Since everything is still a repeat and I needed some humor in my life,I watched the commission meeting last night. It was obvious the lord mayor was holding commission hostage. He did not show up and had his secretary tell commission that they had no right to know who the new budget director will be unless they refuse to put the 1981 act in effect and keep operating under the 1957 act. She held the resume in her hand and refused to let the commission see it. Wow, what balls!!! Why does the mayor want to keep his power? Mr. Ragsdale is looking for a job and he has some employees who can fill these positions. They would fit right in.
The 1981 act is the way to go. It seems to have a better balance between policy making (the commission) and the implementation (the administration) particularly in spending matters. It seems to be the difference between 1957 Boss politics and 1981 Participatory politics.
Commissioners on the committee to study the various budget acts include: Iwanski, Hitchcock, Bolling, and Wandell.
I think it is funny that the school board was advised Thursday night at the school board meeting that it would be better to remain under the 57 Act, which prompted both the Director of Schools, V.L. Stonecipher, and the chairman of the school board, Dr. John Burrell, to write letters to commissioners, as well as the press.
Then, Monday night our elected mayor's assistant refused to name the new budget director after learning of commission's plans to study the various budget acts as she clutched the envelope close to her bosom! I would say that took brass knockers on the part of the mayor and his assistant! It kind of reminded me of the neighborhood kid that throws a tantrum if he/she doesn't get his/her way. Everyone knows what happens to that kid! Maybe the commissioners should look into whether or not they can vote themselves the power to hire all of the high ranking (non-elected) positions, at least that way the public would be more aware of those being interviewed. Maybe this little act of defiance should be presented to the ethics committee.
This whole situation sounds like a no brainer to me. The 1981 Act gives commission the ability to hire the budget director and appoint the budget committee. Since the commission has to be held accountable for the budget should they not have control? As far as Ms. Leonard's little move last night I have no idea why she wasn't called down on it. Those resumes are public record and commission has the right to see anything they request. Let's not get into turning it over the the Ethics Committee. What an oxy-moron name for a committee made up of only county officials and employees. The only one missing on that committee is the CHUMP. Wonder why the lord mayor didn't appoint him? The man who has to make the legal decisions and possibly take legal action is also on the committee as the ombudsman. Boy, nothing like wearing two hats.
That two hat issue bothers me too, PI! I did notice while reading the TN Code regarding the county attorney that if the attorney hired in that position doesn't live in the county hired, he/she should make arrangements to become a resident within six months. Did you know our county attorney is not a county resident?
Citizens should also do their own study of the budget acts and make sure to contact their commissioner with comments and suggestions. The school system and mayor have made their wishes known. Now we'll see if Hitchcock can think for himself or go with his boss's request.
I think that six months has been overlooked in this case. No one seems to want to ask the hard questions and be the heavy here. What you don't know won't hurt you philosophy, or should I say ignorance is bliss. When Knox County wanted to put into effect that if you were associated with the county then you were not able to run for commission I thought that was a great idea. I think that should be done on a state level saying all counties must abide by it. It is strange that Whitey Hitchcock was even put on that committee since he has a personal interest there. You have to be able to look beyond your nose and sometimes our commission is unable to do that. I do agree with you though about having the citizens look into it themselves. They can be a part of cleaning up government by pushing their commissioners to change to the 1981 Act and try to put some sense of order back into the county. Will this Act give the commission control over other positions also? Maybe that is why the lord mayor is bucking it so hard.
Today was a day meeting for Anderson County Commission. All commissioners were present for the meeting to approve the final budget for the new fiscal year. I must say that the commissioners seem to be more united in working for the common goal of running the county, however, there were a few throwing a wrench in the meeting. The biggest came at the end of the meeting when Chris Phillips, county financial director extraordinare, stated that he had not figured in Social Security nor retirement into the budgeted expense for employee raises. Mr. Wandell called him on it by pointing out that those figures would be useful information and that commissioners need that information to make decisions. My question, how many screw ups does Mr. Phillips get? Isn't this number 2?
When you hire someone inexperienced and unqualified this is what you get. How many screw ups, as many as he wants. Wonder if he figured out he was thrown to the wolves by the mayor by sending him in and not showing up for the meeting about the use of the rainy day fund. Then the mayor makes his grand standing.