Assistant Principal Position
Dear Mr. Barrett:
Thanks for the opportunity to give the "blog" readers the real facts about the new assistant principals position that has been advertised for Pulaski Elementary School. It appears that I have been accused of "whining" until I got my way. While, to that I have to plead guilty. At our last accreditation visit from the Southern Association of Colleges and School (SACS) we were told in our exit interviews that we should have an assistant principal due to our pupil numbers and the other programs that we run in our school (Pre-K, Pre-school special education that is open to all students county-wide, and a extended resource room for special needs that is also county-wide). We were told by SACS that this needed to be in place before our next five-year visit. I immediately began talking to school board members and Mr. Jackson about the importance to Pulaski Elementary to go ahead and get the position in place as soon as possible. This would enable us to meet SACS standards and remain a fully accredited school at our next visit. While the next SACS visit will not be until the 2012-2013 school year, getting the position in place and functioning will be an asset to our school. Mr. Jackson advertised for the position beginning next year and an assistant will be hired. I can assure you and your readers that this will be a position that I will hire and that no one has been promised this job. I want to hire someone that can step in as principal since I plan to retire within the next three or four years, if not sooner(I am sure most of your readers will say good riddance) . While I have not personally read the commits in the blog, I felt it would be good to set the facts straight. Thank you in advance for allowing me the opportunity to set the record straight and as always, my door is always open and the phone is always available if any one wants to call. (363-5233)
Sincerely,
Bill Holt, Principal
Pulaski Elementary School
This was sent to me by Mr. Holt after we had a conversation so I can vouch for its authenticity. I did not know exactly where to post it so decided on a new tread. Allen Barrett
This was sent to me by Mr. Holt after we had a conversation so I can vouch for its authenticity. I did not know exactly where to post it so decided on a new tread. Allen Barrett
posted by Allen Barrett | 5:27 PM
116 Comments:
Interesting. SACS might want lots of things ... but can Giles County afford it? Was it mandated? No. It was suggested. Are we already top heavy with administrators? and administrators pay? Yes in several respects particularly on the hill. The assistant job has been done in the past by Ann Oaks, p.e. teacher. It is common knowledge that she will be the chosen one although several concerns exist in that regard. Course someone needs to be in charge while Mr. Holt is away from school, on taxpayer's payroll, attending commission meetings, whatever. Folks are already lining up for the p.e. position to replace Oaks. As Paul Harvey says, there's always the "rest of the story" and it will eventually materialize.
If it is based on number of pupils, then explain why Southside is not due an assistant principal? And who got the first P.E. position that was already posted for Pulaski Elementary?
Simply need to say no - Works for alcohol & drugs, why not try spendahaullikes anon - whoops - ain't anon. Need to cut back 50% of the crap added in the past coule years this yea & get the rest next yea - gives a yea to get weaned
Everyone knows Mr. Holt gets his way and when he don't he throws fits! Oh and votes yes on everything the schools want.
My guess is that every single one of the above comments is from someone who does not work in the school system....and by the way, Southsides enrollment is considerably less than PES. (I wish Southside did qualify for an asst principal, they certainly could use one, but the numbers aren't there.
Each school in the system needs an assistant, maybe with the exception of Elkton. It has the lowest enrollment of all the schools. With more and more being asked of administrators, there is simply a need to have someone to help.
It is hard for those who don't work in the school system to understand what's really required on a daily basis. Everyone says, "I would not have your job." Well, understand why you would not have this job as an administrator.
Mr. Holt should not be allowed to vote on school issures on the county commission. That is a conflict of interest. He should not be allowed to be on the school board committee either.
How about GCHS having three (3) assistant principals and one (1) principals. Will it be long before they have more assistant principals than teachers?
I could not possibly agree more with the 12 June 9:50 poster. There is not an appearance of conflict it is a direct conflict that results in his voting to put money directly into his own pocket. Allen Barrett
I have known Bill Holt since moving to Pulaski and I like him, but I have to agree he should recuse himself from any committees or votes that have anything to do with the school system.
Not only do you have Bill Holt voting on school issues, there is also Rose Brown, Wendell Wilburn and James Harwell, all conflict of interest.
I agree with you 10:36 AM
How about the school board meeting on Thursday night? The budget? Bill Davis and his $62,000+ salary for 100 days of work, not presenting the principal's performance contract that had been agreed upon, and offering teachers a $25.00 gift card.
10:30, if you were at the meeting you were not listening. The $62,000 was for Davis and someone else to shadow him to learn the job. The gift card was for $50 which still is not a lot but it IS WHAT WAS PROPOSED NOT $25. At least tell the truth. The principal's performance contract is true.
If you don't appreciate $25.00 give it to charity. Most people would be grateful for anything in this day and time.
Hey 6:16 - I didn't see anything that said the $25 gift card would not be appreciated. If you are not a teacher, you have NO IDEA how much of their OWN money is spent in their classroom each year and on YOUR children, who never have paper, pencil, crayons, etc. that are necessary for them to be successful in school.
6-12-8/818 you've id'd the problem. Eliminate the BS & the problem you speak of goes away. Bureaucracy requires paperwork & more money to begit more. The magic word is begone.
There is no excuse for teachers or anyone else not having enough paper & supplies for children to use!!!!!!!! - oops, yes there is/are & many beginagin with bureaucrats & endagin with their bureaucracy
The point of the $25.00 was that it was offered as peanuts to the teachers when they were promised a raise with part of the $300,000 that was in the budget. I know the teachers could always use a handout to help in the class room, but this was not meant as a classroom purhcase card, it was meant as a $25.00 raise to the employees. That's what I find awful. One person mentioned that it was $50.00. Yes, that is what it was rased to after objections by most of the board members. A couple of the board members never disagreed with Tee because they believe whatever he says. I have come to not believe in him and feel that is talks out of both sides of his mouth (to all of us).
As for the $62,000+ for Davis, he was the one who mentioned that someone was to follow him around. Do you know for sure that he was NOT going to be paid that sum. He gets to pretty much dictate his own salary. He takes the federal money and gives himself and Sheila a raise when he wants. Maybe she is going to follow him around and be paid more for what she does. Getting another hefty raise would be right down their alley. Talking about a waste in taxpayer money. Some of you need to pay closer attention to some of the high paid people of the county. The person doing the Leaps and Bounds pays herself $87,000 for her job. This is taken from money she had gotten from the state for the program she supervises. Tee says that she uses some of her own salary to help pay for particular things. Well, the line budget says something different. She has plenty of $$$ to use for that and other things the program does.
You want to investigate something, look into that particular program and talk about it for a while. You will be surprised.
The Leaps and Bounds program should be a blog topic of its own - I agree June 14 8:32 - our taxpayers would be SHOCKED!
The person doing the Leaps and Bounds pays herself $87,000 for her job. This is taken from money she had gotten from the state for the program she supervises. Tee says that she uses some of her own salary to help pay for particular things. Well, the line budget says something different. She has plenty of $$$ to use for that and other things the program does.
I think that the answer to Mr. Davis's extra salary for his shadow is probably going into Shelia Middlestead's salary. Does anyone know what she is making in 08-09? I think someone need to check that out. I have a strong suspension that is where the money is going. He said the money would go to someone to shadow him and learn his job. Could that someone be Shelia? Can a secretary be a supervisor? I DON'T THINK SO!!!!
Mr. Davis is a little twit that hopefully will be gone by Dec. He should have his 100 days in by then. Yes he and Jackson are lying about his shadowing. Hastings will problely pick up the slack for being Principal and Voc.Ed.
A board member asked for the teachers to get 150 bonus bucks and Mr. Jackson and Mrs. Garner said there wasn't enough money for that even though a line item for 75,000 was in the amended budget. So the board member restated the motion to give the teachers an embarrassing 50 bonus bucks divided into two 25 dollars each.
SACS plays a big part in getting schools to comply and half way run a desent school system. PES has been due one for quite sometime. The sad thing is Ms. Oaks was moving into her office before the posting was up.
The biggest lie Holt told was his male P.E. teacher. He promised Denny Wiser that position a long time ago as well as Tee.
Bill is a suck up and I don't know how he sleeps at night knowing he is spineless. I hope if Jackson is ever gone Holt runs and he is denighed the position due to the way he is a yes man and spineless. He is a big man if he finds a vulnerable parent he can bully.
7:52,I hope you are not a Math teacher. $150 times 600 plus EMPLOYEES is way over $75,000. The bonus was not just for teachers. Don't you think that all the employees deserve the bonus. The non teachers have done without a raise for 5 out of the last 10 years. Maybe the teachers were upset that the county did not contribute and make their 3% state raise a complete 3% raise but how do you think the people who make just over $10,000 feel not getting raises at all. I can assure you that those people would appreciate a $50 bonus. You teachers have only complained that $50 is a slap in the face. Well the commissioners saw that the bonus was deleted from the bonus anyway. They said that it was frivilous in this time of money crunch to throw money away.
I understand that the schools could not function without support employees. They are grossly underpaid and absolutely deserve more money and benefits. That being said, it is ridiculous to compare teachers getting a raise with support personal getting a raise....Teachers have a professional degree and should be paid for that. Calm down everyone, I can hear it now, I am not saying that makes them better or smarter or anything like that. In the real, GROWN UP world, education helps one get an keep a higher paying job. Stop comparing apples and oranges...It's a similar analogy comparing the salaries of hospital personel...The lab tech do not make what the doctors make. Support people complaining that they need more money is a valid complaint, but if you look at surrounding systems, support people make about the same all around us...teachers in Giles Co make 5-12 THOUSAND dollars a year less. How do you sleep at night Mr Jackson?
5OO WAS A QUESTAMATION!!!
You must be checking different counties from me. What I have seen is $5000 differences in pay for the average non teacher job. I am not saying that a teacher does not deserve a raise, they do but so do the peons. If the state can give a raise to teachers why could the county not give a raise to only non teachers. Teachers have been given a raise from either the county or the state every year that I can remember, can you say the same for non teachers? If a teacher gets a 3% raise that is a lot more in dollars than a non teacher. There is a differce of about $600 a year. Yes you went to college and non teacher did not but the difference pay shows that why should the difference in whether a teacher gets a raise and the non teacher get raises show that also.
I hope that this salary didn't include Terry Jones for her great teaching skills. I know she thinks she is worth alot but her being busy isnt from helping kids it is from acting like one.
T.Jones shouldn't be teaching anyone. She isn't a certified teacher. My question is did they do a background check on her for beating the hell out of some woman a the Country Club for flirting with her husband. Her meds were out of wack.
Many support people work for the school system only to get the insurance. That in itself is "priceless" for many who would rather have the insurance than a raise, even if a raise is needed. Look at many of the support people who work in the school system. They don't need the job as much as they need the insurance.
Let me say this if it weren't for the support staff there would be no buses to get children to school and home, there would be no food for children to eat, there would be a big nasty, filthy building, broken window, doors and nothing would get fixed without the lower support staff. It takes all of these people plus the teachers to have a school system that works.
I would also like to let you know just because these people are support staff doesn't mean they have not gone to a school of higher learning or some kind of specialized training and either gotten a degree or some kind of certificate! They deserve as much credit as do the teachers. They also deserve more than what they are given. I hear all the time about how little the teachers make compared to other counties, why don't you compare support staff salaries with surrounding counties? You may be surprised at what you find.
At least the teachers have someone to negoiate for them the support staff has nothing, no one, nada. They have to either take what is given them or quit and jobs are hard to find these days.
All the support staff is underpaid and they ALL NEED A RAISE. Yes, the insurance is nice IF you can afford it. Not all of the support staff are there just for the insurance but I can assure you those who are there for family coverage only take home very little compared to what they make a month after taxes, tcrs, and family insurance are taken out of the check, that is if they can even afford the family coverage. There are several support staff who would need family coverage but can not afford it because the cost is $600+ a month.
And yes they do need the job for without the job there would be no money for the insurance.
"At least the teachers have someone to negotiate for them the support staff has nothing, no one, nada. They have to either take what is given them or quit and jobs are hard to find these days."
Band together, go to the board as a group and ask to allow the association to be your representative. The association has asked continually to be allowed to negotiate for the support staff and they have been turned down. It will take many, as a group, to ask (strength in numbers). It is up to the board to allow it.
Those who take support jobs, e.g., bus drivers, cafeteria workers, aides, assistants, secretaries, custodians and others all know that the salary for these jobs is minute to whatmany earn in society. Yet, they continue to accept these jobs because of the insurance and the security. I realize these workers also need a raise, but normally the more education you have, the greater the opportunity you have to earn more in a job, wherever it might be. The support people cannot demand the same wages as teachers, although again they need a raise. It's just too bad that there are not more jobs in this community. Want to make more? Go get more education and better yourself in your job search. Go get 'em!
What an absurd thing to say 10:42, how can you be so cold hearted as to suggest people take responsibility for their own lives. Next thing you know you'll be saying parents should teach their children manners and discipline.
Some take the jobs because they are older people their families live here and they do not want to leave them, they need insurance and that is the only job available to them regardless of their education! Yes they knew what the job offered when they were hired and in most places employees receive yearly raises even bonuses and overtime. You know it's easy to sit back and tell people what they should do but until you have walked in their shoes you have no idea what they are able to do. Some of these employees do have higher education, just because they are support staff doesn't mean that they are lower class or ignorant citizens-they are just people trying to provide for theirselves and their families the best way they can-some are there because they need the insurance, and some because that is where they want to work, and others because that is the only job they could find at the time. They all have their own reasons for being there and there not all there because they didn't get more education.
As far as I know not one of them has demanded the salary of a teacher, but they do need to be paid what they are worth.
$12.00 and hour and no overtime minus the $600+ a month insurance offered for family coverage doesn't leave allot left over for living expenses.
Having a degree does not automatically gaurantee that you will have a high paying job!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! There are college grads out there that have had to get a job at fast food places.
I think that teachers need raises, I have never said otherwise. They make more than other employees which is justified. The problem that I have is in raises. Teachers do not DESERVE a raise any more than others do. The raise for others is the same as the raise for teachers. They all should get raises. If the county cannot give raises to all and the state has given raises to teachers then the county might could afford raises for the others only. The teachers still got a raise. The county employees get raises and they don't all have degrees. I say that everyone deserves a raise and it should come from someone but not necessarily from the same place. If the state gives raises to teachers almost every year and the county gives nothing the gap between the two ranks just gets bigger. The gap should stay the same. When the county gives a teacher a raise they get over a $1000 a year the others get less than half that. Teachers continue to get step raises until 20 years non teachers get step raises until 16 years. The raises are not the same for both groups. Everyone is not capable either financially, physically or mentally of getting a degree. Not every one want s to be a teacher either. All men were not created equal!!
Quit complaining and live with it.
I can't believe someone was moving into an office before the posting was up. Couldn't the principal get in trouble for that??
Not in this county. This is really minor compared to some of the things going on.
Mr.Wiser I want you to know that so many people think it is terrible how Mr. Holt and Mr. Jackson have treated you. We do want you to know that many know how nice you are to the children and how much they like and respect you. I will always remember the poems you would write for Kindergarten graduation and get up and read them and at times almost got emotional. I knew then you loved the children. You are not the only one that Mr. Holt has mistreated. He lets some parents place their children in classrooms and some not. You would not believe how he has done some of his teachers. And if the secretaries and teacher assistants don't like the teacher then they don't have a prayer. I pray that something good will come out of all of this especially for you. I recently heard your reasoning for wanting to come to town. Your mother is in the nursing home and is a widow and you are all she has. I commend you once again for being the kind and thoughtful person that you are. You are so good to your mother and others. Hold your head up and continue to enjoy the people and students that are good to you.
June 22 7:52 - this is the problem. The state LAST YEAR gave teachers throughout the state a 3% raise. Our school board is MANDATED by the state to match their portion. By the way, teachers in this county didn't exactly get 3%. Bookkeeping, fuzzy match, whatever. The school board could not come up with an additional 1% to give to the teachers so they would get the same raise as the other county employees got last year. The school board was not inclined to give the support staff one red cent! This has NOTHING to do with GCEA, teachers, principals. It has EVERYTHING to do with the school board and their ring leader. If one person at the school board meeting says, "no money for that", well not one questions it. Yet, later in the year, the school board had no problem with moving $300,000 from teacher salary lines to "other expenses". They had the money all along to give the teachers the 1% raise, as well as support staff. However, the bottom line, the money was spent elsewhere. But where? That is the $64.00 question. Can anyone answer it? Does anyone want to answer it?
To the 24 June 3:15 poster. You are correct. The money was there all the time but the will to use it wasn't. The problem is, not based on the words used but the actions taken, teachers are just not that important and support staff are even less important. There has been no problem in increasing the pay for some and increasing the staff at the central office.
Ask yourself did the Schools Director receive a pay increase this year? Was it the same as classroom teachers received? Consider that in addition to regular pay the director is reimbursed for all "actual and necessary" travel and other expenses. In addition to being reimbursed for expenses connected with his official duties he also has a "Public Relations" expense account that does not require approval for any and all expenditures under $100.00. This is the account some refer to as the "wine and dine" money.
Does this account for all the money moved or hidden in the budget, no but when you look at the budget you can see it has been made increasingly more convoluted with each year. Allen Barrett
The director gets the same raise as the teachers.
Yeah Right!
Can the director use money from this Public Relations expense account or his other travel expence account, to pay for his traveling from his home in Ala. to his job in Giles County?
To Anonymous of the 27 June 9:16 post.
Yes! All that is required is that he turn in a receipt. These receipts have never, never been discussed in a public board meeting and there are no totals available in the budget for the expenses. Basically as far as I can determine the Public Relation credit card is unlimited other than not being able to charge more than $100.00 at a time, anything over that must be approved. Any idea how many $90.00 charges can be made in one day? Have any idea how much was spent out of this account? Me neither!
Allen Barrett
I was told the Credit Card he was given was for access to a $20,000.00 expense account. Don't know how true that is, can anyone confirm or deny this?
Under the new accounting system all these receipts should be available in Ms Garners office. Its public information and she cant hold it back if anyone wants to see it. And all salaries should be broken down to line items not lumped together. Get your butt and as many others to the public hearing on the 2009-09 budget. Teachers are free to come to this meeting. You might not want to ask a question yourself but probably someone else will be asking for you. Be at PES auditorim July 7 at 9 am.
Heard tell ole Bill Holt threw a tantrum in a budget meeting. Can we expect to see a repeast on July 7?
When did Jackson get a credit card? I don't think that is true. The last I heard it was receipts only.
Read his contract, he can spend up to $100.00 per charge without any approval by anyone. He just takes the receipt and the school system pays the bill and there is no clear record of what he spends each year from that account. In fact the Financial Manager just learned there was such an account. Nothing in the budget gave her an idea that such an account existed. Allen Barrett
Hell! No wonder he was so against the financial management. Do any of the other depts have the same set up. You gotta wonder.
So under financial management can we expect the Financial Manager to have a seperate line item for this expense account? I think it would be required.
New Assistant principals in the school system.
GCHS --- Mark Cardin
RHS --- Vickie Beard
PES --- Ann Oaks
No real surprises there, just wonder if the bleeding has stopped at Pulaski Elem. from the sword in the back of Mr. Wiser?
WAB, since you read the contract did you also read the part where he gets paid for unused vacation? That is the other part of his salary line item since he does not take his vacation. I believe that is what he tried to say at the meeting. He did not get a raise. This may be the first time it has been in the budget. I'm not sure. He would get around $400 per day for each day he does not take if the amount you posted was right for last years salary. I'm not sure how much vacation he gets but you should since you have seen the contract.
To Anonymous of the 9 July 8:36 post.
Item 9 of the contract states, "The Director's work year shall consist of 240 duty days. The Director shall be entitled to seventeen (17) days of vacation each contract year. Vacation days may be carried over to the next year of the contract but in no case will the accumulated days of vacation exceed thirty (30). At the termination of the contract the Director will be paid regular salary for no more than thirty (30) days of accumulated vacation. The Director shall be entitled to 5 personal leave days. The Director may be paid for any unused personal days and up to 7 unused vacation days at the end of each school year (June 30)".
The most according to this that he should be paid for is 5 personal days and 7 unused vacation days each year. $5136.00 was added to the budget under his salary so anyway you read it the bottom line is, there is an increase of $5136.00 going into his pocket this year that wasn't there last year. Now you can call it whatever you want but ask the teachers would they be happy with $5,000.00 more this year than last, regardless of what you called it, it would still spend just as readily.
Since we're on the contract let me share Para 3 section C with you.
"The Director shall reside within the boundaries of the school district throughout the term of the contract. The contract will be voided if the DIRECTOR does not meet the residency requirement."
To "reside within the boundaries of the school district" means "to have one's residence within said district. The Director has not resided in this school district from the beginning of the contract.
Allen Barrett
The
wab..
Perhaps you would be happy if they let Mr. Jackson go and allowed you to "take over" as superintendent? I'm wondering how you would feel if that happened and there was someone out there like you who called you a corrupt liar every time you turned around?
To anonymous of the 10 July 7:13 post.
Sorry to disappoint you but I have no desire or time for a full time job. Here's the thing about being called a liar, if the shoe fits wear it. If it's not true it should be easy enough to confront and dispute. Anyone can be called any number of things showing the validity of the charge is something very different.
I take lying to be a very serious matter and do not make the charge without indisputable evidence.
Does the fact that someone is a liar give you the right to run around town with your hair on fire telling everyone you see? I think you know better.
That's almost like knowing of a man caught up in an affair and writing a letter to the editor about it~!
If the man is a public official using tax payer money and time to conduct his affair, then absolutely his actions should be exposed. Prime example: former governor of New York....Yes his family was hurt but not because his disgusting immoral actions were talked about or made public, but because his lack of morals, decency and character enabled him to commit adultery, an act which my Bible says is an abomination. If you choose a public life then you willingly put you and your famiy in the proverbial "glass house", for the whole world to see.It's not judging to call a liar a liar. It's judging to say that the lies will send them to an eternity of anguish. But stating facts is not pronouncing judgement.
To anonymous of the 11 July 9:54 post
Once again you show your ignorance, I
don't have enough hair to run around a tree much less the town with it on fire.
If the man was my pastor, my teacher, my representative, or represented me in any way and would not refuse to change his behavior I would have no problem exposing him for what he was.
Is it not a citizens responsibility to expose hypocrisy in their leaders. One difference in you and me is if I wrote such a letter I would have the evidence, have spoken to the individual privately and put my name on the letter. You and your kind are largely responsible for the situation that currently exist by turning the blind eye of acceptance to dirty realities. Allen Barrett
..."if I wrote such a letter I would have the evidence, have spoken to the individual privately and put my name on the letter."
hmmm. how many people have you talked about on this blog. quite a few. did you speak to all of them privately and tell them before you wrote about them on here. i doubt it, no im certain you havent. but isnt the internet and therefore this blog a media source just like a newspaper. so if you didnt talk to every person privately that youve written about on here, doesnt that mean that you have just lied. wouldnt it be fair then to call you a liar. it isnt so nice when the shoe is on the other foot is it.
wab..
Sorry, but it's "you and your kind" who have caused all the upset, and turmoil in this county. Please don't blame that on "my kind" simply because I strongly disagree with you guys' know-it-all tactics. That dog don't hunt.
By the way, I think the above post makes you at least appear a bit hypocritical. Would you agree with that? I doubt it, but the shoe IS on the other foot.
There is no one, other than the unknown anonymous, that I have not tried to speak with before calling them a liar on this blog or elsewhere. If you could get your facts straight you wouldn't sound so dumb, but if you actually got your facts straight you wouldn't be you, now would you?
The only appearance of hypocrisy is between your ears. Allen Barrett
In the post you didn't say calling someone a "liar". You mentioned exposing hypocrisy then said "if I wrote such a letter". You also did NOT say "TRIED to speak with", you said "I would..have spoken with the individual privately". Big difference. And yes, there ARE lots of people you have written things about that I'm sure you never spoke to about it before you did it. Ditto that shoe/foot thing.
I've never met Mr Barrett, but I would rather be classified as "him and his kind" than the flip side of this childish debate.Those bloggers if the immediate previous posts obviously, if actions speak louder than words, care nothing about the issues, only about "catching" Mr Barrett in a lie. Grow up people, there are some major problems with leadership in our county, WAB didn't cause them but he did expose the existence of them. Maybe not in the way that everybody likes, but I don't see many others stepping up to the plate, only a bunch of "anons", and yes I shamefully include myself in that group. I would lose my job for speaking out, but if I had real integrity, I would speak out anyway. Everybody gets that some of you folks don't like WAB, but that doesn't make the very real problems any less real. You don't like his delivery of the news of scandals and unethical behavior in PUBLIC officials, then by all means, dive right in to the public records and give your "take" on what's going on and sign your name. There is enough real trouble with the leadership of our city and county govt to have more than one person report on it. Or here's another approach, kill the messenger, pretend like everything is just "wonderful in the land of milk and honey" and we will continue going backwards in terms of development, employment, industry, education, and all other aspects that makes a community grow and thrive. Mr Barrett, I don't always agree with you, actually I rarely do, but I respect your courage to sign your name and if citizens really cared about more than their own little backyard and putting you down, they can always go to you and ask you questions face to face because you do IDENTIFY yourself. That fact alone indicates that you are at least trying to be part of the solution not the problem. Anybody else out there care to "put up or shut up?" I wish I had to courage to do so, but in my opinion I am really no different from every other anon on this blog.
anonymous...
I think you should run for one of these offices now occupied by some corrupt and reprobate Giles Countian. You seem to have all the answers.
Isn't it a bit hypocritical of you to ask others to identify themselves and then say that you can't????? Sure, it is.
Now, as for wab's exposing problems, I have never objected to that. But, once he has "exposed" someone, he should back off and butt out. However, he is relentless when he gets someone in his sights.
You speak of his courage when it comes to signing his name. Please don't confuse courage with egotism.
As several of us have tried to explain to the man, we have the elections and law enforcement in place to deal with those who need to be replaced or removed from office. I don't think either institution needs wab and his little militia. That has been my bone of contention with him from the very start.
6:42 the only bone you ever had is in your head. On the surface you seem to be very naive but a bit deeper reveals you're just plain stupid. Instead of attacking WAB and anyone else you disagree with, why not just examine the facts and determine your actions based on them?
An quick examination of the facts without your hatred might reveal a totally different side to this county.
I am the anon that was referred to by the 6:42 poster. Sir or Ma'am, if you read my post carefully, you would have read that I willingly admitted to being less than proud of myself for not signing my name. Read it again, I don't have the courage to expose corruption publicly, I'm glad somebody does. It doesn't matter who exposes corruption, I'm grateful somebody does and frankly I don't care if the motivation is fueled by ego rather than courage, although I can't for the life of me figure out how WAB's ego would benefit from the verbal attacks he endures. Yes, it's of his own choosing, but as I said, I'm as big a coward as all the other anons and I'm glad somebody cares enough about our community to try and fix it. "The only thing necessary for evil to flourish is for good men to do nothing." I realize I am doing nothing, what are you doing except "shooting the messenger?"
You have your opinions and I have mine? Should we call it a draw or continue with the infantile arguing?
Oh, please, let's do some more infantile arguing!...
Gimme a break, sounds like I made a point to which you have no comeback so you want to drop it. I freely admit that I am "not man enough" to sign my name and therefore am not part of the solution to county problems. Do you freely admit the same, or is your problem only with people who are "whistleblowers" as opposed to the issues? Don't like the way WAB does it? Me neither, You got a better plan? me neither, So until someone is willing to step forward and put in place a plan that will stop the unethical and borderline criminal behavior, I would like to thank Mr Barrett for doing just that. At least he is trying to make our county a better place in regards to the city and county officials. I'm doing nothing but whining on a blog. What are you doing?
anonymous..
Please tell me what point you think you made, and I will be more than happy to debate you on it if that's what you want.
No, I detest the way wab does business, and he knows that. However I'm certainly not the only Giles Countian who feels that way. There are many.
Yes, I have a better plan for wab (aka whistleblower). I've told him many times, but he ignores it. If he has evidence of wrongdoing, he should turn it over to the proper authorities. If he is unhappy with some of the elected officials (and he is), he should support and vote for other candidates of his choice at election time. Apparently, he doesn't like either of those options. But that's my plan (authorities and elections).
You ask what I am doing? I try to stay informed as to what's going on in county government. I do not take someone's word for something simply because he or she says it's so. In other words, I don't need to depend on someone else to tell me what to think. As far as wab and his cohorts go, I stand opposed to their ruthless and condescending ways of treating those who disagree with them. Lastly, I always try to remind them to be more considerate and stop all the mud-slinging and name-calling. If they REALLY want to make Giles County better, they should realize by now that those tactics will not work
So 9:34 according to your plan we should sit back and let elected officials do as they please until the next election, brother that's deep.
On the other hand if a person commits a crime the authorities should be notified, but what if it's the authorities that are committing the crime? Have yo ever heard the old saying, more money is stolen with a pen than with a gun, well it sure applies in this county.♦
No your plan is no plan at all it's just, as another poster said, a lazy coward building a refuge of lies hoping everything will be kept quiet so they don't have to face up to the problem.
Wrong! Remember, use the authorities for crime and the election process to remove unsavory officials. Stop whining and trying to smear them.
This sounds like a reasonable plan to me. Isn't that the correct way of doing things?
Anonymous, July 13, 2008 3:03:00 PM, said:
Wrong! Remember, use the authorities for crime...
You really are a broken record, aren't you? As I've explained before, politicians rarely provide for PUNISHMENTS in cases where THEY are the ones breaking the law. That being the case, there is not much point in "using the authorities," now is there?
Here's a real life example, which -- if you had a lick of sense, or a whit of integrity -- should shut you up, once and for all:
WAB got ahold of absolute ironclad proof that a "secret meeting" had been held in violation of the Sunshine Law. So, he took his smoking gun evidence to the DA. The DA reviewed the evidence, agreed that the law had been broken, but told WAB that there was nothing he could do about it.
The Tennessee Sunshine Act makes secret meetings "illegal" -- but provides no PUNISHMENT for those convicted of breaking the law. So, the DA concluded, there was no sense having an expensive trial, when nothing would ever come of it.
So much for your "take it to the authorities" idea, Mr. Broken Record. Even when local politiscum get caught red handed breaking the law, there usually is no punishment for their law breaking. And, "telling the public lies" and "juggling the books" are probably not even crimes in the first place... though they represent clear abuse of the public trust.
...and the election process to remove unsavory officials.
So, we have to keep out lips zipped until-- what? A week before the election? Two weeks before the election? Why not let the truth (about unsavory acts by public officials) be known by the public as soon as the facts are out? Wouldn't that be one way to influence an election? And the more the voters are informed, isn't it likely that the political folks will be inclined to behave themselves?
Your theory is that we should, once a politician is sworn in, stifle ourselves from making any truthful criticisms of them, no matter hown horribly they behave. Now, does that REALLY sound like a way to encourage good behavior from politicians? Only if you are a imbecile with a room temperature IQ! Anyone with a normal brain can easily see that your "plan" is nothing but an open invitation for officials to run roughshod over the public. You should be ashamed for even proposing it.... HEY, wait a minute! You've NEVER been willing to tack your name onto this "broken record" attack on WAB. So, it looks like you ARE ashamed of your own idiotic plan. Good... you truly deserve to be mortified!
Stop whining...
You're the biggest whiner on this blog, you hypocritical coward!
...and trying to smear them.
It's not a "smear" if it's the truth. But you knew that already, didn't you?
This sounds like a reasonable plan to me.
You couldn't possibly be that stupid, and still be able to operate a keyboard. So, it sounds like you're lying. You know damn good and well that your pathetic "plan" would only roll out the red carpet to greater and greater corruption in Giles County.
Isn't that the correct way of doing things?
Only if you've been lobotomized, or wish to make the corruption in Giles County even worse than it already is. So, which is it, Mr. Broken Record?
And now that you've been fully answered (again), I'd appreciate it if you'd give your constant repetition of your nitwit "plan" a rest. Or just get lost. Either way, I don't want to see you attacking WAB for not following your "plan," ever again. Goodbye.
Mr McPeters...
If I sound like a broken record, it's simply because the things I suggest are the right ways to deal with problem elected officials. But you guys seem to prefer anarchy and drama. I think you thrive on it.
You don't want me "attacking" wab again. I get your message. I'll leave this "free speech" blog to you and the reporter. Your threat has been noted. Unbelievable.
8:19, Mr. McPeters does sound rather threatening doesn't he. Sorry but the title of this website is Giles Free Speech Zone, I believe that means that anyone can say what they want within the guidelines. 8:19 has been following those guidelines and should not have been threatened. Both sides of any issue have the right to voice their opinion! I believe that means if someone wants to attach WAB that they can as long as they stay within those guidelines. Right? If not then this blog should be haulted or renamed, "The One-sided Speech Zone".
anonymous..
This situation reminds me of the lyrics to an old Steppenwolf song called Monster. You're free to speak your mind my friend, as long as you agree with me.
So much for the "free speech" concept.
It's funny that barrett leaves himself open to criticism, but......you better not do it on this blog.
Anonymous, July 15, 2008 8:19:00 AM., said:
If I sound like a broken record, it's simply because the things I suggest are the right ways to deal with problem elected officials.
That is absurd, and you know it. Therefore, your continued posting of this nitwit "let politicians get away with murder" plan is totally in bad faith. You know it would accomplish NOTHING, yet you continue to attack WAB for "doing the wrong thing," even though it is manifestly clear he is getting some results while following "his" plan.
But you guys seem to prefer anarchy and drama.
That's what the "loyalists" said about the founding fathers, circa 1776. I'm sure, if you'd been around back then, you'd have been condemning the Patriots and their revolutionary "anarchy and drama." Right?
I think you thrive on it.
Nope. I'd be quite happy if the "powers that be" in Giles County would straighten up their act, and take away any reason to complain.
You don't want me "attacking" wab again.
Not until you can come up with a more honest, and less ridiculous, plan of action than "say nothing about a politician's misdeeds, and content yourself to voting against him on the next election day." Your continued banging of that drum is as absurd as condemning WAB for not "breathing the right way," which, in your opinion, would involve immersing one's head into a bucket of water. Your "plan" is just plain idiotic, and if it's all you've got to offer on this blog, I sincerely hope you'll choose to "go away" and post somewhere else.
I get your message. I'll leave this "free speech" blog to you and the reporter. Your threat has been noted.
"Threat?" What threat??? I don't have even the slightest idea of who you are... so how can I threaten you in any way? The most I can do, is to delete your pathetic posts... but I won't even do THAT, so long as you don't use obscene language in your posts!
Unbelievable.
No... what's really unbelievable, is that you insist on repeating a (long debunked) argument, while whining about a "threat" that exists only inside the creepy, cobwebby, insides of your head.
Anonymous, July 16, 2008 6:48:00 AM, said:
8:19, Mr. McPeters does sound rather threatening doesn't he.
Uh huh. And how EXACTLY, can I threaten anyone when I don't have the slightest idea who they are? Can you answer me that???
Sorry but the title of this website is Giles Free Speech Zone, I believe that means that anyone can say what they want within the guidelines.
You can "believe" whatever you want to, but it's my decision that is final. (Don't worry, though... I'm much more generous in the speech I allow on MY blog, than the Supreme Court is, regarding what you can and cannot say in "the real world.")
One of my pet peeves is spam, which I am happy to delete whenever it hits this blog. Closely related to spam is what we might call the "spam argument"-- an argument that is repeated over and over again, despite the fact that it was long ago rebutted. Imagine that some moron insisted on that "JFK was killed in Los Angeles." How many times should I patiently correct him -- by posting, "No, JFK was killed in Dallas," -- before I am tempted to simply start deleting his absurd posts?
In my opinion, advocating political change by means of "leaving politicians alone when they've earned criticism" is just as absurd and counterfactual as making the claim that "JFK was killed in LA."
8:19 has been following those guidelines and should not have been threatened.
This nitwit is (a) posting the same, long rebutted, argument that he's spammed many times previously, and (b) he's doing it to unfairly attack WAB, and for no other reason. He's not trying to "contribute to the debate," but rather to sidetrack the debate, and try to make an issue out of WAB's modus operandi. Can you give any reason why I shouldn't start deleting him, if he continues to spam his lame non-argument?
And as far as "threatened" goes... again I must ask, WHAT THREAT???
Both sides of any issue have the right to voice their opinion!
Not when they're simply trying to disrupt things, by spamming an "argument" that is absurd on its face, and was rebutted long, long ago.
I believe that means if someone wants to attach WAB that they can as long as they stay within those guidelines. Right?
How about, if one wants to attack WAB, they can, so long as they aren't repeating an absurd "argument" that has been demolished many times over in the past?
If not then this blog should be haulted or renamed, "The One-sided Speech Zone".
As I've always said... if you don't like the way I run things here, feel absolutely free to start your own blog. Then you can show me the way it's supposed to be done!
Anonymous, July 16, 2008 7:06:00 AM, said:
This situation reminds me of the lyrics to an old Steppenwolf song called Monster. You're free to speak your mind my friend, as long as you agree with me.
If you think I only allow people to post commentary that I agree with, you have not been paying very close attention to this blog!
So much for the "free speech" concept.
So much for your "powers of observation!"
Wednesday,
Mr. McPeters..
The point you seem to miss is that wab's "modus operandi" is the issue and/or argument as far as we are concerned.
Anonymous, July 16, 2008 9:09:00 AM, said:
It's funny that barrett leaves himself open to criticism, but......you better not do it on this blog.
Criticize him all you like. Just try and use a REAL ARGUMENT, rather than repetitiously whining "Waaaa! WAB says mean things about politicians which, even if they happen to be true, we should never say in public, 'cause we can always vote em out in the next election!"
Make a sensible comment -- unlike the ones the spamming whiner has been posting for so long -- and you will hear no complaint from me. Sound fair enough?
Anonymous, July 16, 2008 11:10:00 AM, said:
The point you seem to miss is that wab's "modus operandi" is the issue and/or argument as far as we are concerned.
I'm afraid that suggests an inability to rise above "personalities" and think, instead, in terms of principles. You and I both know that WAB's modus operandi -- digging up the truth, and shoving it in the face of our local politicians -- is the ONLY course of action that is likely to lead to any real change in Giles County.
It's as obvious as the nose on your face, that, if you want politicians to change their ways, you can't do it by hiding the truth from the public, and then voting against them on the next election day.
WAB's modus operandi is the only plausible way to bring about change for the better... and, as you are well aware, he's had several successes already. Given these successes, it makes so little sense to argue with WAB's tactics, that it is all but impossible to assume that most (if not all) of WAB's detractors are part of the local corruption, or benefit from it in some way. (Of course, you folks could de-anonymize, and reveal yourselves as disinterested third parties who hate to see politicians get their feelings hurt, even when they are corrupt, and are damaging the people of Giles County.)
No, wab's modus operandi is despicable, pure and simple. But I'll not "attack" him again by pointing it out to him.
Does that sound unfair enough?
6:37 Your attacks on WAB are about like a mosquito on elephant hide. You think your wit and sting are something because you're filled up with yourself, truth is compared to WAB his character and contributions to this county you are no more than a pimple on a nats butt and that's what grips you so much. Jealousy is an ugly thing on anyone on you it's plain hideous.
anonymous...
There you go again trying to displace the negative and dislikable characteristics of the "omniscient one" onto me. Ridiculous. I have no desire to be like him. How many times do I need to say that?
Why is it that he can say anything he chooses about someone else and its wrong for others to take him to task? Please explain that for me. Thanks.
If he wasn't telling the truth, you wouldn't be trying to belittle him every time. He gets too close for comfort, doesn't he?
anonymous..
Please read this very slowly and carefully. I have NO problem with your hero's telling the truth. I would think that, as a "man of God", he would always be truthful and humble enough to admit wrongs. The problem I have with people like that is their arrogance, lack of humility, narcissism, and know-it-all condescending attitudes. It's never been an issue with me about his "truths". He has been told numerous times on this blog that he would be more effective if he treated people who disagree with him with a little respect.
The irony of it all is that anytime someone nails him for his rude behavior they are cautioned not to attack him.
I have disagreed with WAB many times and he has never been rude to me; quite the opposite. On many topics we have both "listened" to each other's opinions and "agreed to disagree". To his credit, though, I have to say, as least I know who I am having an online discussion with....I cowardly hide behind anonymous.....If he puts someone down, they know who's doing it; you put him down and like me, don't have the guts to sign your name.
What about calling people liars, crooks, buffoons, and etc? Those hardly sound edifying.
As I said, he's never been rude to me, 'course I don't have a chip on my shoulder, just hoping he will be rude, so I can make the issue about him instead of the real problems in county and city gov't. As for calling people names, the Bible says people will be known by their deeds and "grandma's" old saying seems to fit here...."If the shoe fits, wear it." Of course, since we should wear rose colored glasses, and be all positive and "touchy/feely, let's try it from Shakespeare's point of view...."A rose by any other name would smell as sweet." ...Something definitely smells in county gov't.
I think a more fitting phrase would be, "If the shoe fits, don't wear it no more".
I took WAB's challenge about going back and reading his post. I thought it would be rather easy to find some places where he had called people names and attacked them personally. I didn't realize there were so many post but I have read most of them now and have yet to find anything where he wrote about personal lives and the names he has called people have been clearly based on their behavior actions. One thing I have come away with after reading so many postings is a greater respect for WAB.
He certainly has a way of cutting to the chase and that no doubt cuts to the quick of some folks. Whether he is right or wrong I haven't seen anyone on here prove him wrong yet.
That too may be a reason for so much animosity. I believe if more would go back and actually read what he has written instead of what someone says he has written their minds also might be changed about WAB.
anonymous,,
You found no evidence of his calling people liars, buffons, crooks, etc? You found no evidence of his accusing people of having low intelligence, lack of understanding, etc?
Perhaps you didn't go back far enough. He has toned down the rhetoric in recent months.
If you would take time to actually read, then think what was being said you might be able to understand somewhat better what others are trying to tell you.
I never claimed he didn't say those things what I said was "I have read most of them now and have yet to find anything where he wrote about personal lives and the names he has called people have been clearly based on their behavior actions."
Do you not see the difference or has your thinking been so clouded by your dislike of him.
You must learn how to understand things in the context in which they were spoken or written.
If you back and read WAB's post you should have read the people who were disputing his word.
As to proof of either side that would be for the reader to investigate on their own. If you are taking either word as truth without checking for yourself then how can you judge which is right. I know that I have disagreed with WAB on several occasions and presented my side. I have no more proof in this blog than he does but if you would check for yourself then you would know which is true. Do not take ANYONE'S word as truth without backing it up for yourself. That goes for what I say or WAB or anyone else. Read for yourself or go to the source and find out don't sit at your computer and believe either side!! AND THAT IS THE TRUTH!!!
6:48 you say you have presented your side as evidence as to what is true or not, the fact of the matter is that you have presented noting if anything in support of your ideas other than that WAB isn't very likable in your eyes. How about giving me some information to actually support the truth you claim.
They have nothing, they just like to have something to say against Mr. Barrett. He really must have stepped on their toes.
anonymous..
Please don't patronize and talk down to me by suggesting that I must understand things in their proper context. I understand fully what mean-spirited people do under the guise of trying to help the oppressed and downtrodden. So, don't go there, ok?
And your ridiculous assertion that the great one must have stepped on some toes remains just that. Absurd. I (and others) are not playing a game of "gotcha"; we simply dislike arrogance. Please don't be a puzzlewit!
To anonymous of the 2:39 post.
I'm glad to see that you have added new words to your vocabulary, I anxiously await your adding some new ideas to your stale thinking.
Over and over you accuse me of any number of things from making personal attacks on peoples children to degrading all public officials with personal, mean spirited attacks and names. Neither of these have I done and in spite of my many requests for you to show one example of such behavior you have yet to produce anything other than your own continual personal attacks and name calling against me.
I have treated no one with disrespect that did not first treat me with disrespect. I will make every effort to treat anyone better than they treat me but when it becomes clear that they will not change then they can expect to be treated in like manner.
You have challenged my personal integrity, my character even my qualifications as a minister yet you have produced not one solid shred of evidence to support anything you have accused me of. Your only offering has been the immature thoughts of a psychological profile created in your sad, little mind and supported by nothing more than your personal feelings.
You claim, with grandiosity, a position of moral high ground, above the soiling of your hands with the matters of the people and operations of government. The truth is you merely hide behind such positions to cowardly criticize any and all who would seek to stand opposed to corruption
and lack of accountability.
It would be easy to simply mark you off as an obstructionist enabler but you are much worse for you have the capability to know but not the fortitude to do. You hide behind the anonymous label as you hide behind your resistance to the truth both leave you a sad, bitter, little person blinded by your own stubbornness. I once felt sorrow for you as I thought you just didn't understand but now I feel sorrow because you simply refuse to understand.
I'm sure this post will be met with your usual charge of arrogance, etc. Save your time unless you can produce something more than your "personal feelings" to support such charges. Those who know me and those with any level of fairness will not be swayed without evidence and friend you have none. Allen Barrett
wab.
I see no point in matching wits with you about your behavior as it has proven to be a no-win situation. Besides, I am not supposed to attack you anymore.
But let me just say this. Jesus prayed for the men who nailed Him to the cross.
And you used one of my vocabulary words (grandiosity). Impressive.
You could't match wits with him if you tried. You are the one trying to stir up trouble, but it isn't working. Only thing you have going for you is your stupidity.
WAB didn't complain about you attacking him only asked that you bring some facts with you instead of just feelings. I agree with 9:20 completely. Oh by the way I think if you'll check the word you claimed as yours has actually been in use for many years, it even has its own place in the dictionary.
anonymous..
I NEVER said that your hero asked me to stop attacking him. I said that I was warned to not attack him, regardless of who he accuses of what and regardless of any name he might call someone.
In addition, I didn't mean that I had coined the word. I had just used it once or twice in the past (on this blog) to describe the behavior of one who has grandiose delusions of self.
Please try to read and understand things in their proper context.
As for being one to stir up trouble, you are mistaken once again. No, I merely stand opposed to the treachery of some who resort to accusations, smearing, and the like to further their own agendas.
You must be talking about MOST of our commissioners and school board memebers not to mention the Director of Schools and Mayor. That is what most of the post on this blog are about people taking office and than furthuring their own agendas.
This endless argument about what Allen Barrett knows and does not know, or does and does not do is killing any possible effect that he could have on the "less than upfront actions of school board people or other elected officials". This I suspect is the main reason that you are bothering with posting anything here at all.
Years ago, more than I like to admit, when I frist met Allen Barrett I did not agree with many of his ideas and comments. I thought at times that he was rude etc. But over the years I have found myself agreeing with him in much that he says and does. In fact, I find this a bit scary.
As one who worked in the educational area of Giles County for many years, i can say believe what he says when he says things "on the Hill" are not what they want you to think.
Keep a watchful eye on them.
anonymous..
Haven't you ever heard it said that first impressions are usually right?
Regardless, I will continue to stand opposed to those who resort to name-calling and smearing others they don't like!
You stand opposed to anyone that wants a better government and county.
Were that true, I would stand opposed to myself. Don't be such a puzzlewit!
Your postings sure don't sound like it.
Ann Oakes is a wonderful person and she was promised this position years ago. Bill went through the motions of interviewing while Ms. Oakes was moving into her office. Holt like Jackson is a pathological liar. They both wouldn't know the truth if it bit them in the butt. Bill has a tendency to promise jobs just to keep from making enemies and ends up letting someone else to the hiring so he can put the blame on someone else.
Wonderful insight 10:56 if only a few other people would open their eyes to these guys.
Remember what goes around comes around. You can't keep doing others wrong and it not back fire on you. We need to pray for these men. They are going to need it.
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