County Manager Position...
Well, the revolving door that is the Catoosa County Manager's office is swinging again!
If you include all the interim managers, over the last several years, we've gone through about six or seven county managers! Just in a few years!
Running a business, I know that at some point when you have high turnover in a particular position, you have to start looking at yourself for the problem and not the candidates. Why can't we keep someone in this position? Are the CMs not getting the full support and/or resources that, once in office, they realize the need but don't have?
Perhaps we're just looking for a particular personality type that will loyally follow the wishes of an particular County Commission...er...?
We've had some very qualified people in the CM office. Yet, they still leave office, for one reason or another.
I only hope that this time around, we look for a professional candidate, one without known political ties or baggage, and most importantly, one who (a) has a backbone (i.e. not a puppet); (b) is willing to make some difficult decisions on his/her own.
I'm not sure this person currently resides in this County...
CB
Urban Planner
There's another article from the Catoosa County News about Commissioner Bill Clark wanting to hire an Urban Planner.
First of all, I was under the impression that the impact fee study that we've funded (to the tune of $100K plus) includes a comprehensive land use study -- which would, most likely, be an essential prerequisite for any urban planning. So, let's not get the cart before the horse here.
Secondly, I question what good an urban planner would do without this community having the collective will to establish and enforce true and effective zoning and development controls. Practically every commissioner regularly gets quoted about "smart growth" and "managed growth," so clearly they're all thinking of it. But, when the rubber hits the deteriorating road, the developers seem to hold the cards.
We've been arguing that low-end housing development is out of control in this county for a few years now. Yet month after month, new developments are approved and are nowhere near the level required to even approach break-even for the county (about $250K min. value and above).
The developers building the $100K - $130K average homes have made fortunes for themselves while creating misfortune for the county's finances.
Just go to any of the Potts Bros. land auctions. These family estate parcels will get snapped up usually by some developer who will then begin plans (if not already in the works) to drop as many entry-level homes as possible onto the property.
Now, one caveat: Not all developers are bad! In fact, I know that one developer working on the Swanson Road project has proposed a better class of development including greenspaces, sidewalks and a generally more attractive (i.e. valuable) project concept. Kudos!
Back to the urban planner, however...
We just need to be sure that the county has an appropriate and clear vision of how it wants to develop and has the backbone to enforce it (making some tough decisions along the way) BEFORE hiring yet another government employee who might otherwise become one more expense on the books.
As a general rule, I support the concept of an urban planner. Hiring one just needs to be done at the right time and for the right reasons. Until we're fully committed to a vision that needs to be planned and executed, hiring someone seems... premature.
That would seem the appropriate, conservative approach.
CB
Tax Incentive Program
On the Catoosa County News,
this story about a new tax incentive program is good news for economic development in the county.
The Commission approved, based on a recommendation by the Development Authority, a graduated Ad Valorem tax on improvements made to purchased property. It has the advantage of not lowering the current tax revenues.
Attracting new businesses is a complicated matter. I applaud the Development Authority and the Commission for adding this incentive option to their toolkit.
CB
Anonymous Posting
I've decided to allow anonymous posting to see how it works. The point of this blog is to encourage discussion. By requiring everyone to register and create user names (even though it's free and the accounts would have effectively provided anonymity), I'm concerned that several people have not or are not posting because of the whole registration thing.
So we'll see how the anonymous posting works.
CB
Catoosa County News Story
Here's the link to today's story about the County Commission considering withdrawing funding of the Chamber of Commerce...
The Value of Enterprise
What value does business bring to a community? Even in a bedroom community such as ours, we need/want many convenient businesses. Beyond our own convenience however, the government relies on NET POSITIVE tax revenues generated by businesses to pay for the NET NEGATIVE service demands made by houses (think: schools, protection, roads, etc.).
So, it is inconceivable to me that it is even an option that our county would not want to support an organization/entity whose very purpose is to encourage, stimulate, foster, advance, develop, whatever-it-takes for businesses in Catoosa County.
I certainly understand that the County, like any business, must prioritize the allocation of its resources. But in doing so, the County should be looking beyond the financial fires of the moment to the needs of the future. Businesses bring jobs. Businesses generate tax revenues. Businesses pay more to the County than they demand in services. Businesses partner with social and civic organizations, including the schools, the police and fire, etc. Businesses serve as ambassadors to help attract other businesses to the community.
If we send the signal to the business community that the County does not support their own organization, what does that say to the outside world as well, not to mention the message to our own businesses?
Stranded on a beach... your hut is burning. You have one (and only one) bucket of drinking water, and no rain clouds in sight. You use your water to put out the fire.
There are other ways to solve today's problems than by doing away with that which we need to survive and prosper in the future.
Vision without future...
... is just a nightmare.
In Catoosa County, as with all other communities, have two choices: let the future control us, or take control of our future.
One way or another, some version of a future will arrive. The only difference will be in whether or not that future is one of our own making or not.
"Preserving what we have," "keeping out growth and the problems associated with it (e.g. traffic, air problems, etc.)" are both statements of a vision that says: "We want to be tomorrow what we are today."
Well, that's just not possible. Change is inevitable. And we must adapt to change... nay, evolve with change, or the change will overwhelm us.
What Catoosa needs is a positive, constructive, forward-thinking (not regressive) vision of what our future could be. Once we as a community can embrace some vision, then we will be able to prioritize and evaluate the myriad paths in front of us in light of one controlling question:
"Does this decision/project move us at least one step closer to our stated vision?"
If the answer is no, and no matter how good or reasonable doing this apparently lateral project might seem, then the project is not justified since it does not fit in the long-term vision.
I was reminded today of a study that was conducted in our county a few years back. That study observed that Catoosa county lacks vision and leadership in order to take (and sustain) certain bold initiatives.
What the study said was that we need a White Knight... a Champion.
We need someone (or an entity) who recognizes the need to build teams, even with disparate points of view (in fact, welcome such alternate perspectives!).
We need someone who can see beyond oversimplified and incorrect political party stereotypes, and will not, therefore, become one him/herself.
We need someone who is willing to make tough decisions today that are essential for achieving a positive vision of the future.
We need someone who can sell us on striving for the future, rather than simply trying to conserve the past.
Who will be our White Knight?
Third-Party Blues
Who says we don't have a viable third political party?!
We have the conservatives; we have the liberals; and we have the Apathetic!
Our system has become so polarized to each extreme that many of us (I count myself in this group) are fairly "turned off" to the partisan messages. The result: members of the Apathy Party simply stay home!
Now, I'm not casting any stones here -- Hey! I'm part of the problem most of the time! (Although, my personal struggle with Apathy is increasingly being resolved as I get more involved.)
What frustrates me is how we allow our elected officials to make decisions based on very limited input (e.g. what they hear from the VVM -- Very Vocal Minority). The VVM, bless their hearts, earn what they get: They get results because they feel passionate enough to get involved. Actually, more power to them! They understand the system and work it well.
The problem is that in the Apathy Party, we sit back and do nothing until the decisions have been made. Let me give you an example from a while back.
A couple of years ago, a developer wanted to build a convenience store on Ooltewah-Ringgold Road, out near Windstone Subdivision. Now, if you don't know this part of the county well, let me tell you that there are no Catoosa-based businesses that would even begin to qualify as "convenient" to the residents of that end of O-R Road. Rather than drive all the way back to Ringgold proper, it's easier to just hop across the TN border to E. Brainerd Road and leave commercial dollars over there. But, I digress...
Several Windstone residents took "informal polls" (meaning, just asked around to their friends) and consistently found that people were in favor of having a convenience store near the subdivision. However, whenever the issue came before the Zoning Board or County Commission, the only people who bothered to show up were those few who were vehemently opposed to this kind of economic development. Thus, the store never materialized.
This is just one example of what comes of Apathy.
I'm trying very hard to get myself more involved, pay more attention and make myself heard. I encourage everyone to do the same.
CB
FairTax vs FlatTax
There's been much discussion in recent years about the relative merits (if any) of our current tax system.
Some legislators have been proposing alternatives to our current graduated income tax (with a few loopholes :).
The two most popular alternatives are the FairTax and the FlatTax.
US Sen. Saxby Chambliss and US Rep. John Linder have each proposed FairTax proposals, which would repeal corporate and personal income taxes, as well as various estate, gift, Social Security payroll deductions and Federal self-employment taxes. These taxes would be replaced by a national sales tax somewhere in the range of 23 percent, which is about 10 percent less (on average) than what we pay in the current system. What this means is that on each dollar, we currently pay, on average, about 33 percent in taxes. With FairTax, we'd pay only 23 percent, with exceptions for certain "essential" purchases, such as food.
FlatTax, on the other hand, sticks with the income tax model, but sets a flat tax at a uniform rate -- one tax rate for all. The basic premise here is that everyone should pay the same rate, and many (if not all?) of the loopholes and exemptions seemingly unavailble to those in lower tax brackets would be eliminated as well.
I've been following this debate for quite some time, and continue to gather as much information as possible. But, for now, I'm leaning towards the FairTax proposals. I like that this consumption-based system (as opposed to income) would reward savings (by not penalizing dollars as they're earned), and would only be imposed on citizens as we take something back from the economy -- i.e. we make a purchase and "consume" goods and services. There are some who have argued that the FairTax proposals would amount to an "additional 23% of taxes," which is completely false. The national sales tax would only go into effect after the current income-based system is scrapped.
To me, the FlatTax would be preferable to the current system. But, I'm skeptical that the loopholes would be properly eliminated to make the system truly "flat."
FairTax encourages people to earn as much as possible (thus driving inovation and investment), and even subtly encourages savings (as said earlier). We'd only pay "our fair share" when we decide to spend money (i.e. consume). Then, we'd all be paying the same amount.
There's my $0.02 worth...
CB
Veterans & Citizens War Memorial
Had the groundbreaking for the monument wall at the V&C War Memorial this morning. Great example of the community coming together to support a worthwhile upgrade. Various elected officials (city, county, state, departmental) were on hand, along with civic leaders and volunteers.
I think it's going to end up being a very nice memorial structure.
Although I'll have a company brick because of donating steel to the project, I'm planning on buying one or more bricks (at $25 each, so I'm told) to further support the memorial project.
Call the Chamber (965-5201) or Tonya (Branch Manager, Ft. O.) @ Capital Bank for information about buying engraved bricks to show your support!
Cheers!
Rep. Forster's Blog...
Congrats to our Dist. 3 State Representative Ron Forster for stepping into the blogosphere. Here's the link:
Representative Ronald L. Forster
The last Presidential election really brought blogs into the political mainstream. So, I'm impressed to see (at least one of) our representatives using this forum.
I'll be reading!
CB
Moratorium on Housing?
Would imposing a moratorium on housing starts in Catoosa County really solve anything?
If not, what kinds of changes need to be implemented in order to achieve the desired results (assumedly of controlling growth, or elevating the value-point of new housing)?
Zoning and impact fees are other possible options?
All of these (and others) are just pieces of the puzzle that is a "quality growth plan."
Let's take a shot at discussing our thoughts on what are the most significant components of such a plan...
ESPLOST & Bonds
Kudos to the Catoosa School Board for approving a resolution for needed investment in our schools. The resolution, which will be up for general vote on September 6, 2005, does two things: First, it would extend the current 1% ESPLOST for five more years. Second, it allow for issuance of bonds to pay for the immediate construction of two new schools, among other projects.
First and foremost: THIS IS NOT A NEW TAX.
Second: THIS DOES NOT RAISE TAXES.
Third, and as I understand it, the purpose of the ESPLOST extension is to PAY OFF THE BONDS.
I suppose the big question is whether or not we need new schools in Catoosa County. Sure, new housing starts have been ... err...
aggressive in recent years. People want to move to our community for many reasons, including our school system. Going forward, perhaps we can do a better job managing growth. But for now, the kids are here and we have to find a way to educate them properly. Unless we want the kids to be sitting on the floor in the overcrowded cafeteria to eat their lunches, or being crammed into a classroom with teachers facing a 40-to-1 student:teacher ratio, we have to invest in our school system now.
Is there waste in the current system? Sure. No question. Is there enough waste to justify not making further investement in the system. No way!
Kids are our future. The kind of future we create through the education of our future leaders (i.e. the kids) is in our hands right now.
Also, good schools are directly related to the kinds of industry/business we can attract and retain in our community. Businesses pay lots of taxes and don't take much in return. Households offer the opposite scenario. Bad, overcrowded schools mean that businesses will not want to locate in Catoosa.
Come September 6th, we as a community need to send the message that we value our future generations enough to invest in their future today. When the times comes, vote YES for this important resolution.
Welcome to Catoosa Vision!
Greetings from Catoosa County, Georgia!
I recently started a brother Blog called
Catoosa Diaries, where I'm blogging various cultural and recreational adventures in and around Catoosa County. While Catoosa and the surrounding region has many interesting sites and activities, we also have important issues to face regarding our community's quality of life, economic development and general growth. This blog will focus on these kinds of issues.
Catoosa Vision, as a blog, will be about the various issues facing our community. Sample topics could include: Air quality; housing growth; business development; education; etc.
Mostly though, we can talk about where we want Catoosa to be in the future -- what is our
vision for this wonderful community? By knowing where we want to be, the path to achieving this vision becomes much clearer. Once we identify our desired future vision, we can individually manage ourselves in a way that helps to achieve that vision.
I think the overall theme will become clearer once we get into the discussions. My main goal, however, is to use this forum as a means for community-wide discussions about important issues -- things that we need to be talking about today, so that they don't become problems to be solved tomorrow.
Let me know what you think. I certainly don't expect for us to agree; but it's the process of discussion that's important.
Cheers!
