Douglas County Commissoners to "RETREAT" from its Citizens.

In the aftermath of the 23 percent property tax increase by the Douglas County Board of Commissioners, the board is planning to take the budget process to the far reaches of the state of Georgia to a mountain resort during the Thanksgiving season.

They call it a “retreat”. Retreat can be defined as - withdraw from enemy forces as a result of their superior power or after a defeat; move back or withdraw; withdraw to a quiet or secluded place in which one can rest and relax.

Public officials say retreats allow them to conduct business without distractions; they mean the public and media.

The cost of the three day retreat is unknown but could be $5,000 - $10,000 for transportation, lodging, room rental and other incidental expenses. While the county is encouraging trade and tourism to our county, why should they run off to another county?

Some commissioners admonished the citizens for failure to participate in the budget and business process. It was a way of placing blame on us for a property tax increase by not giving input into the budget.

In a time when taxpayers are paying more in taxes for basically the same services, the board of commissioner should avoid retreating to a remote location to conduct the business of the people. While retreats are not meetings of the public they are public meetings and citizens and the press should have the ability to observe the discussions without having to drive across the state.

Taxpayers have handed over tens of millions of dollars to build state of the art facilities for public meetings. If the commissioners want to retreat I would suggest retreating to “Citizen’s Hall” and conduct the publics business there.

I would hope the commissioners would do the right thing and keep their – our – meetings within its own jurisdiction.

James Bell