How to Deal With Unwanted Information!
This morning after more than two years of research and attempts at getting information about the insurance situation in Giles County Commissioner Wilburn present information that was incredible in it's clarity and sordidness. Every county that he had approached was co operative in giving information about their insurance programs except for one..... Giles County has refused to reveal information that is clearly covered by the Open Records Law. Why do they refuse to release the basic information about the premiums being paid for insurance? Why is this county paying hundreds of thousands of dollars for the very same coverage with the very same companies that Lawrence County is when Lawrence County has more employees, more vehicles, and more buildings? Why is Giles County the only county in the entire state that is paying premiums to an agent instead of to the insurer? Why is Gilles County the only County that is paying out hundreds of thousands of dollars based on not an invoice but a note on the back of an envelope?
Now the bigger question is why when all these questions were asked immediately the motions was made by Commissioner Holt and seconded by Commissioner Campbell who was sitting in for the ever absent Commissioner Terry Harwell, to adjourn with out any discussion? Thankfully Commissioner J. Harwell spoke out and helped defeat the motion. The County Executive very angrily expressed that she "didn't know anything about what they were even talking about" and denied having involvement in withholding the information. This was a direct denial of something she has been actively involved in and is the primary obstacle to the information being given to the commissioners. When will Giles County wake up and realize incompetence and ignorance and dis-ingenuousness will no longer be tolerated and demand accountable from elected and appointed officials?
posted by Allen Barrett | 9:06 PM
193 Comments:
Why would any county not want to give out information. That along with wanting gifts to the school or Board of Education leaves a nasty thought in my mind.
One thing I don't understand... looks like that would be under Jackson and not Vanzant.
Don't the BD of Education not ask for bids on insurance like they are suppose to other things, like Milk and ice cream bids to name a few.
Now that we are under Financial Management it comes under the director of finance, Loretta Garner. Vanzant and T Jackson both sit on the financial management committee. There is one of the problems. Add to that Campbell who also sits on financial management committee and was one who of the commissioners who vehemently opposed financial management. What are they hiding? A complaint should be filed with the state under the open records law.
wab...
You mentioned that Giles County is the only county that wouldn't release information about insurance premiums. Well, Giles County is the only one I know of that has a non-existent group who seems to just be looking for anything to crow and gripe about. You should know that. Who could blame this county for taking a guarded position when you guys are on every corner screaming such things as "incompetence, ignorance, and disingenuousness"?
Why did you have to take a shot at Commissioners Terry Harwell and Tommy Campbell? Why? They are running in your district. Wasn't that disingenuous of you? I think so.
Board member Murrey asked the board and Tee Jackson to pursue this issue. She has been kept up to date on as much as she can understand about insurance. She was immediately told by 5th district board member that it was bad business to even ask such a thing to find out info from the agent. She mentioned other counties paying directly to the vendors and not to the agent. Giles pays straight to the agent. She turned to Jackson and said it sounded like they were trying to hide something. He didn't respond. Other board members agreed with 5th district that it was bad business. 3rd district being the main one to agree. Two attorneys with state said it was open book law and should be shown. DA says it's not enough info to investigate. Auditors say it looks fine on books. Thing is Wilburn has nothing personal to gain. Just wants honesty.
7:31 Mr Barrett gave a report of what happened at the insurance comm meeting yesterday and the difficulty the chairman has in getting necessary information from Ms Vanzant and Ms Garner. It was necessary to include the participation or lack thereof of both Terry Harwell & Campbell in order for readers to understand what happened. Any knowledgeable person would otherwise be confused to read Campbell made a 2nd to a motion when he is not an elected member of the committee but merely "filling in" for Terry Harwell. Live with the facts woman or be quiet.
Two things wrong here. First, the problem with Vanzant & Garner not producing what under the law they MUST. Second, Terry Harwell absent AGAIN. How can he possibly think he gives representation to his district when he is absent too often from many meetings. Cant blame Mr Barrett for those facts.
Mr Wendell Wilburn should file an official complaint.
7:31 are you just plain ignorant??? I am asking really?? Open Public Records Law provides for the public to be able to see and copy these documents. Why would you not be in favor of this or make arguments in favor of those not cooperating? Just goes to show the proof is in the pudding when people say other counties are laughing at us. This is a prime example. Obviously surrounding counties don't have any reason to hide anything and are quite well aware of what the Open Public Record Law states. We have in my opinion a very shady, questionable issue with why Janet Vanzant & Loretta Garner will not cooperate in this matter. And futhermore 7:31, if there is nothing being hidden or covered up here, then please do tell why such difficulty?? Right is right and wrong it wrong. If everything is above board there should be no reason why these documents can't be produced. Period.
8:08
You say that Mr. Wilburn has nothing personal to gain. Well why can't you see that when it comes to Mr. Jackson, Mr. Harwell, Mr. Campbell, and others? You make it sound like these people are stuffing taxpayer money into their own pockets. That is simply NOT TRUE, and you know it.
You stated that Mr.Jackson didn't respond when the remark was made that it looks like they are hiding something. Ridiculous. It's sometimes better and far more prudent to say nothing when you know any response would be perceived as inflammatory, deceitful, and etc. and broadcast all over the county with a certain negative and accusatory spin on it. I wouldn't have responded to that statement either. Again, it's often best to say nothing. It;s like a catch 22 anyhow. Regardless of the response, there would have been those who would have made it look like something it wasn't.
Most all meetings are at the beginning of work day. Ever occur to you that Harwell has to make a living first. Ever occur to you that most commissioners are too old to work and choose to meet in the middle of the day. And set the meetings then. Ever occur to you that others let their wife make the living and can meet in middle of day. Ever occur to you that SOME commissioners attend every meeting just to take your thirty dollars. Ever occur that only work folks that can come anytime are on our dime and work for school. That's always gripes me when I see them come in. Ever occur to you that all the whining you do about folks not attending meetings would end IF they were at night so working folks could attend. Of course it occurs to everyone that Barrett is trying to disparage others and get a seat on the commission. Occurs to me if Barrett and some of the others would get a JOB they wouldn't have as much time to take pot shots at others wo do work for a living. I am a retired commissioner BUT I've got sense enough to know how our meetings schedule effects those who work. As I recall Terry Harwell made a motion to hold commission meetings at night. It failed by ONLY one vote. Why don't you encourage that Barrett? Then you would have a larger crowd to impress.
8:35
Excellent post indeed!
8:35 Then why dont you encourqage Terry Harwell to try again to get meetings held in the evenings? Could be the best thing he ever does for the county. Could solve his work problem and everyone else's in being able to attend.
I have seen with my own two eyes, Campbell, Jackson, Holt, and others at a commission "pre-meeting" at Johnson's Bluebird. There is so much back-deal, back-biting, and hood-winking that no one knows the real truth in the end.
Good post 8:35:00 Only one minor correction needs to be noted. It was commissioner Wilburn who sponsored a resolution to move the meetings to after work hours. He presented the facts and times of all surronding counties having their's at night. I am not sure how Terry Harwell voted on this resolution but it can be checked out because it is public record.
12:21 Terry Harwell tried a few years back and Mr. Wilburn in the not too distance past. I suggest T Harwell try again as it would seem Mr. Wilburn has his hands full in commission work right now. Thanks for the reminder on Mr Wilburn.
11:55
What you saw with your own eyes doesn't mean at all that these men were meeting to discuss ways to screw over the county. Did you hear anything from them that would substantiate your accusation? No.
There are two things to say about an official who has nothing to say. He's either too dumb to respond or afraid he'll uncriminate himself. Why not officially require them to invoke the Fifth Amendment?
If the director of schools can't respond to a BOD memeber, he should be summarily be fired! It doesn't take the DA or anyone else two bits worth of energy to dump him!
We fried blue gill for after hours personal mistakes & plastered his picture on the newspaper for an offense that the law took care of before kicking him again. Can't really criticized that, because he is a public official, & the process might have actually benefited him and the county.
However, what's good for one should be more than good enough for another. I hate a liar that laughs about it & stuffs it in your face. The ethics committee has a wonderful opportunity to put TJ in a corner and make him speak or officially demand his resignation! This insurance crap has gone way too far & it's past time to whack those who are stonewalling it! Put their feet in the fire & turn the heat up!
113- all you have to do is look at their voting patterns & you know the public is going to get screwed
1:43
How so? Do you honestly think these men are out to stuff their own pockets with taxpayer money? Have you ever heard of auditors? Don't you have anything better to do than to spew the hatred that this blog seems to be all about? You don't have to be a part of this, you know?
Did it ever occur to you that these men you so wantonly attack are just good friends and met for a meal before the meeting? Why must you people constantly inisist that there is something sinister and evil going on? Do you even know who started all this mess? Care to guess?
First of all 2:00 pm the auditors only report findings. They do not enforce law. If there is wrong doing it has to be acted up and dealt with. So, don't be confused that just because something is found in a county audit that the situation is rectified. So many are blind and dumb and to be honest don't want to get involved for fear of losing their job or some other reason. We all might be surprised how beneficial it is for some to just turn a blind eye and go on.
1:41 you nailed it with the insurance. It is amazing to me why we as taxpayers are being given the run around regarding public information. Citizens should be outraged. I am!! I want to know what the reason for not giving this information is. I want to know why it was easy to obtain it on other surrounding counties, but can't seem to get our own county to comply. This is an election year and for those who are bucking the system on this, should be be prepared for the consequences at the poll. I hear a lot of people talking about this and why our finance director and county executive are stonewalling and I am not hearing good things about how these two ladies have handled the situation. It doesn't seem that this situation is going away, rather heating up. Hold their feet to the fire. We need a public outcry demanding answers.
I wonder how Scott Stewart would handle this insurance business if (WHEN ? ) he gets elected Chief Executive in august ?? Hope y'all are planning to vote for him .
Expect More
Ethics Committee should be looking into Tee Jackson, Janet Vanzant and Loretta Garner in regards to this lack of public information being supplied when asked for. Ethics Comm. code the county accepted says "they may take action if they become aware of a situation" or something to that effect. Cant tell me the folks on the Ethics Comm. is not aware of this insurance problem. Will commissioner Pollard take action or will he and his fellow committee members wait for the public to send in a complaint that forces them to move on it, as what happened with the McGill affair. I agree, public official and employees all should be made accountable and start with the Ethics Comm. Thats why its in place.
GTC Says>>>>
This is a very simple situation; Mrs. VanZant provide the requested information. If you are incapable of doing so, then order, yes ORDER, Ms. Gardner to do so. STOP hinding behind your ignorance in that you don't know what they want. This is public information. Get out of our exhaulted chair and provide the information.
Plain and SIMPLE !!!
3:35
I wonder how Scott Stewart would handle the VVM (Very Vocal Minority). He would probably be Ok with these people as long as he never did anything THEY wouldn't like. That's when there would be heck to pay as has been the case for Mrs. Vanzant.
There are a lot of us already working for Mrs. Vanzant. We support her even if the whiners and complainers don't! How do you guys like that? Get used to it.
I see Janet has her little watchdog on the blog to defend her honor when someone starts criticizing her. I guess she didn't get the memo that when you are elected by the people you are therefore accountable to them. Being a public figure puts your actions or in-actions out there for criticism and public speculation. If Janet can't take the heat then she needs to take her can back to the house. Janet is never going to take the blame for anything. She is like Tee Jackson always stirring the pot and then slithering off when the pot starts to simmer. I can think of many instances where Janet has thrown Loretta Garner to the dogs. She will defend Loretta unless Janet herself is being blamed and then she looks to who she can put the blame on and it has been put on Loretta plenty of times. Wake up Loretta!!
8:43
Be advised. Mrs. Vanzant has plenty of support, and you will see just how true that is on election day. All the attacks and smearing have firmed up her loyal base and will fetch her many votes she may not have otherwise gotten. How do I know this? It's human nature. Most people dislike attack dogs; they prefer watchdogs.
People don't be fooled by what the attack dogs are trying to do here.
Keep cheering for Janet she needs all this help you are attempting to give her. Her lack of support is staggering this time around. She has really disappointed and surprised her loyal supporters over the past 8 years. You can tell by the rumors she has put out on certain people that she is very concerned about her chances. Frankly, she should be. If only those she chose to lie to had been dumb enough to believe her. Instead, she lied to many that have seen her for the liar she is.
12:14
Be advised. I will help her in any way I can. You people have tried to malign her for quite awhile now. But, predictably, the clever attacks by a non-existent group led by an insignificant and hateful little man have really heated up lately. Would you agree with me on that? It's obvious to those on my side of the fence. Well, keep it up. The worse you treat her, the more ammunition you give us.
Just remember that people do not like attack dogs.
I asked a few people yesterday if they were going to vote for Janet Vanzant and they said, "No, it's time for her to go."
Those people don't even have a computer, so didn't read or write on this blog.
We'll see on election day how Mrs. Vanzant does. Judging from the people I have talked to, I don't see it as even being close. Go Mrs. Vanzant!
Whether one likes Mrs. Vanzant or not, we should just ask ourselves if we believe she has done a good job for this county? That should dictate how our votes are cast.
In my opinion, the Giles County Commission, including Mrs. Vanzant, continues to be a laughingstock.
Saturday, April 10, 2010 12:14:00 AM
"the clever attacks by a non-existent group led by an insignificant and hateful little man"
Wow. I now see how a fighter for the other guy is supposed to act. The fighter for the other guy is supposed to stand up against anyone that tells the truth. Uses facts to prove their point and then if they point out that someone lied or that if some misdeed occurs that the public should know about, he is named
"an insignificant and hateful little man".
Oh yes, but the fighter for the other guy says it is OK for him to use these tactics, but it is not OK for the
"insignificant and hateful little man".
If anyone supports the "insignificant and hateful little man" then we are a "non-existent group". Of course we are also planning "the clever attacks" against, who, the powers that be? Unfortunately, the fighter for the other guy, still denies that he uses name calling and derision. He would never refer to anyone as "an insignificant and hateful little man." He would never say that the people on this blog are planning "clever attacks by a non-existent group led by an insignificant and hateful little man".
You get the point Ralphy, you are so insanely hypocritical. You have to realize, you no longer annoy, you are just a passing jester that we use to amuse ourselves. I for one enjoy what you are doing. You think you are helping, but when people hear what you have to say, they go running to "our" side. Now if we only knew who you were? Oh yea, we do.
Giles County continues to be a laughingstock because of all the hate-mongering and division. Pure and simple.
I believe Mrs. Vanzant has performed her duties well, contrary to what the VVM thinks. She has my vote and any others I can get for her. Oh, I occasionally run into a bitter perosn who wants to call her names and say bad things about her, but I realize who they have been listening to. It's sad in a way that some have bought into this mischief. Oh well, let's all go out and vote our conscience on election day. Count on me to do just that. And I will vote against every single one I can who is a part of this. Furthermore, I will try to persuade as many as I can to do the same.
I continue to ask, "What significant accomplishment has occurred since she has taken office."
I am not trying to spread hate, and I am not part of the Very Vocal Minority!
What has she done? Ask yourself, what has she done?
8:26
You can forget it, because I am not going to play your game. I told you I think Mrs. Vanzant is performing her duties properly, even if you don't think so. And if that's the case, vote for the other candidate.
Did I say specifically that you are trying to spread hate and that you are a member of the VVM? Not at all. I think you need to calm down. Just vote for whomever you wish. That's what I intend to do.
you are delusional if you think that she has been doing her job.
I also am not a part of the VVM; however, i am privy to alot of info that most of you arent, so i am very comfortable in my assessment of her job performance.
I dont think that she is mean or hateful, just incompetant for her specific job, which just so happens to affect all of us that live here.
Why do you think so many encouraged scott to run? People are fed up with her lying....its that simple.
9:45
You are delusional if you think a huge throng of people asked Scott to run. I can pretty much guess who was principally behind it, and I am disappointed in him for siding with the name-callers and attack dogs.
Your assessment of Mrs. Vanzant's and mine are at odds, so why don't we just leave it at that instead of your seeming to feel that you're right and I'm wrong. You have your opinions, so please be courteous enough to respect mine. Ok?
I think maybe you have been listening to Mrs. Vanzant's nemesis much too long. He is unrelenting in his attacks and knows very well that it will eventually rub off on some people. Thank God, most people are not easily persuaded.
It shouldn't be very difficult, for a person who claims to know as much as some anonymous folks on here, to simply name a few factual accomplishments that Mrs Vanzant has accomplished if there were any.
Fact Terry Harwell voted against moving the Commission meetings to the evening.
Fact every commissioner gives an oath that their jobs or nothing less than an emergency will interfere with their duties as a commissioner.
Fact Terry Harwell has not attended one committee meeting in over a year including those he is a member of or chairs.
Fact on more than one occasion Terry Harwell has voted yes on important and costly issues that he admitted he knew nothing about.
Fact Terry Harwell has relied on Tommy Campbell and Janet Vanzant to tell him how to vote on numerous issues.
Fact Terry Harwell and Tommy Campbell has voted for every spending issue, budget amendment and tax increase that has come before them.
Fact Mr Barrett is not the only one in this county that knows what's going on he just happens to be the most vocal.
Fact if major changes are not made in the direction of this county it will be broke, bankrupt, unable to pay the bills by this time next year.
Fact for those critical of commissioners attending to many committee meetings those committee meetings is were the commissioner gets most of their information and has a legal opportunity to discuss those issues. Instead of being criticized they should be praised for attending and being educated on the issues.
Fact Terry Harwell is not the only Commissioner who does not attend committee meeting there are others he just happens to be one of those who are most absent.
charles..
My, but aren't we spewing with venom? Could I take a guess at why you are after Terry Harwell's head? Oh heck, why not? He's running in 7th district and against barrett. How clever of you. It's almost laughable how you folks have been trying to slam both Terry Harwell and Tommy Campbell lately. I keep wondering when the other candidate in that district will be attacked.
Here are some interesting facts:
Terry Harwell is a good person.
Terry Harwell has always voted for what HE believes to be right and best for Giles County.
Terry Harwell doesn't need anyone to tell him how to think or vote.
Terry Harwell will get all the support I can give him.
Here are what I belive to be some other interesting considerations and facts:
The charter home rule is not right for Giles County.
Those who are pushing for charter rule know they can't gain power through the noraml election process.
Those who are unhappy with all the corruption, ignorance, and incompetence here should move to another place where they could be around people who are as smart as they think they are.
Giles County does NOT need the negative publicity being caused by the "more enlightened" members of our community.
Most people do not like attack dogs.
charles..
My, but aren't we spewing with venom? Could I take a guess at why you are after Terry Harwell's head? Oh heck, why not? He's running in 7th district and against barrett. How clever of you. It's almost laughable how you folks have been trying to slam both Terry Harwell and Tommy Campbell lately. I keep wondering when the other candidate in that district will be attacked.
Here are some interesting facts:
Terry Harwell is a good person.
Terry Harwell has always voted for what HE believes to be right and best for Giles County.
Terry Harwell doesn't need anyone to tell him how to think or vote.
Terry Harwell will get all the support I can give him.
Here are what I belive to be some other interesting considerations and facts:
The charter home rule is not right for Giles County.
Those who are pushing for charter rule know they can't gain power through the noraml election process.
Those who are unhappy with all the corruption, ignorance, and incompetence here should move to another place where they could be around people who are as smart as they think they are.
Giles County does NOT need the negative publicity being caused by the "more enlightened" members of our community.
Most people do not like attack dogs.
10:52 You are nuts, plain and simple. Name one....just ONE...accomplishment for janet while in office...i guarantee that i can double that in lying/'claimed ignorance'/negatives for her.
I dont 'listen' to WAB or anyone else for that matter. I actually believe that for the most part, he is a troublemaker. However, on some things, he is dead on correct, and the 'vanzant saga' just happens to be one of those.
I form my own opinions based on FACTS. You might want to try basing your opinions on those facts, and not simply emotional outrage at those on this blog.
btw....i happen to know SEVERAL folks that urged scott to run waaaay before he committed to doing so....you might want to know a lil' bit about a subject before running off with diarrhea of the mouth.
oh, i forgot....actually investigating 'facts' on your own..well that isnt your strong suit, is it?
12:05 and 09
Calm down! You're about to blow a fuse. Look, it's quite obvious that you will not vote for Mrs. Vanzant and that I will. So let's call that a draw, ok?
Why will I vote for and support Mrs. Vanzant? It's because I haven't fallen for all this garbage. But think what you want to; that's your right. Just know that she has a lot more support than a small group of malcontents say she has. Oh, they have succeeded in poisoning the water against her in the minds of some people, but those who see what's going on will be working just as hard to counter those mean-spirited and nasty attacks. You can take that to the bank. I plan to help her all I can.
Just remember that it's human nature (PSY 101) to dislike the attack dog. And don't forget that it's also human nature to favor the victim in such instances. Keep up the good work!
1:22
I have found one thing in reading this blog. You talk about attack dogs, hatemongering, malcontent, mean-spirited, name-calling, negativism and on and on. If it weren't for your posts none of that stuff would be on here and people could have meaningful discussions. You are exactly what you are accusing Mr. Barrett and others of being.
8:41 A.M. Please tell me how Terry Harwell can vote on matters when he is not in attendance. Do we now have absentee ballots for commissioners?
2:47
Look, if barrett and company can get on this blog and call names, make accusations, and spew venom, then why is it not ok with you when I challenge their behavior? Isn't that free speech as well, or is a person only supposed to speak his mind here if he agrees with blog status quo? I fully realize that almost all who write here are part of the disgruntled, and I sometimes wonder why I even bother. BUT...there's just something wrong with this blog being one-sided and totally biased toward those who are singled out for attack.
It always amazes me how the complainers can say all manner of mean and nasty things about those they don't like or resent, but it's never acceptable for someone like me to criticize them for it. Tell you what. When they stop misbehaving toward those they don't like, I will disappear. Then they could get back to "meaningful discussions" about other more pressing matters.
4:02
Tell me why you are suddenly giving Terry Harwell a hard time? May I guess? It's election time, and he and Tommy Campbell are in the same district as wab and a fourth candidate. Has attacking Mr. Harwell become your job now? I just wondered.
I am 4;02 this was my first post and I just asked a question. I would like an answer to.
Boy, I don't have to be on the blog to become the topic of discussion for the "little noise" maker.
Let me try and explain something for others, I have tried to explain some important things to the "little noise" but he refuses to see anything other than his own eyelids. There have been over 300,000 hits on this blog with thousands and thousands of messages shared only a very few have been removed because of obnoxious profanity. Some have been less than pleasant post and no one has taken more unfounded personal criticism than I have. I could have easily posted every entry I have made as an anonymous poster and no one would have been the wiser. I chose to take the responsible route and have posted my name on each entry I have made. Anyone having a problem with my posts will find my name at the bottom and can easily reach me to discuss them. Another thing I have committed to do is not post anything I could not back up. I can not be responsible for what others post nor can I censor the posts of others and continue to claim this a "free speech zone". "Free Speech" to me means both the negative and the positive hold equal positions. Nothing I have posted has been dictated by "personal feelings", nor have I allowed personal feelings to prohibit me posting the truth as I have confirmed it. Have I called people names that made them uncomfortable and exposed some very uncomfortable situations absolutely but again not once have I called anyone a name that could not be proven by the evidence of their actions. I also have not called anyone a name on this blog without first having given that person an opportunity to explain or show me where I was wrong. I am a straight forward talking person so when a person willfully lies to me
they are a liar, no nice way to put it and have the full meaning still present. The "little noise" continually criticizes every post I make but never offers anything but his feelings as justification. I have even offered a thousand dollar reward and promised to declare myself unreliable from the Courthouse Gazebo if he could produce a receipt he claimed to have that proved I lied about a post, I'm still waiting.
The "little noise" lately has claimed I'm guilty of everything from being unqualified to be a Pastor to knowing my motivation for everything I do, the one thing he has not done is challenge whether the things I have reported have been the truth.
My integrity has always been important to me and I will do nothing intentional to jeopardize it.
Anyone can call me and I'll be glad to talk with you on the phone or anywhere we might meet and I assure you you will be treated will be as respectful to you as you allow.
Allen Barrett
wab
Can you substantiate calling someone an anal buffoon?
I hope Scott Stewart wins the election. He's a great guy with a lot of common sense and he will be a good leader for this county. I went to school with him and he's always been a honest, straight forward guy who has a lot of other good qualities about him. GO SCOTT!
I hope Scott Stewart wins the election. He's a great guy with a lot of common sense and he will be a good leader for this county. I went to school with him and he's always been a honest, straight forward guy who has a lot of other good qualities about him. GO SCOTT!
To 8:28. I certainly can all you have to do is simply read more than one of your postings.
If you ever get your mind out of the gutter you might realize that an "anal buffoon" is simply a controlling clown. Look up the words and expand your vocabulary of course that still can't guarantee you'll get your mind out of the gutter.
Allen Barrett
wab...
I know the book definition of an anal buffoon. But thanks for the more in-depth clarification you gave it. Controlling clown? Isn't that what you people want...control? I just hope you never get it.
Why don't you and I pray for Giles County and for Mrs. Vanzant? Aren't we supposed to pray for those we regard as enemies?
Go Mrs. Vanzant!
Fact. The idiot throwing so much dirt at Terry Harwell wouldn't know a fact if it bit him in the rear end. Answer this oh smart one. Which committee does Terry Harwell chair? That answer should show us just how many "facts" you know. Trying to help your old buddy Barrett? You are so transparent that we can see what you ate for breakfast.
9:37 Thanks for the commenmt about Scott Stewart. I didn't know him and was wondering about him. You just won him a vote.
In case you have forgotten, Scotts father, Rev. Clarence Stewart used to be pastor at First Baptist. His mother worked at Giles County High School and First National Bank, I think her name was Mary Lou. Very, very nice and respectible family.
I’m writing this in response to Charles M. and Anonymous of the 12 April 8:28 post.
1st statement from Charles M. was seeking some actual and positive accomplishments that the County Executive has completed during her reign. Sorry but there are none other than the Hunter Smith Building is no longer an expense to the county but then that wasn’t her idea. The Suntrust Building was purchased and turned into an annex for the Courthouse. On the negative side she has done nothing to enhance business opportunities in the county; Worked against the development at the interstate exits; She has shown extreme confusion when presiding over Commission Meetings; Her management style so far has been one of reaction not planning, thus allowing crisis after crisis to dictate actions of the county; She had to be ordered by the DA to redo votes that were held in violation of the state open meetings law; She has refused to allow information covered by the state open records law to be released even to Commissioners; she has failed to speak up against budgets that have eaten away much of the county’s reserves; in short she has failed to provide the needed leadership she was elected to give.
As far as Terry Harwell is concerned the only issue anonymous seemed to question was “which committee does he chair?”
Terry is a good man, I’ve known him a long time and I consider him and his wife to be friends. This year Terry has been on the School, Legislative, and Insurance Committees he does not chair any committee but serves as recording secretary for the Insurance Committee. I have not seen him at a single Insurance or Legislative Committee and only one School Committee meeting since the assignments in September. I have not seen him at any other committee meetings during the year. He has attended the Commission meetings. To put his attendance in perspective he has missed more committee meetings than most but not as many as some. To me the more committee meetings a commissioner attends the better informed they will be about matters they are voting on.
As a Commissioner my problem with Terry has been voting on things he’s not well informed on; voting to allow spending to exceed income; allowing budgets to be altered without question; supporting a wheel tax and increased property taxes; voting to allow the city a monopoly on the last quarter cent of sales tax money available; voting against a freeze on low income senior citizens property taxes; failing to force the county into complete compliance with the Financial Management Act; voted to change the distance between a church and place selling alcohol then voted to effectively do away with the requirement for any distance between a church and place selling alcohol; voted against cutting the pay of commissioners attending meetings.
On the positive side, although he didn’t write the resolution that required the Industrial Recruiter position to be a full time position he did introduce it and support it.
I have no problem with anyone who chooses to run for office, they are to be respected for their efforts, that doesn’t mean I will agree with them, or they with me, on every issue. I look forward to a vigorous campaign and open debate on the issues. During the last election too many candidates refused to meet in public and debate the issues some even refused to fill out the questionnaire in the newspaper. I hope the public will be more involved and demand information from each candidate this year.
I would say in the final analysis that while I’m not sure if I know Charles M. his statements are more correct than wrong thus he is far from the idiot Anonymous claimed.
I appreciate his support if that is what he intended and seek you support in this election .
Allen Barrett candidate for 7th District Commissioner.
But candidate Barrett stop, drop and listen. Could you please tell us what you would do exactly rather than everything different from anybody else in your district. Or the whole commission for that matter. I live in the 7th district and have three votes to give. So far your stone throwing hasn't made me want to cast one of my three votes for you. From your posts I gather that you think you do it better than anyone on the school board, county commission, city council, electric board, president Obama.
Could you show us the path you would take to make things better rather than rolling everyone else around in the mud. So much so that you have really dirty fingers. If you vote no on everything what would Giles County look like? Folks in some neighboring counties would not spend a dime to get a hundred dollars. Their counties look like it too. Is that what you want for our county? Are you for anything?
How are you going to get us jobs? What have you got to say about infrastructure? Enlighten us as to what makes you so much smarter than the other commissioners. What exactly is it you think you can do better than the 21 there now?
Are you big buddies with Tommy Campbell. Just notice that you haven't trashed Tommy Campbell? You ain't got no problem with him having so much time on his hands that he can go to every meeting just to make that thirty dollars? Do you think attending every meeting makes him any smarter? Aren't there minutes that are distributed after committee meetings? Or do you just want folks there so they can witness your behavior? Are you so narrow minded that you think the commissioners, at meetings or not, don't educate themselves on the issues? That they can't be prepared to vote without hearing what you say at those committee meetings.
You take so much time telling everyone what is wrong with your opponents. How about telling us what is right about you. Most people are beginning to get the picture without you taking out your crayons.
148 you haven't really shed any light on anything ether have you? Just make it sound like wab is all negative. What is he going to do? He's already doing it in my opinion, just that he isn't the voted in person in the meetings. he is pointing out and asking questons that no-one seems to like by the way and pointing out things that are done improperly. Doesn't mean some of those things couldn't be done or shouldn't be done-but all we ask is that things be done the right way out in the open for all to see....never seen so much to do about someone asking questions....to me people in government that don't like questions are ether too arogant to feel as if they shouln't be questioned or there is something amiss on the way something was done.
3:21 I got what 1:48 said. It was easy. They encourage Mr. Barrett to save his breath in trashing his opponents. Most seem so tired of his negativity. So tired it makes some want to vote for those he trashes. Instead, 1:48 asks him to tell us why we should vote for him. Why he thinks as one man he can make twenty others do his bidding. What he thinks he can do differently that will create postive change. Does he think he can get along with and work with twenty other people with opinions different than his. Does he realize some will agree with him and some won't. What attitude will he have when others disagree. Conduct himself reasonably or create a scene. Seems a fair request to me. People are wanting to know about his leadership. All he wants to do is trash his opponents. Get it now?
wab...
Looks like people are beginning to figure this out for themselves. But I would suggest that you keep on trashing your opponents and Mrs. Vanzant. It's only going to help them on election day.
I keep wondering why you would want to sit on the commission with twenty other people, most of whom you have alreayd alienated and angered by the things you have said about them. Are you so much smarter than them that it matters not what they think of you? And do you really think those you have bad-mouthed in the past are going to be happy to go along with whatever you suggest? Hardly. A good question was aksed about your attitude when the others disagree with you? That is, assuming the unlikelihood that you would even get elected, would you have a temper tantrum or start bad-mouthing them either in the newspaper or on this blog? I wonder.
To anonymous of the 1:48 post.:
I never said I’d do everything different from every Commissioner just different from a number of them. I never claimed to be smarter than every Commissioner, those are your words. One thing I am smart enough to know is the sarcasm and insincerity in your comments. I’m impressed that you have three votes to cast you must be in the Maplewood Precinct.
If you could retain information you would already know much of what I believe would benefit the community by reading my letters, posts and ads in the paper & on this blog. Do you actually think that anyone running for election doesn’t believe they can do a better job than their opponents? Wouldn’t anyone with a genuine concern for the county drop out of their respective races and support their opponent if they really thought their opponent would be better for the county? That’s really dense wouldn’t you agree?
The absolute & quickest thing I would do as a commissioner is get with others of like mind & Declare Giles County Open for Business. That means anyone wishing to do business in Giles County would be welcome. As long as it was an honest & respectable business everything possible would be done to help that business get started & succeed. With an expansion of the tax base more money would come into the county & less would be required from each individual. Government doesn’t create jobs or wealth it only gives opportunity by removing the restrictions that inhibit.
The second thing that must be done is to create competent open county government where individuals can feel a part of the process and be able to trust those representing them. There are Commissioners who want to do the right thing but so far there have not had enough support to put a complete stop to stupidity. When we as a county pay 100’s of 1,000’s of dollars more for the exact same insurance coverage than larger surrounding counties something is wrong. When Commissioners can’t even get public information about their own county government something is wrong. Those things that are wrong must be made right and for the most part it doesn’t require anything more than plain honesty.
It’s not about throwing mud it’s about informing the public of how their resources are being used and misused. If the waste was eliminated and proper planning instituted an incredible amount of things could be done without raising anyone’s property taxes or creating new taxes & fees.
You bring up the subject of Commissioner Campbell. I consider him a friend, we don’t spend a lot of time together & we certainly disagree on many issues including most of his voting record.
He hasn’t asked me for a loan or to pay his bills and he seems to provide for his family just fine so why should I or anyone else be concerned about how he spends his time? There are few Commissioners I have disagreed with more than Commissioner Campbell and Jackson but one thing I can say with confidence both are usually among the most prepared Commissioners at the table primarily because they take the time to attend committee meetings. I do know that simply by being in the committee meetings you are exposed to much needed information to make better informed decisions, whether people actually get smarter or richer I can’t say with any authority. You claim a greater qualification to read the motivations of others than I. I do have doubts that anyone is getting rich from being a Commissioner & I do believe that in these economic hard times the Commission pay should be reduced. continued next post.
Part Two ff previous post.
As far as I know there are no minutes of committee meetings distributed to each Commissioner and even if there were, minutes taken by a member of the committee are usually sketchy at best. It’s very hard to write & take an active part in a meeting.
You state “Are you so narrow minded that you think the commissioners, at meetings or not, don't educate themselves on the issues? That they can't be prepared to vote without hearing what you say at those committee meetings.”
There are some Commissioners who spend their own money & many hours away from Committees & Commission Meetings preparing to make informed votes. Some Commissioners simply rely on other Commissioners & the County Executive to tell them how to vote. It’s not about hearing only what I have to say but it’s important for everyone who seeks to comment to be given the opportunity to be heard; after all it’s a representative form of government at least for the moment, and there’s a whole lot of untapped knowledge in Giles County.
You state, “How about telling us what is right about you.”
I’m honest, truthful, thrifty, & responsible. I greatly value my integrity. I work hard becoming informed before I start speaking. I limit my conversation to things I know about. I’m aggressive; an excellent listener. I value other people & their opinions but have little patience for willful liars & those who treat others with no respect. I have a long history of speaking up for & defending those who are mistreated & taken advantage of. I will not break a trust. I have a whole history on this blog for any & all to view. This is a very condensed reflection, from my point of view, of whom & what I am, I could add more but would not want to tempt you into showing any ignorance by calling me a braggart. Thanks for your interest. Allen Barrett
wab
You value other people and their opinions? What a laugh!
Translation. You value those whose opinions are in agreement with yours. Others are disrespected routinely, called derogatory names, or accused of corruption.
You say yours was a very condensed reflection of who you are? I would agree with you on that statement. I am confident that you could go on and on about how great you are.
DUFUS - crawl back in your hole - stuff your hear back in your rear end - & take a nap - see how long you can sleep
you're hoplessly consumed wit hate & venom
Agree with 7:03, 6:43 is a DUFUS. Mr Barrett answered questions very openly and DUFUS apparently didn't even bother to read his words befor he started spewing his hatred.
Because you don adopt someone elses opinion don't mean you don't listen to it. DUFUS is a good example he claims to have opinions but he never gives any support for those opinions so why would anyone adopt those kind of opinions. Even DUFUS don't believe in his own opinions enough to take ownership of them by signing his name.
Dufus is a loser.
Terry has every right to run for office. If anyone should be mad at someone it is at Ms. Coleman for changing horses in the middle of the stream...That should be a sign that she is wishy washy.
My, but the cheerleaders are out in force.....two or three and perhaps the same angry person.
You say I don't post an opinion without giving supporting details? Are you serious? If I say you call me nasty names, would I not be supporting my position by reminding you of the name (Dufus) you just called me.
You just had to say something negative about Ms. Coleman. Well, isn't she also in barrett's district race? We both know she is, and I wondered how long it would take you people to start going after her. The word I get on the street is that she is a very nice and intelligent lady. Oh, I'm sure you don't want to hear that. Furthermore, I'd almost bet at least one of you is busy as a bee trying to dig up something negative to use against her. Shame, shame, shame. Go Ms. Coleman. God speed and good luck.
6:06 "You say I don't post an opinion without giving supporting details?"
WHO IN THE WORLD EVER MADE SUCH A CLAIM ABOUT YOU? Just that sentence alone shows how totally backward you are. I have never read where any one claimed such a thing about you, everyone I mean everyone has said, "YOU POST OPINIONS WITHOUT GIVING ANY SUPPORTING EVIDENCE".
I would say that's my evidence you are a dufus.
As for Coleman I didn't say anything about her because I don't know her, never seen her, never heard of her but I guess that's reason to vote for her in your book. What happened to people being involved with the government before they try running it?
You complain about Mr. Barrett thinking he can fix a lot of the problems well at least he has been involved enough to at least know what the problems are. Absent commissioner, absent candidates, absent county mayor, adds up to more of the same mess thanks to your absent brain.
Still laughing over the Maplewood Cemetery comment Mr. Barrett. Guess you best research how you can get votes in the upcoming election. Every voter gets three votes for commissioner in their district. They don't have to be six feet under dirt. Three commission seats and three votes for people they want to be their commissioner.
to me it's not that Mr. Barrett expects most of those comissioners to agree with him if he gets elected..but he does expect those comissioners to allow his voice to be heard regarding procedure and accountability and to have his say. Thats all I would expect too. Vote how you want, of course but allow me to give my point and support it and them make a decision....and by the way...why would anyone "care" if the others "liked me"...you are there to reperesent the "people" not the comissioners.
Now go ahead and "spew"....whomever you are you never listen to reason anyway...but maybe someone will get it.
8:42 you might want to learn the difference in using the singular and the plural form of words, no not you.
"Every voter gets three votes for commissioner in their district."
You get to vote for up to three commissionerS. If you say you have three votes for Commissioner the meaning is completely changed.
You get to cast one vote for a commissioner you get to cast three votes for commissionerS.
Because your trademark is stupidity you don't have to continually prove it.
Dear Charles:
What a shame you aren't a teacher. I can see problems with your vocabulary and sentence structure too. Not to mention your writeing style. But I have more important things to do than point it out to you. You? You seemed to want to make a point. Sorry lost! Voters can vote for UP TO THREE commissioners in THEIR OWN district. OR OR OR they can vote for ONLY ONE OR TWO if they choose. The earlier poster was never talking about Maplewood Cemetery. Now, does that make you feel better lambie pie?
To 9:35 very excellent accurate post that reflects my position very well.
-----------------------------------
I have tried to be open and answer questions as they are presented, unlike many who are running for office and never show up to face the public or even answer the questions that are offered for the newspaper.
Each time I have been met by the "whining little noise" not with an adult's rebuttal where supportive information is shared but whining about me being to harsh. Well the realities of life are harsh and getting more harsh especially for those on fixed incomes who are watching the value of their property going down and their taxes going up. If you don't want to vote for me fine don't I'll not lose any sleep over it but at least be adult enough that if you seek to engage in conversation you use something other than your feelings for justification. I will continue my struggle against wrongdoing and standing up for those being abused whether I get elected or not being a commissioner would only make it easier to be heard and give access to greater opportunities to be of help, to me that's merely part of my duty as a citizen. Allen Barrett
thanks wab (935) I just hope that most people would understand that and it shouldn't be that hard as I myself am not some priveleged thinker or phophet or especially smarter than youraverage joe, but I do know right from wrong, and I wish that 109 could get a clue, but I suppose that's all that person is intended to do is draw away from the real subject matter with the disguise of "you're causing trouble" A fight for a voice is not trouble making...and I for one hope you are elected along with several others.
8:36
Calm down! And I'd appreciate it if you would stop calling me a name just because I do not agree with you.
When people call me a name, and i point that out, would you not agree that I am giving evidence in support of my claim?
I think a lot of people are tired and sick to death of a small group of know-it-alls trying to swoop down and tell us what is right and how we should live. If you don't like it here, please go back to wherever you came from.
No one called to a name because you disagreed with them they call you stupid because of the way you act plain and simple.
Someone needs to tell you what is right you certainly know enough about what's wrong guess it's from all the practice of doing wrong.
Just because a person knows more than you don't mean they know it all you just think that because you know nothing.
I love it here and have for over seventy years I walked over most of this county at one time are another
and will be buried here but that don't mean I have to put up with being robbed by politicians or lied to by some smartbutt I'm helping pay a salary for. I love this place but hate having to explain why the people have lost control to a bunch
of little punks like you that are determine to protect the wrongdoers.
6:02
Think what you will pal. But you did call me dufus. I would appreciate your stopping that. You claim you don't want people to lose "control" to a bunch of little punks like me. Do I have a right to say I don't want this county losing control to a bunch of know-it-alls who think they ought to be able to take over and tell us what to do. Sorry, but I just can't keep my mouth shut about that. And I don't suppose you can see the fact that hatred and divisiveness have been caused by these people, yourself seemingly one of them? And you don't even have a clue who is principally behind all this drama, do you?
Oh, I'm determined all right. I am determined to work against every single one of them that I'm aware of between now and election time. Call me an enabler of wrong if you want. I happen to think they are the ones in the wrong!!!
6:48 Why are you carrying your crusade only through election time?
Too, poster of 6.02 has lived here all their life yet you are constantly telling them to go back to where they came from if they don't like it here! Bet they've lived here longer than you have. You sound kinda mixed up to me.
I've lived here all my life too...maybe not as long as the older one. But I stand by exactly what I said. Would you care to comment on the hatred and divisiveness that didn't exist before the know-it-alls started their attacks? Thank you.
I think the Federal Government is trying to tell us what we can and can't do, whether we like it or not.
If Giles county raises property taxes or decides a wheel tax is what we get, we have to do it.
Telling people to go back where they came from or if you don't like it here move away is acting like a child.
9:07
I thought it was a valid point. There's no sense in living somewhere you don't like or where you fell you aren't appreciated. It was just food for thought.
Now, would you care to comment on the hatred and divisiveness that now exists in Giles County? If so, would you also share your views as to who started it?
The hatred and divisiveness has been here for many, many years it's just lately that people have become fed up with it. Even you would not be so dense as to deny Pulaski and this county has been controlled by a hand full of wealthy powerful families for the past hundred years. When jobs were plentiful and people could pay their bills it wasn't so terrible but now the elite continue to take and take and we just don't have any more to give.
To 10:11
What if a person and their spouse were having problems, maybe he/she lied to the other one and was spending more money than their income. Do you think they should just move out and not try to work it out. To heck with the children.
That is about what it means if your county has problems, just move away and forget it.
Telling someone to just move away is acting like a child.
11:02
Don't be silly; you knew very well what I meant. We were doing just fine before all this hatred and division began some few years ago.
So I'll say it again, if you don't like it here, hop a bus. It's just that simple.
Let me give you a scenario. Let's say you join a civic organization you really enjoy being a part of. Eventually, you run for an office within the organization. Sadly, you are defeated in your bid and become angry and resentful...even jealous! In your heart of hearts, you feel that you are much smarter and more capable than the one who was elected to the position you SHOULD have had. So, rather than to graqcefully accept defeat, you become vocal and try to stir up all the trouble and strife that you can? Do you get where I'm going with this? Should that contentious individual go somewhere else and join a new club or stay there and destroy the one he's a part of?
6:18 needs to live by what she preaches. Get in informed and you will know how well we are doing.I just like for my tax money to be used wisely. I also want a good place for my children.grandchildren and great-grandchildren to live.
I know what you meant.
Leave, where I can have my way.
Tuesday, April 13, 2010 3:28:00 PM
If you don't like this County having watch dogs on how our tax money is spent, Why don't you leave! Bye.
Once again 6:18 show his incredible ability to read minds and hearts. How does he know what it is that motivates another person.
To say as he does, "you run for an office Sadly, you are defeated in your bid and become angry and resentful...even jealous! In your heart of hearts, you feel that you are much smarter and more capable than the one who was elected to the position you SHOULD have had. So, rather than to graqcefully accept defeat, you become vocal and try to stir up all the trouble and strife that you can? Do you get where I'm going with this?"
Some things 6:18 fails to consider: I was already active in local politics before the last election; I was already an outspoken critic of several things that were plain wrong and wasteful before the last election; I was already operating this blog and exposing some very underhanded activities by 6:18 and his friends before the last election; I had already been jailed , tried and found NOT GUILTY before the last election. To claim I'm angry, resentful and jealous because I lost an election or that my motivation is the result of being angry, resentful and jealous is just plain untrue. Of course I'm just a simple man and don't have the Godlike power, that 6:18 claims to have, so I'm unable to discern my own motivations with the same authority and accuracy 6:18 claims to have. Hummm.
Now the question is, after reading the outstanding article about the fiasco at the insurance committee meeting in todays newspaper by Mr Manke and Mr Lake, are we now to assume they also are filled with anger, resentment and jealousy or is it possible that they just are seeking some truthful, responsible open government? Allen Barrett
8:22
Can you think of anyone who truly ought to practice what he preaches (love, compassion, praying for others and etc) instead of constantly condemning and finding fault? I can.
I too want a good place to for myself, my children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and...everyone else for that matter. But I know that constant strife and name-calling are not conducive to making that happen. In fact, I will take that a step further and say that Giles County has not moved forward in that respect. No, not one bit.
3:44 We have gone backwards.
6:01
Only because of the turmoil and distrust that's ben created by an angry and small person who wants to be able to tell everyone else how great he is and how he thinks everybody else should live. I pray to God that individual never figures achieves it. That's an opinion, by the way.
Way to go "little noise" your 6:37 was well in keeping with your continual whining and refusal to face or produce any facts. I am totally confused about your sentence "I pray to God that individual never figures achieves it" but I'm sure you knew what you mean. You are a despicable liar to continue the false claim that the turmoil and distrust has been created by me or any single individual or act. It is the result of much misbehavior and incompetence by some in office and a system that has gone unchallenged far to long. I am very proud to be a part of that challenge, hope you are equally as proud for your part in allowing that unquestioned behavior to continue. Allen Barrett
I've never seen WAB, is he a small man or just you calling him that. Guess you don't think that's wrong.
I remember when James Miller was County Execute there was some after him. I thought he was doing a good job and didn't like the letters in the paper, but never called any of the men against him a small man.
Just saying not agreeing with who's in office isn't new like you have said.
Yep, I clal him a little man, becayuse he is insignificant and powerless. I pray that he will stay that way. But it's ok for him to call me names, (e.g. little noice)?
Here's the question I have:
Could it be that Giles County is paying ridiculously HIGH insurance premiums because of all the lawsuits we have had? Once before on here I asked if anybody knew and could list all the lawsuits the county has been involved in these past eight years and never saw an answer. My thinking is that we are paying so much because our county is such a risk for the insurance company to insure. Whaddaya think?
ha, I think 631 must feel real "big" calling wab a small & insignificant man from the safety of being "anonymous"....that is way to funny~
While there have been an unknown number of lawsuits VAnzant will still not tell how many but the problem with the insurance is corruption of the system, most of it is channeled to one person without a bid process.
to one person only
And I pray that he will stay insignificant and powerless.
And I pray he will stay insignificant and powerless.
and we all pray you will become significant someday
4:53
How childish. Maybe you should pray for some wisdom and the power to think for yourself instead of falling hook, line, and sinker for the hate-mongering. So childish.
Look who is calling someone else childish!
9:00
That's right. I am calling you childish, and I meant every word of it. Can you not see for yourself who is primarily responsible for all this hatred? If you can't then you are either willfully blind or delusional. Which is it.
You sound like you have a little hatred too.
Calm down.
I'm getting there!
I found out today that T Jackson gets the bill for the insurance from Jimmy Alsup and he sends it to Janet V. and she write on a piece of paper what she wants Loretta to pay and she sat in the insurance meeting and said that she didn't know anything about what they were talkin about. I do not understand how people can just lie when they know the truth is better. Do they not realize that the truth is going to come out and she will have to defend her statement?
I'm sure that Mrs. Vanzant may not know all the small details of what goes on all the time. Neither does the president of a company for that matter. Why can't you people just give it a rest and stop trying to destroy her?
If Mrs. Vanzant reads this, I hope she knows there are a lot of us out there who see what a small group of people are trying to do and that we stand firmly behind her, even if they don't. Be assured that I for one will do all I can to help.
No one can know everything that is going on in a company or a county but when you are the one doing a thing shouldn't there at least be the expectation that you are aware of what you're doing,
Vanzant has personally been involved with the insurance cover-up and has personally ordered Garner not to release the information requested by Wilburn. The woman is not only incompetent she is a pathological liar.
10:47
You guys just never stop, do you? If you are going to accuse Mrs. Vanzant of n illegal cover up, I'd think you would be courageous and sign your name to your post.
I beleieve if you look you'll see Mr Barrett's name on his statements, Mr Lakes's name on his editorial and Mr Manke's name on his article.
One name that is always missing is yours.
Did you read the statement Mrs Vanzant promised to have twelve days ago....... me neither. Wonder where it is now the radio has reported on the matter and the statement still hasn't shown up. She usually is able to make up something much quicker than this.
Her statments are on here all the time, she just doesn't take credit for them.
anonymous (8:41)
Manke and Lake are editors, so they have to sign off on their newspaper articles. I suppose you could say the same about barrett since he is the "editor" of this blog. Joke.
What I was suggesting is that whoever accused Mrs. Vanzant of something illegal should go ahead and sign his or her name. Think about it. Some attorney may need that information.
By the way, aren't you a bit anonymous as well?
11:40 Why do you get so many statements wrong? Steve Lake is an Editor. Paul Manke is a Journalist, not the editor.
They both edit articles for the paper. Come on; you knew what I meant. Besides, what difference does it make?
5:46 nobody knows what you mean when you say wrong things and you don't explain what you mean.
Regardless of what they are Lake, Manke and Barrett have all accused Mrs Vanzant of wrong and put their names on their statements. Probably no one in the county has signed more
statements of wrong doing by Vanzant than Barrett not because as you claim he loves to stir up trouble but because like most of us he's fed up with the wrong, crooked, and often illegal behavior. You need to get a clue.
5:46
If Mrs. Vanzant has done something illegal, then why don't you name the crime and sign your name?
To 9:25 The crime is blocking the release and refusing to allow the release of public information to an authorized authority of the county. This is information that the state says is public and should be available to any citizen, keeping it from an authorized county official "Commissioner Wilburn" makes it even more egregious. Hope this helps 9:25 but we both know you weren't really interested in this information but here it is and here is my name as you requested. Allen Barrett
Pair this blockage of information with the attemp to make "gifts" to the school system annonymous and it makes eerything tidy doesn't it?
Has a "bill" been presented YET?
Maybe this problem is even bigger than just the County Executive that is taking so much heat? although she should present the info, or "instruct" the proper person to provide it.
wab
Then why don't you turn in your evidence to the proper authorities, your excellency?
To 8:52 whining again. You said "if Mrs. Vanzant has done something illegal, then why don't you name the crime and sign your name?"
It seems Mr. Barrett accepted your challenge and your only response is to sarcastically refer to him as "your excellency".
Who in Giles County would you consider to be the "proper authorities"?
How do you know he hasn't turned information over to the proper authorities?
Here is a simple question for you 8:52, do you think it is reasonable for public records to be kept from the public? I am not talking about such things as confidential legal papers but things that have clearly been classified as public and readily available from other counties.
To 8:52 Your sarcasm is as revealing
as your absence of thought. As 9:04 pointed out you challenged people to tell what the County Executive had done that was illegal and I named one thing, notice I only named one thing of many illegal and unethical things she has done. Many other things could have been named but why should I spend time listing those when one would get the same reaction "ignored".
Now once again you show an incredible ability to know the mind of others by stating "Then why don't you turn in your evidence to the proper authorities". Again as 9:04 pointed out how do you know that I haven't? Haven't you ever noticed that the wheel of justice turns slowly especially when one in an elected office is involved?
I now echo the same question that 9:04 asked you directly, "do you think it is reasonable for public records to be kept from the public?" Allen Barrett
Could there be something in those records that might incriminate 8:52? I sure hope 8:52 is not on county payroll, while doing all this babbling.
Name the crime and sign your name then.
10:28
You are delusional if you think I am on any county payroll. What a laugh to speculate as you do.
4:01 wonder why you didn't answer the question that both 9:04 and Mr. Barrett asked you. After Mr Barrett met your request why don't to meet his?
4:45
Why should I have to answer barrett's questions? I don't have to explain myself to him, to you, or to anybody else. You vote for and support your candidate, and I will do the same.
It seemed like a common courtesy that since he answered your question you would be willing to answer one question by two posters.Guess you're not that giant of virtue that you claim to be.
11:29
Wrong! I am a giant of virtue in a sea (this blog) of mean-spiritedness. Oh, yes I am and proud of it.
You mentioned common courtesy, and I almost had to laugh. On this blog??? Surely, you jest.
To 6:04 glad you don't have to high opinion of yourself. Wait based on the old saying that opinions are like rectums and everyone has one, couldn't that carry over to opinions and rectums are the same size at lease that would explain how you're able to get your head where it stays.
9:34
Oh, but I do feel just fine about myself. I take comfort in knowing that I don't run around town spewing hatred and division among the people. How about you and your self-esteem?
Great 7:03....we'll call you "Robin spew"....defender for cume-bye-ya"....gee thanks for all your efforts to make sure people "get along" as long is it agrees with your view of peoples actions...maybe we could have a government position that pays you for not spewing hatred....now if we could get a position that paid you to distribute facts...or paid to not distract from the facts or questions that are posed by citizens. Ok we get it..you support whomever is in office, great! support them and move on....we have questions..if you could answer any of them without just saying what a defender you are....that would stop the questions.
I support whomever is running against the agitators, pure and simple. And I'm hoping most Giles Countians will do the same...as I think they will.
Are you telling me you aren't spewing hatred against WAB and others on this blog. If Janet gets beat she can blame it on you.
I was for Janet, but after reading so much you write against some of the others and say you don't do as bad as them. I haven't made up my mind who I'm going to vote for.
Who ever said for Janet to go back where she came from wasn't nice, but you are always telling people to go back where they came from or leave so I see both of them wrong.
4:15
No, I don't consider that I'm spewing hatred toward barrett and company who just can't stop attacking those they dislike. No, what I AM spewing is a defense and an opposing view. I am pointing out that what they are doing is wrong. Was Nathan spewing when he told David he had no right to that woman? I don't think so. What these people are doing is wrong, and if you think I am spewing hatred because I tell them so, then I'm sorry.
4:15
Oh, and one more thing. Why is it ok for the disgruntled to keep saying that Mr. Jackson and Mrs. Vanzant ought to go back where they came from, but it's NOT acceptable for someone like me to suggest the same for those who aren't happy here? Would you mind explaining that to me? I look forward to your answer.
Did you not read the last part of my post. I think I said it wasn't nice to tell Janet to go back to where she came from.
Because they said that you shouldn't act like them. Two wrongs don't make a right.
And my response was that "they" are the ones who keep saying Mr. Jackson and Mrs. Vanzant should go back to where they came from. Sorry, but I can't sit here and allow them to go unchallenged on that.
7:59 Maybe this will explain a little - Jackson and Vanzant hail from elsewhere, as do many other tax paying folks in Giles county. Difference is the other folks are not making a living on tax payer money but are contributing to Jackson and Vanzant's incomes.
Incredible. Both Mrs. Vanzant and Mr. Jackson are native Giles Countians. If there are any troublemaking outsiders, it's people like you.
Why don't you and allen barrett start following them as they leave work each day and see where they go? That might give both of you something to do besides spout and spew venom!
6:49 Makes no difference that Vanzant and T Jackson were born here. Point is, they left eons ago and chose to live in other counties, in Jackson's case another State. Each maintains homes in their adopted areas.
7:31
My, but aren't you busy spewing this morning. So what if Mr. Jackson and Mrs. Vanzant have properties in other locations? Can you think of anyone else who has? I can think of plenty.
I didn't realize that a job required an individual to sell off his or her property in order to take a job in another county or state. It might be required that a residency requirement be established in that particular locale, and I believe that is what both Mr. Jackson and Mrs. Vanzant have done. But you guys just will not leave it alone.
Tell me this. Have you ever known of anyone doing so little as getting a post office box so they can have a mailing address in a particular area? That happens all the time. And it's normally because of the job requirement. Mr. Jackson and Mrs. Vanzant have done far more than obtain a post office box. Ok?
Janet VanZant has always been a property owner in Giles County. She has the right to vote, and most importantly she is a tax payer. She may live the biggest part of her year in Lincoln County, but the law says she has to be in the county so many days before an election and she does that. Not that it's right in some peoples eyes, but the bottom line is she does pay taxes in this county to help pay for the things that we need tax dollars for.
Now on the other hand, Tee Jackson has a contract with the Giles County Board of Education. The contract says he has to declare a residency in Giles County. The idiots that continuously kept putting years on his contract never said he had to spend on dime of his paycheck in TN. He is not a tax payer, he buys very little in Giles and he and his wife spend very little time on Magazine Rd. That is my beef. He will go around to the stores at Christmas and look and be seen but that is about all he does. He buys pants at the Outlook and he definitely spends money on lunches. But that money is allocated in his contract as well. So tax payers, Tee gives back very little to Giles monitarily, but he sure doesn't mind taking from your pocket each payday.
Another thing about Tee is he is a busy little bee trying to stack his school board for the next two years. That shall continue at another place on the blog.
To 25 Apr 6:49
You need to back up and get in touch with reality.
I don't have to follow Mrs Vanzant anywhere I know where she lives and that the house on College is nothing but a ruse. However you have not heard me question whether she meets the legal requirements for residency. As I have said on this blog and elsewhere legally she and Mr. Jackson meet the qualifications for residency, ethically it's a different story.
Neither meet the intent of the law and contract.
As for them being native Giles Countians there again I have no questions about that. There may be a dispute about how much of their lives has actually been spent in Giles County but I have not raised that question.
As for spewing venom everyone must take a back seat to you in that category. You love to present yourself in all the righteous accouterments of the Pharisee but the reality is you are nothing but a self-righteous, hypocritical, little snob with a head full of imagined self importance.
I for one would appreciate a little bit of honesty from you in that if you want to continually refer to me please use my name, but then I'm sure that in your mind you have too much class to be that honest. Allen Barrett
8:30 Facts
Janet Vanzant acquired the house on E College Street in 1999 from a relative to establish "property owner" in Giles Co. However, the law says you have to actually reside (meaning live) in a county at least 6 months before putting your name forward. She never met that qualification but the powers that be in Nashville accepted her as a resident even though they had no proof of her actually living here, just an address. She lives in Lincoln county with her husband.
Tee Jackson's contract says he must live in the county, it does not say he must be a property owner which is why he has an apartment on Magazine Rd but pays his taxes in AL.
We got suckered.
Looks like the Vanzant/Jackson haters are out in force. You people need to get a life or at least a hobby. HLSS has taken complete charge of you, and you apparently have no clue who gave it to you. Grow a brain before it destroys your life.
By the way, did you go to church yesterday and pray for your supposed enemies????????
Hiding behind religion again!!! That seems to be something you are really good at. At least you are good at something, EH.
6:20 Dont sound like hatred to me. Person was only stating facts. If you think its wrong then do your own research and post on here.
Dont have any enemies I am aware of but I did pray for you. Did you feel my prayers reaching you?
3:10
You prayed for me? Thanks. I need all the help I can get, but I honestly didn't feel the love from you following your prayer.
Someone questioned my religion again, I see. Well, all I can say is that I am a spiritual perosn and I do not hide behind religion. I wish everyone could do the same. Anything less than that is hypocritical, don't you think?
For example, I don't claim a closeness to God and then call people mean and nasty names.
Who is EH?
koko koko koko...lol
Boy, wasn't Janet mad yesterday at the insurance meeting? She sure was wanting to get out of their in a hurry. Now can you people see what her true colors are and you still want to feel sorry for her. Scott, you need to get more signs out. By the way, yours are much prettier than hers.
9:56
So you are now an expert on reading minds and in body language? If Mrs. Vanzant was angry with anyone, it was with those who might have been there trying to disrupt the meeting. I'm sure you will recall a few incidences like that involving a very disgruntled little man.
I honestly believe Mrs. Vanzant has shown more strength and endurance than anyone I've ever met. What's the proof? Putting up with people like you.
I believe the disgruntled few are the ones who are angry, because they know Mrs. Vanzant will be re-elected. So they try to belittle and smear her in any way they can.
People do not like attack dogs, and you guys are going to find that out at election time.
And one more thing. I'll bet you haven't heard Mrs. Vanzant's opponent out there calling Mrs. Vanzant names and accusing her of illegal activities, incompetence, and etc. Of course not.
Calling someone Little Man is just as bad as calling them a bad name.
He is a little man, but it really has more to do with his insignificance.
If Barrett called you "Big Man" or "Fat Woman" which ever you happen to be, bet you get mad.
His insignificance has nothing to do with it, you called him a name!
Which you claim you don't do.
He is a little man...and he is certainly insignificant. There's a difference between describing someone and in calling them a name.
Let me ask you a question. If I called him a preacher, would you think I was calling him a name? Ridiculous! Do you have anything else to do with your time?
Spending my time just like you do on here. Reading how upset you get.
7:40 In reality Mr Barrett is a good sized man both in stature and the guts it takes to do what he does on behalf of the rest of us who dont have the nerve to go public with our thoughts and feelings.
In my opinion, barrett reminds me of a clever little weasel who loves to have his name out there. Notice that I did NOT call him a clever little weasel. And there are those like me who, for LEGITIMATE reasons, cannot post our names. So it's not nearly as much a matter of "guts" as you say.
LOL!!! You in the CIA or something? Only reason most choose anonymity is so they can say whatever they want without responsibility. I suspect the same from you. Spare us the whole "I can't post my name" garbage. You won't post your name. That is simply enough.
9:14
I stand by every word I said about why some people, including me, cannot post their names. Oh believe me, I don't fear the whole lot of those who would suggest cowardice on my part.
To 7:40 you say, "In my opinion, barrett reminds me of a clever little weasel who loves to have his name out there. Notice that I did NOT call him a clever little weasel. And there are those like me who, for LEGITIMATE reasons, cannot post our names."
In my opinion you remind me of a pompous, arrogant anal buffoon with the intelligence of a moron aspiring to become a brain dead armadillo. Notice that I did not call you a pompous, arrogant anal buffoon with the intelligence of a moron aspiring to become a brain dead armadillo. I have too much respect for pompous, arrogant anal buffoons with the intelligence of a moron aspiring to become a brain dead armadillo.
Would you please do us all a favor and enlighten us as to what ILLEGITIMATE reason prevents you from properly identifying yourself and taking responsibility for your words. I am sorry I totally forgot to whom I am making such a request. Responsibility has never seemed to be your strong suit. Allen Barrett
wab...
Could you please tone down the name-calling and insults?
By the way, I SAID legitimate reasons and not illegitimate. I realize you were just trying to be a wise guy, so there's no need in your going back to my original post to see what I said.
My LEGITIMATE reason, like those of others who post anonymously, is really none of your business.
No, your legimate reason is that then everyone would know what a crook and fraud you really are.
9:52
Did you just read what you wrote? Can you not see any venom in your spewing? Do you even realize who you've been listening to? Will there ever come a time when you will come to your senses and see where this is all coming from? I hope someday this will be something you remember with regret.
And, no, I'm neither a crook nor a fraud. I just happen to oppose what the disgruntled are doing.
KoKo KoKo KoKo
To 9:32 You stated, "wab...Could you please tone down the name-calling and insults?"
Please tell me what name I called you and what insult I related to you? I no more called you a name than you called me by your own explanation or is this once again one of those many situations where things only apply to others but not you? Allen Barrett
6:15, I didn't see anymore venom and spewing in the post of 9:52:00 PM than in yours.
I thought both were just A post.
wab
Apparently, your arrogance knows no bounds.
Ko Ko Ko
3:44 show the names he called you and the insult. What WAB did was write in exactly the same manner you did. You are such a hypocrite.
5:44
Then you admit that barrett was calling names and insulting me? He's good at it, and you apparently are either blind to it or refuse to accept it. I thought you guys were all about truth? No?
Not only a hypocrite 5:44 but apparently a 1st grader as well. Since when do you get all bent out of shape for being called a name. Grow up already! So what if someone called you name..suck it up and move on! Good grief!! I bet most of you people getting so upset over being called a name are much older and should be much wiser. Give it a break!
8:28
What i get bent out of shape about is the general denial of the name-calling.
KoKo KoKo KoKo
5:57 How does asking you to tell what names and insults were used against you translate into my admitting that WAB called you a name or insulted you. Not even you are that stupid are you?
What WAB did as usual is beat you at your own game and you just can't stand it. If you're gonna get in an intellectual duel with someone you should make sure you have more than a dull plastic knife borrowed from a GI Joe doll to do battle with.
8:27 you are just a whiner...plain and simple. What you contribute on this blog is ignored and irrelevant. Why don't you get off the blog and go out to the courthouse lawn and hold signage openly expressing yourself since it means to much to you? You sure would be able to exploit yourself and the heroes you champion, not to mention you would have to reveal your identity. You are a joke, annoying and are hurting your cause tremendously. Being in the minority should give reason for you to rethink your position. I bet you will be no where to be found when those you defend are publicly held accountable for their actions. You need to learn that just because you think someone is a nice gal or guy, that doesn't necessarily make them free of being inept in their job, unethical or a host of other things. It is ignorance like yours that puts people in office like some we have now. Wise up!
10:29...aka 10:48
Why don't you ask barrett about the names he has called not only me but several select victims about town? Of course he will deny it, but we both know better. Do your own research. The proof is right here on this blog.
What I contribute to this blog is ignored and irrelevant? What a laugh. You don't seem to ignore what I post, and what I have to say is most relevant. I merely offer opposing viewpoints to those of your persuasion and chastening to those who misbehave. I encourage people to stop with the hatred, realize who is the mastermind of it, and start thinking for themselves. What's wrong with these things?
Surely you don't think I am ignorant of the fact that some people in the political arena may be popular and yet deceitful and corrupt. Bill Clinton's name automatically came to mind.
600 am....do you need a baby fooler' or a bib? sounds like you diaper needs changing...
LOL! KoKo needs his diaper changed. That's some good stuff. It sure doesn't keep him from slinging poo though.
To 6AM.
While you failed to address the issue raised by 10:29 and 10:48 you just lied through your keyboard about me with your mean-spirited attack from behind the anonymous label. I fear you will continue with such stupid lies about me until I am forced to break my promise not to back trace your post and find out exactly who you are.
You stated, "Why don't you ask barrett about the names he has called not only me but several select victims about town? Of course he will deny it, but we both know better."
When have I ever denied calling anyone a name unless it wasn't true. Every post I have made on this blog has carried my name so they are very easily identified. What I have said and you are unable apparently to comprehend is that I haven't called anyone a name without also including the justification for it.
On occasion you have accused me of calling specific people names and I challenged you to prove it and you could not. At no time have I denied calling you are some other public official uncomplimentary names. I just don't appreciate being lied about as you have done in this and some other instances. If you want to criticize me that's fine but at least have the integrity to put your name on your right out lies.
Allen Barrett
6:00am you are absolutely delusional. I am 10:48 and 10:48 only. Get it straight you silly fool! You say you offer opposing views but offer no basis for such. Proof is offered to you showing points of view and you ignore them. You defend the wronged? Ha...what about the "one" you defend that is wrong? You defend wrong doing in point of view. You ignore that fact(s)that wrongdoing is present only to stab in the back the wronged person to defend your hero. You are disgraceful in my opinion. You offer no substantial opinion or point of view, only feelings. Well, I have a lot of feelings to about a lot of things, but my good judgment has overridden my feelings and thankfully because feelings are not always right. Just like you. So when you address me next time, make sure you address me as the correct person. I speak for myself and myself alone. My experiences and my experiences alone. It really is comical how you think you know so much.
12:20 I am neither a liar or a fool. I just happen to disagree with what the disgruntled are trying to do, and I stand by everything I have said.
If you are neither a liar or a fool then why do you continually prove the opposite?
6:24
I only appear to be a liar and a fool to you because I don't go along with what you guys are trying to do. But that's ok. I don't need your approval. I am exposing just like you people claim you are doing. And I think voters just might be listening too. Remember, it's you guys and not me who are playing dirty politics. Get over it.
Calling me a liar and a fool means nothing. The "truth" is that you are angry because there are those like me who will not allow you free reign in trashing those of your choosing.
Calling me a liar and a fool means nothing. The "truth" is that you are angry because there are those like me who will not allow you free reign in trashing those of your choosing.
"...until I am forced to break my promise not to back trace your post and find out exactly who you are."
Keep it up 6 am! If he is threatening to have to track you down, you must have touched a nerve. What happened to "sticks and stones" Barrett?
What's he gonna do, come to your house and call you out in the street? Threatening, isn't it?
only if the truth threatens you.
The truth? What a joke.
7:48 people don't play with sticks and stones anymore today it's guns and bullets.
Not on here Buddy, just words. Seems Barrett can't take the incoming lexicon.
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