TO THE EDITOR

I would like to offer a few thoughts on our election results with an eye to the future of Lincoln County. I am not talking about candidates. I am talking about changes to the way our governments do business and as a business does, so our governments need to do more so. Bottom line thinking during these tough economic times as every family in the county is having to do.

Amendment 1 which addressed forest conservation/tax assessments passed statewide and in Lincoln County. The amendment has good and bad aspects so our elected officials will need to watch how this plays out to avoid surprises come tax time.

Amendment 2 which dealt with using school tax funds for real estate redevelopment was defeated in Lincoln County as well as most counties similar in size. As predicted the amendment passed in Atlanta and that number of votes passed the amendment statewide. Our local majority wants no part of this veiled income redistribution scheme. Atlanta had already started doing this and the Georgia Supreme Court ruled the concept unconstitutional. Now it is the law of Georgia but we can not forget that Lincoln County voters defeated the idea.

Amendment 3, a complex amendment, that would have provided protection for existing taxpayers when a new real estate development is planned in a county, was defeated both locally and statewide. Probably just as well, costly mistakes can be made with anything that complicated. Locally we must be vigilant when deals are made with developers. We will insist that simplified/plain talk details of all future deals be made available to all voters.

In the July 15 primary two nonbinding issues were on the Republican ballot. One dealt with homestead valuation freeze and the other with tax relief for our senior citizens. Both were approved by 90% of those who voted on that ballot. Web surveys have yielded similar percentages but that number of votes was very small.

Now it is time for our elected officials to listen to all the citizens of Lincoln County regardless of party affiliation. Call or write your current and future commissioners and tell them how you feel about these tax reform ideas. Then insist that the voice of the majority be done. That is the basic philosophy and beauty of American Democracy. We can not settle for less. Now is the time for action. These changes will not be easy. Sacrifice, compromise, hard work and prayer lay ahead.

Lincoln County's chairman elect plans quarterly in the district meetings with the commissioner from that district and all citizens in that district. Plan to attend that meeting and make your voice heard.

Plain talk - If we all ain't got the money, don't even think about spending it.

NELSON BROOKS