I say return the $36 million to the taxpayers.

Although I love the idea of green space in the right location, didn't GA. have an issue with lack of water? Also, $36M is allocated and needs to be used (seems odd during a global financial crisis) - should these earmarks be re-avaluated and re-appropriated (in general) to make better use for a population in need? I'm sure many civil services and communities that are faced with budget cuts could use this money to get through the hard times ahead. Once this blows over, paved jogging spaces could then be built without guilt of gluttony.

Over 70% of the voting constituentcy approved this "$100 Million Dollar GreenSpace Bond" expendature...I estimate that something shy of 2/3 of the entirety of Forsyth Countys tax-revenue/income is generated by the much more densely Business/People populated South County...An overview of those "Parks & Recreation" expendatures already designated of the first $67-Million dollars of that Bond shows well over 88% of it targeted well North and outside of what could reasonably service those citizens of South Forsyth County for being located well more than 5 miles from the heart of District 2 (Brookwood Rd./Mathis Airport Blvd.)...That We are demographcally deficient of both "Active" and "Passive" recreation resources is then evident, and shows that a gross inequity existing here in So.Fo.Co. needs correction...In Fact, Our Comprehensive Planning guide depicts the Southwest Sub-regions as "a Priority" in acquistions in an effort to preserve that area from the demands of rampant growth consuming it's open-spaces due to its proximety to the "Atlanta Urbanized Area", and it has therefore been seriously ignored.

I argue that most--if not All--of that remaining 1/3 of the $100 Million dollar Bond--$33 Million dollars--be spent to procure those resources blantantly absent of the South Forsyth County Sub-District Communities...Specifically Big Creek, Johns Creek, and South Forsyth...For ignorance of that priority that was drafted back in 2004!

Today, little more than "The Estate of Arlene Harrison", and "Southard" parcel 012-003 remain as viable Park-Preserve candidates in that region of Forsyth County..They Center one of only nine Aquifer Recharge Zones that provide for our groundwaters...They harbor the headwaters of Caney Creek, which has run through all droughts only to fill Lake Windward in Fulton County...They are targeted for still more Strip-MallSpraw and Habi-Trail Housing...That would include those lands targeted by WalMart too...And I do not believe that we need more of THAT at all...We need to preserve those last remaining lands of open-space and provide the citizens of South Forsyth County those "Visions" depicted of Our Comprehensive Planning Guide that are in place already of North Forsyth County...Where the least of demand lies for its demographics.

Ineqities such as these lead toward seccession the likes of Sandy Springs, Milton, and Johns Creek (Fulton County)...And we should not be fractured further from Our County Seat--as such they are--for just such reason.

We deserve at least 100 Acres for a Passive "Walkabout" Bi-Ped Trail, and more still for "Active Parks and Recreation" such as a Skate Park, and an Acoustic Performance Amphetheatre...Otherwise?

Fowler Park is an 18 mile round trip...and that is NOT a Local Community Park to these Sub-Districts so deserved of such.

I will be there presenting these points thursday nite...Your support would be greatly appreciated...Please attend this important "Town Meeting" of Forsyth County.

Go to www.FriendsOfCaneyCreek.org for more information about this "Harrison Park" proposal, Thank You.

Boycott Boff and Trust in Tressler

I am confused. Are the same commissioners who are trying to raise taxes now saying they have so much money they don't know how to spend it?

Greenspace is nice, but you don't redecorate your yard if you can't pay your bills.

Bruce,

Respectfully, you are confused...This is about the preservation of those last-stands of un-developed (and perhaps environmentally sensitive) lands that lie throughout our County that are otherwise subject to the pressures of deveolpment for Our proxemity to the "Atlanta Urbanized Area"...And well too, to provide for those "Passive Use Open-space" areas (Walkabouts w/Bi-Ped Pathways) and "Active" Park & Recreational Facilities used more for organized sports throughout our communities that have been designated within our Forsyth County Comprehensive Plan 2004-2025. I strongly encourage you to read-up on Your particular "Sub-district" for that "Vision" projected of it's future!

I voted AGAINST the Bond issue because I felt it was not equitably benefitting the County demographically at all...I now seek to make the best I can of what I have to work with in bringing some equity to South Forsyth County with an increase in expendatures otherwise NOT targeted for that region of the County...Thus making it fail the "Cost-Benefit" analysis from my perspective...I now actively seek to remedy that inequity the best I can with what I have to work with.

As far as your "Can't pay your bills" comment?

Dist. 4 Commissioner David Richard pointed this situation out when he expressed his opposition to previous SPLOST implementation, saying at that time that we'd be building schools and infrastructure based on Over-Optimistically projected "Growth" to find ourselves in exactly the situation we stand today...Over 14,000 Homesites county-wide of Red Georgia Clay dirt with Green-pipe-stubbed Sewer pipes awaiting however many toilets-aflush were approved...And look how to how he has been rewarded for having such insight.

"Those who fail to remember the past are condemend to repeat it".

MadJax, you folks at SGFC will never be satisfied. You have Commissioners David Richard, Jim Harrell and Charlie Laughinghouse in your hip pocket and still you complain.

"Hey we have more money here in South Forsyth than you folks who live in North Forsyth. We want more parks!!!

Look at the bright side, if Boff is elected, you folks at Smart Growth will have another puppet you can control and citizens in the North will stay in the minority.

Of course, Boff has to overcome his 'women should stay at home and tend to the kids and leave government to the men folks attitude to have any chance in the runoff.

Good luck with that!

SmartGrowth doesn't have anyone "In their pocket"...We are graced with the presence of a Commissioner occasionally--when we're lucky--and that makes for a very valuable exchange of ideas indeed!

Most regularly if anyone, Commissioner David Richard would attend, Commissioner Brian Tam otherwise. I've never seen anyone else from the BOC attend a regular SmartGrowth meeting since I've participated over this year, and though I did introduce myself to Commissioner Jim Harrel upon his exit from the SmartGrowth hosted "Candidates Night" at South Forsyth Highschool, he likely only knows me as that person holding the door that night...if he remembers that at all.

Otherwise, I just met and spoke to Charles Laughinghouse for the first time ever last tuesday afternoon...The same pleasant, intellegent, and well spoken Man that he appears otherwise as Commissioner Chairman when I've sat-in a BOC assembly.

I spoke to Commissioner Ledbetter for 20 minutes one evening after a Planning Commissioners meeting before realizing whom she was...And once or twice since...And though I don't find myself of the same perspectives occasionally, I do very much admire her down-to-earth honesty and integrity, and She will be missed for that balance her perspective brought to the Board, in My view.

So, perhaps SmartGrowth does get an "Ear" when they put out a "Position Paper" just such as Your organization as such could...because it represents that some discussion was had of an issue with an active group of Concerned Citizens.

Anyone Countywide is welcome to their open-house meetings...How can a discussion of YOUR perspectives occour absent YOU to share them?

C'mon down next meeting and sit-in so you'll then know what your talking about...There's no "Kool-Aid" served-up...You may want to bring your own bottled water to drink...Sometimes citizen-participants continue discussions of the issues at hand elsewhere the likes of TacoMac, etc. afterwards...The likes of where it all started to begin with that I can imagine...untill a more formal gathering became neccessary.

Organize a chapter closer to your home if you don't want to participate at Bridle Ridge otherwise.

It's rediculously obvious that South Forsyth Contributes more demographically because of the building density here...Why then is it fair to target Parks & GreenSpace expendatures so inequitably--as they have been--toward the Northern part of the County?

If Jim Boff represents the will of the electorate installing him, then perhaps one can construe him as a "Puppet" of sorts...I believe that if he's of a mind of his own, and if that mind-set is congruent with Mine, then I'll vote for him.

Then you play the "Gender" card...

Thanks for the invitation to meet with Smart Growth. I've been to 3 or 4 meetings. Of course, I wasn't privy to the "smoke-filled room" session where Dr. Zhivago and Claudia selected the ex-con Jerry Wickliffe as the "fair and balanced" moderator. Nor was I there when they decided to overlook the email which made the false claim that he would withdraw as moderator.

Now, let me correct your error. It wasn't I who played the gender card. It was Jim Boff (stands for Buzz off Forsyth Females)! He's the one who told Julie he didn't think she should be running for county commission when she should be at home tending to the kids.

How much more insulting could he possibly be?

NO TO BOFF... PERIOD !!!

Debra, well Bill, at least you are getting in touch with your feminine side. So it really ticked you off when they fired you from your job as PIO didn't it? Yes, your writing style and smear tactics gave you away. I have even seen where some of your posts have had to be removed because they were indisputable proved as outright LIES. Well, we can put an end to your gender card smear about Jim Boff right here. It has been noted on other postings that Jim Boffs website at http://jimboff.com has been updated with the clip you keep mentioning and there is NOTHING like what you have said on it. Video proof that you are a LIAR and therefore Can not be trusted. What I find disgusting is someone like you who is so sick and twisted that they get off on spreading lies about other people. You must be so insecure about yourself that the only way you can feel good about yourself is by trying to bring others down to your level. The only problem with that is that there are so very few people in this world who are low enough to even be able to reach down and touch the place where you are.

For more information about My GreenSpace proposel delivered at the Town Meeting July 24th, Aquifer Recharge Zones, and the considerations in "Weighting" that must be taken for a property to be considered "GreenSpace" please continue visiting the following informational website as it evolves to be updated weekly:

www.friendsofcaneycreek.org

Trails likeThe Big Creek Greenway (coming soon) and Sawnee Mountain provide a place for citizens to escape the stress of daily life. Please consider more trails like this in South Forsyth where the need is great. In addition, keeping any new greenspace "wooded" would eliminate the need for watering and keep it more natural. Trails do not have to be paved. Save money by using wood chips or pea gravel. The idea is to preserve land in it's natural state and provide a place people can explore with their families.

I think parks are a good idea; but would Forsyth be paying top dollar as the frontage is or can be commercial. Also being close to 141 and Brookwood would add more traffic congestion in the area.