The DeKalb County Commission met during its regularly scheduled meeting on Monday, July 22, where the issue of the verified petition opposing the issuance of up $65 million in bonds for a proposed judicial center was brought up but not acted on. The commission will decide in its August meeting whether to approve a referendum on the bond issue for the November election. The commission can vote to put the referendum on the ballot, or the county would have to pay $25,000 for a special election. If the commission takes no action, the petition would automatically be approved, barring the county from applying for the bonds.
While the commission seems to be split down the middle on the bond issue and how the county is moving towards a judicial center, one county commissioner took issue as to how the local media is covering the story.
In a prepared speech, First District Commissioner Tom Chandler told the body that he supports the public having a voice, but believes many of the over 2,500 that signed the petition are misinformed about the issue and what the petition opposes.
Chandler at first complimented the Smithville Review and WJLE Radio for their articles concerning the jail constructed in 2001, but then went on to criticize the media for its coverage of the petition drive. “I think for WJLE and the Smithville Review, I think your coverage of the bond petition drive was less than unbiased. On the front page of the Smithville Review is a picture of (Commissioner) Beth Pafford and Dennis Stanley turning in petitions to (Clerk) Jimmy Poss. For both you used quotes from (Attorney) Jon Slager, Dennis Stanley, and Beth Pafford. Curiously, you did not include any input from any other members of the commission.”
“The public signatures and votes should be based on logic, facts, and an understanding into the situation DeKalb County finds itself in, not on emotion, misinformation, intimidation, half-truths, just plain lies, or on personalities, all of which I believe were exhibited during the petition drive.”
Chandler went on to claim that one petitioner who refused to sign the petition was asked “if he were an American,” and that others were told that the elderly on low-income would pay the tax increase. He also claimed that some were told that they would not have to pay the tax increase if they signed the petition and the bond issue was defeated in November. He went on that both local media outlets pointed out that the bond petition would not affect the property tax rate.
He went on to say that he has received threats from the public over the issue. “I’ve been threatened and called names dealing with the public. I’ve been cautioned to avoid restaurants and Walmart because someone might recognize me and want to do me harm.”
Commissioner Chandler also criticized the public for not showing up to several committee and town hall meetings held over the issue. “I expected the one [meeting] last month to be standing room only. A packed house. But it wasn’t. Not even close. When they asked for comments from the public just three people came forward to comment on the tax increase. Yet last month’s commission meeting and budget vote was probably the most important in the last 25 years by far. Those meetings were all publicized. Where were the 2,500 who signed the petition?” asked Commissioner Chandler.
Later, Chandler accused the media of crucifying the county mayor in its coverage of the judicial center. “Why did WJLE and the Smithville Review keep crucifying Matt Adcock, our county Mayor? He’s just a messenger. Unfortunately, he was placed in the position of having to cast the deciding vote on the bond resolution and the tax increase.”
He would then go on to challenge those who signed the petition to attend local meetings over the issue saying, “I challenge the public, especially those who promoted and signed the bond petition, to come forward with any viable, well thought out and financially sound solutions the county commission has not considered for a justice center and or dealing with the issues in the jail or at the courthouse. Who knows? Maybe we missed something over the last 18 months and countless meetings and discussions we have had on this matter. But please if you are going to do that, do your homework. Bring us something substantial and not band aids and musical chairs, or suggest we convert an elementary school into a jail, which we’ve already considered.” added Chandler.
For the record, the Smithville Review holds no favoritism either for or against a judicial center, jail expansion, or courthouse renovation. The Review simply reports the news and what is said in meetings, along with how the commission votes on the issue.
We at the Review do not see how reporting on how the county mayor broke a 7-7 tie in between the county commission, on both the property tax increase and bond resolution issue, can be considered “crucifying” the county mayor. The simple facts are, he cast the deciding vote on both contentious important issues.
The Smithville Review also contends that when over 2,500 registered voters sign a petition in opposition to the bond resolution, that it is news and deserves coverage. For the record, County Mayor Adcock was asked for a quote over the petition drive, which he declined at the time.
As for the petition drive, the Smithville Review was present on several occasions as the petition drive was being held and heard nor saw any misinformation over the issue being presented. The Smithville Review has been covering the issues at the DeKalb County Jail for years if not decades now, and will continue to cover the story until a resolution has been determined.
