What's Going On With the Jail Project?
At the August planning meeting for the Board of County Commissioners, the Chairmen of the County Commission, Mayor Davis, who is also the Chairmen of the Jail Committee, announced that there would be a ‘public meeting’ on the Jail project at 7 pm on Tuesday, September 6, 2005 and a second one in October.
This ‘public meeting’ is suppose to present "a plan that was unanimously approved by the ‘Jail Committee’ at a meeting on July 28, 2005." The Chairman/Mayor/Chairman also announced that the lawyers have found the plans to be acceptable.
My first question is, How many folks knew there was going to be a meeting of the Jail Committee on July 28th? How many folks knew the purpose of the meeting was going to be to approve a final plan to present to the County Commission for their approval, that would among other things, resolve all this pending litigation over the Hardin County Jail?
I have expressed my concern for the adequacy of the public notice that the Mayor or Jail Committee was giving regarding their public meetings to Mayor Davis. The response, as I understood it was, I talked to CTAS and thay said that putting a notice on the bulletin board in the lobby of the Courthouse a day or so ahead of time is all we have to do. Something to do with being a special committee and conducting routine business.
The answer will be, either The Mayor and Jail Committee determined that the jail issue is one that would not be expected to be of interest to the general public or there has been a routine violation of the State Sunshine Law, again. Of course, any actions or approvals of the Committee of any plan would be void and held for nought.
It was not adequate notice based on the totality of the circumstances as would fairly inform the public, nor was it intended to be.
Monday, August 15
Congratulations to Henry Williams, Bob Shutt and Blake White for their recent election or re-election to the Savannah City Commission and a well deserved thank you to Helen Hamilton and Joe Cromwell for their excellent service as City Commissioners.
Being a fellow who likes to keep himself informed, I have monitored the City elections for the quite a few years now and this past election is the most interesting one that I can remember since Brother Randy Isbell decided to run for re-election.
You might be asking yourself, well, Ted, you live in the county, what difference does it make to you, who is or is not elected to the Savannah City Commission? That’s simple. I live in that mythical 5 mile radius of Savannah and I have city water and gas. I have a dog in their hunt. By that I mean that these folks, the City Commission, have the final word when it comes to some of my fire protection and some of my utilities.
But even if that 5 mile thing wasn’t there, in addition to Savannah having the status of a city, it is also the County Seat or as some know it, the County Town and the center of County Government. Most of the Hardin County Government employees, work in Savannah.
After you get past that, it seems that I am having to remind some folks that the citizens of the City of Savannah are also fellow citizens of Hardin County. They pay county property taxes and all of the rest of the County’s fees and charges, just like us folks who don’t live inside the City limits. They also pay city taxes for a much higher level of services than the County can or will provide.
There I go again, digressing.
One of the most interesting statistics from this election is that 65% of the voters voted for Williams. This is the same Williams that some have said for years was unelectable because even though he may have more city commissions meeting time under his belt than most of the setting Commissioners have, he was just too confrontational and plain spoken for the ‘Ya Gotta Go Along, To Get Along’ creed, that local politics seem live by.
Maybe the voters are sending a message, to hell with that creed, they want plain speaking folks setting and carrying out policies. Is it the message of change? I pray so, and look forward to the County-wide election in less than a year. You can bet there will be more to follow on that subject, thank you very much.
Finally, I would like to thank the editorial staff at The Courier for their well throughout and well written editorial in last week’s Courier, "Voting is a civic responsibility." I can only hope that they will rerun it again next year, about this time would be nice.
If you take nothing else from this editorial opinion, please take the point that simply voting is not enough, an informed vote is what is required, and to do that, a good citizen must make an effort to learn everything he can about the candidates and their views on the issues.
On a sad note, there were only 657 voters out of some 3,985 registered voters who took the time to participate in the City elections. That is 16.49% turnout. Of course that is up from the elections in the recent past by about 1.5%, but that is still sad when you think about the tasks and functions of the City Commission. Apathy is alive and well in Savannah.
Respectfully submitted for your consideration.
Being a fellow who likes to keep himself informed, I have monitored the City elections for the quite a few years now and this past election is the most interesting one that I can remember since Brother Randy Isbell decided to run for re-election.
You might be asking yourself, well, Ted, you live in the county, what difference does it make to you, who is or is not elected to the Savannah City Commission? That’s simple. I live in that mythical 5 mile radius of Savannah and I have city water and gas. I have a dog in their hunt. By that I mean that these folks, the City Commission, have the final word when it comes to some of my fire protection and some of my utilities.
But even if that 5 mile thing wasn’t there, in addition to Savannah having the status of a city, it is also the County Seat or as some know it, the County Town and the center of County Government. Most of the Hardin County Government employees, work in Savannah.
After you get past that, it seems that I am having to remind some folks that the citizens of the City of Savannah are also fellow citizens of Hardin County. They pay county property taxes and all of the rest of the County’s fees and charges, just like us folks who don’t live inside the City limits. They also pay city taxes for a much higher level of services than the County can or will provide.
There I go again, digressing.
One of the most interesting statistics from this election is that 65% of the voters voted for Williams. This is the same Williams that some have said for years was unelectable because even though he may have more city commissions meeting time under his belt than most of the setting Commissioners have, he was just too confrontational and plain spoken for the ‘Ya Gotta Go Along, To Get Along’ creed, that local politics seem live by.
Maybe the voters are sending a message, to hell with that creed, they want plain speaking folks setting and carrying out policies. Is it the message of change? I pray so, and look forward to the County-wide election in less than a year. You can bet there will be more to follow on that subject, thank you very much.
Finally, I would like to thank the editorial staff at The Courier for their well throughout and well written editorial in last week’s Courier, "Voting is a civic responsibility." I can only hope that they will rerun it again next year, about this time would be nice.
If you take nothing else from this editorial opinion, please take the point that simply voting is not enough, an informed vote is what is required, and to do that, a good citizen must make an effort to learn everything he can about the candidates and their views on the issues.
On a sad note, there were only 657 voters out of some 3,985 registered voters who took the time to participate in the City elections. That is 16.49% turnout. Of course that is up from the elections in the recent past by about 1.5%, but that is still sad when you think about the tasks and functions of the City Commission. Apathy is alive and well in Savannah.
Respectfully submitted for your consideration.
Friday, August 5
Friday, July 29
Who Holds All the Power?
The Citizens of Hardin County, you and me, who are eligible to Vote, hold ALL the ultimate Power and WE hold the ultimate responsibility for abdicating, relinquishing and/or renouncing our Citizens responsibilities as the holder of this ultimate power that keeps Hardin County encumbered in it’s chains. Sorry about this tough love thing.
The painfully truthful answer is that the folks who have chosen to register to vote, and who actually vote at each and every opportunity, exercise the ultimate power for all the other complacent and apathetic citizens. These folks disburse all the power to our elected officials, who now hold all the power that keeps Hardin County encumbered in it’s chains, whatever they are.
"Originally, our founding fathers envisioned a government Of the people, By the people, and For the people, that included a checks and balance on governmental powers with the Separation of Powers Doctrine.
The Separation of Powers Doctrine basically states that there shall be a separation between the three branches of government, i.e. Executive, Legislative and Judiciary. Neither branch could exercise the power of the other." THOMAS JEFFERSON, 1821
Hardin County’s Judiciary - Complaint of the Hardin County Grand Jury – All one need do, is look at the composition of the Grand Jury. How can a Grand Jury which has been infiltrated and influenced by the judiciary/law enforcement be expected to do its primary job of investigating official malfeasance, judicial arrogance, lack of accountability and corruption?
Hardin County has had national exposed, via the Internet, with judicial and political corruption allegations, along with a designation as a major drug route for illegal drugs coming from the gulf coast via the Tombigbee Waterway to all points North via the Tennessee River to the Mississippi River to all points northeast, with a lot dropped off along the way for local area distribution. We are at the end of the Tombigbee Waterway corridor in a tri-state area, that’s good for our industrial development programs, but it comes with a price.
Hardin County’s Legislature/County Executive - On December 10, 1998, I noted in a letter to each of our County Commissioners the following:
"Over the years the 20 member County Commission have come to relied on the County Mayor to administer the affairs of the County Commission by his almost ritualistic election to the office of Chairman of the County Commission. Over the year this reliance has evolved to an abdication of responsibility by those County Commissioners who take the position that "I have to rely on the Chairman/County Mayor" because he has looked into it, for me. Or "I have to go along" with the Chairman/County Mayor and the Sheriff because they know what they want to do.
This reliance violates several fiduciary responsibilities of the individual Commissioners, the primary being the check and balances system of oversight. The County Commission as an entity has the oversight responsibility for the County Government including the County Mayor and Sheriff. In Hardin County the question can be asked - Where is the oversight when the Chairman and the County Mayor are one and the same?
And last, but not least, Hardin County Executive Branch - All in all, with the exception of the County Executive and the Sheriff, the Executive Branch is mostly operated by a group of dedicated elected officials and county employees.
THE ANSWER: WHO HOLDS THE POWER?
WE DID, BUT WE GAVE IT AWAY.
WANT TO GET IT BACK.
PARTICIPATE AND VOTE IN 2006 General Elections.
The Citizens of Hardin County, you and me, who are eligible to Vote, hold ALL the ultimate Power and WE hold the ultimate responsibility for abdicating, relinquishing and/or renouncing our Citizens responsibilities as the holder of this ultimate power that keeps Hardin County encumbered in it’s chains. Sorry about this tough love thing.
The painfully truthful answer is that the folks who have chosen to register to vote, and who actually vote at each and every opportunity, exercise the ultimate power for all the other complacent and apathetic citizens. These folks disburse all the power to our elected officials, who now hold all the power that keeps Hardin County encumbered in it’s chains, whatever they are.
"Originally, our founding fathers envisioned a government Of the people, By the people, and For the people, that included a checks and balance on governmental powers with the Separation of Powers Doctrine.
The Separation of Powers Doctrine basically states that there shall be a separation between the three branches of government, i.e. Executive, Legislative and Judiciary. Neither branch could exercise the power of the other." THOMAS JEFFERSON, 1821
Hardin County’s Judiciary - Complaint of the Hardin County Grand Jury – All one need do, is look at the composition of the Grand Jury. How can a Grand Jury which has been infiltrated and influenced by the judiciary/law enforcement be expected to do its primary job of investigating official malfeasance, judicial arrogance, lack of accountability and corruption?
Hardin County has had national exposed, via the Internet, with judicial and political corruption allegations, along with a designation as a major drug route for illegal drugs coming from the gulf coast via the Tombigbee Waterway to all points North via the Tennessee River to the Mississippi River to all points northeast, with a lot dropped off along the way for local area distribution. We are at the end of the Tombigbee Waterway corridor in a tri-state area, that’s good for our industrial development programs, but it comes with a price.
Hardin County’s Legislature/County Executive - On December 10, 1998, I noted in a letter to each of our County Commissioners the following:
"Over the years the 20 member County Commission have come to relied on the County Mayor to administer the affairs of the County Commission by his almost ritualistic election to the office of Chairman of the County Commission. Over the year this reliance has evolved to an abdication of responsibility by those County Commissioners who take the position that "I have to rely on the Chairman/County Mayor" because he has looked into it, for me. Or "I have to go along" with the Chairman/County Mayor and the Sheriff because they know what they want to do.
This reliance violates several fiduciary responsibilities of the individual Commissioners, the primary being the check and balances system of oversight. The County Commission as an entity has the oversight responsibility for the County Government including the County Mayor and Sheriff. In Hardin County the question can be asked - Where is the oversight when the Chairman and the County Mayor are one and the same?
And last, but not least, Hardin County Executive Branch - All in all, with the exception of the County Executive and the Sheriff, the Executive Branch is mostly operated by a group of dedicated elected officials and county employees.
THE ANSWER: WHO HOLDS THE POWER?
WE DID, BUT WE GAVE IT AWAY.
WANT TO GET IT BACK.
PARTICIPATE AND VOTE IN 2006 General Elections.
THE JAIL, WHOSE FAULT IS IT, ANYWAY?
You, my brothers, my sisters, and I are and have been the one’s that were responsible for the conditions of Hardin County.
The family had to protect them, that’s all there is too it. (NOTE - My ‘brothers, et.al.’ in this case include members of the Judicial Branch, Legislative Branch and Executive Branch of our local county government, several enforcement arms of our State government and the citizens of Hardin County, for tolerating it.)
The Sheriff - T.C.A. §§41-4-121(a) "The sheriff has authority, when the jail of the county is insufficient for the safekeeping of a prisoner, to convey the prisoner to the nearest sufficient jail in the state."
The Judges - T.C.A. §§41-4-121(b) "In all cases, also, where it is shown to the committing magistrate, judge or court, that the jail of the county in which the commitment should be made is insufficient for the safekeeping of the prisoner, the commitment shall be by mittimus or warrant stating the fact, to the nearest sufficient county jail."
The Lawyers - Why did it take an ‘out of town’ Lawyer to file a ‘class action’ lawsuit for deliberate indifference? Didn’t some of our local Lawyers collect money to represent the best interest of some of these prisoner? Where the hell has the Public Defender’s Office been?
The Mayor - T.C.A. §§ 41-4-116(b) "The county executive shall be an ex officio inspector of the jail in each county."
The County Commissioners and The Citizens - "As long as we make it look like we are doing something, they, (The Feds or State), won’t bother us." And my personal favorite - "Ain’t gonna do nothing about it until somebody makes us and there ain’t nobody making us, yet," or, "Don’t care, we ain’t gonna pay for it with increased property taxes!!"
You, my brothers, my sisters, and I are and have been the one’s that were responsible for the conditions of Hardin County.
The family had to protect them, that’s all there is too it. (NOTE - My ‘brothers, et.al.’ in this case include members of the Judicial Branch, Legislative Branch and Executive Branch of our local county government, several enforcement arms of our State government and the citizens of Hardin County, for tolerating it.)
The Sheriff - T.C.A. §§41-4-121(a) "The sheriff has authority, when the jail of the county is insufficient for the safekeeping of a prisoner, to convey the prisoner to the nearest sufficient jail in the state."
The Judges - T.C.A. §§41-4-121(b) "In all cases, also, where it is shown to the committing magistrate, judge or court, that the jail of the county in which the commitment should be made is insufficient for the safekeeping of the prisoner, the commitment shall be by mittimus or warrant stating the fact, to the nearest sufficient county jail."
The Lawyers - Why did it take an ‘out of town’ Lawyer to file a ‘class action’ lawsuit for deliberate indifference? Didn’t some of our local Lawyers collect money to represent the best interest of some of these prisoner? Where the hell has the Public Defender’s Office been?
The Mayor - T.C.A. §§ 41-4-116(b) "The county executive shall be an ex officio inspector of the jail in each county."
The County Commissioners and The Citizens - "As long as we make it look like we are doing something, they, (The Feds or State), won’t bother us." And my personal favorite - "Ain’t gonna do nothing about it until somebody makes us and there ain’t nobody making us, yet," or, "Don’t care, we ain’t gonna pay for it with increased property taxes!!"
Wednesday, July 27
Why should I care about the Chamber of Commerce.
Answer this - Do citizens have an obligation to the community? Every person owes a debt to the community that cannot be paid in taxes - a debt of personal service.
I entered the public service area, first when I joined the Navy, in 1961, and again when I decided to stay in Hardin County, in 1994, with my family instead of returning to the business world in Memphis.
As a citizen I believe that I owe it to my grandsons, and my extended family, to do what I can, and the best that I can, to present to them for their care and keeping, when the time comes, a clean, safe living and working environment.
This includes a Chamber of Commerce that is not only user-friendly but is also pro-active to the wants and needs of it's members. A Chamber of Commerce that utilizes it's assets, both manpower and position, to ensure maximum efficiency of services to the members, while at the same time planning for the future members and citizens that will enjoy an ever evolving Hardin County.
THE CHAMBER AND IT’S MISSION
My research reflects that the Chamber of Commerce is a private, self-governing, self-administrated, public benefit corporation organized to facilitate a continuing effort to provide the means and resources, whether financial or other, to advance and maintain public awareness, and promote the advancement of the commercial, industrial, civic and general interest of the attributes for Hardin County and any other activity permitted by law for a non-profit corporation.
It is a perpetual entity, organized exclusively for charitable, scientific and educational purposes.
The Board of Directors, on a voluntary and part-time basis are task with the responsibility to provide the means and resources and to administrate over all business and function of the Chamber. The Board of Directors look to the individual selected for Executive Director to carry out this function on a full time basis, with the guidance and counsel of the Board of Directors.
COUNTY GOVERNMENT QUESTIONS
For their own reasons, our local county government has kept the leading question before the citizens and the business community - Is the Chamber of Commerce a W.O.M.B.A.T.? Is it a Waste of Money, Brains And Time?
My personal opinion is that it is the local county government, as administered, is the W.O.M.B.A.T.! That's a fact Jack. It is an absolute injustice, for all the wrong reasons. To borrow from CHESTERTON, My County Right or Wrong is like saying My Mother Drunk or Sober and as Tom Hayden would allow, A Silent Majority and Government by the People is INCOMPATIBLE. The past silence of the Chamber of Commerce about this injustice has contributed to the life of the injustice.
The Chamber has to develope the backbone to stand up and take positions, even on non-business issues.
Some other thoughts are -
I believe that one of the most effective constructive influence, of our time, is the force of organized business functioning through the Chamber of Commerce for community betterment.
I believe that the Chamber can and should help create and express sound opinions on questions affecting the welfare of my community.
I believe that the Chamber of Commerce should unify the public spirit of my community and directs it to useful and constructive channels.
Finally I believe that all we have are our values and when we lose those we don‘t have anything left.
Answer this - Do citizens have an obligation to the community? Every person owes a debt to the community that cannot be paid in taxes - a debt of personal service.
I entered the public service area, first when I joined the Navy, in 1961, and again when I decided to stay in Hardin County, in 1994, with my family instead of returning to the business world in Memphis.
As a citizen I believe that I owe it to my grandsons, and my extended family, to do what I can, and the best that I can, to present to them for their care and keeping, when the time comes, a clean, safe living and working environment.
This includes a Chamber of Commerce that is not only user-friendly but is also pro-active to the wants and needs of it's members. A Chamber of Commerce that utilizes it's assets, both manpower and position, to ensure maximum efficiency of services to the members, while at the same time planning for the future members and citizens that will enjoy an ever evolving Hardin County.
THE CHAMBER AND IT’S MISSION
My research reflects that the Chamber of Commerce is a private, self-governing, self-administrated, public benefit corporation organized to facilitate a continuing effort to provide the means and resources, whether financial or other, to advance and maintain public awareness, and promote the advancement of the commercial, industrial, civic and general interest of the attributes for Hardin County and any other activity permitted by law for a non-profit corporation.
It is a perpetual entity, organized exclusively for charitable, scientific and educational purposes.
The Board of Directors, on a voluntary and part-time basis are task with the responsibility to provide the means and resources and to administrate over all business and function of the Chamber. The Board of Directors look to the individual selected for Executive Director to carry out this function on a full time basis, with the guidance and counsel of the Board of Directors.
COUNTY GOVERNMENT QUESTIONS
For their own reasons, our local county government has kept the leading question before the citizens and the business community - Is the Chamber of Commerce a W.O.M.B.A.T.? Is it a Waste of Money, Brains And Time?
My personal opinion is that it is the local county government, as administered, is the W.O.M.B.A.T.! That's a fact Jack. It is an absolute injustice, for all the wrong reasons. To borrow from CHESTERTON, My County Right or Wrong is like saying My Mother Drunk or Sober and as Tom Hayden would allow, A Silent Majority and Government by the People is INCOMPATIBLE. The past silence of the Chamber of Commerce about this injustice has contributed to the life of the injustice.
The Chamber has to develope the backbone to stand up and take positions, even on non-business issues.
Some other thoughts are -
I believe that one of the most effective constructive influence, of our time, is the force of organized business functioning through the Chamber of Commerce for community betterment.
I believe that the Chamber can and should help create and express sound opinions on questions affecting the welfare of my community.
I believe that the Chamber of Commerce should unify the public spirit of my community and directs it to useful and constructive channels.
Finally I believe that all we have are our values and when we lose those we don‘t have anything left.
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