More Expenses From Economic Development Director
1. From July 2011, $1,095.00 has been paid for a family membership to the Hillcrest Country Club.
While I understand the need to have an adequate place to entertain and playing golf is an important part of much entertainment, any member can bring a guest or guests to the club.
Why does the Economic Development Director need to have a membership at taxpayer expense when at anytime he could call a dozen different members and entertain as their guests. I can't imagine a situation where the membership or management would object since they are all working for the good of the community and it's development.
2. There is a $4000.00 expense listed as "extra contribution" to Lincoln Financial Services. I know these folks do a lot of financial management of retirement accounts but I don't understand what is meant by "extra contribution".
3. $1000.00 to Martin Methodist College for "songwriters" under dues and subscriptions.
4, $5780.00 for consulting services by WebQA Inc.. Now this may be a very legitimate expense but what I don't understand is why they were fed and entertained at taxpayer expense when they were seeking to do business with the county, shouldn't they have been pay for the meals and entertainment?
5. Why was $574.00 paid for an "Intuit Payroll Computer program then $380.00 paid to Garner & Downs CPA's for quarterly payroll expenses? How many people are on the payroll at the Economic Development Commission that it would require that much to make out the payroll? Why isn't it done with other city or county payrolls?
While I understand the need to have an adequate place to entertain and playing golf is an important part of much entertainment, any member can bring a guest or guests to the club.
Why does the Economic Development Director need to have a membership at taxpayer expense when at anytime he could call a dozen different members and entertain as their guests. I can't imagine a situation where the membership or management would object since they are all working for the good of the community and it's development.
2. There is a $4000.00 expense listed as "extra contribution" to Lincoln Financial Services. I know these folks do a lot of financial management of retirement accounts but I don't understand what is meant by "extra contribution".
3. $1000.00 to Martin Methodist College for "songwriters" under dues and subscriptions.
4, $5780.00 for consulting services by WebQA Inc.. Now this may be a very legitimate expense but what I don't understand is why they were fed and entertained at taxpayer expense when they were seeking to do business with the county, shouldn't they have been pay for the meals and entertainment?
5. Why was $574.00 paid for an "Intuit Payroll Computer program then $380.00 paid to Garner & Downs CPA's for quarterly payroll expenses? How many people are on the payroll at the Economic Development Commission that it would require that much to make out the payroll? Why isn't it done with other city or county payrolls?
posted by Allen Barrett | 4:34 PM
59 Comments:
He seems to be living high on the hog. I think he needs taking down a notch or to or maybe cut off completely. We, the taxpayers are paying for him to have a party anytime he chooses. If he dwelled more on getting industry in here to help the unemployed the money would be well spent.
I too have a low opinion of Dan Speer, but isn't it one of the main purposes of this blog to take down and destroy those viewed as unacceptable to the blogmaster?
6:56 I thought the purpose of this blog was to allow people like you to show your ignorance but then you have to always put your stupidity on display too.
After I read this thread it occurred to me that Mr. Barrett is able to raise and ask questions that he would not be allowed to ask if he tried to ask in any meeting, EDC or a county meeting. I've seen it happen. Whenever he tries to ask something in depth (that public citizens want the answers to, and that committee members should be asking), he gets cut off with 'meeting adjourned', or 'you have to ask at the next meeting'. Our elected officials simply don't do their jobs.
We all know many officials and employees paid by tax payers money read this blog. One day it might sink in that the public has had enough and its do right by us or get out. Its coming fast.
Have you also seen him show out?
8:42 I've never been to any meetings, but cg I have seen how you show out on this blog.
10:18
Imbecile. I am not the cg you refer to.
As a matter of fact I have seen him at meetings 10:18.
I saw him very calmly deal with a commissioner who was in his face yelling and I saw him calmly ask Mrs Vanzant to resign as she frantically pounded her desk during a time commissioners had given him to speak.
He speaks with passion but I've never seen or heard of him being out of control, actually it's been just the iopposite.
I too have seen him in action. We are talking about two different people.
I wonder if this blog was run by someone other than Allen Barrett would people possibly focus on the subject at hand instead of bashing the blogger. I think these "expenses" are outrageous. Why is his membership at Hillcrest a taxpayer expense? Allen, take your paperwork to Channel 4, I'm sure they'd love to put it on the news.
I agree. I have seen a particular commissioner get very ugly with Mr. Barrett. Out of the blue just walked up and started yelling at him. I have attended many meetings in my day and I have NEVER seen Mr. Barrett lose his cool or ever be disrespectful. On the other hand, I have seen Vanzant, Campbell and others be very unprofessional and hateful to Mr. Barrett as well as the public at large and select commissioners.
Channel 4 will be down here for sure.
11:05 I thought you didn't like name calling.
1:50 Please tell us the commissioner who acted like that, if it's my commissioner, I sure don't want to vote for him again.
Stoney Jackson
There's a question that has arisen about the $1000.00 contribution to Martin Methodist Songwriters program that I don't have the answer to at this time and thought perhaps a reader might be able to shed some light on the matter.
It seems Mr Speer charged $1000.00 to Economic Development as a contribution to the Songwriter Program but it's claimed the program only identifies Mr Speer as the donor and was recognized as such in the ceremonies. If Mr Speer is donating taxpayer money shouldn't it be listed as from the Economic Development Committee and not as a personal donation?
If someone can shed some light on this with a copy of the program or if you were there and remember the ceremony your information would be helpful in clearing up this question. Thanks
The program for that event clearly lists 'Dan Speer' in the donor block.
Smells like fraudulent use of public funds for personal gain or gratification .
How long is this gonna continue ?
Is there any way other than a petition for ouster to get rid of this leech ?
Lee Chumleigh
Any member of the Board of Economic Development can call for a vote to replace Mr. Speer. Of course it would have to be seconded. At that time the members can vote to replace him. But that will never happen.
An independent audit needs to take place concerning that office. Remember when the Economic Development Commission owned land even though it did not have the legal right. The land was quietly moved over to the city of Pulaski. I wonder who was insuring those pieces of property?
If it is determined Dan Speer used EDC (tax payer) funds as a donation to Martin Methodist's songwriter's event and got himself the credit for the $1,000 he should be pulled up on an ethic charge. Even if its proven thats not the case, he never should be making donations to a private school from tax payer monies anyways.
Whichever way you cut it, its wrong and this so called ED committee should be doing something about it. Of course, they won't, but county commissioners and city aldermen should be looking out for the public.
Didn't Speer also host a singer's songwriter's night at Kathy's Tavern?
I wish someone could tell me how the City of Pulaski can recently sign into a contract with the insurance company that is owned and operated by Brenda Speer (Dan's wife) for the purpose of providing all city employees with health insurance for the next two years and this arrangement came about through the process of requesting bids be submitted from various insurance carriers and Mrs. Speer just so happened to submit the lowest bid therefore winning the contract and none of this is considered a conflict of interest. Keep in mind, all this was approved by the city council and no one seen a problem with this. Channel 4 and 5 both need to be contacted about the things going on around here but it should not end there. I need to know who to contact in order that a investigation gets started and people get prosecuted. That is the only way to see changes occur. These corrupt officials must be held responsible for their actions. The next time you complain to a friend or family member about Pulaski not having any decent jobs, places to eat, activities and intertainment, magna-charter schools, adaquate retail and industry business, just remember why it is that way, it is because Dan Speer is using up all our tax money for his personal use.
Channel 5 -- Phil Williams
pwilliams@newschannel5.com
Channel 4 -- Jeremy Finley
(615) 353-2231
Channel 2 -- Andy Cordan
acordan@wkrn.com
Had E. Nuff
Did you call them Had E. Nuff or are you urging someone else to? Because someone needs to.
4:06 said he needed to know who to call at the news stations. I just provided the info. I can contact them, though, if no one else wants to. I think it would be a wonderful story that any one of them would be interested in, channel 5 especially.
Had E. Nuff
Had
They will be called when the time is right to do a follow-up story on previous one. Just sit tight.
10:42 Guess you are going to call them when the trial comes up. Bet they will enjoy that and how money is missing, but campbell says it's not missing. I wonder what happen to it.
Gonna make Giles County look real good.
They will probably tell everything that's ever happen in Giles County.
oh yea, 10:42, the mythical "something big is going to released" story. I think by the time you tell what it is you think you know, no one will be interested.
H.E.Nuff
Also, after giving it some thought, I think the missing and/or misappropriated money story will come out first. I plan on firing off a few emails in the morning and see what happens. I think Andy Cordan's "That's messed up" would be perfect for our situation, don't yall?
After even more thought, I may just put the emails on the back burner and break an even bigger story about CG. Let's see if that felony exposure theory holds water. Can I have a show of hands from those who would like more info about him?
Ray and Had E Nuff
Yall definately got my vote and I am 100% behind both of you. I think that if all the citizens of Pulaski who has "Had E Nuff" would stick together and individually contact all of the news media stations that were kindly provided FOR us from 5:14, we can greatly increase the urgency and response time these news stations will give us. I plan on doing my part and contacting everyone of them first thing in the morning but we can have a much greater impact if more than just I and a few others call them. And for all those corrupt officials out there who religously read this blog and always want to know who you are when you post factual details about the crimes they commit on a daily basis, you will definiately know who I AM, because I intend on telling the media my name, address, phone number, email address, GPS coordinance and anything else they may need to get in contact with me because I got a whole lot to tell them and anyone else who wants to help get things changed for the better of our community and our childrens' hope and dreams for a more honest, dependable, indiscriminatory and concerning government. Oh and lets not forget to attend the next city council meeting because listed on the agenda is the hope of passing votes to give the city administrator a raise. It seems $96,000.00 a year just aint enough to get him by anymore. Yes, people he is being considered for a raise even though all the other city employees barely make above minimum wage and only if they are lucky, they MIGHT get a cost of living raise at the end of a fiscal year, but apparently the administrator is doing such great job and really setting the woods on fire, he is being considered for a raise and it is only the first of June. That is what crooks call preplanning.
Didn't he just get a new contract last year?
2:30
Your exactly right, he did and it still wasn't enough. That should show just how GREEDY he really is and when your THAT greedy, you take and do people anyway you want to. He Needs to be thoroughly investigated and then sent to prison. By the way, I have just learned about all the parties he has on his farm for teenagers and provides alcohol to many underaged kids. I just spoke to a father who's son was killed in an accident after leaving a party that he hosted on his farm. Yet no one ever looked into the matter and WKSR nor any other media station aired that tid bit of information.
If that is true then the parent should have pressed charges. It is illegal.
There has been numerous parents who have tried to get something done about all the under age drinking that goes on at his parties but to no avail. The only thing that does happen is their child gets label by the other kids as a nark or something much worst, the child becomes an outcast and looses friends not to mention the bullying that takes place and it all results in the child and parents' relationship gets damaged, they all are called a bunch of liars and trouble-makers and no one does anything to help them or the situation.
Had
I have to agree with you. Anyone found guilty of lawbreaking needs to go to jail, regardless of who they are or think themselves to be. I do not uphold anyone in that respect.
Had
And I have got to confess that I am the one they call the CG. Yes, I broke my own word to myself and came back but with a new perspective. Something is definitely wrong and needs to be found out.
To Mr. Barrett,
I know you are a watchdog to the county government, especially the county school system and I applaud you for everything you have done and the hard work you have put in to getting things changed for the better however I am soooooooo glad you have turned some of your focus and energy to looking into the corruption of the city government. I live in the city as do many others and the misdeeds that are going on affects is all city and county citizens in a very negative way. Keep up the good work and keep on proding and poking, I think you are close to hitting the jackpot.
Obviously there are quite a few people reading this blog who have knowledge of underhand things going on in city and county government. If there is something special that needs to be looked into I would suggest they either contact Mr. Barrett directly, or, post what you know on this blog. Naturally, it has to be something than can be proved. Nothing will change if we don't work together.
1151 you are exactly right! We must work together because that is the only way to get our voices and concerns heard. As far as proof goes, I too have a friend who is a parent of a teenager who is 17 years old and attends the "parties on the farm" quite regularly but what they are worried about most of all is him getting in an accident and hurting someone after leaving the party. they also feel he has developed a problem with alcohol.
Who owns Hillcrest Country Club? Does Brenda Speer sit on the board or have something administrative to do with the country club? I remember a job placement ad for an open position at Hillcrest in the local paper and I thought the applicants were to forward their resume to her.
3:41 PM I attempted to search for the Board of Directors for Hillcrest County Club. I could not locate the current board, but what did come up was a resume for former EDC director, Robert Barnes. On his resume he lists he was a board member of Hillcrest County Club. Now that makes me wonder if Dan Speer, as current EDC Director is automatically placed on the board of directors.
Off to do more research. If I find Speer listed as a board member, will post so on this blog.
Please, others more proficient me, do some research on this subject.
I was unable to find Dan Speer's resume on line to see if he lists himself as a Board member of Hillcrest County Club. (Would someone else take time to search). What I did find is that Speer is a partner in the Speer-Horn Insurance Agency. Is this not where he carries his health insurance (more than $1,000 each month), paid for with tax dollars?
It has been said that the Speer Horne Insurance agency sold earlier this year or last year. If the policy predates the sale then it should be seen as a conflict of interest. Maybe even now if he receives any residual income from the sale of the policy or if bids were not taken.
His wife's company is employee benefit solutions. If this company is listed as the recipient of any premiums on coverage that was not bid out then it should be looked into as his household receives money from the commission off products.
Dan Speer's health insurance with his wife's agency predates the sale. From what I understand, Speer still has a financial interest in the agency even though he sold some part of it.
The city recently recently 'bid out' the city employee's health insurance but it was awarded to Brenda Speer's company. It has been said that company was given some figures ahead of time so they knew how to do the lowest bid.
When Dan was Mayor I was directed to him about some business I needed to conduct with him in his capacity as Mayor. When I approached him on public property and identified my reason for needing to speak to him in his role as Mayor he would not answer my questions until he marketed his insurance company. Of course when I did not put my insurance with his company I received no help and if any thing he did a lot to hurt my business. I will be happy to testify to this if any thing ever comes. I believe I can show additional proof where those that had their insurance with Speer-Horne received extra benefits and were even allowed to break the law while he was Mayor. In my opinion Dan needs to be as far away from tax payer money, or should I say be separated from tax payer money by the use of bars if possible.
9:37 Good of you to share your experiences of Mr. Speer. I fully agree with you he should not be in control of any tax payer money.
Will be interesting to see if the commissioners do any cut backs on funding for the EDC this year, especially since the county dont have any spare cash.
Don't hold your breath for the commissioners to stop spending money.
I guess you all should read WKSR before you continue the bitching.
I stand by my earlier statement regarding my opinion of Dan regarding the interactions I have had with the him. If the Governor was involved it is no wonder the expansion was not blocked like Frito Lay's. I wonder if either Frito Lay or Magnetti are accounts of Dan's wife's company? would be interesting to find out.
8:15, you are an extreme gossip queen and would be much better off if you shut that mouth. Maybe you can get a job now?
8:57
Thank you but I have a job. In addition I posted my opinion which is not gossip so you would be the one better off to shut up. Or better yet provide some proof that my opinion is wrong. But I have had dealings with Dan in business and I stand by my low opinion of him and do not think he should be let off for using tax payers money to promote his status in the community as he did at Martin. I am sure there is more if a little digging is done.
I heard directly from a city employee that they just had a mandatory meeting they all had to attend and it was pertaining to employee health insurance and the meeting was suppose to be conducted by Brenda Speer but she suddenly was unable to attend so Dan's sister conducted the meeting. Now that definately shows a more than just one conflict of interest.
I believe that would have been Brenda's sister, who also works for Professional Benefits Solutions,which is owned by Brenda Speed.
I have never read such pure crap in a blog before AS I SEE HERE. The above information is so incorrect with details. You complainers need to read or listen more closely to people who really do know what is going on. Most of what is said here is only half-truths. Some of you think you know everything but actually know nothing. A LITTLE LEARNING IS A DANGEROUS THING. GET A LIFE!
I HAVE SEEN THE RECEIPTS AND WHAT WAS STATED IN THE TOPIC IS ABSOLUTE RIGHT ON.
8:41 Maybe you need to do some checking before putting your mouth in gear and releasing the stupidity confined in your skull.
Friday 8:41 said: "A LITTLE LEARNING IS A DANGEROUS THING." I think he or she just proved it. Laughable
Yeah, 9:05, A Mind is a Terrible Thing, in 8:41's case at least.
Why waste a mind blogging?
Yeah be like Speer and waste our tax dollars promoting yourself.
Apparently it is O.K. for him to do it with the blessings of the Executive and the commission.
I think he should go ahead and give himself a good raise as well, if he hasn't already, since that office has no oversight it should be easy for him to get away with it.
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