As the election season heats up, the spotlight is on the candidates vying for the crucial position of Post 4 Commissioner in Paulding County. At Paulding County Uncensored, we’ve been inundated with questions about the candidates and their platforms from our engaged community members. However, we’re taking a neutral stance and leaving the decision-making process firmly in your hands.
We understand the importance of informed decision-making, which is why we urge you to delve deep into the backgrounds, policies, and visions of the candidates. Don’t rely solely on hearsay or endorsements from others; instead, take the time to explore their social media profiles, websites, and engage with them directly by asking pertinent questions.
With early voting just around the corner, running from June 10th to 14th at the Watson Government Complex – Courthouse, bottom floor, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., now is the time to make your voice heard. Look for the signs prominently displayed when you enter the premises to guide you to the voting area. GENERAL and SPECIAL Election Runn off Date: June 18, 2024.
Historically, voter turnout in our county has been low, and we anticipate a similar trend this time around. However, the decisions made by the Post 4 Commissioner will significantly impact our community’s future. They will work alongside other commissioners, shaping policies, managing resources, and making crucial decisions that affect us all.
Consider crucial factors such as whether the candidates have your best interests at heart, their level of expertise and knowledge, their ability to leverage connections for the benefit of the community, and their plans for managing finances and taxation. Commercial development, responsible budgeting, and fiscal transparency are just some of the key issues at stake.
It’s important to note that neither of the candidates has previously held political office, emphasizing the need for thorough scrutiny and careful consideration. Your vote is your voice, and it’s essential to show up and participate in the democratic process.
In conclusion, we encourage all residents to educate themselves, engage with the candidates, and cast their votes wisely. Let’s work together to shape the future of our beloved Paulding County. Remember, your vote matters, and together, we can make a difference.
Dean Schneider’s Response to the Questionnaire
What are your plans for addressing the rising property taxes?
Housing developments must meet at least the threshold where they meet their fair share. It has been estimated that homes selling under $600,000 result in a tax deficit to the community. Even considering property taxes, the average cost of government services to a family will not be covered by property and sales taxes generated by cheap homes. We need a mixture of property tax and sales revenue. The occupants of cheap houses are less likely to have enough disposable income to generate a lot of sales tax. In the past, our county has done a poor job as a gatekeeper of new developments. It should not have been so easy to build the rental home communities popping up all over our county. We have created this problem by poor planning, and it has to stop. These developments create tax deficits. We are missing out on potential revenue from SLOST funds. We only collect about 57 cents on the dollar and leave the rest on the table when our residents go to downtown Acworth, Cartersville, etc. to dine and shop. If we had the right kind of retail businesses, we could be collecting these revenues. I am tired of losing revenue to other counties.
How will you ensure that the county’s budget is managed responsibly and that taxpayer dollars are spent efficiently?
I’m going to be open and transparent. We need to have open meetings where residents can help us go thru the budget. Just because you are elected to serve as a commissioner does not mean that you know better than citizens who have run businesses, been entrepreneurs, and have various experiences which the commissioners may not have. Our County has been holding budget workshops with department heads and commissioners present. If elected, I will make it a goal to increase public participation in these. The problem is that many people do not even know about these meetings, and they should be advertised better.
What initiatives will you implement to enhance public safety and support our police, fire, and emergency services?
We must fully fund law enforcement and first responders. Public safety should be the first thing we fund and the last thing we cut. I will do everything that I can to make sure that they are taken care of.
Rental communities are becoming more common, and many residents are unhappy about their proliferation. How do you intend to manage this issue? Do you plan to restrict further development of rental communities or support their growth?
Thank you for this question, which I can answer directly. I do not support the development of these communities in any way. As I have gone door to door, I have learned that the people who live here don’t either. You can curtail the developments of these communities through zoning, making sure we have the right mix of aesthetic and design standards which make sense for existing residents, and by making sure we build houses which are at a minimum tax digest neutral. With every cheap house we build, we lose money. We are bottom weighted with cheap houses. I have never supported rental home developments in any way whatsoever. My opponent is the past President of the Cobb-Cherokee Chapter of the Greater Atlanta Homebuilders Association and is a current board member of the Greater Atlanta Homebuilders Association. As explained on their website, this Association has a political action committee which helps the homebuilding industry deal with challenges from government restrictions and regulations. Their website even has a how-to guide on how to get counties to approve “affordable housing.” Members of this Association are building rental home developments in our county. I have no such connection, have never been a homebuilder, and have never used my contractor’s license to pull a permit in the state of Georgia.
Have you considered leveraging technology to improve county services, communication, and report infrastructure issues?
Yes, I am all about getting things done more efficiently and effectively. I feel that there are always ways of improving things and would welcome any good ideas of doing things better.
What connections do you have that could help bring more commercial development to Paulding County?
I have dealt with many very large General Contractors and Architects throughout my career and have built a huge network of connections around the state in this arena. I feel it’s time to tell the story of Paulding County. The promise of a good, semi-rural, peaceful community which brought my family here 18 years ago and how it would open the doors for much needed commercial development.
What are your plans for attracting new businesses to Post 4 while supporting existing local businesses?
Just like the project to land Costco, we are going to have to offer incentive packages to entice businesses to make their home here. We get millions of dollars a year in sales tax revenue from Costco. Paulding County’s initial investment was less than $1 million for them. So, because we were smart enough to go after this deal and spend some money on the front end, we are being paid millions and millions in dividends. I want to thank our Board of Commissioners for this investment in our future. It was a very good investment for all. My first meeting will be with the Georgia Department of Economic Development to explore opportunities and to roll up my sleeves and get to work doing what we need to do which is to get more businesses like the “Costco” deal into our county.
SPLOST Funds: There is concern about the use of SPLOST funds. Currently, some of this money is being allocated to build a new park, which many residents oppose since the county already has numerous parks, some of which are neglected. Additionally, there is frustration that SPLOST funds cannot be used for infrastructure improvements. How would you propose to use SPLOST funds effectively?
Parks are important to me and our community. There has to be accountability for each park. If we build a park, it must be well-maintained. It is important to have recreational developments, but only if we are able to adequately take care of what we already have. And I have heard from a lot of people on this regarding the Mt. Tabor Park. There is a feeling that, regardless of whether this was a good idea, it could have been handled better. A major purchase like this should not come as a surprise to the Paulding County residents. The bigger the expenditure, the more notice that should be given. I understand that use of SPLOST revenue is limited and unfortunately cannot be used in ways we would like (for example, to give our first responders a raise.) It can be used for various capital outlays, so (as I mentioned in a previous answer) I would meet with the Georgia Department of Economic Development and identify ways to attract business to our county, and (with the help of our legal experts) would determine whether SPLOST funds could be used for that purpose. I would also seek input from department heads and the public. Whatever is proposed as a result, I promise that you will get plenty of advance notice and the chance to share your opinion. Some of the people upset with the park acquisition might feel differently if they were just not caught by surprise about it.
How will you engage with the community to ensure their voices are heard and their concerns are addressed?
Again, advance notice of public meetings is an absolute requirement. There has to be at least one meeting date in between something that comes out of an executive session and the vote. The board shouldn’t pass something out of executive session and then vote on it the same day. Any large expenses must be vetted publicly before a vote. Town hall meetings are important, and I am in favor of more of these.
How do you plan to support local schools and ensure they have the resources needed to provide a high-quality education, especially with the schools becoming more crowded?
Stop building houses at a deficit to the county. If the price point for a revenue neutral home is “X” then we need to get to the point where that is what we are building in our communities or a combination thereof. This will also increase the value of our communities.
How do you plan to address environmental concerns, such as preserving green spaces and improving local air and water quality?
I have been critical of some of the choices made by previous commissioners, but there are also areas where they deserve a lot of credit. The Richland Creek project is one of them. This allows our county to supply its own clean water, saves us money in the long-run, and establishes green space. As I said above, parks are important to a community. But the commission shouldn’t buy land for a park unless the public is on board. This means give them plenty of notice and a voice to make a well-educated choice.
Do you have any plans to improve or expand public transportation options in Paulding County?
Not at this time. However, if there is an over abundance of people that feel differently, I would surely listen to their concerns and address them accordingly.
Lastly, please provide a closing statement on why we should choose you for the Post 4 Commissioner position.
I am not a politician and have never run for anything before in my life. If you have been to any of the roundtables you would clearly see that I am new to this. From day one I have been absolutely clear that I was motivated to get into this race to stop what I believe to be irresponsible residential overdevelopment of our county. I promise you I will fight to make a difference. I am the outsider in this race and feel that the establishment is against me. I will not worry about rocking the boat if you elect me. I have never been a homebuilder or served on the board of a homebuilder’s association, so I will not be conflicted about the # 1 issue in this campaign. I have not accepted any campaign contributions from anyone. So if I am elected, I will not be beholden to anyone. If my opponent wins, I will respect your vote and will congratulate him. I am thankful either way. I have personally knocked on well over 2,000 doors since I announced running for this position a couple months ago and have met some incredible people. I love this county, and I am very thankful to have had this experience and for you to even consider me as your representative on the Board of Commissioners. Thank you and God bless Paulding County and all of its’ great residents.
Email: deanschneiderforpost4@gmail.com Instagram: schneiderforpost4 Website:
Votedeanschneider.com
