County spending cap violated? Invoices for road paving billed for just under $10k limit

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Wednesday, October 19. 2011

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Some Barrow County officials have been avoiding an apparent county rule on spending by having vendors break down bills into smaller invoices to avoid the spending cap.

That issue was discovered this week when sources told the Barrow Journal that a road near the home of BOC chairman Danny Yearwood had been paved ahead of schedule. Invoices for that project had been written for just under the county’s apparent spending cap of $10,000 without BOC approval.

Days before the end of fiscal year 2011 last month, county road crews paved Ferguson Road, a dirt road, which is a through-road from Giles Road to Sunset Drive, where Yearwood owns a home and an adjacent lot.

The improvement of the 1,000-foot road raised questions because it was done under the radar of the county’s engineering department.

“I had no involvement in the paving of this road,” wrote engineering manager Darrell Greeson in an email to the Barrow Journal. “In fact, I found out that it had been paved after the fact.”

The $13,968 purchase of asphalt for the project surpassed by nearly $4,000 the spending threshold that normally triggers mandatory approval by the Barrow County Board of Commissioners.

And copies of the purchase orders for the asphalt have raised questions about how the county roads supervisor, Nat Dukes, and a county purchasing agent, Danny White, have handled the asphalt purchases – using multiple purchase orders for under the $10,000 spending threshold to make a single purchase from the same company on the same day.

And those questions now have led to a bigger issue that is likely to get much more scrutiny over the coming weeks: What are the spending limits of the county chairman, his department managers, and other county employees?

For the full story, read the Oct. 19 issue of the Barrow Journal.

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#1 no end> on 10/19/11 at 12:48 PM [Reply]

Is there no end to this madness?

#1.1 John Wages on 10/30/11 at 11:48 AM [Reply]

Can we get Danny to pay for it?

#2 Anonymous on 10/19/11 at 03:59 PM [Reply]

blows my mind, but I won't have expected any less.

Just another reason why we need a county manager.

#2.1 John Wages on 10/20/11 at 04:05 PM [Reply]

How much more can we stand??????

#2.1.1 as much on 10/23/11 at 08:47 PM [Reply]

as much as we are willing to take. that depends on the individual.

#2.2 Anonymous on 10/24/11 at 06:05 AM [Reply]

can you direct me to where it gives a explanation to what this "county manager" thing is so i can decide on how im gonna vote about it?

#3 Anonymous on 10/19/11 at 04:37 PM [Reply]

At a time when everyone is cutting budgets, what rationale would the Commish give for this expenditure of funds on a road that was:

1. A dirt road previously

2. Has fewer than 10 homes on it.

3. Is not a main thouroughfare in the county.

4. Was not in bad shape before (I live just a street over from our King) and wondered why they were paving it. They also recently paved and painted striping on Giles (a road that definately needed the work done!).

If procurement invoices were made into smaller amounts to circumvent the $10k rule, then clearly ethics and all semblances of honesty were tossed to the wind.

Can we send the Commish the bill for his extravagances instead of giving it to the taxpayers?

#4 no neck on 10/19/11 at 07:19 PM [Reply]

Two corrupt culprits here. Yearwood and Bob Hohe. Not Nate and Danny White. These two gentlmen were told what direction to go regarding payments and "taking" care of yearwood. They are being thrown under the bus and used as pawns. BJ dig out the real culprits in this matter...

#4.1 Anonymous on 10/19/11 at 07:46 PM [Reply]

Amen, I was just about to write the exact same thing (goosebumps). It's clear we need leadership/county manager/or at least what we had in previous administrations. But until that happens we will have to endure, and that means that Yearwood & Hohe need to take responsibilty and be accountable and quit blaming & throwing the Dept. heads and especially employees like Danny White under the bus ( Danny White works for Bob). Danny & Bob know what goes on and are two cowards. They are not earning the big money they make! makes me want to throw up. I've known Danny White my whole life and he is a good man who does his job well. Why wasn't Hohe's name mentioned. I'm sure he or Yearwood or both (since they run the show)had to approve the purchase orders. The Dept. heads are paid good money too and should also be held accoubtable for what they do. It's bad that they have no one to go to, but that is just the way it is right now. Hunker down, be responsible and do your job right. Things will change!

#4.2 Retired and Glad on 10/22/11 at 08:29 PM [Reply]

Don't let White and Dukes fool you. Everyone of them are snakes in the grass.

#5 TickedOff on 10/19/11 at 10:07 PM [Reply]

Extravagances? Hardly. Ilive in the vicinity and can assure you the roads in question definitely needed paving. As do many more in this county. Heck, Holsenbeck School Road only got partially paved and Ive lived near and traveled on it for 14 years. And the only reason it got attention is brcause the idiot runnning the grader during the snowstorm plowed half of it up. Betcha a dollar someone"tipped" the journal off on this one. And by the way, didnt know paving a road required Darrell Greesons approval. After all hes the last one that oughtta be piping up about getting a "stamp of approval". And I can't wait til Jack Legg and the rest of the koolaid drinkers get their little county "manager". Just another overpaid puppet on a string. Fact is this county would get some decent commissioners and chairmen and BOE members if all the lazy@ss, complainers would actually come out and vote and take a little pride in community. But turnout will be less than 15% as usual maybe less if it rains. Moral of the story Barrow Countians as a whole just don't give a crap and that s a shame.

#6 TickedOff on 10/19/11 at 10:11 PM [Reply]

and one more thing... at least Yearwood is spending it on the county and not putting it in his or his cronies bank accounts like Garrison.

#7 Tired on 10/19/11 at 11:19 PM [Reply]

I was not going to vote about hiring a county manager until I read this article. Yearwood was not upfront to the other commissioners about paving his personal road. Now I definitely will vote for a county manager now. Please vote citizens. Barrow County deserves better than a chairman that continually creates havoc in our county.

#8 Anonymous on 10/20/11 at 12:42 AM [Reply]

This would have not been an issue, if it wasn't so close to the commisioner house. Believe me, he is not the only person living close or on giles road. The road needed paving. End of discussion. I am a taxpayer and deserve a decent road, its the only thing I am getting for my tax dollars in barrow county. You people need to get a life, I am sure the next person sitting in the seat will get the same treatment for the same bunch of cronic complainers.

#9 Anonymous too on 10/20/11 at 03:19 AM [Reply]

I don't think many would disapprove of a dirt road being paved in this county. It is the way it was done. Like everything else Yearwood does...behind closed doors.

Had the road been placed on the priority list and approved, then paved, no one could say anything. I would bet a nickel to a dollar that the proper right-or-ways were not gotten for this road. BJ, you need to check with the engineering department to see if they have the proper 50 or 60 foot right-of-way required. Don't ask the clerk, she'll just say yes...see if they were deeded to the county.

#10 DuWayne R. Anderson on 10/20/11 at 07:20 AM [Reply]

You can't expect a different result, when you use the same exact effort. Nothing will change at the BOC until voters show up and change the system of county government we now have.
I noticed this morning, the latest BJ poll shows 69.35% will vote for a County Manager form of Government, while 30.65% want to stick with the current system, and 0 were undecided. That is a pretty strong statement made by the voters. Numbers don't lie folks. The handwriting is on the wall.
The question is, will anyone show up at the polls to read it?
DuWayne

#10.1 I will on 10/20/11 at 11:22 PM [Reply]

but I will be voting not to change, why because it is just one more Goverment job that answers still to the BOC chairman.
we waste much money already having extra Cars for take home, we have seperate EMS director then FIRE and Sheriff and the Sheriff isnt required to answer to the Ems guy anyhow, so why not just make EMS art of Sheriffs dept, since they already have take home cars and already claim to be on call 24/7.

#11 Good Ole Boy on 10/20/11 at 09:37 AM [Reply]

well DOOOOOOWAYNE, should have known. The county manager is not going to change a thing, whoever it is will perform the same as the chairman.. You will not get that job either.

#11.1 DuWayne R. Anderson on 10/21/11 at 08:12 AM [Reply]

You have no proof of that outside of your personal opinion. But, if you do have proof, then let's hear it now. We are waiting GOB.....
DuWayne

#11.1.1 Good Ole Boy on 10/21/11 at 09:18 AM [Reply]

DOOOOOOOOWAYNE, times are tough, we know. Have you really tried to find employment yet. The county manager will be no different, he still reports to same GOB's and will do as he is told. All this person will do is act as he is told. Just gives another layer to do our work. And still does not get you elected or a job.

#11.1.1.1 Anonymous on 10/24/11 at 05:43 AM [Reply]

Still can't figure a way to add anything that is on the topic can you? It's not that hard if you really try.......... I rest my case......
DuWayne

#11.1.1.1.1 Good Ole Boy on 10/24/11 at 06:28 AM [Reply]

DOOOOOOWAYNYE, can you not read. It's on topic, I explained the county manager, and explained you will not get a job here, that is exactly taking care of what you are trying to get accomplished on here. READ.

#11.1.1.1.1.1 DuWayne R. Anderson on 10/24/11 at 08:54 AM [Reply]

No, you rendered YOUR opinion..... not facts. Get some facts and come back later. Personal attacks are OFF TOPIC whether you like it or not. Mr. Buffington has addressed the issue of off topic personal attacks for bloggers on this site. Perhaps you should go back and read his editorial comments, before you find that some of your blog posts get deleted..........and make you really mad..........
DuWayne

#11.1.1.1.1.1.1 Anonymous on 10/24/11 at 09:49 AM [Reply]

It's really sweet how you want an arrogant pencil-neck to protect your shoeshine. "Don't you call me names or my sister Buffy will DELETE you!"

#11.1.1.1.1.1.2 GOB on 10/24/11 at 02:50 PM [Reply]

Mr. B, Mr. B, they are calling me names. Please make them stop. The comments were on topic, you choose not to like them. As attorneys say, you opened the door. All revolves around a County Manager and employement/getting elected.

#12 My Two Cents on 10/20/11 at 12:14 PM [Reply]

To all wanting to hire a County Manager: We have department heads who draw substantial salaries from the depleted county coffers already. Restrict the power of the BOC Chairman and allow the department heads to stand before the BOC and explain what is needed and majority votes will determine outcome of their desires. By hiring a County Manager, we are simply adding another level of confusion (at a substantial cost). Look at the Lady in charge of County finances now. I saw one of the BOC meetings in which June Davis was asking for more appropriations to run the probate office. The BOC told Ms Davis she needed to address that request to the finance dept. She told them she had already spoken to her and got NO results and she was before them for an answer. I felt sorry for her because she obviously been beating her head against a brick wall (figuratively speaking) And the new Barrow County fire chief we have,,,I understand he applied for the job and was chosen, he knew what the pay was yet told them he would be willing to work for us if we increased the salary? WTH? We are broke yet hire him for more than job description was to pay,,,,Is he really THAT good that we pay him more than he agreed to by submitting his job application? Also allowing him to "create" new job positions? I may be off base on this one, if so please correct me. They did this in our dire economy when we have had Skinner do the job at less pay(prob much less) and he was apparently effective and was not given the job,,,,WHO was responsible for this? Craziest damn thing I have ever seen, well almost,,,,

#12.1 how on 10/24/11 at 07:07 AM [Reply]

How do you purpose we restrict the Chairman's role and make the department heads accountable for their dept. in front of the BOC. Will there not have to be measures passed to restrict the chairman's role?

#13 Robert Lanham on 10/20/11 at 12:54 PM [Reply]

Hiring a county manager, accountable to the entire board of commmissioners, to run the day to day affairs of the county will put a stop to a lot of this nonsense. As things stand now, nothwithstanding his and Ms. Elder's protests to the contrary, the Chairman is accountable to NO ONE! Paving this road ahead of schedule, whether it needed it or not, means that some other road, that the commissioners decided was a higher priority, did not get paved. And, county ordinances were violated when procurement rules were circumvented to avoid the scrutiny of the Board of Commissioners. If an appointed County Manager took these actions, he would already be packing his bags. However, we are basically stuck with the used car salesman for another 15 months.

#13.1 how are we stuck? on 10/24/11 at 07:09 AM [Reply]

How are we stuck? If enough voters decide we have had enough, would a recall be appropriate?

#14 TickedOff on 10/20/11 at 01:26 PM [Reply]

Read your own words. A county manager accountable to the commissioners? Really? What changes? Same bunch of power hungry dimwits trying to hold Danny accountable for paving a road(s) that desperately needed it. Heck, he might have even saved us a little by doing it all at the same time and at at time when asphalt prices are actually lower due to petroleum products being down with low oil prices. All the little whiners on here have been going through Danny withdrawals waiting on the Journal to give us another juicy tidbit.
I would love to know who the rat is that broke the story to the Journal. Do tell us Mike. Also, still waiting to see if Danny did violate the spending cap. The title to this article is posed as a question, is it not. Go ahead get you another high paying salary while our county suffers. All you'll really be getting is a fall guy for the commissioners. Give 'em hell while you can Danny.

#14.1 Mike Buffington, Publisher on 10/20/11 at 03:12 PM [Reply]

"I would love to know who the rat is that broke the story to the Journal. Do tell us Mike."

Sources.

#14.2 Anonymous on 10/20/11 at 03:19 PM [Reply]

As usual, Buffington's rag tries to make a mountain out of a molehill. It's all about circulation figures and ad $. The pattern is a hysterical story followed by his harrumphing journalism lecture. It's all quite tiresome. And predictable. Everything is grist for his tabloid mill.

#14.2.1 Mike Buffington on 10/20/11 at 05:28 PM [Reply]

Gee, for someone who doesn't like us, you sure read a lot of our stuff and make comments — 27 comments in recent weeks, to be exact. Maybe you really do like to know what's going on in the community and turn to the Journal as your main source of information? Keep reading, my friend; we appreciate your business.

#14.2.1.1 Anonymous on 10/20/11 at 06:57 PM [Reply]

I wish I could "like" this comment, like on FB. :-)

#14.2.1.2 Anonymous on 10/20/11 at 08:22 PM [Reply]

You don't get any of my "business." I don't read your ads. I don't buy your rag. All you get from me are clicks and hits. Neither of which will sustain your business. I find it amusing that you'd go to the trouble to count how many posts I've made. I don't keep track, but I see Big Brother Buffy does.

#14.2.1.2.1 Mike Buffington, Publisher on 10/21/11 at 07:12 AM [Reply]

Every click here is a pageview and we sell advertising based on pageviews. Again, thank you for your business and for reading the Journal on a regular basis.

#14.2.1.2.1.1 Anonymous on 10/24/11 at 09:43 AM [Reply]

I'm well aware of what clicks mean; I think I implied that. However, the pittance you get for a click won't keep you in business. Having a web presence brings you into the 21st century, but it's obvious you don't embrace it wholeheartedly. I don't subscribe, nor do I purchase your print edition. Therefore, I don't contribute to your paid circulation. At all. Ever.

#14.2.1.2.1.1.1 Mike Buffington, Publisher on 10/24/11 at 10:36 AM [Reply]

That's too bad, but it does explain the content of your frequent posts here. Anyone can blog venom under the name "Anonymous." Say what you will, at least I have the courage to put my name on what I write and our reporters put their name on their articles. Again, we do appreciate that you read the website even if you don't like us.

#14.3 Robert Lanham on 10/20/11 at 03:50 PM [Reply]

I'm thankful that there are people out there willing to "blow the whistle" on this kind of crap. And they have as much right to their anonymity as you do. There is only one person on the board of commissioners who is power hungry, and he sits right in the middle. The rest of them really do care about Barrow County - all of the citizens, and not just a select handful. If all of this was so above board, why did they go to so much trouble, using several invoices to bill for the purchases? If it looks like a skunk, and smells like a skunk, it must be a skunk. Thank you, Mike, for bringing this to our attention.

#15 TickedOff on 10/20/11 at 01:31 PM [Reply]

Duwayne, are you really that foolish to try to argue real voter turnout numbers in this county over the last several years with a d@mn Barrow Journal weekly poll? No wonder you failed to get elected. You fit perfectly with the rest of the incompetent crowd we have in the BOC and BOE.

#15.1 DuWayne R. Anderson on 10/21/11 at 07:50 AM [Reply]

Simply stated the facts of the poll at the time. The main point is that unless we all make a concerted effort to increase voter turnout, we will have the same results every time. If you really care about changing the way this county does business, then you have to vote for the folks you want to represent you. Like I said, the only button that matters in an election is the one you push in the voting booth.......that is when REAL CHANGE happens............
DuWayne

#16 TickedOff on 10/20/11 at 04:24 PM [Reply]

Now Mike you know that was a friendly little barb. I know theres not a chance you'll reveal the tattletale. Keep on reporting em I actually love it that the Journal takes no prisoners. As for you Robert, stick your head back in the sand with the rest of the koolaid drinkers. Worley, Berry, Hendrix, heck all of 'em are power hungry. My moneys on one of the commissioners as the snitch.

#16.1 Anonymous on 10/20/11 at 08:25 PM [Reply]

better to be ticked off then ticked on, like the poor county employees, so take your lickin and keep on ticken.

#16.1.1 Anonymous on 10/20/11 at 08:29 PM [Reply]

rather be kool aid drinker than a coors light thinker.

#16.1.1.1 funny on 10/20/11 at 08:39 PM [Reply]

this is good, witty and very funny! Way to go man!

#17 Robert Lanham on 10/20/11 at 07:10 PM [Reply]

Not drinking the kool-aid. Just informed and aware of what is going on - I actually talk to these guys - try it and you might learn something.

#18 Anonymous on 10/21/11 at 12:12 AM [Reply]

If you folks want to clean house, then who are you gonna replace them with? The past administration you voted out of office due to their wild spending for new court houses, new jail,and letting the airport authority buy land with the county's money attached to a bond to be paid off in time? It is amazing people getting inflated land values and others were left out or condemed. So there is plenty of injustice to go around for the past 40 years. Currently the present board must be doing something right, to have money to even pave one road is a miricle. Think about this when those little white envelopes arrive in your mail box this week. Take the time to look at how your tax dollars are being used. There is a pie chart in with the bill.

#19 that pie chart on 10/21/11 at 12:24 AM [Reply]

should be showing big cuts and less spending!!!!!

#19.1 Anonymous too on 10/21/11 at 01:57 AM [Reply]

Just the facts mam...

"voted out of office due to their wild spending for new court houses, new jail and letting the airport authority buy land with the county's money"

First of all, the court house and new jail were approved by the voters and citizens of this county with a special purpose sales tax...don't want to spend money for court houses and jails...then don't vote for the 1% sales tax.

Secondly, the only land the airport authority has purchased was for an instrument landing system, paid for with a federal grant. Now if you are talking about the land on highway 82, and highway 53 off 316, those lands were purchased by the Barrow County Industrial Development Authority for industrial development...just the facts mam...just the facts.

#19.1.1 Beth on 10/21/11 at 07:12 AM [Reply]

and those are NOT the facts! What about the Segars Property? and Jimmy Smith's land??
If you are gonna give "just the facts" make sure you have them correct.
And the land on 82 for "industrial" use was to be "industrial" after the expansion of the runway.
The taxpayers of Barrow County were robbed, raped, and pillaged!
Jack Webb would be ashamed!

#19.1.1.1 tell it like it is. on 10/21/11 at 04:32 PM [Reply]

Way to go Beth, express yourself. I like you and so many others have felt the rape,and robbery of the airport. I would like to know where all the FAA money went to that Mr. Anonymous knows so much about? Maybe he will educate us and break down the 3 million received back in 1999!!!!!!!

#19.1.1.2 just the facts mam on 10/22/11 at 09:42 PM [Reply]

First, let me see if I can explain it so even Beth can understand...I know it will be tough but read slow Beth.

Ok, the property on Hwy. 82 is the Segars property and was always intended for industrial development, therefore purchased by the Barrow County Industrial Development Authority. Had it been intended for airport expansion, it would have been funded by the FAA...all of this was in the papers. That's where I got it. I keep all past issues of both papers. Now, do you understand that the Segars property and the hwy 82 property you mentioned are one in the same? So where is that fact wrong?

Secondly, the Smith property was part of the Instrument Landing System property aquisition. Mr. Smith received in excess of $800,000 for 13 acres of pasture, 3 rental house along GA. 8 and the old homeplace off Giles road...really sounds like rape and pillage. And as I understand it, the AA does not have powers of eminent domain...therefore, the Board of Commissiones purchased the property and the FAA reimbursed the county thru the grant money. Check that in the newspapers as well...it is all there.

So, where are my facts wrong...don't give me any BS that those are not the facts..if you have different evidence that what has been reported in the press, then give me facts I can check.

#19.1.1.2.1 Beth on 10/22/11 at 10:31 PM [Reply]

The property I am referring to is NOT The Segars land. it is the land on Hwy 82 from Holsenbeck School Rd down to twin Lakes on BOTH sides of the road!
So do a little searching (Go to Barrow County tax Assessors website) and see who owns all THOSE parcels of land, and then explain WHAT they were purchased for, WHO owns them, WHY was taxpayer $$ spent to buy these properties, and WHO stood to profit from the proposed Airport Expansion.
or maybe I am going a little too fast for ya!

#19.1.1.2.2 Inquiring minds want to know on 10/23/11 at 01:10 AM [Reply]

Why don't you tell the public the information of the 3 million in 1999 the FAA sent to aquire property and set up the ILS. Since we are being ignored, per the Winder Newspaper "Maynard Reality received 1.25 million for 16 acres on Hwy 8, and The barrow mini Warehouses received 800 thousand and a 20 year lease for the 2.6 acres on hwy 8. We just wondered what happen to the rest of the money since it took 10 years and more money form the FAA, to complete the ILS system. We would like a breakdown from "just the facts mam" since you seem to have inside information from this time period.

#19.1.1.2.2.1 owned or representing? on 10/23/11 at 06:46 AM [Reply]

Time to throw Maynard Reality's name in again right?
Just wondering were they selling the property for someone else or did they own the property and sold it? Either sounds reasonable as when you own and want to sale the property is only worth what someone wants to pay.

#19.1.1.2.2.1.1 just checking on 10/23/11 at 09:54 PM [Reply]

We still would like to know what happen to the rest of the money out of the 3 million that was not used to buy Maynards and Barrow mini warehouses. By conparison, these two made out much better than Mr. Smith. When you look at he lost acreage, 3 rental houses, and had to wait 10 years longer. He also had to retain a lawyer and litigate to get the final price. It just amazes me that 10 years earlier, and yes they owned their properties on hwy 8, that they got such high prices for the properties and we the regular people have to fight just to get fair market. Do you think 1.25 million and 800 thousand was fair and he had to wait for 10 more years? We bet that the property is no where near that value now, so ,why is it so hard for some people to get the same treatment in the town that others do without,jumping thru hoops?

#19.1.1.2.2.1.1.1 Beth on 10/24/11 at 07:37 AM [Reply]

Jerry Maynard owns the parcels on hwy 82 as well! he stood to make out like a bandit if the Airport Expansion went through...
Wait a minute, he DID make out like a bandit even though it didn't go through!!!!

We are waiting "just the facts" for your so called facts..............

#19.1.1.2.2.1.1.1.1 Jumping In on 10/24/11 at 08:31 AM [Reply]

Beth, you seem to know so much about the property at the airport. Why did you not tell the readers that Maynard owned that property years before the land purchase from the Segars. He's even had a for sale sign out there for years.

In case you have not figured it out, Maynard is a businessman. He bought the property years ago in hopes of re-selling it to make a profit. Is there something wrong with that or are you just jealous of his success.

Sounds like your one of those anti-capitalist, socialist, commies protesting against the successful people. You need to go over to Athens or New York and camp out with the OCCUPY crowd and protest with the rest of the socialist over there.

Maynard invested his own money in that property years ago...just what the hell business is it of yours if he makes a profit?

#19.1.1.2.2.1.1.1.2 Just the Facts on 10/24/11 at 11:38 AM [Reply]

Ok Beth, some of us don't know it all and have to wait til opening time to make a few calls to get the facts straignt...not just spout off BS as you do without ever checking any facts.

If reference to the land you were talking about, that piece of property was purchased from the Caspers at the same time the Segars property was bought. The AA did not paticularily want it because it was too far away from the airport business center, but Roger Mathis, who was a commissioner at the time, wanted to add it to the purchase since it was a voluntary sale. The Caspers wanted to sell the property and agreed to take the same price per acre as Ricky Segars did. The property, according to the AA serves little purpose for the airport, however, will eventually be used for commercial development at the airport. And to think, all it took was a phone call or two to get the facts...just the facts mam, just the facts.

#19.1.1.2.2.1.1.2 Just the facts on 10/24/11 at 11:48 AM [Reply]

Well, just checking, inquiring minds and Beth...if you want to know what happened to the money, take your butts out to the airport and sit down with Wanda Mitchell and ask...It's all public record and then you can report back here to us. If you want to know, do your own leg work. Don't just sit here and expect someone else to spoon feed you the info that you will just discount anyway. But, I guess you had rather ask idiot questions than checking it out yourselves.

#19.1.1.2.2.1.1.2.1 final statement on 10/24/11 at 06:46 PM [Reply]

we would just run into a brick wall there also. We all know the answers, it is very obvious with the condensending tone you have tried to answer our questions. Sorry we wern't born into the elite club of winder, but, there is one thing the elite club of winder has forgotten. We the insignificant still have the right to vote, and we hope all have been reading the responses we have gotton on our so called foolish questions. We know your the people with all the so called money who have always thought you were just a little better, and smarter than the rest of us, but, we think you can see some of us are not gonna sit around and take it anymore. We will be at the voting box early this week, so , inform your elite friends there may be a new bunch elected to persue constant harrassament from you and your so called friends. You folks will never rest until you all have your good ole boy club back intact.

#19.1.1.2.2.1.1.2.1.1 OK on 10/25/11 at 06:08 AM [Reply]

Just FYI, the good ole boy network has always been intact. You better be careful, the "independant bolgger for another newspaper" (now thats funny) police will tell on your for going off subject and being mean to our network

#20 Anonymous on 10/21/11 at 02:17 AM [Reply]

Sounds like it's time for Georgia and Barrow county government to put measures into place to protect it's selves against bad employees! If these people can do this type of thing and get away with it, then something needs to be done about it. We can not continue to stand by and let this type of thing happen. I am a voter and I will vote.

#20.1 moving on on 10/21/11 at 04:24 PM [Reply]

Your absolutely right. And we elected change. This board has tried to cut spending as much as they can , and only received critisium for it. I am proud that we have not gone backrupt as so many other counties have in the nation. I know the cuts have been difficult, but , we all have had to make sacrifices.

#21 well on 10/21/11 at 02:38 AM [Reply]

the chairman doesnt answer to the board, the new county manager would only answer to the chairman like in Jackson county, the sheriff has no one to control his spending!!!!!

everyone thinks the taxpayers are thier depts private piggy banks!!

#21.1 sheriff on 10/21/11 at 06:14 AM [Reply]

Keeping the county politics out of our law enforcement is the smartest thing we have ever done. The BCSO does not need to answer to the BOC.
If ya don't like what is going on with the BOSO, you only have one man to deal with. I do not want a layer between protection for citizens.

#21.2 Robert Lanham on 10/21/11 at 11:54 AM [Reply]

Get your facts straight. The county manager would report to the board, not just the chairman. The chairman would have NO administrative responsibility for what went on. He would sit on the board, chair its meetings, and represent the county at intergovernmental events and at ribbon cuttings.

#22 well on 10/21/11 at 12:03 PM [Reply]

look at what happened with the manager who is no longer with Jackson county!

having a manger doesnt mean that he answers to anyone

#22.1 Jack legg on 10/21/11 at 12:51 PM [Reply]

The county manager would answer to the ENTIRE board not just the chairman, That truly wouldnt be any better than what we have now.The manager style of government is NOT just another layer with the same B.S. going on under a different cloak.
This person would see to the day to day operations of county government with the oversite of the board of commisioners. Thanks to people like yearwood this is our best option going forward.

#23 well on 10/21/11 at 01:00 PM [Reply]

he still would have no limits on spending other then he gets fired, but firing people isnt easy either there are all kinds of costs extra involved with hirng a manager, and little in place other then maybe being able to fire them and once they are voted in they are hard to get rid of.

#24 Budget restrictions on 10/24/11 at 08:21 AM [Reply]

"he would have no limits on spending other then he gets fired"

That is what the budget is for, established and approved by the board of commissioners. The current charter has a spending limit in it that will not be changed in the charter change. To exceed that limit, the manager must have approval from the BOC.

This is what happened when Yearwood approved the three PO's to pave his road...he can't be fired until the end of his term...but you are right, a manager can be fired for doint the same thing.

#24.1 ok on 10/24/11 at 10:47 AM [Reply]

Jackson county manager spent 3 MILLIONplus without board approval!!!!

#24.1.1 Budget Restrictions on 10/24/11 at 11:26 AM [Reply]

Do you have a clue as to how their charter is written? Every county charter is different. Since their previous charter was significantly different than Barrow's, I would imagine that the current Jackson County Charter is different than the one being proposed for Barrow. It may give their manager financial management prividges that are not in the new Barrow charter. The Board of Commissioners will still have control of the purse strings here. Comparing Jackson and Barrow's charters would be like comparing apples and oranges.

#25 TickedOff on 10/24/11 at 01:37 PM [Reply]

All of a sudden everyone on here thinks there will be some "accountability" to the board with a county manager system. Who do you think the commissioners were when Garrison spent 7.3 million on a cow pasture and gave Jimmy Smith 800k for his cow pasture? Same bunch of crooks. Yet, everyone wants a piece of Danny when he actually spends money to improve a road. And Robert I talk to 'em all my friend.You'd be amazed at how engaged I am with this county.Yet you Jack Legg and others sit and anxiously wait for another Danny story to break. Just think if we had that 8.1 million Doug spent plus all those unpaid property taxes our " builder brat pack" stuck us with. ole Barrow Co. would look pretty good right now. Dont blame Danny for paving a road.

#25.1 Jack Legg on 10/24/11 at 02:55 PM [Reply]

Ok idiot, its time to stop defending a crook like yearwood all of the time, we get that your a big supporter.Which can only mean that you are somehow profitting by his antics. That means that you are either a lawyer, newspaper man or you own an asphalt plant. Which one is it?
The simple fact that we all know is that in order for any system to work here in barrow county we need ALL incumbents out, including most especially yearwood and then hope that we get some good peopel in to replace them. The county manager system is a hedge against what is going on now, but you are right if the same people are in the commisiioner posts it really wouldnt help a whole lot. The key is to change that up and Im voting for the county manager system because I think it WILL remove a one man rule from over our heads.

#26 TickedOff on 10/24/11 at 03:53 PM [Reply]

Jack, if you are to ever be taken serious stop calling intelligent people like me and others idiots. Makes you look dumber that you are. If you notice in many of my posts I don't always defend Danny and on many occasions take him to task on issues. And no Im not "profitting" from him or this county in any way. Yet you and others want to hearld the county manager system as a white horse saviour for this county? Ya'll are dead wrong. Change the current commissioners with maybe one exception, keep Worley he actually knows how to run a city or county, just ask our neighbors in Monroe. Sweeping change and reform is what we need, but be cautious filling our county with "new" folks we know little about. If it takes couple of years to figure them out we could be worse off.(Ex. the BOE and Creel) What we need is balance. A few capable long time Barrow Countians that arent power hungry and fresh new blood to bring change and innovation. Danny didnt get us in this mess nor will he be able to get us out, but when all is said and done he cut a bunch of fat cats, trimmed budgets, got rid of those who cost us thousands in attorney fees, and didnt ask someone if he could pave a road.
Heck, not too bad if you ask me. After all this is the worst economic time this county has seen and hes kept us afloat. Does he need reelection? Probably not? But this county will be better off after his term. Like it or not.

#27 DuWayne R. Anderson on 10/25/11 at 07:13 AM [Reply]

Like it or not, support for the County Manager system of Government here in Barrow County is growing daily. I reject the blame game directed at previous administrations to somehow excuse/explain the actions/consequences of our current BOC chairman. At some point you have to take personal responsibility for what you(Yearwood)actually do in office, and stop crying about what you had to clean up from the previous administration. These days, it seems like everyone uses the blame game to defend bad decisions in office. Obama and the Democrats do it daily, and refuse to accept responsibility for their financial and economic mistakes. That is why most Democrats are putting a lot of real estate between themselves and Obama in 2012.
The message from the voters is clear; "Put on the Big Boy pants, and take responsibility for YOUR actions, and quit blaming everyone else for your mistakes, or make another career choice, before the voters do it for you......
DuWayne

#27.1 Barrow 99% on 10/26/11 at 10:08 PM [Reply]

Give them hell Obama, never quit the march 99%, truth and justice will prevail, 4 more years of a Great President.

#28 Anon.. on 10/25/11 at 08:09 AM [Reply]

Hear..Hear...well said.

#29 the on 10/25/11 at 09:09 AM [Reply]

Problem is once you give authority away to extra layer, Goverment doesnt like to give back or admit when it is not working, rather then scraping the 79 pintos we have in office we with a county manager are probably gonna wind up with a Chevy Vega with tinted windows and new tires!

not a brand new cadilac that needs to be broke in, but a broken car that has been dressed up and trotted out. for all to see while the people supposed to be leaders are leading only friends and cohorts to the county couffiers!!!!!

#30 who fills the jail? on 10/25/11 at 09:18 AM [Reply]

We hang the petty thieves and appoint the great ones to public office!!!

#31 TickedOff on 10/25/11 at 11:45 AM [Reply]

Reject the blame all you want Duwayne, those statements about past administration are true. And Dannys not the one doing the blaming. Its me. I have a HUGE problem with Garrison crapping away 8.1 million taxpayer dollars on cow pasture and fat cat builders "throwing the keys" to banks and walking awawy from tax debt. But youyou just want a county manager. Well you are gonna get your wish. Another high salary, puppet, with more problems. But then again I shouldnt expect anyone who watches newspaper polls for his platform to want anything better for this county. Are you and Lanham related?

#31.1 DuWayne R. Anderson on 10/26/11 at 06:19 AM [Reply]

You are entitled to your opinion on that subject. Your statement however, does not address my point that Yearwood must take responsibility for HIS poor decisions in office that HE made. Any new BOC Chairman will always have to deal with issues from the previous administration. Yearwood's campaign slogan was "Stop Wasteful Spending", yet by trying to personally run the day to day operations of this county, he has created an environment that has led to multiple EEOC lawsuits against this county, increased legal fees for the county attorney(costing taxpayers) in the tens of thousands of dollars, and alienated most if not all of the hourly staff and management, with his "my way or the highway" style of management that went out of style in the 70's.(do you really support that?)
Personal responsibility is the issue here, not blame game politics, which you seem to be promoting. Sorry, I am not buying it, so sell that theory to someone else. Are you willing to hold Yearwood's feet to the fire in your remarks, for HIS mistakes, and point out what HE has done wrong, or are you simply going to continue to blame everything on previous administrations, because you don't want to ruffle the political feathers of your blog buddies?
DuWayne

#32 Anon on 10/26/11 at 06:36 AM [Reply]

For the Petes sake, DuWayne, go away until elections are completed. If you want a county manager, you need to go away and stop promoting it. This is not a personal attack, you are going to ruin any chance. PLEASE DuWayne.

#32.1 DuWayne R. Anderson on 11/02/11 at 08:16 AM [Reply]

Really????? Are you kidding me?????? Put down the "koolaid" and back away slowly.....help is on the way...........

#33 Allen H. on 10/26/11 at 08:29 AM [Reply]

Ok, let's say we have a major corporation that does 32-33 million in business a year and employee over 500 people. We decide it is time to hire a new CEO. We advertise and take applications. We get some very highly qualified professionals in our corporation's line of work. We also get a used car salesman that applies.

The board of directors (BOC), who answer to the share holders (voters) start interviewing the candidates for the job. The board knows it will take a good bit more money to attract a professional in our field. A good bit more than the past CEO, but the used car salesman says he will work for much less since he has no qualifications or experience in running our type company.

After much debate, we went cheap and hired the used car salesman. We got him for a cheap price of $60K with car, etc.. We saved about $60-$70k. We also had to give a 4 year contract that we could not break or fire him.

Well, time rocks on and after a year or two, we realize that we have made a huge mistake. Our current CEO has fired all the company administrators and department heads that could offer assistance in running the company...in the name of saving our company money. However, we soon discover the car salesman is now trying to run the company all by himself without even confideing in the board of directors or the share holders. When approached with complaints and possible changes to the company policies, the CEO gets up and walks out of the board meeting...and says, I don't agree with what you are trying to do...so I won't participate.

Fellow voters, does this sound familiar...we have an opportunity to change directions here in Barrow County. Sure the county manager system is not perfect...no such thing as a perfect government. Simply, government is clumbsy, wasteful and ignorant. It may even take a couple trys to get it right...or we can stay with the status quo. It's our decision.

Remember, the people at the top of our government are the ones who mingle with business executives, industry site locators, industry and trade and others looking to establish commerce here. With a manager, we will always have continunity with these people...even if we change our elected leadership. Maybe then, we can start locating some job producing industry in this county.

Yor get what you pay for!

#33.1 Anonymous on 10/28/11 at 02:57 PM [Reply]

Is that you Allen Hackbar?

#34 be wary on 10/26/11 at 09:00 AM [Reply]

We know what we have to replace, its simple, if the case is out of control Chairman then we vote him out, not ??Hire an extra person who without the people in the voting booth having the Charter regarding the difference in this county between wht limits each and how the whole issues arising to be resolved a vote to change is like Mr Magoo voting that he doesnt need or does need glasses, this whole thing is vague and can this paper introduce the wording on what the differences as far as wording would or wouldnt resolve what some feel this Chairman is doing as opposed to if a manager was doing them!!!

#35 TickedOff on 10/26/11 at 09:52 AM [Reply]

I'll be more than happy to hold Danny and this administration accountable for his mistakes after all hes in charge. But lets take him to task on issues and areas hes failed. Lawsuits aint one of them. All those who sued Danny and this county(basically sued you and I also Duwayne) were only trying to either save their jobs or bring down Danny. Funny not a single lawsuit went against Danny or the county. Now point out a time where Danny did something illegal or hurt this county and Ill agree with you. Right now the biggest threat to this county is the commissioners. They need to go as well. And while Im at it,ALLEN we went out and hired the president of Farm Bureau, leader of 4H and real estate prostitute and we got what we paid for. We paid for an intersection at 81 and Carl Bethlehem rd. to the tune of 300K. We got 8.1 million in cow pasture and left holding the bag on 2 million+ in unpaid property taxes from his buddies. Don't forget huge raises for top admin positions. Funny the person with fatter pockets afterwards was Doug. Soooo Allen did we get what we paid for?
I actually own 2 businesses one in the city and 1 in the county. Rest assured I aint hiring a manager to be accountable to my boards and strip me of power. I make bad decisions all by myself not gonna let someone else sink my boat. Why does everyone keep dodging the elephant in the room THE COMMISSIONERS. it aint just Danny.

#35.1 Allen H. on 10/26/11 at 11:34 AM [Reply]

All good points Ticked off, however, had Dougie been a manager, we could have fired him if he did anything illegal. Remember, the voters approved the cow pasture courthouse...all the commissioners did was put it on the ballot then did the project.

You have got to remember also, that when land purchases were made a few years ago, it was in the middle of a thriving economy. Land owners were selling tracts for 30K to 50K an acre...just the going rate back then. Kind of hard to say someone paid way too much for land in a different economy.

As far as the property taxes not paid...wonder how many people could (or have) lost their jobs and still pay all the current taxes. We have an estimated unemployement rate in Barrow County of approximately 21%...thats one our of 5 people not working. These people did not cause the economy crash or have anything to do with it. They were trying to make a successful living like everyone else.

Let one or both of your business go bust because of the economy and see how tough it would be to make ends meet. We act as if these people went bust on purpose to beat the county out of taxes. The banks went bust, wouldn't loan any money to anyone...I don't care how good the credit or colladeral (sp?) you had/have.

The FDIC and Washington politicians have caused this economic crash. FDIC pays these banks 80-90% of the appraised value at the time the note was made...not the present value of the property. They also stand behind the note for the bank for 5 years. If the bank re-news the note, then that bank is now responsible for the note and loss if any. Now their is an incentative to them to re-new notes.

They are making millions by not re-newing notes because they lose the FDIC "loss share" assurance. Example, builder A has a speculation warehouse he has constructed for sale. He has done this many times and been successful in the good economy. The economy starts to fall, the note comes due and it is time to roll it over for another year. You've been paying the monthly interest all the while. Suddenly, a mainstay bank gets taken over by the FDIC...guess what, we don't want any spec. buildings. We're not going to re-new your note. Let's say the property appraised for 900K when the note was originally made, the builders balance on the note is say 600K. Bank gets a minimum of 720K for the property from the FDIC, the builder loses the land and his investment and a years worth of interest he has paid and the banks make off like crooks. Put 120K in their pockets, they now have the building, will pay back FDIC the note value when it sells, and pocket the balance again.

I don't feel sorry for the building community, however, it ain't all their fault either. Want to blame somebody for these folks not able to pay their taxes...blame the damn government.

#35.2 DuWayne R. Anderson on 10/28/11 at 12:14 PM [Reply]

He failed trying to run the day to day dept. operations. He held dept. meetings without dept. supervisors being present because he didn't trust them to toe the line. That is POOR management style. It undermines the supervisor in the eyes of his/her employees, and creates a potential hostile work environment, thus opens doors for lawsuits. It doesn't matter if the county won or lost, because every time a lawsuit is filed, the county attorney gets paid to defend the charges, baseless or not. Bottom line, if lawsuits are filed taxpayers foot the bill. It doesn't matter who wins, lawyers get paid, and taxpayer wallets are lighter. Poor management actions and policies caused these problems in the first place. Commissioners don't want to run the day to day operations of any dept.That was Chairman Yearwood's bright idea. No sir, you don't have a leg to stand on when it comes to this issue. If your going to spend the money to hire a dept. manager then let them do their job until the prove that they can't do it. Then you fire them and hire another candidate who can do the job. You don't fire the dept. manager, and then give the responsibility to a BOC Commissioner...... that's like asking a CEO of a major corporation, to do the job of a mail room supervisor because you had to fire the previous supervisor.........just doesn't fly in the REAL world.............
DuWayne

#36 TickedOff on 10/28/11 at 02:33 PM [Reply]

Preety weak response Duwayne. Poor management? The county is in the black in the midst of a horrific economic time. His style may not be popular and step on toes but it has been effective. I own two businesses and I actually am doing whatever it takes. If I need to "supervise the mail room" I can do it. Danny is in over his head, never said he wasnt. He certainly doesnt need to be reelected. But all this county manager crap is unwarranted as well. But soon and very soon you and others will get your wish when it passes. Then you'll be back on here bloviating when another good ole boy gets that job.

#37 Robert Lanham on 10/28/11 at 02:51 PM [Reply]

Ticked off - the county is not "in the black". They have spent more than they took in every year since Danny took over - and for one or two years before that. Not all Danny's fault, but he hasn't helped either.

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County spending cap violated? Invoices for road paving billed for just ...

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