Georgia Council on Tax Fairness for Georgians - coming VERY SOON to Augusta, Savannah, Valdosta, Macon, Rome, and Gainesville

It's time to pay attention to the Special Council on Tax Fairness for Georgians. If you want to abolish the Georgia Income Tax or abolish (or protect) any of the hundreds of sales tax exemptions in Ga - now is the time to speak up and to also study the proposals.

Hearings are being held the rest of the year in Atlanta.
In addition there are "fact finding" meetings being held around the state August 30 through Sep 9 in Augusta, Savannah, Valdosta, Macon, Rome, and Gainesville

The Special Council on Tax Fairness for Georgians was established pursuant to OCGA 28-12-2 (HB1405) to "conduct a thorough study of the state's current revenue structure and make a report of its findings and recommendations for legislation to the Speaker of the House and the Lieutenant Governor no later than January 10, 2011.

Scheduled Meetings
Aug 30 Mon Fact Finding Session, Augusta Doubletree Hotel, Master’s Ballroom (706) 855-8100
Aug 31 Tue Fact Finding Session Savannah – Coastal Georgia Center, Auditorium (912) 651-2005
Sep 1 Wed Fact Finding Session Valdosta – Wiregrass Georgia Technical College, (229) 333-2100
Sep 2 Thu Fact Finding Session Macon – Macon State College, (478) 471-2700
Sep 7 Tue Fact Finding Session Rome – Forum Civic Center (706) 291-5281
Sep 8 Wed 1:00 - 5:00 Meeting, Blue Room, Georgia Railroad Freight Depot, ATL
Sep 9 Thu Fact Finding Session–Gainesville – Gainesville State College (678) 717-3639
Sep 29 Wed 1:00 - 5:00 Meeting, Floyd Room, Twin Towers
Nov 3 Wed 1:00 - 5:00 Meeting, Blue Room, Georgia Railroad Freight Depot
Dec 1 Wed 1:00 - 5:00 Meeting, Blue Room, Georgia Railroad Freight Depot

"Gravity applies in Camden" by Gloria Burns

Thanks to Gloria Burns for the following which she distributed earlier this week and allowed me to post. She can be contacted at gloriaburns@comcast.net

A stark contrast...

Here in Glynn County, the District paid students who failed or scored low on the high school graduation test to retake it in the summer with cold, hard cash... rewarding failure.

Also, at Glynn Academy, students with a discipline history or potential behavior problems are rewarded with tokens for good behavior (such as dying a mohawk red to show school spirit) that allows them to enter an annual drawing for a motor scooter. On the other hand, students at the same school taking AP classes, making straight A's and getting perfect attendance with no discipline referrals do not get tokens for a chance to win the scooter.

Anyone out there actually have a job in which failure gets you a bonus?

Meanwhile, in neighboring Camden County Schools, they are rewarding academic achievement and the students who aim higher.

Which life lesson do you want your children and grandchildren to learn?
(And where did the money to pay the Glynn students come from?)

Camden dangles car keys to motivate students to pass AP classes, Aug 9, 2010
Passing classes makes them eligible to win prizes at year's end.
By Gordon Jackson

KINGSLAND - Brittni May has demonstrated she is capable of learning challenging class work.

But before she leaves this month for New York and her freshman year at Columbia University, the 18-year-old Kingsland resident is going to have to learn to do something she never thought she would - drive a stick shift.

She won a 2004 Hyundai sedan with a manual transmission at a drawing at Camden County High School on Monday morning. She was among 280 students who passed challenging advanced placement classes last year, making her eligible to win the car. That was the top prize. Others won laptop computers, gift certificates for chain fast food and other consolation prizes.

"The whole time, I knew I wouldn't win the car," she said. "I though I might win a laptop, if I was lucky."

For the past three years, every Camden County High student who passed advanced placement classes was entered in a drawing for a reliable used car and other prizes. The drawing is an added incentive for students to enroll in the classes, said Heath Heron, assistant principal and an advanced placement coordinator.

"It rewards kids for taking such a rigorous course load," he said. "We try to encourage as many kids as possible to take advanced placement classes."
Read more at http://jacksonville.com/news/georgia/2010-08-09/story/camden-dangles-car-keys-motivate-students-pass-ap-classes
gordon.jackson@jacksonville.com, (912) 729-3672

Shaw McVeigh for HD 179

I wholeheartedly support Shaw McVeigh for HD 179 in the GOP primary runoff. Shaw has received prestigious awards from many Glynn County organizations -- including the Boy Scouts, the Glynn GOP, the Kiwanis, and as a recipient of the Emory Dawson Humanitarian Award given by the Elks Lodge. Many people can and have testified repeatedly to his character, ability, experience, and commitment to better government and strong businesses in Glynn County.

Locally he has the endorsement of former US Senator and Georgia Ports Authority chairman Mack Mattingly. Most recently he was endorsed by Cap Fendig who came in 3rd in the 4 man July 20 primary. 
He wins the support of these organizations and individuals because they know they can trust Shaw and he has the desire and ability to serve Glynn County again.

In addition to being awed by his experience and generosity and comfortable discussing any issue with him, I support him for very specific reasons:

1. He has legislative and county government experience. Glynn County is losing two important legislators - State Senator Jeff Chapman and House Majority Leader Jerry Keen. Having served previously in the state legislature, Shaw will have a head start. When we lose our House Majority Leader, we don't want to go to the back of the pack.
2. He has been in the private sector his entire adult career with CPA experience in hospitality & tourism, agriculture, and pulp&paper processing industries.This experience makes him uniquely qualified to represent this area. 
3. Shaw is not an attorney - and this year that matters more than usual. Because of turnover in our delegation, it is important to think about the potential influence and balance of the new delegation we send to Atlanta. The two legislators we're losing come from the private industry. One of their replacements, William Ligon, the new GOP nominee for SD3 is an attorney. The incumbent Republican Roger Lane for HD 167 (which includes part of Glynn) is also an attorney. Do we want THREE attorneys representing Glynn County in Atlanta? I think one of the strengths of the Republican Party is that our elected ranks represent many industries and professions and are not overwhelmingly comprised of attorneys.  If the legislature is going to remove barriers to starting and growing businesses and provide a healthy level playing field for business, it should have a significant business component.
4. Shaw has served on the local Board of Education and is married to a career secondary school science teacher - with experience in public and private schools. Education is over half the state budget and over half the local budget. We need someone with a sharp CPA pencil and a knowledge of local education challenges. 
5. Shaw's county government experience AND lifelong involvement in Brunswick and Glynn County assure that he will understand intergovernmental issues and work for the city and the county. 
6. Shaw is the real proven Republican - not just at the national level but at the state and county level. 
7. Shaw is focused on opportunities for our citizens and businesses - at the college, in tourism and hospitality, and with the ports.
8. Shaw is still the YOUNG guy in the race! He has youthful energy and drive combined with wisdom of character and experience.