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Preston letter on agenda for Anderson County Council
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ANDERSON COUNTY — Anderson County Councilman Bob Waldrep wants clarification of whether or not Anderson County Administrator still works for the county.
"It’s kind of a strange thing," Waldrep said. "One interpretation of that letter could be ‘I’ve gone’ because you have anticipatorily breached this contract that I have. The other interpretation could be that ‘I’m waiting to hear from council about what you want to do about it.’"
Waldrep asked for the letter to be placed on the agenda for the Anderson County Council meeting tonight. The meeting will be held at 6 p.m. at the Anderson County Council chambers in the old Anderson County Courthouse.
On Sept. 25, Preston had a letter hand-delivered to Anderson County Council President Michael Thompson. The letter, from Preston’s attorney Robert Hoskins, said that certain council members and certain newly elected council members intend to prevent Preston from carrying out his duties as administrator after Jan. 9.
Anderson County Council members Michael Thompson, Bill McAbee and Larry Greer lost their bids for their council seats in the Republican primary in June. Three other Republican candidates, Eddie Moore, Tommy Dunn and Tom Allen, are running unchallenged in the Nov. 4 election. However, they have not yet been elected to the seats.
Preston’s letter alleged that the incoming council’s actions could be considered an “anticipatory breach of his employment contract” and that he views himself as “terminated without cause.”
Waldrep said he had not received the letter prior to council’s Oct. 7 meeting, but following the meeting, the council met in executive session to discuss hiring an attorney to represent the county in addressing Preston’s letter.
Thompson said previously that this is a personnel issue and should be dealt with only in executive session.
But Waldrep said he hopes to discuss the issue in open council as it has more to do with contracts than personnel.
“Well, it’s a contractual issue, at the very least,” he said. “It’s not personnel matters, in that sense that could have some coverage of non-disclosure and executive privilege. We’re trying to proceed as carefully as possible so we don’t create prejudice on either side,” he said.
“We are probably treading upon uncharted waters because this is what I would call an unprecendented move in the annals of government relations. We have to be circumspect in all we do. “
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Okay, we have book in the making.
1.Disdained county administrator gets contract renewal from rubber stamp majority of county council.
2.Incumbent county councilpersons pay price for this at ballot box.
3.Rumors surface lame duck council persons offered jobs by disdained administrator.
4.Disdained administrator is put on notice a comprehensive audit is forthcoming.
5.Disdained administrator files lawsuit for "wronged county employees."
6.Disdained administrator refuses to be accountable for current expenses (hiding behind a need for EcoDev secrecy and legal mumbo jumbo)organizes tax initiative to garner wealth for his loyal friends and supporters.
7.A wave of "anti tax increase" sentiment rises from the electorate and combines with feelings of distrust for disdained administrator.
8.Two weeks before election, a "confidential" letter of resignation (or a not so veiled threat of more litigation) is leaked to suggest to voters that disdained administrator won't be here to spend penny tax monies he wants. We have two endings to the story.
1.Lame duck council rams through a settlement package for disdained county administrator, before leaving office.
2.Disdained county administrator pretends he is going to resign. Penny tax passes, under that false impression by the electorate. Lame duck council votes to changes rules of use of Penny Tax money. County administrator resurfaces with $165 million more to spend.
3.Disdained county administrator and his slush fund recipients laugh all the way to the bank.
Does anyone really believe Joey Preston is going anywhere? With his pet Penny Tax scheme getting ready to give him $165 million to play with. A boilerplate contract that allows him to sue anyone and defend against anyone who sues him, with our $. A credit card and county policies that allow him to do pretty much anything, go anywhere, spend any amount of money he wishes to do it AND be able to hide behind EcoDev secrecy and refuse to be accountable to the degree demanded.
To Joey Preston, the bloom is just opening. He is going to hold a huge "wrongful termination" lawsuit as a hammer over our heads to beat us into whatever he wants and we have to pay for all of it.
If you think he has the best interest of this county at heart, you can only be people being enriched by his actions. Joey Preston is looking out for Joey Preston first and if it benefits the county somehow, great!
Just remember, everything this lame duck council or this county administrator or these Good Sense people are saying cannot be enforced or made to happen after the election. After the referendum, they control the means to change the rules, modify what they have promised or sue us into bankruptcy. Lawsuit after lawsuit can change, modify, hold in abeyance anything and everything their hearts desire. In your heart of hearts, if you do not believe Joey Preston has the interest of the citizens first, you’re probably right.
In response to CindyRoper:
I am certainly NOT a Joey Preston fan and you seem like an intelligent person, but please get your facts straight. Joey Preston has NOTHING to do with the penny sales tax increase. Good Cents (check your spelling) was started by a group of concerned citizens and business owners. It is a non profit and the only say the county has had was when they voted unanimously to approve the referendum to be placed on the ballot in November. I encourage you and others to go to www.goodcentsanderson.com to learn more.
in response to CindyRoper
CindyRoper, you should probably read Title 4 Chapter 10 Article 3 of SC Law, which authorizes a Capital Projects Sales Tax. It does not allow anyone to tamper with the money or project list, so everything you're suggesting might happen to the money is illegal.
Here's a link:
http://www.scstatehouse.gov/code/t04c...
in response to mac030524
It's a shame you people don't do your homework before making remarks. This article explains the beginning of the initiative.
http://www.independentmail.com/news/2...
Looks like it was begun by Preston's rubber stamp crew to me. Not one of the four councilpersons who voted for it have the guts or knowledge to have come up with this tax, or the details and planning, behind bringing it to fruition on their own. The plan that has been carried out is identical to the plan described by Nick Charalambous, in his article about Joey Preston's methodologies of getting things done in Anderson County. His handiwork, down to the privately funded non-profit "Good Sense" people spending all this money to market the Penny Tax plan, has his smell all over it.
So who are YOU saying came up with the penny tax idea. It weould be nice if you linked us to some supporting evidence other than just your say so. The writings on the wall, as far as I am concerned.
I have no interest in anything the "Good Sense" people have to say. Their entire agenda is self serving under the pretext of caring about people. I know these people, they care about themselves and their wallets. Not one thing they want is motivated by true compassion for the citizens. If it were, things like water and fixing things already in place and rotting for lack of upkeep would come first. Not new things, with limited benefit to all citizens, that will make them rich(er).
in response to CindyRoper
Quoting from Miss Roper:
"2. . . . Lame duck council votes to changes rules of use of Penny Tax money. County administrator resurfaces with $165 million more to spend."
I'd love to know what is in the Kool-Aid you drink. I think you need to take another look at CPST and understand that ...
1.) This article has nothing to do with CPST.
2.) Your on-going grandstanding about CPST on nearly every story here on the AIM website is getting MORE than a bit old.
3.) Understand that the council can do nothing to alter the funding or handling therein.
Please obtain something more than a rudimentary understanding of the law before you simply spout off about it.
To the actual story at hand (for the Ropers in the audience, that means what Liz is writing about in THIS article), this is actually brilliance in action.
As they say, be careful what you wish for ... you might just get it.
... stupid ...
- SSHM
PS - Checkmate in three months (for the Ropers in the audience, its a reference to a game that is far more complex than checkers, a game all too commonly played among political neophytes in this county).
in response to StringCheese
and that means what...more lawsuits? Haven't you gotten it yet that no matter what anyone says, what is in their heart will rule the result! Section 4-9-630 (5) of the South Carolina Code (1986) states the county administrator's powers to include, "to supervise the expenditure of appropriated funds." That would seem to contradict who and what will control the monies raised by this Penny Tax. The law you linked to may dictate where the money is spent and length of taxation period etc., but it doesn't dictate who will get the contracts to do the work, what collateral enrichment will be enjoyed by the planners, or even the why of what makes it have to be done with the priorities laid out, by the planners and promoters, to start with.
Your link to http://www.goodcentsanderson.com tells me nothing other than they want it. Besides, that website domain is owned by David B. Jones who lives in Belton. Do you know who he is? You know, Superior Engineering in Belton. A wealthy man. Construction type. Belton Area Partnership chairman. Why would he care so much about the east-west connector and it being the first priority? I heard he ripped off some guy, who held a contract on the house and 86 acres on Brown Avenue he bought from the McCalls, by reportedly lying and saying the guy threatened him. If the reported incident is true and a rich man can lie to rip off the less fortunate, he is capable of anything. His lust to own that property made the "right thing" secondary and provided a clean snapshot of what he's about. Now, co-chairman of this Good Cents promotion group too? Nothing is what it seems in this. You have people hiding behind people, behind money, behind "privately funded" sources, behind hidden agendas, behind dummy organizational names.
If everything was on the "up and up" and in the best interest of the taxpayers, you would not need all that Presto hocus pocus to make it happen. Preston has our money to sue anyone, about anything, at any time, or defend against any lawsuits for his own alleged wrongdoings, in an unlimited amount, for the rest of his life. His friend, Mr. Martin (whom he then promptly hired onto the county payroll), wrote it into his employment contract and Gracie Floyd's husband locked us into it for life. Isn't Joey just the cats meow with his love for us as citizens!
VOTE NO TO THE PENNY TAX! (Lets follow some Biblical wisdom and put the first last and the last first. Reverse the order of the list of projects and see if they are still so gungho about it's passage.)
in response to CindyRoper
"Reverse the order of the list of projects and see if they are still so gungho about it's passage."
Excellent idea!!!
I'm simply going to say NO, they don't spend the money like they are suppost to. A Big Plus is they also raised my County taxes. (NO)
in response to mac030524
There would be no "penny sales tax" if Joey Preston had not originally proposed it. Good Cents was recrutied by Mr. Preston and his allies. Also, it is a 17% increase in the sales tax for Anderson County residents. Having served on a transportation commission, I know that when the bill comes in at over budget, other programs get cut. There is no choice once you have started the project, e.g. the Cross Town Collector (of our tax money, the money has to be appropriated and other projects cut.
in response to CindyRoper
Okay, Anna - lay it out on the line for us.
How do you "KNOW" all this? Where is your proof? Are you saying that the six months of meetings that were held all over the county, and the lists of projects people, municipalities and organizations came up with were all just a sham? There is a grand conspiracy, all related to Joey Preston, and this is just another of his devious plots to overthrow the governmental process, is that it?
Show me your PROOF that this is happening.
Enough with throwing out all the misinformation! Over the next three months, I predict that the sitting council members will start to do what they should have done two years ago, and question/grill/dispute/repudiate Cindy Wilson's outrageous and misinformed claims.
And I think all of us here should do the same. Show us your PROOF that a-you know these people (surely you are not saying that you know all of the hundreds of people that were involved in putting all of this together); b - that all of them are concerned more about their wallets than the people of Anderson County, and c - that there is NOT a benefit to all of the projects in the CPST.
You talk about how other people's comments are just writing on the wall because they lack proof, but yours has NO proof and yet, you vehemently defend it as biblical truth.
As they say in on the grade school play ground - a place I'm sure you're familiar with - put up, or shut up.
in response to mom2two
Preston began this quest, to further enrich the wealthy at the public's expense, years ago. His inability to bring about the east-west connector, for the enrichment of all the contractors, developers, landowners and anyone else being enriched by that project, was a thorn in his ego. Suddenly the Penny Tax initiative appeared. By your own admission, his attempt to appear inclusive of the citizens needs, only began six months ago. In the mean time, Nick Charalambous (over dinner and a few drinks I’m sure as Preston would not be so clumsy to let it slip without a few adult beverages under his belt) was kind enough to tell us how Preston operates. Here, let me remind you of the method Nick told us Preston uses to get things passed by the electorate.
“His [Preston’s] masterwork has a unique signature. First, craft a spending plan that invests in the basic services and infrastructure that few people can disagree with and add enough projects spread across the county to keep hypocritical elected officials and their constituents happy.”
That report was (gasp) almost six months ago. Imagine that! So how do you get the public to pass a referendum to build the east-west connector? You go to those “hypocritical officials and their constituents” and ask them “what do you want” and let them give you a wish list of projects. Then you sift through those projects and pick out the ones most beneficial to you and yours, sprinkle in a few sympathy inducing, must have projects (i.e. fire stations, water for thirsty families, playgrounds for children and such that “few people can disagree with”) and then set up a secret, privately funded organization to print signs, buy advertising, set up web pages and market this “Good Cents” plan, get a friendly local newspaper to print wonderful reviews of the plan and it’s many benefits (way down the list of things to be done), encourage suppression of voices in opposition, plant a few shills on the local newspaper’s public forum to sing it’s praises and PRESTO CHANGE-O you slip a $165 million paycheck by a lackadaisical electorate. To reiterate an insightful comment by another poster, “The "connector" is a waste of taxpayer money. If a developer were to want to develop the land along that road wouldn't that developer put the road in himself? I guess he would, unless he could get someone else to pay for it.” With a road comes sewerage and other infrastructure a developer covets.
You publish your name on this public forum, explain to us how you so definitively know Preston's thoughts and actions and I’ll be glad to provide my proof to your questions! Until then, put up or shut up!
FYI – Spend a little time reading your Bible and the meaning of the “writing on the wall” reference, will be revealed to you.
in response to CindyRoper
Cindy, you should be residing at Patrick B Harris Hospital with Charles Wilson. If things are so bad in this county then why not leave? Let me answer this one for you. Because this county is no different than any other county in the country, and you will be unhappy anywhere you live until you get the medication you need.
in response to robert
Is that the best you got? Because someone doesn't like the crooks running the county, they would just be unhappy about anything and anywhere. You need your meds adjusted for lunacy. I love this county and it could be so much more without a self appointed king and his rubber stamp fool's court imposing their self enriching agenda on us. Do you think all the businesses and Freedow Weekend just left because it was such a wonderful place to do business? They must all need to be in Patrick B. as well. Get a clue robert.
in response to CindyRoper
"You publish your name on this public forum, explain to us how you so definitively know Preston's thoughts and actions and I’ll be glad to provide my proof to your questions! Until then, put up or shut up!
FYI – Spend a little time reading your Bible and the meaning of the “writing on the wall” reference, will be revealed to you."
a.k.a. - schoolyard slang for - "I don't have any proof of anything, but I'm not going to let anyone know that. And to further make my point, I'm going to attack anyone who wants me to prove my points, so I can distract anyone from looking any further at me."
Which emperor is wearing no clothes now?
in response to mom2two
You are laughable. First you mistate what I say and want me to answer it. Then you post people's names on a public forum. Then are too big a coward to post your own. Then you come up with lame kindergarten nonsense to justify it. Go home and play with your hero little girl.
i didn't misstate what you said - i copied it verbatim.
and here's the thing, you know, you can quote Nick all you want, but Nick was a columnist... what he wrote was not FACT, but his OPINION. When you show facts, i'll listen. but if all you are going to do is keep re-stating other people's opinion, then really you don't have any FACTS at all, do you?
i don't know Mr. Preston personally. I don't state what he thinks or feels as you like say I do. And remember, not everyone who likes the museum, the library, the civic center, the 911 system and all the other things that Mr. Preston has done for the county is sleeping with him. some of us are just appreciative for what we have. and cognizant that the flawed logic of misinformation isn't a justifiable defense.
in response to mom2two
Show me where I said:
"Are you saying that the six months of meetings that were held all over the county, and the lists of projects people, municipalities and organizations came up with were all just a sham?"
"There is a grand conspiracy, all related to Joey Preston, and this is just another of his devious plots to overthrow the governmental process, is that it?"
Show me where I said none of the projects on the list are worthy projects. Show me where I said I knew hundreds of people participating who put the project proposals together (what I believe I said was I know the people on the commission and Good Cents crew).
You state things as though I said them and then posit it with a "is that it" and with a question mark. Lame.
In several discussions you have had on these threads, you have stated definitively Preston did not say something or it was not an exact quote or he did or didn't do something. That is why I presumed you had some contact. Now that you say Preston is nothing more to you than an object of your admiration, I can now ask how do you know he didn't say the things the newspaper reported? How can you prove what journalists and columnists say is misinformation. Are you claiming all the journalists and columnists got to together and decided they were just going to misquote, misstate, and falsely report what they see and hear concerning Preston? In my opinion AIM has bent over backwards to give Preston the benefit of the doubt. So when I read something in AIM, that is not flattering to Preston, I KNOW it is grudgingly printed. I hate to say it, but Nick Charalambous is not smart enough to have made up the article he wrote about Preston. If you have an argument with what AIM has published, take it up with. Prove that what Cindy Wilson has said is outrageous and misinformation (if she has gotten anything wrong it is because she has been refused access to information or it has been given to her in a form that is misleading or incomplete)
Your playground antics are tiresome. Really. All of your circuitous carrying on, posting people's names, rephrasing, "prove the sun will rise tomorrow" postulating is just an attempt to distract from the manipulations we see unfolding even now in the County Council.
As they say, "the proof of the pudding, is in the tasting." With a forensic audit we will "taste" your heroes misdeeds and you will have your proof.
in response to mom2two
You Posted on September 7 at 9:49 p.m.
"Oh, and Cindy? points 3, 4, 7 and 9 are not direct quotes from Mr. Preston."
From your statement, I presumed you to be saying 1,2,5,6 and 8 are direct quotes. ALL of the quotes were from the newspaper. You seem to be claiming to know everything Preston has said in order to know what is or what isn't a direct quote. But now you say:
"I don't know Mr. Preston personally. I don't state what he thinks or feels as you like say I do."
You don't know him personally but you know what is or isn't a direct quote.
"Also... city of Anderson money is not part of the Anderson County General Fund."
It still came from the taxpayers.
"Neither are the councilmembers road and recreation funds."
It still came from the taxpayers.
"The hospitality tax is not paid for by the tax payers, but by those from OUTSIDE the county who come to stay in the county."
Everyone pays the hospitality tax, not just people from OUTSIDE the county. With gas as high as it is even fewer people are traveling into the county, so the burden is increasingly shifting to residents of the county.
"And lastly, state money, is not part of the anderson county general fund."
It still came from taxpayers.
Just because Preston moves money from account to account, calls it different things, transfers it to non-profit shadow organizations and tries to justify it with worthiness doesn't change WHERE the money came from, nor it's need for accountability. It just means he's "slick". We don't need "slick" operating our government. You are the one who is misinformed and misguided! You have a nice day!
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