Here is the story from www.DouglasCountySentinel.com

SPLOST vote likely in November
Would fund new jail
By Winston Jones
Staff Writer
Posted: Saturday, May 23, 2009 1:09 AM EDT

Douglas County will likely ask voters this November for a special purpose local option sales tax (SPLOST) to build a new county jail, Commission Chairman Tom Worthan said Friday.

Worthan made his remarks at a noon meeting of the Kiwanis Club of Douglas County at Logan Roadhouse restaurant.

“We’re going to ask again for a SPLOST to build a new jail,” Worthan said early in his presentation to the club. However, he later qualified his remarks to say that the decision to seek a referendum isn’t final yet, and it will have to be decided by the entire Board of Commissioners (BOC).

Worthan said if a SPLOST vote is held, it will be limited to building a new $120-130 million correctional facility, financed by bonds over a six-year period.

“There will be no other projects,” he said. “This is not a ‘wish list’ as you had before. It’s a must-have list.”

Worthan said the inmate population Friday was 764 and that 20 inmates are being housed in other counties, at $45 per day, due to lack of space.

He also noted that the last two county grand juries have commented on the need for a new jail.

SPLOST referendums in 2006 and 2007 were rejected by voters. Worthan feels the 2006 bid was voted down because the facility was going to be built at the jail’s current downtown location on Spring Street. He noted that the county then bought 42 acres of land near the courthouse for the jail, a 911 center and a county administration building. He believes the 2007 SPLOST failed to pass because it contained so many other projects in addition to the jail.

Worthan admitted the SPLOST is going to be a “tough sale” with the economy down. However, he said construction costs would likely be lower now since steel prices are down and so many construction workers need jobs.

He also said that about 60 cents of every county sales tax dollar generated comes from out of county.

“If you go to the mall, you see that about 80 percent of the cars are not from Douglas County,” he said.

Despite maintaining that a new jail is definitely needed, Worthan showed some reservations about taking the issue to the voters for a third time.

“How do you feel about a SPLOST?” he asked club members at one point, and later, after expressing doubts about how a SPLOST would be accepted, he asked, “What do you think?”

Worthan summed it up, “We got to build a new jail. It’s the last thing I want to do, to be remembered as the guy who built that big jail.”

On other topics, the commission chairman said there’s many positive things to report in Douglas County. He said the county has not had to lay off any of its 955 employees or furlough anyone.

“We’re fortunate to have a BOC that saw this coming last year,” he said. “They took steps to curb spending and spent only 82 percent of the 2008 budget.”

Worthan said the 2009 budget was $16 million less than the 2008 budget and the county has instituted spending cuts including eliminating capital expenditures, putting a hiring freeze in place and limiting travel expense to only what is necessary for employees to maintain professional certification.

Worthan said the county is now taking bids on a $530,000 project to install traffic lights and turn lanes at the Post Road – Mason Creek Road intersection before the new Mason Creek elementary and middle schools open in August.

He also noted that work is progressing on the new 911 emergency center near the courthouse and the fire training facility on Worthan Road, near the county landfill.

Thank you for the opportunity to seek public office and special thanks to those who voted for me. I am truly honored and humbled by the support I did receive.

We knew going into this race it would be a challenge, but we felt it was important to bring forth issues not being addressed by the status quo.

This race was not about me, but about principles and policies. We ran on the principles of limited government, lower taxes and fiscal responsibility; principles of equality and free enterprise. Principles set forth by the Republican Party, but often abandon by those we elect to office.

It has been a unique learning experience to be directly involved in this political process. An experience I hope more of you will have the opportunity to be a part of.

Citizen participation is the foundation of this Constitutional Republic. As a private citizen, I pledge to stay involved in the affairs of our government and community and want you to stay in touch with me.

I hope you to will also feel the need to be more involved in the community around you.

Thank you for the blessings,

Igor Malanchuk

3697 Hwy 5, Suite 6 Douglasville, GA 30135

Tel: (770) 947-8253 Fax: (770) 947-8254

www.Igor2008.com E-mail: Igor@Igor2008.com

• Republican Primary
County Commission Chairman: Tom Worthan, 5,212 votes, 84.2 percent; Igor Malanchuk, 979, 15.8 percent;

Board of Education, District 5: Jeff Morris, 928, 42.8 percent; Rickey Roland, 688, 31.7 percent; Mark Worthy, 359, 16.6 percent; Keith Thornton, 193, 8.9 percent;

Board of Education, District 1: Mike Miller, 621, 60.1 percent; Christine Smith, 412, 39.9 percent;
Tax Commissioner: Todd Cowan, 4,482, 75.3 percent; Joan Edenfield, 1,472, 24.7 percent;

Clerk of Superior Court: Rhonda Payne, 4,720, 77.4 percent; Sandra Rollins, 1,377, 22.6 percent;

• Democratic Primary
Sheriff: Derrick Broughton, 2,226, 68.0 percent; John Francis, 1.049, 32.0 percent.

In Douglas County voting in contested state races:

• Republican Primary
Public Service Commissioner: Doug Everett, 3,600, 66.8 percent; Rick Collum, 1,791, 33.2 percent;

Public Service Commissioner: Lauren McDonald, 2,620, 50.2 percent; Pam Davidson, 2,601, 49.8 percent;

• Democratic Primary
U.S. Senate: Vernon Jones, 1,764, 47.5 percent; Jim Martin, 934, 25.1 percent; Dale Cardwell, 830, 22.3 percent; Rand Knight, 123, 3.3 percent; Josh Lanier, 66, 1.8 percent;

Public Service Commissioner: Jim Powell, 2,561, 84.2 percent; Bob Indech, 481, 15.8 percent;

U.S. House, 13th District: David Scott, 1,807, 59.2 percent; Donzella James, 1,244, 40.8 percent;
STATE House, District 64: Roger Bruce, 527, 62.8 percent; Charles Brant, 313, 37.2 percent.
Comments

Dear Friends and Supporters,

Thank you for your support and help with our campaign. We had a very short time to get out our message that we must control spending and bring about new leadership for the future. The future is now in the hands of the voters. With a low voter turn out expected, it is impossible to predict how the vote will go. This may be a very close race!

Regardless of the out come, I have enjoyed meeting and working with you and promise to stay involved in our government. I hope you will be involved also.

Tuesday night (July 15), we are hosting an Election Watch Party at my campaign headquarters located at 3697 Hwy 5, Suite 6 between the hours of 7:30 and 9:30 pm.

Please join us for food and refreshments and bring your friends and family.

We look forward to seeing you there!

Proud to be an American,

Igor Malanchuk

Campaign Headquarters:

3697 Hwy 5, Suite 6 Douglasville, GA 30135

Tel: (770) 947-8253 Fax: (770) 947-8254

www.Igor2008.com E-mail: Igor@Igor2008.com

Directions:

From I-20 West, exit 34 (Hwy 5) take Left and go 3 miles See Cedar Mountain Village Center (next to Food Depot)

To the voters of Douglas County,

It was supposed to be an easy campaign….. Over the last 3 ½ years there have been many positive changes in our county to enrich and ensure our quality of life. Douglas County is fiscally sound for the first time in many years. There has been corporative working commitment from all the entities that come together for the good of the people; City Officials, WSA, School Board, etc. The housing requirements have been upgraded so that when you buy a new home in Douglas County you can be assured the quality is more durable and will last. There have been improvements to parks that were in shambles for several years. You are safer because you have more fire, police and emergency facilities and workers. You have a better Douglas County than you had four years ago.

It was supposed to be an easy campaign….so many people told us how much they appreciate the dedication and commitment in this position of service, the job well done would be stand on its own.

However, it has not been easy… It is difficult to read all the misquoted, misinformed information that paints a bleak picture of our county, when we know the truth.

We are asking you to join us and take the HIGH road… We are asking you to take this election to heart, pray about your decision and Vote on Tuesday, July 15th.

Local officials are often chosen in the primary. Few people realize that and only vote in November. The PRIMARY is when you can make a difference.

Sincerely, Tom and Linda Worthan

Paid for by the Committee to Elect Tom Worthan, Chairman – Douglas County Board of Commissioners – Tony Godfrey, Chairman P.O. Box 1901, Douglasville, Ga. 30134 – www.tomworthan.net

For Immediate Release June 25, 2008

Igor Malanchuk sees Debate with Opponent Tom Worthan Unlikely

Douglasville GA: Republican candidate for chairman of the Douglas County Board of Commissioners Igor Malanchuk said he is disappointed that his opponent Tom Worthan refuses to debate him in a public forum after Worthan said twice that he would attend a debate if the GOP hosted it.

Malanchuk said it is important for the public to see the two candidates talk about the issues that concerns voters… taxes and government spending.

“Mr. Worthan on two occasions agreed to a one-on-one debate with me but now he refuses to meet. What is he afraid of and what is he hiding from?”, said Malanchuk.

According to Malanchuk, Worthan agreed on June 16 at the “Chat with the Chairman” meeting at Fire Station 6 to debate him. But Worthan got angry and told Malanchuk to “Go back to where you came from… get out of here!,” Worthan retorted.

Born in Russia, Malanchuk took Worthan’s statement that he did not mean to go back to Winston, Georgia where Malanchuk now lives. Worthan quickly apologized and said he “didn’t mean it that way”.

Malanchuk explained to Worthan that he is an American citizen and there is no place else to go. Malanchuk apologized to the firemen who heard the conversation.

Malanchuk is running on a platform to cut government spending and keep property taxes as low as possible.

“Worthan has bankrupted this county with his out of control spending and growth of the government”, said Malannchuk. “I will bring a fiscally responsible management style back to Douglas County. The taxpayers can not afford four more years of Mr. Worthan’s tax and spend liberal policies.”

For more information visit: www.Igor2008.com

# # #

A Pension Fund is an investment. ANY investment is about two things:
• Return on investment (stocks, bonds, money market, etc.)
• Management fee.

The County is SILENT on both expense and investment returns, and wants everyone to believe that a free lunch is possible on Wall Street: you get two more benefits for free.

The Pension Board “felt it was in the County’s best interest,” “estimated that this move will save the County approximately $175,275.00 per year,” and believes that “this move will … immediately increase the investment returns” (see Note 1). They neither researched alternatives with their existing manager nor sought out other investment proposals.

This change makes neither a substantive change to prospective returns they could not have found through other means nor addresses the fact that their savings may actually leave future taxpayers having to pay for benefits that are not being funded today.

The County expects you to feel, assume and hope with them instead of providing a cost benefits analysis and a reasonable explanation for the transfer (see Note 2).

The Pension and Commissioners Board both authorized to bid this contract out, but changed their mind for unknown reasons (see Note 2). It is another example of flip flopping. The pattern of contracts without biddings continues.
# # #

Note 1: County Changes Pension Provider
From staff reports (From a government news release as printed in the Neighbor Newspaper)

Douglas County retirees will notice next month that a new organization has taken over the administration of the pension plan in an effort to provide better service and reduce costs.

“This will be a positive change for employees and retirees. The Douglas County Pension Board of Trustees, who will continue to serve as an advisory committee, felt it was in the county’s best interest to turn this plan over to the professional management of the Association County Commissioners of Georgia” said Douglas County Administrator Eric Linton.

The Douglas County Pension Board of Trustees has recommended to the Board of Commissioners ACCG through the Government Employee Benefits Corporation (GEBCorp) take over the administration of the Douglas County defined benefit pension plan as of July 1, 2008.

“It is estimated that this move will save the County approximately $175,275 per year in plan contributions and administrative fees, while enhancing the pension benefit provided to County employees,” said Douglas County Staff Attorney Kelly Pridgen.
ACCG is a nonprofit instrumentality of Georgia’s county governments. GEBCorp manages the pension funds, 401(a) defined contribution plans and 457 deferred compensation plans for approximately 153 Georgia counties, cities and local government authorities.

The pension plan will remain the same except that there will be additional benefits provided at no additional cost to the employees or to the County. For instance, a new disability retirement benefit will be available to qualifying employees. There is also an enhancement to the plan’s death benefit. It provides an immediate lump sum payment to the beneficiaries at the time of death. Under the old plan, beneficiaries had to wait until the date that the deceased would have reached retirement age to receive a monthly annuity.

“I believe the transfer to ACCG/Gebcorp is a major improvement for both the employees and the county. This move will place the management of the pension fund with a group of proven professionals and immediately increase the investment returns,” said Douglas County Chief Deputy Sheriff Stan Copeland who’s also serves as Chairman of the Pension Board.

It is anticipated that administration of the old AIG-VALIC retirement plan (i.e., the 401(a) defined contribution plan and the 457 deferred compensation plan), will be changing to GEBCorp on January 1, 2009. Employees will still have the ability to manage the investment of their retirement money in these plans. Options for AIG-VALIC transitioning are still being discussed.

“It is the County’s hope that consolidating all of the retirement benefits into one organization will make it easier for employees to evaluate and understand their retirement benefits,” Pridgen said.

Note 2: Time line of Douglas County Pension Funds Transfer
Source: Douglas County records and Board of Commissioners’ minutes.

August 29, 2007: Pension Board of Trustees
Board recommends to the BOC that the management of the pension be put out to bid.

September 18th, 2007: Board of Commissioners
BOC authorized to Bid out the DC Pension Plan

December 5, 2007: Pension Board of Trustees
… it was determined that the Staff Attorney would report to the Chairman as to the viability of using a sole source or professional service procurement.

December 10, 2007:
From: Kelly Pridgen [Staff Attorney]
To: Diane Connors [Purchasing Agent]
Subject: FW: Bidding out the pension program
What do you think about the possibility of going with GEBCorp as a sole source procurement for administration of our pension plan (currently in house with the assistance of several consultants, advisors, etc.), 401(a) plan and 457 plan (both currently with VALIC)? I do not know for a fact whether there are any other companies out there who provide that service for all three types of government plans. I have heard (see below) that there are a few companies who have partnered together for purposes of obtaining a contract to provide all three services. However, regardless of whether there are companies that can provide the service for all three types of plans, I don’t think that any other company would relieve us of our fiduciary duty.

Sent: Wednesday, December 12, 2007 5:36 PM
From: Diane Connors [Purchasing Agent]
To: Kelly Pridgen [Staff Attorney]
Subject: RE: Bidding out the pension program
Kelly ~
I’ve reviewed this matter … that this is a professional service … [that] uniquely assumes the transfer of the fiduciary responsibilities of the county. … To further attest to the ACCG being quasi-gov., the ACCG does not have to comply with ERICA (employee retirement income security act), as required by the Federal Government of pension management firms….

February 5, 2008: Board of Commissioners
Accept recommendation of the Employee Pension Board and authorize the change [to GEBCorp]

March 4, 2008: Pension Board of Trustees
Termination of Present Contracts for Transition to GEBCorp

March 6, 2008:
Tom Worthan signed the change [effective July 1st]

June 2, 2008 e-mail from Douglas County to Igor Malanchuk
“ … On your email dated June 2, 2008, you requested the contract between Douglas County and GEB Corps. I have attached a DRAFT that has not yet been presented to the Board or to the Pension Board of Trustees…”

July 2, 2008 Board of Commissioners
Tom Worthan sign Resolution to adapt GebCorps Benefit Plan

Best,
Igor Malanchuk

Campaign Headquarters:
3697 Hwy 5, Suite 6 Douglasville, GA 30135
Tel: (770) 947-8253 Fax: (770) 947-8254
www.Igor2008.com E-mail: Igor@Igor2008.com

Of the $100 million budget, $85 million goes to pay for salaries, wages and benefits.