My Address to the Lowndes County Commission 02-09-16

Mr. Chairman. Commissioners. In November of 2014, I came before this body, and pleaded with you to protect the citizens of Lowndes County from a corporation from several states away. The corporation wanted to appropriate the property of our neighbors in order to ram through the county a gas pipeline with gas bound for Florida. That would be the Sabal Trail Pipeline, and their parent corporation, Spectra.

After I finished, Commissioner John Page stood up and said, No one on the Commission was in favor of the pipeline. Consequently, on November 14, 2014, this Commssion passed a resolution against the pipeline. After a number of WHEREAS'S, I quote,

"NOW THEREFORE, be it resolved that the Lowndes County Board of Commissioners opposes the construction of the Sabal Trail pipeline in any portion of Lowndes County. The Lowndes County Commission has concerns with fundamental property rights and does not believe that citizens with small tracts should be forced to lose the use of large portions of their property for the Sabal Trail pipeline. The Lowndes County Commission does not see any long term benefit to the citizens of Lowndes County." (emphasis, mine)

The resolution was signed by the Chairman, Bill Slaughter. And those that led the fight against this taking of private property were very thankful for the Commission's support. That is what you should do, represent the interests of your constituents, and the will of the people.

Imagine my surprise, when two weeks ago, I found out that this Commission voted an easement to the Sabal Trail Pipeline across the Clyattville landfill by a vote of 4-1. It seems no citizens knew this was happenning until the morning of the vote, when it was rammed through at that evening's meeting. Obviously, things were going on in secret, behind closed doors, that no one outside of county government was privvy to.

Don't you think it is a matter of integrity - or lack thereof - for the Commission to say one thing, then barely fourteen months later turn around and do the opposite? Those that have fought to protect Lowndes County property owners from this rapacious, and evidently powerful, corporation, feel betrayed by your actions. Once again, I ask, how is it that a foreign corporation can have more power than the hundred thousand plus citizens of Lowndes County combined?

Why did you do this? For what was called a "good business deal?" A one time payment of $54,000? I might have considered $54,000 a year a good business deal, but $54,000 to a multi-billion dollar company like Sabal Trail/Spectra, is mere chump change.

But even more importantly, is that what your word is worth? That's what screams at us through this action. You have betrayed the trust of the citizens of Lowndes County for a mere 54,000 pieces of silver? That's really sad. And I'm really mad.

The only way you could redeem yourselves is to immediately rescind this easement to Sabal Trail and return their dirty money.

Lowndes County Commission Capitulates to Foreign Corporation.

In a surprise move, the Lowndes County Commission approved an easement across the landfill to the Sabal Trail Pipeline by a vote of 4-1, with only Commissioner Marshall voting against, last January 23. This came as a total shock to the residents of Lowndes County, because the Commission had previously unanamously passed a Resolution opposing the pipeline in November, 2014, that said,

NOW THEREFORE, be it resolved that the Lowndes County Board of Commissioners opposes the construction of the Sabal Trail pipeline in any portion of Lowndes County. The Lowndes County Commission has concerns with fundamental property rights and does not believe that citizens with small tracts should be forced to lose the use of large portions of their property for the Sabal Trail pipeline. The Lowndes County Commission does not see any long term benefit to the citizens of Lowndes County, The Lowndes County Commission formerly asks the Federal Energy Regulation Commission (FERC), and our state and federal legislators to support us in this effort to have Lowndes County and The State of Georgia bypassed. (emphasis mine)

That's a pretty clear statement to me. Now, barely fourteen months later, they approve an easement across county property to Sabal Trail. And they do it for a meager one time payment of 54,000 pieces of silver. They had the audacity to consider it a good business decision.

I might have considered $54,000 a year a good business decision, but this isn't even chump change to a multi-billion dollar company like Spectra. This is some high falutin' Houston, Texas company coming in and treating the local yokels like chumps. Sabal Trail and Spectra played them like a Stradivarius.

The worst of it is, not fourteen months after assuring the citizens of Lowndes County that their elected officials were on their side, they turn in the opposite direction and overwhelmingly approve the pipeline. Those that have opposed and fought against the property taking by this foreign corporation had barely eight hours notice this question was even on the agenda. I'm sorry, but the manifest lack of integrity is overwhelming. The least I expect of my local representatives is that they be honest men and women of their word. Breaking your word is a deal breaker with me.

integrity: the quality of being honest and fair. (Merriam-Webster)

Two commissioners and the chairman are up for reelection. I think they've forfeit their trust and will have to be replaced.

The Lowndes County Commission has voted (4-1) to allow an easement to the Sabal Trail gas pipeline, for a one time payment of 54,000 pieces of silver through the closed Clyattville landfill, which is a known polluter of mercury into the local environment. 

In late 2014, after an impassioned plea against this pipeline by yours truly, County Commissioner John Page, said, "No one on this Commission is in favor of this pipeline." Subsequently, the County Commission voted for a resolution against the Sabal Trail Pipeline. What has changed between then and now?

Were they lying to us then? The Commission can take a stand, I don't care. What I don't like is that they lie to us, the citizens of Lowndes County. The citizens of Lowndes County had effectively a mere twenty four hours or less to muster opposition from the time we were made aware of the issue. 

With this vote they effectively align themselves with the Sabal Trail Pipeline project, and against the citizens of Lowndes County. A year ago they voted against the pipeline. Now they voted in favor of the pipeline for a mere one time $54,000 payment. Seriously, say what? This is very weird to me.

My Take on Valdosta Municipal Elections 2015

Well, that's over. The vote is in, the people have spoken, and most of the individuals who will be governing our city for the next four years have been chosen. Since I was running for one of those seats, I suppose I had greater interest than most, and that I have in the past. If you're interested, here's my take on how it played out:

MAYOR- Incumbent Mayor John Gayle vs. former Fire Chief J.D. Rice

Valdosta had an historic chance to elect it's first African-American mayor, as former Fire Chief, J.D. Rice was well known, and well liked in the community. He ran on a message of public transportation and "out of the box" thinking in bringing jobs to the city. The Mayor ran on his doing a good job in his first term, and that he'd continue to do a good job if reelected, and he'd like to see public transportation, too.

Gayle and Rice blanketed the city with campaign signs. They appeared at all the forums, and who knows how many meet-and-greets. It looked to me that J.D. had a formidable campaign, and had a great ground crew of volunteers, who were attending numerous events, and I assumed were canvasing neighborhoods like locusts on a corn field. I think Mayor Gayle was concerned, because in the later days of the campaign, I saw his billboards go up and him appear in TV ads. It is said he outspent J.D. nine to one.

While all that is important in a campaign, in the end, it's all about getting your voters to the polls. And in the end, Mayor Gayle prevailed with 2828 votes, to J.D.'s 2414, a margin of 414 votes.

First, seriously, only 5242 people in our city voted?! That's under 25% of registered voter in the city, i.e., not even one in four citizens turned out to vote for the people to govern them in the closest government that affects them. Secondly, from my viewpoint, I thought J.D. was going to get around four thousand votes. That didn't happen, and Mayor Gayle won with 52.4% of the vote.

Congratulations, Mayor Gayle. Do us proud.

City Council

District 5- Incumbent Tim Carroll vs. Dallas Bennett

Dallas was quick to blanket his district with his yard signs, but was slow to appear at the forums. Tim was at every one that came along. Most importantly, Tim is well known, and well liked. Not sure if it appeared on TV, but I saw an ad for Tim via YouTube.

Tim Carroll won with 85% of the vote, 1431 to 234.

Congratulations, Tim. Do us proud.

District 3- Incumbent Sonny Vickers vs. Marion Ricco Ramsey.

It's not easy to run against an institution like Sonny Vickers, and when the campaign got in full swing, Sonny had his signs everywhere. Mr. Ramsey got his out in the district, and on election day, all around the polling place. The interesting thing was, Sonny seemed to get a respect for him, and even offered, if reelected, to make him his "liaison to the community." Sonny won reelection 337 to 213, with 61% of the vote.

That leaves Ramsey with 39%, which I think very respectable running against Sonny Vickers. I hope Marion takes Sonny up on his offer, and that Sonny does it. Marion Ricco Ramsey didn't make it this time, but could very well be District 3's councilman when Sonny decides to call it quits, perhaps nect time around. He may very well be Valdosta's future.

Congratulations, Sonny! Do us proud.

District 1- Incumbent James Wright vs. Vivian Miller-Cody and Bishop Wade McCrae

This was a hard fought battle. There were yard signs everywhere, mostly for James Wright, but Vivian and Wade were also prevalent. Vivian is a fireball, and one has to admire her passion. She had a great ground game, and came out on top: Vivian Miller-Cody 417, Wade McCrae 247, James Wright 226. Since she didn't get 50% of the vote, Vivian will go to a runoff election December 1 against Wade McCrae. Yep, that  means incumbent James Wright was voted out after three terms.

Congratulations, Vivian for placing on top. Unfortunately, you got another round to go. Just keep doing what you've been doing, and I think you'll win. I'm sorry, Wade. You're a good man, but there's just something about TWO African-American women on the City Council that just appeals to me.

City Council At-Large- Incumbent Ben Norton versus Linda Jurczak and Ronnie Pierce and Jim Parker and Gregory Williams, Jr.

This was my race. Five candidates is unusual for a race. It was basically four opponents to the incumbent Ben Norton. We, opponents, had to realize we split any vote against Ben Norton, and we had to hope to keep Ben to under fifty percent, come in second, and go to a runoff. I saw a TV ad for Ben the Friday before Election Day. In the end, Ben Norton won reelection, 2843, Ronnie Pierce 1098, Gregory Williams, Jr. 446, Linda Jurczak 378, Jim Parker 274 (ouch!). Ben Norton won reelection with fifty six percent of the vote.

Congratulations, Ben. Do us proud.

Conclusion

Five city government seats were up for reelection. If Valdosta citizens had so chosen, they could have changed their governance. Four were reelected, which suggests more of the same. One change may occur. If Vivian prevails against Bishop McCrae, we will have two African-American women on the City Council. Something about that thought makes me feel good.

I'll be honest, I was hoping to be second, but began to think Ronnie Pierce was running a good campaign, and that he could make into second (which he did). I give my congratulations to Gregory Williams, Jr for coming in third, besting me by 172 votes. You might also be the future of Valdosta with Marion Ricco Ramsey. I encourage you to tie into the community. Get to know intimately the various neighborhoods throughout the city. Imho, you're a good, intelligent young man, with a heart toward his community. That's my definition of a city elected official.  And Kudos to Linda Jurczak. You bested me by over a hundred votes 

To my immediate opponents: Congratulations, you kicked my butt. But I think I made you work harder for it. :) I ask you all to keep at it. Keep your eyes on the city and its government, and continue to bring what you each has to offer to the table, and together we can make Valdosta a Strong Town.

Gary Wisenbaker Is So Wrong About Public Transportation

Gary Wisenbaker, commentary writer for ValdostaToday.com, had an op-ed in the Valdosta Daily Times, and a reprint at ValdostaToday.com, poo-pooing the notion of a public transportation system for Valdosta and Lowndes County. I found it telling that he had the opinion published the day before early voting started. It has become a campaign issue in this year's election, with both mayoral and a number of city council candidates expressing their support for a public transportation system, including myself.

Mr. Wisenbaker's chief beef it seems from what he wrote, is that it would

...expand the size and scope of government, [and] justify a multi-million dollar taxpayer subsidized public transportation system.

First, we already have a multi-million dollar, taxpayer funded transportation system that Mr. Wisenbaker uses every day without even thinking about it. It's our roads and streets. To Mr. Wisenbaker, and many that are still stuck in their thinking in the middle of the last century, when they think of transportation, they only think of their own transportation pods, i.e., cars. They want to get get from point A to point B as fast as possible in their cars, and they have no problem with taxpayers picking up the tab for that.

Our cities, Valdosta and Lowndes County included, have been built over the last fifty to seventy years to be auto-centric, not people-centric. This approach was pushed from the federal and state level, with easy money to be had by the local governments. It was easy money that financed new construction, but none for maintenance and rebuilding. It would produce some short term gains in growth and revenue, but it left the local governments with long term liabilities, on the tab for maintenance and replacement when the lifetime of the road wore out in about twenty five years. Many cities got themselves in financial trouble trying to merely keep up with what they had built this way. In fact, they couldn't keep up, and found themselves in real financial trouble. StrongTowns.org calls this a Ponzi Scheme.

Underlying Mr. Wisenbaker's argument is that he would require every resident of Valdosta to own a car. I assume that Mr. Wisenbaker is pretty affluent, and is quite able to handle the cost of auto ownership. He may not even personally know someone who can't afford the cost of owning an automobile. Yet there are many residents that are exactly in that position. Mr. Wisenbaker's solution is for them is to impose upon their family or friends for a ride to take them where they need to go. "If one doesn't own a car, they know someone who does," just doesn't cut it. This is especially true for people trying to claw their way up from the bottom of the economic ladder.

He argues, "Overall, labor availability (transportation) was not seen [by companies] as a concern - relatively easy to identify and hire labor for most common needs," especially since employers ask if one has reliable transportation. It weeds out those that don't at the very beginning. On the other hand, companies have been saying for years they want a transportation system.

 I would wager, Mr. Wisenbaker has never lived in a city with a public transportation system, and has never used one for him to write what he has written.  I grew up in a city with an extensive bus system. My mother road it for years to her job at the National Bank of Detroit. When I was thirteen, I got on the bus, and road it downtown to see the President of the United States come to Detroit to kick off his presidential campaign. I positioned myself next to the entrance of the Sheraton-Cadilllac hotel where I read he was coming and got to shake the hand of LBJ. Pretty cool for a thirteen year old. I have lived in New York, Boston, and Chicago, not to mention Atlanta, along with several cities in Japan, including Tokyo, and used public  transportation extensively.

It's about choices. Mr. Wisenbaker wants to leave us with one: own and drive a car. I believe we should have choices: walking, bicycling, public transportation, or a car, and that all choices should be allowed, thought of, and built for.

Lowndes County Democratic Party Meeting 03.02.15

It was a great meeting. I enjoyed hearing from the three panelists. I was surprised at the spontaneous discussion of the need for a public transportation system. Seems like it's an issue whose time has come. 

The idea of community developed internet also came up in the need for better internet speed that our duopoly of internet providers, AT&T and Mediacom, wish to offer, with the tech person as chief advocate. 

Check out this page: Download speeds: Singapore 111 Mb, Hong Kong 99 Mb, South Korea 96 Mb, US average 33, what AT&T/Mediacom offer us? 3.5 to 15 Mb, something like Belarus or Tajikistan.

Why should We, in Lowndes County, have to buy our electricity from Georgia Power when we could produce it Ourselves?

John Quarterman's post at On the LAKE Front, entitled "Tesla opening market for home solar batteries," inspired this response:

It would be great if we could build the network from the bottom up, beginning with individual property parcels, i.e. your home and land, especially in a combination of production and storage. There is no valid reason individuals should not be able to produce electricity and sell it on the open market, just like the big boys do. There should be no impediment to a farmer that would like to plant a field of solar panels, and reap the fruit of it, or an entrepreneur that stores power than sells it back, and makes a profit. Sounds like the ultimate in free enterprise to me.

Additionally, I believe communities should have the freedom to do this. I have often said Lowndes County could easily supply it's own electricity, along with selling excess on the open market, to such an extent that it could eliminate the need for certain taxes, or provide much more in services to its citizens. The citizens could set their own electrical rates in one model, even zero. Why should we, in Lowndes County, have to buy our electricity from Georgia Power, when we could produce it ourselves? Are we free, or a colony of some sort?