County Commission March 27 2023
Chapter 1
Trilogy of Stupidity
Clayberry has three county commissioners. Each Commissioner is elected for a 6 year term.
Connie Kinder was elected 4 years ago. David Schoolcraft has been on the bench for 2 years. Finally, Joyce Johnson was elected by the voters last year and took her seat on the CCC Jan 1st.
With the exception of School Land, County Commission is the responsible party for about everything that goes on in our 342 square miles. They are also responsible for anything that goes sour. The March 27th County Commission meeting amounted to one of the least attractive displays of out of control vengeance and disregard for the future of Clayberry that we have covered in our 29 years of newspaper effort.
Truth is our future is in peril compliments the leadership provided by CCC President, Dave Schoolcraft.
Don't get us wrong, we really enjoy a good public meeting for many reasons. Sometimes that enjoyment comes for strictly entertainment value. At other times we witness something new, something changed, something that's a new direction for our Land of Little. At other times, the majority of meetings, they are just plain boring as H.
That March 27th meeting does not fit in any of those just mentioned categories. The reality is, the actions taken by Team Dave, that's a strong indication of the downward spiral coming our way under the leadership David Schoolcraft and his buddy Joyce Johnson.
For all intents and purpose, County Clay no longer has a three person Commission. Once seated as the CCC Prez and his always at his side Joyce "Brown Nose" Johnson, Commissioner Connie Kinder has been left out of the loop. With Johnson in his corner, a majority vote, Kinder's vote no longer matters. We are no longer represented by three elected officials.
Schoolcraft and Kinder are not dumbies. Kinder has years of experience at her side adding to her worth. That ain't what's at Schoolcraft's side. Dave has turned into the "it's my way or it's no way" mentality. His goal appears to be to aid his buddies at the expense of the taxpaying voters. He showed his hand on more than one occasion during the last meeting. That dictator attitude, vindictive streak, was front and center and an indication of the tailspin this county is facing.
Minus any experience, training, etc., that third Commissioner, Joyce Johnson is a big buddy loyal to Schoolcraft because of the election year push provided by the bung hole lad.
2023 was poised to be our most growth filled year ever. With the State Park becoming a reality, ERTS bringing in new $$$ from people that had never heard of County Clay, and the BC&G RR train excursions set to get underway later this year, everything was coming up roses.
All that bright future was meshed together because several govt agencies and the Elk River Foundation worked in harmony pulling together to get something nice to brighten our future.
What those agencies don't like is warring parties clashing. Agencies shy away skeered at being in the spotlight in an ugly way.
That's what is now happening compliments the March 27th Commission meeting.
As Norman D Wilson said decades back, we can F!!! up an anvil. That is what's happening right now compliments Commission Prez Dave Schoolcraft.
Clayberry has three county commissioners. Each Commissioner is elected for a 6 year term.
Connie Kinder was elected 4 years ago. David Schoolcraft has been on the bench for 2 years. Finally, Joyce Johnson was elected by the voters last year and took her seat on the CCC Jan 1st.
With the exception of School Land, County Commission is the responsible party for about everything that goes on in our 342 square miles. They are also responsible for anything that goes sour. The March 27th County Commission meeting amounted to one of the least attractive displays of out of control vengeance and disregard for the future of Clayberry that we have covered in our 29 years of newspaper effort.
Truth is our future is in peril compliments the leadership provided by CCC President, Dave Schoolcraft.
Don't get us wrong, we really enjoy a good public meeting for many reasons. Sometimes that enjoyment comes for strictly entertainment value. At other times we witness something new, something changed, something that's a new direction for our Land of Little. At other times, the majority of meetings, they are just plain boring as H.
That March 27th meeting does not fit in any of those just mentioned categories. The reality is, the actions taken by Team Dave, that's a strong indication of the downward spiral coming our way under the leadership David Schoolcraft and his buddy Joyce Johnson.
For all intents and purpose, County Clay no longer has a three person Commission. Once seated as the CCC Prez and his always at his side Joyce "Brown Nose" Johnson, Commissioner Connie Kinder has been left out of the loop. With Johnson in his corner, a majority vote, Kinder's vote no longer matters. We are no longer represented by three elected officials.
Schoolcraft and Kinder are not dumbies. Kinder has years of experience at her side adding to her worth. That ain't what's at Schoolcraft's side. Dave has turned into the "it's my way or it's no way" mentality. His goal appears to be to aid his buddies at the expense of the taxpaying voters. He showed his hand on more than one occasion during the last meeting. That dictator attitude, vindictive streak, was front and center and an indication of the tailspin this county is facing.
Minus any experience, training, etc., that third Commissioner, Joyce Johnson is a big buddy loyal to Schoolcraft because of the election year push provided by the bung hole lad.
2023 was poised to be our most growth filled year ever. With the State Park becoming a reality, ERTS bringing in new $$$ from people that had never heard of County Clay, and the BC&G RR train excursions set to get underway later this year, everything was coming up roses.
All that bright future was meshed together because several govt agencies and the Elk River Foundation worked in harmony pulling together to get something nice to brighten our future.
What those agencies don't like is warring parties clashing. Agencies shy away skeered at being in the spotlight in an ugly way.
That's what is now happening compliments the March 27th Commission meeting.
As Norman D Wilson said decades back, we can F!!! up an anvil. That is what's happening right now compliments Commission Prez Dave Schoolcraft.
Dave Schoolcraft Joyce Johnson
Chapter 11 The Blow
Up
15 or more Clayonians packed into the Commission meeting room on March 27th. Most of em had a Courthouse connection, either employed or retired from a govt job.
We knew something had run amuck as soon as Connie Kinder walked in. No other Commissioner acknowledged her existence. Not a Hi, not a Hey, nor Hello, or Howdy.
Item 7 on the agenda was to approve a lease on the recently remodeled old Senior Center over in Two Run. The motion was to lease the place for one dollar per year to Taylor Tots day care. That festering sore was broke open by Ms Kinder: the deal was for Mid Ohio Valley Council to renovate the place and then pay rent....Prestera was also interested in renting the place... Taylor Tots is not a new business (like an incubator business)... the people that remodeled the place are the same ones that own Taylor Tots.... there's a conflict of interest there..... you did NOT advertise the place being available.....
Kinder highlighted the conflict of interest charge... This is a back door deal... the motion makes no mention of them needing insurance coverage... "No one else was offered [the place]"
The vote, the dynamic duo voted for the $1 per year deal with C. Kinder a Nay. The motion passed.
See what happened readers, or at least what looked like was happening? Commissioner Schoolcraft picked out a company, someone he knows well, to make some $$$ on making interior upgrades, and then gave the same family a sweet deal on renting the place for a $1 per year.
It is our thinking, that work contract was never bid out to the public and then and then, we will add, we think the invoicing process was questionable. It is unlawful to send multi invoices in small batches as a way to get around the state mandated bidding process. That walk around of the law is called "stringing".
Down in Charleston, not so long ago, that use of stringing has been read in Charleston papers just before the company or person goes to jail. The name "Pork Chop" comes to mind up front.
Item 11 was the acceptance of 20+ year County Clerk office employee Kathy White's resignation. White was a hard worker, showed up on time, did her job, was clean and neat in appearance and set a high standard for others in the Courthouse. Ms White's departure was a shocker.
We think, she just got fed up with all the recent BS brewing behind closed doors and hit the road.
That's what happens when dismal leadership is left unchecked
Item 13 was the appointment of someone for the Housing Authority. The agenda included two names for selection, Fran King and Casey Lane. When Johnson read the agenda item she left out Ms King's name. Kinder called Johnson out on that move. You could feel the tension in the air
Kinder demanded that the motion be reread. Johnson obliged . The 2 to 1 vote went with the Duo getting who they wanted, Casey Lane.
JD Johnson is the intern 911 Director. Item 15 was to hire Issac Ramsey as a dispatcher. JD Johnson is the live in son of Commissioner Joyce Johnson. The motion passed 2 to 1 with Kinder being the lone Nay
#16 was the hiring of Tony Long as a part time EMT for the Clay Ambulance Service. During questioning by Kinder, County Clerk Connie Workman spoke up: Long had worked there before and, "was let go". We remember Mr Long being on an earlier agenda but was voted down for a job. That was back when Fran King and Kinder served on the Commission.
Bernie Howe volunteered his time writing a strategic economic development plan for Clayberry. Such a plan is needed for many grant requests. Modeled after other county plans, Howe has tried to get the CCC to accept and use the plan. During the last CCC meeting, when Howe was pressing the CCC to either approve the plan or drop it, Schoolcraft all but told Howe, sit down and shut up.
Once again the little dictator had spoken.
So incensed is Schoolcraft about anyone challenging his supreme power, for this agenda, Schoolcraft added action item 18 which was to remove Bernie Howe from the BDA, Business Development Authority.
15 or more Clayonians packed into the Commission meeting room on March 27th. Most of em had a Courthouse connection, either employed or retired from a govt job.
We knew something had run amuck as soon as Connie Kinder walked in. No other Commissioner acknowledged her existence. Not a Hi, not a Hey, nor Hello, or Howdy.
Item 7 on the agenda was to approve a lease on the recently remodeled old Senior Center over in Two Run. The motion was to lease the place for one dollar per year to Taylor Tots day care. That festering sore was broke open by Ms Kinder: the deal was for Mid Ohio Valley Council to renovate the place and then pay rent....Prestera was also interested in renting the place... Taylor Tots is not a new business (like an incubator business)... the people that remodeled the place are the same ones that own Taylor Tots.... there's a conflict of interest there..... you did NOT advertise the place being available.....
Kinder highlighted the conflict of interest charge... This is a back door deal... the motion makes no mention of them needing insurance coverage... "No one else was offered [the place]"
The vote, the dynamic duo voted for the $1 per year deal with C. Kinder a Nay. The motion passed.
See what happened readers, or at least what looked like was happening? Commissioner Schoolcraft picked out a company, someone he knows well, to make some $$$ on making interior upgrades, and then gave the same family a sweet deal on renting the place for a $1 per year.
It is our thinking, that work contract was never bid out to the public and then and then, we will add, we think the invoicing process was questionable. It is unlawful to send multi invoices in small batches as a way to get around the state mandated bidding process. That walk around of the law is called "stringing".
Down in Charleston, not so long ago, that use of stringing has been read in Charleston papers just before the company or person goes to jail. The name "Pork Chop" comes to mind up front.
Item 11 was the acceptance of 20+ year County Clerk office employee Kathy White's resignation. White was a hard worker, showed up on time, did her job, was clean and neat in appearance and set a high standard for others in the Courthouse. Ms White's departure was a shocker.
We think, she just got fed up with all the recent BS brewing behind closed doors and hit the road.
That's what happens when dismal leadership is left unchecked
Item 13 was the appointment of someone for the Housing Authority. The agenda included two names for selection, Fran King and Casey Lane. When Johnson read the agenda item she left out Ms King's name. Kinder called Johnson out on that move. You could feel the tension in the air
Kinder demanded that the motion be reread. Johnson obliged . The 2 to 1 vote went with the Duo getting who they wanted, Casey Lane.
JD Johnson is the intern 911 Director. Item 15 was to hire Issac Ramsey as a dispatcher. JD Johnson is the live in son of Commissioner Joyce Johnson. The motion passed 2 to 1 with Kinder being the lone Nay
#16 was the hiring of Tony Long as a part time EMT for the Clay Ambulance Service. During questioning by Kinder, County Clerk Connie Workman spoke up: Long had worked there before and, "was let go". We remember Mr Long being on an earlier agenda but was voted down for a job. That was back when Fran King and Kinder served on the Commission.
Bernie Howe volunteered his time writing a strategic economic development plan for Clayberry. Such a plan is needed for many grant requests. Modeled after other county plans, Howe has tried to get the CCC to accept and use the plan. During the last CCC meeting, when Howe was pressing the CCC to either approve the plan or drop it, Schoolcraft all but told Howe, sit down and shut up.
Once again the little dictator had spoken.
So incensed is Schoolcraft about anyone challenging his supreme power, for this agenda, Schoolcraft added action item 18 which was to remove Bernie Howe from the BDA, Business Development Authority.
Mitch DeBoard
Commissioner
Kinder made it clear, the BDA should not do any removing. She
added that the CCC is not allowed to remove any member from an
economic development agency.
Mitch DeBoard and Deborah Salsgiver from the BDA were in the peanut gallery for this meeting. DeBoard: I'd like a reason for his removal.
Schoolcraft: he's causing problems
DeBoard: So if he makes you mad???? He's doing the Elk River Clean Up program [this Summer]... If you get mad at me , you going to drop me off???
Schoolcraft: State Code says we can remove him.
DeBoard: This is retaliation 'cause he made you mad???
Deborah Saulsgiver is one of those persons that rarely speaks out in public, it's not in her nature. Deborah: It's hard to find volunteers. He works!
DeBoard told all ears, Schoolcraft made this decision to vote Bernie off the island and did so without input from the BDA Chair. DeBoard, "He might get on your nerves but he is trying!... You didn't talk to us... I am the BDA President and I have to speak up or I wouldn't be much of a President."
Once again, the I am in charge of this world and I have the 2nd vote in my pocket, Schoolcraft was showing his true stripes.
In this one instance with all eyes on him, Schoolcraft was out on the thin limb, he didn't get his authoritarian way. Schoolcraft decided he would table this motion "for now".
This county has relied on the Regional Intergovernmental Council to write govt grants and hold the CCC hands as they are guided the mess of rules and regulations surrounding all govt $$$$. Terry Martin and before him John Romano has been the guiding hand. Both have been very successful in bringing home the bacon for wawa, sewer, and many other grants over the last 40 years.
Schoolcraft has a stick up his butt against Terry Martin.
Agenda item 24 was the hiring of the JHS Group to handle future grants. Kinder was having no part of the inside deal. Kinder was real upset over the hiring for several reasons including: You want to vote on this deal and do so without a written contract.... they want 28% of every grant dollar for their services. 28%!... This is not black and white!... Why give away 28% [of every grant dollar]????.... Also, they demand we hire a project manager, where do those dollars come from???
Out in the open, away from the cover of darkness, Commissioner Schoolcraft tried his hand with : they do the work and the CCC submits the grants.. why not give em a try??... we pay nothing unless we get the grant ...
Mitch DeBoard: Terry Martin does a good job... why pay for those JHS people..... Joyce Johnson ran [for office] on being a grant writer!
No matter what the reasoning, Schoolcraft and Brown Nose Johnson banded together over the objections of Kinder and those in the peanut gallery and hire JHS.
You know folks, this sounds like some kind of inside job. Most of those inside deals amount to, you scratch my back and I'll scratch yours. Somewhere in the meeting, Schooclraft admitted, he had spoke to Delegate Hanshaw about JHS. Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmm...
On the clayberry website we have mentioned backdoor dealings on Team Schoolcraft sticking those noses in on the negotiations of the CMI group trying to purchase a building in the downtown section of Clayberry. CMI, those are the folks running the military training center on the old Fola mine site, want to set up office space for themselves, a commercial kitchen / restaurant and maybe even some hotel rooms for their visitors.
During a recent BDA meeting, Chair DeBoard accused Schoolcraft of meddling where he didn't belong and possibly screwing up a deal to lure CMI into town. During that finger pointing, Schoolcraft did not deny the accusations.
Item 25 was the purchase of the old RT Sizemore grocery store property for $150,000. The dynamic duo wanted a Yes vote without a written contract in hand. All H broke lose.
Two things came out during the word battle. One, there had been a bunch of backroom discussions where Johnson admitted they she had been the one meddling in the CMI process. Two, Johnson displayed her shear lack of public skill with, "It only takes two votes!"
Her hand was shown. She didn't give a hoot about anything other than keeping her nose up Schoolcraft's hind end.
Things got hotter. Kinder: there has to be communications between all three of us!
And then came Johnson facing directly at Kinder: You have done an about face!!!! Let me Talk!! I went to Jim Smith! several times... YOU KNEW I WAS WORKING ON IT!!
Kinder: Why is this on the agenda.. there is no contract!
Things got red hot. The voice battle continued until until until...
County Clerk Connie Workman is reserved with her words. Been that way for her 25 years in that office. When asked, she answers questions. Rarely does she stand out. Never does she yell at anybody about anything.
Here it comes readers.
Connie Workman stood. She smacked her hands together. Workman, " ENOUGH IS ENOUGH !!!!!!"
Jaws fell open. There was silence for a brief second. Finally Schoolcraft called for a vote. Schoolcraft and Johnson in favor of the $150,000 purchase and Kinder, no way Jose.
See what happened?
Commercial property that has been taxed for decades, it is now off the tax books. That means someone has to make up the difference. Get out your mirror readers and look at yourself. That's who is going to make up the difference, you and me.
Mitch DeBoard and Deborah Salsgiver from the BDA were in the peanut gallery for this meeting. DeBoard: I'd like a reason for his removal.
Schoolcraft: he's causing problems
DeBoard: So if he makes you mad???? He's doing the Elk River Clean Up program [this Summer]... If you get mad at me , you going to drop me off???
Schoolcraft: State Code says we can remove him.
DeBoard: This is retaliation 'cause he made you mad???
Deborah Saulsgiver is one of those persons that rarely speaks out in public, it's not in her nature. Deborah: It's hard to find volunteers. He works!
DeBoard told all ears, Schoolcraft made this decision to vote Bernie off the island and did so without input from the BDA Chair. DeBoard, "He might get on your nerves but he is trying!... You didn't talk to us... I am the BDA President and I have to speak up or I wouldn't be much of a President."
Once again, the I am in charge of this world and I have the 2nd vote in my pocket, Schoolcraft was showing his true stripes.
In this one instance with all eyes on him, Schoolcraft was out on the thin limb, he didn't get his authoritarian way. Schoolcraft decided he would table this motion "for now".
This county has relied on the Regional Intergovernmental Council to write govt grants and hold the CCC hands as they are guided the mess of rules and regulations surrounding all govt $$$$. Terry Martin and before him John Romano has been the guiding hand. Both have been very successful in bringing home the bacon for wawa, sewer, and many other grants over the last 40 years.
Schoolcraft has a stick up his butt against Terry Martin.
Agenda item 24 was the hiring of the JHS Group to handle future grants. Kinder was having no part of the inside deal. Kinder was real upset over the hiring for several reasons including: You want to vote on this deal and do so without a written contract.... they want 28% of every grant dollar for their services. 28%!... This is not black and white!... Why give away 28% [of every grant dollar]????.... Also, they demand we hire a project manager, where do those dollars come from???
Out in the open, away from the cover of darkness, Commissioner Schoolcraft tried his hand with : they do the work and the CCC submits the grants.. why not give em a try??... we pay nothing unless we get the grant ...
Mitch DeBoard: Terry Martin does a good job... why pay for those JHS people..... Joyce Johnson ran [for office] on being a grant writer!
No matter what the reasoning, Schoolcraft and Brown Nose Johnson banded together over the objections of Kinder and those in the peanut gallery and hire JHS.
You know folks, this sounds like some kind of inside job. Most of those inside deals amount to, you scratch my back and I'll scratch yours. Somewhere in the meeting, Schooclraft admitted, he had spoke to Delegate Hanshaw about JHS. Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmm...
On the clayberry website we have mentioned backdoor dealings on Team Schoolcraft sticking those noses in on the negotiations of the CMI group trying to purchase a building in the downtown section of Clayberry. CMI, those are the folks running the military training center on the old Fola mine site, want to set up office space for themselves, a commercial kitchen / restaurant and maybe even some hotel rooms for their visitors.
During a recent BDA meeting, Chair DeBoard accused Schoolcraft of meddling where he didn't belong and possibly screwing up a deal to lure CMI into town. During that finger pointing, Schoolcraft did not deny the accusations.
Item 25 was the purchase of the old RT Sizemore grocery store property for $150,000. The dynamic duo wanted a Yes vote without a written contract in hand. All H broke lose.
Two things came out during the word battle. One, there had been a bunch of backroom discussions where Johnson admitted they she had been the one meddling in the CMI process. Two, Johnson displayed her shear lack of public skill with, "It only takes two votes!"
Her hand was shown. She didn't give a hoot about anything other than keeping her nose up Schoolcraft's hind end.
Things got hotter. Kinder: there has to be communications between all three of us!
And then came Johnson facing directly at Kinder: You have done an about face!!!! Let me Talk!! I went to Jim Smith! several times... YOU KNEW I WAS WORKING ON IT!!
Kinder: Why is this on the agenda.. there is no contract!
Things got red hot. The voice battle continued until until until...
County Clerk Connie Workman is reserved with her words. Been that way for her 25 years in that office. When asked, she answers questions. Rarely does she stand out. Never does she yell at anybody about anything.
Here it comes readers.
Connie Workman stood. She smacked her hands together. Workman, " ENOUGH IS ENOUGH !!!!!!"
Jaws fell open. There was silence for a brief second. Finally Schoolcraft called for a vote. Schoolcraft and Johnson in favor of the $150,000 purchase and Kinder, no way Jose.
See what happened?
Commercial property that has been taxed for decades, it is now off the tax books. That means someone has to make up the difference. Get out your mirror readers and look at yourself. That's who is going to make up the difference, you and me.
Mike Scott
Now for
the final item on the agenda, fulfilling a campaign promise,
giving 911 employees a $5 per hour pay raise. That motion was
on the agenda back in Dec 2022. It failed with then
Commissioner Fran King and Connie Kinder voting no and saying:
that would be unfair for every other county employee coming up
empty handed.
OK, for this meeting, the grand feature
Mike Scott is a head honcho of the Clay Fire Dept and is on a little known group called Clayberry Enhanced 911 Communications Advisory Board. Scott provided the CCC with a signed letter from that group supporting: new hires come in at $14 /hr ; when a newbee gets certified, that rate will go to $15 / hr; full time certified employees start at $16 / hr; shift leads will garner $1 more per hour; Director will be $20 per hour; and there will be a 20 cent per hour increase when the motion is approved
Note: the 911 account has almost $1million saved up so money ain't the issue
Kinder agreed the dispatchers work hard but the County can't afford to pay their jail bill and other employees need raises too. She brought up that campaign promise by Schoolcraft to get Johnson elected last year.
In a bit of theater, Schoolcraft asked two dispatchers (in attendance), did I offer you $5 per hour? Both said NO in no uncertain terms. But then, from the front row, a young man spoke up with: I know where you're getting that $5 increase from. It came from my mouth and was tape recorded.
Schoolcraft referred to Kinder as having a school teacher attitude. Not sure what he meant but Commissioner Kinder wasn't taking any of that crapola and replied: Dave Schoolcraft told me if I didn't vote for the raise he would vote against my broadband enhancement motions.... to either vote with him or the county suffers.
Gulp!
Kinder: I will NOT be threatened and said something about backdoor politics
Speaker Mike Scott agreed that others (Black Shirts) are not paid enough but there is enough funds to pay dispatchers.
Ahhhh.. no one brought up or even mentioned how many if any of the dispatchers are fully certified.
Schoolcraft tried to dispute Ms Kinder's words but shot himself in the foot. In effect, he actually acknowledged the backroom discussion brought up by Kinder.
Schoolcraft: We don't have the money for others.. Why punish the 911 dispatchers???
The vote came. Because her son works as 911 Director, Commissioner Johnson had to abstain from the vote. That vote was a tie, Schoolcraft in favor and Kinder a Nay.
Time for another try. This time around, the part about $20 per hour for the 911 Director was left out of the motion. On this vote, you guessed it, the Dynamic Duo approved the motion. Connie Kinder voted against the increase.
A little after 6pm, 60 some minutes into public time, the March 27th County Commission meeting went into recess.
The nastiness of Clayberry politics was laid wide open. With such out of control, misguided leadership, our future just got a little darker.
OK, for this meeting, the grand feature
Mike Scott is a head honcho of the Clay Fire Dept and is on a little known group called Clayberry Enhanced 911 Communications Advisory Board. Scott provided the CCC with a signed letter from that group supporting: new hires come in at $14 /hr ; when a newbee gets certified, that rate will go to $15 / hr; full time certified employees start at $16 / hr; shift leads will garner $1 more per hour; Director will be $20 per hour; and there will be a 20 cent per hour increase when the motion is approved
Note: the 911 account has almost $1million saved up so money ain't the issue
Kinder agreed the dispatchers work hard but the County can't afford to pay their jail bill and other employees need raises too. She brought up that campaign promise by Schoolcraft to get Johnson elected last year.
In a bit of theater, Schoolcraft asked two dispatchers (in attendance), did I offer you $5 per hour? Both said NO in no uncertain terms. But then, from the front row, a young man spoke up with: I know where you're getting that $5 increase from. It came from my mouth and was tape recorded.
Schoolcraft referred to Kinder as having a school teacher attitude. Not sure what he meant but Commissioner Kinder wasn't taking any of that crapola and replied: Dave Schoolcraft told me if I didn't vote for the raise he would vote against my broadband enhancement motions.... to either vote with him or the county suffers.
Gulp!
Kinder: I will NOT be threatened and said something about backdoor politics
Speaker Mike Scott agreed that others (Black Shirts) are not paid enough but there is enough funds to pay dispatchers.
Ahhhh.. no one brought up or even mentioned how many if any of the dispatchers are fully certified.
Schoolcraft tried to dispute Ms Kinder's words but shot himself in the foot. In effect, he actually acknowledged the backroom discussion brought up by Kinder.
Schoolcraft: We don't have the money for others.. Why punish the 911 dispatchers???
The vote came. Because her son works as 911 Director, Commissioner Johnson had to abstain from the vote. That vote was a tie, Schoolcraft in favor and Kinder a Nay.
Time for another try. This time around, the part about $20 per hour for the 911 Director was left out of the motion. On this vote, you guessed it, the Dynamic Duo approved the motion. Connie Kinder voted against the increase.
A little after 6pm, 60 some minutes into public time, the March 27th County Commission meeting went into recess.
The nastiness of Clayberry politics was laid wide open. With such out of control, misguided leadership, our future just got a little darker.
Chapter 111 Fall Out
has Begun
If you think the damage was all done, you'd be wrong. As the peanut gallery was leaving, Clerk Connie Workman came back into the room and announced, she would be resigning from service at the end of May 2023. Her eyes were puffy.
Such a loss is enormous for County Clay. Workman knows every corner, every file, in the Clerk's office. Her 23 years of experience will be missed.
We will miss something else. It has been Workman that has kept Commissioners in line and following the law. Workman has been the checks and balance for the operation.
With Workman leaving and Asst Clerk Cathy White already bailed out, we see a pattern here. We think both women are tired of the backroom bull shirt that's been going on for three months.
There might be something else too. Our guess, when people get caught breaking the law, bending the law, they don't want any part of it not the above the fold newspaper spotlight.
If you see suits coming and going in the next few weeks, that might be State regulators and investors digging deep into where the money has been spent, misspent.
One final note on the immaturity and dimly lit Commissioner Joyce Johnson. In one of those unlawful closed door huddles, sweet wittle Brown Nose Johnson called the Ace Cub Reporter a "fat little F***er". Anybody with any sense or any experience with this County knows, just give it a day or two, the word does leak out.
Also, it was Ms Johnson that came up with the plan to stuff their entire wish list on one agenda. With the thinking being, with so much on the agenda, they can't argue over every single item.
The County Commission is a real cluster. With their disregard for operating above board and childish behavior, it's bound to get worser. Welcome to the Land of Little with no bright future ahead.
From Robert A Heinlein: Never underestimate the power of human stupidity.
AW
If you think the damage was all done, you'd be wrong. As the peanut gallery was leaving, Clerk Connie Workman came back into the room and announced, she would be resigning from service at the end of May 2023. Her eyes were puffy.
Such a loss is enormous for County Clay. Workman knows every corner, every file, in the Clerk's office. Her 23 years of experience will be missed.
We will miss something else. It has been Workman that has kept Commissioners in line and following the law. Workman has been the checks and balance for the operation.
With Workman leaving and Asst Clerk Cathy White already bailed out, we see a pattern here. We think both women are tired of the backroom bull shirt that's been going on for three months.
There might be something else too. Our guess, when people get caught breaking the law, bending the law, they don't want any part of it not the above the fold newspaper spotlight.
If you see suits coming and going in the next few weeks, that might be State regulators and investors digging deep into where the money has been spent, misspent.
One final note on the immaturity and dimly lit Commissioner Joyce Johnson. In one of those unlawful closed door huddles, sweet wittle Brown Nose Johnson called the Ace Cub Reporter a "fat little F***er". Anybody with any sense or any experience with this County knows, just give it a day or two, the word does leak out.
Also, it was Ms Johnson that came up with the plan to stuff their entire wish list on one agenda. With the thinking being, with so much on the agenda, they can't argue over every single item.
The County Commission is a real cluster. With their disregard for operating above board and childish behavior, it's bound to get worser. Welcome to the Land of Little with no bright future ahead.
From Robert A Heinlein: Never underestimate the power of human stupidity.
AW