Council: No comment on Administrator
Last Updated on 12/4/2008
Published on 8/24/2008
By Tommy Howard
thoward@gtowntimes.com
Plenty of people came out to a Thursday night meeting of Georgetown City Council, expecting to hear that City Administrator Steve Thomas would resign or be terminated. Despite an hour-long executive session, that didn't happen.
On Friday and Saturday, the Georgetown Times attempted to learn what happened from members of City Council.
"No comment" was about all that Councilman Jack Scoville would say on the lack of action, a letter to Thomas and other issues, and that was about the extent of the information from several other members.
Reports Friday and Saturday in a nearby daily newspaper indicated that Thomas was to present a plan at a workshop. None of the four members of City Council contacted by the Times knew anything of such a workshop for that purpose.
Peggy Wayne, who was quoted in the daily newspaper, told the Georgetown Times that she said "There will be a workshop in a few weeks and we will probably hear from him."
However, Wayne said, she did not mention anything to a reporter for that newspaper about a plan to be presented.
She said when a Georgetown Times reporter called her Friday afternoon, that was the 39th phone call she had gotten about Thursday's meeting. Also, she said, nine people came by her store to see her in person and two other people sent her flower arrangements to show their support of her stance. Previously, she offered a motion to terminate Thomas but no other Council member would second the motion. On Thursday, no public action was taken.
Rudolph Bradley said, "I don't know what people were expecting, I don't have no idea what they expected. No one conveyed their expectations to me."
Reports were that five members of Council signed a letter about two weeks ago advising Thomas that he should look for another job or be terminated. He reportedly asked for and received two weeks, saying he would resign by last Thursday.
While Bradley said that wasn't exactly what he signed, he did say, "I made the point clear if he had tendered his resignation, I would accept it."
"It would have been much more appropriate for him to resign than for Council to terminate him."
"As regards to the executive session, I have no comment on that," Bradley said.
On hearing from the public about Thomas, Bradley said, "No one said anything to me. I try to make the point to be available to the public. I've always listened to them, whether I agree with them or not."
"Any concerns or complaints the public presents to me, I take into consideration."
Bradley had not read the daily newspaper late Friday afternoon. He said he knew of no plans for Thomas to present any information to the city about his position.
Saturday morning, Sawyer was asked what made him change his mind about the letter. While not specifically replying, Sawyer said, "All that was discussed in executive session. I can't comment on it now."
As for the workshop, Sawyer said, "There is one planned. There were two items discussed Thursday night to be on the agenda, and that was not one of them."
The items, Sawyer said, were impact fees on new construction, in conjunction with the county, and getting bids on new vehicles. He said no date has been set for the workshop.
Sawyer noted there were many comments on the Georgetown Times Web site -- www.gtowntimes.com -- related to Friday's story. He acknowledged that many express disappointment with Council's lack of action.
"Everyone has their right to their own opinion," Sawyer said.
When people write him or send an e-mail, he will always read the messages. However, he added, a signed letter or signed comment on a Web site has a lot more credibility for him than one where the person does not use his or her name.
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LOL says it best. Let's talk about the administrator. Sun News reports today with a headline that makes it seem like Thomas is already gone. hmmm. Marty-to answer your questions: No, No, Never, and No. Only in your mind do you make a difference. Out here in the real world, the only difference you make is that you are the new punch line. Posted by xuhong gaio on 8/27/2008
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I use my name and stand up for what I believe in. All the rest of you folks could have good reasons not to, but some don't. They are just scared. I will continue to use any forum I can to expose the corruption I believe exists in this town, county, State and Nation. I don't have to talk about my legal record. It has produced results, not always verdicts in my favor, but things get done differently in the future. Count on it. Many of them have been successful. ----------- But you of course only want to use this forum to attack me. Without knowing who you are, we can't attack you and your record, if you have one. Isn't that convenient. ------------- Is xuhong gaio Chinese for chicken? Don't you work for SCANA? Didn't I already boot you off my board before? Don't you live in Columbia? Posted by Marty Tennant on 8/27/2008
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Man Marty, lighten up! You choose to use your real name and that is fine.....the only thing you have "paid the price for" is being a loud political hack. Doesn't it burn you up that you ran for office and the people you are always complaining about won? Lol stick to your other websites so you can control the conversation, we can post what we want here without being worried that it will be removed because SOMEONE disagrees with it. As for having "no significance" because people choose not to use their real name I disagree. You use your name BECAUSE you want people to notice you. From what I have seen of xg he/she just gives her opinion and lets it stand for itself. The only reason you want to know names is so you can bash them on some ridiculous website anyway. Oh well, guess you will come after me next, lol. Come on call me names or belittle me, I don't care either way. This thread is about the administrator and his issues, not some sign you want to put up. Get over yourself, I don't remember one political "fight" you have started and won. Who's insignificant now? Posted by LOL on 8/27/2008
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1. So you don't deny what I say. It's because it is true. 2. Who are you to say that Xuhong Gaio is not my name? Just because it is different does not make it fake. Wrong again......The problem with you is, you think real issues are the personal lives of councilmen, the signs others get to keep around the city, and you have a hard time winning legal battles and you think the system is corrupt because of it. You've won how many litigations? 1, 2? How many have you filed? I'm sorry, I didn't mean to make you take off your shoes to continue counting. Get a life and leave the important topics to men that can handle them. Posted by xuhong gaio on 8/27/2008
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xuhong gaio is one scared chicken commenter. I use my real name and engage in a discussion of issues. I have paid the price for being real and being up front in this fight that goes on for good government in the City and County. You, on the other hand, hide behind a funny name and throw empty darts. Who is the better person? I will let others decide. I refuse to fight with a scared anonymous coward like you. You have no significance. You want a debate on the issues? Unmask yourself. I don't think you will. You are not enough of a man or woman to do that. Posted by Marty Tennant on 8/26/2008
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Marty.. I say you and Garvey Winans need to put your signs back up as somebody brought up. Why not. If they make you take yours down again. Well Sawyer is in the same arena along with Garvey. Make me understand....How does it clearly work if we have no Enforcement Officer.. Apparently, Sawyer knows this and is just riding the fence. Posted by test the waters on 8/26/2008
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As usual, Marty Tennant has managed to turn a piece about council being scared to do the right thing for the citizens into a ed-op featuring himself and his hatred of signs and cell towers. No one cares about your spin on why you lost a lawsuit, especially your conspiracy theory behind it. No one cares, except Paige Haters--which on some hack web boards appear to be complete idiots with nothing better in life to do--and Tennant, about a two by three foot sign that has been rather nicely placed on a picket fence for as long as i can remember. Let's get this straight: Marty Tennant did not care about that sign until he was busted for his own sign. This guy loves a spotlight, hence redirection of the topic to himself. When things don't go his way, he cries about corruption and misdeeds by the PTB. When he gets a complimemt from his online cronies, he suddenly becomes very humble, but he very much says thanks for supporting his fight against signs. How about lets get back to talking about the Administrator and his lack of leadership instead of a sign and its lack of importance. Posted by xuhong gaio on 8/26/2008
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Yes, it would be the code enforcement officer's job to issue a summons. First of all, I understand we don't have a code enforcement officer anymore. Is that true? Second, will the political machinery at city hall allow a summons or any kind of enforcement action to be taken against Paige? In other words, has Paige been allowed to say "back off" to the city regarding his own violation? If so, I'd say that is called abuse of power. Posted by Marty Tennant on 8/26/2008
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I believe georgetown has a code enforcement officer. it would be their responsibility,not the Police Department's. Posted by Jay on 8/26/2008
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Looks pretty simple to me!! When laws are broken the police step in---- when compliance is not met. This is the second time Sawyer has had a run in with the law. Truck Stealing and Blatant Refusal To Remove a Sign.... I say that THOMAS should request that the Police Chief have sign removed.. The city has ask Sawyer to comply in writing and he has refused...Jerk The Sucker Down!! A West End person would already have it jerked off the wall..Wonder Why.. The Sign Now Becomes A Police Chief issue..you would think. Posted by Police Chief-Your Turn on 8/26/2008
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I personally consider Paige to be a first class hypocrite. Here's why. He was told several weeks ago to remove his illegal sign for his home based business (no flags involved) and has not done so. It appears that Paige thinks the law does not apply to him, yet many other home based businesses have had to remove their illegal signs, including Ye Clock Menders in the Historic District. ---------- Paige, are you above the law? Do you routinely ignore official City orders to remove illegal signs? Until Paige comes into compliance with the laws **HE HELPED PASS**, he has no room to say squat about others, such as Jeepy Ford. I sincerely hope the Times will report on Mr. Sawyer's apparent continuing violation of law. Posted by Marty Tennant on 8/26/2008
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Paige, you have absolutely no room to talk about credibility because you refuse to represent the citizens of Georgetown who put you in office and supposedly should be having our best interests in mind. You are a very small minded person. Who are you trying to impress by coming to the rescue of Jeepy Ford and not the citizens of Georgetown? But, you are not by yourself. The only Council member that voices the opinions of the citizens, is Peggy Wayne. The citizens will voice our opinions when re-election comes around and that's a promise. Posted by Disgruntled Citizen on 8/26/2008
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Tom's post reminds me of my first run-in with the City. It involved a cellphone tower they wanted to place at the end of Front St. without any review as to its possible effect on the federally protected Front St. historic viewscape. -------------- After I forced the issue and it became a federal question involving the Federal Communications Commission and the D.C. based Advisory Council on Historic Preservation, I engaged the help of the National Trust for Historic Preservation. ---------- The City ultimately prevailed after the usual shenanigans at various levels of government, in cahoots with industry -- as you would expect. ----------- As a result of the City's complete disregard for the preservation of their own historic district, the National Trust took it upon themselves to try and help our City leaders perspective by pairing them up with a sister city historic preservation exchange program involving Newport, Rhode Island (as I recall). ---------- The bottom line is that our own Mayor refused to go to Newport with his fellow council members to see how another city had successfully protected its heritage. ---------- I'll never forget that about Lynn Wood. To this day, I consider him nothing but a local yokel political hack. Posted by Marty Tennant on 8/25/2008
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No one is coming to the rescue, so don't look for someone from Columbia on a trusty steed to come galloping up to city hall. South Carolina law provides for "home rule." That means that each community is responsible for managing its own affairs, all while doing so in an otherwise lawful way. Voters elect local public officials. Those officials are sworn to represent the best interests of all residents, without regard to how anyone voted, or anybody's race, religion, national origin, color, creed, age or gender. Before starting work, each public official takes an oath to do just that. To make sure they keep their word once they're at work, all public officials, be they elected, appointed or employed, are prohibited from using their public office for private gain--from being some kind of smiling, glad handing good-ole-whatever who channels government contracts to relatives and friends, give jobs to political supporters, and gets rid of those who leak embarassing information or cause trouble. Enforcement of that law is handled from the Office of the Attorney General and the statewide grand jury. Upon indictment, the Governor is vested with the responsibility to suspend the accused from office pending trial. Those proven guilty are removed from office by the Governor. That's it. There's no Magicial Mystery Municipal Association to come to the rescue. (That lobbying group will, however, do what it did for the Town of Andrews--send one of their buddies to town as a high paid advisor or temporary administrator--while local officials get a grip on the responsibilities of their respective offices.) There is no provision for recall elections. Georgetown voters chose the "strong mayor" form of government in a referendum many years ago. That means that the mayor is the chief executive officer of the city, just like the Governor of the State or the President vis-a-vis the Nation. The city administrator is the mayor's chief of staff. Hired by the city council (and fired by them if they want), the administrator's job is to do what the mayor tells him, not the reverse. The mayor, in turn, is supposed to get marching orders from the city council. It is the council that decides every important question about the future direction of the city. It does that through the budgeting process--by what it goes on the record as saying it is willing to pay for. It is left to the mayor to make sure those things are done. The problem with local municipal government as I see (and experienced) it is that too many elected, appointed and/or employed officials come to believe that their position makes them important person. This attitude of self-importance is wrongheaded. It is the office and the responsibilities assigned to that office that are important. The individual is the same old so-and-so as always. While they hold important offices with important responsibilities, many elected officials never bother to read the law to find out the scope of their duties. Many never learn to read a budget or an audit. Many never look at the materials circulated to council before meetings. Some do not even pay attention to what anyone else on council has to say. Instead, many simply strut around like he is the biggest and best rooster in the flock. (Note the omission of any shes or hens here.) For reasons of his own, the mayor has abandoned the public spotlight. He reportedly misses important meetings or return calls. While pretty good at reporting or rationalizing inaction, he is not on the stump pushing any improvements, innovations, projects, or progams, either with council backing or in an effort to twist the arms of its members to fund projects he envisions. That has left a vacuum. Without his leadership, nothing new gets done. City employees keep the city running on a day-to-day basis. Some do their jobs well. Others don't. Beyond that, little else happens. Instead, the administrator operates behind closed doors, giving everybody the impression he's the Dick Chaney who is really in charge. Excluded from governing (but passive about it), members of council each spout off about personal agendas, but cannot come to a consenus about what to do when the rain falls around city call. Petty jealously and rivalries can emergen in that sort of environment. Those, in turn, fuel the sorts of insults, snubbings, derision and the like that swirls about and among them behind each other's back. The best way I can describe my experience with local government is to liken it to student government in junior high school. Impressive but impotent. Finally (at last), and once again, the purpose of this communication is to say that the Municipal Association is like FEMA. That means no one is coming to the rescue. We have to save ourselves. God help us all. Hurricane season is here once again. I hope city workers and officials are reviewing the city's disaster response plans. Posted by Tom Rubillo on 8/25/2008
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Man.. the train is off the track..Sawyer and Wayne seem to want to lead...well both are totally ignorant as to how to get things moving...They both have no vision and no leadership skills. I hate to say it but poor people have a hard time leading a city..Certainly not a picture taker...or a ball hat salesman.. Sawyer wants to steal a truck, move a boat and bull over a weak person to take a flag down...This does not qualify you to be mayor.. I say bring in a wild card...it just might be B/S...Any other suggestion.. Georgetown must clean from the top and start over.. If the people do not step up...the city of georgetown will be knocked back because of this crowd of clowns on the city council...Idiots might suffice for Clowns.. Our city council from top to bottom is a joke and totally ineffective...INEFFECTIVE FROM TOP TO BOTTOM.. Ha..Thomas is wearing out the city council..He is much smarter than this little uneducated crowd on the GCC.. Posted by long time guy in g'town on 8/25/2008
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The Municipal Assoc. is mainly a resource used by municipalities to educate city administrators and city attorneys and elected city officials (mayor/council members) on issues that occur repeatedly in the course of operating city governments efficiently and legally. Help! Georgetown has gone to the dogs. Is there even one department that is doing a good job? Posted by John Q on 8/25/2008
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Townie-think of the MASC as a club that most municipalities in SC are members of. They get advice and lobbyists for their membership dues. They also offer consulting for cities and towns that cant conduct proper business. They offer a lot of services, but really their just a club or PAC without much power. It only has power to bring litigation and lobby lawmakers to get its way. They are however, a very powerful mouthpiece. Posted by xuhong gaio on 8/25/2008
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The ideal situation would be for the City to approach the Municipal Asso. for guidance on how to get everything moving in a positive direction. Unfortunately, that's probably not going to happen as the local leadership seems to be deaf to the fact that they aren't governing in a clear manner consistent with the approved local ordinances. Politicians often forget their role is too assess the common beliefs of the constituency and then make decisions based on that knowledge. The Georgetown Politicians think they know what's best and don't seem interested in listening to the people that got them elected. Posted by Alleyes on 8/25/2008
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I understand what you're saying. I'm only commenting on your question of why you were mentioned by bit of information. You both have valid pionts. Posted by xuhong gaio on 8/25/2008
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Just what is the Municipal Association supposed to do? Posted by Townie on 8/25/2008
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xuhong gaio - I'm not a Georgetown resident and the Municipal Asso. will be much more inclined to respond to a group of local citizens. My business in Georgetown is 99% pleasure and I can easily shift my business up the road to Murrells Inlet/Garden City. So it's really a fight for the citizens of the town and I was hoping to maybe open up the oppotunity that there might be some resources to help stop this negative direction of the town. Posted by Alleyes on 8/25/2008
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Has anyone tried to call City Hall lately to talk to anyone? That is one of the major problems. You have to leave a voice message and then the calls go unreturned. That has been a major issue for over a year. The same thing stands for entrance to City Hall officials. They are behind locked doors and you can't gain access. As for Mr. Bradley, I got the number from another council member when I called them. I have no other way of contacting Mr. Bradley. Posted by Gene on 8/25/2008
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Alleyes: info was remarking about your plea to have someone call MASC. The comment was that YOU could make the call yourself. Hence, you were included in the direction of the post. Posted by xuhong gaio on 8/25/2008
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i was in total agreement with both of you... THE MASC should be contacted... And i stand corrected with Bradley being council not mayor that was an over sight.. My point being that many larger cities such as one the size of georgetown, conway, sumter etc.. pays for contact information for their elected members such as cell phones, pagers, email services.. I was saying if the city pays for these services you are entitled to know the numbers and address. Please dont think i was NOT n total agreemnet with you.. I only directed my comments to the 2 of you because i liked reading what you said and just wanted to comment on a very observent comment.. Posted by bit of information on 8/25/2008
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Bit of Information - In what way does your comment reflect upon any of the comments I posted. Am I confused but Gene discussed Councilman Bradley's cell phone, not the Mayor. Why did you direct your post at Gene and myself? You sound like one of the Council members with the inaccurate direction of your comments. Posted by Alleyes on 8/25/2008
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This comment is directed to Alleyes and Gene::: I understand what you are saying and not going aginst it at all. I dont live in Georgetown or even the county for that matter. I have worked with newspapers for over 13 years and know currently have some ties to local government but NOT in Georgetown. May I please shed some advice on two things. First, On the cell phone deal. I would be willing to say if the mayor has a phone it is paid for by the city. Which means all the tax payers in the city are entitled to that number because they pay for the phone. If it's his pesonal phone then it's his but lets make sure the city of Georgetown is not paying the bill if it is the people are entitled to the number. I pay my own bill each month but i publish my number to alll of my constitutes. If they are good enough to elect me they should be able to contact me. I work for them. Second, The Municipal Asoc. can be contacted by anyone with a legitment complaint. ANyone cant contact them.. *** Please just take this as comments I am not trying to govern your city. Just thought i would share my comments.. Posted by Bit of Information on 8/25/2008
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As an out-of-towner that always had nice thoughts when thinking about Georgetown (the beaches) I am quickly loosing confidence in the current leadership. I sincerely hope the Municipal Association as been informed of these many issues and can offer some support in getting the town back on track. Obviously, the current Mayor and City Council don't have a clue so they won't recognize they are the PROBLEM!!!! I can only hope the citizens of Georgetown exercise good judgement at election time and vote all these folks out of office, even if only to clean the slate. Of course, Paige and/or Peggy wants to be the next Mayor but please don't let that happen. I have had a vested interest in a part of the recent political discord and can honestly say there isn't a single Councilperson that can be trusted and of course the Mayor is of no value. Someone, please call the Municipal Association before the town implodes or hopefully the last person left will turn off the lights. Posted by Alleyes on 8/25/2008
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Mr BACK OFF using the standard 'political' excuses. Read and reread the last paragraph of this article. Way to hide Sawyer!! Why don't you do us all a favor and just go away and take a few more with you. You have done nothing for the City of Georgetown but get rid of a few boats in the river. Personally, I thought they added a little character to our town which is advertised as a Seaport City. Did you or any other member of your family ever post on that other forum (forget the name) using your real name? Ummmm??? Posted by My, my... on 8/25/2008
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In response to Mr. Bradleys comment that he has received no complaints, I approached him to ask him some questions and he responded by saying "no politics today, I'm driving my cab". I know for a fact that a friend of mine called him and expressed her opinion about Mr. Thomas and he said he had no time to talk and wanted to know how she got his cell phone number. As for Mr. Sawyer, a lot of these comments are coming from workers that could loose their jobs at city hall, that's why they can't post their names. Posted by Gene on 8/25/2008
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What a coincedence Mr. Sawyer, a decision made in open public in a council meeting holds a lot more "credibility" for the public than decisions made behind closed doors. I have my reasons for not posting my name, look for instance at what is happening to Mrs Ard. She has many times openly disagreed with council and look where she is now. I can't help but think that if people sign these responses a very similar set of circumstance may mysteriously happen. Also did Mrs Davis sign her letter telling you to remove your illegal sign? Posted by LOL on 8/25/2008
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