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LETTER: Farm Bureau urges ‘yes’ vote on Amendment 1

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Letter to the Editor

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Wednesday, October 15. 2008

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Dear Editor:

The Madison County Farm Bureau urges all citizens to vote yes on Amendment #1 on the November 4 ballot.

Amendment #1 deals with property taxes and forestland. Its passage will allow forestland to be taxed according to its value as a forest instead of its potential value as commercially developed property.

To qualify, forestland owners must be willing to sign a 15 year legal covenant to keep their land in tree production. There are substantial penalties for breaking the covenant.

Amendment #1 will benefit our state in many ways. First, it supports Georgia’s $25 billion forest industry and the 150,000 jobs it creates. Georgia is the number one forestry state in the nation, and trees are a major factor in our economy.

Second, forestland is good for the environment. Trees help clean our air and water and reduce soil erosion. Forests also provide habitat for wildlife and recreational opportunities like hunting, fishing, and hiking.

Third, forests add to our quality of life. One of the first things noticed by visitors to our state is how green Georgia is. Amendment #1 encourages landowners to keep their land in forests.

Amendment #1 is good for the economy, the environment, and our quality of life. Please go to the polls on Nov. 4 and vote “yes” for Amendment #1.

Sincerely,

Terry Stephenson, President

Madison County Farm Bureau

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#1 Anonymous on 10/17/08 at 11:29 AM [Reply]

Is there any limitation on the acreage? I own 20 acres, and if this passes I want to plant trees on it. Will I be taxed only on the value of the trees? Thanks

#2 VOTE NO TO AMENDMENT 1 on 10/20/08 at 10:04 AM [Reply]

I'm with Farm Bureau and you should VOTE NO TO AMENDMENT 1.

Farm Bureau ain't what it used to be. Now it's corrupt and putting the interests of big, rich corporate business ahead of the concerns of the small family farmer.

Only forest tracts of 200 acres or more (i.e. big timber corporations) will get a tax break. This means huge tax breaks for giant timber companies, NOT for farmers or individuals who own mostly smaller tracts.

And actually, if this passes, because it gives tax breaks to big corporations, farmers and landowners who own smaller tracts or non-forest land will have to make up the difference and PAY HIGHER TAXES!

Protect family farmers. Vote NO TO HIGHER TAXES, and VOTE NO TO TAX BREAKS FOR BIG CORPORATIONS. VOTE NO TO AMENDMENT 1.

#2.1 Kevin on 10/20/08 at 02:28 PM [Reply]

It's crazy how this type of information is left out of the request and appeal to the citizens to vote yes. This is the information you need on a bill of this size. Where is the information that you posted? Are we taking from the small and giving to the big here? Why didn't FB put this in the appeal? It's kind of sneaky. Hey everyone, vote yes to this bill and oh don't worry about the fine print... it's just some legal mumbo jumbo.

#3 Anonymous on 10/21/08 at 12:59 PM [Reply]

Farm Bureau has become an advocate for corporations and the wealthy under the guise of representing the common small farmer. Don't get fooled anymore. Do what I did. Close all your accounts with Farm Bureau and move to another insurance provider.

#4 Susan Kingsolver on 10/26/08 at 08:55 PM [Reply]

I do agree with you on this. We need to make sure what we are voting on and yes most of the bills up now are beneficial to big business. Read up on the specific amendments so we don’t get further in a mess.

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