Published: August 08, 2006 10:35 am         

Letter to the Editor

To the Editor:

It was one year ago that the people of Grady County overwhelmingly expressed their wishes that our County Commissioners refuse participation in the Nation Flood Plain Improvement Plan. Yet, here they go again. The current board of the commissioners has decided they know what is best for the constituency.

We voted against a new jail at least twice and the commissioners built it anyway. This same group recently “robbed” money from the housing Authority.

I say “robbed” because the Housing Authority Board thought it was unethical to declare money as “surplus” that was intended to help elderly and low-income people obtain homes.

The Housing Authority Board resigned because they did not want any part in relinquishing these funds just so the commissioners could make another payment on the “White Elephant” jail they built and as usual the commissioner did it anyway.

They then appointed the pastor of the district 3 commissioner’s church, along with a former County Commissioner to the Housing Authority Board.

Thus, they had a quorum and within 48 hours, they had their money.

They have continued to display total disregard for ethics or the will of the people. Instead, they have pursued their own agenda.

On August 4, there will be a public forum for the Grady County citizens to voice their opinions to the Flood Plain Board. I am a member of the Board and plead with all interested citizens to make sure to attend this meeting.

Nothing has changed, FEMA will not exempt agricultural property from their intrusive grasp. We need to show up in great numbers and let our commissioners know that we will not submit control of any private land to a bureaucratic authority.

The commissioners have stalled this issue for over a year.

We need to know where they stand on this before we go to the polls to vote. Notice: the meeting is scheduled ten days after the primary election for County Commissioners. Call your commissioner and ask him what he is afraid of! Remember, they are paid to serve the people.

How long are we as Grady County tax payers going to tolerate their rogue leadership?

Our only means of keeping our officials in check is at the voting booth. Let’s send this bunch packing and show them we are still a government by the people, for the people, and of the people.

Live free,

Rick Hodges