Cobb County’s March 15 SPLOST Vote: Deception #2
by PV
Deception #2: All Projects Are “Necessary/Needs”
The pro-SPLOST folks would be sitting on MUCH firmer ground had this list of projects NOT included two (2) special “transportation studies” buried deep in the list of projects they wanted funded.
Each of these studies will cost taxpayers (whether they are Cobb County taxpayers or state of Georgia taxpayers) $20 million dollars each, for a total of $40,000,000. In the Cobb SPLOST Booklet, these two studies appear on Page 24 of 64 and they are listed as follows:
Project: Transit
Description: Alternative Analysis/Implementation Plan
From: Cumberland Mall
To: Perimeter Mall
Estimated Project Cost: $20,000,000
Project: Transit
Description: Alternative Analysis/Implementation Plan
From: Town Center Mall
To: Atlanta
Estimated Project Cost: $20,000,000
These two projects, Ladies & Gentlemen, are what would constitute “pork” if money came from the State of Georgia for these two “studies”, and if they came from the Federal Government, they would be designated as “earmarks.”
Instead, someone extremely crafty in the getting-to-other-people’s-money game either inserted these two projects in this SPLOST themselves OR they paid someone to get it accomplished.
These studies are the way for some Cobb DOT-related contractors and engineers to be well-employed for 8 some-odd years while they burn-up billable time working on “studies” that do nothing to help Cobb County in the next 4 years…as the county commission has CLAIMED that this list of projects is needed for.
PV was a bit curious as to whether anyone at the federal level (i.e., elected folks) had any kind of keen interest in seeing this SPLOST pass due to these two projects. PV inquired of Senator Isakson’s office, as well as talking with a representative of Representative Phil Gingrey’s office if either of these members of Congress were promoting the passage of this SPLOST.
Senator Isakson’s office relayed to PV that Senator Isakson “has not engaged in the debate nor lent his name to the promotion of the Cobb SPLOST.”
Congressman Gingrey’s representative essentially stated the same thing that Gingrey has not publicly taken a position on this vote nor given his permission for anyone to use his name as a way to promote the passage.
PV has not had time to contact Congressman Price’s office or Senator Chambliss’s office to verify whether they are pro- or con- on this SPLOST.
The fact is, these two projects are not “needs.” They are unnecessary “wants.” And, while they are likely badly wanted by someone, no one should be allowed to use the vehicle of the public trough to line their pockets with money that COULD be better used by either a) the taxpayers themselves, or b) SOME necessary Cobb County project like that 911 service upgrade you folks claim we need so badly.
