1 January 2016 issue....Surprise, Meg Coker is signing her name to her Opinion. Thank you so very much.
I'm not going to go paragraph by paragraph through this opinion. Here's the deal: Judge Lackey vacated the Primary election on 26 Oct 2015. This was not made public by the Circuit Clerk until 2 Nov 2015. Why was that and how many people stayed away from the polls because they were waiting for the Special Election?
Mildred Conley's letter is dated either the 5th or the 7th of Nov. I can't remember which. To say that Conley's letter was written "in mid November" is incorrect. It was not until the 7th of Dec that the Gov's Office sent a response telling the DEC to get clarification from Judge Lackey. What took the Gov so long? Look elsewhere on this blog and you will find that I predicted Gov Bryant would not call a Special Election which he did not.
The point is: Judge Lackey vacated the Primary so there could be no General. Oh, BTW, how about expanding on Judge Lackey's sanction of the DEC for not putting Boykin on the ballot when she won the Primary? Who gave Judge Lackey this faulty information? Is it okay with you to have citizens who are attempting to have fair and honest elections be taken to task on false information? Have you any idea how much money it has cost these citizens to stand up for what is right? Do you even care? Do you really believe that Boykin should have been on the Primary ballot?
Meg, IMHO your reporting and your opinions come up with the conclusion you want and you write toward that conclusion instead of the other way around.
And here I will quote from your Opinion: "On Monday, Dec 28, the Tunica County Board of Supervisors met. Their attorney, Melvin Miller, claimed to have been in contact with the Secretary of State's office and Attorney General's office over the matter of the Beat 5 Supervisor seat. Miller told officials that he received an email from Phillip Carter in the Attorney General's office providing guidance."
Claimed? Are you serious? Are you implying that Melvin was not telling the truth? Unbelievable!
To put it mildly, the only confusion and frustration is all in the heads of those who choose to be confused and frustrated. The Primary was vacated. Therefore, there was no General for the Beat 5 Supervisor position.
BTW, from your newspaper's OPINION article on 19 Dec 2014, you all still owe Michael Thompson an apology; front page above the fold.
Wednesday, December 30, 2015
Monday, December 28, 2015
28 Dec 2015 BOS's Meeting
So, Christmas is over. Back to work. Sad.
The downstairs Board Room was packed. I am very happy that this is the last time we will have to put up with the foolishness from the current Beat 2 Supervisor.
1. The BOS are trying to get something done about the tour boat that is docked at the River Park. The tour boat has not been operating for several years. The County's contract for the dock is between the County and Fitzgerald's. The Board's attorney suggested that he write a letter to Fitzgerald's to open the conversation as to how to proceed. The Beat 2 Supervisor objected. At this point, I believe the Beat 2 Supervisor's only real objection is to try to prove that he is smarter than everyone else. Did he not see that the audience was snickering at his antics? The rest of the Board voted to send the letter.
2. Then there was TCUD. The Beat 4 Supervisor suggested appointing Tomeka Cotton to replace her late husband on this board. During the conversation we learned that 3 of TCUD's board members were appointed by the current Beat 2 Supervisor. I should have realized this and written about this before now. So, this is my take on the TCUD board. This oversite needs to be corrected as soon as possible. TCUD is in financial trouble. Have these board members been taking advise from the Beat 2 Supervisor?
And here is the big story:
3. The Board of Supervisors' Attorney presented guidance from both the Attorney General's office and the MS Secretary of State's office. It was explained that the Primary Election for the Beat 5 Supervisor position was invalidated by order of Judge Lackey. Since the Primary was invalidated the General Election for Beat 5 should not have been held. And Supervisor McKinley Daley will be a holdover Supervisor and will keep his seat until a Special Election is called. Supervisor Daley was sworn into office right after the BOS's Meeting.
And the Beat 2 Supervisor objected to this too saying that Billy Pegram had already been sworn into office by the Chancery Clerk when he showed up at her office with his grandson Wes Ryals. You see what I've been saying? Some people in this County think they can just bully the rest of us. Why did the Beat 2 Supervisor object to the guidance of the AG and SOS? IMHO, because he is behind a bunch of the upset in our County. Think about it. What difference does it make to him who sits in the Beat 5 Seat?
So, here it is: Billy Pegram, what was your purpose in getting sworn in before the official date? Wes Ryals, I told you to your face that I would be watching you. I am disappointed that you would support your grandfather or anyone else in this stunt. Wes, you haven't even been sworn into office. Why would you taint your reputation by participating in this fake swearing into office? Gov. Bryant, you have caused a mess in Tunica County by not setting a date for the Special Election. Why did you do that?
Beat 5, McKinely Daley is your Supervisor; NOT Billy Pegram.
The downstairs Board Room was packed. I am very happy that this is the last time we will have to put up with the foolishness from the current Beat 2 Supervisor.
1. The BOS are trying to get something done about the tour boat that is docked at the River Park. The tour boat has not been operating for several years. The County's contract for the dock is between the County and Fitzgerald's. The Board's attorney suggested that he write a letter to Fitzgerald's to open the conversation as to how to proceed. The Beat 2 Supervisor objected. At this point, I believe the Beat 2 Supervisor's only real objection is to try to prove that he is smarter than everyone else. Did he not see that the audience was snickering at his antics? The rest of the Board voted to send the letter.
2. Then there was TCUD. The Beat 4 Supervisor suggested appointing Tomeka Cotton to replace her late husband on this board. During the conversation we learned that 3 of TCUD's board members were appointed by the current Beat 2 Supervisor. I should have realized this and written about this before now. So, this is my take on the TCUD board. This oversite needs to be corrected as soon as possible. TCUD is in financial trouble. Have these board members been taking advise from the Beat 2 Supervisor?
And here is the big story:
3. The Board of Supervisors' Attorney presented guidance from both the Attorney General's office and the MS Secretary of State's office. It was explained that the Primary Election for the Beat 5 Supervisor position was invalidated by order of Judge Lackey. Since the Primary was invalidated the General Election for Beat 5 should not have been held. And Supervisor McKinley Daley will be a holdover Supervisor and will keep his seat until a Special Election is called. Supervisor Daley was sworn into office right after the BOS's Meeting.
And the Beat 2 Supervisor objected to this too saying that Billy Pegram had already been sworn into office by the Chancery Clerk when he showed up at her office with his grandson Wes Ryals. You see what I've been saying? Some people in this County think they can just bully the rest of us. Why did the Beat 2 Supervisor object to the guidance of the AG and SOS? IMHO, because he is behind a bunch of the upset in our County. Think about it. What difference does it make to him who sits in the Beat 5 Seat?
So, here it is: Billy Pegram, what was your purpose in getting sworn in before the official date? Wes Ryals, I told you to your face that I would be watching you. I am disappointed that you would support your grandfather or anyone else in this stunt. Wes, you haven't even been sworn into office. Why would you taint your reputation by participating in this fake swearing into office? Gov. Bryant, you have caused a mess in Tunica County by not setting a date for the Special Election. Why did you do that?
Beat 5, McKinely Daley is your Supervisor; NOT Billy Pegram.
Tuesday, December 15, 2015
14 Dec 2015 Meeting with MDE
There was a meeting with the Conservator, Dr. Pulley, on 14 Dec 2015 at 5:30p. Also in attendance was Pat Ross from the MS Department of Education.
There were three items on the agenda for the meeting. The second item had to do with a report in the Tunica Times on 4 Dec 2015. The article is entitled "Officials take oaths of office on December 29" and it is reported by Brooks Taylor.
The article states: "Siggers said this week that as of now, Derrick Dace is slated to be sworn in as Superintendent of Education. The status of that office has been in question since the state of Mississippi took over the Tunica County School District in July, ousting the elected school board and superintendent and appointing a conservator..."
This information is not correct. Tunica County will not have an elected Superintendent of Education and unless there is a change in the state statute, we will never again have an elected Superintendent of Education.
The above was true when the state took over our schools. This information was restated by Dr. Pulley when the Educational Improvement Committee met with Dr. Pulley and it is still true today.
Now why were there candidates for superintendent listed on the ballot after MDE took over our schools in Jul 2015? Beats me.
What I do know is what Pat Ross restated to those who attended the meeting:
1. Tunica County will not have an elected Superintendent of Education ever again unless there is a change in the state statute.
2. No Superintendent of Education will be sworn in on 29 Dec 2015 at 9:30a in the Courthouse.
There were three items on the agenda for the meeting. The second item had to do with a report in the Tunica Times on 4 Dec 2015. The article is entitled "Officials take oaths of office on December 29" and it is reported by Brooks Taylor.
The article states: "Siggers said this week that as of now, Derrick Dace is slated to be sworn in as Superintendent of Education. The status of that office has been in question since the state of Mississippi took over the Tunica County School District in July, ousting the elected school board and superintendent and appointing a conservator..."
This information is not correct. Tunica County will not have an elected Superintendent of Education and unless there is a change in the state statute, we will never again have an elected Superintendent of Education.
The above was true when the state took over our schools. This information was restated by Dr. Pulley when the Educational Improvement Committee met with Dr. Pulley and it is still true today.
Now why were there candidates for superintendent listed on the ballot after MDE took over our schools in Jul 2015? Beats me.
What I do know is what Pat Ross restated to those who attended the meeting:
1. Tunica County will not have an elected Superintendent of Education ever again unless there is a change in the state statute.
2. No Superintendent of Education will be sworn in on 29 Dec 2015 at 9:30a in the Courthouse.
Saturday, December 5, 2015
People keep asking me
if I am keeping up with this other blog. And I keep saying: "No." I am not going to waste my time reading posts that do not carry the writer's name. I only pay attention to people who will identify themselves. On this blog, you know my name and you can see my picture. Hope this answers your questions.
Wednesday, December 2, 2015
Follow-up to Gov. Bryant Post
As of 30 Nov 2015, it is my understanding that Gov. Bryant has yet to set the date for the Beat 5 Special Election. Why is that?
Here's my opinion: By not setting the date for the 2 Special Elections, the Governor would be calling the election. Judge Lackey ruled that Craig Jones be placed on the Ballot for election. If Gov. Bryant doesn't set the date for these Special Elections, the Governor's Office will effectively be placing a candidate in office and nullifying a Judge's ruling.
I wonder if Gov. Bryant would be interested in talking about Judge Lackey's ruling against the Tunica County DEC? You know the ruling where Judge Lackey said the DEC did not put Jacqueline Dishmon-Boykin on the ballot when she was placed on the ballot and had, at the time of his ruling, won the Primary Election. You know, the same ruling where Judge Lackey sanctioned individual DEC members a total of $15,000 for not putting Boykin on the ballot. Would you like to talk about that Gov. Bryant?
Oh, and let's not leave out the MS Attorney General's Office. What are they doing with the MBI Investigation of Boykin?
Tunica, aren't you just sick and tired of the manipulation of our lives? Aren't you just plain tired of the struggle?
Here's my opinion: By not setting the date for the 2 Special Elections, the Governor would be calling the election. Judge Lackey ruled that Craig Jones be placed on the Ballot for election. If Gov. Bryant doesn't set the date for these Special Elections, the Governor's Office will effectively be placing a candidate in office and nullifying a Judge's ruling.
I wonder if Gov. Bryant would be interested in talking about Judge Lackey's ruling against the Tunica County DEC? You know the ruling where Judge Lackey said the DEC did not put Jacqueline Dishmon-Boykin on the ballot when she was placed on the ballot and had, at the time of his ruling, won the Primary Election. You know, the same ruling where Judge Lackey sanctioned individual DEC members a total of $15,000 for not putting Boykin on the ballot. Would you like to talk about that Gov. Bryant?
Oh, and let's not leave out the MS Attorney General's Office. What are they doing with the MBI Investigation of Boykin?
Tunica, aren't you just sick and tired of the manipulation of our lives? Aren't you just plain tired of the struggle?
30 Nov 2015 Board of Supervisors' Meeting
Up early this morning with the coffee. So, I think I'll write something before getting back to the sewing and knitting.
The post before this entry was written before the Thanksgiving holiday. (Let's Talk Numbers) Hope it makes you wonder about losses in our other facilities.
The 30 Nov 2015 meeting was poorly attended. Only a handful of Tunicans showed up and there was no Executive Session.
Again, my Supervisor voted against Payroll and Claims. The Comptroller had additions to the claims and he verbalized these additions by stating we have a few claims that are about.... I would understand voting against claims in this circumstance but I don't believe this is the reason my Supervisor voted against paying Claims because he always votes against paying Claims. How is this okay to do this?
After the vote was taken, there was a discussion between Sonny Nickson and Cedric Burnett about the Housing claim. James Dunn had voted for paying Claims with the exception of the claim for Housing. Sonny Nickson and McKinley Daley voted for paying all Claims and Burnett voted against paying all Claims. Nickson asked Burnett why he voted against the Housing claim. Burnett responded that he had voted against everything without addressing Nickson's question to him. Why didn't he just answer the question?
So, this was the discussion. You had to be there to see what I am talking about next. Burnett has this unkind habit of using his index finger and pointing at other Supervisors when he is talking. Sort of scolding. It seems to me that all too many times Tunicans are not questioning Burnett's behavior on too many levels. Why is that?
The post before this entry was written before the Thanksgiving holiday. (Let's Talk Numbers) Hope it makes you wonder about losses in our other facilities.
The 30 Nov 2015 meeting was poorly attended. Only a handful of Tunicans showed up and there was no Executive Session.
Again, my Supervisor voted against Payroll and Claims. The Comptroller had additions to the claims and he verbalized these additions by stating we have a few claims that are about.... I would understand voting against claims in this circumstance but I don't believe this is the reason my Supervisor voted against paying Claims because he always votes against paying Claims. How is this okay to do this?
After the vote was taken, there was a discussion between Sonny Nickson and Cedric Burnett about the Housing claim. James Dunn had voted for paying Claims with the exception of the claim for Housing. Sonny Nickson and McKinley Daley voted for paying all Claims and Burnett voted against paying all Claims. Nickson asked Burnett why he voted against the Housing claim. Burnett responded that he had voted against everything without addressing Nickson's question to him. Why didn't he just answer the question?
So, this was the discussion. You had to be there to see what I am talking about next. Burnett has this unkind habit of using his index finger and pointing at other Supervisors when he is talking. Sort of scolding. It seems to me that all too many times Tunicans are not questioning Burnett's behavior on too many levels. Why is that?
Let's talk numbers.....
And how much money we've lost.
What I would really like to talk about is the airport and how much money we have lost over the years. However, I have too much going on at the moment to do the research. So, I'm going to use the clinics as an example.
At a recent BOS's meeting we learned that the clinics have lost between $800k and $1M each year since inception which was 2005. This information was reported in a previous post on this blog.
For argument's sake, let's go with the lower number of $800k. If we use the $800k figure times 10 years since the clinics opened under Tunica County management, we have lost $8M. $8,000,000.00 That is a lot of money.
Why wasn't anyone screaming about this loss before Michael Thompson became County Administrator in Dec 2013?
Why wasn't anyone screaming about this before Phillis and Sonny and McKinley joined the BOS?
Why wasn't anyone questioning James Dunn or Cedric Burnett or Paul Battle III or Bobby Williams or Billy Pegram or Dr. Osborn?
I can remember attending Budget Public Hearings and questioning this loss and the outrageous salary we were paying Dr. Gentry. Oh yeah, I forgot. I don't know what I'm talking about.
What I would really like to talk about is the airport and how much money we have lost over the years. However, I have too much going on at the moment to do the research. So, I'm going to use the clinics as an example.
At a recent BOS's meeting we learned that the clinics have lost between $800k and $1M each year since inception which was 2005. This information was reported in a previous post on this blog.
For argument's sake, let's go with the lower number of $800k. If we use the $800k figure times 10 years since the clinics opened under Tunica County management, we have lost $8M. $8,000,000.00 That is a lot of money.
Why wasn't anyone screaming about this loss before Michael Thompson became County Administrator in Dec 2013?
Why wasn't anyone screaming about this before Phillis and Sonny and McKinley joined the BOS?
Why wasn't anyone questioning James Dunn or Cedric Burnett or Paul Battle III or Bobby Williams or Billy Pegram or Dr. Osborn?
I can remember attending Budget Public Hearings and questioning this loss and the outrageous salary we were paying Dr. Gentry. Oh yeah, I forgot. I don't know what I'm talking about.
Thursday, November 19, 2015
Mon, 23 Nov 2015 BOS Special Meeting
MARK YOUR CALENDARS:
There will be a Board of Supervisors' Special Meeting on Mon, 23 Nov 2015 @ 5p in the Tunica County Courthouse.
There will be a Board of Supervisors' Special Meeting on Mon, 23 Nov 2015 @ 5p in the Tunica County Courthouse.
Tuesday, November 17, 2015
What the heck...
Been busy making a quilt. These photos were sent to me a while back. The time stamp is 7:35p on 4 Nov 2015. The photos were taken at Precinct 4: Tunica Library.
The people in the top photo are Elijah Williams, President of the Election Commission and Scott Rhines, one of the two Poll Managers at Precinct 4: Tunica Library. Williams and Rhines are pictured behind the privacy screen used for those voting with an affidavit ballot.
The people in the bottom photo are Meg Coker, the other Poll Manager at Precinct 4: Tunica Library. I am being told the voter is Tremane Douglas. You will notice the canister shield on this voting machine is up.
I'm not going to saying anything else about these pictures because they speak for themselves. What I am suggesting is that we need someone who is not connected to Tunica County to come in and train our poll workers.
Thursday, November 12, 2015
And in another Tunica Times article....
This particular article is also on the front page of the Tunica Times 13 Nov 2015 issue.
"Citizen, supes spar over clinics" is reported by Brooks Taylor. This article states that Jimmy Eubanks is the Healthcare Authority Chairman. This isn't correct. Mildred Conley is the Healthcare Authority Chairman. Geez, Brooks.
Okay everybody, take a seat and take a deep breath. If Taylor's reporting is accurate and Burnett voted to not bring back Dr. Osborn, I agree with him. Okay ya'll, breathe.
And about the Opinion piece on page 4, I'd be particularly thankful if the Tunica Times would apologize to Michael Thompson for what you printed on 19 Dec 2014. Then the Thankfulness could start with you. Just saying.
"Citizen, supes spar over clinics" is reported by Brooks Taylor. This article states that Jimmy Eubanks is the Healthcare Authority Chairman. This isn't correct. Mildred Conley is the Healthcare Authority Chairman. Geez, Brooks.
Okay everybody, take a seat and take a deep breath. If Taylor's reporting is accurate and Burnett voted to not bring back Dr. Osborn, I agree with him. Okay ya'll, breathe.
And about the Opinion piece on page 4, I'd be particularly thankful if the Tunica Times would apologize to Michael Thompson for what you printed on 19 Dec 2014. Then the Thankfulness could start with you. Just saying.
UPDATED: And now this...
Got a phone call this morning saying Craig Jones, the Craig Jones who is running for Supervisor in Beat 5 was arrested for DUI in Desoto County.
This is what I've found:
In the Desoto Times-Tribune there is an arrest listing from Oct 26 to Nov 1.
This listing contains this: Jones, Craig Gemmeral, DUI, careless driving, $1300.
This makes me very sad. You will most likely not see this news in the Tunica Times.
UPDATE: 12:12p
Well, I'm wrong again. Bob just came back from the post office with this week's issue of the Tunica Times and there on the front page is an article by Monica L. Coleman. The article is entitled: "Special election likely for District 5."
There is a subtitle quote from Craig Jones:
"They just kept putting me off and putting me off." Beat 5 Supervisor Candidate Craig Jones
Hello Tunica Times: This DUI happened between 26 Oct and 1 Nov. Why isn't this also in the Tunica Times? Don't the citizens of Tunica County have a right to know? Are you getting the same tips I'm getting? Are you ignoring the tips or just not investigating? This is your job as the newspaper of record to report the news. I'm just a private citizen who is trying to do right by the people who reside in this county. Please get to work! Report all of the news not just the news you choose.
Now people, this private citizen has a quilt top to finish by Sunday evening. Behave yourselves. I'm busy. :-)
This is what I've found:
In the Desoto Times-Tribune there is an arrest listing from Oct 26 to Nov 1.
This listing contains this: Jones, Craig Gemmeral, DUI, careless driving, $1300.
This makes me very sad. You will most likely not see this news in the Tunica Times.
UPDATE: 12:12p
Well, I'm wrong again. Bob just came back from the post office with this week's issue of the Tunica Times and there on the front page is an article by Monica L. Coleman. The article is entitled: "Special election likely for District 5."
There is a subtitle quote from Craig Jones:
"They just kept putting me off and putting me off." Beat 5 Supervisor Candidate Craig Jones
Hello Tunica Times: This DUI happened between 26 Oct and 1 Nov. Why isn't this also in the Tunica Times? Don't the citizens of Tunica County have a right to know? Are you getting the same tips I'm getting? Are you ignoring the tips or just not investigating? This is your job as the newspaper of record to report the news. I'm just a private citizen who is trying to do right by the people who reside in this county. Please get to work! Report all of the news not just the news you choose.
Now people, this private citizen has a quilt top to finish by Sunday evening. Behave yourselves. I'm busy. :-)
Wednesday, November 11, 2015
UPDATED: 12 Nov 2015: Dear Gov. Phil Bryant:
On 2 Nov 2015, a Court Order, signed by Judge Lackey was delivered in Tunica County. The Court Order was for a special election to be held in Tunica County, for the position of District 5 Supervisor.
Gov. Bryant, we are ready to rock n' roll with this Special Election. We're just waiting for you to sign-off on the Court Order and for you to set a date certain for District 5 residents to go to the polls.
Here in Tunica County, we've had quite a time during this election cycle. First, we had 3 candidates whose Qualifying Statements of Intent were not certified by the Tunica County Democratic Executive Committee. One candidate did not meet the qualifications for office because the office she was seeking required 2 years of residency in our county. Since she voted in TN on 4 Nov 2014, she clearly did not meet the 2 year residency requirement. MBI has investigated this. MBI's conclusion was to forward their investigation to Jim Hood's office and MBI recommended 2 counts of voter fraud. Don't know what is going on at the Attorney General's Office as pertains to this investigation, it just seems to be taking an awfully long time to see
some action. Anyway, the DEC was ordered to put this candidate on the ballot and they did so.
Second, we had 2 other candidates who filed Qualifying Statements of Intent for Supervisors' positions. Both candidates had filed homestead in Desoto County and when asked in Judge Lackey's Court Room, both candidates verbally claimed that they had filed homestead in Desoto County but they were separated from their wives. Judge Lackey ruled in favor of one candidate and against the other.
Third, during the Primary, the Tunica County Circuit Clerk provided incorrect voter rolls to the poll workers. What a mess that was.
So, you see Gov. Bryant, this election cycle has been quite a mess. And as always in Tunica County the rumors are flying about the District 5 race; the race that is covered under Judge Lackey's order. Some are saying you are not going to sign-off on the order because of who may have won the General Election. Additionally, there are rumors that some people are hoping you won't sign the order and our County Administrator, Road Manager, Attorney and an Assistant Director will be dismissed. This would be most unfortunate.
In closing, Gov. Bryant, I'm asking you to sign-off on Judge Lackey's order. I think that being made to put a candidate on the ballot who does not meet the qualifications for the office they are seeking, is absolutely wrong. But, be that as it may, Tunica County needs. to finish this election cycle and get on with our lives.
UPDATE: 12 Nov 2015
Does anyone know what will happen if Gov Bryant doesn't sign-off on the court order?
Gov. Bryant, we are ready to rock n' roll with this Special Election. We're just waiting for you to sign-off on the Court Order and for you to set a date certain for District 5 residents to go to the polls.
Here in Tunica County, we've had quite a time during this election cycle. First, we had 3 candidates whose Qualifying Statements of Intent were not certified by the Tunica County Democratic Executive Committee. One candidate did not meet the qualifications for office because the office she was seeking required 2 years of residency in our county. Since she voted in TN on 4 Nov 2014, she clearly did not meet the 2 year residency requirement. MBI has investigated this. MBI's conclusion was to forward their investigation to Jim Hood's office and MBI recommended 2 counts of voter fraud. Don't know what is going on at the Attorney General's Office as pertains to this investigation, it just seems to be taking an awfully long time to see
some action. Anyway, the DEC was ordered to put this candidate on the ballot and they did so.
Second, we had 2 other candidates who filed Qualifying Statements of Intent for Supervisors' positions. Both candidates had filed homestead in Desoto County and when asked in Judge Lackey's Court Room, both candidates verbally claimed that they had filed homestead in Desoto County but they were separated from their wives. Judge Lackey ruled in favor of one candidate and against the other.
Third, during the Primary, the Tunica County Circuit Clerk provided incorrect voter rolls to the poll workers. What a mess that was.
So, you see Gov. Bryant, this election cycle has been quite a mess. And as always in Tunica County the rumors are flying about the District 5 race; the race that is covered under Judge Lackey's order. Some are saying you are not going to sign-off on the order because of who may have won the General Election. Additionally, there are rumors that some people are hoping you won't sign the order and our County Administrator, Road Manager, Attorney and an Assistant Director will be dismissed. This would be most unfortunate.
In closing, Gov. Bryant, I'm asking you to sign-off on Judge Lackey's order. I think that being made to put a candidate on the ballot who does not meet the qualifications for the office they are seeking, is absolutely wrong. But, be that as it may, Tunica County needs. to finish this election cycle and get on with our lives.
UPDATE: 12 Nov 2015
Does anyone know what will happen if Gov Bryant doesn't sign-off on the court order?
Tuesday, November 10, 2015
Tunica County School District
Attended the Tunica County School District Board of Directors Meeting today at noon. The following is a list of the Recognition Certificates presented during the meeting.
Employee, Student, and Parent of the Month for October 2015
Tunica Elementary School
Students:
Ahmarius McKinney: Kindergarten
Torrey Norwood, Jr.: 1st Grade
Milton Smith: 2nd Grade
Dentarius Douglas: 3rd Grade
Aaliyah King: 4th Grade
Paris Taylor: 5th Grade
Kevin Collins: Certified Employee
Courtney Vaughn: Classified Employee
Shariesa Maxwell: Parent of the Month
Robinsonville Elementary School
Students:
Lyric Williams: Pre-K
Ariel Berry: Kindergarten
Maliyah Joiner: 1st Grade
Logan Salazar-Johnson: 2nd Grade
Kamari Driver: 3rd Grade
Jaria Hampton: 4th Grade
Jamaiyah Bonds: 5th Grade
Jennifer Taylor: Certified Employee
Coretta Joiner: Classified Employee
Gregory Caston: Parent of the Month
Dundee Elementary School
Students;
Adam Williams: Pre-K
Alyssa Bowens: Kindergarten
Sharkia Slokes: 1st Grade
JonNya Williams: 2nd Grade
Odalys Cruz: 3rd Grade
Charles Shield: 4th Grade
Christian Ramos: 5th Grade
Sheri Rutland: Certified Employee
Fred Office: Classified Employee
Christy Hibbler: Parent of the Month
Tunica Middle School
Students:
Marcus Rule: 8th Grade
Star Coley: 8th Grade
Kevin Thomas: 7th Grade
Princess Goodman: 7th Grade
Miracle Harris: 6th Grade
Terry Riley: 6th Grade
Eureka Price: Certified Employee
Richard Thomas: Classified Employee
Marilyn Young: Parent of the Month
Rosa Fort High School
Students:
Tremayne Kimmons: 9th Grade
Kayla Smith: 9th Grade
Oliva Webb: 10th Grade
Michael Keith: 10th Grade
Earnest Linzy: 11th Grade
Haley Burts: 11th Grade
Zonnie Cooke: 12th Grade
Nala Crumb: 12th Grade
Barron Hall: Certified Employee
Rita Office: Classified Employee
Louise Linzy: Parent of the Month
Congrats to all...
Saturday, November 7, 2015
I'm starting to understand
This lady has in the past commented on this blog and recently she started commenting again. I didn't understand her thought processes before and I don't understand her thought processes now. So, I deleted her latest comments.
Apparently, this person attended the 29 Oct 2015 meeting and she didn't remember or understand what was happening. Her comments are not helpful in educating and informing the public.
On with this post:
What I am starting to understand about too many white people in Tunica is that they only hear what fits the conclusion they have already established. And the conclusion that they have already established is a part of their group think. There is very little critical thinking. This has to change.
Stop complaining that Michael Thompson does not live in Tunica County unless you are willing to ask for a policy change for all employees to be required to live in Tunica County. And this idea that Thompson is imposing taxes that he too is not paying? He's not responsible for our financial situation. We are through our choices in prior elections. Thompson has been hired to help get us to a sound financial footing.
I am sick to death of people who insist that others accept their choices but are unwilling to accept choices made by others. This is what I am talking about:
I am sick to death of the unfounded remarks about Michael Thompson. Some of you will not acknowledge that 3 duly elected Supervisors voted to hire Michael Thompson and Ellis Pittman. These 3 Supervisors were elected to make decisions for three fifths of our residents. Show some respect.
AND I am sick to death of them attacking anything that is not their choice.
AND I am sick to death of them asking for this internal audit. Michael Thompson was hired to do an internal audit. Why was this necessary? Because the former County Administrator would not give the three new Supervisors the information they needed to make decisions. Who told him he could do that? What was being hidden and how dare the former County Administrator do such a thing? Again, those three Supervisors represent three fifths of the citizens in this County. Show some respect.
AND some Boards of our Component Units thought they didn't have to comply with the Internal Audit that the Board of Supervisors had ordered? These people weren't elected to these Boards. They were appointed. What were you trying to hide from the public? Show some respect or resign. BTW, didn't the audit find around $900,000 in CD's at the Museum? The new Supervisors didn't know about this. Wasn't it their right to know? Wasn't it the citizens' right to know? What is wrong with you people.
AND when Thompson was hired as the County Administrator the internal audit stopped. AND one of the reasons for hiring Thompson as the new County Administrator was because you, Component Unit Boards, would not give Michael Thompson the information the Board of Supervisors wanted from the internal audit. What is so hard to understand about that? You have a question about anything? Make an appointment with Thompson and get your answer. Nothing is being hidden from you.
AND as far as this suit between the County and the Town and the School District? I want this settled just as badly as you do so we can get on with our lives. Has anybody given a second thought to the fact that this whole deal may have been set-up wrong from the get go? It seems to me that on too many occasions when something couldn't legally be done, those who were in power ran down to the State Legislature and got themselves some special legislation. Isn't this just another one of those deals?
AND what about all of these Component Units carrying a 501(3)(c) IRS Code? What's up with that? And don't go trying to make me believe it was set-up like this because the County couldn't do what these Component Units were doing. That's a bunch of BS and you know it.
Oh, and tell me this: Where was all of the white community when some of us were working with the State to get Chandler removed? Some of you voted for him. What was your problem? What is it that I don't understand about that? What I think is that you didn't and don't want to do any of the dirty work. I didn't vote for Chandler but when it became apparent that he was hurting our children and making it even more difficult to attract new businesses and residents to Tunica County, Bob and I joined the Educational Committee to have Chandler removed. Where were you? Here's a good thing that came from all of this: We will never again elect a Superintendent of Education in Tunica County because Tunica County has shown we do not make good choices when we elected Chandler.
AND in closing stop making your comments about the DEC. You didn't step up and voluntarily take on the job and yet you have done nothing but criticize these citizens as if they are paid employees. Where were you when these tough decisions needed to be made? I didn't see any of your hands raised to help. I didn't see any of your personal money leaving your pockets. Even when Lackey stated that the DEC didn't put Boykin on the ballot and you knew this not to be true, you kept on with your big flapping mouths. And as for Jones? How about taking yourselves on down to the Circuit Clerk's Office and ask her about that? Did you ever stop to think, why would the DEC put Boykin on the ballot and not Jones? It's because they didn't. Stop running your mouths and think.
Apparently, this person attended the 29 Oct 2015 meeting and she didn't remember or understand what was happening. Her comments are not helpful in educating and informing the public.
On with this post:
What I am starting to understand about too many white people in Tunica is that they only hear what fits the conclusion they have already established. And the conclusion that they have already established is a part of their group think. There is very little critical thinking. This has to change.
Stop complaining that Michael Thompson does not live in Tunica County unless you are willing to ask for a policy change for all employees to be required to live in Tunica County. And this idea that Thompson is imposing taxes that he too is not paying? He's not responsible for our financial situation. We are through our choices in prior elections. Thompson has been hired to help get us to a sound financial footing.
I am sick to death of people who insist that others accept their choices but are unwilling to accept choices made by others. This is what I am talking about:
I am sick to death of the unfounded remarks about Michael Thompson. Some of you will not acknowledge that 3 duly elected Supervisors voted to hire Michael Thompson and Ellis Pittman. These 3 Supervisors were elected to make decisions for three fifths of our residents. Show some respect.
AND I am sick to death of them attacking anything that is not their choice.
AND I am sick to death of them asking for this internal audit. Michael Thompson was hired to do an internal audit. Why was this necessary? Because the former County Administrator would not give the three new Supervisors the information they needed to make decisions. Who told him he could do that? What was being hidden and how dare the former County Administrator do such a thing? Again, those three Supervisors represent three fifths of the citizens in this County. Show some respect.
AND some Boards of our Component Units thought they didn't have to comply with the Internal Audit that the Board of Supervisors had ordered? These people weren't elected to these Boards. They were appointed. What were you trying to hide from the public? Show some respect or resign. BTW, didn't the audit find around $900,000 in CD's at the Museum? The new Supervisors didn't know about this. Wasn't it their right to know? Wasn't it the citizens' right to know? What is wrong with you people.
AND when Thompson was hired as the County Administrator the internal audit stopped. AND one of the reasons for hiring Thompson as the new County Administrator was because you, Component Unit Boards, would not give Michael Thompson the information the Board of Supervisors wanted from the internal audit. What is so hard to understand about that? You have a question about anything? Make an appointment with Thompson and get your answer. Nothing is being hidden from you.
AND as far as this suit between the County and the Town and the School District? I want this settled just as badly as you do so we can get on with our lives. Has anybody given a second thought to the fact that this whole deal may have been set-up wrong from the get go? It seems to me that on too many occasions when something couldn't legally be done, those who were in power ran down to the State Legislature and got themselves some special legislation. Isn't this just another one of those deals?
AND what about all of these Component Units carrying a 501(3)(c) IRS Code? What's up with that? And don't go trying to make me believe it was set-up like this because the County couldn't do what these Component Units were doing. That's a bunch of BS and you know it.
Oh, and tell me this: Where was all of the white community when some of us were working with the State to get Chandler removed? Some of you voted for him. What was your problem? What is it that I don't understand about that? What I think is that you didn't and don't want to do any of the dirty work. I didn't vote for Chandler but when it became apparent that he was hurting our children and making it even more difficult to attract new businesses and residents to Tunica County, Bob and I joined the Educational Committee to have Chandler removed. Where were you? Here's a good thing that came from all of this: We will never again elect a Superintendent of Education in Tunica County because Tunica County has shown we do not make good choices when we elected Chandler.
AND in closing stop making your comments about the DEC. You didn't step up and voluntarily take on the job and yet you have done nothing but criticize these citizens as if they are paid employees. Where were you when these tough decisions needed to be made? I didn't see any of your hands raised to help. I didn't see any of your personal money leaving your pockets. Even when Lackey stated that the DEC didn't put Boykin on the ballot and you knew this not to be true, you kept on with your big flapping mouths. And as for Jones? How about taking yourselves on down to the Circuit Clerk's Office and ask her about that? Did you ever stop to think, why would the DEC put Boykin on the ballot and not Jones? It's because they didn't. Stop running your mouths and think.
Friday, November 6, 2015
About the votes for the Sheriff
This afternoon there was quite an online discussion about the number of votes that registered for the office of Sheriff.
The final tallies per office were as follows:
Sheriff: 2740
Chancery Clerk: 2381
Circuit Clerk: 2340
Attorney: 2281
Coroner: 2291
For the office of Sheriff there were two candidates. For the other 4 offices, the candidates were unopposed.
To believe the tally for the office of Sheriff to be accurate, one would have to believe that 359 voters voted for one of the two candidates for Sheriff and didn't cast a vote for Chancery Clerk. Another way to look at this would be to say that 13% of the voters who voted for one of the two candidates for Sheriff; didn't cast a vote for Chancery Clerk. For the other 3 offices the numerical spread is larger and therefore so is the percentage.
During the online discussion, comments were made about people not voting for people they don't know or if a candidate is unopposed or whatever whatever. That's all well and good but is it true?
I don't know.
The final tallies per office were as follows:
Sheriff: 2740
Chancery Clerk: 2381
Circuit Clerk: 2340
Attorney: 2281
Coroner: 2291
For the office of Sheriff there were two candidates. For the other 4 offices, the candidates were unopposed.
To believe the tally for the office of Sheriff to be accurate, one would have to believe that 359 voters voted for one of the two candidates for Sheriff and didn't cast a vote for Chancery Clerk. Another way to look at this would be to say that 13% of the voters who voted for one of the two candidates for Sheriff; didn't cast a vote for Chancery Clerk. For the other 3 offices the numerical spread is larger and therefore so is the percentage.
During the online discussion, comments were made about people not voting for people they don't know or if a candidate is unopposed or whatever whatever. That's all well and good but is it true?
I don't know.
Wednesday, November 4, 2015
The day after Election Day....
Congratulations to all of the winners except Billy Pegram. Beat 5, have you lost your collective minds? Pegram was one of the former Supervisors who helped to put us in this financial mess and you put him back in office? What the heck is wrong with you?
IMHO, the landed gentry of Tunica County is not too happy with the new taxes. So, what is their solution? Are they planning to repeal the taxes? And if so, how are they going to pay our debt service? Are they going to lay off a bunch of employees? They sure didn't tell us before they were elected. This election was nothing more than a popularity contest.
Rest assured, I will be keeping my eagle eye open and watching everything you do...like always.
There has been much said about the Tunica Museum and their "lack" of funding. People keep mentioning the internal audit. Well, what the internal audit found was that the Tunica Museum was sitting on about $900,000 in CD's. What the current BOSs told the Museum was for them to live off this $900,000 and when that is mostly used up, let's talk about funding. This seems reasonable to me.
One thing about this blog: I put my name on it. If others won't stand-up for what they are saying, by doing the same, I would not believe anything they have to say. Just saying.
As always, I stand to be corrected...if you use your real name like I do.
IMHO, the landed gentry of Tunica County is not too happy with the new taxes. So, what is their solution? Are they planning to repeal the taxes? And if so, how are they going to pay our debt service? Are they going to lay off a bunch of employees? They sure didn't tell us before they were elected. This election was nothing more than a popularity contest.
Rest assured, I will be keeping my eagle eye open and watching everything you do...like always.
There has been much said about the Tunica Museum and their "lack" of funding. People keep mentioning the internal audit. Well, what the internal audit found was that the Tunica Museum was sitting on about $900,000 in CD's. What the current BOSs told the Museum was for them to live off this $900,000 and when that is mostly used up, let's talk about funding. This seems reasonable to me.
One thing about this blog: I put my name on it. If others won't stand-up for what they are saying, by doing the same, I would not believe anything they have to say. Just saying.
As always, I stand to be corrected...if you use your real name like I do.
Tuesday, November 3, 2015
Third Update: Election Day, Tuesday, 3 Nov 2015
Yesterday, when I went to the Circuit Clerk's Office, I also examined the book containing the Absentee Voter Rolls. This is a list of those who have voted absentee.
MS is one of 14 states that does not allow early voting.
"Some registered voters are eligible to vote absentee because of age, health, work demands, temporary relocation for educational purposes or their affiliation with the U.S. Armed Forces."
And yet when I examined the list of those who voted absentee for today's election, I found the following:
Prichard: 6 ballots
Tunica Library: 55 ballots
Mhoon Landing: 1 ballot
Hello, MS is one of 14 states that does not allow early voting.
Among those listed as having voted absentee was Rachelle Burnett. She voted in the Circuit Clerk's Office on 31 Oct 2015. On the Voter Roll I purchased from the Circuit Clerk's Office, Rachelle Burnett's address is shown to be 1095 Beatline Road, Tunica, MS. This address does not exist. Online information shows that Rachelle Burnett lives at 2052 Heritage Place in Morrow, GA.
Additionally, online information shows that Rachelle Burnett is related to: Cedric Burnett, Clara Burnett, Earl Burnett and Tishia Hollerway.
How many more people are casting votes in Tunica County Elections when they do not live here?
Fair and honest elections PEOPLE!
Stay tuned. I will be updating this post as I can throughout the day.
First Update: 11:52a: Bob and I voted at the Library. The line was long and one of the machines kept breaking down. Tunica Library needs to have 3 machines, not 2.
Somebody asked me what I think about today's election for the Supervisor Beat 2 position. What it feels like is that I have spent years working for Transparency in Tunica County and someone else spends 2 months throwing a bunch of money campaigning and that someone else gets the promotion. But you know what? As long as Phillis, Sonny and the Rev get re-elected, I'm good.
Second Update: 2:50p: Bob and I visited each Beat 2 Precinct and this is what we found:
Precinct 3: Prichard @ 1:08p
103 people had voted and there were 6 Absentee Ballots listed.
At the last Poll Worker Training on 27 Oct 2015, I wrote down the Poll Workers for this Precinct.
They were:
Manager: Leonard Granberry
Manager: Martini McNeal
Latoya Gibson
Yameka Melvin (Had not been asked yet.)
Today, the Poll Workers are:
Manager: Leonard Granberry
Megan Burnette
Adriea Sanders
Calvin Wilson
Is this a problem with Poll Workers saying yes and then saying no or is this a problem with the Election Commission asking Poll Workers too late?
Precinct 4: Tunica Library @ 11a
129 people had voted and there were 53 Absentee Ballots listed.
Note: Previously, I had reported that I counted 55 Absentee Ballots in the Circuit Clerk's Office. I must have counted wrong.
At the last Poll Worker Training on 27 Oct 2015, I wrote down the Poll Workers for this Precinct.
They were:
Manager: Scott Rhines
Manager: Meg Coker
Sandy Gannoway
Patricia Seggog
Marilyn Seggog
Today, the Poll Workers are:
Manager: Scott Rhines
Manager: Meg Coker
Sandy Gannoway
Jackie McLean
So what happened to the Seggogs?
Precinct 5: Mhoon Landing @ 1:30p
47 people had voted and there was one Absentee Ballots listed.
At the last Poll Worker Training on 27 Oct 2015, I wrote down the Poll Workers for this Precinct.
They were:
Manager: Joyce Mitchell
Manager: Susie Dorsey
Roshon Dorsey
Anthony Hudson (Had not been asked yet.)
Note: I have learned that Anthony was asked to be a Poll Worker at church on Sun, 1 Nov 2015 and he was not available to serve on Election Day. Come on Elijah. Ridiculous.
Today, the Poll Workers are:
Manager: Joyce Mitchell
Manager: Susie Dorsey
Roshon Dorsey
Shelia Harris
Third Update: 10:23p Bob and I arrived at the Courthouse about 9p. This is a full two hours after the polls had closed. At 9p only 8 of the 12 Precinct Boxes had arrived. Precincts 4, 6, 7 and 12 were still outstanding. Box 12 arrived at 9:45p. Box 7 arrived at 10p.
While we waited we heard many stories about malfunctioning machines and a lot of stories about machines running out of paper. Running out of paper?!!! Come on Sharon. Why aren't the Poll Managers supplied with extra paper. This makes no sense to me.
Bob and I stayed until about 10:15p. Precinct boxes from 4 (Tunica Library) and Precinct 6 (White Oak) had not arrived when we left.
Suggestion for next election...you know...the one where America elects Hillary Clinton as the first woman President...when box seals are broken to open the boxes, the seal numbers need to be announced. After each box is canvased and closed, the new seal needs to be announced. This is necessary because those who elect to examine the boxes with the Circuit Clerk, need to be able to verify that the seal has not been broken. The Circuit Clerk needs to keep a list of every seal that is broken and/or added to each box.
MS is one of 14 states that does not allow early voting.
"Some registered voters are eligible to vote absentee because of age, health, work demands, temporary relocation for educational purposes or their affiliation with the U.S. Armed Forces."
MS is one of 14 states that does not allow early voting.
And yet when I examined the list of those who voted absentee for today's election, I found the following:
Prichard: 6 ballots
Tunica Library: 55 ballots
Mhoon Landing: 1 ballot
Hello, MS is one of 14 states that does not allow early voting.
Among those listed as having voted absentee was Rachelle Burnett. She voted in the Circuit Clerk's Office on 31 Oct 2015. On the Voter Roll I purchased from the Circuit Clerk's Office, Rachelle Burnett's address is shown to be 1095 Beatline Road, Tunica, MS. This address does not exist. Online information shows that Rachelle Burnett lives at 2052 Heritage Place in Morrow, GA.
Additionally, online information shows that Rachelle Burnett is related to: Cedric Burnett, Clara Burnett, Earl Burnett and Tishia Hollerway.
How many more people are casting votes in Tunica County Elections when they do not live here?
Fair and honest elections PEOPLE!
Stay tuned. I will be updating this post as I can throughout the day.
First Update: 11:52a: Bob and I voted at the Library. The line was long and one of the machines kept breaking down. Tunica Library needs to have 3 machines, not 2.
Somebody asked me what I think about today's election for the Supervisor Beat 2 position. What it feels like is that I have spent years working for Transparency in Tunica County and someone else spends 2 months throwing a bunch of money campaigning and that someone else gets the promotion. But you know what? As long as Phillis, Sonny and the Rev get re-elected, I'm good.
Second Update: 2:50p: Bob and I visited each Beat 2 Precinct and this is what we found:
Precinct 3: Prichard @ 1:08p
103 people had voted and there were 6 Absentee Ballots listed.
At the last Poll Worker Training on 27 Oct 2015, I wrote down the Poll Workers for this Precinct.
They were:
Manager: Leonard Granberry
Manager: Martini McNeal
Latoya Gibson
Yameka Melvin (Had not been asked yet.)
Today, the Poll Workers are:
Manager: Leonard Granberry
Megan Burnette
Adriea Sanders
Calvin Wilson
Is this a problem with Poll Workers saying yes and then saying no or is this a problem with the Election Commission asking Poll Workers too late?
Precinct 4: Tunica Library @ 11a
129 people had voted and there were 53 Absentee Ballots listed.
Note: Previously, I had reported that I counted 55 Absentee Ballots in the Circuit Clerk's Office. I must have counted wrong.
At the last Poll Worker Training on 27 Oct 2015, I wrote down the Poll Workers for this Precinct.
They were:
Manager: Scott Rhines
Manager: Meg Coker
Sandy Gannoway
Patricia Seggog
Marilyn Seggog
Today, the Poll Workers are:
Manager: Scott Rhines
Manager: Meg Coker
Sandy Gannoway
Jackie McLean
So what happened to the Seggogs?
Precinct 5: Mhoon Landing @ 1:30p
47 people had voted and there was one Absentee Ballots listed.
At the last Poll Worker Training on 27 Oct 2015, I wrote down the Poll Workers for this Precinct.
They were:
Manager: Joyce Mitchell
Manager: Susie Dorsey
Roshon Dorsey
Anthony Hudson (Had not been asked yet.)
Note: I have learned that Anthony was asked to be a Poll Worker at church on Sun, 1 Nov 2015 and he was not available to serve on Election Day. Come on Elijah. Ridiculous.
Today, the Poll Workers are:
Manager: Joyce Mitchell
Manager: Susie Dorsey
Roshon Dorsey
Shelia Harris
Third Update: 10:23p Bob and I arrived at the Courthouse about 9p. This is a full two hours after the polls had closed. At 9p only 8 of the 12 Precinct Boxes had arrived. Precincts 4, 6, 7 and 12 were still outstanding. Box 12 arrived at 9:45p. Box 7 arrived at 10p.
While we waited we heard many stories about malfunctioning machines and a lot of stories about machines running out of paper. Running out of paper?!!! Come on Sharon. Why aren't the Poll Managers supplied with extra paper. This makes no sense to me.
Bob and I stayed until about 10:15p. Precinct boxes from 4 (Tunica Library) and Precinct 6 (White Oak) had not arrived when we left.
Suggestion for next election...you know...the one where America elects Hillary Clinton as the first woman President...when box seals are broken to open the boxes, the seal numbers need to be announced. After each box is canvased and closed, the new seal needs to be announced. This is necessary because those who elect to examine the boxes with the Circuit Clerk, need to be able to verify that the seal has not been broken. The Circuit Clerk needs to keep a list of every seal that is broken and/or added to each box.
Monday, November 2, 2015
Initiative 42
Have you all seen the Facebook pictures showing Marilyn Young speaking about and educating people about Initiative 42? Yeah, what about that Tunica? Young is doing the work of our Representative and we can't make sure she is elected to the MS House of Representatives?
Again, we have shot ourselves in the foot.
And what about our sitting Representative Clara Burnett? What has she done to educate Tunicans about Initiative 42? Nothing that I've seen. Have you seen any activity from Burnett on this very important piece of legislation?
And what about her son, Cedric Burnett. He's on the ballot tomorrow. Has anyone seen him helping people to understand the importance of Initiative 42.
Tunica, we need to elect people who work for us. I don't believe Burnett needs to be our Representative in the MS House.
Again, we have shot ourselves in the foot.
And what about our sitting Representative Clara Burnett? What has she done to educate Tunicans about Initiative 42? Nothing that I've seen. Have you seen any activity from Burnett on this very important piece of legislation?
And what about her son, Cedric Burnett. He's on the ballot tomorrow. Has anyone seen him helping people to understand the importance of Initiative 42.
Tunica, we need to elect people who work for us. I don't believe Burnett needs to be our Representative in the MS House.
Candidate Financial Reporting
So, before going to Municipal Court this morning, I went by the Circuit Clerk's Office to examine the candidates' financial reports. Hmm....Interesting.
Recently, I had reported that one candidate for Supervisor Beat 2 had filed only one report and that report contained only one page. When I had previously examined the financial reports on 24 Oct 2015, the Circuit Clerk herself looked twice and found only my reports and this other one page submission. Really?!
Then today, there were reports for all candidates for Supervisor Beat 2. Beat 2 voters, we have a problem. The devil is in the details and it is important that Supervisors get the details right and that they are transparent.
Candidates submit financial reporting on specific dates. Each report contains at least 3 pages: a consolidation page, a receipt page and an expense page. The last report was due on 27 Oct 2015.
This morning, this is what I found:
Barbara Tuchel's reports were completed, filed and stamped.
Perry Turner filed one report on 2 May 2015. There was not a file stamp on this report. There are contributions listed and no distribution of the funds are stated. Have you seen any signs for a Turner campaign? Me neither.
Robert Leflore, Jr. filed one report on 10 Jul 2015 and stated he had not received any contributions and had not spent any money. I have seen Leflore campaign signs. So, why wasn't this expense reported? Additionally, Leflore ran as a Democrat in the Primary and the filing fee is $15. He can't take the time to fill-out and file this simple report?
Lynn Henson filed his completed reports and they are all file stamped. Incidently, it was Henson's one page that the Circuit Clerk showed me on 24 Oct 2015. What's up with that, Sharon?
And then we get to Michael Johnson: Johnson reported income of $2,000 and expenses of $6,951.28. His contributions came from two sources: Pat Johnson ($1,000) and Becky and Ken Whittington ($1,000). So, I guess the $4,951.28 came out of Johnson's own pocket? Wondering if Johnson and the Whittington's are the only contributors. Didn't his parents contribute to his campaign?
I also found a contribution to the Curley Matthews campaign of...I think...$500 from Dick Taylor. I'm using this as an example to show that it is important to know who is contributing to whose campaign.
I know that the devil is in the details. I know that every "i" must be dotted and every "t" crossed.
Recently, I had reported that one candidate for Supervisor Beat 2 had filed only one report and that report contained only one page. When I had previously examined the financial reports on 24 Oct 2015, the Circuit Clerk herself looked twice and found only my reports and this other one page submission. Really?!
Then today, there were reports for all candidates for Supervisor Beat 2. Beat 2 voters, we have a problem. The devil is in the details and it is important that Supervisors get the details right and that they are transparent.
Candidates submit financial reporting on specific dates. Each report contains at least 3 pages: a consolidation page, a receipt page and an expense page. The last report was due on 27 Oct 2015.
This morning, this is what I found:
Barbara Tuchel's reports were completed, filed and stamped.
Perry Turner filed one report on 2 May 2015. There was not a file stamp on this report. There are contributions listed and no distribution of the funds are stated. Have you seen any signs for a Turner campaign? Me neither.
Robert Leflore, Jr. filed one report on 10 Jul 2015 and stated he had not received any contributions and had not spent any money. I have seen Leflore campaign signs. So, why wasn't this expense reported? Additionally, Leflore ran as a Democrat in the Primary and the filing fee is $15. He can't take the time to fill-out and file this simple report?
Lynn Henson filed his completed reports and they are all file stamped. Incidently, it was Henson's one page that the Circuit Clerk showed me on 24 Oct 2015. What's up with that, Sharon?
And then we get to Michael Johnson: Johnson reported income of $2,000 and expenses of $6,951.28. His contributions came from two sources: Pat Johnson ($1,000) and Becky and Ken Whittington ($1,000). So, I guess the $4,951.28 came out of Johnson's own pocket? Wondering if Johnson and the Whittington's are the only contributors. Didn't his parents contribute to his campaign?
I also found a contribution to the Curley Matthews campaign of...I think...$500 from Dick Taylor. I'm using this as an example to show that it is important to know who is contributing to whose campaign.
I know that the devil is in the details. I know that every "i" must be dotted and every "t" crossed.
Tomorrow, 3 Nov 2015
VOTE for Transparency
Elect Barbara R. Tuchel
Supervisor Beat 2
Updated 6 Nov 2015: NOT GUILTY! NOT GUILTY!
That's right folks. Our County Administrator, Michael Thompson, is not guilty of the charges brought by the Tunica County Comptroller, Adrian McKay.
I couldn't hear all that went on at the Judge's bench. So, I've asked for copies of the signed documents. As soon as I get them, I will post them here.
Yes, post them here. I've upgraded to Windows 10 and I'm hoping this will allow me to upload documents. We will see.
But for now:
I couldn't hear all that went on at the Judge's bench. So, I've asked for copies of the signed documents. As soon as I get them, I will post them here.
Yes, post them here. I've upgraded to Windows 10 and I'm hoping this will allow me to upload documents. We will see.
But for now:
Michael Thompson
is
NOT GUILTY! NOT GUILTY! NOT GUILTY!
Update: 6 Nov 2015
Last night I received an email saying that I had this above post wrong and that I needed to delete this post. Please reread this post. I clearly say, I am waiting for copies of the signed documents. To date, I have not received them and quite frankly have been too busy to follow-up.
Perhaps what I intended as a spoof of what I imagined to be a Tunica Times headline didn't come across as such. But this bold statement above is exactly that.
Both Brooks Taylor and I were in the court room during this case and yet, there was no mention of this event in the 6 Nov 2015 issue of the newspaper. Did I miss something?
Sunday, November 1, 2015
A Post from Bob: Choosing a Candidate
At the State and National level, we select our candidates
based on what they say about the running of our State and our Country governments. We do not personally know these candidates. They are not our neighbors or our family members. These State and National candidates are known by what they want
to accomplish, their history of work on behalf of the State or Federal
government and their ethics.
Why should it be any different for our County elections?
What do we know about our local candidates?
What do we know about what they want to
accomplish if they are elected?
How do they say they will
improve our County?
Which candidate has
published their agenda?
What do we know about their history of work in any capacity
that supports the County?
Which
candidates spent years working to improve the lives of Tunica County residents?
Which candidates have chosen to do nothing?
What do we know about their ethics?
Which candidate has a history of faithfully
finding facts and making our County aware of these facts?
If simply shaking your hand and smiling is all you got from
a candidate, what are you guaranteed to get from this candidate if elected?
Does a free dinner take the place of
knowledge, ethics, honesty or truthful communication?
When did being a friend of a candidate make
that person ready to work for the people of this county?
You do not know those running for high political office for
this State or for the Presidency. Yet
you listen to their statements. You
evaluate their behavior. You try to
understand what those candidates can do for our State and for our Country.
Why should it be different for the County candidates? That is because it should not be different.
VOTE for those who serve.
VOTE for those who serve.
On Tuesday, 3 Nov
VOTE for Transparency
Elect Barbara R. Tuchel
Supervisor Beat 2
Saturday, October 31, 2015
A Calming Note from Coach Norwood
Unfortunately leading up to this weeks game there were allegedly threats made toward the opposing team. As of yet we have not confirmed who the threats may or may not have come from. However, If you consider yourself a real supporter of this Team and Program me & my staff have built over the past six years you would refrain from directing insults at the opposing team and our players and coaches. This is not what I'm about & this is not what we are teaching your young men. This behavior will not be tolerated. It is sad that these boys body of work they have put together this season is being tarnished by people that have no affiliation with the Team. We must do a better job of representing our school and town in everything we do. It's hurts to hear people call my kids thugs, gang bangers, and uncivilized. I know they aren't but we have students and fans that claim to represent us act in this manner. In the future, if you cannot represent The Fort in a positive manner please do not show up at our games.
Coach Norwood
Coach Norwood told me the following:
"I wish the Times wouldn't have posted the article on their face book. I asked for it to be removed early this morning. It has caused a lot of controversy over nothing."
UPDATED 6 Nov 2015: 29 Oct 2015: Board of Supervisors' Meeting: CORRECTED 3 Nov 2015
29 Oct 2015 Board of
Supervisors’ Meeting: 5p
Thank you for the appointment
this evening.
Over the years, I have
written and reported to you about our voter rolls. We are just a few days away from the General
Election. We still have many problems
with our Election Commission’s performance.
Four weeks ago, I received a
phone call talking about the training of election workers for 3 Nov. I thought I would check it out for
myself. Bob and I attended the next
meeting. At that meeting, I learned that
our voter rolls have not been purged.
Yes, it is and was too late but it was not too late in Jan, Feb, Mar,
Apr, May and Jun of this year. I just
wanted the Election Commission to admit to their potential workers that the
voter rolls they would be working with on 3 Nov, had not been purged.
I learned that the previous
week there were 19 people in attendance.
At the meeting I attended, there was supposed to be hands on training on
the voting machines. In preparation for
this training, 2 machines were set-up and at least 1 of them was not
working. I suggested that enough
machines be set-up the following week to allow every person to experience what
it takes to set-up and take-down the voting machines.
I couldn’t attend the next
week. However, at the final training I
verified with one person that there were additional machines the previous
week. Another person told me there were
6 machines set-up during the training that I could not attend.
At the final training, I
arrived early to make a list of the Poll Workers that have been assigned to the
3 precincts in Beat 2. I wanted to make
sure that the 2 Poll Managers at the Tunica Library during the Primary Election
were not going to be working anywhere in Beat 2. If you will remember, 27 voters were disenfranchised
due to Poll Manager errors at the Library on 4 Aug.
I am including the list of
workers in this report:
Precinct 3: Prichard Road:
Manager: Leonard Granberry
Manager: Martini McNeal
Latoya Gibson
Yameka Melvin (had not been
asked yet)
Precinct 4: Tunica Library
Manager: Scott Rhines
Manager: Meg Coker
CORRECTION: Sandy Gannoway
CORRECTION: Sandy Gannoway
Patricia Seggog
Marilyn Seggog
Precinct 5: Mhoon Landing
Manager: Joyce Mitchell
Susie Dorsey
Roshunda Dorsey
Anthony Hudson (had not been
asked yet)
Why is this important
information? At the last Primary, we
were told that some workers called in the day before the Primary and said they
wouldn’t be available the next day. So,
what happened? What happened was that people
who had previously worked our elections were called to fill in. What I am suggesting is that each of you find
out from your Election Commissioner who is going to work the polls in your
Beat. The devil is in the details and
this list may be helpful to you after next Tue.
So, what is left? The voter rolls that are used by the Poll
Workers at the Precincts. What can you,
as a Supervisor, do to make sure that the rolls provided by the Circuit Clerk
are accurate?
During the Primary and the
run-off, there were problems like unsealed bags from Mhoon Landing,
Superintendent’s Office and Tunica Auditorium.
There were problems with people voting who did not live here. There were problems with voters being listed
in the wrong Precinct. There were problems with a lot of stuff. Why can’t Tunica get this right? Have we really been doing it wrong so long
that some of us think it is right? At
the very least, every legal voter of this County needs to feel sure that our
elections are fair and honest.
*This is the end of the Transparency Report.
What I am reporting next is very important for all of us to understand BEFORE we cast our votes next Tue, 3 Nov 2015.
To request an appointment on the agenda of a Board of Supervisors' Meeting, you must submit your request at least 72 hours prior to the meeting. The Transparency Committee asked to be put on the agenda for this meeting well before 72 hours prior.
After presenting our report, James Dunn asked a member of the audience who is also a member of the Healthcare Authority Board (HCAB), if he had requested to be placed on the agenda. The HCAB member stated he had called the County Administrator's Office but had not received a return phone call. Dunn then invited the HCAB member to speak.
The HCAB member then requested that the BOS reconsider hiring "Mr." Gene Osborn. (PLEASE people, it is DOCTOR Osborn not Mister Osborn...use his title...he earned it.)This is very curious because as I understand it, the Healthcare Authority Board voted against again hiring Dr. Osborn to assist the two HCA managers. Correction: I have now learned that the HCAB voted for rehiring Dr. Osborn. One member voted against rehiring Dr. Osborn.
A bit of background: Previously, the BOS rehired Dr. Osborn for 3 months to train the two managers. At the end of the three months, the managers were awarded a $20,000 raise each due to their added responsibilities.
During his presentation to the BOS the HCAB member stated the HCA would lose approximately $1M this year. The impression was that this was unusual. Thankfully, County Administrator Michael Thompson interrupted the presentation to inform Dunn, the HCBA member and everyone else that the HCA has lost between $800K and $1M since its inception in 2005. The HCAB member stated the deficit was between $500K and $600K. Thompson corrected him and the HCAB member finally admitted that Thompson was correct. Additionally, Thompson stated that the HCA has lost between $800k and $1M per year when Dr. Osborn was in charge so this is no surprise to anyone.
I know this to be true as the Transparency Committee has been looking into the HCA for many years. We were the folks who brought to the public's attention that we were paying Dr. Gentry $265k per year. We were the folks who attended and spoke to the BOS at Public Hearings about the HCA losing about a $1M per year.
Okay, so that's the background.Here's the problem. The HCAB did not vote to rehire Dr. Osborn and yet Dunn and this HCAB member tried to make us think he was speaking about a subject that was approved by the HCAB. Guys, we are not stupid. To me this was one member of the HCAB pushing for something that the board of which he is a member had voted against. Does he think he can step over the HCAB to get what he wants by coming to the BOS? I think this is inappropriate and very disruptive to the democratic way of doing things. Does he not respect the other HCAB members? Thank heaven for Sonny Nickson, who stood up to Dunn and the HCAB member. As corrected above, the HCAB voted to rehire Dr. Osborn with one member voting against the rehiring. IMHO, why do we keep employing the same people and expecting different results? Maybe the rehire is on an as-needed basis but just maybe we need to do something different. The HCAB member who spoke at the BOS's meeting was asked to bring back other options.
Blogger's note: In my follow-up to this post, I did find out that the rest of the HCAB did not know this member had taken it upon himself to approach the Board. Therefore, my statement above of "I think this is inappropriate and very disruptive to the democratic way of doing things" still stands.
Additionally, I have now been told by other HCAB members that the two managers asked Michael Thompson to help them balance their books. He couldn't do this because he was in the middle of the budgeting process. They then approached Adrian McKay and got the same answer. So, they hired Williams, Pitts and Beard at $260+ per hour to do the task. One of the HCAB members I spoke with said they should have called her and she would have balanced their books for free. And don't anybody get on this blog and attack Thompson or McKay for not being able to help balance the HCA books. It is not their job and they had other responsibilities. If you decide you are going to comment in the negative anyway, I will delete your post without taking the time to answer.
These upcoming elections are going to have consequences if we waste our vote on the wrong candidate. We will be getting a stomach full of this inappropriate behavior if Beat 2 voters fall victim to a candidate who is not involved in our government circumstances as I have been. I would not have found it difficult at all to say just what I have written here concerning the above Dunn/HCAB member dog and pony show.
I would not be quiet. First, I would have asked the HCAB member when did he call the County Administrator's Office and then informed him of the 72 hour rule...for his future requests. Second, I would have asked if the HCAB had approved this member's presentation. I would have followed up with what the Transparency Committee has reported about the HCA. I do not think kindly of those who think they can come to the BOS to get what they wantover the disapproval of the board on which they serve. without the rest of their Board knowing of their presentation.
Every person in Tunica County puts his or her pants on the same way. The public was not fooled. Let's wait and see what the Tunica Times has to say about this request. Will they speak accurately or will they slant the story to support big money?
*This is the end of the Transparency Report.
What I am reporting next is very important for all of us to understand BEFORE we cast our votes next Tue, 3 Nov 2015.
To request an appointment on the agenda of a Board of Supervisors' Meeting, you must submit your request at least 72 hours prior to the meeting. The Transparency Committee asked to be put on the agenda for this meeting well before 72 hours prior.
After presenting our report, James Dunn asked a member of the audience who is also a member of the Healthcare Authority Board (HCAB), if he had requested to be placed on the agenda. The HCAB member stated he had called the County Administrator's Office but had not received a return phone call. Dunn then invited the HCAB member to speak.
The HCAB member then requested that the BOS reconsider hiring "Mr." Gene Osborn. (PLEASE people, it is DOCTOR Osborn not Mister Osborn...use his title...he earned it.)
A bit of background: Previously, the BOS rehired Dr. Osborn for 3 months to train the two managers. At the end of the three months, the managers were awarded a $20,000 raise each due to their added responsibilities.
During his presentation to the BOS the HCAB member stated the HCA would lose approximately $1M this year. The impression was that this was unusual. Thankfully, County Administrator Michael Thompson interrupted the presentation to inform Dunn, the HCBA member and everyone else that the HCA has lost between $800K and $1M since its inception in 2005. The HCAB member stated the deficit was between $500K and $600K. Thompson corrected him and the HCAB member finally admitted that Thompson was correct. Additionally, Thompson stated that the HCA has lost between $800k and $1M per year when Dr. Osborn was in charge so this is no surprise to anyone.
I know this to be true as the Transparency Committee has been looking into the HCA for many years. We were the folks who brought to the public's attention that we were paying Dr. Gentry $265k per year. We were the folks who attended and spoke to the BOS at Public Hearings about the HCA losing about a $1M per year.
Okay, so that's the background.
Blogger's note: In my follow-up to this post, I did find out that the rest of the HCAB did not know this member had taken it upon himself to approach the Board. Therefore, my statement above of "I think this is inappropriate and very disruptive to the democratic way of doing things" still stands.
Additionally, I have now been told by other HCAB members that the two managers asked Michael Thompson to help them balance their books. He couldn't do this because he was in the middle of the budgeting process. They then approached Adrian McKay and got the same answer. So, they hired Williams, Pitts and Beard at $260+ per hour to do the task. One of the HCAB members I spoke with said they should have called her and she would have balanced their books for free. And don't anybody get on this blog and attack Thompson or McKay for not being able to help balance the HCA books. It is not their job and they had other responsibilities. If you decide you are going to comment in the negative anyway, I will delete your post without taking the time to answer.
These upcoming elections are going to have consequences if we waste our vote on the wrong candidate. We will be getting a stomach full of this inappropriate behavior if Beat 2 voters fall victim to a candidate who is not involved in our government circumstances as I have been. I would not have found it difficult at all to say just what I have written here concerning the above Dunn/HCAB member dog and pony show.
I would not be quiet. First, I would have asked the HCAB member when did he call the County Administrator's Office and then informed him of the 72 hour rule...for his future requests. Second, I would have asked if the HCAB had approved this member's presentation. I would have followed up with what the Transparency Committee has reported about the HCA. I do not think kindly of those who think they can come to the BOS to get what they want
Every person in Tunica County puts his or her pants on the same way. The public was not fooled. Let's wait and see what the Tunica Times has to say about this request. Will they speak accurately or will they slant the story to support big money?
On Tue, 3 Nov
VOTE for Transparency
Elect Barbara R. Tuchel
Supervisor Beat 2
Wednesday, October 28, 2015
UPDATED 29 OCT 2015: There's a new blog in town....
Before I go on with my request for action, be aware that this Blogger does not identify him/her self. I have a backbone and from day one, I have put my real name out there. Hoping he/she will do the same. Also, there is a responder to this other blog using the name, Jack Moss. Previously, "Jack Moss" wrote on this site. I asked him to use his real name. I checked with the Post Office and there is not a "Jack Moss" in Tunica County. Oh please...grow up and step out with what you have to say.
Okay, the new blog is www.tunicatruths.blogspot.com aka Tunicans for Responsible Government.
From one of their posts, I gathered that they believe Boykin's eligibility for office should be left to the voter alone without any certification from the DEC. Really? And what do they plan to do if Boykin wins the election? What if she loses the election? Should the State of MS just ignore the accusation of voter fraud?
I have already responded to some of their posts and I am expecting my comments to be deleted. Let's take some of our readership on over there and see what they have to say.
As always, I am open to other ideas and suggestions of a change in what I have to say.'
UPDATE: So, I checked back with this other blog and sure enough, some of my comments were deleted. I wasn't rude and I didn't curse. So, I guess it was the information I presented, under my own name, that didn't fit with their purposes.
One of the things I pointed out to them was that it may look like I am deleting comments from this Blog but that isn't so. For some reason, blogspot comments sometimes post twice. When this happens, either the author or I deletes the duplicate comment. As a matter of fact, this is already happening on the other blog too. Off to do some quilting.
One more thing, don't forget the BOSs' Meeting today at 5p. Another opportunity to see the Beat 2 Supervisor explode.
Oh, BTW as of 8:25a this morning, this blog has 64,036 hits. Thanks for reading. I'm doing my best to post accurate information under my own name. Always open to taking another look at what I've posted.
Now, I really am off to do some quilting.
Okay, the new blog is www.tunicatruths.blogspot.com aka Tunicans for Responsible Government.
From one of their posts, I gathered that they believe Boykin's eligibility for office should be left to the voter alone without any certification from the DEC. Really? And what do they plan to do if Boykin wins the election? What if she loses the election? Should the State of MS just ignore the accusation of voter fraud?
I have already responded to some of their posts and I am expecting my comments to be deleted. Let's take some of our readership on over there and see what they have to say.
As always, I am open to other ideas and suggestions of a change in what I have to say.'
UPDATE: So, I checked back with this other blog and sure enough, some of my comments were deleted. I wasn't rude and I didn't curse. So, I guess it was the information I presented, under my own name, that didn't fit with their purposes.
One of the things I pointed out to them was that it may look like I am deleting comments from this Blog but that isn't so. For some reason, blogspot comments sometimes post twice. When this happens, either the author or I deletes the duplicate comment. As a matter of fact, this is already happening on the other blog too. Off to do some quilting.
One more thing, don't forget the BOSs' Meeting today at 5p. Another opportunity to see the Beat 2 Supervisor explode.
Oh, BTW as of 8:25a this morning, this blog has 64,036 hits. Thanks for reading. I'm doing my best to post accurate information under my own name. Always open to taking another look at what I've posted.
Now, I really am off to do some quilting.
Monday, October 26, 2015
These Election: Part II
Election Day is fast approaching. Do you have your choices in mind?
I wanted to take this opportunity to ask everyone to vote next Tue, 3 Nov and to remember what happened to our schools when we elected the wrong Superintendent. Elections do have consequences.
I don't know about you but I've had more then enough of those who are trying to and have made a circus of life in Tunica. We have candidates on our ballot who didn't meet the residency requirements. We have people who voted and/or tried to vote in the Primary who don't live here. And then there are those who are running for themselves and their personal friends and family.
We need to elect those who have the best interest of Tunica County and the people who live here. Let's pull together and vote for the best person for the job. These elections are so important. We can't afford to go backwards. Please think before you vote.
I'm voting for Dennis Allen for Sheriff.
Please consider voting for the following:
Beat 5: McKinley Daley
Beat 4: Sonny Nickson
Beat 3: Phillis Williams
Beat 2: Barbara Tuchel
Tonight, the Transparency Blog has 63,185 hits. We need your help in directing the voters of Tunica County to this blog. We try our best to keep you informed. I believe that with even more readers, we can educate the citizens of our County about what is going on in their government. Spread the word and don't forget to vote to move Tunica County forward on 3 Nov 2015.
I wanted to take this opportunity to ask everyone to vote next Tue, 3 Nov and to remember what happened to our schools when we elected the wrong Superintendent. Elections do have consequences.
I don't know about you but I've had more then enough of those who are trying to and have made a circus of life in Tunica. We have candidates on our ballot who didn't meet the residency requirements. We have people who voted and/or tried to vote in the Primary who don't live here. And then there are those who are running for themselves and their personal friends and family.
We need to elect those who have the best interest of Tunica County and the people who live here. Let's pull together and vote for the best person for the job. These elections are so important. We can't afford to go backwards. Please think before you vote.
I'm voting for Dennis Allen for Sheriff.
Please consider voting for the following:
Beat 5: McKinley Daley
Beat 4: Sonny Nickson
Beat 3: Phillis Williams
Beat 2: Barbara Tuchel
Tonight, the Transparency Blog has 63,185 hits. We need your help in directing the voters of Tunica County to this blog. We try our best to keep you informed. I believe that with even more readers, we can educate the citizens of our County about what is going on in their government. Spread the word and don't forget to vote to move Tunica County forward on 3 Nov 2015.
Saturday, October 24, 2015
This is just ridiculous
Today in the mail, I received the following letter from A. Thomas Tucker, Jr. of the Tunica lawfirm of Tucker, Selden & Tucker, PLLC. Reprinting because I as you know, I can't upload to this blog.
October 21, 2015
Mrs. Barbara Tuchel
P. O. Box 1076
Tunica, MS 38676
Re: The Tunica Times
OP: Barbara Tuchel
Libel
Dear Mrs. Tuchel:
Please be advised that The Tunica Times has asked us to represent it in this matter.
Demand is made that your retract a statement that was published in your blog, transparencyintunica.blogspot.com, on October 21, 2015, as follows: "The Tunica Times and others in the white community were pushing Matthews to run against Rev. Daley."
You are notified that this statement as to The Tunica Times is completely false and that The Tunica Times considers it libelous in nature. Please promptly publish a retraction of this defamatory statement.
Thank you for your consideration.
Yours truly,
TUCKER, SELDEN & TUCKER, PLLC
SIGNED BY: A. Thomas Tucker, Jr.
ATTjr/krm
Blogger's Note: Go to this blog's post on 21 October 2015 for my response. And when you are through with that, kindly go to this blog's post on 19 Dec 2014 and read about the untrue statements
The Tunica Times made against Michael Thompson. I have asked and asked for an apology on behalf of Thompson for almost a year now with no response from The Tunica Times.
October 21, 2015
Mrs. Barbara Tuchel
P. O. Box 1076
Tunica, MS 38676
Re: The Tunica Times
OP: Barbara Tuchel
Libel
Dear Mrs. Tuchel:
Please be advised that The Tunica Times has asked us to represent it in this matter.
Demand is made that your retract a statement that was published in your blog, transparencyintunica.blogspot.com, on October 21, 2015, as follows: "The Tunica Times and others in the white community were pushing Matthews to run against Rev. Daley."
You are notified that this statement as to The Tunica Times is completely false and that The Tunica Times considers it libelous in nature. Please promptly publish a retraction of this defamatory statement.
Thank you for your consideration.
Yours truly,
TUCKER, SELDEN & TUCKER, PLLC
SIGNED BY: A. Thomas Tucker, Jr.
ATTjr/krm
Blogger's Note: Go to this blog's post on 21 October 2015 for my response. And when you are through with that, kindly go to this blog's post on 19 Dec 2014 and read about the untrue statements
The Tunica Times made against Michael Thompson. I have asked and asked for an apology on behalf of Thompson for almost a year now with no response from The Tunica Times.
Beat 2 Financial Reporting
Periodically, during a campaign, the candidates are required to file a Report of Receipts and Disbursements. There are three pages to each report and there are dates listed on the front page to file each report. The first pages is a consolidation, the second page is for itemized receipts and the third page is itemized disbursements.
These reports allow the public to see who is financially supporting a candidate and where the candidate is spending these funds.
Well guess what: There are 5 candidates for the position of Beat 2 Supervisor and I am the only candidate who has submitted the three page reports. To be totally transparent, some of my reports have been filed late but they are all there. One candidate filed the consolidation page for 8 Oct 2015. I am baffled by this. How can these candidates serve as the Beat 2 Supervisor when they don't even file their candidacy financial reports.
One of the Beat 2 Supervisor candidates has spent big bucks on his campaign. Hello, Beat 2 has a right to know who is financing your campaign. Your arrogance is disgusting. File your darn reports. What your inaction is proving is that you are not prepared to be a Supervisor and neither are the other three candidates. Hey, don't think I am talking behind this guy's back. I told him as much to his face on 4 Mar 2015. It was true then and he has proven it is true now.
Tunica, we have big problems in Tunica County. Past administrations have built these "HUGE" facilities that we must pay for with our limited dollars. Are you going to continue to elect people who are running for their friends and family or are you going to elect someone who has no other purpose but to help Tunica County?
These reports allow the public to see who is financially supporting a candidate and where the candidate is spending these funds.
Well guess what: There are 5 candidates for the position of Beat 2 Supervisor and I am the only candidate who has submitted the three page reports. To be totally transparent, some of my reports have been filed late but they are all there. One candidate filed the consolidation page for 8 Oct 2015. I am baffled by this. How can these candidates serve as the Beat 2 Supervisor when they don't even file their candidacy financial reports.
One of the Beat 2 Supervisor candidates has spent big bucks on his campaign. Hello, Beat 2 has a right to know who is financing your campaign. Your arrogance is disgusting. File your darn reports. What your inaction is proving is that you are not prepared to be a Supervisor and neither are the other three candidates. Hey, don't think I am talking behind this guy's back. I told him as much to his face on 4 Mar 2015. It was true then and he has proven it is true now.
Tunica, we have big problems in Tunica County. Past administrations have built these "HUGE" facilities that we must pay for with our limited dollars. Are you going to continue to elect people who are running for their friends and family or are you going to elect someone who has no other purpose but to help Tunica County?
Elect Barbara R. Tuchel
Supervisor: Beat 2
3 Nov 2015
To be clear: When I asked to see the financial reports for Beat 2, Sharon Granberry looked not once but twice and found my reports and the one sheet from another candidate.
Wednesday, October 21, 2015
These Elections
Let's start at the top:
To Attorney General Jim Hood: The citizens of Tunica County need your help. Your Department has been sent a report from MBI. This Investigation resulted in Jacqueline Dishmon-Boykin being accused of 2 counts of voter fraud. Citizens from our County have written to your department asking for action. We need your help and we need the help of the MS Secretary of State to ensure that we have fair and honest elections in our County. Nov 3 is rapidly approaching and without you taking action, Jacqueline Dishmon-Boykin will remain on our ballot and if she happens to be elected, she cannot be seated.
To Wes Ryals: Where have you been in helping to make sure Boykin is not on the 3 Nov ballot? Or for that matter, since you are well aware of this situation, why didn't you step in to help? Rightfully, you should be facing Louise Linzy on 3 Nov. Wes, I'm disappointed in your inaction.
For Tunica County Sheriff: I have been an outspoken opponent of KC Hamp for a good while. Recently, he dismissed his command staff. In doing so, without hearings, he threw away the investment Tunica County has in these officers. Then at the last Board of Supervisors' Meeting he gave raises to a bunch of his employees. Hello Hamp, it's election season and your actions could be construed as buying votes. Out on the campaign trail, I've heard from more than a few people that there was a meeting in your department to plan the entrapment of Michael Thompson. If anyone knows this to not be true, sing out and I will remove this statement but I am hearing the same story from more than a few people. The courts said Michael Thompson was entrapped by your department and yet you won the Primary? And where was my community, the white community, when it was ruled that Thompson was entrapped? Did you even utter a peep? We need a Sheriff who is going to step in and make the necessary changes and not play games with other's lives.
I'm voting for Dennis Allen.
Now onto the Supervisors:
Please vote for Rev. Daley.
Beat 4: And again, this is another race that was manipulated. Craig Harris had a residency problem and was not allowed on the ballot. So, who is trying to run against Sonny Nickson? Another former Supervisor. This Jackson guy was on the BOS from 2000 to 2003. Guess what happened during these years? The BOS issued a $30 million bond for the Arena; a $3 million bond for the Museum and a $15 million bond for the Airport Expansion. At the very least, couldn't they have paid for the Museum? Our income that year was $44,168,342.00. And you want back on the BOS? Jackson, you don't even come to BOS's Meetings. Who put you up to run? The guy who has your campaign sign in front of his funeral home?
Please vote for Sonny Nickson.
Beat 3: Phillis Williams has done a good job for Tunica County.
Please vote for Phillis Williams.
Beat 2: Now what can I say? I've worked my fingers to the bone researching and reporting to you about our County Government. Lots of people don't like it because I've exposed the wrong doing and they don't like me because I've upset their apple cart. Too bad. There isn't one candidate who is running against me that is involved in our government. The white community is pushing a guy who is not involved but he has the landed gentry behind him with all of their money and their signs and their dinners.... Remember this is the same group of people who got us into this financial mess. They have lots of property and they don't want to pay taxes. So, what is their solution? In my opinion these folks are selfish beyond reason. They want what they want and the rest of us can just live with it and their decisions. Isn't it time we all crawl out of Sugar Ditch? Together?
So what are you going to do Tunica County? Are you going to vote to move forward and start paying off the huge debt left to us by former Supervisors?
To Attorney General Jim Hood: The citizens of Tunica County need your help. Your Department has been sent a report from MBI. This Investigation resulted in Jacqueline Dishmon-Boykin being accused of 2 counts of voter fraud. Citizens from our County have written to your department asking for action. We need your help and we need the help of the MS Secretary of State to ensure that we have fair and honest elections in our County. Nov 3 is rapidly approaching and without you taking action, Jacqueline Dishmon-Boykin will remain on our ballot and if she happens to be elected, she cannot be seated.
To Wes Ryals: Where have you been in helping to make sure Boykin is not on the 3 Nov ballot? Or for that matter, since you are well aware of this situation, why didn't you step in to help? Rightfully, you should be facing Louise Linzy on 3 Nov. Wes, I'm disappointed in your inaction.
For Tunica County Sheriff: I have been an outspoken opponent of KC Hamp for a good while. Recently, he dismissed his command staff. In doing so, without hearings, he threw away the investment Tunica County has in these officers. Then at the last Board of Supervisors' Meeting he gave raises to a bunch of his employees. Hello Hamp, it's election season and your actions could be construed as buying votes. Out on the campaign trail, I've heard from more than a few people that there was a meeting in your department to plan the entrapment of Michael Thompson. If anyone knows this to not be true, sing out and I will remove this statement but I am hearing the same story from more than a few people. The courts said Michael Thompson was entrapped by your department and yet you won the Primary? And where was my community, the white community, when it was ruled that Thompson was entrapped? Did you even utter a peep? We need a Sheriff who is going to step in and make the necessary changes and not play games with other's lives.
I'm voting for Dennis Allen.
Now onto the Supervisors:
Beat 5: This is another race that has been manipulated. Let's start with Craig Jones. His Homestead in Desoto County was presented in Court. End of statement. Then there is Curley Matthews. The Tunica Times and others in the white community were pushing Matthews to run against Rev. Daley.* I guess their thought process was that if Matthews could beat Rev. Daley then it was a shoe-in for Billy Pegram. Well, Matthews didn't beat Rev. Daley. Here's the bottom line: Billy Pegram is one of the former Supervisors who didn't raise taxes when the gaming revenue started going down. Billy Pegram is a former Supervisor who supported building all of these facilities without feasibility studies when they should have been building infrastructure for our citizens.
*Referring to the highlighted and struckthrough sentence above and at the request of The Tunica Times through their lawyer, I am retracting the above sentence and submitting the following for their approval:
It appears to me that Meg Coker, editor of the Tunica Times, and others in the white community are supporting Curley Matthews against Rev. Daley.
Quite frankly, I don't know why a resident of Beat 2 is so involved in Beat 5 issues. Be that as it may, this is how I came to my opinion. After the 4 Aug 2015 election, Matthews examined the precinct boxes for Beat 5. In attendance, were two Beat 2 residents, Meg Coker and Scott Rhines and the candidate, Curley Matthews as well as a representative for Rev. Daley. At the DEC hearing on 3 Sep 2015, Curley Matthews appeared with Meg Coker, Scott Rhines and Chuck Graves. A report of this meeting is on the front and back pages of the Tunica Times 11 Sep 2015 issue reported by Meg Coker. Throughout this recorded report there are quotes and/or statements by Meg Coker, Scott Rhines, Chuck Graves, Joe Eddie Hawkins, Ayanna Hawkins, Dolly Hudson, Curley Matthews, Mark Hudson, Bob Tuchel and myself. On 24 Sep 2015 Meg Coker and Curley Matthews appeared on Channel 3 Memphis talking about our 4 Aug 2015 Primary. The interview was recorded at the office of the Tunica Times.
My question now is this: If there is no support of Curley Matthews as stated above then why aren't the two Beat 2 residents helping both Curley Matthews and Rev. Daley? None of us knows who the disenfranchised voters voted for....they could have voted for Curley Matthews or Rev. Daley.
I am always open to correcting statements if my statements are giving the wrong impression. This blog is all about my opinions and my research of public documents. I don't think it was necessary for The Tunica Times to have this letter sent to me. I would suggest that The Tunica Times take a good look in the mirror when they make such accusations. If this statement is not good enough for you, sing out, and I will make every effort to make The Tunica Times happy.
*Referring to the highlighted and struckthrough sentence above and at the request of The Tunica Times through their lawyer, I am retracting the above sentence and submitting the following for their approval:
It appears to me that Meg Coker, editor of the Tunica Times, and others in the white community are supporting Curley Matthews against Rev. Daley.
Quite frankly, I don't know why a resident of Beat 2 is so involved in Beat 5 issues. Be that as it may, this is how I came to my opinion. After the 4 Aug 2015 election, Matthews examined the precinct boxes for Beat 5. In attendance, were two Beat 2 residents, Meg Coker and Scott Rhines and the candidate, Curley Matthews as well as a representative for Rev. Daley. At the DEC hearing on 3 Sep 2015, Curley Matthews appeared with Meg Coker, Scott Rhines and Chuck Graves. A report of this meeting is on the front and back pages of the Tunica Times 11 Sep 2015 issue reported by Meg Coker. Throughout this recorded report there are quotes and/or statements by Meg Coker, Scott Rhines, Chuck Graves, Joe Eddie Hawkins, Ayanna Hawkins, Dolly Hudson, Curley Matthews, Mark Hudson, Bob Tuchel and myself. On 24 Sep 2015 Meg Coker and Curley Matthews appeared on Channel 3 Memphis talking about our 4 Aug 2015 Primary. The interview was recorded at the office of the Tunica Times.
My question now is this: If there is no support of Curley Matthews as stated above then why aren't the two Beat 2 residents helping both Curley Matthews and Rev. Daley? None of us knows who the disenfranchised voters voted for....they could have voted for Curley Matthews or Rev. Daley.
I am always open to correcting statements if my statements are giving the wrong impression. This blog is all about my opinions and my research of public documents. I don't think it was necessary for The Tunica Times to have this letter sent to me. I would suggest that The Tunica Times take a good look in the mirror when they make such accusations. If this statement is not good enough for you, sing out, and I will make every effort to make The Tunica Times happy.
Please vote for Rev. Daley.
Beat 4: And again, this is another race that was manipulated. Craig Harris had a residency problem and was not allowed on the ballot. So, who is trying to run against Sonny Nickson? Another former Supervisor. This Jackson guy was on the BOS from 2000 to 2003. Guess what happened during these years? The BOS issued a $30 million bond for the Arena; a $3 million bond for the Museum and a $15 million bond for the Airport Expansion. At the very least, couldn't they have paid for the Museum? Our income that year was $44,168,342.00. And you want back on the BOS? Jackson, you don't even come to BOS's Meetings. Who put you up to run? The guy who has your campaign sign in front of his funeral home?
Please vote for Sonny Nickson.
Beat 3: Phillis Williams has done a good job for Tunica County.
Please vote for Phillis Williams.
Beat 2: Now what can I say? I've worked my fingers to the bone researching and reporting to you about our County Government. Lots of people don't like it because I've exposed the wrong doing and they don't like me because I've upset their apple cart. Too bad. There isn't one candidate who is running against me that is involved in our government. The white community is pushing a guy who is not involved but he has the landed gentry behind him with all of their money and their signs and their dinners.... Remember this is the same group of people who got us into this financial mess. They have lots of property and they don't want to pay taxes. So, what is their solution? In my opinion these folks are selfish beyond reason. They want what they want and the rest of us can just live with it and their decisions. Isn't it time we all crawl out of Sugar Ditch? Together?
So what are you going to do Tunica County? Are you going to vote to move forward and start paying off the huge debt left to us by former Supervisors?
I'm asking for your vote to be the next Supervisor for Beat 2.
I've done the work.
I've put in the time.
And I'm ready to serve.
VOTE FOR TRANSPARENCY
ELECT: BARBARA R. TUCHEL
SUPERVISOR BEAT 2
Friday, October 16, 2015
Hollywood Casino and the Tunica Times
The Tunica Times was just on Facebook reporting that Hollywood Casino had "prevailed" in court against the County. Hollywood is objecting to last year's County Budget and tax increase.
I haven't seen the documents to support this case and quite frankly, I don't have time to research this nor a desire to do so. The fact that a private business can object to a government's budget or their power to levy taxes, seems preposterous to me.
After Judge Lackey's rulings....I just don't know about our courts. Let's remember, Judge Lackey said the DEC didn't put Boykin on the ballot. Really? Then how did she win the Primary?
Wonder if the Tunica Times will look-up and/or print the documents like we do on this blog.
I haven't seen the documents to support this case and quite frankly, I don't have time to research this nor a desire to do so. The fact that a private business can object to a government's budget or their power to levy taxes, seems preposterous to me.
After Judge Lackey's rulings....I just don't know about our courts. Let's remember, Judge Lackey said the DEC didn't put Boykin on the ballot. Really? Then how did she win the Primary?
Wonder if the Tunica Times will look-up and/or print the documents like we do on this blog.
Your action is needed:
As a follow-up to the MBI Report of Investigation that is posted on this blog, we are asking for your help. If you are so inclined, please send an email to the Attorney General's Office asking that they pursue this case.
The emails should be addressed to Tony Green in the Public Integrity Division:
The emails should be addressed to Tony Green in the Public Integrity Division:
Email: tgree@ago.state.ms.us
Thursday, October 15, 2015
15 Oct 2015: Board of Supervisors' Meeting
The only candidate for the Beat 2 Supervisor position that was present at tonight's meeting was me: Barbara Tuchel. What are the rest of you thinking? You want a seat at the table and you can't be bothered to show up at a Supervisors' Meeting? A pox on your house.
One of the discussions tonight was about a GreenTech Memo of Understanding. A bit of background: The original agreement with this company stated that they would be up and running and have hired 300 employees by 31 Dec 2014. If these goals were not met, GreenTech would have to pay back the entire loan within 60 days. Additionally, GreenTech would be awarded a 10 year tax abatement except for the taxes due to our schools.
GreenTech did not meet their promise to Tunica County and the State of MS and they didn't pay back the money loaned to them. Now, GreenTech is asking the Board of Supervisors to agree to another Memo of Understanding that would reduce their investment from $60 million to $30 million and the employee requirement from 300 to 150. Additionally, they wanted 7 years of tax abatement.
The Board agreed to 5 years of tax abatement and 50% of their employees must live in Tunica County. During the discussion, Rev Daley let us know that 300-400 Tunican have completed the silver and gold level certificates to qualify for these jobs and no one has received an interview.
Additionally, Michael Thompson had to explain to Cedric Burnett that GreenTech is only in the Beta phase of their production. That is,they are still trying to perfect their product. Why didn't Burnett already know this? On a regular basis, Burnett continues to throw out demands for others to immediately come up with answers to his obtuse questions. And Burnett doesn't even know what is going on at GreenTech? Shameful.
Further, Burnett again said we needed to fire the County Administrator and the Board Attorney and hire people who live in Tunica County. Really? Newsflash Burnett: Adrian McKay and Hylon Oliver don't live in Tunica County. What about them? What about this Burnett: Neither the County Administrator nor the Board Attorney try to vote in our elections. You have already received copies of Adrian McKay's Homestead Exemption in Desoto County. You have been notified that McKay, the Tunica County Comptroller, tried to vote in our Primary Election on 4 Aug 2015 at the Tunica Library.
Next subject: It is my understanding that during Executive Session there was a discussion about raises. When department heads submitted their budgets for the 2015-2016 fiscal year, some included raises for some employees. When these departmental budgets were approved, these raises were included. Now, Dunn and Burnett are saying they didn't realize and/or weren't told about the raises being included.
Here's the rub: In the old days, raises in Tunica County were given across the board without consideration of merit. That hasn't worked for us very well and the old policy doesn't encourage superior performance. Our pay scales are so out of wack that the Stennis Study showed that about 1/3 of our employees are being overpaid; 1/3 are being underpaid and about 1/3 are about right. Dunn and Burnett: your past policies caused these discrepancies in pay. Get with the program. We can't afford to go back to the old policies.
Let me end as I began this post: The current Beat 2 Supervisor has not done a good job. The only candidate that consistently shows up at meetings; studies the issues; informs the public and has a written and published platform is me: Barbara Tuchel.
I am asking for your vote. I have big plans for Beat 2.
One of the discussions tonight was about a GreenTech Memo of Understanding. A bit of background: The original agreement with this company stated that they would be up and running and have hired 300 employees by 31 Dec 2014. If these goals were not met, GreenTech would have to pay back the entire loan within 60 days. Additionally, GreenTech would be awarded a 10 year tax abatement except for the taxes due to our schools.
GreenTech did not meet their promise to Tunica County and the State of MS and they didn't pay back the money loaned to them. Now, GreenTech is asking the Board of Supervisors to agree to another Memo of Understanding that would reduce their investment from $60 million to $30 million and the employee requirement from 300 to 150. Additionally, they wanted 7 years of tax abatement.
The Board agreed to 5 years of tax abatement and 50% of their employees must live in Tunica County. During the discussion, Rev Daley let us know that 300-400 Tunican have completed the silver and gold level certificates to qualify for these jobs and no one has received an interview.
Additionally, Michael Thompson had to explain to Cedric Burnett that GreenTech is only in the Beta phase of their production. That is,they are still trying to perfect their product. Why didn't Burnett already know this? On a regular basis, Burnett continues to throw out demands for others to immediately come up with answers to his obtuse questions. And Burnett doesn't even know what is going on at GreenTech? Shameful.
Further, Burnett again said we needed to fire the County Administrator and the Board Attorney and hire people who live in Tunica County. Really? Newsflash Burnett: Adrian McKay and Hylon Oliver don't live in Tunica County. What about them? What about this Burnett: Neither the County Administrator nor the Board Attorney try to vote in our elections. You have already received copies of Adrian McKay's Homestead Exemption in Desoto County. You have been notified that McKay, the Tunica County Comptroller, tried to vote in our Primary Election on 4 Aug 2015 at the Tunica Library.
Next subject: It is my understanding that during Executive Session there was a discussion about raises. When department heads submitted their budgets for the 2015-2016 fiscal year, some included raises for some employees. When these departmental budgets were approved, these raises were included. Now, Dunn and Burnett are saying they didn't realize and/or weren't told about the raises being included.
Here's the rub: In the old days, raises in Tunica County were given across the board without consideration of merit. That hasn't worked for us very well and the old policy doesn't encourage superior performance. Our pay scales are so out of wack that the Stennis Study showed that about 1/3 of our employees are being overpaid; 1/3 are being underpaid and about 1/3 are about right. Dunn and Burnett: your past policies caused these discrepancies in pay. Get with the program. We can't afford to go back to the old policies.
Let me end as I began this post: The current Beat 2 Supervisor has not done a good job. The only candidate that consistently shows up at meetings; studies the issues; informs the public and has a written and published platform is me: Barbara Tuchel.
I am asking for your vote. I have big plans for Beat 2.
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