LETTER: Assessor submits resignation letter

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LETTER: Assessor submits resignation letter

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Letter to the Editor

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Friday, January 9. 2009

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Dear Editor:

(This letter was submitted to the Madison County commissioners and the BOC Chairman.) It is with great regret that I hereby tender my resignation for my seat on the board of assessors effective Feb. 1, 2009.

I have tried very diligently for the past three and a half years to serve you and the citizens of Madison County to the best of my ability. I am proud of some of the accomplishments that have been made. I leave holding my head high and with a clear conscience of what I have tried to achieve and have no regrets.

However, the conditions that now exist on the board of assessors and the assessors office make it impossible for me to continue. I have too much respect for our citizens to continue to be a part of this sham against them, as I am a person of honor and integrity and cannot serve any longer under these conditions.

It is hard enough to do the job we are called to do without having to tolerate that kind of environment. I have seen a great travesty and great inequity against the citizens of Madison County only to have it fall on deaf ears. If the citizens of this county knew what was being done to them, there should be a rebellion. Alas, they are too busy trying to make ends meet and spend time with their families to know and understand what it happening.

It is with a very heavy heart that I must tender this resignation and I wish my successor, whoever they may be, God speed and good luck.

Sincerely,

Larry Stewart

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#1 MC Taxpayer on 01/09/09 at 07:36 AM

I respect your decision to resign your position however, I find the content of your letter interesting. Recently, Mr. Esco made a similar reference at BOC/BOA meetings. You state, "If the citizens of this county knew what was being done to them, there should be a rebellion." It has been obvious for some time now that things don't make sense but would like to know why exactly "what is being done" remains a secret. Alas, your reference to citizens being too busy to know and understand, I'ld like to know HOW we're suppose to find out. Please don't say attend a BOA meeting since obviously no one there is spilling the beans so citizens can be informed. Resignation or not, as a MC citizen/taxpayer, isn't it a moral obligation to share such important info w/ the citizens so we have the opportunity to make informed choices? Thank you for your service, it is apparent that it has not been easy. Please consider helping concerned citizens hold the BOA accountable.

#1.1 Larry Stewart on 01/09/09 at 12:53 PM

Dear MC Taxpayer, I read your comment with great interest. If you are sincere I would be happy to work with you or any other taxpayers as I have always been. I couldn't agree more that the BOA needs to be held accountable. Some of the things I speak of were aired in BOA meetings. However, no one is ever there when these issues come up. Our powers are limited to the state regulations. However, we also need the BOC on some issues. It is not too late to change the course of events. But you and others need to DEMAND from your BOC members and the newly elected chairman to listen and do the right thing no matter the political consequences. And trust me if you want me to help I will do my best, but there is no time to waste.

#2 Anonymous on 01/09/09 at 12:17 PM

I THINK MR ESCO WAS TRYING TO INFORM THE BOC
BUT THEY EITHER ALREADY KNEW AND CONDONED WHAT
IS/WAS GOING ON OR THEY DIDN'T CARE. EIGHTER WAY
THE THREE MINUTE TIME LIMIT STOPPED IT COLD.

#3 Anonymous on 01/09/09 at 12:52 PM

There won't be any rebellion. What an ridiculous statement. People have their fat lazy butts stuck in front of a ballgame or the TV.

#4 Taxpayor on 01/09/09 at 02:32 PM

Did the BOA recently decide not to tape or record meetings for possible later review ? If wrong apology. That said are tape recording of closed meeting avalible where citizens can review if they wish ? Thank you for your service but "rebellion" interesting phrase. Was there a rebellion when voters voted out some of the BOC last election ?

#5 Larry Cox on 01/10/09 at 08:07 PM

I follow the BOA meetings pretty close. I have been around Larry Stewart and Bob Fowler long enough to know they are honest hard working men that want what's best for all of Madison County. I sat at the last BOA meeting where the change of command took place and could not believe what I saw. Larry has been on the board for some three and a half years, this tells me that with all of the training and schools he has attended and the hours that he has been putting in he seemed well qualified to lead this board. Of course this is only my opinion. I fail to see how Mr. Raglan with such limited experience can take over this board and be an effective leader, I think his length of service is far less than six months. As complicated as the BOA job is I don't see him as the right leader. As for the former Chairwoman I haven't seen anything she has accomplished but yet she steps down as chairwoman and gets elected to vice-chair. I feel we have some power hungry people on this board with an agenda that might not be in our best intrest.

#5.1 MC Taxpayer on 01/12/09 at 08:11 AM

What is the protocol for holding a leadership position? Is it appointed as mentioned in the paper? If so, then why weren't the BOC the one to say who is taking over? If resignations take effect Feb. 1 there's plenty of time to find the best qualified individual. If elected, by whom? The three that were left? Someone clarify please.
I agree re: Ms. Garland. I too have not seen any positive change that would deem her qualified for that position. Do all of the current BOA hold a certification or something that would qualify them to the board? I recall hearing that something is necessary to be able to vote on things.

#6 JIM R ESCOE SR on 01/11/09 at 01:30 PM

Before long the whole story will be told,
And trust me it will take more than 3 minutes to tell.
And hopefully all of the Madison County Tax Payers
will be listening!

#6.1 Frustrated with secrets on 01/12/09 at 11:33 AM

Mr. Escoe, when will the story be told? I understand you tried to bring it up and were stopped by the 3 min. rule, but if you know something that effects taxpayer money, why would you let that stop you? Are you going to be the one to tell 'the story?' Is it going to be on Channel 2 Action News? There seems to be so much mystery but I'm starting to wonder if it's all just hype.

#7 Anonymous on 01/12/09 at 10:33 AM

BOA members are elected to leadership positins by their fellow board members. They are REQUIRED to be certified and to keep their certifications current by attending classes. I don't believe all BOA members are currently certified. If not, would their votes for the digest be cause for it to be declared ILLEGAL???? Also, not being certified is grounds for removal from the BOA by the BOC. It's time the BOC stepped in and cleaned up this sorry mess!!!!

#8 ANOTHER TAXPAYER on 01/12/09 at 11:13 AM

Where can tape recordings of BOA minutes of regular meetings and closed meeting be obtained ? County Attroney ?

#9 Anonymous on 01/12/09 at 12:04 PM

What is wrong with the BOC? Why can't they see what is happening and do something? Clean out the whole BOA and start over! We need to hold their feet to the fire and make them accountable!

#10 Anonymous on 01/13/09 at 10:09 PM

If the BOC won't act to remove BOA members, there is another way. Signatuers of 100 property owners on a petition is allowed under Georgia law.

#11 Tony on 01/14/09 at 04:54 AM

How many signatures does it take to get the Sheriff out of office ?

#12 Anonymous on 01/14/09 at 07:05 AM

You people need to get a life. Take some of the constructive energy and do something good with it. Better yet, recommend yourself to the vacant openings on the BOA .
Has been so long ago that everyone has forgotten the HUGE legal bill that we the tax payers had to pay in order for a judge to say----THEY WON!!!!!
The taxpayer had to foot the legal bill to defend the BOA when John Bellew was chairman.
After thousands of dollars of money in legal bills to attorneys, what did it accomplish?
The BOA members ended up resigning after the ruling.
So, don't try and spend my money again with legal bills, spend your own money for your OWN agendas.
So, if you want to send a petition around to exercise your right as a citizen in this county fine, but just think of the HUGE legal bills that will come out of this for defense of the BOA. So, are you really thinking of the taxpayers or YOURSELF!!!!!!!

#12.1 Anonymous on 01/14/09 at 08:57 AM

I must say that you have a valid point. The judge ruled in the favor of the BOA members. The taxpayers paid a incredible amount to defend those members. After the judge ruled that the members could stay, the members at that time resigned due to the strain and involvement of the commissioners.
I hope that Mr.Dove can keep the politics out of the tax system. I also believe that politics within the tax system thus far has gotten us in the mess that we encountering now.

#12.2 Agree on 01/14/09 at 07:34 PM

I agree.So many legal suites are without merit & it does cost the county for defense.If these people would get involved in a positive manner & educate themselves maybe, just maybe they would have a better understanding of things.Whenever someone sues someone or the COUNTY, the defendant MUST have legal representative...without it, the Plaintiff automatically wins since the defendant DOES NOT have legal training nor a law degree.

Give Chairman Dove the opportunity to get ALL the TRUTHS and legal advice from the County attorney & I am sure he will do the right thing. This is a situation that you MUST NOT make a hasty decision or the COUNTY will incur more legal problems. Use your brains and think of the consequences if ANYONE acts too quickly to THIS or ANY other concern/situation within the County.

#13 going_broke_scrambling_to_pay_outrageous_property_tax on 01/14/09 at 08:24 AM

Let's see...so we shouldn't prosecute any criminals because we have to foot the bill for the Public Defender's office? Riiiiight...there's some idiotic logic.

Where's the petition? Where do I sign? Let's dump these crooks.

#14 Anon on 01/14/09 at 11:09 AM

wow # 12 sounds like your a little worried he really
didn't win....

#15 Anonymous on 01/14/09 at 11:36 AM

Earlier comment to number 3 you are so right. People are to lazy to get off their butts to do anything. You know what they say "people get the government they deserve".

#16 taxpayer on 01/14/09 at 11:46 AM

I think the people interested should listen to BOA tapes of open but if private tapes exist those also to make up their mind. Were are those tapes if taping done ?

#17 Anonymous on 01/14/09 at 03:21 PM

I don't think there is a petition yet. We need to organize to get one or more started. Let's see if there is any support here.

#18 question ? on 01/15/09 at 08:44 AM

If I was appointed to BOA and friend or someone I did legal business with came before the BOA should I excuse myself or should I vote or second a recommendation ? If related to people could be difficult issue. Any idea if I wanted to be on BOA.

#18.1 MC Taxpayer on 01/15/09 at 09:55 PM

I would not only NOT vote but would not mind leaving the room. Especially if it's a family member. That way there would never be a question of favoritism and the other BOA would not feel pressure.

#19 Charlie on 01/15/09 at 12:31 PM

There is tons of support...... There is one already started to get the stupid sheriff out before he bank rupts the county with law suits. It should be coming around soon..

#20 #18 good question : answer would be nice on 01/15/09 at 02:41 PM

# 18 question good. may give idea of those interested if wish to serve on a BOA sometime.

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