Questions answered by Lamar Paris, County Commissioner
Q. When are the new walking trails going to be completed at Meeks Park? We thought they would be completed last year.
A. As unbelievable as it is, from the time we had the stumps removed on the trial, way back in August/September, the ground has NEVER dried up enough to do any grading. Who would have believed a year ago that we were going to have so much rain that we would feel waterlogged?
Q. Are you going to build a new bridge for the walking trail?
A. Yes. That has also taken a back seat because of the rain, but the new bridge is now under construction, with the steel I beams in place. We do not have a completion date, but expect it to be in early spring and hopefully, soon thereafter, it will be dry enough to grade the new trials.
Q. Several people have asked me if I have been down to the Georgia Legislature this year.
A. I have only been to the Capitol once and to a reception once near the Capitol. However, I will be there several times over the next couple of months. Most new Legislation has not been proposed yet and serious action on bills remaining from last year have not made their way out of committees and to the floor for votes.
Q. How many bills will there be for consideration this year?
A. As unbelievable as it seems, we are told there are over 400 bills introduced last year that will remain on the books this year for consideration. In addition, probably several hundred will be added this year. Currently, one lobbying group is following 150 bills and reporting on them on their web site. If you really get bored and want to read about all of them, we are going to try to put some of them on the county web site for you to review this year. We will not be able to keep them updated very often, but there are several web sites that can be utilized for this purpose. The Union County web site is www.unioncountyga.gov and you can click on the button marked “new legislation”.
Q. How do you know which bills to support and be against?
A. Fortunately, we have several organizations that look out for us. The Association of County Commissioners ( ACCG) lets us know regularly what bills will directly affect county government and advises us which ones will hurt and help. Sometimes they do not take a stand on a particular bill, but simply provide us information. There are several State Organizations that advise us on issues related to public health, recreation, etc.
Q. Do you think highway funding will be passed this year?
A. I do not. If it was not important enough to pass the past two years when the economy was not as bad, I do not see the Legislature doing it this year when so many people are unemployed.
Q. Will the Legislature raise taxes this year?
A. They say they will not. However, there is more than one way to raise taxes. For example, last year they would not raise taxes to pay for trauma care, a stated need and legislative priority, but instead passed the new Super Speeder bill with all fines going to the state. This means that if you happen to be speeding over 75 mph on a rural or two lane highway, you will have $200 added to your speeding ticket. So while this is not a direct tax, it certainly will be to you if you happen to be speeding. Another way of increasing taxes is when they cut state funding to county libraries, public health facilities, schools or road projects. Guess who has to pay for those? You do through county school property taxes having to increase to make up for the difference.
Q. Are there any particular bills you are concerned about this year?
A. There are several, but one big concern I have is on concealed gun carry laws. There are currently three bills that have been introduced, and I would really like to have input from the public either to me via email at unioncounty@uniongov.com or to the newspaper in letters to the editor. The three bills are SB 291, SB 308, and HB 615 and a short summary is on the county web site, www.unioncountyga.gov. and click on “gun carry “. While I have made it clear in earlier writings that I am against gun control with reasonable boundaries, I personally feel these bills are attempting to go over the top.
These bills which were prevented from passing last year seem to be what several Legislators are pushing this year. In a year when we have more than enough problems to deal with regarding the economy, transportation funding, balancing budgets, providing trauma care, supporting education, creating jobs, etc. it is interesting that some want to concentrate on allowing anyone with a concealed gun carry permit to carry those weapons into any public gathering including county administrative offices, (not court rooms), churches, any public gathering, and of most concern to me is carrying concealed weapons into Meeks Park and our recreation school gymnasiums that are off school sites.
We have all witnessed parents and coaches who have let their tempers flair and occasionally even had fist fights. Do we want guns carried to these youth events by these hot tempered, normally well meaning people that come here from many different counties and areas of the state? As the person who is ultimately responsible for the safety of our parks and recreation facilities and kids attending them, I think it is a ridiculous notion to have a recreation park with hundred of our kids and adults in attendance, full of guns.
Those supporting this legislation are quick to point out that criminals have guns so why shouldn’t the rest of us have them as well. My opinion is that they are trying to legislate a problem that does not exist. In the history of public recreation in Union County for the past fifty years, I am not aware of a gun ever being pulled or used, so why all of a sudden, does everyone need a concealed weapon around our children to protect them in our parks? We have trained deputies and staff at all events capable of keeping order. More guns could cause a need for more deputies and more taxes to pay the cost.
You should read the summaries of these bills on the web site and then respond appropriately. Then you should let your local legislators, Rep. Stephen Allison (404-656-0177/ Stephen.Allison@house.ga.gov) and Sen. Chip Pearson (404-656-9221/ Chip.Pearson@senate.ga.gov) know how you feel.
Who can acquire a concealed gun carry permit? Anyone over 21 with filling out a simple form and passing a background check showing you have no criminal history. There is no training required. You have my personal opinion so let me and our legislators hear yours.