Sunday, December 18, 2011
Freedom of Information
The Transparency Committee has requested and received information leading up to the Public Hearing held 5 Dec 2011. We will be reviewing this information and will post our findings on this blog.
Keep it clean
This posting is being written to respond to the front page article “County; Keep it Clean” in the Fri, 16 Dec issue of the Tunica Times. I hope this letter will clarify the research the Transparency Committee did in preparation for this Public Hearing.
Our Committee reads the legal notices in the newspaper on a regular basis. When we noticed the resolution by the Board of Supervisors to hold a Public Hearing concerning the clean-up of property leased by Ed Walls, we thought that perhaps this was the first time this type of resolution by the Board of Supervisors had been posted in the Tunica Times. So, we researched each and every copy of the newspaper back to Nov 2010. We were correct. The Tunica County Board of Supervisors has discussed many properties that needed attention but they have not posted a legal notice in the newspaper about cleaning up those properties between Nov 2010 and 2 Dec 2011, except for the properties leased by Mr. Walls. We stand to be corrected if someone has other information.
As for the Public Hearing, Mr. Jewelie Brown, the Tunica County Code Enforcer, read more then a few names of properties that needed cleaning-up throughout the County. None of these residents have been posted in the newspaper by the Board of Supervisors so why was Mr. Walls? As a matter of fact, this Public Hearing was announced to specifically address the property leased by Mr. Walls. Therefore, discussing other properties during the Public Hearing was out of line.
Another paragraph in this article stated: “Beat 2 Supervisor Cedric Burnett asked if the tax obligations would fall on the tenant or the property owner.” Are you kidding me? Since when is a renter obligated to pay the property tax? Maybe I should rephrase this statement: Maybe the Beat 2 Supervisor is unaware of this logical conclusion because the last time I looked, his mother was still the taxpayer on the house and property he says he lives in.
All in all, I will stand by my statement. The actions of the Tunica County Board of Supervisors and the treatment of Mr. Walls by you during the 5 Dec 2011 Public Hearing “makes me think you are picking on Mr. Walls.
Our Committee reads the legal notices in the newspaper on a regular basis. When we noticed the resolution by the Board of Supervisors to hold a Public Hearing concerning the clean-up of property leased by Ed Walls, we thought that perhaps this was the first time this type of resolution by the Board of Supervisors had been posted in the Tunica Times. So, we researched each and every copy of the newspaper back to Nov 2010. We were correct. The Tunica County Board of Supervisors has discussed many properties that needed attention but they have not posted a legal notice in the newspaper about cleaning up those properties between Nov 2010 and 2 Dec 2011, except for the properties leased by Mr. Walls. We stand to be corrected if someone has other information.
As for the Public Hearing, Mr. Jewelie Brown, the Tunica County Code Enforcer, read more then a few names of properties that needed cleaning-up throughout the County. None of these residents have been posted in the newspaper by the Board of Supervisors so why was Mr. Walls? As a matter of fact, this Public Hearing was announced to specifically address the property leased by Mr. Walls. Therefore, discussing other properties during the Public Hearing was out of line.
Another paragraph in this article stated: “Beat 2 Supervisor Cedric Burnett asked if the tax obligations would fall on the tenant or the property owner.” Are you kidding me? Since when is a renter obligated to pay the property tax? Maybe I should rephrase this statement: Maybe the Beat 2 Supervisor is unaware of this logical conclusion because the last time I looked, his mother was still the taxpayer on the house and property he says he lives in.
All in all, I will stand by my statement. The actions of the Tunica County Board of Supervisors and the treatment of Mr. Walls by you during the 5 Dec 2011 Public Hearing “makes me think you are picking on Mr. Walls.
Monday, December 5, 2011
Harassment by Spotlight
That's right...spotlight.
Last Friday morning at 12:29a a Sheriff's car stopped in front of our house and shined a spotlight into our glass front door for 16 minutes. Since I was sitting not 6 feet from the front door, I got up and waved to the officer to show him or her that the person they were watching was in fact me. This didn't stop them either. Don't they have anything better to do? Geez.
This incident has been verified by the Sheriff's office as activity from each vehicle is recorded. The Sheriff's office cannot tell me the name of the officer who wasted our money or can they tell me who directed this officer to come by our house and waste our money shining a spotlight in our front door. I have been told the officer is being disiplined.
What a bunch of juvenile delinquents.
Last Friday morning at 12:29a a Sheriff's car stopped in front of our house and shined a spotlight into our glass front door for 16 minutes. Since I was sitting not 6 feet from the front door, I got up and waved to the officer to show him or her that the person they were watching was in fact me. This didn't stop them either. Don't they have anything better to do? Geez.
This incident has been verified by the Sheriff's office as activity from each vehicle is recorded. The Sheriff's office cannot tell me the name of the officer who wasted our money or can they tell me who directed this officer to come by our house and waste our money shining a spotlight in our front door. I have been told the officer is being disiplined.
What a bunch of juvenile delinquents.
Thursday, December 1, 2011
Code of Ethics for County Officials
Have been searching for a document I promised to one of our newly elected officials. Came upon the following from the National Association of Counties (NACo). Thought this might be helpful for our county as a whole. Here's the document:
"NACo Code of Ethics for County Officials
Preamble:
The National Association of Counties (NACo)is committed to the highest standards of conduct by and among county officials in the performance of their public duties. Individual and collective adherence to high ethical standards by public officials is central to the maintenance of public trust and confidence in government.
While county officials agree on the need for proper conduct, they may experience personal conflict or (a) differing view of values or loyalties.
In such cases the priciples contained in this Code of Ethics provide valuable guidance in reaching decisions which are governed, ultimately, by the dictates of the individual conscience of the public official and his or her commitment to the public good.
Certain of these ethical principles are best expressed as positive statements: actions which should be taken; courses which should be followed; goals which should permeate both public and private conduct. Other principles are expressed as negative statements: actions to be avoided and conduct to be condemned.
The Code of Ethics for County Officials has been created by and for elected county officials. However, these priciples apply to the day to day conduct of both elected and appointed officials and employees of county government.
NACo recognizes that this Code of Ethics should serve as a valuable reference guide for all those in whom the public has placed its trust.
Ethical Principles
The ethical county official SHOULD:
*Properly administer the affairs of the county.
*Promote decisions which only benefit the public interest.
*Actively promote public confidence in county government.
*Keep safe all funds and other properties of the county.
*Conduct and perform the duties of the office diligently and promptly dispose of the business of the county.
*Maintain a positive image to pass constant public scrutiny.
*Evaluate all decisions so that the best service or product is obtained at a minimal cost without sacrificing quality and fiscal resposibility.
*Inject the prestige of the office into everyday dealings with the public employees and associates.
*Maintain a respectful attitude toward employees, other public officials, colleagues and associates.
*Effectively and efficiently work with governmental agencies, political subdivisions and other organizations in order to further the interest of the county.
*Faithfully comply with all laws and regulations applicable to the county and impartially apply them to everyone.
The ethical county official SHOULD NOT:
*Engage in outside interest that are not compatible with the impartial and objective performance of his or her duties.
*Improperly influence or attempt to infulence other officials to act in his or her own benefit.
*Accept anything of value from any source which is offered to influence his or her action as a public official."
"NACo Code of Ethics for County Officials
Preamble:
The National Association of Counties (NACo)is committed to the highest standards of conduct by and among county officials in the performance of their public duties. Individual and collective adherence to high ethical standards by public officials is central to the maintenance of public trust and confidence in government.
While county officials agree on the need for proper conduct, they may experience personal conflict or (a) differing view of values or loyalties.
In such cases the priciples contained in this Code of Ethics provide valuable guidance in reaching decisions which are governed, ultimately, by the dictates of the individual conscience of the public official and his or her commitment to the public good.
Certain of these ethical principles are best expressed as positive statements: actions which should be taken; courses which should be followed; goals which should permeate both public and private conduct. Other principles are expressed as negative statements: actions to be avoided and conduct to be condemned.
The Code of Ethics for County Officials has been created by and for elected county officials. However, these priciples apply to the day to day conduct of both elected and appointed officials and employees of county government.
NACo recognizes that this Code of Ethics should serve as a valuable reference guide for all those in whom the public has placed its trust.
Ethical Principles
The ethical county official SHOULD:
*Properly administer the affairs of the county.
*Promote decisions which only benefit the public interest.
*Actively promote public confidence in county government.
*Keep safe all funds and other properties of the county.
*Conduct and perform the duties of the office diligently and promptly dispose of the business of the county.
*Maintain a positive image to pass constant public scrutiny.
*Evaluate all decisions so that the best service or product is obtained at a minimal cost without sacrificing quality and fiscal resposibility.
*Inject the prestige of the office into everyday dealings with the public employees and associates.
*Maintain a respectful attitude toward employees, other public officials, colleagues and associates.
*Effectively and efficiently work with governmental agencies, political subdivisions and other organizations in order to further the interest of the county.
*Faithfully comply with all laws and regulations applicable to the county and impartially apply them to everyone.
The ethical county official SHOULD NOT:
*Engage in outside interest that are not compatible with the impartial and objective performance of his or her duties.
*Improperly influence or attempt to infulence other officials to act in his or her own benefit.
*Accept anything of value from any source which is offered to influence his or her action as a public official."
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