Dear Editor,

Citizens of Rincon, where are your county commissioners?

The citizens of Rincon are supposed to be represented by two county commissioners. Verna Phillips, who lives in the City of Rincon and represents the eastern half of Rincon and Reggie Loper, who lives far outside the City of Rincon and represents the western half.

It was stated through the news media that meeting with Rincon City Council would be futile. At a minimum, they should have been at the last meeting on Oct. 14 to represent you, the citizens of Effingham County that live inside the city limits of Rincon. For the past 3 3/4 years, I have had the privilege to serve on the City Council for Rincon, these county commissioners had attended less than 5 of the scheduled 90-plus council meetings, (not including the workshops and called meetings.)

As best I can remember, all the meetings that we have had with the County Commissioners have been initiated by Rincon City Council. All the recent meetings for the Service Delivery Strategy have been requested by Rincon City Council to try and negotiate a plan for the future. I do not remember at any time our Rincon area County Commissioners attempting to facilitate a meeting.

Who are they representing?

What do these two County Commissioners do that represent the approximated 9,000 citizens of Effingham County that live in Rincon?

The LOST (Local Option Sales Tax) and SPLOST (Special Local Option Sales Tax) are share based on a negotiated percentage among the county and municipalities, but your Effingham County property taxes and services are not shared back to you fairly.

Does the county maintain the ditches in Rincon? No. They do outside the city limits but you pay for these services by your property taxes.

Does the county cut the grass along the road in Rincon? No. They do outside the city limits but you pay for these services by your property taxes.

Does the county support any recreation in Rincon? No. They do outside the city limits but you pay for these services by your property taxes.

Does the county share in the insurance fees they collect for fire services with Rincon? No. They do outside the city limits.

Does the county charge Rincon jail fees if Rincon arrests someone inside the city limits? Yes. But you and I, living inside the city limits, pay property taxes to fund the jail. Why are we paying double?

I could go on and on. The County Commissioners have not been working for the citizens of Rincon for as long as I have been on council even though you are a tax payer in Effingham County.

Remind these two commissions that they are supposed to be your representatives.

Ken Baxley
Citizen of Rincon
and Effingham County