How much will the Joey Preston Buyout Cost Me/You?

Bump

That is just silly. Of course it is small spread over a number of taxpayers. The point is not a personal loss, but the loss of money for other services and serious needs of this community. Here's an example of one way in which that money could be used for important projects that would benefit many of us:

Estimated repaving costs:
Melbourne Road $33,000
Edgewood $161,000
Calhoun $122,000
Eastwood $47,000
Robertson $83,000
West Franklin $389,000
Total: 835,000
We'd still have more than 165,000 left over!

It's interesting to me than when it comes to national politics you kvetch about how Obama is going to break you with taxation, and yet, in local politics, you are telling us all to go to McDonalds. It's the modern day equivalent of "Let them eat cake!" People are struggling here, and it is not a joke. I think Joey Preston has done a fine job as administrator, and I applaud his efforts. But this little scheme was very wrong and just made the CAVE people look as if they were right, and no one hates that more than I do. IF and WHEN Mr. Preston's contract was broken, then his buyout should have been negotiated. To deprive this county of over a million dollars when our roads are falling apart, our soup kitches are running out of food, and we have little new industry is indefensible.

ibvirginia,

Mr. Joe Preston has served our County well for 12 years. He worked days, nights, weekdays, and weekends to move our community forward. He brought Anderson County from the dark ages to modern times. The least we can do is honor our commitment to his legal contract.

I agree IF anything had happened to him. They acted pre-emptively. It's like the Bush Doctrine for contract law.

Please don't bump this republikin. Everyone sees it for what it is. It is another lame attempt by you to rationalize the travesty of the JP buyout. Give it a rest! The more you defend him and the actions of his cohorts, the more you are associated with him. You deserve better.

[image]

-non-sequitur

I don't deserve more than anyone else. When the rest of the Joey haters discountinue posting their hate-mongering comments, I will stop.

Is there a rule aginst "bumps?"

That is just silly. Of course it is small spread over a number of taxpayers. The point is not a personal loss, but the loss of money for other services and serious needs of this community. Here's an example of one way in which that money could be used for important projects that would benefit many of us:

Estimated repaving costs:Melbourne Road $33,000Edgewood $161,000Calhoun $122,000Eastwood $47,000Robertson $83,000West Franklin $389,000Total: 835,000We'd still have more than 165,000 left over!

It's interesting to me than when it comes to national politics you kvetch about how Obama is going to break you with taxation, and yet, in local politics, you are telling us all to go to McDonalds. It's the modern day equivalent of "Let them eat cake!" People are struggling here, and it is not a joke. I think Joey Preston has done a fine job as administrator, and I applaud his efforts. But this little scheme was very wrong and just made the CAVE people look as if they were right, and no one hates that more than I do. IF and WHEN Mr. Preston's contract was broken, then his buyout should have been negotiated. To deprive this county of over a million dollars when our roads are falling apart, our soup kitches are running out of food, and we have little new industry is indefensible.

-ibvirginia

I do more than my share for charity. Mr. Preston has done a lot for charity around here too. You know none of this is about the money. IT's about power, control the politics of personal destruction. My (bring it down to a burger and fries level) example is meant to bring some reality to all the posters who claim to be so shocked. We all know that none of the buyout money was going to anything you mentioned above. Even the road superintendent said so in AIM. The point is, it doesn't cost you or me any more. So quit with the bleeding heart, woe is us stuff.

I agree IF anything had happened to him. They acted pre-emptively. It's like the Bush Doctrine for contract law.

-ibvirginia

ibvirginia,

The Present Council used political courage to settle a potential legal and political battle between the New Council and the Administrator. They could have used the easy-way-out and handed the dilemma to the New Council. My special thanks to Ms. Gracie Floyd, Mr. Larry Greer, Mr. Bill McAbee, Mr. Michael Thompson, and Mr. Ron Wilson.

I agree IF anything had happened to him. They acted pre-emptively. It's like the Bush Doctrine for contract law.

-ibvirginia

If you hope to defend yourself, a pre-emptive strike is better than waiting until someone has wacked you over the head or shot you in the back. The art of negotiation is to find out what the other party wants and make them think they got it. That's what Ron, Larry, Michael, Gracie and Bill did. They got Preston to settle of less than his attorney set out to get. Pretty shrewd I say. We should be thanking them as Art did, instead of bashing them as "stupid" and such as some (not you) have done.

It's a stretch to say that voting against the sales tax is the same as not giving a damn about roads. Many people did not like the idea of building the connector when other roads are falling apart. Many people did not trust our county government enough to spend the money wisely. I'm not saying I agreed with those people, but I wouldn't say they didn't give a damn. But again, you miss the point.

If the money was not going to be used for roads, then it should be for something else we need. If we have all we need, then it needs to be used for debt reduction or to lower taxes. I don't care what it is "about." Unfortunately for all of us, local government has been about nothing but Joey and Cindy for years. I've held my tougue, but I am sick to death of it. This was a power play, absolutely, but a power play in which we as a county lose. I don't understand why you don't see that. If it isn't enough money to anger you, then the principle itself should.

Cindy's ridiculousness has cost the county millions, but that does not make this right. I can't believe that I have to say this to a group of adults, but two wrongs do not make a right. To be anti-Cindy does not mean that you have to defend everything Joey does.

I'm going to remember this is first time you complain about President Obama raising your taxes. I'll just tell you to go grab a BigMac and get over it.

"Pretty shrewd I say."

Very, very shrewd, I agree, but that does not make it right.

It's a stretch to say that voting against the sales tax is the same as not giving a damn about roads. Many people did not like the idea of building the connector when other roads are falling apart. Many people did not trust our county government enough to spend the money wisely. I'm not saying I agreed with those people, but I wouldn't say they didn't give a damn. But again, you miss the point.

If the money was not going to be used for roads, then it should be for something else we need. If we have all we need, then it needs to be used for debt reduction or to lower taxes. I don't care what it is "about." Unfortunately for all of us, local government has been about nothing but Joey and Cindy for years. I've held my tougue, but I am sick to death of it. This was a power play, absolutely, but a power play in which we as a county lose. I don't understand why you don't see that. If it isn't enough money to anger you, then the principle itself should.

Cindy's ridiculousness has cost the county millions, but that does not make this right. I can't believe that I have to say this to a group of adults, but two wrongs do not make a right. To be anti-Cindy does not mean that you have to defend everything Joey does.

I'm going to remember this is first time you complain about President Obama raising your taxes. I'll just tell you to go grab a BigMac and get over it.

-ibvirginia

I don't think we are too far apart. Just a small point. The out-going three and remaining two council members made a deal with Preston. They didn't raise our taxes. They didn't stop road maintenance. They supported the 1 cent infrastructure tax (Cindy and Bob didn't). Their actions will, in time, bring an end to the Wilson/Preston saga. However, this is mot the end. Ms. Wilson won't stop with this. Neither will the WAIM crowd.

By the time Obama is done, I hope I can afford a BigMac. I'll probably have to limit myself to the $1 menu.

I do agree with you that the WAIM crowd will not be pleased with anything that is the least bit progressive or related to the 21st century.

I am just very disappointed in the actions of people for whom I do/did have respect.

Art millions of people all over this country work "days, nights, weekdays, and weekends" to make things better. What is your point? He was well paid for every second he put in on the job. I am sorry you consider everything pre-Joey as the dark ages. Perhaps being too close to his light has blinded you! I don't know who is giving you legal advice. But there is no way his contract requires an over a million dollar payoff!

And what you call "courage" by the gang of 5, I call back-room, back-stabbing cowardice! Any problem that JP alledges may have happened between him and the new council should have been settled between them. Not this lame duck bunch of cockroaches that can't stand the light of day.

This gang of 5 + 1 has done more to poison the political atmosphere in Anderson than anything the Rick Driver group has ever done. Even longtime Preston supporters think the payoff and how it was done is a disgrace. The fallout of this fiasco will taint the new administrator and how things are viewed here for years to come.

All this is because of what??? Because Joey could not stand facing a council that that believes the administrator answers to the council and not the other way around.

-non-sequitur

Non Sequitur,

The present Council wanted to offer Mr. Joey Preston $600,000, until they discovered that his contract calls for an ironclad severance pay totaling $1.3 million. So, the offer of $1.1 million was a compromise.

Reading between the lines, I have the impression that the three newly elected council members are thankful that the Administrator’s contract dilemma has been resolved. I do expect them to have a short honeymoon with Ms. Cindy Wilson and Bob Waldrep, followed by 5-2 regular votes in support of the new administration.

Art JP's contract is online. Please read it and then tell me where it says he gets 1.1 million and keeps the car. Please take your time and read it from start to finish. And you may want to read the "sunshine"/FOI laws in SC. They are online also. You may want to pay attention to "electronic communication" as it applys to having a meeting.

And even though you have not mentioned it, may I bring up Larry Greer? Did he not say the other night in the council meeting the "he had the finance people" work up his account transfers to pay Joey off? Is this not the same thing Joey is suing Bob and Cindy for doing? Where is your outrage over that?

Art I have no reason to "read between the lines", neither do you. All you had to do was listen to what they have said on the radio and quotes of them in the newspaqper. It is so much more accurate than guessing what they think.

-non-sequitur

Non Sequitur,

I am not an attorney. So, attempting to understand legal contracts and state laws is simply over my head. However, I have relied on legal professionals who are involved with the proceedings to understand the compromise over Mr. Joey Preston’s severance pay.

The 5 Council members had to act independently from Ms. Wilson and Mr. Waldrep, since the latter two members have expressed a hostile attitude toward the Administrator. The issue needed to be settled for the sake of Anderson County.

The three newly elected council members have expressed public outrage over how the present council has handled the situation. But I am willing to place my credibility on the line be stating that, in my personal opinion, I do expect the newly elected council members to act differently than the public statements they made. They may ask for a limited audit, and then move forward in a positive and supportive manner toward the new administrator.