Yearwood again walks out of meeting

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Thursday, September 29. 2011

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For the second time in three months, chairman Danny Yearwood walked out of a regularly scheduled meeting of the Barrow County Board of Commissioners to protest the planned Nov. 8 vote on whether to have a county manager run the day-to-day operations of the county government – rather than the person in his position in January 2013.

“I’ve got to bow out of this because I do not support this,” Yearwood said as he was preparing to depart at 8:08 p.m. “I don’t agree with anything that takes power away from the people.”

It will be the voters who in November will make the decision about whether to move to a county-manager form of government, but Yearwood believes the public will lose power if an elected official is not running operations.

Yearwood turned over the meeting to chairman pro-tem Ben Hendrix, who disclosed that Yearwood last week refused his request to have the issue placed on Tuesday night’s meeting agenda.

“The chairman denied me that right,” he said. “And the chairman did not have the courtesy to advise me I was being refused.”

For the full story, see the Sept. 28 issue of the Barrow Journal.

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#1 wow on 09/29/11 at 05:48 AM [Reply]

Yearwood, Creel, Thompson. Wall. ?

#2 Anonymous on 09/29/11 at 06:48 AM [Reply]

Yearwood “I don’t agree with anything that takes power away from the people" From the man who has said time and again "I'm not accountable to anyone"

#3 What would it take on 09/29/11 at 06:59 AM [Reply]

What would it take to start a recall?

#4 james on 09/29/11 at 07:04 AM [Reply]

plz lets start a recall ,, this is insane.

#5 Anonymous on 09/29/11 at 07:42 AM [Reply]

"people" meaning himself, of course!

#6 Jack Legg on 09/29/11 at 08:22 AM [Reply]

Just keep on wlking dumwood, keep on walking we dont need you around no how.

#7 concerned taxpayer on 09/29/11 at 08:28 AM [Reply]

how did this whiny brat get elected in the first place???

#7.1 did not want on 09/29/11 at 08:36 AM [Reply]

Did not want Garrison. Still don't and this is still the lesser of two evils. Just get this sucker out

#8 TickedOff on 09/29/11 at 09:13 AM [Reply]

I don't blame Danny. Spend a little time talking to him instead of judging him through articles and others opinions of him. His policies or decisions are not always the best, but he is for the people. He believes in doing what is best for the citizens of this county in a very tough time. He s not there trying to line his and others pockets or on a power trip like past and a few present folks. Hes not the most polished individual either. Maybe that why I like him. When all is said and done, he kept the county in check, afloat, whatever you wanna call it after a few fat cats raped it. He'll lose reelection if he even runs, but a county manager controlled by a board will only create power struggle within the board members and once again the only ones that will suffer are the taxpayers. Its actually kinda funny when Danny walks on these issues concerning him. Wish the rest of commissioners were as dedicated to county issues as they are removing Dannys power.

#9 $ on 09/29/11 at 09:18 AM [Reply]

Where is the money going to come from to pay a city manager?

#9.1 Anonymous on 09/29/11 at 11:05 AM [Reply]

A better answer is where is the money going to pay the county attorney (Who is acting as the County Manger for $250,000+ a year)... Georgia is an at will employment state. That is you can be fired for any reason or no reason at all. So a County Manager that acts like or Chairman can be sent out the door that day. Look at what the Chairman has cost the county in Attorney fees for 4 years (1,000,000) and it will take 4 years to show him the door. That's just the expended tax dollars (your money) not the damage caused by the poor image the county has as a developed because the BOC and the Chairman really don't care... Just as long as They win because They said so

#10 MollyRose on 09/29/11 at 10:09 AM [Reply]

I've been reading the replies to the articles in the BJ, and it does not bode well for Winder or Barrow County. After all, all of our elected officials come from the same pool of people. I'd like my politicians to be literate, well spoken,intelligent, honest, and know what the heck is going on in the world. I don't see any of that here. There is another reason I never register to vote. Watch the televised version of a commission meeting if you want to entertained.

#10.1 Molly - You are part of the problem on 09/29/11 at 06:08 PM [Reply]

You should be part of the solution. The reason, the same people are re-elected is because people DON'T vote.

The reason, the good ole boy system continues to maintain power is because people DON'T vote.

Until the citizens of Barrow get over the voter apathy, go to the meet & greets, and vote in new blood, things will always be the same.

You can not continue to do things the same way and expect a different outcome.

#11 No excuse on 09/29/11 at 10:16 AM [Reply]

This is the poorest excuse not to vote I have ever heard. If ya don't vote, don't complain.

#12 TickedOff on 09/29/11 at 02:30 PM [Reply]

No Vote, No voice. No one wants to hear anything you've got to say if you are to sorry to vote. No excuses.

#13 Fortitude on 09/29/11 at 02:56 PM [Reply]

It is sad that because of the past years in office, the county is forced to hire someone to run the county. If that is the case, what is the point of having a BOC if they are just going to allow the manager to make all the decisions ? I would like to see another county commisioner with some business sense come in and do what is needed and retain the elected status instead of making a perminent solution for a temporary problem

#13.1 Anonymous on 09/29/11 at 03:25 PM [Reply]

Yearwood is only the current problem... This has a history much longer then him.

Absolute power corrupts absolutely Richard Nixon

There is no check for his power. With a minority voting population, go to the biggest Church and you can run the county into the ground too

At least with a Hired employee you can let'm go that day, Not after 4 years of "I'm accountable to anyone"

#13.2 Jack Legg on 09/29/11 at 07:23 PM [Reply]

Idiot, the county manager would do what the board told him to or be fired,I thought you were smarter.

#13.2.1 someone understands on 10/03/11 at 08:41 AM [Reply]

So true. People, no one said that the manager would make any decisions. He or she will be handling the day to day work that is decided by the board. As far as I can see the benefit is to the BOC alone. They will have someone to hide behind when their decisions go wrong. Again no accountability. Same ole

#14 DuWayne R. Anderson on 09/29/11 at 03:28 PM [Reply]

It is no surprise to see Chairman Yearwood walk out of a meeting. He has done it before, and he will do it again, when his power position is challenged by anyone. Like it or not, Barrow citizens will decide the issue in Nov. If as he says, he wants to protect the citizens of Barrow, he should have no problem accepting their decision.........when it is handed down by the voters...........
DuWayne

#15 Anonymous on 09/29/11 at 03:39 PM [Reply]

Today, government has so many complex issues that a county the size of Barrow is foolish not to have a professional manager overseeing and managing things.

Politicians have a legitimate seat at the table. But they should be getting good, solid information from professionals that keep the county interests first (county manager).

#16 BLINDED BY THE LIGHT! on 09/29/11 at 05:08 PM [Reply]

Yearwood believes (He) will lose power.

I feel like I've been "beamed" into a rerun of
the "Dukes of Hazard" series! Maybe it's the
twilight zone.

#17 Anonymous on 09/29/11 at 08:51 PM [Reply]

Whoever votes to have a county manager at a salary of 250,000.00 per year, had better not send me the damn bill. You had better settle that expense between the elected ones who pass the proposition. If it is added to my tax bill, then get ready to have all your jobs eliminated. There is no one person worth that amount of money to "run" barrow county. Since I have been unemployed many of the salaries listed in the paper need to be rolled back. I have a college degree, and can't make nowhere near what some of the city and county employees make.

#17.1 What? on 09/29/11 at 09:04 PM [Reply]

Where in the world did you get that amount?

#17.1.1 Anonymous on 09/29/11 at 10:57 PM [Reply]

Printed again in blog 9.1 from today's paper. It has been mentioned in several articles in past newspapers.

#17.1.1.1 in printed on 09/29/11 at 11:07 PM [Reply]

In printed addition of Barrow Journal on page 3 A, 5 paragraphs from bottom that the salary range is from $87,179-$135,127

#18 Allen H. on 09/30/11 at 01:59 AM [Reply]

Let say that the county manager is hired at the maximum salary range set by the commission in the printed article. 135K, the current salary for the chairman is currently around 60K plus. That is being reduced to 25K. That puts the additional expense to the county of about 95K.

Now, let's look at what the current office holder has cost this county unnecessarily. Outside investigator, anger management, lawsuits, out of court settlements and enough additional county attorney fees to pay the difference in salaries itself. That is just to name a few items. We could go on and on.

Georgia has 159 counties, over 100 if them have some other form of county government other that a full time chairman. Barrow is the only county in the state where the chairman has veto power. Don't believe me, contact the ACCG (Association of County Commissioners of Georgia).

I like the comment someone here said "I would like to see another county commissioner with some business sense come in and do what is needed". Is that not exactly what we are trying to do by hiring a professional to run the county?

Electing a full time chairman is pot luck at best. It is a popularity vote. No experience required. Vote the other guy out....don't give a damn who we vote in as long as we vote the other guy out...well how is that working out for us. It takes 4 years to correct that mistake and who knows what damage is done in those 4 years. The manager will work at the pleasure of the county commission. You can bet if the manager is not performing up to speed and the heat is turned up on those elected commissioners, the'll do what is necessary to correct the problem to cover their own butts.

So, in summary, "you can pay me now or pay me later"...or "you get what you pay for". Unfortunately, we are not getting what we are paying for.

Just my opinion...everybody's got one..

#18.1 Thank You Allen on 09/30/11 at 06:00 AM [Reply]

Yearwood has cost us MORE $$$$ in attorney fees than the cost of hiring a county manager. People don't get that! Even though a county manager has a salary larger than the county chairman, in the long run, it will cost the citizens FEWER $$$$

#19 Anonymous on 09/30/11 at 11:51 PM [Reply]

The other paper is printing a salary range of 87-135 K per year. People, we live in one of the smallest counties in georgia. Why do we elect 2 seperate governments, city, county, and you might as well throw in the Airport Authority? Too many fingers in the Tax Pie. There needs to be some consoliditation into one government if we now are gonna take the expense of a county manager. This my not solve all the financial crisis, but, I think it would help.

#19.1 Robert Lanham on 10/03/11 at 07:47 PM [Reply]

There are several problems with a unified government. First of all, we have five cities in Barrow County, not one. At least two of those cities, Braselton and Auburn, include parts of other counties within their corporate boundaries. And quite frankly, I'm not sure I want to put all my eggs in one basket. We've seen what Danny has tried to do with the Fire Department. I don't want him messing with mine, since I live in Winder. These are just some of the logistical problems that would have to be overcome.

#19.2 no taxes on 10/04/11 at 09:36 AM [Reply]

The residents of the City of Winder do not pay tax. We hare hit with the city utility bills. We pay for the street lights everyone uses. Now, does Statham, Bethlehem, Carl and Auburn pay city tax?

#19.2.1 Mike Buffington, Publisher on 10/04/11 at 09:50 AM [Reply]

Winder residents do pay a 3 mill fire tax.

#19.3 2 governments typical?ha on 10/11/11 at 04:32 PM [Reply]

There are more than 2 elected governments in this county.

#20 J.B. Moore on 10/03/11 at 10:56 PM [Reply]

If I were on the board of commissioners I would not want a commissioner with experience, I would look for a chairman from one of the states EMC's. Before you knock the idea, look at the way a co-op is designed. Is that not the pinnacle for a county government to be operated in that manner. They have perfected the way government should be run like a business. Why not follow a business model like that. Just as you have to have govt. You must have electricity. Obviously the power company is accountable for waste, so should our county.

#20.1 Anonymous on 10/04/11 at 07:13 AM [Reply]

Agree there jb, I do think the salary should not be above what we are paying the current chairman though until he/she proves they can do the job . Then maybe a raise if it can be justified

#21 Thanks on 10/04/11 at 09:57 AM [Reply]

Thank you, I was unaware.

#21.1 Melvin Turples on 10/11/11 at 11:39 AM [Reply]

NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC...NOTICE TO YEARWOOD

The Mulberry Tea Association has secured the rights to the public meeting hall at the Winder Garden Club and Tavern for October 29, 2011 at 7:00pm.The price of a plate will be 700 dollars and will be considered a campaigne contribution to the elect Jack Legg committiee.

Jack Legg will be on hand to give a speech about the future of Barrow County. This will be germaine to all Barrow Countians who seek a better way forward in 2012.There will also be a gospel singing featuring several local groups.
Get a leg up in 2012.

#21.1.1 RSVP on 10/11/11 at 11:45 AM [Reply]

Will Harvard, Whure and Naw be there too?
I want to hear them speak!

#21.1.2 Mildred Von de Goof on 10/11/11 at 12:16 PM [Reply]

Announces a social gala at the exclusive Pine Shore Society Country Club at 8 p, in the ballroom on October 30th, 2011
"HOW TO VOTE THE CORRECT WAY" will be presented. The Jack de Legg band will provide the music. Cost is $1100 and couple or $850 a person.
The club house is the 4 storied marbled structure across from the pool complex.
(Do not drive down 5th Avenue or use the side streets as your limo's front end will be knocked out of line) Have your driver leave you at the high school and our club helicopter will pick you up.
Proceeds will be given to the City of Winder to help in a study of how to prepare a voters registration list.

#21.1.2.1 Anonymous on 10/11/11 at 04:48 PM [Reply]

The correct way to vote will be:

1. Is there an "I" as in Incumbent by their name? -- if YES go to step 2

2. Does this person own lots of property in Barrow? -- if YES go to step 3

3. Has this person ever held an elected office or been employed by the county? -- if YES go to step 4

4. do you recognize the name of the candidate as being new to politics? -- if YES Vote for the new blood, with new ideas, and not a member of the good ole boy system.

If there is no one like that on the ballot, write in Mickey Mouse, because that will be what we get for an elected official.

#22 Barry Smith on 10/11/11 at 02:53 PM [Reply]

I am from an adjoing county of Barrow. We went through the same problem Barrow is. The Chairman of the commission ruled the county his own way not caring what the public thought. The other county commissioners wouldn't stand up to him. They built a Taj Mahal courthouse without disclosing the cost. The citizens couldn't stop the courthouse or get any answers due to an Augusta judge's rules. We voted all of the commissioners out. We have a county manager form of government.It is not a perfect solution. Every new commission wants a new manager. We jad one manager who staid only a year. When he was let go he filed suit and won $1,000,000 from the county. He went to a city near Atlanta. Be careful Barrow a county manager will cost you and you can't easily get rid of him or her. They have to have a contract with benefits. Vote all the commissioners out. Get good people in. Stand up. We did and things run smoother now.

#23 courthouse on 10/11/11 at 03:16 PM [Reply]

Ours is stuck off out in the country in a pasture and is near nothing. BUT IT IS NEW LIKE JACKSON COUNTY. Now we have an older facility that everyone wants to put something in. Well what real estate mogul own it Beth?

#23.1 Anonymous on 10/11/11 at 03:39 PM [Reply]

The new facility is only a few minutes away from the old courthouse. As to being near "nothing," it is ON the route from the proposed bypass linking 316 with 85 via 211. Your remarks are ignorant & absurd. And, sadly, typical.

#23.1.1 typical? on 10/11/11 at 04:27 PM [Reply]

Ignorant? Absurd? Such big words for such a big typical name caller. When we get this by pass, as you know we always get our by passes, then call someone names then. It may only be a few minutes from the Auburn and N. winder side but it is a hell of alot more than a few minutes for the rest of us.
It encompasses going through 2 of the world's longest red lights on a two lane road.
give me a break there buddy!It will be great to ride down 316 to get to 211 and those of us who want the more scenic tour can go by way of 85. thanks

#24 Anonymous on 10/11/11 at 05:58 PM [Reply]

But is walking distance to The Moose Club. The employes doesn't have far to go.

#25 oh on 10/11/11 at 08:38 PM [Reply]

Sorry not an establishment I go to visit. Maybe you have some of confused with other govt. employees.

#26 John Wages on 10/23/11 at 06:53 PM [Reply]

Walking out......A meeting he should be attending. Is that like walking out the door at work? Sounds like quitting to me.

#27 Donnie on 10/24/11 at 06:01 AM [Reply]

can anyone please explain to me EXACTLY, not opinionated, what this issue is, what it means, and what changes itll cause? so that i can make a decision on how im gonna vote on it, or even direct me to where it first comes up with a explanation or even email me about it, not1tosettle@comcast.net , thanks

#28 Anonymous on 10/24/11 at 08:14 AM [Reply]

Donnie, without a long description...here goes. The current charter gives the chairman all the power to do all the day to day operations. The charter change would re-direct those duties to a county manager, hired by the full board and answers to the full board. The chairman will go to a part-time position. He/she will still be the figure head for the county and will be elected at large instead of district.

The way the current system works or does not work in my opinion, is the chairman, who is elected by a popularity vote without any experience at all, tries to run the county. In the past, all other chairmen had administrators to help with the day to day...but Yearwood fired all of those who knew what was going on.

So, in summary, if you want the county to run professionally, you must hire a professional. If you want it to run like a used car business, elect a used car salesman. You get what you elect...

#28.1 John Wages on 10/24/11 at 02:20 PM [Reply]

You hit the nail on the head.

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Yearwood again walks out of meeting

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