Thanks to an anonymous tipster...
...the grand jury's findings on the bus garage are now available!
Mr. Hickman greeted the Grand Jury at the school bus garage. He was very cordial, cooperative and knowledgeable of the entire operation of the bus garage and the transportation system.
Tour Of the Bus Garage
Mr. Hickman was very objective in his comments about the bus garage building as he hosted the tour of the facility. His pride in the operation of the transportation system was obvious. It was obvious that Mr. Hickman has done a masterful job of making a bad situation tolerable.
Commendations
1. The patience and understanding of the garage employees was amazing under such adverse conditions.
2. Bus garage employees seemed efficient in their work and concerned in the wise use of the county's tax dollars.
Recommendations
1. A new school bus garage building should be built.
2. Every Giles County Commissioner and School Board Member should tour the garage facility.
Grand Jury Concerns.
1. This facility is too crowded
2. There is no security for supplies and tools
3. The building is so outdated that a mechanic cannot release the hood on a new bus if the entire bus is in the building.
4. The office area and waiting area is too small and crowded.
5. A new transmission room should be added.
6. There is virtually no ventilation unless the doors are opened.
7. There is water runoff from the hill behind the garage that moves into the building.
8. There are more bays needed to effectively service the bus fleet.
9. There are numerous fire hazards and safety hazards in the current garage.
Mr. Hickman greeted the Grand Jury at the school bus garage. He was very cordial, cooperative and knowledgeable of the entire operation of the bus garage and the transportation system.
Tour Of the Bus Garage
Mr. Hickman was very objective in his comments about the bus garage building as he hosted the tour of the facility. His pride in the operation of the transportation system was obvious. It was obvious that Mr. Hickman has done a masterful job of making a bad situation tolerable.
Commendations
1. The patience and understanding of the garage employees was amazing under such adverse conditions.
2. Bus garage employees seemed efficient in their work and concerned in the wise use of the county's tax dollars.
Recommendations
1. A new school bus garage building should be built.
2. Every Giles County Commissioner and School Board Member should tour the garage facility.
Grand Jury Concerns.
1. This facility is too crowded
2. There is no security for supplies and tools
3. The building is so outdated that a mechanic cannot release the hood on a new bus if the entire bus is in the building.
4. The office area and waiting area is too small and crowded.
5. A new transmission room should be added.
6. There is virtually no ventilation unless the doors are opened.
7. There is water runoff from the hill behind the garage that moves into the building.
8. There are more bays needed to effectively service the bus fleet.
9. There are numerous fire hazards and safety hazards in the current garage.
posted by J. Kendrick McPeters | 10:39 PM
65 Comments:
One other thing... I've got a set of photos taken at the bus garage, 27 in all, which I will happily email, as a compressed .ZIP file, to anyone who is interested in viewing them.
mcpeters@usit.net -- etc, etc
Does anyone know if all the commissioners and school board members/Director have toured the garage as of today?
You will not catch the director in the building.
Looks like the blog is two for two when it comes to forcing the local media to finally report the news.
The big question is why? Why does this blog break two very important stories, bus garage and cynide, while the media twiddles it's thumbs. Who decided to keep the info quiet?
There is no very important story to break about the bus garage so why would the media be interested? Just because a few commissioners decided to go look at what all the hollerin was about why would that be of interest. The only reason a fuss is going on about the bus garage is because the decision was about to be made about the school administration building. If the garage is so bad why don't the supervisor speak up about it to the school board.
He has and you need to get your facts before you add in your two cents. Even though he is the transportation supervisor, what he tells the board usually falls on deaf ears-as is with the worn out wrecker. Go see for yourself if you don't think the garage is in such bad shape and until you have you need to refrain from posting on something you have no idea about.
Me, you are very polite. Its no wonder you are so influential.
Maybe the commission should spend a little money on the bus garage instead of buying new supervisor cars for the ambulance service. What do they need 3 cars there for anyway?
Maybe we should make them all use a horse and buggy.
ME, how do YOU know the garage supervisor has talked to the school board about the garage. You've only got his word for it. what about the transport committee.
5-11-00 The 2006-7 school system spending increase will be over $6 million since 2003-4! Less than $2 million of it went to teaching salaries! And you want another county department to sacrafice to give you money!!!!!!!!!
Hey anonymous don't you remember it was the transportation committee that consisted of Foster, Hartsell, Houston and Jackson that pulled one of the biggest scams, the cancellation of International buses for Thomas buses at several thousand dollars more per bus. Oh, Mrs Houston was not allowed to have any part of the meetings or the decisions involving that bus deal. Do you really think there is four people on the board that would uphold Mr Hickman over Boss Hogg? Those guys could watch the garage fall down on the workers there and not believe the rubble was enough evidence there was a problem until after Boss Hogg said it was OK.
I guess the post above answered your question for me but one thing I think you need to understand is, Mr. Danny Hickman is one of the most honest people I have ever met, if he says he has said something or done something you had better believe that it was said or done.
Gullible.
OSHA visited and they are still in operations. Obviously not that dangerous.
They didn't see the transmission room or see what happens when it rains. They only looked at surface details. No one has filed a complaint with them to do an investigation either!!! Maybe if someone with no connections to the school board would file a complaint they might do something.
93900 they will investigate & quarantine, if a specific complaint is filed, & so justifies shut down or cease doing something.
Anonymous, March 12, 9:39
Why dont you ask one of your 3 commmissioners to file a complaint. it shouldnt be left up to the public.
They are not going to do anything that might get the county in trouble.
Why would it get the county in trouble - they would just be doing their job.
You're being logical. After years of covering things up, it's hard to change - still haven't learned it's a lot easier & less expensive to find & fix problems. However, got to give council much better marks than past council - several are really trying & that's very good. They will actually let citizens speak to them! I appreciate it!
You know OSHA fines companies or entities who break the work laws and regulations and have even been known to shut down places. What would happen if they shut down the bus garage? Who wants to be responsible for that? That's just the point if our board of Ed, director, and commissioners had been actually doing their jobs it would have never come down to what it has! I am not accusing all of neglecting their duties just most!
Mr. Hickman and his employees do a very good job with what they have to work with and the conditions in which they work. Thanks Mr. Hickman, I hope the new school board helps you out!!!!
Yes they do a very good job with junk, outdated tools and a delapitated building while Jackson is getting the update which is unneccessay. What's up with the school board and commissioner's? Where are their heads?
The bored of education and the no conflicting votes within the commission are anal-yzing your situation with due dilligence. Be patient, what goes around comes around. They're sure circle back & nail you & me again, where & when they feel like it
I'm urging someone who does not have ties to the people in the school buss garage to contact OSHA to see if they will do anything-if that garage were shut down Tee Jackson would have to fix it before he got his new office. someone help those employees down there and while doing so you will help the taxpayers save money in the long run. I would do it myelf but it would only hurt someone close to me if it were found out I did it.
6:31:00 That accurately describes the mess we have allowed to grow within the school system - Someone wants to do something right, but is afraid & intimidated by the school system - What a pitiful state of affairs in this county! Do we love corruption or just to dumb to stop it?
WAB
I can't seem to find the thread for the discussion about the softball game between Fafnir, H & H Tire, First National Bank, or Sports World, but I do distinctly remember the incident. I was there, and I DO know that a player on the First National team asked me if you were a preacher. I told him that I thought you were, and he started laughing.
Now I don't know what was said, but the First National player was really taken aback by whatever it was. I will leave it at that, because it's really none of my business. But you called me a liar, and I couldn't let you get away with that.
I don't know which team you were playing on, but I do recall the incident. Again, I was there.
The point is, I recall the incident and not the color of the uniform. For that, I apologize. But, after all, it has been many years ago.
So if its been many years ago why do you continue to make such an issue out of it? Haven't you ever been mad at someone sometime in your life? Who cares?
Yes, I've been mad at people, but I don't make it a public goal of humiliating or belittling them. Can you see any hypocrisy in doing otherwise?
85500 what an idiot! Must be the work of one of the movies gang of four. Is it weenie, Money, Miney, or Mo?
This thread is for a legitamate topic not for calling Mr. Barrett a liar. The bus garage is falling in your tax money is being wasted on building a new office for tee jackson and all your worried about is if Mr. Barrett got mad years ago. Get a life as the other poster said we all get mad-Jesus got mad and even used a whip to clear the temple.
Has that transmission room been built onto the bus garage yet?
Just pointing out the hypocrisy.
one issue as a want in the budget was for bus garage, but not put in. if it is worth putting on the want list along with a long list of other things cna't the up-your-ass jackson fans see that the school board building should never take presidence over roofing, windows being shot out unfinished soccer fields, gym floors, larger cafeteria so on and so on.
To Anonmous who posted on March 22 at 5:54 requesting where the thread about the softball game was held. I'm amazed you can remember something so long ago, or at least think you can remember it, and not be able to find a tread you started on this blog. Go to the Thread "Cagle gives Barret the finger" this deals with the assault Barret filed after being hit in the chest by the lawyer.
Laughing here. I was at the ballgame in question, and the player who asked me about the incident is a friend of mine. Just because I cannot remember the color of the uniform or the sponsor doesn't make me a liar.
That's all I have to say about that.
I want to make an objective observation here.
Why is it that Mr. Barrett can get on this blog and make all kinds of derogatory statements about others, but nobody is permitted to say anything negative about him without being called everything from a liar to an idiot?
An unbiased answer would be most appreciated.
I have it all figured out about the ballgame thing. Your friend wanted to tell you a lie, and that seemed as good as any. Some friend, huh?
Yes, Jesus was angry when he drove the money changers from the temple. But (and this is pivotal) He taught His disciples to turn the other cheek and to go the extra mile with adversaries. He did not teach them to file lawsuits. Think.
Thank you Mr. Barrett
I ask a legitimate question, and you give me a hard time. I pretty much knew the answer anyhow.
You have a good day!
So you are saying just because someone is a christian they should not defend themselves? Are we just suppose to let anyone do anything that they want to to us and we are suppose to just sit there and turn the other check? No, there comes a point and time when we have to stand up for ourselves. We are not suppose to cause unnecessary trouble but we don't have to let others run over us either. As a christian we are suppose to not only follow God's laws but also man's laws-so Mr. Barrett is doing what he should-when attacked physically let man's law handle the attacker.
Me....
You know you are stretching it a little there. Sure, we ought to defend ourselves, BUT....there is a difference in actually defending ourselves and turning the other cheek. I would never allow someone to walk up and start beating me without getting in a few licks of my own. That's not what we are talking about though, is it?
Anonymous,
Why are you going to start licking someone?
You know what? We have no earthly idea what you are talking about. You keep changing your mind and not even you know what your talking about or where you stand.
Okay, just for entertainment purposes only, What are we talking about?
Anonymous the wind must be blowing again because you've changed your mind once, twice, thrice,again and again. Is there anything that you actually believe and can defend with some logical explanation? It seems that part of why wab bugs you so much is his consistancy and confidence both of which you seem to be lacking.
I defend my right to change my mind just like anyone else. Also, I defend my right to diagree with you.
And funny blue...you knew what I meant by getting in a few licks of my own. I would never allow anyone, including you, to attack me physically without there being consequences and repercussions...as Eddie Murphy said.
Anonymous, are you an Eddie Murphy fan too or do you just like his message. So when you say " I would never allow anyone, including you, to attack me physically without there being consequences and repercussions...". Would'nt the consequences in the case be his arrest? Hang in there anonymous, you might stand for something one of these days. Anonymous, you've got more change than the Coinstar at Kroger..... as funny blue head said.
Wrong funny blue...I would defend myself without involving some lawyer. Simple as that. But, the thing is, I'm not a contentious and troublemaking type, so the chances of my being involved in a brawl are very slim. How about you? What would you do?
What a messed up fruitcake you are anonymous. I have no doubt you would defend yourself. Everytime someone asks you a question you get defesive. I never said you would'nt defend yourself, so why am I wrong? What would I do? I would probably take the offensive and punch you in the mouth for being stupid.
Then be assured I would go on the offensive my friend. And you wouldn't like the results.
It bothers me that I stoop to your level, but you are just so abrasive.
Has that band-aid transmission room been finished yet? Has anyone been down to see it?
Walls are up but it's just an empty shell.
Do you expect the construction to be finished as soon as the walls go up? Don't you have anything else to add?
Walls have been up for awhile now and nothing else has been done on it.
Would you blame that on Mr. Jackson, mrs. Vanzant, Roger Reedy, or who? Surely, someone the whine gang dislikes is the culprit.
You need to take your sarcasm somewhere else. You see the people who actually work there are the ones who are in potential danger, and if you haven't been down there you should go and look for yourself. Who's at fault-Tee Jackson, he is the director of schools and should see to it that everything is done right and in a timely manner. He wanted the band-aid. You see its like this he doesn't care if it gets finished all he cares about is that the public sees that he is trying to remedy a problem-the big word is trying.
Now put that in you pipe and smoke it!!!
I don't smoke, but thanks anyhow. I knew it had to be one of those people who get a daily roasting on here from the whine gang. But it's sad that so many minds have been poisoned by that small group who continually spews hatred and resentment toward those who are "in charge" of things. I know that's a hard and bitter pill to swallow, but it's true.
Do you realize if Tee Jackson would do what is necessary and not what he wanted people would not feel the need to speak out against him. You need to go by the schools-I don't mean just drive by and look at them, I mean actually go inside and look around, do the same at the school bus garage, and also the maintenance department, then you get back on this site and tell me that a new central office is needed more than much needed repairs on school buildings, a new bus garage, a larger maintenance building. I heard alot of talk about the reason we need a new central office was for economic development-GC didn't want prospective compaines visiting an old office building. What does it say when you have a brand new central office and then go to the schools themselves and they are in a state of disrepair.
The schools are in a state of disrepair? Which ones? What problems exist?
They just got finished painting over the molded acoustical ceiling tiles in the dining room at GCHS. I won’t add any more to this so it can be better digested. Allen Barrett
Look at the auditorium at GCHS for just one instance. Ask the people who attend these schools everyday to find out exactly what is wrong with them. It's not just the school buildings.
For two years Mr Barrett has requested that the school board appoint represenatives from the student bodies of both high schools to advisary positions with the board. The request has fallen on deaf ears. No one goes to the students and asks them about anything.
I didn't realize that school systems have students in advisory positions. Is this something new or just one of the great one's ideas?
If you pull your head out of wherever it is and look around you would find there are many school systems that have student advisors or honorary members of the board, usually the senior class president. They don't have a vote but are allowed to offer comments in all matters dealing with school board business. My daughter served a year in such a capacity while in Georgia and was both excited and enlightened by the experience. If you came into the twentieth century, no possibility you could make it into the twenty-first, you would be amazed at all the wonderful life that exists outside your bathroom.
Anonymous...
You are such a comic. I KNEW that students (in some systems) serve on such advisory boards. Can't a person be facetious anymore? You should relax and not get so worked into a "tizzie". Hey, don't take life so seriously; you'll never get out of it alive anyhow!
Fred Lindsay is head of this committee. Has he been overseeing it. NO! But Fred is very much the yes man. People be talking to him. He left his job at Central Office because of Tee and now he brags about he and some of the baord members having lunch with Tee just as friends. Please convince him his daughters job is safe and to quit being a yes man. He is to good of a man to get on the wrong side. He does everything Kathy relays to him from Tee. He should be a bigger man than that.
Post a Comment
<< Home