Airport authority loses two members

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Wednesday, January 25. 2012

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The Barrow County Airport Authority lost two members recently, but both seats should be filled by the end of the month.

The authority welcomed Scott Hang as the new at-large representative at its Jan. 17 meeting. Hang replaced Perry Barton, who resigned on the heels of being elected to the Statham City Council in November. The airport authority did not meet in Dec.

Meredith Cameron has also resigned from the authority. She served as the District 6 representative until Jan. 1, when changes in county election districts went into effect. At that point, both she and long-time authority member Johnie Wendel resided in District 6, so Cameron resigned to allow Wendel to retain a seat on the authority. Wendel had previously been the District 4 representative.

For the full story, see the Jan. 25 issue of the Barrow Journal.

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#1 Anonymous on 01/25/12 at 01:15 PM [Reply]

Just great...Danny puts another real estate guy on the authority, just exactly what we do not need. I'm guessing that Danny will be working for Scott after the next election. (Now there is a team to sell your double wide!) I will be sooooo glad when we have a new BOC Chairman.

#1.1 Blah on 01/25/12 at 05:33 PM [Reply]

Airport Authority can lose alot more members, in fact all of then and then give the damn airport back to the city who had years ago...

#2 Jack Legg on 01/25/12 at 01:39 PM [Reply]

I feel your pain my friend, I feel it in my wallet every year when I pay my taxes. I feel it in my mind every time I read about something else he has done to us and I fel it in my heart every time I hear a siren and know that yearwood has done all in his power to make the firefighters or cops job to be in vain.
He is a usurper, he was indeed elected by the people but where his predecessor used a scourge , he has used scorpians, where his predecessor required a farthing, he has required a tithe. The depredations of danny yearwood against the simple people of barrow county are known far and wide through-out the state of georgia, he has given hope to every two bit tinhorn dictatorial county commisioner that ever thought about seeking election.
Well it is time for the people to stand up and say enough is enough.We now know opressions woes and pains like no other generation since the era of reconstruction.RISE UP Barrow use the tools we have at the ballot box and throw off these servile chains.Vote yearwood out of office.

#3 TickedOff on 01/25/12 at 01:55 PM [Reply]

Save your little sermon Jack. And especially the part about using the ballot box. After you and other knuckleheads in this county allowed our right to vote a chairman in or out to be taken. And to compare Yearwoods term to Garrisons is a complete joke. Garrison and his regime cost this county far more that Yearwood. BTW Yearwood is not the be all end all to an appointment to the airport authority. The commissioner that brought Hang to the nomination is the man you are looking for. But you are a whole lot like Obama last nite, looking for someone else to blame. Keep entertaining us.

#4 Jack Legg on 01/25/12 at 02:40 PM [Reply]

Your right to vote in or vote out a chairman was not abridged by the counties forward thinking move to a manager style of government.The fact that you continually get on here and post such nonsense proves that you dont relly know how things work.But you just keep your head in the sand about yearwood and maybe you can keep on pretending that he has done things better than everyone else knows he has.By continueing to bow and scrape to him shows you for the slavish minded coif that you are.
As for the rest of barrow , we will gladly vote this usurper out of power, but the problem is that there are others on the commsion that. like him have used their power to enrich themselves, and are bloated from the stolen fat of the people.The state and federal govt. are full of petty dictators just like him. Vampires who suck off the blood of the people.
Where is a washington? a jefferson, or a franklin at when we need one? Look around people , who can properly carry the standard for the common people of barrow county? Maybe graham, maybe myself, maybe someone else as yet unnamed and unchallanged.But just not what we've got now, these people all need to go and if they wont take a hint and leave on their own then the voters need to stand together and show them the door.

#4.1 Anonymous on 01/25/12 at 03:38 PM [Reply]

Surely a bible-thumper like you doesn't admire Jefferson, a man once described as a "howling atheist"? Tell me if you know what is on Jefferson's tombstone.

#4.1.1 Jack Legg on 01/25/12 at 04:28 PM [Reply]

I did go to monticello once but dogged if I can recall what is on the mans grave.however by your intolerant anti christian remark you have marked yourself as being someone who cannot comprehend the difference between a yearwood and a jefferson.TJ may have had some odd deiest ideas about the supremacy of man but he new ultimately who was his creator and his redeemer and he had some very odd ideas about the equality of man as bestowed by his creator.Thank God for jefferson and his odd ideas but let us not be thankful for proud yearwood.

#4.1.1.1 Sheesh on 01/29/12 at 08:56 AM [Reply]

Sometimes it's hard to tell if you are intentionally lying or just ignorant. Did you get ever get past the snack bar on your visit to Monticello?

And having a Christian church on nearly every street corner makes the United States the most tolerant society on earth why it comes to cults and mythology.

#5 Anonymous on 01/25/12 at 03:24 PM [Reply]

Do you folks think it is a coincidence that Yearwood, Nocera, Barton and Hang are all drinking buddy's? Often seen together in their little pack.

#6 Been there seen that on 01/26/12 at 08:29 AM [Reply]

Well no wonder authority members are dropping off. Now that they have stolen land by condemnation and used good ole boy Garrison to get their ILS landing system at a cost to all taxpayers of well over $3 million dollars they can now fly their planes in all weather condtions and don't have the time to serve the public or should I say their own wants and desires any longer. They got their ILS landing system and Garrison got all kinds of real estate near the airport belonging to his side kick Jerry Lampp to list when he returned to his game plan from the beginning which was to use his postion as BOC chairman to make improvements at tax payers expense and then go back to selling land that he had hoped was going to increase in value but that plan has gone south like many of the jobs that use to be in Barrow County. Check your county history books and see if I'm leading you wrong. Wake up Barrow County Yearwood only Won because the only other choice was Garrison, so don't forget the root of our problems.

#6.1 David Pearson_c hecking facts on 01/26/12 at 09:13 AM [Reply]

Ninety seven and one-half percent of the ILS installation was paid for through funds from the FAA and GDOT. The Airport paid the other two and one half percent. FAA and GDOT funds are derived from taxes levied on aviation in the form of aviation fuel taxes and commercial aviation ticket fees, which by law, must be used to fund aviation projects. After researching ad valorem and sales taxes collected then comparing them to the Barrow County Budget, I found that the Airport is submitting over a hundred thousand dollars in taxes to the general fund and receives zero funding from the county budget. Barrow County Commissioners purchased the adjacent lands to the airport that are unrelated to the installation of the ILS. According to tax rolls on the web site for Barrow County, the county and taxpayer owns adjacent land to the airport, not the airport.

#6.1.1 Anonymous on 01/26/12 at 10:24 AM [Reply]

Very right on post David..unfortunately you are wasting your time. Do you actually think these anti-airport idiots that post here care about facts. They have never bothered before. However, your explanation was 100% accurate.

The airport authority cannot condem land...only the governing authority has that authority. And no...it was not stolen unless you think that $83,000 per acre for pasture land is stealing. Total was $883,000 paid from the federal aviation trust fund...not local taxpayers.

#6.1.1.1 CHRIS SMITH on 01/26/12 at 01:27 PM [Reply]

Anonymous, I'm the son of the owners of the land taken from the Smith Family and in my book anything taken from someone against their will and wishes is Theft, Plain and simple. Now if you wish to come out from under your Anonymous Rock and contact me or respond to this reply I will be more than glad to sit down with you and share the facts as to what was paid and what was taken. I'm not the brightest person but my math skills do tell me that $883,000 IF that figure was correct for 4 rental houses and approx 20 acres of land is way off so we must have been cheated according to your numbers we are still owed $827,000 for the PASTURE land plus the value of the 4 rental houses. I never thought of it until you posted your correct numbers but darn we were Cheated based on your knowledge of the subject. Please contact me if you can come out of your anonymous closet. Chris Smith

#6.1.1.1.1 Been There on 01/26/12 at 01:38 PM [Reply]

Eminent domain & condemnation are just legal words for THEFT. 99% of the time you can't win in court because (a) the State has all the money in the world to drag it out and (b) juries are unsympathetic to the victims, viewing them as greedy sucklings of taxpayer $. So, as a practical matter, the victims are forced to "settle" for whatever crumbs the government is willing to cast before them.

#6.1.1.1.1.1 Chris Smith on 01/26/12 at 01:51 PM [Reply]

AMEN!!!! Because I've truly BEEN THERE also. Chris Smith

#6.1.1.1.2 Steven Smith_Chris you lucky dog! on 01/26/12 at 07:22 PM [Reply]

4 houses and 20 acres for $883,000. WOW! Liberally valuing the houses at 100K each leaves $483,000. Dividing the 20 acres results in $24,150 per acre, for farm land! Holy S!!!!!T.
Barrow County...please use eminent domain laws to condemn my land...please,please...pretty please! Chris, you hit the lottery!

#6.1.2 DUH on 01/26/12 at 12:56 PM [Reply]

And just where do you think the FAA and GADOT TAXES come from??? they come from the Extra fee's and Taxes added to everything we as consumers purchase at the gas pump and airline ticket counter. Now go polish on your shiny airplane and convince someone else that $$$ for grants and FAA funding does not come from the average TAX payer. Bet you believed everything OBAMA said the other night on TV also. DUH!!!!

#6.1.2.1 Anonymous on 01/26/12 at 01:04 PM [Reply]

Hey Dumbass...those fees come from taxes on pilots purchasing aviation fuel and from airline tickets. Those are dedicated to airport improvements only. YOU do not have a dime in the ILS unless you personally purchase aviation fuel...however, I think that is highly unlikely. As you have shown here, your to stupit to fly a plane.

#6.1.2.1.1 Chris Smith on 01/26/12 at 01:43 PM [Reply]

Now MR ANONYMOUS it's seems strange to me that you can spell Dumb""" but you can't spell stupid. Seems you owe DUH an apology cause I'm betting they can at least spell STUPID. It scares me to think you can't spell STUPID but may be flying a plane according to your post. Folks that hide behind Anonymous continue to amaze me with their lack of knowledge on what they post but that may explain why they use Anonymous as their name. Just some food for thought. Chris Smith

#7 Anonymous on 01/26/12 at 08:55 AM [Reply]

@been there...There was a third choice in the Chairman's race, someone that had a track record of good sound service to the County. However, now that the people elected a drunken used car salesman over him, the third choice says that he will never again seek public office in Barrow.

#8 TickedOff on 01/26/12 at 10:10 AM [Reply]

There may have been a third choice. Who was it? Maybe its good they didnt get elected, if they are willing to give it up so easy. We need educated , common sense, tough, people with integrity in office. Been there is right. With Garrison, Brown, Lampp, and Co.s uncontrolled spending and Yearwoods antics this county is desperate for good leadership.

#9 Pamela Brown on 01/26/12 at 10:21 AM [Reply]

Wouldn't it be great if we elected someone who cared about Barrow and the citizens instead of being selfcentered?

#10 Anonymous on 01/26/12 at 11:05 AM [Reply]

Here was your third choice...you should have been "Ticked off" earlier!
http://www.barrowjournal.com/archives/481-Chairman,-Barrow-BOC-Jim-Beckemeyer.html

#11 Jack Legg on 01/27/12 at 07:25 AM [Reply]

Let there be no dobt among anyone that the use of imminent domain is in fact legalized theft.upheld by crimminals who sit on our highest benches.
I know that this theft was initiated on garrisons watch and its part of the reason he was run out of office,But somebody remind me was it also completed by him or did the nefarious yearwood preside over the final stealing of this mans land? I honestly cant remember, but even if yearwood had nothing to do with it, he has sat there for four years and not done anything to assuage the crimminal guilt that the county bears for this travesty.
I do know that some of the other commisioners wrere on the board then.and they need to be voted out for their part in this unamaerican act.

#11.1 Anonymous on 01/27/12 at 08:32 AM [Reply]

LONG POST>>>Jack, this takes place all the time. What makes it any different for an airport than for a road. Just because you don't use the airport, that makes it a crime to improve it.

This all began years ago when then Commission Chairman Eddie Elder and a handful of airport authority members went to Washington and talked to Senators Zell Miller and Max Clealand. At their request, Congress passed a 4 million dollar grant from the Aviation Trust Fund and directed the FAA to install the ILS system.

Unfortunately, the FAA requirements for the Glide Path and Localizer beam needed to be much wider and longer than the current Localizer system at the time. The property across Atlanta Highway was required for the ILS light system. The Smith pasture was required because of the offset in the localizer beam. There are three parts to an Instrument Landing System. The Glide Slope (the beam that keeps the aircraft on the proper elevation glidepath), The Localizer (the beam that keeps the aircraft on the center line of the runway and the lighting system that allows an aircraft to see the airport environment much sooner in inclement weather. Without either of those components, you do not have an ILS.

Now, once the money had been approirated and property purchased from willing sellers (who were all but the Smith Family) the project had to go on or the county would have been responsible for repayment to the FAA and the Aviation Trust Fund for an imcomplete project. That would have been over 2 million bucks from the local taxpayer. The airport authority or nor the county has any say on the property values paid out for the purchase of the land. It has to go thru a Federally aproved FAA appraiser. There is no negotiation with the property owner. They must be paid the amount on the apprasial. No more or no less.

Remember, this project was started nearly 15 years ago in a growing economy and the county was growing in leaps and bounds. Unfortunately, it was mostly residential. Commercial growth will not occur unless you have water, sewer, natural gas, available developable land and a compentent work force and of course transportation. Barrow was right in the middle of the growth region. The county was growing and had the a growing workforce, the sewer and water, highway 316, rail and an ok airport. It lacked the ability to be an all weaher airport...thus the ILS system.

I know you and most don't fly and don't understand the need for infrastructure to attract jobs and commercially taxed property, but all is necessary to be a thriving area where you and your kids and grand kids can work and live.

It's amazing to listen to some of the folks bitch about the lack of jobs and and a taxable base now but those are the very ones who come on here and criticise those whe have tried to make things better for the community.

Your right about one thing...Yearwood and company has done nothing for this county. Name one job that his administration can claim as his for doing something that attracted that job here. Don't blame it all on the economy...just look at our neighbor next door in Jackson County. They have attracted thousand of new jobs in the last few years. They also received about 4 million dollars to expand their airport as well. Where was all the rucus from their expansion. Wasn't any because they were creating jobs left and right.

This community will never be more than a laughing stock to the rest of the area unless we stop all the complaining and bickering about those who try and help our county. Yes, they are trying to make money, buy hey, if jobs are created, then who else makes money.

Just my .02..but all backed by facts.

#11.1.1 Jack Legg on 01/27/12 at 12:54 PM [Reply]

stealin property for a road is not any better than stealing it for an airport, the only difference is then you are stealing ot for thouseands and thouseands of people touse instead of a select few. what you people have done is no different than that imminentt domain case in another state, where the city stole an entire neighborhood of older homes from mostly the elderly who had lived there all their lives then gave it to a develpoer to build rich condominiums for the sole purpose of increasing the cities tax base.
It is wrong, it is unamaerican fo the govt to take ANYONES land or home.you expose yourself as a selfish rich boy imp.what beastards like you fail to understand is that it wouldnt matter if the govt. gave the owners 1 million doallrs an acre. if its not for sale then its not for sale....now move along .

#11.1.1.1 Anonymous on 01/27/12 at 01:44 PM [Reply]

Legg, you have so arrogantly assumed that I had something to do with the issue. I am a pilot and I do fly out of Winder on occasion, however, I am just telling what I know of the situation. It's been in the papers for years and I have attended many airport meetings. Unlike you, I want to get the information straight from the horses mouths. Not hearsay or rumor which you and so many others repeat until it is not recognizable as anything close to the truth. As a pilot, I probably remember more about it that most would as it would affect me more than you.

I've said all I am need to say on this matter. Trying to have a civil conversation with you is like talking to a sign post. You are not smart enough to carry on an intelligent conversation about anything of substance. All you can do is berate, belittle and complain about every thing and everybody. This is the first post you have made in a while that you did not mention Yearwood.

#11.1.1.1.1 Jack Legg on 01/27/12 at 02:40 PM [Reply]

if you aint one of em then you sure do look like one with you defense for the land rustlers.if you dont like being called a spade then change the way you portray yourself, dont blame me for pointing out what you are.

#12 Catching the Rabbit on 01/27/12 at 09:25 AM [Reply]

@.02, You have explained the history of the ILS debacle very well, however you left out the fact that ILS was the technology of choice fifteen years ago, however most pilots now use vertical GPS and not the antiquated ILS. (Making the, years later, completion absurd.) Nor did you discuss the cooked up real estate deals that included the Seger land purchase, hanger space speculation by Holliday, commercial sites for Maynard, Lamp sneaking in with inside information, and let's not forget the whole E.Elder interchange/roadway for the Russell retirement plan.
The taxpayers of Barrow have financially guaranteed, and now are left holding the bag for the get rich quick schemes of a small group of players, that used the BOC and the Authority as their power arms.
Basically I see that the last five Chairmen of the BOC (Holiday, Waits, Elder, Garrison, and Yearwood) have been pawns for the real estate industry, excluding the most recent, who is just plain stupid.

#13 TickedOff on 01/27/12 at 10:11 AM [Reply]

Guess why none of the other landowners complained about the ILS deal? They were all real estate moguls that were privy to info on land and they bought it, slid zoning through as commercial, and got the higher appraisal value. Smith was agricultural, thus lower appraisal. Make no mistake the deal was crooked at the county level. 2 cents has the facts right on the FAA involvement. But the real sham was the Seagars deal. Everyone should go have a family picnic on the proerty you are paying for it to the tune of about 8 million. Can't really compare us to Jackson Co. they are certainly doing things right. But as needed. You dont expand an airport thats not even close to capacity. And as for Yearwood, we've beaten that horse past dead. Time to move on, and he will not be back.

#13.1 Anonymous on 01/27/12 at 11:16 AM [Reply]

Ticked off..your just like every other idiot that is a johnny come lately to the story. You have no clue as to what you speak. If you did, you would have known that the Segars purchase involved approximately 12 million dollars. Approximately 7 for the land and the remainder for the infrastructure. The infrastructure was not installed because the commission decided to use the bond money for debt reduction rather than go ahead with the land development. A huge mistake as we will see in the future when the economy returns and business start looking for developed land again.

But, as usual, all the side line quarterbacks have all the answers. What is yours for getting this county prosperous again? Do you have a plan or just complain and belly ache about everybody else trying to do something. Quit your damn whining and put up your money come qualifying time to see if you can do a better job.

#14 Anonymous on 01/27/12 at 11:08 AM [Reply]

Rabbit, let's see if we can get the facts straight on this once and for all.

You are correct that when the ILS system finally was installed, it was not the newest technology. However, much better than what was out there. And, by the way, the ILS system is still the preferred landing system at every major airport in the world. So, I don't think you will see it dumped any time soon.

Another advantage to the county is that the ILS system was being maintained by the airport authority at a cost of around 30K annually. Since this is a congressionally mandated system, the FAA must maintain it, saving the county over 30K a year.

As for the system being installed 10 years later, you can't blame the airport or county for the delays of the FAA. The wheels of the federal government turn very slowly. Kind of like ordering a new car with all of the state of the art options of the day to later find out a few weeks after the order that new bells and whistles are available. Too late...the process has gone too far. You get what you ordered.

The difference is that the car could have been canceled. The ILS system was a congressional mandate and could not have been changed if anybody had wanted to. That would have required another vote by congress and Senators Miller and Cleavland had no desire to re-introduce legislation for the change. They had already had all the press on the earmark for the community...wasn't gonna happen.

So...the airport was stuck with the ILS system, like it or not. You sound like a pilot. Not sure if you are instrument rated or not but if you are, I guarantee that if you are making an approach to minimums, you want an ILS system, not a GPS approach. If you are not an instrument rated pilot, then you would not have a clue anyway.

As for the Segars land purchase. Let's get the facts straight about that as well.

According to the past airport authority chairman at that time, the authority wanted to relocate the Localizer antenna to across Hwy. 82. This would require a small plot of land from the Segars farm. The move was would have been approximately 1000' from the current location. Since there was a new system going in, it was the best time to relocate the antenna if possible. The chairman approached Mr. Ricky Segars about a possible long term lease or purchase for the small plot of land (about 1 acre) to locate the antenna there. Mr. Segars was not interested in a lease. A couple of weeks later, Mr. Segars contacted the airport chairman and told him he wanted to sell the entire 200+/- acres but was not interested in a lease or sale of the small plot. The authority not being in any position to purchase land, contacted the county chairman. A meeting was set up with a couple from the airport and the county and Mr. Segars where the details were discussed. Mr. Segars wanted 10 million for the property. After an appraisal, the property was purchased for around 7 million. The idea was to develope it for commercial purposes. There was a plan to extend the airport road from the armory to around to Hwy. 82 for the Segars property. It included water, sewer, road and natural gas for commercial development. What better location to develop commercial property than around an airport. The noise is already expected. Development happens around every growing community airport in the country.

Also remember. That could not have happened unless the majority of the county commission voted to approve the plan. The airport authority did not purchase any property. It was done with an Industrial Development Loan to the Industrial Development Authority for commercial development backed by the County Commission. The 48 acres the authority received was from the Caspers that once found out that the Segars property was to be purchased, wanted to sell theirs. Commissioner Roger Wehunt required that the 48 acres be made a part of the purchase.

As to the last 5 chairmen, all your plans really worked out well for them didn't it. Don't know a single one still living is a rich millionaire. Either they were not dishonest, too stupid to take advantage of the situation...or possible trying to make this a better and more prosperous community. You ever thought about that. Not everyone is a crook!

#14.1 Anonymous on 01/27/12 at 01:39 PM [Reply]

Good information Mr Holiday. Thanks.

#14.1.1 Anonymous on 01/27/12 at 01:48 PM [Reply]

I'm sure Holiday would think so too, however he probably seldom ever reads this blog. I do know him though and have talked to him on several occasions when he was with the airport authority...but, I ain't Holiday. Just a concerned pilot.

#15 TickedOff on 01/27/12 at 02:27 PM [Reply]

Lets see " only a small plot of land was needed for the localizer antenna" But Mr. Segars wa not interesred in a lease or selling one acre. So we gave him $7 million instead. Give me a damn break. I seem to speak the truth pretty well anonymous, of course the other 5 million goes to debt reduction so we the chairman, real estate cronies, and other vermin don't look so bad. And of course the Local Industrial Authority was used to buy the property. That way the taxpayers say so is circumvented. That little trick is well known. Yet the citizens get pumped full of BS that the economy is growing so well that there is need to expand the airport runway and the surrounding area? My butt, a bunch of well known folks made a bundle off the deal. And I can assure you if I did run, I wouldnt put our county in the mess its in with crooked and irresponsible decisions Garrison and Co, or Yearwood has. If the aint millionaires, they are liars. Elders estate was worth more than 3 million. Several past commissioners are millionaires as well. And follow the paper trail to some of these land deals.

#15.1 Benji Martin on 01/27/12 at 06:04 PM [Reply]

"Ticked off" you make some very strong accusations about commissioners by stating "If they ain't millionaires, they are liars." Do you have any evidence? Any overseas bank account statements? If any past or present commissioners have profited from their office, they must be absolute financial geniuses in cloaking their wealth.

I bet the truth is you don't have the courage or knowledge to run for office yourself. You do seem to be extremely talented in nonsense blogging.

#16 Catching the Rabbit,part two on 01/27/12 at 05:49 PM [Reply]

Where are they now...
Before Holiday became Chairman, he didn't have a hundred dollars to pony up in a poker game, and was a battery salesman for Lampe. As Chairman he racked up huge debt for the county, and destroyed the credit rating. After he left office, he is suddenly a big time builder/developer, collecting help from those that benefited from term in office. He builds himself a big house, buys real estate, huge house boat, fancy cars, trucks and airplanes. The bottom fell out of the construction business, and his large leveraged ass has nearly tanked.
Hildred was just danged crazy, and it got worse as she served her term. She loved power, and enjoyed being courted by the power boys of the County, but they knew she was too crazy to let her get in deep. She did lots of little deals, that added up to a plenty. Plus she had been elected on a platform of anyone but Holiday or the trashman. (This made the boys have to shift their style) The last two years of her reign saw her lose control of the BOC, and things were pretty well done, but it always seemed to be a fight.
Eddie came in and was pretty good for two years (except a new car or two), but fell to the real estate corrupters. Before he was indicted, he died. Several real estate transactions followed to buy silence.
Then comes Garrison. Mind you he was pretty smart and pretty arrogant. He didn't want to be bothered with be the Chairman, as it took his time away from selling real estate. Monies and infrastructure were funneled to his cronies, and he was smart enough to let someone else close the actual deals. Setting the stage for him to get commercial listing for the future. He and Jerry had a falling out because Jerry wanted more from his boy, and Doug didn't want to go to jail. (I sure hope Frank Norton knows what he really has.)
Then comes Danny Yearwood...What can I tell you about Danny that hasn't already been said.
Footnote: I'll put my vertical GPS up against your military surplus ILS system any day and any weather. Also, where do I sign up to get a free house to move to my property, via the industrial building authority??

#16.1 Don Holliday on 01/28/12 at 05:10 AM [Reply]

Yor are a complete liar and have no idea what you are talking about.

First off all know it all. I have owned an airplane since 1982. By the time I was elected as Chariman, I had already owned three airplanes. I built my home in Statham in 1978. Ten years prior to running for Chariman. All with your so called battery salesman income. Idiot, it was a franchised battery business.

Purchased land from my Aunt and developed it after I left office. Did not get my real estate license until 1994, two years after I left office and mainly sold my own property.

As for the county business. When I took office, the county was in debt 240 thousand dollars. When I left in 92' the county had a surplus, no debt what so ever...unless you call a special purpose local option sales tax passed by the voters of Barrow County for the purposes of installing county sewer along 316..hardly a debt. The county's credit rating was excellent. Idiot, how do you think the county was able to get the bond to start the sewer construction without an "AA" credit rating.

Man, you really are a small man who envys anyone who has been successful in life. Yours must be miserable. You must work an eight hour day for peanuts and envy everybody else that does better or has a little more than you. Your post reaks of bitterness and a sour life.

Come out from behind your Rabbit name coward and we will have a real discussion. I think my large leveraged ass can still back up my talk.

#16.1.1 Chris Smith on 01/30/12 at 06:59 AM [Reply]

Growing up in Barrow County I do seem to remember that the purcahse of your first airplane and sudden good luck is in the same time line as when a group of business men from your Home town of Statham proposed the locaton of the current regional LANDFILL in Barrow county. This was also the about the time you were running for Chairman or maybe you were already the chairman when the deal closed. A lot of folks reading this post may not remember that accomplishment from your days of public service. Maybe a memorial near the mountain of trash and eternal methane gas flame just off 316 is in order to honor you for your contributions.

#16.1.1.1 Don Holliday on 01/30/12 at 08:01 AM [Reply]

Chris, it seems that you can never remember anything correctly. You always have a fuzzy memory when it comes to the truth.

To refresh your memory...however, I think you probably know and choose to lie instead, I purchased my first airplane in 1982. I ran for office in 1988, six years later. Boy those landfill folks really had a good crystal ball didn't they? When I ran, I ran on trying to close the landfill to outside county trash..but I guess your selective memory does not want to remember that. Yeah, I did such a good job for those trash folks that Lewis Cooper ran against me the next term. Anybody with any sense would know that if I was looking out for them, they certainly would not run anybody against me. Especially the guy that owned the landfill.

Why do you think the landfill has the nickname of Mt. Harwell. Try and get your facts straight before you post misleading information next time.

This type of inaccurate posting makes your airport postings less credible as well. If you lie about this, just goes to figure you will lie about anything.

And by the way. I was not even at the meeting you referenced me with a smirk. Yor must live in a fantasy land....just dreaming up stuff to try and mislead the facts.

#16.1.1.1.1 Chris Smith on 01/30/12 at 10:01 AM [Reply]

Mr.Holiday
After some research of material I must admit I do owe Mr Garrison an apology, He did not have to vote to break a tie that night to proceed with the condemnation of our land in Sept.2007 The vote was 3-2 with Parks, Brown, Lampp voting for Condemnation and Hendrix and Berry Voting against it. I'm still going thru photo's taken that night but unless you have a twin brother you where sitting along the back wall with Phil Eberly Engineer and Glen Bloyd the airport manager at the time. The records show that the authority members in attendance were allowed into the executive session so there will be a record of who was in attendance that night, If I'm wrong and it was'nt you I owe an apology to you and your twin brother.

#16.1.1.1.1.1 Don Holliday on 01/30/12 at 11:43 AM [Reply]

Chris, after you refreshed my memory, seems I owe you an apoligy. I think I was there for that meeting. The commission had asked the authority to attend the meeting for the executive session in case the commissioners needed any questiions answered from the authority. I made it a habit not to attend commission meetings and have not attended maybe a half dozen in the last 20 years..and then, only on requested.

#16.1.1.1.1.1.1 Chris Smith on 01/30/12 at 01:23 PM [Reply]

Ok apology excepted and Yes You and Glenn Boyd smiled when the vote was taken and the three of you including Phil Eberly quickly exited the building. Now I'm only human so as you have pointed out I do make mistakes most every day but I've always been told a picture is worth a thousand words but only problem is in the photo I have of the three of you were'nt smiling yet because the vote had not been taken and public comments were being given. Bottom line what's done is done and my parents live in the shadow of what some call progress and I will not allow that to be forgotten. Forgiven but not forgotten. By the way you fail to respond to the question as to what the airport authority/county plans to do with the house on Giles road they now own. Maybe you can turn it into an airport museum to hold all the wonderful history of the airport. Glad I was able to refresh your memory on being at the meeting, now go enjoy your ILS landing system, have fun flying your planes and live happily ever after my friend.

#16.1.1.1.1.1.1.1 Don Holliday on 01/30/12 at 01:58 PM [Reply]

Chris, as I get older, I tend to forget a lot of things. However, if my memory serves me correct...originally, the airport only was purchasing the air rights over the old family farm house. It was later that that got changed. I think it was your father or someone in the family that decided they wanted the whole thing sold...not just the air rights.

Since I have not been on the authority for a while, I have no idea what the plans are for the home. After the purchase, we did discuss what to do with it a couple of times. Considering the age of the home, we decided at that time not to tear it down or to rent it out. Eddie Edwards, the airport maintenance person was suppose to maintain the yards until the authority did/does something with it but as I stated, I have no idea what they will do with it.

#16.1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1 Chris Smith on 01/30/12 at 09:05 PM [Reply]

Thanks for a level headed reply and I'll admit I get very emotional and upset when old memories are stirred regarding the long history of the airport and my family, many on this post one in particular beg for the county to take his property so he can become rich, this same poster uses Holy in some not so nice terms and based on his replies he appears to be a not so happy camper to be a Barrow County resident. Maybe He can get Mr Garrison to list his property for a guick sell at reduced agent commission rates. As to the house issue when Mr Eberly was questioned regarding the height of the roof line and chimmey's he had no idea if they exceeded the maximum I believe we were told to be 30'allowed by the FAA. Regardless no one was knocking the door down to rent a house with flashing ILS lights in the back yard and planes buzzing over head. While the authority offered to purchase air space which meant saving them money and attempting to save face in the light of the other 3 homes taken and torn down.
Consider this why would any one want to continue to pay county property taxes and maintain a property which clearly has value only to the airport, insuring that they not have any unresolved questions regarding the all important clear zone and air space. If the house in fact does extend into the clear zone it's sure strange that it had not been an issue in the close to 3 years since the county became its owner,but be careful or someone may suggest the airport authority engineering firm conduct another study to determine what should be done. Maybe someone on the current authority can shed some light on why the house is not being maintained or torn down.

#17 Jack legg on 01/28/12 at 07:24 AM [Reply]

you tell him holliday, its yankee outsider idiots like him that have brought the county down.Im sure when you were our commisioner that you never stiole anyones land, nor will i its just plain wrong and un american. Stealing private property is just about the only thing that yearwood has not done, although as mentioned before he hasnt given any back that the county had already stole.Maybe that will be his nextlame duck manuver; to steal some land for a park to be named after him.

#17.1 Don Holliday on 01/28/12 at 07:39 AM [Reply]

Jack, the only piece of land that the county had to condem when I was commissioner was a voluntary tract that was in an estate that the executor could not sign off on. We had to condem that piece for the counter sewer but at the request of the executor of the land.

The only bribe I was ever offered when I was Chairman was from a woman that wanted her road paved. Everyone had given the right-of-way to the county for the purposes of paving the road. There was one landowner that held out and wanted 3K for his 60' of land. My theory was and is that if the county is going to improve your property by a paved road, then I was not going to pay you for the privelidge or improving your property. However, this lady said she would make it worth it for me financially if I would condem the property to pave the road. I refused and she later became one largest contributors to one of my oponents.

#17.2 Anonymous on 01/28/12 at 01:13 PM [Reply]

Jack, I think Harris Haddigree would beg to differ with you, on no land being stolen by Yearwood and the current administration.

#17.2.1 Anonymous on 01/28/12 at 01:20 PM [Reply]

Woops. That should have said: Harris Hardigree.

#18 TickedOff on 01/28/12 at 12:34 PM [Reply]

Well, well another name caller and criticzer jumps into the fray. Welcome Benji Smith. Who are you defending? Must be getting close to home with something I said. Im not gonna take the bait and call people out for debate. Simply look up some past real estate transactions, construction deals, contracts and follow the trail and you can see for yourself. But that requires time and effort instead of taking someones word on a blog. And as always, take me to task on anything i write about this airport deal. It is FACT we paid 7 million dollars for a cow pasture. It is fact Garrison, Bill Brown and others voted to do it. It is fact land near the airport that was agricultural, then bought by deep pockets, rezoned commercial, then appraised at a higher value and sold to the airport and paid for by FAA funds. My knowledge certainly can be questioned. My courage, integrity, and honesty is never in doubt. Maybe I will run. How bout you Benji?

#18.1 Benji Martin on 01/29/12 at 08:41 AM [Reply]

Here you go again. Blogging your nonsense and calling it fact. Let me help you, because the truth ain't in you.

Your first lie.
Check the tax maps, the airport does not own the property that you state as a "7 million dollar cow pasture." The industrial authority and the county owns the Segar's property, and it was at the Segar's request to sell their property to the county.

Your second lie.
No FAA monies were involved in Segars property, period.

Your county officials are not perfect and are par with most counties in Georgia. The voters in Barrow county are thankful that you, hiding behind your "ticked off" blind and spreading your bullshit, are not involved with any decisions that affect your fellow citizens.

#19 Anonymous on 01/28/12 at 03:07 PM [Reply]

The bond rating was not AA when you left office, following the Donny spending spree.

#20 Chris Smith on 01/29/12 at 07:25 AM [Reply]

Ok, I see Mr Anonymous still chooses to hide under a rock or at least when they post certain replys????? Interesting at the least. This I do know, the night Mr Garrison by tie breaker vote closed the deal on the taking of my families land, Don Holliday it was the smirk and smile on your face that I will always remember seeing as you sat in the back of the meeting room with your other airport authority cronies as you watched as other did your dirty work you. So place all the blame on others if you so choose. The bible reminds us that we must not judge others and that we must forgive those who have wronged us and I strive to do this every day but while I can forgive I fear I will never be able to forget. Let us not forget that our final judgement day will be the day we die and we just live with our sins and wrong doing until that day. The past is just that the past and what is done is done.
As for the past and current Airport Authority members and commisioners you do have one remaining monument to your past actions, the house on Giles Road which has stood proud for over 100 years and is now owned by the citizens of Barrow County serves as a symbol of what is happening all over the county, Greed took it over and then when those who got what they wanted succeeded it is left to rot and crumble. Mike send one of your photographers out to the house and publish a photo of how the airport authority and comissioners are taking care of the property they have taken. And Mr Anonymous if you choose to respond please come out of your shell and be known.

#20.1 Steven Smith on 01/29/12 at 09:07 AM [Reply]

Chris,
You are now quoting Bible verses and seem quite condescending to anyone who was in office during the airport navigation upgrade process.

Do you really think "Greed" is why you were paid so much money for your property? The property was not stolen from your family, you and your family are more "rich" now than you were prior.

One could debate that you and your family have sinned with GREED because you refer to the payment YOU received from taxpayers as GREED. Wouldn't your argument hold more water if your family didn't profit so much from the transaction. It would be very Christian and noble for your family to donate the proceeds from the transaction to any Barrow County charity or church so that the money could be used to help the children of our community who will one day be our leaders.
Chris, you have heard of the saying "The rich man does all the bitchin'." Well, now you have. Goodbye Chris, it it time for me to go to church.

#21 TickedOff on 01/30/12 at 08:57 AM [Reply]

Benji you too have been fooled like most others tax payers. I know good and well how it was bought. "Through" the Industrial Authority. Oldest trick in the county playbook. Happens all the time. Guess what? We're still paying for it! So take your tax maps, neatly fold them and shove them ... well you know the rest. I stated in an earlier post the industrial authority bought it. Likewise, I didnt say the Segars property was bought with FAA funds. It was the adjacent properties like the Smiths, property across 29, and others for the ILS. Tell you what Benji , since it doesnt seem to bother you spending money on nonsense maybe youll throw a few dollars at my campaign. If Im so wrong why are you the only one disputing it. Maybe you should read this whole thread over again.

#21.1 Benji Martin on 01/30/12 at 07:39 PM [Reply]

Maybe I would put in a dollar for your campaign. A name other than "Ticked off" would be required to qualify and be on a ballot. So to what name should I send my campaign contribution?

#22 Jack Legg on 01/30/12 at 11:05 AM [Reply]

the bottom line is this.If you steal something from someone, (that means taking it without their permission.)It doesnt matter if you leave them some money behind or not.You are in fact a thief and it really doesnt matter , in fact its a hell of a lot worse if you represent the government when you steal . Now we have thieves that have been running our county government, those commisioners that Mr. Smith just recently named.We have rich bastards flying their toys and taking off and landing on stolen land.We have yearwood who is guilty of theft by receiving stolen property, he knew that land wasnt the counties and yet has done nothjing to asuage that guilt.Some idiot might say that since the Smiths were compensated for their land then that means that it wasnt stolen. Go back and get someone to read the first couple of sentances in this post to you if that describes you.
We the people have the power to do something about all this...use the vote,vote out yearwood and his cronies who are guilty of croonieism, nepotism, rascism, sexism,thievensim, its time to grasp the broom of reform and seep this county clean. its time to repaint the fence, reroof the house, run the foxes right out of the henhouse.get out the vote, rise up barrow county and throw of these chains that you find yourself encumbered by. The ballot box is our way out and up.

#22.1 Anonymous on 01/30/12 at 07:48 PM [Reply]

Hahaha Jack Leg just slipped and posted as Ticked Off. Now we know for sure he is both. Wonder how many more names he uses?

#23 Catching the Rabbit on 01/30/12 at 09:19 PM [Reply]

Ever notice how Donny always resorts to physical intimidation...what a looooooser! Sure Donny, we all know where you got the property, but we also know how and who you got the loans from to develop and build out the property. Can you say Cronyism and payment for favors? Sure I knew you could.

#24 TickedOff on 01/31/12 at 04:13 PM [Reply]

Hate to disappoint everyone, but Jack and I are not the same. Kinda confusing how anyone could make that mistake. I havent call anyone an idiot. Jack and I frequently spar about, well, most everything,but at least hes passionate and pleads his case. More than can be said for most uninformed quick jabbers. It is quite humorous grown men get on here and call names and make accusations. But hey its good to know people have a pulse and are engaged in the politics of this county. Im sure Jack counts it as a great compliment he was thought to be me.

#24.1 Jack legg on 01/31/12 at 04:21 PM [Reply]

I have told you and told you tick tock to stop posting your blathering nonsense, now get back in the kitchen and get supper going.

#25 Anonymous on 02/03/12 at 10:05 PM [Reply]

Big bad Holliday says: "Come out from behind your Rabbit name coward and we will have a real discussion. I think my large leveraged ass can still back up my talk."

Well Donnie. Looks like you still the big bad a** bully you always thought you were. Even back in school. Good to see you haven't changed. Sure makes me want to load the family up and come have some of your pizza.

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