Financial Management Committee Meeting 25 May 2012
The much anticipated meeting of the financial Management Committee met this morning at 9:30 in the Courthouse Annex. While apparently everyone in the county was interested in this meeting no one in county government made any arrangements for the meeting to be held in a suitable location for such a crowd.
As people began to gather and fill up the room Deputy Reynolds began directing people to leave the room as, according to his statements there were too many people in the room and were causing a fire hazard. They would have to stand or sit in the hallway outside the door. One question since there is no maximum capacity posted for the room how do you know when you have exceeded the capacity? A second question is which is the greater fire hazard to have people standing around the walls inside the room or have them gathered in the hallway blocking the door as they try to hear? Most of those standing in the hallway coincidentally seem to have been teachers.
So the meeting began and a Mr. Reamer and attorney out of Nashville was introduced and identified as having come to "advise" in the matter before the committee. My question is why did an attorney from Nashville need to be hired to attend the meeting with the county attorney sitting there next to him? Consider 90 minutes travel here and 90 minutes travel back home and a two hour meeting at between two and three hundred dollars an hours you have about $1500.00 for someone who answered about three questions most eight grade studies could have answered the same way.
The first order of business was to "freeze" all county credit card spending. This passed without any objection. Now a question, is the mostly uncontrolled use of county credit cards at the root of many of the problems. Wasn't the county warned about issuing credit cards prior to doing it? The answer is yes on both counts as these cards are often used without any purchase orders.
The next order of business was the read and vote on the unsigned letter of resignation from Mrs Garner the now former Financial Management Director. This resignation became effective as of the vote to accept this date. One unanswered question is, since there was no discussion of resignation terms, what are the possibly owed or expected expenses, if any?
The Committee appointed the current Assistant Director Ms. Beth Moore, as the acting Director.
The next item of business was a discussion of requirements for the future Director. It seems the Committee is satisfied to seek someone who meets only the most minimum requirements.
A schedule was established for the hiring process. An advertisement will be placed in the Pulaski newspaper twice and the Ardmore Shopper and possibly the Daily Herald. If the cost does not exceed 600 dollars an advertisement will be placed in either the Tennessean or the Huntsville Times.
All applications must be in the County Executive's Office not later than 3PM on 8 June 2012 after that they will be screened and on 12 June at 9:30 in the Courthouse Annex and be interviewed and one will be hired that day.
This application process needs a little bit of examination. Between today and 8 June is a total of 14 days but only 9 of those are considered work days. Between the time the Pulaski newspaper is in most homes and the 8th there is only seven days. The state requires a minimum of ten days notice to simply hold a meeting. Does anyone really think there is enough time for people to be notified and get a written resume in to the County Executives Office in less than seven days. Another question is if there is to be a screening process between the time resumes are to be in and the interviews when might it be since there is only one work day between.
I fear, and to this moment based on the way this hiring process has been set up there is no reason to doubt these fears are realistic, this hiring process in nothing but a sham and the person to fill the position has already been decided on. I believe this whole situation may have been made more frustrating by the way it is being set up. You can not reasonably expect that someone who was actively involved in making the mess can clean it up.
There must be a complete independent audit and there needs to be someone from outside the County Executive and Director of Schools sphere of influence hired to do this job.
As people began to gather and fill up the room Deputy Reynolds began directing people to leave the room as, according to his statements there were too many people in the room and were causing a fire hazard. They would have to stand or sit in the hallway outside the door. One question since there is no maximum capacity posted for the room how do you know when you have exceeded the capacity? A second question is which is the greater fire hazard to have people standing around the walls inside the room or have them gathered in the hallway blocking the door as they try to hear? Most of those standing in the hallway coincidentally seem to have been teachers.
So the meeting began and a Mr. Reamer and attorney out of Nashville was introduced and identified as having come to "advise" in the matter before the committee. My question is why did an attorney from Nashville need to be hired to attend the meeting with the county attorney sitting there next to him? Consider 90 minutes travel here and 90 minutes travel back home and a two hour meeting at between two and three hundred dollars an hours you have about $1500.00 for someone who answered about three questions most eight grade studies could have answered the same way.
The first order of business was to "freeze" all county credit card spending. This passed without any objection. Now a question, is the mostly uncontrolled use of county credit cards at the root of many of the problems. Wasn't the county warned about issuing credit cards prior to doing it? The answer is yes on both counts as these cards are often used without any purchase orders.
The next order of business was the read and vote on the unsigned letter of resignation from Mrs Garner the now former Financial Management Director. This resignation became effective as of the vote to accept this date. One unanswered question is, since there was no discussion of resignation terms, what are the possibly owed or expected expenses, if any?
The Committee appointed the current Assistant Director Ms. Beth Moore, as the acting Director.
The next item of business was a discussion of requirements for the future Director. It seems the Committee is satisfied to seek someone who meets only the most minimum requirements.
A schedule was established for the hiring process. An advertisement will be placed in the Pulaski newspaper twice and the Ardmore Shopper and possibly the Daily Herald. If the cost does not exceed 600 dollars an advertisement will be placed in either the Tennessean or the Huntsville Times.
All applications must be in the County Executive's Office not later than 3PM on 8 June 2012 after that they will be screened and on 12 June at 9:30 in the Courthouse Annex and be interviewed and one will be hired that day.
This application process needs a little bit of examination. Between today and 8 June is a total of 14 days but only 9 of those are considered work days. Between the time the Pulaski newspaper is in most homes and the 8th there is only seven days. The state requires a minimum of ten days notice to simply hold a meeting. Does anyone really think there is enough time for people to be notified and get a written resume in to the County Executives Office in less than seven days. Another question is if there is to be a screening process between the time resumes are to be in and the interviews when might it be since there is only one work day between.
I fear, and to this moment based on the way this hiring process has been set up there is no reason to doubt these fears are realistic, this hiring process in nothing but a sham and the person to fill the position has already been decided on. I believe this whole situation may have been made more frustrating by the way it is being set up. You can not reasonably expect that someone who was actively involved in making the mess can clean it up.
There must be a complete independent audit and there needs to be someone from outside the County Executive and Director of Schools sphere of influence hired to do this job.
posted by Allen Barrett | 2:23 PM
146 Comments:
Was the Pulaski lawyer to dumb to know what to do?
Was to many purchases used on the credit cards? Surely that wasn't what put the county so much in debt.
3:57, Don't talk about someone being dumb if you can't put sentences together or use the proper spelling of words.
Barrett, your dates are not in line with the dates on WKSR's website. The article there states that interviews will begin the week of June 11th and they hope to fill the position by July 2nd. Where did you get your info and how do we know it is correct? I would assume that WKSR didn't base their statement on gossip and rumors that flood this blog.
I want to say that TOMMY CAMPBELL is not the person to chair a committee meeting simply because he does not have time to stay long enough to conduct business. He only wants to stay long enough to get his $30.00. He is the rudest person I know. He thinks he controls the money for the county and the tax payers should have no say what so ever. I was embaressed for some of the people who attended the meeting this morning. I think he forgets who pay the taxes in this county. I hope if there was any citizens in district 7 in attendance who vote will consider voting him out in the next election because he is not there to represent you but to represent himself. He stated this morning that no money was missing and I would like to know how he knew that when the auditors are still going over the books. So to Mr. Campbell this is to let you know that you did a terrible job conducting the meeting this morning and to say to the other commissioners please do not vote him chairman of any comitties for the next two years and to tell district 7 to vote him out in the next election. He needs to have an attitude adjustment.
4:58
You forgot to badmouth Mrs. Coleman and Terry Harwell. I'm sure that was just an oversight on your part.
If one of the current District 7 commissioners decides not to run, I hope the citizens in that district will go out and find one to run for that position against barrett. I believe he will run again if the field narrows such that he would be guaranteed a seat on the commissioner. In my opinion, that's the last thing we need to happen in our county government.
4:29 Yes mam.
5:05 cg I think the reason harwell and Coleman wasn't mentioned was they acted like they should.
I have seen campbell out before this mess started and he acted like every one owed him something, even should come first even when it wasn't his time. It had nothing to do with the county.
4:40
I think Barrett and WKSR just worded it different as cg does.
WKSR has:
Interviews will begin the week of June 11th with a goal of having someone on the job by July 2nd. In the meantime, the deputy finance director will oversee the office.
Barrett said:
All applications must be in the County Executive's Office not later than 3PM on 8 June 2012 after that they will be screened and on 12 June at 9:30 in the Courthouse Annex and be interviewed and one will be hired that day.
What is the difference in screened and interviews?
Commissioner Campbell, I just read WKSR's web site where you said no money was missing and insurance was paid.
My question is why was the insurance not paid on time?
I think you are probably right the money isn't missing but what was it spent on?
It is still a big problem of something going wrong and it seemed to have happen on Mrs. Garner and your watch.
Here's more confusion. Ms Garner resigned Thursday, May 17th just prior to the Budget Committee meeting. This was acknowledged by Ms Vanzant although she said it happened on the afternoon of the 17th. Several of us were told about it in the morning. WKSR confirmed the resignation on May 18th, quoting Ms Vanzant. As Mr Barrett says, it was so hard to hear what happened in the meeting this morning, especially if you had to stand out in the hall but I swear Campbell and this expensive attorney said the resignation was sent via e-mail, dated MAY 23rd and unsigned. (Please, if anyone else was at the meeting this morning, correct me if I did not hear correctly).
One commissioner lady in the audiance spoke up about Beth Moore being named interim director. This commissioner disagreed with Campbell that Moore is capable of doing the work and knows for fact Moore has not being working in every area of the accounting office but has mostly been involved with the schools (payroll?). From what I heard, Campbell rudely cut his fellow commissioner off.
To 6:59, you are right Campbell did rudely cut his fellow commissioner off because he didn't agree with what she said. I think we should name him ;MR. KNOW-IT-ALL; he doesn't impress me as being very smart. My sympathy goes to the other two in District 7. Please don't judge them by Campbell.
Regarding the timelines an differences asked about I have an answer. Although I did not get to attend the meeting this morning, I'm quite sure Mr. B did not lie, an pretty sure he can back that up-usually can. As for the wksr report-sure that is accurate to what they were given--that's the problem with a committee meeting that some can attend and a revised release given to the media--all designed to throw people off, much like the
chairman statements about money, before an audit
result. Very frustrating, why the "rush" to fill an important
position in a mess like this-doesn't seem very prudent to me-how about a hire after the result of an audit?
I realize it's time expedient to get a replacement, but how or why would anyone think that the proposed way to advertise receive resumes and vet the applicants is reasonable? Seems they are going to continue to make the mess bigger.
If you were at the meeting and able to actually be in the room you may have seen the little silver tape recorder on the table in front of Commissioner Campbell. The information I posted came straight off the recorder. I don't actually see a conflict as I believe the 12 is in the week of the 11th. I think only someone looking to vent more of their personal hatred of me would have a problem understanding what the time scheduled is.
For the people who have a question about if barrett reported truthfully or if WKSR did just go read the WKSR headline "No Money Missing; No Need For Rumors, Says Commissioner Jackson" then call commissioner Jackson and ask if he said that?
His answer will settle the matter.
And your relying on WKSR to be accurate. Beth Moore is as much responsible for the school budget as anyone. Wasn't she put there to help maintain the budget. Your right, after the county commission meeting commissioners were saying qualified accountants were already in the Financial Management Office. So no need for anyone to apply.
barrett
Why do you suppose that people hate and despise you like they do? And that's not limited to just the people in county government. It's your own fault.
5:02 Of course you despise and hate Mr Barrett he's knocked you off your comfort, but you don't speak for everyone else even if you pretend you do.
I have never found Mr. Barrett unavailable to talk whenever I have called him. More than half our commissioners want even answer their phone and if you try to talk to them in person they are always in a hurry to get away.
Mr Barrett is all about helping people who need help but if you are one of the people sucking the life out of others you better watch out cause he will be on you mighty quick.
I have never know many people as easy to talk with than him and he always tells you the truth even when it gets him in trouble.
You are a good man Mr Barrett and I hope people like 5:02 who is so full of love for their fellow man don't get you down. We need you to much.
The conflict is Barrett saying they are going to hire someone that day and WKSR saying they hope to hire someone by July 2nd. You all can twist stuff around so well.
MMC Student Says:
I was at this meeting and it was amazing to watch a group of senior County Officials attempt to conduct business in a logical, organized and intelligent manner. I have seen Girl Scout meeting held better. Yes, Ms. Moore has been assigned to the position of Temporary Finance Director. This is because of State Law and not the lady’s capabilities. I wish her well in the temporary position. Mr. Campbell is a bully and will refuse to listen to anyone who differs from his pre-arranged script. Mrs. Vanzant wants this entire matter to be forgotten and gone. Why there was a lawyer from Nashville is beyond comprehension. I guess that out County Attorney is not versed in such matters. Mrs. Flacy asked why was a BS degree needed? I guess that she did not realize that State Law requires such a level of education as a minimum. It is also amazing that this Financial Committee is not willing to do what is necessary to acquire the very best talent available. The majority of them wanted to announce this position in the Pulaski Citizen (required by State Law), the Ardmore Shopper (there is a nationally known publication) and possibly the Times Herald (Columbia); for the minimum required amount of time. When asked “why not publish the job position onto the Internet? All the members of the Committee had blank looks upon the individual and collective faces. When asked why not publish this announcement in the Huntsville and Nashville papers the Committee discussed the cost. Being concerned about such a cost is commendable; however, how much did it cost the County to have two (2) lawyers attend this meeting????? I am sure that between the two of them their collective cost is around $300.00 not including travel time cost for the lawyer from Nashville. If any of the Finance Committee members read this post …. Why not publish our Finance Director position on numerous Internet (where such a posting is FREE) web sites????? Allow at least one (1) month to have people respond. Then we may receive applications from qualified people who may provide a level of professionalism to our Current County Government. Or, just maybe there is a janitor working in a Giles County building who has been pre-selected. Yes, I have been snide with this last comment; but, considering how this meeting was run; it leaves me to wonder if not a person or persons are being considered and have been pre-selected.
8:23 You are referring to statements by two different people. Commissioner Campbell stated clearly that they would know who they would hire on the 12th. Mrs Vanzant stated they wanted someone in place by 2 July. There really isn't a conflict as you seem to claim as the 12th is certainly between now and 2 July.
When will the commissioners think about the cuts Mrs. Garner said they could make to help with expense. They agreed to do that, then turned around and put them back end.
I'm wondering do the commissioners in their own personal account buy things when they know they don't have the money.
You just agreed to spend money you don't have for the cots. That's not saying the cots wasn't needed it just you spend money you don't have.
I think someone should check the property assessment of commissioners home, is it in line or down so raising taxes want hurt them.
In not end, sorry about that, forgot to look over before hitting send.
By the way how much has this Financial Managment Office saved this county? How has it made the Departments more accountable? Let me guess....a few million in the hole and not only are they not more accountable..nobody knows what the hell is going on!
Is it true they are making a job at central office for a principal?
More ways to spend money.
You can say we don't want to hurt the children so give the school system more money. Would that really be helping the children if you gave the school system more money.
If I don't pay my taxes how long will I have before my home is foreclosed for back taxes? A couple of years will be less money for them to do away with.
Congratulations to Mrs. Carmen Hayes being named new principal at Southside Elementary School. Good luck!
7:41
Yeah, we need barrett all right...to leave people aqlone and allow those who actually are elected officials to conduct county business. I for one am glad he's on your side and not mine. Since we seem to be choosing up sides, you can have him.
It was really funny to see those committee members just sitting there with a blank look on their faces and not really saying anything, just kinda going along with what Mrs. Vanzant and Tommy Campbell said. It's a shame that noone on that committee objected to only giving one week for applications to be received for such an important position. And when does T. Campbell or J. Vanzant ever worry about spending money. Have you ever seen Campbell vote against any spending whatsoever. They want Sigmon in that position so they can continue running the show in the finance office. Hasn't the county suffered enough with an unqualified Finance Director. Let's not rush into hiring another. The taxpayers deserve better.
So can someone explain why teachers,special education teachers and assistants, and regular education assistants are getting pink slips if no money is missing and it's not a budgetary issue? Guess the kids will be the ones to suffer.
All you have to do is read the paper from this week. Jackson said that cuts were being made because we couldn't meet the budget next year due to rises in costs. It has nothing to do with this years budget or the financial office.
If that's the case, then why were contracted specialists told to clean out their desks 2 weeks before the school year was over, when obviously their services are needed enough to warrant a contract in the first place?
And you believe what he said?
Have the commissioners told Jackson they weren't giving the school system anymore money?
How can he place the principal from Southside to a job in the central office if he is having to lay teachers off?
Why was the insurance not paid for three months?
And another teacher taken from the school she taught at to be placed in a new position at the Central Office? Why not chop heads at the top with Central Office staff instead of at the bottom with the good teachers that our kids desperately need?
941, and tu really believe that nonsense answer about coats? Im sure this is all a big coincidence...
In hard times- why not cover school budget issues with the 1.4 mIllion surplus in last years budget?
Costs that is....typo
11:11 I have not heard about another position at the Central Office for a teacher. What is that position and who?
Roomer has it Southside's principal is being given a job a central office.
I don't know if there is a vacancy or place just made as was told.
Could all be a roomer.
This has got to stop. Tee Jackson needs to be told by the School Board that his hiring of his friends at the Central Office is costing other people jobs. Stop hiring your retired friends from Ala. and putting them to work in G.C. and quit using the culture within the school system that when you screw up, you move up and that move up usually means going to the Central Office. School Board Members need to stay on top of this and really see what is really happening and stop this outrageous hiring practice.
It's amazing to me that folks are being laid off but yet the school board is still hiring for other positions. You don't just misplace 800k. Has payroll taxes been paid for school employees? Has their retirement been paid? What else is the county behind on? It's time to clean house in Giles County.
10:03 PM Most likely everyone reading this blog agrees with you. It has to stop. This strikes me as possibly hitting you personally. What are YOU going to do about it? Teachers, their spouses, family and friends need to be at the school board MEETINGS (not just one) and protest continually. You cant just leave everything in Giles county up to Allen Barret and a handful of other retirees to do your talking for you. Nothing will change if you dont get out there and do something yourselves. Then, once that situation is straightened out you need to get into other areas of local government and see what goes on instead of losing interest once your problem bl;ows over.
School teachers showed up for the Commissioners meeting last week only to not be allowed to get in room.
6:20 We all need to join together and keep on attending those meetings to let our elected officials know they have gone too far. With you saying teachers weren't even allowed to be in the room you now know how people felt who have attended meetings in the past and not been 'allowed' to speak. This Charter vote on August 2 is looking better and better to me.
The charter will not fix this. What we need are competent leaders. Mrs. Vanzant is NOT COMPENTENT! We have wasted 10 years going on 12 with her. She should have been the one to resign.
You may be right, but if we had the charter now vanzant could be put out.
School Board Members and County Commissioners phone should be ringing off the wall about this mess.
If Garner didn't have permission to use the money from the hospital fund she should be in trouble.
Her having the nerve to write in the paper "I'll do it again" showed how she thought she was big boss. So the buck stopped with her, then what happen with the money?
Oh, so this so-called charter would have a provision for the oustering of "undesirable" elected officials whom the voters wanted in office to begin with? If that be true, then who would be in charge of oustering? Who decides who gets oustered? Can you see how potentially dangerous this could be? But wait; that could pave the way for some of the very people who are pushing this thing to gain positions of authority they could never have via normal elections. Of course at least some of these uhappy people would need to finagle around so they can be on the oustering committee. Think. Can you folks see where this is going? For this reason alone, we shopuld work to see the charter defeated here in Giles County. We just don't need it, and we certainly do not need the trouble it will cause.
6:41 AM IDIOT! Read the current law in which ousters can happen NOW under general law.
7:46
Then why aren't you guys oustering? The fact is, you have no political clout, so all you can do is fuss.
8:25, would you agree with me that 7:46 is a dumbass for posting like that? Which do you find more offensive? A flaming, screaming post like that or a nice, calm "dumbass"?
Just conducting a survey, thank you for your response.
Ray Lanier
Just look at the ones voted in office and turned out that person wasn't
as good as believed would be.
Did I make a mistake for voting for Vanzant, Haslm, Obama and George W. Bush?
After this next election I believe Obama will win again, so that will be whom the voters wanted in.
Ray Lanier
I have agreed with most of your posts until you considered my post of 7:48 worthy to call me a dumbass, while I was merely pointing out that elected officials can be oustered under the current law and ouster does not have to wait until a Charter gets voted in. An apology would be nice.
Then a poster assumes I am wanting to ouster someone. Again, merely pointing out current law.
Mr Barrett keep up the good work. After all someone has to report what goes on in the county & city, the news paper & radio sure doesn't.
And just think the same people pushed for Finanacial Management that want the charter. Way to go folks! If you want the same mess vote for the charter. The Charter will not do anything that cannot be done now. And teachers if you want to cause a sunami instead of a wave come in mass not alone. The board needs to see your faces not hearsay.
Elected public officials can be oustered by a referendum voted upon during a regular election; or, specila election and apporved by a majority of the voters. The people decide who is to be oustered.
If heart by-pass surgery is performed by the hospital administrator and the patient dies is it the fault of the properly established procedures or the stupidity of having the hospital administrator do the surgery?
The same procedure followed by a skilled cardiovascular surgeon has saved the lives of literally millions.
The problem with the Financial Management Act of 1981 is the total incompetent way in which it was implemented. I have written about this problem almost from the beginning when racial discrimination was made so prevalent by the committee, the partial movement of personnel into the office, the constant interference by the county executive, etc.
Don't blame the program when the problem is so clearly the people in charge.
Key words, "in charge".
Financial Management Act of 1981 is a set of accounting rules and procedures which meet governmental accounting procedures (GASB = Government Accounting Standards Board). The procedures for accounting in Giles county have nothing to do with the way in which the (stacked against compliance) members of the Financial Management Committee have handled their responsibilities. I don't believe the current mess the county is in with the books is the fault of Loretta Garner alone, although I do think that most likely the woman was told how to handle the accounts and she finally realized if she stayed in her position she could lose her CPA license. I would hope Ms Garner would tell all and sue the county for putting her through this.
Didn't the school system in a mess the year before the FM was started?
Giles County is looking like a place no factories would want to come to.
I found it strange how the commissioners voted to give credit cards and in a few months took them away. Were they missed used?
Ray where is the post of 7:48? I can't find it.
9:42, it was 7:46, not 7:48.
10:58, I'll apologize for calling you a dumbass if you apologize for flaming 6:41 in your post. An all caps "IDIOT" is just as offensive to me as dumbass is to you, I'm sure. I was just making a point, I have no idea if you are a dumbass or not.
Y'all need to make up names or something, all this tracking down of time stamps is rough.
Ray Lanier
10:58, I took the time to re-read all the posts and I am sorry I was so quick to re-act. I apologize for calling you a dumbass. 6:41's post made me want to give him a virtual- shaking as well, but "all caps posts" have always driven me crazy. Again, my apologies.
Ray Lanier
Where did the missing money go?
Surely this isn't going to be swept under the rug.
RAS says
Ray, thanks for the apology. Actually, I wouldn't mind being called a dumbass if I didn't know what I was talking about. I cannot apologize to the poster I called an idiot because their post was idiotic and only done to fabric incorrect information about the Charter. That same poster went on to assume I was interested in ousting someone currently in office. However, now that person has decided to quit posting on this blog that episode should be over. Thanks.
I really don't think that the objection in hiring the cpa that sued had anything to do with race but with reputation. Have you talked to previous employers to see if that might be a problem before jumping on the race card.
So are you saying they talked to her previous employers 5:43? If so then it would have been easy to prove the reason she was not called back in for an interview. The issue was that she was not called in to interview even though lest qualified applicants were. In my opinion I do not think any one talked to her previous employer, I feel she was looked at and judged not bet fit.
The only question you can ask a previous employer is if a person would be hired again. If you get into more than that you can be sued. That is commonly known in Human Resources and Businesses.
I would like for someone to research how much our state and county has made from all the traffice stops by THP in this county in the last 12 months. As many of you know, the THP are stopping people for almost any thing and giving them a ticket. Go look on Friday's at the courthouse. Each Friday averages 100 people or more. Let's find out how much is being made by this county. I look forward to someone having an answer.
8:24 PM Good question. But why don't you do the research yourself instead of expecting someone else to do it for you?
Some of you have so much more expertise than I. Can you do it for me?
9:46--Why the necessity for a smart answer? Was that necessary? A simple question was asked by 8:24.
Off the subject, does any one know what the sign ordinance the Pulaski Planning Commission is trying to implement? I was unable to attend the Tuesday meeting when it was being discussed?
10:29 pm
How much do you pay for someone to do something for you?
I do believe the CG is still with us.
8:29 Yes, very much so. Posting late yesterday evening wanting someone to go get information for them just so they could trick someone into coming out of the woodwork to see who it is.
I thought 9:46 was cg.
You can bet Ray's "dumb ass" cg is not quitting,but you do notice that by looking at spelling and grammer there is two different ones or there is some alcohol in between posts.
Ka Nockers, Vod Ka Nockers. Stirred, not shaken.
Anony-freaking-mous
10:29 pm is GC.
Ray was getting more attention than cg. lol
345, reckon that's why he relaly left? I thoufht he liked Ray.
Ray and CG are stupid enough to be the same person
6:31 Are you sure Ray isn't just having fun? Don't think it was fun to CG.
I can't speak for GC, but I am just having fun.6:31, if it makes you feel like a big man to call me stupid, call away. I get pissed sometimes, but for the most part I don't give a crap what some anonymous closet-hiding inbred says about me. I know who I am, what I know and how very simple it is to put people like you in your place. You are no challange what-so-ever and only serve to keep my typing skills honed.
6:49, you are probably one of the smartest posters on here. You can tell I'm just having fun, while most of these other dumbasses (i.e.6:31) think this is life or death.
Ray Lanier
Well, the blame game was in full force today at the budget committee
as Mrs Vanzant spoke to several people about how incompetent Mrs Garner was and wouldn't let anyone help her.
My belief is had Mrs Garner not allowed the help she got from some on the finance committee she would still have a job and the county would be in good financial health.
Wasnt it Ms Vanzant who pushed so hard to get Ms Garner in the position of Finance Director and if memory serves mr correctly, one member of that committee resigned because they saw what so going on to get Ms Garner in that job?
6:31, you seem hell bent on replacing CG as resident idiot. Ray signs his posts so if you don't like him you can skip over. I think his post are funny.
Ray, what is your address and phone #? How about your email?
I'm not Ray, but what is your phone number and email? 363-7124
1:31, here is the info you requested:
Ray Lanier
212 Apache Circle
Pulaski,TN. 38478
931-922-3208
raybestus64@gmail.com
cell# 931-371-1529
Anything else, just let me know.
Ray Lanier
2:44, why would you post Tommy's number on here?
Am I the only person alive who thinks this blog is potentially dangerous? And the very ones who are behind this strife will be to blame when someone gets hurt. Oh rats; they won't be here to read this until they get back from church services. I forgot.
CG, short time no see. Did anyone beleive he was really gone? That aint the first time Ray has give his address. I dont think he's much worried about us anonymous people. Keep them on there toes Ray.
Maybe we are ready for some more blackmail.
I don't know how anyone cam hurt who ever is anonymous. How are they going to know who they are without doing something illegal. lol Now Barrett or Ray, people know who they are and only jealous people don't like them.
I thought the blog was going to die when cg stopped posting, thought that was what he wanted, must not of been.
So are we done? Uproar about finances--- they hold a farce meeting to discuss hiring a replacement in an unrealistic time frame and claim a pending audit and that's it?
No news coverage, nothing changed? No employee/officials out except the one that left? Nice.
It really does my heart good to know that Janet Vanzant and her allies on the Finance Management Committee have every intention to seek and acquire the best possible person to fill Ms. Garner's position. They are really letting out all the stops and not allowing money to get into their way.
One announcement in the local newspaper and maybe the Ardmore Shopper. Now you know that the best of the best read those two publications.
I suspect that they will magically hire a person who is currently in the Finance Management Office. It will also be nice to know how many people applied and what thier qualifications are?
2:38
Why are you so bitter? Never mind; I know why. Give those who have the authority to hire a chance. Why don't YOU go apply for the job? If you got it, would you then have something to say about the process?
Please tell me they advertised in one of the large newspapers!
Maybe some one will apply and janet want interview them so we can pay them off again. I sure hope janet want be the dumb again.
6:52 cg you don't know anything. People do have minds of their own.
You want to blackmail me if I don't stop posting.
CG and/or 6:52
I am a previous county manager (prior to Vanzant) and I would anounce openings for four weeks in all surrounding papers. Gather the applicants and have a qualified committee review all applicants (Committee was made from people who had nothing to do with Giles County or the vacant position). The Committee would provide a list of the top 3-5 applicants. I and two other people (from the committee) would hold interviews that lasted at least 0ne hour each.
Form that group the interviewors would grade all persons interviewed and the highest scoring person would be offered the position.
So ... I guess I do know something about proper hiring practices. Go back to you hole in the ground.
Corky,
For your information, I do not live in a hole in the ground, and I am not the CG you are referring to. However, I am proud to say that I am a Christian.
It's unfortunate that not everybody follows your hiring practices. Someone mentioned the idea of two applicants for a high volume sales position. The first individual had a college degree but absolutely no people skills whatsoever. In fact, that person is a complete introvert. The second applicant has perhaps some college work but no degree. However, that individual is a people person who has been in sales previously. Which one would you consider the best fit for the job?
Neither
I would re-advertise and cast my net farther. These two applicants are allowed to re-apply.
4:27 Did Garner have people's skill?
Look how that turned out.
I thought Mrs. Vanzant liked Mrs. Garner and wanted her to be the Finance Manager. Now she has turned against her. If Garner takes the heat all by herself after that she's dumber than I thought.
4:27
Did the college applicant have previous work experience or intern in a related field?
Did either applicant give more than 6 hours notice to their previous employer?
Why did the latter applicant not finish their schooling?
Did they excel in their sales job or just show up to it? Why did they leave or why are they leaving?
How many days did either miss of total days work at any job?
Do both applicants see their commitments through?
What are the GPA's of each applicant?
Who devised the scale that is being used to evaluate the "people skills"?
Who came up with the criteria for judging the "people skills"?
Were either of the applicants related to or old friends with any one involved in the hiring process?
Are their any conflicts of interest in hiring either applicant?
Were both applicants interviewed or just looked over and judged based on what they look like?
6:17
That's an option.
12:24
Ok, let's look at another example. Let's suppose you have two final ....... Oh, there's no use in going any further. You would hire the person with the highest degree, regardless of how he/she would fit in with your firm or how he or she gets along with and treats others. I'm just glad it's your business and not mine. I would hire the best person for the job, regardless of how many college credits he has.
2:58
You jump to an assumption. If you had answered the questions I would have given an answer based on information you would have provided. But since you like to show your ignorance and foolishness I will give you an example.
Let's say the college grad was let go from previous employer for disciplinary reasons or absences. If the other candidate had a clean work history with impeccable references from non family employers then that would be but one point in the favor of the candidate with no degree.
How about the college graduate had a direct conflict of interest. Then that candidate would be disqualified and vice verse.
If the college grad has a 3.00 GPA at a major university with a standard of excellence in academics and the non college grad has a 1.2 at a Jr.college without a history of academic excellence then another point would go to the college grad. Why because it is a high volume sales job. Having a background in sales I know their are compliance and legal issues, product and service knowledge and training as well as continuing education, new product and services releases and upgrade information to be learned and relayed accurately to the customer. Why would you not want the one that is capable of learning the information and retaining it and has proven that through formal education?
As you continue with your stupidity I was showing that the two questions you posed to answer a question about hiring an individual is as ridiculous as looking at a candidate when they walk through the door and making your decision on how they look. But that seems to be the hiring practice you want.
It is obvious to me you would hire the one that you feel could entertain you as opposed to getting the job done efficiently.
Take for example the financial management office. Had properly qualified applicants been hired then maybe there would not be a need for some of the teachers whose premiums were not forwarded to post on here in regards to the calls that were made to the office with responses of that is not my job.
Hire qualified employees when using public funds, hire your buddies and clowns to entertain you when you use your own money.
I want to know how you know the with the degree doesn't have people's skills? If you know the other one has people's skills sounds like it's a relative or friend of the family.
Was Garner hired on her people's skills? If so, that turned out to be a bad thing didn't it. She couldn't tell her employees where to send the teachers insurance premiums.
What jobs are high volume sales jobs in the county or city government?
Let's get back to the cuts in the school system and the loss of so many teacher positions. The children will suffer soon for the loss of so many quality teachers.
Did the money that was not missing ever turn up?
I'm with 10:41, let's get back to the teachers that have lost their jobs. It's funny how this turned into a thread about bashing each other instead of discussing the issues (way to get us off topic there folks)! Yes, it had been said that the layoffs were because of next years budget but if that's the case then why were they not allowed to finish out the fiscal year? And if the budget was such a big deal, why not downsize at the central office instead of cutting some of the teachers and regular ed/special ed assistants? Why create more positions at the central office when teachers are getting pink slips? Why is the school system the only one that seems to be getting hit? And if the money isn't missing and it was just a mix-up of lines, then why are the teachers getting laid off? Why aren't these the questions that are getting asked?
I would like to know why teachers were let go and no one from central office let go?
Why no one talks about what happen with the school system before the Finance Management was voted in.
A lot of people voted for it because of something going wrong with the school system then.
Why did Commissioners give people working at the courthouse credit cards and take them away in a few months.
When do we get to vote for new commissioners?
For once I agree with Janet Vanzant.
From WKSR's site:
Giles Finance Director Search Extended
Posted on June 12, 2012
The search for a new Finance Director for Giles County has been extended
by 30 days. So far, nine people have applied for the job. At
this (Tuesday) morning's meeting of the the County Finance Committee which is conducting the
the job search, it was reported that none of the nine totally met the
criteria. Commissioner Tommy Campbell said that maybe not enough time
has been spent advertising for the position that became vacant with the
sudden resignation of Finance Director Loretta Garner. The acting
director, committee members say, is doing a good job with the budget and
there's really no reason to rush to hire someone. The acting director has made it clear that she will not apply for the director's job. County
Executive Janet Vanzant, believes the county needs a Certified Public
Accountant for the job. The final date to apply is now July 16th. The
committee will leave the qualifications as listed, except they will change the salary to "negotiable."
If the money from the state will be close to what was received this year, why the deep cuts. Is it possible that the fund balance is going to be padded again and rehire the coaches for football or give them bonuses to stay? The wrong cuts have been made. There are assistants at the Central Office that are still there, while teachers and aides have been dismissed. It is not right in any manner you look at it. Maybe, we are looking in the worng place for the financial problem. What do you think?
Which is most important to students, sports or getting an education?
Did any coaches get a pink slip?
9:44--You can answer that. Ask all the real teachers how many coaches got a pink slip? I would say NO, NONE, NOT ONE!!!
Vanzant got her big butt pushed against the wall by some folks in Nashville who ordered her to advertise more extensively. They were not impressed with the Ardmore Shopper as a major newspaper with widespread circylation.
When does it stop? Where is the money? 70 people have lost their jobs. This kind of financial crisis didn't just come up. It would take some long term serious financial mismanagement for this kind of crisis to occur. I agree with the previous post.....Who has been laid off at Central Office? Better yet who has been hired at central office? Our children will be the ones that suffer. It's time for some folks to go and get rid of the good ole boy system. Wake up Giles county! Our kids future is at stake.
When does it stop? Where is the money? 70 people have lost their jobs. This kind of financial crisis didn't just come up. It would take some long term serious financial mismanagement for this kind of crisis to occur. I agree with the previous post.....Who has been laid off at Central Office? Better yet who has been hired at central office? Our children will be the ones that suffer. It's time for some folks to go and get rid of the good ole boy system. Wake up Giles county! Our kids future is at stake.
When does it stop? Where is the money? 70 people have lost their jobs. This kind of financial crisis didn't just come up. It would take some long term serious financial mismanagement for this kind of crisis to occur. I agree with the previous post.....Who has been laid off at Central Office? Better yet who has been hired at central office? Our children will be the ones that suffer. It's time for some folks to go and get rid of the good ole boy system. Wake up Giles county! Our kids future is at stake.
When does it stop? Where is the money? 70 people have lost their jobs. This kind of financial crisis didn't just come up. It would take some long term serious financial mismanagement for this kind of crisis to occur. I agree with the previous post.....Who has been laid off at Central Office? Better yet who has been hired at central office? Our children will be the ones that suffer. It's time for some folks to go and get rid of the good ole boy system. Wake up Giles county! Our kids future is at stake.
When does it stop? Where is the money? 70 people have lost their jobs. This kind of financial crisis didn't just come up. It would take some long term serious financial mismanagement for this kind of crisis to occur. I agree with the previous post.....Who has been laid off at Central Office? Better yet who has been hired at central office? Our children will be the ones that suffer. It's time for some folks to go and get rid of the good ole boy system. Wake up Giles county! Our kids future is at stake.
Who told you 70? That is about double the truth.
Were you not at the Board meeting? The numbers 77 and 54 were mentioned. Who knows besides TJ?
3:33 WKSR announced 70 as the number of layoffs. Not a single coach or asst coach will be in that number thank goodness, if we didn't have foot ball the world would com to an end. At least one new coach has been hired at richland.
A coach has been rehired at Richland. We got Chad Hall back but the question is what does he teach?
3:33 Pm
Are we not suppose to believe what we read on WKSR's web site?
Lay-Offs Discussed At School Board Meeting
Posted on June 15, 2012
The Giles County Board of Education met in regular session on Thursday night and much discussion dealt with teachers, both those hired and those who have been layed-off.
The board talked in particular about a
situation at Richland High School where it was reported a Spanish teacher and a chemistry teacher have been let go , while an athletic coach has been hired.
In all, at this time, it appears about seventy (70) positions that were in the system a year ago, could go unfilled.
That's if nothing were change with the budget.
The positions would would include some teachers, teacher assistants, other personnel categories and the positions of those who have retired.
Teacher tenure was also discussed at Thursday's meeting.
None of the teachers who received pink slips were tenured. A board member asked the process of relieving tenured teachers.
Some board members wanted to know how the system would "actively pursue" new teachers without an actual budget for the new school year.
It is my understanding that a teacher at Elkton was laid off. Music teacher is not neccessary.
Much of this seems without reason. A fine math teacher who happened to also be a coach was laid off at Richland, while Chad Hall got re-hired. I know it's been a long time since they've had a winning football team, but what about the kids' education? I too would like to know what Mr. Hall teaches.
Talk to the powers that be and see which is more important- football or education? Hope we have a Heisman winner from Giles County.
Their actions answer that question plainly enough 10:57. Damned shame.
The number that is being reported is 70. Obviously atheletics is more important. And if the county schools are in such bad shape why is Tee not laying off at CO? Maybe the missing money is in that new building that we didn't need. Oh I forgot they had to have some place to put all that staff that still has their job!
There has been 1 lay off at the CO plus one person changed to part time.
Who was laid off and who was changed to part-time?
what about all the nice new furniture the former consultant teacher now elementery superviser just got for her office. when the budget is so tight how can she justify spending all that money! looks like being superviser has already gone to her head.
Who is this you speak of 9:50? I understand those of you who work for the school system knows but, those of who do not, do not have a clue who you are talking about.
the board members wife who works at the board of education
I think it is about time that some of those people got new desk. Do you know how old those desk are? I know that most of them are the old green desk that came from the 50's, the drawers don't work, the desk tops ruin clothes and there is metal that will cut you if you happen to touch the wrong place. I hope that everyone can get a new desk. I don't think the price of a desk is going to hire a teacher. Do you know what funds were used. Not all the money that is in the school budget is county funds and there are only certain things that the money can be spent on. The money might have been spent before all these cuts were made in the new budget.
5:23
But these people think they know EVERYTHING. Good post.
I haven't been in the central office in years so don't know what condition the desk are in, but since they have so many more employees now where do they put the desk for each one? Looks like they would of already had to buy more desk and chairs. So maybe Cindy's old desk was given to someone else and she got the new one.
Is the basement at the central office still condemned? Has it been brought up to codes? Does water still run through it when it rains? I remember it being the main justification for building the new building.
9:41
Why don't you call the Central Office and find out? Wouldn't that be the quickest way to find out? I believe their number is in the book.
The entire building was condemned not just the basement. I was told that the reason the new and old building don't touch is because the old building was not up to code therefore they could not be joined. I would bet the wiring is a nightmare.
Don't they still use the old building?
I would think if the old building burned it's so close to the new one it would catch a fire also.
If water ran through the basement, supplies use to be kept down there did they get wet? Where do teachers go to get paper and etc now?
Supplies are still kept in the basement but nothing is kept on the floor. Everything is either on pallets or on shelves off the floor. Yes if the old building burns I am sure the other one will also.
Yes, the old building is still used for the school board meetings and holds most of the offices, including Mr. Jackson's and the special education department is upstairs.
The majority of the offices are in the old building. The new building has Mrs. Braden, attendance, food service and school health. Everyone else is in the old building.
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