cost if she does a good job. One person doing an excellent job as opposed to Barney and Thelma and their antiquated ways and brains, I'll take any day! I respect Greg Dunn and Peter Phiefer, if they picked um...they are gooduns!

I really don't understand why on God's earth we still have Thelma? I was never sure who was in charge of the two, Barney, or Thelma...if it was Thelma, as I think, as women have always controlled the weaker sex...what is up with this?

Geez Vern, that's hardly some kind of indication to "watch out for Venice." She got a 15% pay raise one year? Is that some kind of crime, especially since her pay was controlled completely by the Council? Was she supposed to say "NO, I don't want a raise, I work non-stop here for charity?" I don't know about you, but I've been fortunate to get more than a 15% raise at times during my working life.

As far as the leave goes, there have been other governments and private businesses that have done the same thing or even paid the employees for unused leave. Forcing someone to take vacation or lose it is pretty draconian. Again, this is the council deciding this, not Venice. Dunn made some pretty good points. The fact that Frady was the opposition is another key indicator that Dunn was correct.

The high dollar money and bonus etc.. That was the kind of thing that happened in many businesses that have gone down the pooper. enron?

You'll see then what an open government really is like. I'm sure that Thursday's meeting was not an example of how business will be conducted in the future. It wasn't pretty, but it was necessary to do things as they were done this one time to prevent some more dirty tricks by the former group.

upwithTyrone

Let it never be said that the facts get in the way of Mike Smola! Yes, there is (or was until recently) an investigation into the November elections. This investigation focussed on the discount coupons that some Tyrone retailers printed with recommendations to vote for particular candidates on the back. It was assumed by the parties complaining that these coupons were to be used only by people who voted for the candidates on the back. The facts are:
1) The candidates didn't have anything to do with these coupons.
2) The coupons could be used by anybody, including non-Tyrone voters, and yes even including Smola.
3) The candidates weren't rewarding voters based on the coupons, it was the businesses, so if anybody was guilty of vote purchasing it would be the businesses, not the candidates.

I've heard from a confidential source that the investigation is over, that nothing is going to happen to anybody over this issue and whatever meeting is held at the Capital will just be a formality.

Smola and your minion Darrow, just move on. Your vision for Tyrone was defeated 2 to 1 in a fair election. The majority spoke, they didn't like what you proposed for more sewer and density. Fair, ethical and open government has arrived in Tyrone, you wouldn't know it if you saw it painted on a billboard. Or rather you'd know it as the opposite of what you conducted while sitting at the desk.

Oh, and one more thing...your statement that the forensic audit isn't required just makes it all the more obvious and appropriate that the audit get done sooner, rather than later. And maybe with that it needs to go deeper and over a longer period as well...say your entire term on Council?

upwithTyrone

It is impossible to get an exact cost quote. The cost could be more or less depending on any illegalities that show up. You certainly would not want to limit costs on criminal violations.

all, and very well.

I was not at the meeting but I heard that the council left it to the attorney to find out about the cost of the Forensic Audit. THAT IS a freaking nuts. As a governmental agency would you not request that bids be sent and interview companies to see what they offer for sevices?
I hope that they got all the right candidates for the jobs. The attorney and manager position was not posted. Posting vacant positions offer a larger pool of candidates. Tyrone could have gotten many applicants to choose from but it's council limited your choices if what is written on this board is true.
What the heck was up with the food stamp thing? I heard a rumor that the reason the feed the hungry thing came to light because people in the land deal law suit are claiming they are now living below the poverty line. They have no tenant space to lease and no money coming in. Are'nt those folks old enough for social security by now? What is up with all that?
This is going to be an interesting ffffour years in Tyrone.

"What the heck was up with the food stamp thing? I heard a rumor that the reason the feed the hungry thing came to light because people in the land deal law suit are claiming they are now living below the poverty line. They have no tenant space to lease and no money coming in. Aren't those folks old enough for social security by now? What is up with all that?"

The person making the comment is suppose to be intelligent. He is also, I think, the same person who got up at the forum and asked the inappropriate question about religion.

If... that was where he was going with his comments and trying to poke fun at the person who lost his property rights due to rezoning of his property without his knowledge, maybe he shouldn't have been stopped. If that was his intention, I wish we had known it and had the police escort him out. I for one, think that would have been one of the the most hideous ideas ever hatched by anyone connected to the old group. Dudley,I hope you have that wrong.

Suggar I can not imagine that entire old regime was involved in that action. It is a public forum so I reckon everyone can get up and have their say. You state that the dude's statement about hurting people was wrong. I would have just called a spade a spade and said what was I thought. You know- "Hey I hear you are living below the line;Here is an application for food stamps". I am rude like that. Atleast no one knew what the dude was talking about.
I heard that you guys in the neighborhood alliance were out in force for support. Glad to see that you guys are supporting your candidates.
I hate I had my kids basketball practice because I would have loved to had a seat in the show.

Code 50-14-4
Procedure when meeting is closed-When any meeting of an agency is closed to the public pursuant to any provision of this chapter (where it also states that a closed meeting or Executive Session is part of a regular open meeting) the specific reasons for such closure shall be entered upon the official minutes of the meeting and shall reflect the names of the members present and the names of those voting for closure, and that part of the minutes shall be made available to the public as any other minutes. Where a meeting of an agency devoted in part to matters within the exceptions provided by law, any portion of the meeting not subject to any such exceptional shall be taken, recorded and open to public inspection as provided by law.

What you are missing is the point that Closed Meetings (or Executive Sessions) are a part of the regular Open Meeting and reasons for closing the meeting are to be stated publicly and action taken is acted upon when the meeting is reopened. The law doesn't state that it's OK to just have a Closed Meeting whenever you want. Can you imagine the Chairman of the County Commission, Chairman of the School Board, Mayor of Peachtree City, Mayor of Fayetteville and Mayor of Brooks inviting members of the governing bodies to their house for an Executive Session!!!!!

That’s right Ethicalgov., you said it correctly. “where a closed meeting or executive session is part of a regular open meeting and subject to the exceptions”. It was an Administrative meeting, not part of an open meeting and excepted. You need an operation to remove those sour grapes on your brain so that you can better comprehend.

Speaking of operations, I understand that Barry wasn't at the Council meeting because he had an operation on his shoulder that day. Seems that when they saw the Agenda, Valerie told Barry, "look what you've done you stupid idiot", and jerked his arm out of the socket.

atleast someone told him. I hear the new mayor did not have the cojones to do that. It would have been a sorry thing to have the man come to the meeting and fire him in front of dozens of people.

But his shoulder seems alright when I saw him and Val at the Ruby's Tuesday Restaurant last Wednesday.

Happy new year.

Thank you Precious for proving me wrong.

his operation was on Thursday it would not have hurt him the day before. Is it against the law to eat with people at Ruby Tuesday? Wait, someone has a friend and you do not. no wonder it bothered you.

I'm talking about the time Valerie's jerked his arm out of the socket. You're wrong Dudley, I have friends, good friends.

Do you know how juvenile you sound? Do you think anyone believes this rampage is over your idea that something was done improperly in a town where it seems no rules were followed for years? You've never come out of the woodwork before. Anyone reading this knows it is about a loss of control. Yours...

I don't know if you wanted to be Mayor, Council person, planning member, or what, but you didn't get it, and it is killing you.

You have just copied the description of an Executive Session verbatim. Executive Sessions are part of an open meeting, not a coffee clatch at an elected official's house! These too must be publicly advertised and defined during the course of an OPEN MEETING! Please don't tell me we've just put morons in office! I'd think you guys would have studied the law before taking action! Remember, ignorance of the law is not a defense. This wouldn't be the first time Rewaldt said "I didn't know any better". I don't know what worries me more, having put a crook in office or an idiot.

Sorry Ethicalgov., Executive Sessions are closed meetings. Only action taken must be voted on in public hearing, which was done last night. Also, Open Meetings Act not applicable when dismissal of public officer is under consideration. Brennan v. Chatham County commissioners 1993, 209 GA. App. 177, 433 SE 2d 597. But I tell what, if you can win that case in Court, I’ll pay the $500.00 fine. That would be much cheaper than filing future lawsuits if Barry had remained Town Manager.

The court case you cite is about Brennan's firing in 1991, BEFORE the Open Meetings laws were dramatically changed in 1992. Matter of fact, the court specifically mentions how what they did would be a violation in 1992 but was not a violation in 1991 when they terminated Brennan in executive session.

http://www.lawskills.com/case/ga/id/31384

The members met before the meeting last night to hash-out the Amos, Sears, Fowler, etc. appointments, at least that's what the new Mayor stated.

You cannot have Executive Session meetings without following the same format as a regular meeting. You have to post at least 24hrs before the meeting when and where it will be held, even if all you do is adjourn to exec session and then later come out and say "no action taken" or whatever. Having a meeting where there is a quorum present at the Mayor's house to discuss ANYTHING is a violation of the Open Meetings Act. Mayor and crew are saying it's all OK since they hadn't taken office yet. Whether that's "legal" or not is for a court to decide. What it sure looks like is sleazy and unethical, even if they made the right decisions.

I'm no legal beagle but I know the latest laws require an affidavit to be signed by council members that they stuck to the law during their closed session discussions.

Not that it stops them from screwing it up anyway. But I bet Dinkleberry Don and Co. didn't have an affidavit either.

The executive session defense is hereby DENIED. This 4th of January 2008.

If the new crew criticized the old crew for not advertising a position it seems to me like the new crew only wanted us to believe things would be different. That's what sold me on voting for them. Could it be that we've just placed in office people who are finding out that what the old crew didn't wasn't wrong after all......only wanted us to believe it was? Shame on all of us for not being more involved and better informed. It seems we've just put a special interest group in office. One who wanted to reward their friends for supporting them. I'll bet we begin to see lawsuits dropped to repay some favors and ordinances change to do the same.

Also, Barry Amos was fired.....he's not an appointed position, he was an employee. The police chief is also an employee, how convenient, now he reports directly to the Mayor....talk about a dictatorship!

about every city clerk in this state is an appointed employee. Whether a person is appointed or not has nothing to do with whether that person is an employee. Example: city attorney is appointed and is NOT an employee of the city. City Mgr and city clerk are appointed and ARE employees. Simple.

Every appointed position in the City of Tyrone comes up for reappointment annually, and the vote last night was to not reappoint. That's not firing someone.

You stated you voted for "them" but now you are mad at them for making changes. It appears you dont know "them" very well or you wouldnt be this upset.

Those who voted for "them" wanted the results provided last night. Be honest and tell us who you really voted for.

last night is still going with a different name...look when their screen name started.

The point about the police chief is a very valid one. We had good people stepped over so the old group could put someone in that they felt would do their bidding. They put someone in who was less qualified and less seniority and experience. They gave no REASONS except that was just the way it was and we could like it or lump it.

Now, by contrast, look at what we got last night. Two winners, the pick of the litter. They will be formidable opponents for any developer lawyers. I think we are in very good hands. With the threats of a lawsuit over high density downtown, I don't think they had any time to waste.

The deal about the police reporting to the Mayor and council is an EXCELENT idea. There was too much power in the hands of a few and our Mayor seemed to be Mayor in name only. The town manager was calling most of the shots and we didn't elect him.

And when you lie down with dogs, you get up with fleas. Formidable opponents for developer lawyers...you must be kidding, they don't even know the rules of their own game. Two of them are under investigation by the Secretary of State's office and the whole bunch of them have likely violated open meeting's laws. I'll be disappointed if Cal doesn't jump in on his favorite subject with this one. Even he knows when he's supported imbeciles. He must be thrilled with the legal appointment!

I thougth only one persons was under investigation? Who is the second?

"likely" violated the law. So you dont have evidence?

There's plenty of evidence. After last night I was so mad these guys lied to me that I started surfing to see if what the speaker said had any merit and guess what! It's the truth. Evidence? How about I found a letter to the editor in this very paper that has Rewaldt admitting to it. I called the Secretary of State's office and a hearing is scheduled for mid January! Good grief I cannot believe I trusted these guys. My only hope is that Eric Dial can stand up to them, not so last night though, he seemed in complete agreement with the way things unfolded. It could be he just knows he's outnumbered. He wasn't part of the three of them campaigning together so maybe there's hope for us with him.

you have been a busy little thing in the past 14 hours. You are reporting them to the Secretary of State's office and a hearing is scheduled for mid January?

If only you had been so studious before you voted huh?

"There's plenty of evidence. After last night I was so mad these guys lied to me that I started surfing to see if what the speaker said had any merit and guess what! It's the truth. Evidence? How about I found a letter to the editor in this very paper that has Rewaldt admitting to it. I called the Secretary of State's office and a hearing is scheduled for mid January! Good grief I cannot believe I trusted these guys. My only hope is that Eric Dial can stand up to them, not so last night though, he seemed in complete agreement with the way things unfolded. It could be he just knows he's outnumbered. He wasn't part of the three of them campaigning together so maybe there's hope for us with him."

If your evidence was just all over the internet waiting to be found it's just a shame you didn't act on this sooner so you could enlighten us all before we too, fell victim.

Get off it, you sound rediculous, and I hope you are not at work playing on the computer again. They get real upset over that...viruses in the main frame and all.

I never said I reported anything. I said I learned all of this at the council meeting and surfed the net to see if it was true and lo and behold it is! I called to VERIFY the information with the Secretary of State's office and was given a status. Apparently this started months ago. And yes you're right, shame on me for not being better informed BEFORE the election. I made the sorry mistake of just trusting these guys to be telling the truth. I guess you made that sorry mistake too???? Or did you know about this all along and condone it. But guess what, it's not OK with some of us. And quit with the threats about viruses in a main frame are you the only one who gets to voice an opinion.

No, I'm not the only one gets to voice an opinion, I think since all your new names, crime dog, ethiacalgovernement, wake up and sme, and sogreen, you have just about wore your little fingers out talking to yourself. What happened to dudly doright? you could use that one for a while. I think you should set up at least 2 computers and run back and forth between them so you don't keep answering yourself and forgetting to switch names like last night. It was pretty funny!

Applicable quote for Tyrone from the 1953 movie "Shane".

Shane: I've heard about you Wilson.

Wilson: Yeah, what have you heard Shane?

Shane: I heard you were a no good Yankee liar!

He might be on here, but I am not him. Also, I've lived in Georgia for my entire life, so I'm not a Yankee.

The poster said that the new city manager and attorney would be formidable opponents to developers' lawyers, not anything about the Council.

Amos wasn't fired. For some reason, the Town Mgr over in Tyrone gets reappointed annually by Council. That's pretty risky if you're the Town Mgr because your job security is quite iffy and tied to how the political winds are blowing at the time of your reappointment. I think if I was Venice I would have definitely got a contract that had a golden parachute if I wasn't reappointed one year. Maybe she did.

Because it got pushed to the bottom of the post by the temper tantrum, I would like to post this again at the top!

Submitted by oldbeachbear on Thu, 01/03/2008 - 9:34pm.
Earlier this week the new Mayor was given a welcome mat for the front door of his office. Tonight, it was obvious, that sentiment was shared on both sides of the threshold.

Everyone had a smile on their face and happy to be writing a new chapter of Tyrone's history. It was so honest and upfront, I wish everyone could have been there.

One of the local pastors gave the prayer, and from now on, they made a point to say, different pastors will be asked to draw more community involvement. Everything was to say, "we are here for you and want what you want".
It was a long time coming. Gloria and Grace stood the line, out numbered waiting for the troops. Tonight the troops arrived! This should be a lesson to our kids....sometimes, when enough get together, and give it all they've got....THE GOOD GUY WINS!

The group that ran on Ethical Government begins the new year by vacating jobs without public advertising or without giving any of the good citizens of this community the opportunity to apply for these jobs. Secret interviews and meetings were held before they even took office. Does that sound open and honest? Or do you think they only wanted the people they knew to have a chance to apply?

You think everyone had a smile on their face....were you at the same meeting????? The "new regime's group" heckled speakers and acted like high school kids, no that's wrong, even high school kids would have had more decorum. I voted for you guys and at the very first meeting I know we've been duped.

Putting McNally in???? Didn't the community electing new commissioners during the last election do so by using GETTING RID OF MCNALLY as their campaign platform? So Tyrone hires him?

What investigation of the new Mayor???? He never told me he was under investigation for anything? So if he's found guilty of whatever he's accused of does Tyrone foot the bill? I guess so if there has to be a new election. Does all this sound open and honest to you?

"You think everyone had a smile on their face....were you at the same meeting????? The "new regime's group" heckled speakers and acted like high school kids, no that's wrong, even high school kids would have had more decorum. I voted for you guys and at the very first meeting I know we've been duped."

Come now, the only people who DIDN'T have a smile on their face were the two trying to make inappropriate comments under the public comment portion before the meeting started, and the 'hecklers' were people trying to keep them from looking any sadder up there.

If I remember right, under public comments, a person got up telling the council they wouldn't have an audit, or a forensic one, and then how they would deal with other items on the agenda. It was something along those lines.

Then we had a second person who got up and offered us paper work on how we the taxpayers would get some sort of financial aid and something about starving.

No one knew how the second speakers comments had ANYTHING todo with what was at hand.

Thanks for enlightening Tyrone's citizen about the law. As soon as the results of the forensic audit are in, we'll be sure to file a petition about all of the secret meetings of the OLD Council. Regarding zoning decisions, a petition was filed last year.

don't do this....leave with your self respect in tact. Think of what you are doing...Not everyone fits everywhere...but there is a right place for everyone. Artist congregate in beautiful places...politicans congreate in Washington. Don't take this as a defeat, but that other people in the same area don't share your views. I think the people in Tyrone were treated like victims of snobish English going into Africa...they revolted...stop trying to control us and go away before you make a complete fool of yourselves. No one has said it, or made comments...stop while you are ahead...I''m sure there are many elighten areas that will be thrilled to get your mental appitude, our loss, their gain...don't keep trying to stick the wrong thing in the guilottine, or you will do nothing but prove you can sing soprano!

Did ya'll get together before the meeting? What are you talking about? Who are you talking to?

to high school days. Sounds like a couple (or one) whiney sour loser(s) to me.

Circumventing the Open Meetings Act and interviewing people before you are actually in office is one strange and unethical way to start your new administration. Pretty stupid.

I guess they figured that people were so sick and disgusted by Amos and Sears that they wouldn't mind too much if things got handled in this manner, but people will use this against them down the road.

I was wrong about the Tyrone Guillotine falling on New Year’s Eve. This was more like a shotgun sweep! If I were on the Tyrone Planning Commission, I would invest in a Kevlar wardrobe.

NUKSTER---- blogging after midnight, you are a more energetic man than me. And Thompson for that matter, too. I was stunned to wake up this morning and see 50 comments on this story. I agree with a lot of what you said. And if you are Dufresne, I like you. I disagree with a lot your stuff but on this issue you hit a couple of bullseyes--- no right to Free Speech on this private fishwrapper site; no job right to Mgr and Lawyer they just didn’t get reappointed and I agree where you said “Circumventing the Open Meetings Act and interviewing people before you are actually in office is one strange and unethical way to start your new administration.” Your comment was “Spot on” as Kensington Chubb would say.

Was it illegal ? I hate to sound ignorant and apathetic but I don’t know and I don’t care.

The point is that they hired a Lawyer and Manager with over a half century of experience and even if this a clever, legal trick it is very bad government. Dial knew that too. Good government is to announce that you plan on making replacements and at least allow the public to comment. They didn’t do that and it is not a rookie error; it was a clever plan. Maxwell was probably right in giving those folks the bum's rush.

There are laws abt posting postitions..no matter what it has to be ran in house 1st then to the public.

Please cite the law that requires anything resembling what you just stated.

They may have figured out a way around the law...but they have exposed their motives...to have secret meetings and conduct the public's business in private...no official meeting...no agenda...but job candidates interviewed before they even took office?

Is The Citizen going to turn a blind eye to this just because they are going to get some of the taxpayer's advertising dollars from this group of unethical schemers?

Shame, shame, shame...

We weren't in office yet doesn't even apply to them. They should know better...

I would have expected a little more savvy from Eric Dial...He didn't even run with these clowns and he's been suckered into acting illegally with them.

I am still trying to figure out how any decision will be upheld when they had their secret meetings before they took office. And that is the excuse, "We could meet illegally because we weren't in office yet." that the citizens of Tyrone are going to accept? Amazing...

Tyrone is going to be a great place to live with a bunch of criminals with that kind of mentality running things.

Gotta love it...

They didn't fire Amos. The didn't fire Sears. They didn't REAPPOINT them.

It's not "illegal" to interview anyone you want for any job, whether that job is currently filled or not.

Calm down and think before hitting the "post" button. You seem to be in a frenzy over the loss of a Town Manager the "town" couldn't stand and a city attorney who no one cares about either.

I'll think before I hit "post", but I don't have to if I don't want to. It doesn't matter if you think first, apparently.

There is no constitutional right to post here or anywhere else. Freedom of speech has nothing to do with privately-owned forums on the internet.

I'm not worried about Barry Amos or Brad Sears. What I don't understand is how the mayor and council made all the decisions before they even took office.

There's a lot of talk about meetings at Rehwaldt's house before tonight.

Is it okay with you for them to hold secret meetings with no posted agenda?

Is it okay with you for them to act unethically?

Speaking of people nobody cares about...do you think the people of Fayette County cared about Chris Venice or Bill McNally when the county got rid of them?

I guess it's okay for Tyrone to get the county's rejects...

Maybe, we got the Yankee's rejects? is that possible?

There was holy hell over Venice and McNally getting tossed out from a lot of people. I don't think you'll hear the same uproar about Amos and Sears whatsoever.

Do I think meetings before you take office and interviewing people acting like you're a representative of the City before you technically are is ethical? NO. Do I think it's really dumb and shows the people involved aren't too bright? YES.

I don't think that changes the basic fact that the last election was based around getting rid of Amos and Sears and the people spoke real clearly on that. So, they aren't going to get too upset over amateur hour from the new Council.

It's not about the employees...its about ethics (or the lack thereof) in government...

The people in Tyrone might not mind losing Barry or Brad, but I bet they'll mind having to pay out settlements if the council takes illegal actions and gets the town sued.

Is it okay that the new mayor and council are dumb? I'm not in a frenzy but I think there is cause to be worried.

If they are dumb now, are they going to get smarter with a few different employees around town?

It's not looking good for Tyrone is all I'm trying to say. I don't think our viewpoints are that far apart.

Kingpin McNally is a pro at helping politicians skirt the rules. Don't worry about any politicians getting into trouble because of stupid little rules like open meetings violations and such. Tyrone has the right guy in place to take care of those pesky little rules that get into the way.

This is going to get very interesting. LOL!

I never tell lies about people on my blog.
Especially if I think the truth will do more damage.

I guess they knew that. Interesting that the politicians won't pay the lawsuits...those silly Tyrone residents supporting them will!

Speaking of interesting...look at http://www.gfaf.org/resources/sunshine_laws.pdf PAGE 8.

Participants in illegal meetings are guilty of a misdemeanor and subject to fines and recalls!

Also, even emergency meetings must be advertised in advance and have an agenda available to the public - personnel discussions can be held in private BUT THE MEETING HAS BE ADVERTISED AND HELD IN PUBLIC.

The TRUTH is going to be very damaging to Tyrone and its new government.

Rehwaldts campaign violation with the Secretary of State is a potential felony, so would he be concerned about a misdemeanor?

If it came down to it...they would ask for antoher election and if we ran a monkey....he would get elected...accept you need to move on, that is one of the biggest points in healing yourself...remember, somewhere, there are other poeple who feel just like you...quit trying to be a square peg in a round hole...there is a place for you...where you will be respected...water seeks it's own level...show us how bad we are...go to the higher water mark...and then look down on us....

You reckon he wants the whole election thrown out so Tyrone can start over? Wouldn't it be something if Rehwaldt was disqualified, the others were recalled, Mike Smola became mayor, and a new council were elected? It's about to get really nasty...

Do you and your other two usernames you created in the last hour always enjoy talking to yourselves? What happens when one username disagrees with the other?

Git's been on for a couple of years...who are you talking about?

maybe you should take your own advice and think before hitting "post"

I have been on here QUITE awhile! So i know your not talking to me....

I did create my ONE user name after I came home from the meeting. I don't know about anybody else.

It is mat not matt..unless you are talking abt a man...

Really, y'all, I hope you can all get along and get some serious work done - together! Please take care of your main street, fix it up and make it a place where people want to go, instead of flee. That downtown area has so much potential, and it looks like a canker sore right now.

Good luck, we'll be watching!

wow what kind of heavy meds are you on?? Were you at the meeting?? Professional??? whatever! Rag head...hmmm///what a description I guess you were smoking some Mary Jane before you got there! You could always move to Union city..They have better suppliers