Oh please....Last night at the meeting there was an agenda item under Old Business.
This item was to "Consider Circuit Judge order for Administrators of the Court (AOC)."
Guess what my Supervisor wanted to do? He wanted to tell the Judge we can't afford it. After this order was explained to Burnett, he voted no.
Excuse me? This is an order from the Court. You don't get to decide if you want to comply.
Wednesday, November 26, 2014
Request for Appointment at a BOS's Meeting
25 Nov 2014: Board of Supervisors’ Public Hearing Meeting @ 5p
Thank you for the appointment this evening.
We have 1 subject in our presentation tonight. This presentation is about the recent
publication pertaining to agenda items.
First, a bit of background:
I.
Previously, this Committee has reported to you
and asked for your continued vigilance when approving grants. Our report included a statement about even
100% grants not being free to the County.
II.
I’ve
examined the Public Records for Aug 2014 and found the following in the 4 Aug
2014 BOS’s Meeting. (This information is
recorded in Book 165 on page 485):
- 6-30kw generator for traffic
lights: $188,000
- Federal share: 75%
- Tunica County share: 25%
- 1-150kw generator for Robinsonville Community Center: $74,000
- Federal share: 75%
- Tunica County share: 25%
- 3-Retrofit 3 Community Centers with Safe Room: Dundee, White Oak and Robinsonville: $500,000
- Federal share: 75%
- Tunica County share: 25%
- Construction of new Tunica County Emergency Operations Center: $350,000
- Federal share: 75%
- Tunica County share: 25%
- 5 Laptop Computers and 6 Window 7
upgrades for Emergency Operations Center Communications Room: $5889.00
All Supervisors voted in favor of these grants and the resulting
expenditures. These grants will cost the
County at least $283,889.00.
This is the result of
documentation not being submitted for vetting before the Supervisors are asked
to vote on expenses. With these results,
it is understandable that the County Administrator would ask for a 2 week review
of internal documents before presentation at a BOS’s Meeting.
However, it is hard to imagine
that a citizen’s request for an appointment needs to fall under these
guidelines. Mr. Thompson, would you
please consider going back to the 72 hour deadline for citizen’s requests for
an appointment?
(Answer: Yes, as long as we are not asking the Supervisors to vote or make a decision on what is being presented.)
(Answer: Yes, as long as we are not asking the Supervisors to vote or make a decision on what is being presented.)
Could we agree that a citizen
can either call Vanessa and ask her to fill-out the top of your form or come by
the office and fill it out themselves…all within the 72 hour deadline?
(Answer: Yes.)
(Answer: Yes.)
Tuesday, November 25, 2014
An Opinion from Bob
As children, we were taught to do as we are told rather than to
think for ourselves. As teens, we tried
to think for ourselves with typical naiveté and often with disastrous results.
Now that we are adults, thinking for ourselves is required. Yet, we seem to not know the rules for doing
so. In consequence, we are led by a few
disgruntled souls. We are their tools
spreading their trash rather than being those who pursue facts and the truth.
The rules are simple.
First is the foundation, to gather facts. This is usually followed by critical
thinking. That is, to analyze the
facts. This means to ask: what is their
accuracy, their appropriateness to the issue, and their validity. More steps follow these two steps but we can
stop here for the moment.
For too many months there has been an astounding number of
our citizens railing against several of our Supervisors. Then there are the wild statements about our
County Administrator. We also remember
how Mr. Wiley was treated. Who is orchestrating this folly? Where are their facts? Why are they not in the open debating the
issues and presenting their case? A
worse question is why are so many of our citizens repeating their unfounded and
abusive remarks? Are we followers who
move along without thought, soaking up their bilge, helping them achieve their agenda? Are we satisfied with their unfounded
stories, their innuendo rather than fact?
We do not know why they are behaving in this vengeful manner. However, we should be asking them to come out
of the shadows.
The only factual statement I have heard is, “He does not live here.” That is a fact about Mr. Thompson’s place of
residence. How that disqualifies him,
somehow puts his solid qualifications in doubt, becomes grounds for rejecting
what he has found in this County’s finances takes us back to our teen years; our
years of being ineffective, immature, and led by fads and gossip.
Seek the facts.
Share them. Explore them for the
truth. Debunk those whose stories from
“credible sources” are worse than fiction.
In short, when you are drowning and a boat comes along in the raging
waters and you are invited to come aboard and help paddle to safety, do not
reject the offer because you heard that those in the boat have not the
qualifications to lead us to solid financial ground.
Friday, November 14, 2014
When will Hamp just admit he was wrong????
I am amazed at the comments attributed to the Tunica County Sheriff in the 14 Nov 2014 issue of the Tunica Times article: "Circuit trial reverses Thompson verdict."
"Sheriff K.C. Hamp said he was not surprised by the verdict, citing Walls' background as a defense attorney prior to being elected as judge.
'He heard it with a defense (attorney's) ear and came up with a verdict,' Hamp said. 'The facts and law remain the same.'
Hamp said witness testimony and evidence presented was gathered during an investigation conducted by the state attorney general's office."
Let's take this paragraph by paragraph:
1. The verdict isn't my fault, it's Judge Walls' experience that caused this verdict.
2. Yes, the facts and the law remain the same. I sat through every word of the 10 Nov 2014 trial. The testimony was clear. You, the Tunica County Sheriff, entrapped Michael Thompson. Further, when Michael Thompson became ill while in your care, did you transport him to the hospital in an ambulance whose service costs the County $60,000 per month? No, not you. You had to show Mr. Thompson just how tough you are. You, Sheriff Hamp, cuffed Mr. Thompson and shackled Mr. Thompson and put him in the back of a Sheriff's car. Shame on you Hamp.
3. As I stated before, I sat through the trial on 10 Nov 2014 and the last paragraph of Hamp's statement above is just not true. There was no evidence presented from the state attorney general's office.
So, where are we? Just how much money is Hamp's foolishness going to cost Tunica County? I have no idea but I bet it "ain't" going to be cheap.
"Sheriff K.C. Hamp said he was not surprised by the verdict, citing Walls' background as a defense attorney prior to being elected as judge.
'He heard it with a defense (attorney's) ear and came up with a verdict,' Hamp said. 'The facts and law remain the same.'
Hamp said witness testimony and evidence presented was gathered during an investigation conducted by the state attorney general's office."
Let's take this paragraph by paragraph:
1. The verdict isn't my fault, it's Judge Walls' experience that caused this verdict.
2. Yes, the facts and the law remain the same. I sat through every word of the 10 Nov 2014 trial. The testimony was clear. You, the Tunica County Sheriff, entrapped Michael Thompson. Further, when Michael Thompson became ill while in your care, did you transport him to the hospital in an ambulance whose service costs the County $60,000 per month? No, not you. You had to show Mr. Thompson just how tough you are. You, Sheriff Hamp, cuffed Mr. Thompson and shackled Mr. Thompson and put him in the back of a Sheriff's car. Shame on you Hamp.
3. As I stated before, I sat through the trial on 10 Nov 2014 and the last paragraph of Hamp's statement above is just not true. There was no evidence presented from the state attorney general's office.
So, where are we? Just how much money is Hamp's foolishness going to cost Tunica County? I have no idea but I bet it "ain't" going to be cheap.
Monday, November 10, 2014
10 Nov 2014: Thank you Judge Walls
A big shout out to Judge Walls for overturning Michael Thompson's guilty verdict for driving with a suspended license. Thank you for listening to the evidence and deciding in favor of Mr. Thompson.
During the trial, I heard evidence that the Sheriff had instructed his employee(s) to open an investigation of Michael Thompson and Alex Wiley. I was amazed to hear that the Sheriff would be trying to investigate 2 private citizens just because he wanted to. It is very disheartening to think that an elected official would consider doing this.
This is the United States of America, Sheriff Hamp, not some police gestapo. Enough said.
During the trial, I heard evidence that the Sheriff had instructed his employee(s) to open an investigation of Michael Thompson and Alex Wiley. I was amazed to hear that the Sheriff would be trying to investigate 2 private citizens just because he wanted to. It is very disheartening to think that an elected official would consider doing this.
This is the United States of America, Sheriff Hamp, not some police gestapo. Enough said.
Wednesday, November 5, 2014
Housing Claim: 3 Oct 2014
When the Budget was approved in Sep, there was a $12,000 a month allotment for the Housing Department.
At the 3 Nov meeting, the Supervisor from Beat 1, James Dunn was heard to say he wanted to approve the claims but not the line item for the Housing Department. I'm wondering why?
Dunn voted to approve the Budget and the Housing allotment was included in that budget. So, Mr. Dunn, would you like to tell us why you are objecting to this line item now?
Note: The claims for Oct 2014 were approved.
At the 3 Nov meeting, the Supervisor from Beat 1, James Dunn was heard to say he wanted to approve the claims but not the line item for the Housing Department. I'm wondering why?
Dunn voted to approve the Budget and the Housing allotment was included in that budget. So, Mr. Dunn, would you like to tell us why you are objecting to this line item now?
Note: The claims for Oct 2014 were approved.
Monday, November 3, 2014
Beat 2 Supervisor's Voting Record for Aug 2014
Beat 2 Supervisor’s Voting Record for Aug 2014
4 Aug 2014 BOS’s Meeting: All
Supervisors present
Book 165: page 382:
Burnett voted nay to
approving the Jul 2014 minutes even though he voted yes to some resolutions at
the Jul 2014 BOS’s Meetings.
Book 165: page 384:
Appointment with Allen Godfrey from the Gaming Commission. Tunica
County has not hit bottom yet.
It is expected that our income from Gaming will continue to drop.
Book 165: page 444:
Monthly supplies for Road and Bridges: $163,500: Burnett voted nay.
Book 165: page 467:
Contract with Lehman Roberts Company for project “State Aid Project No: SAP-72(5)M.
Burnett shown as absent.
Book 165: page: 468:
Lehman Brothers contract for local system bridge program for Flint Wood Road. Burnett
listed as absent.
Book 165: page 485: Grants
presented by Randy Stewart:
- 6-30kw generator for
traffic lights: $188,000
- Federal share: 75%
- Tunica County share: 25%
- 1-150kw generator for
Robinsonville Community Center: $74,000
- Federal share: 75%
- Tunica County share: 25%
- 3-Retrofit 3 Community
Centers with Safe Room: Dundee, White Oak and Robinsonville: $500,000
- Federal share: 75%
- Tunica County share: 25%
- Construction of new Tunica
County Emergency Operations Center: $350,000
- Federal share: 75%
- Tunica County share: 25%
- 5 Laptop Computers and 6
Window 7 upgrades for Emergency Operations Center Communications Room:
$5889.00
Book 165: page 493:
Claims for Jul 2014: Burnett listed
as absent
Book 165: page 496:
Travel: Burnett listed as absent
Book 165: page 498:
Lease agreements for Tunica Housing and Cribs to Crayons: Burnett listed as absent
Book 165: page 504:
Vote to hire Hylon Oliver as HR Manager: Burnett
listed as absent.
14 Aug 2014 All Supervisors Present
Book 165: page 624:
Payroll: Burnett voted nay.
Book 165: page 624:
Request for travel: Burnett voted
nay.
Book 165: page 634: Request
for manual check for United Healthcare Insurance. Burnett
voted nay.
Book 165: page 642: Request for manual check for Alex Wiley
in the amount of $4,000. Attorney
Pittman advised we had to pay per contract.
Burnett voted nay.
25 Aug 2014 All Supervisors Present
This was a workshop with the County Administrator. All Supervisors were present except the Beat
3 Supervisor who was recovering from surgery.
James Dunn left the meeting after about an hour.
28 Aug 2014 All Supervisors Present
Book 166: page 68:
Payroll: Burnett voted nay.
Book 166: page 72:
Tunica County Parks and Recreation Travel: Burnett
voted nay.
Book 166: page 80: Request
for manual check for 3 employees from the Sheriff’s Department to register for
a mandatory MS Department of Health certification program. Burnett
voted nay.
Book 166: page 90: Aug 2014 Meeting Adjourned
Preparing for the 2015 Board of Supervisors' Elections
This is a new project for us. We are going to start posting our Supervisor's voting records by Beat starting with Aug 2014. Going back further might be too overwhelming. The reason we are posting by Beat is because some votes may be of interest to your Beat but not to mine.
Example: The Robinsonville Community Center: If you live in Beat 1, you may find a vote in favor of this project beneficial. Since I live in Beat 2, I may think this project may be needed but we shouldn't have built it now due to our finances at the moment.
In the next post, I will be sharing the Aug 2014 voting record for the Beat 2 Supervisor, Cedric Burnett. We need 4 other volunteers to research Beats 1, 3, 4 & 5. If you volunteer, you will need to have your report for Aug 2014 to me by 15 Nov 2014. Please use the format of the Aug 2014 for Beat 2. You will find the report in the next post.
Example: The Robinsonville Community Center: If you live in Beat 1, you may find a vote in favor of this project beneficial. Since I live in Beat 2, I may think this project may be needed but we shouldn't have built it now due to our finances at the moment.
In the next post, I will be sharing the Aug 2014 voting record for the Beat 2 Supervisor, Cedric Burnett. We need 4 other volunteers to research Beats 1, 3, 4 & 5. If you volunteer, you will need to have your report for Aug 2014 to me by 15 Nov 2014. Please use the format of the Aug 2014 for Beat 2. You will find the report in the next post.
Saturday, November 1, 2014
Bonds
Following are charts showing our outstanding General Obligation Bonds (GOB). I've tried to do my best to make sure this information is accurate. There is a combination of Public Information and asked and answered questions that has gone into this post.
On page 34 of the 30 Sep 2013 Audit for our County, you will find a list of our outstanding bonds. I had to ask questions to find what financial institutions are the final holder of these bonds.
Until 17 Sep 2012, there was not a dedicated revenue stream to either pay off this debt or make interest payments. It was on 17 Sep 2012 that a 15.77 millage was voted to be placed on our books for debt service. As I understand it, it was at this point that we would have had to default on our bonds or accept the 15.77 millage for debt service.
As always, if you find an error in this post, please let me know.
On page 34 of the 30 Sep 2013 Audit for our County, you will find a list of our outstanding bonds. I had to ask questions to find what financial institutions are the final holder of these bonds.
Until 17 Sep 2012, there was not a dedicated revenue stream to either pay off this debt or make interest payments. It was on 17 Sep 2012 that a 15.77 millage was voted to be placed on our books for debt service. As I understand it, it was at this point that we would have had to default on our bonds or accept the 15.77 millage for debt service.
As always, if you find an error in this post, please let me know.
| General Obligation Bonds: GOB |
Outstanding
|
Interest Rate
|
Maturity Date
|
| First Security Bank | |||
| GOB Airport Improvement Bonds | |||
| Series 2005 | $1,755,000 |
3.60% - 5.125%
|
May of 2025
|
| First Security Bank | |||
| *Purchased from: | |||
| Mississippi Development Bank | |||
| Special Obligation Bonds, Series 2010A | |||
| Tunica County, MS General Obligation | |||
| Industrial Development Bond Project | $3,275,000 |
2.60% - 6.25%
|
Jun of 2030
|
| First Security Bank | |||
| *Purchased from: | |||
| Mississippi Development Bank | |||
| Special Obligation Bonds, Series 2010B | |||
| Tunica County, MS General Obligation | |||
| Airport Bond Project | $1,440,000 |
3.00% - 4.5%
|
Jun of 2030
|
| First Security Bank | |||
| *Purchased from: | |||
| Mississippi Development Bank | |||
| Special Obligation Bonds, Series 2010 | |||
| Tunica County, MS General Obligation | |||
| Refunding Bond Project | $8,425,000 |
3.00% - 4.00%
|
Dec of 2023
|
| First Security Bank | |||
| *Purchased from: | |||
| Mississippi Development Bank | |||
| General Obligation Refunding Bonds, | |||
| Series 2012 | $4,780,000 |
1.125% - 2.00%
|
Sep of 2023
|
| Hancock Bank | |||
| General Obligation Refunding Bonds, | |||
| Series 2013 | $9,510,000 |
2.00% - 3.00%
|
Jul of 2026
|
| Total Bonds |
$ 29,185,000
|
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