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wyatt1sc

member

2715 posts

+0 permalink

I've Met TWO of three already, seperately and together. And am unimpressed with their lack of concern for (poor)citizens, community involvement, non-political contributors to their district and being pro-active in crime, business generation and planning for decreased revenue in an increasingly demanding county. They've spent the last 6 months preparing all right...preparing to serve the rich and exclusive needs of those which contributed to their coffers. Mr. Dunn has a h-u-g-e chip on his shoulders against the fire department leadership in Homeland Park, and said directly he would NOT support the efforts of them and looks to disband them altogether ( which is illegal and endangers the community....). Mr. Moore has yet to return a call from us concerning future planning and community interests which directly affect his district. While JD suggested they were "busy"(since November 12th?), I suggest it is because Homeland park, Iva, Belton and Honea Path represent poor political advancement possibilities, and do not provide them the political opportunities this kind of politician offers our very community. In essence, Another Blagojevic.

From what Ive heard & seen of their actions so far, they will be MORE concerned with creating an alliance with MCW and Waldrep to overturn ANY issues proposed which Floyd or R. Wilson SUPPORT as a spite. As for the inept suggestion of reviewing and ammending current regulations, laws and policies......what a waste indeed of council's true purpose: To enact positive and productive efforts to enrich and invigorate this county. All that will do is retrograde and demean moral, chase off any businesses looking here, produce tax increases to fund pet projects in affluent areas, and likely result in another tsunami of lawsuits ( with no money left to waste on attorneys) by employees, citizens harmed by inaction, and return of Blue Laws ( yippeee, no laundry on Sundays!). An incoming member should NOT be the choice for Chair, but a seasoned veteran. I know Ms. Floyd is NOT interested in being Chair again, so that leaves Mr. Wilson or Ms. Wilson or ( wakey-wakey) Mr. Waldrep again. I so look forward to those 4 hour meetings.......NOT!

__________________

Designated President of the Warm & Fuzzy Club. DBAA

05th January 2009 22:30 p.m.

republikin

member

2368 posts

+0 permalink

Wyatt gets it!

06th January 2009 00:29 a.m.

non-sequitur

member

813 posts

+1 permalink

New Year... Same old refrain. At least let Council have a meeting or two before you trash how the meetings are conducted.

__________________

06th January 2009 13:45 p.m.

sshm

member

2307 posts

+0 permalink

. . . and return of Blue Laws ( yippeee, no laundry on Sundays!).
-wyatt1sc

Actually Wyatt ...

We can't and will not return the Blue Laws. Read over state law carefully. There is no provision present to provide for the return of them. Once a county has voted to be rid of them, thats it - gone - never to return.

The law ... such a pesky thing.

- SSHM

__________________

"I'm going to show these people what you don't want them to see. I'm going to show them a world without you . . ." - Neo

06th January 2009 14:42 p.m.

republikin

member

2368 posts

+0 permalink

New Year... Same old refrain. At least let Council have a meeting or two before you trash how the meetings are conducted.
-non-sequitur

The nuts were out in full force on Rick Driver this morning. New Year, everything is the same.

06th January 2009 15:31 p.m.

1-opinion

?

828 posts

-1 permalink

Um repbilkin, you do realize that your "everything is the same" goes for your position on the county as well don't you? LOL

__________________

You can't reason someone out of a position they didn't reason themselves into. ~Author Unknown

06th January 2009 16:24 p.m.

1-opinion

?

828 posts

-1 permalink

A mission statement - before you scream call and verify it came from her.

The following information was received from Diana Vossbrinck, Campaign
> Manager for Marshall Meadors, and is forwarded for your information and
> action:
> ---------
> I would like to address the issue of our local political environment. The
> efforts of the ACDP will mean absolutely nothing if we continue to let our
> county be high jacked by conservative extremists. While we can make small
> contributions on state and national level issues, there is a great deal we
> can do to rescue our own community from a fanatical faction determined to
> destroy everything that is positive and progressive about Anderson County.
> A manipulative talk-show host and his narrow-minded followers have taken
> over our political body and it is up to us to put a stop to their hateful
> agenda. Those of us who know better have been silent for too long and we
> are now dangerously close to being too late.
>
> The first County Council meeting of the year is this Tuesday (January 6th)
> , 6 pm, at the historical courthouse. There is little doubt that the new
> majority within the council is determined to remove Michael Cunningham,
> our
> new County Administrator, from his position, in spite of a three year
> contract. I personally am very grateful to our prior council for the
> actions taken to provide for Mr. Joey Preston and to appoint a new
> administrator who truly has the best interests of our community at heart.
> Whether or not one agrees with the council's tactics, I don't think anyone
> in our party could rationally argue with Mr. Cunningham's qualifications
> or
> believe we are better off with an administrator who is hand-picked by
> those
> who have been working so hard to tear down our county.
>
> Several community leaders have joined an effort to bring the minority
> community out for Tuesday's meeting in force, and it is important for
> Democrats to be there. The meeting begins at 6:00, but we are encouraging
> all to arrive between 5:00 and 5:30 so that we can fill the seats before
> the other side even arrives. While an ongoing presence is certainly
> needed
> at all County Council meetings, it is absolutely imperative for this first
> one on Tuesday. I do not think I exaggerate by saying that our future is
> at stake.
> ----------Diana Vossbrinck
>
> There is another important item. Stuart Sprague has called a meeting of
> the ACDP Officers for Thursday, January 8, 2009 at 5:00 p.m. at our
> Anderson Headquarters on Main St. Among other business they will be
> formulating a Path Forward for our Party during this year. Everyone is
> invited to participate. We need good ideas to capitalize on the renewed
> interest in the Democratic Party in our County.

__________________

You can't reason someone out of a position they didn't reason themselves into. ~Author Unknown

06th January 2009 18:03 p.m.

jdtippett

admin

5174 posts

+1 permalink

A mission statement - before you scream call and verify it came from her. The following information was received from Diana Vossbrinck, Campaign Manager for Marshall Meadors, and is forwarded for your information and action:
I would like to address the issue of our local political environment. The efforts of the ACDP will mean absolutely nothing if we continue to let our county be high jacked by conservative extremists. While we can make small contributions on state and national level issues, there is a great deal we can do to rescue our own community from a fanatical faction determined to destroy everything that is positive and progressive about Anderson County.
A manipulative talk-show host and his narrow-minded followers have taken over our political body and it is up to us to put a stop to their hateful agenda. Those of us who know better have been silent for too long and we are now dangerously close to being too late.
The first County Council meeting of the year is this Tuesday (January 6th), 6 pm, at the historical courthouse. There is little doubt that the new majority within the council is determined to remove Michael Cunningham, our new County Administrator, from his position, in spite of a three year contract.
I personally am very grateful to our prior council for the actions taken to provide for Mr. Joey Preston and to appoint a new administrator who truly has the best interests of our community at heart. Whether or not one agrees with the council's tactics, I don't think anyone in our party could rationally argue with Mr. Cunningham's qualifications or believe we are better off with an administrator who is hand-picked by those who have been working so hard to tear down our county.
Several community leaders have joined an effort to bring the minority community out for Tuesday's meeting in force, and it is important for Democrats to be there. The meeting begins at 6:00, but we are encouraging all to arrive between 5:00 and 5:30 so that we can fill the seats before the other side even arrives. While an ongoing presence is certainly needed at all County Council meetings, it is absolutely imperative for this first one on Tuesday. I do not think I exaggerate by saying that our future is at stake.
Diana Vossbrinck
There is another important item. Stuart Sprague has called a meeting of the ACDP Officers for Thursday, January 8, 2009 at 5:00 p.m. at our Anderson Headquarters on Main St. Among other business they will be formulating a Path Forward for our Party during this year. Everyone is invited to participate. We need good ideas to capitalize on the renewed> interest in the Democratic Party in our County.
-1-opinion

That's not a mission statement. That's a call to arms, possibly an invitation to riot.

06th January 2009 19:52 p.m.

jdtippett

admin

5174 posts

+1 permalink

Of course, I suppose it's possible this bunch of left-leaners misinterpreted today's editorial in The Anderson Independent-Mail, which called for a clean start and civil debate from a "loyal opposition" - not more mob tactics. Ya think?

A new beginning: Council, Cunningham promise a 'clean slate'

Independent Mail
Tuesday, January 6, 2009

Gone are Larry Greer, Bill McAbee and Michael G. Thompson, replaced by Eddie Moore, Tom Allen and Tommy Dunn. Returning are Gracie Floyd, Bob Waldrep, Cindy Wilson and Ron Wilson. Mr. Waldrep, Ms. Wilson and the new members of council are expected to form a dominant conservative coalition. Gone, too, is County Administrator Joey Preston, whose contract was bought out by council at the end of 2008.

Conservatism is not a bad thing, especially in the present challenging economy. Certainly 2009 won’t be a time of ambitious new projects and programs, and it will take creative thinking to stretch every tax dollar. The council will begin with a new administrator, Michael Cunningham, who was Mr. Preston’s longtime assistant. He was appointed to the job by the old majority, a move that rankled the new one. But he has made it clear he wants to work with everyone.

Last week, Judge J.C. Nicholson ruled on a lawsuit brought by Mr. Preston against Ms. Wilson and Mr. Waldrep, asking for temporary and permanent injunctions preventing them from telling county employees what to do. Under Home Rule, employees report to the administrator and the administrator to the council. This system was put in place to prevent individual council members from micro-managing the people who work in county offices.

After Mr. Preston’s resignation, Mr. Cunningham took his place as the complainant in the lawsuit.

Judge Nicholson’s ruling was direct and to the point: The county “has proved irreparable harm and nothing short of a court order will protect county employees from receiving further orders and instructions from the defendants.” The judge added that employees “should not have to worry that their jobs are in jeopardy if they don’t follow the job instructions and orders of persons who are not their employers while this case is pending.”

There is no room for misinterpretation there.

What happened after the order was issued is where Mr. Cunningham is showing how he differs from his old boss. He wrote Ms. Wilson and Mr. Waldrep and offered to drop the case if they would agree to adhere to Home Rule. Mr. Waldrep’s lawyer immediately responded that this would not be a problem.

Mr. Cunningham’s action when he had the upper hand was a magnanimous one, though he said he had planned to drop the case no matter the outcome. He said he was extending an olive branch in the hope that he and the new council could begin 2009 with “a clean slate.”

And this is where the rest of us come in. The past few years of turmoil on the council have been bad for Anderson County. Insane amounts of energy and money have gone into accusations, cross-accusations and lawsuits. The county spent more than a million dollars buying out Mr. Preston.

The conservative coalition that has claimed the council has a chance to prove how it can put its philosophy into action and how well its members can govern. They have promised “transparency.” But no one can see through anything with eyes closed.

Mr. Waldrep, Ms. Wilson and company have a large fan club. Their supporters come to every county council meeting and are unlikely to question their actions.

Perhaps there will be no need to.

But in the name of open government, we hope the audience at tonight’s meeting and the next and the next has some skeptics, a “loyal opposition” of a sort, who will hold council members to their promises to play fair and question things that seem amiss.

06th January 2009 20:05 p.m.

republikin

member

2368 posts

+0 permalink

Um repbilkin, you do realize that your "everything is the same" goes for your position on the county as well don't you? LOL
-1-opinion

Yes, yes, my position is the same. My position is the nuts have the upper hand at the moment. The radio nuts have plans to trash the county and all its progress of the past decade. That was clear on the hate radio program this morning. They are acting like a bunch of giddy kids. Making insults all over the place and trashing Ms. Floyd and Mr. Ron Wilson. I guess they don't buy into the "give 'em a chance" theory.

So, LOL all you want. You're only hurting yourself and many others.

Should I give the new council a chance? Sure, what choice do I have? Besides, they don't listen to me anyway.

06th January 2009 21:13 p.m.

janedoe

member

310 posts

+1 permalink

I can only shake my head and wonder because the actions taken Nov. 18th were obviously only going to cause turmoil, distrust and, anger. It seems that those who participated in this wanted to insure Anderson would suffer. Surely they knew no good would come of it. It's just all so sad. People......but what can you do? Now we'll have to follow Cuba's lead and cancel all paid holidays to pay for the new law suits.

I'm disappointed this came out of the Marshall office. I thought much better of him than this. How...... well disappointing.

06th January 2009 21:23 p.m.

republikin

member

2368 posts

+0 permalink

What's wronmg with Dems getting together? What's wrong with Dem's making their wishes known to the new council?

I guess it's only ok when Rick Driver and the nut bunch does it?

06th January 2009 21:28 p.m.

jdtippett

admin

5174 posts

+2 permalink

There's absolutely nothing wrong with Democrats getting together, Republikin, but I don't recall seeing "free cheese" on tonight's Council agenda.

(I know, I know. Danged moderators are falling down on the job.)

06th January 2009 21:39 p.m.

pappy

admin

3111 posts

+1 permalink

Of course, JD anything is possible.

But then that would mean it is possible that the right leaners may resort to the mob violence path because of their victory, just like crazy sport fans often do after winning a national title. Ya think ?

I would rather hope that civility from both sides would become the order of the day.

I will admit my surprise and disappointment at Meadors’ campaign manager’s statement. I wonder if the good Doctor authorized mention of his name and, in fact, supports that statement. After all, he was running for State Senator and I don’t recall any such negative statements by him about the County Council. races.

Knowing personally how devious the present County Democratic Chairman can be in seeking his way, I must wonder if he approves of Diana’s message calling all Democrats to arms. I just don’t buy the statement that ‘…our future is at stake.’

I strongly disagree with some on the Council, but, in all fairness, does anyone really know enough about the new members to claim that they represent a ‘fanatical faction’ or ‘conservative extremists’ whose only purpose is to ’ hijack the County’ and ‘to destroy everything that is ‘positive and progressive’ about Anderson County’ ?

C’mon now. . .Carl Rove she's not.

__________________

ENJOY THE RIDE, THERE IS NO RETURN TICKET. CARLIN

06th January 2009 22:25 p.m.

willieh

?

485 posts

+0 permalink

A mission statement - before you scream call and verify it came from her.

The following information was received from Diana Vossbrinck, Campaign
> Manager for Marshall Meadors, and is forwarded for your information and
> action:
> ---------
> I would like to address the issue of our local political environment. The
> efforts of the ACDP will mean absolutely nothing if we continue to let our
> county be high jacked by conservative extremists. While we can make small
> contributions on state and national level issues, there is a great deal we
> can do to rescue our own community from a fanatical faction determined to
> destroy everything that is positive and progressive about Anderson County.
> A manipulative talk-show host and his narrow-minded followers have taken
> over our political body and it is up to us to put a stop to their hateful
> agenda. Those of us who know better have been silent for too long and we
> are now dangerously close to being too late.
>
> The first County Council meeting of the year is this Tuesday (January 6th)
> , 6 pm, at the historical courthouse. There is little doubt that the new
> majority within the council is determined to remove Michael Cunningham,
> our
> new County Administrator, from his position, in spite of a three year
> contract. I personally am very grateful to our prior council for the
> actions taken to provide for Mr. Joey Preston and to appoint a new
> administrator who truly has the best interests of our community at heart.
> Whether or not one agrees with the council's tactics, I don't think anyone
> in our party could rationally argue with Mr. Cunningham's qualifications
> or
> believe we are better off with an administrator who is hand-picked by
> those
> who have been working so hard to tear down our county.
>
> Several community leaders have joined an effort to bring the minority
> community out for Tuesday's meeting in force, and it is important for
> Democrats to be there. The meeting begins at 6:00, but we are encouraging
> all to arrive between 5:00 and 5:30 so that we can fill the seats before
> the other side even arrives. While an ongoing presence is certainly
> needed
> at all County Council meetings, it is absolutely imperative for this first
> one on Tuesday. I do not think I exaggerate by saying that our future is
> at stake.
> ----------Diana Vossbrinck
>
> There is another important item. Stuart Sprague has called a meeting of
> the ACDP Officers for Thursday, January 8, 2009 at 5:00 p.m. at our
> Anderson Headquarters on Main St. Among other business they will be
> formulating a Path Forward for our Party during this year. Everyone is
> invited to participate. We need good ideas to capitalize on the renewed
> interest in the Democratic Party in our County.
-1-opinion

Funny thing, this lady calls it "our" county, "our" party. If I am not mistaken she came here to run Marshall Meadors failed campaign. If I am also not mistaken, she just took up residence here.

If she is as good running her mouth as she is at campaign managing, I think we will be just fine.

06th January 2009 22:29 p.m.

willieh

?

485 posts

+0 permalink

Of course, JD anything is possible.

But then that would mean it is possible that the right leaners may resort to the mob violence path because of their victory, just like crazy sport fans often do after winning a national title. Ya think ?

I would rather hope that civility from both sides would become the order of the day.

I will admit my surprise and disappointment at Meadors’ campaign manager’s statement. I wonder if the good Doctor authorized mention of his name and, in fact, supports that statement. After all, he was running for State Senator and I don’t recall any such negative statements by him about the County Council. races.

Knowing personally how devious the present County Democratic Chairman can be in seeking his way, I must wonder if he approves of Diana’s message calling all Democrats to arms. I just don’t buy the statement that ‘…our future is at stake.’

I strongly disagree with some on the Council, but, in all fairness, does anyone really know enough about the new members to claim that they represent a ‘fanatical faction’ or ‘conservative extremists’ whose only purpose is to ’ hijack the County’ and ‘to destroy everything that is ‘positive and progressive’ about Anderson County’ ?

C’mon now. . .Carl Rove she's not.
-pappy

If she is so up in ARMS about "our" county and "our" party, then why didn't she get some candidates to run as democrats in the council election.

She seems a bit nutty to me. I don't buy the statement "our future is at stake" either. As far as I know, she just moved here. Why is she concerned about the future, when she has no idea about our past.

Sounds like a big mouth to me. She did a terrible job on Meadors campaign, I assume she will fair about as well here tonight. If I were Stewart Sprague, I would tell her to calm down.

By the way, nothing major happens tonight. Eddie Moore will be Chairman, Tom Allen will be VC. Then business as usual.

I am leaving now for the meeting.

06th January 2009 22:34 p.m.

jdtippett

admin

5174 posts

+2 permalink

I would rather hope that civility from both sides would become the order of the day.
-pappy

That's been my hope, too, PAPPY, but with Ms. Vossbrinck's "call to arms" and Willieh's thinly disguised "carpetbagger" insults, I just don't see it happening. A pity, too, because Anderson County really does have the people and the resources to move forward if somebody would find a way to put a halt to the "so's your mother" games and let it happen.

I am amused that the county's Democratic Party has stepped into the fray, though. Up until now, the Council war has been mostly Republicans versus Republicans - and that just HAS to be good for the Democratic Party all by itself.

For some reason, Ms. Vossbrinck's move reminds me of a Napoleon quote. When he was asked by one of his aides why he wasn't attacking an enemy that was making camp in an exposed area at the bottom of a hill, Napoleon said, "Never interrupt your enemy when he's making a mistake."

The Anderson County Democratic Party would be well-advised to heed that warning. .

06th January 2009 22:40 p.m.

the-queen

member

1114 posts

+2 permalink

Let's hope that everyone has sense and just waits to see what happens over the next few months rather than stirring up a hornets nest without reason.

__________________

"Nature gives you your face at twenty. Life shapes your face at thirty. But the face you have at fifty is the face you have earned." - Coco Chanel

07th January 2009 00:43 a.m.

ibvirginia

admin

496 posts

+3 permalink

"Funny thing, this lady calls it "our" county, "our" party. If I am not mistaken she came here to run Marshall Meadors failed campaign. If I am also not mistaken, she just took up residence here.

If she is as good running her mouth as she is at campaign managing, I think we will be just fine." -willieh

You are mistaken. I knew her at least a year before Meadors campaign, if not longer. I was surprised when I found out that she was working for Meadors because that is not the industry she was in, here, when I met her socially. I don't know how long she was here before that. Of course, I don't know how much time you expect people to "put in" to Anderson before considering its future.

07th January 2009 02:02 a.m.

jdtippett

admin

5174 posts

+2 permalink

Everybody should probably try to listen to Driver in the morning. From what I've gathered, it'll probably sound like a bunch of roosters all set to go off at the same time.

All this time, I was willing to give the new Council a chance, thinking they said they were going to be working for the PEOPLE of Anderson County. Turns out, based on their positive impact on the bottom line of a couple of legal firms last night, they're working for LAWYERS too, just like the old Council.

Some things never change, I guess.

07th January 2009 04:32 a.m.

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