Tim Lee Cries Foul On Bogus Tax Hike Story
A meme disguised as a news story made its way through Atlanta and national social media yesterday saying that the Braves were going to have to raise taxes to buy parkland because they used park bond money to give to Liberty Media and the Atlanta Braves. Lee has released the following statement:
Contrary to several unsourced and wholly fictitious news articles, Cobb County didn’t choose the Braves stadium over buying green space and it won’t need to raise taxes to do so, Cobb Chairman Tim Lee said Tuesday.
“We have cut taxes for three straight years in Cobb County because we’ve focused on policies that promote economic growth – and they’ve worked,” said Lee. “The ballpark is already generating significant revenues for the county. We’ve invested smartly and those investments are paying off. That’s why this year we’ll be able to purchase and preserve green space throughout Cobb County without any new taxes and without any cuts to critical services our residents need.
“While a handful in the media spin the false storyline that Cobb sacrificed one priority for another, the facts show the opposite is true. When discussing our priorities, this isn’t an ‘either/or’ proposition; the key word is ‘and.’ I know the Atlanta paper would never report this truth, but sound leadership decisions will allow us to have the Braves in our county and have new green space and have lower taxes for homeowners.”
“I hope the voters in Cobb County will take a close look at these ridiculous stories and realize these assertions are an insult to their intelligence. Not one – not one – of these writers talked to a county leader. No one is quoted. No information is sourced. In fact, there’s no news angle whatsoever. Completely unwilling to report on the economic success we’re seeing, they’ve now stooped to manufactured outrage.”
Looks like Tim knocked that one out of the park. But I’ll bet 97% of you that shared the bogus story on your Facebook page yesterday won’t cut and paste this to your wall.
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Charlie
Founder of GeorgiaPol.com; Now weekly columnist Very interested in Georgia and Georginas. Interest in politics is waning daily.
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I didn’t share this but it seems the article he took such issue with said “Commission Chairman Tim Lee has said a tax increase would now be needed to pay for the $40 million Park Bond 2008.” It has been clear that Cobb at the very least has delayed using bond proceeds for their intended purpose. I suggest going to this link and checking out the other links it contains to get the full story rather than just taking Mr. Lee’s word on it. The fact is, if he had been more transparent after the deal was announced, far more people would give him the benefit of the doubt now. But he hurt himself by pushing for the deal to be voted on so quickly and not granting extra time for speakers at meetings where the slot were take by pro-Braves people. I have little sympathy for him. And I don’t even live in Cobb County.
http://www.fieldofschemes.com/2016/06/06/11169/cobb-county-spent-all-its-money-on-braves-stadium-doesnt-have-enough-left-for-public-parks/
What does it mean when a liar accuses another of lying? Politics I guess.
Seriously, Tim Lee has zero credibility even if he his telling the truth few will believe him. I won’t be sorry to see him go.
Perfectly willing to admit I was wrong to believe this story so quickly if it turns out its all bunk. Two things though:
1) As DAinGA says above, “It has been clear that Cobb at the very least has delayed using bond proceeds for their intended purpose”. I’m not sure it has “been clear,” but would like to know for sure. If it is, that in and of itself is messed up regardless of tax increase status. People voted for the parks funding with an explicit purpose and expected it to be carried out as they thought it would be when they voted on it. I’ve emailed Commissioner Lee’s campaign but Charlie may already know the answer or have a much faster path to the truth on that than I do.
2) As Loyalty says, “Tim Lee has zero credibility”. Here’s the real problem. Lee repeatedly said there were no shenanigans and back-room deals and that was clearly not the case at all. People believe this so quickly because of his and the commission’s past history no?
Cobb County could have reduced property taxes by over $8M annually upon the end of a 2008 voter approved tax for parks/greenspace. Tim Lee lead the Commission to not reduce the taxes but redirect them to subsidize a multi-billion dollar company.
Taxpayers paying the same when they could be paying less aren’t out of line for calling it a tax increase..
http://www.myajc.com/news/news/local/braves-deal-angers-cobb-county-park-advocates/nkpbX/
My guess is the Battery is doing this for the same reason there’s an Olive Garden in Times Square. If the average member of Braves country has gone through such a large effort to create a homogeneous lifestyle, why would they stop at their food/drink choices?
Bartender: “Sir, Would you like to see our drink menu?”
Fan: “I didn’t come here to read a book! Gimme a Budweiser!”
Good to see Tim Lee and his supporters being kept on the defensive. I hope Mike Boyce crushes him like that ball Freddy Freeman hit on a walk-off HR against the Giants.
Andrew, I don’t think it is Tim Lee campaigning so hard, it is the vested interests and lobbyists behind him who are probably feeling a little threatened.
Mike Boyce is a wild card. He might have the temerity to look at his constituents as actual citizens and not mere subjects. He might view his job as something more than carrying water for developers and huge corporations like Liberty Media.
Oh the horror!