Graduation

Now that graduation for both GCHS and Richland is over perhaps the graduates would like to leave a good-bye message to the teachers, administrators and other workers in the school system.
There may be some thoughts about the graduation itself you would like to express. Please keep it clean.

The Latest From YouTube!

With all the "negativity" cluttering up this blog, perhaps it's time to lighten things up. Sooo.....

Presented below, is a clip from a (German language) movie about Hitler. Someone with a wicked sense of humor created new captions for Hitler's ranting, and the clip now tells the story of Hillary Clinton coming to terms with her inevitable defeat. PLEASE NOTE: "Hitlary" uses a LOT of very foul language in this clip, much as the "real" Hillary does (according to those who know her) whenever she's angry. So, please don't view the clip -- funny as it is -- if you have a low tolerance for profanity.



Looking for something less serious? Check out the clip below, which features members of the Red (Russian) Army singing "Sweet Home Alabama." Less than twenty years ago, these folks were planning ways to kill us all... and now they're singing odes to the South? My, how times have changed!

Is $14,000.00 a pay increase or a bonus??????

This is the statement from Mr. Tee Jackson that appeared in the Pulaski Citizen on 6 May 2008. This statement was issued by Mr. Jackson the school Director in response to Mr. Steward, the editor asking for clarification on the issue of an employee’s salary.

“Our employees who work with fiscal matters are multi-tasked. The workload is always extra heavy in the spring and summer as we work on budget amendments, develop a budget for the next year and close out the current year. This year we have had more fiscal employee absenteeism along with the additional planning and implementing of the transition phase to the financial management system. One employee was given several extra duties in order to allow us to meet the many needs of the school system. The employee was naturally given extra compensation to perform the numerous additional duties.”

What Is Going On In Elkton?

Elkton annexed the area of the Shady Lawn Truck Stop but can’t provide services. They had money to build a sewer line even got the OK for a grant to match the money but then they spent the money on a walking bridge and trail. Suddenly the grant was taken away because the city no longer had the required money to match it. Now the state has condemned the sewer system at the truck stop….. and just guess who the city of Elkton wants to pay the $250,000.00 price……. Giles County taxpayers.?

Clearly the city has been irresponsible with the money they had, and now wants everyone else to pay their bills. The county is already looking at a property tax increase because our own leadership problems why should we also be required to subsidize the stupidity of the Elkton leadership. Allen Barrett

Illegal Actions By The County Executive

At the Financial Management Committee Meeting held on 24 April action was taken by the committee that is in direct violation of Tennessee Law. The Financial Management System of 1981, as passed twice by the voters of Giles County, states “T.C.A. 5-21-103 requires all employees performing the functions of purchasing, payroll, accounting and budgeting in the various departments to be transferred to the finance department.”

The committee refused to allow me to question their proposal and voted unanimously to not only allow some identified book keepers to remain at their present work stations but to allow their current salaries to remain with them. Not only does this circumvent and undermine the Financial Management Act it increases the budget for that office by a considerable sum.

The question is how long will the County Executive be allowed to run rough shod over the law, causing lawsuits against the county and costing its citizens untold amounts in unnecessary expenses? Allen Barrett

Vandals At Richland

A request was made to post this subject for discussion. What happened at Richland School, what was done and by whom?

The Wonder of "Popularity Contest" Democracy

Meet some of the highly informed people who will be choosing the next Maximum Leader of the glorious American World Empire:




Here's a fake political ad that is somewhat more honest than most:



The only political "choice" our globalist overlords allows us, amounts to little more than this:

Proposed Landfill Near Cornersville

What are the thoughts of readers about the possible creation of a huge landfill in Marshall County near the banks of Richland Creek? How will this impact the Creek and those whose drinking water is drawn from it? Today a special meeting of citizens met in Cornersville, prior to the Marshall County Commissioners meeting this evening, to discuss this issue. I wasn't able to attend these meetings so would be very interested reading your reports. Allen Barrett

The Wondrous Glory of "Feminism"

THE FOLLOWING WAS ORIGINALLY POSTED IN ANOTHER THREAD. PER THE REQUEST OF AN ANONYMOUS READER, I'M GIVING THIS TOPIC ITS OWN THREAD. ENJOY!

Anonymous, Thursday, March 20, 2008 2:31:00 PM, said:

And they might be interested in a male chauvenistic commissioner, bus driver, preacher who preaches women in the kitchen making biscuits. What a real jerk!!!

I don't know Mr. Harwell, and have very little interest in the bus system. So I really have no dog in this fight. However... I'm really amazed at the "five minute hate" that's been whipped up over his alleged "chauvinism."

If there ever has been a mass movement more out of touch with reality than feminism... I've never heard of it. "Feminists" act as though one of the basic facts of life -- that the most important job a woman can ever do, which can't be "outsourced" to any man, ie, the continuation of the human species -- is some sort of cosmic injustice. Rage against the "patriarchy" all you want, ladies, but it won't change a thing. God made men different from women, and gave each of us a specialty-- procreation and child rearing for women, and "bringing home the bacon" for men.

But of course that wasn't good enough for some women, was it? So they demanded, and got, "equality in the workplace" at the point of the gun weilded by Uncle Sam. And what are the results, after forty odd years of this?

Well, marriage has gone down the drain. The promotion of consequence free "casual sex" has led to massive increases in illegitimacy and venereal diseases. Children that are lucky enough NOT to be slaughtered in the womb, are often raised without male role models, and grow up to be delinquents and criminals. And the size of government has doubled, largely to provide services to "single moms" and deal with their hell-spawn children.

Hey, but at least women in the jobforce have done well financially, right? Um, no. Anyone with even the most rudimentary understanding of real world economics, knows that when you increase the supply of something, you necessarily lower it's worth in dollars...

So, when the women of America got fed up with "making biscuits," and trooped out of the home, and into the workforce, what happened? Simple. By nearly doubling the amount of labor available, they permanently depressed the wage rate for everyone, men and women both. And where once, a man working alone was able to support a family, now it takes both a man AND a woman.

Thanks, feminism! Destroying the traditional family, slaughtering millions and millions of babies for the sake of mere "convenience," and creating a labor glut that impoverishes the middle class... was one HELL of an accomplishment. You've come a long way baby, indeed!

(click on picture for an enlarged view)
Brutally Honest "Pro-Choice" Tee Shirts

140% Water Rate Increase

At the recent city council work session it became very obvious why a 140% utility rate increase was imposed on the citizens of Pulaski. At the time it was imposed we were told it was necessary in order to pay off the loan for construction. At the time I questioned the amounts as being excessive and far more than necessary to pay off the loan, now it has been made clear that the water increases are being used as the city's cash cow paying for a long wish list of such items as excessive pay increases and unused spec. buildings.

There will be no discount to senior disabled or low income citizens because there is only one person on the city council who has even been interested enough to add up the numbers in an effort to provide such a discount. Mrs Harwell has done all she can but with a lack of support from both citizens and council the possibility is about gone.

The huge water discount is still given the soccer league and the schools but no consideration for those on fixed incomes. The good news is at least one other council member is beginning to find a voice and question the deception taking place. Allen Barrett

Are Gangs Active In Giles County

The question has been raised by a reader about gangs in Giles County. Is there an active or growing gang problem in the county? Have there been signs of gang activity?

Meeting After School Board Meeting

After the School Board meeting last night, 13 March 08, there was an impromptu meeting in Mr. Jackson office. There were several commissioners, a school board member, Mr. Jackson and myself. This meeting resulted from the question I had asked during the School Board Meeting about the recent salary increase and promotion to office manager of Mrs. Beth Sigmon the present internal auditor for the school system.

Mrs. Sigmon, along with two other book keepers from the school system, is scheduled to move into the Financial Management Office beginning on 1 July. I had asked the question about the appropriateness of her having been given a $13,500.00 pay increase on the first of March when she would be moved in July, what line item the money came from and if it had come about as a result of moving money out of teacher salaries in the last budget amendment? Mr. Jackson sought to explain the situation. The explanation was that the raise was temporary and on 30 June 2008 she would revert back to her salary as of February this year. Mr. Jackson explained that the extra pay was for extra work expected to be required prior to Mrs. Sigmon moving into the Financial Management Office. Basically Mrs. Sigmon was given a $13,500.00 bonus spread over four months.

There have been questions raised about this meeting being about the bus situation, it was not. Allen Barrett

Should Home School Children Receive The Same Treatment As Government School Children When It Comes To Tax Supported Activities?

Mrs. Paige Griffith wrote a very interesting letter to the editor in the Pulaski Citizen about her treatment at a recent ballet performance at Martin Methodist College. There appeared in the same issue a letter from Mrs. Martha Ferguson commending several who had been involved in securing this performance of the ballet. Indeed all involved should have been commended but should children who are home schooled be punished and treated like second class citizens? Having been seated Mrs. Griffith and her children were required to move from their seats and stand in the aisle until government school children were seated. This event had been advertised as a public performance and the public invited there were no reserved seating.

I personally believe, if her description is accurate, that Mrs. Griffith and her children are owed a public apology and the assurance that such behavior will not happen again.

What are your thoughts? Allen Barrett

Question of Giles County High School Graduation

The proposal was presented that in order to have GCHS graduation in Sam Davis Park approximately thirty thousand dollars would have to be spent on temporary measures to shore up the stands and the work needed to begin yesterday. The question was asked since the plan is to hold the ceremony in the gym in case of rain why not plan to hold the graduation ceremony in the gym to begin with and not spend the money on temporary and rushed fixes. Another possibility is to have the ceremony at Martin as has been done in the past. Allen Barrett

New Proposal for Sam Davis Park

A proposal was made by the Brindley Company for renovations on Sam Davis Park. All the preliminary work was made without charge to the county and without any advantage in the bidding procedures. Removal of stands, grading, utilities moved, new concrete poured, new restrooms, new state of the art press box with restroom, move fence back from the playing field, all for 2.1 million dollars. There was no representation from the city present so the issue was tabled until the city could be contacted and the proposal studied. Allen Barrett

From the Budget Committee Meeting 4 March 2008

Consideration is being given for the following expenditures.

$330,000.00 for three new ambulances; $41,500.00 for new computers to go in ambulances; $150,000.00 for a new animal shelter; $500,000.00 for water resolution; between two and three million for Sam Davis Park. The meeting was recessed without decisions being made on these items. Allen Barrett

Is This Deja Vu All Over Again?

It looks like the plan is now to put on the August ballot a request for the city to increase the sales tax. It seems, as with the Financial Management Act, it takes two defeats before those elected with only one vote can accept the will of the people. Allen Barrett

Looking for a reason to vote against Obama?

Watch this very short YouTube clip:



Forget the pledge... forget his religion... the real deal killer is that Barack is a commie! Of course, the Democrat (Evil) Party has been "Communism Lite" ever since LBJ, so this isn't really much of a surprise, when you think about it!

Someone on this blog once issued a challenge to go to the Obama website, and see for yourself what he stood for. Well, I did exactly that, and discovered that -- no matter what the "problem" -- more government, and more taxpayer's money poured down the drain, was always the "answer." That cinched it for me... this Fall, I'm NOT going to throw away my vote on "the lesser evil."

Instead, I'm going to cast my vote for the GREATER EVIL -- Hillary Rodham Clinton for President in '08!!! Working together, we can put this dying shell of a country out of its misery, once and for all!

Flag of Our Fathers

Does this make anyone else's blood boil?
When the Pledge of Allegiance is said or when the National Anthem is played the proper position for those in civilian clothing is to stand erect facing the flag with their right hand over their heart. It’s incredible that the others can’t seem to find the flag but at least they are trying to show the proper respect. Senator Obama shows an incredible amount of disrespect by his position not only does he not repeat the Pledge but turns his back on the Flag. Maybe unlike his wife he hasn’t yet found any reason to be proud of this country. Allen Barrett

Water Discount to Senior and Disabled Citizens

The issue was presented by Councilwoman Harwell, during the work session, that consideration be given to giving senior and disabled citizens a 20% reduction on their water bills. She stated that since the rate increase the city is taking over $370,000.00 per month which is over $120,000.00 per month more than they did before the increase. With approximately 1538 senior citizens and 1051 qualified as disabled many of these come under the same household thus the cost to the city would be minimal and the benefits to the citizen while small would be something. Allen Barrett

Change to City Ordinance on Beer Sales

Discussion was held in the city council work session on the matter of Duncan Food Store being sold on the condition that the new owner would be allowed to apply for a beer permit. For this to happen the ordnance would have to be changed to allow the selling of beer closer to a city park than is presently allowed. Some members expressed concern about the appropriateness of making such a decision prior to an official request being made. Allen Barrett

Contract for the City Administrator

Also discussed at the work session was the structure of the City Administrators contract of employment. Presently the Administrator works without a contract and has for over eighteen years. The proposal was originally to give a five year contract, which was amended to a three year contract with automatic one year extensions on the anniversary of each year. Attorney Hoover made the observation that the idea was to put the Administrator beyond the reach of political reach. He clarified that by saying it would prevent political influence such as “if new people were to be elected with the agenda of removing the Administrator” he would be protected.

To Mr. Harrison’s credit he publicly stated he was “fine with keeping the situation as it is now”. Also included is an automobile allowance. This matter is scheduled for more discussion by the council. Allen Barrett

Skate Park Near Completion

A report was given at the city council work session this afternoon that the skate park was nearing completion but that much labor intensive work was still needed and volunteers were being welcomed. Contact City Hall if you would like to volunteer.

When the park is finished the plans are to turn it over to the city as part of the park system. A warning was also issued that no one was authorized to use the park prior to completion of all construction. Allen Barrett

Sale of Hunter Smith Building?????

A proposal was presented to the Property Committee on Thursday to buy the Hunter Smith Building for a price of $125,000.00 and allow the county to remove any items that had been built or installed during renovations. This was the only inquiry about the building since being placed with a real estate agent in December.

The committee gave a counter offer and asked for $150,000.00 with a two week response time. Allen Barrett

School Calendar

The suggestion was made by Board member Mrs. Murrey that since the school calendar was being made out by the Director there was no real need to waste the time of those on the Calendar Committee. Discussion revealed that after the Calendar Committee had spent many hours and much effort making out the new school calendar the Director changes it to his preference thus yielding the committee as useless.

The calendar situation was tabled; to be addressed on Thursday 21 February at either 5 or 5:30 pm. The reason for the confusion is it was very confusing and you would have had to be thereto appreciate just how confusing. Allen Barrett

Request to move funds in school budget

A budget amendment was presented at the school board meeting with the announcement that no new money was involved; it was merely a matter of moving money from one area to another. Part of this money, approximately $300,000.00, comes from teacher salaries.

One question that arises from this amendment is what happened to the $20,316.00 that was taken out of the budget but not put into the increases? Where is this $20,316.00? Allen Barrett

Evaluation of School Director

It was announced at the recent school board meeting that Mr. Jackson had been evaluated by the school board and was given a composite score of 3.8 which was announced by the school board chairperson, Mrs. Norman as being excellent. Allen Barrett

School System Recognized For Excellence

WKSR announced today that the Giles County School System was awarded the prestigious District of Excellence in School Nutrition by the School Nutrition Foundation. This award is sponsored by the National Dairy Council.

The award is given to school nutrition programs that demonstrate superior knowledge and performance in providing all students with healthy school meals and managing financially sound and food service operations.

So, Where Is The Crime????

There are only two ways to see my dad's old van, without trespassing on private property. Here's the view from Northside Drive:

And here's the view from Columbia Highway:

Anyone -- like, say, Officer Bue -- who gets any closer to the van than these two camera positions, can only do so by trespassing on private property. Assume for the moment that you are stupid enough to consider "flat tires on a vehicle parked in a private driveway" to be some sort of crime. Would anyone go so far as saying that this "law" should be enforced, even when it means that, in order to detect the "crime," a police officer must trespass on private property? Unlikely.

Speerites like to call this harrassment -- which, "coincidentally" began a few days after I gave Allen Barrett a couple thousand business cards to spread around, in order to promote this blog -- a "Quality of Life" law. But whose quality of life has been enhanced??? Not mine-- I've got to pay a fine of over a hundred bucks. And not my neighbors, since none of them ever filed a complaint with the police. Surely not the folks who buzz by on Columbia Highway, blissfully unaware that a heinous "crime" is being committed right under their very noses.

I don't think ANYONE'S "quality of life" has been enhanced by the mindless enforcement of this purported law. This whole ludicrous enterprise has been pure and simple harrassment, most likely aimed at "punishing" me for allowing the "little people" to anonymously express their opinions on this blog.

On the other hand, if it's been something other than spiteful harrassment, it is probably time that officer candidates at PPD receive CAT scans of their head, before receiving their tin badges. I'm pretty sure that no-one with more than half a brain, would stoop to enforcing a law as utterly ridiculous as the one I'm accused of breaking!

Resignation of County Commissioners as Topic

During the past few days there has been much discussion among Giles County Citizens about a few select County Commissioners going against the will of the people. In the General Election of 2006, Giles County voters sent a loud and clear message by a 58 percent majority vote that they wanted the Financial Management Act of 1981. Current County Commissioners, Edwin Lovell (Leader) and followers, Tommy Campbell, Rose Brown and Jack Woodard decided that the overwhelming majority of citizens who voted for the Act in the General Election of 2006 simply did not understand what they were voting on and thus set about to alter the decision of that majority. On Feb. 5, 2008 citizens have sent another clear message not only did they know what they wanted but they were determined not to let money and influence bully them into changing their collective minds. The word on the street is that since these commissioners have so little regard for the people and their decisions these commissioners need to resign their seats on the County Commission. Please post your feedback on this issue.

High School Consolidation????

There is a buzz beginning to develop that some movers and shakers in the school system have determined that there should only be one high school in Giles County. The rumor is that it will be discussed at the next school board meeting. I hope this is just a rumor but I was asked to post it for discussion and so here it is.

Presidential Election

Who is your choice for president and why?

Newspaper Ad Against Financial Management

In the Pulaski Citizen of 15 January 2008 there were two very large ads opposing the Financial Management Act of 1981. These ads cost several hundred dollars and stated they were paid for by County Commissioner Edwin Lovell. Others mentioned were Paul Walker,Joe Henry, Corky Wakefield, Chris Edgmon, Ed Harsell, Bill Dunavant, Jack Woodard and Tommy Campbell. Have these ads influenced mind changes about the Financial Management Act?

Newspaper Ad Against Financial Management

In the Pulaski Citizen of 15 January 2008 there were two very large ads opposing the Financial Management Act of 1981. These ads cost several hundred dollars and stated they were paid for by County Commissioner Edwin Lovell. Others mentioned were Paul Walker,Joe Henry, Corky Wakefield, Chris Edgmon, Ed Harsell, Bill Dunavant, Jack Woodard and Tommy Campbell. Have these ads influenced mind changes about the Financial Management Act?

Closing of Another Business

It was announced at the City Council work session this afternoon that Intermet would soon be closing and 105 people would be losing their jobs. Allen Barrett

City Alderman Resigns

The announcement that businessman and long time Alderman Tommy Watkins has resigned from the City Council has left folks with many questions. This resignation comes only a few weeks after resigning from the position of vice mayor. Does this have anything to do with the police chief's sudden retirement, is it connected to questions that have been asked of the mayor but ignored, could it be that he finally had enough of the shenanigans taking place in the mayor and city managers offices? A good man can only tolerate misdeeds for so long.

County Looks At Blanket Speed Limit

It seems that the County Commission is once again planning an effort to “help” the citizens with their lives. The idea of a blanket speed limit is absurd all by its self but the suggestion that the speed be 40 MPH is beyond absurd it’s just plain stupid. With all the problems the county is faced with, water being a major one, why would anyone be so concerned about fixing something that isn’t broken.
Already traveling on Hwy 166 north at 50 MPH is incredible. Highway Patrolman Corey Jordan spoke to the Highway Committee and stated “THP receives many complaints about speeding on secondary roads, which he said contributes to wrecks”. There are many things that contribute to wrecks including driving to slow. Does Officer Jordan drive 40 on secondary roads or even 45 MPH? Officer Jordan, added, the secondary roads in the county are not engineered for more than 45 miles per hour. It is a safety concern”. I’m sure there is no expectation of increased revenues from writing tickets? The state sets the maximum speed limits with counties having the option to lower those limits. So what Officer Jordan is saying is that the state has set terribly unsafe speed limits based on the engineered design of the highways. That’s absurd since every person having a wreck on a secondary road posted over 45 MPH would be suing the state for willful endangerment.

Officer Jordan said a balanced and safe speed limit should be determined, and then the county posts the speed limit high. He noted that 40 mph is a popular speed. This is just another effort by those who think they know better how we should live our lives imposing their will upon us. Kent Allard

Appeal of $10,000.00 Fine Denied

I know there is another blog topic where this fine is discussed but this is somewhat different.
This is information you will not read or hear much about for sometime yet.

It has been kept quiet for the must part and even many on the School Board were not told about it. In October 2007 the Giles County School System received word that they were being fined $10,000.00 for consistent tardiness in submitting teacher contributions to the Consolidated Retirement Fund. This contribution is 5% of each teacher’s monthly salary. It is supposed to be received at the retirement center not later than the tenth of each month. The fine was paid on 7 December 2007 in order to prevent accrual of interest.

At the November School Board meeting I asked about this fine, if correction had been made to prevent future violations and if anyone had been disciplined or would be disciplined as a result. I was ignored by the Board and Director. The Director of Schools, Mr. Tee Jackson, later did offer the statement that “the report was late once and that was only by one day and the fine was being appealed”.

Well, the fine was appealed and the appeal was rejected. The Director of the Tennessee Retirement System, Jill Bachus has denied the appeal on the basis that, “over the past four years the contribution from Giles County had been late consistently”. The letter was received here on 19 December and to this date there has been no information disseminated to the public about this fine being upheld.

Why hasn't this information been announced on the radio or printed in the paper? This money is wasted with absolutely no benefit to the county, the school system or any child in the system. Will the School Board do more than hide their collective heads in the sand or will they finally get a backbone and demand action. Yes there are a couple on the board that are trying but it's mighty hard to stand against the others and their determination to keep things looking good while the termites of inefficiency and incompetency eat away the very foundation. Allen Barrett

Commissioner Pay Hike Proposed To Accompany Tax Increase

Should County Commissioners vote themselves a pay increase? The proposal presented to the Legislative committee and approved by a four to three vote to recommend approval by the full commission is to pay each commissioner thirty dollars if they attend a committee meeting whether they are members of that committee or not. It seems some commissioners are not please with the pay they agreed to when accepting the position. As was stated this morning by one commissioner, It cost a lot to run for office then drive to town to attend these meetings, I just think the people want us to be paid for our expenses to serve them. Another commissioner stated, "Every commissioner knew what the job was about and how much they would be paid before they took the job. They agreed to the pay then why change it now". This was the sentiment echoed by other commissioners in the room. One commissioner stated, " Some of our commissioners have to drive fifteen to nineteen miles to attend these meetings. The state pays their people forty cents a mile it don't seem wrong to pay commissioners thirty dollars to attend these meetings". Correct me if I'm wrong but would forty cents a mile for a twenty mile, forty mile round trip, not be sixteen dollars about half the thirty dollars proposed.
Now comes the question, is it appropriate to increase the pay of commissioners at the same time they are acknowledging a tax increase will be necessary in the near future? Seems to me the need is for a decrease in spending not another increase. Call your commissioners and voice your support of opposition to this proposal. It is scheduled to be voted on at the next full Commission Meeting. Allen Barrett

WATER PROPOSAL FOR THE COUNTY

It’s reported county officials have a solution to the problem of many being without water in the county. This plan calls for the county to borrow four million dollars install approximately 60 of the needed 400 miles of water and then turn those water lines over to the individual water districts.

This is without doubt the dumbest of all options other than to do nothing. Why in the world would any thinking person, other than a government official, seek to correct a problem by borrowing money and basically turning it over to the very entity that have been primarily responsible for the problem to begin with. It’s like going to John Dillinger and saying, Mr. Dillinger I have observed that you have a knowledge of banks, I would like to open a savings account with you and deposit a million dollars.

Look, are the water districts doing a good job, for the most part they are but as separate districts they simply are under sever limitations that could be easily overcome by one consolidated system. It is a totally failed system, not necessarily the individuals involved, that buys water sells it over triple the purchase price and still loses money and can not provide water to every citizen in the county.

One consolidated water district covering the entire county is the only reasonable answer to the problem. The county commissioners know this, the county executive knows this, and most citizens know this. When the representative from the Southern Water District presented his case for improving the water system he was asked straight out, “Is there any solution to the water problem better than consolidation?” His response, after apologizing to some water officials, was an emphatic “No”. He went on to explain that each county that had consolidated their water system not only experienced great saving from reduced duplication of services, but each county experienced unprecedented growth.

The problem isn’t just a matter of meeting the needs of the county today, which the current districts have not been able to do, but for the future. Most everyone understands that the major obstacle to getting people and businesses to move here is the situation with the water supply. That’s why there has been practically no development at the interstate exits. Ask yourself why is it that Lewisburg is extending their water lines to provide service to the Milky Way Development? Many complain about businesses moving to foreign countries but is it any different than having other counties provide basic services to our county? I urge everyone to contact their commissioner and politely ask them to stop supporting a failed system and demand consolidation of the county water districts. If they are opposed to consolidation ask them to please explain their opposition. Allen Barrett

Petition to repeal Financial Management Act

The recent audit of the county reveals many violations, some are habitual violations. Most of these violations and each of the habitual violations will be corrected by the next audit for one simple reason, implementation of the Financial Management Act of 1981, overwhelmingly voted for by the people of Giles County in the last election.

From the beginning, when two lone ladies sat in the courthouse day after day getting signatures and explaining the benefits of the Act, it has been under attack by those more interested in their own power and financial gains than in the well-being of the county as a whole. The Act was adopted and efforts to sabotage it began almost immediately. Money was spent unnecessarily (it should have cost a total of less than twenty thousand dollars to set up the Financial Management Office), rumors were spread about the cost, poor communication between governmental offices created fear and resistance, the interview process was twisted and subverted but the people had spoken and those on the commission who could see the tremendous long term benefits to the county persevered and the Act began to be implemented.

Now the Financial Management Act of 1981 is again under attack by a group led by those more concerned about their personal power base than the well being of the county as a whole. Many in the school system have reported feeling intimidated by supervisors seeking their signatures for the petition. Government employees have reported the same feeling of being forced into signing the petitions. Led by a County Commissioner fearful of losing his power to manipulate the budget to benefit his pet projects and friends and a former Highway Commissioner that, through his vindictiveness and disregard for the law and what was decent, already has cost this county untold (only those who won the law suit against him and the county know the price the county paid and they are ordered to silence on the matter) thousands. These men using misinformation, fear and intimidation if successful will cost the county millions and unnumbered audit violations in the years to come. If approached to sign this petition challenge the petitioner to explain how this act will hurt the county when in every county it has been properly implemented in that county has saved thousands of dollars each year and avoided violations in the annual audits. It’s your money why let others spend anymore than is absolutely necessary?