Report and Comment From The County Commission Meeting 20 Jan.
Item One: The meeting began with a report from the Industrial Recruiter Mr. Dan Speer. Mr. Speer reported that we have "the most aggressive marketing of any rural community" and that "other counties look to Giles County for leadership". Mr. Speer also reported that currently the county has an unemployment rate of 8.6% with the expectation of it going higher. "Like a fireman when you have a fire the economic developer becomes the first responder", he stated.
My question is if the unemployment rate is so high and expected to get higher and the present economy is doing so poorly with the expectation of it getting worse is there really a means to justify the huge salary the county is currently paying the Industrial Recruiter? Why are we paying such a high salary for activities that could be done by the Chamber of Commerce? More and more empty speculation buildings are being built to join the ones that are already standing vacant. Is it reasonable to have such an expenditure in such financially difficult times?
Item Two: The motion was made to change the time of the Commission Meetings to 5 or 6 PM in order to allow more people to attend. Mention was also made that the meetings should be returned to radio broadcast. The motion failed to get a 2/3 vote and thus failed.
Item Three: Voted to bring new roads into the county system which means that the county would be responsible for their maintenance. There was much discussion on this matter as the roads in question are in a new subdivision that currently has not had the plots recorded thus the developer avoids paying approximately $30,000.00 in county taxes. According to some commissioners the roads should not be taken into the county until after the land has been plotted and recorded thus avoiding a greater burden on the tax payers of the county.
I certainly agree with those commissioners who were looking out for the interest of the taxpayers but the majority voted to take the roads in without a firm time frame for the developer, Mr. Bass, to record the property. There are no reasons these plots are not recorded other than the fact it saves the developer about $30,000.00 in taxes and cost the county that same amount.
Item Four: In one of the most amazing developments discussed and put off was the proposal to sale the Hunter Smith Building at auction. It was announced by Commissioner Terry Harwell that the City of Pulaski had shown an interest in purchasing the Hunter Smith building. The County Executive announced also that there were a group of ladies from Lawrencenburg who were interested. It was decided to put off the matter until a later time.
I spoke with two city council members right after the meeting and both stated that this had not been a matter of discussion at any council meetings and both were certain the city had and would have no interest in purchasing the building.
This is the same ploy used when the last offer of $125,000.00 was made to the property committee for this dilapidated eyesore. Suddenly there was great interest in the building, "calls weekly from people interested in purchasing the building". After the $125,000.00 offer was rejected there were no more offers for over a year. No interest at all until the matter of a public auction was mentioned. One of the benefits of an auction is to allow all those with a real interest to show up and bid thus putting their money up and not just imagined interest.
Item Five: Commissioner Lee had asked for and was given five minutes to make a statement and what a statement he made. After making a very reasoned and logical plea to place term limits on chairmanships of committees he spoke to the matter of the Financial Management Committee. The condensed version of his statement was simply that because of the powerful school and highway lobbies in Nashville the requirement to have the Highway Commissioner and the School Director on the committee along with others having school ties the result is that the foxes are now in charge of the hen house.
This is the most costly development of the Financial Management implementation, having the committee that oversees the budget controlled by those with a direct financial benefit gained from their votes. Allen Barrett
My question is if the unemployment rate is so high and expected to get higher and the present economy is doing so poorly with the expectation of it getting worse is there really a means to justify the huge salary the county is currently paying the Industrial Recruiter? Why are we paying such a high salary for activities that could be done by the Chamber of Commerce? More and more empty speculation buildings are being built to join the ones that are already standing vacant. Is it reasonable to have such an expenditure in such financially difficult times?
Item Two: The motion was made to change the time of the Commission Meetings to 5 or 6 PM in order to allow more people to attend. Mention was also made that the meetings should be returned to radio broadcast. The motion failed to get a 2/3 vote and thus failed.
Item Three: Voted to bring new roads into the county system which means that the county would be responsible for their maintenance. There was much discussion on this matter as the roads in question are in a new subdivision that currently has not had the plots recorded thus the developer avoids paying approximately $30,000.00 in county taxes. According to some commissioners the roads should not be taken into the county until after the land has been plotted and recorded thus avoiding a greater burden on the tax payers of the county.
I certainly agree with those commissioners who were looking out for the interest of the taxpayers but the majority voted to take the roads in without a firm time frame for the developer, Mr. Bass, to record the property. There are no reasons these plots are not recorded other than the fact it saves the developer about $30,000.00 in taxes and cost the county that same amount.
Item Four: In one of the most amazing developments discussed and put off was the proposal to sale the Hunter Smith Building at auction. It was announced by Commissioner Terry Harwell that the City of Pulaski had shown an interest in purchasing the Hunter Smith building. The County Executive announced also that there were a group of ladies from Lawrencenburg who were interested. It was decided to put off the matter until a later time.
I spoke with two city council members right after the meeting and both stated that this had not been a matter of discussion at any council meetings and both were certain the city had and would have no interest in purchasing the building.
This is the same ploy used when the last offer of $125,000.00 was made to the property committee for this dilapidated eyesore. Suddenly there was great interest in the building, "calls weekly from people interested in purchasing the building". After the $125,000.00 offer was rejected there were no more offers for over a year. No interest at all until the matter of a public auction was mentioned. One of the benefits of an auction is to allow all those with a real interest to show up and bid thus putting their money up and not just imagined interest.
Item Five: Commissioner Lee had asked for and was given five minutes to make a statement and what a statement he made. After making a very reasoned and logical plea to place term limits on chairmanships of committees he spoke to the matter of the Financial Management Committee. The condensed version of his statement was simply that because of the powerful school and highway lobbies in Nashville the requirement to have the Highway Commissioner and the School Director on the committee along with others having school ties the result is that the foxes are now in charge of the hen house.
This is the most costly development of the Financial Management implementation, having the committee that oversees the budget controlled by those with a direct financial benefit gained from their votes. Allen Barrett
posted by Allen Barrett | 2:50 PM
46 Comments:
JUDGE LEE - THANKS!!!!!!!!
How bad would good be if it wasn't for the spear leading the way into oblivion?
Can anyone tell me who of the Commissioners voted AGAINST changing the time of meeting to 5:30 so more people could attend? Please try to name them so I'll know who not to vote for next time.
You got that right 9:33am. Some of these commissioners only care for your opinion and VOTE when they are trying to get elected or re-elected. Mr. Barrett can you please provide the citizens those commissioner's names that voted against the time change?? Thank you
Why would you expect the commissioners to change the meeting time to late in the evenning? When they were elected, they knew what the meeting times were, and their schedules were set accordingly. These people have families too.
So does the school board.
I believe that we, the citzens of Giles County, have forgotten an extremely important fact ...
When elected and a person becomes a "Public Servant" that does not mean that they serve the public. Rather, the public now must serve them. We, the public, must view them in awe, bow to their presence, and humble ourselves to their wants and demands.
We must allow them to meet whenever it is cinvenient for them, not us. We must agree to their opinions, for ours no longer count. We must keep quiet for we know not what is going on and that the individual and collective intellegence of the Commission is far greater that of the 29,000+ citizens of Giles County.
I feel so greatful that we are being led by those who know far more than us and we should thank them every day.
The purpose of the time change shouldn't have been for the conveniency of the commissioners and their families but for the opportunity of the citizens of Giles Co. to be able to attend and be better informed. This tells me that the Commissioners who voted against it is only looking out for themselves and really don't want the public to know anything. It's all about "self" and how they can benefit from something. Changing the time to the evening hours would have open the doors to more people who work being able to run for the position of Commissioner. Maybe that's what they didn't want, more opposition in the 2010 election.
Need the names - please
I don't care if they gave away free lunches. The same people would come to the meetings that come now. One can be informed by either calling their commissioner or by reading the newspaper.
Most Commissioner only tell you what they want you to know or what you want to hear and the paper doesn't cover squat that is really going on in this county.
Since the voting is now electronic why don't we have the Newspaper print a tally of what was voted on and how the Commissioners voted?
Consider this. At least two of the commissioners are county employees - with the school system who work during the daytime (several others are bus drivers for the system so this comment does not apply to them sicne they'd be off anyway during the day). So why would they vote to move the meetings to the afternoon when they can take off work on the taxpayers dime and STILL get paid to attend the commission meetings???? Just a thought. Has anyone else thought about this?
Again, it's not about the Commissioners, it's about the people who may want to attend but can't because THEY have to work. And to comment 9:17, how do you know it will be the same people, the Commission Meetings have never been held in the afternoon before. Why didn't the Commissioners at least try it for a year to see. If it didn't work out they could change it back. Some of them don't even want to know or don't even want to try to accomodate anybody else but themselves. List the votes please.
If it wasn't for a very few educated citizens to lead the way, children would get no worthwhile education. An education without refinement and social purpose will never prepare this nation for global needs. The annointed six would have us believe we only need the primal three of reading, writing, an mathematics. We have wars and killing because our social structure is broken and tolerance is not enforced.
We are fortunate to have leaders like Mr. Jackson, who can see beyond the broken values of outdated conformity and superstition. We need leadership to break the restraints of old "piggy bank" folklore to reach universal harmony and purpose. It is a time where the goal must outweigh the means, or society will remain in chaos with everyone running in different directions, each seeking to satisfy their own selfish lust and power.
One must be creative in financial matters, to overcome outdated thinking and unnecessary restraint. If we are not positive and eliminate all mention of negativity, what will our children think of themselves and their contributions to society?
The willow doesn't break because it bends when necessary. We are truly fortunate to have leaders and extended leaders who can make things happen in spite of supersititous intervention by nasty people.
The meeting decision belongs with decision makers! If they want to meet from 9 to 3, it's just fine with me!
Learn a few things this week:
1) The emperor has no clothes.
2) It doesn't matter because his subjects can't tell the difference
3)what5 happens there, happens here
What is this strange fascination the county has in holding on to the Hunter-Smith building?
Please for the love of common sense. Let...it...go
11:00 AM
Yes, this has been noticed. Agree with you. Thanks
Anonymous 10:04
Quoting "We must be creative in financial matters" does not mean you have to cook the books. To eliminate the "creativeness" citizens in Giles Co voted FOR the Financial Management Act TWICE. Now thats what I call forward thinking.
The Commission meetings have been in the evenning before.
157....And I would be willing to bet that most of the citizens who voted for or against financial management did not really know what they were voting for or against.
No Commission Meeting have never been in the evening hours, now COMMITTEE meetings have but never Commission Meetings.
Never? Ever?
How can you be sure?
To Anonymous of the 22 Jan 10:04 post.
I’m not sure if you’ve overdosed on the kool-aid or just have fairy dust in your eyes. It seems that your idea of “education without refinement and social purpose” means becoming sheep that follow blindly over the cliff simply because the other sheep went over.
I strongly believe that our education system in the nation and the county is sorely broken primarily because they have turned to propaganda instead of thinking. We lead the world in self-esteem but lag far behind in education. Without the basics of reading, writing, and arithmetic we have fallen far behind every other developing nation in the sciences and other disciplines. Ask yourself why there are so many immigrant doctors and scientist in this country now. Without the basics how can there be any other advancement.
Your statement, “We have wars and killing because our social structure is broken and tolerance is not enforced”, shows a great lack of understanding in those world affairs. If you had been paying attention you would have known that the Leader of the Moslem World declared a holy war against all non Moslems, which is what the term “Jihad” means, “Holy War”. Do you really think that fanatics are blowing themselves up and killing children because we weren’t nice to them? Grow up. There are some very evil people in the world who seek to destroy rather than build. They understand nothing but power anything else is perceived as weakness. To many tolerance simply means become like them or be intolerant.
You state, “We are fortunate to have leaders like Mr. Jackson, who can see beyond the broken values of outdated conformity and superstition”. I’m not totally certain what you mean by this statement. Based on his actions Mr. Jackson seems to adhere to the idea that the ends justify the means, thus lying is acceptable, falsifying budgets is acceptable, threatening teachers is acceptable; showing favoritism is acceptable.
Understand that I do not blame Mr. Jackson or the head of any other department for trying to get everything they can for that department I simply disagree with doing it in deceitful, inappropriate and unlawful ways.
I would never adhere to conformity for conformity’s sake. I strongly believe in individualism that follows the ideals of honesty, integrity and discipline. As for your ideas about “superstition” I would very much like to know what you mean, is this about black cats, ladders and cracks in the sidewalks?
Your statement, “We need leadership to break the restraints of old "piggy bank" folklore to reach universal harmony and purpose. It is a time where the goal must outweigh the means, or society will remain in chaos” is the most disappointing of your comments.
Does this “piggy bank folklore” mean that you have no concern with spending restraints or how the bills are paid? You know there is a cost to everything either monetarily or physically and the bills do come due. How would you propose that we reach “universal harmony”? It’s a fact that the Bush administration spent more money and made more efforts to help third world nations than any administration in history. What did it get us, nothing? If the “goal outweighs the means” does that mean you approve of torture to get information from terrorist, that you would be willing to bomb people into compliance, how about gas a tribe to make them obey, how about tax gasoline so high that people are forced to walk so the Earth can be saved even if it’s not in danger. Does your liberal mind-set allow for any thought past the nice sounding words of your own voice?
You state, “If we are not positive and eliminate all mention of negativity, what will our children think of themselves and their contributions to society?” Reality is not all positive there are some very negative things we must face. Children that are raised in an artificial milieu become broken by the realities of life when they are forced to finally experience it. Some have tried to remove all competition from a child’s life this handicaps them when they attempt to function in society. Children taught to believe they are entitled to everything seldom mature enough to contribute to society. Children must be raised in a manner that will allow they to do without their parents when older
It’s true “The willow doesn't break because it bends when necessary” but understand the willow is never able to get very far from a continual source of water and is one f the softest of soft wood trees. Ever wonder why baseball bats aren’t made from willow. Ever consider what kind of forest it would be if there were only willow trees? Bending is necessary at times but not when it means breaking your core beliefs and foundational code of ethics.
You state, “We are truly fortunate to have leaders and extended leaders who can make things happen in spite of supersititous intervention by nasty people”. Lots of leaders and extended leaders have made things happen, Adolph Hitler made things happen, Pol Pot made lots of things happen, Idi Amin made things happen, Saddam Hussein made things happen, the question is what would have happened if no nasty people would have challenged these leaders?
Finally you state, “decision belongs with decision makers”. Should those decision makers ignore the will of those who are supposed to be represented by those decision makers and are most effected by those decisions? It seems we fought a little war in order to get away from a king and to form a representative form of “government of the people and by the people”. Perhaps you substituted that class with one that made you “feel” more “self-esteemed”. Allen Barrett
I'm sorry that I can't give you all the names of those who voted to keep the meeting at the current time the votes are put on the wall but only remain for a very, very short time. I do know that all the commissioners from the 7th district voted to keep the meeting as presently scheduled.
This is an incomplete list of those voting to keep the Commission Meeting at the current time: Commissioners Campbell, Faulkner, T.Harwell, Beets, Lovell and Risner. Allen Barrett
Add Flacy.
wab..
There you go again with that smart-alecky, condescending attitude (suggesting overdose on Kool-Aid or fairy dust in the eyes). Can you not see how unbecoming that is, especially for a man in your position? And then you wonder why people like me call you to task over such things. You went on to criticize the writer about YOUR misunderstanding of what was meant by superstitions. How arrogant can anyone be? Then you attack the writer's sense of self-esteem. Finally, you made the remark that decision makers ignore the will of the people? Poppycock! I deny that, but will agree that they are not required to follow the will of a discontented few just to stop their whining. Do you honestly think the decision makers should give in to the wishes of those few or follow their hearts and do what they think is best for the whole? Of course, you will cry foul and "corruption" when they make decisions you don't particularly like.
Have I pretty much clarified some gray areas for you? I hope so.
We must make some hard painful decisions to fund schools, especially in areas where there is little appreciation for knowledge. All of the progressive studies show a direct correlation between spending and learning. If you just keep up with inflation, scores rapidly deteriorate, which means there will be no opportunity for the children.
The negativists were griping about spending increases approaching 10% a year. However, it requires substantially greater funding to create a forward and progressive management atmosphere to change a hunter gathering society into a community of scientists and philosophers. Mr. Jackson's tax increases might have changed the horizon of Giles county, but the troublemakers put their wrecking ball to work and killed hope for the better. Change requires sacrafice. Neanderthalls hate change. It would be terrible if Mr. Jackson became fed up & left!
There are a few realistic citizens fighting for change, but they must reach out and lead. You can't lead in the shadows. Mr B and that other nut just wave a few words out there & cut all intellectual thoughts to shreds.
Mr. B's name calling didn't hurt a bit. I know what I am. That nice person even defended me!
Mr. C
Who is Mr C - could it be Campbell?
To anonymous of the 23 Jan 4:58PM post. You not only didn't clear up any gray areas you totally left me wondering why you didn't read what I wrote before you tried to respond. Some day, probably not in the near future, when you learn the meaning of words perhaps you will engage in a meaningful conversation without being so confused and confusing.
To Mr. C you state, "All of the progressive studies show a direct correlation between spending and learning". Perhaps if you read some studies without an agenda you would see there is little relationship between spending and education. Washington DC has the highest spending per student of any school district in the nation yet they have the highest drop out rate and lowest test scores, so bad in fact they have been taken over by the federal government.
Nashville spend far more per student that does Giles County yet they are being taken over by the Mayor because of such poor results. Do you deny these facts and if not how do you explain your statement? Allen Barrett
I think all committies should be made up of people who have no conflict of interest. Just look at the committees now. How many have members who have conflict of interest? If this was implemented it might help our overall financies in the county.
wab..
The question remains.
Do you honestly think the decision-makers should give in to the wishes of the few or follow their hearts and do what they think best for the whole?
By the way, I'm not the one who mentioned the progressive studies.
616 depends, if the heart communicates with the brain or the outstretched hand. The hand is definately winning.
depends on what best is & is is, before mentioning whole. Or is it hole, as in black hole? Possiblittes are near endless if we categorize & identify the holes, such as A, B, C... If we do that - everything seems to fall under control category of the first category. Wouldn't you agree.? Of course not, but we both know it really doesn't matter if we call it A or B, we know it's the first hole, what the first hole is, where it's going, & what is really is. So, you see, it doesn't really matter if you say you agree to disagree, as long as we both know you do agree - agreed?
Votes should be cast based on the brain not the heart. Those elected to represent must listen to those they represent or else they cease to represent. When a person, any person listens only to self the possibility of their being wrong increases greatly.
Presently there are commissioners that haven't attended any committee meetings and have held none that they chair in at least six months. Some come to commission meetings with no clue as to what is in the packet of information they have been given.
When you look at the make up of the financial management committee you have to shake your head in disgust as you watch the actions of some.
Government is everyone's responsibility and to not be involved is as wrong as expecting teachers to raise our children.
Allen Barrett
wab..
It's just a matter of semantics. You know...the brain, the heart, the intellect...whatever you choose to call it. That's hardly anything to get in a twist over.
Sorry anonymous but the brain is associated more with thinking while the heart is associated more with feelings. Feelings seldom have much to do with the realities only the the perception of those realities. Thinking deals with the actual realties, the facts as they are not as you wish they were.
It's feelings that have guided the herd into the global warming lie while the thinkers were saying look at the record, check the facts, consider the evidence. Allen Barrett
Thank you Dr. Barrett for the psychology lesson. I didn't realize that you were both a reporter and a psychiatrist. I'm impressed....but it's still semantics. Call it what you will.
Such arrogance.
Annoymust, apparent;y you need more than a lesson in semantics as most very one knows there is a very large difference in psychiatrist and a psychologist.
You also need to gain a better understanding between the difference in arrogance and self confidence.
charles,
Excuse me, but I am well aware of the differences between a psychologist and a psychiatrist. And I think you would agree with me that there's a fine line between arrogance and self-confidence. The glaring difference between the two is called conceit.
Anonymous 8:44 If you know the difference in a Psychologist and a Psychiatrist then why did you mix the two in your comment? Perhaps the answer to that is the same reason you have trouble distinguishing the difference between arrogance and confidence.
You say there is a fine line between the two confidence and arrogance but then in your very next sentence speak of the "glaring difference" so is it a fine line or glaring difference, seems it can't be both. I would identify arrogance as that feeling of superiority developed from thinking you're right with no evidence to support that thought. That definition fits you far more than any regular contributer to this blog.
I don't know Mr. Barrett personally but I have been present when he has spoken out about several issues and he has always spoken with confidence and knowledge not arrogance, both are threats to some who are less knowledgeable or confident. There have been times when he became more aggressive but it has always been in response to his or another's rights being trampled on. Fact is more people need to be as outspoken and knowledgeable as he is.
Charles, 844 has been to both, but neither could put the poor thing back together again. The frustration of failure coupled with loose wires upstairs keeps the poor creature in a frizzy night and day - can't sleep for walking in endless circles.
One thought it could be psfitsophyrenia or psychopathic envy of WAB & the other thought it was either images bouncing back and forth from the reflective eye glass lens to the eyeball or just simply hopless.
Either way, don't be surprised if you read about someone getting arrested for running up and down Main Street naked & screaming at midnight.
charles,
Ok, have it your way.
"other counties look to Giles County for leadership". Mr. Speer also reported that currently the county has an unemployment rate of 8.6% with the expectation of it going higher".
Don't you think the same people doing what spear does would like to have a slick car, gas money, a big pay check, & money to toss around buying meals & so forth? First thing any prospect would think is, the man has the key to the vault - got to follow him in & maybe we can get some too. Guess there's a reason the conversation never gets around to asking how good is the work force, will they work, & so forth. Follow the man around for a day or two & they'll think the whole county is full of crap. Only thing we seem to get are con artists looking for a misplaced sack of money - the rest don't even stay for lunch,
If you can get her up to 8.6% no telling how much higher she'll go, that's really making things bigger!
Just think where Giles County would be today if they had gone along with Speer on the Milky Way deal. Milky Way didn't last long enough to even get off the ground.
Guess it tells us what kind of man Dan Speer is when he admits the county unemployment rate is 8.6 and going up, then still take his very high salary and expense account just to "continue to send out brochures, etc." Some of those secretaries in Vanzant's office could do that. Something for them to do on their high salaries. Let's remember that 8.6 unemployment rate is based on those who can still claim benefits. That dont include the folks who have no job and no benefits.
Spear reminds me of the "Kingfish" on the old radio show "Amos & Andy"
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