1 Question Answered, 2 Remain After D.C. Trip

Dear Readers,

Several columns back I questioned the trip that the Mayor and now City Manager Brad Hulsey took to Washington DC.

I questioned how much was spent and what was accomplished. I also asked why the Council was not informed of their trip.

I now have a report that was put together by Brad Hulsey that explains what was accomplished. The other two questions remain unanswered and should be answered by the mayor. 

The report shows that they heard presentations by various Congressional Leaders on a wide range of subjects. Three particular issues were discussed:

1 Transportation: This has been a hot button issue that will need more attention by the Feds since we voters knocked down the T-SPLOST tax initiative last July. 

2 Sequestration. Come January 1 the Federal Government will be in more of a turmoil than it usually is. If sequestration happens, huge amounts of Federal money minus Social security, Medicare, Veterans benefits, would be affected.

Almost every part of the Federal budget would be hit with massive cuts. You should be following this in the news, it is important. It would affect local governments in such things as crime prevention. Cities that rely heavily on the Feds will be hit the hardest. Powder Springs is fortunate to live day-to-day on our resources, but eventually we would feel the bite.

3) The tax cuts put in place during the Bush years will be canceled and tax rates would go up for almost everyone especially businesses. 

All of this is good information to know and I urge the Mayor to explain this in her meeting remarks. 

Note: The above was worded by myself, but does give you an idea of what was discussed.

The rest of his report was equally interesting. Something I wrote about some time ago and spoke about to the council namely water pipes, is mentioned. It appears to me that water breaks are becoming more common. You might look at my column on water break issues nationwide that will end up costing ONE TRILLION dollars over the next 15 years.

Eventually every city and county will have to address this issue and it won't be cheap. 

ELECTIONS
Seems like we are doing lots of voting the past year. This is the big one and I suspect that most of you have already voted or made up your minds on the Presidential part. Those of you who are disappointed about your choice (or lack of same) for Cobb County Commission Chair, do have a write in candidate who seems to be actively campaigning. 

Write-ins are not easy. You should ask the Poll workers about this before going into the voting booth. If you want to go that route, you must write in the candidate exactly meaning: Craig Harfoot, Cobb Country Commission Chairman.

Or, whatever the poll worker suggests. They will not help you with his name so write it down and take with you.

Thanks for reading,

Thomas D. Bevirt