Voters say no to E-SPLOST 591-540

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Tuesday, November 8. 2011

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Just over 11% of eligible Pike County voters turned out to the polls to vote down the a proposed Education Special Option Sales Tax. The one cent tax would have raised up to $6 million to fund school projects. With all precincts reporting the complete ESPLOST referendum results are as follows:

TOTAL - YES 540 and NO 591:

Zebulon - Yes 41 and No 45

Advance - Yes 137 and No 189

Absentee - Yes 28 and No 46

Concord - Yes 59 and No 53

Second District - Yes 57 and No 51

Williamson - Yes 45 and No 51

Hollonville - Yes 48 and No 49

Meansville - Yes 52 and No 32

Molena - Yes 38 and No 48.

Lifsey Springs - Yes 35 and No 52

In neighboring Lamar County, the E-SPLOST vote passed by a 895-241 margin.

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#1 No Cat Reader on 11/08/11 at 08:07 AM

Wrong again Friends of Polecat. It is a shame you have to depend on the PJR for your topics. Get creative on your own, put both your heads together so your 10 screen names will have something to post.
VOTE TODAY
GRANDDADDY ALWAYS SAID
VOTE
VOTE EARLY
VOTE OFTEN

#2 Anonymous on 11/08/11 at 10:24 AM

Sounds like someone's been very obsessed with The Cat.

#2.1 Observer on 11/08/11 at 11:55 AM

Come on Big Brother and Little Sister you know better. Obsessed was when someone wanted to rid the county of a Carpetbagger. It worked and Pike Co is better off. Your site is for your own idle time and for personal communication between yourselves.

#2.2 Ed Brown on 11/09/11 at 07:33 AM

Sound like the same person using many names, Why do they hate JC and his web poll so much? Why do they hide their real name?

#2.2.1 True Edward Brown on 11/09/11 at 03:13 PM

I did not post the above statement. I do not support John C. Morrison nor his web blog. It is weak, starts trouble and a non-productive site for Pike County Citizens. It is only two people and their opinions. Thank you.

#3 PC Tax Payer on 11/08/11 at 10:35 AM

I sure hope everyone remembers that the board of education already increased your property tax by 5 mils when you go and cast your vote!!

#4 Teacher on 11/08/11 at 07:43 PM

I am a teacher- and I am so sad we didn't get this money. We already have to fundraise the parents lke crazy to get anything. Gosh!! So sad!

#4.1 fat bass tard on 11/08/11 at 08:06 PM

yes, it's truly a shame that the administration is so greedy with the money. they should be spending it in the classroom instead of on themselves.

i can tell you now that the 5 mil increase for the board of education cost them the E-SPLOST. i can also tell you that if they keep raising taxes, there will be a new set of boe members.

#5 in Lamar County on 11/08/11 at 08:21 PM

E-SPLOST passes 895-241

#6 Teacher on 11/08/11 at 08:27 PM

Well, the mil increase didnt make it to my classroom- and a lot of students walk through my door every day. Barnesville got their E-Splost passed. They must have done something right. I dont think its the board- they are not really 'involved' I think its the main office people who control spending at the top.No time to dwell on the past- lets look to the future and use what we have.

#6.1 regular guy on 11/09/11 at 05:23 AM

Teacher, Everybody is tired of paying more taxes. The mil increase might not make it to your classroom but we still are paying for it. Most if not all of the school board needs to be voted out.

#7 Peanut-Popcorn Vendor on 11/08/11 at 08:55 PM

I'm glad it did not pass. Whether it passed or not we will still be taxed and double taxed. By not passing this E-SPLOST tells me that the taxpayers do not have trust in the BOE members to spend the money wisely. It's time to do more with less. We do it in our home everyday. It's time for the BOE to spend cautiously and wisely. I am sure the taxpayer will see another increase on their tax bills in the 2012 year. Just a vicious cycle of out of control spending.....just as they do in D.C.

#8 Parent on 11/08/11 at 10:46 PM

Why dont we get rid of some of the highly paid sports coaches and reduce the pay of our superintendent.

#8.1 PC Alumni on 11/09/11 at 06:38 AM

WHY? is it always the sports and coaches that have to suffer. you people forget that they are teachers as well as coaches. They use there coaching as a way to help supplement their teachers pay. Why not start at the TOP of the food chain and work your way down not the other way around!!!

#8.2 fat bass tard on 11/09/11 at 07:04 AM

AMEN!!!! why not put the football, baseball and basketball teams on the same program as the band. whatever money you can earn with fund raisers, you can use to pay for everything.

#9 Anonymous on 11/08/11 at 11:49 PM

If they raised prop taxes 5 mil, why do they need this esplost? New suit pockets to line, I assume?

#10 Underpaid on 11/09/11 at 04:23 AM

The school has needs, and they will pay for them any way possible. With voters, with very poor turnout, voting down ESPLOST, the BoE will raise taxes yet again. They will have to pay for the schools' needs somehow. Look for it next spring. I'm so looking forward to paying "my share" of the cost.

Low taxes are great, but they allow a debt of their own to accumulate. Our roads deteriorate. Our jail remains overcrowded. County offices remain overcrowded, too. Equipment and personnel needs countywide go ignored. Hell, people, there's inflation. We're all going to have to pay that debt soon, maybe as soon as two years. Just wait for it because we're all going to do it together.

It's about time everyone took a breath and a good hard look at reality. If you want lower taxes, move. I'm sorry, but that's honesty talking. If you want to live here in our fine community, you're going to have to pay your dues - read taxes - to do so. Pay you will because nothing has been done to bring in commercial and industry properties. They're the ones that really pay property taxes, taking the burden off people like we bloggers and bitchers. Until that happens, keep your checkbooks open.

#10.1 fat bass tard on 11/09/11 at 07:09 AM

or people like you can just donate money. obviously you have plenty.

taxes are high because money is wasted. you can't honestly tell me that duncan is worth over $150,000 per year and needs a boe car to drive as well.

we used to run the school with around 5-7 administrative people now we have nearly 20.

it's time for ALL government entities to realize that we the people are SICK of all the wasted money and the yearly increase in money spent.

the school budget has tripled in the last 10 years adjusted for inflation with only a 10% increase in school population. you can't possibly say that there is no waste!!

#10.2 Voter on 11/09/11 at 07:14 AM

3 schools, $22-24 million budget, less than 3500 kids. what's wrong with this picture? This county, with approximately 17,000 people, is not ready to handle "BIG" government. Each department has to do with what is allocated. How many county vehicles go home with employees each night? At county expense, especially the sheriff and his gang. You say the are roads are deteriorated? With 165 miles of paved road and mostly through traffic on them, of course they wear. But farming out the work isn't the answer. Jail overcrowded? Put the convicts to work outside the gates. Chain gangs worked in the past, they'll work now. There are many ways for the county leadership to cut down on expenses. It's about time those boys (and girls) learned how to think outside the box and do what they've been elected to do. RUN THIS COUNTY EFFICIENTLY!!!

#10.3 Justice on 11/09/11 at 07:16 AM

You say that if we want lower taxes to move. You also name yourself as "Underpaid". If we need to move maybe you need to get a job that pays more.

#10.4 Underpaid non government employee on 11/09/11 at 07:18 AM

If the waste is cut out, there is no need to raise taxes. Underpaid you sound like somebody on the government dime. You can bet that most people are tired of paying tax increase after tax increase so that the elected morons can piss away more and more money.

#10.4.1 fat bass tard on 11/09/11 at 08:43 AM

exactly! if you stop wasting money you will have plenty.

only 30% of boe money goes to teachers salaries. how many private companies could be successful with 70% of the money going to non-productive tasks?

#10.5 Sheila Tolley on 11/09/11 at 07:25 AM

READ taxes?

Is Walter about to start charging me for reading comments?

#11 walkin boss on 11/09/11 at 05:59 AM

What's done is done. Let's all now get behind the plan for an in school health center which will be funded by Emory Health Care. No tax $ no school $ better health services for kids, less absenteeism, less lost work time for parents. Lunch/learn 12/15.404/694/3488 - 567/2930

#12 Anonymous on 11/09/11 at 06:10 AM

The citizens are sick of the over spending from Duncan and his cronnies. He dips into money that is set aside for something we need and then tries to pull from something else to replace it... Can't rob Peter to pay Paul...... The board should lower the peeps in BOE office's pay. And put that mone were it is needed. But that isn't gonna happen when all but 2 of the board members arre in his pocket.Its sad that is going on , but it is.

#13 Anonymous on 11/09/11 at 07:15 AM

Why not find other ways to raise money for the county needs other than pulling it out of the tax payers pocket books.

#14 C'mon Man!!! on 11/09/11 at 07:24 AM

This is sad. It's no wonder this little shanty of a town has nothing. The voters in Lamar County got it right passing their ESPLOST 3-to-1. As long as this happens they will always have nicer things than we do. Funny thing, there's no real shopping here anyways. We have to go out of town to buy most things and all we are doing is paying their SPLOSTs and lining their pockets while we remain broke and in the past. Shame on you Pike County!

#14.1 fat bass tard on 11/09/11 at 08:16 AM

why are you here? you obviously like lamar better. please, move there. i am sure they will appreciate your money.

#14.1.1 C'mon Man on 11/09/11 at 03:44 PM

to annoy fat bass tards like you

#14.1.1.1 fat bass tard on 11/10/11 at 08:04 AM

i would have to care in order to be annoyed. you do know you can voluntarily give more money to the school system. why don't you do that? you must be a democrat. want's everyone else to pay for it. but, not willing to pony up any yourself.

#14.1.1.1.1 annie mae mouse on 11/10/11 at 12:48 PM

Hey dumb bass-tard, thats part of the beauty of a splost is that everybody does pay!

#14.1.1.1.1.1 fat bass tard on 11/10/11 at 01:55 PM

please tell me who doesn't pay. i would like to see how they do it.

#14.1.1.1.1.2 fat bass tard on 11/10/11 at 02:03 PM

and that's only if you buy something. annoying here can't afford to dip water from the creek.

by the way, you are the dumb one.

#14.1.1.1.1.2.1 anonymous on 11/10/11 at 07:04 PM

You should really think about that name change from fat to dumb!

#14.1.1.1.1.2.1.1 fat bass tard on 11/10/11 at 08:58 PM

hey if you don't know the answer just say so. you don't have to resort to childish name calling.

#14.2 PC Tax Payer on 11/09/11 at 08:41 AM

I saw some real nice property over in Lamar that you can have for a song. Why not go live there since you seem to love it over there so much?

#14.3 Jaye on 11/09/11 at 08:16 PM

And who might that be that is overpaid?

#15 Spend More Wisely on 11/09/11 at 07:58 AM

Folks, it's simple.....spend the money we already have in a smarter way...cut the salaries of those who are over paid. Maybe down the road the taxpayers of this county will approve another proposed SPLOST---but for now, show us some real change & let's work w/ what we have.

#15.1 great idea on 11/14/11 at 08:05 AM

This is about the smartest comment I have read on here. I would be more than happy to vote yes if the money were used correctly, I have not seen this happen. I also paid for my children to go to private schools because of the quality of education they received in PIKE CO SCHOOLS, there are some great teachers in the school but they are few and far. Improve your schools, replace your board and spend our money better and you will not need additional funds.

#16 walkin boss on 11/09/11 at 12:11 PM

Come on Ms Tolley & Mr Tard, see comment #11 and get on board with me.

#16.1 fat bass tard on 11/10/11 at 08:07 AM

i'm definitely interested. i guess my first question is where are the funds coming from? is this a grant given to emory by the fed? if so, i'm still paying for it. if not then i will look into it and endorse it if i can.

#16.1.1 walikin boss on 11/10/11 at 01:47 PM

Good question on where the ultimate source is, i.e. where did Emory get the funding. Come to lunch on December 15 at the Alternative School ( old high school next to Ruth's ) at noon that day. If you can confirm I'll have your meal ordered.

#16.1.1.1 fat bass tard on 11/10/11 at 02:06 PM

unfortunately, i will be out of town on business.

#16.1.1.1.1 Anonymous on 11/11/11 at 05:40 AM

Does this mean you'll be in Molena at a yard sale?

#16.1.1.1.1.1 fat bass tard on 11/11/11 at 06:50 AM

no it means i'll be finishing up some work in another state.

work - the labor, task, or duty that is one's accustomed means of livelihood.

i know you don't understand the word so i thought i'ld define it for you.

#17 L.C. on 11/09/11 at 01:10 PM

Ha! you peeps in P.C. Can use our fields when GHSA condems the rest of your facilities!!! We be glad to let you play on Thursday for a small fee. Yall about to be AAA with a back yard to play in. Yall getting real used to losing. Can u say Homecoming! Boyz and Girlz yall move on over her we going to the ship!

#17.1 PC Stud on 11/10/11 at 10:11 AM

When I played for Pike County, we beat Lamar like yard dogs. Out time will come around again. It doesn't take a fancy stadium paid for with grant money to win football games. We'll show you next year.

#17.1.1 When you played? on 11/11/11 at 05:46 AM

Next year you will move up to AAA and word is your coach has already said he won't play Lamar if he doesn't have to because they beat you like a red step child. Besides next year's game would be in Barnesville in their nice ESPLOST paid for stadium and they will shake down the thunder again.

#17.1.1.1 PC Stud on 11/11/11 at 08:09 AM

Highly doubtful we'll move up to AAA. We were barely in the AAA for number of students last year and enrollment has dropped.

Don't worry, you'll still get an opportunity for a beat down come next fall. Even in your minority participation grant stadium. Its amazing that you don't even know where over half the money came from or are you just too ashamed to admit it?

#17.1.1.1.1 Anonymous on 11/11/11 at 03:38 PM

ALL of the money that built that stadium came from ESPLOST. And according to projections from the GHSA based on FTE numbers, Pike is well up the totem poll to move to AAA next year since the state is going to six classifications. You Pike people claim to be so smart but I just played you twice in one post. So come on across the creek next year and watch where the Bucs stop again.

#17.1.1.1.1.1 PC Stud on 11/12/11 at 10:16 AM

You need to look it up. It came with a matching grant. I guess we'll come watch you lose in the first round so we can have a good laugh. Now run along and get your EBT lunch before it gets cold. SNAP pwned you that time.

#17.1.1.1.1.1.1 Anonymous on 11/13/11 at 09:57 PM

Hey PC Dud? Did you come enjoy our loss? HA! Who's laughing now? Come on back this week for another laugh. But don't park that raggedy camper in our parking lot again. Took all day Saturday to clean up the oil spill. OH, that's your house??? Sorry.

#17.1.1.1.1.1.1.1 PC Stud on 11/14/11 at 11:11 AM

Sorry, didn't make it out. So you managed a win? Must have been one of the sub-par schools. Let me know when you play a decent team and I'll see if I can come by and watch from the road with binoculars. I wouldn't pay to support your sorry rear any more than I have too.

#17.1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1 Anonymous on 11/14/11 at 03:08 PM

No we beat the sub-par school in Zebulon back during the regular season. Binoculars? Is that the same thing as the scope on your deer rifle? Since you refuse to come into our stadium where you could have some nice snacks from our concessions, enjoy your pork rinds and pickled pigs feet and PBRs. And please empty the toilet in your tenement on wheels before you come over here.

#17.1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1 PC Stud on 11/14/11 at 08:04 PM

You're used to the leavings from my black water tank. I'll just continue to dump it in Lamar and keep the best things in Pike.

#18 Taxpayer on 11/09/11 at 06:37 PM

Duncan's three year contract at more money that the state school superintendent was making was the BOE first big mistake. More followed. Does Duncan even live in Pike County?

#19 Anonymous on 11/09/11 at 08:06 PM

We could have had Dr. Truby as our Superintendent. We allowed him to go to Lamar County. We got the preppy boy from Fayette !

#19.1 fat bass tard on 11/10/11 at 08:16 AM

well at least we got the tall one... no... wait...

#20 Anonymous on 11/09/11 at 10:48 PM

If you want lower taxes and nicer things we must allow, help, and beg industry, business and retail to come inside our boundry. It is that simple. Crying about your high taxes does not fly. We pay a lower tax than most everyone around. That is the biggest resons we have nothing but admins and politicians.

#20.1 Taxpayer on 11/11/11 at 11:13 PM

Pike County has nothing to draw industry. No rail road, no Interstate, no bus service, no infrastructure, no Sunday sales. Just a nice place to live. If we could only stop those out of county kids coming to our school system, the administration reduce their salaries we would be alright.

#20.1.1 HUH? on 11/12/11 at 08:20 AM

Yeah, and if a bullfrog had wings..........

#20.1.2 Anonymous on 11/13/11 at 03:55 AM

I agree with Taxpayer.

#21 Parent of First Grader on 11/14/11 at 05:43 PM

From what I hear....Lamar Co. knows how to spend their allocated money. They have a fine arts building completely paid for, no mortgage from a SPLOST. Bad thing is, if Pike Co. schools are so great, why do they have a performing arts building and we have the same old worn-out auditorium. If the high rollers would come off the hip and take a paycut or no increase for the next 5 years, maybe we'd have the educational monies needed. Maybe if the big wigs in Pike period, knew how to handle their monies, we would be in a lot better shape.

#21.1 Stretch on 11/23/11 at 07:37 AM

Umm, are you rlealy just giving this info out for nothing?

#22 Thomas on 11/16/11 at 08:37 PM

I have checked on these Fine Art or Performing Arts buildings around our county.
I have been told yes they are nice but 90% of the time they are empty.
Meaning you 14 million dollars to build a building thats empty....The worst part is you have to pay to upkeep and run heat and air through it......Big Money ...Little return.
We would be better off to build a new jail to keep from facing a lawsuit one day

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