PUBLISHER'S NOTE: Winder response is misleading

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Thursday, September 29. 2011

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Dear Journal Reader:

The City of Winder today posted on its website a response to our Sept. 28 story that revealed the city is taking action which could remove up to 40 percent of city voters names from the registered voters list, around 3,000 names. In its response, Winder leaders claim the "Barrow Journal is printing misguided information."

We stand by our stories. In reality, it is the City of Winder that is providing misleading information to citizens in their response.

In its online comments, Winder leaders make the following statements:

1. Winder officials claim, "No one is being stricken or removed from the voters list or voting." Really? Then why is the city giving names to county officials that will, unless challenged, be removed from the voters list? While it is true that technically county officials eventually remove those names, the county follows the list each city sends to them. While there are provisions for notifying those affected, in this case there is little time to do that before the Oct. 11 voter registration deadline. County officials told the Journal the following, which was printed in this week's newspaper: "Because the (Winder) list is so late getting to the county, we can't hold hearings and give everyone ample time to update their information before the election; so we will be holding the hearing after the election." Contrast that statement to Winder's online wording which misleads readers into thinking everything would be cleaned up before the election on Nov. 8. In fact, it is our understanding from county officials that those who don't get the matter cleared up before Oct. 11 will have to vote a "provisional" paper ballot on Nov. 8 and the problems would then only be sorted out after the elections are over. That isn't because the Journal wrote an article, it's because Winder is very late in the game in getting the county the names to be purged. Winder officials are working toward removing an extraordinary number of names from its voting rolls; to suggest otherwise is simply false.

2. In its response, Winder officials explain away their use of "volunteers" and others who had access to individuals data by saying that is permitted. The Journal never said doing that was illegal; but we did point out that the incumbent mayor whose name is on the ballot was part of the culling process and that the husband of the city clerk who is not a city employee also had access to data about city utility customers via his volunteer use of city computers. Those things may be legal, but they do raise some legitimate questions citizens should know about.

This week, as a community service, the Barrow Journal devoted two full pages of 2,100 names that Winder officials are seeking to have removed from its voting roster. We plan to publish the other 900 names next week. We are doing this so that those who have wrongly been targeted for removal will have a chance to straighten out the situation before Oct. 11. County officials say it will likely be next week before they will have all the names to mail out notices to those affected.

The Journal is not responsible for this situation nor have we provided "misguided" or "misleading" information. We stand by our stories.

Mike Buffington
Co-Publisher
Barrow Journal

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#1 4 the people on 09/29/11 at 09:45 PM [Reply]

I'm pretty sure everybody can see right thru what is going on at city hall!! Hopefully David will take care of business when he is elected!! Including getting rid of most the employees at city hall. The "husband" to !!!!

#2 Anonymous on 09/29/11 at 10:17 PM [Reply]

This whole thing is an obvious screw up by city officials. To say that the paper is misleading is pitiful. At best it's a total lack of planning and ineptness. At worst its political corruption. Either way the city should apologize and admit the foul up(s) instead of blaming somebody else. They sound like my kids.

#3 from other blog page on 09/29/11 at 10:22 PM [Reply]

I quote, Hey chip and Sabrina, I have about 12 people to come help you guys on those city computers. If there are not enough we will bring our own laptop and router. we will help you go through all the accounts. And can do this Per Sec. of State and city attorney. We are VOLUNTEERS. Now that should make the residants of Winder as happy as we were with YOUR volunters

#3.1 Anonymous on 09/30/11 at 09:45 AM [Reply]

Just curious, did the State and attorney say the volunteer could have computer access to customers accounts or did they mean a volunteer could compare paper list to another paper list?

#4 Anonymous on 09/29/11 at 10:23 PM [Reply]

You are soooo right! I realize that a lot of people believe whatever politicians tell them but this just takes the cake. The city is basically saying "the barrow journal is lying... we're the government - just trust us!"

BULL! I'm furious and totally insulted at city hall's arrogant, snobbish, condescending and dictatorial attitude toward me, the other city voters and the especially the journal. A couple of weeks ago, a journal teporter saved all us county taxpayers $2 million by catching a county officials mistake. Today, the paper may have just saved thousands of winder voters from being relieved of their right to vote.

#5 Why the list? on 09/29/11 at 10:42 PM [Reply]

If the list were important enough to compile, then they were done for a reason. The lack of time to get this straightened out, if ones name was to be removed, reeks of mentally fragile.
The county would have no gains by telling a lie about this, so the truth is on their side; however the city has alot to lose.

#6 Anonymous on 09/29/11 at 11:09 PM [Reply]

Snake Thompson is back tracking and covering up big time. Keep up the great work Barrow Journal!

#7 Concerned Lifelong Citizen of Winder on 09/30/11 at 07:15 AM [Reply]

Mike,
Please continue to do exactly what you are doing. I have lived here all my life and I work in this county as well. I am ashamed and appalled at the behavior and lack of competency of our elected officials! There seems to be this "black cloud" hanging over our city goverment, our county government and our BOE. I am proud of the Barrow Journal for doing a professional job of exposing this and other government debacles, too. Please keep up the good work of keeping the concerned citizens of this county informed.

#8 Winder is home on 09/30/11 at 07:26 AM [Reply]

Common sense dictates that I should not enter this arena. I read blogs for entertainment and do not comment. However, this is a non-story. No one is being denied the right to vote. No laws have been broken. So, what is the issue? I would be upset if the voter registration lists were not purged and people were allowed to vote who should not be eligible. That might be a story. The city elections are non-partisan, so no candidate can be affected more than another. Is the fact that a volunteer was used of concern? Why? He did not have access to anything other than basic information. Is the issue that the volunteer was Ms. Wall's husband? Why? She certainly believes him to be trustworthy. Ms. Wall has been City Clerk for awhile and sure seems to know what she is doing. I have had several dealings with her. Is the issue that Mayor Thompson helped cull the list? At that time, he was unopposed and certainly has official status to see the records. He was elected by the people. I do agree with Mr. B on one point: Read the entire article. I did and just don't see the "story." It does appear that the BJ article is misleading. It seems to me that Mayor Thompson has done a pretty good job as Mayor in some severe economic times. And Winder is looking better than it has in years despite the empty buildings downtown that are certainly not the fault of the City.

#8.1 Mike Buffington, Publisher on 09/30/11 at 07:49 AM [Reply]

Let's ignore the politics of this for a moment. This is a news story because:
1. The city is seeking to purge nearly 40% of its voters list just weeks before a major local election. If it were 4%, that might not be a big story, but 40% certainly is.
2. The city waited until the last minute to do this, a snafu that could have a lot of people voting paper provisional ballots on election day and perhaps even leaving the outcome of the voting unknown for several weeks after the election is over.
3. The role of the mayor and the city clerk's husband in this process isn't illegal, but it raises some serious questions of judgement. Should a candidate on a ballot have any part of taking names off the voters list. Whether or not he has opposition doesn't matter.
We think Winder's move to cull 40% of its voters list is news. You may not agree and that's fine. No one is forced to read an article if they don't think it's news.

#8.1.1 no politics? on 09/30/11 at 08:45 AM [Reply]

This was all politics. thank you Journal for taking this on and Leaving the politics out!Thank God the Journal is not run by the Chamber.

#8.1.1.1 Agreed on 09/30/11 at 09:01 AM [Reply]

The Chamber already runs one paper. I am glad it is not this one. Great Job! Keep it up!

#8.2 doubt on 09/30/11 at 07:52 AM [Reply]

You know, it still amazes me how adults can read the same thing and come away with different information. This was a story and there still is a story. It would have been an even bigger story had it been allowed to proceed.The heads up this paper got to check on this came from somewhere. If all was on the up and up, why were the Winder citizens not asked to help with providing the information. Put it in our utility bill like they do everything else. I have a big problem with the volunteer thing.

#8.3 Winder my home too on 09/30/11 at 07:57 AM [Reply]

7th generation! I have never seen or heard anything as...there is not a proper word here.
Yes, I want to know. I have a right to know. No one should be on a city computer going through anything if they are not employed there.That would be like you and I going up there and getting on one. Crazy!! and if Chip has the time to help...who is doing his job? Give me credit. Who helped them come up with that story?

#8.4 4 the people on 09/30/11 at 11:58 PM [Reply]

I think Chip let's Sabrina tell him what to do because he's to nice to say or do otherwise. Most of the city employees don't like her. I am pretty sure she's let her job title give her a big head !!! She's being way over paid !! She is a glorified secretary with a high school education !!! I think every city resident that has free time on their hands should go to city hall to volunteer to "help" her . I wonder how many they would give permission to acsess computers/personal info ? Hopefully David will make lots of changes in the employees and the pay scale !! She try's to act like she's the mayor . I think David can put her in her place . Maybe she needs to go back to being a bank teller !!!

#8.4.1 Give me a break on 10/01/11 at 12:05 AM [Reply]

I went all the way through school with Chip Thompson and know him very well. Up until the time he ran for mayor, respected him too. Know his family and know all of Shadie's. There is one thing I can tell you for certain NO ONE tell Chip what to do. So get off the he's too nice. those of us who know him know better. he is nice but not nice or stupid enough to let someone lead him where he does not want to go!

#9 Snowdon on 09/30/11 at 08:15 AM [Reply]

My families roots are here from the time before Jug Tavern! I am sure in that time span there have been other incidents of poor judgement, but the total lack is unacceptable and the lying to cover makes it grievous.
Just look at the list and the families involved with removal. the Wehunts, the Cooley's, the Hendrix's the Smith's and try and I repeat try to tell anyone this was all a mistake.
If Chip would tend to the matter of being the mayor, we may could see an improvement here. If he wants to be a clerk let him drop out of the election and be one.

#10 "per" on 09/30/11 at 08:28 AM [Reply]

You know, that is the new PC catch phrase now to mean the person delivering the message does not have the clout to back it up. Then why deliver it?
Per Sec. of State -city attorney, it was my bill information. Spirit of the Law

#11 who is on 09/30/11 at 08:31 AM [Reply]

Who is Chip's campaign manager?

#11.1 mark my words on 09/30/11 at 09:12 AM [Reply]

GOOFY!

#12 Beth on 09/30/11 at 09:08 AM [Reply]

Another GREAT Job by The BJournal! if you don't think this is news, then put your quarter back in your pocket and don't read it, fhe REST of us are GLAD to have someone on OUR side for once!
Mike, Why is the paper still only 25 cents?? You CAN'T be making any money that way????

Mike Buffington for Mayor!!! Write in

#12.1 Anonymous on 09/30/11 at 10:29 AM [Reply]

Again, Beth, you reveal your ignorance. A newspaper doesn't make money from its purchase price. It's from advertising dollars. Rates are set from circulation figures.

#12.1.1 Michael Robinson on 09/30/11 at 10:50 AM [Reply]

There was no need for the personal attack. The normal newspaper profit model isn't exactly common knowledge.

#13 Anonymous on 09/30/11 at 09:52 AM [Reply]

The Secretary of State for the state of Georgia needs to be notified so that what Winder is planning to do can be scrutinized and reviewed for the protection of ALL of the citizens.

This appears to be a clear violation of multiple state and possibly Federal voting act laws. Winder would be wise to rescind their actions lest the State and the Feds pay them a visit!

Great job Barrow Journal! Keep their nose to the fire!

#14 Am checking on 09/30/11 at 11:10 AM [Reply]

I have just sent an email to the Sec. of State office to see who gave a person who is not an employee permission to get on a city computer and have access to my information for voter registration.

#15 Beth on 09/30/11 at 03:57 PM [Reply]

I, too, just sent an email to the Sec. of State.

#16 Anonymous on 09/30/11 at 04:14 PM [Reply]

Mike, if only your readers knew all of the other stuff that goes on under Sabrina's watch. They would Demand her Immeidate Termination. Mayor Chip Thompson is her puppet lead by her beguiling strings. It's not totally Chip's fault. The Mayor is kind and well meaning, but naive and easily manipulated. Deep down in side I believe the Mayor is unhappy in how he allows Sabrina to control him, but does not have the fortitude to take control and be the Leader that God wants him to be. There is No infidelity here, but their relationship is not ethical either. Sabrina's behavaior is every bit as bad as her predecessor before her - which Sabrina ironically despised! There is so much more the City Council is unaware of. People are afraid of Sabrina and do not like her - and with good reasons. The Mayor will likely do whatever she asks of him. No one will come forth to reveal the truth.

It should be obvious that HALF of the City Council are bench warmers not taking an active interest in the management of the City. I imagine they enjoy the prestige and their overly generous health benefits for life. A few are long time friends of Chip's. David Maynard is different. He is indigent over the half truths or intentional concealment of information from the Council. That's probably why David Maymard is running for Mayor. He coundn't put up with Sabrina's and Chip's collusion and incompetance any longer. The City of Wiknder probably could not survive another Term of Sabrina and Chip Thompson.

Mike, the more you and Susan dig into City Hall affairs, the better off people will be in the long run. I only want the truth to come out ... Sabrina is being untruthfull when she said in the article that Doug would not see any personal information when assisting her on the City computer. Mike, If you ask to see this data base, all personal credit info is there to see in plain sight !

#16.1 Wrong name, clones on 09/30/11 at 11:10 PM

(Comment removed)

#16.1.1 Hey Troll... on 10/01/11 at 06:53 PM [Reply]

Focus. Stay on topic and stop the name calling. It's ugly, unnecessary and stupid.

#16.1.1.1 thanks on 10/02/11 at 01:11 PM [Reply]

It is nice as adults that some of us are speaking out and others, when getting out of haqnd are reeled in by other bloggers!

#16.2 To Mike on 09/30/11 at 11:16 PM [Reply]

Is there anyway the Journal could find out about the data base and what would appear. I pay mine by e-pay and would like to know.

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PUBLISHER'S NOTE: Winder response is misleading

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