The information that The Citizen posted is open public records available to anyone who chooses to do a little research. They have violated no laws or ordinances and in such they have the right to post what they choose. Just because you don't agree with it does not make it wrong. Sensitivity is a subject matter left to each reader of this paper. While your right to post your comment is taken openly, you may want to think again that the paper has the same rights as do you. Then again a Liberal will also disagree with anyone or anything that goes against their beliefs or subversive activities.

Judging from your support of Mr. Obama (whom I do respect as President) you probably are quite supportive of government transfer payments. You probably wholeheartedly support the program aggressively championed by President Clinton to provide affirmative action mortgages to poor credit, marginally employed Americans with little or no down payments, oftentimes for houses grossly in excess of the traditional "starter home". You probably also favor more tax dollars to make the mortgage payments of those who can't. (Reference: Wall Street crisis; mortgage fraud).

On to the subject at hand.

First, this information was compiled from a public source probably unknown to you and unknown to most Fayette Countians---- the other newspaper in Fayette. Other newspaper you say? Yes, there is. It is largely unknown, unread and unconsidered. The other paper does have the contract for the legal ads that must be run which includes foreclosure ads. (Without this contract, the paper would probably close in a cloud of dust).

Second, each of the mentioned individuals in the Citizen article CHOSE to be public figures. They waived their privacy.

Third, each of these individuals are having homes advertised for foreclosure which can best be described as opulent. Each of them has a mortgage payment which is DOUBLE the average net worth of a human being on planet Earth. If my home goes into foreclosure I will down size or rent an apartment. I will not ask President Obama to pay my mortgage.

Finally, of those that do read the other paper it is to comb the foreclosure ads for names of those they recognize, perhaps giving vent to some form of Schandenfreude. This info was already printed in the other newspaper. Why the outrage here?

Don't worry Buckwheat Supporter---- you will get your way on a more sympathetic, tax and spend, European Union government right here in America. It is all but finished.

In the spirit of everyone’s time, I’ll try not to offer the long-winded King James version of a response to your post as you did to mine.

In the midst of your incessant political grandstanding that had nothing to do with my post, you failed to grasp the simple point that I made about using this newspaper as an instrument to kick people while they’re down and humiliate them even further for all others to see. How tactless and insulting that a local newspaper who is supposed to be providing the citizens of this county with valuable information about our community would stoop so low to embarrass these individuals even more than they are already as a result of the hard times they are facing. Perhaps this rag of a newspaper should change its name to TMZ, The Star, or The National Enquirer since it appears that’s who they want to emulate their journalistic standards by. Spin it as you may there Jonny Republican, this information is not valuable, nor is it news that needs to be repeated any further than the public records that you hold so dearly as the enabling justification for such behavior.

Good day sir.

They are considered public because the creditors are public and these are official legal proceedings that have the weight of law. Now one may ask why do we need to know about these elected officals, or appointed to office? The main reason is that these positions have power and sometimes the power of patronage. A person in power in financial difficulties can be corrupted by these difficulties-see Rod Blagoyevich. The news of financial difficulties for these erstwhile powerful people is in fact newworthy due to the very nature of the positions that they hold. And good day to you sir as well.

That has not EVER been in question here.

If you don't understand his point about kicking folks when they are down, well, you just don't understand. Not that there's anything wrong with that.

canceled, so reports the Fayette Daily News. What'ya think Wedge, has she been corrupted by someone?

But I am merely providing a rationale for why these records are public and why the public should want to know. If we want to be pollyannaish and think that corruption doesn't exist, then we are fully ourselves. We can find corruption everywhere-city-county-state-federal

Why is printing the truth and some interesting information about our local community now contriversial?

Good, informative and appropriate article. Thanks guys.

I read the Fayette Daily News legal section about every week--when there are free ones at the Library! And yes, I scan the foreclosures, but only to check property address so I know if there's one in my neighborhood-which could ultimately affect my property value. Names I don't care about and frankly, I'm not sure what purpose that composite disclosure was supposed to accomplish either.

If the Citizen wants to be in the "legal" business, I say they go full boat.

That said, time to move on to more important things, like the illegal Tea Party signs popping up all over town.

Wow, and now you think that's worthy of a news article. IF the Legal Notices are all that important to the Citizen, why don't they just reprint them in their paper? I'm sure a few of the bloggers would love that.

I'm still now sure what Obama had to do with anything, as you referenced in your response above.

Gee, I haven't spent a dime and I still get the citizen. Who have you been paying for the newspaper to date? My mind wonders. If I am not mistaken, this information is entirely of public record. As such and with governmental officials, a case can be made that the public has a right to know. These records are public for a reason, there high speed. And do you speak for "a lot" of citizens? Do these citizens include spanky and the gang, there buckwheat. O-Tay!!! (credit to Eddie Murphy)

You are confused!
Are you saying that President Obama caused these current problems?

How did he do that? I thought Bush was in charge for eitht years until 150 days ago!

He is trying to save your butt!

I too cannot believe that this is newsworthy. Our economy is in such a turbulent state; it is affecting everyone. Leave these people ALONE! Everyone is struggling! Just because these public people have been news in the past doesn't mean that we should announce these foreclosures as well. It's like rubbing it in their faces. I know Greg and Barry and they are normal people just like you and me with families and bills, etc. No need to put this on the front page. My neighbors are losing their home too and they weren't listed in this article. Try writing about something more interesting and newsworthy than the struggles of these people that have had enough negative publicity for a lifetime! Why celebrate someones' forclosure? This is ridiculous and embarrassing to our community! We should be supporting and serving one another and not trying to tear each other down!

Yeah, lets throw a biig party for George Bush, Cheney, Rove, Paulson, Gingrich, Hannity, Limbaugh, Coulter, Ingraham, Enron, AIG, Merrill-Lynch, B 0f A, Wells-Fargo, Bush's justice department, Rice, and 40-50 generals who wouldn't speak!!!

We certainly don't want to learn anything from past bad judgement. Do we?
If you get well known deliberately, you will be known well deliberately.

Nevermind..deleted.. some "bad" language.. Cal will spank..

You are so right Spy but don't expect much compassion on these blogs. Unfortunately, our tabloid society has made it acceptable to pry into every inch of people's lives and we seem to get some weird pleasure in airing other's "dirty laundry".
There but for the grace of God go many of us.

Why should a public servant not aspire to own nice property? He is not an ignorant man and was obviously handling his mortgage just fine prior to his unexpected (and maybe unjustified) demotion and reduction in salary.

Funny, no mention of unions driving up salaries so high that American manufacturers had to find cheaper means of production in order to compete on the global market. Don't get me wrong, unions at one time served a good purpose in America. In fact my father worked for a company with a union...oh wait that was Eastern Airlines and a union that decided to play "Chicken" with management (albeit management run by the "loon" Lorenzo) and were sure that the company would blink first. Well I don't have to tell you how that one worked out. Gee, who would have thought that it might be a good idea to take some cut backs in order to be competitive with your competition. Reduced income vs NO income? A lot of local folks still feeling the fall out from that one.
Yes, we are on an uneven playing field with our trading partners but don't expect them to level it out by raising there manufacturing cost to match our union shops.

While I normally do not rally around the union cause I would like to add that salaries are only one element of the cost of doing business. There are many other factors that determine where best to locate a business. One thing to remember, in the years that followed WWII, the USA was the manufacturing capital of the universe with something in the order of 60+% of all manufacturing on this planet was done here. The wage gap between the US and other countries was LARGE back then.

As for Eastern Airlines, their business model failed in a deregulated environment and Frank Borman could not save it using his name only. Heck, Eastern was already servicing a debt that was so large it was costing them almost $1 Million a day before salaries and fuel. Enter Frank Lorenzo who sold off good assets to the Texas Air Group and you ended up with business ledger that the employees could work for free and the airline would still lose money.

BTW, I graduated from the Lorenzo school of better airline management in 1983 at the Continental Airlines campus at LAX.
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Caution - The Surgeon General has determined that constant blogging is an addiction that can cause a sedentary life style.

Unions were needed in the early 1900s to obtain a competitive wage.

But unions are just workers and the workers can tell the union heads what to negotiate.

Cases where a few senior members put at great jeapordy thousands of fellow members jobs thinking that they, with much seniority (another mistake--seniority), would never lose THEIR jobs, found out one could push absolutely too far, unnecessarily.

Like the coal miners and others they asked for too much for the job which was not competitive.

Now some aren't paid enough and others still too much. This is not a judgement call, it is only what comptetes. This procedure also ruined us in all corporate compensation recently. Pay money traders millions per year in a market where idiots could do it! Of course then the bosses had to have 20 million.

I believe Reagan started the whole NAFTA fiasco. Georgeee Bush Senior continued with it. Mr. Willy did sign NAFTA into law of course with the majority of the Republicans help. If I remember correctly it was the republicans who were pushing NAFTA.

republicans

Maybe you need to stop listening to Rush, Faux News, all those people that make your blood pressure rise and read or listen to or watch what is really going on in this Country.

President Obama is doing the best he can with what George Bush Jr. left him. Get ready because it is going to be a bumpy ride to get this Wonderful Country on the right track again. Many ups and downs and all around are in our future.

You are right Boo. NAFTA was a Republican pushed plan. Clinton went against his party and signed it. However, NAFTA should have worked and still could. It was designed around a principle of give and take, unfortunately we allowed everyone to take and never enforced the giving part.

About the only one issue every economist agrees on is the benefits of free trade. The problem with NAFTA presently is that there is a little too much cheating going on, with the USA being one of the worst offenders in that regard.

If any US prez is going to spout platitudes about free trade or criticize other countries' non-compliance, the US itself better get in compliance first. The old school protectionism of the steel industry, trucking, gambling, lumber, etc. is an impediment to holding the moral high ground in the debate.

But BBBBBUSH did it....

Don't you get it.. Both PARTIES SUCK..

"When the person who in possession of a government, shall say to a nation, I hold this power in 'contempt' of you, it signifies not on what authority he pretends to say it is..but an aggravation to a person in slavery"..Thomas Paine

I read an email that said a president from the past - may have been FDR but I can't remember, gathered all the illegals and shipped them out of the USA after one of the World Wars because Americans had no work - this would not happen today because it wouldn't be politically correct - many jobs are being outsourced to India and other countries. Just about any company you call for help - Sprint, Frigidaire, etc.... you get a foreigner - if they keep doing this, the illegals will have to leave anyway because they won't have jobs here either. Personally I am tired of paying their way too - we've been struggling for months and can't get help but I see who does.

I believe there were three past Presidents who deported the illegals in this Country. The first was Hoover. He thought deporting the illegals would create more jobs during the depression for the legal citizens.
The second was Truman. He deported 2 million illegals to create jobs for returning vets.
The third Eisenhower. Deported 3 million illegals again to create more jobs for the returning vets from World War 2 and Korean conflict. Operation "Wet Back" I believed they called it.
I believe they said it took a few years to complete the deportations.

because of the jerks that was poed that she went on .. On her vacation mind you.. not as a taxpayer paid trip mind you... Not one dime was spent in taxpayer money mind you... BUT politics is a nasty business you crawl in bed with pigs.. don't be surprised when people say YOU STINK..

"When the person who in possession of a government, shall say to a nation, I hold this power in 'contempt' of you, it signifies not on what authority he pretends to say it is..but an aggravation to a person in slavery"..Thomas Paine

Cox couldn't keep the money for two reasons:
1. Her husband's creditors would have gotten it and she would not have got any credit for paying their bills.
2. She signed a contract before the game that it would be donated!

Why must some of you put a good face on every republican screw-up?
It is the reason you are evaporating!

Bonkers: Her husband's creditors would have gotten it...

Forgive me, but isn't that the point?

It's too bad she didn't give the money to a charity that helps underwater homeowners.

Bonkers, hmm, appropriate. I'm sorry, I believe the democrats have the republicans beat by a long shot. By the time this group is done, there will be no America. We will belong to the world, they will own the USA - the current dummies in control(which are democrats) are sitting up there in DC giving our country away little by little.

I'm afraid your way too late on this. Our gov't was giving away this country way before this present administration came to be. Look at how much of our country's "wealth" is owned by the British, and has been for decades. That's just an example. Don't fall into the trap of bipartisan finger-pointing.

They will own us. Who is they? Dems, Repubs are all the same. Its called selling us out to NWO or as spelled backwards = OWN.

I didn't think she'd give it ALL away. That was a bad move. She should have remembered that voters are stupid with short memories and a year later she could have been living high on the hog.

Too bad she didn't give it to an organization that would help her out now.

I agree. I hate it for this family. I am angry that our current Sheriff handled things this way too. Was he trying to make a statement. Hateful, that's all I can say. And you're right, been there too and managed to make through but may be headed down that road again. Sometimes things do happen beyond your control, loss of job, cuts in pay, higher taxes and inflation. You may find a job, harder these days, but it doesn't mean your pay will be the same. Then you may say, "well so sell your house" - that's not that easy either. That is actually what CCCS told me one time - sure just sell your house - TO WHO? Anyway, I am praying the Babb family, have known them for years, our kids know each other and they are a good family who don't deserve this for sure.

What does have Sheriff make to think he can afford a 400k home?

Okay what? This post makes no sense. Did you know you can proof your statement before posting it?

To my knowledge there has never been a sheriff in Georgia that didn't retire rich if he could continue to get elected, which doesn't seem to be a problem.

It is similar to congressmen and Senators who can not possibly have the assets they have from their salary!

It is not done anymore by cash contributions but by favors, ideas, loans, suggested investments (good-good ones), and bail-outs of any errors.

It is absolutely no longer necessary to have an elected sheriff.
He or she should be hired and fired. Run the jail and court only.

My aunt tried some of the "programs"; her husband left her a couple of years back, she had not worked in years per his demands, suddenly out in the workplace at her age looking for a job: gets a job, takes classes to move ahead, then wham! Pay cut, hours cut, car problems, medical problems - the programs? some said she made too much and others said she didn't make enough to get help, but when she got more income to be sure and call - whatever. Divorce changes the game. I have lived in Fayette for 15 years, don't keep up with anyone, live in a modest, basic, older home - could afford when we bought it with extra leftover - the houses around me are worth triple what mine is but my taxes keep getting adjusted to match theirs though I could never sell it for what they could - I have disputed a couple of times but each increase, raises my house payment - when a layoff comes for both of us it kinda puts a strain on a family of five - savings is there but eventually it too goes - then what? What is the answer to someone who bought a home they could afford, but due to economy, gas prices, tax increases, pay decreases or losses - "programs" that let's face it are for dead beats or illegals - what then?

I am not privy to the knowledge of the reason behind Sheriff Hannah’s actions with the demotion of Barry Babb, but I can certainly read the signs and know what has transpired. Sheriff Hannah is in the business of keeping himself in power and in office for the long term. As such he viewed the internally popular Babb as the greatest threat to his continued and long term possession of the Sheriff’s office. Once Hannah gained the support of the previous Sheriff and the powers that be in the county, he formulated a cold plan and followed it. He didn’t agree to any pre-election hand tying with regard to keeping people in positions. He saw no need and didn’t want to overtly break a promise. Once he was elected and took office, he demoted Babb and sent him to the worst place within the organization, the jail (according to the thoughts of County Officers). He also chose not to protect Babb’s pay as he had only one goal for him—to get him to quit the Sheriff’s office and move away. Seasoned officers that are sent to the jail are sent there to force them out of the organization.

I am sure that Hannah felt that Babb would have moved on by now and did not account for the political fall out that will happen from the destruction of Babb’s finances. Hannah’s view was myopic and now this is an unforeseen problem. Here is the issue, Hannah has not positioned himself as an SOB and has painted himself as a good Christian man that is for tradition values and is a good man. He didn’t position himself as the cold person that he actually is. Our actions tend to highlight our character. This action has highlighted Hannah’s character. He chose to protect his position, eliminate a rival, and rule by fiat. He wanted Babb to leave the Sheriff’s office so that Hannah could say in future campaigns that Babb left the force and does not have the loyalty required to be a sheriff. So where does Hannah go from here? Will this foreclosure stick to Hannah in the next election cycle? Does this highlight Hannah as what he is? Are the voters going to give him a pass in the next election?

I loved the Count of Monte Cristo. I see this as Edmond Dantes (Babb) strapped up in chains and waiting to get a savage beating by the sadistic Jailer (Hannah). As Dantes pleads his innocence while in chains, the jailer states coldly that he knows he is innocent, because his jail (Chateau D’If) was where they sent people who were embarrassments and threats to those in power. Of course that knowledge does not stay the jailer’s hand. He beats Dantes savagely anyway—just as Hannah’s hand was not stayed by the emasculating demotion and halving of his rival’s pay, knowing the demotion was for political expediency. He is hoping that Babb moves away and goes away. He didn’t think he would last this long and embarrass Hannah like this news must surely do.

We forget sometimes that the Sheriff's position is a POLITICAL one.. Unlike the Deputies that work under him/her. They are bound like all politicians to get elected then stay elected and work towards the next election.. Threats to that goal can and generally are handled with ruthless efficiency.. I know I worked in a County just like Fayette and saw and experienced many of the things that Babb is going thru... Competence breeds contempt.. There is an old saying: A victim of your own success..
Become popular with the other Deputies and the Citizens and like a wave the Sheriff will bury you.. you become the threat.
Sheriff Hannah is no different.. A political beast is what a beast is.. to think otherwise is foolish.
"When the person who in possession of a government, shall say to a nation, I hold this power in 'contempt' of you, it signifies not on what authority he pretends to say it is..but an aggravation to a person in slavery"..Thomas Paine

A good christian man or not, the moral of the story is PAY YOUR DAMN BILLS!!!

Wow! Is that all, just pay your bills? You ever been laid off, ever had a cut in pay, wife had cut in pay all at the same time? How 'bout medical issues that bring unexpected bills? You my friend are a pompous idiot and I pray you never have to go through what some people are right now.

I would only imagine that it would be possible to pay the bills if some one didn't get elected andstrip your rank causing your salary to be cut in half.
Hmm, I must have been thinking there a min. Guess it can happen to the best of us.

coolerthanU, folks buy a home based on their income at the time of purchase and a demotion/layoff is not even considered. Therefore, per your comment, no one should buy a home or even rent a home for that matter because you you never know when you might get demoted or layed off. So, according to your train of thought, folks should not buy a home because they might get demoted or layed off. Right? Now, this can lead into another matter. Couples might buy a home based of both of their incomes. What happens when they divorce? I reckon they should not have got married in the first place.

Now, please explain how you would pay your bills if you were in the same situation. Thanks in advance.

But I can say personally that every decision whether buying a car, a home, or even next weeks' groceries; future economic outlook is at the forefront of all thought. This is nothing new, hell even as little as four years ago (Katrina) we first witnessed signs of an eroding economy. Most of these houses are in influential neighborhoods where everyone must out-do another in terms of flash and bling. Sure you can buy a home commensurate with your pay, or you can live very comfortably BELOW your means and have a nice buffer in case the inevitable happens. I may not live in a $400K home, but I do have everything I want, need, and some things I don't even deserve because I choose NOT to keep up with the Joneses, the Coxes, or the Babbs. If I cannot afford soemthing at the moment and really want it, I put it off until I can instead of running up credit card debt and financing my way to ruin. This is nothing new, this is basic 2nd grade math. Anyone can do it, anyone can succeed at it - so long as it's not too late to start...

i agree with ohmygosh. people, especially in fayette county, are too worried about keeping up with the next person. having the flashy things and the big homes and what not is an all too common theme everywhere. all that is great but when purchasing such extravegent items one must ensure themselves that they have the money to do so. One of the many questions you should ask yourself is is my job safe? can i REALLY afford this? do i REALLY need this big of a house? and you have to be honest with that answer, if you see other industries failing and you have noticed a slow down in your work place, then maybe buying that 4BR $400k+ house, leasing cars, and that brand new golf cart with all the while there are only two kids at home. maybe was not the best idea. live alittle below your means, make sure you have that money tucked away when times get a little rough.

to foresee these current financial times, we'd all have purchased double-wides and been driving Datsuns. I agree with the posters that pretty much say, "There but for the grace of God, go I".

Think about your judgment of doublewides and datsuns before you, "There but for the grace of God, go I". Smiles.