Our own poster Wyatt1SC and Mrs. Wyatt1SC conducted a community meeting this evening at Homeland Park. Among the attendees were Michael Thompson, the Council Chairman, and Mr. Joey Preston, the Administrator, along with his team.
The discussion topics ranged from concerns over meth labs to complaints about barking dogs. Each administration team member responded to his area of responsibility.
Near the end, Mr. Joey Preston expressed the following view:
“Homeland Park is a great community. Very few communities meet regularly as you do. This community will come back. We are trying to do a great deal for the southern end of town. We bought the Kroger building, and they almost crucified us for it, because it wasn’t where they wanted it to be. We bought property at McDuffie Street to build a library, and they accused us of being out of our mind. Today, the community around the Library is continuing to improve. We moved the Economic Development office to South Fant Street, and we faced opposition, but we continued with our plans. And we did the same thing with the Museum at Greenville Street. We will continue to serve the Southern section of town, if they don’t kill us first.”
Among the possible plans for Homeland Park are the following:
• In cooperation with Keep America Beautiful, Homeland Park will conduct a community cleanup day on April 19, 9:00 – 3:00 pm.
• So far this year, 6 dilapidated homes have been demolished in Homeland Park, 30 County wide, and more are scheduled for demolition.
• 93 locations in Homeland Park have been identified of code violation, and action will be taken to correct these problems.
• More Sheriff’s patrol in the area has been promised.
• Upgrading to recycle centers in the area is coming soon.
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Thanks, Art -
Pls see my post of 12 min ago under Phone Book Recycling.
Maybe some of us bloggers could show up at the clean-up and help out. It would demonstrate who is willing to do good for the county, and who is not. Is March 19th right? Wednesday?
Thanks, Art , and keep up the good work.
Pls see my post of 12 min ago under Phone Book Recycling.
Maybe some of us bloggers could show up at the clean-up and help out. It would demonstrate who is willing to do good for the county, and who is not. Is March 19th right? Wednesday?
Thanks, Art , and keep up the good work.
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the cold hard truth is that LA's a dump, and until you either get rid of the hookers, drug addicts and other scum or revitalize the area to price the scum out of their own homes it will continue to be the dump that it is. Now I'm not saying that everyone down there is scum, far from it, but the ones that are sure make their presence known.
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First of all let me say thank you Art for attending our meeting. I must say it was very nice meeting you. I do need to make one correction though to your post, The date for our Homeland Park Pride Day clean up is April 19,2008 not March. Buster thank you for encouraging people to come out to help. We can use all the help we can get. This is not only a clean up but we plan on having games for children and a cookout for all volunteers after the street cleanups. All are welcome.
Okay onto zn706.. Homeland Park is not a dump there are many, many nice sweet people who live here.They take pride in the neighborhoods. I do not care where you live there are always ,as you put it scum. yes, we have our fair share of problems, but we as a community are trying to make sure that it will become a safe place for all. The majority of people who live here are elderly and have lived here all their lives.I do what I do here to make sure that they can be safe. Now my question for you is ,What do you do to help people who live in your community?
Okay onto zn706.. Homeland Park is not a dump there are many, many nice sweet people who live here.They take pride in the neighborhoods. I do not care where you live there are always ,as you put it scum. yes, we have our fair share of problems, but we as a community are trying to make sure that it will become a safe place for all. The majority of people who live here are elderly and have lived here all their lives.I do what I do here to make sure that they can be safe. Now my question for you is ,What do you do to help people who live in your community?
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The people in Homeland Park are doing wonderful work trying to clean up their neighborhood. And I would particurlarly like to commend the couple who have really been spearheading the effort, I'd say their names but I'm afraid I'd get in trouble for misspelling it again. So all I can say is Keep up the good work Mr and Mrs M. I know it is frustrating at times but you are making a difference.
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Our own poster Wyatt1SC and Mrs. Wyatt1SC conducted a community meeting this evening at Homeland Park. Among the attendees were Michael Thompson, the Council Chairman, and Mr. Joey Preston, the Administrator, along with his team.
The discussion topics ranged from concerns over meth labs to complaints about barking dogs. Each administration team member responded to his area of responsibility.
Near the end, Mr. Joey Preston expressed the following view:
“Homeland Park is a great community. Very few communities meet regularly as you do. This community will come back. We are trying to do a great deal for the southern end of town. We bought the Kroger building, and they almost crucified us for it, because it wasn’t where they wanted it to be. We bought property at McDuffie Street to build a library, and they accused us of being out of our mind. Today, the community around the Library is continuing to improve. We moved the Economic Development office to South Fant Street, and we faced opposition, but we continued with our plans. And we did the same thing with the Museum at Greenville Street. We will continue to serve the Southern section of town, if they don’t kill us first.”
Among the possible plans for Homeland Park are the following:
• In cooperation with Keep America Beautiful, Homeland Park will conduct a community cleanup day on April 19, 9:00 – 3:00 pm.
• So far this year, 6 dilapidated homes have been demolished in Homeland Park, 30 County wide, and more are scheduled for demolition.
• 93 locations in Homeland Park have been identified of code violation, and action will be taken to correct these problems.
• More Sheriff’s patrol in the area has been promised.
• Upgrading to recycle centers in the area is coming soon.
- Art Kaldas
It is comments like Mr Preston made above that keeps the hatred going back and forth. If he continues to make comments like "they almost crucified us" and "if they don't kill us first" the peace will never happen. It seems that he does not like to hear negative things but he does not mind dishing it out.
It continues to amuse me how he and his clones spin things. He somehow lumped opposition to the location of the library,the location of the museum and the Kroger building to the SOUTH SIDE of town. The last time I checked the museum and library are on the NORTH side of town and the Kroger Building is a rocks throw from downtown.
Rick Driver couldn't spin it any better. They are two peas in a pod.
I too commend Homeland Park for its efforts and hope they are successful . Mr Preston should keep negative politics out of it and use his credit card to buy the volunteers lunch when they are cleaning up the SOUTH SIDE of town.
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It is comments like Mr Preston made above that keeps the hatred going back and forth. If he continues to make comments like "they almost crucified us" and "if they don't kill us first" the peace will never happen. It seems that he does not like to hear negative things but he does not mind dishing it out.
It continues to amuse me how he and his clones spin things. He somehow lumped opposition to the location of the library,the location of the museum and the Kroger building to the SOUTH SIDE of town. The last time I checked the museum and library are on the NORTH side of town and the Kroger Building is a rocks throw from downtown.
Rick Driver couldn't spin it any better. They are two peas in a pod.
I too commend Homeland Park for its efforts and hope they are successful . Mr Preston should keep negative politics out of it and use his credit card to buy the volunteers lunch when they are cleaning up the SOUTH SIDE of town.- JohnB
John B,
Mr. Joey Preston, Mr. Michael Thompson, and their team, did spend their evening in Homeland Park, listening to community concerns and responding to requests. County officials, along with concerned residents, will spend the day on April 19, 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM, cleaning-up some parts of the neighborhood. However, none of the opposition party was present at the meeting. They only appear at Council meetings, monopolize time for the public hearings, and verbally abuse those who are attempting to make a difference.
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Thanks, Art -
Pls see my post of 12 min ago under Phone Book Recycling.
Maybe some of us bloggers could show up at the clean-up and help out. It would demonstrate who is willing to do good for the county, and who is not. Is March 19th right? Wednesday?
Thanks, Art , and keep up the good work.- Buster
Buster,
I apologize for the time confusion. It is April 19, 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM, which is a Saturday. The cleanup day will include lunch and games for children.
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However, none of the opposition party was present at the meeting. They only appear at Council meetings, monopolize time for the public hearings, and verbally abuse those who are attempting to make a difference.
- Art Kaldas
Art
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It is comments like Mr Preston made above that keeps the hatred going back and forth. If he continues to make comments like "they almost crucified us" and "if they don't kill us first" the peace will never happen. It seems that he does not like to hear negative things but he does not mind dishing it out.
It continues to amuse me how he and his clones spin things. He somehow lumped opposition to the location of the library,the location of the museum and the Kroger building to the SOUTH SIDE of town. The last time I checked the museum and library are on the NORTH side of town and the Kroger Building is a rocks throw from downtown.
Rick Driver couldn't spin it any better. They are two peas in a pod.
I too commend Homeland Park for its efforts and hope they are successful . Mr Preston should keep negative politics out of it and use his credit card to buy the volunteers lunch when they are cleaning up the SOUTH SIDE of town.- JohnB
John B,
Mr. Joey Preston, Mr. Michael Thompson, and their team, did spend their evening in Homeland Park, listening to community concerns and responding to requests. County officials, along with concerned residents, will spend the day on April 19, 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM, cleaning-up some parts of the neighborhood. However, none of the opposition party was present at the meeting. They only appear at Council meetings, monopolize time for the public hearings, and verbally abuse those who are attempting to make a difference.
- Art Kaldas
Mr Kaldas,
Isn't it part of Mr Preston's and Mr Thompson's duties to attend meetings like that?
Do YOU think is is a good idea for Mr Preston to try to incite hate with comments like he made?
Mr Thompson and Mr Preston going there was great and I applaud them for that, but don't use it for political reasons. It is clear that Mr Preston was casting stones at those that he does not like.
Does everything that happens in Anderson County Government have to be us against them?
As I have said many times before, Anderson County needs some adult leadership.
How could someone like me (who works and does not have time to go to council meetings) know about these meetings? There are some of us who are not on either side that could help.
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However, none of the opposition party was present at the meeting. They only appear at Council meetings, monopolize time for the public hearings, and verbally abuse those who are attempting to make a difference.
- Art Kaldas
Art
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Art
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Mr. Kaldas,
With all due respect, sir, you are a "naturalized" American citizen, not a "nationalized" one.
With all due respect, sir, you are a "naturalized" American citizen, not a "nationalized" one.
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Mr. Kaldas,
With all due respect, sir, you are a "naturalized" American citizen, not a "nationalized" one.- shrimp
Shrimp,
Thank you for the correction. Apparently, I have been using the wrong term for over 20 years.
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the cold hard truth is that LA's a dump, and until you either get rid of the hookers, drug addicts and other scum or revitalize the area to price the scum out of their own homes it will continue to be the dump that it is. Now I'm not saying that everyone down there is scum, far from it, but the ones that are sure make their presence known.- zn706
Do not speak unless you can improve the silence
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Mr. Kaldas,
I do not always agree with you, but I appreciate your gentleness and I truly respect your LEGAL journey to becoming an American citizen! I have a little knowledge of that process and I know it is not a piece of cake. Thank you for your love and respect for America and her laws!
By the way, using the words "nationalized citizen" actually almost make more sense than the correct "naturalized citizen".
I do not always agree with you, but I appreciate your gentleness and I truly respect your LEGAL journey to becoming an American citizen! I have a little knowledge of that process and I know it is not a piece of cake. Thank you for your love and respect for America and her laws!
By the way, using the words "nationalized citizen" actually almost make more sense than the correct "naturalized citizen".
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Art -
John B. said that Mr. Preston's statement about being "crucified" and "killed" etc. were words of hate, or words to that effect. I don't think so.
Joey has had an uphill battle against the Nay-sayers at every turn and continues to move the county ahead in spite of them. His humility at times belies his reported arrogance.
At the KAB luncheon, he commended Michael Thompson for arranging to have a shreading truck at the civic center for citizens to use, safeguarding their private papers and reducing the trash flow to the landfill. He concluded with a comment something like, "Imagine what people would say if we had that truck behind the courthouse"! I loved it. It showed his humor in the face of adversity. And it is this humillity that keeps him motivated to do great things for Anderson County. Way to go, Joey !
John B. said that Mr. Preston's statement about being "crucified" and "killed" etc. were words of hate, or words to that effect. I don't think so.
Joey has had an uphill battle against the Nay-sayers at every turn and continues to move the county ahead in spite of them. His humility at times belies his reported arrogance.
At the KAB luncheon, he commended Michael Thompson for arranging to have a shreading truck at the civic center for citizens to use, safeguarding their private papers and reducing the trash flow to the landfill. He concluded with a comment something like, "Imagine what people would say if we had that truck behind the courthouse"! I loved it. It showed his humor in the face of adversity. And it is this humillity that keeps him motivated to do great things for Anderson County. Way to go, Joey !
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I feel the need to add a few notes to some of the posts here.
1) Those elected and/or appointed individuals whom attend our HPTF meetings do so at their own time and not "on the clock". Sometimes our meetings conflict with some personal event they have, but they will choose our meeting over a ballgame for their kids or a sales call which could give them $$$ instead of chatting with disgruntled citizens for FREE.
They provide valuable input to the community in a forum which is less adversarial and combative than in Open Council or utilizing the media. It offers citizens a chance to ask questions which may not be part of a council agenda ( and otherwise not allowed to be discussed) and shows the community the commitment of our leadership to listen and assist in problems they may have.
2) Several posts have mentioned how little the Environmental Enforcement folks do for Anderson. I cannot stress enough how wrong those comments are, and how little those posters know about the workings of KAB or the abilities & commitments of those folks at E.E. Dept. As Art stated, over 93 violations were issued in our small area in a week's time. Thats just in the Homeland Park area. Those citations didn't happen without time, investigation, and response to complaints made. I cannot count how many times we've seen these fella's doing traffic stops along Hwy. 28, to inform violators, or issue warnings for uncovered loads. We've seen them doing street-side surveillance to catch litter offenders.
They respond QUICKLY to our calls about tires dumped, or illegal burning, or just about anything we reported. I'd trade twenty detractors of their work for one more Kinte, or Sandy or Keith!
3) I have read too many negative comments from folks who can provide no proof they participate in the community or local politics any further than typing blog after blog about how miserable they are about current state of things. It has become clear after only a year of our activities that b*tching doesn't solve anything. Sittin behind a screen name asking what so & so is going to do means YOU have deflected personal responsibility to someone else. Don't know if thats because when that task fails, they have someone to blame, or when it requires funding they can wah-wah about that too.
4) Nothing happens free except trouble. There is always a need for committed & concerned citizens to get involved in their OWN community. America needs to step BACK in that respect, to know their neighbors, to know their leaders, and to know a common goal is obtainable.
If more people would start their own neighborhood groups, or start street cleaning events, or assist those which already exist, I could imagine Anderson would look better, be safer, and our headlines would have more positive topics to report than about credit card B.S. or who hates who. IMO
I want to thank the AIM and fellow bloggers for getting together Saturday. If my schedule was not already full ( and severe weather not threatening) I would have enjoyed staying to chat with each and every one longer. But had to get my dog safely inside as he was SOAKED by the time we got home!
Lets do another event over the summer, maybe at Wright Park or somewhere sunny and fun....
1) Those elected and/or appointed individuals whom attend our HPTF meetings do so at their own time and not "on the clock". Sometimes our meetings conflict with some personal event they have, but they will choose our meeting over a ballgame for their kids or a sales call which could give them $$$ instead of chatting with disgruntled citizens for FREE.
They provide valuable input to the community in a forum which is less adversarial and combative than in Open Council or utilizing the media. It offers citizens a chance to ask questions which may not be part of a council agenda ( and otherwise not allowed to be discussed) and shows the community the commitment of our leadership to listen and assist in problems they may have.
2) Several posts have mentioned how little the Environmental Enforcement folks do for Anderson. I cannot stress enough how wrong those comments are, and how little those posters know about the workings of KAB or the abilities & commitments of those folks at E.E. Dept. As Art stated, over 93 violations were issued in our small area in a week's time. Thats just in the Homeland Park area. Those citations didn't happen without time, investigation, and response to complaints made. I cannot count how many times we've seen these fella's doing traffic stops along Hwy. 28, to inform violators, or issue warnings for uncovered loads. We've seen them doing street-side surveillance to catch litter offenders.
They respond QUICKLY to our calls about tires dumped, or illegal burning, or just about anything we reported. I'd trade twenty detractors of their work for one more Kinte, or Sandy or Keith!
3) I have read too many negative comments from folks who can provide no proof they participate in the community or local politics any further than typing blog after blog about how miserable they are about current state of things. It has become clear after only a year of our activities that b*tching doesn't solve anything. Sittin behind a screen name asking what so & so is going to do means YOU have deflected personal responsibility to someone else. Don't know if thats because when that task fails, they have someone to blame, or when it requires funding they can wah-wah about that too.
4) Nothing happens free except trouble. There is always a need for committed & concerned citizens to get involved in their OWN community. America needs to step BACK in that respect, to know their neighbors, to know their leaders, and to know a common goal is obtainable.
If more people would start their own neighborhood groups, or start street cleaning events, or assist those which already exist, I could imagine Anderson would look better, be safer, and our headlines would have more positive topics to report than about credit card B.S. or who hates who. IMO
I want to thank the AIM and fellow bloggers for getting together Saturday. If my schedule was not already full ( and severe weather not threatening) I would have enjoyed staying to chat with each and every one longer. But had to get my dog safely inside as he was SOAKED by the time we got home!
Lets do another event over the summer, maybe at Wright Park or somewhere sunny and fun....
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