Budget meetings

[wrobert]

After a meeting about 9 evenings ago, I met Mr. Pridgen on the way out and was party to a 3 way conversation in which he explicitly stated he would not vote for the rollback, that he would not for a tax increase, and that he never had voted for a tax increase. My first encounter with the gentleman.

I've not been a resident here long enough to know the histories of the county players, but Mr. Pridgen seemed a straight-forward and nice guy. As he at least at last opportunity did vote against a tax increase and as it is the expectation of others with much longer histories locally that he will vote against a rollback rate and will oppose a tax increase, I think I'll settle for trying to influence Ms. Commander and Ms. Jones as the other two likely votes against those pernicious possibilities. Both are said to be likely to do so.

I consider Pridgen a friend, that said, he is mistaken. He has not voted for a millage rate increase, but he has repeatedly voted for tax increases since being in office. He, like many, confuses the tax rate with the actual tax levy. Just go to the Clerk website and download and review the CAFRs for various years past, then look at the budget vote from the minutes.

What I want to know is who and why were we voted $39 million in debt.


On another note, since being in office, Comander has not voted for either a rate or tax levy increase in three years.

 

[choctawjesse]

After a meeting about 9 evenings ago, I met Mr. Pridgen on the way out and was party to a 3 way conversation in which he explicitly stated he would not vote for the rollback, that he would not for a tax increase, and that he never had voted for a tax increase. My first encounter with the gentleman.

I've not been a resident here long enough to know the histories of the county players, but Mr. Pridgen seemed a straight-forward and nice guy. As he at least at last opportunity did vote against a tax increase and as it is the expectation of others with much longer histories locally that he will vote against a rollback rate and will oppose a tax increase, I think I'll settle for trying to influence Ms. Commander and Ms. Jones as the other two likely votes against those pernicious possibilities. Both are said to be likely to do so.

You seem to be a smart person but you have alot to learn about Walton County politics. wrobert is an insider he probably has it right. I would think C. Jones is the most reliable vote against tax increases but it may be Commander.

 

[wrobert]

You seem to be a smart person but you have alot to learn about Walton County politics. wrobert is an insider he probably has it right. I would think C. Jones is the most reliable vote against tax increases but it may be Commander.

Insider? Please. All I do is read and call and ask questions. Insider suggests I get some sort of a benefit, and I can assure you, all that I ever got were my checks cashed, so I finally just quit writing them. Could not even get that favor returned when I ran for office, that is when I finally figured out that most were for themselves and only themselves. But Sara Comander and Bobby Beasley proved to the exceptions so far.

 

[GoodWitch58]

Insider? Please. All I do is read and call and ask questions. Insider suggests I get some sort of a benefit, and I can assure you, all that I ever got were my checks cashed, so I finally just quit writing them. Could not even get that favor returned when I ran for office, that is when I finally figured out that most were for themselves and only themselves. But Sara Comander and Bobby Beasley proved to the exceptions so far.

Then, let's elect more like these two. I know that Ms. Comander has participated and shown interest in more things to benefit all the county than anyone else on the Board lately...she returns her phone calls/emails too. And, in fact, she even reads them before she calls back!

 

[wrobert]

Then, let's elect more like these two. I know that Ms. Comander has participated and shown interest in more things to benefit all the county than anyone else on the Board lately...she returns her phone calls/emails too. And, in fact, she even reads them before she calls back!

Well it is unfortunate, but it takes dollars to get the message out. And commissioner races are expensive. As of now, she is the only one with opposition, so if you want to keep her, then send her a check. No amount is too small. There are a lot of things to be done, and less than 75 days to get the word out.

 

[Andy A]

I wonder why it is that Sara Comander, the only Commissioner totally with the citizen's at heart, is the only one to draw opposition. If you have a question, she is open to answering it. Just ask her and she will give you her reasoning or honest opinion. She is a great Commissioner, IMO.

 

[wrobert]

I wonder why it is that Sara Comander, the only Commissioner totally with the citizen's at heart, is the only one to draw opposition. If you have a question, she is open to answering it. Just ask her and she will give you her reasoning or honest opinion. She is a great Commissioner, IMO.

I totally agree with you. It is a bit curious but appears that a concentrated effort by those good ole boys, that I use to doubt even existed are trying to replace her. I guess if you dare to stand with the citizens, you are bound to become a target.