I’m wondering if we will see many smiles this Christmas season. We have a bad economy. Many believe the country is going in the wrong political direction, and we have less—for the first time in our remembrance—than our parents had.
Having been a gloomy Gus, let’s turn our attention to why we should be smiling. Maybe it’s because we have more time with our families right now. Perhaps it’s because we are sure that our family get-together will be well attended this year. Or perhaps it’s just because of the season. Thinking about the aromas of the kitchen during Christmas, brings a smile to my face and yours too. What could be better than two holidays, Thanksgiving and Christmas, within just a month of each other? Maybe you will be celebrating Chanukah.
Maybe we should have the anticipation of little children looking for a visit that brings them a gift.
I’ve often thought about the Biblical story of the birth of Christ. Most of us have heard the story since childhood, but it still affects me and I bet you. I think about the shepherds looking after their sheep up in the hills near Bethlehem. Think about that dark night—no electric street lights in Bethlehem. Maybe there was a gentle glow off in the distance. Remember there were many people in Bethlehem on that night because of the Roman census procedure.
Shepherds settled down with their flocks were startled and scared when an angelic messenger appeared to announce God’s gift to people. Can you imagine the brilliance of that moment? Light like no living man had ever seen. Scared them out of their wits. God’s announcement came to men who were not well thought of by the people of Bethlehem because of their job. Why them and why an angelic announcement? I leave that thought to your understanding.
Some of us will be celebrating Christmas and some Chanukah. Chanukah is referred to as the Festival of Lights—it commemorates a miracle of light for the Jewish people. Our Christian holiday celebrates the birth of Jesus—that same occasion announced to the shepherds by the angel and the angelic choir over 2000 years ago.
Our celebrations are religious in nature, but our good feelings ought not to stop at the church or synagogue door. Our smiles and our good feelings about each other should spread throughout the year so that we share the same feelings of warmth, compassion and charity all year long.
Whether you celebrate Christmas or Chanukah, or don’t celebrate the season at all, let me leave you with this thought: God uses your hands, feet and voice. A demonstration of charity and love is far better than a definition of them.
I’m smiling and I hope you are too because I can’t think of a better place to be for Christmas than Dacula, Georgia.
Merry Christmas, Happy Chanukah and Happy New Year!
Monday, November 30, 2009
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Health Care Debate
As the health care debate continues to heat up in Congress, we are beginning to hear the liberal drumbeat for health care rationing crescendo with calls for women to delay diagnostic mammograms until their 50s. Television’s 60 Minutes recently ran a piece on the high cost of dying.
Both of these issues are political nightmares. If a mom delays a mammogram and contracts breast cancer, who will be to blame? Who will comfort the family and the patient? Who will answer the question, “Did I do the right thing?”
The issue of end-time patient care is equally explosive. It is easy to talk in the abstract as Dr.s Byock and Fisher did on the 60 Minute’s show. It’s easy to talk about the money it costs to keep a patient in intensive care. It is an entirely different thing when you are dealing with a parent’s approaching death. I’ve recently experienced that. My mother decided, while she still was able to make informed decisions, to not accept any extraordinary measures to extend her life. She faced the fact that such measures might extend her physical life but not increase or give her any quality of life. When the time came for me to make that decision, it was terribly painful—but easier—because I knew I was doing what my mom wanted and had documented in her living will.
Why then would politicians box themselves into a situation where they can only face blame? Is it control? Is it a desire to save the public’s money? There is probably a little of all of that. Most liberal politicians see health care as a way of leaving a legacy with the country after they have been voted out of office. I’m afraid that the legacy they will leave will be similar to the telephone debacle that government got us into. We had the best telephone system in the world, but government couldn’t leave it alone. They broke it up, gave us inferior service, cost us billions of dollars, and now its coalescing back to what it was years ago. Take Medicare as an example. No checks and balances. Paying for new arms and legs for people who haven’t even been to the doctors. If that’s the way the government will run a new health care program in this country, I say we can’t afford it. Leave it alone!
What decisions are right about health care? I believe it should be between the patient and his doctor. The government has no place at the health care table. If the government does succeed in getting control of the health care system in this country, get ready for declining health in the US.
The Bible says that there is a time to be born and a time to die. I believe there is also a time to do something and a time not to do something. Let’s leave health care to the health care professionals and keep the insurance and government buffoons out of it.
Both of these issues are political nightmares. If a mom delays a mammogram and contracts breast cancer, who will be to blame? Who will comfort the family and the patient? Who will answer the question, “Did I do the right thing?”
The issue of end-time patient care is equally explosive. It is easy to talk in the abstract as Dr.s Byock and Fisher did on the 60 Minute’s show. It’s easy to talk about the money it costs to keep a patient in intensive care. It is an entirely different thing when you are dealing with a parent’s approaching death. I’ve recently experienced that. My mother decided, while she still was able to make informed decisions, to not accept any extraordinary measures to extend her life. She faced the fact that such measures might extend her physical life but not increase or give her any quality of life. When the time came for me to make that decision, it was terribly painful—but easier—because I knew I was doing what my mom wanted and had documented in her living will.
Why then would politicians box themselves into a situation where they can only face blame? Is it control? Is it a desire to save the public’s money? There is probably a little of all of that. Most liberal politicians see health care as a way of leaving a legacy with the country after they have been voted out of office. I’m afraid that the legacy they will leave will be similar to the telephone debacle that government got us into. We had the best telephone system in the world, but government couldn’t leave it alone. They broke it up, gave us inferior service, cost us billions of dollars, and now its coalescing back to what it was years ago. Take Medicare as an example. No checks and balances. Paying for new arms and legs for people who haven’t even been to the doctors. If that’s the way the government will run a new health care program in this country, I say we can’t afford it. Leave it alone!
What decisions are right about health care? I believe it should be between the patient and his doctor. The government has no place at the health care table. If the government does succeed in getting control of the health care system in this country, get ready for declining health in the US.
The Bible says that there is a time to be born and a time to die. I believe there is also a time to do something and a time not to do something. Let’s leave health care to the health care professionals and keep the insurance and government buffoons out of it.
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Thanks
Dacula Voters--thanks for your vote yesterday. I look forward to continue making Dacula the "best." I am humbled by your support and pledge to work for your interests.
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Exercise your Voting Right
Today is the day you decide who will lead Dacula for the next, critically-important four years. Let's exercise our right to vote. The polls are open at City Hall from 7AM to 7PM.
Monday, November 2, 2009
The Choice is Yours
This Tuesday, November 3rd, you have the opportunity to choose who will lead Dacula for the next four years.
You may choose to re-elect Jimmy Wilbanks, the candidate who has served as your mayor for the last 8 years. During this time I have consistently provided the leadership to keep our city tax rates low. I've helped save the Dacula Library Branch as a full-service library. I have expended the political capital to keep the library and fought for equitable county tax rates, and I'll be the one to face the political heat for those actions. I have encouraged private property rights. I started the Dacula Business Association, and I've made your City a more convenient, safe and family-friendly place to live by reconstructing some of our streets, improving our city park, and extending sidewalks and street lighting. You can look at my voting record.
Or, you may choose an inexperienced candidate who has no voting record.
When you elected me, I promised to do my best to make Dacula a better and more convenient City. I believe I have done that.
With your help, we can make Dacula the "best" for you and your family. The choice is yours. I am asking for your vote and support tomorrow at the Dacula City Hall.
Jimmy Wilbanks, Mayor of Dacula
You may choose to re-elect Jimmy Wilbanks, the candidate who has served as your mayor for the last 8 years. During this time I have consistently provided the leadership to keep our city tax rates low. I've helped save the Dacula Library Branch as a full-service library. I have expended the political capital to keep the library and fought for equitable county tax rates, and I'll be the one to face the political heat for those actions. I have encouraged private property rights. I started the Dacula Business Association, and I've made your City a more convenient, safe and family-friendly place to live by reconstructing some of our streets, improving our city park, and extending sidewalks and street lighting. You can look at my voting record.
Or, you may choose an inexperienced candidate who has no voting record.
When you elected me, I promised to do my best to make Dacula a better and more convenient City. I believe I have done that.
With your help, we can make Dacula the "best" for you and your family. The choice is yours. I am asking for your vote and support tomorrow at the Dacula City Hall.
Jimmy Wilbanks, Mayor of Dacula
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Leadership
The Mayor's job is to lead. It is your job to determine who Dacula's leader will be for the next four critical years. In order to lead, my job is to ask you to vote for me.
I have led Dacula for the past 8 years, and I have proven that I have the ability, the vision, the passion and the time to be Mayor. My opponent has not.
Leadership has been defined as a process by which one person enlists the help of others in accomplishing tasks. My opponent sees the task of Mayor as leading the City Council and finding harmonious relationships. It is much more than that. The Mayor has to be a leader in all aspects of the community. To be successful, the Mayor has to reach out to seek the help of City employees, churches and other religious organizations, civic organizations, businesses, non-profits and others. He must seek the help and advice of the county, school board, state representatives and even our national elected officials. I have done this and we as a community are the better off for it.
I have mentored students, business, civic organizations. I have served as a member of your volunteer fire department back when we didn't have any county fire services. I served as the President of the Gwinnett Municipal Association. I served on your Planning and Zoning Board. I served as your Mayor when one of the only paved streets in Dacula was U.S. 29 (Winder Highway). I brought you the Dacula Business Association. I've run a small business in Dacula and know you can't spend out more than you bring in. I have worked with and served state and national officials. I have served all Georgia in emergency management--in the trenches--helping you and Georgians recover from disaster. I started the Dacula Business Association as an outreach to people who are willing to invest in our community to make it a better and more convenient place. I brought you the Dacula Centennial Commission and helped facilitate our historic "Down Yonder in Dacula" DVD and History of Dacula. I serve you through my church. I coordinated with several service clubs such as Kiwanis and the Lions Clubs to bring those organizations to the Dacula area. My door is always open to members of the community.
The best measure of success for a leader is the success of the organization he leads. I leave that judgment to you. Our City is a safer, more convenient, family-friendly small town that really works because of the effort I and others have made for Dacula over the last 8 years. It is a great place to raise a family, and I want to continue to lead it into a place where there will be more work places, affordable places to live, and places to play and enjoy.
Being Mayor of Dacula is a "part-time" job that I spend an average 30-40 hours per week performing. It is a job that requires late night and early morning meetings and sometimes long discussions over what might at first appear to be trivial matters--but which are really important to the success we are achieving here in Dacula. It is not a job for the faint of heart nor of simply presiding over 12 Council Meeting per year--though that is a part of it. You need a person as Mayor who has demonstrated experience and success in leading an $347,000,000 dollar business. That's what Dacula is. That's how much your assets are valued at for tax purposes. When I helped Southwest Georgia recover from a $3 billion disaster, I saved Georgians $450,000,000 by asking for and providing information to reduce the portion of disaster funds provided by Georgia citizens from 25% to 10%. So I know how to deal with big dollar items. You need a Mayor who is a fiscal conservative to manage your assets and to protect those assets.
I have a passion for Dacula. It's my home. I am native born, and I pledge to continue to do my best as your Mayor. Dare I say I love my home town.
Please vote for and support Jimmy Wilbanks as Mayor. The election is at the Dacula City Hall during the rest of this week and on Election Day, November 3, 2009.
I have led Dacula for the past 8 years, and I have proven that I have the ability, the vision, the passion and the time to be Mayor. My opponent has not.
Leadership has been defined as a process by which one person enlists the help of others in accomplishing tasks. My opponent sees the task of Mayor as leading the City Council and finding harmonious relationships. It is much more than that. The Mayor has to be a leader in all aspects of the community. To be successful, the Mayor has to reach out to seek the help of City employees, churches and other religious organizations, civic organizations, businesses, non-profits and others. He must seek the help and advice of the county, school board, state representatives and even our national elected officials. I have done this and we as a community are the better off for it.
I have mentored students, business, civic organizations. I have served as a member of your volunteer fire department back when we didn't have any county fire services. I served as the President of the Gwinnett Municipal Association. I served on your Planning and Zoning Board. I served as your Mayor when one of the only paved streets in Dacula was U.S. 29 (Winder Highway). I brought you the Dacula Business Association. I've run a small business in Dacula and know you can't spend out more than you bring in. I have worked with and served state and national officials. I have served all Georgia in emergency management--in the trenches--helping you and Georgians recover from disaster. I started the Dacula Business Association as an outreach to people who are willing to invest in our community to make it a better and more convenient place. I brought you the Dacula Centennial Commission and helped facilitate our historic "Down Yonder in Dacula" DVD and History of Dacula. I serve you through my church. I coordinated with several service clubs such as Kiwanis and the Lions Clubs to bring those organizations to the Dacula area. My door is always open to members of the community.
The best measure of success for a leader is the success of the organization he leads. I leave that judgment to you. Our City is a safer, more convenient, family-friendly small town that really works because of the effort I and others have made for Dacula over the last 8 years. It is a great place to raise a family, and I want to continue to lead it into a place where there will be more work places, affordable places to live, and places to play and enjoy.
Being Mayor of Dacula is a "part-time" job that I spend an average 30-40 hours per week performing. It is a job that requires late night and early morning meetings and sometimes long discussions over what might at first appear to be trivial matters--but which are really important to the success we are achieving here in Dacula. It is not a job for the faint of heart nor of simply presiding over 12 Council Meeting per year--though that is a part of it. You need a person as Mayor who has demonstrated experience and success in leading an $347,000,000 dollar business. That's what Dacula is. That's how much your assets are valued at for tax purposes. When I helped Southwest Georgia recover from a $3 billion disaster, I saved Georgians $450,000,000 by asking for and providing information to reduce the portion of disaster funds provided by Georgia citizens from 25% to 10%. So I know how to deal with big dollar items. You need a Mayor who is a fiscal conservative to manage your assets and to protect those assets.
I have a passion for Dacula. It's my home. I am native born, and I pledge to continue to do my best as your Mayor. Dare I say I love my home town.
Please vote for and support Jimmy Wilbanks as Mayor. The election is at the Dacula City Hall during the rest of this week and on Election Day, November 3, 2009.
Monday, October 26, 2009
Election Thoughts
Early voting starts this week. Please vote for and support Jimmy Wilbanks for Mayor at the Dacula City Hall this week and on Election Day, November 3, 2009.
Mend Fences, at What Cost?
My opponent has suggested that the City needs to mend fences with groups that don't want or have a reason to enter into a harmonious relationship with the City. Every month Gwinnett County can keep from reaching a new Service Delivery Strategy Agreement is free money--your money--in the pocket of the County. Right now, if you agree with my opponent's advice, the County will continue to take $85,000 per year from your pockets without providing any services. Now with the proposed tax millage rate proposal it will take an additional 21 % more (about $102,000 per year from you). This is not the City's doing. All the cities of Gwinnett County are in a similar position, and cities have proposed seven different methods to rectify this situation. The County has not considered even one of these proposals, but the County has filed suit against each City to try to force a continuation of this unfair practice on you and me.
I think it only fair to tell you that the City and County agree on most items, but I believe we must have a fair SDS Agreement. We also need to agree on a comprehensive land-use plan that respects Dacula's concerns about property rights and economic viability of unincorporated District 3 infrastructure that effects each and every resident in Dacula and District 3.
I say, Don't Pay for what We Don't Get.
Beautify the Town.
My opponent wants to beautify downtown. Well it's easy to say such a thing when the City already has a grant approved to do just that. True it has been delayed by the budget crunch at the state level, but final approval to go out to bids is expected in about two months. The $300,000+ grant is designed to repair sidewalks along Winder Highway, to improve the pedestrian crossing at Broad/McMillan/CSX railroad, and to provide beautification downtown.
I say, It's easy to promise something you know is going to happen soon. We worked hard to get this grant and we plan to use it for the beginning of the beautification of the historic downtown area.
Business Association.
My opponent want to start a Dacula Business Association. We currently have a Dacula Business Association which I started in 2003 to more fully involve people who have chosen to invest in the City and surrounding areas. The DBA is open to every business person (home-based, commercial or web-based) located in the Dacula area.
I appreciate people who choose to invest in our City. Involving business people in concerns which effect all of us is of greatl benefit to the City. As my opponent knows, the DBA was very effective in helping keep our library branch open. Their red "Save Dacula Library" shirts were very evident at meetings and rallies. I appreciate what the DBA continues to do for the City of Dacula.
I say, Join the Dacula Business Association. It meets at City Hall every 3rd Tuesday of the month.
I am asking for your vote during this early voting time and on election day, November 3, 2009. Even my opponent recently noted, "I think he has done a good job up until now..." I'm asking you to let me keep up the good work. Elect Jimmy Wilbanks Mayor November 3, 2009 at Dacula City Hall.
Mend Fences, at What Cost?
My opponent has suggested that the City needs to mend fences with groups that don't want or have a reason to enter into a harmonious relationship with the City. Every month Gwinnett County can keep from reaching a new Service Delivery Strategy Agreement is free money--your money--in the pocket of the County. Right now, if you agree with my opponent's advice, the County will continue to take $85,000 per year from your pockets without providing any services. Now with the proposed tax millage rate proposal it will take an additional 21 % more (about $102,000 per year from you). This is not the City's doing. All the cities of Gwinnett County are in a similar position, and cities have proposed seven different methods to rectify this situation. The County has not considered even one of these proposals, but the County has filed suit against each City to try to force a continuation of this unfair practice on you and me.
I think it only fair to tell you that the City and County agree on most items, but I believe we must have a fair SDS Agreement. We also need to agree on a comprehensive land-use plan that respects Dacula's concerns about property rights and economic viability of unincorporated District 3 infrastructure that effects each and every resident in Dacula and District 3.
I say, Don't Pay for what We Don't Get.
Beautify the Town.
My opponent wants to beautify downtown. Well it's easy to say such a thing when the City already has a grant approved to do just that. True it has been delayed by the budget crunch at the state level, but final approval to go out to bids is expected in about two months. The $300,000+ grant is designed to repair sidewalks along Winder Highway, to improve the pedestrian crossing at Broad/McMillan/CSX railroad, and to provide beautification downtown.
I say, It's easy to promise something you know is going to happen soon. We worked hard to get this grant and we plan to use it for the beginning of the beautification of the historic downtown area.
Business Association.
My opponent want to start a Dacula Business Association. We currently have a Dacula Business Association which I started in 2003 to more fully involve people who have chosen to invest in the City and surrounding areas. The DBA is open to every business person (home-based, commercial or web-based) located in the Dacula area.
I appreciate people who choose to invest in our City. Involving business people in concerns which effect all of us is of greatl benefit to the City. As my opponent knows, the DBA was very effective in helping keep our library branch open. Their red "Save Dacula Library" shirts were very evident at meetings and rallies. I appreciate what the DBA continues to do for the City of Dacula.
I say, Join the Dacula Business Association. It meets at City Hall every 3rd Tuesday of the month.
I am asking for your vote during this early voting time and on election day, November 3, 2009. Even my opponent recently noted, "I think he has done a good job up until now..." I'm asking you to let me keep up the good work. Elect Jimmy Wilbanks Mayor November 3, 2009 at Dacula City Hall.
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Library Board Selects The Best Option
The Gwinnett County Board of Library Trustees voted last night to back away from a regional library concept and to keep the award-winning community-based system currently in place. The Board chose to keep all 14 currently-operating branches and to bring the nearly completed Hamilton Mill Branch online at about 35 hours per week. The Board will ask the public to help set the scheduled times and days of the week so that some library branches will be open each day of the week. I believe this is the best option available in our current economic situation.
I want to personally thank the Dacula Business Association, Chad Parson, President, and Colin Daymude (Save Dacula Library Facebook group) for their assistance in convincing the Library Board to hear this solution. I appreciate each man, woman, boy and girl who sent messages to the Library Board, the Board of Commissioners, to newspapers and the media asking for full-service libraries complete with books as well as the electronic technology currently available at our library branches. Just because Dacula was the first cut, we shouldn't forget the people in Snellville and Lilburn who joined with us. Kudos also go out to Commissioners Nasuti, Kenerly and Beaudreau for their help. Equally as important is the concern of Representative Donna Sheldon and Senator Renee Unterman in helping come up with this solution.
I would be remiss in not recognizing the service of the Library Board and its professional staff. Sometimes rhetoric fails to express an admiration for the individuals providing public service. This economic downturn has put us all in an uncomfortable position, no less the Library Board. I'm sure that we all depend on professional staff. That's our comfort position. However, the Board has the final responsibility and say. I appreciate the Board's stepping out of its comfort zone to chose the most equitable option.
We shouldn't be finished here. Some of us made commitments to the library system. Some plan to volunteer, some to make donations to the Library Foundation. Some plan to continue to observe and offer suggestions. Don't forget your commitments--follow through!
Thank you for being engaged! This is what a sometimes messy representative government is all about.
I want to personally thank the Dacula Business Association, Chad Parson, President, and Colin Daymude (Save Dacula Library Facebook group) for their assistance in convincing the Library Board to hear this solution. I appreciate each man, woman, boy and girl who sent messages to the Library Board, the Board of Commissioners, to newspapers and the media asking for full-service libraries complete with books as well as the electronic technology currently available at our library branches. Just because Dacula was the first cut, we shouldn't forget the people in Snellville and Lilburn who joined with us. Kudos also go out to Commissioners Nasuti, Kenerly and Beaudreau for their help. Equally as important is the concern of Representative Donna Sheldon and Senator Renee Unterman in helping come up with this solution.
I would be remiss in not recognizing the service of the Library Board and its professional staff. Sometimes rhetoric fails to express an admiration for the individuals providing public service. This economic downturn has put us all in an uncomfortable position, no less the Library Board. I'm sure that we all depend on professional staff. That's our comfort position. However, the Board has the final responsibility and say. I appreciate the Board's stepping out of its comfort zone to chose the most equitable option.
We shouldn't be finished here. Some of us made commitments to the library system. Some plan to volunteer, some to make donations to the Library Foundation. Some plan to continue to observe and offer suggestions. Don't forget your commitments--follow through!
Thank you for being engaged! This is what a sometimes messy representative government is all about.
Monday, October 19, 2009
Fighting for Tax Payer Rights
The Cities of Gwinnett are in a Service Delivery Strategy Agreement dispute with Gwinnett County. Our first and latest SDS agreement expired in February of 2009. Before the agreement expired, the Gwinnett Municipal Association had worked for two years to try to flesh out an agreement with Gwinnett County that would prevent the County from taking about $10 million per year out of the pockets of county residents who live within municipal limits without providing the corresponding services. Our argument is that you should not pay for services that you don't receive.
Rather than settling this disagreement in a manner that would have resulted in fair treatment for municipal taxpayers, Gwinnett County filed a lawsuit that has resulted in long delays, large legal fees, and the extension of taxpayers being charged for services we don't receive. While this is a complex issue, the solution is simple--an agreement that ends double taxation.
Here is a table that may shed some light on the problem. The table shows what each person (not tax parcel) pays per year for County services the taxpayer doesn't receive. Obviously, the cities that provide their own police services are the hardest hit.
This table shows that for Dacula, each person living here pays about $18.51 each year for County services which they do not receive. While that doesn't seem to be much, over a ten year period (the length of an SDS agreement) some $850,000 is taken from you. It is even more problematic for Norcross where the per person amount is $84.72. The sum total taken from county taxpayers living in municipalities is about $100,000,000 over a ten year period.
While the lawsuit is on-going, Gwinnett County has no reason to agree to change this unfair taxation policy--it still get its free money. The judge has not seen fit to impose any sanctions for not reaching an agreement. For the past three years, I have been greatly involved in trying to resolve this issue. Some would say that the Cities and the County should reach agreement on this issue. One finds it hard to agree with a group that doesn't have a reason to or want to reach agreement. The Cities have proposed seven different positions that could have solved the issue, but Gwinnett County has refused to even consider one.
Taxpayers should understand that a favorable settlement for municipal taxpayers will not put any money in any city's treasury. Rather, you will not be charged for services you didn't receive. It will be money in your pocket.
We will eventually reach an agreement--maybe one that a judge will impose. And I am sure that in the case of a judge-imposed solution, neither the County nor the Cities will be satisfied and pleased. You need a Mayor who will continue to fight for tax fairness for you.
Please vote for and support Jimmy Wilbanks for Mayor on November 3, 2009 at the Dacula City Hall.
Rather than settling this disagreement in a manner that would have resulted in fair treatment for municipal taxpayers, Gwinnett County filed a lawsuit that has resulted in long delays, large legal fees, and the extension of taxpayers being charged for services we don't receive. While this is a complex issue, the solution is simple--an agreement that ends double taxation.
Here is a table that may shed some light on the problem. The table shows what each person (not tax parcel) pays per year for County services the taxpayer doesn't receive. Obviously, the cities that provide their own police services are the hardest hit.
| | $83.78/person |
| | $16.16/person |
| Braselton | $89.64/person |
| Buford | $18.98/person |
| Dacula | $18.51/person |
| | $84.07/person |
| Grayson | $19.80/person |
| Lawrenceville | $84.57/person |
| Lilburn | $87.77/person |
| Loganville | $71.46/person |
| Norcross | $84.72/person |
| Rest Haven | $21.66/person |
| Snellville | $53.83/person |
| Sugar Hill | $18.24/person |
| Suwanee | $65.82/person |
This table shows that for Dacula, each person living here pays about $18.51 each year for County services which they do not receive. While that doesn't seem to be much, over a ten year period (the length of an SDS agreement) some $850,000 is taken from you. It is even more problematic for Norcross where the per person amount is $84.72. The sum total taken from county taxpayers living in municipalities is about $100,000,000 over a ten year period.
While the lawsuit is on-going, Gwinnett County has no reason to agree to change this unfair taxation policy--it still get its free money. The judge has not seen fit to impose any sanctions for not reaching an agreement. For the past three years, I have been greatly involved in trying to resolve this issue. Some would say that the Cities and the County should reach agreement on this issue. One finds it hard to agree with a group that doesn't have a reason to or want to reach agreement. The Cities have proposed seven different positions that could have solved the issue, but Gwinnett County has refused to even consider one.
Taxpayers should understand that a favorable settlement for municipal taxpayers will not put any money in any city's treasury. Rather, you will not be charged for services you didn't receive. It will be money in your pocket.
We will eventually reach an agreement--maybe one that a judge will impose. And I am sure that in the case of a judge-imposed solution, neither the County nor the Cities will be satisfied and pleased. You need a Mayor who will continue to fight for tax fairness for you.
Please vote for and support Jimmy Wilbanks for Mayor on November 3, 2009 at the Dacula City Hall.
Saturday, October 10, 2009
Fiscal Experience and Success
I'm sure of one economic fact. You cannot spend yourself out of debt. This is just what America is trying to do in this continuing, serious downturn in our economy. And our County is not far behind. Don't be fooled. No government has any money of its own. The money any government spends is money you and I give them. That fact is as true of Dacula government as it is of the federal government, Georgia government and Gwinnett County government. It's your money, and you need a fiscal conservative to manage your money.
I am a fiscal conservative and a fighter for your taxpayer rights. The City Council and I have kept your property tax rate low, and we have succeeded. In the last eight years of my administration, the tax rate has stayed the same or been reduced. That is true of 2009 and is in stark contrast to Gwinnett County where the Board of Commissioners has had to let a judge set the temporary millage rate for the County. It is in even starker contrast to some State of Georgia departments.
We have had a grant approved by the Georgia Department of Transportation to repair sidewalks along Winder Highway, to make some safety improvements to the pedestrian crossing at McMillan/Broad Streets/CSX, and to renovate and revitalize the Second Avenue business district. We have been working to get started with this improvement for four years and have had our portion of this grant money available for about four years. We heard recently that maybe in about four more months, the City will receive the go ahead to get started. Not really a good way to run any business.
Your mayor is a fiscal conservative. Even in terrible economic times, I am continuing to keep your property tax millage rate low while being successful in keeping essential services going. On November 3, 2009, please vote for and support the election of Jimmy Wilbanks to another term as mayor at the Dacula City Hall. Absentee and early voting begin next week. November 3, 2009 is election day. The polls will be open on November 3, 2009 from 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM.
I am a fiscal conservative and a fighter for your taxpayer rights. The City Council and I have kept your property tax rate low, and we have succeeded. In the last eight years of my administration, the tax rate has stayed the same or been reduced. That is true of 2009 and is in stark contrast to Gwinnett County where the Board of Commissioners has had to let a judge set the temporary millage rate for the County. It is in even starker contrast to some State of Georgia departments.
We have had a grant approved by the Georgia Department of Transportation to repair sidewalks along Winder Highway, to make some safety improvements to the pedestrian crossing at McMillan/Broad Streets/CSX, and to renovate and revitalize the Second Avenue business district. We have been working to get started with this improvement for four years and have had our portion of this grant money available for about four years. We heard recently that maybe in about four more months, the City will receive the go ahead to get started. Not really a good way to run any business.
Your mayor is a fiscal conservative. Even in terrible economic times, I am continuing to keep your property tax millage rate low while being successful in keeping essential services going. On November 3, 2009, please vote for and support the election of Jimmy Wilbanks to another term as mayor at the Dacula City Hall. Absentee and early voting begin next week. November 3, 2009 is election day. The polls will be open on November 3, 2009 from 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM.
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Unity and Harmony in Dacula
Some would have you believe that there is great strife in the Dacula Community and in the City itself. I can tell you that there is nothing further from the truth. Community is a group of people living in a particular place with common interests. I think that we have a demonstration of unity and harmony in the Greater Dacula Community in the recent rally to Save Dacula Library.
I have attempted to further the feel of community during my nearly eight years of public service as your Mayor. I started the outreach effort to neighborhoods early in my administration. Individual and whole neighborhoods have been invited to meet with the Mayor and discuss items of general interest. Some responded, many did not.
I began the Dacula Business Association, open to all business in the 30019 zip code area, because I felt a need to reach out to business folks and better understand their needs. You can see the response--a general feeling of neighborly concern for the greater community and the City of Dacula.
I began, and personally funded for the first two years, the City's official web page, www.DaculaGA.gov. This was an outreach to people both within and without the city limits. This is an excellent way to see what is on the calendar, post to forums that are unmanaged except for truly libelous materials, and to generally understand what Dacula government is all about. It provides an opportunity for people to keep up with what its government is doing.
Our recently completed 2030 Comprehensive Plan is a community inspired and lead effort. Citizens from within the City and those without had an opportunity to have input and discussion of this plan. Implementing the plan in the next 20 years will be a true citizen/government effort. You can see the results of this planning effort on our city web site.
We have harmony and unity in Dacula. If you want to continue the efforts that have been started,
Elect Jimmy Wilbanks Mayor on November 3, 2009 at Dacula City Hall.
I have attempted to further the feel of community during my nearly eight years of public service as your Mayor. I started the outreach effort to neighborhoods early in my administration. Individual and whole neighborhoods have been invited to meet with the Mayor and discuss items of general interest. Some responded, many did not.
I began the Dacula Business Association, open to all business in the 30019 zip code area, because I felt a need to reach out to business folks and better understand their needs. You can see the response--a general feeling of neighborly concern for the greater community and the City of Dacula.
I began, and personally funded for the first two years, the City's official web page, www.DaculaGA.gov. This was an outreach to people both within and without the city limits. This is an excellent way to see what is on the calendar, post to forums that are unmanaged except for truly libelous materials, and to generally understand what Dacula government is all about. It provides an opportunity for people to keep up with what its government is doing.
Our recently completed 2030 Comprehensive Plan is a community inspired and lead effort. Citizens from within the City and those without had an opportunity to have input and discussion of this plan. Implementing the plan in the next 20 years will be a true citizen/government effort. You can see the results of this planning effort on our city web site.
We have harmony and unity in Dacula. If you want to continue the efforts that have been started,
Elect Jimmy Wilbanks Mayor on November 3, 2009 at Dacula City Hall.
Monday, October 5, 2009
Fighting for Libraries
The fight to save community-based library branches goes on. Some would have you believe that I am not fighting hard enough to keep the Dacula Library Branch open. I want you to know where I stand. I stand four-square for keeping all the community-based branches open as full service libraries.
The struggle has morphed into not just keeping the Dacula Library open as a full service library but to keeping the Library System what it is designed to be--an award-winning community library system that serves residents and taxpayers who live near a convenient library branch.
From voting to close only the Dacula Branch and the resulting outrage by the Dacula residents, the Library Board has taken a covering position and opted to close Dacula, Lilburn, and Snellville Branches as full-service libraries and make them Computer Labs. They plan to remove the lending books and replace those with a hold shelf where you can pick up ordered books at a later, inconvenient time. The Library Board plans to replace a full staff with about 1/3 as many people. Yet, you can bet that they will want you to pay full taxes for that reduced service. As the pressure mounts, figure that the Library Board and the Executive Director will rename this effort once again to try to make it more acceptable to the public.
What have I done in this struggle to keep Dacula's Library Branch open? I began the day after I heard the news:
Since this issue has morphed into a save the community-based library system, I encourage you to sign our new county-wide petition online or see a community activist in your neighborhood.
I encourage you to continue to express your outrage that an appointed Library Board and an appointed Executive Director of the Library System who are unresponsive to taxpayers can change what has worked so well and seems in the best interest of all residents--a community based Library System. On November 3, 2009 at the Dacula City Hall, vote to continue Jimmy Wilbanks as your mayor. I am fighting to keep our award-winning library system community based. Keep all the branches open as full-service libraries.
The struggle has morphed into not just keeping the Dacula Library open as a full service library but to keeping the Library System what it is designed to be--an award-winning community library system that serves residents and taxpayers who live near a convenient library branch.
From voting to close only the Dacula Branch and the resulting outrage by the Dacula residents, the Library Board has taken a covering position and opted to close Dacula, Lilburn, and Snellville Branches as full-service libraries and make them Computer Labs. They plan to remove the lending books and replace those with a hold shelf where you can pick up ordered books at a later, inconvenient time. The Library Board plans to replace a full staff with about 1/3 as many people. Yet, you can bet that they will want you to pay full taxes for that reduced service. As the pressure mounts, figure that the Library Board and the Executive Director will rename this effort once again to try to make it more acceptable to the public.
What have I done in this struggle to keep Dacula's Library Branch open? I began the day after I heard the news:
- Wrote the County Commission and the Library Board a harsh letter asking that the Library Board reconsider and the Commission to remove any Board members who didn't vote to rescind the vote.
- Worked with community groups to start a grass-roots campaign to keep the Dacula Branch open.
- Joined and supported the Save Dacula Library Facebook campaign.
- Prepared and shephered a City Council Resolution to keep the Dacula Branch open. Had the Resolution hand delivered to the Library Board Members, the Library Executive Director, the Superintendent of Gwinnett Schools and School Board Members.
- Attended and spoke at the Library Board Meeting. The Library Board changed their previous closure vote to keeping Dacula as a Computer Lab and included Lilburn and Snellville Branches as Computer Labs also. Not what the Dacula community wanted. Obviously, the public wants convenient, community-based branches not a region approach.
- Wrote an open letter to Executive Director Kellam.
- Met with State officials, County officials and citizens to discuss future moves, a now county-wide effort, to keep all our community-based branches open.
- Attended the October 6, County Commission meeting to express concern about the effect of changing to a computer lab on Dacula and the surrounding community and how the coverage for convenience would be changed with the three branches used as computer labs.
- Continuing to explore possibilities for keeping our branches open.
Since this issue has morphed into a save the community-based library system, I encourage you to sign our new county-wide petition online or see a community activist in your neighborhood.
I encourage you to continue to express your outrage that an appointed Library Board and an appointed Executive Director of the Library System who are unresponsive to taxpayers can change what has worked so well and seems in the best interest of all residents--a community based Library System. On November 3, 2009 at the Dacula City Hall, vote to continue Jimmy Wilbanks as your mayor. I am fighting to keep our award-winning library system community based. Keep all the branches open as full-service libraries.
November 3, 2009 General Election
On November 3, 2009, Dacula will elect a mayor and two council positions. I am seeking reelection, and I am requesting your support and vote on November 3. I am Jimmy Wilbanks, your current mayor.
When you decide about your vote for mayor, I hope you will consider the record of my administration. We have kept your city taxes low. I am a fiscal conservative, and I expect to control City costs in the future. My administration has brought new businesses to Dacula making the city more convenient to her residents. We appreciate business folks who decide to invest in our city. Importantly, in this recessionary period, we have brought over 450 new jobs to the city.
When you vote at Dacula City Hall on November 3, elect Jimmy Wilbanks, a proven, experienced fiscal conservative.
Vote Jimmy Wilbanks, experienced fiscal conservative
November 3, 2009
Dacula City Hall
7:00 AM - 7:00 PM
When you decide about your vote for mayor, I hope you will consider the record of my administration. We have kept your city taxes low. I am a fiscal conservative, and I expect to control City costs in the future. My administration has brought new businesses to Dacula making the city more convenient to her residents. We appreciate business folks who decide to invest in our city. Importantly, in this recessionary period, we have brought over 450 new jobs to the city.
When you vote at Dacula City Hall on November 3, elect Jimmy Wilbanks, a proven, experienced fiscal conservative.
Vote Jimmy Wilbanks, experienced fiscal conservative
November 3, 2009
Dacula City Hall
7:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
An Open Letter to Ms. Nancy Stanbery-Kellam
I was again disappointed at the lack of professionalism I saw at the September 22, 2009 Library Board of Trustee meeting. Once again under your leadership, the board chose the easy way out. Yes you suggested a compromise--making a computer lab out of a thriving library branch at Dacula. Oh, yes, you are going to call it a library. But as the poet said, "A rose by any other name is just as sweet." No a computer lab is not what we paid for, voted for, lobbied for, and supported with our time, effort and sweat. A computer lab is no substitute for a full service library. We need and want the full range of services that you and the board have denied us.
Your continuing reference to over 200 years of experience in library matters in the meeting was offensive. Yes, we want to hire good people, but we have high expectations for those people. I was struck by the experiences of those in the audience whose opinions were actually denigrated. That experience level, conservatively, would have been over a 1000 years experience--maybe not in library science--but in good old common sense. Those folks understand that the likelihood of every reopening a full service library in any one of the computer labs is practically nil, notwithstanding the board's statements to the contrary.
It appears to me that you have been less than candid with the public. In an email (July 12, 2009) to Phil Hoskins at county government you make the statement, "While we would hate to have to close one branch (my comment i.e. DAC vs HML), this seems to be the best solution. But we need to know that the county will support us if we do this!" Mr. Hoskins replied three days later, "I'm not aware of any concerns."
Obviously, the board's claim to be non-political is sheer nonsense. You failed to mention to Board Member Saxton that this action was underway, and you hid it from the District Commissioner Beaudreau. I am assuming that you, Rhonda Boyd, and others met with Chairman Bannister, Jock Connell, and Phil Hoskins on July 20, 2009 to discuss the opening of Hamilton Mill. Ms. Boyd's email of July 15, 2009, to Mr. Hoskins stated "We have some ideas about how we could accomplish that (and why we think it would be a good solution), and we want to make sure there are no objections before we speak with Commissioner Beaudreau and his Library Board member, Phillip Saxton."So much for your board's claims. You obviously had at least a tacit understanding that your appointing authority had county political support for this move. Only a great outcry, maintains the Dacula branch and others from complete closure. I guess you learned to at least make an attempt to reach out to local leaders in other areas slated for the computer lab designation. You didn't show me or any leadership in your Dacula service area that courtesy.
How can we in the areas to be discriminated against trust your judgment any longer?
Your continuing reference to over 200 years of experience in library matters in the meeting was offensive. Yes, we want to hire good people, but we have high expectations for those people. I was struck by the experiences of those in the audience whose opinions were actually denigrated. That experience level, conservatively, would have been over a 1000 years experience--maybe not in library science--but in good old common sense. Those folks understand that the likelihood of every reopening a full service library in any one of the computer labs is practically nil, notwithstanding the board's statements to the contrary.
It appears to me that you have been less than candid with the public. In an email (July 12, 2009) to Phil Hoskins at county government you make the statement, "While we would hate to have to close one branch (my comment i.e. DAC vs HML), this seems to be the best solution. But we need to know that the county will support us if we do this!" Mr. Hoskins replied three days later, "I'm not aware of any concerns."
Obviously, the board's claim to be non-political is sheer nonsense. You failed to mention to Board Member Saxton that this action was underway, and you hid it from the District Commissioner Beaudreau. I am assuming that you, Rhonda Boyd, and others met with Chairman Bannister, Jock Connell, and Phil Hoskins on July 20, 2009 to discuss the opening of Hamilton Mill. Ms. Boyd's email of July 15, 2009, to Mr. Hoskins stated "We have some ideas about how we could accomplish that (and why we think it would be a good solution), and we want to make sure there are no objections before we speak with Commissioner Beaudreau and his Library Board member, Phillip Saxton."So much for your board's claims. You obviously had at least a tacit understanding that your appointing authority had county political support for this move. Only a great outcry, maintains the Dacula branch and others from complete closure. I guess you learned to at least make an attempt to reach out to local leaders in other areas slated for the computer lab designation. You didn't show me or any leadership in your Dacula service area that courtesy.
How can we in the areas to be discriminated against trust your judgment any longer?
Monday, September 21, 2009
Rally Saving Dacula's Library
I wanted to take a moment to thank everyone who attended the rally to save the Dacula library. Nearly 500 community residents--men, women, boys and girls--responded to the grassroots call of the Dacula Business Association to rally for keeping our library branch open. The intent of the rally is to call attention to the need to seek system-wide solutions to system-wide problems, and to keep all library branches open including the not-yet-open Hamilton Mill branch. I think you sent the proper message to the Library Board of Trustees and to the Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners.
You send a powerful message by coming out on a rainy Saturday to show your support for the library system and the Dacula branch in particular. You and nearly 6,000 others have joined the FaceBook group dedicated to this citizen protest, and more than 2,000 have signed the petitions to keep the Dacula branch open. You are to be congratulated.
As you may know, the Business Association has received documents under the Freedom of Information Act that shows the some Library Board members and library staff have been discussing the Dacula closure and two more branch closures at least since July 2009, having private meetings with the Commission Chairman, the library board Chairman, and other Gwinnett County staff members trying to garner Commission support for this closure(s). And at the same time keeping those discussions from the public--and what is worse--from the District Commissioner, Mike Beaudreau, and the District Library Board member, Phillip Saxton. Those documents show that the Dacula branch is to be permanently closed on November 14, 2009, and that they plan to close both the Buford branch and the Snellville branch on February 27, 2010. I call on the citizens of Buford and Snellville to join with the Dacula community to resist these closures.
Please plan to be at the Library Board meeting at 6:30 PM on September 22, 2009 at the Five Forks branch to show your support of finding system-wide solutions to system-wide problems. So far Commissioners Beaudreau, Nasuti, and Kenerly have expressed their desires for the Library Board to find solutions that do not result in any library branch closures. They know as I do that once you close a library it probably will never reopen!
Keep the pressure on. Save the Dacula branch, and in doing so, you may also save the library branch that you use!
You send a powerful message by coming out on a rainy Saturday to show your support for the library system and the Dacula branch in particular. You and nearly 6,000 others have joined the FaceBook group dedicated to this citizen protest, and more than 2,000 have signed the petitions to keep the Dacula branch open. You are to be congratulated.
As you may know, the Business Association has received documents under the Freedom of Information Act that shows the some Library Board members and library staff have been discussing the Dacula closure and two more branch closures at least since July 2009, having private meetings with the Commission Chairman, the library board Chairman, and other Gwinnett County staff members trying to garner Commission support for this closure(s). And at the same time keeping those discussions from the public--and what is worse--from the District Commissioner, Mike Beaudreau, and the District Library Board member, Phillip Saxton. Those documents show that the Dacula branch is to be permanently closed on November 14, 2009, and that they plan to close both the Buford branch and the Snellville branch on February 27, 2010. I call on the citizens of Buford and Snellville to join with the Dacula community to resist these closures.
Please plan to be at the Library Board meeting at 6:30 PM on September 22, 2009 at the Five Forks branch to show your support of finding system-wide solutions to system-wide problems. So far Commissioners Beaudreau, Nasuti, and Kenerly have expressed their desires for the Library Board to find solutions that do not result in any library branch closures. They know as I do that once you close a library it probably will never reopen!
Keep the pressure on. Save the Dacula branch, and in doing so, you may also save the library branch that you use!
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Judge holds off sanction in Service Delivery Dispute
The judge hearing the service delivery strategy dispute with the County and the 15 municipalities has ruled that sanctions will not be applied during the settlement dispute. This is a good thing for the residents of Cities and Gwinnett County. The sanctions provision in the Service Delivery law are designed to force parties to the table and get to a service delivery agreement sooner than later. So I guess the question that citizens ought to be asking is, "Why would the County want to enter into an agreement when there is no penalty for not doing so?"
In the meantime, Gwinnett County will continue to extract from every county resident living in Dacula $18.51 per year for services not delivered to those residents. In Lawrenceville, the County receives $84.57 per person for undelivered services. And so it goes for every City resident throughout Gwinnett County. The amounts are different, but the principle is the same. Gwinnett County collects tax money for services it does not provide. Extra money in the County's pocket, unconstitutional taking from your pocket.
Over a yearly period, this means that Dacula residents pay Gwinnett County an extra $85,000 per year, and Lawrenceville residents pay an extra $2,250,000 per year for nothing except saying we live in Gwinnett County. The Service Delivery law was designed to keep these duplicative costs from occurring by requiring a Service Delivery agreement between Cities and County governments.
It should be made clear that the Cities of Gwinnett County will not benefit by an agreement that outlaws such double dipping by Gwinnett County. Rather any savings will go directly into the taxpayers' pockets.
I leave it to you, the taxpaying citizens of the municipalities of Gwinnett County, to determine what is fair, moral, legal and constitutional.
In the meantime, Gwinnett County will continue to extract from every county resident living in Dacula $18.51 per year for services not delivered to those residents. In Lawrenceville, the County receives $84.57 per person for undelivered services. And so it goes for every City resident throughout Gwinnett County. The amounts are different, but the principle is the same. Gwinnett County collects tax money for services it does not provide. Extra money in the County's pocket, unconstitutional taking from your pocket.
Over a yearly period, this means that Dacula residents pay Gwinnett County an extra $85,000 per year, and Lawrenceville residents pay an extra $2,250,000 per year for nothing except saying we live in Gwinnett County. The Service Delivery law was designed to keep these duplicative costs from occurring by requiring a Service Delivery agreement between Cities and County governments.
It should be made clear that the Cities of Gwinnett County will not benefit by an agreement that outlaws such double dipping by Gwinnett County. Rather any savings will go directly into the taxpayers' pockets.
I leave it to you, the taxpaying citizens of the municipalities of Gwinnett County, to determine what is fair, moral, legal and constitutional.
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
Elect Jimmy Wilbanks Mayor
Elect Jimmy Wilbanks
Mayor
November 3, 2009
RESPECTING THE PAST,
LOOKING TO THE FUTURE
Mayor
November 3, 2009
RESPECTING THE PAST,
LOOKING TO THE FUTURE
Dear Dacula Voter:
Every day I am humbled to serve as your Mayor. I appreciate your trust and support. I am running for re-election on November 3, 2009. We are living in a tough economic cycle, something that many have never seen before. The person you elect as Mayor will have a major impact during these critical times. You will need a Mayor who is a fiscal conservative, someone who is a believer in private property rights, and someone who will fight for your tax-payer rights. How can you as a voter determine which candidate might be better for the City in this critical period? I can think of only one criterion: the records of the candidates and the experience of each. Please consider some of the accomplishments of the City during my past four years as your Mayor:
• Quality of Life Improvements
o Additional work at Maple Creek Park
o McMillan Road and Broad Street SPLOST improvements
o Dacula High School Field House
o Hebron Christian Technology Building/Athletic Fields
o Romanian Orthodox Church
• Safety Improvements
o Additional street lighting
o Additional sidewalks
o Additional Marshal
• Tax Rate Improvements
o Lowered/kept the same tax rate for four years
o 2030 Comprehensive Plan
• Community Development/Economic Development (2006 – 2009)
o 24hr Tan
o Anytime Fitness
o Apalachee River Animal Hospital
o AutoZone
o Beef ‘O Brady Restaurant
o Cornerstone Cleaners
o Dacula Dental Associates
o Dacula Dogs Restaurant
o Dacula High School Field House
o Delicious Desserts Bakery
o Dentistry At Cornerstone (coming)
o Edward Jones Investments
o El Jinete Restaurant
o Handy Ace Hardware
o Harvest Table Restaurant
o Hebron Christian Technology Building/Athletic Fields
o KFC/Taco Bell Restaurant
o Luigi’s Pizza
o McDonald’s
o Melissa Berry Dance Studio
o Nail Technique
o Quiznos
o Rice Station Restaurant
o Romanian Orthodox Church
o Ronin Muay Thai
o Scoops
o Sears
o Sherwin Williams
o Sonic Restaurant
o Southern Fried Chicken
o Sprint (coming)
o State Farm Agency
o Sugar Island Jerk (coming)
o Sun Trust Bank
o The Flower Pot
o Walgreens
o World’s Delights & Coffee
Naturally, I have not done all these things alone! Our dedicated staff and the City Council deserve praise for our continuing development and municipal improvements. While not every thing has gone according to our vision, it is the job of the Mayor to help create the vision for the City and make sure it stays on track. I ask you to help me continue our vision—a vision of the place we call home, as a safe, family-friendly, and progressive City.
Please use your influence, cast your vote and support Jimmy Wilbanks for Mayor on November 3, 2009 at the Dacula City Hall. Elect a person who has demonstrated experience and success.
Please call or contact me at any time: jimwilba@mindspring.com or 770.560.0867.
Paid for by Jimmy Wilbanks.
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Dacula Library Closing Decision Energizes Community
The Gwinnett County Library Board of Trustees recent decision to close the Dacula Branch has energized a grassroots movement to keep the branch library open. The movement is dedicated to finding system-wide solutions to system-wide problems--not a solution based on a single location. The Dacula Business Association and other community groups and citizens are the leaders of this movement, and they have the full support of the Mayor and City Council of the City of Dacula. The Council and I want to see a system-wide solution that allows the Hamilton Mill Branch to open and also keeps all Branches open, including Dacula.
I encourage you to visit to visit the web site, http://www.savedaculalibrary.com, to see some ways that you as an individual or community group might oppose the Library Board's decision to close the Dacula Branch.
The following meetings are scheduled, and I encourage you to attend.
September 1, 2009
Informational Meeting
Dacula First United Methodist Church on Fence Road
6:30 PM - 8:30 PM, drop in at your convenience
Exchange ideas, receive information and network with your neighbors
September 15, 2009
Dacula City Hall
Dacula Business Association meeting
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
Regular meeting of the DBA
September 19, 2009
Rally for the Library
9:00 AM - 11:00 AM
March from Hebron Church down Dacula Road to Library
September 22, 2009
Library Board Meeting
Scheduled for the Five Forks Trickum Branch Location
6:30 PM
Regular Library Board Meeting. I have been in the meeting room and it can hold only about 60-65 people. Look for this meeting place to be rescheduled.
I encourage you to visit to visit the web site, http://www.savedaculalibrary.com, to see some ways that you as an individual or community group might oppose the Library Board's decision to close the Dacula Branch.
The following meetings are scheduled, and I encourage you to attend.
September 1, 2009
Informational Meeting
Dacula First United Methodist Church on Fence Road
6:30 PM - 8:30 PM, drop in at your convenience
Exchange ideas, receive information and network with your neighbors
September 15, 2009
Dacula City Hall
Dacula Business Association meeting
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
Regular meeting of the DBA
September 19, 2009
Rally for the Library
9:00 AM - 11:00 AM
March from Hebron Church down Dacula Road to Library
September 22, 2009
Library Board Meeting
Scheduled for the Five Forks Trickum Branch Location
6:30 PM
Regular Library Board Meeting. I have been in the meeting room and it can hold only about 60-65 people. Look for this meeting place to be rescheduled.
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Library Board Votes to Close Dacula Branch
At a special called meeting, with a surprise change to the agenda, the Gwinnett County Library Board voted to close the Dacula Branch today. I have no further information at this time. The City Council, Commissioner Beaudreau and I will be meeting with the Board as soon as possible to discuss this matter, seek other alternative measures and to let our anger over this issue be known. The Dacula Branch opened about 3 years ago and has served the City and District 3 well.
Monday, July 27, 2009
Dacula Park Swimming Pool
Hmm??, so the Gwinnett County budget needs to be cut. Every other pool at a community park in Gwinnett has to give up a day.
But Dacula's pool is to be closed permanently.
What do you think?
But Dacula's pool is to be closed permanently.
What do you think?
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
Mayor Announces for Re-election
I wanted to take this opportunity to announce that I am running for reelection. Every day, for the past eight years, I have been honored to serve as your mayor and humbled at the opportunity. I appreciate your trust and support.
The person you elect as mayor on November 3, 2009 will have major impacts on critical issues—issues that affect your daily quality of life. We are in an economic cycle that most of our residents have never seen before. The City faces economic uncertainty, and we, as individuals, are hurting—some without jobs or health insurance, others with foreclosed homes. While the economic downturn we are facing will certainly recover, we have no clear idea how long this will take nor what decisive measures will be needed for the city.
How can a voter or supporter of Dacula determine the leadership style needed in this crucial time? I can think of only one criterion with which to make this judgment: the record and experience of the leader.
Please consider the improvements to quality of life issues, safety improvements, community development and economic development made during my tenure as mayor. Best of all recognize that the City is financially sound because of prudent policies on budgeting and taxation. Take note of the fact that the property tax millage rate has stayed the same or been reduced in each of those eight years.
Naturally, the mayor cannot do these things alone! Our dedicated staff and the City Council deserve praise for our continuing development and municipal improvement. While not everything has gone completely according to our Dacula vision, it is the job of the mayor to help create the vision and make sure it stays on track.
I ask you to help me continue our vision—a vision of a place we call home—a safe, family-friendly and progressive city. Please use your influence, cast your vote and support Jimmy Wilbanks for Mayor on November 3, 2009 at the Dacula City Hall.
The person you elect as mayor on November 3, 2009 will have major impacts on critical issues—issues that affect your daily quality of life. We are in an economic cycle that most of our residents have never seen before. The City faces economic uncertainty, and we, as individuals, are hurting—some without jobs or health insurance, others with foreclosed homes. While the economic downturn we are facing will certainly recover, we have no clear idea how long this will take nor what decisive measures will be needed for the city.
How can a voter or supporter of Dacula determine the leadership style needed in this crucial time? I can think of only one criterion with which to make this judgment: the record and experience of the leader.
Please consider the improvements to quality of life issues, safety improvements, community development and economic development made during my tenure as mayor. Best of all recognize that the City is financially sound because of prudent policies on budgeting and taxation. Take note of the fact that the property tax millage rate has stayed the same or been reduced in each of those eight years.
Naturally, the mayor cannot do these things alone! Our dedicated staff and the City Council deserve praise for our continuing development and municipal improvement. While not everything has gone completely according to our Dacula vision, it is the job of the mayor to help create the vision and make sure it stays on track.
I ask you to help me continue our vision—a vision of a place we call home—a safe, family-friendly and progressive city. Please use your influence, cast your vote and support Jimmy Wilbanks for Mayor on November 3, 2009 at the Dacula City Hall.
Thursday, June 11, 2009
Service Delivery Strategy Deadlock
Gwinnett County and the Cities of Gwinnett did not reach SDS agreement on Wednesday, June 10, 2009. This was the last day of court ordered mediation. The next step is in the hands of a judge.
Whatever the outcome of the legal battle, be aware that your mayors and city councils fought for fair and equitable taxation for Gwinnett taxpayers who live within our corporate boundaries. This legal battle will put not one cent in the coffers of the cities, but if a fair and equitable method of taxation can be ordered by the judge, it will mean dollars in your taxpayer pockets.
Look for Gwinnett County to go forward with setting the tax millage rate in the near future since it is coming down to the deadline for doing so. Be vigilant as to the amount of any such levy.
Whatever the outcome of the legal battle, be aware that your mayors and city councils fought for fair and equitable taxation for Gwinnett taxpayers who live within our corporate boundaries. This legal battle will put not one cent in the coffers of the cities, but if a fair and equitable method of taxation can be ordered by the judge, it will mean dollars in your taxpayer pockets.
Look for Gwinnett County to go forward with setting the tax millage rate in the near future since it is coming down to the deadline for doing so. Be vigilant as to the amount of any such levy.
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
Service Delivery News
After another day of wrangling with Gwinnett County, I thought to give you a general update. Gwinnett County has finally decided to put their Service Delivery Strategy on paper. The main items you should understand are listed below:
Generally, the County wants to split the county into three service districts. One would be all of unincorporated Gwinnett County. Another service district would be made up of six cities to which the county provides uniform patrol services. These cities include Berkeley Lake, Buford, Dacula, Grayson, Rest Haven, and Sugar Hill. The remaining service district would be the nine cities who currently have their own police departments.
Additionally, the County wants to have three different millage rates, one for each service district. These millage rates will not be the same in 2009, and certainly not in the nine out years of the agreement.
What does this mean for you. As a general rule, where you live will determine how much your tax millage rate is. Your tax assessment multiplied by you millage rate will determine how much total money you will pay the county.
Let's take a moment to study the effect of these districts on your tax bill. It looks like there may be a differential of about 2 mills between the unincorporated district and the district that Dacula may be in. For our tax digest, this means about $80,000 more per year than a similar portion of the unincorporated district. Over a ten year period, this means that Gwinnett County will take $800,000 more dollars from you than from your neighbors who lives across the street in the unincorporated district.
You need to understand that these are your dollars, and that the Cities of Gwinnett County are fighting for your dollars. If we are successful in battling off this proposal, perhaps even going to court, this money will be in your pocket. None of it will go into city coffers. It will be in your pocket, for you to spend as you see fit.
While none of this is rocket science, you need to ask youself, "Does it cost Gwinnett County more money to provide services to me in incorporated Dacula than it does to provide services to my neighbor across the street in unincorported Gwinnett County?" If you believe the answer to that question is "no", you should be talking to your County Commissioner. Otherwise, you will find that your taxes will be going up unreasonably in 2009 and beyond.
Generally, the County wants to split the county into three service districts. One would be all of unincorporated Gwinnett County. Another service district would be made up of six cities to which the county provides uniform patrol services. These cities include Berkeley Lake, Buford, Dacula, Grayson, Rest Haven, and Sugar Hill. The remaining service district would be the nine cities who currently have their own police departments.
Additionally, the County wants to have three different millage rates, one for each service district. These millage rates will not be the same in 2009, and certainly not in the nine out years of the agreement.
What does this mean for you. As a general rule, where you live will determine how much your tax millage rate is. Your tax assessment multiplied by you millage rate will determine how much total money you will pay the county.
Let's take a moment to study the effect of these districts on your tax bill. It looks like there may be a differential of about 2 mills between the unincorporated district and the district that Dacula may be in. For our tax digest, this means about $80,000 more per year than a similar portion of the unincorporated district. Over a ten year period, this means that Gwinnett County will take $800,000 more dollars from you than from your neighbors who lives across the street in the unincorporated district.
You need to understand that these are your dollars, and that the Cities of Gwinnett County are fighting for your dollars. If we are successful in battling off this proposal, perhaps even going to court, this money will be in your pocket. None of it will go into city coffers. It will be in your pocket, for you to spend as you see fit.
While none of this is rocket science, you need to ask youself, "Does it cost Gwinnett County more money to provide services to me in incorporated Dacula than it does to provide services to my neighbor across the street in unincorported Gwinnett County?" If you believe the answer to that question is "no", you should be talking to your County Commissioner. Otherwise, you will find that your taxes will be going up unreasonably in 2009 and beyond.
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Tax Millage Rate Hearing Tuesday, 5/25/2009
I went to the information forum and public hearing on the proposed property tax millage rate increases yesterday. If you haven't heard, Gwinnett Board of Commissioners plan to raise your property tax rate by 25 to 30% depending on where you live.
Many people were in attendance, not at the publicized auditorium, at the hallway in GJAC. There were several hundred for the public hearing, but only about 15 got to speak in the uncomfortable atmosphere. All but one of the speakers were opposed to the millage increase, and it appeared that the vast majority of those in attendance were opposed.
Where to now? There is an additional forum and public hearing on June 2 at 9:30AM and 10:30AM respectively. After these meetings are concluded, I expect the Commissioners to vote (4-1) in favor of increasing your taxes by 30%. That means if your county portion (not the school board or city taxes) of your last bill was $1000 it will be $1300 on the next billing cycle. Of course that assumes no change in your property assessment values.
It is inequitable for the Commissioners to charge city residents a higher tax rate than unincorporated taxpayers. In fact it is unconstitutional. Make your voices heard, and vote your convictions at the next county election.
Many people were in attendance, not at the publicized auditorium, at the hallway in GJAC. There were several hundred for the public hearing, but only about 15 got to speak in the uncomfortable atmosphere. All but one of the speakers were opposed to the millage increase, and it appeared that the vast majority of those in attendance were opposed.
Where to now? There is an additional forum and public hearing on June 2 at 9:30AM and 10:30AM respectively. After these meetings are concluded, I expect the Commissioners to vote (4-1) in favor of increasing your taxes by 30%. That means if your county portion (not the school board or city taxes) of your last bill was $1000 it will be $1300 on the next billing cycle. Of course that assumes no change in your property assessment values.
It is inequitable for the Commissioners to charge city residents a higher tax rate than unincorporated taxpayers. In fact it is unconstitutional. Make your voices heard, and vote your convictions at the next county election.
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Gwinnett Tax Plan
Wow, a 30% increase in property tax for county taxpayers who live in Cities and a 25% tax increase for unincorporated tax payers! Asking an already understaffed PD to accept the task of providing patrol and other services to Cities that provide their own police forces makes no sense. This is worse than the stadium scandal or the trash debacle.
Are you listening? Or are you going to roll over and accept this without a blink?
There are opportunities for you to have input into this decision which will be made on June 2, 2009. All these meetings are at GJAC on Langley Drive in Lawrenceville.
May 26, 2009--3:30PM Information Forum, 4:30PM Public Hearing
May 26, 2009--5:30PM Information Forum, 6:15PM Public Hearing
June 2, 2009--9:30AM Information Forum, 10:30AM Public Hearing
The millage rate(s) will be set following the final public hearing.
Please contact your Commissioners to express your opinions.
Charles.Bannister@gwinnettcounty.com
Shirley.Lasseter@gwinnettcounty.com
Bert.Nasuti@gwinnettcounty.com
Mike.Beaudreau@gwinnettcounty.com
Kevin.Kenerly@gwinnettcounty.com
Are you listening? Or are you going to roll over and accept this without a blink?
There are opportunities for you to have input into this decision which will be made on June 2, 2009. All these meetings are at GJAC on Langley Drive in Lawrenceville.
May 26, 2009--3:30PM Information Forum, 4:30PM Public Hearing
May 26, 2009--5:30PM Information Forum, 6:15PM Public Hearing
June 2, 2009--9:30AM Information Forum, 10:30AM Public Hearing
The millage rate(s) will be set following the final public hearing.
Please contact your Commissioners to express your opinions.
Charles.Bannister@gwinnettcounty.com
Shirley.Lasseter@gwinnettcounty.com
Bert.Nasuti@gwinnettcounty.com
Mike.Beaudreau@gwinnettcounty.com
Kevin.Kenerly@gwinnettcounty.com
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Rezoning discussion
There have been questions raised about the City's web site. Questions have been asked about how people who don't live inside the city limits can participate in the cost of keeping the web site up and running.
It is obvious that in the last rezoning discussions on the site that most of the posters are opponents of rezoning and that those who are honest enough to provide an address live out side the city limits.
How do you propose to participate in the costs of running and maintaining the site?
It is obvious that in the last rezoning discussions on the site that most of the posters are opponents of rezoning and that those who are honest enough to provide an address live out side the city limits.
How do you propose to participate in the costs of running and maintaining the site?
Thursday, April 16, 2009
Service Delivery Strategy, A Dacula Perspective
SDS Overview--A Dacula Perspective
Overview:
Our current SDS agreement expired on February 28, 2009. Failure to have a current SDS agreement causes the loss of our “qualified local government status” which amounts to state sanctions against the county and all cities. The result is the inability to receive state grants, loans and permits. In early February, before the last agreement expired, Gwinnett’s mayors signed a 2-month SDS extension and delivered it to the Gwinnett County Commissioners. This extension would have avoided sanctions and allowed more time to negotiate. Unfortunately for all taxpayers,
What has happened since the lawsuit was filed?
Attorneys for all parties have motions and issues pending with the appointed out-of-circuit judge. The next step in the process is court-ordered mediation. State law provides that both sides work with a mediator in an effort to reach an agreement. The cities are preparing for mediation and hope the process moves along as quickly as possible.
What services provided by Dacula are affected by SDS?
The Service Delivery Strategy must cover every service that a city or county provides. The original agreement included fourteen service categories. The cities believe there is agreement on the majority of the services. The primary areas of disagreement are related to police, transportation, and planning and development services.
What is the effect of not having an SDS Agreement?
The cities want to eliminate the double taxation of city property owners. Until a new SDS agreement is reached, the county continues to bill this over-taxation and keep the excess revenue. Additionally, all citizens will feel the impact of the state sanctions. The sanctions were included in the SDS process to motivate all parties to negotiate in good faith and reach a SDS agreement quickly. All cities simply want the state law to be followed.
Will an SDS Agreement be reached outside of the courts?
It is possible, but the fundamental disagreement is about the fair taxation. Gwinnett’s cities have worked intensely to reach agreement with the county, but they have repeatedly delayed since early 2008. The county has had more than ample opportunity to negotiate with the cities in good faith.
How could the outcome of this affect Dacula residents?
Once an SDS agreement is reached, all Gwinnett property owners will be billed only their fair taxes, no more or less.
Final thoughts.
Officials representing Gwinnett’s 15 cities believe that
Monday, April 13, 2009
Welcome to my election cycle blog, Dacula: on Track.
I will be using this blog to provide election information for the City of Dacula's 2009 General Election to be held on November 3, 2009 at the Dacula City Hall. I encourage each city voter to express his opinion of the issues that will be raised in this blog. This is my attempt to encourage you to participate in the business of the City.
As you may be aware, I am currently your mayor elected for my second term in 2006. Please consider carefully who you want to lead your city during these tough economic times. I am completing seven and one half years, and I stand on what the City Council and I have accomplished in that time. I intend to run for re-election in 2009.
Please vote experience and success on November 3, 2009.
You may contact me mayordacula@charter.net at any time.
I will be using this blog to provide election information for the City of Dacula's 2009 General Election to be held on November 3, 2009 at the Dacula City Hall. I encourage each city voter to express his opinion of the issues that will be raised in this blog. This is my attempt to encourage you to participate in the business of the City.
As you may be aware, I am currently your mayor elected for my second term in 2006. Please consider carefully who you want to lead your city during these tough economic times. I am completing seven and one half years, and I stand on what the City Council and I have accomplished in that time. I intend to run for re-election in 2009.
Please vote experience and success on November 3, 2009.
You may contact me mayordacula@charter.net at any time.
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