HOGANSVIIJ.,E HOME NEWS - MARCH 9, 2000 - PAGE 5
s the Council Running or Ruining Our City?
Litor:
that each member for
:uncil has meritorious
it!sties; however, there
ions being made and
that are not
t with the standards of
govern-
their affinity
fs debt with-
for how or
paying the bill. As a
last two city council
3f this com-
endowed with
$800,000 in debt.
almost $4000 for
citizens to pay. I won-
the council ever
where this money
They continue to
of us with the addi-
without any
other than
Lg increase our utility
taxes. It appears that
ill "run-
the developers of the
)ment. That
added a great
books to the
spreading the cost of
,Y the city and the utili-
households.
if we are consid-
ering taking on additional debt,
our first and foremost concern is
where the money is coming from
to repay. The age old standard of
capitalism requires that if you
increase cost, then sales must be
increased by a like amount, plus
profit, or the result will be disas-
trous. If the council is enlight-
ened enough to assume this debt
on our behalf, they need to
become our best and foremost
salespersons. They should make
an effort to bring new quality
developments to help pay for
these improvements and avert
the continual cannibalization of
our citizens, many of whom ar
elderly and on small fixed
incomes.
IT APPEARS that certain
members of the council are more
concerned with their ability to
control and run the city or maybe
that should be ruin the city than
they are with being concerned
about those issues which can
make us a vibrant and viable city.
A good example of thus boondog-
gling occurred in last week's
meeting when Randy Harris was
nominated and appointed to the
position on the planning commis-
sion. No one gave a moment's con-
sideration to the existing list of
::V. i " :::.. ':i :"
competent persons who had been
nominated previously. Mr. Harris
was not even on this list. However,
at this meeting, he was duly
appointed without consideration
for the best interest of the city
and those previously nominated.
Did none of the councilpersons
consider a conflict of interest in
this appointment? After all, Mrs.
Harris sits on the city council,
and now her husband makes rec-
ommendarions to that council on
issues that will direct the course
of the city's future.
WHILE ON THE TOPIC of
conflict of interest, in my last let-
ter, I raised the question, would
it have been prudent for the city
fathers to ask the city attorney
(prior to being influenced by his
advice on this issue) if he repre-
sented the landowner(Mrs.
Weaver) on any of her business
affairs? I have recently learned
the city manager was instructed
by the Mayor to pose this ques-
tion to the city attorney prior to
the vote. The city attorney, I am
Informed, replied that he did not
represent Mrs. Weaver. He made
this statement after having
advised the Mayor and Council
that if they did not grant Mrs.
Weaver the "truck stop" zoning
request, the city would be
ensnarled in an expensive legal
battle which they would not win.
We later learn that he is the
legal agent of record for a corpo-
ration which she controls (United
Investment Inc.). In addition,
Senator Lee dealt with the state
DOT on her behalf to ensure cer-
tain curb cuts on GA 54 and closed
real estate transaction. I do not
know how the rest of you feel
about such, but I consider the
Senator's alliance with Mrs
Weaver ( who was making mil-
lions with significant long term
consequences for our citizens)
while influencing the council
regarding the zoning of her prop-
erty serious business.
If he was untruthful regard-
ing his representation, I did not
understand why the council has
been without a response. In addi-
tion, a letter from Steve Salenger
to the city was revealed which
causes me additional concern. It
appears Salenger was also repre-
sented by the city attorney; how-
ever, Salenger acknowledged the
conflict of interest and request-
ed the Senator be reposed in zon-
ings of business he had with the
city, Obviously one can only
assume from the apathetic
response to these situations, the
members of the council believe
this type of conduct is acceptable.
I AM WITH great aspirations
that the city fathers will wake up
and consider the longtime com-
plications their actions, or failure
to act, have on the ultimate via-
bility of Hogansville. An oppor-
tunity to "do good" for our citi-
zens is available. Instead of bid-
ding off a three acres improved
public property on Johnson
Street, which will only prove to
be a "great giveaway", let us uti-
lize this property as a playground
for the benefit of all those living
in the Village. There are a great
many children living in this area
who are without a playground
facility. It would seem a better
use of this property would be to
encourage support fir the rede-
velopment if the property as a
recreational park facility. I
believe the volunteer support
could be mustered. The good peo-
ple of Newnan took a piece of city
property and made it a beautiful
park, and this was achieved by a
group of interested citizen volun-
teers.
A sale would only prove to be
another boondoggle. The high
cash bid offered for this proper-
ty was $33,000, yet it is complete-
ly surrounded by road front and
has all utilities. The existing pool
facility and tennis court would
cost a great deal more that
$33,0000 to construct. It is outra-
geous that one masked bid pre-
sented a plan where the city was
to receive only $2,000 cash. Their
offer included using part of the
property in their own private
development and then creating a
park on the balance of the prop-
erty. They agreed to return the
park portion to the city in
exchange fir a considerable tax
write off. I understand the coun-
cil was favorable considering the
proposal, but fortunately they-
demonstrated some degree of
competence in rejecting all bids.
I am with great anticipation as to
how this will ultimately turn out
for the public.
Respectfully,
Brian Christner
's Have the Facts, Please
published
article in his West
to which I would
n opportunity to
form in The
Home News. This is
your corn-
the article.
Hohmann:
ed by the arti-
in your
1. It was clearly
intent was not to
Impede our zoning
assassina-
did not have the
please
your facts
I realize innu-
a much bet-
Your purpose -
the facts. First,
AY
, INC.
;amry
, Auto, Very
1,995. 00
Wrangler
s9.
Wrangler
BIG Tires,
995. 00
'97 Lexus
& LS400
Choose from
Motors
Stephen Selinger and C.H,
Butcher have absolutely no busi-
ness relationship in the property
owned by Canton Partners. There
was no 72 acre tract purchased
on Lone Oak Road. The partner-
ship certainly did not pay $1.87
million for 44 acres. As clearly
shown in the records at the Troup
County courthouse, which you did
not take the time to ascertain,
$1.87 million was paid for 309
acres of land fronting on Blue
Creek Road and 1-85. The part-
nership is C.H. Butcher, Donnie
Fisher and I have a vested inter-
est. Mr. Fisher is a successful
Colorado businessman who
recently sold his cable company
to ATT for several hundred mil-
lion dollars.. Mr. Fisher has known
and done business with Mr.
Butcher for several decades.
If you would read a "real
newspaper", you would have dis-
covered Mr. Butcher made his
last installment of 350,000, com-
pletely satisfying his debt to the
government. Your allegation that
he is $80 million in debt is indica-
tive of your opportunity to ignore
the facts whenever the facts do
not serve your purpose. His wife,
Sheryl Moreland Butcher, is
wealthy in her own right, having
been very successful in her busi-
ness career, and is a very devot-
ed wife and business partner to
Mr. Butcher. I was introduced to
Mr. Butcher by an officer at
Regions Bank. Regions was doing
a good deal of business with Mr.
and Mrs. Butcher and is very
happy with the relationship.
And yes, I am pleased to say
that I introduced Mr. and Mrs.
Butcher, among others, to
Hogansville. As a result of this
introduction, we are now partners
in a residential subdivision in
Hogansville which I believe will
set a new standard of quality
developments within the West
Georgia area. All utilities are
being placed underground. I have
met with cable and internee serv-
ice providers endeavoring to
make this community one of the
first of its kind., all homes being
wired with DSL category S cable
for high speed transmissions of
various communication and
entertainment devices.
A swim and tennis club facil-
ity will be constructed in,Phase
II of The Villages of Hunteliff.
You have seen our entrance mon-
ument and must agree that it is a
tasteful enhancement to the proj-
ect and the area. By the way, your
comment to Mr. Bill Johnson, the
i
brick mason who is building the
monument, is indicative of the
depth of your shallowness. I
believe that you insinuated that
he may have trouble being paid
for his work while on my job. He
was quick to inform you that he
had worked for me over seven
years and had never failed to
receive his paycheck on Friday.
He indicated that you were an
arrogant trouble maker who
achieved great satisfaction in
malicious commentary. In that
assessment, I would certainly
agree.
As to your comments regard-
ing myself, I sent my license back
to the commission before January
first when I was due to have com-
pleted 30 hours of continued edu-
cation, together with other
responsibilities which impeded
my interest in several develop-
ments in which I am a principal.
The compliant which you refer
was initiated by Stephen Wilson.
I designed and built the buildings
at Hummingbird Station for Mr.
Wilson, however I was never paid
for my efforts. It is public record
that they borrowed $3,200,000.00
on this project, which I delivered
to them for $1,800,000.00. I
acknowledged the actual cost to
the bank, and he, thereafter, filed
a frivolous compliant with the
real estate commission against
me. I often wonder on what infor-
marion and documentation did the
bank justify such overborrowing.
Though I was not compensated
for my year long commitment to
this development, I am proud of
this project, as the buildings are
attractive and contribute to the
aesthetic standards in
Hogansville.
I suspect that your motivation
to write such an article may have
come from your desire to satisfy
your landlord who was recently
sued by Mr. Selinger, and has
recently stated that he was not in
favor of the billboards, though
the city approved five for him
without even a peep from you.
You serve him well, but then
again, he could stop paying your
rent for you. There is no doubt
that you and I have an immense
disliking for one another, and this
was certainly a convenient oppor-
tunity to throw a barb at me. You
stated in your article that I "was
not available for comment." It is
difficult to be available when you
never called me or attempted to
get at all the facts. But then, the
facts did not serve your purpose.
It is my opinion that your rag con-
Community Action For Improeement, Inc.
is seeking to fill positions in COWETA, MERIwETHER, a,id IIARRIS coumies for FAMILY
sERVICE WORKERS and CENTER MANAGER. The Family Srvice worker will be u,uter the
immediate supervision of the Center Manager who reports directly to the Family and Community
partnersh Mmmger.
The FAMILY SERVICE WORKER will be responzible far working with the Health Specialist mul
Parent Involvement Specialist in securing services for the children amt their families. This positio, is
scheduled to work 12 months a year. An Associe degree in Social Work or other related field with 3
years ejerience is required. A Bachelor degree in SoeiM Work with 2 yc's please management is
desired.
The cENTER MANAGER will be responsible for nmnaging the daily operation of the Head Start
Center. This position is scheduled to work 12 months a yecw. A CDA certifinate with 3 years experi.
ence in a pre-school environment ap d 2 years supervisory experionce or ot Associate degree in Early
Childhood Education or Business reinted field wish2 years eperience in a preschool environment is
desired. Must be willing to obtain amt maintain a CDL within six months, valid first aide/CPR cer-
tifwe (adult, infant, child).
Candidates must possess strong verba organizional and interpersonal skills. Must be willing to
travel overnight, work late nights and some weekends. Must maintain a valid driver's license, have
own tramportation with current bsurance and be ab to obtain a amual physwa mid tuberculin
test. Must successfully pass a drug screen, crimin records and reference check. Be able to lift up to
50 bs., i.e., children, supplies, equmeng ac. Salary comntensnrale with experience and education.
llf ou would lilw to opply for this position, please send resume to Communily Action For
Y_°.ovement Inc. P.O. Box 13, LaGran&e, GA30241, At,n: Human Resources Director. or fill out
an application a the Hd Stavt Center m yonr conmumty.
tinues to attempt to bring out the
worst on our community. Very
seldom have I heard about a pos-
itive article headlined in your
paper, of course, I admit that I do
not read the Beacon nor the
National Enquirer. You find great-
est satisfaction in this type of
destructive sensationalism with-
out regard for the injury you
inflict. There is a lot of great
things happening in Hogansville,
why do you ignore those positive
events; probably because respon-
sible reporting does not feed your
monumental ego, as having the
power to inflict damage does.
Have you considered that it is
because of your type of journal-
ism (ff one can call it journalism)
that you have been struggling and
unsuccessful in being able to sell
your newspaper. However, in this
endeavor, I wish you the best of
luck in finding a purchaser.
Mr. Hohmann, you continue
to hold yourself out as a person
of strong Christian values. Ten
years ago, I had a bookkeeper,
Amelia Santos, who kept a Bible
on her desk, and like you contin-
uously reminded all that she was
a Christian. We later learned that
over a three year period of time,
she had embezzled over
$478,000.00 from my company
and was convicted in Cobb
Superior Court in 1992. People
like yourself and Mrs. Santos do
a great disservice to those who
practice their religion.
It is clear that your article had
but one purpose and that was to
portray me as some sinister per-
son who was being ill to
Hogansville. During the time that
myself and my family have
resided here, I have taken great
pride in the restoration projects
that I have completed and the new
developments for which I have
been responsible. I am truly sad-
dened that you would make so lit-
tle of the accomplishments for
which I labored so diligently.
Announcement
Dr. Lucian Cousins
has relocated his
medical practice to
303 Medical Park,
Suite 403,
LaGrange, GA
(706) 884-1175
Cardiovascular Diseases,
Cardiovascular
Diagnostic Laboratory
and
Internal Medicine
A.Lucian Cousins, M.D.,LLC
HAVE YOU BEEN DENIED
AUTO LOANS DUE TO
YOUR PAST CREDIT
HISTORY???
Use your W2 or last pay stub of
1999 as your down payment.
CALL TODAY for a quick
over the phone qualification.
706-882-1259
1-888-724-2277 TOLL FREE
Sincerely,
John Arnold
Est. 1967
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