Before we move on to the Board of Supervisors’ Meeting on 6 Feb 2012, a story that ran in the 4 Mar 2011 issue of the Tunica Times, needs to be put to rest.
The story title is “Beat Two Supervisor files trespassing charges” and was written by Meg Coker. This entry on the Transparency blog has nothing to do with the reporter and every thing to do with the Supervisor.
The following is not a quote by Supervisor Burnett. It is a paraphrase of his statement to the reporter.
“Burnett said the incident was the last straw and felt that he must take legal action. He alleges that Tuchel and his wife, Barbara, have been on his property several times, where they have argued with his neighbors. He also stated that he believes that the Tuchels have been following him and also his wife for months.”
Not true. Barbara Tuchel has never been on your property Cedric. Never.
Not true: Bob Tuchel has never argued with your neighbors. Barbara Tuchel was talking with Lawyer Porter in the street on the side of the 1370 Beatline Road house. We were joined by an older lady who lives in the house that faces the side of the 1370 Beatline Road house. This lady was soon joined by a younger man. Both the lady and the younger man started arguing and yelling so Barbara Tuchel walked away. And that's the truth. Ask Lawyer.
Not true: Neither Bob Tuchel nor Barbara Tuchel has ever followed you or your wife. Period.
The following is a quote by Supervisor Burnett:
“All I want is for them to stay away from me, my family, my job and my property. I really don’t know what their motives are, but it’s sickening, it really is…”
Not true. And as far as your “job” is concerned, the Tuchels are your constituents and they have a right to know where you live. At a Board of Supervisors meeting in Aug 2009, Tunicans for Transparency in Government asked you if you lived at 1370 Beatline Road. You said: “No, I don’t live there.” We asked you to tell us where you lived and you told us: “Keep looking, you’ll find it.”
The next quote in the article is from Bob Tuchel:
“We (the Transparency Committee) have been looking into elected county officials not living in Tunica County. A viable candidate must live in the beat, county, or state depending on the office he is seeking. Otherwise it is a violation of Mississippi law. Having an address here seems to be enough for the election officials.”
This article ends with a quote from Burnett:
“Bullcrap! I’ve lived in Tunica since 1966.”
Now that is a classy statement from an elected official.
Showing posts with label Burnett. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Burnett. Show all posts
Tuesday, February 7, 2012
Sunday, January 29, 2012
Taking Responsibility for Your Vote
It's not just our duty to vote, we need to be responsible for the results. For awhile now, I've felt that those who voted to put Bush and Chaney into office should be helping to clean-up the mess Bush and Co. hoisted on our country. I don't see this happening. And what about those who didn't bother to vote? As fellow Americans, where is their responsibilty in all of this mess?
What about our local elections? What is our individual responsibility here in Tunica County?
Here's an example to mull over: In Beat 2 there are approximately 1200 registered voters. On 8 Nov 2011, 665 votes were cast for the office of Beat 2 Supervisor. These 665 votes represent 55% of the 1200 registered voters in Beat 2. This would mean that 45% or 535 of the registered voters in Beat 2 did not want to vote or did not bother to vote. So, the question is this: By not voting does a person have any responsibility to their fellow citizens?
Now, let's go back and work with the 665 votes that were cast for the position of Beat 2 Supervisor. Of the 665 votes cast, 424 went to Burnett and 241 went to Hudson. The 424 votes represents 33% of the 1200 registered voters in Beat 2. The 241 votes represents 20% of the 1200 registered voters in Beat 2.
This means that 80% or 959 (424 + 535) of the registered voters in Beat 2 either voted for Burnett or didn't vote at all. To my way of thinking, this 80% of the registered voters in Beat 2 are, for the next 4 years, responsible for the performance of the Beat 2 Supervisor. Good luck with that.
What about our local elections? What is our individual responsibility here in Tunica County?
Here's an example to mull over: In Beat 2 there are approximately 1200 registered voters. On 8 Nov 2011, 665 votes were cast for the office of Beat 2 Supervisor. These 665 votes represent 55% of the 1200 registered voters in Beat 2. This would mean that 45% or 535 of the registered voters in Beat 2 did not want to vote or did not bother to vote. So, the question is this: By not voting does a person have any responsibility to their fellow citizens?
Now, let's go back and work with the 665 votes that were cast for the position of Beat 2 Supervisor. Of the 665 votes cast, 424 went to Burnett and 241 went to Hudson. The 424 votes represents 33% of the 1200 registered voters in Beat 2. The 241 votes represents 20% of the 1200 registered voters in Beat 2.
This means that 80% or 959 (424 + 535) of the registered voters in Beat 2 either voted for Burnett or didn't vote at all. To my way of thinking, this 80% of the registered voters in Beat 2 are, for the next 4 years, responsible for the performance of the Beat 2 Supervisor. Good luck with that.
Sunday, December 18, 2011
Keep it clean
This posting is being written to respond to the front page article “County; Keep it Clean” in the Fri, 16 Dec issue of the Tunica Times. I hope this letter will clarify the research the Transparency Committee did in preparation for this Public Hearing.
Our Committee reads the legal notices in the newspaper on a regular basis. When we noticed the resolution by the Board of Supervisors to hold a Public Hearing concerning the clean-up of property leased by Ed Walls, we thought that perhaps this was the first time this type of resolution by the Board of Supervisors had been posted in the Tunica Times. So, we researched each and every copy of the newspaper back to Nov 2010. We were correct. The Tunica County Board of Supervisors has discussed many properties that needed attention but they have not posted a legal notice in the newspaper about cleaning up those properties between Nov 2010 and 2 Dec 2011, except for the properties leased by Mr. Walls. We stand to be corrected if someone has other information.
As for the Public Hearing, Mr. Jewelie Brown, the Tunica County Code Enforcer, read more then a few names of properties that needed cleaning-up throughout the County. None of these residents have been posted in the newspaper by the Board of Supervisors so why was Mr. Walls? As a matter of fact, this Public Hearing was announced to specifically address the property leased by Mr. Walls. Therefore, discussing other properties during the Public Hearing was out of line.
Another paragraph in this article stated: “Beat 2 Supervisor Cedric Burnett asked if the tax obligations would fall on the tenant or the property owner.” Are you kidding me? Since when is a renter obligated to pay the property tax? Maybe I should rephrase this statement: Maybe the Beat 2 Supervisor is unaware of this logical conclusion because the last time I looked, his mother was still the taxpayer on the house and property he says he lives in.
All in all, I will stand by my statement. The actions of the Tunica County Board of Supervisors and the treatment of Mr. Walls by you during the 5 Dec 2011 Public Hearing “makes me think you are picking on Mr. Walls.
Our Committee reads the legal notices in the newspaper on a regular basis. When we noticed the resolution by the Board of Supervisors to hold a Public Hearing concerning the clean-up of property leased by Ed Walls, we thought that perhaps this was the first time this type of resolution by the Board of Supervisors had been posted in the Tunica Times. So, we researched each and every copy of the newspaper back to Nov 2010. We were correct. The Tunica County Board of Supervisors has discussed many properties that needed attention but they have not posted a legal notice in the newspaper about cleaning up those properties between Nov 2010 and 2 Dec 2011, except for the properties leased by Mr. Walls. We stand to be corrected if someone has other information.
As for the Public Hearing, Mr. Jewelie Brown, the Tunica County Code Enforcer, read more then a few names of properties that needed cleaning-up throughout the County. None of these residents have been posted in the newspaper by the Board of Supervisors so why was Mr. Walls? As a matter of fact, this Public Hearing was announced to specifically address the property leased by Mr. Walls. Therefore, discussing other properties during the Public Hearing was out of line.
Another paragraph in this article stated: “Beat 2 Supervisor Cedric Burnett asked if the tax obligations would fall on the tenant or the property owner.” Are you kidding me? Since when is a renter obligated to pay the property tax? Maybe I should rephrase this statement: Maybe the Beat 2 Supervisor is unaware of this logical conclusion because the last time I looked, his mother was still the taxpayer on the house and property he says he lives in.
All in all, I will stand by my statement. The actions of the Tunica County Board of Supervisors and the treatment of Mr. Walls by you during the 5 Dec 2011 Public Hearing “makes me think you are picking on Mr. Walls.
Monday, November 14, 2011
Notice to Ed Walls in the Tunica Times
This is the kind of abuse of power the District 2 Supervisor Cedric Burnett uses to go after anyone who disagrees with him.
All of a sudden, Burnett is interested in cleaning up the North Sub? The Transparency Committee asked you about this in 2009 and you weren't interested in doing your job. As a matter of fact, you said it wasn't your job. You said it was the job of Jewelie Brown and Clifton Johnson. And now? You are targeting citizens. Seems to me, Burnett is using his office to "go after" those who supported his opponent.
How about the New Sub Cedric? Ever think about cleaning that up Cedric? Ever think of "serving" your constituents Cedric? You're just interested in playing games and pushing people around. Does pushing people around make you feel important?
You may have been re-elected but there were many, many votes against you. You need to remember that and start doing your job.
All of a sudden, Burnett is interested in cleaning up the North Sub? The Transparency Committee asked you about this in 2009 and you weren't interested in doing your job. As a matter of fact, you said it wasn't your job. You said it was the job of Jewelie Brown and Clifton Johnson. And now? You are targeting citizens. Seems to me, Burnett is using his office to "go after" those who supported his opponent.
How about the New Sub Cedric? Ever think about cleaning that up Cedric? Ever think of "serving" your constituents Cedric? You're just interested in playing games and pushing people around. Does pushing people around make you feel important?
You may have been re-elected but there were many, many votes against you. You need to remember that and start doing your job.
Monday, November 7, 2011
Who really lives there...anybody?
Just went by the Tax Assessors' Office to see who was on the tax records for 1370 Beatline Road. The Tax Assessors' records show Clara Burnett as the taxpayer.
Hmmm, so let's see. District 2 Supervisor, Cedric Burnett, claims he lives there. The Courthouse land records show Clara Burnett transfered the property to Cedric Burnett on 30 Jun 2011 and the tax records are still in his mother's name? Dang, by the time I was in my 40s, my tax records had been in my own name for over 20 years.
And Clara, the Circuit Clerk's office is still showing your voter registration address as 1370 Beatline Road. Need a ride to the Courthouse Clara?
Aren't you all tired of this game playing? We have serious problems in Tunica County and these two seem more interested in playing games then solving the problems of Tunica County. Tunica County residents are not fooled by this craziness.
Hmmm, so let's see. District 2 Supervisor, Cedric Burnett, claims he lives there. The Courthouse land records show Clara Burnett transfered the property to Cedric Burnett on 30 Jun 2011 and the tax records are still in his mother's name? Dang, by the time I was in my 40s, my tax records had been in my own name for over 20 years.
And Clara, the Circuit Clerk's office is still showing your voter registration address as 1370 Beatline Road. Need a ride to the Courthouse Clara?
Aren't you all tired of this game playing? We have serious problems in Tunica County and these two seem more interested in playing games then solving the problems of Tunica County. Tunica County residents are not fooled by this craziness.
Thursday, August 25, 2011
Run-off Election
There has got to be a better way to handle the counting of ballots. We were there until 11p on Tue, 23 Aug and the next day until 4p.
As this committee talked about at the 6 Jan Public Hearing and 9 May Public Hearing: If you want your vote to count, "YOU" are responsible for going to the Courthouse and updating your information. And then, "YOU" need to make sure you are voting in the correct Precinct.
I am going to make another issue about our State Representative Clara Burnett and I will keep making an issue of her lack of responsibility in changing her address until she gets her business taken care of at the Courthouse. Clara: Your address is still listed as 1370 Beatline Road. You don't live there. Do you need a ride to the Courthouse? You may have been re-elected to your position but this does not relieve you of your responsibility in updating your address on the voter rolls.
While we are on the subject of Ms. Burnett: Aren't you on the Education Committee at the State Legislature? So, how come our schools are in such bad shape?
Tunica, we need to find a qualified candidate to run against Clara Burnett the very next time she is up for re-election. As has been stated before, we need to elect persons who will get the job done no matter what the color of their skin happens to be.
As this committee talked about at the 6 Jan Public Hearing and 9 May Public Hearing: If you want your vote to count, "YOU" are responsible for going to the Courthouse and updating your information. And then, "YOU" need to make sure you are voting in the correct Precinct.
I am going to make another issue about our State Representative Clara Burnett and I will keep making an issue of her lack of responsibility in changing her address until she gets her business taken care of at the Courthouse. Clara: Your address is still listed as 1370 Beatline Road. You don't live there. Do you need a ride to the Courthouse? You may have been re-elected to your position but this does not relieve you of your responsibility in updating your address on the voter rolls.
While we are on the subject of Ms. Burnett: Aren't you on the Education Committee at the State Legislature? So, how come our schools are in such bad shape?
Tunica, we need to find a qualified candidate to run against Clara Burnett the very next time she is up for re-election. As has been stated before, we need to elect persons who will get the job done no matter what the color of their skin happens to be.
Sunday, July 10, 2011
4. My Supervisor doesn't make good decisions.
And he is not the only one. I've disagreed with so many of their decisions that I've lost count.
Recently, I wrote in this blog about the Sheriff’s request for grant approval from the MS Victims of Crime Program. This grant would be $38,628.00 from the federal government with a $12,876.00 local match.
This item was first on the 30 Jun 2011 agenda and my Supervisor moved to approve this grant. The motion died for lack of a second.
So, at the next Board of Supervisors’ Meeting on 5 Jul 2011, this same item was placed on the table for consideration. This time the Sheriff was present to present his case. The Sheriff said that the Fire Department hasn’t paid the Sheriff’s Department for dispatch services in at least 2 years. The Sheriff said he was going to get the Board’s Attorney to help him collect the money from the Fire Department.
This time the entire Board of Supervisors approved this motion.
Didn’t anyone of them think to tell the Sheriff to collect the money first and then come back for approval? My Supervisor sure didn’t. So, who is going to pay this “local match” if the Fire Department doesn’t have the money? No one even thought to ask the County Administrator who was sitting right there if the Fire Department had the money to give to the Sheriff’s Department. Nobody!!!!
So, what happens if the Fire Department can’t pay this money? We get to pay it out of the General Fund. Just the good old boys going along to get along. In my opinion there isn’t a thinking head in this bunch.
Recently, I wrote in this blog about the Sheriff’s request for grant approval from the MS Victims of Crime Program. This grant would be $38,628.00 from the federal government with a $12,876.00 local match.
This item was first on the 30 Jun 2011 agenda and my Supervisor moved to approve this grant. The motion died for lack of a second.
So, at the next Board of Supervisors’ Meeting on 5 Jul 2011, this same item was placed on the table for consideration. This time the Sheriff was present to present his case. The Sheriff said that the Fire Department hasn’t paid the Sheriff’s Department for dispatch services in at least 2 years. The Sheriff said he was going to get the Board’s Attorney to help him collect the money from the Fire Department.
This time the entire Board of Supervisors approved this motion.
Didn’t anyone of them think to tell the Sheriff to collect the money first and then come back for approval? My Supervisor sure didn’t. So, who is going to pay this “local match” if the Fire Department doesn’t have the money? No one even thought to ask the County Administrator who was sitting right there if the Fire Department had the money to give to the Sheriff’s Department. Nobody!!!!
So, what happens if the Fire Department can’t pay this money? We get to pay it out of the General Fund. Just the good old boys going along to get along. In my opinion there isn’t a thinking head in this bunch.
3. I don't like the way my Supervisor runs his personal business.
So, why is this any of my business? Because the current District 2 Supervisor, as President of Henderson Funeral Home, has people working for him who already have well paid jobs with Tunica County Government.
These Tunica County employees and elected officials are listed below with their county salaries:
Sheriff K. C. Hamp, Elected Sheriff: $62,000.00 (Salary set by State Legislature)
Eugene Bridges, Sheriff’s Patrol Commander: $55,166.83 (Bridges is also an Elected Constable and earns between $4,000 and $5,000 per month on commissions.)
Ann Johnson, Juvenile Court Dept. Head: $62,745.54. (Johnson also does the funeral programs for Henderson Funeral Home and is the wife of County Administrator, Clifton Johnson.)
Dr. Henry I. Hargrow: Adolescent Offenders Program: $50,608.50.
John Pickett, Administration: $46,673.36 (Pickett is assigned to Administration but actually runs the Meals-on-Wheels program through an agency Tunica County supports.)
Glen Grant, Elected Coroner: Grant’s salary is unknown through the Public Records.
As a point of information, when asked through a Freedom of Information letter that the salaries and rate of pay for Tunica County employees be made a part of the Public Record as of 1 Oct 2010, we didn’t specifically ask that elected officials be included. Therefore, the County Administrator didn’t include them. We will not be making this mistake again.
Back to the subject at hand: At the moment, the unemployment rate in Tunica County is hovering around 18%. As a Supervisor, wouldn’t you think if you had jobs available at your company that you would offer them to the unemployed rather then to people who already have jobs?
I have no idea whether District 2 Supervisor, Cedric Burnett, as President of Henderson Funeral Homes, is paying the above Tunica County Employees or if they are working for him free. Either way, it just feels wrong. It makes me feel we have a “sub government” of sorts going on in our county.
So, reason #3 is the current District 2 Supervisor is able to and chooses not to help cut the unemployment rate in Tunica County and I am uncomfortable with his personal business practices.
These Tunica County employees and elected officials are listed below with their county salaries:
Sheriff K. C. Hamp, Elected Sheriff: $62,000.00 (Salary set by State Legislature)
Eugene Bridges, Sheriff’s Patrol Commander: $55,166.83 (Bridges is also an Elected Constable and earns between $4,000 and $5,000 per month on commissions.)
Ann Johnson, Juvenile Court Dept. Head: $62,745.54. (Johnson also does the funeral programs for Henderson Funeral Home and is the wife of County Administrator, Clifton Johnson.)
Dr. Henry I. Hargrow: Adolescent Offenders Program: $50,608.50.
John Pickett, Administration: $46,673.36 (Pickett is assigned to Administration but actually runs the Meals-on-Wheels program through an agency Tunica County supports.)
Glen Grant, Elected Coroner: Grant’s salary is unknown through the Public Records.
As a point of information, when asked through a Freedom of Information letter that the salaries and rate of pay for Tunica County employees be made a part of the Public Record as of 1 Oct 2010, we didn’t specifically ask that elected officials be included. Therefore, the County Administrator didn’t include them. We will not be making this mistake again.
Back to the subject at hand: At the moment, the unemployment rate in Tunica County is hovering around 18%. As a Supervisor, wouldn’t you think if you had jobs available at your company that you would offer them to the unemployed rather then to people who already have jobs?
I have no idea whether District 2 Supervisor, Cedric Burnett, as President of Henderson Funeral Homes, is paying the above Tunica County Employees or if they are working for him free. Either way, it just feels wrong. It makes me feel we have a “sub government” of sorts going on in our county.
So, reason #3 is the current District 2 Supervisor is able to and chooses not to help cut the unemployment rate in Tunica County and I am uncomfortable with his personal business practices.
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
Another subject about last night
When the Community Debate started, only one Supervisor was there on time. That Supervisor was the District 1 Supervisor, James Dunn. Thank you James for showing the respect this County's citizens deserve. Billy Pegram, Paul Battle and Bobby Williams never did show up.
For those of you who were not there, the questions from the panel were posed first to the Candidates for Superintendent of Education. The second set of questions were for the Supervisors and Candidates for Supervisor.
After the Superintendents' part was completed, in walks the District 2 Supervisor, Cedric Burnett and the Sheriff. Gladhanding all around. How disrespectful of the citizens who attended and the candidates for Superintendent of Education. You both know better.
I want to say something specifically to our Sheriff, K. C. Hamp. When you were elected to be the Sheriff of Tunica County, I thought we elected a 24/7 Sheriff. However, almost everytime I see you, there too is Cedric Burnett. Hamp we elected you the Sheriff of Tunica County not bodyguard for Burnett. Enough said.
For those of you who were not there, the questions from the panel were posed first to the Candidates for Superintendent of Education. The second set of questions were for the Supervisors and Candidates for Supervisor.
After the Superintendents' part was completed, in walks the District 2 Supervisor, Cedric Burnett and the Sheriff. Gladhanding all around. How disrespectful of the citizens who attended and the candidates for Superintendent of Education. You both know better.
I want to say something specifically to our Sheriff, K. C. Hamp. When you were elected to be the Sheriff of Tunica County, I thought we elected a 24/7 Sheriff. However, almost everytime I see you, there too is Cedric Burnett. Hamp we elected you the Sheriff of Tunica County not bodyguard for Burnett. Enough said.
Sunday, February 27, 2011
So, this is how Tunica County rolls
In Aug 2009, the Transparency Committee became aware that the house located at 1370 Beatline Road was not occupied. This is the address used by Beat 2 Supervisor Cedric Burnett on his Statement of Intent to run for public office in 2007.
Also, during the month of Aug 2009, the Tunica Humane Society ran an article in the Tunica Times asking Tunicans to call their Supervisor and ask for financial support for THS from the county. There was a phone number listed next to the name of each Supervisor except for Cedric Burnett. Next to Burnett’s name the article stated that Burnett’s contact information was not available.
With these 2 pieces of information, the Transparency Committee started looking into this situation.
Again, in Aug 2009 at the Public Hearing for the 2009 – 2010 Tunica County Budget, I asked Burnett if he lived at 1370 Beatline Road. Burnett stated he did not live at this address. I asked Burnett where he lived. Burnett stated: “Keep looking, you’ll find it.”
Present at the 2009 – 2010 Tunica County Budget Public Hearing were some members of the Transparency Committee; citizens interested in funding for the Tunica Humane Society and the publisher of the Tunica Times. Also, in attendance were all 5 Supervisors, County Administrator Clifton Johnson, Sheriff K. C. Hamp, Chancery Clerk Susie White and Board Attorney Andy Dulaney. There were probably other interested parties present.
After the “Keep looking, you’ll find it” statement from Burnett, I asked the Board of Supervisors to vacate the Beat 2 seat and hold a Special Election for this position. The BOS took no action.
The next thing we did was to contact the Tunica County Election Commission. I contacted Election Commission Chairman Elijah Williams and asked him if he knew where Burnett was living. Williams stated Burnett lives at 1370 Beatline Road. I informed Williams that Burnett said he did not live at this location and that Burnett said this at a Board of Supervisors’ Meeting in front of many witnesses. I then asked Williams if the Election Commission had verified all residency requirements for candidates. Williams stated the Election Commission takes them at their word.
The Transparency Committee has continued to make ourselves aware of activity at 1370 Beatline Road. In Jan 2010, a temporary storage unit was placed on this property. During the next several months, debris from the interior of this house was moved outside and what appeared to be construction or remodeling of some type was beginning to take place. Periodically, the Transparency Committee has taken pictures of the activity at this location.
On 15 Apr 2010, I happened to notice there was no building permit showing outside of the house. I went to the Planning Commission and asked if a building permit had been issued for this address. The answer was no and a stop work order was issued that day. Once the stop work order was issued, Burnett came to the Planning Commission and paid $65 for the Building Permit. In Burnett’s handwriting, the permit indicates Burnett to be the owner of this property. On 24 Feb 2011, tax records indicate Clara Burnett was still the owner of this property.
The 1370 Beatline Road property is still unoccupied today, 27 Feb 2011.
On 4 Jan 2011, Cedric Burnett filed another Statement of Intent using the 1370 Beatline Road address. On 21 Jan 2011, I filed a Statement of Intent to run for Supervisor of Beat 2. During the week of 21 Feb 2011, I asked my husband to take some pictures of the 1370 Beatline Road location. On 23 Feb 2011, Cedric Burnett had Judge Rodney Hibbler issue a warrant for the arrest of Robert B. Tuchel on the grounds of trespassing. There is no sign posted on this property and the house is unoccupied. Notice also on the warrant: Cedric Burnett is using his mailing address: PO Box 961 while using Bob’s physical address.
The warrant states that Bob: “did willfully and knowingly enter upon the lands of Cedric Burnett without the permission of said Cedric Burnett or his lessee or the agent of either and unaccompanied by said Cedric Burnett or his lessee or agent of either taking pictures of resident in Tunica County, MS.”
Note: The improper use of the word “resident” is as stated on the warrant.
In my opinion, Cedric Burnett has used his position as a Tunica County Supervisor to influence a judge to issue this warrant.
Also, during the month of Aug 2009, the Tunica Humane Society ran an article in the Tunica Times asking Tunicans to call their Supervisor and ask for financial support for THS from the county. There was a phone number listed next to the name of each Supervisor except for Cedric Burnett. Next to Burnett’s name the article stated that Burnett’s contact information was not available.
With these 2 pieces of information, the Transparency Committee started looking into this situation.
Again, in Aug 2009 at the Public Hearing for the 2009 – 2010 Tunica County Budget, I asked Burnett if he lived at 1370 Beatline Road. Burnett stated he did not live at this address. I asked Burnett where he lived. Burnett stated: “Keep looking, you’ll find it.”
Present at the 2009 – 2010 Tunica County Budget Public Hearing were some members of the Transparency Committee; citizens interested in funding for the Tunica Humane Society and the publisher of the Tunica Times. Also, in attendance were all 5 Supervisors, County Administrator Clifton Johnson, Sheriff K. C. Hamp, Chancery Clerk Susie White and Board Attorney Andy Dulaney. There were probably other interested parties present.
After the “Keep looking, you’ll find it” statement from Burnett, I asked the Board of Supervisors to vacate the Beat 2 seat and hold a Special Election for this position. The BOS took no action.
The next thing we did was to contact the Tunica County Election Commission. I contacted Election Commission Chairman Elijah Williams and asked him if he knew where Burnett was living. Williams stated Burnett lives at 1370 Beatline Road. I informed Williams that Burnett said he did not live at this location and that Burnett said this at a Board of Supervisors’ Meeting in front of many witnesses. I then asked Williams if the Election Commission had verified all residency requirements for candidates. Williams stated the Election Commission takes them at their word.
The Transparency Committee has continued to make ourselves aware of activity at 1370 Beatline Road. In Jan 2010, a temporary storage unit was placed on this property. During the next several months, debris from the interior of this house was moved outside and what appeared to be construction or remodeling of some type was beginning to take place. Periodically, the Transparency Committee has taken pictures of the activity at this location.
On 15 Apr 2010, I happened to notice there was no building permit showing outside of the house. I went to the Planning Commission and asked if a building permit had been issued for this address. The answer was no and a stop work order was issued that day. Once the stop work order was issued, Burnett came to the Planning Commission and paid $65 for the Building Permit. In Burnett’s handwriting, the permit indicates Burnett to be the owner of this property. On 24 Feb 2011, tax records indicate Clara Burnett was still the owner of this property.
The 1370 Beatline Road property is still unoccupied today, 27 Feb 2011.
On 4 Jan 2011, Cedric Burnett filed another Statement of Intent using the 1370 Beatline Road address. On 21 Jan 2011, I filed a Statement of Intent to run for Supervisor of Beat 2. During the week of 21 Feb 2011, I asked my husband to take some pictures of the 1370 Beatline Road location. On 23 Feb 2011, Cedric Burnett had Judge Rodney Hibbler issue a warrant for the arrest of Robert B. Tuchel on the grounds of trespassing. There is no sign posted on this property and the house is unoccupied. Notice also on the warrant: Cedric Burnett is using his mailing address: PO Box 961 while using Bob’s physical address.
The warrant states that Bob: “did willfully and knowingly enter upon the lands of Cedric Burnett without the permission of said Cedric Burnett or his lessee or the agent of either and unaccompanied by said Cedric Burnett or his lessee or agent of either taking pictures of resident in Tunica County, MS.”
Note: The improper use of the word “resident” is as stated on the warrant.
In my opinion, Cedric Burnett has used his position as a Tunica County Supervisor to influence a judge to issue this warrant.
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