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Incoming Anderson County council members work to stop Preston buyout
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ANDERSON COUNTY — Some sitting Anderson County Council members and some incoming ones are considering ways to stop the implementation of the $1.14 million severance package offered to County Administrator Joey Preston.
Anderson County Council member Bob Waldrep said the group was “meditating on the possibilities.”
“I was not so much surprised (by the offering of the package), but more disappointed that we have five members on council that have orchestrated a Christmas gift to the administrator,” Waldrep said. “My understanding of the law is that this is not appropriate. It was handled in the most tyrannical way that I have ever seen it handled."
At a County Council meeting Tuesday, Council member Ron Wilson added an item to the agenda to discuss a letter sent by Preston's attorney, Robert Hoskins, alleging that Preston had been “terminated without cause” and that he considered the incoming council's actions and comments an “anticipatory breach of contract.”
Wilson then proposed a $1.14 million severance package. The package was approved by a 5-2 vote, with council members Cindy Wilson and Waldrep opposed.
Immediately following Ron Wilson's motion, Council member Larry Greer proposed transferring more than $1.14 million from several funds throughout the county’s budget to cover the buyout.
Again, the motion was approved 5-2, with Ms. Wilson and Waldrep opposed.
Lastly, Council member Gracie Floyd proposed that council hire Assistant Administrator Michael Cunningham to fill the administrator’s post.
The motion passed 5-2, with Cindy Wilson and Waldrep opposed.
Waldrep said he, Cindy Wilson and the incoming council members are opposed to the lack of notice given (to anyone) for the severance package, as well as the lack of any discussion about the package.
The maneuver appeared to be a coordinated effort, Waldrep said.
“This has been an orchestrated plan to manipulate the budget,” he said. “It appears that members of council met together and organized a concerted effort to maneuver a fait accompli.”
Greer said he contacted three or four members of the council individually during the week leading up to the Tuesday meeting about the several measures, but council members never met as a group.
“(The severance was) more than I would have liked for it to have been, but considering some possible alternatives, it's less than it could be. If the county was the loser in the litigation, we could be looking at more than double the amount.”
Independent-Mail reporters tried to contact the other four sitting members of the council who approved the three measures — releasing Preston, authorizing payments for Preston and hiring Cunningham. Phone messages from three were not returned as of deadline Wednesday.Floyd said she felt the council needed “to get on with the business of what’s best for the county.”
The three incoming council members all said they would not have voted for the severance package.
“Last night was the most despicable display of democracy I have ever seen,” Council member-elect Tom Allen said. “I don't understand why the buyout was done. It's based on an assumption that (Preston) would not be able to work with the new council. I don't think a judge would award a bailout on an assumption that maybe you can't work with the council.”
Council member-elect Eddie Moore said fellow incoming members, along with Cindy Wilson and Waldrep, had discussed putting Preston on leave during an audit.
“We're still going to have an audit, somehow. That’s what the people wanted and voted for,” Moore said.
Council member-elect Tommy Dunn said there may be further actions against Preston but didn't elaborate.
“There may be something else done before we (Dunn, Moore and Allen) take office. We'll deal with it then,” Dunn said.
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When comments & rumors begin in our plants & dept stores of closings & lay offs.Can the employees file for unemployment benefits on the grounds of "anticipated unemployed" before actually being laid off? Mr. Preston did, and was awarded a spectacular severance package.The council elect hasn't taken office.Therefore, he was awarded the severance on the grounds of termination that hasn't even happened!
If the new council dwells on Preston and the old council, they will be out in two years.
Cindy, you won your great personal saga with your anti-hero Joey Preston. . Now, please do something to bring more jobs to your district.
Ms. Wilson, we in District 7 need a full time council member working for us, not against an old foe to the bitter end. Grow up and work for the people.
In response to rbmccarty
You should speak for yourself the people of District 7 must think she is doing a good job we re-elected her.
Cindy & Bob don't stop now keep standing up for the people.
in response to rbmccarty
Spoken like a true Preston accomplice. In June you said,
"With Waldrep's victory, the people have spoken. It seems there is a at least a 5-2 vote against the Preston way of government. However, don't get too happy, Preston is good at what he does, and that margin could slip away. Further, the remaining 2 are the most pragmatic on council. R. Wilson and Floyd play the political game with their brains, not their hearts. It could be 7-0 under the right circumstances.
In other words folks, let's just wait and see what happens. Remember the incumbents have nearly six months left in office. Who knows what will happen."
and again,
"Time will tell if the people's will will be done, or if the master politician will find a way to keep the status quo."
Your plea to move on, is only an attempt to coverup Preston and the GANG OF FIVE's criminal acts.
We will not move on until this business is taken care of once and all. The citizens of this county are tired of things being swept under the rug to the detriment of the taxpayer.
I'd be willing to "move on" if Preston would resign along with the lackeys on Council that voted for his "severance".
As you people are proving....you are not capable of "moving on"! It is past time to concede that you got what you wanted and grow up.
in response to CindyRoper
Miss Roper,
Strayed from the reservation again, I see. If there is one thing that you can take from rbmccarty posts it would be this: The poster fancies their posts and the content therein as that of a mediator. Above all else, rbmccarty's posts reflect that - someone from the center.
If you are listening/reading Brian, Anderson County may be ready for someone who is from NEITHER camp.
Evolve please, Miss Roper. Because if either side can not set aside their issues, expect a wholesale replacement on council in 2010 - from political newcomers that have no ties to anyone ... aside from the public who is FED UP with the petty bickering.
- SSHM
Let's hope they come up with a way of putting the skids on this package and refute the validity of the contract in court. We want him here to answer questions during the audit not have to rely on a Grand Jury. Obviously there is 1M in the budget to fight this case.
Posting this information again
The AG has an attorney for "constituent services".
(803) 734-3970
or go on line here:
http://www.scattorneygeneral.org/ag/c...
You can pull up the form to file violations against any member you want on the web site: http://www.scattorneygeneral.org/ag/c...
Or you can call
South Carolina State Ethics Commission
5000 Thurmond Mall, Suite 250
Columbia, South Carolina 29201
(803) 253-4192 (office)
Do something, doing nothing means you agree with what has happened.
No matter how you present it, the actions by McAbee, Greer, Thompson, R. Wilson and Floyd were wrong and an insult to the people of Anderson County. It will also cause corporations to think twice about investing in Anderson County.
Floyd's action is an insult to her husband's memory.
BTW, has Joey Preston already picked out the rooms to be named for the above 5 in the new county office building?
in response to ElCid
Gracie is not the majority now, her true intelligence will really shine through from here on out. What a joke!
in response to StupidShouldHurtMore
Since when is the taxpayers being gyped out of 1.14 million by a preconceived hidden plan, petty?
in response to dzc
Some call it "gyped." Others, myself included, call it insurance. The contractual buyout makes certain that:
1.) He's not coming back.
2.) Pursuit of legal action by either group (Council or JRP) is not possible, thus ...
3.) Mitigating any further exposure of Anderson County to lawsuits from JRP, et al.
I say that this is a SMALL price to pay to guarantee that this chapter in the history of our county is closed.
It is a done deal. Stop whining and MOVE ON. Everyone got exactly what they wanted ... it's tragic (dripping sarcasm) that it didn't happen on terms that everyone can agree to.
You can't please everyone, but by all accounts, the departure of JRP *SHOULD* please a lot of people.
You sure can't tell it though from all the whining, griping, and complaining.
GET. OVER. IT.
... stupids ... everywhere ...
- SSHM
in response to dzc
Since last week when Larry Greer admits he communicated with other members of the council via phone,email,etc.
regarding where the money would come from to pay Mr.Preston & who would replace Mr.Preston.During the council meeting Mr. Wilson acted liked he was going out on a limb & put forth the severance package on the agenda with out any other council members knowledge of it.According to Mr.Greer's confession, some members of the council knew about the agenda before the council meeting began. Communication between 2 or more members of council
to discuss county business is a meeting.
I haven't heard much about his replacement Mr. Cunningham. I don't feel it was ethical to fill the job in such a quick manner by a few council members who hijacked the selection process without giving thoughtful consideration to qualifications or even doing a search to find the best person to fill the role.
I just hope we aren't getting more of the same with this new hire, a continuation of JP's way of doing things, no accountability. What are your opinions regarding this person?
in response to redrider2k5
redrider2k5,
Please stop with the misinformation. You stated that:
"Communication between 2 or more members of council
to discuss county business is a meeting."
Now ... if we go back ... to the not too distant past, the magic number was 4. Now it's *magically* 2?
I don't think so. Four people on a seven-member council constitute a quorum. With an official quorum, you can conduct official business.
Now, as I pointed out several months ago, what if two County Council members happen to be standing in the check-out line at Wal-Mart? Now, by YOUR definition redrider2k5, if one council member turns to the other and asks something as innocent as "What did you think of last nights council meeting?," that could be, again, by your definition, an official meeting.
So what's next redrider2k5, if we are going to use YOUR example of what is or is not an official meeting? Are we going to require that county council members not be in the same place at the same time? Are we going to require that they call one another to MAKE CERTAIN they don't accidently end up at the same place at the same time? Would that call, by YOUR definition also be classified as a "meeting?"
For the record, and continuing to point out the LUNACY that is your assertion, the 8 o'clock hour of the Rick Driver show would have then been classified, by YOUR definition of "official meeting" as being just that. M. Cindy Wilson and Bob Waldrep were present. Per YOU, the all-know, all-expert on matters that concern what is or is not a meeting, this was indeed an OFFICIAL meeting.
I look forward to YOU producing the meeting notes from today's radio show.
STUPID ... CLEARLY, CLEARLY, does not hurt enough.
... stupid ...
- SSHM
in response to StupidShouldHurtMore
AMEN!
Again, I ask, any thoughts on Mr. Cunningham as Mr. Preston's replacement? What are your thoughts?
in response to StupidShouldHurtMore
You say you are a “a political scientist” and have been in Anderson for five years. For all the time you spend on here trying to convince people Preston is an innocent man being badgered by CW and BW, the name calling, the condescension, the belittling, the name calling, the bogus information you post, the constant spin, your attempt to constantly dominate these threads with propaganda that is designed to lead people away from the idea that anything is amiss in our county government. All of it is just a little too, what’s the word I’m looking for… convenient to Preston’s cause. No one person so totally agrees with everything someone does. Especially, for you to be an outsider. You seem to have an opinion about every event, in every town and city in this county. You claim to know the inside scoop and try to convince people whatever Preston and the county government is or has done is perfectly legitimate. In reviewing all of your posts, in every instance, you have backed Preston and the lame duck council’s every move. There are about three or four of you who chime in and repeatedly clap each other on the back. Maybe you are all the same person. Maybe you are all working in concert. I don’t know, something just doesn’t quite add up with everything you have said. You spend all day, every day (one would have to wonder what kind of job permits that), on here trying to convince the public of one thing, Preston’s innocence of any malfeasance. One would almost have to believe you are a paid operative.
Wow, quite a bit of anger/hostility in StupidShouldHurtMore's response there.....
To Ali - I know nothing about Mr. Cunningham, but agree with you that it should have been done via the normal methods for filling government positions.
To those saying people "got what they wanted" with this severance package to Preston - I don't think that's what they wanted.
Hasn't what they wanted all along been answers from Preston?? With this lovely parting gift he just received, he got rewarded for NOT providing the answers everyone's wanted. And he got rewarded in a clandestine deal orchestrated in a very questionable & unethical manner.
Something is very wrong here & I sincerely hope the new council gets to the bottom of this & pursues legal action where they need to.
in response to In_Search_Of_Truth
Funny ... I'm not the only one camped out here or on other local political blogs, now am I, I_S_O_T?
Irony ... it's good stuff, I tell ya.
Typical. You can't find factual evidence to refute my statements, my sources, or my assertions. So what is left in the arsenal of a debater? Attack the credibility of the individual who is presenting the information.
It is at that exact point where you know you have lost the debate. When you can no longer engage in factual discourse or discussion, but must sink to a level of personal attack and innuendo.
Since no one knows me personally, it makes that level of attack look silly - and it takes away from the intent of the article and the discussion.
Amazing I know ... an outsider that sides with the current administration 90%+ of the time. It IS possible, I assure you.
Now, do you want to get back to the discussion or shall you continue to look the fool for going off-topic and attacking the poster rather than the message at hand?
- SSHM
in response to ali
Ali,
I believe that Mr. Cunningham is the polar opposite of Mr. Preston. My information is second-hand as I have never met with nor have I ever corresponded with Mr. Cunningham.
By all accounts, he is THE ideal replacement for JRP. Someone who can get the job done without a spotlight or stage required. The means by which we arrived at Mr. Cunningham as our County Administrator ... well ... leaves something to be desired.
Do the ends justify the means? In this instance ... well ... I'll go out on a limb and say yes.
- SSHM
Micahel Thompson and Gracie Floyd had a breakfast meeting at Roy's Diner the other day. I'm sure to plot their next move. They have at least one or two more council meetings to plot for.
in response to StupidShouldHurtMore
We can argue about the definition of a meeting all day.It all depends on the source of the definition such as websters,wikipedia,etc.I wish ALL the council incumbents had been voted out.they're ALL corrupt & guilty of using their positions for personal gain as well as meeting/communicating to discuss county business.The straw that broke my back was when Mr.Wilson presented an agenda that he acted as if no one knew about.Which was far from the truth.Again, Mr. Greer acknowledges that a few of the council members knew about the agenda.The entire problem is this. No one will man up & admit any wrong doing.Instead the guilty
keep wasting tax money to cover up the mess & looking for loop holes to avoid accountibilty.
http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictio...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meeting
Hmmmmmmm haven't seen "Captain Leo" around much since the elections? Wonder what his comments on this would have been?
in response to StupidShouldHurtMore
Odd, I don't recall having any kind of debate with you. I have merely read your endless propaganda and promotion of Preston. I don't find it funny, ironic, amazing, silly or any of the other adjectives you have chosen. The differences between you and I, my family has lived here since 1849, you claimed to have moved here in 2003. I personally know every single person I speak about, you do not seem to know anyone you speak about. You don't side with the administration 90% of the time, you side with the administration 100% of the time. Please direct our attention to any post, prior to the past few hours when it was brought to your attention, where you disagreed with anything Preston or the ousted members of council have ever said or done. No one has attacked you, I have merely pointed out how your endless soliloquies of support for Preston seem just a little too convenient to Preston's cause. I don't ever see you state facts to address issues at hand, but then you claim no one refutes your facts. You may state facts of some kind, but seldom are they on point. In fact that is your modus operandi, you list this long list of "facts" and then say see, you can't refute my facts, so I must be right.
Well, here you go. El Azizia in Libya recorded a temperature of 136 degrees Fahrenheit (57.8 Celsius) on Sept. 13, 1922 -- the hottest ever measured. In Death Valley, it got up to 134 Fahrenheit on July 10, 1913. The coldest temperature ever measured on Earth was -129 Fahrenheit (-89 Celsius) at Vostok, Antarctica, on July 21, 1983. The San Andreas fault, which runs north-south, is slipping at a rate of about 2 inches (5 centimeters) per year, causing Los Angeles to move towards San Francisco. Scientists forecast LA will be a suburb of the City by the Bay in about 15 million years. The water of Angel Falls in Venezuela drops 3,212 feet (979 meters).
So do you see how, by these facts I have stated, Preston is absolutely wrong in everything he is doing. If you cannot refute my facts, I must be right. That's about how your line of "debate" goes. I agree with some others here, you really aren't worth the time of day. As to camping out on these threads. I wouldn't say seven posts in three months is exactly camping out. Don't bother responding, thanks anyway. You have a nice day.
in response to StupidShouldHurtMore
You are not very familiar about which you speak. Preston is not allowed to say anything negative until after 12/31/08. Normally that clause would have read EVER
What I want to know is when his book is coming out, "The Fleecing of Anderson". We need Michael Moore up here. Ha!
The five who concocted this did not have the legal expertise to do anything more than accept what Preston's attorney wrote. Their attorney advised them not to buy the contract out. Talk about stupid.
Ali,
Mr. Cunningham is a fine man and I think he will do a fine job, if he is given the opportunity. I do not agree with the way he was hired, but I know for a fact that is how a lot of people get hired with Anderson County. There is no posting of a lot of jobs. Also, from what I am told there is a lot of nepotism in several departments as well. Maybe things will get better come January, but as for Michael, he is a godly man and is very well respected. I just hope is not a pawn in the on-going politics of this sorry excuse for County Government. My hope is that some of the Division Heads will go soon as well. I will not mention names, but a few of them are nothing but Preston Puppets and should have no place in the transition with the new Administrator.
in response to In_Search_Of_Truth
... yet you have the compulsive need to repeat yourself in a number of posts here ... and you say I'm not worth the time of day.
Based on your diatribes and your ability to cut and paste your thoughts, I'd say I'm worth at least an hour of your time today.
So, if we actually get back onto the topic at hand, we can discuss the fact that the incoming council is powerless to change either Mr. Cunningham's hiring or the firing of JRP.
Think about multi-year bond and tax issues. Those instances of funding can CLEARLY transcend multiple years and multiple sitting councils.
This is a done deal. It's that simple, really.
- SSHM
PS: pwned
in response to StupidShouldHurtMore
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in response to oracle
Hahahaha! Stupid!
...pwned...
The nit picking over skewed definitions is unnecessary.
As taxpayers' of Anderson County, most of us realize our money should not be used to buyout an administrator for this amount under these circumstances. Moreover, the manner in which this buyout contract was conceived and delivered was improper.
When an audit is conducted - If it is found that business has been handled less than honestly and JP is at fault, then his contract would not be worth the paper it is written on.
What 'our' local government is attempting is atrocious. It should be halted and they should be held accountable.
Take action - Contact the Attorney General, the Governor, anyone. Surely there is an authority higher than JP.
in response to StupidShouldHurtMore
Employment contracts and bonds are two completely different issues. This is also being discussed on the ATZ
Well folks I've sat back and listened and read for two days on this whole debacle. This is one issue I cannot let fall by the wayside without at least letting my feelings be known. This morning I have faxed two letters - - one to Governor Mark Sanford and one to Attorney General Henry McMaster. My letters ask for their intervention to prevent the $1.14M from being paid and it also asks that the five council membrs who staged this cirucs on Tuesday be reprimanded and/or charged. It is probably a waste of time but it is not right for a man who has done nothing but cause discension in this county, who has cost the taxpayers millions of dollars in legal fees, who has thumped his nose repeatedly at the council and the taxpayers, etc. etc. etc to walk away with $1.14Million of our taxpayer dollars. He should be fired plain and simple and walk away with nothing. If anyone else wants to write letters and fax them, Mark Sanford's fax # is 803-734-5167; Henry McMaster's fax # is 803-734-6679.
in response to disgusted
Disgusted,
I doubt you will see action from either individual on this matter. Contractual buyouts in Government are fairly common - just not "around these parts." Dig around a little ... you'll see that in SC ... this isn't uncommon.
- SSHM
in response to In_Search_Of_Truth
It is 5-2, that Preston would lose the trial...thats about how many times his contract was threatened, not breached.
No real jury would find for a breach of contract at a 5-2 win rate...he got everything that he asked for...some administrators have it worse, revisit henderson case.
...the breach occured when the citizens of Anderson voted for the audit and for more sensible council members.
preston's million dollar mistake. He should leave the money and RUN. High powered greenville attorneys can't keep you out of jail.
By the way, In search of truth, you threw me under the bus on another thread just last week...you do post all the time in this forum...
Credibility?...where is your liberal antagonist on this thread? Oh, localgirl aint so local...and all them others appear to be disinterested in local government also.
...even when a million dollars is going to be taken away from all them kids...thats right cancel the parade...joey, the grinch, stole christmas...and one wonders why everyone was questioning his motives?
You can see the "buy-out" part of the Council Meeting at: http://www.1230waim.com
View, and then decide for yourself...
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