As in any county or city government, the two largest departments are that of public safety, in particular police, and education. Both require the majority of the taxpayer’s money to finance them. With DeKalb County having two of the largest in the state, and for that matter in the south, you would think the most qualified persons would be at the head of each.
Well, from reading through your site, and researching this guy Vernon Jones hired for Chief of Police, it appears the department is in shambles, and his track record proves nothing put disaster ahead.
The head of the school system can be placed in the same column as the Chief of Police. Morale among the teachers is at an all time low and our students have an all time high failure rate, not to mention the massive waste of taxpayer money.
The citizens of DeKalb need to wake up if this county is to remain a safe place to live. Pressure needs to be applied to the commissioners during the upcoming elections and after Vernon is gone to replace Terrell Bolton with someone competent.
The citizens need to pressure the school board to replace Crawford Lewis and replace him with someone competent.
This is an election year. It is time for change in DeKalb County for the better, to bring us back to being a positive example of leadership instead of constant embarrassment with shady deals and scandals.
I found your website while searching the web. I think this page is on the right track to be an influence for a new start.
Thursday, May 8, 2008
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4 comments:
You are 100% correct. Police officers can complain and write about the terrible situation they are in today but it will take the citizens of DeKalb to correct the problem. The current administration has made a mess of things. Why did the BOC grant the power to the CEO as it relates to the hiring and firing of department heads? This was ill conceived in my opinion. The police department has the greatest potential of being misused and becoming a political weapon if used by the wrong person. The DeKalb department is under the control of the CEO. Two of his drivers are now a Major and a Deputy Chief. No, this is not a joke!! Since being elected in 2000 we are on our 4th chief (5 if you count Burgess). All have left and/or been hired under turmoil. Each chief has promoted/demoted at will or upon the direction of the CEO which has everyone running scared and afraid to make any decisions. Chief Bolton has shredded what little the department had left. Remember he was the pick of the CEO who decided to go against the advisory panel. Citizens of DeKalb, you didn't have a department that needed "a new shine" as Chief Bolton put it, we just need good effective leadership and the fine officers serving you will provide the rest. Please help us.
Just to let you guys know, this is an e-mail that was sent by the reporter Harry Samler of 46 about a story he did on TEE BO'S Communtiy affairs person:
I wish I could comment more on this. All I can tell you is that I did
do an investigation. The station management is still deciding whether
to run with the story.
I want to do the story, but at this point, I have to wait and see.
Harry
Thanks Harry. I hope you're successful in your efforts. I'm truly amazed that the powers that be have so much control over the media.
I appreciate your efforts.
FYI, it's our state legislative delegation that sets the structure of government in DeKalb not the County Commissioners. That structure allows the CEO to appoint every department head. The BOC only has the authority to confirm the Executive Assistant, the Finance Director, and the Planning Director, and can only fire (by supermajority) the Executive Assistant.
DeKalb's form of government is unique (thank G-d), and it is generally agreed that it sets up the CEO as a tin-horn dictator. Every other county in Georgia is run by a board of commissioners (shared power) and most are managed by a professional who has to keep the majority satisfied.
There are obviously good BOCs and bad BOC's but we have the the only certified bananna republic in the state...
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