Dear Newton County Citizen,

Just over one month ago, I filed an Open Records Request with the County Clerk. I wanted to find out exactly how much county money we had spent on the legal services of County Attorney Tommy Craig and his law firm in calendar year 2013. In my wildest dreams I never suspected such a staggering figure…$823,822.15! The County Attorney cost more than twice the salary of the United States President last year!

The BOC plans to keep the status quo. They plan to retain the services of Tommy Craig’s law firm and continue spending your money like it’s going out of style. But is that what you want to happen? I suspect you are concerned how you will make ends meet if the BOC keeps spending your money so wastefully. You are right to worry!

Last year the BOC claimed they didn’t have the time to find the budget cuts necessary to keep your taxes from going up. You begged them not to raise your taxes, but they decided their programs and positions were more important than food on your family’s table. They decided to force you to keep the status quo of redundant positions and outrageous legal costs.

That’s why we’re asking you to sign our petition below to demand that the Newton BOC cut spending! There is plenty of time to trim some fat from the budget - outrageous legal fees, redundant staff - but the Commissioners need to hear from their constituents! Sign now to tell the BOC to cut the budget next fiscal year!

In Liberty,

Jessica Wright
Newton Campaign for Liberty
Recruit, Equip, Train, Mobilize

Petition to reduce Newton County's budget in Fiscal Year 2015 to Newton County Board of Commissioners: WHEREAS: The citizens of Newton County suffered a tax increase last year because the Board of Commissioners claimed they did not have time or resources to make budget cuts; and WHEREAS: We now know the County Attorney’s law firm was paid more in tax dollars last year from the citizens of Newton County than the President was paid in tax dollars from citizens of the United States; and WHEREAS: Newton County is planning on adding unnecessary staff; and WHEREAS: There is ample time to cut legal costs to a reasonable amount before the June 30th deadline for passage of next year’s budget; and WHEREAS: The Board claims to want citizen input regarding the budget. THEREFORE: We demand the Newton County Board of Commissioners cut costs and reduce the budget for fiscal year 2015.