Yet another member of the now defunct structure advisory committee so keen on hiring a county administrator in order to save the county money is demanding the home rule charter proponents provide evidence of the same.
“I think it’s reasonable to request that HRC authors succinctly clarify to voters how their document will stem real or imagined financial mismanagement…,” writes Al Pettit in a letter to The World.
The public begged, pleaded and cajoled the committee into offering something tangible, anything quantitative to support their assertions a county administrator would “pay for himself” with all the savings and efficiencies. 
The committee never delivered measurable evidence, or any evidence at all for that matter, to support their claims and now these same pitchmen who tried so hard to ram an administrator down the throats of the voters dare demand the substantiation of the charter.
Ironically, Pettit admits the county is “strapped for money” and that budget cuts alone are not enough to save the county from ruin. Given the Harley dealer’s almost Biblical enlightenment it will be interesting to see where he stands on the CEP (Community Enhancement Plan) as it will reapportion badly needed revenue away from the county. Fellow committee member Jon Barton made similar demands of the charter initiative and supports CEP backer, Commissioner John Sweet. Sweet, unfortunately, has raised more money for his election campaigns than he has brought into the county.
If Pettit really believes what he says, “…in spite of $1.7 million in budget cuts in the last fiscal year alone, the county continues to drain its reserves to make ends meet… reserves will be gone within the next two years”, then he should send a campaign contribution to Don Gurney who brought $12.5 million into the county as a private citizen and opposes the CEP privatization scheme.
All those Sticky Fingers gitten a little worried? You should be. So Sweet be cleaning up with his “donations”, eh? What a perfect description, Sweet “gets” more money than he brings into this county. Perfect, just like the rest of them, pointing their fingers at others, when THEY are the ones who brung us to this dance in the first place,and Sweet, Miss What’s Her Name, and the rest ARE the reason we are failing. You boys and girls done your job, you failed miserably, and continually. Get your big arsses out of the way and let others do what they can to clean up your damned mess.
Always, my own personal opinions, of course.
At least Pettit acknowledges that the county cannot SAVE its way out of disaster and on that point I agree with him about the charter
Glad to see you back to your oldself, Mary.
Things have been very hectic these last few months, I know, and thanks for bearing with me. Given Barton and Pettit’s sudden reemergence after months of virtual silence, who wants to lay odds that one or both may be on the shortlist to fill the SCCF board vacancies? After all the public is not allowed to know who the applicants are until it’s too late.
The picture is so apt. Thank you. 🙂
🙂