Thursday Commissioner Heiskell hosted the first two of three meetings required by law before she can raise property taxes.

The 10 AM meeting was attended by roughly 60 people, most uninterested in more lies and excuses from the county queen. She fielded some questions but responded to many with incoherent answers or refused to answer at all, and on more than one occasion gave different answers when asked the same thing multiple times.

Here’s a typical exchange between Heiskell and 2012 election opponent Ales Campbell: Campbell reminded Heiskell of state law requiring a budget be set before taxes are raised, which Walker County hasn’t done. Heiskell says she’s always done it that way, and “..we’re not talking about that.”

During both meetings Heiskell played the following slides to make excuses why the county has less money coming in and requires a tax increase.

Apparently the 2011 tornado blew 47 properties off the map. They aren’t owned or taxed anymore. Funny how that works. Plus the darn old people and their not paying taxes. Apparently Bebe’s the only person in Walker County over sixty years old NOT responsible for this tax increase.

(Doesn’t inflation typically make things cost more? How does inflation make property worth less money and bring in less taxes?)

The REAL reason we have less money coming in is all the land she’s bought and taken off the tax list with SPLOST money. Where’s THAT on this slide?

That’s just a small sample. Video and audio recordings are still trickling in; more will be shared over the next week on LU Facebook and here on the blog leading up to the final tax meeting on Thursday 9/11 at 10 AM.               

Last night the Ramblers entered week two of the 2014 football season with a short trip to Chickamauga, facing Gordon Lee in a regular season game for the first time since 2003.

The Ramblers were initially on the ropes, down 0-14, but lept ahead to 22-14 by the end of the 3rd quarter. The final score was Ramblers 43, Trojans 22. That takes LaFayette to 2-0 for the season and leaves Gordon Lee with a 1-2 record.

Next week LaFayette will play here at home vs. Trion, also 2-0.                 

Insiders say Electrolux and GE will announce a deal next week to transfer GE Appliances (parent of Roper) to the Swedish conglomerate in a $2.5 billion deal.

A sale isn’t likely to have an immediate impact on Roper but could be disastrous for Walker County in the long term.   

Good news for Austin Whitten:

WQCH Radio, 09/03/14: “LAFAYETTE HIGH SCHOOL SENIOR AUSTIN WHITTEN IS MAKING PLANS TO TRAVEL FOR TREATMENT IN PANAMA. A FUND RAISING DRIVE IN THE COMMUNITY HAS REACHED THE GOAL OF 40-THOUSAND DOLLARS, SO THE FORMER LHS ATHLETE CAN MAKE THE TRIP.

“‘WE HAD ONE VERY GENEROUS DONOR’ THAT PUT THE FUND-RAISING OVER THE TOP, ACCORDING TO AUSTIN’S MOM. SHE SAID THEY MAY MAKE THE TRIP TO PANAMA AT THE BEGINNING OF NEXT YEAR.”

(Is Austin a “former” LHS athlete? Last we heard he was still on all the teams.)   

Two Walker County women cited for 164+ cats in their Chickamauga home.

Per authorities the animals were mostly caged and many were in poor health. The women had tried to care and provide for the felines but it’s impossible for anyone, even with the best intentions, to care for more than ten dozen animals in a private home.

Shelters and rescues from all over the state are being called in to help but many of the cats will be euthanized for lack of space and poor health.

(Nice to see codes enforcement doing something for once.)     

Late Tuesday night a man climbed into Pettyjohn’s Cave and was unable to get himself out. Walker County Cave Rescue, CERT, and other emergency crews were called out and managed to extract the man without serious injuries.     

77-year-old man who threatened to shoot a Pit Stop employee has been arrested. The incident happened last Saturday; he was detained later that day while applying for a gun permit at the Sheriff’s Office.   

Ironman Chattanooga event organizers admit the bicycle portion of their race will be an inconvenience for Walker County residents, but say the event is worth the trouble because it will make an economic impact on the county.

Organizers also say participants who violate laws during the race will be disqualified, and roads will not be closed during the event scheduled for September 28th.   

After years of work, Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum has fully restored its iconic Southern 4501 locomotive. The steam engine, last operated in 1999, is being tested and will soon be out on the rails for local excursions.

(Johnny Cash approves.)   

Later this month Paws Pet Supplies will relocate to Noble. Store will operate through September, then reopen by early October in the old First Steps studio building.

Their current space in Walmart shopping center will be part of Dollar Tree’s expansion.   

What’s going on at Cherokee Farms this weekend?

This:

More here [NSFW language]…   

Latest local arrests through last Sunday.   

Approving marijuana products for medical use in Georgia is more complicated than just “legalizing” cannabis-based oil. The state, and people who need help, have to navigate layers of state and federal laws on the books for decades.   

During the first seven months of 2014, at least 1,412 “unaccompanied minor” illegal immigrant children were relocated to homes in Georgia.   

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