Press Release: LPDC Calls for Tax Break

Libertarians Call for Tax Break
One-Cent Sales (SPLOST) Tax Targeted

Douglasville, Ga. - January 27, 2006: The Libertarian Party of Douglas County (LPDC) is calling on county leaders to end the additional one-cent Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST) and return the sales tax rate to 6%, a 14% reduction in taxes.

Kevin Cherry, Chairman of LPDC, said the citizens of Douglas County have been very generous in approving a SPLOST tax for various projects, but now it’s time to give the citizens a tax break. Cherry points out that as soon as the current one-cent SPLOST ends, Douglas Officials will try to justify continuation of the tax.

“Over five years, a one-cent sales tax reduction could save citizens about $100 million”, Cherry said. “This money is better left in the pockets of citizens where they can put the money back into the local economy.”

Mike Raiford, LPDC's Vice-Chairman, has expressed concern over Commission Chairman, Tom Worthan’s proposal to raise $98 million for a new jail through renewal of the SPLOST or a property tax increase.

Raiford points out that Cobb County Government just used the same “taxing” scare tactics to pass a $1 billion SPLOST, that passed by only 114 votes and a 10% turn out in voters.

“My concern is that the (commission) chairman will do and say whatever he needs to do and say to justify continuing the (SPLOST) tax”, Raiford said. “The county has built a $9 million swimming pool that only a small fraction of citizens will use; its time we hold public officials accountable for their actions.”

Raiford believes a more fiscally responsible approach should be used when dealing with citizen's hard earned money.

Historically, tax breaks have proven to stimulate the economy, which can lead to more revenues for local governments.

Libertarians are known for seeking tax reduction, less government, personal freedom and responsiblity. For more information visit the website: www.lpgeorgia.com or www.lpgeorgia.com/douglas .

LPDC holds meetings on the Third Thursday of each month at the Lithia Springs Public Library - 6:30-8:pm .

Commissioner Pleads Guilty: Must Resign from Office

Douglas County District 2 Commissioner Claude Abercrombie entered a plea agree to misdemeanor charges of theft of services. He was given 12 months of probation, $200 fine and $4417.67 in restitution.

Abercrobie will resign and a special election will be held on July 18 the same date as primaries for Districts 1, 3 and 4.

LPDC is seeking candidates for local and state office for more information contact: Kevin Cherry - 770.380.6682

New Website

Thanks to Henry County LP Chairman, Jason Pye, we have a new website. Bookmark this page and visit it from time to time for more news and information on the Libertarian Party.
http://www.lpgeorgia.com/douglas/

And don't forget to visit the national home page:
www.lp.org

Wanted: Candidates 2006

The Libertarian Party of Douglas County is seeking candidates for public office in 2006. If you are interested in running for office please contact us at: douglascountylp@yahoo.com

$98 Million Jail?

Douglas County Commission Chairman, Tom Wortham has proposed spending $98 million to build a new jail. He is using the same scare tatics used in Cobb County; either pass a SPLOST or we will raise your property taxes. The need for a new jail is in question. Mike Raiford responds to his proposal.

Mike writes:

Dear Editor,

Douglas County Commission Chairman Tom Worthan has said the county may need a new jail to the tune of $98 Million of money that citizens of this county have worked hard to earn. And this after the Sheriff's office got about 6 or 8 million only a few years ago to build the jail annex? What are we doing??

First, how did the chairman come up with the figure of $98 Million? Are we planning to have another Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax after the present one ends? At this point, no one wants to claim any knowledge of any specifics about this new jail, such as how many inmates we can house in a $98 million facility, where this facility will be placed, what has happened in Douglas County to warrant that much more space for county prisoners, and what else has been done, or considered, to alleviate whatever has happened to warrant such an expenditure of honest families' income to house the county's criminals.

There are numerous other options to jail crowding that should be looked at. Governor Perdue, in his State of the State speech, offered to spend $45 million to build 4300 new prison beds to alleviate prison crowding. If we use Governor Perdue's figures, Mr. Chairman, that $98 million you want could give this county space for nearly 10,000 more prisoners. Mr. Chairman, what are you expecting in this county?

And Chairman Worthan is seeking to form a Douglas County Jail Authority to spend that $98 million-- Wow!! More Government in Douglas County!! Just what we need! Now I understand that, so long as we have criminals, we'll have to spend money on jails from time to time, but I'm having a gut-wrenching problem with spending the equivalent of nearly a year's budget for the entire county, on just jails in five years. Frankly, I'm just not that concerned with the comfort and convenience of the county's criminal element, not so much that I want to take money from hard working families for them.

And finally we come back to the threat we all heard last time a Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST) was on the ballot for the citizens to vote on. "If the voters don't approve the SPLOST, we'll just raise property taxes." When any politician gives the citizens who elected him the old "we're going to get you one way or the other", it just doesn't sound like much wisdom or thinking power was involved.

So, color me concerned about what the future holds here. When the last Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax was on the ballot, I and a number of my colleagues warned that, if this new tax was passed, the county government would continuously find a way to perpetuate the extra tax-- proving that there is no end of government's appetite for your money. And it's up to you and me to stop it. Chairman Worthan, as a Libertarian and a citizen of Douglas County, I believe we need a tax break, not perpetual taxation. Mr. Chairman, please reconsider your ways.

Mike Raiford, Vice Chairman
Libertarian Party of Douglas County

Libertarian Lobby

Thanks to the hard work and persistence of Mike Raiford and the Libertarian Party of Douglas County, the Douglas County Board of Commissioners passed a resolution in support of limiting eminent domain abuse. Mike's effort generated considerable media coverage and helped to promote the Libertarian Party as the party who will protect property rights. Thanks for your hard work Mike.

Here is the resolution:

RESOLUTION CONCERNING THE EXERCISE
OF THE POWER OF EMINENT DOMAIN

Douglas County Board of Commissioners


WHEREAS, the Douglas County Board of Commissioners is empowered by the State of Georgia Constitution to exercise the power of eminent domain to condemn property for public purposes or uses; and

WHEREAS, the Douglas County Board of Commissioners believes that the exercise of its eminent domain power is necessary for the advancement of the public good; and

WHEREAS, the Douglas County Board of Commissioners further believes that the exercise of its eminent domain power should be balanced with State and Federal constitutional protections of private property; and

WHEREAS, in light of recent opinions of the United States Supreme Court (Kelo vs. City of New London) and other Federal Courts, the Douglas County Board of Commissioners desires to assure Douglas County citizens that the exercise of its eminent domain power will not be used in such a manner as to seize private property solely or primarily for the purpose of transferring, leasing or allowing the use of such property to a private developer, corporation or other entity in order to expand tax revenue or to increase the taxable value of the seized property; and

WHEREAS, the Douglas County Board of Commissioners has never used its power of eminent domain in this manner, but has restricted this broad power to procuring land for roadway expansions and other necessary uses for the overall good of the general Public, and only after negotiating in good faith with the property owners; and

WHEREAS, the Douglas County Board of Commissioners urges its delegation to, and all members of, the Georgia General Assembly to sponsor and support legislation and/or a Constitutional Amendment that will impose appropriate legal restraints on governing authorities with regard to the exercise of eminent domain power; and

WHEREAS, in the absence of such legislation, the Douglas County Board of Commissioners declares that it will continue its restricted use of eminent domain as it has historically done;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Douglas County Board of Commissioners hereby publicly declares its support of limited eminent domain usage, and its intention not to use this granted power for the transferring, leasing or use of condemned property to a private person, developer, corporation or other similar entity for the purposes of private development.

ADOPTED this ______ day of _________________________, 2005.