Dear Editor,
Elected officials are to represent the people they serve with all the virtue espoused by those who elect them. Servants of the people must realize they are linked to the people by a bond of trust and transparency. Public officials have a fiduciary responsibility to act in the best interest of those who pay their salaries. The people of Troup County expect moral excellence from those who represent them. This probably best defines ethics for most. Ethics is moral excellence.
There has been a lot spoken about ethics amongst both incumbent board members and those who are opposing them in the school board elections. Citizens should always stay informed on the ethical conduct of school board members and those who are running against them. As a candidate for school board district 2, as all candidates for public office, I must complete a financial disclosure form listing those who have given monetary gifts. I encourage the public to check all candidates through this site http://www.ethics.ga.gov/. You will find pertinent information about the contributors to each candidate.
The filings of two incumbent board members, Ms. Mathews on June 10 and Ms. Rowe June14, reveal the acceptance of contributions of $500.00 dollars each from a local business that has received approximately 46,000,000 million dollars in compensation for contracted work or services from 2005 to 2010. The acceptance of this money raises several questions. They are the following:
1. Can a board member accept monetary gifts from someone who has received work though the bidding process and remain unbiased?
2. Are all parties participating in the bidding for work notified that board members accept monetary gifts from their competitors?
3. Is there a “potential” conflict of interest involved when a member accepts money from one who has received prior work from the votes of board members in the past, who has a history of bidding on future projects?
The reader is directed to read the Code of Ethics policy for school board members contained in Board Policy/ Board Code of Ethics, Description Code BH. There are eight pages on applicable information as it pertains to ethics.
If you wish to get information about the financial contributions received by candidates or money they have paid to others see http://www.ethics.ga.gov/.
Sincerely,
Frank Barnes
When County employees, city employees, and school employees combine their power they are a force to contend with.
I have heard many times that many public employees receive memberships to the Health Club. Can you imagine how long it would stay open without taxpayers support?
I think the recent actions by the Sheriff, Mayor, and County Chair has demonstrated that they will do whatever is necessary, including intimidation, to stay in office.
Maybe not this time but I can assure you that before the next election all of these people will be scrutinized and the results made public. They have shown the people how they prefer to play ball and it is time the citizens show them that we have a little game left in us.
Have you ever been to the campground at Pine Road Park? What a deplorable mess. The Commissioners cannot find a few dollars to bring this money maker, and yes it can be a money maker, up to par but they can build restrooms at the Horse Club. Speaking of the Horse Club someone should look into their arrangement with the county.
There are a lot of shady dealings out there. Time we expose some of them.
You know I was thinking that maybe we should make some alterations to the statue on the square. Just have that fellow sticking his middle finger up. ... The sheriff, Mayor, School board, and County Chair, could dedicate it to the citizens of Troup County. I can't think of any way to best depict how they feel about the citizens.
LaStrange, Georgia. Gotta Luv It!