North High Shoals provides plenty of poltical intrigue and entertainment for the rest of us in Oconee County, Goergia
On the eve of municipal elections in North High Shoals, once again this tiny town (where 13 votes can win or lose an election) proves to be the center of political intrigue and discontent for Oconee County 2009.
The matter of an absentee mayor has festered slowly over the last several year period, as first the silent brother lost his council seat.then the Mayor himself repeatedly threatened and promised to resign, only to constantly change the scenario in which he would consider stepping down. Meanwhile he continues to avoid attending meetings quite successfully blocking a quorum to establish anything. Now would-be outgoing Mayor Jeff Thomas broke his own code of silence to post in the blog of city council member Steve Holzman, which is not anything even attempting to masquerade as official.
The following does not constitute an official communication of the Town of North High Shoals for the Town of North High Shoals or anyone acting in the interest of North High Shoals, or does it? I believe the Charter is what they were meeting to discuss. Eddie Cape can play softball but not basketball. Mayor Thomas surely has a dictionary at the nursing home, doesn't he?
Steve,
I guess I will have to break one of my own rules and respond to this attack upon the mayor's office by a councilmember, even if it is hiding behind a blog. Would you please check the charter concerning the calling of a meeting and especially pay attention to the part concerning who calls a meeting and when and the importance of being in contact with all members to assertain their avaiabilty unless there is an emergency. Do you really think it is appropriate or fair for Violet to contact two members by phone and not contact the other two?
Jeff Thomas
Mayor
Town of North High Shoals
Blogger: Small Town Politics - North High Shoals - Post a Comment
Working backward, this was Steve's original post:
Just got an email from the mayor saying he would NOT be available for the rescheduled 1st public hearing on the new code...which is to take place on Nov. 9th at 7pm. I guess it's all up to Mr. Eddie Cape. If he can make it we'll have a quorum. If he can't...well...I guess we'll just have to try again.
Then there is the allegation of people paving sidewalks supposedly right past their front door; this from a previous post essentially quoting an advertisement in the Oconee Enterprise newspaper (I boldfaced the whole quote to continue the differentiation):
From Scott Wilson's post:
" The fact is that you have current council members and what could be new council members that are adjoining land owners where our sidewalks and the City Hall are proposed. In my opinion, there is a direct conflict of interest when concerning sidewalks and the City Hall. "
I was at the council meeting when we talked about sidewalks. We simply thought it was a good idea to connect the existing sidewalk on Elder Rd. to the park. That's all. As for City Hall...the park is the only piece of property the city owns. Where else would we put it? Conflict of interest is a serious allegation. I heard today that you also do this in an ad in the Oconee Enterprise. Do you stand by this accusation? Feel free to clarify via a comment if you wish.
For the record, do you support or oppose additional sidewalks in North High Shoals?
(Sarah, if you are reading this feel free to comment).
The comments for that were nine in length (and quite some length) but this is the key one from Stephen Arnold's challenger Sarah Donnegan (post 4)
A member of our community goes door to door campaigning for a candidate. While doing this, he states over and over again that the candidate running against his candidate of choice, got their business license in a knowingly illegal manner because they’re in “cahoots” with the mayor. For the record, this campaigner doesn’t even know the candidate he is giving this false information about. He is only using “information” supposedly given by a current council member. This could be considered slander since its not true and the situation was unfortunate and caused the candidate and their family much stress and concern! Especially since when you call Oconee County, they inform you that to get a business license you call the Mayor. When you call the mayor, he gives you a license in the same manner he has done with small businesses for years, with the warning that there’s to be no signs or noise after 7. In this economy to have a small business succeed is a blessing since many people are out of work and its difficult to find a job. AND, when the Business License was issued, it didn’t BECOME an issue for 2 years and in that 2 years a considerable amount of money was put into the business because there was no knowledge that it was a problem. To state that the candidate did something wrong is a “serious allegation”. I don’t think Scott Wilson , who is a Certified Property Appraiser, pointing out adjoining property that current council memebers own, that in his PROFESSIONAL opinion could potentially appreciate in land value due to sidewalks is a "serious allegation". I’m not sure why the landowners/ council members are so ignited by Mr. Wilsons comment.
As far as how I feel about sidewalks, I really like the idea of having them. HOWEVER, When I think about sidewalks in the community, I picture them in areas that people would allow their children to walk on like IN Hickory Ridge or IN Hickory Lake or IN historic High Shoals. I don’t picture them along roads where endless vehicles SPEED thorough on, for example Highway 186. We are so fortunate to have SPLOST funds and I think we should make sure we’re spending them wisely. I feel for us to allot $250000( which is a low estimate after doing some research) on a sidewalk through a flood plane that requires a bridge and tons of grading ,is not great planning. Side walks might be better placed in the areas I listed above, and would be far more beneficial, safer and without the risk of unleashed spending. IF we exceed that budgeted amount, where will the additional funds come from? Taxes. I’ve also heard residents of Hickory Ridge and Hickory Lake voice that speed bumps would be appreciated . That could certainly be budgeted as a street improvement . And, as for the city hall, Steve, you incorrectly state that High Shoals only owns one piece of land. We also own the property that the current city all is on. So, While I agree a new city hall is a great want and would be pretty, we have citizens that don’t have city water and share wells, as well as roads in need of repair. With city water comes fire hydrants which would cause our homeowners insurance rates to go down. Wouldn’t it be nice if taxes that we pay into High Shoals came back to us in some way? Only after we have the necessities should we take on the wishes, like a pretty new city hall. This is a conservative point of view but in this economy, we should all make sure our projects don’t exceed our budgets. I hope that if I get elected I can use my experience as a small business owner, wife and mother to bridge the gap between the council, Mayor and our community. Lets face it, the last thing anyone wants is their taxes to go up because we didn’t plan correctly. The council owes the citizens better than that.
For more on Ms. Donnegan and her belief and presentation, please reference this video introduction
Steve Lawrence, who is running for the other open post 3, retorted with this barrage:
Once again Scott Wilson has stated that Lawrence's property ownership is a conflict of interest (as he runs against him for Post 3) since one tract adjoins Violet Dawe's property and the Lawrence home is across the street from the city park. This becomes funnier everyday as the election draws nearer because Wilson cannot explain how this is a conflict of interest. He knows it's just as nonsensical as it was the day he would not shake Lawrence's hand after a brief "discussion" about it.
The Lawrence's wooded lot in High Shoals Plantation will probably be one of the last tracts in N. High Shoals to ever benefit from sidewalks, water lines, or street improvements because of its remote location. Wilson also has not mentioned Councilman Cape's location across from the city park and his adjoining lot to the Lawrence's home. So, it's a conflict of interest for Lawrence but not Cape?! I'm surprised Cape is even supporting Wilson with this type of ridiculous accusation! Undoubtedly, this questioning of a person's integrity will cost him votes. It's a dismal attempt at mudslinging, I guess.
Needless to say, you need a scorecard to keep track of who is quibbling with whom, and I have no interest in who wins or loses these races, but it is highly entertaining and amusing to us political junkies outside of North High Shoals. I would think that David Lawrence for Post 3 and Stephen Arnold for Post 4 would be the best candidates for North High Shoals, and they can consider that an official endorsement (for whatever that may be worth). I am highly opposed to poor grammar and superfluous screaming with all capital letters.
Here is more about Stephen Arnold
I am cherry picking some of the more entertaining aspects of this municipal election but I would love to see a voter turnout of 85 or 90% there tomorrow. I love North High Shoals, and think it is great people care so much about this small town. Salutations to everyone who runs for such a thankless position.
The matter of an absentee mayor has festered slowly over the last several year period, as first the silent brother lost his council seat.then the Mayor himself repeatedly threatened and promised to resign, only to constantly change the scenario in which he would consider stepping down. Meanwhile he continues to avoid attending meetings quite successfully blocking a quorum to establish anything. Now would-be outgoing Mayor Jeff Thomas broke his own code of silence to post in the blog of city council member Steve Holzman, which is not anything even attempting to masquerade as official.
The following does not constitute an official communication of the Town of North High Shoals for the Town of North High Shoals or anyone acting in the interest of North High Shoals, or does it? I believe the Charter is what they were meeting to discuss. Eddie Cape can play softball but not basketball. Mayor Thomas surely has a dictionary at the nursing home, doesn't he?
Steve,
I guess I will have to break one of my own rules and respond to this attack upon the mayor's office by a councilmember, even if it is hiding behind a blog. Would you please check the charter concerning the calling of a meeting and especially pay attention to the part concerning who calls a meeting and when and the importance of being in contact with all members to assertain their avaiabilty unless there is an emergency. Do you really think it is appropriate or fair for Violet to contact two members by phone and not contact the other two?
Jeff Thomas
Mayor
Town of North High Shoals
Blogger: Small Town Politics - North High Shoals - Post a Comment
Working backward, this was Steve's original post:
Just got an email from the mayor saying he would NOT be available for the rescheduled 1st public hearing on the new code...which is to take place on Nov. 9th at 7pm. I guess it's all up to Mr. Eddie Cape. If he can make it we'll have a quorum. If he can't...well...I guess we'll just have to try again.
Then there is the allegation of people paving sidewalks supposedly right past their front door; this from a previous post essentially quoting an advertisement in the Oconee Enterprise newspaper (I boldfaced the whole quote to continue the differentiation):
From Scott Wilson's post:
" The fact is that you have current council members and what could be new council members that are adjoining land owners where our sidewalks and the City Hall are proposed. In my opinion, there is a direct conflict of interest when concerning sidewalks and the City Hall. "
I was at the council meeting when we talked about sidewalks. We simply thought it was a good idea to connect the existing sidewalk on Elder Rd. to the park. That's all. As for City Hall...the park is the only piece of property the city owns. Where else would we put it? Conflict of interest is a serious allegation. I heard today that you also do this in an ad in the Oconee Enterprise. Do you stand by this accusation? Feel free to clarify via a comment if you wish.
For the record, do you support or oppose additional sidewalks in North High Shoals?
(Sarah, if you are reading this feel free to comment).
The comments for that were nine in length (and quite some length) but this is the key one from Stephen Arnold's challenger Sarah Donnegan (post 4)
A member of our community goes door to door campaigning for a candidate. While doing this, he states over and over again that the candidate running against his candidate of choice, got their business license in a knowingly illegal manner because they’re in “cahoots” with the mayor. For the record, this campaigner doesn’t even know the candidate he is giving this false information about. He is only using “information” supposedly given by a current council member. This could be considered slander since its not true and the situation was unfortunate and caused the candidate and their family much stress and concern! Especially since when you call Oconee County, they inform you that to get a business license you call the Mayor. When you call the mayor, he gives you a license in the same manner he has done with small businesses for years, with the warning that there’s to be no signs or noise after 7. In this economy to have a small business succeed is a blessing since many people are out of work and its difficult to find a job. AND, when the Business License was issued, it didn’t BECOME an issue for 2 years and in that 2 years a considerable amount of money was put into the business because there was no knowledge that it was a problem. To state that the candidate did something wrong is a “serious allegation”. I don’t think Scott Wilson , who is a Certified Property Appraiser, pointing out adjoining property that current council memebers own, that in his PROFESSIONAL opinion could potentially appreciate in land value due to sidewalks is a "serious allegation". I’m not sure why the landowners/ council members are so ignited by Mr. Wilsons comment.
As far as how I feel about sidewalks, I really like the idea of having them. HOWEVER, When I think about sidewalks in the community, I picture them in areas that people would allow their children to walk on like IN Hickory Ridge or IN Hickory Lake or IN historic High Shoals. I don’t picture them along roads where endless vehicles SPEED thorough on, for example Highway 186. We are so fortunate to have SPLOST funds and I think we should make sure we’re spending them wisely. I feel for us to allot $250000( which is a low estimate after doing some research) on a sidewalk through a flood plane that requires a bridge and tons of grading ,is not great planning. Side walks might be better placed in the areas I listed above, and would be far more beneficial, safer and without the risk of unleashed spending. IF we exceed that budgeted amount, where will the additional funds come from? Taxes. I’ve also heard residents of Hickory Ridge and Hickory Lake voice that speed bumps would be appreciated . That could certainly be budgeted as a street improvement . And, as for the city hall, Steve, you incorrectly state that High Shoals only owns one piece of land. We also own the property that the current city all is on. So, While I agree a new city hall is a great want and would be pretty, we have citizens that don’t have city water and share wells, as well as roads in need of repair. With city water comes fire hydrants which would cause our homeowners insurance rates to go down. Wouldn’t it be nice if taxes that we pay into High Shoals came back to us in some way? Only after we have the necessities should we take on the wishes, like a pretty new city hall. This is a conservative point of view but in this economy, we should all make sure our projects don’t exceed our budgets. I hope that if I get elected I can use my experience as a small business owner, wife and mother to bridge the gap between the council, Mayor and our community. Lets face it, the last thing anyone wants is their taxes to go up because we didn’t plan correctly. The council owes the citizens better than that.
For more on Ms. Donnegan and her belief and presentation, please reference this video introduction
Steve Lawrence, who is running for the other open post 3, retorted with this barrage:
Once again Scott Wilson has stated that Lawrence's property ownership is a conflict of interest (as he runs against him for Post 3) since one tract adjoins Violet Dawe's property and the Lawrence home is across the street from the city park. This becomes funnier everyday as the election draws nearer because Wilson cannot explain how this is a conflict of interest. He knows it's just as nonsensical as it was the day he would not shake Lawrence's hand after a brief "discussion" about it.
The Lawrence's wooded lot in High Shoals Plantation will probably be one of the last tracts in N. High Shoals to ever benefit from sidewalks, water lines, or street improvements because of its remote location. Wilson also has not mentioned Councilman Cape's location across from the city park and his adjoining lot to the Lawrence's home. So, it's a conflict of interest for Lawrence but not Cape?! I'm surprised Cape is even supporting Wilson with this type of ridiculous accusation! Undoubtedly, this questioning of a person's integrity will cost him votes. It's a dismal attempt at mudslinging, I guess.
Needless to say, you need a scorecard to keep track of who is quibbling with whom, and I have no interest in who wins or loses these races, but it is highly entertaining and amusing to us political junkies outside of North High Shoals. I would think that David Lawrence for Post 3 and Stephen Arnold for Post 4 would be the best candidates for North High Shoals, and they can consider that an official endorsement (for whatever that may be worth). I am highly opposed to poor grammar and superfluous screaming with all capital letters.
Here is more about Stephen Arnold
I am cherry picking some of the more entertaining aspects of this municipal election but I would love to see a voter turnout of 85 or 90% there tomorrow. I love North High Shoals, and think it is great people care so much about this small town. Salutations to everyone who runs for such a thankless position.
Comments