A concerned JCP reader requested we publish this video: Council's Rude Remarks to Residents.
During the August 15th Council meeting, residents from several neighborhoods were chatting while the Council adjourned to executive session.
Upon returning to the dais, Councilwoman Cori Davenport states "Those people just stay here, don't they have homes?" Councilman Steve Broadbent chimed in "Lives, haha".
Note to Council: Yes these people have homes and pay property taxes and you are spending it, and on track to increase taxes for the upcoming year!
Here is another link to the video...
Instead of "Don't they have homes?" ...why not simply thank the residents for coming to the meeting and then tell them that they cannot stay for executive session? After all, the residents aren't getting paid to come to these meetings like the council members are and they should be thanked for taking time to come to these meetings!
Tactless ,Davenport!!!!!! Sounds like Trump! :-P
The executive session takes place in the Taylor Farms conference room. The residents were in the main room, where it was appropriate to congregate.
Wow, Suzi ... you had to go there.
Davenport doesn't sound like Trump.
If anything the elitist comment sounds more like Clinton.
Clintonisms:
"We just can't trust the American people to make those types of choices. Government has to make those choice s for people."
"If you want to remain on this detail, get your f***ing ass over here and grab those bags!"
“Put this on the ground! I left my sunglasses in the limo. I need those sunglasses. We need to go back!”
“Come on Bill, put your d**k up! You can’t f**k her here!!”
"We came out of the White House not only dead broke, but in debt."
YET, she came out of the White House with property that wasn't even hers. And had to return them.
Funny thing is ... before Trump ran for president he was also a public figure and there was no claims to Racism, no claims to being rude or misogynistic, no claims to being elitist, ... if anything people who have worked for him or who have had known him for years have come to his defense. It is funny how people have to sign NDA when they work with Hillary and those who have had -- can only agree with the fact that is one of the meanest, angriest persons they have ever encountered.
Ah yes, the Clinton Foundation (more like a racketeering group) -- More than half of the big donors to that outfit--those who have given a million dollars or more--are corporations or foreign groups or governments.
Amazing that the people and countries tied to giving to the foundation somehow were given preferential access to the State Department. It is interesting that their donors are from these countries that actually are anti-Americans.
Compared to the email scandal which by the way, she broke: 18 U.S. Code § 2071. As for her emails and why did she delete -- permanently delete -- if there was NOTHING to hide, you don't delete, wipe, erase and destroy unless you have something to hide.
Back to the "Clinton Foundation" which is actually even bigger and more egregious. -- she is also in violation of several Federal laws one being the RICO Act.
I guess the Hillary Standard is far better and far more honest. Which, I find laughable.
Surprisingly, you are on a site that tries to posts current events without opinions. And yet, you post your opinions that are Mainstream Media driven.
If you are going to make a dig at Trump please try to be honest with that fact that Clinton is no Saint.
Bye, Felicia!
Ah Anon: Of course, I say one little "sounds like Trump" comment and you step onto your soapbox. Too funny! Your "guy" will lose big-time come Nov. :-)
@Suzi -- I find it laughable that you are on a site that posts local current politics and events that impact our lives through the actions of our government leaders. That you would question and even be appalled by the actions of one or a few of those on our city council.
It is incredulous, you find it acceptable to elect Hillary Clinton. Who is well documented to be a fraud, a liar, a cheat, a crook, a thief, and is incapable of leading... I am not a Trump Fanatic but I am a #NEVERHILLARY voter. And the more the election cycle has gone the more I like Trump. No candidate is perfect and I will never say he is perfect but the alternative is Hillary and the erosion of our Constitution and our country.
and before you go off calling me a racist (I have to remind you that I am a legal immigrant, minority woman. By the recent definition doesn't allow you to call anyone but Whites racists so, chew on that. I don't think it is right but this is what our country has started to sink down to -- name calling and race baiting)
At least with Trump, I know what I am going to get and I agree with most of what he says. I can't on all but what candidate is exactly how I feel or think?
But with Hillary, her position has changed so much as she has to adjust it to who she panders to. Hillary doesn't talk about issues but deflects, accuses and lies.
Maybe it is a soapbox to you but it was the ultimate sacrifice of many because of Hillary. And that to me, is also unacceptable.
The hypocrisy and the lunacy is real.
Go on with your fake self. Leave the real discussions with the adults at the table.
The rest of us will vote based on our conscience and our country.
I apologize to JCP for making this national political topic -- as we need to stay on course.
But @Suzi needs to realize that Davenport and Bodker may be mismanaging our city and our money, being tactless, amongst other underhanded dealings, etc, The same microscope should be applied to our possible President, if not more.
Correction: Bodker really, I don't think Davenport cares nor needs the money. She just doesn't really think and is being influenced by Bodker. (My opinion based on observation)
Suzi,
This issue has nothing at all to do with either of the presidential candidates. While I probably agree with most of your views on city council you should stick to the issues at hand and leave off the rude and insulting comments about the presidential candidates, which by the way, probably offends the better part of Johns Creek residents. Anon thank you for your intelligent and insightful rebuttal.
Maupassant...you don't think that Mr. Trump's comments about women, gays, Mexicans, Catholics,etc., etc. are rude and insulting?
Suzi -- just let it go.
Unfortunately, in this current climate any comments about the vetting, careful consideration, or being a patriot... is construed as racist, rude, insulting, etc.
Trump is definitely not perfect and I doubt anyone thinks he is. However, Trump is going to stay true to the conservative values and patriotic values that makes our country great.
I am not willing to take on a Hillary and risk our Constitution. I am not willing to have Hillary bleachbit our military. I am not willing to have our LEOs, our Armed Forces, and Veterans lives at stake because they are not being backed up. I am not willing to have have my taxes raised (and it is funny because you seemed very concerned with taxes in JC). I am unwilling to have a president whose foreign influences can be bought. I am unwilling to have a president whose premise of women's rights is to squash those who dare cross her desire for power and influence. I am unwilling to have a president who is a career politician with zero accomplishments. I am unwilling to have a president who does not address the burning of our own flag. I am unwilling to have a president who is going to continue to support the Iran Deal. I am unwilling to have a president who lied to the public about her actions and then tries to blame others. I am unwilling to have a president whose actions caused the death of others. (Too many to name but Benghazi and Amiri to name a few). I am unwilling to have a president whose own wealth is more important than the welfare of the country. I am unwilling to have unvetted immigration or open immigration. I am unwilling to have a president who is utterly unable to tell the truth.
Trump is willing to tell it like it is -- and you insult a few people along the way, so be it. You can't please everyone.
At least, Trump isn't going to sell our country to the highest bidder. Our country is more important than someone's own interests.
-- you are only going to be outraged based on Trumps "insults". Honestly, you should be more outraged with the provable actions past, present and future of Hillary. I won't change your mind but I only touched on a few issues with Hillary. And you won't change mine.
Take it offline and onto some pro-Hillary site. Because this is not the place. You will be appreciated there. Your comments regarding Trump/Hillary are not.
I applaud you for keeping up with the current events of our local government and wanting to keep them in check. The same standards should be applied to our next president as actions speak louder than words. (i.e., bodker, broadbent, lin, davenport...)
you HAVE GOT to quit drinking the Kool aid
None of us can impact national politics. We can have an impact here.
Get involved here in JC if you are not already doing so.
Together we can make a difference. Together we are making a difference.
Anon - Why don't YOU just let it go!
You obviously have waaaay too much time on your hands!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5XcKBmdfpWs
Over the years, I've tried my best to stay informed of city issues. I've only managed to make it to a few city council meetings. My hat is off to those that stay and watch the entire time. I know it takes sacrifice away from work and family to be there trying to keep watch over our government.
Davenport obviously does not want to be there. She can't make a proper motion or at the very least hold her head up.
If she has no interest in participating in our local government, she has little understanding why citizens would.
She looks miserable. I feel sad for her.
It's shocking to see council members ridicule constituents who have elected them to the offices they hold, and who have shown the commitment to stay present for an entire hours-long council meeting.
The reason people stay is because the City Council has been known to drop bombshell decisions after exiting Executive Sessions. Decisions such as the billboard settlement, purchases of park land and other multi million dollar decisions. So yes, Mrs. Davenport and Mr. Broadbent the citizens do have homes and lives and the decisions you make effect those very lives and homes. Based on these comments it seems to me that neither Mrs. Davenport or Mr. Broadbent respect the citizens of Johns Creek and for me it definitely goes a long way to explain a lot of their votes.
I am appalled by their behavior. They need to go.
The whole entire cabal should expelled from public office.
SHAME on them.
There are good people on Johns Creek city council. Don't paint them all because of the remarks of two elites snobs.
Indeed, it is an unvarnished sneak-peek into Davenport & Broadbent's true feelings about their constituents.
Nether one of them will ever live this down.
....time to go...both of them....
I agree with SmartAlec
Not all of them need to go ...
Davenport doesn't plan on running again
Lin needs to participate and not vote with Bodker -- or he needs to go (leaning towards, go -- far, far, away)
Broadbent, definitely needs to go
AND Bodker -- he needs to crawl into the cesspool from which he crawled out of.
@Anon- lol. So Well said! I echo your comments and those of SmartAlec
Grey is the one that commented lives
No, that wasn't Gray. Clearly Broadbent.
And we have JOBS unlike you will when we vote your sorry excuse for a public servant out of office.
"Let them eat cake........."
It's time to take out the trash - vote out every one of them. We the people deserve so much better.
Agreed!
The reason more people aren't at the city council meetings is in order to keep their homes because we have to work and we want to raise our children properly. We thank those that attend...
I think unfortunately that many people have good reason to be suspicious of government generally and the decisions they make that affect our lives. While we applaud those in public service who work hard and care about residents, its fair and reasonable to show concern for any decision that impacts us. Further when decisions appear to not benefit the resident it is even more vital to speak out - let a fair and open discussion begin.
Cori Davenport - please keep in mind you were elected to this post to represent the very people you express your contempt for. I do hope those that voted you in (I will proudly say I was not one of them) will keep this in mind next election cycle and vote you out. Get over yourself.
When I look at the video the council members mocking the citizens are Davenport, Zaprowski, and Gray. I'm sure the Mayor wanted to but he's too much of a political player to make a rookie mistake like that on camera.
I think you are mistaken. In addition to Davenport, the condescending remark came from Broadbent.
I think the others are "clean" on this one.
Let's don't get carried away.
It is hard to tell but I don't think it was Zaprowski and Gray made additional remarks to support Davenport. And if you follow JC politics at all they are actually trying to represent their constituents. As well as Endres.
If you want to clean house:
BODKER
LIN
BROADBENT
and DAVENPORT
Zaprowski, Gray and Endres are not perfect and I didn't agree with one of their recent votes -- but in general I believe that their intentions are good and without outside influence unlike Bodker, Lin and Broadbent.
I think Davenport is pretty clueless and just votes based on what Bodker tells her to do. Sadly.
You can go back and watch all the city hall meetings on the Johns Creek website. The amount of actions like this are ridiculous. The body language speaks loudly. Being in the room at one of these you can even feel it.
At the end of one of the more recent meeting videos you can even hear Davenport talk about taking a picture of something and posting it on someones butt. That is not the direct quote, but a summery so it's worth checking out. Next thing you know those videos will all be taken down.
Also I find that the getting up and opening Cokes during the meetings is very unprofessional and the lack of attention to the room. Yes I do realize that thirsts must be quenched, but this is just very trashy during public speaking. How would it look if I were to sit in the public seating and pop open a soda and munch on snacks and even a full meal.
If I think about it I can understand why in many, if not most government speaking settings, they have water available or previously poured drinks.
Most of all though is when you see a Mayor get up and walk out of a room when one of his own city residents points their finger at him speaking his opinion. I just could not believe a person of that position in the government could do that to one of the people that might have even voted him in for all we know.
I feel like one situation happening has led to people really looking at what's going on. Opened eyes even to the voting process at all levels. However, as an outsider of Johns Creek, this city is not known to have the nicest people. Many, not all, really like to treat other people like they are lower than them. I have been a victim of this as I was once employed in Johns Creek. I was treated very poorly by the citizens many times,almost ran off the road getting to work because many people choose to text and drive ridiculously in this area. Wake up people you are not exceptional, and your government representatives are very far from. You have the power to change this.
I too find it very unprofessional that council members sit around at council meeting drinking sodas. They look like a bunch of juvenile teenagers indulging themselves. If they are truly thirsty, or need to drink, because they are speaking, let them drink water which is better for those purposes. Soda pop can make you burp.
The noise of all those opening soda cans is loud and distracting. In particular, Bodker looks like a crazed caffeine addict downing Cokes one after another.
Naturally, our council members drink their sweet sodas at tax payer expense.
Interestingly, when one goes for jury duty in Atlanta, one never sees a judge or a lawyer drinking anything, but a glass of water. It presents a more professional demeanor and keeps the room clean of any sticky messes and bugs.
I hope our JC council members will read this and start drinking water to present a more professional appearance to our residents at meetings.
The snacks are provided for the Council by you and I. Unsure why they don't offer those snacks to everyone in attendance.
Have you seen the fancy sandwiches they have catered in during lunch meetings?
I have heard that this years budget has a $13,000 line item in it to just pay for council meeting meals and drinks. Truly a let them eat cake moment. Interesting how they can afford that while crying poor and asking for TSPLOST and a park referendum.
That works out to about 500 per day if there are 26 Council Meetings/Work Sessions in a Year.
Are we feeding the whole staff as well?
Astonishing is all I can say. Is this also the way they run their own households?
It actually works out to $619 per meeting for food and beverage, because they schedule 23 meetings per year (only one meeting in Dec), then they usually cancel a couple of meetings in the summer, leaving only 21 meetings.
Let's get them out..so disappointing!
In a 4 to 3 vote, city council voted to lower taxes on Johns Creek property owners. Cori Davenport voted against the majority, because she believes that Johns Creek taxes should NOT be lowered! Of course, Cori's businesses are not located in Johns Creek, and she is so rich that JC taxes are a pittance to her!
How much will the taxes be lowered by? I'm not rich, but I do find the amount of JC taxes a small pittance. The bulk of my property taxes are going to Fulton County. The Johns Creek amount is less than .33% (that's a decimal point in front) of my annual income. If Fulton County lowered the taxes that would be more noticeable.
You may not be rich, but you must be making $200,000 per year if what you say is true. For 2016, the city of JC collected $3 Million dollars more than it spent. It is giving $1 Million back to the residents and businesses and putting $2 Million in the bank. Should the city be in the business of taking money from taxpayers to put in the bank? Maybe we should lower property taxes to attract more businesses to JC. Macy's, Ebix, Alcon, and State Farm will see a reduction in their property taxes which may help to keep them here. Feel free to donate money to the JC Foundation, JC Beautification, Autry Mill Nature Preserve, Police & Fire Foundation, and other charities to help our city.
My wife and I make about $135k per year combined. Our property taxes the JC portion was about $400 last year on a home valued at $275k. I have no problem investing in my local community. America has been very rewarding to my family. Since we arrived here, we have always maxed out our 401k accounts and we got a 15 year mortgage. My wife and I currently add $48,000 a year into our combined 401ks (we are both over age 50 and allowed a higher contribution). We also bought some rental properties when the housing market went down and are satisfied with our returns. Since my arrival, many more of my family has immigrated here and I tell them put your money where your mouth is....keep investing in America.....those who have invested in the American Stock Market, Bond Market and Real Estate market have done very well over the past generation. I clearly am not rich. However on a 135k income, I still save about $50k a year and with the tripling of the stock market over the past seven years, I am quite happy with my decision to invest in America.
I don't begrudge anyone their wealth. What does bother me is when they are elected as representatives, they only seem capable of voting and representing themselves.
Were there ANY residents speaking out to keep the millage rate the same?
No. Only Lin made that case and it was weak. Because we spent on parks we must keep taxing so we can spend on parks.
So Bodker, Davenport, and Lin chose to vote what they personally desired over what the public sentiment was and has been for years.
Something needs to change.
I just read this article on the Johns Creek Herald.
http://northfulton.com/johnscreekherald/stories/Johns-Creek-lowers-budget-1m,96256
I find the mayors comments very enlightening on his feelings towards this council. At no time does he take any responsibility for the perceived “wandering in the desert” by the city council. “They” is used during his comments, does he not understand he is a member of the council thereby making it a “we” thing, not a “they” thing? He also speaks to “political inexperience”, does he not understand the millage rate is not a political decision it is a financial decision? His comment on $275 million is a complete fantasy, it is a made up number in order to scare people in order support his position. When asked by a council member for a list to support that number, no list was available to provide. As for the storm water management issue, it took Councilmember Endres raising the topic at the August 15 work session to make it into the discussion. It wasn’t until Councilmembers Gray and Zaprowski joined the council that road resurfacing become part of the budget in the last 2 years. Only the mayor has served on the council since the city’s inception. He has taken part in every budget passed and adopted by the city and during those years, he never raised the storm water issue or fought for funding for road resurfacing. Isn’t that interesting for a council that is “wandering in the desert” it took a few “wanderers” to bring up the issues to start resurfacing our roads and to start the discussion on storm water management.
While the Mayor is blaming the council for their lack of experience, let’s look at the issues the mayor has championed during the last 10 years: support for a tax increase 2 years in a row and fighting against the tax reduction during the vote on Monday evening, lead negotiator of the disastrous billboard settlement, led the fight to make sure to leave 2 council seats vacant for over a year and not hold an election, the failed “District” plan and all wasted funds that went along with it, center of a high expense paid investigation brought upon by the previous so- called “dysfunctional council members”, a supporter of high density housing in the area, and the leader to implement the 400 foot tower . The only person to blame for any perceived problems with the current council is the Mayor himself.
I am very appreciative of the 4 councilmembers that voted to roll back the millage rate. Thank you!
Watching Lin talk is like watching my wall move. Thank you to Endres for pointing out that Lin promised a tax decrease and he would not vote for an increase yet in essence he was. He is clearly a vote for Bodker. Wrong team, wrong team.
Broadbent admitted that he had previous discussions with Bodker and apologizes to him (like the Mayor is someone special) that he is going to agree to a decrease.
How did this Lin character even get elected?? (rhetorical question)
We are decreasing our Millage rate and reducing our Budget by 1M -- even though closer to 3M is actually a number that is reachable.
We weren't going to get more than 1M from Broadbent to so it is a start.
the 3 NOs were: Bodker, Davenport and Lin.
Just for our edification.
We are stuck with Lin for a few more years but let's hope he travels a lot and gets too busy and decides this is not for him. Because he is a disappointment and thank goodness we didn't get that clueless, looney tune Dawood in.
So let me see if this is correct: The city council HAD TO lower taxes because they ran out of time if they wanted to raise them? The rule required 3 public meetings first if they raised taxes....right?
Three public hearings for millage rate are only required when there is a "tax increase" that meets the definition of a tax increase by state law. The 2% increase, as Bodker explained, was growth which to him is not the same. The millage rate was decreased because Gray and Endres won the argument with facts and details. Gray and Endres proved a decrease of $5-7 million in expenses was possible. Broadbent ultimately conceded, for reasons unknown, to move away from Bodker but he would only agree to a decrease of $1 million in expenses. The win to me is that the decrease passed and the dialog is changing from tax and spend to more conservative principles.
But, there are two tax increases on the ballot, approved by the majority of the Johns Creek City Council that we all need to contend with in November. Say NO to TSPLOST and Park Bond!!
Seems to me Mrs.Davenports comment was blown out proportion just so some of you could get on your political soap box and give a 12 paragraph opinion on everything but Johns Creek. Instead of blasting her online, you could give words of encouragement to a wife/mother/grandmother/ and friend. Maybe you could help support one of the many charity's she donates her time too. We're all human and sometimes make mistakes. Let's be a community and not angry villagers at a witch hunt. ?
Davenport may be a great philanthropist but she is not a great representative of the public, which she was elected to represent. We here in Johns Creek elect representatives, and not charity givers. There is a big difference.
Our city council members are not elected to lead all of Johns Creek but to represent all of Johns Creek. And that is one of the may reasons we need to end At-Large voting for all Council Posts.
There are no angry villagers having a witch hunt. Instead we have council members who ignore the desires of the public, and instead pursue their own agendas. They call this leadership.
Davenport has been enabling this with nearly every vote she casts. One vote has made a difference on many issues.
If she is a representative then she only represents the will of one citizen of Johns Creek, if you have followed her votes.
And that citizen sits right next to her.
We want to be represented.
Not led.