Kudos to the Board
It would appear that Commissioner “BJ” Mathis’ credibility – and line of credit - has fallen among the members of the board of commissioners. At least, the days of rubber-stamping her agendas and schemes appear to be over. Having lost the ability to snooker the board members, her campaign strategies will surely suffer.
At today’s 9:00am meeting of the Henry Board of Commissioners, three Resolutions came up for a vote. These were items of importance and swift action was taken to the benefit of all citizens.
Item VII. Resolution authorizing the transfer of proceeds for the Drug Education and Prevention Programs.This item was requested to validate (with funding) the new Life Management Solutions Department, in the amount of $431,000 an increase from $213,000.
The department was put into place by Commissioner Mathis, who won approval by telling the board it would be cost-neutral. (The initial proposal even included a $25,697 savings to the General Fund, so an immediate $20,000 raise for the department’s head was not anticipated.) The department’s function is to expand the role currently provided by the Juvenile Court. But commissioners were assured today that fund raising efforts among local churches and area businesses would eventually provide cost savings to the county.
The expanded services would not be limited to drug prevention and education, but would include, as county manager Magnaghi said, “Saving people and saving lives” through full time counseling and drug assessment services. The litany of functions included counseling for children and legal-age adults whose parents simply cannot manage them, youth drivers’ education, youth shoplifters and adult shoplifters. The list did not include actually addressing Drug Education and Prevention Programs.
Although a fervent and heart wrenching tirade was offered by the county manager, and a few positive statements were made by Commissioners Mathis and Holder, the arguments against social programming as a reason to expand county government were marshaled by Commissioner Bowman. In his words, the county would be “throwing money at a problem” without exploring options to work within the existing structure of the Juvenile Court. An extra $200,000 is not cost-neutral!
The resolution received extended comment and questioning, and ended in a tie vote (it did not pass) with Commissioners Bowman, Basler and Chairman Harper dissenting. Funding for Mathis’ (vote buying) social agenda must now undergo thorough review and justification for every dollar she requests.
Item X. Resolution requesting review by the Georgia Attorney GeneralThis matter deals with local legislation passed by the Georgia legislature in 1987 requiring a county office-holder to resign their current position in order to seek another elected position in the county or state. The legislation was never sent to the US Department of Justice for clearance – as is required by procedural law. The matter arose four years ago causing now-Chairman Harper to vacate his District 3 seat pending a court trial. At that time the matter was not settled and DOJ clearance was left pending. Although without such clearance the legislation is not enforceable and it remains moot, inviting similar law suits in the 2008 election for county chairman. The resolution received no comment or argument and passed unanimously with Mathis abstaining.
After the morning meeting I was informed that Chairman Harper was approached by a citizen who insisted the matter not be stalled by seeking further unenforceable opinions from the Attorney General. The citizen had already grown weary of non-action and contacted the DOJ and ACLU independently. Chairman Harper agreed to immediately “send the1987 local act and the BOC resolution to the DOJ.”
An expedited DOJ clearance would mean that Commissioner Mathis must resign her District 2 seat in order to qualify or seek office of Chairman.
Item XI. Resolution regarding Nash FarmChairman Harper spoke on behalf of this resolution offering his own opinions and ideas for the future of Nash Farm. Among his list of changes were
Paved walking pathsAlso Chairman Harper stated the name would be changed to Nash Farm, outside the battlefield connotation. An RFP was issued for completion of a master plan for implementing changes and enhancements to the county park. The resolution received no comment or argument and passed unanimously.
Playgrounds installed as at other parks
Paved parking as at other parks
Equestrian trails
Bicycle trails
Designated “battlefield” area for grown men to play dress-up and shoot blanks
I call this “Three For Three” on behalf of the citizens. Kudos.
Comments
Democracy and good sense have been installed today and when given the chance they both work well to resolve problems. I would like to thank the Board of Commissioners for their insight into the matters before them. Resolving issues is sometimes a hard thing to accomplish but at the end of the day what is best for the citizens of Henry County usually comes through. You have spoken and the people will listen.
Careful planning of any item
is the best avenue to pursue. Our future as a people depends on the foresight of those empowered
to make the right decisions
for the citizens of our county and our nation. Our lives are being changed by all that is going on in the
business world as well as the downturn in the economy
that is very volatile. May the wisdom of those who founded our nation cast it's shadow upon our leaders to give them the promise of carrying on our way of life. May God guide
the thoughts of those who lead our way to that uncertain future inwhich we live. Those of us who have an uncertain future and are
living day by day know the precious gift of life and we worry about the future of our children and if their lives will be better than ours. I would not wish my health problems on anyone. My life is only sustained by the grace of God. That is why I want to see our County which I love
prosper and carry on the traditions of those who came before us. My father once told me that man is limited by the lack of knowledge to know his limitations. He was so right. I sincerely wish those on our Board of Commissioners all the best. I know it is hard to lead and when bad information is brought before you and when acted upon in good faith that action can be a hard pill to swallow. It is good to have checks and balances and to gather more than one
opinion on a subject is always a prudent path to follow.
Sincerely,
The Doctor
Posted by: The Doctor | April 9, 2008 12:18 AM
Kudos to Mr Stanley for keeping the spotlight on those who would abuse the power that comes from position.
Its just too bad that we can't fix the damage. Oh well we can always dress up and play BLUE & GRAY. Maybe even a golf game or two.
Posted by: Don | April 9, 2008 10:09 AM
Larry,
Two questions. Oh, and you know that I have no vested interest in what happens in Henry County, so I ask these strictly as a casual observer:
(1) Did Mathis vote in favor of all three of these measures?
(2) If so, can the Board's favorable vote on these measures really be considered "sticking it to" Mathis (as was insinuated), if she herself supported the measures?
Posted by: Jace Walden | April 9, 2008 11:44 AM
Jace, Mathis abstained on the vote regarding local legislation. Mathis voted to approve the $431,000 budget for her new department.
Regarding Nash, the ax fell even before the meeting and she knew it. She made the motion and supported the vote to avoid a 5-1 embarrassment.
I know the moves and shakes that came before yesterday's votes. I know Mathis' underhanded misrepresentations (cost-neutral, 'facts' about Nash) placed the entire board in a pickle. One commissioner did not want to "hang her out to dry," and another wanted to find a moral middle ground to resolve the problems.
The problems were self inflicted. The Henry Clean & Beautiful thing would have forced the board to comply with her personal agenda if it had not been caught and stopped. This is only one example of her manipulations.
A rogue was tempered and the reigns pulled in. And she knows it.
Posted by: Larry Stanley | April 9, 2008 06:40 PM
Cool. Just curious. Thanks, Larry.
Posted by: Jace Walden | April 9, 2008 06:43 PM
3DCC we need some involvement in the county, there are too many members and their talents are not being utilized.
Posted by: Grapeshot | April 9, 2008 07:22 PM
If Mathis has to resign, what happens to her seat for the remainder of her term?
Posted by: HCgirl | April 10, 2008 08:36 AM
Because of the short time remaining in her current term, the board of commissioners will appoint an interim person until December 31.
Now that the legislation is finally sent to DOJ, the situation will probably be different than 4 years ago. Harper vacated his seat because of this local act -- but resumed service after a trial determined the local act moot because it was never sent to DOJ for clearance.
Posted by: Larry Stanley | April 10, 2008 09:07 AM
How does this move to send the legislation to the DOJ affect the many other county employees that are seeking elected office? Will the DOJ make a move on this before qualifying?
Posted by: RunOrNot | April 10, 2008 10:33 PM
The state constitution - and the local legislation - refer only to an elected official seeking a different elected office. i.e., a commissioner seeking the chairmanship. It does not affect someone seeking re-election to the same office.
An employee, on the other hand, is bound by county ordinance requiring (a) a leave of absence, or (b) resignation. The typical result is a leave during the campaign, then resignation if they win.
I expect the local legislation to be in effect.
Posted by: Larry Stanley | April 11, 2008 06:19 AM
Larry--regarding "Harper vacated his seat because of this local act -- but resumed service after a trial determined the local act moot because it was never sent to DOJ for cleara