The Citizen Newsletter

The Conservative Voice of Henry County

Issue # 390

March 9, 2013

In This Issue:
Page Feature 2 2 3 4 5 6 8 8 10 11 K-12 Student National Database Sen. Rands Epic Filibuster News from McDonough Matters Poll Gauges Georgians Views RWHC Scholarship Program Citizens Seek ULDC Change Rep. Brian Strickland Jeffares Proposes to Limit BoC Chairman News from the Gold Dome Henry Co Commissioners

Journalism is printing what someone else does not want printed. Everything else is public relations ~ George Orwell

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On February 27, 2013 the KENTUCKY STATE SENATE passed SB129, declaring any new Obama gun laws unconstitutional and void. SB129 prohibits any federal agents from enforcing such laws and makes it a crime for them to do so. Welcome to Kentucky!
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K-12 student database spooks parents

A new database tracks the grades, test scores, attendance and hobbies of millions of U.S. students. Companies that sell educational software are thrilled, but some parents have reservations. An education technology conference this week in Austin will clang with bells and whistles as startups eagerly show off their latest wares. But the most influential new product may be the least flashy: a $100 million database built to chart the academic paths of public school students from kindergarten through high school. In operation for just three months, the database already holds files on millions of children identified by name, address and sometimes social security number. Learning disabilities are documented, test scores recorded, attendance noted. In some cases, the database tracks student hobbies, career goals, attitudes toward school even homework completion. Local education officials retain legal control over their students' information. But federal law allows them to share files in their portion of the database with private companies selling educational products and services. Entrepreneurs can't wait. States and school districts can choose whether they want to input their student records into the system; the service is free for now, though inBloom officials say they will likely start to charge fees in 2015. So far, seven states Colorado, Delaware, Georgia, Illinois, Kentucky, North Carolina, and Massachusetts have committed to enter data from select school districts. Louisiana and New York will be entering nearly all student records statewide. Read more at
HTTP://NEWS.MSN.COM/SCIENCE-TECHNOLOGY/K-12-STUDENT-DATABASE-SPOOKS-PARENTS

On the record, and for all to hear: The Henry Citizen does not like it, not one bit!! Whatever our children do, or do not do, in school is not for sale! This is another hair-brained scheme by so-called Education Experts and it stinks! Lets just put little micro-computer chips in Johnnys head so every thought and action can be monitored. This is the kind of decision that should result in the state superintendent, and any school administrator, to be recalled or fired.

Senator Rand Paul's Epic Filibuster: Reads 'Alice in Wonderland'

WASHINGTON MARCH 6, 2013: Fiery Kentucky Senator Rand Paul is filibustering the nomination of drone mastermind John Brennan for CIA Director. The Washington Times reported:

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I will speak today until the president responds and says, No, we wont kill Americans in cafes. No, we wont kill you at home at night, Mr. Paul said early on in the filibuster, which began at 11:47 a.m. and by early afternoon showed no signs of slowing down.

I will speak until I can no longer speak. I will speak as long as it takes, until the alarm is sounded from coast to coast that our Constitution is important, that your rights to trial by jury are precious, that no American should be killed by a drone on American soil without first being charged with a crime, without first being found to be guilty by a court. ~ Rand Paul This old-fashioned filibuster hinges on taking advantage of Senate floor rules that permit a member to speak indefinitely on a subject. Past Senate members have famously read the Bible or other lengthy tomes in order to sustain such a filibuster. Senator Paul today memorably reads a passage from Lewis Carrolls Alice in Wonderland. On Tuesday, Attorney General Eric Holder released legal memos arguing that the White House had the authority to use drone strikes over U.S. soil to kill Americans suspected of terrorism without due process. Senator Paul immediately responded by posting a news release on his website quoting him as saying:

The U.S. Attorney Generals refusal to rule out the possibility of drone strikes on American citizens and on American soil is more than frightening it is an affront the Constitutional due process rights of all Americans.
Senators Mike Lee and Ted Cruz joined Rand Paul in the filibuster.

REMINDER--Please consider signing up for one of the 4 Gun Safety Seminars (Classes) that will be offered in 4 different cities in Henry County. The first one is March 14th at Merle Manders Conference Center, Stockbridge. Call 770-288-8335 to register.
McDonough Chief of Police Preston Dorsey has worked with the various agencies in Henry County and announces that Gun Safety Seminars have been scheduled and are offered free of charge to anyone 21 years of age and older. I have all agencies on board with this to include the District Attorneys Office and State Court, said Chief Dorsey. This is an effort by these agencies to assure that all guns are handled in an educated and safe manner.

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Main Street McDonough's St. Patty's Day on the Square will take place on Saturday, March 16th from 1:00--3:00 p.m. There will be fun things to do and lots of bargains!! Wear your green and make the scene. City of McDonough Community Recycling Series-- Electronics! Saturday, April 6, 9am-1pm
HTTP://WWW .FACEBOOK.COM/MAINSTREETMCDONOUGHPROGRAM WWW .MAINSTREETMCDONOUGH.COM

Facebook poll gauges Georgians' political views

ATLANTA InsiderAdvantage is utilizing Facebook to ask Georgians about their views on politics. InsiderAdvantage CEO and FOX 5 political analyst Matt Towery says this is the first time Facebook promotional products and advertising have been used to conduct a political poll in Georgia. In the poll conducted this week, Facebook users were asked about their views on the current economy. Of those polled, 26 percent said it was improving, 19 percent said it's about the same as it was six months ago, and 54 percent said they believe the economy is worse. One percent of those polled were undecided. The poll also asked Facebook users their opinion on the controversial sequester. Of those polled, 39 percent said they were in favor of the automatic budget cuts, while 35 percent opposed them. Another 26 percent were undecided. When asked about the job performance of President Barack Obama, 32 percent of those polled on Facebook said they approved, while 66 percent disapproved and 2 percent were undecided. Note: Neither Facebook nor SearchMonkey participated in this survey.InsiderAdvantage is solely responsible for the survey and its results.

Eligibility:

REPUBLICAN WOMEN OF HENRY COUNTY 2013 SCHOLARSHIP for $1000.00

Must be a female U.S. citizen and Henry County Resident enrolled in the Henry County School System, public, private or home school. Must be a female graduating senior by spring of 2013 with a minimum 3.0 grade point average. Scholarship Criteria:
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The female student is to submit a letter of acceptance for enrollment from an accredited college. Copy of high school transcript. Submit a 500-word essay as described below. Essay: The 500-word essay must be typed, double-spaced, using a 12-point font, on 8 x 11 unlined white bond paper and in the English language. Handwritten essays will not be accepted. The cover page should include the following title, How Being Involved in the Political Process Makes Me a Better Citizen, along with your name, the date, and your high school. All essays must be original, factually accurate, articulate, and free from plagiarism. Award Guidelines: All entries will be reviewed by the Scholarship Committee of the Republican Women of Henry County. The committee members will select the scholarship recipient based on the content of their essay. Additional consideration will be given to those who have participated in the political process locally. The winner will be notified in May and the scholarship will be awarded at the luncheon of the Republican Women of Henry County and will be payable to the scholarship winner. Deadline: All completed applications, documentation and completed essays should be received by April 30, 2013 and sent to RWHC Scholarship, c/o Kappy Morris, 117 Black Oak Court, Stockbridge, GA 30281. Scholarship Application Packet The packet that you submit should included the following items: 1. 2. 3. 4. Application Form 500 Word Essay with cover page Letter of acceptance from college you will be attending Copy of high school transcript

Contact RWHC Scholarship, c/o Kappy Morris, 117 Black Oak Court, Stockbridge, GA 30281. For more info: visit HTTPS://WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/#!/KAPPY.MORRIS

Citizens Seek ULDC Modification

We propose the county code changes to specifically protect the right to grow food crops and raise small animals on private property so long as such crops and animals are used for human consumption by the occupants, gardeners, or raisers and their households and not for commercial purposes.

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Get the picture? A backyard chicken coop is enclosed. The birds do not fly around the neighborhood! Cant we along?
Henry County Code allows the following:
One (1) miniature pig which does not exceed one hundred pounds in weight and one (1) miniature goat which does not exceed forty (40) pounds. Only one (1) miniature pig and/or one (1) miniature goat may be located on any premises and/or property which is less than three (3) acres in size. Property exceeding three (3) acres in size may have more than one (1) such animal. A license is also required and must be obtained from Henry County Animal Control Department.

all

just

get

County Code does not restrict owning and raising dogs, cats, hamsters, white mice, other caged birds (parrots, cockatoo, myna) even snakes!

Yet none of those pet owners can say My Pet Makes My Breakfast
Please attend the Board of Commissioners meeting on March 19th at 6:30pm. June and I will address the board and ask them to direct staff to review and update the ULDC.

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Using a study of ordinance citations from across the state listing specific requirements and qualifications for raising chickens, which we hope to see expanded to other egg producing fowl. Proposal for modification to the Henry County Unified Land Development Code (ULDC): Section to be modified: Sec. 2.04.00. - Miscellaneous provisions, 2.04.03: Keeping and raising of livestock. The keeping and raising of all farm animals and fowl shall be limited to property located within the RA zoning district and must have a minimum lot area of three (3) acres. Modification to maintain compliance with Sec. 3-16-1: Nuisance, Sec. 3-4-1: Health and safety of persons and animals, and other applicable code sections. Proposed inclusions: 1. That restriction to RA zoning districts and the requirement for three acres are removed from the ordinance. In their place, specific qualifications and restrictions are inserted to control but not prohibit keeping and raising specified livestock within all areas of unincorporated Henry County. 2. With regard to fowl, qualifications and requirements shall include: 2a. Allow fowl to be kept and raised 2b. Limit to no more than six (6) fowl in a residential area providing a lot area less than three acres. 2c. Coop is required for housing fowl. Coop must be 25 inches from ground and 5 feet from any dwelling, feed in rat-proof container. Coop must provide four (4) square feet per bird. Birds may not run at large; area must be fenced or otherwise enclosed by natural (wood, stone, shrubbery) landscape barrier to prohibit passage by birds. 2d. Coop may not be placed in a front yard in a residential area providing a lot area less than three acres. Protection of street-side appearance and curb appeal shall require that coop is protected from street view or lot must provide privacy fencing or natural (wood, stone, shrubbery) landscape barrier. 2e. Prohibition against keeping or raising rooster(s) where lot size is less than three acres. We are seeking the ability to raise fowl (specifically chickens) in our residential backyard. Please contact your district commissioner. Tell him that you support this update to Henry Countys Unified Land Development Code (ULDC) and want him to vote in favor. Please attend the Board of Commissioners meeting on March 19th at 6:30pm. June and I will address the board and ask them to direct staff to review and update the ULDC. If you have comments or suggestions please contact June Stanley at JUNE7420@YAHOO.COM

Thanks for your support, Larry & June Stanley

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The rate of bills coming to the floor for consideration has increased with cross over day looming. We are voting on house bills you can read about in our weekly newsletter. Links are provided where you can get additional information on the actual bill. You are also able to see how I voted by clicking on those links. If you are not getting the newsletter emailed to you please take time to sign up.
Rep. Brian Strickland HTTPS://WWW.FACEBOOK .COM/PAGES/STATE-REP-BRIAN-STRICKLAND/452884304749225?FREF=TS

NOTICE Sen. Jeffares to limit voting power of County Chairman

Henry Daily Herald, March 6, 2013, page 5 Notice of Intention to Introduce Local Legislation "Notice is given that there will be introduced at the Regular 2013 Session of the General Assembly of Georgia a bill to amend an Act providing for a new Board of Commissioners for Henry County, approved March 28, 1974 (Ga. L. 1974, P.3680), as amended, so as to provide that the Chairperson shall vote only in the case of a tie; to provide that the Chairperson shall preside over meetings of the Board but shall not make or second motions before the Board; to provide that the County Manager shall establish the agenda for Board Meetings and shall have the power to hire, discipline, and terminate employees of the Board; to provide for related matters; and for other purposes. Signed by Senator Rick Jeffares, District 17. NOTICE TO HENRY COUNTY RESIDENTS: REP. ANDY WELCH HAS CONFIRMED THAT THE HENRY LEGISLATIVE DELEGATION WILL MEET ON MONDAY, MARCH 11TH AT 9AM. THE MEETING WILL BE HELD AT ROOM 605 AT THE LEGISLATIVE OFFICE BUILDING. TOPICS WILL INCLUDE ISSUES OF LOCAL LEGISLATION TO INCLUDE ANNEXATION BY THE CITY OF STOCKBRIDGE, THE HENRY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS, AND OTHER MATTERS. INTERESTED CITIZENS ARE WELCOME TO ATTEND. Two delegation members have confirmed this matter has not been discussed by the delegation, and on Friday, March 8th no actual Bill had been presented to the delegation members. Delegation Rules call for local legislation to be presented by the 20th day of the session, but there is no legal requirement in that regard. Local legislation bills can be submitted and a vote called at any time during the legislative session. When Henry County Chairman position was created in 1974 by local legislation the board wanted and requested that he/she have full voting authority. The county manager, an employee and not elected,

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should not have authority to set the board's agenda. What we have here appears to be a coup dtat against the newly elected chairman. Elections have consequences and the people spoke in a 60-40 [Republican Primary] vote to elect the current chairman with the powers and authority of the position as created in 1974. Local legislation should always come from a unanimous vote of the sitting board - not one person, and not one member of the legislative delegation regardless of personal agendas.

Voices:
Christi Conner Tate wrote: Some chairmen chose not to vote on their own. It should stay this way. This is totally aimed at Tommy Smith and I bet it's some old timers idea. This guy hasn't been around enough to have come up with this on his own. Tommy recalls being called king Tommy and didn't really give a rat. lol. The chairman has to have influence on what the county manager and employees do because he is the elected leader. The county manager historically lends an ear and hand to whoever is politically powerful and it balances things out. The chairman is not a ceremonial figurehead. Stephen S. Coffee wrote: There is something that dose not meet the eye here. Sounds like someone stepped on some toes on a deal before the board and is seeking revenge. Mr. Jeffares, I think you have important issues at the capital than this that you should be addressing. It is but a shot across the bow. In the McDonough city charter issue the delegation set precedent against altering the role and responsibilities of a sitting elected official. Some delegation members are not yet in the loop on Jeffares proposed local legislation. It is about serious political agendas and nullification of an election. Take that to heart. To even think a member of the Henry delegation would open this can of worms, especially without fully vetting it with the delegation members AND the sitting commissioners, shows a shallow and agenda-driven mind. The blow back against our conservative Republican delegation members would be more than precarious - this is the stuff that ends political careers. Focus on the principles at stake. Nobody should care who is a friend with whom, or what anyone thinks of the current chairman. Elections have consequences and the chairman was elected to oust the former chairman. Seems there are some issues the senator wants to clear up and rectify with the chairman, and this move is his way of getting the chairman's attention. The Citizen heard three issues, but from different sources so you can take that for what it is. None of the issues are a matter of public policy and none of them rise to the level of legislative action. There is some pettiness afoot, but the "shot heard round the County" could be someone's undoing. If this is a private or personal matter that Jeffares is trying to resolve, then we have a serious breach of ethical behavior and abuse of power to "threaten" legislative action against a sitting commissioner/ chairman. From all we have heard (grapevine, so take it for what it is) this is all about personal issues.

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Please visit THE FEDERALIST PAPERS

Georgia House of Representatives

One of the bills passed this week that may directly affect your family is HOUSE BILL 123, the Parent and Teacher Empowerment Act. This legislation would allow parents to petition their local school board to convert their traditional public school into a public charter school. HB 123 also provides parents and teachers several options for transforming low-achieving schools. These options would allow parents and teachers to decide whether their low-achieving school should: 1) remove administration; 2) restructure the school; 3) allow students an option to transfer to a better performing school in the district; 4) utilize a school management team; and/or 5) impose student improvement plans. To enact these options or convert to a charter school, more than 50 percent of parents or teachers would have to sign a petition. The petition would then go before the local school board for consideration, who could defeat the petition by a simple majority vote. If, however, a petition is supported by more than sixty percent of parents or teachers, the board must have a two-thirds vote to reject the petition. This measure is intended to engage students, inspire teachers, and involve parents in their children's education. Empowerment is an odd term to describe a law that purports to strengthen parents and teachers when the power remains with the local school board. Kinda poo-poos the idea that the new law does much of anything. One of the most debated bills on Crossover Day, HOUSE BILL 512, would allow licensed weapons holders who have gone through the process of finger printing, a background check, and a mental health inquiry to obtain a Georgia Weapons License (GWL) to carry their firearms in more places in Georgia than currently allowed by state law. This bill, known as the Safe Carry Protection Act, would allow property owners - not
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the government - to decide whether a licensed weapon holder may carry a gun in their places of worship and establishments that primarily serve alcohol beverages. The bill would also allow GWL holders to carry their firearm in a government building that is not afforded the protection of security services at the entrances or exits of the premises. Additionally, HB 512 would allow gun owners to carry their firearms on most areas of public college campuses, but would not allow weapons in residence halls or competitive sporting events. Great legislation to strengthen 2nd Amendment rights. But, what about that student who legally possesses a GWL and lives in a campus residence hall? Where shall he/she maintain and store the weapon? The 4th Amendment is accepted to include a persons domicile.

Henry County Board of Commissioners

Tommy Smith Chairman

Email:
TSMITH@CO.HENRY .GA.US

Email:

Gary Barham District 3

GBARHAM@CO.HENRY.GA.US

Reid A. Bowman, Sr. District 4

Email:

William Bo Moss District 1

Email:

DISTRICT4@CO.HENRY.GA.US

BMOSS@CO.HENRY.GA.US

Brian Preston District 2

Email:
BPRESTON@CO.HENRY.GA.US

Bruce Holmes District 5

Email:
BHOLMES@CO.HENRY.GA.US

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