel, James, Charlotte and Hudson. Homepage:
HTTP://WWW.NEDRYUN.COM

The Citizen Newsletter is provided by

Henry Citizens for Responsible Government Larry Stanley, Editor Please report broken links or other problems Email: HC.CITIZEN@HCCITIZEN.ORG To Unsubscribe: send email to HC Citizen Write UNSUBSCRIBE in Subject: line

~ 10 ~