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DOGGETTJA
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| Joined: | Oct 24th, 2005 |
| Location: | Summerfield |
| Posts: | 1198 |
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Posted: Jul 21st, 2007 01:42 pm |
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| Grits the Town is required by State law to maintain a certain fund balance and right now I don't remember what it is but 2 or 3 million for our town sticks in my mind. If the Town spends below the requirement then the State can come in and manage the Town. I think in the current budget with the proposed expenditures the budge will drop to $5million.
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GRITS
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| Joined: | Mar 20th, 2007 |
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Posted: Jul 21st, 2007 01:45 pm |
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DOGGETTJA wrote: Grits the Town is required by State law to maintain a certain fund balance and right now I don't remember what it is but 2 or 3 million for our town sticks in my mind. If the Town spends below the requirement then the State can come in and manage the Town. I think in the current budget with the proposed expenditures the budge will drop to $5million.
Interesting!
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JamesAttaway
Member
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Posted: Jul 21st, 2007 01:48 pm |
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GRITS wrote: The on-line forum not only will help the voters learn of their candidates, but can only benefit the group that has decided to run as well.
I think some that have decided to run are not really up to date on alot of events occurring and they may decide this is not the time to jump into such a fiasco. I do not want to discourage them at all. It is their decision to want to take on such a task, I certainly want to hear their views correcting some of the issues.
I just want more citizens to get involved with the discussions on the forum. Mixed opinions -- and brain storming does eventually lead to something positive.
Grits,
Very well said. I have been asking(for years)for people to attend Council meetings,committee meetings etc. But only a faithful few attend on a regular basis. People need to make their Ideas and opinions known.
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"EVERYBODY IS SOMEBODY IN STOKESDALE"
http://www.attawaystokesdale.bravehost.com
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JamesAttaway
Member
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Posted: Jul 21st, 2007 02:03 pm |
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Grits when I answered your question about investments , I was of course talking about Stokesdale TC. when I mentioned no taxes.
____________________
"EVERYBODY IS SOMEBODY IN STOKESDALE"
http://www.attawaystokesdale.bravehost.com
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GRITS
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Posted: Jul 21st, 2007 02:42 pm |
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JamesAttaway wrote: Grits when I answered your question about investments , I was of course talking about Stokesdale TC. when I mentioned no taxes.
I realized that, just thought it would be beneficial for others to know what else can be done as far town funding and expenditures.
Any info helps, Summerfield and Stokesdale were at one time close entities and not enemies. I do not imply the two towns are enemies now either & do not wish them to be, the communities are so close in proximity and people do have affiliations--your knowledge will greatly benefit others. Thanks for your clarification.
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JamesAttaway
Member
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Posted: Jul 21st, 2007 02:52 pm |
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I hope all three towns are still friends, really no reason not to be.I have worked in the past, with representatives from both towns on various projects. I am proud to be friends with people from all around. I envision working with Summerfield and Oak Ridge to provide things that would be hard to provide as separate entities, but would be possible for the three towns as a joint venture, a library could be one example.
____________________
"EVERYBODY IS SOMEBODY IN STOKESDALE"
http://www.attawaystokesdale.bravehost.com
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Steve Adkins
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| Joined: | Oct 14th, 2005 |
| Location: | Summerfield |
| Posts: | 1669 |
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Posted: Jul 22nd, 2007 03:15 am |
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JamesAttaway wrote: I hope all three towns are still friends, really no reason not to be.
Jim, thanks for that comment. I really think we have three wonderful towns here which we are very blessed to have.
Every week in the NWO, I see a balanced reporting on the accomplishments of the residents in all three towns, which reinforces the old adage that "people are people" no matter where they lay their heads at night.
Thanks for joining this forum, we appreciate you being here !!!
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S. Smith
Moderator
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Posted: Jul 22nd, 2007 01:21 pm |
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DOGGETTJA wrote: Grits the Town is required by State law to maintain a certain fund balance and right now I don't remember what it is but 2 or 3 million for our town sticks in my mind. If the Town spends below the requirement then the State can come in and manage the Town. I think in the current budget with the proposed expenditures the budge will drop to $5million.
Jane, I'm not sure, but I'm thinking that state law requires a percentage, something like the town has to keep 6 or 8 percent of funds in reserve. I will look at the spending ordinance that the council just passed when I get to the office tomorrow, but I think it says the town will instead keep 15 percent reserved. Summerfield and the other local towns have way, way over the state requirement.
As I recall, this year's budget will spend about $3 million, leaving a fund balance of $6.5 million.
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GRITS
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Posted: Jul 22nd, 2007 01:56 pm |
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DOGGETTJA wrote: Well Mom is up to her usual tricks. Be sure and read the letter she wrote in the Guilford North section of the Greensboro News and Record. Trying as usual to give us a black eye. This time she is picking to Michael Brandt and Bill Hill, two very dedicated and hard working town staff members. Wonder why she doesn't move back to that obviously perfect State she came from. Oh could it be that taxes are half what they are in Illinois?
I am sure most you have read Dena's rebuttal in the Guilford North section of the paper this morning. Again, she stated the actions of Dunham and Strickland well. More brownie points for Dena.
Another councilwoman who speaks her mind but with great dignity.
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lovettrp
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| Joined: | Apr 11th, 2007 |
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Posted: Jul 23rd, 2007 11:55 am |
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My Wife and I were brain storming about signs (if we even buy any). We came up with...
SUMMERFIELD TOWN COUNCIL
Gotta "LOVETT"
Get's the point across and has some humor also!
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lovettrp
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| Joined: | Apr 11th, 2007 |
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Posted: Jul 23rd, 2007 01:27 pm |
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People have been asking about the candidates fiscal leanings (conservative vs. liberal). I would call myself a "practical conservative". Now to try to explain what that means...(big breath)! I believe government should endeavor to keep taxes as low as possible... I can personally say that I do not know of a single person who likes higher taxes; however, government must pay for the services that the community has expressed they want.
Everyone must realize that taxes are a direct reflection on the services the government provides. This is why people must realize that with every decision (new ball parks, municipal buildings and the like) there are associates short and long term costs. I must say, any federal/state/local government takes a lot of heat for raising taxes (they rarely get credit for lowering them) when they have to maintain/supply services that the community previously indicated that they wanted (now that may be an point of argument for some ... but not my point).
How does the elected body know what the community wants? Other than talking to them directly? The council must educate themselves and listen to the community. One great way, I believe, is the creation of the Comprehensive Plan in Summerfield (now in its development stages). This will better guide both the zoning board & boards of assessment along with the Town Council in making better (more informed) decisions. They will have a better view of what the community wants by drawing from the decisions of the community through consensus. (I am sure this statement will also draw fire from some but short of having a referendum on every decision on every topic and expenditure, it is a good guideline and reflection of the communities visions - at that time). Everyone must remember that these plans (and the current services that the community provides) can change!! That is why ongoing communication with the community is necessary. As the community grows and the demographics change so should the vision. Also involvement is crucial... if people are not constructively involved, the members of council can not be adequately informed.
If there is anything I want to come out of this election is I want more residents of Summerfield to become involved...I hope everyone will get a little involved at some level... write letters (the old fashioned way of communicating), phone, e-mail and/or attend meetings. Each of these will allow for individuals to express their opinions and visions for the community. Constructive (not destructive or abusive) dialogue can educate and inform while expressing opinions and help build consensus. Throughout my limited career as an environmental geologist, I can say I probably have learned the most from people who disagree with me or have differing points of view. The important thing is not just to disagree with something but also try to provide a solution ... My father told me to "be part of the solution not part of the problem.... anyone can be part of the problem". Thanks Dad... great words of advise!
Everyone, resister to vote... get educated on the candidates and vote for the most qualified candidate (in you opinion) in November! This is your voice! Please use it responsibly.
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GRITS
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Posted: Jul 23rd, 2007 01:39 pm |
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| WELL SAID !!
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FatPappy
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| Joined: | Oct 25th, 2005 |
| Location: | Summerfield, USA |
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Posted: Jul 23rd, 2007 01:46 pm |
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| Well said indeed! Gotta Lovett!
____________________
How many legs does a dog have if you call the tail a leg? Four; calling a tail a leg doesn't make it a leg.
--Abraham Lincoln
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Lilly Spears
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| Joined: | Mar 29th, 2007 |
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Posted: Jul 24th, 2007 02:52 am |
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Hi Lilly,
I wanted to explain that I just received a message (actually, it was a threat of litigation) from the publisher of a local newspaper site (hitherto referred to as "the site which shall not be named"), who was quite upset at some comments that were posted on our forum in reference to the timeliness of his site's news coverage, quality of photos, etc.
In the interest of maintaining peace for the moment, at least, I think at this time it is simply best to remove all comments referencing this site which shall not be named, which is why your post, and the subsequent post of Jim Flynt's has been removed.
Thanks for your understanding.
Patti Stokes
Last edited on Jul 24th, 2007 07:37 pm by EditorPS
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Jim Flynt
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| Joined: | Jul 29th, 2006 |
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Posted: Jul 24th, 2007 10:09 am |
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Last edited on Jul 24th, 2007 07:10 pm by EditorPS
____________________
I Did It My Way (Frank Sinatra)
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