2014
09.06

Thursday Commissioner Heiskell hosted the first two of three meetings required by law before she can raise property taxes.

The 10 AM meeting was attended by roughly 60 people, most uninterested in more lies and excuses from the county queen. She fielded some questions but responded to many with incoherent answers or refused to answer at all, and on more than one occasion gave different answers when asked the same thing multiple times.

Here’s a typical exchange between Heiskell and 2012 election opponent Ales Campbell: Campbell reminded Heiskell of state law requiring a budget be set before taxes are raised, which Walker County hasn’t done. Heiskell says she’s always done it that way, and “..we’re not talking about that.”

During both meetings Heiskell played the following slides to make excuses why the county has less money coming in and requires a tax increase.

Tax Meeting PowerPoint Slide Tax Revenue Decrease

Apparently the 2011 tornado blew 47 properties off the map. They aren’t owned or taxed anymore. Funny how that works. Plus the darn old people and their not paying taxes. Apparently Bebe’s the only person in Walker County over sixty years old NOT responsible for this tax increase.

(Doesn’t inflation typically make things cost more? How does inflation make property worth less money and bring in less taxes?)

The REAL reason we have less money coming in is all the land she’s bought and taken off the tax list with SPLOST money. Where’s THAT on this slide?

That’s just a small sample. Video and audio recordings are still trickling in; more will be shared over the next week on LU Facebook and here on the blog leading up to the final tax meeting on Thursday 9/11 at 10 AM.   Tiny Facebook  Tiny Facebook  Tiny Facebook  Tiny Facebook  Tiny Facebook  Tiny Facebook  Tiny Facebook

Last night the Ramblers entered week two of the 2014 football season with a short trip to Chickamauga, facing Gordon Lee in a regular season game for the first time since 2003.

LHS Football vs Gordon Lee

The Ramblers were initially on the ropes, down 0-14, but lept ahead to 22-14 by the end of the 3rd quarter. The final score was Ramblers 43, Trojans 22. That takes LaFayette to 2-0 for the season and leaves Gordon Lee with a 1-2 record.

Next week LaFayette will play here at home vs. Trion, also 2-0.   Tiny Facebook  Tiny Facebook  Tiny Facebook  Tiny Facebook  Tiny Facebook  Tiny Facebook  Tiny Facebook  Tiny Facebook

Insiders say Electrolux and GE will announce a deal next week to transfer GE Appliances (parent of Roper) to the Swedish conglomerate in a $2.5 billion deal.

A sale isn’t likely to have an immediate impact on Roper but could be disastrous for Walker County in the long term.   Tiny Facebook

Austin Whitten at LHS

Good news for Austin Whitten:

    WQCH Radio, 09/03/14: “LAFAYETTE HIGH SCHOOL SENIOR AUSTIN WHITTEN IS MAKING PLANS TO TRAVEL FOR TREATMENT IN PANAMA. A FUND RAISING DRIVE IN THE COMMUNITY HAS REACHED THE GOAL OF 40-THOUSAND DOLLARS, SO THE FORMER LHS ATHLETE CAN MAKE THE TRIP.
    “‘WE HAD ONE VERY GENEROUS DONOR’ THAT PUT THE FUND-RAISING OVER THE TOP, ACCORDING TO AUSTIN’S MOM. SHE SAID THEY MAY MAKE THE TRIP TO PANAMA AT THE BEGINNING OF NEXT YEAR.”

(Is Austin a “former” LHS athlete? Last we heard he was still on all the teams.)   Tiny Facebook

Two Walker County women cited for 164+ cats in their Chickamauga home.

Chickamauga Cat Hoarders

Per authorities the animals were mostly caged and many were in poor health. The women had tried to care and provide for the felines but it’s impossible for anyone, even with the best intentions, to care for more than ten dozen animals in a private home.

Shelters and rescues from all over the state are being called in to help but many of the cats will be euthanized for lack of space and poor health.

(Nice to see codes enforcement doing something for once.)   Tiny Facebook  Tiny Facebook

Late Tuesday night a man climbed into Pettyjohn’s Cave and was unable to get himself out. Walker County Cave Rescue, CERT, and other emergency crews were called out and managed to extract the man without serious injuries.   Tiny Facebook  Tiny Facebook

Pit Stop @ LaFayette Bypass & Villanow St.

77-year-old man who threatened to shoot a Pit Stop employee has been arrested. The incident happened last Saturday; he was detained later that day while applying for a gun permit at the Sheriff’s Office.   Tiny Facebook

Ironman Chattanooga event organizers admit the bicycle portion of their race will be an inconvenience for Walker County residents, but say the event is worth the trouble because it will make an economic impact on the county.

Organizers also say participants who violate laws during the race will be disqualified, and roads will not be closed during the event scheduled for September 28th.   Tiny Facebook

After years of work, Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum has fully restored its iconic Southern 4501 locomotive. The steam engine, last operated in 1999, is being tested and will soon be out on the rails for local excursions.

Johnny Cash with Southern 4501 Locomotive / Railroad Museum

(Johnny Cash approves.)   Tiny Facebook

Later this month Paws Pet Supplies will relocate to Noble. Store will operate through September, then reopen by early October in the old First Steps studio building.

Their current space in Walmart shopping center will be part of Dollar Tree’s expansion.   Tiny Facebook

What’s going on at Cherokee Farms this weekend?

This:

More here [NSFW language]…   Tiny Facebook

Latest local arrests through last Sunday.   Tiny Facebook

Marijuana

Approving marijuana products for medical use in Georgia is more complicated than just “legalizing” cannabis-based oil. The state, and people who need help, have to navigate layers of state and federal laws on the books for decades.   Tiny Facebook

During the first seven months of 2014, at least 1,412 “unaccompanied minor” illegal immigrant children were relocated to homes in Georgia.   Tiny Facebook

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  1. What can we do about Bebe ?

  2. Go to all her meetings. Her regular Thursday meeting and the upcoming Thursday tax meeting. Any time she appears in public, ask her these questions she doesn’t want to answer. Talk to those businesses and individuals that support her, the few she still has, and make sure they know you don’t appreciate their propping her up. Pay attention to what happens in the area politically. Get registered to vote and vote. Not just for commissioner but for taxes, boards, state legislators, the things that also enhance her strength.

    And keep reading LU. We’re about to roll out something else.

    — LU

  3. I miss LaFayette.

  4. Along the same line as taxes being raised -have any of you been experiencing higher than usual utility bills for the past several months?