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Marshall Ecker's TV appearance

I don't know how many people actually got to watch Talk TV on Star Television the other night. Something was wrong with their computer stream connections sadly, so no one was able to see it via the computer.

I just want to say I was totally blown away....Marshall didn't sugar coat anything. He spoke about the division on the board, and something that I didn't know: Before Coy Harville's last run for chairman of the Board, he called Marshall and asked for his support. Marshall told Coy right up front that he couldn't support him, because he felt that since he had previously been chairman, that someone else should be able to Chair the Board this term; he explained to Coy that he thought it would be fairer to have different Supervisors chair the Board, to give each one a chance. Coy then told Marshall "Let the chips fall where they may" - which to me seems almost a threat...and we have now all seen where the "chips" have fallen. Coy, sometimes subtly, sometimes not, treats Marshall and anyone that suports him with no respect whatsoever. Coy has managed to buffalo the remainder of the "4Bloc" to agree with him no matter what - so virtually, the northern end of the county has no voice on the board at all.

Are you a citizen of Chatham, Gretna, or Hurt? Then, I'm telling you from firsthand knowledge of being at these board meetings since January....you are not represented on the Board, because your supervisor has virtually no voice at all. It's not because they don't try - it's because they get voted down with regularity. Don't believe me? Call the County Administrative office and tell them you want to see the voting records of the Board.

Don't get me wrong - I'm not saying that anyone, including Marshall Ecker, should always get their way. All I am asking for is true cooperation, and compromise within the Board. There should be the ability to bring anything to the whole board and have it discussed. Of course, there will not always be agreement, but there should be honest discussion, without personal agendas. And there certainly shouldn't be this playground bully saga that's going on now. If you are reading this, you should know that this does concern you if you are a citizen of Pittsylvania County. What is going on with our "leaders" is tragic - for all of us.

If all goes as planned....

Marshall Ecker will be the guest on Star TV this Monday evening at 7:15. Tune in! If you don't get the programming on cable (Channel 17) then tune in on your computer with a live feed at http://www.wgsr47.com/ There is a link on the left side menu that lets you watch live on your computer.

Comment from Tuesday night's meeting:

If you haven't read Ross's account of Tuesday night's meeting, scroll down and read it - and if you don't believe he is being accurate in the telling of the events, then read this comment that was left on that post - and then go and read his post for yourself - It's Tuesday night's meeting, June 16th. Here is the Anonymous Comment:

"I was at that meeting and I agree I have never in my life seen such a spectacle. It was my first meeting and I was shocked. I thought these people were educated individuals but boy was I in for the shock of my life. You are exactly right it was like watching children.I guess I didn't realize it but you are right I was embarrassed for them and myself also. I was there for the animal rights issues but I can see I need to attend more meetings. This sadly is better than Judge Judy. Who would have ever known??? You also neglected to go into the part where the board and the county lawyer got into it about Roberts Rules. The county lawyer didn't even know the rules as well as Marshall Ecker and had to leave to go back to his office I presume to get an answer and at that he never did get a precise one. From what I witnessed I can say I doubt whether this county will ever be right again. Not after all these years these children have been playing in the sand box. Thank you for what you are doing and I am not sure you are not right in not releasing the tape. We need to work from within our county and make changes, ones that we won't be so embarrassed about. Our children do not need to see this as an example of how government is supposed to work. Thank you again I will be keeping up with this blog from now on."

I wish I had been there to see it!

But I have a comment and a question. Comment - Ross, you are a true gentleman, and from what I heard about the fiasco Tuesday night, I don't know how you remain so neutral! Good job, but truthfully, I am getting tired of being so neutral because the facts are so bad.

Question? Why didn't the Star-Tribune report what happened. Tim Davis, why are you sitting at those meetings and then not reporting to the public what is really going on. Why didn't the Star Tribune have anything to report about the supervisors coming off of their platform and speaking - or arguing - or whatever it was they did. Kudos to Marshall Ecker for doing what he did though....he has been treated like crap by Coy and his toadies....and they barely even try to cover it up. He has absolutely no true representation on that board, because he could say that the sky was blue and Coy would argue the point, and the Fab Four would vote that the sky is neon green. Why aren't we reading this in the paper????

Another comment - Coy Harville basically forced Carol Motley out, because he wanted the running of the economic development operation under his thumb. She had thought about retiring at the end of the year, but she had some irons in the fire, and in reality, she wasn't ready to retire. Carol had a genuine concern for the county, and economic development. She worked hard to do her job, and she knew it inside and out. Not everyone always agreed with her, or her way of doing things, but one thing is certain: she always worked for the betterment of the county and she was dedicated to her work; but once Coy heard her mention retirement, he ran with the ball, and actually announced it for her by way of the Star-Tribune. Coy wanted all the praise and Glory for economic development in the county - hence the Walmart thing. Hey, suddenly we don't hear much about that anymore do we. Coy hated Carol and her office so badly that he didn't want any remnants left - therefore, he sent "word" across the street that none of the employees would have a job after Dec. 31st last year. It would have been different if he had talked with the employees to actually find out what they did - because he had no idea - and made an informed decision as to who could continue to work to benefit the county. Instead, he booted everyone out, simply because of his ego, his jealousy and his need to control. He never even had the decency to tell them himself - he let Carol have the daunting task of telling her employees that they needed to look for work. If I had been Carol, I would have never been so graceful - I would have told Coy Harville where he could put his plaque.

There's a lot going on behind the scenes of this county and you all need to wake up and start caring about your government - or what's left of it.

Meeting June 16,2009

First things first. I have a retraction, our first that I know of but non the less a retraction. Marshall Ecker only meets with constituents once quarterly not once a month. Sorry about that. But still the point is that he does this at all.

Now on to the board meeting. Well it was interesting to say the least. Debbie was away on business so I went by myself with a camera lent to us by Star News Channel 17 on your cable stations. I have not released the tape to the Star News as yet because I was embarrassed by what transpired over the coarse of the meeting and am not sure I want our Board of Supervisors plastered all over the Internet and cable TV acting as they always seem too lately. The immaturity and lack of cooperation of this Board is painfully evident at every meeting. It is like going to the Grammar School playground and watching the children play. You know you have the shy kids, the intelligent kids, the not so smart, and the bullies. It is truly embarrassing for me to watch and to think these are the folks that are running our County. Well, I say running the County tongue in cheek. It is a mess folks a real mess and that is only my opinion but it is an opinion of someone who has been an eyewitness to the facts for all to long. How I present them may be debatable but I am trying to do what is right. It is not often easy to be unbiased as you can tell by this report.

The meeting went something like this. One of the first things the Chairman asks is there anything to add to the agenda. Well There was not anything to add but they removed Marshall Ecker's part of the agenda that had to do with Whispering Pines Road water line.For those who don't know what this is all about read the following.

Whispering Pines Road water line pg 84

Marshall voted for this project back in Sept 2008 at that time it was to help citizens on Whispering Pines Road . He was told they had various water problems and need County water. On Dec .22, 2008 He voted to accept Reynolds –Clark to Engineer Whispering Pines project.

Prior to the June 1, 2009 Board meeting he asked the County Administrator why this project was being brought up and the expense of $600,000

He said he didn’t know and that Mr. Barber asked for the change.

At the June 1, 2009 Board meeting Mr Ecker asked if this would help those citizens who had water problems? He never got a straight answer. Again Mr. Ecker voted for this project .Something didn’t set right with his decision. Again later that week Mr. Ecker talked with our County Administrator and asked why Whispering Pines road wasn’t being served first? He didn’t know, he told Mr. Ecker Inman road doesn’t have anyone to provide service to, but Whispering Pines road does. And as Marshall is a member of Pittsylvania County Service Authority, he knew a 12” line up Inman road with little or no service will be a nightmare of trouble .The TTHM levels and HAA5 levels would be almost impossible to control with that low a water usage. Mr. Sleeper also said that this would help extend this line to Route 41 .Looking at the map at service authority building this is the most impractical route through nowhere to get to Route 41. Also the board was told this was money left over from Gretna Route 40 west to C & E’s restaurant. If in fact that $100,000 is taxpayer money that was not used from C&E project it should have been placed back in the general fund not moved to another project. Marshall found a Mr. Dan Chumley who lives at 5429 whispering Pines road. He also received an e-mail confirmation of that conservation. He was not aware that water will not be coming down Whispering road at this time. Marshall found out that this is an established area and Inman Road, Sugar Tree, Treelake and Foxberry are newer homes. He gave Mr. Sleeper his intentions to RECEND his vote on June16, 2009 Board meeting. That is why it was on the agenda .

Marshall Ecker had several options to change his vote 1. Renewal of a motion 2. reconsider 3. Make a new motion to include Whispering road in first phase and extend Inman road as far as monies would prevail. 4. Table this issue.

By not allowing Mr. Ecker these options the project could go forward the way it seems was intended in the first place. Whether it was cooked up this way or not it sure looks bad when they won't let anyone talk about it in public.

Next was the hearing of the citizens which got postponed till later in the evening.

Next the consent agenda. Carol Motley was honored with a plaque for her service with Economic Development. It was very interesting to watch the faces of the people who had admonished her so vehemently hand her a plaque for a job well done. I won't go into depth here but those that have paid attention to the economic fiasco will understand what I am talking about. It really is sickens me to watch this stuff. I like Carol and I think she did the very best job she could for the county under the circumstances. I thought for sure she would have something to say but she is a wise women to let it lie. No pun intended.

Then the Chatham High Baseball state champions were honored. Great job guys. As well as the Tunstall Lady Trojans for the Region IV Softball Title. Well done ladies. We are all very proud of you. The Hollywood Baptist Church turned 125years old and was honored with a plaque and a few other things you can look up on the Consent Agenda if you so choose.

All the rezoning cases were passed except for the Russell and Julia Stone petition. It was denied as it looked like they would be able to rent out a second building on the property for a residence which is not allowed in that area according to zoning.

The animal welfare had a nice piece wanting us to take better care of the animals sent to the shelter and cut down on the death rate there. About time. It was reported we have the worst record of any surrounding county.

There were several new appointments to the county all passed unanimously.

Now the Hearing of the citizens was brought back into play. Marshall Ecker wanted to know why his consent agenda piece was cut out. That is when the *&^* hit the fan. Marshall Ecker was so upset he left his position on the stage moved to the microphone on the floor and addressed the board as a citizen. Everything he said from then on was absolutely correct in mine and everyone that I talked to who was there's mind. It was out of completely understandable frustration of a board not being at least in appearance acting in the best interest of the citizens with no transparency at all of what goes on by their hand in Pittsylvania County. And I think most anyone who reads this and knows the facts could completely relate to the frustration and agree things have to change. It took a lot of courage for Marshall Ecker to do that and I was kind of proud of him for doing it. Well after he was done Tim Barber had to come down off the podium and address the board and claimed to have voted for many things for the northern end and genuinely seemed angry. And then Coy Havel came down to address the board and said they needed to act together. Welllllllllllll Hum! I am not going there you all know the story on that one. Anyone over the age of 5 knows about how the board is run and it's net results. It really was like a a Chinese fire drill. If you don't understand that one google it. They do a far better job explaining it than I could ever hope. Pretty much that was it except outside the courtroom after most people had left I found a few folks talking of which two were Coy Harvel and Marshall Ecker. Marshall was offering his hand and Coy was gracious to accepting it. But then it couldn't end there someone said something and the next thing you know Coy was going down the stairs yelling back at Marshall asking him why he hated Coy so much and Marshall explaining he didn't hate him and then all went home.

This is really just a brief synopsis and mildly put. The tape shows it differently and that is the reason I am hesitant to put it on the net or TV. Marshall Ecker will be on Star News Channel 17 on your cable stations Monday night and maybe they will show some of the highlights. Make sure to tune in and watch. If you don't have cable you can get it off the WEB. I will post that tomorrow. Debbie will be back for the next meeting and for the Monday night show on Star News and she will again be doing the reporting and I know you are all saying thank the Lord. Me too.

Rember if you want entertainment come to the meetings we would love to see you there.

Politics and the people

It saddens me to see how apathetic the people are to the politics on the local, state, and federal levels. No wonder the politicians get away with what they do. There is not a citizen in the United States of America that has the right to complain about what is going on unless they have participated in some way prior to the fact of what ever it is they are upset about. If a citizen does not attend or find out what transpired on just the local level alone at a board of supervisors meetings and be proactive by some means, such as responding to this blog at a minimum, then I cannot feel sorry for their woes. We have spent many hours and much money as well as an unbelievable amount of time trying to bring these meetings, and the sometimes ridiculous results of these meetings, to you the public and yet we get no feed back hardly at all. We did a show on cable TV channel 17 with Jessica Robbins for an hour and fifteen minutes in Reidsville NC trying to bring attention to the blog and the board politics and yet only two people called in. When you see what the board is doing to the county you all should be up in arms screaming. I don't get it. The sad part is you will only get it when it is to late and then you will wine and cry about what the board has done to this county. If I had time I would love to take a survey and find out just how many people in the county even know who there supervisor is and how to get in touch with them and if they have ever even talked to them. They are supposed to represent you or us. How can they possibly do this if they don't know how we feel about things. I give Marshall Ecker all the credit in the world. He holds town meeting every month religiously (with little attendance) and writes an article in the paper once a month, etc. He at least is trying to represent his constituents. He wants your input and help so where are you??? And where are the other board members. What do they do to find out how you feel. The only time you even see them out and about is when they are forcing their way into a photo opportunity or when they are looking for your vote. People they don't want you to know!!!! That folks is just wrong. They should be inspiring you to participate and making sure you understand what they are doing in the county getting feed back and ideas from the citizenry. Like I said in the beginning folks it really saddens me that we are letting so few rule so many and so poorly. You want jobs??? You want the county to grow properly??? Get involved. Just one more thing and then I am out of here. The Burlington Industries plant in Hurt sits on 600 acre of prime land butting up against the Hurt Industrial Park. Which incidentally has had to date no development at all. The plant has a water plant capable of handling at least one third of the water problems of the county. It is located just off Route 29 and has all the entrances, paving, buildings built including a state of the art shipping and receiving plant. I could go on and on about how valuable this propery is and how with the right economic development it could bring hundreds of good jobs to our area but it would take me forever and you are already tired or reading this if in fact you even got this far. Here is the clincher. The property is for sale for 2.5 million dollars. The water plant could be up and running for another 2.5 million dollars giving the town of Hurt it's own water plant alleviating Hurt having to buy water from Campbell County and also supplying the rest of the county with a rich supply of potable water. Not to mention like I said a full compliment of good solid buildings to be occupied by new industries and bring jobs to our community. However if the industries don't know it is there (economic development) and the County doesn't buy it then we stay where we are at. Yet we can spend millions upon millions on mega parks and industrial parks with nothing there. Not even and entrance. Incidentally this deal was brought to the Board of Supervisors years ago and many times since only one member was even remotely interested. The others flatly refused to even entertain a study of the property to assess it's worth. There is much more to this but I leave that to you as citizens to look into and ask the question why of your own personal board of supervisor and don't take their response as gospel. Look into it with all concerned including the Town of Hurt. And now as I promised I am out of here for now.

This is what I say about....

Dan Sleeper.
Hi. I'm Debbie S. and I want to clear up a few things - at least from my perspective. You all reading this certainly have the right to your own opinion - and I know some of you will not see it my way - but here goes. I have heard a lot of remarks about "Coy Harville and Dan Sleeper" as far as their "government" of this county. This is what I say: Dan doesn't make the rules - he only carries them out as he is instructed to do by the Board of Supervisors. Dan works hard and takes an awful lot of flack - because people think he makes the ultimate decisions about how this county is run and he doesn't. He needs a job, just like everyone else, and his job is to administrate the running of the county as instructed by the Board. Yes, basically he is told what has to be done, and he has the daunting task of figuring out how to get it done.

If he stood up against the Board to take a stand different than theirs - they would fire him without a blink. Some people have said he doesn't have the kahunas to stand against the Board. I say that he needs his job, just like the rest of us.

I know that even this blog has painted him in an unflattering light a couple of times...you know that video of him sitting back and scratching his belly was just funny :-) but Ross and I both say Dan works very hard and has an extremely difficult task to please the Famous Four.

Did ya Know.....

That Marshall Ecker was the only Board Member to Question the qualifications of this new Economic Development Director? He, like myself, wanted to know what qualifications he presented that were developed from real-world experience in Economic Development.

I would also like to say this....this blog is not "pro" anyone.....including Mr. Ecker. I do not maintain a "pro-Ecker" stance; in fact, I disagree with him from time to time, and he with me - and we both know it. However - Mr. Ecker is without any doubt the biggest proponent of his constituents that I have ever known.....nor is he impressed with anyone's "status."

I said when we started the blog that we would do our best to be neutral - (sometimes it's impossible for me, sorry) - and mostly I just try to present the facts...

And this is the fact: Mr. Ecker also questioned Mr. Bowman's qualifications for the job of economic development, based on his supervisory board experience.

And now, you want my opinion? Some of the Board of Supervisors think they understand what Economic Development is, and the fact is, simply put, they do not. The End.

Hiring Freeze - Oh Really??

It seems that the hiring freeze is lifted only at the discretion of the Board of Supervisors. They can claim hiring freeze for anything they deem unnecessary and lift the freeze when they want to put another toadie in place. Whoops - I fell of the middle of the fence for a moment folks - sorry. I'm just a little irritated at what I read online yesterday at the Star-Tribune's website: it seems as if we now have a new Economic Development Director. I briefly met Mr. Bowman once at a Board meeting and he seemed a nice enough fellow. I am just wondering at his qualifications for a job that pays $80K. He's a National Guard Lt. Col. and I believe I read, a military analyst - and he served on a Board of Supervisors for his previous residence. He has a Masters in Public Administration, and he's a good talker, I guess.

Well, is that it!!!! Most localities that are searching for Economic Development Directors have enough intelligence to know that this position requires indepth economic development and planning experience - and lots of it. Most localities want Certified Economic Developers. Economic Developers go through literally years of training to be able to understand a plethora of information on local, state and federal government levels....and at the point that they are Certified, they have certainly made their way into the economic development networks - which is a huge thing in itself. Unless I find out more - and if I do, I will certainly admit it, but right now it seems that this fellow hasn't even had the Basic Economic Development training class which is usually hosted in Oklahoma or Chapel Hill, and that is the initial training course for developers, nor has he been through the Virginia Institute for Economic Development at Virginia Tech. These are basic courses that even marketing and project managers usually have - and here they are giving directorship and big pay to a fellow that has to start at the bottom of the learning ladder when it comes to economic development....

So, how does his military experience (which I do applaud and appreciate in relationship to service to his country) - how does this give him qualifications needed for this position. The Danville Register and Bee says "Bowman's going to hit the ground running." Running where, I wonder - does he know where to run? Looks like he has run right into the pocket of the Board to me. I shouldn't be surprised. We all know it's a one man show. Give me a break....that's all I can say right now. Just sounds like more of the same old "buddy/buddy" thing going on. What do YOU have to say? Am I wrong?

Lights...Camera...Action!

We did the Star TV Talk Show on Monday night to try and publicize the blog a little bit. Sadly, we missed the Board Meeting - but on a bright note - Star TV has promised us a TV camera on the first Monday and third Tuesday of each month, which we all know is Board Meeting nights! So, we will be recording the entire meeting and hopefully Star TV will air the taping! That Cable Channel 17. No cable? No problem....Star has a streaming link off of their website that airs their programming! Maybe our communication efforts are beginning to pay off a little!