Ethics - inTunica County???? Let's investigate!

The topic that we’ll be investigating and hope some of our readers will consider and look into as well over the next couple of weeks – Ethics!  Do the ethics laws of the State of Mississippi apply to the Board of Supervisors in Tunica County?  Contrary to what some folks seem to think, we believe that they do!

Is it appropriate and legal for a supervisor (say Henry Nickson) to be a fulltime employee of the Tunica County School District and then, vote as a Supervisor on matters impacting the County and School?  Can Mr. Nickson vote to sue the School and be an employee of the School?  Can Mr. Nickson, as a Supervisor, vote to allow the School to use County facilities free of charge – say the Arena?  Is Mr. Nickson’s job (or his salary) at the Tunica County School impacted by how he votes on issues as a Supervisor?  Is any of Mr. Nickson’s salary from the Tunica County School, directly or indirectly, paid by money that Mr. Nickson votes as a supervisor to give the School?  Was it legal for Mr. Nickson to vote to give his employer (Tunica County School District) over half a million dollars?

What is the law on these issues?  Check out the Mississippi Ethics Commission’s website:

http://www.ethics.state.ms.us/ethics/ethics.nsf/webpage/A_ethics_laws?OpenDocument

There are lots of issues involving ethics and possible violations of the laws.  There are lots of unanswered questions.  There may not be anything to this, but where there is smoke – there is usually fire!

Thank You Sheriff KC Hamp - VOTERS DECIDE ELECTIONS - NOT JAMES DUNN OR HENRY NICKSON

Certain members of “our” Board of Supervisors thought they could “bully” Sheriff KC Hamp and make him forcibly remove Mr. Pegram from sitting at the table.  Sheriff Hamp recognized petty politics and choose not to play.  Sheriff understands that the person with the most votes who is certified the winner without an election contest should take his rightful seat at the table.  Sheriff Hamp understands that the person who lost the election should not be Supervisor.  Sheriff Hamp understands that the voters decide elections – not James Dunn or Henry Nickson.  Sheriff Hamp would not be bullied.  Everyone should thank KC Hamp for having the courage to stand up and do what is right. 

While some blogs complain about the Sheriff’s Department and make unsubstantiated statements about litigation cost for the Sheriff’s Department, they fail to address the real issues.  The real issue with out of control litigation is the Board of Supervisors – NOT the Sheriff.  Some blogs ignore the failed and VERY expensive litigation by the Board of Supervisors against the School and Town.  Some blogs ignore the illegal actions and VERY expensive litigation concerning illegal taxation.  Some blogs ignore the Board of Supervisors failing to address casino valuation and the VERY expensive litigation concerning property values. . . . .

All law enforcement has some litigation – it’s what happens when you are charged with dealing with “bad guys” and protecting the public.  HOWEVER, no other Board of Supervisors in the State of Mississippi is involved in so much litigation for issues like illegally levying taxes, failing to pay money to other government agencies as directed by law, etc.

So, THANK YOU SHERIFF KC HAMP – THE PEOPLES SHERIFF!

Winner, Winner, Winner!

Wow!  334 is still more than 323!  We were beginning to believe that our math principles had changed.  It really seemed so simple to most of us.  Judge Lackey knows how to count votes and knows that the person with the most votes is the winner!  (Even in Tunica County!)


Congratulations to Mr. Pegram.  It will be a change to have someone represent all of District 5 - not just a select few.  It will be a change to have someone act financially responsible!  It will be a change to have someone vote for the good of the County and not just their personal self interest.


Ms. Siggers, please call for the vote on who should be President of the Board.  Everything the Board has done since taking office last month should be thrown out.  Everything should be voted on properly with the "duly" elected persons getting to vote. 


If Mr. Perry really wrote for an attorney general's opinion on who should be supervisor, he should consider letting Mr. Hood know it is no longer needed.


Mr. Dunn, please get a chair for Mr. Pegram!