....and here they go again. I previously suggested on this here blog site that the (former Brewton-Parker) Performing Arts Center should be utilized for our public servants' meetings and retreats. But NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO - now we need a NEW "civic center." Here it is, from the Courier article titled "Community meeting space tops for long term" by Danielle Hipps, dated April 11, 2012:

"Civic center/meeting space

Participants identified the need for a meeting space within Liberty County as their top long-term priority.

“What is it about the civic center that’s so important to you, and why was it such an overwhelming vote?” University of Georgia Fanning Institute facilitator Skip Teaster asked while leading a small discussion.

Liberty County Development Authority board member Robert Stokes and Flemington City Councilwoman Gail Evans both said a meeting space that can accommodate conferences is needed more than a large civic center.

Leaders said the community needs a place of its own to conduct workshops, host banquets and hold private events, such as weddings. Currently, Club Stewart is the sole venue of its type and capacity, they said.

“I’m a little concerned about us duplicating efforts,” Liberty County School System Superintendent Dr. Judy Scherer said. “The school system is already working on … we will have by July this year, somewhat of a conference center-type set-up at the Performing Arts Center.”

Currently under renovation, the former campus of Brewton-Parker College on Highway 84 in Flemington will have an auditorium with 250 seats, a meeting room with a capacity of 250 and an industrial kitchen. It will be available to the community on a fee structure, Scherer said. In the future, the building will have a 1,000-seat auditorium.

However, since the building is owned by the Liberty County School System, alcoholic beverages cannot legally be served there."

See: http://beta.coastalcourier.com/sectio...

So - you don't even have to "read between the lines" here:

We "need" a new civic center/meeting space - undoubtedly to be built with some if not all tax dollars - because BOOZE CANNOT BE SERVED at a site which will soon be available in Liberty County at much less cost to the taxpayer.

Well...if I had MY choice, I would prefer to have only SOBER public servants considering the needs of MY community at their retreats and seminars. As for the "private events," there are other locations within the community where weddings and banquents have been historically held.

This is just MORE WASTE of taxpayer money. We need to THROW THESE BUMS OUT - before they bankrupt us all.

You could also liken the waste to the re-paving of 84. It is still servicable, the huge amount of monies spent there definetely could have been used somewhere else. As for Brewton Parker, how about a homeless shelter.outreach center. something for the people instaed of a powere point palace. Somebody needs to go "neighborhood watch" on them and get it right.

As you are aware HMJC, there are some of us who have been "watching" and crying foul (Bryant Commons anyone?) BUT the majority of the citizens of Hinesville and Liberty County just don't give a fig. Therefore the out of control spending continues and we get the leadership we deserve.

As far as "Voting them out" goes, the Mayor and city council of Hinesville were all re-elected this year with the sneeky pay raises.

No one runs against the school board members.

Every one crys foul, but the majority votes them right back in office.

Would the people of Liberty county vote for someone who pledged to cut spending? Has anyone ever run on that platform?

"As far as "Voting them out" goes, the Mayor and city council of Hinesville were all re-elected this year with the sneeky pay raises."

Fortunately for us in Hinesville, I'm told that the position of MAYOR has a limit of two consecutive terms. So at least the mayor is OUT at the end of this term. Hopefully this will stimulate some local "change we can believe in."

"Would the people of Liberty county vote for someone who pledged to cut spending? Has anyone ever run on that platform?"

I'm not sure if they would vote for spending cuts unless they were told which programs would be cut and where the money that was "cut" would go. I don't think any politician wants to touch the issue. It's the old story: everybody wants SOMEBODY ELSE'S programs to be cut, but they are unwilling to sacrifice anything they have an interest in.

It's the "me first" thinking that prevails today.

I called to inquire about that old Brewton Parker building to perhaps rent it for a graduation party for one of my kids. I was told that it was not for rental and will be redecorated. For what...I do not know.

From my note above, courtesy of the Coastal Courier:

"The school system is already working on … we will have by July this year, somewhat of a conference center-type set-up at the Performing Arts Center.”

Currently under renovation, the former campus of Brewton-Parker College on Highway 84 in Flemington will have an auditorium with 250 seats, a meeting room with a capacity of 250 and an industrial kitchen. It will be available to the community on a fee structure, Scherer said. In the future, the building will have a 1,000-seat auditorium."

So - as I understand it from the Courier article - by July OF THIS year the renovations will be complete - and they will have a large meeting room AND an auditorium which will seat 250 each PLUS an "industrial kitchen" which can ostensibly be used to serve meals to the masses using the meeting room/auditorium.

....also:

"It (the facilities) will be available to the community on a fee structure, Scherer said."

"I'm not sure if they would vote for spending cuts unless they were told which programs would be cut and where the money that was "cut" would go. I don't think any politician wants to touch the issue. It's the old story: everybody wants SOMEBODY ELSE'S programs to be cut, but they are unwilling to sacrifice anything they have an interest in.

It's the "me first" thinking that prevails today."

Your right Seb. The problem is we've allowed this moral hazard to be introduced. Now there's no stopping it.

Too many of our elected officials locally are bought and paid for by their employers at their day jobs.

In their official capacity within the office that they have been elected to their primary mission is to promote the best interest of their employer.

Frst, last and always.

I had this discussion with Mur (who refused to discuss it). The problem stems from the fact that officals are given the power to offer something to their employers in the first place.
So, of course the employer would wish "his guy" to be in the hot seat. It's within his best interest and I can't argue with that.

However, take away the SELLING party of the politican, and you remove the BUYING part of the businessman.

A long time ago most elected officials were statesmen but that was before our morals and values went to Hell.

Now we have politicians and most of them are whores.

Amen.