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"Giving Taxpayers a Voice"
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| After having attended almost all city council, county commission and education board meetings for maybe a couple of years and after having made several unsuccessful attempts at recruiting others to join me, Lee Brinson answered the call. Although it was boring and frustrating for us to sit there and listen to various groups, all with hats in hand begging for favors or taxpayer money, we could not stop going to these meetings knowing that somehow it would give us an opportunity to help our fellow citizens. We both knew that occasional letters to the editor of area newspapers are only marginally worthwhile when trying to bring information to the public. It was obvious to me after my failed attempt at running for city council that alternative ideas are unwelcomed by many of our current elected officials. It was frustrating as Lee and I were becoming two of the best informed people in the county with nobody to talk to. Hart County citizens needed to know what we were learning. We felt we had a mission. Lee's brother, Evans, who was in an incubator next to me in 1952 and who would be my college roommate, had the idea that Lee and I should approach WKLY radio station about the possibility of our hosting a call-in talk show. At first, we thought the idea was appealing but not something we could really do. September 4, 2003 we hosted our first Backtalk Live radio broadcast. Former county commissioner Randy Banister was our first interview and our first real satisfaction that we were about to provide a useful service to our community. By the winter of 2004 our good friend and owner of Hart Cable, Lee Barton, would ask if we would consider doing a second show for his cable company. On May 4, we were traveling directly from WKLY to cable Channel 31 to find out if we were capable of the second show in one night. Since then we haven't missed a night. It is surprising to both of us that so many people listen to and watch our shows and that there are those who say they never miss a show. And although we interview many local, state and federal governmental officials and bring much needed information to our audience, there are still those who cannot tune in. There are others who listen but will not call in. For our friends who want a voice but cannot be with us on the radio or TV we have a plan: the internet. Lee's passion for inclusion of everyone in Hart County prompted him to explore the idea of a website. April 7, 2005 we went online with www.backtalklive.com with big ideas. We hope to bring taxpayers the best and most up-to-date information possible and to provide a forum for discussion on political issues important to Hart Countians. We hope to attract sponsors and to sell promotional items to help with expenses. But, most of all we want to "give taxpayers a voice" because taxpayers have been underrepresented for too long. Some elected officials do not have an appreciation for our shows and we expect the same reaction to this website. But there are many politicians who appear and who want open, honest government and who hope taxpayers will take advantage of this opportunity to stand up for good government. For Lee and me it is a privilege and an honor to serve our community in this unique way. We understand that some will take offense as we try to bring the truth to the taxpayers. We want them and you to know that this effort is not designed to make us popular but to give all of us input into this experiment called "self government." We have done a little leg work. It is now up to you to speak your mind on Backtalk Live. Yours truly, Tom Hardigree |
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