St Marys Millage rate and tax protests

1.  EMAIL from Chuck Trader To Camden Watchdog:

From: Chuck Trader [mailto:chuck.trader@ci.st-marys.ga.us]
Sent: Monday, October 12, 2009 10:22 PM
To: 'Camden Watchdog'
Cc: 'Bill Shanahan'
Subject: RE: Camden Watchdog – Tea Party Patriots protests

Dear Jason:

I am responding to your e-mail that was sent from webmaster@camdenwatchdog.com. Can I assume this e-mail went to all of your members as well as all citizens that are on your mailing list? If so, I would like to see you provide them the additional factual information provided below.

The City of St. Marys is not proposing a hike in the millage rate. Last year’s millage rate was 5.6 and this years proposed rate is 5.351 and does not reflect any increase in property tax revenue resulting from the increased digest.  We are providing the citizens of St. Marys 100% of the rollback rate.

We understand the difficulties many face during these tough economic times.  Our work is not completed but I believe the city council’s actions tonight reflect the proactive approach we took to cut the general budget costs by over $2,000,000 annually during the past 12 months.

I trust you will make the appropriate adjustment in your recent and future correspondence that the millage rate increases are not “across Camden County”.  You might also note that the City of St. Marys has one of the lowest millage rates for a city it’s size throughout the State of Georgia.

Thanks for your efforts to convey not only the negative but also the positive accomplishments of your local governments.

Chuck
City Councilman
Post 3

City of St. Marys
418 Osborne Road
St. Marys, GA 31558
City:(912) 510-4041
Cell: (904) 238-0012
Chuck.trader@tds.net

2.    EMAIL from Chuck Trader to Winston Barlow

On Wed, Oct 14, 2009 at 10:32 PM, Chuck Trader <chuck.trader@ci.st-marys.ga.us> wrote:

Winston:

Please find my e-mail responding the Jason’s mass e-mail sent via camdenwatchdog.com.  I have yet to get a response and have just read the same e-mail in the letter to the editor in today’s Tribune and Georgian.  To say the least, I am disappointed.

Since you are the president of the organization, I respectfully request your support in ensuring that the information sent out by people representing your organization characterize true and factual information.  I would like to see action taken to not only respond to me but also to all of those citizens that have been misled by the information.   I believe you would expect the same from me or the organizations that I lead.

I appreciate your consideration in this matter.

Respectfully,

Chuck

City Councilman
Post 3

3. EMAIL (response) from Winston Barlow to Chuck Trader:

9:22 am October 15, 2009

Chuck,

No where in the letter did I see the city of St. Marys mentioned. The fact is the protest are scheduled at the County and the school board. If I missed something or we're looking at different letters please correct me.

The facts are that people are already upset because of unfair assessments: therefore to bring up any increase above the rollbacks is going to further upset people. The facts are that such increases were discussed in the paper and people want answers. I've always heard that the hit dog howls. If St. Marys was not mentioned but I'm hearing howling, should we be concerned?

If the St. Marys decision is not to participate with the millage increase, this is public knowledge and we will certainly pass on our praise and accolades but that is not our focus at this time. Right now we must keep our eye on the ball and the ball is the areas that want to unfairly increase our assessments and millage.

My advise would be if the shoe don't fit don't wear it and we will give your accolades when we have more time. Right now we will stay focused on the priorities.

Respectfully.

Winston Barlow