Citizen Steering Committee-Ponytail Patriot

[LisaC]

I'm kind of thinking that we should wait until the committee members are actually appointed and do something before we start criticizing it. :dunno

 

[naturegirl]

I'm kind of thinking that we should wait until the committee members are actually appointed and do something before we start criticizing it. :dunno

My criticism comes from the fact that hand picking your friends to act in the interest of the citizens isn't what I would expect. Will they really be working for the citizens or for their friend? I think LTD's idea is much better. It should have been a process of submission by those interested.

 

[naturegirl]

I just like the word kerfuffle.

Kerrrrrrrrrrrfffffffffffffffuffle!!!! fun word.

She often uses Perfidious, too. During the show we have a blast with her in the chat room. lol

 

[LisaC]

I'm kind of thinking that we should wait until the committee members are actually appointed and do something before we start criticizing it. :dunno

My criticism comes from the fact that hand picking your friends to act in the interest of the citizens isn't what I would expect. Will they really be working for the citizens or for their friend? I think LTD's idea is much better. It should have been a process of submission by those interested.

I've been hand picked to be on committees for and I have always done what is in the best interest of the whole - and not the person that asked me to be on the committee so I'm giving the people who are or will be appointed the benefit of the doubt.

 

[naturegirl]

I'm kind of thinking that we should wait until the committee members are actually appointed and do something before we start criticizing it. :dunno

My criticism comes from the fact that hand picking your friends to act in the interest of the citizens isn't what I would expect. Will they really be working for the citizens or for their friend? I think LTD's idea is much better. It should have been a process of submission by those interested.

I've been hand picked to be on committees for and I have always done what is in the best interest of the whole - and not the person that asked me to be on the committee so I'm giving the people who are or will be appointed the benefit of the doubt.

Fair enough, but based on what I've learned in the past seven months, I guess I'll have my doubts until I see something positive. :thumbsup

 

[Boss 302]

I'm kind of thinking that we should wait until the committee members are actually appointed and do something before we start criticizing it. :dunno

My criticism comes from the fact that hand picking your friends to act in the interest of the citizens isn't what I would expect. Will they really be working for the citizens or for their friend? I think LTD's idea is much better. It should have been a process of submission by those interested.

I've been hand picked to be on committees for and I have always done what is in the best interest of the whole - and not the person that asked me to be on the committee so I'm giving the people who are or will be appointed the benefit of the doubt.

Fair enough, but based on what I've learned in the past seven months, I guess I'll have my doubts until I see something positive. :thumbsup

You seem to be quite adamant in your opposition to the commercialization of the airport. If you were chosen to be on this committee, could you remain unbiased?

 

[lotstodo]

Quite often with ethics committees it's not only the members chosen, but how they are charged and their access or lack of access to information that determines the outcome. 9 out of 10 times they are all hat and no cowboy. No political, corporate, or social body is capable of objectively investigating itself, which is what is happening here. It's a complete sham.

If they were really serious, they would ask the State Attorney General or SOS to investigate. Picking your jury from your own gang members is not justice.

 

[ShoeDiva]

Quite often with ethics committees it's not only the members chosen, but how they are charged and their access or lack of access to information that determines the outcome. 9 out of 10 times they are all hat and no cowboy. No political, corporate, or social body is capable of objectively investigating itself, which is what is happening here. It's a complete sham.

If they were really serious, they would ask the State Attorney General or SOS to investigate. Picking your jury from your own gang members is not justice.

I am a little confused. Ethics committee, investigate? I thought this was just a committee of citizens for input. :dunno

 

[naturegirl]

It's not a citizen committee, it's an extension of the GOBs, they appointed their buddies. No way will it be objective, LTD nailed that one.

It's all a front to make it appear they want citizen input when in fact, it's to expand the powers of the IBA and PCAA, not limit them. They want to pass a resolution to send to the legislation before the new commissioners are seated.

Yes, if they were serious, they would involve people outside Paulding to do the research. It is a sham.

BTW Boss, I wouldn't want to be on a committee that was formed only to benefit a few. Besides I have a more important job to do, informing the public of what's going on, attending all these BOC, AA and committee meetings. You see, I am a citizen advocate, not an extension of the Good Ole Boys.

 

[Boss 302]

I was trying to make a point that when people are too close to an issue, it's damn near impossible to for them to remain objective. Such a committee should be made of people who have no interests in the matter.

 

[ShoeDiva]

There are a lot more people that I thought (from my misconception of an article) would be a part of the steering committee.

I know a few on the list and I am sure many of you do too. I also can tell you without a doubt that this is not just a one sided list of people.

 

[naturegirl]

I just want to clarify, those with Chairman next to their name are not the chairmen of the committee, they were appointed by the Chairman, David Austin.

 

[ShoeDiva]

I just want to clarify, those with Chairman next to their name are not the chairmen of the committee, they were appointed by the Chairman, David Austin.

:thumbsup

 

[lotstodo]

Quite often with ethics committees it's not only the members chosen, but how they are charged and their access or lack of access to information that determines the outcome. 9 out of 10 times they are all hat and no cowboy. No political, corporate, or social body is capable of objectively investigating itself, which is what is happening here. It's a complete sham.

If they were really serious, they would ask the State Attorney General or SOS to investigate. Picking your jury from your own gang members is not justice.

I am a little confused. Ethics committee, investigate? I thought this was just a committee of citizens for input. :dunno

PoaAto
Potato

Point being that it is most certainly a question of the accountability and thus the ethics of having such powerful bodies without direct taxpayer oversight, and what if anything should be the function of these bodies. Right now, they are simply another way for the BOC and their appointees to issue bonds in the name of the People of the County, and to do so behind closed doors. I would much prefer that the Wolves not pick the guardians of the chicken house.

 

[ShoeDiva]

Quite often with ethics committees it's not only the members chosen, but how they are charged and their access or lack of access to information that determines the outcome. 9 out of 10 times they are all hat and no cowboy. No political, corporate, or social body is capable of objectively investigating itself, which is what is happening here. It's a complete sham.

If they were really serious, they would ask the State Attorney General or SOS to investigate. Picking your jury from your own gang members is not justice.

I am a little confused. Ethics committee, investigate? I thought this was just a committee of citizens for input. :dunno

PoaAto
Potato

Point being that it is most certainly a question of the accountability and thus the ethics of having such powerful bodies without direct taxpayer oversight, and what if anything should be the function of these bodies. Right now, they are simply another way for the BOC and their appointees to issue bonds in the name of the People of the County, and to do so behind closed doors. I would much prefer that the Wolves not pick the guardians of the chicken house.

Hmmm, I do not see what I thought it was with what you wrote, not a potAto, potato thing. I see a committee for input vs a committee on ethics or investigation differently, but maybe those are just my definitions. (or misconception to what it was supposed to be)

I still agree with each of them or even the ones you mentioned picking the committee because I do not see an election type committee pick working. (Time frame, cost...) Did you see the list of people? I think there are a lot of varying opinions on there and it will take a lot of back and forth and compromise to get all of them to agree, which I do think is a good thing.

IDK, I thought having a committee with resident input is what many wanted, yet some do not seem happy with that either. I just do not know anymore what will make people happy and stop all the bickering over the airport. :dunno

...I know many can't wait to get Austin out of office, but you know many felt that way about Jerry too. Big sigh of relief he was gone, Austin will fix everything, and now people are calling him names and wanting him gone.

...And FTR I still do not care if we get an airport (commercial) or not. I still see good and bad to it and I really just want something there that works. (General, commercial, maintenance, I do not care.)

 

[naturegirl]

Quite often with ethics committees it's not only the members chosen, but how they are charged and their access or lack of access to information that determines the outcome. 9 out of 10 times they are all hat and no cowboy. No political, corporate, or social body is capable of objectively investigating itself, which is what is happening here. It's a complete sham.

If they were really serious, they would ask the State Attorney General or SOS to investigate. Picking your jury from your own gang members is not justice.

I am a little confused. Ethics committee, investigate? I thought this was just a committee of citizens for input. :dunno

PoaAto
Potato

Point being that it is most certainly a question of the accountability and thus the ethics of having such powerful bodies without direct taxpayer oversight, and what if anything should be the function of these bodies. Right now, they are simply another way for the BOC and their appointees to issue bonds in the name of the People of the County, and to do so behind closed doors. I would much prefer that the Wolves not pick the guardians of the chicken house.

Hmmm, I do not see what I thought it was with what you wrote, not a potAto, potato thing. I see a committee for input vs a committee on ethics or investigation differently, but maybe those are just my definitions. (or misconception to what it was supposed to be)

I still agree with each of them or even the ones you mentioned picking the committee because I do not see an election type committee pick working. (Time frame, cost...) Did you see the list of people? I think there are a lot of varying opinions on there and it will take a lot of back and forth and compromise to get all of them to agree, which I do think is a good thing.

IDK, I thought having a committee with resident input is what many wanted, yet some do not seem happy with that either. I just do not know anymore what will make people happy and stop all the bickering over the airport. :dunno

...I know many can't wait to get Austin out of office, but you know many felt that way about Jerry too. Big sigh of relief he was gone, Austin will fix everything, and now people are calling him names and wanting him gone.

...And FTR I still do not care if we get an airport (commercial) or not. I still see good and bad to it and I really just want something there that works. (General, commercial, maintenance, I do not care.)

This is certainly not what the citizens asked for month after month at the BOC and Airport Authority meetings. It would do everyone well to attend these meetings and actually see what's going on. How the citizens are minimized and dismissed at the end of every meeting, with only degrading comments.

For years, I didn't pay attention, I trusted those I voted for would do the right thing. Holy Moley, not even close. They have their own agenda and don't give a rat's *ss what the citizens peons might have to say. They wouldn't even allow citizen input at the organizational meeting, sure this is for the people.

Here is a speech written by Martina Hemming, a servant of our military that tried to do some due diligence on Propeller and was threatened. Here is her address to the commission in April and this you see, is what we get.

"Today, I'd like to address the subject of the proposed IBA and PCAA steering committees, which was introduced at the last work session. Thank you for understanding that the citizens want a more active role in their county government and thank you for addressing the NEED for citizen involvement in the affairs of the IBA and the PCAA. Citizen participation is vital to good government. In my opinion, and in the opinion of many other concerned taxpayers, circumventing citizen participation has resulted in an oligarchy engaging in high risk government spending, skirting around laws and avoiding proper procedures meant to protect the citizens... it has resulted in questionable business deals and a lack of due diligence in the fiduciary responsibility to the taxpayers. Circumventing citizen participation eventually results in pitting the citizens against their own government to protect their own tax dollars.
I believe that we are now facing the right direction, but whether we actually MOVE in the right direction depends on proper planning. At this crucial point, we need to work TOGETHER to ensure good planning and good communication between county government and the citizenry in establishing these steering committees. It is important to create fair, objective and effective committees which adequately represent the citizens of Paulding County and address the needs of the taxpayers.

Haste and poor planning can result in committees that are no more than an extension of cronyism and illusive citizen participation. Without proper planning, it could become a counterintuitive effort which would be detrimental to the welfare of the residents of Paulding County. Poor planning can result in spurious legislation similar to Resolution 14-05 which could increase the power that the IBA has over spending and would make the citizens powerless over their own tax dollars. I agree with what Mr. Graham touched upon at the last meeting, in that these committees should serve vital roles in proposing ways to control the spending of the IBA and PCAA in addition to providing oversight, transparency and accountability of these authorities to our fellow taxpayers.

Of particular importance is properly evaluating the efficacy of airport commercialization and the consequences of accepting federal and state grants. Accepting these grants for commercialization are, in effect, the same financial model of taking out a second mortgage on your home to buy lottery tickets... the odds are very much not in your favor, you go deeper into debt, you risk losing everything yet STILL you have to repay your financial obligations. These grants come from OUR tax dollars... they are not a "present" to us, as I have heard them referred to in the private company's presentation. These federal "presents" come with taxpayer obligations. These "presents" cease to be grants and often become HEAVY taxpayer debts to the federal government when a municipality needs to rein in their losses or needs to regain control of the property on which the airport is situated.

Therefore, I hope you agree that the citizens can provide valuable insight and should be an integral part in planning these committees. I volunteer to help Mr. Jones and the Board of Commissioners work on organizing the bylaws, mission, composition and requirements for the proposed committees. I have experience serving on county boards, I'm knowledgeable of the issues at hand, I'm dedicated to restoring democracy in Paulding County and, best of all... I work for free in the interest of my fellow taxpayers. TOGETHER, let's draft, encourage public input, establish procedure, AND THEN appoint." Citizen participation is crucial in organizing these committees because they are ultimately... for and of the citizens. So let's get it done, let's get it done together and let's get it done well.

 

[ShoeDiva]

Hmmm, I do not see what I thought it was with what you wrote, not a potAto, potato thing. I see a committee for input vs a committee on ethics or investigation differently, but maybe those are just my definitions. (or misconception to what it was supposed to be)

I still agree with each of them or even the ones you mentioned picking the committee because I do not see an election type committee pick working. (Time frame, cost...) Did you see the list of people? I think there are a lot of varying opinions on there and it will take a lot of back and forth and compromise to get all of them to agree, which I do think is a good thing.

IDK, I thought having a committee with resident input is what many wanted, yet some do not seem happy with that either. I just do not know anymore what will make people happy and stop all the bickering over the airport. :dunno

...I know many can't wait to get Austin out of office, but you know many felt that way about Jerry too. Big sigh of relief he was gone, Austin will fix everything, and now people are calling him names and wanting him gone.

...And FTR I still do not care if we get an airport (commercial) or not. I still see good and bad to it and I really just want something there that works. (General, commercial, maintenance, I do not care.)

This is certainly not what the citizens asked for month after month at the BOC and Airport Authority meetings. It would do everyone well to attend these meetings and actually see what's going on. How the citizens are minimized and dismissed at the end of every meeting, with only degrading comments.

For years, I didn't pay attention, I trusted those I voted for would do the right thing. Holy Moley, not even close. They have their own agenda and don't give a rat's *ss what the citizens peons might have to say. They wouldn't even allow citizen input at the organizational meeting, sure this is for the people.

Here is a speech written by Martina Hemming, a servant of our military that tried to do some due diligence on Propeller and was threatened. Here is her address to the commission in April and this you see, is what we get.

While I appreciate that you do not see eye to eye with the commissioners I have not personally ever been spoke to in that tone and do think that at times they might take on the same tone that they feel is being given to them. I think that we all do at times. (not that it is right, I am not dismissing the fact you say it happens, just giving a possibility of why.)

I usually have things going on and really do not want to sit through meetings, though to that I do try to keep up with what I can and address things I find troubling. I do not think that any of them are trying to "hurt" the county, though I do believe that some things they have done could have been done better or accomplished another way.

I still stand by the issue of not letting anyone talk last night as they were organizing as typical. Now, if they continue to not let people address that committee I would have issue with it since it is supposed to be a committee made for the citizens.

While a nice offer from Ms. Hemming to help that is one persons opinion on how it is to be done. I have heard for months from many people that they wanted a committee for citizens input, and now that there is one I am still hearing buzz of not happy with it. I just feel like nothing will make everyone happy and maybe I am wrong but I am very disheartened by the divided line that seems to have friends at odds. (and I honestly do not know what planning went into forming the committee and maybe they just did not use Ms. Hemming. I will ask about that, unless you know?)

I thought there was a good mix of sides on the committee, some very against and some very for the airport, and others that I know want business, but have not really taken a side. Did you find the committee different?

Oops sorry that became long. )

 

[Winchester]

So....I guess no one is happy, or even cares.....now that "the list" is out, that one of our very own Hwyer's is on that committee?

 

[stradial]

So....I guess no one is happy, or even cares.....now that "the list" is out, that one of our very own Hwyer's is on that committee?

Since I know very few hwyers by their real names, I wouldn't know to be happy or care, since have no clue that one is on the list, except for your post.

 

[Madea]

My friend is on that list.