Orlans ‘dusts off’ old Platform Rhetoric

In the incumbent’s first public statement of this campaign season Mr. Orlans failed to answer the very first question posed to him by the local media.

When asked about his top three issues, instead of answering the question he launches into what amounts to what is his standard patter – talking a lot but not saying much.  And the opinions he offers he offers them without supporting factual information. 

For example the opportunity zone incentives about which he brags has, at last announced count, been used one time by local business.  Only Once, as reported in the AJC “County by County” section on Aug. 18, 2013.  

The incumbent references the Roswell Business Alliance as a promoter. 

Fair enough – but show us fact that RBA was involved at all, at any point, in bringing GM to Roswell.  He cannot, because they did not, not a single meeting or phone call. Steve Stroud, the  executive director of the RBA publically admitted the he only heard about the GM relocation to Roswell at the last minute.

Jerry, how about putting some meat on these bones?  Roswell Business Alliance is not much more than a payoff by council for its director – Jerry, show us results, factual results.

Mr. Orlans, as he does every four years, once again brags about the three successive millage rate roll backs that occurred between 1998 and 2000 even though Roswell residents saw no reduction in the taxes that they paid because of State mandated an increase in the assessed valuation of Fulton County property over that period. Sir, that is what is called a revenue-neutral millage rate and it is not worth taking credit for or brag about. http://www.northfulton.com/Articles-i-2001-06-21-121179.112113_Roswell_budget_rolls_millage_back.html

 The pathetic truth is that Councilman Orlans fails to acknowledge his role in Last July’s municipal property tax increase.  

The reference to transportation plans, particularly on Holcomb Bridge Road, point to absolute failure, not a success.  This is a state road, and should be upgraded with state money instead of city bond money. The city is powerless to do a thing without state approval.  If it is important, why isn’t the state paying? 

  The failure of this council and Mr. Orlans to convince anyone under the gold dome is pretty obvious.

  In his initial campaign public statement Mr. Orlans didn’t actually identify a single issue, but he talks about council’s role.  He suggests that council need to encourage redevelopment, but doesn’t acknowledge their failure to do so or his failure during his tenure on council.

And again of course, references the expenditure of nearly $500k in taxpayer dollars for the RBA as a quality spend.  Show us the meat Jerry.

 In response relative to Council’s effectiveness he offers insight into the essential Orlans character– the classic non-answer response. 

Leadership isn’t testing the tides, Jerry.  It is creating the tide. 

“Southern Comfort” may go down smooooothly, but what have you done for this town.  What issue were you out in front on?  Good lord man, at some point in your life, make a stand on something.

And while you are at it ,please tell us why you failed to show for the Open Mic Council meeting last week. Was it because you refuse to listen to residents from East Roswell?