Also From The Budget Committee This Morning
I am posting this separately as it contains commentary along with the item.
It was stated that mid to late June would be the time for county departments to present their budget request. This is way past the time set by the state but no objections were raised.
It was also stated that a resolution would be presented at the Commission Meeting Monday, for a continuing budget through 31 July 2012.
The interesting thing about this is that once again the budget will be presented and passed at the last second just as last year. If you remember last year, the County Executive refused to allow a resolution for a continuing budget through August choosing instead to tell commissioners and the public that if the budget wasn't passed that day the Ambulance Service and Rescue Squad would be unable to continue past that day and all the county employees would not be paid and their insurance would be cancelled.
One thing that was not discussed in the meeting this morning is the one and a half million dollars that was misspent in the school budget. I believe this will be used by those opposed to the Financial Management Act of 1981, to have the school funds moved back to the school system and out of the Financial Management office. This problem is not the result of the Financial Management Act of 1981 but of the lack of strong management skills by the director, interference by the county executive and some who have sought to sabotage this program since it's inception.
Until there is a strong, competent, independent director of Financial Management their will continue to be problems with the county finances.
posted by Allen Barrett | 4:15 PM
75 Comments:
I'm sure this will be an un-popular statement, but the center section reminds me of the tatics W used to push the bail-out through, IMHO.
Ray Lanier
More cheap shots at Mrs. Garner and Mrs. Vanzant I see. You just never stop, do you?
Tacky.
I usually don't about this particular subject, 5:17, but I this time I must respectfully disagree. I did not see any cheap shots, just a factual run-down of the meeting. If you're referring about the remark relating to the mispent school money, I find that B was perfectly resonable in mentioning that. A lot of us are concerned about that subject, as it's our children being affected.
I love Jesus, but I drink a little
This is a serious matter....many teachers and support staff are facing losing their jobs within the next couple of weeks. The public is NOT getting a clear answer about exactly HOW this happened. The teachers are NOT getting clear answers either. How is it that the person (or people) responsible for this "mistake" are able to continue in their jobs? The public needs an explanation!
5:51 Yes the public needs an explanation.
Would it be alright to take the school system out of the Financial management and not take the roads and ambulance out?
Looks like it all needs to come out if Mrs. Garner can't beat that.
A lot didn't want it to work and saw to it it didn't.
Will our commissioners have the backbone to do anything about this?
6:35 No, the commissioners will not do anything about this. Not one department needs to be removed from the Financial Management office. What needs to happen is the elected officials opposed to centralized accounting along with its accountability need to start doing the decent thing and manage the program as the state intended. What bothers me is Ms Garner is taking all the blame for whatever has or has not happened at the schools. Why didnt each dept within the school system keep a relatively close watch on how they were spending their budget money? You just dont spend willy nilly without having an idea of how much you have to spend. Did ya'll read in the paper where the school board has now set in motion a way to keep up with their personnel purchasing unaourthorized then creating a Purchase Order after the fact? There's where a lot has been spent in a line item. No fault of Garner there. There is much more to this than we are hearing and mark my words, Ms Garner will take the fall for other people's mismanagement. After all is said and done, Ms Vanzant is the County Financial Officer and Chief Executive. The ball stops with her but she will deny knowing anything. She gets a financial report every month. Its her job to keep up with it.
As President Thurman use to say, "The buck stops here."
Who ever is planning on running for Mrs. Vanzant's place needs to think "can I take the heat and handle the job?"
It was stated this morning that 31 teachers and support staff will or have already lost their jobs because of this. No it is not all Mrs Garner's fault but she is the major personality involved with the money, Mr Jackson and Mrs Vanzant are just as responsible but will never take responsibility for their parts.
Unbelievable! How embarrassing for our county! I agree with above posts....there needs to be a full explanation from all responsible. I heard one school was told that they simply "forgot" to include June in the budget? WTH?
How about taking the people responsible for this "mishap" pay for the month of June?
I guess Mr. B didn't know what he was talking about again when hew was warning about this before. Seems CG has been real quiet on this matter tuday.
My understanding is that this "glitch" was discovered more than a month ago, but is only coming to light in the past few days. Any idea how long the local "news media" (joke that it is) has been aware of this or played a role in helping keep this quiet? After all, why on earth would the mis-management of a million dollars of Giles Countians' taxpayer money possibly be newsworthy???
Before one single teacher or support staff lose their job, seems the Director of Schools should be the first to go.......
Mrs. Garner has resigned. But keep in mind she had to do what she was told to do. I don't blame her I blame Jackson and Vanzant.
Are you serious that Mrs. Garner has resigned? This would be the absolute best thing that has happened to Giles County in a long, long time. Now to get shed of Jackson and Vanzant. There may be hope for Giles County yet. As long as we replace incompetence with competence.
10:17
Look, I haven't heard anything but gossip about what's going on. I thought you guys frowned on basing opinions on gossip? More importantly and unlike you, I don't rely on mean and nasty people to tell me what to think or who to hate.
11:17 (11:42)
It is not true that Mrs. Garner has resigned. I called and checked on that myself. So who is telling lies here and for what reasons?
I think the best thing that could ever happen to Giles County would be for the troublemaking group to either stop spreading hatred and distrust or go catch a bus. What more blessing could there be? I would also suggest that troublemaking give way to peacemaking and a spirit of brotherhood and cooperation.
Well, I stand corrected. From what I could gather at the courthouse, CAVE has succeeded in running Mrs. Garner off. She plans to resign. And, it appears that Tee Jackson is right in there with the troublemakers. It's just sad that a devious and conniving little group of unhappy people can cause so much trouble. They know how to plot and plan ways to get rid of people they don't like. Did they not do something very similar when it came to Scott Speer? Oh, and I'm wondering if allen barrett's name will now come up for the Financial Management position when Mrs. Garner resigns? Can you see where this may be going?
To Mr. Jackson
I want you to know that I just lost a lifetime of respect I had for you. Did you lay off teachers to make Giles County look bad? Did you not align yourself with this little group who has caused nothing but misery in the county for several years? Are you not in alliance with CAVE and allen barrett now? Shame on you if these things be true.
To Mrs. Garner
I am so sad to learn that these troublemakers have finally succeeded in turning people against you and in running you off. May God bless you and your family. May God bless Giles County.
This just makes me more certain that the charter will be a very bad thing if it is voted in. Just take a long hard look at the ones here who are behind it! Pay particular attention to how ruthless they play to get what they want. Join us in defeating this monster before it can take root here in our county.
8:15 Why is Mr. Jackson a trouble maker and behind Mrs. Garner going to resign?
If there wasn't enough money to pay the teachers, what else could he do but lay then off?
I don't know who's fault it is that there wasn't enough money in the school budget.
Did someone not figure enough money for what was needed or was it like an elder person taking rent money and buying a new TV with it, then no money for rent?
Mrs. Garner don't go down by yourself. If others was also the cause of all this mess tell. Don't be the only one hurt.
God bless Mrs. Garner and Giles County.
8:55
I didn't accuse Mr. Jackson of being in on this witch hunt. I asked him if he was a part of this mess. I would expect him to be truthful.
to 8:15 Your post was not only a reflection of extreme ignorance but if you also made the 7:41 post you either was severely ill informed or you just plain lied about checking on the resignation.
Your assertions are not only wrong they are maliciously directed. Your own post reveal you have no factual knowledge of what is happening but as usual that does not prevent you from spouting off the confused hatred you operate from.
I will post the facts in a new topic since this information has now been made public.
barrett...
Yes, I made both posts. And how I found out is really none of your copncern. But were you not right in the middle of this? Yes or no?
Whoever posted at 8:15 has to be out of their mind. Remembering the past relationship of Allen Barrett and Tee Jackson how can anyone imagine they are in anything together? Scoptt Speer? Scott resigned as county attorney and went to work in south Giles county for someone he had known all his life, nothing to do with law although he jkept his law license. Due to the economy, that project was not a success so Scott returned to his law practice.
Although the truth will never come out as to why Ms Garner resigned, in yesterday's meeting an attempt was made by a commissioner to get some answers. He did not get them. It would seem money was not lost from the school system but has been used for something it was not originally intended for. With all the 'amendments' to budget that go on is it any wonder the finances get messed up. Now with someone tell me how anyone labeled as a CAVE could have anything to do with what has happened in the budgets. Matter of fact, the folks called troublemakers have been more supportive of Ms Garner than many elected officials and general consensus is she is being used as a scapegoat.
9:23 Why would anyone resign if they hadn't made a mistake?
As for you thinking Mr. Barrett was in the middle of this mess, wasn't everyone that wanting tax payers money spent right in the middle of it?
Seems like you are proving you support wrong doing.
Will Mrs. Garner resigning be the end of it? I think not.
9:09 Once again you fail to take responsibility for shooting off your mouth without having a clue as to what you are talking about. The tone of your questions were very accusatory then couple that with the opening sentence about having lost a lifetime of respect for him before even asking your questions made it very clear you were not seeking information but making statements accusing Mr. Jackson of unacceptable behavior in your eyes.
It's sad that your eyes have become so clouded by your hatred and personal antagonism you have toward me.
The facts are there and overwhelming, your trying to justify wrongdoing by focusing on me just shows how out of touch you are and to what lengths you will go to defend wrongdoing.
7:41 Popped off to quick, didn't you.
WKSR told of Garner's resigning early news this morning, so cg can't blame WAB for telling something he didn't know.
Yes, CG said he lost respect for Mr. Jackson so that sure looked like he blamed him for siding with the little group cg talks about.
What planet is 815 from...Uranus?
What about the teachers! This information may be gossip. However, these teachers have been working and money has been taken out of each check for retirement. The money has been taken out but never contributed. Where is the money? Are these teachers going to have thier retirements. Who can answer this and has there been an internal audit by the state or federal government?
8:15 do you really think some little group got control of the checkbook and caused the finances to be so screwed up?
Incompetence is the only way to explain what has happened and that had nothing to do with anyone outside the courthouse annex.
11:46 If what you say asbout teachers making contributions to their retirement fund and the money not being used toward retirement, then its a federal offense. If in fact its true, I happen to have the name and contact number of the office in Washington DC who will make things happen pronto for the teaxhers,
7:41 Needs to find a hole and crawl in. It was true, she resigned per WKSR. Did they lie?
Teachers are very nervous right now. Not only are many teachers facing pink-slips they are hearing stories that they may not get their June or July checks and some of their contracted insurances have not been paid. The only way to stop this unnecessary madness is for someone to explain the TRUTH and what is going to happen next. The school system employees want answers NOW!!! This is absurd!
There will be a Financial Management meeting next Friday. Someone representing the teachers should be there and not hold back on asking their questions and getting straight answers. Time to be announced.
Has anyone had the thought that Jackson and cronies have stolen 1.5 million dollars from our schoolchildren? If he has his way, children will be crammed into classrooms of 30 or more while coaches who only teach 1-2 classes per day and central office staff are not pink slipped!
I work for the school system and got a letter from AFLAC today saying that my account was 3 months in arears. I called the office and was told that the check had been mailed on Monday. Well if it were mailed on Monday that does not explain why it is 3 months behind. It comes out of my check and it is my understanding that Beth Moore is in charge of the school system so that cannot be blamed on Ms. Garner. What is going on? What other deductions have not been paid? If I were having a deduction that was supposed to be drawing interest then I would be really mad. They forced us to take direct deposit so maybe they should have deductions done electronically so that bills are paid on time.
4:06
The witch hunt is over. CAVE got to Mrs. Garner and ran her off. It's a rotten shame, and I now believe she is taking the fall for someone...and it's NOT Mrs. Vanzant. I wanted to say that before allen barrett and one of his followers accused her. It is so shameful that these people can bully and intimidate others and get away with it.
4:06 I'm surprised you got a notice your AFLAC (insurance?) was 3 months behind. Insurance companies usually cut a person off at 30 days if the premium hasn't been paid. Please keep your notice. It might be needed.
barrett
I didn't accuse Mr. Jackson of anything. Go back and read my 9:09 post. And I did ask if you were involved in this mess. You didn't answer.
Question. Would you entertain the idea of becoming our next Financial Management director? You'll never get it, but thought I would ask.
It may be that when you have employers paying deduction that there is more time, but for whatever reason I did get it. I have talked to others since I got home today and found out that they are looking at their other deductions like annuities and etc and they are at least that far behind. One teacher I talked to said her annuitiy has not had a payment since November. Why are payments not being made. This is causing a lot of mistrust of the Finance Office. We need someone who will be responsible in that office, I hope we can find someone.
How on earth can you blame CAVE for running Garner off? Get real....she resigned because of the HUGE mess she now has the school system in. If supposedly Jackson and Vanzant wanted her to do things that were wrong then she should have refused.
5:20 Beth Sigmon does payroll for the schools. She should be able to answer questions.
Why don't they just move Harwell into that position?
Maybe that is what this is all about, 9:13.
Beth Moore just took over the school system accounts after the issues of late payments and money missing was found through audits. Beth is totally innocent in this matter and now someone owes her an apology. Please speak about things you know and not at what you ASSUME it is.
10:05 You mean the auditor found the money was missing and payments hadn't been made? How can something like that happen? Was the finance Department audited or was it just the school system?
I didn't even know Beth Moore worked there, I'm guessing the person called her name just found out she paid the bills and didn't know for how long she had been there. Sorry she got the blame, but you can't be to hard on the one told she paid the bills.
How about telling us who use to pay the bills and did she or he get fired?
The audit was done several months ago and had nothing to do with this mess up. Beth has been doing school system accounts ever since she went to FM so why would she not be in some way responsible. She does not do payroll. I am sure that part of the problem was the fact that Glenda retired and no one stepped up to take over what she was doing since they hired the janitor to take Glenda's place.
If Harwell goes into Garner's position we will know this was a set up. Was it ever found out if he even has a high school education?
This should also be a lesson for best fit hiring practices and that it is not in the best interest of the tax payers or even the employees of the county or school system.
Maybe if all the employees hired in that office were hired on qualifications as opposed to best fit buddy buddy criteria there would have been some one in the office that would have caught this.
Sincerely,
CG lies & whines
So now we're off the point with all the janitor an Harwell stuff. Sticking withn the issue of resignation and figuring out who an what was involved would go along way so the name calling doesn't get a hold and disceredit the reason for this site.
2cents-
6:20 mal
Your paranoia and distrust are overwhelming your judgment. You really need to stop hating.
People like you (and that's a VERY small group) are so filled with hatred and jealousy that you cant seem to see straight. Who told you to hate Terry? Let me guess. I'd say it's the same one who convinced you to despise Mrs. Vanzant, Mrs, Garner, and ALL 7th District commissioners. Have you got a brain?
You know what? If Terry Harwell is qualified for that job, I hope he gets it. There's one thing for certain...barrett or one of his cohorts is not going to get it.
Lastly, you keep telling a bare-faced lie that I lie and whine. Go look in the mirror and you will see the real liar and whiner. Guess what? Your face is in the mirror.
Don't hate.
5:28 You sound like you think Glenda might be the one made the mistake.
I would like to know where Glenda worked before she moved to FM. Was it the superintendent office?
CG you lie and have lied by your own words ....... and BOY DO YOU WHINE
9:33 in what part of my statement did I blame Glenda? I said since she left, not when she was there. I know that my AFLAC has not been paid in 3 months which is about the amount of time she has been gone. I don't know the timing for sure but I would think about right. She gave notice so someone in that office should have been doing her job. Ms. Garner said that all of her people were going to be cross-trained so someone should have been able to do her job when she retired if the janitor could not do it.
4:04
Good point. In the past during discussions of best fit hiring versus qualified hiring I wrote every one in the financial management should have proper qualifications for the position they were hired for. A formal education in accounting, finance or business and relevant work experience. One of my points was if some one was not able to do their job due to illness or some other unforeseen circumstance then you would have capable people in place to keep up with the extra work load.
Of course there was great dissension from one that seemed to think personality, sense of humor and the ability to go along with the group were the better credentials for hiring positions in financial management office.
This situation is not light and the incompetence shown from that office should be dealt with properly. And not another Tommy Campbell look into the financial management actions but a real scrutiny of the office and all who are involved.
I do not believe Garner should be held totally responsible but should resign, as she did, and any others involved have ethics complaints filed against them or further actions taken.
I do hope the commissioners will look at the fact that financial management will save money in this county if it is implemented as it should and you have quality, qualified employees in place to see it implemented properly.
Sincerely,
CG lies & whines
Someone should definitely be reprimanded for failing to pay these bills. Everyone knew that Glenda nor her replacement were there to do it so someone should have stepped up and done the job. Ms. Garner should have seen that someone was doing the work that Glenda did. Also there are many, many retirement forms that have not been sent in to the state and employees who are expecting a check after they retire are not going to get them. The state says that retirement forms are filled out 2-3 months before retirement and the employees did that but no one has finished the forms and sent them in. Who is going to be responsible for their retirement check when the state does not have them to process.
There has been a problem in the finance office for a long time. Bill's of all type's have not been paid on time or were late which cost us the taxpayer's additional money through penalties and interest added to the original amount due.
One thing that the public does not know is Mrs. Garner knew these thing's. THESE ARE FACT"S!! It was not only insurance premium's not paid on time. The whole truth is fixing to come out. A word of advice to the County Commissioner's and the School Board Member's, you better look learn and listen. It is far past time to stop walking around like a mule with blinder's on. Mrs. Garner is not INNOCENT at all in knowing about this, she has been informed over the past two year's by various vendor's of the county. This problem did not start just three or four month's ago.
It would be very advantageous to Mrs. Garner to spill the bean's on what all she does know and who directed her to do the thing's she did, because she was easy manipulated in her position. These thing's have been going on for far too long.
The sad thing in this whole matter is people on the finance committee knew some of these thing's as well and set back and did not one thing. NOW, LOOK HOW ALL OF YOU HAVE HURT THIS COUNTY AND THE PROPERTY TAXPAYER'S. There need's to be more people resign or be removed from office through ouster proceeding's. The buck does not need to stop with Mrs. Garner alone.
3:19
Your entire post itself is a lie. Calm down.
Has this been on any of the Nashville news stations yet?
To the CG who posted at 6:26 AM on Sunday
When you were asked if you had ever told a lie ... you posted the following:
Anonymous said...
10:54
Of course I have. We all have. But when sdomeone points it out that I was bearing false witness, I try to make it right. I don't let pride and arrogance get in my way. And it takes a bigger man to be able to do that.
Your turn.
Tuesday, May 01, 2012 10:59:00 AM
These are your words, not mine. By saying "Of course I have." does that not you admitting that you have told lies? If it does, then you are a lier. If not than you are a lier for posting an untruth. Regardless CG your are a lier.
AND ... BOY DO YOU WHINE
9:49
I stand by what I said. Everyone has told a lie at somepoint in his or her life. Why must yopu spin this to mean I am telling lies now. The fact that you said that makes YOU and not me the liar.
Go look in the mirror at a liar.
Poor Poor Pitiful CG everyone is agaist him and he can't stand it.
It's never CG it's always someone else. He is a follower of Christ has told lies. You are a lier, past, present or eben in the future makes no difference. By your own admission you have been (and possibly still area) A LIER
1:58
Everyone is not against me. At the msot, there are two of you besides barrett who give me a hard time. And for all I know, barrett could be posting anonymously.
You bet, I'm a follower of Christ, and YOU (not me) are the liar.
What is so difficult for you to understand about my 1:33 post? Go back and read it again.
Arrogant aren't we?
3:20
Hardly so. I just defend myself from a liar. There's nothing arrogant about claiming to be a Christian. Lots of people do, but you just can't seem to stand it when i do. Got it?
Nothing arrogant abouit claiming to be a Christian but there sure in in claiming that because you are a Christian that's proof you don't lie
then you turn right around and say of course i lie. Man what a piece ofd work. But the thing is you need to take a stand on this financial mess or just be quiet, So far you have looked like a complete ass defending wrong again..
I am wandering if the posts from CG are coming from the house of a man that gave 6 hours notice to his previous employer to take a job with the county? Sure seems similar to some things I have seen written and heard by ones close to him.
10:00
Nope.
9:48
Ok, I will now offer you more proof. But will you accept it?
I'm the one allen barrett told that lie on that I enable wrong. He lied.
In my mind, being a Christian SHOULD BE all the proof a man needs to offer. But since that's not the case, and he judged my heart, please allow me to share this. I do not believe Mrs. Garner is responsible for this mess. No, I think the one really to blame has denied her like Peter did Christ, and, that individual is the one who ought to be taking the fall.
Now how's that for the lie that was told on me? I do NOT condone wrongdoings, regardless of who it is. Am I due an apology from barrett? Yes. Will I ever get it? No. So you decide who has the most integrity here.
7:39 I'm not the one you posted to but I'm going to but in.
As for as being a christian saying it is no proof of not being an enabler of wrong doing, because no one knows you to know how you act except on the blog. If people knew you and saw you were a Christian, yes it would be proof.
This should be proof, you said:
"I do not believe Mrs. Garner is responsible for this mess. No, I think the one really to blame has denied her like Peter did Christ, and, that individual is the one who ought to be taking the fall."
I think the same as you in that statement.
I'm not saying you need to tell who you are, I think you should keep being anonymous, just trying to get you to understand others can't believe it just because you say it.
I can say I'm a rich person or a very poor person. There is no proof in it.
8:21
The fact of the matter is that allen barrett is a liar when he accuses me of willfully going along with wrongdoings, and you defend him regardless of what I say. I don't owe you or that liar an explanation, and I will stop trying. God knows my heart, and that's what is important.
10:20 So who are you saying is responsible for this financial mess but has allowed Ms Garner to take the blame? Are you saying Tee Jackson, Ms Vanzant or who?
1:24
I don't know, but I am convinced that someone is responsible. No, I do not think it would be Mrs. Vanzant. But whoever it is needs to be punished.
Since it's not the director's fault, the county executive's fault, the committee's fault, the commission's fault, it surely must be Mr. Barrett's fault. Right? How odd, I am reminded of our current President blaming everyone including our past President and accepting no responsibility for the country. Where would you suggest the buck stop? And they call you an enabler? Crazy huh? Enablers excuse bad behavior or blame some imaginary scenario for screw ups. Where would anyone get the idea you do something like that?
9:09
No, it's allen barrett that told that lie on me that I am an enabler of wrong. The real enablers are the ones who insist on promoting that low-down lie.
As I said, I do NOT KNOW who may be responsible at this point. I have some ideas, but it's not my nature to be amking accusations and calling people names. Buit someone is and should be punished severely.
Is that good enough for you, or do you go on promoting that lie?
8:17 Be careful of what you post, check spelling we have someone that likes to point out mistakes and tell us our sentence is right.
Too bad we can't all be perfect like someone. (I don't know who corrects us.)
This is one of his/her post and I have seen others similar:
Anonymous said...
3:57, Don't talk about someone being dumb if you can't put sentences together or use the proper spelling of words.
Friday, May 25, 2012 4:29:00 PM
Maybe we have an English teacher on here.
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