HomeMy WebLinkAboutC.054.93011_0323 (2)reliability pertaining to next year's budget. Johnson then made the following comments
on behalf of the entire board.
"Mr. Joel Mashburn has the complete confidence of the board of commissioners.
I do not think that questioning publicly someone's truthfulness does much to facilitate
legitimate public debate. Mr. Mashburn and I disagree sometimes, and I find that I
question his judgment as other members of the board obviously do, because he's told us
on more than one occasion that he thinks the tax rate should be higher than what it is.
We have never had any reason to question his integrity or his character, and I think it's
very unfortunate that some in public debate have chosen to do so. I think he's a man of
integrity; because although he occasionally disagrees with the policy of this board, that
when it's established (policy), he faithfully executes it without exception. For that, in
my estimation, he is an honorable man unworthy of such criticism. I am not a
contentious person by nature, but in the public, I will no longer tolerate that. I don't
think honestly that Mr. Mashburn gets all of the credit for the tax rate being as low as it
is. Although sometimes he expresses his dissatisfaction with the amount of money he
gets, he knows how much money he's got, and he makes things happen with what he's
got without any undue whining or crying. He just goes out and does his job. I think
he's to be respected for that. Also, I think that he will agree that no county manager is
any better than his finance director, and in the ten years that I've been here, I have never
had any reason to question the financial information that Mrs. Blumenstein has given
this board. I have never had any reason to question her personal integrity, or
truthfulness, and I want to say publicly, that these two fine people have the unqualified
support of this board, and I think they will continue to have it.
"In public discourse of late, I've heard firsthand that some board members, and
this board as a whole, has been accused of doing some business behind closed doors.
Again, ladies and gentlemen, I've been here ten years and that's never happened. There
are times when we have to meet behind closed doors because of property acquisition,
because of personnel issues, or attomey-client privileges, as we will tonight, but that is
not to hide any information. It is simply to protect the interests of the citizens of this
county and the folks who pay the bills. There was some discussion a few years ago
about, `Does character really matter in public lifer Well, sometimes when you have to
meet behind closed doors, character does matter. These four people with whom I've
had the privilege to serve with over the last two years, and indeed everyone, that I've
ever served with in my ten years on this board has never done anything behind closed
doors to be ashamed about or apologize for. So not only do I endorse Mr. Mashburn
and Mrs. Blumenstein, I want to vouch for the credibility of my fellow commissioners.
Regardless of the outcome of the political contest over the next few years, it has been an
honor to serve with all of you."
Commissioner Madison said a recent Record & Landmark article indicated that
the board of commissioners had taken action to delay consultation with the school board
until after the election. He asked if any commissioners had made the remarks. Madison
said he had not heard of any board members making such comments, and he wondered
where the newspapers were obtaining their information. Mr. Madison said that if
anyone wanted to talk, he was available in the morning.
Commissioner Tice assured Mr. Madison that she had not made the comments.
Chairman Johnson said he had never communicated any such idea.
Commissioner Norman complimented the county manager and finance director
and asked them to continue the good work they were providing.
Commissioner Tice agreed with Norman and said Mr. Mashburn and Mrs.
Blumenstein had the commissioners' respect and confidence.
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