Simple disappointment

After some time away and additional perspective - plus at least one good snarky comment under my belt - I think I can approach this from a rational perspective.

Plus, it's fair to note that Athens-Clarke County Commissioners are supportive of circuit breakers and primarily concerned over how best to implement it.

Again, make no mistake, these are good, decent people working on the Athens-Clarke County Commission who have the best intentions in mind and, on a daily basis, aim to do the right thing for the community. I consider many of them close friends, and I helped get several of them elected.

And perhaps that's why this disappoints me so greatly.

Because rightful concerns from a progressive commission over how to best execute a program has resulted, unfortunately, in the program apparently being nixed in favor of the status quo.

There was a concern over how the Georgia General Assembly would handle these proposals, but I say that's a fight worth having ... isn't it? I'd rather be fighting to help low-income citizens get a tax break than watch the county's attorney wage court battle after court battle in an attempt to fleece non-profit organizations for tax money.

There was a suggestion that local officials lobby state legislators to expand a program that gives deferments to poor and elderly homeowners, but that program is only currently used by one property owner.

There was a complaint by Nancy Denson, the community's tax commissioner and current candidate for mayor, that college students are filing for homestead exemptions in violation of state law, but that seems like a wholly different problem that, quite frankly, shouldn't really be that much of a problem.

There was a worry that senior citizens might unfairly qualify for the program if they have little income but more valuable assets, but no connection that assets don't equate readily available income.

There are understandable concerns over the impact on the overall budget, but isn't that why the community elected a progressive commission that believes in things like progressive taxation?

It just seems like a wasted opportunity. Again.