Apology From Blogmaster

To all who submitted topics-- please accept my apologies for how long it took for me to post them. About three months ago, my "Eudora" mailreader program quit working, and I was forced to resort to using Earthlink's "web email" service. This matters, because, with Eudora, I had a folder called "Topics" which I would send all topic suggestions to as soon as I read them. But with the webmail, I couldn't do this, and, unless I had the time to immediately post a topic, it was real easy to get behind. (Webmail only shows the most recent twenty or so posts.)

Anyway, I updated Eudora, changed a few settings, and now it's working again. With a little luck, I'll never let the blog get so far behind, ever again.

Save Our Schools Questionnaire

Please answer the following questions if you are interested in what is going on in The Giles County School System. A questionnaire was done in 2005 by a chosen few that did not cover the parents, teachers, support staff, or taxpayers of Giles County. This is your opportunity to express how you truly feel about the Giles County School system.

Click on "comments" to view questions. Then, print questionnaire out, mark the answers of your choice, and mail to the postal address given. Thanks!

Topic-O-Rama

Hi, I have a few suggested topics.. The swimming pool at Martin .. Why was it never fixed? There are people who could really benefit from it being there.. Those who need physical therapy with water.. Exercise in water for those that have poor circulation and would greatly benefit... Martin College could benefit by having community classes and by using the elderly from the nursing home.. Because I feel that there is a much wasted resource sitting at the nursing homes .. Elderly people that know how to do crafts or other things could pass on their skills to the younger people..What about inmates doing things for the elderly like mowing there yards.. cleaning them up or other such things in which the inmate would be giving back to the community for the mistake they made..

E-mail Topic: Juveniles and the Court

Hi, I would like to suggest the topic of juveniles in the court.. There should be something in place before they ever have to be seen in court.. Like an intermediary level of trying to work out whatever problem there seems to be...

Code of Ethics for County Officials, DOA?

A part of the newly adopted Code of Ethics for County Officials requires the following:

Promote decisions which only benefit the public interest; Actively promote public confidence in county government; Maintain a positive image to pass constant public scrutiny; Evaluate all decisions so that the best service or product is obtained at a minimal cost without sacrificing quality and fiscal responsibility; Faithfully comply with all laws and regulations applicable to the county and impartially apply them to everyone.

It also states, the ethical county official should not: improperly influence or attempt to influence other officials to act in his or her own benefit. What are your thoughts about these codes of conduct and how or will they be enforced? -- Allen Barrett

Loretta Garner Named Finance Director

The Financial Director’s Search Committee has amid much controversy named a new Director, Mrs. Loretta Garner. Mrs. Garner had no part in the controversies but the question arises as to whether she will be able to act independent of her friendship with Mrs. Vanzant? -- Allen Barrett

The Resignation of Pierre Billard

Pierre Billard -Director of the Giles County Office of Emergency Management has stated his intention of resigning after the closing of the Emergency Management Office on 12 July 2007. Mr. Billard gave as the reason for the closure as, “"Commissioner Stoney Jackson sponsored a change to the Giles County 2007-2008 budget that eliminated funding for the Office of Emergency Management Deputy Director position. This change to the County budget was approved by the Budget Committee. Therefore as of 30 June 2007 Mr. James Stewart is no longer employed by Giles County as the Deputy Director of the Office of Emergency Management. I have worked as an unpaid and uncompensated volunteer since May 2004. It was my desire that Giles County would embrace the Office of Emergency Management and make it a viable public safety entity and fund a full-time salaried employee. Mr. Stoney Jackson does not seem to be willing to support this desire. I cannot and will not continue subsidizing Giles County as an uncompensated volunteer. Over the next two weeks we will be placing our administrative files in order, preparing reports regarding on-going projects, transferring financial accounts and finalizing all other administrative matters.”"


Mr. Billard went on to state, "“I do want to make one point very clear; Ms. Janet P. Vanzant, Giles County Executive, has been ardent supporter of this office and of me personally. Ms. Vanzant has done whatever she could to make the Giles County Office of Emergency Management a pro-active safety office".” -- Allen Barrett

Cagle Assault Case Resolution

Charles W. Cagle with the prestigious Nashville law firm of Lewis, King, Krieg & Waldrop pled guilt to an assault charge filed by Allen Barrett during a Giles County School Board Meeting in February 2007. Mr. Barrett backed by a video tape and a school board member’s testimony charged Mr. Cagle, who represents a number of school districts, became angry and poked Mr. Barrett in the chest while he spoke with another school board member.

District Attorney Mike Bottoms handled the case which resulted in Mr. Cagle, on 5 July 2007, pleading guilty, apologizing, paying all court cost and being placed on Pre-trial diversion. -- Allen Barrett