Squawkbox – December 13, 2025

I hope lots of people show up Tuesday for the discussion of the tax increase. Obviously, these crooked commissioners are not going to change anything, but we at least need to throw some heat at them.

I don’t agree with a lot of your writing, Fletcher, but I couldn’t agree more about the amazing work done at the Alzheimer’s Center (now Margaret Jo Hogg Dementia Support Center) by Nancy Goode, the center’s staff and amazing volunteers. Having taken my loved one there on a number of occasions, I can attest that the work they do is nothing short of life-changing.

Can someone explain to me why All Benny is one of the state’s poorest cities in one of the poorest counties in Georgia and has the highest taxes?

A plan: 100 block of North Washington, all bottom floors, no walls, open-mall restaurant patios and small shops. Herald Building, top floors legal and small-municipal courts, ASU faculty condo housing. Area between and behind buildings on Broad, Pine, Washington and Front, cleared for tennis and pickleball facility, all open to Turtle Park. A transforming ASU social area, public recreation center.

You know times are getting hard when hot dogs once again become an important meal.

Another great column by Rabbi Hambourger in Thursday’s paper. His easy-to-understand way of relating today’s world with ancient texts is a joy to read. I always learn something new from his writings. Thanks for including his column in our paper.

Intending the highest insult to qualifying intelligence and fiscal responsibility, both individually and corporately, the County Commission property tax increase is “nuts,” consistent with most every plan and decision propagated by this dysfunctional administration.

As you rant and rage at socialism, please consider this: When your house catches fire, the local fire department comes to assess the damage. That’s socialism. When you get ready to rebuild, your insurance company denies the claim. That’s capitalism.

The city of Leesburg needs to get in the 21st century with its Tax Commissioner’s office. They are not online. To obtain tax information, they require a written request (fax) for property tax information. Leesburg is no longer a small city, and they need to upgrade big time and be user-friendly.

Thank you, Albany Herald, for the story on the Dementia Support Center. That group is one of the really good things in Albany.

Please, taxpayers, don’t forget to call, write or email the General Accounting Office in Washington and ask about that $5 million that preacher Lorenzo received from preacher Warnock to remodel 40 St. John’s Estates apartments, owned by Lorenzo and his church. That’s $125,000 per apartment, which are very small, and they are also Section 8, so your tax money also pays the preacher and his church for the rent.

I don’t know that we appreciate enough what these groups like the Albany Symphony Orchestra, Theatre Albany, the Albany Area Arts Council, the Albany Chorale and other groups do for us. Holiday performances by these groups are a big part of our Christmas celebration.

Most cities tackle their littering problems by rooting out the source and penalizing offenders. Taking a different approach to the issue, Albany builds tennis courts, Dougherty County abandons all fiscal responsibility during the holidays, and Lee County permits five new quick lubes right next to each other.