Accepting an Untruth as Truth If It's Heard Enough!

The head of Germany's propaganda program stated that the people will believe anything if they are told it long enough. Today much of the country is celebrating "Presidents Day", federal offices, the stock exchange,  banks county offices and schools are all closed but it's not Presidents Day.
Today is the official designated day for acknowledging and celebrating George Washington's birthday.
So  if it is actually a holiday for George Washington instead of for all presidents why are so many referring to it as "Presidents Day"?
I believe it has a lot to do with the same ideas of political correctness that causes people to refer to the killing of unborn babies as abortion and babies in the womb as a fetus instead of a baby. To me a fetus is like a chicken nugget, it has no legitimacy in its origin. Just as you can't find the nugget on or in a chicken neither do you find a human who is having a fetus.
Infanticide is acceptable because we have been told with nicer sounding words over and over that it's not so bad.
Some have asked on this blog how can Christians support abortion, I have struggled with this situation for a long time and have come to the conclusion that as with many other things mostly it's a matter of convenience. It's a very sad thing but Christian for the most part have believed some things, just as with Washington's birthday, not because of the truthfulness of the matter but because they have heard it over and over so much. One of those untruths is that Christians are supposed to focus on Heaven and not be concerned with this world.
Another untruth is that Christians should remain silent when it comes to politics or just obediently go along with those in charge. It's our ignorant silence that put God out of our schools, and government. Our ignorant silence has empowered the abortionist and false Prophets. Our desire for convenience instead of obedience that enslaves us to evil. The silent Christian is a disobedient Christian. One only needs to think on the Apostle Paul and his actions to see the difference in the desire for convenience and the desire for obedience.
As we continue to hear about Presidents Day let us consider what other untruths we have come to accept simply because they have been said repeatedly.

State Audit Findings For Giles County Ending 30 June 2011

Audit ending 30 June 2011 for Giles County with six findings and recommendations, which have been reviewed with

Giles County management.  

OFFICE OF FINANCE DIRECTOR

♦ A revenue anticipation note was not issued in compliance with state statute.

OFFICE OF DIRECTOR OF SCHOOLS

♦ Expenditures exceeded appropriations.

♦ The School Department had deficiencies in the use of federal Special Education Cluster funds.

OFFICE OF  CIRCUIT, GENERAL SESSIONS, AND JUVENILE COURTS CLERK

♦ The office did not deposit some funds within three days of collection.

♦ The court software did not have adequate application controls.

OFFICES OF CLERK AND MASTER, REGISTER, AND SHERIFF

♦ Duties were not segregated adequately.

FINDING 11.01 A REVENUE ANTICIPATION NOTE WAS NOT ISSUED IN COMPLIANCE WITH STATE STATUTE

(Material Noncompliance Under Government Auditing Standards) During the year, the Highway/Public Works Fund borrowed $450,000 from the General Fund to provide cash for operations in anticipation of revenue collections.  This loan was not approved by the state  Comptroller’s Office.  Section 9-21-801,  Tennessee Code Annotated,  allows the County Commission to issue revenue anticipation notes with the approval of the state Comptroller’s Office.  This deficiency resulted from a lack of oversight by management.

RECOMMENDATION

Revenue anticipation notes should be approved by the state Comptroller’s Office as required by state statute.

________________________

OFFICE OF DIRECTOR OF SCHOOLS FINDING 11.02 EXPENDITURES EXCEEDED APPROPRIATIONS

(Noncompliance Under Government Auditing Standards)

Salaries exceeded appropriations in 32 payroll line-item accounts in the General Purpose School and School Federal Projects funds by amounts ranging from $2 to $119,534.  Section 5-9-401, Tennessee Code Annotated, states that “All funds from whatever source derived, including, but not limited to, taxes, county aid funds, federal funds, and fines, that are to be used in the operation and respective programs for the various departments, commissions,

institutions, boards, offices, and agencies of county governments shall be appropriated to such use by the county legislative bodies.”   Also, the budget resolution approved by the County Commission states that the salary, wages, or enumeration of each official, employee, or agent of the county will not exceed expenditures that accompany this

resolution.  Therefore, the salaries that exceeded line-item appropriations were expenditures not approved by the County Commission.   These deficiencies exist because management failed to hold spending to the limits authorized by the County Commission, which resulted in unauthorized expenditures.

RECOMMENDATION 

Expenditures should be held within appropriations approved by the County Commission.

_____________________________

FINDING 11.03   THE SCHOOL DEPARTMENT HAD DEFICIENCIES IN THE USE OF FEDERAL SPECIAL EDUCATION CLUSTER FUNDS(Noncompliance Under  Government Auditing Standards and OMB Circular A-133)

 

On September 29, 2010, the State of Tennessee, Department of Education, Division of Special Education released a monitoring report on the Special Education Cluster programs in Giles County for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2010.  The results of that monitoring disclosed the following deficiencies: A. The School Department allowed an Odyssey software program paid for and tagged as equipment purchased with IDEA Recovery Act funds to be used by

all students, rather than exclusively by special education students.  The School Department has subsequently repaid the $50,000 in unallowable costs to the Tennessee Department of Education from the General Purpose School Fund.

B. The School Department allowed an IDEA funded teacher to work with higher level kindergarten students from December 2009 through May 2010. The School Department calculated the time spent on unallowable activities at

76.5 hours, for a total salary and benefits cost of $2,910. The  School Department has subsequently repaid the unallowable costs to the Tennessee Department of Education from the General Purpose School Fund. This monitoring report along with management’s responses and corrective action plans may be obtained from the state Department of Education, Division of Special Education,

_________________________

OFFICE OF CIRCUIT, GENERAL SESSIONS, AND JUVENILE COURTS CLERK FINDING 11.04 THE OFFICE DID NOT DEPOSIT  SOME  FUNDS WITHIN THREE DAYS OF COLLECTION

(Noncompliance Under Government Auditing Standards)

In some instances, the clerk did not deposit funds within three days of collection.  Section  5-8-207, Tennessee Code Annotated (TCA), requires county officials to deposit public funds to the office bank account within three days of collection.  This deficiency is the result of management oversight.  The delay in depositing the funds increases the risks of fraud and misappropriation.

RECOMMENDATION

The clerk should ensure that all funds are deposited to the office bank account within three days of collection as required by state statute.

MANAGEMENT’S RESPONSE  –  CIRCUIT, GENERAL SESSIONS, AND JUVENILE COURTS CLERK

I would like to add that there was no fraud or misappropriation of funds found.  Our auditor sat down with us and showed us the problem, and we have taken steps to correct it. Deposits will be taken to the bank in a manner to comply with TCA Section 5-8-207.

_____________________________

FINDING 11.05 THE COURT SOFTWARE DID NOT HAVE ADEQUATE APPLICATION CONTROLS 

(Internal Control – Significant Deficiency Under Government Auditing Standards) The following deficiencies relating to the office’s software application were identified: 

A. Although the application was designed to generate a consecutive number for each receipt, the auditor observed instances of skipped receipt numbers on daily collection reports. These skips could not be explained by the vendor. On other occasions, one receipt number was assigned to multiple receipts.

B. Users could receipt collections to a previous date. This created a skip in the receipt numbers listed on the current day’s collection report. However, because of the irregularities noted in  Item A., it would be difficult to

determine what caused the skip.

C. On a least one occasion, the software application generated a check to the wrong payee.  These deficiencies could call into question the reliability and integrity of information maintained in the system. Controls addressing these deficiencies have been implemented by the vendor; therefore, these deficiencies have been corrected.

_____________________________

OFFICES OF CLERK AND MASTER, REGISTER, AND SHERIFF FINDING 11.06 DUTIES WERE NOT SEGREGATED ADEQUATELY

(Internal Control  –  Significant Deficiency  Under  Government  Auditing Standards)

Duties were not segregated adequately among the officials and employees in the Offices of Clerk and Master, Register, and Sheriff.  The officials and employees responsible for maintaining accounting records were also involved in receipting, depositing, and/or disbursing funds.   Accounting standards provide that internal control disbursing funds.   Accounting standards provide that internal controls be designed to provide reasonable assurance of the reliability in financial reporting and of the effectiveness and efficiency in operations.  This lack of segregation of duties is the result of management decisions based on the availability of financial resources and is a significant deficiency in internal controls that increases the risk of unauthorized transactions.  Also, this deficiency is the result of management’s failure to correct the finding noted in the prior-year audit report.

RECOMMENDATION

The clerk and master, register, and sheriff should segregate duties to the extent possible using available resources.

MANAGEMENT’S RESPONSE – REGISTER

The cost of hiring enough employees to segregate each step involved is not feasible for the Register’s Office.  We now have only two employees in the office.  The budget will not allow us to increase our staff to comply with this recommendation.

AUDITOR’S COMMENT

We have not recommended hiring additional employees.  We realize that due to limited resources and personnel, management may not be able to fully segregate duties among employees. However, duties should be segregated to the extent possible.

Religious Victory or Another Dupe By The Liberals?

This past week saw a tremendous coming together of democrats and republicans, people of many different religious faiths and people who follow no religion to stand against the abuse of power by the current administration in demanding that all institutions, including religion based, provide health insurance that would guarantee free birth control including abortions to all employees including spouses and dependents. It did not matter if this went against the most basic beliefs of those institution they were ordered to comply. This was the most open attack, by this administration thus far, on our guaranteed Constitutional rights to religious freedom, it will not be the last.
The backlash was great and the president finally came on TV and stated that he was changing the requirement and employers would not be required to pay directly for birth control and abortions but that he was ordering insurance companies to provide the services for free.

Here's part of the problem with that. First by what power does the president presume to order private companies to deliver services at their expense? Second, does anyone with an active brain cell actually think the cost of these services will not be spread out in other areas of policies and those religious institutions would then pay for the birth control and abortions indirectly? Third, what this president did was gain a victory for himself and those who support population control through the use of abortions by proposing a tremendous policy that was repugnant to most all and then draw back to a less repulsive position, The end result is that if this policy is not changed the goal of providing free birth control including abortions to all females is implemented. There is absolutely no authority other than sheer arrogance that allows the government to intervene, dictate and control of the religious beliefs and practices of Christians.

I strongly urge you to contact your representatives at all levels and tell them how disgusting this policy of government intrusion is. Do not be deceived there is a war against Christianity raging in this country right now and it is being led by the ultra liberals and aided by those who accept the incremental chipping away of our religious rights.

President or King

   President -  an official chosen to preside over a meeting or                                 assembly; an appointed governor of a subordinate political unit.

King -  a male monarch;  a paramount chief

Basically a  president presides over while a king rules over. A president presides over a government of laws and is subject to those laws while a king makes laws to be imposed on others.

 The question is do we now have a king in Washington D.C. or a president.

Clearly the current chief of state has exempted himself and his family and friends from the rule of law as imposed by the constitution.

Examples of this:

Stopping all drilling in the Gulf of Mexico by this country even after a federal judge ruled the order was illegal

Ordering all insurance companies to provide free birth control including abortions to all women.

Ordering what foods individuals are free to eat, while they feast on Kobe steaks and huge platters of ribs.

Refusing to abide by a budget as required by the Constitution,

Ordering Religious institutions to do things against their most basic religious beliefs and practices.

Taking money from some private institutions and giving it to favored private institution that gave huge amounts of money for his election.

Taking money from private individuals and giving it to unions then using taxpayer money to bail out two auto companies then give one company to a foreign auto company.

Taking money from responsible home owners and using it to bailout 

deadbeats and people who over bought.

There are many more examples but you should see the picture by now.

When the Revolution was over and we had won our independence from England George Washington was approached with the idea of being the king of this new land, he rejected the idea choosing instead to serve eight years as president. This was the pattern until Roosevelt took control but even he was held to the Constitution. Today Obama has exceeded his authority and acted as a king with hardly an eyebrow being raised.

REPOSTED BECAUSE COMMENTS EXCEEDED 200

 The comments for this topic have exceeded 200 and still people  seem interested in posting.  The process to post past 200 and access them is irritating. I will paste the 200th and 201 comment, the last ones posted.

Charter for the County

This comment was posted on another thread. I have used it to start a new Thread to open discussion of the proposed County Charter or home rule.

Common Sense said...

http://www.mtas.tennessee.edu/KnowledgeBase.nsf/0/C9DD85972D740F6B8525702A004EBFCA?OpenDocument

This document gives a little more information about the charter. Only 13 cities have the charter. 3 have repealed their charter. 5 people asked said they would like to repeal it. There are more disadvantages on the list than advantages. I am NOT for the charter. There is no GREAT benefit for the citizens. The only reason this thing has been brought up is becasue a few people keep getting upset over not being elected. They can't get their way, so they want to try and force their way. I talked to several people over the last couple days that said they thought they had to vote for a charter commissioner. Leave Giles County if you don't like it. Property is just as cheap in surrounding counties and according to some of you, those counties are the only place to get a job. Tuesday, January 24, 2012 7:16:00 AM

=================================================================

Allen Barrett said...

Seldom have I read a more one sided, dishonest and purely political hit piece than what’s contained in the document mentioned.

The dishonesty comes primarily from the lack of full disclosure that the MTAS (Municipal Technical Advisory Service) is funded by taxpayers through the municipalities and like its sister organization CTAS (County Technical Advisory Services) does and says whatever the controlling organizations request of it. I have yet to see a report by the MTAS or CTAS that did not support whatever the legislative bodies of the county or city wanted.

Very little of what was written by Mr. Don Darden even applies to counties in the same way it does to cities and the cities in Giles County will be no more altered by the proposed Charter than by any changes made by the State Legislature by means of a private act.

The Charter is posted on http://www.pulaskicitizen.com/Charter for everyone to read. It’s been there for several months. Misinformation will be abundant in the next few months, even more so than in the past few months. A person should become armed with the truth in the face of this onslaught by those wishing to remain in the past. Commissioner Campbell made the statement and even posted a large sign in the Courthouse, in violation of anti-political signage, that the county has worked fine for the past two hundred years and don’t need any changes now. If you agree with that assessment then by all means vote against the Charter but if you are fed up with being governed via their inaccessible meetings, private dealings and their way or the highway then you will want to consider the Charter form of government for the county.

None of the cities mentioned in the article have had a request initiated by the citizens to revoke their Charter every request has been from the management. It’s interesting that the article states that most of the cities have not had a tax increase in more than twenty five years leading many to believe that their taxes have stayed the same. Hogwash, there is not a city in the state that has the same tax income they had twenty-five years ago and while their rates may be similar a simple consideration of the change in property assessments during that time is enough to blow your mind.

Mr. Darden subject as stated on the paper was “Home rule; Home rule--Laws and regulations; Charters--City; Charters--City—Tennessee”. His focus was clearly not on counties and his information as presented is as flawed as the unemployed numbers that come out of Washington D.C.

Tuesday, January 24, 2012 2:22:00 PM

Glitch Continues

After corresponding with a couple of other blog-masters I am not the only one frustrated with Google's attempts to correct the problem of counting post beyond the 200 mark. It seems that this problem will not be corrected in the near future.

I will re-post topics that get to the 200 level and therefore the count will start over.

If anyone just has to see the older topics with more than 200 comments you can post a comment, at least one letter, save it and the old familiar "Newer - Newest" block will appear then you can access those post past 200 by simply clicking on that block just as before.  
I will check those post that currently have more than 200 comments and if there are comments that pertain to the topic I will move them to a new posting of that same topic.

Prayer Service or Political Rally?

While I have never been a fan or supporter of President Obama my utter disgust for the person reached an all time low with his outrageous behavior at the National Prayer Breakfast on 2 February 2012.


What has usually been a very beautiful service honoring God and  expressions of praise to Him was turned into a political speech declaring that Jesus wants our taxes raised. 


This anti-Christian who's administration seems to have declared Jihad on Christianity and just a few days ago declared that the Catholic Church must now provide birth control including abortion assistance for all their workers (this is the equivalent of requiring the Church of Christ to install and use an organ and piano; requiring Baptist to baptize by sprinkling; requiring no more singing in churches). 

The president used Luke 12:47-48 and by altering the meaning, context and intent of those words he turned them from speaking about our responsibilities to do what we know is right based on God's Word to being a demand for increasing taxes on those who work and make more income. While Jesus certainly teaches that we must help those in need nowhere does He compel governments to tax and fill the role of God and His people. Jesus was not the Socialist Obama proclaims.  This is very much like his campaign use of the "Sermon on the Mount" and the total abuse of that Scripture and it's meaning to support gay marriage and abortions. 


 I will not go into a sermon on Luke 12 but would challenge everyone to read that chapter and judge for yourself if there is anything in that chapter that can even remotely be interpreted as Jesus requiring more government taxes on those who work and earn.   

Glitch in the System

Google has again made some changes in its Chrome system. Those changes have resulted in several problems with blog administration. One problem is that it's now much harder and more complicated for me to sign in and post a topic.

Another change that has taken place and effects readers and posters is the unintended glitch that no longer allows viewing posts past 200 without actually making a post to that thread. Hopefully this problem will be resolved soon, I apologize for the inconvenience caused by this situation.

Liar, Liar Pants on Fire!

Liar, Liar Pants On Fire is the only thing that can describe the re-election speech given as a State of the Union address by one Barack Hussein Obama last night.

Was the speech out of desperation or just out of a character void of all integrity? Grandiose ideas with no way to pay, lies so blatant that even my cat left the room to vomit.

More debt accumulated during his three years than all the presidents combined. Ten trillion in debt when he took office and now sixteen trillion in debt but he claims to have cut the debt. The only budget he has submitted, which is required by law, got not a single vote from his own party. Under his administration the country doesn't even operate from a budget his party has approved.

Never has one person worked so hard to divide this nation and set its people against each other.

Success is not presented as something to condemn while underachievement is now celebrated and subsidized.

It is amazing to me that Obama can condemn others for not paying their share but the year before he became president he made over four million dollars and gave only one percent to charity. This is the most arrogant liar ever to grace the public stage in such a high position but that's what you get when more than half the country has become parasites without any sense of responsibility to the nation or their-selves.

Charter for the County

This comment was posted on another thread. I have used it to start a new Thread to open discussion of the proposed County Charter or home rule.

Common Sense said...

http://www.mtas.tennessee.edu/KnowledgeBase.nsf/0/C9DD85972D740F6B8525702A004EBFCA?OpenDocument

This document gives a little more information about the charter. Only 13 cities have the charter. 3 have repealed their charter. 5 people asked said they would like to repeal it. There are more disadvantages on the list than advantages. I am NOT for the charter. There is no GREAT benefit for the citizens. The only reason this thing has been brought up is becasue a few people keep getting upset over not being elected. They can't get their way, so they want to try and force their way. I talked to several people over the last couple days that said they thought they had to vote for a charter commissioner. Leave Giles County if you don't like it. Property is just as cheap in surrounding counties and according to some of you, those counties are the only place to get a job. Tuesday, January 24, 2012 7:16:00 AM

=================================================================

Allen Barrett said...

Seldom have I read a more one sided, dishonest and purely political hit piece than what’s contained in the document mentioned.

The dishonesty comes primarily from the lack of full disclosure that the MTAS (Municipal Technical Advisory Service) is funded by taxpayers through the municipalities and like its sister organization CTAS (County Technical Advisory Services) does and says whatever the controlling organizations request of it. I have yet to see a report by the MTAS or CTAS that did not support whatever the legislative bodies of the county or city wanted.

Very little of what was written by Mr. Don Darden even applies to counties in the same way it does to cities and the cities in Giles County will be no more altered by the proposed Charter than by any changes made by the State Legislature by means of a private act.

The Charter is posted on http://www.pulaskicitizen.com/Charter for everyone to read. It’s been there for several months. Misinformation will be abundant in the next few months, even more so than in the past few months. A person should become armed with the truth in the face of this onslaught by those wishing to remain in the past. Commissioner Campbell made the statement and even posted a large sign in the Courthouse, in violation of anti-political signage, that the county has worked fine for the past two hundred years and don’t need any changes now. If you agree with that assessment then by all means vote against the Charter but if you are fed up with being governed via their inaccessible meetings, private dealings and their way or the highway then you will want to consider the Charter form of government for the county.

None of the cities mentioned in the article have had a request initiated by the citizens to revoke their Charter every request has been from the management. It’s interesting that the article states that most of the cities have not had a tax increase in more than twenty five years leading many to believe that their taxes have stayed the same. Hogwash, there is not a city in the state that has the same tax income they had twenty-five years ago and while their rates may be similar a simple consideration of the change in property assessments during that time is enough to blow your mind.

Mr. Darden subject as stated on the paper was “Home rule; Home rule--Laws and regulations; Charters--City; Charters--City—Tennessee”. His focus was clearly not on counties and his information as presented is as flawed as the unemployed numbers that come out of Washington D.C.

Tuesday, January 24, 2012 2:22:00 PM

County Legislative Meeting for 17 Jan 2012

After convening and honoring the Colts Cheer-leading Team for their National Championship the Legislative Body for the County began conducting other business of the county.

Acceptance of various reports and the appointment/reappointment of several officials they moved into the resolutions to be voted on.

Resolution 2012-1 Approval of surety bonds for county employees and officials. APPROVED -NO DISCUSSION

Resolution 2012-2 Authorizing Highway Department to do work for the Cities of Elkton, Adrdmore, Minor Hill, Lynnville and Pulaski. APPROVED - NO DISCUSSION

Resolution 2012-3 Approval of County Road List for 2012. - APPROVED -NO DISCUSSION

Resolution 2012-4 Named bridge on Hwy. 64 (3rd bridge East of SR 166) James A. Wells Memorial Bridge. APPROVED AFTER STATEMENT THAT IT WOULD BE AT NO COST TO THE COUNTY.

Resolution 2012- 5 Authorizing application for Fastrack Infrastructure Development Program to build a spur behind Richland Steel. APPROVED AFTER STATEMENT IT WOULD BE AT NO COST TO THE COUNTY.

Resolution 2012-6 To amend Rule XV of the Rules of Order of the Legislative Body. THIS WAS WITHDRAWN AT THE REQUEST OF THE SPONSOR COMMISSIONER FAULKNER.

No Unfinished Business was Presented.

New Business: The motion was presented by Commissioner Jackson to appropriate $25,000.00 to secure a price of $370,000 plus to purchase 93 acres at the Hwy. 64 and 65 interstate exit.

After much discussion, mostly opposed to the motion a vote was taken with only Commissioners Cary, Flacy, Jackson, Wilburn, Reedy, Woodard, and Harwell voting to spend the money. Commissioner Harwell's vote was withdrawn after it was pointed out that he could not legally vote of financial matters before the Commission.

The main objects expressed to refocusing attention on the new property was; (1) The lose of ninety thousand dollars already spent on the original property to be used for the waste water disposal project. (2) The fact the property does not have road frontage, Eighty acres could possibly be purchased later for roadfrontage. (3) Extreme cost to develop property it include but not limited to building an access road, building a bridge, a number of culverts, altering of wetlands, and massive fill. (4) Need to stay focused on current project get it finished and get development started at the site so new tax sources can be realized. (5) The county just don't have the money.

Main reasons expressed for pursuing new property was (1) Selling price for the 15 acres will not be known until after condemnation has been completed and price set by the judge, the price is expected to be known in February 2012; (2) The property will be more expensive later; (3) The county could make a lot of money after the wastewater treatment facility is built by selling the 93 acres to developers.

Ambulance Committee Meeting 12 Jan. 2012

In a very unusual move it was reported that state auditors suggested that the Secretary from the Ambulance Service take notes of the committee meetings and keep a copy at the Ambulance Service and at the Courthouse. While county guidelines require a secretary be provided I have never heard of a state auditor requiring such a move.

The Ambulance Director presented a request to purchase "turn out gear" at a cost of $9,999.90 to replace worn gear being used now. This item was not in the budget and there wasn't enough money in the ambulance fund balance which was reported to only have $7,000.00 in it.

Everything seemed simple enough until Mrs Garner began to explain her expectations about incoming funds. Apparently Mrs Garner didn't read the newspaper or listen to WKSR report that Mrs Townsend had stated that tax collections were coming in slower than last year, because Mrs Garner reported that tax collections were the same or better than last year. The "hope" is that the money will be here when it comes time to pay the bill. Commissioner Jackson made the statement that when the ambulance fund balance comes up to $9,999.90 they can purchase the equipment. At that point Mr Griggs stated that he had another "fund balance" of $15,000.00 he could draw from. How a department could have two fund balances is beyond my understanding.

Questions: If Mr Griggs knew the equipment needed to be replaced why wasn't it put in the budget to begin with. If the budgets aren't followed what's the point of having them and where is the extra money coming from. If this money is given, based on the way budgets are made in the county this will be rolled into the next budget and announced as being the same as this year.

Property & Budget Committee Meeting 12 Jan 2012

There was a combined meeting of the Budget and Property Committees this morning. Three matters were brought under discussion.

1) After rejecting a bid of over $200,000.00 to replace the steps at the Courthouse a new proposal was discussed for repair of the steps for a cost of approximately $60,000.00. Agreement was reached to pursue this and bids will be sought.

2) Stevenson Bridge. The County Executive presented very convoluted information that left those present more confused than before the discussion which led to the matter being postponed until the 19th when the County Executive hope to have more complete information.

Basically CSX claims they gave the bridge to the county but there is no written record of the county having accepted it into the county system. There is a partial contract agreeing to re-build the bridge signed by a former Road Superintendent but no signature of a County Executive or any Commission official.

It seems the state is trying hard to stiff arm the county into building the bridge to nowhere by claiming that if it's not re-built the county will have to pay more than $112.000.00 this includes paying $1,000.00 a day to CSX for a flagman during demolition. The demolition also will have to be done under the supervision of CSX who will also determine what machinery can be used in the demolition. If the bridge is re-built the state claims that there will probably be no cost to the county because stimulus money will be used.

The question is if only four or five people are pushing for this bridge that no one on the Stevenson Road wants why would anyone be willing to spend more than a million dollars to build it? If CSX actually gave the bridge to the county why isn't there any record and why would CSX have any control of how it is demolished? If there is a contract that obligates the county to re-build the bridge why doesn't the county have a copy that was properly signed by county officials? The matter has been postponed until the 19th when hopefully more and better information can be gathered.

3) Waste water Treatment. To date approximately $90,000.00 of the 2.1 million obligated for the waste water facility at the interstate as been spent. Now a proposal has been made to abandon the 15 acres sought for the site in favor of 93 acres farther on down the road for a cost of $374,900.00. This proposal was defeated in the committee but plans were expressed to bring it up at the full commission.

Questions: While it sounds good on the surface should the county be in the speculative real estate business, especially with the terrible history we have in that area? With part of the new property having a creek running through it how much extra expense and time delays will be incurred dealing with development of wetlands and possible flood zones? Does it make sense to lose the $90,000.00 and the time that has already been spent on the 15 acre tract.

Merry Christmas

May your heart be filled with the truth that Christ was not sent but that God came to us.

Merry Christmas to everyone. Our prayer is that you will always have the joy of Christ birth and the Hope of Christ Resurrection filling your heart, mind and life.

Investigation In Indiana!

My, my how time changes but things seldom do and there seems to always be a Giles County connection. An investigation is being launched in Indiana into the illegal actions of placing a person on an election ballot who did not have the sufficient number of signatures on their nomination paperwork.

It seems that President Obama's nomination petitions had a large number of forged or unaccepted signatures that left him with less than the minimum number to be on the ballot.

The Democrat spokesperson in Indiana stated that "if we had known we were short then we could have went and obtained more". Does this sound familiar?

The election officials have so far only stated, "I guess we made an innocent mistake".

Is this more like the Chicago style of politics or the Giles County style, or have the lines been so blurred that there is no longer any separation between the two?

Presidential Monkeys?????

Should presidential candidates be referred to as monkeys? Not long ago there was a verbal outrage and move from the "reverends" Jackson and Sharpton to prevent all references to President Obama and the popular children's book and TV character "Curious George". Even though some people saw a resemblance between the President and the cartoon character it was deemed to be racist in nature.

Now comes David Axlerod, the main man in President Obama's election and re-election campaigns, and former high ranking Obama adviser making a statement referring to Presidential Candidate Newt Gingrich as a "monkey". Axlerod stated in reference to Gingrich, "the higher a monkey climbs in the poles the more you see his butt".

Question, is this any more or less a "racist remark" than comparing Pres. Obama with a cartoon monkey? How do you think the media will portray this comment and the man who made it? Will this again prove the media bias toward liberals?

Questions About Economic Development ?

While there may be many questions that need answers about the Economic Development Committee their actions and expenses there are a couple that need answers now. The problem is no one in an official capacity has bothered to ask these questions during the past few years.

Why is there no written contract between the EDC and the Executive Director Mr. Dan Speer?

Why is there no written job description for the Executive Director Mr. Dan Speer?

Why is there no Inter local Agreement with the EDC/IDB?

On 30 June 2011 $56,650.00 was paid out for operations, $10,000.00 for Industrial Park maintenance and $18,247.03 for shell building interest payments? Almost $85,000.00 paid out and what did the county get in return?

Why aren't cities other than Pulaski paying their fair share to this organization as was agreed upon?

$92,519.60 was requested from Giles County taxpayers for Economic Development for the fiscal year 2011-2012, where has that money gone and what benefits did the county receive?

Anonymous Letters Being Sent To Some Commissioners

Under new business an issue was voiced that a commissioner had been sent a letter that was very critical of the Commission and it's members. The commissioner that received the letter voiced no objection to the criticism only the fact it had been sent by someone "too big a coward to sign their name to it".

Another criticism voiced by a different commissioner was that some "very bad and wrong information was being put on the blog by people who were too cowardly to sign their names".

The commissioner expressed some concern that people might believe some of the stuff that wasn't true. I have re-read the post from the topic the commissioner spoke of and could not find the specifics of one matter which was an absolute untruth. I agree with this commissioner and have stated the criticism before, "Only a yellow back coward would post personal attacks or gossip as truth then sign their name as anonymous".

I believe there is a need for some to post anonymous and cowardice has little to do with it, but those folks would not make a personal attack against someone or post known lies as truth, these folks usually post something in support of their statements.

On the other hand a coward posts evil, provides no support for such accusations and then hides under the name anonymous. Those people have no credibility and should be labeled for the destructive cowards they reveal themselves to be.

State Open Meetings Law Alteration Vote

The decision was made by a large majority of Commissioners that it was inappropriate to vote on supporting a change to the state "Open Meetings Law" and it was sent to the Legislative Committee for discussion.

The request under consideration would allow government officials to meet in secret make decisions without public knowledge. Basically it would isolate the public from knowledge of who supported or opposed different legislation and open a Pandora's Box of opportunity for mischief and corruption.

Hospital Funds Now Being Dipped Into For Daily Bill Paying !!!!!

During the meeting of the Giles County Legislative Body, it is not a court, one thing revealed was that during the past few months the Financial Management Director has taken it upon her self to ignore the directions of the County Commissioners who months ago passed a resolution that prevented the Principle from the sale of the hospital from being spent. Only the interest is authorized to be used. Now comes Mrs Garner who responded to questions by Commissioner Jackson and others that, "this is a lean year and cash flow is slow". She assured the commissioners that when the tax money came in the money would go back into the hospital fund.

This is much like the situation that arose a couple of years ago with the school budget when a large sum of money vanished from the textbook account. For over a month the School Board and the public were left in the dark about what had happened to the missing. Finally it was reported by Mrs. Garner that the money designated for textbooks had actually been spent on things completely outside the authorizing line item. Mrs Garner was severely criticized by a Board Member and directed to never do such a thing again.

Commissioner Pope asked the direct question of Mrs. Garner, "who authorized you to dip into this fund"? While Mrs. Garner spoke for approximately five minutes in response to that question she never once came close to answering it, even after the commissioner asked it again.

One interesting thing brought up by Commissioner Reedy was that when the Sun Trust Building was being bought commissioners had been told that the Hospital Funds could not be used because they were all tied up in interest bearing investments. When Mrs. Garner used the money suddenly there was no problem with them being in interest bearing investments. Seems there are many things that can be or can't be done based on convenience.

This topic is scheduled to be discussed at the next Budget Meeting and Financial Management Committee Meeting.

County Commissions Trying To Kill Sunshine Law

This appeared in the Daily News Journal as an editorial on 10 November 2011. It alerts readers to a very serious attempt to weaken and destroy the State Open Meetings Law. Some Giles County Commissioners have already been in discussions supporting this proposal. While many aspects of the law are already ignored if the law is changed by this proposal there may as well be no Open Meetings Law.

"Public. Private. We often associate the first word with "government," the second with "business."

But when it comes to "government business," the first word should always apply. That's why a proposal by the president of the Tennessee County Commissioners Association to weaken the state's 37-year-old sunshine law must be stopped in its tracks.

Williamson County Commissioner Bob Barnwell has cooked up a wrong-headed proposal under which any number of members of a county commission, school board, or city council — up to a quorum — could meet and discuss public business. Public notice would only be given if a quorum of the body was present.

Bad idea. Horrible idea.

The people's business should be public, with few very specific exceptions. Yet we continue to have elected officials — those who've been granted the honor of representing the citizenry — searching for ways around the sunshine law so that public business can be conducted in the shadows and behind closed doors.

Conducting government business out in the open benefits not only the public but elected officials as well. Records are kept and maintained to hold everyone accountable. It gives credibility to the workings of government because it ensures that decisions are being made in the light of day for taxpayers to see for themselves, then determine whether those decisions are right, wrong or indifferent.

According to Frank Gibson, executive director of the Tennessee Coalition for Open Government, Barnwell is urging county commissions statewide to back his proposal with resolutions that ask their local state representatives and senators to support the measure when the General Assembly reconvenes in January. Barnwell has reportedly secured a sponsor.

Under the state's sunshine law, two or more members of a government body may not gather privately to "deliberate" toward a decision.

Contact your county commissioner today let them know that you want the public's business to remain just that."

Naming Bridges, Roads, Bridges and Buildings

What should be the criteria for naming Bridges, Roads, Ball fields and Buildings in the county?

This topic was first posted on 2/3/2006

Courthouse Hours Of Operation

Many complaints have been expressed about the difficulty of working citizens being able to get to the courthouse and conduct business with the current hours of operation. Current hours of operation are 8 to 4 with one hour for lunch, which means each employee is paid for forty hours while working only thirty-five hours each week. How does that serve the public and the taxpayers who fund the government?

This topic was first posted on 2/2/2006

Do You Believe That The City, County and School Board Are In Compliance With The State Open Meetings Laws?

This question was first posted on 2/6/2006.

Do you believe that since the State Open Meetings Law requires all meetings, including those with less than a full committee, be open to the public, that the law is being fully complied with?

Do you believe that the City, County and School Board is in compliance with the State Open Records Law?

Do you believe the local media is doing a good job in providing information about meetings and records such as the cost of lawsuits against the city, county or school system?

Are you satisfied with the level of information being provided about the actual cost of operations for the City, County and School System?

How Has The Increased Cost Of Utilities Impacted You?

How has the increases in electricity, water and sewage impacted you?

How do you feel about the Electric Company selling, Cable TV, Internet and Electricity?

If you knew that the electric rates were being used to subsidize the internet and cable operations would you feel different about Pulaski Electric providing those services?

Are Land Tax Appraisals Fair?

After having received your property tax notices, do you believe the assessments were fair and reasonable? With property values, especially in town, having decreased so greatly and the housing market suffering so greatly do you believe your assessment was fair and reasonable? Did your assessment go up or down in this time of recession and numerous foreclosures?

How Do Citizens Get Information About Local Issues?

How would you change the way citizens get information about the local issues that are important to our lives? This topic was first posted on 2/2/2006.

Presently there are only a few means by which information is shared with the general population; the weekly newspaper, WKSR AM & FM radio, WXXL radio, and this blog. A less general audience receives news from the PES cable channel, the Columbia newspaper and the Nashville and Huntsville stations, the latter two seem only interested when there is a murder involved.

Sen. Alexander Proposes New National Sales Tax

Sen. Lamar Alexander (R) Tennessee is currently writing a proposal for a new national sales tax. This would be a new tax charged on ALL online purchases.

To contact Sen. Alexander and express your thoughts on this new tax:

Washington Office 455 Dirksen Senate Office Building Washington, DC 20510 Phone: (202) 224-4944 E-Mail -

http://www.alexander.senate.gov

Interesting Testimony Over Election Irregularities

During the trial Mrs. Bassham gave testimony that firmly established that she or her staff had fully explained, at least twice, to Mrs. Coleman the requirements for becoming a candidate for office in the 7^TH District.

Mrs. Bassham made it abundantly clear that she and her staff had explained numerous times that only those properly registered voters residing in the 7^TH District were qualified to sign a nominating petition and no one could sign for another person.

Mrs Bassham testified that she could remember nothing about when Mrs. Coleman turned in her nominating petition because there were so many other people turning in their petitions (ten) at the same time 8:50 AM on 1 April. Later it was shown that only two people had submitted their nominating petitions on that day prior to 10AM nowhere near the ten that was claimed.

Question: tell us specifically what happened at 8:50 AM on April 1^st when Mrs Coleman apparently brought in her nominating petition to your office.

Mrs. Bassham: “I don’t recall, that was the qualifying deadline, I don’t recall.”

When questioned about the large number of disqualified signatures on Mrs Coleman’s petition Mrs Bassham consistently replied, “I don’t recall” or “it was a mistake”.

When questioned about how the same signature on the school board petition had been disqualified but had been approved on the commissioner petition, Mrs Bassham no less than five times that, “she didn’t recall or she didn’t know” now such a “mistake” could be made.

Question: In looking at the receipt, it says, “Below information for election commission only”. And the first sentence says, “The signatures above have been compared with permanent registration records and are the same.”

Did your office actually compare those records of permanent registrations with the actual signatures on the petitions.

Mrs. Bassham: “I don’t recall”.

Question: Based on your review now should those persons have been approved?

Mrs Bassham: “No Sir”.

Question: Do you have any explanation why those signatures were approved.

Question: “No, sir I don’t. We in good faith thought they were correct . We made a mistake.”

Question: Can you explain how Ms. Johnson was disapproved on the earlier school board petition but accepted on the later commission petition?

Mrs. Bassham: “No sir, I cannot”

Then comes the matter of withdrawing from the school board race which Mrs Coleman had qualified for. Mrs Bassham testified that Mrs. Coleman had withdrawn from that race by coming into her office and requesting a withdrawal form and filling it out. Mrs Bassham seemed more than a little confused when questioned about this procedure.

Question: As a matter of course, do you not date stamp documents that come into your office?

Mrs. Bassham: “Yes, sir; normally we do. We did not.”

Question: For other persons who have withdrawn from office and filled out one of these forms, did you in fact date stamp those forms?

Mrs. Bassham: “I don’t recall. I don’t recall. She’s the only one that withdrew for this election. We didn’t have anymore.”

Question: When you were served with a subpoena to produce this document, do you recall being served with that?

Mrs. Bassham: (Respite)

Question: Do you recall being served with a subpoena wherein we requested this document?

Mrs. Bassham: “Yes, Sir.”

Question: Did you make a comment at the time to the gentleman who was serving you that you didn’t know what this document was?

Mrs. Bassham: “No, sir, No, I did not.”

During the testimony of Mrs. Bassham and Mrs. Coleman over seventy questions were answered with “I don’t recall” or “I don’t know”. Not once did they say “I don’t remember “ but always the same “I don’t recall.”

I Lost In The Court of Appeals

OK, so I lost in the Court of Appeals. It was reported in the newspaper and on the radio. It's interesting that the radio reported it before the decision was officially released to the public but that's the way life is. Sometimes justice prevails sometimes it don't. I continue to sleep well.

This is a comment I deleted from a thread and then was criticized by the writer later with the claim that he had not written anything that was untrue or out of place.

"I would like to see a topic about WAB losing his case in the court of appeals, and costing the County 10s of thousands of dollars. This post shouldn't be removed because nothing defamatory or untrue is written in it. If it is removed, it shows how WAB will dish out lies and slander about others, but can't handle the truth about himself. Is it true that he has been arrested multiple times? Yes. Did he lose his case and cost us thousands of dollars? Yes. Are there records and proof of both? Yes. I agree with the poster at 6:55pm. WAB has a very unfair way of choosing what is appropriate to be on here, and what he deems as needing to be removed. Monday, October 17, 2011 7:55:00 PM"

If anyone would like to suggest a topic for discussion I will be glad to post it as long as it meets the guidelines. This is a long standing policy that has not changed and does not require any threats or stupid attempts to manipulate. It may take awhile, if you do not submit the text for your topic, depending on what other things I am involved with. Not being the best or fastest typist it takes an average of over fifteen minutes after I see your request for me to read your request, type it proof read and post it. Patience maybe a virtue but it's in short supply among the self centered.

What was the monetary cost to the county for this procedure? It's been reported to be over $35,000.00 just for attorney fees, but why? My attorney charged $200.00 an hour the county attorney charged $150.00 an hour yet her bill was over twice the total of my attorney. The question has been raised as to whether the county actually paid for two attorneys instead on only the one that was authorized. Now, ask how much does the county spend each year on public defenders, why is there no outrage about that enormous expense. I challenged an unfair and illegal action my a county agency and used my own money. The county officials could have simply admitted they were wrong as they did when they were under oath and the matter would have been resolved but they chose to deny what they admitted under oath and therefore the expense. A drug dealer is caught and county money is used to prosecute and defend yet the chief complainer against me has said nothing about that cost to the county. Seems a bit disingenuous to me.

The poster claimed, "This post shouldn't be removed because nothing defamatory or untrue is written in it. If it is removed, it shows how WAB will dish out lies and slander about others, but can't handle the truth about himself. Is it true that he has been arrested multiple times? Yes. Did he lose his case and cost us thousands of dollars? Yes. Are there records and proof of both? Yes."

Not only has the poster written defamatory and untrue things they offer nothing in support of such outrageous claims. While I challenge anyone to show where I slandered anyone with an untruth or failed to take responsibility for what I have written by putting my name on every one of my posts, this poster hides from that same responsibility by posting their cowardly claims anonymously.

As for having been "arrested multiple times" that is a plain out and out lie. I will give $5000.00 to anyone who can produce any record of me having been arrested other than for the one arrest at the school board meeting. So big mouth with little brain you say there is a record, all you have to do is produce it and collect $5000.00 which I will pay to you on the steps of the courthouse the day you produce an official record of any arrest other than the one I have admitted too.

The final analysis is your topic is posted and your post was removed because it was slanderous lies with absolutely no redeeming qualities, proof of accusations or intellectual content. You have proven yourself to not only be a liar and a coward but also a person of low moral character and no integrity.

Change in Blog Policy!

In order to prevent some extreme elevations in the blood pressure of some folks I want to announce a change in policy for posting to the blog.

Beginning today the new policy requires that all post be on subject and responsible. If you post your real name and a phone number where that name can be verified you will be allowed to write without restrictions other than that the posts not contain vulgar language or negative comments about private citizens. If no verifiable name accompanies the post, the post must be on topic and of interest to the general readers or it will be deleted.

Some no doubt will whine that this is an arbitrary decision and you will be partly right. This was a decision made out of the necessity to provide responsible non-distracting communication opportunities, not simply a capricious and unreasonable act of my will.

How Can A County Commissioners Represent Their Constituents While Being Paid A Full Time Wage By The County?

Just when you think that things can’t get any stranger with the administration of county government you wake up and find that yet another big payoff has been made to a political crony.

It seems that County Commissioner Terry Harwell one of the most oblivious advocates of the County Executive has just been installed as an employee of the Financial Management Office. What unique qualifications does he have for such a job, a family history filled with bankruptcies, used car salesman, a beer joint musician, absentee commissioner, are these the qualities needed in a financial management office where tax monies are dispersed daily? Perhaps the most important qualification is loyalty to the right person and a wife high in the democrat party.

Now I’m not claiming that there’s a particular political connection in gaining this position only declaring that “it’s a strange, strange world we live in Master Jack”.

The conflict of interest alone should have been so overwhelming in it’s stench that disqualification for the position would have been automatic but then this is Giles County.

Here are some important questions that need to be answered about this situation but I’m sure nothing short of a court order will get them. However I will ask anyway. 1) When was this position posted? 2) How many other people applied for the position? 3) Were there any other people interviewed for this position and what were there names? 4) Since the position duplicates the work contracted out to a company through the Ambulance Service is this position even necessary? 5) Were any commissioners aware of this position being opened and filled prior to this morning?

Are African Americans Brainwashed Into Voting For Democrats?

Presidential candidate Herman Cain made the statement that “Many African-Americans have been brainwashed into not being open-minded, not even considering a conservative point of view,"

Mr. Cain has received much criticism for this statement but so far no one as provided any evidence that it isn’t true. In this thread I hope to provide evidence that Mr. Cain was correct by offering a small history lesson and opportunity for adult discussion.

For example did you know that Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was a republican? Did you know that it was Republicans who pushed through the civil-rights legislation in the 1960’s and that it’s still Republicans who actually seek to empower blacks and others to get them out of poverty?

Are you aware of the term and the origin of, “yellow dog democrat”? It was first used in 1928 by Senator Tom Heflin of Alabama at the democrat convention in response to Al Smith condemnation of the KKK which largely controlled that convention. Sen. Heflin coined the term and it became a common statement of democrats who said I’d rather vote for a yellow dog than a republican because the republican party is full of blacks”.

Francis Rice is an attorney and retired army Lt. Col. She wrote this, “ the liberal party pushes programs that keep my fellow blacks dependent on government handouts and temporary fixes, and encourages them to see themselves as victims.”

From it’s founding in 1854 as the anti-slavery party it has been Republicans who have stood at the forefront of the civil rights movement. It was Republicans who fought against slavery, amended the Constitution to include all people in its freedoms of citizenship.

Why is it that most people seem to have forgotten that it was a democrat, George Wallace who stood in the door of an Alabama school house in 1963 and declared “segregation now and forever”? It was a democrat Eugene “Bull” Connor the public safety director who ordered the dogs be turned loose and the fire hoses turned on peaceful demonstrators in Birmingham. It was the democrat Governor Faubus of Ark. that tried to stop the integration of schools in Little Rock and a republican president who sent troops there to enforce those rights.

Why is it that most have forgotten or was never taught the truth about democrats who re-started the KKK to keep blacks and white republicans away from the polls and under control?

Dr. King spoke eloquently of judging people on their character instead of the color of their skin,

It was Republicans who started the NAACP in an effort to stop the lynching by democrats. It was democrats who, when they took control of congress in 1892 that overturned practically every civil rights law that had been passed by the republicans.

Many may recall the civil rights struggles of the 1960’s and credit President Johnson with their passage but in reality it was the leadership of Senator Everett Dirksen that made passage possible. This was done in spite of the votes as such notable senators as Al Gore, Sr. Robert Byrd, Fritz Hollings. Even the young Senator from Mass. John F. Kennedy voted against the 1957 Civil Rights Act. Kennedy also opposed the 1963 March on Washington by Dr. King. Mrs. Jacqueline Kennedy in her taped memoirs referred to Dr. King as a tricky, terrible man.

Democrat President Lyndon Johnson explained to two governors his motivation for pushing the civil rights laws and great society, “I’ll have those n-gg—s voting Democrat for the next two hundred years.”

Democrat Senator Robert Byrd described by Sen. Ted Kennedy as the conscience of the Senate stated in 1944, after he had quit the KKK, “Rather I die a thousand times, and see Old Glory trampled in the dirt never to rise again, than to see this beloved land of ours become degraded by race mongrels, a throwback to the blackest specimen from the wilds.”

It defies logic that so many people of color continue to vote for the very party that has sought to keep them from reaching their greater potentials. The problem, it seems is that many people are victims of a faulty education system and tend to cast their precious votes based on the sweet sound of words and empty promises instead of the realities of actions.

Was Mr. Cain correct in his statement, “Many African-Americans have been brainwashed into not being open-minded, not even considering a conservative point of view," You decide, for me the evidence is an obvious yes.

"REVIVE GILES COUNTY"

This is posted at the request of a reader. It is certainly a great event and opportunity for all to show just where they stand in this world of turmoil. It is posted as it was sent.

Would you consider posting something about "Revive Giles County" which will be held this Saturday, October 1 at 6:30 p.m. on the courthouse square. I'm sure many folks have heard about this from the radio, local television station(s), the newspaper, and other sources. I thought that it would be nice to also have a discussion of this event (or a notice of some sort) on your blog, because I know it is widely read. I have a copy of a brochure concerning this event. Here is what is on the brochure:

"We are calling on the citizens of this county to join us in a day of "Prayer and Fasting" for America and Giles County. In these perilous times families are under attack. It is our prayer that you will join us as we call on God to revive this great Nation as we turn back to him.
Saturday, October 1st will be a day of prayer and fasting. We will assemble that night on the Pulaski Square, singing praise, offering prayers and hearing encouragement from God's word."

"If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land." 2 Chronicles 7:14

This effort is initiated by a Group of Giles County Christians who long for God to return to his people. For more information call 931-363-2245.

New Committee Assignments for 2011- 2012

Listed below are the Committees established by the County Legislative Body for the 2011-2012 year legislative year.

AUDIT: (c) CARY, (vc) POPE, ADAMS, (s) REEDY, HOLT, HOUSTON & CAMPBELL

BUDGET: (c) FLACY, JACKSON, ADAMS, (s) BEECH, POLLARD, BROWN, (vc) CAMPBELL

SCHOOL: (c) POPE, REECE, REEDY, CARPENTER, (vc) HOWELL, (s) FAULKNER & HARWELL

HIGHWAY: CARY, (c) POPE, (vc) RISNER, WOODARD, HOLT, FAULKNER, (s) HARWELL

LAW ENFORCEMENT: REECE, WILBORN, (vc) RISNER, BEECH, HOWELL, (s) BROWN,

(c) CAMPBELL

PUBLIC SERVICE: REECE, (vc) POPE, (c) CARPENTER, WOODARD, HOWELL, HOUSTON, (s) COLEMAN

ENVIROMENTAL: CARY, (vc) WILBORN, ADAMS, REEDY, (s) HOLT, FAULKNER,

(c) CAMPBELL

AMBULANCE: (c) FLACY, (vc) JACKSON, CARPENTER, (s) WOODARD, POLLARD, BROWN, COLEMAN

LEGISLATIVE: REECE, (vc) WILBORN, CARPENTER, BEECH, (s) HOWELL, (c) FAULKNER, HARWELL

BUILDING: CARY, (c) JACKSON, RISNER, BEECH, (s) POLLARD, HOUSTON, COLEMAN

INSURANCE: (s) REECE, JACKSON, ADAMS, (c) REEDY, (vc) HOLY, HOUSTON, COLEMAN

NEW MEMBERS APPOINTED TO TWO YEAR TERMS ON THE BEER BOARD:

CARY, ADAMS, HOWELL, CAMPBELL

ETHICS: FLACY, WOODARD, HOLT, HARWELL & JOANN TOWNSEND

FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT: VANZANT, TEE JACKSON, BARRY HYATT, COMMISSIONERS FLACY, CAMPBELL, POLLARD, POPE.

Comments Made At The Legislative Meeting 19 Sept. 2011

This is the text of my comments delivered at the County Legislative Meeting this morning. The five minutes I was allotted ran out before I was able to finish but Mrs. Vanzant graciously allowed me the extra time to recite the poem I had written at the end. I do appreciate that consideration.

"I greatly appreciate this opportunity to address the commission this morning. Please understand that it is not my intention to be overly critical or belittle anyone. We may disagree on the process but I believe each of you are motivated by a desire to do what’s best. I’m no politician with great skills in tact. I’m just an old soldier who spent more time focused on getting the job done than sweet talking hard headed recruits. So please excuse me if I speak too directly for your comfort.

The first 10 amendments to the United States Constitution were ratified December 15, 1791, and form what’s known as the “Bill of Rights.” These are the foundations of freedom our founding fathers thought to be the most important.

The very first of these important freedoms is “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press, or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances”. Five freedoms; Religion; Speech; Press; To Assemble Peaceably; and to Petition Government for a Redress of Grievances, this in the very first Amendment.

The courts have held that the most basic component of freedom of expression, is the right to freedom of speech. The right to freedom of speech allows individuals to express themselves without interference or constraint by the government. The Supreme Court requires the government to provide substantial justification for the interference with the right of free speech where it attempts to regulate the content of that speech.

This amendment has been abused, misused and completely overlooked when convenient. Once this great nation was considered to be a nation of laws, which means that the law was paramount and each citizen could be confident in its equal application. Unfortunately that was and is more myth than reality to many citizens. Just ask a citizen who has been denied their right to address their government even after meeting all the requirements set down by that government. Ask a citizen who is verbally and physically attacked by a government official then told I’m a County Commissioner so what’s you gonna do about it. Denial of a person’s rights may not seem like such a big deal unless it’s your rights that have been violated. The truth of the matter is that when the rights of one are violated the rights of all are jeopardized.

Those who selectively apply the law for their benefit see no problem with its enforcement. Many of you should remember Bull Connor the democrat public safety commissioner in Birmingham who saw no problem with turning the dogs loose on peaceful demonstrators. He had no problem interpreting and enforcing the law, only problem was it was wrong. Many in Birmingham knew it was wrong but they were too fearful to demand it be applied rightly and equally.

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was labeled by government officials as the most hated man in America, a troublemaker who was always stirring up trouble wherever he went. Government Officials used real and imagined laws to jail him beat him, do all they could to silence him. They weren't concerned with the truth of his words only that his words were disturbing to their comfort. Even the FBI was involved. Many knew that what was happening was wrong but they remained silent and allowed the wrong to continue. Finally the truth was heard and the wrong was faced up to. His statue was recently unveiled on the Washington Mall.

You, have established rules that support the 1st Amendment but you also have allowed those rules to be selectively applied. Selective application of the Constitution makes for no Constitution. Recently I met every requirement, followed every rule in order to address this Legislative Body, I was denied and the only reason given, was one of utter contempt for the Constitution, that state law prevented my speaking. No such law was named and no such laws exist. My Constitutional rights to speak and to petition the government were violated and the U.S. Constitution was made null and void without a single objection from this legislative body.

As County Commissioners each of you raised your hands and swore this oath, “I do solemnly swear that I will perform with fidelity the duties of the office to which I have been elected, and which I am about to assume. I do solemnly swear to support the constitutions of Tennessee and the United States and to faithfully perform the duties of the office of county commissioner representing the _________ district of _____________________, County, Tennessee. This oath expires when your term of office ends.

Others of this group took a different oath, I, (NAME), do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; and that I will obey the orders of the President of the United States and the orders of the officers appointed over me, according to regulations and the Uniform Code of Military Justice. So help me God.”

This oath has no expiration date, just as once a Marine always a Marine, once taken, this oath remains apart of our lives. Some of you suffered and sacrificed greatly in defense of this oath, some of you lost great friends and family in defense of this oath. But In the ease of our comfort that oath has become less and less important until we hardly blink when that Constitution is violated.

Most people understand, at least in part, that being in the military and defending this nation in a war is a very noble and honorable thing but that oath was to “defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic”.

We must protect it from those within who seek to destroy its financial and moral strength. We must protect it from those who would corrode and abuse the Constitution that has made this the destination of millions oppressed in their own countries. Blindly defending those who have proven to do wrong is not the act of a patriot but of a coward too lazy to demand right behavior and accountability. Defending a nation on its home front is just as necessary as defending it on a battlefield in some foreign country. In fact it may be easier on the foreign battlefield because most of the time you at least can more easily tell who the enemy is.

"What We Abuse We Lose"

All gave some and some gave all;

And many were never counted,

Their sacrifice was taken for granted.

Then what had been their treasure,

Was lost to mindless pleasure.

For what had been died for

Was no longer worth... standing for.