T-U Explains Sheriff's Ad

The Florida Times-Union
July 6, 2007
Cumberland ad tells sheriff's side
By Gordon Jackson, The Times-Union

KINGSLAND, Ga. - In response to published accounts of questionable use of inmate labor on private property, Camden County Sheriff Bill Smith has placed an advertisement in a local newspaper "to clarify incomplete media coverage about recent events on Cumberland Island." -------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------
In an advertisement paid for by Smith that was published in the Tribune & Georgian on Tuesday, he thanked work crews for their labor on the construction project. He also thanked building suppliers and contractors who donated their services or were paid for their work by the Shepherd Center, an Atlanta-based clinic that treats spinal injuries.
In his advertisement, Smith cited a Georgia law that gives exemptions for hull numbers on vessels owned by federal, state or local governments used "exclusively in the non-recreation public service and which is clearly identified as such."
Officials with the Georgia Department of Natural Resources confirmed local law enforcement agencies are allowed to have unmarked boats.
"There are no requirements whatsoever," said Lt. Col. Homer Bryson, a DNR official. "Most are marked. The agencies do it themselves."
Lt. William Terrell, a sheriff's spokesman, said he would ask Smith to explain why the vessel which was used to bring inmates to the island was the only unmarked boat owned by the sheriff's office, but had not provided that answer by Thursday evening.
Smith also cited a 1992 ordinance exempting Cumberland Island from building permit requirements.
But that law was superseded on March 21, 2000, with an ordinance requiring building permits for all construction in the county. That updated ordinance gave no exemption to property on Cumberland Island. The ordinance was also amended on May 7, 2002, to clarify the issue and specifically required Cumberland Island to comply with all county zoning regulations.
No permit application for the project has been submitted to the county's planning and building department. But officials in the county planning and building office said Thursday plans have been submitted for construction on the tract of land where inmates have been working.

gordon.jackson@jacksonville.com
(912) 729-3672


TRSP Review:

Still many unanswered questions!!!!!!!
Why did Dr. Jenkins pay these guys if they were n0t working on the house?
I would ask someone from the Planning and Building Dept. To clarify this statement in RED.
Sounds to me like more coverups.