Just got back into town and read last weeks local newspaper about the mysterious document that seems to have suddenly appeared from being misfiled. What is the CAD trying to hide? Wonder what other mysterious documents will appear in the future?
After reading the article it sure seems like someone is trying to get the newly elected board representative to step down by resignation. One would have reservations about this since an election was held and ballots were cast. If they were cast incorrectly then that is too bad. The vote was canvassed and the individual sworn in and seated. You can't go change the rules in the middle of the game even if you were the one who made the rules up and have a history of not following the rules you established. You can correct the problem on the next go round.
Why was this document dated five plus years after the establishment of CADs? Was one taxing entity trying to stack the deck and felt they needed to assure more representation at the table in order to carry more weight and run those appraisals higher to fill their taxpayer funded pocketbook? One would have to ask if that mysterious document that suddenly appeared is even a valid document. How can one board, council, or commissioner's court bind another board to an agreement to which they have no real control? This appears to be some of that 'black and gray area' legal fishy stuff. Let's waste some of those taxpayer funds on a $200 hour lawyer from who knows where - to solve a problem that really does not seem to be a problem, and at the very least will correct itself in a few months when new folks are elected to fill terms on the CAD board of directors.
Folks have been saying all along you don't need elected representatives serving on the CAD Board of Directors and I think this is an excellent case why a school board member, city council member or commissioner court member don't need to fill these seats. You eliminate the conflict of interest that involves fairness and just makes normal common sense.
Until the next mysterious document appears................................
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qjtxkvAn Opportunity To Unite?
The connections between national and local economic issues are now clear to almost everyone. Even natives of Camp County can now see the consequences of inflated property values. Even those who were willing to obligate us to higher property taxes should now see the wisdom of the voters who rejected the school bonds.
Everyone should now remember the lone school board member, Mr. Bobby Richardson, who had the foresight to oppose the school bond election. Everyone should continue to remember how Mr. Richardson has been recognized and treated by some members of the community for his efforts to make sound decisions related to education and school finance. It is regrettable that we do not have more leaders with as much foresight as Mr. Richardson.
Mr. Richardson's efforts to make the CCAD board more representative and democratic has caused him much grief as has been documented in Pittsburg Gazette. As time goes by we learn more and more about the operation of the CCAD board and its connection with the tax-dependent entities.
The mystery document from 1989 or earlier, recently discovered in a CCAD filing cabinet, raises several questions. One question is whether the discovery of this document at this time is coincidental with changes on the CCAD board? Another question is whether the composition and operation of the CCAD board has been legal since 1989. While an investigation may reveal the intent of the document and why it was never implemented, the real problems of assessing, collecting, and spending more than can be provided by local taxes will remain.
Currently, more than half of the money needed to run the PISD comes from taxpayers outside of Camp County. This is not sustainable.We can not depend on others to support the wasteful spending of elected and appointed officials.
Actually, this mystery document found in the CCAD filing cabinet might be a blessing in disguise. This document may have the potential to bring this community together in solving common problems.
We should be using our collective intelligence to find more cost-effective solutions to education and infrastructure problems.We must adapt to living within our means.
It is my understanding that up to 13 elected members can serve on this board. Some members could continue to represent the tax–dependent entities, while others could be at- large members. By allowing one vote per member we could have a more democratic system in which taxpayers, rather than tax-dependent entities, are represented. The question is, “Do those in power in this county trust democracy?”
For the past several years, questions of conflict of interest have come up again and again. The objectivity of elected or appointed members to the CCAD board has been questioned. Most citizens realize that the CCAD board votes to change tax rates on their property, and that is responsible for the chief appraiser who determines the value of their property.
Most of us believe that some ways need to be found to bring the increasingly diverse citizens of Camp County together. Otherwise, the conflicts, which have divided us, may intensify and perhaps become permanent. If we trust a broadly representative majority to make better democratic decisions than a smaller less-representative group, we should restructure the CCAD board and go to work on solving our common problems ASAP.
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