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I have never submitted an article to The Times before, but after reading and hearing about the disgraceful hijinks occurring in the Hall County Board of Commissioners, I just have to speak out. I am truly outraged by the actions of Ashley Bell and the two incoming new commissioners, Craig Lutz and Scott Gibbs.
Those three secretly cut a deal to band together to conduct business by ambush. Conspiring to fire several honest, hard-working public servants before even taking a vote is unconscionable!
I don't think it is a secret that Bell has higher political aspirations. His current power grab is merely the next step. When I heard that he had switched to the Republican Party, I just laughed. He is a die-hard liberal; just look at his history and record. He is no more a conservative Republican than is his idol, President Barack Obama.
But he is certainly clever enough to know that in Hall County, liberal Democrats don't fare well at the polls. Hence the strategic switch. Who does he think he is fooling?
Now he has somehow convinced Lutz and Gibbs to jump on his band wagon before they were even sworn in. Ah, the promise of power. How seductive. The citizens of Hall County can now look forward to an endless number of 3-2 votes on the commission. That means those three can virtually do anything they want to do.
What is that old saying: "Power corrupts, but absolute power corrupts absolutely."
I certainly pray that Lutz and Gibbs wake up and see things the way they really are. Is this corruptible path what their constituents voted them into office to do? I don't think so.
How about a 4-1 vote, much less divisive and more reflective of the wishes of the majority of the citizens of Hall County? Hang in there, Tom Oliver and Billy Powell. I hope reason and accountability are on the way.
I have been a lawyer for more than 30 years. When we see a 5-4 split decision by the U. S. Supreme Court, we know how fractured and contentious that vote was and that it probably hinged upon just one Justice's swing vote to decide the law of the land in the United States. Is this how we want business to be conducted in Hall County? Again, I don't think so.
I am truly frightened by the current status of affairs on our local commission. The citizens of Hall County should also be afraid and hopefully will voice their disapproval as I have. Thank God for the First Amendment which gives me the right to voice my above personal opinions.
Joan H. Marler
Gainesville