Funny how different parts of the same event catch different people's attention. For example, I found Eddie Moore very interesting, especially when he said the way to provide firefighters additional funding is to appropriate it at the proper time and not run all over the county passing out thousand dollar checks a few weeks before the primary. To the tune of $77,000 according to Mr. Moore.
Mr. Moore also made an interesting point when he asked Mr. Greer to explain what ski trips to Colorad and attending Broadway shows and going to Myrtle Beach and hilton Head to play golf had to do with economic development. "Wouldn't it make more sense to bring prospects here so they can see the area you're talking about? Spend the money in Anderson County," said Moore to enthusiastic applause.
Bob Waldrep pointed out that he had no intention of apologizing for thinking he had a duty to ask about the details of an $8.5 million contract.
Heck,Stuart Mackay was so stuffed with the party line, and so clearly prepped by county staff that the only way to tell him from Joey was that he wears a regular tie and a full beard. Too bad he spilled KoolAid all over his tie before the debate even started. But he obviously swallowed some of it.
Doug Hooper pledged to tear down the wall between District Seven and the rest of the council. Tear down the wall? Is that the most Reaganesque reference Brandon and the rest of the Preston apparatchik could come up with?
Good Lord! The only chance Hooper has is for Preston to ram through a tax hike and hire about 9000 firefighters in District Seven between now and June 10th.
Hey, I'm not ruling it out. If he can't get the tax thing done, Joey still has the credit cards. Cost of dumping Wilson? Priceless. The good news is Ed Jean loses the distinction of being Cindy's worst victim in terms of vote margin.
Tom Allen was too soft spoken, especially with Bill McAbee as vulnerable as he is in so many ways. Bill had a couple stumbles, which isn't unusual for someone with their nose so high in the air. First he made an impassioned defense of councilmen staying out of Joey's way, then when Anna Mitchell asked him why he got involved in the Belton tank farm situation, he had to backtrack and finally ended up stuttering that sometimes Council needs to get involved in day to day operations. He also actually said, "I never said there was no conflict of interest in that situation. I just said I followed the rules for dealing with it." And, as with Ron Wilson and his daughter's consulting contract, we're all supposed to believe that these two ethical giants are lily white. If they are, why did Ronget so red in the face and pissed when Driver and later Freemantle mentioned the deal. He ended up whining like Gracie Floyd, saying, "I'm tired of people picking on my family."
He was also vehement in his defense of his campaign contributions to toehr candidates and incumbents. The Hatch Act be damned, Stupid. If you and Ron don't understand the importance of perception in an election year, you need to be sure and cross the street at the traffic signal, okay?
That same message applies to Mr, Thompson, who got caught in the middle of bragging about all his road projects by Skip Gilmer, who pointed out that one stretch that got paved is right in front of Thompson's house.OOooopps! Too bad he couldn't adjourn early last night, but then, he didn't have the gavel.
Anyway, just a few things that occurred to me during my musings.
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Musing over here too
That same message applies to Mr, Thompson, who got caught in the middle of bragging about all his road projects by Skip Gilmer, who pointed out that one stretch that got paved is right in front of Thompson's house.OOooopps! Too bad he couldn't adjourn early last night, but then, he didn't have the gavel.
Anyway, just a few things that occurred to me during my musings.- dunebuggy
Dune,
The fact is that Skip Gilmer was wrong in his implication that Thompson had something to do with the paving repairs in front of his house.
I know because I live in the same sub-division. Our homeowners association paid a whopping legal bill to get the developer to return and bring the roads in the developement up to county standards. The county refused to take them over until such repairs were made.
So, you and Skip should get your facts straight before spouting off about something you both obviously know nothing about.
And they were only out of standard in the middle of that stretch? Funny, but someone else who lives along that road told me last night that MT was bragging to them and claimed credit for getting the road paved. So have another glass of KoolAid Pappy and take a nappy.That same message applies to Mr, Thompson, who got caught in the middle of bragging about all his road projects by Skip Gilmer, who pointed out that one stretch that got paved is right in front of Thompson's house.OOooopps! Too bad he couldn't adjourn early last night, but then, he didn't have the gavel.
Anyway, just a few things that occurred to me during my musings.- dunebuggy
Dune,
The fact is that Skip Gilmer was wrong in his implication that Thompson had something to do with the paving repairs in front of his house.
I know because I live in the same sub-division. Our homeowners association paid a whopping legal bill to get the developer to return and bring the roads in the developement up to county standards. The county refused to take them over until such repairs were made.
So, you and Skip should get your facts straight before spouting off about something you both obviously know nothing about.- PAPPY
And they were only out of standard in the middle of that stretch? Funny, but someone else who lives along that road told me last night that MT was bragging to them and claimed credit for getting the road paved. So have another glass of KoolAid Pappy and take a nappy.That same message applies to Mr, Thompson, who got caught in the middle of bragging about all his road projects by Skip Gilmer, who pointed out that one stretch that got paved is right in front of Thompson's house.OOooopps! Too bad he couldn't adjourn early last night, but then, he didn't have the gavel.
Anyway, just a few things that occurred to me during my musings.- dunebuggy
The fact is that Skip Gilmer was wrong in his implication that Thompson had something to do with the paving repairs in front of his house.
I know because I live in the same sub-division. Our homeowners association paid a whopping legal bill to get the developer to return and bring the roads in the developement up to county standards. The county refused to take them over until such repairs were made.
So, you and Skip should get your facts straight before spouting off about something you both obviously know nothing about.- PAPPY
- dunebuggy
Please don't imply that I am lying.
My annual homeowners fee went up 50% in order to pay for the legal expense we incurred.
The repaving was for the entire new section of Hunters Glen and involved about 50 homes.
Tell Gilmer to send me an email with his phone number and I will call him. If he is a valid candidate I must assume if he made a public mistake he would be anxious to correct it or get another vote by proving me wrong.
The debate among Anderson County Council candidates, which was organized by Anderson County Republican Party, was very intense and interesting. As expected, the debate centered around a referendum on the County Administrator, Mr. Joey Preston. Two incumbent, Bob Waldrep and Cindy Wilson, expressed less than approval of his performance, while four incumbents, Larry Greer, Bill McAbee, Michael Thompson, and Ron Wilson expressed their satisfaction with his work. And also as expected, challengers in each race adopted the opposite position of each incumbent.
The big surprise was the audience reaction to the debate. Approximately 200 attended, and based on cheering and applause, greater than 70% of those who attended enthusiastically supported the position adopted by Mr. Waldrep and Ms. Wilson. So, the question remains: Did the attendees represent the majority of Anderson County, or were they a vocal minority?
The coming primary will answer this question. However, it is clear that Ms. Cindy Wilson have succeeded in establishing a group of dedicated supporters, who are willing to participate in political rallies, go to the voting booth, and express their views in the most public manner.
The big surprise was the audience reaction to the debate. Approximately 200 attended, and based on cheering and applause, greater than 70% of those who attended enthusiastically supported the position adopted by Mr. Waldrep and Ms. Wilson. So, the question remains: Did the attendees represent the majority of Anderson County, or were they a vocal minority?
The coming primary will answer this question. However, it is clear that Ms. Cindy Wilson have succeeded in establishing a group of dedicated supporters, who are willing to participate in political rallies, go to the voting booth, and express their views in the most public manner.
Amazing how those six WAIM listeners can cleverly disguise themselves as 130 people and make all that noise, isn't it, Art?
Amazing how those six WAIM listeners can cleverly disguise themselves as 130 people and make all that noise, isn't it, Art?- JDTippett
JD, it is more than six listeners. Folks knock the Driver show and its influence. I think that they are underestimating this greatly.
Amazing how those six WAIM listeners can cleverly disguise themselves as 130 people and make all that noise, isn't it, Art?- JDTippett
When I call, I disguised my voice a few times.....once I actually sounded like I gave a crap!
Pappy I believe you implied that I was lying, so sauce for the goose is sauce for the gander.All I did was offer5 an anecdote that contradicted your claim. If the dog hollers he's hit. Take the blood pressure medicine pappy. you'll feel better.And they were only out of standard in the middle of that stretch? Funny, but someone else who lives along that road told me last night that MT was bragging to them and claimed credit for getting the road paved. So have another glass of KoolAid Pappy and take a nappy.That same message applies to Mr, Thompson, who got caught in the middle of bragging about all his road projects by Skip Gilmer, who pointed out that one stretch that got paved is right in front of Thompson's house.OOooopps! Too bad he couldn't adjourn early last night, but then, he didn't have the gavel.
Anyway, just a few things that occurred to me during my musings.- dunebuggy
The fact is that Skip Gilmer was wrong in his implication that Thompson had something to do with the paving repairs in front of his house.
I know because I live in the same sub-division. Our homeowners association paid a whopping legal bill to get the developer to return and bring the roads in the developement up to county standards. The county refused to take them over until such repairs were made.
So, you and Skip should get your facts straight before spouting off about something you both obviously know nothing about.- PAPPY
- dunebuggy
Please don't imply that I am lying.
My annual homeowners fee went up 50% in order to pay for the legal expense we incurred.
The repaving was for the entire new section of Hunters Glen and involved about 50 homes.
Tell Gilmer to send me an email with his phone number and I will call him. If he is a valid candidate I must assume if he made a public mistake he would be anxious to correct it or get another vote by proving me wrong.- PAPPY
Amazing how those six WAIM listeners can cleverly disguise themselves as 130 people and make all that noise, isn't it, Art?- JDTippett
JD, it is more than six listeners. Folks knock the Driver show and its influence. I think that they are underestimating this greatly.- The Queen
I agree with you, Queen. That was sort of my point. I was poking fun at those who try to minimize and trivialize the opposition to less-than-open govenment and wanton spending.
I love reading their posts here sometimes. They're like the kid who hears a noise in the night, thinks there may be an axe murderer in his room, and pulls the bedsheet up over his face so he can pretend he's totally safe. Yeah, hiding under that thin sheet will do it.
Hey JD! Regarding "less-than-open govenment and wanton spending" aka the TOGA's one and only campaign issue, that's the undisputable myth that is before the voters of Anderson County. If you ask me, it is a very clever myth conceived by Joey Haters to win support for their candidates. They rant and they march and they hold news conferences. Any evidence that contradicts their false claims is met with a different line of questioning. It is virtually impossible to prove beyond reason that one knows everything there is to know about anyone or anything. So they just keep on attacking the character and integrity of those in power, all the while responding to each pile of answers provided with an even bigger list of questions. And then, by requesting line by line listing of routine expenditures (via credit card and checks) of a hundred million dollar organization, they scrutize every hamburger, every stapler and every hotel bill and put the county of sort of a public trial for spending properly budgeted, COUNCIL APPROVED funds. This is a clever subversive political ploy that undermines trust in local government and does irreparable harm to the reputations of innocent professionals who are loyal to their community and their employer. Shame on the media and the bloggers and all who have enabled or been used by the TOGA's in their destructive campaign.
Hey JD! Regarding "less-than-open govenment and wanton spending" aka the TOGA's one and only campaign issue, that's the undisputable myth that is before the voters of Anderson County. If you ask me, it is a very clever myth conceived by Joey Haters to win support for their candidates. They rant and they march and they hold news conferences. Any evidence that contradicts their false claims is met with a different line of questioning. It is virtually impossible to prove beyond reason that one knows everything there is to know about anyone or anything. So they just keep on attacking the character and integrity of those in power, all the while responding to each pile of answers provided with an even bigger list of questions. And then, by requesting line by line listing of routine expenditures (via credit card and checks) of a hundred million dollar organization, they scrutize every hamburger, every stapler and every hotel bill and put the county of sort of a public trial for spending properly budgeted, COUNCIL APPROVED funds. This is a clever subversive political ploy that undermines trust in local government and does irreparable harm to the reputations of innocent professionals who are loyal to their community and their employer. Shame on the media and the bloggers and all who have enabled or been used by the TOGA's in their destructive campaign.- GeorgePBurdell
Did you see the editorial of a couple of days ago? Seems the paper is not always satisfied with responses from the administation. Was that an endorsement of the TOGAs?
George, if you think the Freedom of Information Act is nothing more than a "subversive" plot, and if you think a citizen should always take the answer given by his or her government at face value, with no follow-up questions, perhaps you would like to suggest that we allow the government to publish its own newspaper?
It's been tried before, you know. It was called "PRAVDA." Kept millions in the dark for decades.
And, by the way, George, I am not a CAVE supporter (we have our own CAVE group in Pickens County and I keep them at arm's length), but I'll proudly wear the label of TOGA. You mockery and distortions will not back me away from my belief that taxpayers deserve answers to how their tax dollars are spent - yes, right down to the last paperclip IF those in charge have already refused to come clean on more substantial expenditures from the past.
Unlike most here, I've been on both sides of the FOIA, both as a county employee and as a reporter/taxpayer. Regardless of which side of the request I was on, though, I've always believed that government should provide as much information as possible, especially information defined as PUBLIC INFORMATION under the FOIA.
If that makes me "subversive" I guess I'll just have to live with it.
Hey JD! Regarding "less-than-open govenment and wanton spending" aka the TOGA's one and only campaign issue, that's the undisputable myth that is before the voters of Anderson County. If you ask me, it is a very clever myth conceived by Joey Haters to win support for their candidates. They rant and they march and they hold news conferences. Any evidence that contradicts their false claims is met with a different line of questioning. It is virtually impossible to prove beyond reason that one knows everything there is to know about anyone or anything. So they just keep on attacking the character and integrity of those in power, all the while responding to each pile of answers provided with an even bigger list of questions. And then, by requesting line by line listing of routine expenditures (via credit card and checks) of a hundred million dollar organization, they scrutize every hamburger, every stapler and every hotel bill and put the county of sort of a public trial for spending properly budgeted, COUNCIL APPROVED funds. This is a clever subversive political ploy that undermines trust in local government and does irreparable harm to the reputations of innocent professionals who are loyal to their community and their employer. Shame on the media and the bloggers and all who have enabled or been used by the TOGA's in their destructive campaign.- GeorgePBurdell
Shame on you!
Is it a myth that the taxpayers of Anderson County are paying legal bills because access to some local information must be obtained by a Supreme Ruling?
Do you have any idea how many dollars are switched and moved in the COUNCIL APPROVED budget each year that the council knows nothing about until well after the fact if ever?
Do you have any idea of the extent of things money that is spent on that is in direct contradiction to county ordinance (i.e. $900.00 meals in MB, etc)?
Clear, accurate, timely information is what it is. I don't see how seeking that information is subversive.
Pappy I believe you implied that I was lying, so sauce for the goose is sauce for the gander.All I did was offer5 an anecdote that contradicted your claim. If the dog hollers he's hit. Take the blood pressure medicine pappy. you'll feel better.And they were only out of standard in the middle of that stretch? Funny, but someone else who lives along that road told me last night that MT was bragging to them and claimed credit for getting the road paved. So have another glass of KoolAid Pappy and take a nappy.That same message applies to Mr, Thompson, who got caught in the middle of bragging about all his road projects by Skip Gilmer, who pointed out that one stretch that got paved is right in front of Thompson's house.OOooopps! Too bad he couldn't adjourn early last night, but then, he didn't have the gavel.
Anyway, just a few things that occurred to me during my musings.- dunebuggy
The fact is that Skip Gilmer was wrong in his implication that Thompson had something to do with the paving repairs in front of his house.
I know because I live in the same sub-division. Our homeowners association paid a whopping legal bill to get the developer to return and bring the roads in the developement up to county standards. The county refused to take them over until such repairs were made.
So, you and Skip should get your facts straight before spouting off about something you both obviously know nothing about.- PAPPY
- dunebuggy
Please don't imply that I am lying.
My annual homeowners fee went up 50% in order to pay for the legal expense we incurred.
The repaving was for the entire new section of Hunters Glen and involved about 50 homes.
Tell Gilmer to send me an email with his phone number and I will call him. If he is a valid candidate I must assume if he made a public mistake he would be anxious to correct it or get another vote by proving me wrong.- PAPPY
- dunebuggy
No, I didn't mean to imply that you were lying.
Rather I did mean to say directly that you were passing on a lie that Gilmer made at the debate.
He is wrong and geese, ganders and dogs aside, be man enough to check the facts before passing them on as truths.
You are better than that.
OK JD! Don't anybody suggest that ole George is not for the people's right to know how their money is spent and every other thing about their government. I think FOI is respected and followed to the letter at Anderson County government. Conclusion: people are getting what they ask for - yes Councilpersons, reporters, bloggers, everybody. Now if it turns out that what they asked for isn't what they wanted, well I don't know who can help them with that. Perhaps if they (particularly the Council members who regularly use FOI as a gimmick so they can whine about having to pay for information) would simply ask for the information in person and state what they need it for, the county staff could help them assess whether the information they are requesting is actually what they need for their purpose. That might actually cut down on frivolous FOI requests that waste thousands of taxpayer dollars and frustrate both the parties requesting it and the parties assembling it. The information is there folks, transparent and open. The accusations of officials subverting FOI laws or spending unbudgeted monies is bulls**t. It is a ploy to create distrust of local officials and purge elected and appointed officials.
OK JD! Don't anybody suggest that ole George is not for the people's right to know how their money is spent and every other thing about their government. I think FOI is respected and followed to the letter at Anderson County government. Conclusion: people are getting what they ask for - yes Councilpersons, reporters, bloggers, everybody. Now if it turns out that what they asked for isn't what they wanted, well I don't know who can help them with that. Perhaps if they (particularly the Council members who regularly use FOI as a gimmick so they can whine about having to pay for information) would simply ask for the information in person and state what they need it for, the county staff could help them assess whether the information they are requesting is actually what they need for their purpose. That might actually cut down on frivolous FOI requests that waste thousands of taxpayer dollars and frustrate both the parties requesting it and the parties assembling it. The information is there folks, transparent and open. The accusations of officials subverting FOI laws or spending unbudgeted monies is bulls**t. It is a ploy to create distrust of local officials and purge elected and appointed officials.- GeorgePBurdell
Am I the only one that gets the feeling this is another one of them Vast Right Wing Conspiracies?
Not a right wing conspiracy. It's not about ideology at all. It's about slandering people for personal political gain. It's about preying on emotions of the public. In these tough economic times, these TOGA's lay out government expenditures line by line out of context and make it look like government is "wantonly" wasting taxpayers money. The natural response of Joe Citizen would be "I need to get that goat out of my cabbage patch". Same with FOI. Enlist the media by alleging that the County is not abiding by FOI. Well that's an issue that's always been near and dear to the media's heart. Combine that with two media outlets that are struggling to remain relevant and solvent in their respective markets, and you've got yourself some free and even enthusiastic press. The TOGA's are political opportunists who are playing on people's emotions in an attempt to seize power. And who knows, their repeated, but unsubstantiated allegations of impropriety may have bred enough mistrust in the current regime to seize that power come June 10th. Let's hope the electorate is smarter than that. Political regimes do come and go, but it is hard to overcome the divisiveness that the TOGA's have wrought upon our community. More than ever, we need consensus builders on County Council and at all levels of government. Anything less just hastens the fall of the greatest Republic in the history of the world. Hope it doesn't happen in my lifetime.
Yes, George. And I've found out in the past, while working on some very complex projects with a lot of political minefields in the area, that the best way to reach a consensus is to make sure everybody - EVEN THE OPPOSITION - has at hand any and all information they need to make informed judgments.
You'll never win everybody over, but hiding even MINOR things WILL blow up in your face.
And that brings us right back to the FOIA ...
I don't think you'll find anybody associated with this election cycle (the good guys or the bad guys) who will say they don't support the FOIA. And the county staff follows it - it's the law. So in trying to frame the TOGA's one and only election issue, the voters are not being asked to choose between who supports and follows FOIA and who does not, because all candidates do. What the TOGA's are really asking is "do you believe all the crap we've fed you about JP and the 5 non-TOGA's or not".
Again I say, it's not about FOIA or spending, it is truly about raw political power.
Again I say, it's not about FOIA or spending, it is truly about raw political power.
