This is Viewpoints for Friday, July 8, 2016

Frustrated

Several months ago every time I read the newspaper I realized that our county leaders had learned a new word called “Blight.” I soon learned the word really meant neglect of one’s real property. I must admit that my property is about to be put in the blight category, although not because of neglect on my part. I’m sure that several homeowners can relate to my frustrations and disappointments with our new consolidation government.

My story is as follows: Several months ago a vehicle ran into a guardrail in front of my house. The vehicle not only damaged the rail but also several tree branches and bushes. Prior to the accident I had cut several branches from my yard and placed them on the curb to be picked up by our contracted company. After several months of ignoring my branches for pickup, I called the public works department and reminded them that my tree limbs had not been picked up. I even got the regulations regarding size and length to ensure mine were in compliance. After several no pickups, I was transferred to the assistant director’s office who transferred me to the director’s office, who read an email off so fast and a voice mail recording. I left a message and phone number for the director to call me back, however this person never returned my call.

Next I called my county commissioner’s office and explained my frustration. I was told that the only thing she could do was to put in another request for a pickup. My last step was to call the mayor’s office for help with what I at first considered a simple matter. The lady who answered at the mayor’s office could only refer me back to public works. I know that other homeowners in Macon-Bibb County share my frustrations. The only reason that I can figure out why my branches are not being picked up, is because the pickup truck cannot lift the branches and someone inside the truck would have to get out and do a little manual labor.

‘Fair and balanced’

I confirmed that “the windmills of Forest Hills Road are still a formidable foe” on Monday, 06/21, the last day for appeal of valuation of real property to the Board of Assessors in Macon-Bibb County. I spent the day trying to find an example of the oft used phrase, “fair and balanced” relating to a residence on Forest Hill Road amidst the construction of this project. (Not my property, only trying to assist a friend of my wife.) The valuation of this property has remained the same for five years including the most recent year. (I live in a nearby neighborhood having closely followed the saga of Forest Hill Road “improvement” over the years as these property owners have endured so much.) If you use this property as an example, they all will continue to suffer financially each coming year for several years through higher valuations (more taxes) until the BOA can validate property value reductions through property sales results, bleeding tax dollars into the county’s coffers.

I asked the BOA representative whether a general reduction of property valuations along Forest Hill Road could be applied, until future sales could validate values. This general reduction of valuations was made several years ago in east Bibb County after P&Z approved a nearby landfill impacting property owners like the Forest Hill Road project. I was told that such an immediate reduction, even though only temporary, was not possible. Taxes on any higher valuations than that later proved such would have to be paid in the interim.

My conclusion is that “fair and balanced” on Forest Hill Road must wait, with the property owners probably paying higher taxes than current “fair value,” until so proved by sales with part of the financial support of county government “balanced” on the backs of these property owners. So now, we have an example of not “fair and balanced.”

Not complicated

I highly doubt the regents of the University of Georgia view FVSU as a historically black institution, rather a far removed and inconvenient locale change for the School of Veterinary Medicine. Those who wish to attend this fine institution of education located in Athens, more than likely want to do just that — go to Athens. Not everything has to do with race. Most of the time there is a simple reason not to do something and there is no need to complicate it.

Dangerous place to serve

What happened in Benghazi saddens all of us. As an isolated event the deaths there are difficult to comprehend. There are two pieces of information which lend perspective. First, my good friend, now retired from the foreign service, tells me that the kind of outpost (not an embassy) at Benghazi is traditionally a dangerous place at which to serve. He admits that our government should do more to protect them, but bad things have occurred at these posts often. Second, 11 such incidents, including American deaths, took place during the Bush years in office. It seems transparent during this political season to assign extraordinary significance to this one event, tragic as it was, without considering and, hopefully, correcting such a high-risk pattern within our government.

Trexit vote

While Donald Trump was in Scotland a reporter asked his opinion on the Brexit (British exit) vote. Of course, Trump had no idea what that was about. But that didn’t stop him from making it all about himself. As if he’s responsible for the situation. He stated that the British people want to make Britain great again. If the British can take back their country so can Americans. I can hardly wait for the Trexit (Trump exit) vote.

Real friends of the park

My hat’s off to the Friends of Tattnall Square Park for the way they’ve been able to transform that parcel of land into a lovely space for relaxation and recreation. Just a few years ago, the park was languishing in disrepair and neglect. But now with the refurbished tennis courts, the newly planted trees and shrubs, the fountain, the floral landscaping and footbridge, and the renovated gates, we have a showpiece. Green spaces are increasingly important in our cities, and we’re blessed to have Tattnall Square. You can learn more about the Friends by logging on to www.fotsp.org, where you can also make a contribution to their ongoing work. FOTSP, you’ve made us proud. Thanks for helping enhance the quality of life in our fair city.

This story was originally published July 7, 2016 at 9:00 PM with the headline "This is Viewpoints for Friday, July 8, 2016."