Tuesday’s election was obviously a huge socio-political Tsunami wave all over the country. Here in Jackson County a few ignorant folks attempted to claim that the routed commissioners were defeated by a small group of “gadflies” and consequently, because of the outspokenness of this “small group” the voters followed zombie-like in lock-step behind these rabble-rousers. Reality couldn’t be further from the truth.
The people of Jackson County are (and have been) angry at our so-called leaders for some time regarding their spendthrift policies and for how they have allowed the manager to literally go out of control and in some ways create his own little fiefdom of power while the chair attempted to create for himself a cult of personality hobnobbing with bigwigs while vacationing in Raleigh and Washington D.C. on the citizens’ hard earned dollars.
If the Tea Party Patriots of Jackson County (and other unaffiliated voters) hold the in-coming commissioners’ feet to the fire on the core issues of smaller, more efficient government, lower taxes, and less intrusion into people’s lives than maybe the culture of quid pro quo can at least be weakened substantially in the coming months.
The bottom line is that we, the citizens demand that our elected and unelected office holders are completely open, honest, and accountable in their performing of the public’s business and that they return to the constitutional rule of law before the inevitable conflagration occurs in our country.
No one who hasn’t been attending commissioners meetings, doing the basic investigations on issues (many of them shady), and speaking out in the public forum (not just the occasional letter to the editor or a bellicose comment on an Internet forum) can have a clue about what has happened in politics here in Jackson County in 2010. Armed with this basic ignorance and blasé ‘know-it-all’ attitude they certainly won’t be able to influence what may happen in Jackson County in the future also.
Friday, November 5, 2010
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
"National Lampoon" Vacation
Unlike some folks I don’t go hollering and crying to anybody who will listen when somebody points out some of my short comings. Except for perhaps God, the preacher, his significant other, and the congregation of the Church that the chairman attends regularly, no one that I know of cares who may or may not have stayed with him in room # 289 on the nights of March six through nine of this year at the Omni Shoreham Hotel and Resort in Washington D.C. All I know is that the hotel bill says the room was billed for double occupancy (documented by public records request) and I got stuck paying for it. What we, the citizens of Jackson County do care about is the wasteful, frivolous manner in which the chairman of the Jackson County Commissioners has spritzed away our money and made us a laughing stock in all the other nearby counties. Mr. Chair, you can make a reasonable argument in normal financial times that going on junkets for professional development here in the state of North Carolina is an acceptable use of the taxpayer’s money. But these are not normal times and this trip was seemingly all about gallivanting all over Washington D.C. and hobnobbing with bigwigs in our nation’s capital. By the way, I wanted to thank the person or persons involved for their release of information to another local media outlet. It seems that the chairman spent even more money than I thought. According to records that were released, in addition to what the Patriot found, the chairman spent $490.00 for conference registration and $30.00 for a “Congressional Breakfast” also. His seeming vacation in Washington D.C. cost the taxpayers of Jackson County a total of at least $2,267 dollars! I’ll bet that there are at least a dozen families here in Jackson County that could have used that money to help heat their homes this winter—but the chairman already burned it up in Washington.
As was claimed by one individual, my assumptions are not false or unfounded. They are not even assumptions. The hard evidence that has been obtained through public records requests makes the conclusions that a reasonable person would conclude clear and rational. The bottom line is that the N.C. Association of County Commissioners would not reimburse the chairman to go to Washington D.C. for the National Association of County Commissioners meeting so he evidently decided to go on his own (regardless of whether the county manager budgeted it—he’ll budget anything that the chairman will tell him to) and hit the taxpayers of Jackson County for the bill on his D.C. “National Lampoon” Vacation. Representatives from only 44 (probably the richest 44 counties) of North Carolina’s 100 counties went to the same conference on the taxpayer’s dollar. Shame on them and shame on the chairman. We, the citizens of Jackson County, want our money reimbursed and our seat that the chairman is sitting in back.
As was claimed by one individual, my assumptions are not false or unfounded. They are not even assumptions. The hard evidence that has been obtained through public records requests makes the conclusions that a reasonable person would conclude clear and rational. The bottom line is that the N.C. Association of County Commissioners would not reimburse the chairman to go to Washington D.C. for the National Association of County Commissioners meeting so he evidently decided to go on his own (regardless of whether the county manager budgeted it—he’ll budget anything that the chairman will tell him to) and hit the taxpayers of Jackson County for the bill on his D.C. “National Lampoon” Vacation. Representatives from only 44 (probably the richest 44 counties) of North Carolina’s 100 counties went to the same conference on the taxpayer’s dollar. Shame on them and shame on the chairman. We, the citizens of Jackson County, want our money reimbursed and our seat that the chairman is sitting in back.
Monday, October 11, 2010
Paid Vacation
Mr. Chair, let’s talk about the facts. On Saturday 6 March 2010 you left Jackson County and drove to Washington D.C. where you checked into the Omni Shoreham Hotel. You stayed four nights. You left Washington D.C. Wednesday 10 March 2010 and arrived back in Jackson County that evening.
The Jackson County Travel Authorization and Reimbursement Form shows that you claimed $522.17 for travel by private automobile and $154.00 for meals—for a total of $676.17. County Manager Kenneth Westmoreland signed for the expense reimbursement 15 March. I have a copy of the county check endorsed by you and deposited to the Wachovia bank. It is stamped Friday 2 April 2010 by Teller #70.
I have a copy of the bill from the Omni Shoreham Hotel for four night’s double occupancy as signed by you Mr. Chair and charged to a Visa credit card for a total of $1,050.92. My first generation copy of the original in Finance shows that it was time/date stamped “Apr 09, 2010”. Above the “total due” line a figure has been ‘whited’ out. And below the total due line are the figures $0.00. I have a copy of the county check reimbursing the credit card company in Delaware for $1,070.00. It is signed by Kenneth L. Westmoreland and countersigned by Darlene Fox.
I have a copy of an email from the Communications Director of the N.C. Association of County Commissioners, a 501-C4 advocacy group, with the Board of Directors Expense Narrative and Reimbursement Form. Upon further investigation, Todd McGee, Communications Director of the N.C. Association of County Commissioners stated that “no member of the executive board was authorized to travel to Washington D.C. on these dates for any reason.” I also have records of other junkets that you have made.
Mr. Chair, we have a congressman who represents the 11th District in Washington D.C. We also have two U.S. Senators who represent us there. We have a state senator and a state representative that represent us in Raleigh. You represent us here in Jackson County. Why are we, the taxpayers paying for what appears to be a five day vacation for you, and whoever was staying with you those four nights at a luxury hotel and resort in Washington D.C.?
The Jackson County Travel Authorization and Reimbursement Form shows that you claimed $522.17 for travel by private automobile and $154.00 for meals—for a total of $676.17. County Manager Kenneth Westmoreland signed for the expense reimbursement 15 March. I have a copy of the county check endorsed by you and deposited to the Wachovia bank. It is stamped Friday 2 April 2010 by Teller #70.
I have a copy of the bill from the Omni Shoreham Hotel for four night’s double occupancy as signed by you Mr. Chair and charged to a Visa credit card for a total of $1,050.92. My first generation copy of the original in Finance shows that it was time/date stamped “Apr 09, 2010”. Above the “total due” line a figure has been ‘whited’ out. And below the total due line are the figures $0.00. I have a copy of the county check reimbursing the credit card company in Delaware for $1,070.00. It is signed by Kenneth L. Westmoreland and countersigned by Darlene Fox.
I have a copy of an email from the Communications Director of the N.C. Association of County Commissioners, a 501-C4 advocacy group, with the Board of Directors Expense Narrative and Reimbursement Form. Upon further investigation, Todd McGee, Communications Director of the N.C. Association of County Commissioners stated that “no member of the executive board was authorized to travel to Washington D.C. on these dates for any reason.” I also have records of other junkets that you have made.
Mr. Chair, we have a congressman who represents the 11th District in Washington D.C. We also have two U.S. Senators who represent us there. We have a state senator and a state representative that represent us in Raleigh. You represent us here in Jackson County. Why are we, the taxpayers paying for what appears to be a five day vacation for you, and whoever was staying with you those four nights at a luxury hotel and resort in Washington D.C.?
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
Time to Meet the Voters
On Tuesday September 28 the candidates for sheriff, county commissioner, and state legislative offices stood face-to-face to the citizens of Jackson County at the "First Jackson County Town Hall Forum". The venue was the Cashiers Community Center in Cashiers.
What I took away from the very long meeting was that the incumbents wanted very much to stay in office and the challengers wanted very much to be elected to those offices.
Afterward, some folks commented to me that the incumbent commissioners (at least some of them)seemed "smug" and "condescending." Although I don't believe that the incumbent commissioners (excluding one) were necessarily "smug" and "condescending" I do believe that they had a communications problem.The incumbent sheriff kept mentioning "twenty nine years of experience" which didn't strike me as a positive since that was simply a reminder that he had been on the public dole for twenty nine years. Not a good thing in this election cycle where "throw the bums out" is being heard from all quarters more and more often. Probably the most honest and sincere seeming of the candidates was Mary Rock, independent candidate for county sheriff. I did appreciate her quote from Edmund Burke ("all that is necessary for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing"). Perhaps at the next town hall Rock may also showcase her management experience in her job as a bail bondsman managing bail agents, as a sheriff's job is very much the management of men, material, and money resources.
One large failing of the forum was no open microphone for the citizens to directly address (and refute) the candidates and their assertions. I certainly hope that will be rectified at the so-called "environmental" town forum on October 7 at 6pm at the Cullowhee Recreation Center.
What I took away from the very long meeting was that the incumbents wanted very much to stay in office and the challengers wanted very much to be elected to those offices.
Afterward, some folks commented to me that the incumbent commissioners (at least some of them)seemed "smug" and "condescending." Although I don't believe that the incumbent commissioners (excluding one) were necessarily "smug" and "condescending" I do believe that they had a communications problem.The incumbent sheriff kept mentioning "twenty nine years of experience" which didn't strike me as a positive since that was simply a reminder that he had been on the public dole for twenty nine years. Not a good thing in this election cycle where "throw the bums out" is being heard from all quarters more and more often. Probably the most honest and sincere seeming of the candidates was Mary Rock, independent candidate for county sheriff. I did appreciate her quote from Edmund Burke ("all that is necessary for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing"). Perhaps at the next town hall Rock may also showcase her management experience in her job as a bail bondsman managing bail agents, as a sheriff's job is very much the management of men, material, and money resources.
One large failing of the forum was no open microphone for the citizens to directly address (and refute) the candidates and their assertions. I certainly hope that will be rectified at the so-called "environmental" town forum on October 7 at 6pm at the Cullowhee Recreation Center.
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
Thin Ice Again
Darned if you commissioners haven’t been skating on thin ice again (if you ever stopped). The Sylva Herald requested the closed-session minutes for three years’ worth of meetings where legal procedures with Duke Energy were discussed way back in August. County Manager Ken Westmoreland refused the Herald’s request by saying “county commissioners had to approve the release of closed-session minutes” despite the legal proceedings with Duke being over for at least thirty calendar days. Of course, what would I expect from a county manager who routinely pays no attention to open records requests from citizens, engineers a “fat cat” pay raise for himself and other heads of county departments, and gives himself twenty extra years of seniority in the county employment system. Commissioners, its time to throw somebody “under the bus” if you want to save your political skins.
Chairman McMahan, your lame excuse for not immediately releasing the minutes as required by law was alleged confidential information in the minutes had to be redacted. Funny Mr. Chair, but I don’t believe you. You’ve told too many whoppers to my face to sing that same old song again. By-the-way Mr. Chair, those closed-session minutes are the property of the citizens of Jackson County, not you commissioners. Just for that little bit of inanity your pay(by all rights) should be docked. More will be revealed regarding pay and reimbursements soon Mr. Chair.
Speaking of the “fat cat” pay raises, the harm to us citizens hasn’t been rectified yet. As four of you know that harm was made greater for all the lower especially the lower) and middle level county employees by taking money that they had been promised them in miniscule step increases and salting it away in contingency “slush funds” so that you could reward political cronies and supporters—some of which “useful idiots” turned up in last week’s paper eagerly begging the rest of us to vote for more political chicanery in November’s election.
As I stated at August’s last meeting none of us is perfect. Redemption is offered to us. But we must make amends to those that we have harmed and ask for forgiveness.
I look forward to seeing you Mr. Chair and Commissioner Massie at the Jackson County Town Hall forum on September 28 in Cashiers. Maybe then we the citizens of Jackson County will get the answers to all these questions that just seem to not want to go away.
Chairman McMahan, your lame excuse for not immediately releasing the minutes as required by law was alleged confidential information in the minutes had to be redacted. Funny Mr. Chair, but I don’t believe you. You’ve told too many whoppers to my face to sing that same old song again. By-the-way Mr. Chair, those closed-session minutes are the property of the citizens of Jackson County, not you commissioners. Just for that little bit of inanity your pay(by all rights) should be docked. More will be revealed regarding pay and reimbursements soon Mr. Chair.
Speaking of the “fat cat” pay raises, the harm to us citizens hasn’t been rectified yet. As four of you know that harm was made greater for all the lower especially the lower) and middle level county employees by taking money that they had been promised them in miniscule step increases and salting it away in contingency “slush funds” so that you could reward political cronies and supporters—some of which “useful idiots” turned up in last week’s paper eagerly begging the rest of us to vote for more political chicanery in November’s election.
As I stated at August’s last meeting none of us is perfect. Redemption is offered to us. But we must make amends to those that we have harmed and ask for forgiveness.
I look forward to seeing you Mr. Chair and Commissioner Massie at the Jackson County Town Hall forum on September 28 in Cashiers. Maybe then we the citizens of Jackson County will get the answers to all these questions that just seem to not want to go away.
Three Good Things (and a ticking time bomb)
Not long ago I was asked by a county employee (who shall remain anonymous) to try to say something “good” about the county commissioners. I thought a moment and replied, “Why don’t you come up with three good things to say about the commissioners and I’ll be happy to comment on them at the next commissioners meeting.” That county employee hasn’t gotten back to me yet but that’s all right. I think that I can come up with three “good things” to say about you anyway.
Let’s see, all of you commissioners appear (the last time I saw you) to have good hygiene. I’m sure that all of you have good manners. And finally, I’d be willing to bet that all of you do sincerely care about your families.
It may be a failing of mine but deep down I also believe that all of you are good, honest, honorable men. Unfortunately my belief in and of itself about those things is not enough for the citizens of Jackson County. They’re angry and not easily persuaded. It is important to back up that belief with observable, measurable, public evidence. Otherwise my belief is meaningless and the patriotic citizens of Jackson County could overact—which I for one don’t want to see happen.
Quite a few citizens have called me and urged me to not let up on you commissioners. They reminded me that despite you having done some good things in your tenure, your alleged misbehaviors have far, far out weighed those good things. I don’t need to make a list. You know what I’m talking about.
But isn’t it better to have the politician that we know staying in office rather than some unknown individual who might destroy all the good that has been done? Maybe, maybe not.
None of us is perfect. Last that I checked I surely wasn’t. But because of that imperfection, and a forgiving, benevolent Creator, redemption is offered to us. We can make amends to those that we have harmed.
Gentlemen, this situation with the “fatcat” pay raises, despite what was claimed by two individuals (which I don’t believe for a moment) in last week’s Sylva Herald, has become utterly outrageous. It is time to act to rectify this harm to the citizens of Jackson County.
How can a county employee just give themselves twenty years of seniority in the county system? How can they do this especially when you have taken away everything—the colas and the step increases, along with the ever present threat that if county employees speak out about these abuses and others they will be summarily dismissed? What seeming legal chicanery allows this?
There is redemption though commissioners. Right these wrongs now and I’m sure that many citizens will forgive you. Otherwise November 2, with all its socio-political ramification looms before us, a ticking time bomb.
Let’s see, all of you commissioners appear (the last time I saw you) to have good hygiene. I’m sure that all of you have good manners. And finally, I’d be willing to bet that all of you do sincerely care about your families.
It may be a failing of mine but deep down I also believe that all of you are good, honest, honorable men. Unfortunately my belief in and of itself about those things is not enough for the citizens of Jackson County. They’re angry and not easily persuaded. It is important to back up that belief with observable, measurable, public evidence. Otherwise my belief is meaningless and the patriotic citizens of Jackson County could overact—which I for one don’t want to see happen.
Quite a few citizens have called me and urged me to not let up on you commissioners. They reminded me that despite you having done some good things in your tenure, your alleged misbehaviors have far, far out weighed those good things. I don’t need to make a list. You know what I’m talking about.
But isn’t it better to have the politician that we know staying in office rather than some unknown individual who might destroy all the good that has been done? Maybe, maybe not.
None of us is perfect. Last that I checked I surely wasn’t. But because of that imperfection, and a forgiving, benevolent Creator, redemption is offered to us. We can make amends to those that we have harmed.
Gentlemen, this situation with the “fatcat” pay raises, despite what was claimed by two individuals (which I don’t believe for a moment) in last week’s Sylva Herald, has become utterly outrageous. It is time to act to rectify this harm to the citizens of Jackson County.
How can a county employee just give themselves twenty years of seniority in the county system? How can they do this especially when you have taken away everything—the colas and the step increases, along with the ever present threat that if county employees speak out about these abuses and others they will be summarily dismissed? What seeming legal chicanery allows this?
There is redemption though commissioners. Right these wrongs now and I’m sure that many citizens will forgive you. Otherwise November 2, with all its socio-political ramification looms before us, a ticking time bomb.
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
Speak With Forked Tongue
On or about Monday May 17, 2010 at the county commissioners meeting the county manager made the statement that he would meet with anyone to set the record straight concerning the county deal with Confederate Packaging and also the problems concerning the old Tuckaseigee Mills property. The next day I called the county manager’s office and expressed my interest in scheduling a meeting with the manager concerning his public statement from the night before. On Wednesday May 19 my telephone call was returned by the manager’s administrative assistant and she stated that the county manager felt that we didn’t need to meet to talk on these issues.
According to North Carolina General Statutes when a citizen makes a legal public records request the public employee is legally supposed to honor that request for public information. My request for this public information was denied despite the county manager’s public remarks stating that he would meet with anyone on May 17 and totally disregarding the law.
Have we reached the point in the history of our republic where citizens are routinely denied information about the workings of our government by the people who work for us?
Commisioners, current disquieting public events are accumulating with more frequency, driving to an unfortunate state of affairs where the citizens will be forced to use all available lawful means to force their government to be constitutionally responsive to their needs. This is not a preferred outcome.
Back in March of this year you commissioners and the citizens of Jackson County entered into a tacit agreement that those seats that you are sitting in belong to the citizens. You also agreed that our county government operations must become open, honest and accountable.
All cogent individuals are aware that November 2 is fast approaching with all its socio-political ramifications. What some folks don’t seem to understand is that another date is quickly approaching also—the date where, if elected and unelected office holders of all stripes; county, state, and federal governments, have not restored the rule of constitutional law to their behaviors in the performance of their offices, then consequently we the people will become absolved of all of our duties and responsibilities to the current socio-political contract.
May God have mercy upon all of us if that day ever comes.
According to North Carolina General Statutes when a citizen makes a legal public records request the public employee is legally supposed to honor that request for public information. My request for this public information was denied despite the county manager’s public remarks stating that he would meet with anyone on May 17 and totally disregarding the law.
Have we reached the point in the history of our republic where citizens are routinely denied information about the workings of our government by the people who work for us?
Commisioners, current disquieting public events are accumulating with more frequency, driving to an unfortunate state of affairs where the citizens will be forced to use all available lawful means to force their government to be constitutionally responsive to their needs. This is not a preferred outcome.
Back in March of this year you commissioners and the citizens of Jackson County entered into a tacit agreement that those seats that you are sitting in belong to the citizens. You also agreed that our county government operations must become open, honest and accountable.
All cogent individuals are aware that November 2 is fast approaching with all its socio-political ramifications. What some folks don’t seem to understand is that another date is quickly approaching also—the date where, if elected and unelected office holders of all stripes; county, state, and federal governments, have not restored the rule of constitutional law to their behaviors in the performance of their offices, then consequently we the people will become absolved of all of our duties and responsibilities to the current socio-political contract.
May God have mercy upon all of us if that day ever comes.
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