Political forum draws capacity voter crowd

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Wednesday, October 10. 2012

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A full house at the Barnesville Civic Center Tuesday night heard lively and interesting comments from two candidates for county commission District 3 and three candidates for Lamar County Sheriff.

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#1 M. C. on 10/10/12 at 12:07 PM

remember folks,this is your chance to make a change in Lamar county.vote out everybody thats in office now,clean the slate and start from scrach.show these people that YOU are tired of the same old good ol'boys running lamar county.look into each race and see what their connections are,how do they tie back to old money families.who groomed them to take someone's place (aka the sheriffs race) what is their back ground,who do they associate with, Ect..
for once people give lamar county a chance,stop being a puppet.

#2 It's Me on 10/10/12 at 12:33 PM

It was an interesting debate. Would of been even more interesting if the candidates were sworn in like in court first.

#3 Bonnie Ruse on 10/10/12 at 02:40 PM

I was there and it seemed pretty obvious who should hold those positions.
Van Baker seemed like a good choice, if he doesn't fall into the follow the sheep mode. If he stands up and questions the status quo, he will probably be a good choice.
Aaron Brown seems like he would be his own man, but he reminded me of a large TV church preacher.
Whoever gets elected should make people accountable, adhere to a budget, and STOP taxing us to death. Everybody in the REAL World maintains a budget, and so should the County. Trim the fat.
As far as the sheriffs debate, Brad White seemed like the clear choice, knowledgeable, good leadership skills, and communication abilities.
Usher came across well, and probably with some more grooming and experience he would make a fine sheriff.
Buice seemed like a decent guy, but sounds like he made some mistakes in the past, and it is haunting him now. I'm sure he wishes he could change some of that, but we aren't we all like that ? People do change, but ultimately the voter's will decide that.
Hopefully whoever gets elected won't grow to big for their pants.
Great debate, Good luck to the candidates.

#4 No Mo Joe on 10/10/12 at 03:44 PM

If you missed the debate last night you missed out. Brad White came in prepared and informed and made Joe look terrible.

#5 Debbie Adamson on 10/10/12 at 04:46 PM

if I was ever unsure as to who was the best candidate for the job, I sure found out last night who is not the best. My, My, is all i have to say.

#6 Fred Hartwell on 10/10/12 at 11:24 PM

I too was at the debate. Brad White schooled his competitors in leadership, and comfidence. I would say he wins hands down.
Van Baker seemed like a nice guy, but was clueless by his own admission. We can't afford chancing a "yes" man for the good ole boy network.
Aaron Brown seems like the logical choice, at the very least he seems like he would stand up and fight for what is right.

#7 john doe on 10/11/12 at 07:36 AM

After seeing how Buice ran the sheriff's office compared to White running it now, my vote will go to Buice. We need crimes solved and when you go to jail you don't feel like you are going to Motel 6. If White stays in as Sheriff it will be the same old laid back do nothing sheriff's dept. like it has been for the last 4 years.

#7.1 M. C. on 10/11/12 at 10:09 AM

"If White stays in as Sheriff it will be the same old laid back do nothing sheriff's dept. like it has been for the last 4 years"a very good point!!
my question about Mr white is,while he was the police chief of Milner, randolph "rudy" vaughn was running one of the largest thief rings in central ga right from his house in downtown Milner.whats the deal with that?Milner is not that big folks.

#7.2 Robert Heiney on 10/11/12 at 01:50 PM

Hey John Doe - which part of Joe Buice do you like best? Is it the missing $141,000+ that is still unaccounted for? Or is it the $10,000 going away Christmas Party? Or is it the the rest of the mismanagement of the Sheriff's Office? And of course, you don't have the guts to use your real name.

#8 No Mo Joe on 10/11/12 at 12:25 PM

M.C., Rudy was running a restaurant in the city limits which was indeed funded by his criminal activity. His criminal enterprise was however being run at his house which you incorrectly stated was in downtown Milner. His home is in the county and was not part of the jurisdiction of the Milner Police Dept. Futhermore, the Sheriff's Dept. which was being run by Buice at the time only discovered what Rudy was doing through information provided to them by someone other than the sheriff or his staff. Please get your facts straight before you comment.

#9 Fred Hartwell on 10/11/12 at 07:40 PM

Can anyone answer my question, did Joe Buice ever get arrested or convicted for the this missing money ? I'm serious, because I don't know the history behind the allegations. If he was never arrested or convicted, to me it would be a moot point.

#9.1 Robert Heiney on 10/11/12 at 09:01 PM

You can read the official auditor's report. Why no arrests were made is another issue. But this is not a partisan attack - it's fact based on official auditor's reports. Go read them yourself.

#10 Julia Heidbrink on 10/11/12 at 07:41 PM

Well, my vote goes to Brad White! I also liked young Frank Usher. He had some good ideas, but I did not feel that he is quite ready for the position of Sheriff. Joe Buice, to me, made a huge mistake by attacking the other candidates, especially Frank Usher. I expected Buice and White to be a little testy, but there was no reason for the attack on Mr. Usher by Mr. Buice.

Brad White showed leadership, a good handle on his demeanor, and factual answers. We need a strong leader in the Sheriff's office and he handled himself very well in the face of the attacks on him. I also believe that Brad White will remember that he is our Constitutional officer in Lamar County. That, too, is very important.

As to the candidates for Commissioner, I am voting for Van Baker. His humility in front of an audience does not need to be taken as weakness. He has spent many years in business and that experience will lend itself well to the County Commission. He will be an honest Commissioner and I am glad he is not making promises he may not be able to keep.

I don't know Mr. Brown. I appreciate his service to the community but, as a conservative, I will be voting for the more conservative candidate, Mr. Baker.

#11 john doe on 10/11/12 at 08:16 PM

His house wasn't that far from his restaurant but it was in the county. He did use his restaurant I believe to launder money. The Police Dept. was a stone's throw from Rudy's Bar B Que. I remember seeing Brad in there. I would be willing to say the majority of crimes that are uncovered by law enforcement are by tips from people. Isn't that what happened with the Police Dog that got killed? I don't know about any money missing when Buice was sheriff. I do know he was a no nonsense sheriff when it came to law and order. When he handed the sheriff's office back to Larry Waller by a handful of votes, he acted more like a man than Waller did when he lost. He stayed on the trail of that guy that got killed by a baseball bat and brought the people to justice that did it. And that was after he lost the election.

#11.1 No Thanks on 10/12/12 at 08:16 AM

So are you saying that by your seeing Brad White in the otherwise apparently legitimate restaurant the he should have known or done something about crimes which were being committed in Buice's jurisdiction? And since you "remember seeing Brad in there" it would seem that if you were a patron of the very same establishment so why didn't you do something to stop this criminal enterprise....being that you are such a concerned citizen. Being "no nonsense" and having "no sense" are two different things. If you are of the mindset that everyone is a criminal, eventually you will run across one or two. But this begs the question of the constitutionality of how the law enforcement functions were carried out. Go back and look at the number of cases which were not prosecuted due to the manner in which they were brought. And then you make statements that you qualify with "I believe". If you don't know you just make the candidate you are trying to promote look even more incompetent.

#11.2 No Thanks on 10/12/12 at 08:46 AM

And here is another subject that begs to be addressed...... Either you are disabled or not. No two ways about it. Now there have been varying stories of why this man was out on workers compensation. Two different coming from his own mouth while out campaigning. So was it from the tragic shooting or an unrelated shoulder injury? There is no doubt that what happened to him was a tragedy and every LEO worst nightmare, but you can't have it both ways. Or even a third way by saying he needs just one more term to be vested in his retirement. And it was only after that he published pictures in a paid political ad that enough pressure was brought upon his employer that he was miraculously deemed fit for a desk job. This whole scenario and the circumstances around it should be looked at by the appropriate agency. Thousand of dollars were paid in disability benefits according to a release by Spalding County during which time this man was actively campaigning and declaring his fitness to be the sheriff of Lamar County and if I were a citizen of Spalding County I would be demanding answers.

#11.3 M. C. on 10/12/12 at 10:39 AM

john doe,ther is no reason to try and talk common sence to the good'ol boys of lamar county.no rudys physical house was not right downtown beside the bank.but it is only a 100/200 feet outside the city limits.the thing that gets me the most is who NOBODY did anything about rudy and he pack of thiefs untill Joe Buice came in office.rudy was running his crime ring right under the nose of the police chief of milner and the sheriff long before Buice became sheriff,Buice was the only one to have the guts to stand up and do something about it.Buice scared the hell out of the good ol boy network.rudy's crooked ways involved a lot more people than just him and his brothers.
Buice was the only one to try and do something about the Donna Johnson case,have you heard anything from waller or white?Buice had a DA that would not work with him,he had to fight the good'ol boys and their constant back stabbing and sniping all because the people of lamar county finaly stood on their one two feet grew a pair and voted waller out(at which time he he pitched a childish fit and made every citizen of Lamar county look like a fool to the entire state)
folks have the guts to stand up an put a stop to the good'ol boy crap that keeps lamar county in the past.give it a chance it catch up with the rest of the state and country.crime is running wild,drugs,robbery Ect.. is taking over.put somebody in ther who will do something!!!!dont vote for someone just because he's somebody's buddy.

#11.4 Katie Smith on 10/15/12 at 02:06 AM

In reference to the Rudy Vaughn case. I do believe Betty Oneal was the police chief in Milner during the initial arrest and investigation, Brad may have come in on the end but he wasn't there in the beginning.

#12 john doe on 10/12/12 at 07:19 AM

I am curious about this audit. Was an outside auditor brought in? Who ordered the audit? Was there an audit done when Buice became sheriff? Was this in the paper?

#13 Fred Hartwell on 10/12/12 at 08:03 AM

Robert,
I'm not standing up for Joe Buice, nor do I know him. But if there is so much evidence against him, then why wasn't he arrested, or convicted. It seems to me that whoever didn't prosecute Buice is as Guilty as he is, and all paperwork in the world means nothing, why would I read it ? That would be like someone saying you burglarized someone's home, but you never got prosecuted or found guilty for it. Couldn't be put in any simpler terms.

#14 Fred Hartwell on 10/12/12 at 10:45 AM

"No Thanks" I'm not a supporter for Buice, but are you for real ??? this man was shot on duty and your questioning him getting W/C, or Disability ??? Wow I've seen it all now. Seriously, think before you write.

#14.1 No Thanks on 10/12/12 at 12:41 PM

No seriously you should read before you respond. No one begrudges anyone for getting the benefits he was entitled to...but by his on admission along the campaign trail he returned to duty after that incident and declares himself physically fit. I am sure that no one would have objected to him receiving benefits long after this incident. Heck that's what they are for and surely the mental and emotional trauma still affect him. In my opinion he would still be entitled to benefits based on those wounds alone. But then there is another worker comp story after that which is told by him along the :campaign trail. This one involves an unrelated injury and during which time he promoted himself in pictures and ads as being more than capable of returning to work. Instead he chose to use that time of healing to campaign and push tractors and hoist heavy signs etc. You see he wants it both ways and in fact depending on which day he speaks maybe three different ways. In fact, he stated in the forum the other night that he had been recovered from the shooting incident for quite some time. Be informed. Educate yourself and verify things on your own instead of being a sheep.

#14.1.1 No Thanks on 10/12/12 at 01:09 PM

I have been a supporter of neither up til now. I have been told things by both candidates in order to get my vote....Joe Buice and Brad White. Brad White has never badmouthed or said things to me that I found to be untrue about Joe Buice. I have been told things by that candidate about Brad White that have turned out to be bald face lies. There is an ever-so-apparent animosity toward Brad White that is down right disgusting and uncalled for down to a lack of basic respect for a fellow law enforcement officer. I, along with so many others did notice that at the forum Tuesday night and have taken notice. That lack of civility and the notion that one can just go out campaigning and telling untruths without repercussions has no place in a honest campaign. In my opinion, of all the political offices, we deserve honesty and truth in the Office of the Sheriff more than any other. The only aspect that I support Joe Buice in is that he does deserve whatever benefits are available to him as a result of what happened to him in the line of duty. That is all! Sympathy nor animosity are valid platforms for candidacy.

#14.1.1.1 M. C. on 10/18/12 at 02:22 PM

mr no thanks --why dont you tell us the "BALD FACED LIES" that Joe Buice told you? let everybody hear about it,or are you just making the whole thing up?

#14.1.1.1.1 No Thanks on 10/19/12 at 09:37 AM

Now if I tell you something and then you run tell that to someone else it will then become hearsay. Go ask the candidate for yourself and then verify the things he tells you! How simple can it be. Don't rely on things you hear from others. Go straight to the source, listen intently and then verify the information!

While you are pondering that though and bashing an honest, decent, hard working young man who happens to be a law enforcement officer seeking the office of sheriff check out these facts:

http://media.ethics.ga.gov/search/Late/Late_SearchResults.aspx?LastName=buice&LastNameSearch=1&FirstName=&FirstNameSearch=1&City=&CitySearch=1

Cut and paste in your browser address bar will work fine if you are familiar with how to do this.

It seems like the other two candidate have no problem abiding by the rules of the campaign finance commission! And here we thought all along that rules don't apply to "good ole boys'!

#14.1.1.1.1.1 M. C. on 10/25/12 at 07:03 AM

just what i thought!!you made up that statement about "bald faced lies" you never were told anything where you?

try and pull your head out of waller/whites butt,its dark up in there.

#15 Fred Hartwell on 10/12/12 at 02:51 PM

"NO Thinks".......I was there also, and he stated he is still recovering form his wounds, I don't know which debate you were at, maybe you left your hearing aid at home. Don't associate me with your fondness for Sheep, you need to educate yourself and not drink the kool-aide. Don't go by hearsay, if you know ANYTHING, that's not admissible in Court, maybe in your World, but not in the real World. Also anything medical is his business, have you ever heard of "medical privacy" ??? I'm sure the doctors, buice, and disability, and W/C have that under control, they don't need, or have they asked for your opinion. It sounds like you might be a tad jealous.

#15.1 No Thanks on 10/12/12 at 07:28 PM

Facts speak for themselves. Nothing I referred to was hearsay. It came from the candidates themselves. Apparently I struck I nerve with you in questioning your comprehension of the English language and you have taken this personally. I have spoken my piece. I am through with any further verbal volley with you! John Doe you really are starting to make sense.....but badmouthing and outright lies are two different things.

#16 john doe on 10/12/12 at 04:40 PM

I don't know of anyone out there that has not badmouthed someone from time to time. I am sure both candidates have said things about each other to other people. That is human nature. I am interested in arresting and putting people in jail for crimes they committed and having a solid case so it is not thrown out. Someone that will stand for right, no matter what the cost. And lock up anybody, no matter who they are, if they committ a crime. Making a budget and abiding by it and being accountable for every penny and running a sheriff's department that has very high standards and hard working people that give a 110% to the people of Lamar County and getting rid of the dead beats that give Lamar County Sheriff's Dept. a bad name.

#17 Robert Heiney on 10/13/12 at 07:47 AM

@Fred Hartwell -
Fred, why don't you order your own copy of the audit under the open records act? You can read it yourself and put a stop to all the intrigue. No lay readers (citizens) of the audit are necessarily saying Mr. Buice stole any money. The audit report clearly states there are missing and misappropriated funds during the term of Mr. Buice and that there clearly was serious financial mismanagement. Goodness gracious, it even mentions a $10,000 Christmas Party paid for by the LCSO at the end of Mr. Buice's term.

The citizens need to read the report themselves and then make an informed decision without petty politics.

As to the question of why there were no prosecutions: you'll need to ask the DA and US Attorney who have all this information. If you read the audit, you undoubtedly will want to ask them as well.

#18 Fred Hartwell on 10/15/12 at 08:46 AM

Robert, I don't want to read it, and I don't want to talk to the DA, if it was never followed up, it must not have merit. The guy was never prosecuted, sentenced, or arrested. Do you read me now ? To "No Thinks"
because a person says something makes it true ??
"No thinks" walked on the moon, it must be true.
Don't drink the kool-aide.

#18.1 Robert Heiney on 10/15/12 at 05:01 PM

OK - don't read it. But that doesn't mean the audit statement isn't factual. And as I said previously, the audit issues an important opinion on how the Sheriff's Office was run - particularly from 2006-2008. This is an official audit done by CPA's.

The auditors wrote that the Sheriff's Office was seriously financially mismanaged and there are serious allegations regarding the various bank accounts under control of the Sheriff between 2006 and 2008.

This is not a partisan attack - it's an attempt to point out how the Sheriff's Office was run back in 2006-2008. How can anyone here in the county vote for Sheriff without knowing the facts? How can you legitimately draw contrasts between the candidates without spelling out the backgrounds of each candidate?

Every voter (except you) should read the audit and make an informed decision on who to vote for. Facts not popularity should be the determining factor in any vote. And the facts in this audit should point voters away from the Sheriff who was in office 2006-2008.

I can assure you, if the other candidates had run the Sheriff's Office this way, I certainly wouldn't support them either.

#18.2 No Thanks on 10/17/12 at 07:45 AM

How many of our local candidates have been fined and owes fines to the state ethics commission? Well here's some information that you don't have to dig for:
http://media.ethics.ga.gov/search/Late/Late_SearchResults.aspx?LastName=buice&LastNameSearch=1&FirstName=&FirstNameSearch=1&City=&CitySearch=1

BTW...what is your fascination with "kool-aide"?

#18.3 M. C. on 10/18/12 at 12:53 PM

Fred,
These these supporters of waller/white are not going to listen to anything reasonable.they are the very ones who want lamr county to stay in the good ol boy past.
common sence would tell you that, as scared of Joe Buice that waller/white are,anything they can do to keep him from running for sheriff they would have done at all cost.
look who Buice arrested:rudy vaughn,brutz english,kip pelt,Ect...(he went after the killer of Donna Johnson but thanks to a gutless DA he walked again)all good ol boys with ties either to old lamar family money or big criminal money.has wllaer/white ever arrested any good ol boys that they actually did and investigation on?maybe so but i cant recall any?

#18.3.1 No Thanks on 10/19/12 at 10:11 AM

The candidate Brad White does not have a hyphenated name so why do you refer to him as waller/white? Nor does he have a running mate. He stands on his own as far as I can tell based upon his name being on the ballet.
I don't know who you are referring to as being scared of Joe Buice. Are you trying to say that anyone supporting any one other than Joe Buice should be scared? Really? The problem is, as many of us see it, don't want to see the Sheriff's Office revert back to the way it was. Where turnover was so high that the uniform budget alone was blown sky high. A time when other agencies actually worked with our local law enforcement and were glad to do so. And those names that you threw out there that were arrested..... how many ended up in successful prosecutions. See we still live in a land (at least for right now) in which we are protected by a constitution and a bill of rights. Now this doesn't always protect citizens from and egotistical law enforcement officer, but thankfully he isn't the judge and the jury. If a prosecutor won't take a case to court, then there is most likely a pretty good chance it just ain't a good case. By the way who was the killer of Donna Johnson that the DA let "walk again". Don't you think that every sheriff who has held office since her murder has worked on that case? Do you honestly think that Joe Buice magically came up with something more than a theory- the same theory that has been hypothesized since her murder? Do you think that any DA, who is an elected official, would refuse to jump all over the prosecution of such a heinous crime because the criminal may be a "good ol boy". I can tell there is no hope for you. You are too far into whatever doctrine is being spouted off to you. I can only pray that the people who read your posts are intelligent enough to look at the facts.

#18.3.1.1 Sheila Tolley on 10/22/12 at 08:48 AM

So Brad takes ballet? I really cannot see how that is beneficial as a sheriff. Although Waller could dance around issues real good.

#18.3.1.2 Sheila Tolley on 10/22/12 at 08:58 AM

" By the way who was the killer of Donna Johnson that the DA let "walk again".

Evidently you did not attend the memorial service for Donna. Waller was such a jack ass. The famous DA did not even show.

Yes indeed: Joe and his team DID have the gonads to do the work and get Donna's body exhumed. Why don't you give credit where credit is due?

Have you registered as No Thanks to vote or do you have a name?

#18.3.1.2.1 NOLAN D LEAVELL on 10/22/12 at 05:10 PM

I was so sick of Joe Buice using the poor woman's death for political purposes. Let her rest. Brad White for sheriff. Anybody but Buice.

#18.3.1.2.1.1 M. C. on 10/23/12 at 12:20 PM

what can anybody say to such a stupid statement? you wonder why lamar county is in the shape its in? people like Noland here are the very reason.

"I was so sick of Joe Buice using the poor woman's death for political purposes. Let her rest. Brad White for sheriff. Anybody but Buice."

let her rest? so just let a murderer continue to walk the streets of barnesville because your tierd of hearing about Donna Jonhsons death?

what if Donna had been your daughter?

sad,so sad that someone could think like that.

#18.3.1.2.1.1.1 Fred Hartwell on 10/23/12 at 09:51 PM

RIGHT ON M.C. !!!

let her rest ?, maybe they should investigate the person who made that statement, are you kidding me.

#18.3.1.2.1.2 Sheila Tolley on 10/24/12 at 09:47 AM

YOU DAMN FOOL! So it is ok to just write people off, right?

You got children? Hopefully not.

#18.3.1.2.1.3 Robert Tippin on 10/25/12 at 09:24 AM

So, Joe Buice trying to solve a murder case is using a dead woman for political purposes? What does that make the other candidate who wants to forget about the whole thing? Here's a concept: how about we vote for a Sheriff that actually wants to solve crimes (and put together solid cases), rather than just have the title?

Good grief...

#18.3.1.2.1.3.1 jan sneed on 10/25/12 at 11:18 AM

Really now? I haven't heard Brad White say he wanted to "forget the whole thing" in relation to Donna Johnson's murder. Please cite your source of that information.

#18.3.1.2.1.3.2 Robert Heiney on 10/26/12 at 09:23 AM

Hi Robert -
Actually Brad White has a pretty good record of rounding up bad guys on his watch. Aren't you bashing the wrong guy here? Go after Larry Waller if you wish, but Brad White can stand proudly on his own record.

We're talking Brad White for Sheriff. Not Larry Waller.

#19 It's Me on 10/15/12 at 04:58 PM

Placing my vote for the best candidate this week. I have no question in regards to who will get my vote.

#20 Beautiful Weather . on 10/19/12 at 07:38 AM

I have heard alot of good things and bad things about both candidates running for Sheriff. I like both candidates but can only choose one. You have one candidate whose campaign says he is "Hot and Dangerous" (campaign sticker on back of a car) and one who is mature and has upclose and personal experience on the dangers of being an officer of the law. It was a tough choice trying to decide who to put in office to take care of our county. But I have made my decision and hope that he will do what is best for the county.

#20.1 Sheila Tolley on 10/22/12 at 09:02 AM

I saw Hot and Dangerous in a porno flick once.

#21 Sheila Tolley on 10/24/12 at 10:14 AM

There is a possibility that Joe will lose this election. SADLY...for the same reason that obama may win.

BECAUSE...The voting pool is so contaminated with people who could not care less about morals. Just forget Donna (say you IDIOTS). Vote for an extension of Waller and let the "Gang" rule until your child is killed.

The question that no one would ever answer for me, including Waller, when I called him is this:

"If the DA is so sure that insufficient evidence will be the outcome in Donna Johnson's murder case, why doesn't he take it before The Grand Jury to shut people like me up?"

They all, along with the murderer, are hoping that old age will call them home before the case makes it to court. They probably will get that wish. AND a stupid wish it is! For eternity is a long, long time. Have your loved ones bury you in an asbestos suit...if you are guilty of aiding, or ACCEPTING the cover up of Donna's murder.

If you do not have vivid memories of the night, (or early morning) she was BRUTALLY MURDERED...........please do waste your time replying to me.

#21.1 No Thanks on 10/24/12 at 01:51 PM

You are obviously mentally disturbed....or otherwise challenged. I'm not sure which. How can you even remotely connect Obama supporters to our Republican candidate for sheriff? You obviously live such a poor existence that you have to troll neighboring county newspapers to stir up controversy...in matters which you have no say so in (by way of a vote). I don't see a Waller name on the ballet, so why do you refer to a Waller extension?

If you are so concerned, why don't you go to the DA personally and ask him why he didn't prosecute whomever you think the killer is. Better yet, why don't you take the case to the FBI and have the killer prosecuted federally? (That's what usually happens when the "good ole boys" run amuck and refuse to prosecute "killers"). And before you say that the US Attorney doesn't prosecute state murder offenses please research applicable statutes in the United States Code. You don't even have the timeline correct. There is no doubt this was the most brutal murder in Lamar history and coupled with that is the fact the killer has never been prosecuted. Are you so far gone that you think that with all the attention brought to this case that it would still be covered up if there was evidence to prosecute. It is obvious that you are passionate about this matter so why don't you direct that energy in a positive manner and quit bashing a decent, honest, hardworking, Christian candidate for sheriff?

It is true that Donna's killer may never face a judge here on earth. But, you being the self professed poster child of morality and Christian, don't you know that person will one day face the ultimate judgement?

Everyone who was living here at the time of Donna's murder has vivid memories of the fear and anguish that gripped this whole community. So don't claim to be special in that regard.

Honestly, how can anyone take you serious after your comment in 20.1?

#21.1.1 Julia Heidbrink on 10/25/12 at 07:16 AM

Thank you for your thoughtful post, and I agree with you. Brad White is going to be a good Sheriff and has my vote too!

#21.1.1.1 Robert Tippin on 10/25/12 at 09:17 AM

So, you think it is "thoughtful" to post a long diatribe laced with personal insults? And from that you get that "Brad White is going to be a good Sheriff..."? I guess that makes sense why you are voting for him then (and why I will not be).

#21.1.2 Robert Tippin on 10/25/12 at 08:57 AM

Nice mindless rant you wrote there. And way to season it with personal insults (which, by the way, reveal the weakness of one's position). I'd follow your model and go into a long, pointless tirade, but in the end you would miss the point as you have with Sheila Tolley's post. What I will say is that if you are an example of the type of person supporting Brad White for office it makes me glad that I am not.

#21.1.2.1 Julia Heidbrink on 10/25/12 at 10:08 AM

So, I guess Joe is bringing out the troops!! No matter, my vote is sealed. I guess this thread will settle into all the Buice friends posting and attempting to shout down the opposition. Go for it then. You won't change our votes :)

Julia

#21.1.2.1.1 M. C. on 10/25/12 at 01:43 PM

no,Joe is not bringing out the troops.people see the true mentality of the waller/white supporters.Buice supporters are not sheep who blindly follow someone just because they are told to,they can think for themselves.they want to break away from the good ol boy days that has held this county back for so long.they want someone who will actually TRY to do someting about the crime in lamar county.

#21.1.2.1.1.1 Cats on 10/25/12 at 03:04 PM

What is a "good ole boy"? Are you born to it, or are you indoctrinated into it? Is it a cult?
What characterizes a "good ole boy"? I need to be able to recognize one here in the Mean Streets of Barnesville.

#21.1.2.1.1.1.1 Robert Heiney on 10/26/12 at 09:18 AM

I think Good Ole Boys are those who use an office for their personal enjoyment and enrichment.

Forgetting the rhetoric and concentrating on facts:

The Sheriff's Office between 2006 and 2008 "lost" and/or misappropriated hundreds of thousands of dollars.

The Sheriff as he was leaving office in 2008 threw a $10,000 Christmas Party

The outgoing Sheriff in 2008 left just several hundred dollars in the Sheriff's Account to conduct business when he turned the office over to the next Sheriff. He reportedly spent something like 47% of the budget his last two months in office.

These are facts and you can call the Sheriff's Office and ask for a copy of the Certified Audit Report done by CPA's for that period. Read it yourself and consider yourself informed.

If you like that kind of government, then vote for Joe Buice.

If you're tired of "Good Ole Boys", then vote for Brad White.

It's not a hard decision to make.

#21.1.2.1.1.1.1.1 Cats on 10/26/12 at 03:01 PM

"I think Good Ole Boys are those who use an office for their personal enjoyment and enrichment. "

See, that's exactly what I was looking for. I wanted to make sure there was a definition of the term, and not just a bunch of words being thrown around with no merit.

Thank you, Robert.

#21.2 M. C. on 10/24/12 at 07:41 PM

thank you Sheila.your statement is so true.

#21.3 Robert Heiney on 10/26/12 at 09:09 AM

Hi Sheila

I thought Brad White is running for Sheriff - not Larry Waller

#22 Darlene Kelly on 10/25/12 at 07:51 AM

I was at the debate and heard Van Baker state he didn't have a clue to what he was doing, in regards to being Commissioner. He then stated he would follow their lead. Is that who want running Gov't.?
I wouldn't think anyone with a lick of sense would want to vote for a "YES" man. Aaron Brown on the other hand made it clear that he wouldn't be afraid to challenge the incumbents if he didn't agree with their agenda. It seems to me that would be the logical vote.

#22.1 Julia Heidbrink on 10/25/12 at 09:50 AM

I was there too. Don't let Van Baker's humility disturb you. This is a capable man with lots of class and he will be a good Commissioner.

I did have a clue to what I was doing, and I lost to Van Baker. That loss gave me the welcome opportunity to support a new face on the Commission.

In 2010 Mr. Brown resigned his post at the Board of Assessors. Does he have what it takes to be a successful Commissioner for District 3? I don't know, but after that resignation I would not be able to support him. It seems like in 2010 there was a lot going on between Commissioners and Tax Assessors.

Mr. Brown may just put himself into a bad situation again by attempting to win the office of Commissioner, regardless of who was correct or incorrect in the former situation.

Van Baker has my family's vote. He is a capable, honest man!

Julia

#23 Charlie Muise on 10/25/12 at 06:40 PM

I have been here for 6 years, so I clearly do not have the historical perspective many of you do. I have only read about Rudy's crime ring, Donna's tragic murder, etc. I do not equate any of the current Lamar County candidates with any national candidates of any stripe, as that is clearly irrelevant. And sadly I was out of town and missed the political forum, which I would greatly have liked to have seen.

However, I can tell you that I am a very active volunteer firefighter in the county, and while I DO NOT SPEAK for my Chief, for the department, or for any other entity than my self, I can give you my perspective on the Sheriff's race.

The last couple years - and in particular the last year, which has been primarily under Brad White's leadership, due to Sheriff Waller's unfortunate illness - have seen greatly improved communication, cooperation and teamwork between the various police, EMS, fire and Sheriff's departments in Lamar County. They all work better now than they did when I arrived in this county. That helps to keep all citizens safer by increasing the effectiveness and ability of each department.

I also work a great deal with Department of Natural Resources, and I am told (yes, this is not my experience, but comes from more than one source, and seems valid) that team work was not one of Joe Buice's strengths when he was there. I do respect him, believe he has a lot of skills, and certainly believe that he truly wants to help keep us safe and bring criminals to justice. But it is my opinion that Brad White is the leader of the future for Lamar County.

As far as Sheila Tolley's fact-free rant... well, she just seems to have a very sad existence, if all you know of her is her posts here.

Charlie Muise

#23.1 Tom Rauch on 10/29/12 at 08:23 PM

Larry Waller never was in the office very often. It's tough to do that when you hold multiple jobs.

#24 Darlene Kelly on 10/25/12 at 07:12 PM

Enlighten us Julia, what was going on in 2010 ?
All we have to go by is the debate, and Van Baker said himself he didn't have a clue about being a Commissioner. Is that all we have to put in office. How would that have sounded if the 3 sheriff candidates stood up there and said the same. Just because your part of a "clique", or a "good ole boy" shouldn't qualify you to cruise into that position. I would hope a candidate would take it more seriously than that.

#24.1 Julia Heidbrink on 10/26/12 at 03:37 AM

I don't need to enlighten you Darlene. Look it up. That is what I did.

And what clique am I part of, or are you talking about Van Baker? And, where were all these comments and concerns during the primary?

If all you have to go by is that last debate, you have not been paying much attention.

Van Baker is a good man for a lot of reasons, and I am not a person to defend any political character that wants elected office for any reason than to do right by the people who elect him or her.

Julia

#25 Darlene Kelly on 10/26/12 at 05:33 AM

Julia,
Your'e the one who threw it out there about Aaron Brown, expound on it. Why did he resign ?? People would like to know. And we are new to the community, so how would we know ? But I can tell you one thing, we have a vote and say just like you, there is no seniority on where one lives. Nobody said you belonged to a clique, obviously, you didn't get elected.

#25.1 Julia Heidbrink on 10/26/12 at 07:25 AM

Looks like you and I have a difference of opinion :) Now, I tossed out a fact. I am not going to expand on it. I don't know what happened and I don't care. You said Mr. Brown was the best choice so I simply showed why I believe differently. Do your own research please :)

I did not get elected. Good thing. I have more freedom to speak than I would have by being on the Commission. You believe it to be a "good ole boys club"... whatever that means to you. Have you been to the Commission meetings? Have you spoken up when issues were brought out that might affect you?

Do you know Mr. Baker, outside of the election process? I do. Not personally, not as a person who is invited to events or gatherings of families in town, but as a person I met some years back. He likes dogs. I like dogs. He owns dogs, and so do I. I formed my opinion of this man long before he ran for office.

You are certainly correct. We both have a vote and will use it, I hope, to the best of our ability. That is our right and privilege. Good luck in the election process, and I sincerely mean that. I will vote my conscience and so will you.

Julia

#25.1.1 Mike Beardsley on 10/29/12 at 07:31 AM

...he likes dogs, i like dogs, he owns dogs, and so do i.........wow. VOTE AARON BROWN

#25.1.1.1 Julia Heidbrink on 10/29/12 at 08:03 AM

Beautiful example of misrepresenting what I said... one of the reasons I will be voting for Van Baker is that he does not do such baloney to try to get himself or anyone else elected.

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