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A man living in another universe. Patrick stated: "I believe that government is broken from the local level all the way to the federal level. It’s inhabited by politicians that are interested in feathering their own nests or affecting their future political aspirations and I don’t think we’ve had enough people to stand up and make decisions for the right reasons.”

Patrick Bell has feathered his own nest with the organs of gub'mint. Sweet mortgage deal on his home from UCB.

You can't make up this derangement. It's real.

Let's start with the water contract. Mr. Bell is trying to compare the City of Cumming to a private business. Governments are not supposed to be in the profit business. They are in the service business and they should be providing service to the citizens at cost. Clearly, the City of Cumming has been making a profit on the water it sells to county residents for a very long time, using the "excuse" that they made the investment. Governments are not capital venturists! The City claims that it should be reimbursed for its "infrastructure" costs. Those are sunk costs. It has long ago recouped those costs. Add to that the fact that the county has spent $7M+ for its own infrastructure and contributed to "upgrades" made by the City and now owned by the City. The County will shortly have the ability to process its own finished water, only needing the City to assist on peak days. It is time for the county to stop the windfall profits going to the City from the county residents and negotiate a truly fair contract with the city which allows them to use the city's intakes. Committing the county to a 35 or 50 year contract with the City would be a huge mistake. The government can't figure out what's going to happen next year much less 25 years from now. Since the Magnuson ruling has been overturned, it would wise for the county to start negotiating immediately for its own intake as soon as possible, so that we can eliminate our reliance on the City. I'm amazed that Mr. Bell has no problem spending $55M for a new courthouse, but thinks "sharing" the City's treatment facilities is the prudent thing to do! We are not "getting along with the City". We are being held hostage by them. It's time to figure out how to put an end to that.

The LOST split should be based very closely on population split or around 4% for the City. This argument about the City infrastructure is specious at best. The county in essence is transferring the cost of the City's infrastructure FROM the residents and businesses located inside the City TO the county residents. I hate to inform Mr. Bell, but the majority of the working residents in this county DO NOT work in the City of Cumming. A very large number commute all the way to Atlanta and surrounding cities and counties. By conning the BoC into a huge split (currently 15%) on LOST, the City is able to avoid ANY City property taxes, which is the APPROPRIATE way for the City to fund its own infrastructure. That way the City is taxing the ACTUAL users of their infrastructure, and not everyone who just happens to live in the county. The Fair? Are you kidding me. We owe the City 15% of LOST because of two or three events at the county Fairgrounds each year! Again, City property taxes would solve that problem!

The Equestrian Park issue has been beaten to death. This is very simple. It is not the county government's job to provide entertainment of every possible form for its citizens. In fact, there is no constitutional basis for the government to be involved in this at all. If an equestrian park is wanted, let a private business open one and make tons of money. JUST because a handful of the county's residents make a request to a Commissioner does NOT mean there is an "overwhelming desire" for it or that it is a good idea, or a good use of our tax dollars! When is the county going to build a bowling alley for those of us who love to bowl?

Readers,

I have revised the story to correct several minor errors in an attempt to be as accurate as possible. My corrections do not materially impact the story. The only change of significance is the addition of the following line in the equestrian park section of the interview:

"I have been an advocate of saving the music park since we first looked at the property"

The interview as it is now published is a better reflection of our discussion.

I don't agree with everything Mr. Bell has said but the comments seem to be logical and based on common sense that take the real issues into account. It's that experience we need on the board right now, not people jockeying based on rumor and spite.

I live in the county, not the city, and I remember when the city got in the water biz because the county fathers did not think it was a good idea. Yes, the city is entitled to make a profit to have reserves to maintain the system. We all should want them to make a little profit to insure the money is there to fix things when they break.

Does Mr. Schneider really think we can get an intake permitted and built before the current contract expires in May? Bell sees the long term here and knows we need a contract for a long time. If we can find an alternative then, so be it. At least we will have a supply in the meantime.

The tax split with the city needs to be looked at hard and I encourage Mr. Bell to consider everything when working this out. 15% is too high but the 4% mentioned by others is silly. The city has many events all year that benefit the community and make Cuming a great place to live. A fair split is in order and I hope Bell, and the other commissioners, go about this in a professional manner and not get into public fights like the last board.

The horse park? Not sure about that one either but if it can be operated at zero cost to the citizens then what does it matter? We bought all that property, some at crazy high prices, and it needs to be used. I'm not going to use any of the parks, fields, trails, tennis courts, skateboard tracks, etc. I don't care what they do as long as it does not cost me money.

There. That's my input. It's worth what you paid for it.

I am a local equestrian and am very excited about the possibility of an equestrian park. I have children in sports, and we take advantage of the ball parks, but there are plenty existing right now! A horse park would give balance and offer recreational diversity for the area. What an "Ace in the Hole" for Forsyth County!

Excellent job, Mr Bell, on FAIRLY using the allocated funds so as everyone is served within the community, not just soccer, basebball, etc. There are tons of county parks for these activities and not a single county equestrian ANYTHING. Shame that is has never been. Every other county has such. The ignorance of the writers here who seem to be interested in solely trashing Mr Bell rather than looking at what the county has and has not is evidenced by the endless droning on and complaining about issues that have been explained and dealt with already. The fact that the county has provided multiple parks that I don't use and still pay for is somehow not addressed by these hecklers. I pay school taxes and yet have no children in school. I pay county ( ball park) taxes and yet have not used a single one. Does that mean there should be no parks? Of course not! The ignorance of such thinking is daunting. The thing is, the folks who are here heckling and can't see that there will be a financial benefit for the community as well as a benefit for an entire group of people who have been left out in the cold as far as county parks, will never be able to see good in this because they seem to thrive on bashing, making invalid points and on fighting every single action the county is interested in undertaking for the good of the community. There are many of us out here who are anxiously awaiting a place where we can finally....FIANLLY use for a sport/recreation that addresses our needs rather than the same redundant ball fields we see repeated all over the county.

Carla, please submit for the rest of us "hecklers" the business plan for this equestrian park showing how it will be a "financial benefit for the community". Are we expected to just accept your word for that? Since you make this statement as if it were fact, you should be able to produce this plan immediately. I am anxious to see it.

Carla I echo Hal Schneiders call for the business plan. If it is such a good idea, I will form a corporation and sell Bonds and shares to make this happen in the private sector and make a bundle.

Hal, Don't hold your breath, because the document does not exist. And, if it did, it would not support her statements. I think that she is a plant.(maybe a venus fly trap)

It is absolutely amazing the amount of criticism about this equestrian park. I think Dr. Joe, Hal and Bill are the same folks from that Focus on Joe, Bill, Hal and Isaac website that can't do anything but be negative.

I am not sure I support a horse park but I do think that Mr. Bell has offered some very good points here and I appreciate his willingness to serve another term. Especially with the "hecklers" that lurk around the internet bashing, jeering and spewing negativity.

In all fairness, Carla appears to be a real person and a horse enthusiast: http://tennesseetrails.ning.com/profile/CarlaRutledge But I'd still like to see the business plan that supports her claims.

Why is it that asking questions of our elected officials or disagreeing with their decisions is considered "negativity"? I notice that no one has addressed the "issues" that I raised above. They simply try to dismiss them by labeling them as "negativity".

OK, horse park issue later.

Let's get to some of the substance of this interview.

After almost 4 years of serving on this commission, Patrick Bell can't seem to come up with a single specific thing he'd cut from county government? After serving on the finance committee? Really?

Now to water. Bell simply has no clue about the current capacities for water this county possesses. He tries to make people think that the RAW water issue is tied to the FINISHED water issue, and they are not. This county will have the capability to finish virtually every drop of water the county needs on a daily basis in the next 4 months, so there is NO reason to include any minimums in finished water in the city contract. NONE. Any attempt to do so is simply paying off the city and costing county residents even more money we don't have to spend. Bell also sticks his head in the sand regarding getting our own source of water separate from the city. We have ONE source of raw water for the city and county. ONE. No backup. No emergency source. No redundancy in our system. We've been sitting fat, dumb and happy for years with no plan for a catastrophic failure or act of terrorism regarding our water supply, and Bell cites cost as an issue. What's the cost to get water if the lone intake we have goes down for a day? How about a week? To not even address this issue is criminal.

LOST? How about Lost in Space? Again, this issue has been approaching for years now, and even with little in the way of re-zonings to distract him from paying attention to upcoming problems, he hasn't done any research on what we provide to the city vs. what they provide?

Finally, the proposed horse park. Not everybody gets to have their recreational needs taken care of, especially in this economy. To propose something as fiscally irresponsible as a horse park in this economy is pandering to the Nth degree. The Lanierland property has been a fiasco from the beginning; from no public hearing on the purchase (even after ALL others with the Park & Rec. bond had one), to location, and now to proposed purpose. All under Bell's direction.

David, You may be right, I apologize if I am coming across as a heckler, sorry Carla. Also, I'm not always negative. I am positive on fiscal responsibility, honesty, integrity, and transparency in government, and I like cats and dogs. I just don't think that a horse park is feasible. And, as a matter of fact, I agree with commissioner Bell that if it is not at least revenue neutral, then he will not support it. So, I am with Hal on this one. Justshow Comm. Bell & the rest of us the financials.

The 'HORSE PARK' is an entitlement program for the rich people. I went to the town hall meeting and one guy had 3 beautiful kids there all dressed up in horseey gear. I am sure it would save him money if the taxpayers helped him with his output of cash to keep his kids riding. I say use the roads for your pleasure not the taxpayers money. Strangly enough I agree with Dave Richard for the 1st time. Thank you so much everyone. Eddie Love Good Night. Did I hear Golf anyone? Lets buy it all.

I find it hilarious that this David Richards talks about being fat, dumb and happy yet he got nothing accomplished about water during his illustrious 4 year stint on the Board.

I seem to remember he did say the county was "this close" to an intake. Right. I'd be careful about complaining Mr. Richards as you did not get anything done except alienate every elected official within 100 miles and make the county look foolish.

I am excited to hear Forsyth could possibly have an Equestrian Facility. There are many horse people in Forsyth and the surrounding counties. I hope Patrick Bell will continue to investigate the pros and cons for a facility like this and if evidence shows it is at least revenue neutral that he will press on in his efforts to make it a reality. Giddy up and go Mr. Bell.

David Doss, you might ALSO remember that it takes at least 3 votes to get anything done on the Board of Commissioners. That means that one commissioner with a vision can't get everything done that he or she wants to get done without at least two more with vision.

You might also remember that the county's application for a withdrawal permit from the Chattahoochee River had gotten farther along than any previous application in the history of the Board, and was only stopped due to Federal litigation on the waters of Lake Lanier.

You might also remember that your rhetoric regarding my alienating "every elected official within 100 miles" was a campaign charge that wasn't true, as it was leveled by a serial liar known as Patrick Bell in order to get elected. In fact, the truth is that I had a better relationship with my own board members than does Patrick Bell today.

Finally, you might wish to remember how to spell a person's name when you wish to address / reply to them. If you can't get that right, why should anyone believe that you have the slightest knowledge of real issues?

Oh, and David Doss? You might wish to learn my record of achievement while in office before claiming that I got nothing done during my term of office.

Since I was responsible for corralling the Sheriff's overspending on capital purchases (by bringing on board both Brian Tam and Linda Ledbetter - impossible to do as I had "alienated every elected official within 100 miles" according to you), I accomplished something NO other commissioner has in modern history - significantly reducing the sheriff's budget in a single year.

Now you may apologize to me for your incorrect description of my term of office, or you may simply crawl back under your rock.

Midway Park,Sharon Springs Park,Sawnee Mtn Park, Bennett Park,Coal Mtn Park, Central Park, Bethelview Greenway, Fowler Park (New), Harrison, Buice, Echols, McClure, Eagles Beak properties future parks. How many ball fields does the County need. And please expalin to me how these facilities run themselves! Equestrian Facilities - none! There is a larger horse community complied of riders, trainers, boarders, and smaller business owners who need an opportunity like this facility to expand their business, a place to meet and are in full support of this cause and Mr. Bell's intentions. We will be there in numbers to state our case the the County can not afford to pass on this opportunity for economic growth and opportunity this facility will bring to Forsyth County! Carla I totally agree with your statements.

I myself am a horse enthusiast, and I am speaking for many others who enjoy this wonderful sport. Having an equestrian facility for all the people who enjoy this wonderful sport is a great idea. Not only equestrians would enjoy, but dog lovers, campers, etc....There are so many people involved in this sport in our area and areas surrounding. Alpharetta is the closest for this kind of facility, and I can tell you it attracts many from all areas every weekend! As a mother of two who's boys play soccer and football, I feel the county is already saturated with ball parks. How about the many people who enjoy the other sports? Mr. Bell please "cowboy up" and continue to see all the pro's that this facility would bring! You go Venus!

This thread is about the Equesrtian Facility Dave Richard. County Parks are mostly for everyone and horsey parks are for a few mostly people with money, so to speak. This activity is outside the regular fun time most tax payers have. Dave Richard is pounding his chest like a little mouse and nobody can hear him. Thank you so much. Eddie Mousee Knight. Now thats funny. Keep up the good work everyone.

Eddie Knight, this thread is about the comments of Patrick Bell, and are not limited to the Equestrian Park.

My remarks were to correct the misconceptions of the ill-informed Mr. Doss regarding me (and the one who didn't stay on topic initially).

You should recognize his inability to stay on topic or be correct, as it is you hallmark in trade.

Parks and equestrian centers do not seem like the business of government. There are millions of dollars being spent on these parks and yet the county will not pave our Medlock Rd. There are many properties, some of them lake homes, paying quite a bit of tax money and yet we drive on a poorly maintained dirt/mud road. The county priorities should put road infrastructure way ahead of parks and similar facilities which are merely used for recreation. Individuals' recreation should not be paid for with my tax money, especially when our road is not even paved.