* Online tax payments spark verbal heat

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Fayette | News

Online tax payments spark verbal heat

Tue, 03/14/2006 - 6:26pm

By: John Thompson

The testiness of the County Commission was on display Thursday night as the board instructed the county’s attorney to draw up a resolution that would allow Fayette’s taxpayers to use a credit card and pay many of their taxes online.

But before the issue was voted on, a heated exchange occurred between commissioners Peter Pfeifer and Herb Frady, while Commissioner Linda Wells glared at Frady with an icy stare.

Pfeifer opened the discussion by saying the issue was brought before the board two years ago by Tax Commissioner George Wingo.

“He (Wingo) was asked many questions. These questions were not answered. There was no follow-up except the Tax Commissioner says that, ‘he discussed this with his liaison commissioner.’ This county commissioner told him that the rest of us were not inclined to reconsider the proposal,” Pfeifer said.

Pfeifer added that Wingo’s liaison commissioner is Herb Frady.

“I do not recall at any time that Commissioner Frady told me verbally or in writing about a conversation with the Tax Commissioner on this subject. Neither do Commissioner Wells or Commissioner Dunn.”

The issue has been fought lately on the editorial pages of newspapers and Pfeifer decided to find out the answers by doing his own research.

“I have conferred with the County Attorney’s office. I have discussed this, individually, with two of the other commissioners. Our questions are addressed, finally.

“We can charge a fee to cover the cost of on-line services to the person receiving those services. That makes this okay.”

Pfeifer then made a motion to have the county staff and attorney look into getting a third-party to operate a system that would be paid for only by taxpayers who chose to use credit cards. But attorney Dennis Davenport suggested the proper procedure would be to bring back a resolution to the board.

Commissioner Herb Frady couldn’t understand what the hold-up has been over the last two years.

“I’ve understood this from the beginning,” he said.

Pfeifer retorted that Wingo had not explained anything to the board, but Frady rose to his defense and told Pfeifer not to call out the Tax Commissioner in public.

The board finally agreed to pursue a resolution that would also look into the possibility of allowing taxpayers to also pay with a credit card in the tax office, along with paying with a card on their home computers.

Time for a new hobby

Submitted by thenatural on Thu, 03/16/2006 - 1:11pm.

FR,

You claim to have sat close enough at the meetings to have heard snide remarks exchanged by commissioners. Where are you sitting?
The closest people are county staff and they are about 15 feet away to the side. (I admit this is an estimate, I just eye balled it when I voted today).

Like at church...the only people that sit anywhere near the front are those that have to do so. The press usually occupies the first row and then there is a large gap before you get to the other citizens in attendance. So for you to hear snide remarks you must have some truly remarkable hearing. Some may even say supernatural hearing.
You see, there is no way that you could get close enough to hear exchanges as you claim. Particularly since, you cannot prove that ever occured. These kinds of outrageous, anger (or envy)filled assertions destroy your credibility in this discussion.

If you formed your opinion on Dunn with a single or even a several casual encounters then, again, your ability to grasp the nature of a man with such little contact is extraordinary. Assuming that you can distinguish between arrogance and verbosity, I am still waiting for examples of this arrogance. Where has he been devious? Give me an example where there has been deceit.
Ego, sure it kind of goes with the personality of any military (or paramilitary) officer. It is what makes them successful in the job.
As far as it having grown..sorry...don't see it.

QUOTE: "Linda Wells glared at Frady with an icy stare"

Submitted by Fayetteresident on Thu, 03/16/2006 - 1:06pm.

WOW! I wonder what was going on with Linda Wells? Was she upset with Frady, or did she just have a bad day??? OR maybe she had something in her eye!!!

HOW UNPROFESSIONAL! She & Dunn are getting "very sloppy" with their body language and "under the breath" comments... Stay tuned.. I can't wait to see what happens next...

Icy stare

Submitted by thenatural on Thu, 03/16/2006 - 1:31pm.

I wondered about this one myself. Again, I checked this out this morning after voting. You see it is impossible to see anything more than the profile of a commissioner as they turn to look down the dais at another commissioner. Particularly since the reporter typical sits directly in front of Ms. Wells and several feet to the left of Frady.

The icy stare was an assumption on the part of a reporter trying to spice up a story.

Earlier you claimed that you heard the comments that were being exchanged. Now they are making them under their breath and those comments are unprofessional. Boy you have great hearing. That is truly amazing..a miracle. Now you attack body language. So now your ability to read people is also amazing. And you are an arbiter of what is professional behavior. Wow..where do your talents end?

The truth is that you have no clue about what is said, what is done or what any thing here means. Your SOLE purpose is to malign some very good people who are brave enough to put themselves out there for public service. You are hoping that if you say bad things loud enough and often enough that some people will start to think they are true. Luckily, the average Fayette County Resident is smart enough to see through this vitriole that you insist on spouting.

Icy Stare - reply...

Submitted by Fayetteresident on Thu, 03/16/2006 - 2:06pm.

TN,
OK, I guess I can't hear, the reporter can't see, and you are the ONLY person that knows what is going on??? Yeah, right...stop trying so hard to figure out who I am.

Trust me; I know that people who "put themselves out there for public service" are very brave people. Brave people, just like the ones you malign. You have suggested in your postings that Sheriff Randal Johnson is not trustworthy; you've made jokes about the Sheriff's Dept.; and I won't even repeat the tirades involving that "certain" Lt. Col... These fine people are not just public servants; they are people that put their lives on the line to protect people like you!

The truth is I'm not the only one outraged by Dunn's arrogant behavior. When you are entrusted by your constituents to represent them, your behavior should be professional at the very least!

Blank stares

Submitted by thenatural on Thu, 03/16/2006 - 2:58pm.

FR,

I did not say you could not hear I said you have incredible hearing. I was simply mentioning for those who read this who may not realize it..the logistics of what you claim to be able to do are simply not there. Prove me wrong.

I assume the reporter saw Ms. Wells look at Mr. Frady, it is the "icy stare" part that I question. This kind of hyberbole is not uncommon in the media today. It gets people to read the paper, so if it is an exaggeration...so what? Your constant railings and exaggerations are intended to hide your lack of substantive response. I ask for proof of your allegations against these people.... Nothing. I ask for proof were people are devious, arrogant or egotistical, you change the subject. As long as you can figure out a way to malign Dunn...and others...that is all that matters...facts and issues can just be ignored.
You claim I malign the sheriff and Mr. Jordan. I am disturbed by some of the actions that they have taken as it relates accountablity and the willingness and ignore procedure and process because it suits them. That is the height of arrogance. However, if you go back over my postings you will see that I have never maligned anyone in the sheriff's department for the way they enforce the law here. That is admirable, first rate and the envy of other jurisdictions. But that does not excuse them from following procedure and complying with the same requirements as everyone else. That is where the failing is...not in protecting the citizens. To contend that I have done otherwise makes you less and less credible.

I have known your identity long before this latest example of your musings.

Rocket Science

Submitted by thenatural on Wed, 03/15/2006 - 4:27pm.

You know...you really need a hobby. Dunn bashing is your only sport and your tirades are getting old.
I have never said that this was difficult nor as far as I know, did the commission. They simply said, Mr.Tax Commissioner, you want to do this? Then come forward with the how, what, when, where and how so we can move forward. Same process for any new program. He never did that. They did not say no to the proposal because there was no formal proposal (according to the minutes). They said no to any hint that it would cost non users (you the taxpayer) any money. Show them that it is zero cost and no problem. Mr. Wingo did not do that. He never came back with particulars. If he did not come back because Frady told him it was a waste of time...who is to blame? If what was reported is correct then Herb Frady is at fault for misinforming Wingo. He is also at fault for failing to communicate with his fellow commissioners.

I have no need to protect anyone and I do not know where you come up with that idea. Peter Pfiefer can, and does, take care of himself.

I continued to be amazed by your leaps of logic. In one posting you call Dunn a dictator and he is totally responsible for everything this side of 9/11.
Then when it suits your purpose, he suddenly is ineffective and not up to the job. Which is it? One of your problems is a failure to understand the role of chairman. Which is it? You obviously have never been to a meeting, talked to the parties involved or participated in a reasonable discussion with any of them. If you took that time you would at least be making these rantings from a position of knowledge instead of depending on the views of others in forming your opinions.

And by the way when it comes to the sheriff, I defend the actions of the commission, not the commissioners themselves. The fact that there is differences of opinion on the commission is not news. Mr. Frady is the only commissioner (including the late Mr. Van Landingham)that has consistently voted against Dunn for chairman. Why? ask him

Isn't Dunn bashing a hobby?

Submitted by Fayetteresident on Wed, 03/15/2006 - 7:47pm.

Isn't Dunn bashing a hobby? If you are tired of my "tirades" you don't have to read them, much less respond... And if you really think that my "rantings" are uninformative, then don't worry about anyone else paying any attention to them either...

CHAIRMAN GREG DUNN is the most arrogant man I have ever met! Yes, met... and I HAVE been to commission meetings. Sometimes I am close enough to hear the snide and rude comments between him and Linda Wells. So don't discount my "rantings" so quickly.

People like Greg Dunn are very devious and I would liken him to a wolf in sheep's clothing. As his years in office have grown, so has his ego!

There are better choices out there for the position of Commission Chairman and I pray that people pay attention to what they have learned about Greg Dunn when the polls open in July!

So, who else fayetteresident

Submitted by mudcat on Wed, 03/15/2006 - 7:54pm.

For sure Dunn can be arrogant, but he is also hard working and frequently correct on the issues. So, you don't like him but don't offer an alternative. Eric Maxwell is a great guy, but can't win (sorry if you and he are the same guy). So, who else would be better?
meow

It's not that I don't like

Submitted by Fayetteresident on Wed, 03/15/2006 - 8:22pm.

It's not that I don't like him, I DON'T TRUST HIM! His "agenda" seems to have changed and I don't believe he has the resident’s best interests at heart. The color white turns grey with one little drop of black... the truth turns into a lie with one little fallacy... just because he works hard doesn't make his intentions worthy. I really don't like to attack someone personally, but I'm afraid of what will happen with our Board if he is re-elected to another term as Chairman... (The same goes for Linda Wells)

I'm not sure why you think Eric Maxwell can't win... (No, I'm NOT him...)

What's not to like?

Submitted by thenatural on Thu, 03/16/2006 - 12:51pm.

FR,

Tell me why you do not trust him? Give me one example of where he has betrayed you or anyone else for that matter. Why do you think that he (or the other commissioners for that matter) do not have the citizens best interests at heart? Give me an example. How has the agenda changed? Give me an example. If all you have is tearing down an aging building as part of a master plan for a state of the art justice complex a response is not needed. Try to come up with something original.

Eric can't win

Submitted by mudcat on Wed, 03/15/2006 - 8:38pm.

The reason Eric can't win is that he will not work hard enough and do the things it takes to win. Unpleasant, but neccesary are knocking on doors, waving at cars on the highway and attending small groups in someone's home who he may not even know or like. Greg will do all that and more. That does not mean Greg is perfect, it means he knows how to win.

Also, Eric is taking the Randall Johnson side of this stupid fued between Randall and Greg. No one actually cares about that or understands it, but voters will side with Greg.

Nevertheless, the question remains - Who is better than Greg? Eric, because he is not Greg - or someone else?
meow

Eric will win

Submitted by robert m on Wed, 03/15/2006 - 10:15pm.

It's plain to see, mudcat, that you don't know much about politics.
Friends of Eric will do all that is necessary to ensure his winning, not to mention that Eric could and will do all that is necessary to win on his own.

I've known Eric for some 20 years, Greg for only the last 8 or so, and I can assure that Eric is ten times the politician that Greg Dunn is. Greg would make a good county administrator, but his days as county commissioner are numbered, ie, less than 300.

Sorry, that's just the way it is.

Eric Win Doubtful

Submitted by mapleleaf on Thu, 03/16/2006 - 7:48am.

I consider myself the world's worst at predicting election outcomes, so I can only offer "observations."

A few years ago, Citizen editor Cal Beverly opined there were too many lawyers in government, stating that the county attorney was like a 6th commissioner, and he urged the voters to reject a lawyer candidate (Bischoff) for the county commission. They did. Later, when Saxby Chambliss ran for U.S. senator against Max Cleland, Cal urged a vote for Saxby Chambliss, forgetting for a moment that (Republican) Chambliss was a lawyer and (Democrat) Cleland was not.

This time, Cal is endorsing Emory Wilkerson for the county commission, and we know that Wilkerson is a lawyer. If Wilkerson is elected, do you think it will be easy to get a second lawyer (Eric Maxwell) elected to the county commission? I doubt it. But I never predict the unpredictable. We'll see.

Better politican doesn't make a better candidate...

Submitted by Fayetteresident on Wed, 03/15/2006 - 9:24pm.

Greg Dunn may be a better "politician", but it doesn't make him a better candidate.

Eric Maxwell would be a fresh change and I believe he is up to the task. You also underestimate the people that do care and understand the "feud" between Greg Dunn & the Sheriff, and Greg Dunn and his other commissioners, and Greg Dunn and, so on and so on... Dunn seems to be feuding with someone new every week... That is a major flaw in my opinion.

Online Tax Payments

Submitted by twilson on Tue, 03/14/2006 - 9:03pm.

Of course all of the commissioners had every reason to know that the cost of on line motor vehicle registration/renewals would not cost the county one red cent. Mr Wingo showed me the minutes of the meeting in 2003. After reading those minutes, it's clear to me that Mr Wingo stated, clearly and unequivocally, that there would be no cost to the county. This issue has dragged on for three years because of the inability of this board to work with the elected officials in Fayette County.

When I read those minutes, I was somewhat amused by the silly comments of one of the commissioners, ie, musing about paying taxes on line and getting sky miles. A good indication to me there was no intent on the part of the board to ever work with Mr Wingo to get on line registrations up and working.

I wonder, Mr Pfeifer, why you don't give up with the feeble minded attempts at defending an ongoing screw up you and the board made and admit just that?

And I am also wondering, Mr Pfeifer, why Mr Wingo was not informed that you intended to make another personal attack on him at the commission meeting.

Now Mr Pfeifer, Mr Wingo is head and shoulders above you or any other commissioner. You were told earlier, when you're in a hole, stop digging. You're just making yourself look like, er, uh, BAD.

Do you really think the "3

Submitted by Fayetteresident on Wed, 03/15/2006 - 7:56pm.

Do you really think the "3 Amigos" (Dunn/Wells/Pfiefer) will ever admit that they are at fault about anything? I was just surprised to learn that their "comments" about getting sky miles made it into the minutes! I'm sure most of the "comments" that we usually hear (made under their breath) don't make it into the record book...

You are 100% correct about their inability to work with other elected officials!

tax payment

Submitted by thenatural on Wed, 03/15/2006 - 1:36pm.

Sorry posted this one twice...my bad.

Tax Payments

Submitted by thenatural on Wed, 03/15/2006 - 1:36pm.

The meeting minutes may have said that Mr. Wingo stated that there would be no cost to the county, but he did not know, or say HOW he knew this was true, or how it would happen here. He was asked to do the research and come back with the HOW that would avoid cost to the taxpayers who did not use the service He never did that. It appears that he may have given the wrong impression of the attitude of the board, intentionally, by one of the commissioners, you will have to ask Mr. Frady why he did that.

Did Mr. Pfiefer call Mr. Wingo about his intention to discuss the issue at the meeting. Probably not, but did Mr. Wingo call the commissioners and tell them he was going to go to the newspapers with his complaints before they appeared in print? Two wrongs don't make a right, but Mr. Wingo obviously would rather talk to the press than to sit down and talk to the commissioners.
This thing has dragged on for this reason only....the one person who could get it done, did not provided the necessary information for the commission to make an informed decision. In the absence of that information, they took action on their own to move the process forward. Could they have moved sooner...sure they could have. But ask yourself who should have been at the forefront of this issue.
The tax commissioner dropped the ball.

This is NOT ROCKET SCIENCE, guys!

Submitted by Fayetteresident on Wed, 03/15/2006 - 2:18pm.

Come on, TN... It's plain to see who's at fault here... stop trying to protect Mr. Pfiefer; it just makes him look more incompetent! This is an important issue for the residents, however, it is obviously not too important for the commissioners (excluding Wingo & Frady) They are too busy with "other" issues (ie law suits) The 3 Amigos (Dunn/Wells/Pfiefer) need to get a grip on reality!

I don't blame Wingo to going to the newspapers with his complaints. That seems to be the only way to get the rest of the commission to listen! Online tax payments is NOT ROCKET SCIENCE! It's very simple for the rest of us to understand... why is it so hard for the Commission Chairman? It's obvious that Commissioner Dunn is no longer effective as Chairman if he can't even take care of this simple task. I mean that is his job as chairman, right?

Also, I find it very interesting that you defend the entire commission when discussing issues with the Sheriff's Office, but you defend only "certain" commissioners when there is dissension within the commission... Why is that?

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