Thomas, Youngblood refute Escoe’s accusations

On Aug. 29, Thomas and Youngblood responded, with both stepping away from the commissioners’ table and standing behind the citizens’ podium to address Escoe and his accusations.

“There is a real incentive for commissioners to take as many education classes as possible, because with each one completed, the commissioner’s ‘salary’ increases,” wrote Escoe.

Thomas called that assertion “a lie.” He noted that all commissioners receive a $100 a month pay increase when they complete their certification training. After that, there are no increases, he said.

“After that, you don’t get a penny, unless you take 300 hours of training, then you get a bonus of $1,000 — not paid by the county,” said Thomas.

Thomas noted that his pay is the same as commissioner John Pethel, who has not gone to the same number of classes as Thomas or Youngblood.

“The salaries are the same,” said Thomas. “So either that comment was outright wrong, or they owe me and Mr. Youngblood some money.”

Thomas said Madison County local legislation sets a commissioner’s pay at a base rate of $7,200. All board members then receive a $25 per month raise for each year served.

Thomas said he does considerable work for the county without ever seeking reimbursement. He said he doesn’t turn in mileage reimbursement, doesn’t have a county-funded cell phone or fax line or fax machine.

“I don’t understand what I’ve done to cause this toward me,” said Thomas. “We’re all in this together. We can get in a weekly tennis match (in the newspaper), but that won’t help the county. It needs to stop. We need to just do our job and quit arguing and work together for the betterment of this county. They put their trust in us to do that, not write articles. I don’t put stuff in here (the newspaper). If I have a difference at this table, you hear it here. You don’t see it hiding behind the editor of the newspaper.”

Both Thomas and Youngblood said commissioners’ training is valuable.

“These classes are about law, personnel, safety, roads,” said Thomas, adding that classes also help commissioners understand how actions in Atlanta will affect citizens in their county.

Youngblood said that if Escoe has excess training funding available, then he needs to return it to the county’s general fund so that people in other departments, who need training, can use it.

“It’s obvious you’re not up to speed with what’s going on with some of the decisions and comments you’ve been making,” Youngblood said to Escoe. “With the updates coming down from the state, it’s imperative to go and get that training. If you don’t think you need that training, more power to you, because I do. And I think all of us do.”

Youngblood then questioned some of Escoe’s training costs.

“While we’re spending money and getting paid all this money you say we’re getting paid, it’s my understanding, Mr. Escoe, last January you attended a class in Atlanta at the Marriott Marquis on training,” said Youngblood. “And Monday morning when you came back, you turned in receipts on purchase of alcohol, and tried to collect for them. Luckily, we had a county clerk and finance director that caught it and refused to pay it. You had room service. You had $10 for one room service trip to your room for two Heinekens and a $17 veggie sandwich. And you want to talk about wasting money? That’s a classy act there. A week later, two weeks later, you stated in the paper that you didn’t drink and you didn’t associate with anybody who does. So which is it? See it doesn’t feel good Mr. Escoe, to sit there and listen to somebody talk to you like that, does it?”

“Don’t bother me,” said Escoe in his only response to Thomas or Youngblood.

Youngblood said Escoe needs to shape up as a commissioner.

“I’d like to know which one of your back row buddies informed you of this false information,” said Youngblood. “Mr. Escoe, you either go to school, get your training and come to these meetings and do what you’re supposed to do and do it right, or stay home. Don’t make false accusations against somebody, unless you know what you’re talking about.”

He said Escoe needs to be “man enough” to speak face to face with board members.

“In the future you got anything to say to me, you bring it to this table or you call me on my home phone, if you’re man enough to do that,” said Youngblood. “A man sits at that table. He doesn’t hide behind the newspaper.”

The day after the meeting, Escoe contacted The Journal and said “the county didn’t pay for any alcohol.”

“The only reason I had room service was because none of them (the other commissioners) would associate with me over there,” said Escoe.

Youngblood called The Journal to clarify that no, Escoe didn’t charge any alcohol to the county, but he turned in cash receipts for reimbursement.