For you last editorial - it's time that our elected representatives understand that it is they that work for us, not the other way around. An entitlement mentality has no place in public service. - Observer

How dare you win an election. How dare you have an opinion of your own that is guided by a moral compass and values. How dare you not submit a weekly editorial to the Citizen. Didn’t you know it is a requirement of all elected Fayette County officials. Look to the example of Steve Brown and Peter Pfeifer. Don’t you know that Cal Beverly is the self-crowned King of Fayette County??? You were only elected by the people. You must pay homage to Cal Almighty or suffer the consequences. Because we know that Cal Beverly never engages in vicious personal attacks. Cal always backs up his venomous comments with facts and statistics (except for this one – guess it’s just the exception that proves the rule!)
Dear Jack,
I don’t even know you, but keep up the good work. If you’ve got Cal Beverly all worked up into a lather, you must be doing something right.
Do what the rest of us in Fayette County do. Just ignore Cal Beverly. And be thankful he doesn’t support you. Everyone knows when Cal comes out strongly in favor of a candidate (Steve Brown, for example) it is the kiss of death.
As for being a “servant”, thank you. Jack. Thank you for serving. You know the definition of servitude. By comparison, Cal is guilty of self-servitude. As for this being Cal’s “shining hour”? OMG, you’ve got to be kidding.

Ruth Kimble, Fayette County citizen

P.S. Polite Southern Boy???? Really now Cal! That one takes the cake. The only “truth” Cal has uncovered here is a huge demonstration of his own habit of engaging in vicious personal attacks. A more accurate title for Cal’s editorial would be: Editor rises from pit, launches vicious personal attack.

Mr. Beverly, You hit the nail on the head with this editorial. Mr. Smith is the most arrogant, condesending chairman we have ever had. It you thought Dunn was arrogant, he looks like a shrinking violet next the the current chairman. Some of my neighbors and I went to the commission a while ago regarding the west bypass. One of the gentlemen got up to speak politely and Jack Smith motioned for one of the Marshals to get in his face. It looked like the KGB. Smith cannot stand anyone to question HIM. He knows all.

In your article I didn't see where you addressed the validity of any of Jack's claims on the budget:

“The county will not increase taxes this year, unlike many other jurisdictions; yet at the same time we will be able to maintain current service levels and have reduced the Fiscal Year 2009 budget by over 6 percent, representing a reduction in spending of approximately $4,800,000 – after implementation of salary increases.

Beginning last year in anticipation of reduced revenues, the Board of Commissioners directed the county manager to freeze all vacancies that were not critical in providing services. Currently there are 23 positions that have not been filled, representing a cash savings of approximately $1,200,000.

We hired in-house legal counsel, and that alone has saved $400,000 in legal expense during its first year.

We bid out insurance contracts rather than using a previously used intermediary, resulting in savings of approximately $900,000.

We invested in sorely needed technology improvements, saving in excess of $100,000 in personnel costs.”

How about some substance, Cal, instead of some say-nothing long winded rant?

Maximus

Pension cost cannot go down with a defined benefit system over the long term. Do you understand that a defined benefit system guarantees an employee a benefit regardless of the return on investment?? Why do you think that corporations are fleeing defined benefit plans?? I guarantee it is not because they think they are less expensive. A defined contribution plan is the only fair way to reward employee service - fair to the employee and fair to the taxpayer.

Sadly, I don't think this election represents a well informed citizenry.

Looks like the majority didn't agree with your attempts to change the election the way you wanted it!

Cal, this was beautifully written. Perfect in every aspect. I could not agree more. Keep up the good work. Yes, the Democrat former Chair endorsed Smith, Horgan, Frady and Maxwell and asked all Democrats to vote for them. It seems it worked, too. The dems also voted for Ann Jackson,(who is one of them),since they had nobody to vote for on the local level in their party. What a shame.

I don’t agree with every action that Smith and the commissioners have taken, but the goal of Fayette County government is simple. Provide the needed services at the most efficient cost.

How does a “polite Southern boy” label someone a big spender when the pension cost will go DOWN over 500,000 per year under the proposed retirement plan?? Two independent actuarial studies have confirmed that there is less than a 5% possibility of the funding requirement ever even equaling (much less exceeding) the pre-2008 levels that the current plan requires.

I mentioned the concept of “the most efficient cost” above. When the county was running up to 30% employee turnover in EMS and 19% countywide, it wouldn't matter if you are paying minimum wage to everyone, you are running a more expensive and less efficient operation.

It takes about 5 years of training for an EMT to be able to work without supervision. The surrounding counties estimate training costs of over 30,000 plus over this time period. Employee turnover is down from the Dunn/Wells/Peter induced rate of 19% to about 3%-4%.

So I ask- which group of commissioners are the real wasteful spenders?

BTW-Maybe if emails from the commissioner’s office to the Citizen didn’t bounce back (giving the distinct appearance that they were deliberately blocked) there could be more of the “keeping in touch” you mentioned.

In the WORST economy in over 30 years, this Board has seen fit to play the Big Giveaway with our tax dollars. And no matter what they claim to have done as "due dilligence", they have no way to guarantee that (even in the absence of a change in their formula) this will not result in an unfunded liability, period. To call them irresponsible is overly kind.

Please don't take your eye off this bunch. They're going to sell this county down the river and head for the hills with the spoils. But, of course, it will be for our own good.

Mr. Beverly for conveying many of the taxpayers feelings and thoughts concerning the current board and chairman. I'm very concern with the define pension plan and the price tag that the taxpayers will have to deal with years down the line. I Have yet to see the quessamate? Or does anyone really know the long term costs for the taxpayers ?

I believe the current county matching 401K funds that are provided to the county employees is quite generous, this type of program allows for flexibility if the county employee decides to move on to another career or opportunity outside the county. The 401K can be rolled or moved while a define pension plan would be less flexible and also generates an attitude of entitlement.

I'm hoping the county board will not sell the taxpayers out to keep their commitment to the county employees for getting them elected in the first place.

Well said, sir. Well said.

These past two weeks' editorials have been your shining hour.