A burning desire

Are county residents being fairly treated by the Bradley County Commission and County Mayor D. Gary Davis, or are they being misled for the benefit of the City of Cleveland? The newly ratified fire protection contract is a prime example of political back-room dealing at the expense of folks out in the county. Even supposedly rural commissioners seemed to have sold out their constituents this time around. And leading members of the volunteer firefighters themselves have been silenced by the chance of gaining one of the lucrative fully paid positions up for grabs under the terms of the contract. Davis and Cleveland City Manager Joe Cate, got together and agreed on a brilliant plan of strategy for selling a one-sided contract to rural taxpayers while all the time appearing to be bystanders to the deliberations. It was imperative that Cleveland continue to receive the $1.6 million, plus the fringe area tax revenue in order to keep their own fire department afloat, so deals had to be made. At the same time, county residents would have preferred to use the money to strengthen the volunteer force. Why didn't Davis conduct a survey to gauge public opinion on such an important and long debated issue? Remember the Cleveland Daily Banner's report of Davis and Cate's deal before the county commission had considered the contract. A report that was dismissed as a misprint and denied by Davis. It was not by accident that the Cleveland City Council voted not to decrease the length of the contract from seven to five years even before the County Commission had formally discussed it and then the Council reversed their position in order to make the change appear a concession to county commissioners. Howard Thompson, County Commissioner for the 4th District, a supposedly steadfast protector of the volunteers also did a flip-flop, then after he realized the political consequences, flip-flopped again saying he didn't understand what he was voting for. For those of you not at the meeting, Davis made it perfectly clear to all in attendance that a favorable vote would authorize him to finalize the deal with Cate. Thompson voted for it. Although Thompson talks the talk of a county boy he walks the walk of a Cleveland good ol boy. With Davis and Thompson's help, the City of Cleveland even managed to get the permanently manned county fire house located downtown to bolster their ISO rating. County folk are becoming used to being ripped off in favor of Cleveland and probably that will not change while they rely on leaders like Davis and Thompson but at least they will know now exactly who is ripping them off.
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Dark and dangerous

There has been much made recently by Bradley County Sheriff Dan Gilley, that reserve officers do not use any county resources while conducting their volunteer duties and appeals have been made to the public for donations to support their activities and to furnish them with uniforms and equipment. Although it is laudable to volunteer one's time and expertise to the community in whatever capacity, there seems more to the request than meets the eye. It is untrue that special deputies have not been using county resources. At least two special deputies have been driving a Bradley County Sheriff's patrol car for years.  Repeated requests by The People News for the names and duties of special deputies in the Sheriff's Department have been ignored by Gilley, it is believed because he has been handing out badges as political favors to people that have never volunteered their services to the community. Even some members of the Bradley County Commission have a badge. Gilley has been using sheriff badges as political candy for years and is now attempting to legitimize his actions if and when he leaves office. The financial and political activities of the sheriff's office are a mystery. Apart from his deputizing favors it is not known exactly how many vehicles the department possess or how much gas they use or even where or how much drug money is being spent. Gilley keeps everything secret and refuses to release information as required by law. It is not known if Gilley is a crook but his lack of openness may be an indication that he is hiding a dark and dangerous personality. Openness is the key to an honest and trustworthy government and Gilley is not open with anything.
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Whenever

Whenever you read a report in a local newspaper that proclaim "Special to the Banner" or "Special to the Weekly" and it does not disclose the name of a reporter, you will in all likelihood be reading a government press release written like an honest and independent report. The Cleveland Daily Banner had two such reports on the front page of their March 20th issue proudly complimenting the work of two local high ranking elected officials (written by themselves) while at the same time relegating the most important and honest story to an inside page. The hidden story was the Cleveland Airport Authority meeting attended by a large group of concerned citizens. The Cleveland Daily Banner has a very important role to play in the political health of this community. Through reading its pages a citizen can familiarize themselves with events and gauge the effectiveness and integrity of local government. That is the prime role of a daily newspaper - to keep its readers honestly informed. The government generated infomercials mislead the public into complacency. You would be right thinking a rinky-dink newspaper like The People News has no business criticizing a paper of the Banner's stature but they are an important institution with a responsibility to the public so it needs to be said.
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