RSS
Home › News › Local News
Anderson County Council votes to release Preston from his contract for $1.14 million
STORY TOOLS
Share and Enjoy
RELATED STORIES
- Rumors about Preston severance package unfounded, Attorney General’s office says
- Incoming Anderson County council members work to stop Preston buyout
- Anderson community members react to Preston buyout
- Cunningham says he will see himself as team player in county administrator role
- Waldrep to ask Anderson council to consider questions about Preston’s employment
- Council sends question of Anderson County Administrator’s letter to personnel committee
- Has Joey Preston resigned as Anderson County administrator?
More Local News
- Clemson fruit expert presents new peach varieties for the Southeast
- Anderson University to offer new master's degree program
- Change of venue motion filed for attempted escape, assault on deputy trial in Anderson
Rate this Article
ANDERSON COUNTY — Anderson County Council voted Tuesday night to release Anderson County Administrator Joey Preston from his employment contract with the county and to hire Assistant Administrator Michael Cunningham to replace him.
Preston said Tuesday that he had no comment. The severance agreement allows him 21 days to decide whether to accept the offer.
According to documents released by Council member Ron Wilson, the package would provide Preston with $1.14 million comprised of $359,258 in South Carolina Retirement System service credits and $780,575 in the form of severance, as well as transfer of the title of the 2006 GMC Yukon currently owned by the county to Mr. Preston.
In the middle of the regularly scheduled council meeting Tuesday night, Wilson added an item to the agenda to discuss some of the activity of the personnel committee.
Speaking, he said, as both as a council member and as the chairman of the personnel committee, Wilson made a motion to offer Preston a severance package and a release of claims.
“Several weeks ago we were given a letter from Mr. (Robert) Hoskins (Preston’s attorney),” Wilson said. “Council voted to put it in the hands of the personnel committee. … What I am about to do, I am going to do myself. It has not been voted on by the committee. We have a situation in this county, regardless of which side you are on, that is very detrimental to it.”
Wilson was referring to a letter the county received in which Preston’s attorney said Preston considered the rumors of actions of the oncoming council are supposed to be taking “termination without cause.”
According to the letter, Preston said some council members “have hindered (his) ability to do his duty for seven years.”
Additionally, the letter said the expected actions of the incoming council, which Preston has learned of, may be considered “an anticipatory breach of his employment contract.”
Preston’s contract outlines that in the case of termination without cause, the administrator is entitled to payment for the remainder of his contract term. It was unclear Tuesday how much that would have amounted to.
Preston currently makes $167,837.93 per year, according to figures released by the administrator’s office in October.
“I think we’ve been given a window to deal with this matter and to deal with it in a way that will be positive,” he said. “If we don’t deal with (this matter), how long will it go on and how expensive will it become,” Wilson said.
According to the proposal, Preston would remain as county administrator until Nov. 30 and stay on as a consultant to the county until Dec. 31.
“(Preston) shall devote his full attention, energies, and commitment to assisting in the smooth transition of responsibilities from (Preston) to the acting/interim county administrator,” according to the documents Ron Wilson distributed.
Wilson said the proposed solution was not everything that Preston wanted. Wilson also said that while there are those who think Preston’s contract is “not worth the paper it’s written on,” there are those who disagree with that view and feel that the issue would have to be settled in court.
Wilson’s motion was met with surprise by Council members M. Cindy Wilson and Bob Waldrep. Waldrep questioned whether or not it was proper procedure for Ron Wilson to make the motion as the chairman of the personnel committee without first bringing the matter to council.
Thompson said Ron Wilson made the motion not as the committee chairman but as a council member. Ron Wilson said he made the motion as both a council member and as the chairman of the personal committee, and he stood by that statement after the meeting.
Cindy Wilson said she felt the report needed to be made to council first as well as getting legal counsel about the agreement.
The motion to accept the severance package and release of claims passed 5-2, with Waldrep and Cindy Wilson opposed.
Following the passage of the severance package, Council member Larry Greer proposed transferring money from several county funds to pay for the package.
“This is basically giving information of where the money is coming from, each account and which accounts (are) transferring a total of $1,140,122 - that’s different than what’s in the contract you just voted on,” Council Chairman Michael Thompson said.
Thompson said he had not seen the transfer agreement until a few moments before his statement at the meeting.
The money would come from positions that were currently vacant or had not yet been filled.
The transfer of funds passed 5-2, with Wilson and Waldrep in the opposition.
Council then reconsidered both the motion to accept the severance package and the motion to transfer the funds.
Although Cindy Wilson tried to discuss some of the terms of the settlement, she was ruled out of order by Thompson when Council member Bill McAbee said she was not discussing issues germane to the topic of discussion.
Waldrep objected.
“Why can’t we discuss anything tonight?” Waldrep said. “We don’t have any numbers… I don’t think I have ever been witness to such a motion where something has been railroaded. We can’t even articulate the amount we’re voting on.”
Cindy Wilson mirrored Waldrep’s comments.
“This is a railroad job, and we have a fiduciary responsibility to the taxpayers here,” she said. “Y’all just don’t have good sense.”
After the acceptance of the severance package and the transfer of funds, Council member Gracie Floyd made a motion to hire assistant administrator Michael Cunningham as the new administrator. Cunningham currently makes $108,757.43 a year as assistant administrator.
Floyd presented to council a master employment agreement. The motion passed 5-2 with Waldrep and Cindy Wilson opposed. It was unclear as of Tuesday evening what Cunningham’s new salary would be.
Immediately following the hiring of Cunningham, Thompson said he was sick and he moved to adjourn the meeting. The motion was seconded by McAbee. Despite more items on the agenda, council voted 5-2 to adjourn, with Waldrep and Cindy Wilson in the opposition.
Belton resident Elizabeth Fant said she was amazed by what she saw.
“This is junior high school business,” she said. “It really concerned me that Mr. Wilson said that nobody knew about this agreement except for the attorney… then later on Mr Greer says here’s all the money we need to pay for it. Then Ms. Gracie Floyd says here’s the new administrator. ... How can all this go on if there aren’t council members talking (outside of formal meetings) about this?”
Fant said she was concerned about how this would impact the residents of the county as well.
“I think that they are going to have a hard row to hoe,” she said. “Tax notices have gone out today. We’ve got a deficit of $1.5 million now for this. We won’t be hiring any more people… you’ve got people who are out here now who are elderly on a fixed income… they pay for their groceries, they pay for their gas, they pay for their utilities…. They don’t have $5 to pay for anything else. Your average person is just over the limits. And they are the ones who are just keeping their heads above water… people are going to be really hurting.”
Her issue, she said, isn’t with Preston, but with the governing of Anderson County itself.
“I don’t have an issue with Joey, I’m not for him or against him either way,” she said. “I do believe that government needs to be honest… they are accountable for every cent. It’s a sad day, it’s a really sad day… I’m just really just totally amazed and dismayed.”
Comments
There are 122 responses to this article.
Comments are meant to offer our readers a forum for thoughtful, robust debate about local issues.
Comments are moderated, but you may find the content of the conversations offensive, objectionable or factually disputable.
IndependentMail.com does not necessarily condone the comments here, nor does it review every post or respond to every suggestion for a comment to be removed.
Before you post, consider this:
Please read our official user-contributions policy.
I hope Michael knows what departments need a little clean up as well.
These council members have been guilty of a travesty. The voters spoke and wanted them out of office. They are denying the will of the people. The new council should have gotten to handle these personnel decisions. Their childish behavior is going to cost us all a fortune. Thompson, Greer, etc. are a disgrace.
Time to bring in the Feds. This sounds like a RICO issue.
Preston and his puppets have done it again.
Notice that no one waited till the new council came in to review this.
It was an inside job done between Preston and the council members he could take to a nice dinner @ Sullivan's on the Taxpayer's dime.
I would ask that the Someone in charge up there have the balls to call in the Attorney General's office on this one.
I smell a rat here.
Preston making a 167k per year plus a free YUKON and now he get's the title also. Why did they not just give the arrogant SOB the key to the county. Ah hell the already did.
Last time I checked there is a published agenda and a protocol to be followed not something done @ your local student council meeting in your favorite highschool(aka daycare).
Anderson County has hit a new low.
And the hired a new Administrator without posting the job for qualified people in the USA to submit the resume's and qualifications.
Good BYE and good riddens to one of Caters Lake's most famous DUCK Feeders.
The new council should bring criminal charges against the fabulous 5 and Preston. This is a (RICO) issue and many laws have been bent and broken. They should be made to pay with monetary and or jail time.
in response to badasmyth
Cindy Wilson and cohorts....a RICO investigation..interesting....
I think this is great. Ya'll wanted Joey gone. I'm sure he's going to accept this offer, so you got what you wanted. Haha. Congratulations!
Absolutely criminal! The news video didn't show Michael Cunningham too pleased about it either. Seven years equivalent of salary for severance. His contract doesn't even allow that.
This is absolutely outrageous and the citizens of this county need to make a public protest. The actions of this lame duck council proves what criminals they have been all along.
Anderson County if you don't raise the roof on this one, we are truly doomed. How can they ramrod this through like this. Without even advertising the position. Then they put someone in that position that obviously they can control? They must not think much of him as a man if they want to make him their puppet! If he was a real man and true assistant county administrator, he would refuse the position until proper vetting of the situation has been conducted.
ANDERSON COUNTY MAKE YOURSELF HEARD!!!!!!!!!!!
in response to rbmccarty
You seem more worried about it than she is. I doubt seriously if someone who was worried about any investigation by anyone would push the buttons she and Bob are pushing. People like you make me sick. I wish this forum would let me tell you what I really think about you and Lamanamadmbss and the rest of you that are defending these criminal actions by this lame duck council and this crook of a county administrator. You think it's funny. You are pss poor citizens of this county.
ahahahahahahahahahahaha!!!!!
Joey does it AGAIN!!!!!
ahahahahahahahahahahaha!!!!!
ANYTIME, ANYPLACE!!!
ahahahahahahahahahahaha!!!!!
AND NOTHING CAN BE DONE ABOUT IT!!!
ahahahahahahahahahahaha!!!!!
I've lived here for 13 years. This makes me embarrassed to say I live in Anderson County. The inmates are running the asylum. These council members are pathetic! Glad I voted against the incumbents.
What a joke! NOBODY knew.... Yeah, and the check is in the mail and I will respect you in the morning. Good bye and good riddance to the Unfab Three. Can Gracie and Ron be impeached for high crimes and misdemeanors? Most government jobs have to be posted for bids, but since when does the law apply to this council?
in response to Lamanamanumi
You're a FOOL.
Wow.
No prior discusiion?
No discussion during?
Wow.
Sounds like a Golden Parachute to me.
Wow, what a mess!
Tally Ho! Yonder and forever gone, go the thoughts of rational men. We are doomed.
in response to HF
Impeachment for high crimes? LOL! You really are a piece of work aren't you? The people of Anderson have turned into a bunch of babies. Far from the hard working people I remember.
What a sad day. These folks will end up working for the contractors who supported the "economic development fund", Preston walks with $1+ MM of taxpayer money, and the hardworking folks of Anderson County are left holding the bag.
This deal PROVES that these folks are in his pocket. Otherwise, envy alone would preclude them from letting JP walk away with more money they will ever see in their lives. Some backdoor renumeration is in order. I wonder what that looks like for each member...
Raise your hand if you were allowed to leave with a company car when you were fired. Anyone, anyone?
The only thing that surprises me is that the "county" didn't buy JP's house at a 25% premium to today's market value. I'm sure that will be remedied on December 2.
The thing to remember in all of this is that Preston has a pretty ironclad contract (whether or not it should have originally been signed is a moot point, it HAS been signed and IS in effect). Because of the comments of the incoming council members, there already exists a defacto breach of that contract. It does sound like some behind the scenes discussions have taken place and that this has been ramrodded through the council, but let's look at what it really means.
Due to Preston's contract and the comments of the incoming council, it is pretty much guaranteed that he will receive the full payout regardless of what action is taken. If we wait until the new council takes office, they will summarily dismiss him, resulting in numerous protracted court cases before Preston receives the money which he is contractually guaranteed. He is already going to be awarded this money, how much additional money should the county give to lawyers and the court system because two shortsighted council members refuse to accept the inevitable? I believe that the sitting council realized what would happen and decided to save the taxpayers of Anderson County the additional costs and negative publicity of a long, drawn-out, uncivilized, and unpleasant court battle.
Huzzah to the council for their foresight and common sense!
You know . . .
For a bunch of folks that got EXACTLY what they wanted last night, you'd never know it for all the crying and whining here in these posts. The existing council actually did the incoming council a favor - a favor and point probably lost on the bulk of you based on your current replies.
The outgoing council removed last night what promised to be the central focus of the incoming council. Yes folks, the outgoing council forced the incoming council to deal with THE COUNTY and not JRP.
Nice to know they, the new council, will actually have to get to work instead of mounting the modern-day equivalent of the Spanish Inquisition.
As it has been said before ... be careful what you wish for, you just might get it.
Checkmate. Preston wins.
... stupid ...
- SSHM
It's a good thing we voted out the one cent tax or they would have used it to bail out this farce!
Well Boys and Girls, you wanted him gone! Take your medicine like good children would. I am sure that he won't turn this deal down, so you got it, pay the man and let's see how long it takes you to take Anderson County back to the Stone Ages. I, on the other hand, am praying that you can't make too terrible a mess in two years before MCW and BW and company are "fired" by their constituents!
Appears that the council can be indicted for malfeasance in office due to this. No public notice, obvious collusion on the part of several council members and violation of the state Freedom of Information Act.
No matter what his contract states, this is way too much money and no court would uphold it. The court would look at what was in the best interest of the taxpayers and probably void the contract since it is with the county administrator and establish a reasonable severance package.
What is Mr. Preston going to do for Greer, R. Wilson, Thompson and Floyd?
in response to cobra
The comment has been removed for violating the terms of our user-contributions policy and the user account has been quarantined. All further posts from this account will be manually screened until such time as a user is deemed trustworthy. The user account and all posts associated with it will be eliminated if improper comments continue."
in response to StupidShouldHurtMore
Stupid, your insight is indeed prescient. I applaud you for your forthright knowledge of this situation, and I look forward to more insights from you.
in response to StupidShouldHurtMore
Preston couldn't lose. Time, money and possibly the law were on his side. And he may still reject the offer. But I suspect he had already accepted it before the meeting took place.
Here's the losers: The majority of council for not following procedures. Taxpayers who have to pay for it. This newspaper for not demanding and achieving more transparency. County employees who will have to sacrifice and suffer to make up for the loss of $1.1M. Michael Cunningham for possibly accepting a job that should have been advertised. And Michael Cunningham who will never have the respect from council or the community needed to do the job.
in response to DickRambone
Rambone when you get off the school bus today tell your mom to unplug your computer.
in response to DickRambone
How hilarious, patting yourself on the back. You are more of a lowlife than previously thought.
I would bet $100 you have a big fat "L" on your forehead.
in response to andersonnews2008
Exactly right...we are the losers, and the winners.
We wanted him out...he's out. Anyone that thought he would simply slink away is naive. I don't like what happened, but compared to the costs of a legal fight to oust him or the even higher costs of letting him stay until his contract expires, I"ll take this and consider it good riddance.
Give him his money and escort him to the county line. Hopefully we will learn from this.
in response to andersonnews2008
Losers, andersonnews2008?
Losers?
Council followed parliamentary procedure to a T last night. Actually, with a chairman that knows, understands, and operates a meeting by Robert's Rules of Order, Chairman Thompson and the current sitting council, in 2008, have not (yet) failed to follow proper procedure.
If you are really bent out of shape over the prospects of taking monies from the General Fund to pay for JRP, might I suggest tapping the reserve fund? County employees will not have to suffer AT ALL over handling a payout to JRP. No one will lose their job, take a cut in pay, etc etc ... and to imply such an action is reckless and without merit.
Now, as for smearing Mr. Cunningham before he even takes office ... REALLY? How low can you possibly sink? In tight economic times, and with the current estimated cost of a national search somewhere between $25,000 to $30,000, why not hire internally? Why not promote growth from within? Why not demonstrate that career paths exist, even at the highest levels within Anderson County Government?
Why not, especially seeing how you and others will quibble over a $7 bill at Starbucks. If we can't justify a cup of coffee at Starbucks, how can we justify a national search that costs as much as a Buick?
Please . . .
The right thing was done. Don't taint it because it was not YOU or YOUR SUPPORTERS that did the right thing.
In fact, I find it humorous that MCW and BW voted against firing JRP. I guess he was doing a good job all along.
... stupid ...
- SSHM
The real kicker is #8 in his severance agreement. Not only are these lame duck council members giving him a huge bonus to quit they are trying to make the citizens of Anderson County agree they will NEVER institute any legal action aginst him. I wonder how this money is going to be split up. Sounds like the crooks are letting the chief crook off the hook, giving him a cash bonus and then keeping the next council from pursuing any followup to recover the loses we have suffered from Preston.
I tell you what, if we don't ask for a criminal investigation against these council persons on the personel committee for giving our money away like this and then entering an agreement to not permit us to pursue anything against Preston when something is found in the audit (which we still don't even know the extent of what Preston has done and yet these lame duck council idiots want to let him go) we are complete idiots. This smells like they are in it up to their necks with Preston in his crooked schemes.
None of this sounds like innocent people. It looks like people covering up criminal activity with more criminal activity.
They are robbing us and letting the chief thief walk.
ANDERSON STAND UP AND BE HEARD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
"In fact, I find it humorous that MCW and BW voted against firing JRP. I guess he was doing a good job all along."
I guess they wanted to have their cake and eat it too. I can understand Cindy standing on principle, but given Waldreps occupation and experience in politics I would have expected him to take it and move forward. After all...isn't that what lawyers do? Negotiate settlements and move on?
The #8 legal clause bothers me...but it's typical in this type of thing.
The new council has a clean slate and a lot less baggage to carry....let's all put their feet to the fire and demand results. I don't know about the rest of you but I just got my tax bill. Let's write off Preston and see what they are going to do about that and many other things.
Preston Who?
in response to HF
Don't be so bitter, sweetheart. This is a classic monkey paw situation. You made a wish without considering the consequences. And I think it's funny as hell.
in response to Laughing_Out_Loud
I completely agree with you. When I heard about this on the news, I fully expected paragraph #8 and much, much more. Sounds almost like an admission of guilt. I personally think they all have something to hide. But it's time to get over it and move on. Preston is gone.
in response to momagain45
It's a hold harmless clause. Pretty standard these days. In fact, I'd wager that if each of you review your car insurance policy, specific to what happens during a wreck, you'd see evidence of a hold harmless clause.
If you don't, ask your agent about how hold harmless works in the event of an accident.
It's a good thing and it helps to keep lawsuits out of the court systems. To imply that Item #8 is anything more than standard practice is simply silly.
- SSHM
in response to huzzah
Your post hits the nail on the head. These comments are some of the few intelligent words I've seen on this post.
in response to andersonnativejtm
If you think that Thompson and Greer did this for the good of the county and it's residents you are living in a dream world.
The whole thing was set up by Preston to get an easy and safe out. He simply gave them their marching orders one last time. I wonder who will be pulling Gracies strings now?
As far as I'm concerned Anderson County just got an early christmas present. If Cindy Wilson and Cindy Roper are that concerned about "getting" Preston they can follow him to wherever he goes and go for it.
The future of Anderson County starts the day after he's gone.
Dear Cindy Roper and guy, Laughing out loud and HF,
ahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
in response to jayson_704
It wasn't just high crimes, it also included misdemeanors. AND...
Just because people want him gone doesn't mean we wanted him/ council to rape us on the way out! But what else would ONE expect from one of the “cheerleaders.”
Look at the bright side....his ex-wife will take a big chunk of it from him.
She who laughs last....
in response to StupidShouldHurtMore
Thanks for the response. I know how a hold harmless clause works and the purpose of a hold harmless clause. I see it everyday in my line of work. Maybe I am silly but I still think there's more to this than we'll ever know. But what's done is done. It's time to move on.
I wish my boss would offer me $1.14 million to leave. Don't think I'd turn it down.
this is nothing but a slap in the face to the taxpayers of anderson county.
How does Michael Cunningham qualifly to be county administrator, just because he was Prestons assistant does mean he is the man for the job. We sure dont need anyone involved with Preston to take over and keep screwing us as county residents.
This is criminal, and as taxpayers, we should file a class action suit on our own behalf. There is indeed , not only improprierties, but criminal actions taking plave here. The council people who cooked this up should be prosecuted for their felonious collusion, along with Mr. Preston.
hey, another idea. Why don't we all simply refust to pay any county taxes until this travesty is corrected, and those responsible, punished. It should be easy enough to get a restraining order to prevent the wasting of our tax money.
Be careful what you ask for !!! Kudos to the Council , I think this is a fine end and M. Cunningham will do a great job for Anderson County. Let's just hope the new council doesn't start a witch hunt after him . I wish JP the very best and CW and BW should be happy, after all this is exactly what they wanted.
in response to StupidShouldHurtMore
As a graduate of a Roberts Rules of Order course, I can attest that Mr. Thompson did NOT follow RRO. In addition, one of the main teaching points in RRO is that it should NOT be used for governmental organizations. They should develop their owns rules of procedure.
Hopefully, the council has learned its leason and will never enter into such an ill-conceived contract as Mr. Preston's and that they will expercise appropriate supervision over the administrator.
The next administrator and the council should do a complete review of all the programs and personnel positions created by Mr. Preston during his empire building. Then reduce the size of government and the salaries of most of the higher officials.
It is obvisous that Thompson, Greer, Floyd and R. Wilson got snookered by Mr. Preston - one more time.
I haven't been involved in this Preston war, but what I saw the council do last night was unbelievably deceitful, shocking & NOT in the best interest of the residents those council members represent. I very much hope they're brought to task for it.
Not too long ago, the rick is wrong group was willing to spend a million dollars if necessary to find out where a few thousand dollars was spent. You wanted JP gone ASAP regardless of the cost......Now he will be gone and your new council can come into a brand new situation. Mr. Cunningham is extremely intelligent and has never been a puppet to JP. Mr. Cunningham is not an assistant to JP, but is actually 2nd in command for Anderson County. I think you will find him transparent in his work ethics and available to the citizens of Anderson County. I know him to be very honest and a real community activist. He does not drink or smoke. He appears to be happily married with a couple of children. He serves on several community boards.
Lets wish him well and give him a chance. I for one believe this is a great opportunity for Anderson.
if in fact during the council meeting was the 1st time that ANY council members had heard of the proposal.
how in the world did the council determine where the money that is to be paid to Mr.Preston would come from & who would replace Mr.Preston within a couple of hours ? the councils decision just leaves more questions to be answered.everyone has questions, no one has answers.i have a character that lurks my home, my family calls it
"Mr.Nobody".when something happens & no one confesses."Mr.Nobody" gets the blame.
in response to ElCid
First they secretly renew Preston's contract. Then they do everything they can to block investigations of his activities. Then they secretly come up with a plan to allow him to "resign". Then they give him a huge walkaway bonus. Then they make it impossible to investigate or sue Preston when he leaves.
Thompson, Greer, Floyd and R. Wilson have sold us out. There is no telling what they have done behind the scenes. Thompson had his famous shredding day. I am sure alot was shredded that would have shown us the details on what has been going on. With his statement to the TV cameras R. Wilson has proven to me he is a bigger crook than I thought.
They probably think there isn't anything we can do about it. Well, they are wrong...
BOYCOTT!!!!!!
Boycott any businesses, any association, any contact with Thompson, Greer, Floyd and R. Wilson. If they can give our money away to this crook, then we can take theirs by boycotting anything to do with them, their families, their businesses, anyone who does business with them, boycott them all.
Citizens of Anderson County, if you feel we are being taken advantage of by these people we have voted out of office, BOYCOTT them in every way you can think of.
MAKE YOURSELF HEARD BY BOYCOTTING THE GANG OF FIVE!!
The comment has been removed for violating the terms of our user-contributions policy and the user account has been quarantined. All further posts from this account will be manually screened until such time as a user is deemed trustworthy. The user account and all posts associated with it will be eliminated if improper comments continue."
Last night was a mockery of Government.
Anyone that would support such activities is a fool.
Those Council members that staged last nights events (and it was plainly staged, none of them are very good actors/actresses) should be ashamed of their actions.
Preston gone? I'm more concerned with the actions of the Council and what it means for the future of Anderson County.
I am truly not believing what I am seeing. This just proves a very sad point for Anderson. The Joey haters are NEVER going to be pleased. They finally get what they have been griping for for years, to allow the demise of Anderson County because of their fears of progress. It is given to them on a sliver platter - and they still cry like little toddlers throwing a temper tantrum.
Any agree with me that the wrong crowd is leaving? I truly wish that this wasn't happening the way it is. However, no man can be expected to endure the junk Mr. Preston has endured for years and would have endured for the next two, with out losing one's mind. Anderson County, you think you are so smart! The one who helped you grow to where you are, along with his employees and supporters, is being pushed away and the DA's of Anderson County are taking over. I pray we survive until the next election! I also say the "stupid should hurt all the way to the bank!" You Go! Mr. Preston and you keep letting them see what we have lost!
in response to CindyRoper
Cindy Roper....
The people of Anderson County have just won a major battle. The fact that Preston and his boys drew a little blood on the way off the battlefield doesn't change the outcome.
If someone were to investigate and nullify it, would you want him back?
It appears to me that you are more interested in revenge than progress.
in response to zeldaz
Zeldaz,
What you now see, with JRP gone, is that there are truly three groups, politically, here in Anderson County:
1.) Pro-JRP, Pro-growth.
2.) Anti-JRP, Pro-growth.
3.) Anti-JRP, Anti-growth.
It's that usually silent majority that comprises group 2 that voted with group 3 to bring about the change that is the incoming class of county council members. It is THAT group, now having noted in a number of posts and replies, both here and elsewhere that the "issue" is gone/moot and that they - they being the incoming class - have nothing to stop them from implementing their agenda for Anderson County.
I hope and pray that group 2 comes back to the fold and votes with group 1 in 2010.
Time will tell ... time will tell.
- SSHM
in response to StupidShouldHurtMore
I don't see how you can label an entire section of the county voters as anti-growth just because we wanted to replace the administrator and a few council members with more transparent and honest people.
The actions Tuesday night show beyond any doubt exactly what kind of people they were and what their priorities are.
Do you know everybody in this county? Who are you to summarily categorize and judge everyones beliefs into your nice little package?
Maybe ARROGANCE should hurt more!
in response to Laughing_Out_Loud
Apparently L_O_L, you missed the point.
Think of all three group as three points along a bell curve. Group 1 is on the left, nearly flat. Group 2 is in the middle, as the top of the bell curve. Group 3 is on the right, nearly flat.
Group 1 and 3 are basically small minorities within the whole of Anderson. Group 2 ... your soccer moms, NASCAR dads, those that are generally politically disconnected (focused on church, school, home, work, and wal-mart) - they make up the heart and soul of Anderson County.
It's very easy to label sections of the county voters. Talk to folks within your own Republican Party. There are hard (R)s, soft (R)s, RhINOs, etc. Labels are everywhere!
I'll tell you who I am to draw these lines and conclusions. I'm a student of politics - a political scientist. If there is anyone qualified to make this type of assessment, it would be me and others within this same field.
Feel free to leaf through the election results of the past ten years. It's a VERY SAFE assertion.
Maybe STUPID does not hurt enough.
- SSHM
in response to StupidShouldHurtMore
Is it not possible to be a working man, soccer mom, or nascar dad that despite their busy schedule, has the time to stay informed?
We the desperate, politically disconnected people of Anderson County are lucky to have you as a guide. Please continue to impart your wisdom as we are all obviously STUPID.
SSHM, I think that the way you acknowledged the three groups is quite appropriate. I think the insight there is terrific. I agree 100% that Group 2 is the Group that needs to come back and support Group 1. To LOL, SSHM did not even imply that the working man, soccer mom or nascar dad doesn't have time to stay informed. And please be assured that you NOT SSHM, called yourself a name!
And you say the Anderson County just won a major battle. Who is really politically disconnected?
I wonder.
in response to zeldaz
SSHM said: (focused on church, school, home, work, and wal-mart)
Walmart? You don't see the insult in that comment?
How you can defend someone who either begins his posts with an insult or ends it by calling people stupid is beyond me.
You both are obviously in category #1...by his description very small.
I"ll stick with category #2. I"ll take hard working soccer moms and nascar dads over arrogant intellectuals any day.
in response to Laughing_Out_Loud
L_O_L, zeldaz and Stupid are the same people who pushed so hard for the penny tax, criticized Bob and Cindy for demanding transparency, have fought tooth and nail to discourage a forensic audit and swore everyone who thought Preston was trying to pull a fast one were just demented or delusional. They have basically agreed and been in lock step with everything Preston and these crooks have been and are doing. Now they want to try and push everyone into moving on (supposedly in the best interest of the county) with this shallow analysis of the electorate and calling anyone who disagrees bitter or chasing personal agendas. Zeldaz wants you to believe Anderson got what it wanted. Yep, Zeldaz also believes a cesspool is getting what it wants, when you flush your toilet. If you recall, Stupid is the same one who went on and on about a building project and mayor in a local to