Little seems to have changed regarding leadership in my hometown of Augusta. At least Marion Williams, in trying to run for state Senate, got tossed out like a hot potato.
As far as the Augusta commissioners go, they need to walk in our shoes, and see what honest taxpayers have to go through. And they should pay for their own gas and cell phones.
This goes for anyone in an elected office. Then they will feel the pain we go through daily.
Don't get me wrong. I couldn't care less if he were black or white. What I like about Mayor Deke Copenhaver is his way of trying to pull the CSRA back together. Typically, a politician will lie to you just to get your vote, then slam the door in your face no matter who you are. I'm sorry I feel this way, but it's true. I've seen it happen over and over again.
The taxpayers are extremely tired of all the corruption that the legal system forces down our throats every time. And why does everything have to be built downtown? The only way the corruption will stop in area offices is to hold elected officials accountable for what they do and say, and don't do after they make promises they don't fulfill.
As far as that sleazy X-Mart, I hope it never opens. We are short of Chick-fil-A's in Augusta, and X-Mart's location would be an ideal spot.
Tina Cloer
Augusta
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What are you a spokesperson for Chick-Fil-A? I may not like the idea of an X-Mart however I believe that grown people should have the right to choose whether or not they will enter this place. The market will let all of us know if their is a desire for this type of place. Not someone that wish to force their particular brand of selective morality on others.
Even if XMart did not open, Chicfila is not gonna use that spot. Augusta fighting XMart without any grounds to stand on is Augusta politics as usual.
Chic-fil-a ??? LOL................................
Let them build XMart out by the airport (other side of course so incoming visitors wont see it.
First of all jack, I bet most visitors more than likely use 520 to get downtown now. Most people in cities that are not their own tend to stick to expressways and interstates. Secondly, most would not care if they see Xmart. Why? Because for the billionth time most other cities have such stores. If anything but not having one and fighting it we are the ones that look out of place. When visitors read about our politicians fighting it it gives us a blackeye. We look like some 1800s quackers.
Does the Chronicle have any standards at all for publishing Letters to the Editor.. This letter is just an incoherent rambling of random thoughts and vague generalities about politicians. Hey Tina.. if you think we need more Chick Fil A's around here.. how about becoming a franchisee?
I think that taxpayers should pay the commissioners phone and fuel expenses. It's not like they get paid a fair salary. I really think the people have spoken and they don't want X-Mart. There has not been a meeting for X-Mart's licensing that the public have raised concerns and acknowledged they do not want X-Mart. The people that feel X-Mart is a great idea should ask their commissioners to move the location somewhere suitable near them and not force this upon the residents that do not desire it.
cparker: If "There has not been a meeting for X-Mart's licensing that the public have raised concerns and acknowledged they do not want X-Mart" then there is no reason for denying X-Mart a business license. That is what the law suit is about, and that is how the A-RC taxpayer's money is being wasted.
cparker: I agree "that taxpayers should pay the commissioners phone and fuel expenses." However, the commissioners should only be reimbursed for phone and fuel expenses RELATED TO DOING COMMISSION BUSINESS. Why should the taxpayer have to pay for their private use? Make the commissioners accountable by having them file expense reports for these items.
Judging by the commissioners' job performance due they really deserve better salary? Again, the XMart opened legally, and the city tried shutting it down illegally. The city is setting an example of breaking the rules when convenient.
What "residents" live around the location of the proposed X-mart who are opposed to it? It's in an industrial area.... no subdivisions.. no schools.. no churches anywhere nearby. It meets the zoning standards and should be given a business license. The law doesn't get bent or ignored just because a few loud religous zealots are opposed to something.
I am sure the city finance department is including this gas allowance or "PERK" on each commissioners income tax statement IAW the federal tax laws. Or are they? Whether they like it or not the gas is considered income and is taxable. If the commissioners aren't paying their taxes on this income, then they are in violation of the law and taht is not a good defense. This allowance is not a "PERK" rather it is called a "FRINGE BENEFIT" in IRS Pub 525 and it spells out pretty plainly that these benefits are taxable. If the city finance department isn't reporting the income then they should be fired for inefficiency.....