It appears that I've struck a nerve with one of our mayoral candidates. This particular candidate believes my post on "Rumors and Lies" was specifically aimed at him and his comments. If he'll read my post thoroughly, he'll see that I never attributed the entire list of rumors/lies to just one candidate or anyone in particular. Can you say guilty conscience?
To be fair, I'll post his letter verbatim below including spelling and punctuation. My response will follow each section:
To The Great Citizens of Guin,
I've given much thought to Bobby Bellew's comments, in particular, the section--Rumor and Lies. I find it ironic that Bobbys first statement says and I quote, "It's inevitable that with any election, there's going to be some candidates who feel the need to spread rumors and lies to help themselves get elected." Excuse Me! Tell me if I'm wrong, but is that not what Bobby Bellew is doing by printing this. Who's trying to get themselves elected? Actually, I am trying to get elected to a seat on the City Council. What's ironic about that? And what rumors and lies have I actually spread?
I have not had a single conversation with Bobby Bellew in regard to any of the unfounded statements printed by him. Your information at best is second hand and makes you no better than the ignorant candidates you speak of! So, are you denying my information is accurate? My goal is to make certain voters understand the difference between fact and fiction so they may be fully educated when they go to the polls on August 26th.
I will not dignify a responce to your sad attempt to stop the winds of change by printing gossip and enuendos. You have not only embarassed yourself but this community as well, by only proving the devisive nature of this administration. So, I'm a little confused. If it didn't require a response, then what's the letter's intent?
Any citizen who wishes to know where I stand on any subject pertaining to my goals, my plans, and our city's future, need only come by my office or call.
Bobby, if you want to challenge my integrity, be a man and do it to my face; don't print out every rumor someone says I've told and attempt to make the great citizens of Guin believe your false concerns for truth! Case in Point: Your half-truth about the Mayors salary being $18,000 is not even true at this time. The Mayor is paid $16,000 now, the $2,000 raise is for the next term. I find it disappointing that you are concerned about me posting the mayor's salary as it will be during the next term, but seem to have little concern about the other points I highlighted in the post you referenced at the beginning of your letter. Also, I've never attacked anyone's integrity, but I did make the statement that if anyone is willing to withhold business prospects until he or she is elected, one might want to question their integrity given they are using those "prospects" as a way of getting elected rather than for the betterment of the city. And that still stands. So, if that claim is baseless, then no one has anything to worry about.
Bobby, I am truly disappointed that you would mislead the people who voted you into office by insulting their intelligence with this half truth. I've never mislead anyone. Actually, it's quite the contrary. I've put fact behind the untruths our citizens are getting from several candidates who believe they have to lie and mislead voters to get elected.
Not only does the Mayor receive a monthly salary from the Water Board which was set up to enhance the Mayors salary. He also receives a monthly salary from Northwest Alabama Gas. Bobby, correct me if I'm wrong thats over $30,000 a year, plus a very liberal expense account to boot. The City Council has no control over the two entities you mentioned. All we can control is what the city of Guin pays it's mayor. My question to you is - what changes do you plan to make to the above setup if you are elected mayor? Also, that "liberal expense account" you talk about is used for business purposes only. Any claim otherwise is false. All city accounts are public record and are open to anyone who wants details.
The only person who has attempted to mislead the people of Guin is you Bobby. If anyone has any concerns, it should be how many half-truths have you told the last four years. Please elaborate on these half-truths you speak of. I have a public voting record open to anyone who wants to know how I feel about the issues we've faced over the last four years. There's no half-truths there - only fact.
Yours in Citizenship,
Dr. Ken Randolph
President John Adams once said that "facts are stubborn things." He went on to say that "whatever may be our wishes, our inclinations, or the dictates of our passion, they cannot alter the state of facts and evidence." I believe we are all passionate about our ideas and views and what it takes to move Guin forward, but that doesn't change the facts. The fact remains that there are several candidates who believe misleading others is a way to their vote. The fact also remains that the people of Guin deserve the truth. I will not apologize for my efforts to answer rumors through the posting of fact. I believe it's important for our citizens to see through those falsehoods, understand the truth, and vote for those of us who are willing to move Guin forward. I will continue to use this outlet as a way of doing just that.
I do agree with Mr. Randolph on one thing and that's the fact that our voters should discuss with each and every candidate their views on the issues facing our city today. I've always contended that we should not vote for candidates purely on coffee shop rumors, but on their actual platform for a better city. Mr. Randolph never addressed the issues I outlined in "Rumors and Lies" with his above letter, so I challenge you, as he has, to call him or visit him to find out what his views really are related to those issues. And the same should go for me or any other candidate. Let's all be educated when we vote for our future leaders on August 26th.
And, by the way, I appreciate the advertisement for my blog. I'm just disappointed the link to the site was not published on the letter.
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27 comments:
You have struck a nerve. My advise to Mr. Randolph is "don't get in a p*ssing match with Bobby Bellew because you can't win".
thank you sooo much for all the hard work as our councilman...I also GREAtly appreciate your efforts to clear up many untruths that are being spread.
Thank you both for your support.
Why could anyone vote for Phillip Garrison.He has been very disrespectful to our school and the people of Guin. He attends Winfield's events and thinks Guin is not good enough for his grandchildren.
In my opinion, I believe all candidates would be better off if they worried about their own campaign instead of downgrading others in an attempt to win votes for themselves.
Phillip has been a very good councilman for our city. I encourage you to speak with him about your concerns.
Phillip Garrison does what any caring and loving Grandparent would do, support them. You should give it a try. As far as what he thinks, you should set up a booth as a mind reader. I would bet money that if Phillip could read your mind, it would be a short story.
It appears if this man is elected mayor of Guin, the drama will continue.....
This reminds me of an old saying I heard once. "The smeller is the feller".
It seems to me that since no one in particular was named in Bobby's Rumors and Lies blog, then the only person(s) who would be upset is the one(s) who said or did those things and got called out on it.
I know Mayor Segraves, Bobby and MOST of the City Council are working very hard to bring business and industry to Guin. Although I currently reside in Birmingham and have not lived in Guin in over 10 years, I still keep up with what is going on back "home".
I was a proud graduate of the M.C.H.S. class of 1994, and I would love to be able to return to Guin one day to raise my family.
It really angers me when I hear about some of the petty things that go on in Guin, especially when half of my graduating class has a college degree and could not get a good job in the area if they wanted to. Engineers, Pharmacists, Ophthalmologists, etc...
If EVERYONE would think about the future of Guin and the future of Guin's children instead of their own petty grudges and ambitions it would make Mayor Segraves and the real Council Members job a lot easier.
Bobby, thanks for this blog, it really makes keeping up with the goings on in Guin quicker and easier! I am going to pass the link along to all my friends and family who live and VOTE in Guin!
Chad,
Thank you so much for your comment. You've done a very good job describing many of the same concerns and aspirations I have for our community.
Having only lived in Guin for the past well year I am hardly well versed on local politics. My question is with all the improvements made with grants why has the city failed to address the remaining eyesore that is the old Health-Tex building. Does anyone in local government have a position on improving this property that stands as a sad momument to failed industry. Thank you, Rodger
Rodger,
That building is definitely an eyesore. We are all ready to see it come down, but, unfortunately, the city doesn't own the building yet. There are negotiations ongoing in which the owner would donate the building to Guin, but there are still a few details to work out. If, and when, that does happen our first order of business will be to bring it down. Thank you for your concern.
Does the current Administration have any ideas as to what to do with the property if and when it is acquired? Also are there currently any ordinances in place requiring property owners to clean up any unhealthy or unsafe(not to mention unsightly)conditions on their properties? Rodger
Rodger,
There is a plan in place which was outlined several years ago to build a retail shopping area there. Additionally, there would be living space(apartments) above the shopping area. If you're familiar with HWY 280 in Birmingham, they have a similar setup near the Whole Foods store. If you would like to see the plan which a representative from Auburn University put together for us, there are several copies at City Hall.
In regards to unhealthy and unsitely property conditions, we do have a nuisance law in place, but it is very vague and difficult to enforce. My understanding is that our lack of zoning sort of hamstrings us in what we can do to cleanup these problem areas. There is, I believe, though, an option that might allow us to cleanup one's property and then tack the charge on to their property taxes. I'm just not familiar with the requirements for such action. This is a topic that has been discussed recently and, I believe, we'll have further discussions at our next council meeting.
On the subject of grant money - will there be any grant money obtained to correct the horrible water problem we have in Guin? It gets very discouraging when you can't wash clothes or cook with our water. My family doesn't know if they are drinking water or Milo's tea.
Thank you for your prompt response to my questions. Hopefully these items can be addressed soon. I enjoy the blog. Thanks you, Rodger
There are several areas of the city that do have problems with dingy water. The water department is aware of those issues. I don't want to speak for the water board, but I do believe they are always actively pursuing grants for infrastructure improvements. I encourage you to attend a water board meeting to voice your concerns. They are open to the public. Thank you for your comment and interest.
Speaking about Phillip Garrison and his grandchildren attending Winfield School system. It should not matter where our kids go to school as long as they get the best education. It did not become an issue when it was Sulligent it has only become an issue when it is Winfield. I think this stems from jealousy. Who wouldn't send their child to a school that gives out 1.2 million dollars in scholarships. Parents have to think of their children's future rather than who they will make mad. Go Pirates.
Parents, teachers, school administration, school councilors, community leaders but most of all the students work hard to earn the any scholorship which might be awarded to the students. The high school does not give scholorships to any student. The students earn the scholorships my years of hard work.
Agreed. Students have many of the same opportunities at Marion County High School that they could get anywhere else. It's often up to the student and their work ethic whether or not they earn a college scholarship.
On Phillip Garrison, as stated earlier, he is a very good councilman who cares deeply for this community. I don't want to speak for Phillip, but I do believe he would discuss this issue with anyone willing to do so.
bobby you know it been a big issue on mr garrison about,his grandchildren but you know 90%of the people from guin comes to winfield to spend there money.food eat out and every thing else.I think zann miles came from winfield high school and they did not bad him.i am just saying .let vote like we want to and leave winfield out of it.there is a lot of people in guin who works in winfield included the mayor wife.what and were would people work it winfield felt the same about guin. this about voter not about guin and winfield and were your kids go to school there teacher in guin that send and live in winfied there kids to winfield they did not run them out.thanks
No one is ever made to look bigger by tearing down the other person.
I think the energy should be used in a positive manner. Our goal should be for each citizen to build up the other citizens because it takes all to make a town.
No one ever looks smaller than when they try to make some one else small.
Spend the energy lifting up the citizens of Guin. It takes all to make a good town. One small group that thinks they are better than the rest will never cause Guin to grow. It takes someone who can see the good in everyone and pull the good out of all the citizens rather than highlighting faults.
No one is ever made to look bigger by tearing down the other person.
I think the energy should be used in a positive manner. Our goal should be for each citizen to build up the other citizens because it takes all to make a town.
Agreed. ALL candidates should run on their own merits and ideas rather than tearing others down.
Speaking of Phillip Garrison's grandchildren, I dont think it is a matter of "getting the best education". It is a matter of a family member not getting a particular job. Since Phillip's relatives do so much "volunteer" work for the school, they thought she should would automatically be hired. However, the person(s) hiring didn't see it that way. Did anyone besides me not here what some of the family's comments were when the decision was made? Let me assure you, it had nothing to do with the best education for their (grand)children. If you doubt, ask yourself - WHY TRANSFER THEM WHEN THEY DID? Guin has prided themselves on really good test scores with young men and women who are ready to enter the world of work as productive citizens. Our school performs just as well as any other. Don't let anyone tell you that Guin is a lesser school or community. THank you for this blog. I think it is a great resource. Personally, I have nothing against Phillip; however, let's be clear. Transferring his grandchildren has NOTHING to do with the "best education", but a matter of pride.
To be factual, if you check the school transfer forms I believe you will see the parent's name, not the grandparents. I don't know why people can't get over this and focus on the best candidate for the job. I believe Phillip is one of those. He supports MCHS (where he sent all his children) and he supports his grandchildren and he has proven his support of this town. I don't believe that anyone has moved there children from MCHS due to the school's ability to provide an education. The majority of the time it is due to the ethics, lack of professionalism and decision making, fairness and abilities of those in administration. I only hope that our new superintendant makes a good appointment when positions come available.
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