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.
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