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.