Principals don't ever lie or cover things up.
How long did the BOE in this South Carolina town try to hide this?
From Fox News
National Guard Involved in South Carolina High-School Cheerleading Controversy
Thursday , January 25, 2007
COLUMBIA, S.C. — The South Carolina National Guard has entered the case of a high-school principal charged with hindering the police investigation of a cheerleading coach accused of providing students with beer, according to local news reports.
Principal Jane Blackwell tried to thwart the investigation of Ware Shoals High School cheerleading coach Jill Moore, who was arrested last week and resigned soon after, Police Chief Deputy Mike Frederick said.
Moore was charged with transfer of alcohol to an underage person and contributing to the delinquency of a minor.
Blackwell and Moore have both said they are innocent.
The FOX Carolina affiliate reported that sources said Moore was dating a National Guard recruiter and was recruiting cheerleaders to party. In at least one incident, a 16-year-old student had sex and drank alcohol with another National Guardsman.
"The kids are shocked about it," 10th-grader Jessica Applewhite told the news station. "Some were crying today. I was really shocked to hear about it."
The National Guard released a statement to FOX Carolina, saying it is working with the Greenwood County Sheriff's Department on the case, which includes any related misconduct by any National Guard soldier.
"The South Carolina National Guard takes our relationship with local communities and schools very seriously," the statement said.
"This is because not only are they the communities we serve, they are ultimately the source of our citizen soldiers. Because of this relationship with the schools and the communities and the recurring contact our Recruiting and Retention personnel have with local high schools they receive mandatory training on how to deal with situations such as these and given specific guidelines to follow both as professionals and as soldiers," the statement read.
"We do not condone actions such as the ones alleged and we have opened our own military equivalent investigation into the matter in conjunction with the ongoing civil investigation."
The Guardsmen allegedly involved in the incident have been placed on leave pending the outcome of the investigation, the statement said. If those soldiers are found guilty, "appropriate action" will be taken, the statement said, including up to and including court martial and removal from the Guard.
Guard spokesman Tripp Hutto later told The Associated Press that two South Carolina Guard soldiers have been placed on leave and are under investigation by civil and military officials, although he stressed that they are not being charged.
Hutto also would not comment on exactly what type of misconduct was being alleged.
As for the principal Blackwell, after investigators told her and others they planned to talk to each cheerleader, the principal called a squad meeting and told them not to discuss the case with anyone, Frederick said.
"It became quite clear to investigators who was attempting to keep this thing quiet," he said.
Blackwell asked investigators if they knew whether any calls were made from the school to the media and disciplined at least one student who mentioned the Moore case at school, according to a sworn statement filed with an arrest warrant.
Blackwell, 59, was arrested Monday and charged with obstruction of justice. She was released from jail Monday evening on her own recognizance, Frederick said.
"I would just like to say that these charges are — I have not done anything wrong, and the evidence will prove that," Blackwell said after her release, according to FOX Carolina.
Deputies believe Blackwell knew the coach was giving alcohol to students but did not report the information to authorities, Frederick said.
A telephone listing at her address was busy, and a district spokeswoman didn't immediately return a message. It was unclear whether she had hired an attorney.
In an ironic twist, Blackwell's husband works with the South Carolina Army National Guard and has spent time in Iraq.
Moore's attorney, Townes Jones, told FOX News on Wednesday that his client is staying with her parents and trying to comprehend everything that has happened.
"She's not the kind of person who would want to cause harm to anyone," much less compromise one's "morality," Jones said, adding that Moore is both a coach and a mother.
"This is just a devastating situation and of course our hearts go out to all in the community who are going through this," Jones added.
Jones said Moore is trying to find out exactly what happened that caused such a stir. He said he does not know what Blackwell told the cheerleaders, or whether she talked to them at all about the investigation.
"When the dust is settled, I'm confident the evidence will show that Jill is not responsible for causing harm to anyone," he said.
Ware Shoals is about 80 miles northwest of Columbia.
"The people of this County do not yield their sovereignty to the agencies which serve them. The people, in delegating authority, do not give their public servants the right to decide what is good for the people to know and what is not good for them to know. The people insist on remaining informed so that they may retain control over the instruments they have created." ***The views expressed on this blog are the opinions of the individual that wrote them.
Wednesday, February 28, 2007
Help Help Me Rhonda
From the T&G:
Judgment of sheriff's foe was a little hasty
Dear Editor,
Let me start by saying how ironic it is that Mr. (Darrell) Farley from Woodbine ("Sheriff foe could take a lesson from the Bible," Feb. 21) is judging Mr. (Rich) Gamble as he quotes the Bible.Hmm. There are so many issues to address that one letter seems an insignificant amount of space, but I will try.
Mr. Gamble was an Atlanta police officer, he wasn't the mayor or the chief of police - he was an officer. That is to say that Atlanta's problems on the whole are irrelevant to Mr. Gamble's service.He worked hard every day to fight that crime problem, and his honorable service there is not nullified because he didn't leave Atlanta crime free. It is just silly to say that his service there is in and of itself a problem.Now, on the subject of Camden's crime rate, I really hope Mr. Farley is not as na•ve as he sounds. We do have a lower crime rate, but it is for many purposes outside of the Camden County Sheriff's Office. One of the biggest reasons is simply the demographic of our county, however, make no mistake, Mr. Farley - we have crime, and lots of it.Our jail is so over filled that we are paying other facilities to house our criminals. I advise that you do some serious research before making a statement like that.
On to Mr. Gamble's pride, let me tell you something, Mr. Farley. I am a Valdosta State University student where Mr. Gamble has taught many of my criminal justice courses. He also teaches high school. So, this man has served our country by policing our streets, by working with Naval Criminal Investigative Services as an investigator and now by teaching our youth.Maybe it is just me, but I believe he has the right to be a proud man, and how dare someone try to take that away by throwing up a Bible verse.Lastly, Mr. Gamble ran for sheriff, yes, but let's think about it. It could have been Tom Cruise or Mr. George W. Bush himself, and they would have lost. You can look online and look at the history of the sheriffs; no one is taking Mr. (Bill) Smith's spot until he is good and ready to give it up.We live in 1956 in Camden; the "good ol' boys" still run this joint.Now, don't make the mistake of assuming I am saying that Mr. Smith is doing a good or bad job. That is a whole different subject and not the point of my letter.Mr. Farley, let me put it in terms I am sure you will understand: "Judge not, and you shall not be judged." (Luke 6: 37-38).
Rhonda Del Boccio
St. Marys
Rhonda this is a really great letter. Notice how instead of attacking Mr. Farley, or commenting on his personal life, she talked about the issues. Not one time attacking him personally. Good Job Rhonda we don't need to step down to their level. They should rise up to our level.
Judgment of sheriff's foe was a little hasty
Dear Editor,
Let me start by saying how ironic it is that Mr. (Darrell) Farley from Woodbine ("Sheriff foe could take a lesson from the Bible," Feb. 21) is judging Mr. (Rich) Gamble as he quotes the Bible.Hmm. There are so many issues to address that one letter seems an insignificant amount of space, but I will try.
Mr. Gamble was an Atlanta police officer, he wasn't the mayor or the chief of police - he was an officer. That is to say that Atlanta's problems on the whole are irrelevant to Mr. Gamble's service.He worked hard every day to fight that crime problem, and his honorable service there is not nullified because he didn't leave Atlanta crime free. It is just silly to say that his service there is in and of itself a problem.Now, on the subject of Camden's crime rate, I really hope Mr. Farley is not as na•ve as he sounds. We do have a lower crime rate, but it is for many purposes outside of the Camden County Sheriff's Office. One of the biggest reasons is simply the demographic of our county, however, make no mistake, Mr. Farley - we have crime, and lots of it.Our jail is so over filled that we are paying other facilities to house our criminals. I advise that you do some serious research before making a statement like that.
On to Mr. Gamble's pride, let me tell you something, Mr. Farley. I am a Valdosta State University student where Mr. Gamble has taught many of my criminal justice courses. He also teaches high school. So, this man has served our country by policing our streets, by working with Naval Criminal Investigative Services as an investigator and now by teaching our youth.Maybe it is just me, but I believe he has the right to be a proud man, and how dare someone try to take that away by throwing up a Bible verse.Lastly, Mr. Gamble ran for sheriff, yes, but let's think about it. It could have been Tom Cruise or Mr. George W. Bush himself, and they would have lost. You can look online and look at the history of the sheriffs; no one is taking Mr. (Bill) Smith's spot until he is good and ready to give it up.We live in 1956 in Camden; the "good ol' boys" still run this joint.Now, don't make the mistake of assuming I am saying that Mr. Smith is doing a good or bad job. That is a whole different subject and not the point of my letter.Mr. Farley, let me put it in terms I am sure you will understand: "Judge not, and you shall not be judged." (Luke 6: 37-38).
Rhonda Del Boccio
St. Marys
Rhonda this is a really great letter. Notice how instead of attacking Mr. Farley, or commenting on his personal life, she talked about the issues. Not one time attacking him personally. Good Job Rhonda we don't need to step down to their level. They should rise up to our level.
Tuesday, February 27, 2007
Open Meetings
According to the Tribune And Georgian if you want to speak at the Camden County School Board meeting it must first be approved by Dr. Proctor. Will they be giving us a list of approved comments that we can choose from as well. Mr Rowland is this your idea of open meetings? Is this keeping your campaign promises. This is a step in the wrong direction. This is an attempt to silence those who speak out. Mr. Rowland I said I would give you time to get adjusted and I guess with this rule you are all settled in so I will start letting everyone know you already are going back on your promises. This will not be tolerated at all. I have already requested my time at the next board meeting and of course the topic will be Communism and the Camden County School Board.
Friday, February 23, 2007
This Is What You Can Say And What You Can't
From the agenda of the Camden County School Board:
VII. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
a. Public Participation
Meetings of the Board of Education are structured to allow the Board to conduct its public business. Meetings of the Board are open to the public but are not to be confused with public forums.
1. The Board Chair will ask anyone present who wishes to address the Board to stand, state your name, and the subject you are addressing.
2. If more than one person wishes to address the Board on the same subject, you will be asked to select a spokesman for the subject.
3. The spokesman will be given five (5) minutes to address the Board. There are three subjects which cannot be addressed in an open public meeting:
1. Individual personnel information that deals with an employee's job performance,
2. Any matter related to an individual student's discipline or grade records, and
3. Any matter related to special education in which individual students may be identified.
The Board will not respond to comments or questions posed by citizens in their presentations, but will take those comments and questions under advisement.
Any board member that can tell me what law gives you the right to tell me what I can say, Please email me that law.
So what you can say at a board meeting is how great these people are. How wonderful they are, OH they are such great people. The same stuff the followers of HITLER said about HITLER.
VII. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
a. Public Participation
Meetings of the Board of Education are structured to allow the Board to conduct its public business. Meetings of the Board are open to the public but are not to be confused with public forums.
1. The Board Chair will ask anyone present who wishes to address the Board to stand, state your name, and the subject you are addressing.
2. If more than one person wishes to address the Board on the same subject, you will be asked to select a spokesman for the subject.
3. The spokesman will be given five (5) minutes to address the Board. There are three subjects which cannot be addressed in an open public meeting:
1. Individual personnel information that deals with an employee's job performance,
2. Any matter related to an individual student's discipline or grade records, and
3. Any matter related to special education in which individual students may be identified.
The Board will not respond to comments or questions posed by citizens in their presentations, but will take those comments and questions under advisement.
Any board member that can tell me what law gives you the right to tell me what I can say, Please email me that law.
So what you can say at a board meeting is how great these people are. How wonderful they are, OH they are such great people. The same stuff the followers of HITLER said about HITLER.
Wednesday, February 21, 2007
Comparing Atlanta to Camden County, OK
From the T&G.
Sheriff foe could take a lesson from Bible
Dear Editor,
I read Rich Gamble's tirade last week about Bill Smith ("Foe of sheriff vows to stay in the mix," Feb. 7).This came from a man who managed to only poll 20 percent of the vote when he ran against Bill Smith in 2004. Apparently, his anger from that campaign where, in Gamble's own words, he was "thoroughly defeated," has yet to fade.
Mr. Gamble speaks as a former Atlanta police officer. That, in and (of) itself, is a problem. Atlanta is riddled with crime and violence. Nothing the Atlanta Police Department has done seems to affect that tragedy.I chose to move to Camden County for a variety of reasons, but one major consideration was the low crime rate. That's because law enforcement here knows what it's doing, and the Camden County Sheriff's Department is a major factor in our local law enforcement.Mr. Gamble said he was "content and feels he's making a difference." He stated that he's a "proud man." He pledged that he would "fight" "much, much, much harder."Those kinds of comments are alarming. They come from a man which is clearly out of touch with this community. A man who brags of his "30 years of highly decorated law enforcement and three college degrees." But let me point out an ancient truth from the Book of Proverbs. Something that Mr. Gamble should take to heart. Pride comes before the fall.
Darrell Farley
Woodbine
Mr. Farley,
Do you actually think that Camden has less crime than Atlanta because of Sheriff Bill Smith? Maybe Atlanta has more crime because they have MILLIONS OF MORE PEOPLE.
Are you saying it is Mr. Gamble's (and the other deputies in Atlanta) fault Atlanta has a high crime rate. So you must also think that Camden County duties are responsible for the little bit of crime here in Camden County. Now that ridiculous.
Sheriff foe could take a lesson from Bible
Dear Editor,
I read Rich Gamble's tirade last week about Bill Smith ("Foe of sheriff vows to stay in the mix," Feb. 7).This came from a man who managed to only poll 20 percent of the vote when he ran against Bill Smith in 2004. Apparently, his anger from that campaign where, in Gamble's own words, he was "thoroughly defeated," has yet to fade.
Mr. Gamble speaks as a former Atlanta police officer. That, in and (of) itself, is a problem. Atlanta is riddled with crime and violence. Nothing the Atlanta Police Department has done seems to affect that tragedy.I chose to move to Camden County for a variety of reasons, but one major consideration was the low crime rate. That's because law enforcement here knows what it's doing, and the Camden County Sheriff's Department is a major factor in our local law enforcement.Mr. Gamble said he was "content and feels he's making a difference." He stated that he's a "proud man." He pledged that he would "fight" "much, much, much harder."Those kinds of comments are alarming. They come from a man which is clearly out of touch with this community. A man who brags of his "30 years of highly decorated law enforcement and three college degrees." But let me point out an ancient truth from the Book of Proverbs. Something that Mr. Gamble should take to heart. Pride comes before the fall.
Darrell Farley
Woodbine
Mr. Farley,
Do you actually think that Camden has less crime than Atlanta because of Sheriff Bill Smith? Maybe Atlanta has more crime because they have MILLIONS OF MORE PEOPLE.
Are you saying it is Mr. Gamble's (and the other deputies in Atlanta) fault Atlanta has a high crime rate. So you must also think that Camden County duties are responsible for the little bit of crime here in Camden County. Now that ridiculous.
Tuesday, February 20, 2007
Totally Legal, But They Still Don't Want You To Know
From what I am told this check was approved and is totally legal. No question there. Yet we never hear of the drug money being spent in this manner. We always hear how they donate so much to charity and schools, but never to pay legal bills. Fourthcoming, that is all I ask.
Friday, February 16, 2007
Kingsland Cover Up
The KPD went as far as calling my work to try and get me fired and enlisted the aid of a local attorney to threaten a slander lawsuit to try and shut me up. But after almost a year of being silent on this issue I have reopened this can of worms because clearly the Chief of Police in Kingsland is trying to cover up this incident. I have not spoken to him in nearly a year and my last conversation with him was that I did not have an attorney and I was not going to sue. Yet they still will not release this complaint to the public. Which just makes me wonder do these people have to provide proof of each case that is pending litigation. Or can they just say oh that is pending litigation so they don't have to disclose this information. AS IT STANDS RIGHT NOW KINGSLAND IS COVERING THIS UP AND MOST LIKELY OTHER THINGS AS WELL.
Will post more on this later including the letter from their attorney telling me to shut up or we will sue. Don't miss it.
Will post more on this later including the letter from their attorney telling me to shut up or we will sue. Don't miss it.
Thursday, February 15, 2007
Old Complaint Against KPD
From the archives of the Tribune and Georgian:
Corruption in Camden County extends to Kingsland
Dear Editor,
I am responding to Genida Searles' letter, "Family's justice was betrayed by the actions of St. Marys police officers," in the May 3 edition of the paper.Ms Searles claims that the St. Marys Police Department covered up a crime to save someone else from doing more jail time. I was not surprised, this happens way to much in Camden County.I, too, was a victim of a cover up by the Kingsland Police Department. I was threatened with a lawsuit by the school resource officer for slander, because she told my daughter that she would slap handcuffs on her and take her to jail because my daughter's friend called a girl fat.This was backed up by my daughter's friend.The Kingsland Police Department called my work and tried to get me fired if I didn't stop e-mailing them to get a solution to this problem. Camden County is run on the good ol' boy system and if you aren't a member you better watch out.I ask you not to leave Camden County. You cannot let idiots in our local government control your needs and wants. Camden County is a great place to live, as long as you don't need help from law enforcement.I ask you to talk to a good friend of mine in Washington, D.C. His name is Greg Slate and he works for the Police Complaint Center. You can reach him through their Web site at www.policeabuse.org or (202) 359-6406.Filing a complaint in Camden County is a waste of time.You can also log any problems with law enforcement and with the schools here in Camden County at www.schoolpolice.blogspot.com. I will direct these problems to the right people for action.The only way to fix problems like these is to involve the people of the county.Please, Ms. Searles, the only way for everyone to enjoy Camden County is to stay and fight back.Thank you for your courage.
Rick Rogers
Kingsland
I wrote this May 10, 2006
In yesterdays paper I read this:
St. Marys Police to be commended for openness
Last year, the Tribune & Georgian printed complaints against police officers in Kingsland and St. Marys, as well as the resulting investigations.Why, you may ask, was the sheriff's office left out? Well, because after seven months of getting the run-around, rather than releasing the reports, the sheriff's office sent us a piece of paper enumerating that there were a certain number of reports, but did not release a single written investigation or complaint. This year, our readers may have noticed, we again printed last year's complaints against St. Marys officers and the results of those complaints.You will notice, perhaps conspicuously, that nothing else has appeared. While Kingsland did respond, because of pending legal matters, the department cannot yet release that information. That's understandable.But the sheriff's office contends there have been no complaints, except those who want to complain about a ticket, and even then no written reports exist. The department refuses to release anything official on the investigation of two deputies who were fired last year (One was rehired.).Because of the contrast between the departments, we want to thank the St. Marys Police Department and Chief Tim Hatch for always being so cooperative and timely in their responses to our Freedom of Information requests. Hatch and his department know who they work for, and while they may not always be happy about having to release certain information, they always, always do.It's a testament to the department's commitment to serve the St. Marys community. No one is perfect, and the department, as shown in the complaints, is no exception, but they are open about their imperfections, and that is a true breath of fresh air.We look forward to many years of cooperation with the St. Marys Police Department, and hopefully Chief Hatch as well.
The piece written in RED is a lie. I have a complaint on file with the KPD against officer Douglas. I have told the KPD 3 times I do not plan on suing. Yet every time I would call I was told they could not comment due to pending. Finally they called my work and tried to get me fired. I was right a year ago and I am still right today. They are coving up complaints to protect the bad officers they have.
Folks I am not against law enforcement, My father is a retired New York State Trooper and my grandfather was a U.S. Marshall, so I know how law enforcement works. Here in Camden they think they can get away with whatever they want and it will stop.
Corruption in Camden County extends to Kingsland
Dear Editor,
I am responding to Genida Searles' letter, "Family's justice was betrayed by the actions of St. Marys police officers," in the May 3 edition of the paper.Ms Searles claims that the St. Marys Police Department covered up a crime to save someone else from doing more jail time. I was not surprised, this happens way to much in Camden County.I, too, was a victim of a cover up by the Kingsland Police Department. I was threatened with a lawsuit by the school resource officer for slander, because she told my daughter that she would slap handcuffs on her and take her to jail because my daughter's friend called a girl fat.This was backed up by my daughter's friend.The Kingsland Police Department called my work and tried to get me fired if I didn't stop e-mailing them to get a solution to this problem. Camden County is run on the good ol' boy system and if you aren't a member you better watch out.I ask you not to leave Camden County. You cannot let idiots in our local government control your needs and wants. Camden County is a great place to live, as long as you don't need help from law enforcement.I ask you to talk to a good friend of mine in Washington, D.C. His name is Greg Slate and he works for the Police Complaint Center. You can reach him through their Web site at www.policeabuse.org or (202) 359-6406.Filing a complaint in Camden County is a waste of time.You can also log any problems with law enforcement and with the schools here in Camden County at www.schoolpolice.blogspot.com. I will direct these problems to the right people for action.The only way to fix problems like these is to involve the people of the county.Please, Ms. Searles, the only way for everyone to enjoy Camden County is to stay and fight back.Thank you for your courage.
Rick Rogers
Kingsland
I wrote this May 10, 2006
In yesterdays paper I read this:
St. Marys Police to be commended for openness
Last year, the Tribune & Georgian printed complaints against police officers in Kingsland and St. Marys, as well as the resulting investigations.Why, you may ask, was the sheriff's office left out? Well, because after seven months of getting the run-around, rather than releasing the reports, the sheriff's office sent us a piece of paper enumerating that there were a certain number of reports, but did not release a single written investigation or complaint. This year, our readers may have noticed, we again printed last year's complaints against St. Marys officers and the results of those complaints.You will notice, perhaps conspicuously, that nothing else has appeared. While Kingsland did respond, because of pending legal matters, the department cannot yet release that information. That's understandable.But the sheriff's office contends there have been no complaints, except those who want to complain about a ticket, and even then no written reports exist. The department refuses to release anything official on the investigation of two deputies who were fired last year (One was rehired.).Because of the contrast between the departments, we want to thank the St. Marys Police Department and Chief Tim Hatch for always being so cooperative and timely in their responses to our Freedom of Information requests. Hatch and his department know who they work for, and while they may not always be happy about having to release certain information, they always, always do.It's a testament to the department's commitment to serve the St. Marys community. No one is perfect, and the department, as shown in the complaints, is no exception, but they are open about their imperfections, and that is a true breath of fresh air.We look forward to many years of cooperation with the St. Marys Police Department, and hopefully Chief Hatch as well.
The piece written in RED is a lie. I have a complaint on file with the KPD against officer Douglas. I have told the KPD 3 times I do not plan on suing. Yet every time I would call I was told they could not comment due to pending. Finally they called my work and tried to get me fired. I was right a year ago and I am still right today. They are coving up complaints to protect the bad officers they have.
Folks I am not against law enforcement, My father is a retired New York State Trooper and my grandfather was a U.S. Marshall, so I know how law enforcement works. Here in Camden they think they can get away with whatever they want and it will stop.
Wednesday, February 14, 2007
Why The Commissioners Hate Sandy
I have wonder why the Commissioners hate Sandy Feller so much. I have found the answer. The answer is all over the pages of Sandy's old blog www.camdenganews.blogspot.com , take a look for yourselves. For those of you to lazy to look and that is OK I will tell you the answer. Sandy keeps them honest and they hate it. Until Sandy came along they did whatever they wanted because no one else cared enough about the freedoms of this country. This country is not controlled by a dictator, it is controlled by the people. Sandy has called them on everything he found that they were doing wrong. And then he would inform the people. And that is the biggest reason. He keeps the people informed. You would not hear how things are in this county if Sandy would not stand up and tell us. That's why they hate me and Mr. Southwell as well. If it was not for me Camden would not know about domestic spying going on this county, or the illegal executive sessions that go on. This little machine that was built for porn and email is a great tool to get out political news. The elected never had to worry about things getting out of the office except to the newspaper, which they could control. No more. Bloggers are now the most hated by the elected and T.V. News. Why because we break stories before them. Bloggers keep America honest.
No Comment
When an elected official says no comment you can bet he or she is covering something up. Take for instance the Sears case or the Jet Ski incident. No comment. But question a piano and you will have a response the next day. Question spending and you will have a response the next day. Sometimes the answer does not make sense. Question drug money fund they will tell you the same answer over and over. Question to many times and you get an attorney threatening to take away your right to question. Were was Steve Berry and the rest of the Commissioners during the whole Sears incident? No comment.
By the way, I am questioning the whole Jet Ski incident. If it would have been as simple as a deputy having a family emergency, Why did they not tell us this at the meeting? Certainly after a week the Sheriff should have known about this. Yet, we got no comment. I believe the whole report is a lie. When DNR did their report the Sheriff posted the report on the Sheriff's website, but there is no report from the Sheriff's office. Why? Every other press release is on the website.
Something still stinks in Woodbine.
By the way, I am questioning the whole Jet Ski incident. If it would have been as simple as a deputy having a family emergency, Why did they not tell us this at the meeting? Certainly after a week the Sheriff should have known about this. Yet, we got no comment. I believe the whole report is a lie. When DNR did their report the Sheriff posted the report on the Sheriff's website, but there is no report from the Sheriff's office. Why? Every other press release is on the website.
Something still stinks in Woodbine.
Drop The Gloves Feller vs. Berry
Here are the letters from the Tribune and Georgian:
Sandy Feller's letter
SPLOST VI is one big spending plan
Dear Editor,
SPLOST (Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax) VI is a spending plan for the next six years. It calls out a cap of $70 million to be spent on a variety of projects. The problem with the plan is its lack of detail. The spending is attributed to a variety of projects with no breakdown. This means that there will be no give-back of any surplus funds to the taxpayers whatsoever.In the past, when a project (such as the new courthouse) was completed, the surplus funds were given back to the taxpayers. For example, during the Robert Becker administration, over $2 million was given back to the taxpayers. During the (Stephen) Berry years, this policy was abandoned. As a matter of fact, on several occasions staff was told to spend the money. "It's SPLOST money." He said it and they did it.
If the county and the cities want the people to support SPLOST VI, they should be more forthcoming. Put numbers after each line item. The figures must exist or else how did they arrive at totals? I realize that they are only estimates but they have the moral obligation to be honest with the people they are asking to come up with the money.
Sandy Feller
St. Marys
Steve Berry's letter
It's a good thing Feller is out of office
Dear Editor,
As to Sandy Feller's letter last week about the spending of SPLOST money ("SPLOST VI is one big, vague spending plan," Feb. 9), he referred to the "Robert Becker administration" and how $2 million was supposedly "given back to the taxpayers."I didn't know we elected presidents here in Camden County, so I'm unclear what the "Robert Becker administration" actually means. But Mr. Feller's letter also refers to the "Berry years" and alleges that no monies were similarly returned to taxpayers. Feller went on and ranted and raved about the proposed projects for SPLOST VI, and urges that those should be itemized in detail.
All I can say is that during the so-called "Berry years," Mr. Feller himself served on the county commission. At no time did Feller ever make any motions to return any monies to the taxpayers. If there was money to return, why didn't he make that happen when he could? The answer is simple. There was no money to return.SPLOST V contained a detailed and precise list of projects (which the board of commissioners steadfastly required). The voters overwhelmingly approved that list and SPLOST V money has been spent exactly as the voters approved. There is no excess money. The fact that the "Becker administration" ended up with 2 million unaccounted-for dollars (which was indeed rebated to the voters) begs the question of how in the world did that ever happen?Again, the answer is simple. Poor management. Poor decisions. Thank goodness the "Becker administration" and Mr. Feller are both no longer in office.
Steve Berry
County CommissionerDistrict 3
Rick says,
If poor management and poor decisions means giving back 2 million to the tax payer I say bring back Feller and Becker.
Berry has totally lost his mind. Berry says"But Mr. Feller's letter also refers to the "Berry years" and alleges that no monies were similarly returned to taxpayers." This line in his letter tells me that during the "Berry years" maybe Steve also had poor management and poor decisions because he makes it sound like money was returned during his years also. So was money returned or wasn't it.
So see what is a poor judgement for one person it not for the other.
Sandy Feller's letter
SPLOST VI is one big spending plan
Dear Editor,
SPLOST (Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax) VI is a spending plan for the next six years. It calls out a cap of $70 million to be spent on a variety of projects. The problem with the plan is its lack of detail. The spending is attributed to a variety of projects with no breakdown. This means that there will be no give-back of any surplus funds to the taxpayers whatsoever.In the past, when a project (such as the new courthouse) was completed, the surplus funds were given back to the taxpayers. For example, during the Robert Becker administration, over $2 million was given back to the taxpayers. During the (Stephen) Berry years, this policy was abandoned. As a matter of fact, on several occasions staff was told to spend the money. "It's SPLOST money." He said it and they did it.
If the county and the cities want the people to support SPLOST VI, they should be more forthcoming. Put numbers after each line item. The figures must exist or else how did they arrive at totals? I realize that they are only estimates but they have the moral obligation to be honest with the people they are asking to come up with the money.
Sandy Feller
St. Marys
Steve Berry's letter
It's a good thing Feller is out of office
Dear Editor,
As to Sandy Feller's letter last week about the spending of SPLOST money ("SPLOST VI is one big, vague spending plan," Feb. 9), he referred to the "Robert Becker administration" and how $2 million was supposedly "given back to the taxpayers."I didn't know we elected presidents here in Camden County, so I'm unclear what the "Robert Becker administration" actually means. But Mr. Feller's letter also refers to the "Berry years" and alleges that no monies were similarly returned to taxpayers. Feller went on and ranted and raved about the proposed projects for SPLOST VI, and urges that those should be itemized in detail.
All I can say is that during the so-called "Berry years," Mr. Feller himself served on the county commission. At no time did Feller ever make any motions to return any monies to the taxpayers. If there was money to return, why didn't he make that happen when he could? The answer is simple. There was no money to return.SPLOST V contained a detailed and precise list of projects (which the board of commissioners steadfastly required). The voters overwhelmingly approved that list and SPLOST V money has been spent exactly as the voters approved. There is no excess money. The fact that the "Becker administration" ended up with 2 million unaccounted-for dollars (which was indeed rebated to the voters) begs the question of how in the world did that ever happen?Again, the answer is simple. Poor management. Poor decisions. Thank goodness the "Becker administration" and Mr. Feller are both no longer in office.
Steve Berry
County CommissionerDistrict 3
Rick says,
If poor management and poor decisions means giving back 2 million to the tax payer I say bring back Feller and Becker.
Berry has totally lost his mind. Berry says"But Mr. Feller's letter also refers to the "Berry years" and alleges that no monies were similarly returned to taxpayers." This line in his letter tells me that during the "Berry years" maybe Steve also had poor management and poor decisions because he makes it sound like money was returned during his years also. So was money returned or wasn't it.
So see what is a poor judgement for one person it not for the other.
Tuesday, February 13, 2007
School Board Meeting Tonight
According to the people that teach our students, there is a school board meeting tonight. But it is hard to tell as they have the wrong date and last month agenda on their website. This kind of waiting to the last minute to post things and inform parents of events is becoming habit. Notes that come home from school have to be signed and returned the next day because these people do not plan ahead. Case in point, DLR is having a Valentine's dance today. We as parents found out yesterday. The same thing happens with field trips also. Now the board of education is doing the same. They wonder why complain. It seems no one knows who's doing what. Come on out to the meeting they are always very interesting.
Friday, February 09, 2007
Open Meetings, Will Mr. Rowland Keep His Promises
Dear Mr. Rowland,
During the last campaign season you promised to have open meetings. That was the theme for some reason. I believe Mr. Lee said the same thing. I understand that it may take you a little while to get settled in to your new post, but the last meeting had executive session. For those of you who don't know what executive session is; it is when the board goes and talks about things they don't want you to know about. Like disciplinary actions against teachers or administrators. They don't feel like we need to know who's been bad. After all we only supply the money. But as I have pointed out this is an illegal action. Once they put on the agenda that the work session was about the discipline of a teacher. I emailed everyone (the board) asking when the evidence was presented to the people, as state law requires evidence to be presented in public, with no response. Mr. Rowland you can not discuss things like that in executive session without the people knowing the evidence first. This happens all the time and it needs to stop. This statement must go:
There are three subjects which cannot be addressed in an open public meeting:
1. Individual personnel information that deals with an employee's job performance.
There are two more but I do agree on those since they involve minor, except for when the parent wants to make their child’s name public. That is their right.
But the first must go. Because than the only way to get info out on bad employees is to go to the paper and than all hell breaks loose.
Can anyone cite for me the law that states you can not talk about an employee’s job performance at the meetings? No you can't because there is not a law that says that. There is no law stating that executive session is require, it clearly states may go into executive session. MAY!!!!
Mr. Rowland I am going to hold you to your promises and I look forward to working with you to make this the best school district in the country not just the state.
During the last campaign season you promised to have open meetings. That was the theme for some reason. I believe Mr. Lee said the same thing. I understand that it may take you a little while to get settled in to your new post, but the last meeting had executive session. For those of you who don't know what executive session is; it is when the board goes and talks about things they don't want you to know about. Like disciplinary actions against teachers or administrators. They don't feel like we need to know who's been bad. After all we only supply the money. But as I have pointed out this is an illegal action. Once they put on the agenda that the work session was about the discipline of a teacher. I emailed everyone (the board) asking when the evidence was presented to the people, as state law requires evidence to be presented in public, with no response. Mr. Rowland you can not discuss things like that in executive session without the people knowing the evidence first. This happens all the time and it needs to stop. This statement must go:
There are three subjects which cannot be addressed in an open public meeting:
1. Individual personnel information that deals with an employee's job performance.
There are two more but I do agree on those since they involve minor, except for when the parent wants to make their child’s name public. That is their right.
But the first must go. Because than the only way to get info out on bad employees is to go to the paper and than all hell breaks loose.
Can anyone cite for me the law that states you can not talk about an employee’s job performance at the meetings? No you can't because there is not a law that says that. There is no law stating that executive session is require, it clearly states may go into executive session. MAY!!!!
Mr. Rowland I am going to hold you to your promises and I look forward to working with you to make this the best school district in the country not just the state.
Your Views Don't Matter
Camden County our First Amendment right to free speech is under attack once again. From the school board limiting your comments to only good comments, don't say anything bad about anyone. To the Commissioners office trying to intimidate the people with their power to know the past. To the St. Mary's city council wanting to do away with public speaking part of the meetings. To the topper having your attorney threaten prosecution for using your your right to free speech. We now must stop with the election of the same old people. The Sheriff's people. Because Ms. Sears is on the Board of Commissioners District 4 lost any vote they had on the Sheriff's Office. That is if the board obeys state law. State law states that Camden County Deputies can be county commissioners, but they must refrain from votes concerning the Sheriff. I am assuming since a deputy is an employee of the Sheriff that this law must include all employees. Here is the link http://www.legis.state.ga.us/legis/1995_96/leg/fulltext/hb699.htm
This bill was introduce by Charlie Smith Jr. and I think this should be explain. This is the only county to have a State law like this. Why? Why have the other counties not followed suit and draw up a stupid law like this. So I ask Charlie Smith to please explain yourself on this one. It was you who sponsored this bill and it should be explained in full. He is the one that can tell us whether or not it includes all employees. A very strange bill. No one including the Governor's office understands what this bill is suppose to do. So if anyone has any answer please let me know. We are under attack from within, but we can stop and more of you must speak out.
A BIG THANK YOU GOES OUT TO MR. SOUTHWELL. HE HAS TAKEN A STAND AND I HOPE A MEDIA HUNGRY BIG CITY ATTORNEY DOES NOT MAKE HIM CHANGE HIS
MIND.
This bill was introduce by Charlie Smith Jr. and I think this should be explain. This is the only county to have a State law like this. Why? Why have the other counties not followed suit and draw up a stupid law like this. So I ask Charlie Smith to please explain yourself on this one. It was you who sponsored this bill and it should be explained in full. He is the one that can tell us whether or not it includes all employees. A very strange bill. No one including the Governor's office understands what this bill is suppose to do. So if anyone has any answer please let me know. We are under attack from within, but we can stop and more of you must speak out.
A BIG THANK YOU GOES OUT TO MR. SOUTHWELL. HE HAS TAKEN A STAND AND I HOPE A MEDIA HUNGRY BIG CITY ATTORNEY DOES NOT MAKE HIM CHANGE HIS
MIND.
Thursday, February 08, 2007
Sheriff's Attorney Pops Off
From the T&G.
Sheriff's attorney questions quality of letters to the editor
Dear Editor,
I have no desire to engage in a letter-writing campaign concerning my client, Sheriff Bill Smith. I am writing in response to Robert Southwell's recent letter to the editor ("Sheriff's ethics, competence called to question," Jan. 12) only because I am mentioned, not only by name, but also in a way that could subject Mr. Southwell (and also your newspaper) to a valid claim for defamation.The recent controversy in which I represented Sheriff Smith before the State Ethics Commission was minor at best. The only thing Sheriff Smith did wrong was to inadvertently fail to mention two or three low value pieces of property he had inherited from his parents in a 2002 financial disclosure statement. The theory behind the original complaint, filed by a thoroughly-defeated political adversary, was that if the voters had known of the omission, it might have affected somebody's vote. Sheriff Smith got about 85 percent of the votes in that election, and, if everybody in Camden County had known of the minor omission, I don't think it would have changed a single vote.The only reason Sheriff Smith paid the $1,500 fine was because I advised him that the value of his service to Camden County for the entire day, when he would otherwise have been required to come to Atlanta to appear before the commission, was more than $1,500.Camden County is fortunate to have a sheriff with the competency and good character of Bill Smith. I am proud to consider him a long-time good friend, as well as a client.
Taylor W. Jones Attorney at lawAtlanta
HOW STUPID DO YOU HAVE TO BE TO WRITE A LETTER TO THE EDITOR AND THREATEN TO SUE SOMEONE FOR THEIR FREE SPEECH.
Mr. Jones,
You know good and well this is not the first time the Sheriff ethics have been questioned, So why would we not ask about other ethics violations. We as Americans have the right to question our elected officials. We have the right to our opinions.
I have been the most outspoken person in regards to the Sheriff and his office. Yet they continue to bash Mr. Southwell. Why didn't Mr. Jones say anything about me! I know because I actually have the power. They all know what happened back in December have cost them dearly. Every commissioner was called out and none answered. As it stands now we have a lame duck government, and they will be very careful what they do in the future.
IT IS VERY HARD FOR A GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEE TO SUE THE AVERAGE CITIZEN ESPECIALLY WHEN THE AVERAGE CITIZEN IS ONLY TALKING ABOUT THAT EMPLOYEES JOB.
SHERIFF,
STOP TRYING TO BULLY THE PEOPLE AND JUST DO YOUR JOB.
Mr. Southwell's letter is in the comments section. Someone please tell me what he said to deserve this ambulance chaser to threaten to sue.
Sheriff's attorney questions quality of letters to the editor
Dear Editor,
I have no desire to engage in a letter-writing campaign concerning my client, Sheriff Bill Smith. I am writing in response to Robert Southwell's recent letter to the editor ("Sheriff's ethics, competence called to question," Jan. 12) only because I am mentioned, not only by name, but also in a way that could subject Mr. Southwell (and also your newspaper) to a valid claim for defamation.The recent controversy in which I represented Sheriff Smith before the State Ethics Commission was minor at best. The only thing Sheriff Smith did wrong was to inadvertently fail to mention two or three low value pieces of property he had inherited from his parents in a 2002 financial disclosure statement. The theory behind the original complaint, filed by a thoroughly-defeated political adversary, was that if the voters had known of the omission, it might have affected somebody's vote. Sheriff Smith got about 85 percent of the votes in that election, and, if everybody in Camden County had known of the minor omission, I don't think it would have changed a single vote.The only reason Sheriff Smith paid the $1,500 fine was because I advised him that the value of his service to Camden County for the entire day, when he would otherwise have been required to come to Atlanta to appear before the commission, was more than $1,500.Camden County is fortunate to have a sheriff with the competency and good character of Bill Smith. I am proud to consider him a long-time good friend, as well as a client.
Taylor W. Jones Attorney at lawAtlanta
HOW STUPID DO YOU HAVE TO BE TO WRITE A LETTER TO THE EDITOR AND THREATEN TO SUE SOMEONE FOR THEIR FREE SPEECH.
Mr. Jones,
You know good and well this is not the first time the Sheriff ethics have been questioned, So why would we not ask about other ethics violations. We as Americans have the right to question our elected officials. We have the right to our opinions.
I have been the most outspoken person in regards to the Sheriff and his office. Yet they continue to bash Mr. Southwell. Why didn't Mr. Jones say anything about me! I know because I actually have the power. They all know what happened back in December have cost them dearly. Every commissioner was called out and none answered. As it stands now we have a lame duck government, and they will be very careful what they do in the future.
IT IS VERY HARD FOR A GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEE TO SUE THE AVERAGE CITIZEN ESPECIALLY WHEN THE AVERAGE CITIZEN IS ONLY TALKING ABOUT THAT EMPLOYEES JOB.
SHERIFF,
STOP TRYING TO BULLY THE PEOPLE AND JUST DO YOUR JOB.
Mr. Southwell's letter is in the comments section. Someone please tell me what he said to deserve this ambulance chaser to threaten to sue.
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The Parents Have Declared War
