10 JUL 08: THE $51,680 QUESTION
It's been a long time since someone staged a "picket line" outside the Government Center. And it's probably been a VERY long time since the picket consisted of a single person - and for that matter, someone who's not a member of a civil rights group.
Yet a 59-year-old woman from Fort Smith, Arkansas began a one-person protest march around the Government Center Wednesday - a march she plans to continue each afternoon through Friday. Based on how she looked when I met her Wednesday afternoon, you might want to stop by and donate her a tube of sunscreen.
Linda George brought some big signs from Arkansas, to wear during her three-afternoon march - including a laminated and enlarged Columbus tax assessment bill. There's probably some symbolism there. George's assessment suddenly went way up, and she thinks it's a slick move.
Linda George and her husband used to live in Columbus, and still own property on Olde Towne Drive. George was stunned in late June to receive mail from the Government Center, noting her property tax assessment had jumped $51,680. I've heard of a sub-prime mortgage, but she considers this a substandard assessment.
Linda George says she's a "detail lady" -- and she can recite what happened with this assessment, down to the minute of the day. She called the Columbus tax assessment office 23 June about the big increase. But she called only once: "I sure don't want 'em to think I'm harassing them...." Some telemarketers might want to re-read that quote....
But Linda George told me the tax assessment office never called her back, so she sent an express mail letter. The Postal Service tracked the letter and the city received it -- but George says there was no response to that, either. Maybe one of those 100 proposed new police officers should do undercover work inside Columbus city offices.
Linda George says Columbus tax assessors have the purchase date of her property wrong by four years. But beyond that, she suspects her property was lumped together with three other homes on Olde Towne Drive which are being sold. A home sale can mean a higher assessment. New tenants in a home should not - even if they went on a shopping spree at Action Buildings.
Linda George assured me she is NOT trying to avoid paying Columbus property taxes. George told me several times she pays $2,345.94 to the city each year. Yes, she knows the amount that precisely - but I don't think she's obsessed about this, do you?
The main point of Linda George's protest is that wants her reassessment reconsidered on appeal. She admitted the bill raised her doubts in her mind about whether Columbus really has a property tax freeze. But you know, maybe that's why the assessment letter was mailed in the heat of summer....
While she's at it, Linda George admits she may "embarrass" the city government into improving how it treats customers. After all, isn't one of the city mottos "quality people providing quality service"? You'd think that would go beyond the prison inmates who pick up the garbage.
There's another issue involved with this protest, but a busy news day requires us to hold that for another time. Yet Columbus city officials would do well to listen to Linda George's complaint. An online search found she's quick to take action in Fort Smith, whether with neighborhood development or sediment in her swimming pool. And anyone making a 700-mile one-way drive with today's gas prices must be really serious.
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BLOG UPDATE: The Muscogee County School Board held a special meeting Wednesday, and decided to keep its current superintendent around a while. Dr. John Phillips will retire in August as planned, then come back as "interim superintendent" from September to November. Oh no -- what if Carver advances deep into the football playoffs again?
The reason John Phillips will not be superintendent during August is that Georgia has rules about these things. School officials who "retire" can't come out of retirement for 30 days. So Dr. Phillips will be "down on the farm" longer than Jeff Francoeur was.
The interim superintendent for the month of August will be Peggy Connell, Muscogee County's Chief Academic Officer. Apparently the school board couldn't work out a deal for Dee Armstrong to fill in....
But that means former assistant superintendent Robin Pennock will NOT fill in during August. She'll apparently start the new educational consulting business, then wait for John Phillips to join it full-time in December. And if Phillips is needed even longer - well, Guy Sims is looking for work right now.
Not everyone on the Muscogee County School Board is thrilled about this arrangement. The vote in favor of it was 5-4, with Cathy Williams complaining she's been "manipulated" by other board members. Grade school teachers supporting Williams noted that - and will add "manipulation" to their spelling lists this fall.
The school board majority admitted it's taking longer to find a full-time superintendent than they expected. We told you about the job posting at the Georgia Department of Labor. Then a consulting firm was hired. And now I'm wondering if that consulting firm is also advising Hurtsboro about finding a police chief.
E-MAIL UPDATE: One reader decided to fire a "pre-emptive shot" toward the school board, and wrote us before Wednesday's meeting....
Well,has the MCSD board conned the tax payers again? They are shooting themselves in the foot with a tax vote coming up...I can't believe Dr. Phillips and Robin Pennock will be invited to stay on at 49% of salary Teachers who retire and then return to teach for 49% don't work a full day,don't have to attend faculty meeting or parent conferences..Does this mean Phillips will not be at a board meeeting? Will he still be furnished a car and gas card,life insurance and an expense acct.?
I didn't realize her position was going to continue..That position was created especially for her..When money is so tight and MCSD so top heavy I thought that postion would be dissolved. Was the offer to re-hire her part of a deal made previously to keep Phillips on?..I don't know,but it sure does not look good..Robin Pennock was a very good administrator and professional educator,but the position is not needed..
Oh,Dr.Phillips,who wrote that stumbling rambling speech you gave at one of the graduations?
First of all -- WHAT tax vote for the schools?! This school board is so busy arguing about the superintendent that I don't think one has been scheduled yet.
This e-mail apparently was based on speculation in the Ledger-Enquirer, some of which turned out to be wrong. There's no Robin Pennock comeback -- and Richard Hyatt's web site reports John Phillips will get his full paycheck for three months this fall, AND retirement pay. He'd better bring breakfast for the administrative assistants at least once a week.
But this reader raises a good question about the August school board meeting. Will Dr. John Phillips show up, during his 30-day "retirement?" Or will he do something befitting his years as superintendent -- and go shopping for $300,000 homes in Russell County?
By the way, if Dr. John Phillips really gave a "stumbling rambling" speech on commencement weekend, there ought to be a record of it somewhere. But all I found in a YouTube search was a clip of him trying out for another job -- and you have to admire his enthusiastic approach.
But enough about our schools - we've got a primary election ahead! And were we ever stunned Wednesday to find FOUR e-mails from the same man. The first two actually were sent Tuesday night....
Richard,
Attached finally are the photographs of Ms. Kirby's car and the police report. I apologize but do not have the ability to scan in color.
As a side note, Senator Harbison had to file no later than July 8, 2008 (today) his Campaign Finance Report for the period ending June 30, 2008. As of this writing (10:50 PM) he has not filed it with the State Ethics Commission as reported by their web site.
Hope all is well.
Regards,
Josh McKoon
Without a view from the rear, I can't tell if this vehicle is the one I noticed in Ethalyn Kirby's driveway last Wednesday night or not. And if you think I was going to walk around that SUV as a stranger looking for shattered glass, you have another think coming.
Josh McKoon must have been staring at his computer late Tuesday night, because Message #2 came before midnight:
Richard,
Ed Harbison did finally file his paperwork at 11:30. Just wanted to make sure my earlier e-mail did not confuse the issue.
Regards,
Josh McKoon
Since I didn't read any of these e-mails until Wednesday, there was no confusion. And I DO hope State Senator Ed Harbison's paperwork finally allowed McKoon to have a good night's rest.
We should stop here and note something - if Tuesday night was the deadline for filing campaign reports, the "Be Smart Vote No" committee on the Columbus sales tax question missed it. There was no, uh, "No" report posted with the Georgia Ethics Commission as of Wednesday night. So someone needs to collect the change cans from those restaurants quickly.
Message #3 came after the Muscogee County Republican Chair read Wednesday's blog entry about a different state lawmaker:
Richard,
Thank you for bringing this matter to my attention. I will certainly be contacting Representative [Vance] Smith about compliance. I bet you he will quickly comply. I bet he will not take the position that he has done nothing wrong and suggest that anyone who asks him to follow the law is out to get him, as Ed Harbison has.
To be frank, I had not taken a look at the other local candidates (Republican and Democrat), because Ed Harbison is the only local elected official that has made it his pattern and practice to flout the Georgia Ethics in Government Act. He has repeatedly, despite prior warnings from the State Ethics Commission, written himself checks out of his campaign account without providing any idea of what he is reimbursing himself for. He has spent campaign money to reupholster his car, to pay family relations for vague "work" and for a variety of other dubious purposes.
The legislature decided some time ago that campaign accounts were not to be treated as personal slush funds. Despite the multiple complaints filed against him and the near certainty that he will be fined as a result of Ms. Kirby's Complaint, he remains unapologetic and insists he has done nothing wrong. Yet Harbison refuses to release the audit he commissioned from Albright, Fortenberry and Ninas that he claims clears him. Of course, one need only go back to the Ledger-Enquirer's 2006 Editorial endorsing Harbison to see his flat denial of any wrongdoing:
We cannot overlook the seriousness of the allegations against Sen. Harbison. They suggest at the very least the familiar complacency of the longtime incumbent who begins thinking the rules don't apply to him.
He has assured us, face to face, that there are legally and ethically credible answers to all the questions about his finances. He owes those answers to the people of his district and his city, and sooner rather than later. If he should win this election and those answers aren't forthcoming or aren't satisfactory, he should step down.
On the basis of his assurances, on the presumption of innocence principle, and with obvious reservations, we endorse Ed Harbison for re-election to the Georgia Senate. (Columbus Ledger-Enquirer, July 16, 2006).
Of course, no such answers have been forthcoming from Senator Harbison. You have documented it yourself with Senator Harbison's refusal to discuss the substance of any of this case with you. This has been true for the media writ large as Senator Harbison attempts to run the clock out on these charges.
But in fact these charges will continue no matter the outcome of Tuesday's election. At some point in the near future, Senator Harbison will stand before an Administrative Law Judge and will finally be held to account and provide an explanation for the conduct that not only Ms. Kirby found illegal, thus causing her to file the Complaint, but also the State Ethics Commission staff and the unanimous Commission comprised of Republicans and Democrats. One would hope that it is not too much to ask that our elected officials show basic respect for the rule of law. Senator Harbison has displayed time and again his contempt for the rule of law and for anyone who points out that contempt.
A brief review of Harbison's just filed June 30, 2008 disclosure shows at least one problem. Candidates are limited to receiving donations of $2,300 per election from each donor. However, Harbison's disclosure reveals he accepted $4,600 from Donald M. Leebern, III for the Primary, $2,300 over the legal limit. See O.C.G.A. 21-5-41(b); O.C.G.A. 21-5-41(k); Memo from William H. Jordan dated March 11, 2008. I wonder what the explanation for that is. I must say I couldn't find any other local candidate, Republican or Democrat, who has taken more than the legal limit from any donor.
Regards,
Josh McKoon
Of course, no one is "out to get" Rep. Vance Smith. Not if he's running unopposed this year, they're not....
Josh McKoon truly may have told Vance Smith something - because a check Wednesday night found Smith's affidavit IS now on file for his 30 June campaign reports. But Smith still hasn't returned our phone call. So he hasn't taken a position of doing "nothing wrong," because he simply hasn't taken a position.
But wait a minute - you wanted me to discuss "the substance" of the ethics case with Ed Harbison?! I didn't ask him about that in my two phone calls. We had more important issues from Josh McKoon to discuss - like car break-ins, and slips of paper asking about yard signs.
As for that big contribution: we found a different Georgia State Senate candidate who offered a possible explanation. Carlos Lopez's web site says your "first $2,300 is designated for the primary, and any additional amount up to $2,300 is designated for the general election." Since Josh McKoon couldn't find a Republican to run against Ed Harbison, there's another word for that extra donation - gravy.
We're going to hold Josh McKoon's Message #4, until we make a phone call about it. There's an e-mail about the November vote which requires that treatment as well. But what do you know - someone wrote us about a topic which has nothing to do with government:
Richard, I read a small article in Sunday's Ledger that stated Gilley's Properties is trying to put a bingo/gambling establishment in one of their new developments in the Dothan/Enterprise area.. I believe he (Ronnie Gilley) is the same person who is planning a development in the Phenix City Riverwalk area . Do you know if he has plans for a bingo/gambling establishment in Phenix City?
Based on the Gilley Properties web site, apparently not. The Phenixian is shown there as a "residential development," while his projects around Enterprise are listed as "commercial." This apparently means the Phenix City American Legion post gets to keep its bingo turf.
We thank all of you who write us - and now let's quickly review other Wednesday news:
+ Hurtsboro Constable Robert Schweiger told your blog the city council actually met Tuesday night - because a missing member needed for a quorum showed up after most reporters and citizens left. Schweiger claims that violated Alabama's "Sunshine Law." But he added he stayed around to watch it happen - so apparently it's like John Denver: sunshine on his shoulder makes him cry.
(We asked former Russell County Commission candidate Robert Schweiger if he's endorsing anyone in next week's runoff. He said he "doesn't give a flip about either one of them." Careful, Constable - that attitude may explain why Ronnie Reed won his old seat back.)
+ Many Columbus gas stations fell back below the four-dollar ceiling, with one store in my neighborhood dropping to $3.94 a gallon. They need to seal that ceiling, and not break through it again - but aren't most shingles made with some kind of oil?
+ Richard Hyatt's web site reported the Ledger-Enquirer and WLTZ will end their news partnership. NBC-38 has claimed to have "the most powerful news source in the Chattahoochee Valley." But let's face it -- energy prices have climbed higher and higher....
(The Ledger-Enquirer apparently has been so many cutbacks that it can't commit any reporters to WLTZ anymore. But take heart, single guys - it appears the newspaper will NOT take Stefanie Tiso.)
+ Georgia Lieutenant Governor Casey Cagle toured the construction site for the National Infantry Museum. Cagle suggested he wants state funding of the project to continue. Now if he can send Governor Perdue on a long business trip outside the country next spring....
(Cagle admitted to WRBL while he supports the new "concealed carry" gun law in Georgia, his wife does NOT. At least they're unlikely to stage a shootout about it.)
+ A Phenix City public swimming pool finally opened for the summer. Catholic minister Thomas Wiese is so pleased, he says he plans to show up Friday for a swim. We'll see if a Baptist pastor also shows up, to hold a debate about the right form of baptism.
(Now this swim ought to be something to see. For one thing, does the Catholic Church make inflatable collars?)
+ Instant Message to John Ramsey: I'll join the District Attorney in Boulder, Colorado. I apologize as well. I'm sorry for those jokes during the "LaughLine" era about your daughter's death. Like the one where I said no one could find your book explaining what happened, because it was in the non-fiction area.
Today's main topic was the result of a blog reader's tip. To offer a story tip, advertise to our readers, make a PayPal donation or comment on this blog, write me - but be warned, I may post your e-mail comment and offer a reply.
BURKARD BULK MAIL INDEX: 801 (+ 25, 3.2%)
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UPDATE 1....