Letter to the editor: Five-man commission not the answer for Walker County
Oct 30, 2012 | 3316 views | 9 9 comments | 13 13 recommendations | email to a friend | print
Dear editor:

Every time I see an article in the Walker County Messenger about the citizens of Walker County wanting a five-man board ( of commissioners), I think to myself, “Do you really know what you’re asking for?”

Years ago, when Center Post School burned, the five men on the Walker County Board of Education voted against rebuilding it. The people banned together to talk and plead with each member. At the meeting, we had two board members who sympathized with us and voted for it to be rebuilt and three were against it. If there had only been one board member, it would have been a lot easier. In the end, it was rebuilt because the insurance stated that it had to be rebuilt in order for the insurance money to be paid.

My point is, the same will happen with a five-man board for Walker County Commissioner. If your member lives in your area, he/she will care about what happens in your community. If they don’t, then they won’t. It’s that plain and simple. It always “looks” good for the one in your community to be on your side.

Several years ago, a Realtor bought the property below us. He petitioned the planning commission and was approved to build (the best I remember) 100 duplexes and 60 single apartments with ingress and egress either on South Long Hollow Road or East Broomtown Road, which is a dead end. If you want to verify this, you may check with the Walker County Planning Commission. That makes 260 dwellings with at least 260 vehicles to over 500 vehicles on one of these roads. Can you imagine trying to get in or out of your own driveway?

The community met with Bebe Heiskell and voiced our concerns to her. Thankfully, she denied the Realtor’s request. Think about how it would have gone if we had to have dealt with five board members?

I ask you to please think about this and vote for Bebe Heiskell in November.

Cathie Cox, Walker County

Comments
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innwga
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October 31, 2012
Then let the people of Walker County make that decision, not just one person. Remember this ....

WE THE PEOPLE of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.
IrishRed
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October 31, 2012
I doesn't have to be a five "man" board, it could be a five "woman" board or a mixed board or even a three person board. The point is if you want to make a change have a referendum. Don't elect an inexperienced person and hope for the best.
Orwell
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October 31, 2012
It is also amazing how that many Walker County residents have forgotten that the county had a five man board until 1941. This five man board system bankrupted Walker County. The citizens of Walker County petitioned the grand jury to call for a sole commissioner form of government to guide the county out of bankruptcy.

Do the citizens really want to Take Back Walker County to the nightmare of the past where corruption and the lining of the pockets of those on this "wonderful" five man board was the accepted norm?

Wake up Walker County! Those who ignore the past are destined to repeat it.
lafayettemoon
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October 31, 2012
Of course they forgot it ... because they are all dead. The climate, times and circumstances 71 years ago is a moot point today. But of course anyone who references "five-man" instead of "five-person" might just be stuck in 1941.
Godeddy
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November 06, 2012
It would be easier to corrupt 1 person than 5.

kaceybay
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October 30, 2012
Cathie is correct.



The five man board may sound good on paper, but when its on the ground, it will be a whole different story.

Think long and hard before you cast that final vote.
lafayettemoon
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October 31, 2012
Again, you're not voting for a five-person board. If you vote Ales, you're voting for a chance to vote for a five person board. It'll be up to Walker County whether they want to move from the sole commissioner system. Under Bebe's reign, you would not get that choice.
Frankenchrist
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October 30, 2012
Hey, didn't we have a fight a long time ago to get rid of the "one person in charge, their word is law" system of government? Something about an uncaring King or Queen or something? Someone help me out with this.
mountainmikey
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October 30, 2012
Indeed we did Frankenchrist....our Founders did not want “efficiency” any more than thinking Americans would want "efficient" rulers such as Genghis Khan or Chairman Mao.

Fine. Be “efficient.” Let us get rid of state representatives and senators, maybe have a "sole Governor". Get rid of local tax commissioners, sheriffs, judges, let us have an All Knowing ruler from Atlanta in all things governance.

The American experiment relied on accountability and a balance of power to enact edicts, enforce the law, raise taxes, and spend money. No longer would we be bound by unreachable counselors, attendants, and friends of the emperor/empress.

Many see Walker County bound by the English way.

Look to Mt. Cove Farms, Noble, the loss of Bluebird manufacturing for only a few examples of issues that a commission could/probably WOULD have handled with far better results.

There are only 9 sole commissionerships left in America, all in Georgia…named after the late King George.

It is time to trim the number to eight.

Exercise you American heriitage and right to "Write" in your Vote for

A-L-E-S C-A-M-P-B-E-L-L.

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