Pot bust deemed not enough to recall Horgan

Superior Court Judge A. Quillian Baldwin killed the effort to remove Fayette County Commissioner Robert Horgan. After all what's a little misdemeanor between friends? Judge Baldwin ruled that Horgan’s May 23 arrest for marijuana possession was not connected to his office and therefore the recall petition was insufficient. Hmmmm. This seems to wreak of the Clintonesque policy of holding our elected officials LESS responsible than their constituents.

Horgan stated he was "relieved". He also stated that this relief was over saving Fayette County citizens the cost of a recall election. Okay, lets just pretend that was true. How can Horgan best serve the people he is so deeply concerned with? Perhaps Horgan should resign. Horgan needs to recognize two things. First, he has lost the trust of those he represents. Second, he needs to realize that he has completely destroyed his political career. He is less than a lame duck at this point, he is a liability. Other council members will shun him, and certainly not go out of their way to ally with him on an meaningful legislation. His vary presence will be detrimental to any issue that he publically supports. Therefore, Horgan should resign.

There is one more issue that the judge seemed to overlook- The county commission funds the sheriff’s department. You know the same sheriffs department that runs the county's anti-drug taskforce. Certainly, Commissioner Horton must see the conflict of interest there. That is, unless he's high...

Tyrone Sunday Alcohol sales go to the voters

Voters in Tyrone will decide this fall whether or not they can enjoy a beer or glass of wine with dinner at there favorite restaurant this fall. If passed by voters, Sunday alcohol sales by the glass would be permitted between 12:30 p.m. and midnight, at restaurants in Tyrone.

Coweta taxes spike during recession.

by George Dienhart

Coweta property taxes are expected to increase by $200 to $300 or more this fall. The Coweta County School Board and the Coweta County Commission have approved millage rates for their new budgets. The schools' millage rate remained the same. So did the county's rate, except for a small dip in unincorporated areas of Coweta. The county also approved . $470k to go toward debt service for the fire bonds that were approved by voters last November. This will add $28-$50 in extra taxes for Coweta residents.

But the big change in Coweta tax bills - an increase of $200 to $300 on every homeowner will be the result of the change in the state Homeowners Tax Relief Grant.

In 1999, state lawmakers passed some credit legislation. This legislation included grants from the state to local governments to reduce of property tax bills. Recently the General Assembly tied the relief grant to growth in the economy, hence no grants for Coweta this year.
Specifically, there is now $5.7 million hole in the Coweta budget. Specifically, $3.6 million for schools, $1.6 million for the county and $500k for the county fire district.

That means that there is sure to be a tax increase. The problem is, County administrators knew this was possible all along, and did nothing to prepare for it. Part of being elected to office should be the ability to accurately forecast the municipalities budget. Coweta's county commissions have failed their constituents in this most basic part of their job.

Tyrone city council to address Sunday alcohol sales tonight

"It all depends on what the people want." said Tyrone Mayor Don Rehwaldt while addressing tonight's town Council meeting which may ask voters in November if they want Sunday alcohol sales (by the glass).

If passed by voters, Sunday alcohol sales by the glass would be permitted between 12:30 p.m. and midnight.