Read more
Discretionary money can't be spent on schools, Hamilton County attorney says
Commission action mirrors Plunkitt
The County Commission's vote to override County Mayor Jim Coppinger's veto of the fiscal 2016 budget was a foregone conclusion. He deleted $900,000 from the budget for a simple reason: the expected revenue did not support the allocation.
Turns out the money was there all along - in the county's savings account. The 6-to-3 override vote will give commissioners another $100,000 each for discretionary spending in their respective districts next year. Not a bad slush fund to help create goodwill among voters in advance of the next election.
If the six commissioners don't have a political hero, here's a suggestion: George Washington Plunkitt, a New York political boss in the late-19th and early-20th centuries.
The notoriety of his Tammany Hall headquarters aside, Plunkitt is best remembered for a perfectly cynical description of his political philosophy: "I seen my opportunities and I took 'em."
So now the "Shameless Six" have voted to tap the county savings account for 900 large, and voted again to erase Coppinger's veto. Surely neither Coppinger nor the county agencies disappointed with their allocation ever dreamed the County Commissioners would "plunkitt" them.
Michael Loftin
Proud Southerner wants flag flying
The flag and the bust of Forrest should remain right where they are. I don't know of anyone who is still around who had slaves. This is just another way of using anything to keep racial hate alive. I was born in New Orleans and lived all my life in the South. I am proud to be a Southerner. The shooting in South Carolina was awful but it was the result of a mentally disturbed person who needed help. Politicians are caving in to a few to take all our rights away. Equal rights means both races are equal. I want my rights back.
Virginia Carr, Hixson
Don't forget Bill's legacy in 2016
Remembering the Clinton legacy: 1. Bill Clinton vetoed the Partial Birth Abortion Bill three times. He had no problem terminating the life of a full-term baby.
2. Bill Clinton signed the NAFTA Bill. He had no problem terminating the jobs of his fellow citizens by making it lucrative for the owners to outsource jobs and betraying the U.S. worker. No respect for the unborn or the born. Now I can hardly wait to see what Hillary will do - Bill pulled the handle; now Hillary is going to flush us.
Richard Lee, Blairsville, Ga.