TyroneConfidential's blog

Tyrone continues work to run off businesses

Sun, 27 Dec 2009 17:13:19 -0500

The Fayette County News reported the “diligent” work of council to stifle businesses in Tyrone by passing a new sign ordinance in 2009 limiting the size and number of signs allowed at businesses. Along with its restrictive zoning ordinance, the new sign ordinance guarantees the death of its downtown business area.

Message to Tyrone’s Mayor & Council

Sun, 06 Sep 2009 12:17:03 -0400

Please don’t force the citizens to do your job again. All of you took an oath to uphold the law. This means to protect public funds. This you have not done. Will one honest official please step forward and ask the State Labor Department to investigate improper payments for over-time (O.T).

Tyrone Loses Another Lawsuit

Fri, 19 Jun 2009 09:24:36 -0400

Tyrone and John Weiland Homes were recently forced to settle a case with Tyrone resident Winnie Anderson for damage to her home. The seven year old dispute started when former Town Manager Barry Amos approved Weiland’s plans for the Estates Subdivision that dumped drain water onto Anderson’s property causing flooding.

GBI Report on Tyrone Shows Loss of $54,853

Sun, 10 May 2009 11:01:39 -0400

Tyrone’s Council is unconcerned about a GBI investigation that revealed former mayor Sheryl Lee authorized payments of employee benefits in violation of the law in 2007. The report shows Tyrone’s Council adopted a Payment Plan in 1997 that only allowed leave to be accrued by employees up to 30 days on a “Use It” or “Lose It” basis. Upon resignation or termination employees may be paid for up to 30 days or 240 hours annual leave. Comp Time is supposed to be paid every two weeks, up to a maximum of 80 hours or 10 days, per year.

Tyrone Removes Bad Memory of Old Council

Sun, 19 Apr 2009 12:42:52 -0400

Tyrone Removes Bad Memory of Old Council. Now that Tri-angle park has been changed to Veterans Memorial Park, citizens no longer have to look at that plaque honoring Barry Amos, Valerie Fowler, Sheryl lee, Paul Letourneau and Michael Smola.

Tyrone Loses in Court, TRIES TO SETTLE

Fri, 20 Mar 2009 22:42:31 -0400

News you will never hear from Tyrone or Newspapers.

Tyrone has lost its motion to quash a lawsuit brought 3 years ago by resident Winnie Anderson. The suit was brought because Tyrone Mgr Barry Amos approved development plans for Wielands’ Estates Subdivision that dumped drain water onto Ms. Anderson’s property causing damage estimated at over $27,000.

GBI Investigates Tyrone

Fri, 23 Jan 2009 21:54:42 -0500

Fayette District Attorney Scott Ballard has asked the Georgia Bureau of Investigation for a criminal probe into Tyrone’s finances. GBI Agent Larry Duen went to Tyrone last December and is continuing this year to examine records and interview past and present Tyrone officials. Duen said he has already talked to previous Town Managers Barry Amos & Valerie Caldwell. Ex Mayor Sheryl Lee was also interviewed. D. A. Ballard asked the GBI to center its investigation around the $36,000 in vacation pay that Ms. Caldwell paid to herself and Amos in Nov. & Dec. 2007 under the old Council’s watch. Mayor Lee was alleged to have given Caldwell authorization to write the checks contrary to the Employee Payment Plan. Agent Duen said the investigation could take 4-5 months; and when complete the findings will be sent to the Fayette D.A. to decide if any criminal indictments are appropriate under the law. The Tyrone Council had refused to do its own investigation and have egg on their faces, trying to hide the GBI investigation from their citizens. Let this embarrassment be a lesson to all elected officials to stop secrecy in government and let the people know what is going on.

Tyrone’s Vacation Pay Investigation Goes to D.A.

Wed, 19 Nov 2008 12:21:41 -0500

The Tyrone Police have finished their 3 month comprehensive criminal investigation into the alleged misappropriation of public funds. The Police report has been sent to District Attorney Scott Ballard. After former Town Clerk Valerie Caldwell testified to Council last June 10 that Mayor Sheryl Lee gave her permission to pay herself and Town Manager Barry Amos $36,000 in accrued vacation pay in clear violation of the Payment Plan Ordinance, an investigation into the matter began in late July. The D.A.’s report includes an internal review of the employee payment plan and audit of other records. When the Tyrone Council refused to safeguard taxpayers’ money, the Police were brought in. The report has not yet been made public.

Tyrone’s 2008-2009 Budget Doesn’t Add Up.

Sat, 06 Sep 2008 13:38:43 -0400

The budget includes $140,000 for legal fees to the McNally Law Firm. But there is no allowance for outside legal fees for the Whalen Law firm who defends the Town against lawsuits. Currently, there are 3 known lawsuits being handled by Whalen, the zoning ordinance suit, the police woman suit and the Whinny Anderson suit.

Will Tyrone Insurance Pay for Misappropriated Funds?

Sat, 06 Sep 2008 13:35:19 -0400

The answer is YES, according to George Van Leuven of the Georgia Municipal Assoc., if the money was taken without legal authority.

Investigation of Tyrone’s Missing Public Funds Official

Tue, 05 Aug 2008 08:44:32 -0400

The Tyrone Police Dept has begun an official investigation of the misappropriated funds reported at the June 10 Council hearing according to a letter sent out by Chief Perkins on July 30. The Town Council had earlier tried to sweep the mess under the rug. Incredibly, the Council had decided to allow the citizens money to be taken without investigations until a citizen’s complaint was made to Police.

Complaint Filed on Missing Public Funds in Tyrone

Thu, 24 Jul 2008 13:39:58 -0400

A citizen’s complaint has been filed with the Tyrone Police asking for a GBI investigation into public funds that were allegedly taken by former employees in violation of Tyrone Regulations. Ex Town Clerk Valerie Fowler Caldwell paid herself and Ex Town Mgr Barry Amos a total of $36,000 in Nov & Dec 2007 according to public records. A thorough citizens investigation shows these funds were taken in violation of the employees payment plan. Town Officials have admitted the funds were taken but have refused to investigate the legalities. Ms. Fowler-Caldwell said, ex-mayor Sheryl Lee authorized the checks for vacation pay. No one at Town Hall has bothered to ask Mayor Lee about this but the ordinances do not give the mayor nor any one else the authority to use taxpayers’ money for this kind of personal use. The complaint also alleges that the Fair Labor Standards Act was violated by paying employees straight time instead of time and a half for overtime. Some employees have asked the Town about this and got the usual put-off of “we will have to look into this”. Officials have known it’s true for months.

Trash under the rug in Tyrone?

Mon, 07 Jul 2008 10:17:16 -0400

Does Tyrone really intend to keep the taxpayers from knowing whether or not public funds were improperly taken by employees? If money was not improperly taken, then the citizens should be told that, so rumors won’t fly. If money was taken, then the guilty parties should be prosecuted. One rumor going around is that the Council doesn’t want to prosecute because the guilty parties might hire a lawyer; then the town would have to spend legal defense funds and cost the taxpayers more money. Not if they’re guilty.

TYRONE TAXES ARE GOING UP (TAD)

Mon, 09 Jun 2008 11:42:59 -0400

At the May 8 Planning Workshop, lawyer Davenport explained how Tyrone could raise taxes for downtown residents. He said it could be done by creating a Tax Allocation District (TAD) as part of the downtown redevelopment plan. First, the council has to pass a resolution designating the downtown area as a special tax district. Barry tried to do this last year but the election interfered. The new council will now go forward with Barry’s plan. Every residential home and business property will pay the increased taxes. Tyrone can then issue bonds or borrow money pledging your property taxes for security to pay back the borrowed funds. It’s a sneaky way of reducing the deficit and so complex that only a lawyer can fully understand. State usury laws don’t apply, so the citizens can be charged exorbitant interest rates. See O.C.G.A. 36-44-8 for the complex details.

MORE LAWSUITS FOR TYRONE

Sun, 08 Jun 2008 13:44:02 -0400

On June 5, Tyrone’s council went into their Secret Executive Session to discuss two new “threats” of lawsuits. The only information citizens received was that the lawyers were instructed to moved forward. What does that mean, who might sue, and why? People don’t sue for no good reason. They sue because their government has refused to help.