Unnecessary Drama in the COV : A Tempest in a Teapot; Madam Mayor & Conduct Unbecoming

 So the big thing in terms of politics local here recently in the home city has to do w/ ghost tours & cemeteries, manufactured indignation, gadflies, an opportunistic politician, as well as a long-running vendetta said politician has had for a particular Square merchant for several years. 

The initiation of this current chain of events began a week ago Saturday last when the aforementioned gadfly surreptitiously filmed a group of people (including children) who were taking one of the ghost tours as offered by Covington Ghost Tours as they were walking towards the privately-owned portion of the Covington cemetery.

Quick aside. These tours have been going on for 11 years now. 

But back to situation at hand. 

This video was put on social media w/ the caption of "wAkE uP cOvINgtOn!!1!" (okay, so maybe I took some artistic license w/ the capitalization & punctuation). 

It got shared by several of the usual suspects & then it became indignation time w/ the comments made on the original post & also on some of the shares. 

It became quite obvious that this was a concerted, coordinated & manufactured happening as the first reading of a new ordinance prohibiting ghost tours of the city-owned portion of the cemetery happened just two nights later at the City of Covington's general meeting.
 

But then, Madam Mayor Fleeta Baggett really cranked it up when she (or one of her fervent disciples) reached out to WSB TV for them to do a story on it.

And my word, it must've been a really slow news day that day as they actually sent out a van & crew to do a piece.

The irony was not lost on some.

Way to really respect the dead by having a news crew traipsing all over the cemetery, filming video in this sacred spot & just generally making a spectacle. 

Sad. 

So, to recap.

The original video hits social media.

Two days later - the council vote.

And then two days after that - WSB.

Astroturfing at its finest, I'd say. 

*****

Ghost tours happen all over America & Georgia. Several go through cemeteries. The majority of them are done in a very respectful manner & I know that this one is because I've been on it before. They make a point to tell everyone to stay on the road, not to walk on any of the graves & remain respectful. 

So, again, this is in my opinion simply A Tempest in a Teapot, to use the old idiom.




###



Madam Mayor & Conduct Unbecoming

Mayor Fleeta Baggett 

Apparently Fleeta should've had a TPO issued against her some time back related to her concerning & bizarre behavior directed towards one of the Covington Square merchants, to the point where she was told by the CPD if she entered the premises of said business, that she would be arrested. 

This has been confirmed to me by multiple direct sources.  

Even now, she goes out of her way to create an adverse impact against various business owners here in the home city, w/ one (the aforementioned) very much in particular. 

Let's take a step back here. 

Think about it.

The mayor of our city is expending time, energy & effort in order to hurt a local business that is paying taxes, providing jobs & bringing in visitors to Covington.  

Covington's Mayor is doing that. That is just so messed up. 

Fleeta's always had her band of followers, but apparently more & more are waking up. . 

On top of all of that. 

Madam Mayor has just had another official complaint lodged against her by a city employee (she's had a few over the past couple years). 

This has been standard operating procedure for her entire tenure as Mayor. 

To wit: 

Verbally abusing city employees. 

Harassing local business owners as well as elected & appointed city officials. 

Just generally being an unpleasant & seemingly vindictive  person. 

### 

Well, it's looking as if her "Jumping the Shark," and overplaying her hand, may be about to catch up w/ her.

Maybe. Possibly. 


And as this writer understands it, there could possibly be a vote of No Confidence in the offing. 

Regardless, something's gotta give. This isn't working anymore. 

We shall see. 

You know we'll be keeping an eye on it. 

Until next time, 

- MBM 

Regarding Data Centers in the Home City & County: Thoughts by MBM & a Communique from Newton BOC Rep LeAnne Long

 Hello, friends. 

So yet another proposed data center now being considered here in the home county, those water & power sucking scourges, and now the home city of Covington is being brought in to mix as well. 

What follows is my response to a FB post by the right honorable & totally badass BOC 5 Rep of Newton Co, GA - LeAnne Long - followed by an additional comment of mine & then followed by her original post. 

The Chair of the NC Water Authority has already said we can’t take on anymore of these.

Concerns about power capacity as well.

Will definitely be reaching out to my representation on the City of Covington Council on this.

— ENOUGH IS ENOUGH —

This isn’t “NIMBY.” This is self-preservation!

I’m at the point where I’m ready for social media & AI to disappear. Those two things are the reason why we’re seeing this scourge.

Thanks for all you’re doing, LeAnne Long!

For the Home City & County!

- MBM

### My additional comment:

Also,

New York Times :

The situation has become so dire that Newton County is on track to be in a water deficit by 2030, according to a report last year.

“What the data centers don’t understand is that they’re taking up the community wealth,” he said. “We just don’t have the water.” ~ Mike Hopkins, NCWSA

(H/T Tonya Be) 

*******

LeAnne's original post: 

OKAY- District 5 ***

The Newton County Board of Commissioners received a required notice letter from the City of Covington stating that a landowner has applied to be annexed into the City of Covington's limits for a Massive Data Center. 600 ELKS CLUB RD -

The number of requests for data centers without proper planning and understanding of the community's impact is ridiculous! I am very concerned - while developers talk about potential tax revenue, those numbers don't show the big picture. The process lacks transparency, and communities aren't seeing the actual outcome for residents, which still remains unknown.

Social Circle (in Newton Co.) is attempting to annex and zone TWO large centers in Newton Co., ONE is being built now in Covington, Portdale approved ONE, and now another ONE OFF ELKS Club RD-

THIS IS INSANE! LET the City of Covington Council know your thoughts to VOTE NO!!

LeAnne! 

Here is part of the notice, as required by law

(This doesn't imply the City is in favor or not).

Please be advised that the City of Covington, GA, by the authority vested in the Mayor and Council, by Article 2 of Chapter 36, Title 36 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, has received an application to annex property hereinafter described. This letter has been sent to you by certified mail, return receipt requested, upon acceptance of an application for annexation by the City of Covington, GA, in accordance with O.C.G.A. § 36-36-

6 and O.C.G.A. § 36-36-,9 and after receipt of the application for zoning pursuant to O.C.G.A. §36-36-111. The property owner's application is attached hereto as Exhibit "B."

The property owners have requested the zoning of Light Industrial (M-1) for the following properties:

600 Elks Club Rd and Elks Club Rd, (TMP#s 0100 003, 0100 003В 0100 009) 11,520 SQFT AND 18 BUILDINGS.

GIVE ME YOUR THOUGHTS -LeAnne

### Best, MBM

And A Word From Ellis Millsaps

 Fuck you, Donald Trump. 

- - Ellis Millsaps

Ellis "Da" Millsaps is a recovering Attorney but has worn many hats over the years: father, bus boy, stand-up comedian, novelist, wiffle ball player, rock'n'roll band manager, and at one time wrote a popular and funny column for The Covington News. A Fannin Co. mountain boy originally, Mr. Millsaps now stays at the mill village of Porterdale by way of 20 years in Mansfield. Usually funny and at times irreverent and subversive, he leans left in his political philosophy but can always be counted on for a pretty darn good write-up. The Chronicles are proud to have him involved...

Good Cop, Bad Cop: A Novel by Ellis Millsaps

TPC REAL Politick: Raffensperger Running for Governor. Other Dominoes to Fall?

 Hello again. 

So, the news hit today (somewhat surprisingly to this writer), that current GA Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger has actually decided to run for Governor of Georgia. 

He'd previously put out feelers but many had figured he wouldn't actually do it. 

After all, his political capital in our great state doesn't seem to be overly strong.

Trump hates him, by all accounts, and two state heavyweights - Burt Jones, current Lt. Governor & Chris Carr, current AG - have already announced & declared for this race. 

So the question is begged - why would B-Rad do this? 

Well, in my humble estimation, it's the same reasoning as behind his original run for the Holder & Custodian of the Great Seal of Georgia (Secretary of State) back in 2018: 

spend a shit-ton of money & run in a crowded field where you might make a runoff. Then, w/ enough money, you might just steal the damn thing...

###

For those who know, that's exactly what he did seven years ago. 

*****

Again, he doesn't seem to have the ability to do this. Obviously, Trump hates him. An extreme majority of the GA GOP despises him; however, never doubt the ability of money combined w/ a crowded field. 

Again, that's exactly what happened in 2018. Just ask the current Chairman of the GA GOP. 

Homeslice bought that office.

Spent a shit-ton of money w/ the aim of making it to a runoff (paying big money to landowners on major thoroughfares to put up signs plus a whole bunch of other stuff). 

And as those who know, in a runoff - all bets are off.

It's all about turnout (read:  $$$). 

W/ Carr & Jones running, he knows he just has to spend enough money to finish second in the primary (Jones will be first). Then he's hoping if he does finish second, he'll be able to get enough of the Carr votes to possibly win the runoff (w/ enough of that $$$). 

Not saying I'm right on this, but...

*****

So, Trump's archnemesis will not be running for a third term for Secretary of State (SOS). 

Therefore, that means that Tim Fleming is definitely running for SOS. 

So...

that means that GA HD 114 is

W I D E   O P E N 

DEVELOPING... 

Best, 

- MBM 

[Recent City Happenings] - Covington East Ward Post 1 Now a 2-man Race

 Greetings, Fearless Readers. Hope it is all good out there. 

So, the news hit just today that Rev. Eric Threets has withdrawn his candidacy for the open East Ward, Post 1 race. 

I was actually made aware of this the end of last week but was trying to get additional information as to why he was withdrawing (had a few sources tell me it was due to a certain reason) before reporting the story. 

As has been the case a few times over the years, that other paper stole my thunder & beat me to the punch. 

According to its article, and this was confirmed by a member of staff of the Newton Co Board of Elections, it was due to "family demands," as per a letter that Threets submitted. 

Again, I was told by various sources that it was due to another issue. I have communicated w/ the City of Covington to confirm the exact reason but as of press time I haven't gotten a response (big surprise there, right? Government, what you gonna do...). 

Regardless, that means that this is now a 2-man race. 

That other paper - The Covington News by the way - erroneously reported that now there are three running but Cole Inman, as we understand it, also withdrew his candidacy, so now it's just between Dwayne Turner & Donny Cook. 

Dwayne Turner

Donny Cook 

I've had several folks that I know & trust tell me they're supporting Cook in this one. I'm hoping to have a sit-down tete-a-tete w/ him soon. I do know, based on his social media presence, that he is NOT a fan of apartments, and seems to be rather conservative regarding the spending of taxpayer dollars. 

We'll be keeping an eye on it. 

Will keep you updated if we get additional info on the Threets situation. 

Best, 

- MBM 

If You Don't Know, Now You Know: Greetings & Welcome to TPC!

The Town Square Podcast

 

Hello, all. 

I meant to publish this post last night in anticipation of today's drop of the latest edition of The Town Square Podcast hosted by old friend & current Newton Co BOE member Trey Bailey w/ yours truly - Marshall McCart - as the featured guest. 

While I know a pretty good number of folks who have listened (or will listen) to that podcast are already familiar w/ what we do around here, I'm sure at least a few are not so I thought I'd give you a bit of an intro. 

As we discussed on the show, I'm self-described as equal parts Citizen Journalist, "semi-professional ant hill kicker" & public advocate. I'm passionate about the home county (Newton), home city (Covington) & the Glorious Georgia Piedmont (particularly the quad-county area of Jasper, Morgan, Newton & Walton). 

Politically, I'm basically a conservative-adjacent, libertarian-leaning independent; or, to quote another writer - I'm usually being liberally conservative when I'm not being conservatively liberal. Basically I'm GDI. A true independent around the intersection of a Ron-Paul-Republican & Zell-Miller-Democrat. 

I'm for good government, and wise spending of tax dollars. 

I also tend to be inclined that many elected officials need a watchful eye upon them in order for them to do the right things & do things right. 

Mainly, I try to capture the REAL Politick, and always doing my best to keep it real. 

You can peruse some previous readings if you so desire. 

As I mentioned on the podcast, my posting has been a little light here lately but I do have a few things coming down the pike. Plus, we've got the off-year municipal elections this fall so we'll certainly be keeping an eye on that. 

Okay for now & hope all is well out there. 

- MBM 

A TPC Check-in: Taxes Going UP; News on the State House & Senate Races; Odds & Ends

 Howdy, Folks! Hope it's all good out there. 

Well, TPC enjoyed its annual summer vacation (forgot to put up the Gone Fishin' sign again ), but we're ready to get back at it. 

Property Taxes Going Up 

After the summer tradition of the budget process, we've now seen everything become official in terms of the setting of the millage rates. 

Quick aside. You may be wondering - "what the hell is mill?!" A mill is one-tenth of one percent, or, in decimal format: .001. So, ten mills would be .01 (or 1%).

Why still use this archaic form of math to quote ad valorem tax rates? Good question.

It's either because of the famous 6-word motto of most governments & large institutions: "We've always done it this way,"; or, it's because they know most folks have no idea what a mill or millage is & that's exactly how they like it, folks not knowing what's going on. 

Here's some real estate Dad-type humor for you. You know the old saying - that's just the old 2 cents. You could start to say - "That's just the ole 20 mills!" Hardy hardy har. 

So, the home county's tax rate went up 10%. The City of Covington? 11%. Hell, at least we're not Walton Co. They went up 20%! 

Something's gotta give soon. We're going to really have to rethink the proper size & scope of local government. Property taxes are out of control. We're pricing the lower & middle class folks as well as seniors on fixed incomes out of our beloved home. We need to get some serious people elected willing to make serious decisions leading to serous cuts of government spending. 

We'll see... 

State House 

Right now it's still a two-way race between Wendell McNeal & Brett Mauldin though apparently a certain former Newton Co Constitutional Officer is still mulling a run. 

As many have said it would be nice to have a Newtonian representing us in the lower chamber of the Gold Dome for the first time in a decade. 

With that said, if this person were to run then naturally I would be 100% behind him. If not, I'll definitely be supporting Brett in this one. 

State Senate 

I'm going to take this opportunity to make the rare, official MBM/TPC endorsement. 

I hereby fully endorse & support Bret Dunn for this race. I've known Bret for right at 10 years & have always thought a lot of him. I've been talking w/ him a good bit lately & I'm very excited about his vision for the 42nd Senate District of the Great State of Georgia. 

Newton BOE Member Trey Bailey also endorses Dunn 

More to follow down the road...


Odds & Ends 

- Looking like they're about done getting Floyd St repaved. That's been a long time coming; however, as many have noted, they're going to have to do something about those traffic islands. 

- This upcoming Wednesday. August 13th. 9am. Morgan Co Courthouse. A battle against government overreach & the Kemp/Carr/DCA/JDA/Economic-Development leviathan. A fight for freedom & basic constitutional rights. Be there! 

- 23 days until we have UGA football! 

Okay for now, scamps, 'til next time. 

- MBM