Good Gracious City Council

[protector]

I can't believe what I just witnessed on TV with Marion City Council. I was spellbound for 1 1/2 hours. Did anyone see this? Is this a normal meeting? I had no idea!

[Unregistered Citizen]

If the people of District 2 don't get out and vote for Eloise Rogers in the run-off, County Council will be just as bad

[bigfish]

I can't believe what I just witnessed on TV with Marion City Council. I was spellbound for 1 1/2 hours. Did anyone see this? Is this a normal meeting? I had no idea!

Marion City Council meets on TV now?!?!? :confused:

[protector]

it was on the new cable channel 8 that was bought by some local guys in Dillon and Marion. I'm going to find their phone number and call Monday to see when it replays. It is really worth watching.

[bigfish]

it was on the new cable channel 8 that was bought by some local guys in Dillon and Marion. I'm going to find their phone number and call Monday to see when it replays. It is really worth watching.

I am totally clueless, here. Can you give me any idea of what occurred?

[protector]

I do not want to slant in any way. One must see it for themselves. It appears the mayor sued 4 of the council members for their attempt to block the hiring of Alan Ammons as the city administrator. They felt that one man is not capable of fulfilling 3 full time jobs. They pointed out they it had nothing to do with the individual. In court it appeared that the 4 council members won a verdict ( not absolutely clear on that). There was also controversy on a piece of property that the fire department bought (with a bank loan) from the mayor. There was talk of the Graham Estate on how council was suppose to be a part on appointing the officers. It was literally a gun fight on a host of topics for 1 1/2 hours . One thing for sure is that Marion City Council is heading no where fast with such division. It's was entertaining but very scary.

[Unregistered1972]

I do not want to slant in any way. One must see it for themselves. It appears the mayor sued 4 of the council members for their attempt to block the hiring of Alan Ammons as the city administrator. They felt that one man is not capable of fulfilling 3 full time jobs. They pointed out they it had nothing to do with the individual. In court it appeared that the 4 council members won a verdict ( not absolutely clear on that). There was also controversy on a piece of property that the fire department bought (with a bank loan) from the mayor. There was talk of the Graham Estate on how council was suppose to be a part on appointing the officers. It was literally a gun fight on a host of topics for 1 1/2 hours . One thing for sure is that Marion City Council is heading no where fast with such division. It's was entertaining but very scary.

i told you so it knew it was happening and you were talking trash to me you people need to listen to people who know what is happening i have been trying to tell you about alan ammons more is going on than that but it is not seen yet soon everyone will see feed the pig

[protector]

There was really no finger being pointed at Alan Ammons. The dialogue was more like he just got put in a bad spot. Even the 4 council members that seemingly opposed his hiring as the city administrator seem to have respect for him

[Unregistered1972]

There was really no finger being pointed at Alan Ammons. The dialogue was more like he just got put in a bad spot. Even the 4 council members that seemingly opposed his hiring as the city administrator seem to have respect for him

why does he have 3 jobs and does that mean he will work 120 hour weeks and how much is he paid this is so about alan ammons cause he is kissin butt and gettin rewards a man cant have 3 full time jobs feed the pig

[swampfox]

Any translators in da house?

[protector]

1972 ,you do make a valid point but probably find very little support with the unnecessary expletives. Just saying......

[Unregistered1972]

1972 ,you do make a valid point but probably find very little support with the unnecessary expletives. Just saying......

i hate to be this way but yall gotta see what goes on at city hall they are a bunch of crooks

[protector]

run for office or encourage someone you believe in to run for office. I think people are ready for changes in Marion particularly.

[bigfish]

When you find out when, or if, it will run on the air let me know.

[protector]

Found it....hometown8.com

[stopfire]

1972, Alan must really get under your skin!! Do you want his job or his life or what? I know the city give Alan the building insp. when the original past away, this was to save the city money. Alan was fire chief at the time and the mayor and council give him the duties of building insp. with a little raise. Which in return this saved the city a whole salary. It's not like there are that many houses being built in the city, and he was around at anytime they needed him(really convenience for the city). At the same time or before they give the administrator at that time, the tax and licenses collectors job, SAVING MONEY for the tax payers. We are not talking about a county as big or the growth of Florence or Horry county here. Small one horse town here!! I think with that said, looks like the mayor is saving the tax payers more money!(and if Alan was of the opposite race everything would be OK) So 1972, like I said before lets sit down and talk or maybe you need to join in that bunch of ya-hoos that are attending the council meetings because you will fit right in with them!! Oh yea, give an amen brother every now and then and they will over look you being a stupid white boy!

[protector]

stopfire, you're every bit of the problem...calling other yahoo's.

[stopfire]

maybe protector, but what is the problem other than racism? That council has been after the mayor since he was elected.

[Beach Girl]

There was really no finger being pointed at Alan Ammons. The dialogue was more like he just got put in a bad spot. Even the 4 council members that seemingly opposed his hiring as the city administrator seem to have respect for him


How would someone be in a position to get 3 or is it 4 city jobs unless there is something to point a finger at? Are there no qualified workers available in the city of Marion besides Alan Ammons? Just wondering? Seems kinda odd to me that he has this many city jobs when other people can hardly get a foot in the door for any kind of job. Did Bobby Gerald say "by the way, Alan, would you like another job with the city, there is one open?"

[bigfish]

How would someone be in a position to get 3 or is it 4 city jobs unless there is something to point a finger at? Are there no qualified workers available in the city of Marion besides Alan Ammons? Just wondering? Seems kinda odd to me that he has this many city jobs when other people can hardly get a foot in the door for any kind of job. Did Bobby Gerald say "by the way, Alan, would you like another job with the city, there is one open?"


Who can argue with that lady's logic? It certainly makes sense.

[bigfish]

maybe protector, but what is the problem other than racism? That council has been after the mayor since he was elected.


Stopfire, that kind of thinking will keep good ol' Marion County thirty to fifty years behind the rest of the world.
I mean, Marion County has just reached the year 1968 (maybe).....LOL!

[Unregistered1972]

How would someone be in a position to get 3 or is it 4 city jobs unless there is something to point a finger at? Are there no qualified workers available in the city of Marion besides Alan Ammons? Just wondering? Seems kinda odd to me that he has this many city jobs when other people can hardly get a foot in the door for any kind of job. Did Bobby Gerald say "by the way, Alan, would you like another job with the city, there is one open?"

kissing butt can take someone a long way when it comes to alan ammons feed the pig

[bigfish]

Well, I guess it is what it is.

[protector]

Please....some young people with gumption run for office! This county is tired. Let all the old pros go. They have not got it done. None of them with the exception of Kent Williams

[bigfish]

Please....some young people with gumption run for office! This county is tired. Let all the old pros go. They have not got it done. None of them with the exception of Kent Williams


To do this, we will need a coalition of like-minded individuals who are electable. The more young people running for local office for the overall betterment of Marion County the better it will be for the citizens. We need new strategies and new ideas. Unfortunately, one person on a city council or county council cannot do it. Change would have to come on the city and county council level first, then the state level (which Kent Williams is a great start there). And, by the way, we need to leave the race issue in the past where it belongs. I am not talking about a "whites only" club or a "blacks only" club here. In my opinion, we should be over the race thing because it is only a tool for division in today's society.

So ask yourself this question: Who do we collectively know that we can stand behind with confidence to make these changes for the betterment of the City of Marion, the City of Mullins, the City of Nichols, and Marion County. Who will dare upset the local "apple cart?" Who would be willing to run for local office? There are some "old fogies" that will leave their seat of power kicking and screaming and we should already know this fact of life. Remember, absolute power corrupts absolutely.

I have always thought of running for local office myself but I always made up too many excuses why I should not. It is not like I do not have a lot of skeletons in my closet....LOL! But I have learned through my short life that the skeletons in a person's closet and how those skeletons got there give people the most insight on life. As it stands, I would be interested anyway.

Hypothetically speaking, should I run for local office and win whatever seat I would be running for then who would be sitting beside me? One man cannot do it alone....

[bigfish]

Please....some young people with gumption run for office! This county is tired. Let all the old pros go. They have not got it done. None of them with the exception of Kent Williams


To do this, we will need a coalition of like-minded individuals who are electable. The more young people running for local office for the overall betterment of Marion County the better it will be for the citizens. We need new strategies and new ideas. Unfortunately, one person on a city council or county council cannot do it. Change would have to come on the city and county council level first, then the state level (which Kent Williams is a great start there). And, by the way, we need to leave the race issue in the past where it belongs. I am not talking about a "whites only" club or a "blacks only" club here. In my opinion, we should be over the race thing because it is only a tool for division in today's society.

So ask yourself this question: Who do we collectively know that we can stand behind with confidence to make these changes for the betterment of the City of Marion, the City of Mullins, the City of Nichols, and Marion County. Who will dare upset the local "apple cart?" Who would be willing to run for local office? There are some "old fogies" that will leave their seat of power kicking and screaming and we should already know this fact of life. Remember, absolute power corrupts absolutely.

I have always thought of running for local office myself but I always made up too many excuses why I should not. It is not like I do not have a lot of skeletons in my closet....LOL! But I have learned through my short life that the skeletons in a person's closet and how those skeletons got there give people the most insight on life. As it stands, I would be interested anyway.

Hypothetically speaking, should I run for local office and win whatever seat I would be running for then who would be sitting beside me? One man cannot do it alone....

[TAZ]

Please....some young people with gumption run for office! This county is tired. Let all the old pros go. They have not got it done. None of them with the exception of Kent Williams

Kent isn't really that old, is he? I thought he was in his fourties.

[protector]

Kent is the positive exception. He is approximately 46.

[bigfish]

Hell, at my age that is still young!!! LOL!!!

[bigfish]

By the way, is there any way we could post the City Council video on this website? Just curious due to copyright restrictions and etc. It would be nice to place it on this site due to the easy accessibility. After all, the citizens of Marion County have a right to view it on "Friends of Marion County."

[bigfish]

By the way, is there any way we could post the City Council video on this website? Just curious due to copyright restrictions and etc. It would be nice to place it on this site due to the easy accessibility. After all, the citizens of Marion County have a right to view it on "Friends of Marion County."


Did you hear that, Annabelle?:headset:

[TAZ]

You can put the web address to the video on here but not the video it's self.

Yeah fish,:reddot:,:flame:,:zap:.

:lmao:

[protector]

If the very little known Wukela can pull those numbers against the former Governor candidate Willis in the Florence Mayor race then surely there is hope for new leadership in Marion County.

[Unregistered Analyst]

Wukela beat Willis b/c 1952 voters chose to vote in the Republican Primary for Florence City Council RATHER than the Mayor's race which was a Democratic Primary(can't vote in both parties primaries during same election cycle by state law). These Republican votes are votes that Willis would have most likely received over the more liberal Wukela if those Republican voters had voted in the Wukela/Willis race. That's why City of Marion leaders and most other municipalities and school boards hold non-partisan general elections. If Florence had non-partisan elections, Willis would have likely beat Wukela by 1500+/- votes; but hey, Willis was the Mayor, if he was smart, he would have fixed that problem long ago before it cost him his own election. My comments simply an explanation of what happened to Frank Willis, not meant to discourage anyone from running for office, a healthy political system always needs new ideas and new candidates. If you're feeling froggy, jump in and test the waters! The worst that can happen is you lose, who knows you might be that lucky dog that catches the car and then you can figure out for yourself how to drive it!

[protector]

ANAL---yst . I appreciate your insight, information that I was unaware of. However the information lost its bite when you concluded with the poor driving analogy

[born2teach]

Maybe Alan has what it takes to handle the 3 or 4 jobs and do it well. Maybe Bobby has faith that Alan will get the jobs done and he will not have to "babysit" anyone in order to see that the jobs are done correctly and professionally- what's the big deal anyway- this is Marion County- why is everyone acting so suprised?

[Govman]

Bigfish, Every word you typed I agree with. As you know our latest business casualties include Pee Dee Ford and Sears. Everyone knows Blumenthol is holding on by a thread. The newest unemployment numbers have us top of the list. I ask you and all viewers ......Would you locate your business here after reading my post? Can we point the finger at our leaders? Are they happy to have their picture in the papers when the slightest little insignificant good thing occurs? The answer is 'YES' TO BOTH QUESTION!!!!! You are so right when you say one person can't do it. we need an overhaul.We need a coalition to recruit qualified candidates(yes black and white).

[Govman]

Bigfish, Every word you typed I agree with. As you know our latest business casualties include Pee Dee Ford and Sears. Everyone knows Blumenthol is holding on by a thread. The newest unemployment numbers have us top of the list. I ask you and all viewers ......Would you locate your business here after reading my post? Can we point the finger at our leaders? Are they happy to have their picture in the papers when the slightest little insignificant good thing occurs? The answer is 'YES' TO BOTH QUESTION!!!!! You are so right when you say one person can't do it. we need an overhaul.We need a coalition to recruit qualified candidates(yes black and white).

PERTAINING TO BIGFISH 6/18 POST

[retired silver]

Who's in charge of this city? There doesn't seem to be a clear answer anymore IN Marion!

[bigcityredneck]

Who's in charge of this city? There doesn't seem to be a clear answer anymore IN Marion!

bobby gerald will always be in charge in marion! go bobby!

[swampfox]

Go Bobby! Make Marion work like a rented mule!

[ihatedavis]

Go Bobby! Make Marion work like a rented mule!

i just wish mr davis would move out of bobby's way and let bobby continue to improve marion

[retired silver]

people are beginning to see that Bobby Gerald is the problem

[marioncitizen]

people are beginning to see that Bobby Gerald is the problem

more and more people see that is the problem now. it is time for a new direction.

[marioncitizen]

[QUOTE=bigfish;74568]To do this, we will need a coalition of like-minded individuals who are electable. The more young people running for local office for the overall betterment of Marion County the better it will be for the citizens. We need new strategies and new ideas. Unfortunately, one person on a city council or county council cannot do it. Change would have to come on the city and county council level first, then the state level (which Kent Williams is a great start there). And, by the way, we need to leave the race issue in the past where it belongs. I am not talking about a "whites only" club or a "blacks only" club here. In my opinion, we should be over the race thing because it is only a tool for division in today's society.

So ask yourself this question: Who do we collectively know that we can stand behind with confidence to make these changes for the betterment of the City of Marion, the City of Mullins, the City of Nichols, and Marion County. Who will dare upset the local "apple cart?" Who would be willing to run for local office? There are some "old fogies" that will leave their seat of power kicking and screaming and we should already know this fact of life. Remember, absolute power corrupts absolutely.[QUOTE]



bigfish has the right idea

[anothermarioncitizen]

it is a very good idea. bigfish says alot on the site that makes sense. does bigfish live in marion? he may need to run for mayor!

[bigfish]

it is a very good idea. bigfish says alot on the site that makes sense. does bigfish live in marion? he may need to run for mayor!


Sorry, I do not live in Marion but thanks for the compliment. :)

[Battle Ax]

it is a very good idea. bigfish says alot on the site that makes sense. does bigfish live in marion? he may need to run for mayor!

my buddy fish is miles ahead of most of the county when it comes to having good ideas! he is a born leader!

[bigfish]

I heard a rumor that the Piggly Wiggly in Marion was closing next week. Is this true? :confused:

[whatsnext?]

I heard a rumor that the Piggly Wiggly in Marion was closing next week. Is this true? :confused:

I heard it was closing on saturday

[Unregisteredbobby]

I heard it was closing on saturday

I heard that Bobby Gerald increased the Piggly Wiggly rent for that building to a ridiculous amount! I thought our mayor was suppose to help our city of Marion not make it a ghost town!!!!!!!

[RAMLIDYOB]

Heard that is what happened to Sears, rent from $3,000 to $10,000 a month. Now would you call that a modest increase?

Read the for rent sign in front of the now empty store to see who the contact person is.

[Unregisteredbobby]

Heard that is what happened to Sears, rent from $3,000 to $10,000 a month. Now would you call that a modest increase?

Read the for rent sign in front of the now empty store to see who the contact person is.

So what is more important the state of the mayor's city or the state of the mayor's pocketbook?

[Uptown Girl]

Heard that is what happened to Sears, rent from $3,000 to $10,000 a month. Now would you call that a modest increase?

Read the for rent sign in front of the now empty store to see who the contact person is.

I heard that Bobby Gerald let the previous Sears owner go over 6 months without paying his rent in an effort to help them keep their business open. I also heard Bobby Gerald doesn't own or have a damn thing to do with the Piggly Wiggly building.

But what I heard the loudest is that some of you people on this board are either stupid as hell or immorally vicious as hell.

Heard it all from Bobby Gerald.

[Unregistered321]

Why dont you get your facts straight before you open your mouth. The mayor went out of his way to help the Sears people stay as long as he could. They were the ones that decided to leave. They would have closed earlier but the mayor worked with them on the rent. The rent was the same as when the last Sears owner rented it. the owners of sears closed the carwash in Mullins too..i gues you going to say the mayor owned that too..WRONG AGAIN

The Piggly Wiggly doesnt and has never belonged to Bobby Gerald. If you know so much go check the court house records before you open your damn mouth.

Watch the sears store very soon??

[bigfish]

A few yahoos get on this thread and bash Bobby Gerald and all of you go ballistic! Let the yahoos be yahoos! You know, forgive them because they know not what they do (The Christ Approach). ;-)

I agree that Bobby Gerald has nothing to do with the closure of Piggly Wiggly. I was just surprised to hear that the place was closing.

I do not know anything about who is paying rent to who and, frankly, it is none of my business. I am too busy paying my "rent." LOL!

And to these yahoos:
Guys, Bobby Gerald is NOT the anti-christ and, no matter how hard you try to portray him as such, he will never be the anti-christ. I believe that the man has honestly tried to do the best for Marion given what he had (and has) to work with. In Marion County, unfortunately, Bobby Gerald has not had much to work with from the beginning of his tenure as mayor. Just as Bobby Gerald is NOT the anti-christ, he is not Superman either. Besides, as an outsider looking in, Bobby Gerald could not be doing a bad job considering the fact he is constantly re-elected!

[Unregistered321]

thanks fish

[OLD FOGEY]

Bobby Gerald is not the anti-christ and has been a decent Mayor but he has served self as much as anybody I've ever seen. Truth is Marion does need new leadership and almost had it 8 years ago when a virtually unknown at the time almost beat him. Much of our economy woes is out of his hand. We have others to blame for that.

[Unregistered321]

..that was not "one" person that was in the race. that was a group that put "him" up to running because they failed in the past. they would support micky mouse in order to beat the mayor..then IF he had won they would have him in their pocket for four years then they would have someone run next time and would win easy...think about it??? its not hard to understand...its politics

[OLD FOGEY]

..that was not "one" person that was in the race. that was a group that put "him" up to running because they failed in the past. they would support micky mouse in order to beat the mayor..then IF he had won they would have him in their pocket for four years then they would have someone run next time and would win easy...think about it??? its not hard to understand...its politics

321 you don't know what you're talking about. I supported this young man last time around because I believed Marion needed a different course. I can tell you from a personal friendship that he is too strong of a personality to be in anyone's pocket. Furthermore it is easy to detect your racism, though I admit it's present with potions of the ones you call "they". We must accept the fact that we are a city of diversity and we will never move forward in any fashion be it socially, economically etc, until we have that one special person that can bring us all together. Our current Mayor has done some good things and I've supported him until recently. In my humble opinion Kent Williams has been that for us on a regional level but we need it with our city now.

[Rodney Burger King]

321 you don't know what you're talking about. Furthermore it is easy to detect your racism

cant we all just get along? or is does everything have to get racial? how petty are we going to be? are we going to stand on the deck of a sinking ship called marion county arguing about what color of people get the lifeboats while the ship is sinking fast? are we always going to be ignorant? will our ignorance called racism keep things were no economy exists in marion county? will our children be wiser than their ignorant and petty parents? will our children have anything left in marion county?

[Wrong]

This comes from the Star & Enterprise.

Marion City Council members complain they are not kept informed

By Dianne Owens (dowens@florencenews.com)
Editor
Published: November 25, 2008
During the November Marion City Council meeting, Mayor Pro Tem Bobby Davis said he wanted to discuss why it seems the city’s council members are not informed of what is really going on in the city.
Regarding a proposed site for a new fire station, Davis said council was never told who owns the property but that they were told, during October’s meeting, three things regarding the site: That it is “point six miles from Marion Intermediate School, on Palmetto Point Road, and in the city of Marion.“ Davis said council deserved to know that fact before moving forward with the project, adding, “I really think we need to be more careful in how we go about doing business for the city of Marion, especially when it requires us to deal with taxpayers’ money.“
Given those three pieces of information, Davis said he concluded the land is part of what is known as “the Graham Estate” property. That property is held in a trust and Mayor Bobby Gerald is one of the trustees for that estate. The fair market value of that property given by the tax office is $193,500, he said.
“Had we received that information last meeting, we could have talked about this and gone about this in a business manner, in the way we should have,“ Davis said. Davis delivered photographs with signs that show the land is offered for sale. Gerald is listed as the point of contact. We need to be careful about approving things and doing proper research, he said.
In all due respect, I believe that Mr. (Alan) Ammons and the Mayor should have told us that this is the Graham Estate property, he continued. “That said, the vote was 3-3 (to start work to get a CDBG and Rural Development grants for the building of the fire substation). The mayor broke the tie. The mayor cannot break a tie in any case where he may receive a gain, as one of the persons in charge of the estate.”
Davis then asked who at the city authorized the redesignation of Halloween in the city of Marion from Friday to Thursday this past month. He said the County Administrator said it was the decision of the municipalities. If that was so, Davis said, who at the city authorized the change, as council did not vote on it.
Beginning his response to Davis’ remarks, Gerald said “Forget about the holiday … First of all, you don’t know what you’re talking about … about the land deal … The A.C. Graham (estate) owns the land. I am a trustee. We have not offered it to the fire department. We’re not going to sell it to the fire department.
“I don’t know where you got your information from, but you’re wrong 100 percent.“
Gerald went on to say city officials have met with folks to discuss a land donation. The estate doesn’t even have any land it would sell to the city of Marion, Gerald said. “Graham’s got land we would donate.“
Council member Poiette McGill-Brommell asked why there would be a problem knowing where the property is coming from. The mayor said the owner did not want his “name out there.”
Marion Police Chief Willie Smith was asked to explain to council members the decision to change the date of celebrating Halloween. Smith said he, the Chief of Police of the City of Mullins and the Marion County Sheriff got together and began discussing the fact that we had a lot going on that weekend and to lessen the pressure on law enforcement officers during that time, if we could hold Halloween on Thursday, it would lessen our problems on that Friday.
And that’s good, Davis said, but according to him, the only entity in the municipality who can change policy is the council. “The mayor can’t. You can’t. No one else can change a policy once it is place…” Council is due the “courtesy … to say ‘Let’s change…’ We had constituents calling, asking us why it was changed. That’s not the way to operate…” Davis concluded.
Smith apologized, adding that they thought they had notified people in enough time to let people know about the change. “We were concerned about safety, we just did what we thought would benefit the citizens of Marion County.”
“The only problem I have with the way we operate in Marion is that council is left out of what is going on … It happens too often in Marion,” Davis said, continuing to site what he said were other incidents of council not knowing what is going on in the city.