Cost For Commissioners And Others To Attend The TCSA Fall Conference
On October 26-28 the Tennessee County Services Association (TCSA) held its fall conference in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee.
According to the County Financial Director fifteen people attended the conference. According to some other sources as many as eighteen attended along with many wives.
The following is the list of attendees according to the Financial Management Office.
Bernetta Houston; Bill Cary; Connie Howell; Janice Reece; Loretta Garner; Louise Faulkner; Stoney Jackson; Tommy Pollard; Tommy Pope; David Adams; Vicki Coleman; Yvonne Brown; Steve Kelly; Barry Hyatt; Julie Phillips.
The cost of this conference:
Registration 14 @ 165.00 each, total $2310.00. Three from the Highway Department attended but no registration fees have been reported.
Transportation: $2486.37
Lodging: $2258.72 Nothing has been reported from the Highway Department for lodging expenses.
Meals and Other: 952.46
Some questions I find interesting and in need of answering are if county vehicles were used why was mileage paid?
Why were some commissioners reimbursed for lodging as low as 53.42 and others charged up to $141.92.
Why did some charge the county as little as $29.25 for meals while at least one charged the county $124.25.
How did the three people reported from the Highway Department get reimbursed exactly $115.00 each. Was this for actual cost of meals or was it some guesstimate.
While I understand the need and benefit for these type conferences I find it appalling that this kind of expense was approved at a time when property tax increases and wheel taxes are being discussed to keep the county out of bankruptcy. It does not sit well to see such spending when so many can't buy their medicine and groceries or pay their utility bills and buy gas to get to work if they have a job.
According to the County Financial Director fifteen people attended the conference. According to some other sources as many as eighteen attended along with many wives.
The following is the list of attendees according to the Financial Management Office.
Bernetta Houston; Bill Cary; Connie Howell; Janice Reece; Loretta Garner; Louise Faulkner; Stoney Jackson; Tommy Pollard; Tommy Pope; David Adams; Vicki Coleman; Yvonne Brown; Steve Kelly; Barry Hyatt; Julie Phillips.
The cost of this conference:
Registration 14 @ 165.00 each, total $2310.00. Three from the Highway Department attended but no registration fees have been reported.
Transportation: $2486.37
Lodging: $2258.72 Nothing has been reported from the Highway Department for lodging expenses.
Meals and Other: 952.46
Some questions I find interesting and in need of answering are if county vehicles were used why was mileage paid?
Why were some commissioners reimbursed for lodging as low as 53.42 and others charged up to $141.92.
Why did some charge the county as little as $29.25 for meals while at least one charged the county $124.25.
How did the three people reported from the Highway Department get reimbursed exactly $115.00 each. Was this for actual cost of meals or was it some guesstimate.
While I understand the need and benefit for these type conferences I find it appalling that this kind of expense was approved at a time when property tax increases and wheel taxes are being discussed to keep the county out of bankruptcy. It does not sit well to see such spending when so many can't buy their medicine and groceries or pay their utility bills and buy gas to get to work if they have a job.
posted by Allen Barrett | 5:35 PM
113 Comments:
Well Allen, you raise a mighty good question. I'm so sorry I don't have a better answer than to provide the old addage that those in power feel like it's okay to fleece the public whenever possible.
All I can say is I hope they really enjoyed themselves on our dime. I like so many others here in the county haven't had a vacation in years, and don't expect to afford one any time soon.
I know I know: It,s supposed to be required they attend. OR so they say. But why are they required to attend? Is the information provided in such meetings just as attainable from a confernce call, or even on line?
And your right about tax payers having to pony up these expenses when so many people are hurting financially.
I can't wait for the enabler of all evil to come in and try and pitch this one.
Come on honey! I'm sure your out there; and just as typically twisted in your thinking as ever.
9:24
Why do you continue calling someone an enabler of wrong? That's a lie started by none other than the promoter of strife.
More Kool-Aid?
wab
What about the money YOU are costing taxpayers?
You'll never see a post here as to what the Promoter of Strife's frivolous lawsuit cost the county .... At a time when folks can't afford their utilities or gas to get to work.
To 6:04 and 7:20
If you could name one frivolous lawsuit I have been involved in perhaps your claim would hold water.
The truth of the matter is I have not been involved in any "frivolous" lawsuits. Another truth is if the county and it's representatives would only follow the law there would have been no lawsuits at all.
Here's the problem, when those placed in positions of authority abuse their positions very often the only recourse is to seek relief through the courts. Isn't that why we have a court system so people will not have to take matters into their own hand?
Some of those politicians have even challenged people to sue them if they didn't like the way they did things.
So what is your suggestion as to how to deal with those who abuse their authority? As an enabler I'm sure you'll suggest that they just be left alone.
You have your opinion and, thankfully, Judge Jones had his.
Monday, November 29, 2010 9:52:00 PM
Oh no! YOU fell for that hook line and sinker! HA HA HA!
He called you out, and darned if you did't answer right on schedule!
YOu COMMIE ENABLER YOU!!!!
And by the way, we all know who you are sweetheart!
wab
As the promoter of strife, I'm sure you recollect the lawsuit against Mrs. Coleman. Did you think the county attorney worked free?
Looks to me like the PoS got called out on costing the county much more than this seminar cost.
If the election office people would have done their job instead of trying to control who got elected there probabaly wouldn't have been a lawsuit 3:54
3:54
That is an absolute lie. Oh, and by the way, the promoter of strife has a separate thread already set up for bashing and trashing the election commission. But it won't work, because barrett's suit against them was dismissed. What about them apples?
3:54
Sorry. That post was meant for 5:49who made the accusatory and slanderous remark against the election commission. With all the whining about people signing their names, I am surprised that he or she didn't sign that post.
People, please get back on track. This topic is not about the election commission. Separate topic for that.
Actually the topic is waste of county money. Allen Barrett is the LAST person to have any credibility questioning the waste of county money given the expenses he has caused.
6:51
You are totally correct about what that man has cost taxpayers of Giles County. Such credibility.
How about telling us just how much money Barrett has cost the county.
Still counting.
" But it won't work, because barrett's suit against them was dismissed. What about them apples?"
Typical Vicky Harwell commie lib comment. SOOOO transparent.
Hey Vicky: When's the last time you had some good ole fashioned Chili, with a side of video tape?
Sour Grapes about the mayor's race Vicky? Sure looks like it to the rest of us here.
Still waiting to find out how much I have cost the county in "frivolous" lawsuits. They have paid for misbehavior which is a different matter.
wab
Why don't you go ask Lucy Henson? I'm sure she can tell you what you have cost this county with your lawsuit against Mrs. Coleman alone. Please don't act like someone is telling a lie about that.
The sad thing is that you will cost the county even more before you're through.
11:31
You continue to confuse me with Mrs. Harwell. Are you the "pos" posting anonymously again?
$2,8xx for transport ?? How many buses could they have hired for that kind of $$ ?? They wanted to have their own vehicles (or Hwy Dept trucks ) so they could play at being tourists instead of sticking to the conference. The highway Dept could have painted a pure gold stripe from Pulaski to Gatlinburg for that $$ .At least they'd have been in the news media .
Another rip-off of Giles County by our tried-and-true commissioners
Miles A Way
To 6:05
Looks like once again you get caught in one of your own webs then try to wiggle out by changing the focus. You began by accusing me of costing the county money because of "frivolous lawsuits" but when that was exposed as being mere fiction created in the recesses of your mind you changed to just lawsuits.
Again I ask when you are not treated according to the law what recourse do you follow? I know you whine to those who will listen and make absurd charges on this blog in your cowardly anonymity but what do you do productive.
A civilized or semi-civilized society sets up laws and legal recourse for when those laws are broken or used in an abusive way. This hopefully helps prevent the old west style shoot-outs between people who have a disagreement. Perhaps you would prefer we go back to the days of duels but then how would you ever be able to answer a challenge there's not twenty paces in your closet.
As I have stated before I have not filed any "frivolous lawsuits" or lawsuits that did not have merit. As for the Coleman case which has not been resolved, Judge Jones plainly told attorney Williams that it was not a frivolous matter and he could forget me paying his bill.
Here's a question for you why not ask how much money the County Executive has cost this county with lawsuits that were won against her and other county officials. While I don't expect coherent conversations from you it seems you could at least make a better effort to research your gossip before you make claims to its legitimacy.
I'm sorry I didn't realize you prevailed in your meritorious lawsuit. The media reported the county and Mrs. Coleman prevailed. Please accept my apologies, Commissioner Barrett.
If you was near as smart as you think you would still be one of the dumbest people in the county. Even the newspaper reported that the case was being appealed.
So he IS a commissioner in the meantime?
I heard wab's lawsuit against the county cost close to thirty thousand dollars! I don't call that pocket change. And yes, I also ehard he appealed it when he lost but that the appeal was maybe denied. I hope it was. I think hee should have had to pay court costs out of his pocket.
Really? The Pigeon Forge conference shows:
Commissioner Allen Barrett: $0.00 in registration fees, travel and meals.
He can't even make it to an important training session? What kind of commissioner is he going to make?
3:55 he was ordered to pay court costs. That was one of the findings he is appealing. If I have heard correctly, he will have to pay substantial court of appeals costs when he loses there too.
He's never going to be a Giles County commissioner.
4:08:00 PM
You want to bet on that?
And I'll bet you'll never be Mayor either! HA HA HA!
$30,000 ! Unbelievable. Could have avoided a wheel tax right there. Thanks a lot PoS.
If 18 commissioners went to Pigeon Forge for three nights at peak season and the cost was around $500 each they did great. I know that they were not able to stay at the conference hotel because it was full so they could not spend the same amount on lodging. Maybe you need to write to the state about requiring commissioners and other elected officials to have training. I am sure if you had been elected commissioners you would have stayed at home. Great job keeping travel expenses down.
So I guess you don't have a problem with the highway dept taking county trucks and charging for mileage both.
4:05 Barrett was NOT ordered to pay Coleman's court costs. I was there and heard it for myself.
Wrong again. Mrs. Coleman had no court costs. All court costs were assessed against Barrett. Each side paid their own attorneys, but court costs were all assessed against him. Every penny. Sorry you missed that. It is understandable though given the noise made by Barrett throwing his folder.
To 7:10 Once again you prove that your lack of knowledge in no way inhibits your ability to run off at the keyboard.
Sometime I'm not sure if you're just ignorant or if you just prefer to lie. It's easy to check who paid what, just call Mrs Sigmon and ask her.
The noise made by my folder being dropped in no way was as distracting as the constant entrance and exit of the secretary's daughter to make phone calls and possibly give information to the sequestered witnesses.
I strongly suggest you get some facts before beating on your keyboard, but of course that will not happen because you'll continue to spew and whine from under your rock of anonymity.
I only stated the fact that Judge Jones taxed the court costs to you. You dance around and as usual find someone else's conduct to criticize.
But c'mon, let's see if you are man enough to admit it. Did Judge Jones assess court costs to you?
9:03
Excellent post. I've been trying to get wab to see the error of his ways for quite some time now. The only problem is that he can't find any error in his ways. Pride and narcissism can be very dangerous things.
9:03
Call Mrs. Sigmon if you want to know and stop asking her if Barrett paid.
You seem to be the one wanting to know.
2010 9:50:00 PM
Naw. She don't want to know. She just wants to throw dirt on Barrett. That's all she's good for.
I did. That's how I know. I want to see if barrett will give you an honest answer. Gut-check time on character. Real simple question: Did Judge Jones tax court costs to him? Let's see how he answers.
He must of paid it then, he's not in jail. It's none of my business if he did or not. Why was it yours?
He doesn't have to pay them until the appeal is heard. I just want to see how honest he is.
9:23 none of your business? You must not live in Giles County. You do know if the county has to pay them then we taxpayers pay. That IS my business.
Save your breath guys. Barrett will never give you a straightforward answer. Watch; he will dodge and resort to name calling.
Court cost were split. Mine have been paid. To bad you have more concern over a few hundred dollars being spent by county officials than for the millions that are lose due to negligence, incompetency, fraud and greed.
I do not believe that mileage was paid to anyone driving a county vehicle. Commissioners don't have county vehicles. If the highway department drove county vehicles they would not charge mileage but would be reimbursed if they bought gas out of their own pockets. This is being blown way out of proportion. Just something else for Barrett to complain about since he did not get to go to the meeting. He complains that they don't know what they are doing but then when they go for training to find out then he accuses them of wasting money. I guess he just need to hold a training course for commissioners himself so he can train them the way he wants them to be.
Please, no.
I know for a fact that Barry drove a county truck and used county gas then got over a hundred dollars for mileage for the trip.
The meetings in Pigeon Forge were not compulsary training for commissioners and elected officials. Its purely voluntary if they want to attend or not. Notice how many people did not attend? Good place to go with friends and have a good time. They have a few sessions with goodie bags handed out. Does anyone know if former commissioner Edwin Lovell and wife attended the meetings since they showed up along with the people from the highway dept.
Mr. Barrett in your newest topic, I saw one lodging listed at $432.24. Was this a misprint, if not why so high? Did the county pay spouses expense?
I heard Lovell and wife were there along with Foster and Dot (don't know their last name) and stayed at same hotel Hyatt stayed. Don't think they attended any classes but wouldn't be surprised if tax dollars weren't used to buy them dinner one night.
3:56:
What a stupid post...so now people who were commissioners are not allowed to go on vacation at the same time there is a county convention....!!! You definitely have way too much time on your hands worrying about everybody else! And by the way Dot and Foster Garrett don't need anyones tax dollars to go on vacation and I doubt the Lovells do either!! I do understand what you are saying about mileage, etc. But post about people that are involved..not ones that are not.
We can post about who ever, or what ever we like. No one said you had to agree with or approve of it.
And in fact; who the heck are you to decide who's post is or isn't stupid?
Are you the owner of this blog? I don't think so.
Who are Dot and Foster Garrett?
Too much time on your hands, funny that's what I've been thinking about the enabler. Anyone notice how often she post.
I believe the promoter of strife is the one who needs to get a job. By the way, where is he and his sidekick (alter ego) william? They seem to disappear for days at the same time.
Yes, she post first thing every morning.
Why is it every time Barrett post a thread even when someone else ask him to post that one, the enabler gets it changed away from the subject?
8:03 Yes, she does. Before she gets ready for her local government job!
Hey Vicky: didn't I tell you everyone who comes in here knows who you are? Sour grapes and all! HA HA HA HA
And be on the look out for,"how about them apples"? Just another one of her many signature slogans!
This ain't about Harwell it's about people we should be able to trust stealing form us.
7:41:
Dot and Foster Garrett are two of the best people you will ever meet. They also have absolutely nothing to do with local politics. They are private citizens who just happen to have gone on vacation during the time when a TCSA convention was taking place with friends (Edwin and Sue Lovell)that they have known for 40 years or more. The people who posted anything about them...would be very blessed if they knew Dot and Foster Garrett!!!
Edwin and Sue Lovell pulled into the same motel at the same time as Barry Hyatt and wife, Steve Kelly and wife and Julie Phillips and husband. Coincidence? Dont think so.
And that should be important to me?
Please get a life.
8:08
Why is it any 0of your business or mine? When you imply or state a half-truth, it's the same thing as a lie.
Since you don't know all of the circumstances surrounding why Mr. and Mrs. Lovell were there, why don't you just stop trying to stir up trouble? What makes you think any taxpayer money was spent on them anyhow?
Please stop drinkiing the hate and jealousy kool-aid. And, yes, get a l;ife.
I'm not the one that said anything about the Lovell's, but wondered why you don't get a life.
For 8:08 You must of been there to see them pull in at the same time or someone that was there told you.
I don't see why there wasn't car polling done for the trip. Would hiring a bus to take everybody not been as cheaper cheaper? Just wondering.
NO what would have been cheaper, is had they just stayed home, or paid for it themselves.
Take the money aways for such as this, and the problem goes away.
Let's hear it for an untrained commission. Yay!
Untrain, hmmmm?
Have you ever seen pictures of the commissioners in the 1940's and 195's, they dressed up and looked dignified whether they were or not.
Take a good look at today's commissioners.
At least the county didn't have to waste money by sending Barrett or Laviana to such a seminar. Thank goodness.
To 10 Dec 9 AM
Had I gone to the conference as a commissioner I would have spent my own money.
That's never going to happen.
10:41 get a life and quit thinking of WAB so much. I thought the blog was quieting down, but noticed you can't quit posting.
Were you posting on county time?
1:20
Whwen and where I post are none of your business. And, as far as barrett goes, I would like nothing better than to totally forget him. But he just keeps on and on with something.
You post more than Barrett does.
6:56
Ever think about ignoring him and maybe he will go away. No going away as long as we post back.
7:47
You are absolutely right. When the attacks, accusations, smears, and name-calling stops, I'll be gone.
6:33 What was wrong with the thread about the electric cars? Was a person attacked then?
4:08
Yep. Someone attacked the first responder and then another one later on. Par for the course with this blog.
9:11 Did the first responder not say something rude to Barrett?
To 17 Dec. 6:33
You state, "You are absolutely right. When the attacks, accusations, smears, and name-calling stops, I'll be gone."
Your honesty in this statement is truly appreciated now if you would only follow up of your commitment the rest of us could carry on a meaningful dialog with reasonable debate for the betterment of all concerned. Sorry you could not conform to adult behavior, good-bye.
wab
I see you are back in full form. No, I meant what I said. When the attacks, name-calling, and accusations stop, I will be glad to go away. Then you guys can have "meaningful" dialogue...about others of course? What a laugh.
The laugh is the one called enabler will never stop as long as this blog is going. Wonder what she will do if it stopped.
I don't understand her post...When the attacks, name-calling, and accusations stop, I will be glad to go away. Then you guys can have "meaningful" dialogue...about others of course? What a laugh.
But never did understand her post.
1:30
Still confused about my gender I see.
Yes, when the promotion of strife and discord ceases, I will have no further need to be a part of this.
Thank you and have a Merry Christmas.
To 1:30 what the enabler said was very clear, you got confused when you tried to read her cover up of her original statement which said "You are absolutely right. When the attacks, accusations, smears, and name-calling stops, I'll be gone.
posted Friday, December 17, 2010 6:33:00 AM
The enabler is finally taking responsibility for the attacks accusations, smears and name-calling. Who knows this sense of guilty honesty might even lead to her telling her name.
I love making you mad when I call you a she.
8:08 you and me too.
7:30
The only thing this combat veteran and father takes responsibility for is standing opposed to the troublemaking and promotion of strife which not only permeates this blog but the entire community. I have lived here all my life and have never seen such widespread hatred, resentment, jealousy, and suspicion.
Why wouldn't you be opposed to the sowing of strife? Why can't we be peacemakers, at least for this time of the year? Why do YOU keep falling hook, line and sinker for this mischief?
Finally, I am not an enabler of wrong. That is a bald-faced lie that was started by one who would be better served preaching against telling falsehoods.
Thank you and Merry Christmas.
To 7:16
I agree with you that we should all oppose the sowing of strife. The problem is that in order to actively oppose the sowing of strife, (strife is defined as a bitter sometimes violent conflict or dissension, an act of contention), strife is created. To passively oppose strife or wrongdoing is to actually enable it. That is why I have referred to you as an “enabler of wrongdoing”, because you, whether consciously or unconsciously, have chosen to defend the wrong doing of some public officials. I do not agree with the term “enabler of evil” as I do not believe you would knowingly support evil.
The reason we can’t be peacemakers at times is because the price of peace is too great.
Peace is defined in part as “a state of tranquility or quiet; freedom from civil disturbance; harmony in personal relations; an agreement to end hostilities between those who have been at war or in a state of enmity”. There can never be a state of peace between the Christian and Satan or evil. Jesus came into the world and thus was launched the most brutal slaughter of children that has ever existed until the legalization of abortions late in the twentieth century.
Chamberlain declared “peace” after giving Hitler his way. Capitulation is not peace only the temporary suspension of opposition. Real peace can only exist when there is real harmony in the individual and the whole community, that can’t happen as long as we remain at war with God and refuse to do what He has defined as right, thus real peace can not exist on planet earth. Jesus could not bring peace so man certainly can’t.
You mention that you are a combat veteran, and I commend you for that service, but I bet that was not something you would have chosen had you been given a choice. Like most of us you did what you believed was necessary, even while knowing the cost would be great. To me not seeking the best for this country, not holding those in charge accountable, not standing firm in my own convictions would be a slap in the face of those who so valiantly gave so much to give us the opportunities we now have. I get very frustrated at some of the things that are written on this blog but I feel those things must sometimes be tolerated in order to accomplish a greater good.
I have called you an “enabler of wrongdoing” and given reasons and examples for such a strong term, you have called me a liar but as of yet have given no reason or example to support such a statement that in itself makes you an “enabler of wrongdoing” in my mind.
A person who is unwilling or unable to support their accusations probably should withdraw those statements especially when they claim to seek peace among people.
Why can't we all be a peace maker is a good idea. It should start with everyone of us. Think about that.
I don't like a lot of what Mr. Barrett says, but you are no better than he is. You come back at him and no way is that the way God would want us to be. My coming back at you isn't pleasing to God.
I'm just begging you to let's me and you start, the stopping of this strife.
Thanks for your services as a combat Veteran.
The change instead of stirring has to start somewhere.
wab
I would greatly appreciate it if you would stop telling that lie. I am NOT an enabler. However, I have on numerous occasions pleaded with you to stop stirring up trouble and strife.
A greater good? Are you serious? Oh, I could defend my actions, my patriotism, and my desire for what's best for my country, but you (I'd bet) would turn a deaf ear and suggest that I enable wrong. No way.
Again, and according to your definition, to willfully tell a falsehood makes one a liar. Right?
2:55
There you go with the "I could's" again. Maybe you could but so far you ain't and that's what makes you so dumb not a like of intelligence just a like of do. When you tell something about what you did instead of what you could are what you gonna do maybe people will start listening to you instead of wab.
3:42
Oh, do you have anything else?
11:33 Surely you didn't think the one called enabler would stop his crusade against WAB.
10:00
Why don't you stop drinking the kool-aid of hatred and jealousy and join those who plead with barrett to stop what he's doing?
Looks like the enabler just can't come up with any reason why he should not be called the enabler.
Chalk another one up for the wabster
I think some one need new glasses.
9:18
Here's the reason. It's a bald-faced lie.
then prove it are tell why it's a bald faced lie 1:03. Wab told why it's not a lie and so far I tend to believe him.
4:11
Look, it's a lie, and barrett knows it. I asked him several months ago to stop telling it, but he still does on occasion. It's people like you who have taken that lie and ran with it. Can you not see how that promotes strife?
I don't have to prove a thing to you about what kind of person I am. All I am sure about is that I don't try to hurt others or go along with anything that appears wrong.
Still waiting for something that shows you ain't an enabler. Barrett gave reasons why you are but you just repeat it's a lie, well if you don't want people to believe it then tells why it's a lie. Seems like this would be a good opportunity to discredit Barrett.
1:18
As I said, that's a lie. He knows it and so do you.
In my opinion, he discredits himself. I don't need to bother.
4:39 but you do bother you just don't prove Barrett wrong. He gives reasons and you whine so which are people going to believe. I don't know you so how can I know if you are an enabler or not? So far your protest have left me unconvinced and wondering why you don't just state why it's a lie instead of repeating that it is a lie.
9:48
It's a lie because I am not guilty of troublemaking or the promotion of wrongdoing. All I have ever done is to ask that the promotion of strife and divisiveness cease.
What is wrong with telling when the people we pay's salary aren't doing what they should?
Do you ever listen to TV, the Senators, Congressmen, governors and president get told on.
5:19
There's nothing wrong with that. I watch the news and am well read about political issues. But when one starts calling people names and trying to hurt people, it's a bit over the top. Granted, the chief name-caller has slacked off on that a great deal and should be commended for it. However, it just needs to stop. Merry Christmas to everyone!
Maybe he will stop when you stop.
You call him a trouble maker and he calls you an enabler. Not a dimes worth of difference.
You not being able to understand you are no better than WAB is what gets me.
Has Barrett done anything to you but call you an enabler?
7:22
Isn't that enough? But anytime I am called an enabler of wrong, I will call it a lie, regardless of who says it. Ok?
Why can't there be discussion on topics without having to blame Mrs. Vanzant or certain select commissioners?
Nobody's perfect, not even Mrs. Vanzant, commissioners, you or me.
So guess they got to talk about somebody
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