Residents demand action on rising taxes and homelessness crisis

During a recent government meeting, community members voiced significant concerns regarding rising property taxes and the lack of support for homeless veterans in Clayton County.

Al Tinsley, a resident on a fixed income, highlighted the drastic increase in his property taxes, which surged from $400 to nearly $3,000 annually since he purchased his home in 2010. He urged officials to reconsider the tax hike, emphasizing the financial strain it places on senior citizens.

David Hammrick addressed the new ethics bill, expressing concerns about potential conflicts of interest within the ethics board, particularly regarding the chairwoman's involvement in political candidate qualifications. He advocated for the bill's passage to ensure impartiality in handling ethics complaints.

Judith Cotton, a retired Army veteran and real estate broker, called attention to the absence of the HUD-VASH program in the county, which provides housing vouchers for homeless veterans. She stressed the urgent need for this program, citing a growing number of homeless veterans in the area. Cotton also warned of an impending wave of foreclosures due to the tax increase, predicting that many residents would struggle to keep their homes.

Sean Hexaw shared a personal story about his family's financial struggles, linking them to the broader issue of rising costs in the county. He passionately opposed the proposed 31% tax increase, asserting that residents would mobilize against such measures if their needs were not adequately addressed.

The meeting underscored the community's growing frustration with local governance and the pressing need for solutions to housing and financial challenges faced by residents, particularly vulnerable populations such as seniors and veterans.