Poking around after the executive session meeting the word is that organizational changes have already been made - one effectively demoting the department head to answering to another department head. I wonder if she gets to keep the $20k raise BJ gave her

CV is that Mr. Bush is on thin ice with several commissioners for his part in this charade.

We should remember that it was Bush who provided different accounting sheets for Nash Farm depending on who asked and what information they specifically asked for.

Ever since the Nash Farm
mess it has been like watching a train wreck in slow motion.

Dark Knight

It was interesting that at least 3 different financial
books appeared on the Nash
subject. Now that is the
meaning of smoke and mirrors. Live and learn.
The Doctor

Every thing with that department smells. Why create a new "social service" department and not put it under the Social Services Division Director? Why did Mr. Bush bring a compliance analyst to speak for it? Does it make sense for that person to over see that department? What is she could bring to the table?

It appeared that Mr. Bush was pushing too hard to get Mr. Harper to sign the budget with the addition.
What kind of pressure and who put it there was he under?
The Doctor

Mr. Harper is an attorney and it is just plain dumb to force the issue against SO much opposition. Truly something is behind this or else people just like to skate on ice.

Look at the Department list on the county website. In that the commissioners have not approved such a new department why does that department already have it's own web page? Who is in control over there??

I believe they call this subversion of the process.
And I don't think some of the BOC members are happy with this.
The Doctor

This "department' should never have been created. In fact, it should have remained in the Juvenile Justice Department. JJD is very capable of handling these affairs and not the BOC. If this new department moved ahead, then it would be more than a failure, spending money that was not necessary and creating more unwarranted jobs. Come to think of it, which programs have been handled effectively in Henry County? As with SLOST, the BOC budget needs to be a line item budget and it needs an outside audit.
All of the chairman candidates met at the Kiwanis Luncheon last Tuesday. Each candidate was allowed seven minutes to speak. I mentioned that I was tired of commissioners coming to departments asking for staff to help on a specific project, etc. without going through the County Manager. Ms. Mathis stated that this was not happening and, I believe, has not happened for a long time. If that is the case, how did she create a new department and other commissioners had no knowledge of this? Did she work with individuals to make it happen? Was the chairman involved? Was the County Manager involved? A lot of questions and as usual, very few answers...

This is in response to the post by candidate Mike Eddy.

He states that the program "...should have remained in the Juvenile Justice Department."

The fact is that the program never was in the Juvenile Justice Department. In was under the Juvenile Court of Henry County. The Department of Juvenile Justice is a state agency not a county department.

He states, "As with SPLOST, the BOC budget needs to be a line item budget and it needs an outside audit."

The fact is that the entire county budget is done by department and by line-item within each department. Further, the county budget is audited by the outside firm of Mauldin & Jenkins each year. In fact Mauldin & Jenkins presented the audit results last month, which found that the finance staff had done an exemplary job. Also notable is that in 2008 the Henry County Finance Department was awarded the Certificate of Achievement of Excellence in Financial Reporting as well as given the Award for Outstanding Achievement in Popular Annual Financial Reporting from the Government Finance Officers Association for United States and Canada.

This recent post as well as an earlier one also criticize the SPLOST program and staff. The voters just re-adopted this program by a 2/3 majority. I believe this was in large part to the SPLOST staff getting projects completed unlike in years past. Mr. Clack, the SPLOST director, uses inmate labor to cut costs. There are electricians, plumbers and others in the jails who can work. A majority of the work on the new public safety complex/government annex was inmate labor. He has placed penalty clauses on contracts and enforced timetables to bring projects in on time. As a citizen, do I wish there were more resources to do additional projects? Of course. So does the entire SPLOST staff. Most of them are Henry County citizens too.

I understand the need for candidates to air their views. Debate of the views is part of the process. However, an understanding of the facts is very helpful also. Likewise, it is better to know the facts prior to disparaging many of the county employees who work so hard for our citizens.

Would please send me an e-mail, Chairman Harper, just so I can verify that it is indeed you that left that comment.

Thanks.

Question: Who approves the blueprints for SPLOST projects?
The Doctor

I'll disparage anyone who takes property via eminent domain for a stupid "park" and those who had the power to stop it, but did nothing. Add to that the waste of $8,000,000 plus maintenance and improvements from now on.

The SPLOST was approved because a) voters are stupid and b) voters bought the lie that SPLOST would keep their property taxes down.

As a side note, my recent property assessment just went up...apparently these crooks haven't heard what's happened to property values in the past couple of years.

Dutch, I agree. My property
assessment doubled. They are
going to get that money one way or the other.
The Doctor

Is there a process to have her removed from office for this type of misbehavior?
Shouldn't the taxpayers be protected from this type of abuse?

Dark Knight

Message: Obe wan needs to contact tired Yoda.

Dark Knight,

The protection you seek is found in Georgia law:

§ 45-10-3. Code of ethics for members of boards, commissions, and authorities --

(8) Never engage in other conduct which is unbecoming to a member or which constitutes a breach of public trust;

§ 45-11-4. Unprofessional conduct; misdemeanor

(b) A public officer may be charged under this Code section for:

(1) Malpractice, misfeasance, or malfeasance in office;

(c) A conviction for violating subsection (b) of this Code section shall be punished as for a misdemeanor and, upon conviction in a court of competent jurisdiction, the accused shall be removed from office.

I believe there is no chance that Tommy Floyd would pursue an indictment. And letters to the Attorney General will be met with a referral to the district Attorney. It is possible that a letter campaign to the Governor may spike at least cursory action. Another approach is through the State Ethics Commission.

Hey, is there a lawyer in the house? How can this matter be pursued?

It is sad that Mr. Bush was put in the position that he was put into. I am sure that he feels used and abused as well as the county manager. Misinformation is not new to this person who placed them in the middle. Manipulation is the key to a lot that has happened.
The Doctor

Doctor,Dutch and other Henry residents that are experiencing these increases.....
Just today while leaving Louisville Ky. I spoke with someone who is interested in and will support a meeting en-mass to formulate action to give the assessment board the opportunity to correct the increases that are not only incorrect but are in excess of the actual market values here in Henry. This will be a class action that I believe will stand the assessment dept. its ear, according to our research the values being assessed to property in Henry they are mostly 16 to 19 percent inflated over actual value. I believe this is going to be an opportunity for us to be heard .
United we stand divided we fall. Let's unite
Don

Doctor,

My property assesment increased by 8%. You should investigate yours.