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.

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.

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.

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. :-)

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?

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... 

      

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.

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 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.

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."

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. 

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.

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.

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:

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?

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.

On Tuesday, 3 Nov

VOTE for Transparency

Elect Barbara R. Tuchel

Supervisor Beat 2