JAMES MADISON QUOTE - 1822

"A popular government without popular information, or the means of acquiring it, is but a Prologue to a Farce or a Tragedy; or, perhaps both. Knowledge will forever govern ignorance; and a people who mean to be their own governors must arm themselves with the power knowledge gives."

SCOTTSBORO WEATHER - SUN & MOON RISE

Tuesday, September 9, 2008

Jackson County Commission and Open Government



Unknown artist, Dog and Pony Show - Fair Use for non-profit news and commentary.


Dog and Pony show politics at the Jackson County Courthouse
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According to the Jackson Co Commission's Attorney in a letter dated July 17, 2008, per direction of the Chairman of the County Commission, balances of money in the commission accounts or fund balances are not "public writings or public records." The Jackson County Commission's balances are simply, "information." "The amount of money in any particular bank account of the county commission on any particular date is not a public writing," public record. Very convenient, particularly if you are a crook. State Auditors comments concerning the commissions accounts, "Beginning account balances were changed with no explanation or audit trail. In addition, several entries to the prior period adjustments were noted that were inappropriate." (audit #07-585) Sounds as if the books are being "cooked."
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No wonder the local Democrats in the Courthouse need to paint concerned individuals as being terrorist associated with Timothy McVea. It would seem those concerned citizens have turned up a den of either crooked politicians or a bunch of ignorant folks in political office that have no idea of reasonable, accountable, open government. Those crooked politicians or ignorant folks are called our county commissioners.
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Another question arises, why would the Jackson County Commission intentionally omit a member of the commission from the auditors out brief? The commission held the state auditor out brief in secret. They contend the public has no right to be present at the auditors out briefing. No press, no public and the exclusion of a commissioner. The Jackson County Commission leaves their stamp on open government. Unfortunately the press does not seem to care that the audit out brief was conducted in such a fashion.
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James Tidmore, the Commission Chairman, had this reply to me yesterday concerning opening the accounting records of the county commission to public scrutiny. "I don't have to provide account balances to the public, I'm not required to place account balances in a notebook for public view." Thank goodness this person will be out of office in the near future. At one time I supported James Tidmore, that was a mistake.
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Kind of like Lowell Barron and his disposition of TVA in lieu of tax revenue being utilized as the delegation members see fit beyond the scope of public scrutiny, no deliberative process no oversight, just the abuse and misdirection of public funds for the purpose of reelection of the delegation.
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In the words of many local Democrats, "Why I'd elect the devil before a Republican." Yes local Democrats many of you seem to care less over the principles of our Republic and have chose a course of "the devil" for the Jackson County Commission. Now we will see very soon if the next commission does any better.

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