The council had discussed purchasing property for possible future growth at a previous meeting; there were no definitive plans on how to use the land presently - only speculation for future growth.

In normal times this land might have made for a good investment for the future.

The only catch was that in order to purchase the land, taxes would have to be raised.

As we have said in an earlier editorial, raising millage rates in this economic climate would not be a wise move for Social Circle.

We are glad the council agreed with us and voted unanimously not to raise the millage rate for its citizens.

Mayor Jim Burgess summed it up quite succinctly when he said, "It was a good concept to have land bank properties; the timing was just bad. No one likes to see taxes increase in the best of times and these are not the best economic times. Our citizens told us not to raise taxes, and we are trying our best to respond to the citizens."

How refreshing it is to see a government entity actually listen and follow the will of their constituents.